Cebu

INTRO
A beautiful tropical island, Cebu combines in itself the charm of an exotic beach resort and a historically important part of the world's past. Religiously different from most Asian countries, the island is unique with its blend of Christian heritage and stunning tropical nature. Nestled between hundreds of islands, Cebu is fashionably attractive to all who love to travel.

City Profile
City: Cebu
Country: Philippines
Area: 5,088.4 km2
Population: 3,356,137
Districts: 7
Governor: Gwendolyn Garcia
Language: Cebuano

LOCATION
Cebu is an island in the Philippine Sea that is situated east of Negro Islands and is surrounded by more than a hundred small islands, including Mactan Island and the Camotes Islands. As one of the most developed provinces of the Philippines, it is not only the major trade, educational and industrial centre in the archipelago but with its white-sand beaches and first class hotels it is also one of the top Asian-Pacific tourist destinations.

TIME TO VISIT
Cebu has a tropical climate, less influenced by the typical for the Philippines typhoons. The weather is relatively moderate throughout the year with temperatures between 23- 33 degrees C. The dry and hot months that correspond to the European standard of summer are between mid-February and May, while the most distinguished rainy season lasts from June till the end of July. If you go in January, don't miss the "Viva Seňor Santo Niňo Festival", the most popular festival in the region, held annually on the streets of Cebu city.

POPULATION
The current population of Cebu is composed of wide range of ethnic groups, the majority of which are Korean, Spanish, Chinese, American, Japanese and some others. The Cebuanos are ancestors of Austronesian, Spanish and Chinese people, which has left a mark in their cultural heritage. The official language on the island is Cebuano but English is often used in education, the media and other areas of communication. Spanish and Chinese are also spoken by the corresponding minority groups.

CITIES
The island of Cebu has a main metropolitan area, called Metro Cebu and which constitutes of three larger cities, including the city of Cebu. There are seven big cities and other smaller towns scattered around the island's territory. Each city is attractive and interesting on its own but most acknowledged ones are as follows:

Cebu city, as the provincial capital of the island, is an important metropolitan city. It is the main domestic shipping hub of the Philippines as well as a significant industrial and metropolitan centre. The Queen City of the South, as it is frequently called, is only twenty minutes drive from the international airport and situated in the middle of the island.
Lapu-Lapu city occupies most of Mactan island and is the arriving point for the tourists because of its airport area. It is the home of two shrines, one of which the Magellan Shrine, and several other places of interest.
Mandaue city is characterised as a first class, highly urbanised city with a long commerce history. It is connected to Mactan Island via two bridges: the Mandaue_Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. There is an annual festival, called Mantawi Festival, held every 7th of May to praise the city.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
A place like Cebu has a lot to offer to its visitor. Being a part of the world's history and of today's tourist reality, the island has become a popular destination with both modern and old attractions. Depending on your interests, you should definitely be able to satisfy your tourist spirit.

Magellan's Cross is a replica of a Christian cross housed in a small chapel. The original was made in 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese explorers who followed Ferdinand Magellan's instructions. The cross is both a symbol of the city of Cebu and of the Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://living.cebunetwork.com/magellan-cross-cebu/2006/05/04/
Fort San Pedro is a military fort that was built in 1738 to protect the city from unwanted invasions and is today turned into a museum. It houses well preserved artifacts of the Spanish government, including paintings, sculptures, furnishings and so on.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niňo was built in the 16th century in the very heart of the city. The name comes from the image of Santo Niňo (the Black Holy Child Jesus) that was found on the exact spot the basilica stands today. In 1965 the church was ranked a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI.
Julian Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery is the country's oldest collection of butterflies as well as their natural environment. On the territory of the sanctuary there is also a Lepido Mosaic Art collection, called that because it features butterfly wings as its central component. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.jnjumalon.org
Chapel of the Last Supper presents human-sized carvings of Jesus and his twelve students during their last dinner together. The relic is found in the San Jose Parish church in the city of Mandaue and is one of the kind in the whole country.
Kawasan Falls are located in Badian area that offers a pleasant greenery experience with picturesque views of the island, swimming in cool waters and bamboo rafting. It is an ideal place for a family or couples picnic surrounded by nature and piece.

AIRPORT
The island of Cebu is readily accessible through its international airport, which has direct flights to all the Asian countries as well as transfer flights to the county's main airport that connects it to the other major destination in the world.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located in Lapu-Lapu city at only twenty minutes drive from the city of Cebu. An easy way to reach Cebu city from the airport is to take a taxi that charges P195 to the centre. There is a taxi line right outside the terminal. More info at: http://www.mactan-cebuairport.com.ph/

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
There are several efficient ways to travel within the island of Cebu:

Car: it is possible to hire a car, there are rent-a-car agencies at the airport. Fares: around P3000 for half a day.
Taxis are metred but you should insist on using it. The flag-down rate is around P25-30 and succeeding P1 per kilometre. All taxis have air-conditioners. To rent a taxi for a whole-day city tour or for a road trip around the province, it costs around P600 for the first couple of hours and additional P175 for each succeeding hour.
Jeepney is a small jeep that serves the public transport and is the cheapest way, around P6, to travel through the cities.
Ferries operate to many cities in the region as well as to the surrounding islands.

HISTORY
Cebu was a flourishing land with established sailing system to China, Thailand and Arabia. It was the first place to get settled by the Spanish government in 1565, short after Fernando Magellan discovered the Philippines. Consequently, the island was under Spanish influence for three centuries. Cebu is also associated with Fernando Magellan's death in the Battle of Mactan, whose memorial is in Lapu-Lapu City today. Cebu had changed its name several times till it finally got its current one in 1905. The island then began a fast development up the hierarchy of the Filipino economy from an agricultural, economical and commercial point of view. Cebu is proud of having the oldest fort (Fort San Pedro), the oldest church (Basilica Santo Niňo), the oldest school (San Carlos) and the oldest street (Colon) in the county.

CITY LINKS

Sun Star, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/
Cebu Information: http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/cebu1.htm
Interesting Places in Cebu: http://www.dticebu.net.ph/01_a_04.html

UNIVERSITY LINKS

University of San Carlos, the oldest university in the Philippines: http://www.usc.edu.ph/
University of San Jose-Recoletos: http://www.usjr.edu.ph/
University of the Philippines Cebu: http://www.upou.org/administration/lc.htm
Cebu Doctors' University: www.cebudoctorsuniversity.edu/