Cebu City

Cathedral

The Cathedral dates back to 1591 and started of as a barn like structure made of wood, bamboo and nipa. It was the seat of the diocese which included the whole Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the Marianaa Islands.
In 1665 stone walls were added, over an extended period of time many changes were made making the Cathedral the landmark it is today. It was thought the Cathedral would never be finished due to typhoons, lack of funds andvarious administrative changes.
During the 1890s with Bishop Juan Gorordo serving as Chaplin, the Cathedral was finally completed, being consecrated on June 24th, 1909.

Santo Niño Altar

The church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565. The church was however destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568 and was subsequently rebuilt in 1602 under the administration of Juan Albaran and was rehabilitated in 1740.

On May 1965, the church was conferred the title of Basilica Minor del Santo Niño by Cardinal Antonuitte, Papal Legate during the Fourth Centennial celebration of the Christianization of Cebu.

Magellan Cross

When Magellan traveled from Spain to the Philippines in 1521, he brought with him in a wooden cross. This cross was planted at a place called Sugbu, now Cebu, to symbolize the colonization of the country on behalf of King Philip II of Spain.

To preserve the cross the original has been encasedin an outer layer of tindalo wood, mounted on a concrete pedestal, and housed in a tile-roofed kiosk. The roof of the kiosk is adorned with a painting depicting the landing of Magellan in Cebu and the planting of the original cross on the shore.

Lapu-Lapu

Inspired by his success in bringing Christianity to the people of Cebu, Ferdinand Magellan crossed the narrow channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the Catholic faith. Whilst still wading to the shore, he was killed by island chieftain Lapu Lapu leading his army of men during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Magellan's body was never recovered and in 1866 a marker was erected as a monument to this great explorer, marking the spot that Magellan was slain.

There is a great deal spoken with regards to the Hero of the Philippines, Chief Lapu Lapu, much of it surrounded in myth andlegend. However this is a nice place to visit the grounds are very well kept and you can have a great seafood meal in one of the several fish restaurants next to the shrine. Why not check out the shell vendors just outside the shrine and marvel at the exquisite designs made purely from shells.

Taoist Temple

Cebu Taoist Temple is one of the main attractions of Cebu. You could say you just landed in China! Taoist Temple is  located in Beverly Hills Subdivision, Cebu, Philippines.  Local and foreigners usually visit the temple in the afternoon time.  I suggest if you’re planning to visit the temple be sure you’re there before 4pm.

One can enjoy strolling around the temple in less than an hour. you can take pictures of the awesome place and relaxing are the most common things done inside the temple. and also taking pictures of the Gods and inside the prayer rooms are strictly prohibited.

Cebu Heritage Monument

Here is a historical site, one jeep away from downtown city, that should not be left unattended. Once just a fence in Brgy Parian, the sculptor, Eduardo Castrillo, put all his effort and showed us his commitment to work and patience as he contributes this masterpiece monument to the country.

Visiting the monument and discussing the message of the tableau is an enriching experience, for tourists and students alike. It promoted the City’s Tour of “Heritage Walk,” that included the Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Sto. Niño, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Plaza Hamabar to name a few. Whats great about is It gives us all Filipinos a memory of our history specially the birth of Christianity, just in one site.

The Heritage of Cebu monument, which was completed through donations of private individuals and groups should really be appreciated by all.

Guitar's

Guitars especially made from Cebu are famous throughout the Philippines because of their affordable price, world-class quality and durability.

Cebu has a long history of guitar making due to its traditional industry. Most of the guitar manufacturers are family-owned enterprises passed on from one generation to another.

Cebu-made guitars are popular with local tourists and Filipino expatriates, who buy them as gifts, when they go back to the United States or other countries where they have settled. The guitars are also popular with foreign tourists, who buy them as souvenir items.

The center of the guitar-making industry in Cebu is in Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island. In addition, other string musical instruments made in Lapu-Lapu City include ukuleles, banjos, and mandolins.

The guitars made in Lapu-Lapu are all hand-made and people who want personalized guitars can order them custom-made according to their own design requirements.

Several music stores in SM City Cebu sell Cebu-made guitars and string instruments. Nevertheless, the center of specialty stores in Cebu City selling guitars and other string instruments is in Lincoln Street near the Carbon Market district. The whole stretch of Lincoln Street on both sides has stores selling guitars and other string instruments made from Lapu-Lapu City and other places in Cebu.

In the past, the Cebuanos (people of Cebu as being referred to) were strong followers of Islam and paganism. Their beliefs were changed when Catholicism was brought by the Spaniards to thearchipelago during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the Philippines is the third largest Catholicnation in the world with more than 70 million followers after Brazil and Mexico.

One of the Philippines colorful and sought after festivals is Sinulog. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of January lasting for nine days honoring the miraculous image of Santo Nino (Cebu City'sPatron Saint). The highlight of the festival is the street dancing where participants wrap themselves in beautifully tailored costume whilst dancing in a ritual, commemorating the original beliefs of Islam, paganism, and their acceptance of the Catholic faith.

Last year, Sinulog Festival marked its 30th anniversary and made history when it was jam-packed by eight million spectators; a huge success that made Sinulog 2010 the biggest Sinulog ever! This year, Sinulog Grand Parade kicks off on Sunday January 16, 2011 and I'm sure it's gonna be a lot of fun. What are you waiting for? Join the fun! Join Sinulog 2011.