YAP-SAN DIEGO

The Yap-San Diego ancestral house was built in 1675. It was owned by the family of a Chinese merchant,
Don Juan Yap, whose daughter married the cabeza de barangay of the Parian, Don Mariano San Diego.
Like many old houses, it’s gone through several iterations over the centuries. The atmospheric Yap-
Sandiego Ancestral House is among the country’s oldest residential homes, built around 1680 from wood
and coral stone, its design combining Spanish and Chinese architectural influences. Dating back to the
Spanish colonial era of the 1600s, the Yap Sandiego Ancestral House is a museum that sheds light on the
Chinese settlements of the city. It Is said to be among the first Chinese houses to be built outside of the
country. Find out about the unusual blend of Spanish and Chinese cultures that infiltrated the Philippines
centuries ago. Note that the structure is built from a mixture of wood and coral stones, with red tiles
making up the curved roof. Enjoy the green ambiance generated by the potted plants flanking the
entrance walkway. Enter the building and gaze up at the hanging chandeliers and the interior part of the
red-tile ceiling that is held together by dark. Imagine the family members and friends who spent time
here over the centuries. Browse the majestic statues and artistic collections in the house.

MAGELLAN'S CROSS

Let me welcome you to one of Cebu’s prominent sites, the Magellan’s Cross. Did you know that
Magellan’s Cross is half a century old? Yes, u heard it right. It is exactly a 501 year old cross. Interesting,
right? It has been housed and become a symbol of the town of Cebu. So for a quick story. In 1521, a
catholic explorer and Portugese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, landed on Cebu Island with his crew. Our
native chief, Rajah Humabon, his wife, and hundreds of his native warriors agreed to accept Christianity
and were consequently baptized. Magellan ordered to plant a cross to signify this important event. In
short, the cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan serves as a memorial and baptism of Rajah Humabon, his
wife, and his subjects. The cross that Magellan planted has been known since then as Magellan’s Cross.
You won’t find a cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan himself other than the ones you find on this very
spot. Since 1834, the cross has been housed in a small chapel shaped like a gazebo so as you can see. A
large mural in the ceiling of the chapel depicts a story of Magellan reaching Cebu Island shores.
Magellan’s Cross has been considered a historical site in the Philippines. It holds a huge part of the
history of Cebu. The cross brought by the Spanish colonial people who is Ferdinand Magellan became a
symbol of the beginning of Christianity. It also represents all the first catholic Filipinos that were baptized
on the side of this historic chapel. Since then, the cross become a trademark in Cebu.