(Magallanes St., Cebu City)-Planted in April 21, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, this marks the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and queen Juana and about 400 followers were baptized by Fr. Pedro Valderama. In 1525 to 1740, the Agustinian priests built an open shrine for the cross, but the natives began to take chips from the cross believing it had miraculous power. So a kiosk-like structure was built to protect the cross from total destruction. To protect it further, a hollow cross of tindalo wood was made to encase the original cross which still stands today.
(Pier Area, Cebu City) - the smallest and oldest tri-bastion fort in the country, this served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It has a total inside area of 2,025 square meters. The walls are 20 feet high , 8 feet thick and the towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. Work was started on May 8, 1565 with MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI breaking the ground. During the American Regime, it became an American Warwick Barracks which was later converted into classrooms where the Cebuanos received formal education. During World War II, it served as fortification for the occuping Japanese soldiers. After 1950, the Cebu Garden Club took over and fixed the inner court into a miniature garden. For a couple of years it also housed the Cebu City Zoo. From 1978 to August 15, 1993 it housed the offices of the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority. At present, it is under the care and administration of the Cebu City government.
(Matutinao, Badian, Cebu) - One can feel the coolness of the surrounding lush greenery of this panoramic waterfalls. Accommodations from cheap to moderate rates are available in the area.
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BASILICA MINOR DEL SANTO NINO
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(Osmena Blvd., Cebu City) - this church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Nino was found in 1565. The first structure of the church was, however, destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568. It was rebuilt in 1602 under the administration of Juan Albaran and was rehabilitated in 1740. On May 1965, the church was conferred the title of Basilica Minor del Santo Nino by Cardinal Antonuitte, Papal Legate during the Fourth Centennial celebration of the Christianization of Cebu.
(Olango Island, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu) - Olango island supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country. Migration starts from the breeding places of birds in Siberia, Northern China and Japan. Anticipating the scarcity of food and winter cold, these birds fly as far as Australia and New Zealand from late July until late November. This is usually referred to as the Southern Migration. By late February until May, these birds return to their breeding grounds in the reverse Northern Migration
(Punta Engano, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu) - Site where the battle between Mactan Island chieftain Lapulapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan occurred in April 27, 1521. It depicts the hero holding a bolo in one hand and a pestle on the other. Said weapons were believed to have been used during his combat with Magellan. This monument stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.
(Colon St., Cebu City) - located on the original Plaza Parian, the Heritage of Cebu Monument showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu, from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod. The monumental sculptural tableau is the work of national artist Eduardo Castrillo . Construction began on July 1997 and inaugurated in Dec. 8, 2000.
Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty from its white sand beaches, Mactan Island is located across Cebu City, the gateway city to the Visayas and Mindanao. Mactan Island also serves as a jump-off point for diving sites in the sorrounding islets that dot the Mactan Channel. It has established itself as a world-class international resort area in Central Visayas.
(a town 90 kms. south of Cebu City) - More than the usual sun, sea and sand destination, Moalboal is a haven for the diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The Panagsama Beach area is renowned as one of the most popular and prime diving spots in Asia in the early 80s. Its depths is home to a diversity of marinelife - corals, anemones, sponges and a school of brightly colored reef fish. (Shown in the picture is Pescador Island, a well known diving area across Panagsama Beach.)
(Punta Engano, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu) - Encouraged by the success of Christianizing the people of Cebu, Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the faith. Before he reached the shores, he was killed by the chieftain of the island, Lapulapu and his men, during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Efforts to retrieve the body of Magellan were futile inspite of the offer to trade jewelries and spices for the dead body. This marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died.
(35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City; Telefax no.: (63-32) 256-5630) - It is home to the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu - Juan Gorordo (1862 - 1934). A tour inside this residence is a brief journey into a Filipino lifestyle in particular a period between 1860-1920. This place presently features noted paintings, museum relics, a courtyard, antique household items and furniture.
Open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. Admission fee is Php 70.00 for foreigners, Php 40.00 for adults, Php 15.00 for college students and Php 10.00 for children (including high school and elementary students)
(Located in the northwestern tip of Cebu) - Serene and tranquil, and boasting of fine white sand beaches, the island is a favorite holiday hangout, especially during the Lenten Season. The historically rich Holy Week celebration of Bantayan Island is among the most elaborate in the country - using life-size statues during the Holy Thursday and Good Friday processions
(Across the northenmost tip of Cebu) - It was on Christmas day when the Spaniards reached the island. According to townfolks, it was supposed to be a special day for the celebration but unfortunately a storm hit the island and so came the name MALAPASCUA, MALAS SA PASKO, which means "unfortunate Christmas" in English. Malapascua is sometimes referred to as LOGON, the main community in the south. Logon got its name when the Japanese and Americans fought over the island during the World War II . The island is 3kms. long and 1 km. wide with a population of about 3,000. It has white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The west coast is ideal for swimming and snorkeling but one should be careful because of unpredictable weather. A walk of tour on the whole island can be done within a day.
(across Danao City) - The island is located northeast of Cebu province and is composed of 4 towns, namely: Poro, San Francisco, Tudela and Pilar. To cross the island, one can take the boat that leaves from Pier 1 in Cebu city (The Golden Bridge Express) or take the ferry in the Mandaue Warf. Both ferries are bound for Poro. Another would be to go to the Danao City seaport (an hour away from Cebu City) and leave for San Francisco using their large outrigger boats.
(Located at Beverly Hills, Cebu City) - This temple preserves the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. Everyday people climb its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read.
[Busay, Cebu City; Contact no.: : EMRO Holdings Inc. - Tel. no. (63-32) 424-7800 / 340-7837] - Situated 2,000 feet above sea level on the cool hills of Busay, it is and excellent sightseeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Open kioks are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties. Entrance fee is Php 100.
(formerly The Cebu Archdiocesan Museum for the Cultural Heritage of the Church; Located in Manalili cor. P. Gomez Sts., Cebu City; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.cathedralmuseumofcebu.com; tel no.: (63-32) 412-3455) - houses Lithurgical Exhibition of Artifacts found in Parishes all over the Province of Cebu, it traces the History of the Parishes and at the same time pinpoints the richness of the cultural legacy of Cebu as the seat of Christianity in the Philippines. The building which housed the temporary collection was the old rectory of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Old maps of Cebu show that the building has been around since the 19th century - surving wars, uninformed renovation and the elements. Open from 9:00 AM to 12 noon in the morning and 1:00 PM to 5:00 P.M. in the afternoon, Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fee for foreigners - PpP 100; For locals - Php 50; for Elementary students - P15; for high school and college - Php 25; For Senior citizens Php 30.
BASILICA DEL STO. NINO MUSEUM
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[Basement Pilgrim's Center, Basilica del Sto. Nino, Osmena Blvd., Cebu Ctiy; tel. nos. (63-32) 255-6697 up to 99 local 602 or 253-1601 (local 111)] - The Museum was first established in the year 1965 by Fr. Ambrosio "boy" J. Galindez, OSA, mainly for the purpose of the commemoration of the Fourth Centennial celebration of the Christianization in the Philippines. It was formerly located at the Basilica del Sto Nino Minore. Vestments and assorted offerings for Sr. Sto. Nino were displayed in a certain room at the convent. The transfer was done after the construction of the Pilgrim center was done in the year 1995 . the main object of the Museum is to make aware of the originm circumstances and events related to the formal Christianization of the Philippines. Entrance fee for adults - Php 10; Senior citizens, Students , children - Php 5; Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM (with 11:45 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. as noon-break)
[M.J.Cuenco Ave., Cebu City; Contact no.: (63-32) 516-2128] - formally inaugurated by Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia on August 5, 2008, the eve of the 349th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu, the Provincial Museum has 12 galleries spread in six buildings, all made of coral stone and lime mortar, the largest collection of Spanish structures ever to be found in a single site in Cebu. Built between 1871 and 1891, these buildings were originally designed by Don Domingo de Escondrillas, the lone engineer-architect of Cebu at the time, as the Carcel del Distrito de Visayas (Visayas District Jail) which later became the Cebu Provincial Jail. Six of the museum's galleries are dedicated to the prehistory and history of Cebu, and are located at the former administration building of the colonial jail. Arranged chronologically, the six covers the prehistory of Cebu with a fine collection of excavated stone tools, boat-shaped coffins and trradeware ceramics, down to the colonial legacy where one find documents from the Legazpi expedition in 1565, objects from the Katipunan uprising in Cebu, and the Sen. Vicente Rama and Justice Sotero Cabahug memorabilia of the American colonial period, among the others. A fine collection of World War II objects as well as the mementoes of the post-war years complete the gallaries.
Admission is P10 for adults and P5 for students.
UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS MUSEUM
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(P. del Rosario St., Cebu City ; Tel. no.: (63-32) 253-1000 local 191) - The University of San Carlos Museum was founded in 1967 by the late German , Fr. Rudolph Rahmann. The Museum is composed of four galleries; (1) Spanish Colonial Gallery, (2) the Ethnographic Gallery, (3) the Archeological Gallery and, (4) the Natural Science Gallery Ethnographic materials from the Buhid Mangyans of Mindoro whichwas first collected in 1953 by Dr. Marcelino Maceda and consequently was followed by field collection by him and Fr. Rahmann on the material culture of the Negritos of Antique., Panay and Mamanuas of Surigao in 1954. Displayed materials have increased in time as a result of field work of other cultural anthropologists while some have been bought.
Department admission fee is Php 10 for students; and Php30 for adults; Open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 NN and 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. ; Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 NN only.
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