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Towns and Cities
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GENERAL INFORMATION (CEBU)
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CEBU CITY
- Fort San Pedro, at Plaza Independencia along General D. MacArthur Blvd., was started May 8, 1565 and is the oldest fort in the country. This 2,025-sq. m. triangular Spanish fort, situated between the port and Plaza Independencia, was named after Legaspi's flagship. The current structure, completed in 1738, has three bastions: San Miguel, San Ignacio de Loyola and La Concepcion with stone walls 2.5 m. thick and 6 m. high and towers 10 m. high. The fort's original buildings include the Cuerpo de Guardia (troop's quarters), the largest building and the Viviendo del Teniente (living quarters of the fort's lieutenant). The fort, under the care and administration of the Philippine Tourism Authority, was also an American military barrack, (Warwick Barracks), a schoolhouse during the Commonwealth period, a Japanese POW camp during World War II, a hospital during the liberation, a Philippine Army camp in 1946 and a Lamplighter (a religious sect) mini-zoo in 1957. The fort, including its towers and roof observatory, was restored in 1968 and its inner court (turned into a miniature garden by the Cebu Garden Club after 1950) now has an open-air theater, a cafe in a walled garden and a museum.
- The Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, formerly the San Agustin Church, was built by Legaspi and Urdaneta to house the 30-cm. high image of the Sto. Niño. The statue was given by Magellan to Rajah Humabon's wife and recovered unscathed in a pinewood box by Juan Camus on April 27, 1565. It is kept in the convent while a replica is enshrined in a small chapel to the left of the basilica altar. The first church, built with wood and nipa by Fr. Diego de Herrera, was destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568. The second, a stone replacement built by Fr. Pedro Torres from 1605-06, was also burned on March 1628. It was rebuilt soon after, with stone and bricks, by Fr. Juan de Medina but was demolished in 1731 by Fr. Jose Bosqued. The present stone structure was foundation was started on February 29, 1735 by Fr. Diego Bergano, Gov.-Gen. Fernando Valdez, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio y Ocampo, continued by Fr. Antonio Lopez and Fr. Francisco Aballe and was completed in 1740 by Fr. Juan de Albarran. It was restored and reinforced in 1782 and slightly restored in 1889 by Fr. Mateo Diez who added the windows. Both church and convent were restored in 1965 on occasion of the fourth centennial of the Christianization of the country. The side retablos, the old organ and some portions of the monastery were removed. On April 28, 1965, the 400th year of Cebu's Christianization, it was conferred the title of Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño by Hildebrando Cardinal Antoniutti, papal legate of Pope Paul VI. It is now a National Landmark.
- Magellan's Cross, at Plaza Sta. Cruz along Magallanes St., are the remains of the original cross encased in hollow, black tindalo wood and housed in a octagonal kiosk of wood, adobe and red brick tiles, built in 1845. Located between the City Hall and the Basilica Minore de Sto. Nino, its ceiling paintings depict the events of Magellan's visit (the baptism of Rajah Humabon and 800 of his followers by Fr. Pedro Valderrama and the first Catholic mass in Cebu).
- Colon St., in Downtown, was named after Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) and was laid out in 1565. The city's main shopping St., it is also the oldest in the country and is located on the former Parian District. It has department stores, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants and shipping agencies.
- The Heritage of Cebu Monument, a sculptural tableau designed by National Artist Edgardo Castrillo, was started on July 1997 and inaugurated on December 8, 2000. Located on the original Plaza Parian along Colon St., it showcases the significant and historic events from the time of Rajah Humabon up to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod.
- The majestic and imposing Provincial Capitol, along N. Escario St., with its high dome, was constructed in 1937 under the administration of Gov. Sotero Cabahug (1934 to 1937).
- The Pigafetta Monument, a 15-foot high statue of Magellan's Italian chronicler, was modeled by Abdulmari Imao and cast in bronze in Manila. It was unveiled on April 12, 1980.
- Fuente Osmeña, formerly Osmena Circle, is located uptown. This circular park has a fountain in the middle and a skating rink on its side. It connects B. Rodriguez St. with Gen. Maxilom Ave. (formerly Mango Ave.).
- The University of San Carlos, along Del Rosario St., is the oldest school in the country. It was founded by the Jesuits in 1595 as the Colegio de San Idelfonso. It was reopened in 1783 as the Colegio-Seminario de San Carlos and it became a university in 1948. Tel: 254-0202.
- Beverly Hills, at Lahug District, is a wealthy residential subdivision located six kms. from downtown and situated 300 meters above sea level. It has a panoramic view of the city, the harbor and Mactan Island. Above it is Victoria Peak, named after the hill in Hongkong. It also has a number of Chinese temples.
- The Great Taoist Temple, built in 1972, is a huge multi-level complex of bright red and green pagodas, guardian lions and dragons that follow the slope of the terrain. It preserves the teachings of the 600 B.C. philosopher, Lao-tze. Taoists climb the 81 steps (representingthe 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to the temple for the beautiful ceremonies, light joss sticks and have their fortunes read. It overlooks the port.
- The beautiful hilltop Heavenly Temple of Charity, at Peace Valley, is located to the left of the Taoist Temple. It has an impressive central altar decked out with statues of Milagrosa Rosa, the patron saint, and the Supreme Gods. There is a curative natural spring underneath it.
- The Phu-sian Buddhist Temple is located on the right side of the road going to the Taoist temple.
- The Celestial Garden, at Banawa Hills, is 12 hectares of rolling hills owned and managed by the Tanchan Foundation. It has life-size statues of the Stations of the Cross.
- Tops, situiated 2,000 ft. (610 m.) atop Busay Hill, is a viewpoint located four kms. north of Cebu Plaza Hotel and 15 kms. from downtown. It has the best panoramic view of Cebu City, Mactan Island and Bohol in the background. Entrance fee: P100/pax.
- The 15,393-hectare Central Cebu National Park, a forest preserve and wildlife sanctuary, was formed by the mountains between Cebu City, Toledo City and Balamban. Its 180-hectare Mt. Tabunan forest is dominated by dipterocarp species like lawaan. It is also the habitat of the endangered Cebu flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor), believed to be extinct since 1907 but sighted again in 1942; and the Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis), a melodious twitter. It also has epiphytes and the endemic Cebu cinnamon tree.
- The Talamban District, formerly Mabolo, is located on a small valley northwest of Cebu City. It was founded as a town in 1600 and was later annexed to San Nicolas and Opon. It was relocated to its present site in 1847 and was made into an independent parish on April 18, 1850.
- The present wood and masonry Talamban Church was built by Fr. Juan Soriano in 1850. It is 20.5 m. long, 5.5 m. wide and 3.75 m. high while its stone and wood convent was built by Fr. Manuel Ibeas in 1866. Both suffered during the November 25, 1877 typhoon and the 1882 earthquake. The church was reconstructed and its partially rebuilt Classic facade is influenced by the Neo-Renaissance style. Its three original bells were installed in the new belfry with the biggest cast by Saturnino Limcaco on September 5, 1850 and the other two, cast by H. Sunico, installed in 1891.
- Sudlon National Park, in Lahug District, is a 696-hectare forest preserve with a temperate climate, caverns, wonderful scenery, swimming pools and picnic grounds.
- Mt. Manunggal is the site where Pres. Ramon Magsaysay's plane crashed on March 17, 1957. Parts of the plane still remain there and the site is marked by a commemorative marker.
- The CAP Don Sergio Osmena Memorabilia & Art Gallery, at 60 Osmena Boulevard, was formerly the Cebu “White House.” It was built in 1947 and acquired by the College Assurance Plan, Inc. in 1984. It exhibits the late Commonwealth Pres. Sergio Osmeña's personal car, some of General MacArthur's memorabilia and 500 personal mementos of Osmena in the second floor. Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-12 noon and 2-6pm. Tel: 253-3441 and 253-6519.
- The Casa Gorordo Museum, at 35 Lopez Jaena St., was the former bahay na bato residence of Juan Gorordo (1862-1934), the first Filipino bishop of Cebu. Built in 1863, it is now owned by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation and in 1985 was fully restored and opened as a museum. The stone-walled ground floor displays paintings by Cebuano artists; its upper floor has a dining room, office with period furniture, master bedroom, sala and a library with old photographs of Cebu and books (including faded copies of Rizal's novels). It has an unusual trellised second floor patio, a courtyard, a tile roof with Chinese upturned eaves wooden sidings and capiz windows. Open daily except Sunday, 9am-12 noon and 1- 5:30pm. There is an informal guided tour. Tel: 255-5645. Fax: 253-2380. An admission fee is charged.
- The Cebu Public Museum, at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum along Osmeña Blvd., exhibits Cebu City's commissioned historical painting collection as well as other Cebuano paintings and sculptures. Tel: 253-6604.
- The Fort San Pedro Regional National Museum, along Legaspi Extension, was opened last April 23, 1994. It houses artifacts taken from the sunken Cebuano-built galleon San Diego (off Fortune Island, Batangas) including Ming porcelain pieces, coins, sword fragments, lockets, cannons and helmets. It also exhibits a rich collection of ceramics and artifacts from various archaeological sites in Cebu. Open 8am-7pm. Tel: 256-2284. An admission fee is charged.
- The Jumalon Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery, at 20 Macopa St., Basak, Pardo District, houses the country’s oldest butterfly collection. The only one of its kind in the country, it illustrates the immature and adult stages of local butterflies live in their natural settings. There is also an accompanying exhibit of butterflies from other parts of the world including the rare Siamese twin specimen caught in Cebu in 1954. Beautiful and intricate lepido mosaic pictures; landscapes and portraits made with butterfly wings by the late Professor Julian Jumalon, head of the University of San Carlos' lepidoptera department, can be viewed at his residence. Admission is free but by appointment. Tel: 261-6884.
- The Medalle Collection of Photos, at the University of San Carlos Cebuano Studies Center, has photos dating back to the Spanish era and portrays Cebu when life was more serious and gracious.
- The Residence of Dr. & Mrs. Ramon Arcenas, at Banawa District, houses a collection of Spanish period furniture, santos jewelry, pottery, ceramics and Spanish colonial art.
- The Rizal Memorial Museum and Library, along Osmena Blvd., displays a collection of antiques donated by rich and famous Cebuano families and a collection of artwork of Cebuano painters and artists. The upper floor houses a performing arts hall forconcerts and theater productions by Cebu talents. Tel: 254-1109.
- The Sala Piano Museum, at 415 Gorordo Ave., houses the Ingrid Sala Sta. Maria Miniature Piano Collection donated to the family foundation in January 1990. It exhibits a unique collection of hundreds of pianos of all shapes and sizes. The museum also houses a music foundation and is also a venue for classical concerts. Open 9am-12 noon, afternoons by appointment. Tel: 231-1341.
- The Southwestern University Museum, along Urguello Private Road, houses the extensive collection of Lydia Aznar Alfonso and gives a quick look at Cebuano art and lifestyle, from prehistoric to Hispanic times. It displays burial jars, boat coffins, death masks in gold, trade pottery, gold teeth pegging, coins, Iron Age pottery, excavated trade beads and heirloom jewelry, santos and church carvings and other church accessories. Also on display rare trade ware of porcelain from China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, including Ming, celadon and other China trade jars, as well as Ban Chieng and Haripunchai pottery. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am-5pm. Tel: 253-6500, 9-0776 & 253-8809. The Filipiniana Research Center is open Mondays to Saturdays, 7am-7pm.
- The Rizaliana Museum, at the University of Southern Philippines in Lahug District, houses Dr. Jose Rizal's etchings, writings, paxal letters to his family, his cerrada coat and other pieces of clothing and the oil lamp which illuminated his Fort Santiago cell, all donated by Rizal's sister. Tel: 7-9015.
- The University of San Carlos Main General Museum, along P. del Rosario St., was opened in 1967. It has four galleries: Ethnographic (traditional costumes and ornaments), Archaeological (stone and iron implements, pottery, burial coffins and body ornaments), natural sciences and the Spanish colonial period (ecclesiastical art objects and church records). Exhibits from other Asian countries are also displayed. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-12 noon and 2-5pm and Saturday until noon. tel: 253-1000. An admission fee is charged.
- Cebu State College Museum (Osmena Boulevard, tel: 23-9611)
- Don Victoriano Leynes Philately Collection (Colon St.)
- St. Theresa's College Museum (Don Ramon Aboitiz St., tel: 253-6337)
- University of San Carlos Biological Museum (Archbishop Reyes Ave., Talamban, tel: 8-5023).
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ALCANTARA
- Spanish colonial church
- Cogtong Spring
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ALCOY
- The town’s St. Rose of Lima Church was first built with bricks in 1889 by Fr. Bartolome Fernandez. The present, old Spanish colonial church was built in 1893 by Fr. Luciano Fernandez. In 1976, Fr. Alicerio restored its roof and painted the exterior and interior. Only two are left of its original bells. Its somewhat Gothic facade is divided into three segments by four half-emerging pilasters and has a recessed main entrance crowned by a pinnacled niche and flanked by flame-like arched windows. The tracery-decorated pediment has a centrally located clover-shaped rose window and is topped by a cross. Its gable is flanked by four minaret-like structures connected to a balustrade-like and tracery-decorated cornice. On the church’s right is a rectangular five-storey balustraded bell tower built in 1982. Its four corners also have minaret-like structures.
- Other places of interest within the town include unspoilt white sand beaches, beautiful coves and inlets, barrier and coral reefs, mangrove forests, verdant hills and valleys, towering lush mountains, secondary forests (home to macaque monkeys, civet cats, wild chicken and several beautiful birds) and fertile farmlands in the highlands.
- The beautiful, 800-m. long, white sand and palm-fringed Tingko Beach, at Km. 95 in Brgy. Daan Lungsod (Old Town), is the most popular public beach in the whole town. It is situated in a small but deep lagoon across a coral island which is completely submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide. It is separated only by a very narrow channel from the mainland. A few feet from the shore, the sea floor gradually plunges down to a depth of several meters below the surface. During the northeast monsoon season (November to January), the sand in the southern end of the beach would shift northward, exposing the rocky bed of the shore. The sand would return quickly early February. The beach is conspicuously hidden out of sight when viewed from the road as it is situated down below a low cliff.
- For scuba divers, a barrier reef, extending more than a mile, runs parallel to the shores of the two coastal barangays of Pugalo and Pasol. Another great dive site, located two miles offshore from Pasol, has an undersea mountain that rises up a few meters below the surface of the sea. It is replete with a variety of reef fish and other colorful marine organisms.
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ALEGRIA
- The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, within the poblacion, is the Spanish colonial church.
- Mt. Lamaya
- Monuments of Three Cuencos (San Mariano Cuenco, Congressman Miguel Cuenco and Gov. Manuel Cuenco).
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