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Cebu Philippines

By RomanticHeart | December 17, 2009

The City of Cebu Philippines is the oldest and one of the most developed provinces in the country, the educational and commercial center of the Visayas area. The official language of Cebu is Cebuano, though its natives are also proficient in English, Tagalog and other Visayan languages. Roman Catholic is predominant, followed by several religious minorities such as Protestant churches, Taoists, Latter-Day Saints, Muslims, etc.

Cebu is situated east of Negros Island. It also has Bohol in the southeast and Leyte in the east. It is enveloped by the straits of Cebu and Tanon and is located between 9deg25′N and 11deg15′N latitude and between 123deg13′E and 124deg05′E longitude in the center of the archipelago, approximately 365 miles south of Manila. Through air travel, it can be reached by about an hour.

This long narrow island of Cebu stretches 225 km or 140 miles from north to south. It is surrounded by 167 smaller islands like Mactan island, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands. For the most part, Cebu has rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island.

The local people of Cebu are called Cebuanos. Most descended from Austronesians and some have Spanish and Chinese ancestry. Cebuano culture has preserved strong Hispanic traditions in its native culture. Contemporary music, movies, restaurants and the broad utilization of English are prevailing influences from Americans. Cebu takes pride in being the country’s oldest colonial city. In April 14, 1521, Magellan planted a large wooden cross that commemorates the archipelgo’s first encounter with the west. Starting at mainland Cebu, Magellan traversed the channel to the island of Mactan in an attempt to spread Christianity. Lapu-lapu, the chieftain of Mactan together with his warriors, defended the island against the attempt and killed Magellan as he arrived at the shore. A monument now marks the historical site.

In recent years, Cebu become a replica for self-governing industrial growth. It is a busy capital, next to Manila, in comercial activity and cosmopolitanism. In Cebu shipping is a main industry. Among other industries in the city are the manufacturing of processed foods, textiles, and chemicals. When it comes to rattan furniture Cebu is considered a world center for production. it is recognized as the Philippines guitar producing capital. The guitar-making industry is centered in Maribago and Abuno on Mactan island, where a day’s production includes at least a hundred assorted instruments including mandolins, banjos and string basses.

Cebu Philippines is well known for its sun-drenched, white sand beaches and year-round tropical climate. In terms of accommodation, a good range of beach resorts from mid-priced to luxury is concentrated on Mactan Island. Mactan upholds the still unblemished allure of the quite uncongested countryside.

Off the northwestern tip of Cebu Island is Bantayan Island, now becoming popular among venturesome beach fanciers with a taste for excellent soft shell crabs. One the southwest coast, Moalboal, more or less three hours overland from cebu, has been a place for scuba-diving enthusiasts and also budget travelers, gaining a reputation for some as “the Philippines’ best-kept secret.”