Cebu City: Queen City of the South

Cebu City is one of the most important cities in the Philippines. It is hailed as “The Queen City of the South” due to its importance in trade, shipping and tourism in that part of the country.

Geography

Cebu City lies along the eastern shore of Cebu Province in the Visayan region. It has a total land area of 291.2 square kilometers and a population of some 800,000 people according to the latest census. The city consists of 80 barangays divided into two districts. The native dialect is Cebuano.

Trade and Economy

While the cities of Manila and Makati are the business centers of the northern Philippines, Cebu is the trade capital of the south, Visayas and Mindanao.

Because of its location, it is only natural that business in Cebu would revolve around the sea and seafaring. The city is the country’s largest shipping hub, being home to 80% of all domestic shipping lines. Seafood is abundant in the area, and in fact one type of fish was named after the hero Lapu-Lapu (see below). Recently the outsourcing of companies to Asia has benefited the Cebuano people. Many have found jobs in call centers since English is widely spoken.

One of the Philippines’ two international airports, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, is a half-hour drive from the city. Due to its strategic location, Cebu is often used as a hopping point by travelers to other tourist destinations in the region.

History

Even before the advent of Spanish rule, Cebu was already a well-developed and prosperous city that enjoyed trade relations with other Southeast Asian countries. On April 7, 1521 the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the island. He was welcomed and befriended by Raja Humabon, the king of Cebu. Humabon and his people converted to Catholicism and became the first first Filipino Christians. But the people of nearby Mactan Island were not so friendly, and Magellan was killed in battle by their king, Lapu-Lapu.

In 1562, more than forty years after the death of Magellan, the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi returned to the islands. Legaspi then established a new Spanish colony with Cebu as its capital.

Sights

Cebu City is a major tourist destination in the Philippines. Its best-known landmark is the Cross of Magellan. Legend says that it was erected by the explorer upon his landing on the island. It is sacred among Filipino Christians, who regard it as the symbol of the birth of their faith. In 1835, the local bishop ordered that the cross be moved to a wooden case and guarded in a chapel. This was to protect the cross from being vandalized by devotees who would chip away pieces at a time.

Nearby is the Minor Basilica of the Holy Infant (Basilica Minore de Santo Nino). The church is home to the country’s first religious image, the Santo Nino.

Every year in January, the famous Sinulog festival takes place. Originally a dance ritual in which dancers mimicked the motion of the river (sulog), it is now performed in honor of the Infant Jesus.

Travel destinations: Cebu, Philippines

If you are looking for a place to go with lots of green around and with hospitable and fun-loving people who could share you an exciting travel, then go to Cebu, Philippines. Cebu is called the “Queen City of the South,” because it is the center for trade and education in the southern part of the Philippines, and it boosts of its rich environment.

Cebu is one of the better international destinations in the world and boosts of its rich natural resources and beautiful spots where tourist could share exciting experiences. Cebu as an international destination has flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, And South Korea almost everyday. From Manila, the capital of the Philippines, Cebu is just an hour away by plane and by boat it takes twenty two hours. Either way, you could always enjoy the trip and it pays if you reach your destination as Cebu proves to be one of the best places to go when you love nature and love to relax and refresh.

Cebu is rich in natural resources and boosts of its miles and miles of forest greens. There is the Central Cebu National Park which is 15,393 hectares wide clustered with all the wilds you would find adorable and soothing. The Sudian National Park is 696 hectares, not so wide but it is lovely with its greens covering it.

Cebu has world-class beach resorts that offers exciting experiences for guests. A look around Cebu proves your travel very meaningful by visiting the Cawasan Falls and the Bolok-Bolok Mineral Springs. Not to mentions all the other majestic views you could see around Cebu which makes a day not enough to see all that you want to see around.

Cebu is a very historical place. This is the place where Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer and his men landed in 1521. Here, Magellan planted a giant cross which was named, Magellan”s Cross. It was planted on the very spot where the first Filipinos were baptized. But although Magellan was able to colonize the Filipinos, more Filipinos resisted Spanish attempts of colonization, one of them was Lapu-Lapu who became the first Filipino hero. He has a bronze statue standing in Cebu today which is one of the beautiful spots that Cebu could be proud of. Aside from these spots, one could also visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino which houses the oldest religious relic in the country.

Cebu offers many sports and recreation for guests who wish to have a more meaningful and exciting experience, such as golf, tennis, cock fighting, water sports like scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, water skiing, jet skiing, shopping, good food and entertainment.

There are lots of good restaurants to choose from and enjoy good food, beaches to enjoy the cool and clear waters and hotels which are comfortable yet affordable.

For guests who want to add more spice to their travel, they could go to the island of Mactan, Moalboal and Camotes islands, to enjoy a good dive. The calm and clear waters of Argao, Badian and Malapascua offers an ideal place for kayaking.

Cebu is a place to visit. It is a majestic place with lots of excitement and fun to offer the guests. Be one of them and experience the joy and fun of living.