It was in March 2011 that I had
my very first visit at the Queen City of the South, Cebu City.
Cebu is a province under Central Visayas
region or Region 7, which is known to be one of the oldest provinces in the
Philippines, with rich historical heritage during the Spanish colonial period.
During my half day city tour in Cebu, I was able to see the following sites with historical significance.
Magellan’s Cross
If you are to visit the City of
Cebu, Magellan's Cross is the top of the mind tourist spot. The place has
a historical significance for this is where Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese together
with other Spanish colonizers planted the cross upon their arrival in the province of
Cebu on April 14, 1521. Today, some of the Cebuano claimed that this is only the
replica of the cross, a symbol to which Spanish colonizers successfully conquered
the province of Cebu.
Basilica Minore de
Sto. Niño
Basilica Minore de Sto. Niño is the most visited church in Cebu.
Every Sinulog Festival, this church is the home where the festival is being
held in honor of Sto. Niño (The Child Jesus).
This is also where the oldest Niño image is being kept.
Fort San Pedro (Fureza de San Pedro)
Fort San Pedro is the smallest and the oldest standing fort
in the country. Built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Fort San Pedro serve as the military defense structure during the Spanish colonial era. At present,
it serves as a place that speaks the history of Cebu and the beginnings of the
Spanish colonial rule in our country.
Colon Street
Colon Street is the oldest street in the Philippines. It is
also the shortest national road in the country. Found at the downtown
city of Cebu, the street was named after Christopher Colombus. In its earlier
years, it was the heart of Cebu where commercialism is active. Despite Cebu's expansion in terms of strengthening its business and commerce, Colon
Street continues to be the smallest and busiest street in the city.
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
The biggest Catholic Church in Cebu, Cebu Metropolitan
Church is a living structure that is symbolic of strong Catholicism in the
province.
Tabo-an Market
This is the home of the best danggit (dried fish). If you will go to this place, please ensure that you haven’t taken a
bath yet because the stinky smell of dried fishes stays on clothes. Do your
shower after visiting the market.
My visit in Cebu did not stop here. Yearly, I come to
Cebu for work and a bit of relaxation. Also, I see to it that every time I go to
Cebu, I do something new or visit a place that I haven't been to.
