Cebu - Queen City of the South |
Cebu City, also known as the Queen City of the South, is one of the major destinations in the Philippines. This flourishing city has a rich history dating back to the pre-Spanish Era where it was already engaged in trade with China and its other Southeast Asian neighbors. Today, it is an economic hub not only in the Visayas region but also in Mindanao, thus rivaling Metro Manila in Luzon.
Aside from its history, it is also famous for its Sinulog Festival which is held every third Sunday of January in honor of the Santo Niņo. It is one of the biggest and the most colorful of all festivals in the country. Cebu's history goes way back before it was colonized by Spain. Before the Spaniards came, it was already a prosperous settlement which was engaged in trade with China and other Southeast Asian nations.
On April 7, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan along with the remaining 150 men of his original 270 crew members, landed on the island of Cebu. He immediately became friends with some of the island's leaders, Rajah Humabon, who even agreed to be converted to Christianity along with his 800 subjects, and Datu Zula, with whom he formed an alliance to fight against Lapu-Lapu, the chieftain of Mactan Island.
Magellan's attempt to conquer Mactan was unsuccessful, though, as he was killed in action by Lapu-Lapu's men. Of the original crew, only 18 were able to return to Spain, including Antonio Pigafetta who faithfully chronicled their voyage from their departure to their return.
The island was successfully colonized by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. It was then made the capital of the new Spanish colony. What is now the province of Cebu was created by virtue of Act No. 2711 on March 10, 1917.
Today, Cebu City is the economic hub of the Visayas region and is second only to Metro Manila in the whole of the Philippines. It is home to 80% of the country's inter-island shipping companies and also has the busiest international airport in the Philippines, just next to the capital.
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