Tag Archives: landmark

Cebu’s north reclamation area transformed for Asean summit

Posted on December 7, 2006 by | 3 Comments

The stretch of road at the north reclamation area in Mandaue City used to be dark and deserted, a place you do not pass, if you can help it. It was ablaze at 1 a.m. today, 3 days before the opening ceremonies for the Asean Leaders’ Summit in Cebu, with light from the huge illuminated Cebu City sign, new streetlights that dot the Mandaue North Reclamation highway, and star-shaped lanterns hanging from posts along Ouano Avenue.

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5 things to do when in Cebu

Posted on August 17, 2006 by | 10 Comments

If you ever find yourself in this paradise-island called Cebu in the Philippines, here are five things to do to get the most out of your stay. This post is part of the group writing project at Problogger.

1. Hit the beaches or go diving

A narrow strip of land that is 200 kilometers long and 41 kilometers wide, the island province of Cebu—which is ringed by over a hundred other smaller islands—is home to several white sand beaches and spectacular dive spots.

Worthy of mention are the beaches and dive spots of Bantayan, Malapascua, Alegre and Camotes in the north; Olango, Mactan, and Sulpa in the east; and Moalboal, Badian, and Sumilon in the south.

Of Cebu’s over a hundred satellite islands, some are uninhabited and are favorite destinations of local and foreign tourists.

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Battle of Mactan: history and myth

Posted on May 8, 2006 by | 67 Comments

There is a spot in Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan island that’s revered by islanders more than any other place. A marker says it was on that site that a man who had sought dominion over the island in the name of the Spanish king had died in the hands of the brave warrior chieftain Lapu-Lapu 485 years ago. (Click on photos to view larger images)

Lapu-Lapu’s deed is fact but it spawned legends about the man–how he defeated the Spanish forces with their powerful artillery (guns, swords, cannons, cross-bows, body armor) and killed their leader Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan–and what became of him.

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Magellan’s Cross

Posted on May 4, 2006 by | 24 Comments

Close to 500 years ago, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a huge Christian cross in Sugbu (now Cebu) to celebrate the baptism into the Roman Catholic religion of island chief Rajah Humabon, his wife, and some 500 of their followers on April 21, 1521.

The 485-year-old cross, called Magellan’s Cross (click on photos to enlarge), now stands at a small chapel located across Cebu City Hall and along Magallanes Street. The street is named after Magellan, Magallanes being the Spanish translation of the Portuguese explorer’s name.

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