Cebu, the ‘Queen City of the South,’ is the oldest city in the Philippines. As you would expect, it is rich in history and places of historical interest. The ideal place to start to trace the story of Cebu is Magellan’s Landing Place, the battleground where a Portuguese explorer in the service of the King of Spain fought his last battle against local chieftain, Lapu Lapu. From there you leave Mactan Island and head over to the Plaza Independenzia and Fort San Pedro. This triangular shaped Spanish fortress started life as a wooden palisade guarding the camp of Legazpi in 1564. Over the years the Spanish improved it, adding stone walls and bronze cannons. At times it has been the barracks for Spanish, American and Japanese troops as well as a club house for a botanical society! Today it is a treasured local landmark you can spend time enjoying, with old canons pointing out to sea that were used to repel invading pirates, a collection of artifacts recovered from sunken galleons and junks and shaded benches to rest upon.
Close by there is the rotunda housing the original wooden cross used by Ferdinand Magellan when he first landed and claimed the Philippines for Spain and the Catholic Church in 1521. Next to Magellan’s Cross there is a beautiful old cathedral named after Santo Nino, the patron saint of Cebu.
Cebu CIty is the regional capital of Cebu Island. Cebu is surrounded by 167 islets and islands lined with idyllic white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and swaying palms, making Cebu a perfect destination for that escape to a Tropical Paradise.
Mactan Island is a coral island and famous scuba diving and its beach resorts. As well as guarding the last battleground of Magellan, Mactan also host the international airport, a modern marina and a Special Economic Processing Zone.
Malapascua Island to the north of Cebu is endowed with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the west coast is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.Scuba divers from around the world travel to Malapascua to see the pelagic Thresher sharks that call in to nearby Monad Shoal, a popular cleaning station for Threshers, Hammerheads and giant Manta Rays.
Moalboal, along the west coast opposite nearby Negros, is great for scuba diving. Close by is Panagsama Beach, which is home to an extraordinary array of coral, anemones, sponges, and a swarming host of brightly colored reef fish.
Cebu has been a major trading port for centuries and subject to many diverse cultural influences including Chinese, Indian and Arab traders. Islam had spread to Cebu by the time Magellan arrived and while most converted to Christianity it has left its influence in dance and costume. The 300 years of Spanish colonization has had a major influence on almost every aspect of life, and in the past century the Philippines has embraced American culture. This dynamic mix created a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is unique, even within the Philippines.
Cebuano musicians and singers are renowned around Asia and Cebu City has an abundance of venues providing live music and entertainment to suit all tastes. You will also find many Karaoke bars and KTV music lounges as the locals love to sing. For those seeking adult entertainment there are also the infamous Bikini bars where you can see scantly dressed young ladies dancing on stage.