The Capital of Cebu and the second most important city in the country, Cebu City is Philippines chief domestic port and a prominent center for trade and commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in the city of Cebu and although the native king and the islanders welcomed him, he failed to acquire the land for the Spanish crown as he was killed by a neighboring king of the Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu. It was only 44 years later in 1565 that Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi along with friar Andres de Urdaneta, colonized the region.
Cebu City gets a good portion of its economy from tourism. There are several Spanish colonial buildings to be seen here even today. The most famous landmark of Cebu City is the Magellan’s Cross, which was planted at the spot by Magellan himself and is highly revered by the Christians living in the city. Other significant buildings include the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Fort San Pedro and the Casa Gorordo Museum. Outside Cebu, the beautiful Cebu Taoist Temple atop Beverly hills offers great views of the city below. The Philippines Temple of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the northern district of Lahug is the only other of its kind in the country after the Manila Philippines Temple.
Cebu is easy to reach as it receives the second largest international air traffic at its Mactan – Cebu International Airport, which is located in Lapu-Lapu City, a twenty minutes drive from Cebu City.
Photo by c.s. provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Ronnie Muring provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Ronnie Muring provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by c.s. provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by c.s. provided courtesy of Panoramio.com