Being a native of Cebu, i couldn't resist showing you
a glimpse of my hometown.
Cebu owns a lot of interesting, historical features,
but I will just show you a few places...
you must come and see the rest for yourself.
CITY HALL The mayor holds his office here,
located in downtown Cebu
THE CROSS OF MAGELLAN
From time immemorial , this spot has been
set aside to commemorate the erection of a cross in Cebu by the
expedition of Magellan, when King Humabon of Cebu and his Queen,
son, and daughters, together with some 800 of their subjects were
baptized by father Pedro Valderrama. This hallowed site was inspired
in 1735, by Rev. Juan Albarran, Prior of San Agustin and in 1834
by Rt. Rev. Santos Gomez Maranon, Bishop of Cebu. The image of
the Santo Nino found by the expedition of Legaspi
in a house near the present site of the Cathedral of Cebu,
and is venerated by the faithful in the nearby church of San Augustin.
There were many rumours about this cross.
One of the most popular ones, were the growth of this Cross. That
thousands of people from all over the island to this area, for
pilgrimage. Did it really grow? Many locals really do believe
in this miracle. But to others, the growth of the cross was probably
referred to, as parrallel to the growth of christianity.
The original tree is hidden underneath the big cross, to prevent
the locals from chipping off a slice of it, for their own healing
and for their loved ones. This was one of the miracles affiliated
with the cross. Legend has it that when someone took a piece of
the cross as a request of his sick parent, his father was immediately
healed. Since then, many Filipinos from all over the islands,
pay homage to the cross. This also explains the presence of many
vendors, selling candles ,religious icons or amulets.
The oldest Church in Cebu was
named after the Santo Nino (Saint Child). When Legazpi came back
to the philippines, a century later, they noticed that the people
were arrogant and were not as receptive to them as their first visit
with Magellan. So they burned the whole village to subjugate the
people. In one of those burning houses, a statue of
the Sto Nino was found unscathed.This was the statue Magellan gave
to Queen Juana, when they embraced Christianity. Our natives
gave the Spaniards their gold and jewelries, and in return, the
Spaniards gave them their religious icons. From that time on
, after discovering the figure after the fire, the statue was proclaimed
miraculous.It was also declared
as the patron saint of the island of Cebu.
Sto.
Nino
"Sinulog" is Cebu's biggest annual religious festival.This
festival
revolves around the church, a reenactment of it's history,
from the pagan times, to the coming of the Spaniards,
and the acceptance of Christianity. It is usually held at the end
of January, and visited by tourist from all over the world. It is
similar to the "mardi gras" of Brazil.
A A peso for a dance? Meet our band of Temple Dancers.
Give them a peso for a candle,
and they will sing and dance for you in a prayer.
Or should I call them professional prayer dancers?
B
This prayer tradition was handed over
from one family generation to another.
Only these women knew the secrets
behind their power chantings.
C
after the dance of prayer,
a candle is lighted up,
you can make your own private prayer
or just leave the candles to burn...
it is not uncommon to see
an array of vendors selling religious artifacts
and amulets around this area.
Fort San Pedro is presently, a historical
park which houses the National Museum and provides sanctuary for
quiet reflection.
B
Built in 1738 as a defense against pirates,
the fort was a stronghold for Filipino freedom fighters in 1898,
was a U.S. Army barracks, was a prison camp during the Japanese
occupation,
as well as a private zoo by Father Tropa, a reknowned Lamplighter.
San Pedro was the name of the ship
which brought Legazpi to the Philippines in 1565.
This is also the smallest triangular fort in the world.
Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills,Cebu City,
an affluent residential subdivision in Cebu.
Once upon a time, the mountains of Beverly was occupied by thieves.
But an affluent chinese merchant had a dream_
the Gods ordered him to built a temple in the mountains,
for good joss or luck.To have a share of this luck, many Chinese
merchants,
as well as Filipinos built their houses around it.
This temple preserves the teaching of Lao-tse
the 600 B.C. Chinese Philosopher.
A stairway to heaven was built, consisting of 99 steps.
People climbed the steps,
as some form of penance and surrender to God, hoping that
God will hear out their prayers more.
Visitors may also have their fortune read,
after lighting some joss sticks.
Top of the world?
No, I'm just at the top of Cebu.
Situated at the highest sea level of Cebu, the tops of cool Busay
Hills is an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking
view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Cottages
are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties.
It is a great place to celebrate full moon parties. Only 20
minutes drive from Cebu City's foothill.
After an easy and accommodating reception in Cebu,
Magellan was confident to conquer
the rest of the neighboring islands.
Unfortunately, he was received in Mactan
by a hostile Sultan chief Lapu-lapu. A bloody battle followed
in the island of Mactan,
and 3 weeks later Magellan died in this Island,
on this spot in April 27, 1521.
The Lapu-Lapu Monument at Punta Engano
on Mactan Island
is a testament to this proud chieftain who killed Magellan
and is revered as the country's first leader
to resist Spanish colonization, and our first national HERO.
What
happened to Lapu-lapu now? We named our national fish, LAPU-LAPU,
after him. and Magellan ? It used to be the most popular hotel
in cebu for the last decade. hahaha, how's that for a cebuano
humour? LOL
Well, that was just a brief
introduction of Cebu. Cebu, has no doubt more interesting and beautiful
places, but you will need to see that for yourself in person.
