ETYMOLOGY

The name "Cebu" came from the old Cebuano word sibu or sibo which means “trade", a shortened
form of sinibuayng hingpit “the place for trading". It was originally applied to the harbors of the town of Sugbu,
the ancient name for Cebu City. Cebu City, the capital of Cebu is considered to be the oldest city in the
Philippines. It is also known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country. Found in
the island are rich traces of the Philippine history left by mostly the Spaniards.

HISTORY
POPULATION
The population in Cebu is 4,164,536 (2016)
CEBU GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
The province of Cebu is an island that is part of the Central Visayas Region in the Philippines. Cebu
is located to the east of Negros island, to the west of the Leyte, and Bohol islands. It is located on both sides
by the straits of Bohol and Tañon. Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers (140 miles) from
north to south and 41 kilometers at its widest portion. The island is surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller
islands that includes Mactan Island, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango, and the Camotes Islands. The total land
area of Cebu is about 5,000 square kilometers. Some of the hundreds of small islands surrounding Cebu are
uninhabited.
CEBU’S DESTINATIONS
Magellan’s cross- Magellan’s Cross holds a very big part of the history of Cebu. It is believed to be
a Christian cross planted by the Portuguese and Spanish explorers headed by Ferdinand Magellan. It was
planted upon their arrival in Cebu on March 15, 1521. That day also marked the birth of Christianity in the
land. The cross is housed in an octagonal pavilion called the “kiosk”. Cebu Magellan’s cross is housed in a
small chapel located near the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino on Magallanes Street, Cebu City, right in front of
the Cebu City Hall.
Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño- Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ
child, Santo Niño, that dates to Magellan's time. The church is no stranger to hardship; established in 1565
and considered to be one of the first church in the Philippines, three earlier structures were destroyed by fire,
before the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the
2013 earthquake but have been restored.
Oslob whale shark watching- At the south tip of the island of Cebu lies Barangay Tan-awan in the
town of Oslob. It may be just an ordinary community before but became very famous because of the arrival
of the whale sharks referred by many as the “gentle giants”. They are locally called as “butanding” or “tuki”.
These whale sharks started coming to the beaches of barangay Tan-awan to find food. The residents fed
them and these giants got used to the routine and keep coming back everyday. It eventually paved the way
for tourism to rise in that area.

Cebu’s Taoist Temple- The Cebu Taoist Temple is located in a private subdivision, the Beverly Hills
Subdivision, in Lahug, Cebu City. It can only be reached through a private car, taxi, or a motorcycle for hire
called the “habal-habal”. The Cebu Taoist Temple was built in 1972 by the Cebu’s substantial Chinese
community. The Taoist Temple is the center of worship for Taoism. In the temple, devotees perform rituals.
One ritual is where one prays to the gods to grant one’s wish. This kind of ritual includes washing hands,
going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up
upon reaching the floor, it means one can make a wish. If not, it means it is not yet time for one’s wish to be
granted and needs to come back again to the temple some other time. The latter is the only temple open to
worshippers and non-worshippers. Entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple
includes a chapel, library, souvenir shop, and a wishing well. It also has a spacious balcony that has an
access to the scenic of the city.
Sky Adventure- Crown Regency Hotel and Towers Cebu is a 38-story hotel tower with a height-
defying amusement facility located right in the heart of Cebu. Sky Experience Adventure in offers extreme
activities like taking a stroll on their Skywalk Extreme, by simply sitting secured in their Edge Coaster, or
riding their Tower Zip. Besides, they do offer different kinds of entertainment like 6D movies, Backlight Mini-
golf and Vivo Playroom. You can also charming view of the city in the viewing deck while having some
refreshments on the Sky Bar.

Kawasan Falls- Kawasan Falls is a multi-layered waterfalls located in Barangay Matutinao in the
town of Badian, Cebu. Famous for its beautiful turquoise water, Kawasan Falls sits at the foot of Mantalongon
Mountain Range, approximately one kilometer from the national road of Badian and at least four hours of
trekking from Osmeña Peak of Dalaguete. Its cold and clear water cascades through layers of waterfalls
emanating from Kandayvic Spring before going to Matutinao River and Tañon Strait. Kawasan Falls is consist
of two main cascades both with deep natural pools ideal for swimming. The first cascade stands at
approximately 40 meters while the less crowded second level has a height of approximately 20 meters and
can be reached within ten minutes of trekking.

Temple of Leah- The story of Temple of Leah is the same as Taj Mahal, a mausoleum in India built
as a symbol of undying love. Temple of Leah is Teodorico Soriano Adarna’s gesture of love to his late wife
Leah Albino-Adarna, a life partner for 53 years. They are the grandparents of Filipina actress Ellen Adarna
and owner of motel chain Queensland in Cebu.

Tucked in Cebu City’s highland barangay of Busay, construction of Temple of Leah started in 2012
and expected to be finished by 2020. The temple is reportedly made up of 24 chambers that house
an art gallery, museum, library and bar, among others, and adorned with life-sized statues of Roman
gladiators, lions and angels all over. A wide stone steps give everyone a free access to the portico
and towards the lobby where a brass 10-foot statue of Leah is erected. The commemorative plaque
on the base of the statue reads:

“Beloved Wife and Mother: Leah V. Albino-Adarna was chosen Matron Queen of her Alma Mater the
University of Southern Philippines. This bronze statue portrays her composure and regal bearing
when she was crowned. May the beholder discern her innate beauty, poise and gentleness.”

Cebu Safari and Adventure Park- Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is located in the municipality of
Carmen which is about a two-hour drive from Cebu City and Mactan-Cebu International Airport. the 100-
hectare park is owned by Michel Lhuillier (same owner of the M. Lhuillier pawnshop and ML Kwarta Padala
remittance centers). The safari was the result of his love for collecting animals. The animals were flown from
different countries like France and US. Part of the briefing was the schedule of the animals, too. It houses
over a thousand animals from 110 different species, a flora walking trail that proudly displays over 1 million
varieties of orchids from the private collection of Senyorito himself, and an African Savanna, the first in the
country with a vehicle tour inside.

Festivals

Sinulog festival- is considered to be first of most popular festivals in the Philippines. It is an annual
cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu city and is the centre of the Santo
Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.

Silmugi Festival- the word “Silmugi” is an old name of the town of Borbon during the pre-Spanish
period. It was so named after the river which was served as the nearest route for Catholics attending mass
in Saint Sebastian. Its a celebration to honor the patron saint, St. Sebastian Martyr. The highlight of this event
is the street dancing which involves a traditional prayer for a bountiful harvest and various barangays take
part.

Bodbod festival- emphasizes a dance movement through a street dancing and the movement on
how to make the bodbod with their costumes in bodbod concept. The focus of this festival is their "bodbod"
famous for its tasty. It is celebrated on 10th of February in the place of Catmon.

Sarok festival- the word “Sarok” means a kind of hat that made from bamboo strips and dried
banana leaves and this is commonly used by farmers of Consolacion for protection from the rain and heat of
the sun. The annual celebrations is honor of its Patron Saint San Narciso. The festival is participated by
different barangays, elementary and high school students.

FOODS

Cebu lechon is best known for its crunchy golden red skin and tender, juicy, flavorsome meat. lechon
Cebu— is a young pig stuffed with a secret mix of herbs and spices (usually including star anise, spring
onions, lemongrass), skewered on a bamboo pole and roasted whole over hot coals.

Tuslob buwa The name roughly translates to “dip in bubbles,” Diners dip pusô, or hanging rice
(cooked rice wrapped around coconut or pandan leaves), into the thick and bubbly froth and pop the salty,
greasy pieces into their mouths. Its chief ingredients are pork liver and brain, which get sautéed with garlic,
onions, shrimp paste, and chilis. Cooks fry everything up with oil or lard, which gives the dish a greasier
consistency, and sometimes soy sauce for extra flavor. The mixture starts out as a watery stock, but changes
into a thick, bubbly stew the longer it stays over the fire.

Nilarang na Bakasi (Sour Stew with Reef Eels). Nilarang is a native Cebuano dish often compared
to sinigang and made from boiling fish with herbs and vegetables, and soured with green mangoes and
fermented black beans.

Ngohiong – Cebu’s Lumpia. Ngohiong or “Ngoyong” is a local lumpia delicacy in Cebu. One thing
that stands out for Ngohiong is its deep rooted oriental flavor with the use of 5-spice powder. Cebu’s
Lumpiang Ngohiong (Heart of palm eggroll), they call it in many ways, such as lumpiang ngoyong or lumpiang
ubod Cebu style or Chinese Ngohiong.
CULTURE

Cebu City is known as the Queen City of the South and often regarded as the cultural capital of the
Cebuanos. The city served as the gateway for Catholicism to the Philippines, so Cebuanos are said to be
highly Christianized. Spanish culture and indigenous Philippine traditions have strongly influenced Cebuano
culture.