City of Cebu Dakbayan sa Sugbo Hara nga Dakbayan sa Sugbo Lungsod ng Cebu Ciudad de Cebú
—  Highly-urbanized city  —
Skyline of Cebu City
Official seal of City of Cebu Seal
Nickname(s): Queen City of the South
Map of Cebu showing the location of Cebu City
Coordinates: 10°17′N 123°54′E / 10.283°N 123.9°E / 10.283; 123.9Coordinates: 10°17′N 123°54′E / 10.283°N 123.9°E / 10.283; 123.9
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Cebu (capital)
Legal class	Highly-urbanized city
Income class	1st
Districts	First (North) and Second (South) districts of Cebu City
Barangays	80
Spanish colonial foundation	1565
Reincorporated city	February 24, 1937
Government
• Mayor	Michael Rama (BOPK–Liberal)
• Vice Mayor	Joy-Augustus G. Young (BOPK–Liberal)
Area
• Total	315.0 km2 (121.6 sq mi)
Elevation	17.0 m (55.8 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	866,171
• Density	2,700/km2 (7,100/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
Area code(s)	32
Website	www.cebucity.gov.ph

The City of Cebu (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbo) is the capital city of Cebu and is the "second city" in the Philippines with the second most significant metropolitan centre and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.

The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port and is home to about 80% of the country's domestic shipping companies. Cebu also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippines and is a significant centre of commerce, trade and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Cebu City is the centre of a metropolitan area called Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Carcar, Danao, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay. Metro Cebu has a total population of about 2 million people. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is only a twenty-minute drive away from Cebu City. To the northeast of the city are Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion, to the west are Toledo City, the towns of Balamban and Asturias, to the south are Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City and an aquarium attraction are located.

History[link]

A 19th-century map of Cebu City.

On April 7, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu. He was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the king of Cebu, who together with his wife and about 700 native islanders, were converted into Catholicism on April 14, 1521. Magellan, however, was killed in the Battle of Mactan, and the remaining members of his expedition left Cebu soon after several of them were treacherously poisoned by Humabon.

On February 13, 1565, Spanish conquistadors led by Miguel López de Legazpi (together with Augustinian friar Andrés de Urdaneta arrived in Cebu, but left after clashing with hostile natives. After visits to Mazaua, Leyte, and Bohol the Spanish returned to Cebu on April 15, 1565. They then attempted to parley with the local ruler, Rajah Tupas, but found that he and the local population had abandoned the town. Thus bereft, the conquistadors sacked the town and seized the island for Spain. Rajah Tupas presented himself at their camp on May 8, and the Treaty of Cebu was formalized on July 3, 1565. López de Legazpi's party named their new colony "Villa de San Miguel" (later renamed "Villa del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús)." In 1567 their numbers were reinforced by the arrival of 2,100 Spaniards and Mexicans. The growing colony was then fortified with the Fuerza de San Pedro.

By 1569 the Spanish settlement in Cebu had become important as a safe port for ships from Mexico and as a jumping-off point for further exploration of the archipelago. Small expeditions led by Juan de Salcedo went to Mindoro and Luzon, where he and Martín de Goiti played a leading role in the subjugation of the Kingdoms of Tundun and Seludong in 1570. One year later, López de Legazpi departed Cebu to discuss a peace pact with the defeated Rajahs. An agreement between the conquistadors and the Rajahs to form a city council paved the way for the establishment of a new settlement and the construction of the walled city of Intramuros on the razed remains of Seludong.

On August 14, 1595, Pope Clement VIII created the diocese of Cebu as a suffragan to the Archdiocese of Manila.

On April 3, 1898, local revolutionaries led by the Negrense Leon Kilat rose up against the Spanish colonial authorities and took control of the urban center after three days of fighting^{[citation needed]}. The uprising was only ended by the treacherous murder of Leon Kilat and the arrival of soldiers from Iloilo.

The signing of the Treaty of Paris at the end of the Spanish-American War provided for the cession of Cebu along with the rest of the Philippine islands to the United States of America. On February 21, 1899 the USS Petrel (PG-2) deployed a landing party of 45 men on the shores of Cebu; the Cebuanos surrendered almost immediately. Cebu’s surrender to the Americans was signed by Luis Flores, although others, most notably, Gen. Arcadio Maxilom and Juan Climaco, offered resistance until 1901^{[citation needed]}.

Cebu only became a chartered city in February 24, 1937, during the Commonwealth Era (1935-1946). Many Philippine cities such as Dansalan (now Marawi), Iloilo City, and Bacolod City were only incorporated as such at that time (see Cities of the Philippines). Until then, Cebu City had never been more than a town since its original founding in 1565.

The city, along with the rest of the country came under Japanese occupation during WWII. The Japanese encountered some opposition there from guerrillas led by Col. James Cushing and the Cebu Area Command. It was finally liberated on March 1945.

Colon Street, the most highly-populated area in downtown Cebu City, was the site of fashionable shops, offices and movie houses. It was once the heart of Cebu City's shopping and business activity, but in recent years much of this activity has shifted inland to uptown areas. It is the oldest and the shortest national road in the Philippines. Colon also serves as transit point of public utility jeepney (PUJ) routes covering almost the entire places within the city.

Culture[link]

Procession during the Feast Day of the Santo Niño.

Cebu City is a significant cultural centre in the Philippines. The imprint of Spanish and Roman Catholic culture is evident. The city's most famous landmark is Magellan's Cross. This cross, now housed in a chapel, is reputed to have been planted by Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão Magalhães) when he arrived in the Philippines in 1521. It was encased in hollow tindalo wood in 1835 upon the order of the Augustinian Bishop Santos Gómez Marañon to prevent devotees from taking it home chip by chip. The same bishop restored the present template or kiosk, located at the present Magallanes street between the City Hall and Colegio del Santo Niño. Revered by Filipinos, the Magellan's Cross is a symbol of Christianity in the Philippines.

A few steps away from the Magellan's Cross is the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (Church of the Holy Child). This is an Augustinian church elevated to the rank of Basilica in 1965 during the 400th year celebrations of Christianity in the Philippines, held in Cebu. The church, which was the first to be established in the islands, is built of hewn stone and features the country's oldest relic, the figure of the Santo Niño de Cebú (Holy Child of Cebu).

This religious event is celebrated during the island's cultural festivities known as the Sinulog festival. Held every third Sunday of January, it celebrates the festival of the Santo Niño, who was formerly considered to be the patron saint of Cebu. (This patronage was later changed to that of Our Lady of Guadalupe after it was realised that the St. Nino could not be a patron saint because he was an image of the Christ and not a saint.) The Sinulog is a dance ritual of pre-Hispanic indigenous origin. The dancer moves two steps forward and one step backward to the rhythmic sound of drums. This movement resembles somewhat the current (sulog) of the river. Thus, the Cebuanos called it Sinulog.

When the Spaniards arrived in Cebu, the Italian chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta, sailing under convoy with the Magellan expedition, offered a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Rajah Humabon. She was later named Juana, the figure of the Santo Niño. The natives also honored the Santo Niño de Cebu in their indigenous Sinulog ritual^{[citation needed]}. The Sinulog ritual was preserved but limited to honoring the Santo Niño. Once the Santo Niño church was built in the 16th century, the Christian Malay people started performing the Sinulog ritual in front of the church, the devotees offering candles and indigenous dancers shouting "Viva Pit Señor!"^{[citation needed]}.

In the 1980s and 2000s, the city authorities of Cebu added the religious feast of Santo Niño de Cebú during the Sinulog Festival to its cultural event.

Government[link]

The Cebu City Hall.

Cebu City is a highly-urbanized city, which makes itself independent from Cebu province despite being the seat of the provincial government centered at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. Its voters do not vote for provincial officials. There were proposals however during the time of Governor Emilio Mario Osmeña to establish an "administrative district" that would be independent from Cebu City. This would literally mean carving out Cebu City's Barangay Capitol where the provincial capitol and other provincial offices are located. The plan however didn't push through and was even followed by other proposals like the transfer of the capital to Balamban.

Cebu City is governed by a mayor, vice-mayor and sixteen councilors (eight representing the northern and eight representing the southern region). Each official is popularly elected to serve for a three year term. The chief of the Association of Barangay Captains and the President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation also managed in the city council. The day to day administration of the city is handled by a city administrator.

Mike Rama is the mayor of the city. The former vice mayor was elected during the 2010 Philippine elections, meanwhile Joy-Augustus G. Young is the current vice mayor.^[1][2]

Current city officials (2010-2013)[link]

• House of Representatives
  • 1st District (North): Rep. Rachel "Cutie" B. del Mar
  • 2nd District (South): Rep. Tomas "Tommy" R. Osmeña

• City Mayor: Hon. Michael "Mike" L. Rama
• Vice Mayor: Hon. Joy-Augustus G. Young

Economy[link]

Mid-rise office buildings in Asiatown IT Park, Cebu City.

About 80 percent of the island vessels operating in the country are based in Cebu City.^{[citation needed]} Recently, the entry of business process outsourcing (BPO) firms have contributed much to the growth of the local economy. Cebu's exports include furniture, accessories, and handicrafts.

Geography and people[link]

Cebu City has a land area of 291.2 square kilometres and about 55.9 square kilometres is classified as urban, while 235.2 square kilometres is classified as rural, although all barangays are classified as urban. To the northeast of the city is Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion; to the west is Toledo City and the towns of Balamban and Asturias; to the south is Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla.

Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City is located. Further east across the Cebu Strait is the Island of Bohol.

Around the 1960s, the population of the city was about 91,000. The current data shows that the population reached 799,762 people in 2007, and as of 2009 LGPMS Census the city's population was 822,628 in over 161,151 households.

The city is politically subdivided into 80 barangays or barrios. These are grouped into two congressional districts, with 46 barangays or barrios in the northern district and 34 barangays or barrios in the southern district.

Barangays[link]

Cebu City is politically subdivided into 80 barangays.

North district[link]

Adlaon Agsungot Apas Bacayan Banilad Binaliw Budla-an Busay Cambinocot Capitol Site Carreta Cogon Ramos Day-as Ermita Guba Hipodromo Kalubihan Kamagayan Kamputhaw (Camputhaw) Kasambagan Lahug Lorega San Miguel Lusaran Luz

A view of Cebu City at night. Mabini Mabolo Malubog Pahina Central Pari-an Paril Pit-os Pulangbato Sambag 1 Sambag 2 San Antonio San José San Roque Santa Cruz Santo Niño Sirao T. Padilla Talamban Taptap Tejero Tinago Zapatera

South district[link]

Babag Basak Pardo Basak San Nicolas Bonbon Buhisan Bulacao Pardo Buot-Taup Pardo Calamba Cogon Pardo Duljo-Fatima Guadalupe Inayawan Kalunasan Kinasang-an Pardo Labangon Mambaling Pahina San Nicolas Pamutan

A view of Cebu City taken at the "Tops" in Brgy. Busay. Pasil Poblacion Pardo Pung-ol-Sibugay Punta Princesa Quiot Pardo San Nicolas Proper Sapangdaku Sawang Calero Sinsin Suba San Nicolas Sudlon I Sudlon II Tabunan Tagba-o Tisa To-ong Pardo

Climate[link]

Infrastructure[link]

The Cebu South Road Properties (SRP).

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The city is readily accessible by air via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport located in Lapu-Lapu City which has direct international flights to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, South Korea and domestic destinations. Many international and cargo airlines fly to Cebu. There are also direct transfer flights via the capital's Ninoy Aquino International Airport that readily connects the city to other destinations in the world. The city mostly gets its power from an interconnection grid with the Leyte Geothermal Power Plant which also powers the majority of the Visayas.

The city is served by a domestic and international port which are governed by the Cebu Port Authority with around 3.5 kilometers of berthing space. The city is home to more than 80% of the country's inter-island vessels traveling on domestic routes mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao.^{[citation needed]}

The South Road Properties (SRP) is a 300-hectare prime property development project on a reclaimed land located a few metres off the coast of Cebu's central business district. It is registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and is funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation(JBIC).^[4] Traversing the property is a 12 kilometres, four-lane highway known as the Cebu South Coastal Road that provides motorists with an alternative route to the southern towns of Cebu.

The Crown Regency Hotel and Towers, the tallest building in the Philippines outside Metro Manila.

Telecommunication facilities, broadband and wireless internet connections are available and are provided by some of the country's largest telecommunication companies.^[who?]

In the 1990s the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill was constructed to ease garbage disposal within the city. In June 2005, the city fully implemented the segregation of wastes as mandated by law.^{[citation needed]}

Mass transportation throughout the city and the metropolitan itself is provided by jeepneys, buses and taxis.

Education[link]

Cebu City currently has ten large universities each with a number of college branches throughout the city and more than a dozen other schools specializing in various courses.

Among these schools is the University of San Carlos. It has four campuses around the metropolitan area. It is currently headed by the Society of the Divine Word.

The University of the Philippines Cebu College, located at Barangay Camputhaw in the district of Lahug in Cebu City currently has 8 courses and has plans of expansion and development. The U.P. Board of Regents elevated the status of U.P. Cebu as an autonomous unit of the University of the Philippines System on September 24, 2010.

Another catholic university in Cebu City is the University of San Jose–Recoletos which was established in 1947. It is currently headed by the Augustinian Recollects and has 2 different campuses within the city excluding a new campus outside the city located in the Municipality of Balamban.

Cebu Normal University was established in 1915 as a provincial normal school, a branch of the Philippine Normal School. It became an independent institution in 1924, a chartered college in 1976 and a university in 1998.

The Cebu Doctors' University (formerly Cebu Doctors' College) was granted university status on November 2004. It is the only school in the Philippines declared as a university without having basic education (pre-school - high school) curriculum and catering mainly to courses related to the health services field.

The University of Cebu in Banilad opened in June 2002. The University of Cebu's main campus offers courses such as Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), HRM, Computer Engineering, BSED and others. Also located in the city is the University of the Visayas.

Other noteworthy institutions in the city includes the Asian College of Technology, Southwestern University, Cebu Institute of Technology – University (the newest university in the city), University of Southern Philippines Foundation in Lahug and Mabini, Cebu Technological University (formerly the Cebu State College of Science and Technology), Cebu Institute of Medicine (formerly the Velez College), Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, Cebu International School, and the St. Theresa's College of Cebu City.

Cebu City has 68 public elementary schools, 23 national high schools and 28 night high schools. These night high schools are operated by the city government.

The Cebu City Public Library and Information Center is the only public library in Cebu.

Tourism[link]

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, site of the 1998 ASEAN Tourism Forum.

The city derives significant income from tourism. It hosted the 1998 ASEAN Tourism Forum. The city also hosted the East Asian Tourism Forum on August 2002, in which the province of Cebu is a member and signatory.

Ayala Center Cebu.

There are a number of significant Spanish colonial buildings in Cebu City which includes the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Fort San Pedro, Casa Gorordo Museum and Magellan's Cross.^[5]

Facade of the Cebu Taoist Temple.

The Cebu Reggae Festival is a popular Filipino Reggae and Roots music festival, it now has become one of the Philippines' largest annual Reggae Festivals. On Cebuano musical heritage, the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum in V. Gullas St. (former Manalili) corner D. Jakosalem St. in Cebu City, holds musical memorabilia of Cebuano composers in the early 20th century, the likes of Ben Zubiri (composer of Matud Nila), Inting Rubi (Kasadya Ning Taknaa) and Minggoy Lopez (Rosas Pandan). The Cebu City Sports Complex exhibits sporting and festival events.

Away from the city is the Cebu Taoist Temple, a Taoist temple in Beverly Hills. Views of Cebu City can also be seen from villages and gated communities located on the mountains.

Twin towns and sister cities[link]

See also[link]

Philippines portal

• List of parishes in Cebu
• Cagayan de Oro

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cebu City

• Cebu City Government Website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2010 Philippine Census

	Balamban	Compostela	Liloan
	Toledo		Consolacion Mandaue Mactan Channel / Lapu-Lapu
		Cebu City    East
	Minglanilla	Talisay	Cebu Strait

v t e Cities of the Philippines Highly-urbanized Cities Angeles Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu Davao General Santos Iligan Iloilo Lapu-Lapu Las Piñas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Naga, Camarines Sur Navotas Olongapo Parañaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon City San Juan Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga Independent Component Cities Cotabato Dagupan Ormoc Santiago Component Cities Alaminos Antipolo Bago Bais Balanga Batangas Batac Bayawan Baybay Bayugan Biñan Bislig Bogo Borongan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cadiz Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Carcar Catbalogan Cauayan Cavite Danao Dapitan Dasmariñas Digos Dipolog Dumaguete El Salvador Escalante Gapan Gingoog Guihulngan Himamaylan Ilagan Iriga Isabela Kabankalan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Lamitan Laoag Legazpi Lipa Maasin Malaybalay Malolos Marawi Masbate Mati Meycauayan Muñoz Naga, Cebu Oroquieta Ozamiz Pagadian Palayan Panabo Passi Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos, Negros Occidental San Carlos, Pangasinan San Fernando, La Union San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose San Jose del Monte San Pablo Santa Rosa Silay Sipalay Sorsogon Surigao Tabuk Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Tagum Talisay, Cebu Talisay, Negros Occidental Tanauan Tandag Tangub Tanjay Tarlac Tayabas Toledo Trece Martires Tuguegarao Urdaneta Valencia Victorias Vigan

v t e Provincial capital cities and municipalities of the Philippines Luzon Antipolo (de facto), Rizal · Balanga, Bataan · Baler, Aurora · Bangued, Abra · Basco, Batanes · Batangas, Batangas · Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya · Boac, Marinduque · Bontoc, Mountain Province · Cabarroguis, Quirino · Calapan, Oriental Mindoro · Daet, Camarines Norte · Iba, Zambales · Ilagan, Isabela · Imus (de jure), Cavite · Kabugao (de jure), Apayao · Lagawe, Ifugao · Laoag, Ilocos Norte · La Trinidad, Benguet · Daraga, Albay · Lingayen, Pangasinan · Lucena, Quezon · Luna (de facto), Apayao · Malolos, Bulacan · Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro · Masbate, Masbate · Palayan, Nueva Ecija · Pasig (de jure), Rizal · Naga, Camarines Sur · Puerto Princesa, Palawan · Romblon, Romblon · San Fernando, La Union · San Fernando, Pampanga · Tabuk, Kalinga · Tarlac, Tarlac · Trece Martires (de facto), Cavite · Tuguegarao, Cagayan · Santa Cruz, Laguna · Sorsogon, Sorsogon · Vigan, Ilocos Sur · Virac, Catanduanes Visayas Bacolod, Negros Occidental · Borongan, Eastern Samar · Catarman, Northern Samar · Catbalogan, Samar · Cebu, Cebu · Dumaguete, Negros Oriental · Iloilo, Iloilo · Jordan, Guimaras · Kalibo, Aklan · Maasin, Southern Leyte · Naval, Biliran · Roxas, Capiz · San Jose de Buenavista, Antique · Siquijor, Siquijor · Tagbilaran, Bohol · Tacloban, Leyte Mindanao Alabel, Sarangani · Bongao (de facto), Tawi-Tawi · Butuan (de facto), Agusan del Norte · Cabadbaran (de jure), Agusan del Norte · Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental · Digos, Davao del Sur · Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte · Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay · Isabela, Basilan · Isulan, Sultan Kudarat · Jolo, Sulu · Kidapawan, Cotabato · Koronadal, South Cotabato · Malaybalay, Bukidnon · Mambajao, Camiguin · Marawi, Lanao del Sur · Mati, Davao Oriental · Nabunturan, Compostela Valley · Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental · Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur · Panglima Sugala (de jure), Tawi-Tawi · Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur · San Jose, Dinagat Islands · Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao · Surigao, Surigao del Norte · Tagum, Davao del Norte · Tandag, Surigao del Sur · Tubod, Lanao del Norte

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Shaenon K. Garrity at WonderCon 2005

Shaenon K. Garrity (born May 4, 1978) is a webcomics writer and artist, best known as the creator of Narbonic. She is one of the most prominent cartoonists in the Modern Tales network of commercial webcomic sites, and became the site's editor on August 1, 2006.^[1] In addition to writing and drawing Narbonic, she writes (and often draws) spinoff series Li'l Mell and Sergio for Girlamatic, wrote Smithson (drawn by Brian Moore, Robert T. Stevenson and Roger Langridge) for Webcomics Nation and is currently working on the comic Skin Horse which she illustrates and co-authors with Jeffrey Channing Wells. In October 2007, she began a column called "All the Comics in the World" for comiXology.com

Career[link]

She created the webcomic Smithson, with art by Robert Stevenson, Brian Moore, and Roger Langridge. The strip was first called More Fun and premiered in September 2003 as one of the original strips on the subscription-based site Graphic Smash. The strip, which makes some use of infinite canvas techniques, follows the exploits of the self-appointed campus superhero, Chamucka Man, and several students who attend Smithson College.

In 2005, More Fun moved to Webcomics Nation under the new name Smithson. It is currently suspended. She works for Viz Media as an editor and volunteers at the Cartoon Art Museum. She has also written for Marvel Comics, including their 2005-2007 Marvel Holiday Specials.^[2]

In 2005, Garrity won the Outstanding Writing award, and was also nominated for Outstanding Comedic Comic, from the Web Cartoonist's Choice Awards,^[1] She was also named co-Lulu of the Year by the Friends of Lulu,^[2] sharing the award with the Flight anthology.