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| CEBU GENERAL INFORMATION |
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| Cebu is one of the provinces of the Philippines. It lies to the east of Negros Island; to the east is Leyte and to the southeast is Bohol province. It is flanked on both sides by the straits of Cebu (between Cebu and Bohol) and Tañon (between Cebu and Negros). Cebu is located between 9°25'N and 11°15'N latitude and between 123°13'E and 124°5'E longitude in the center of the archipelago. Cebu Island is a long narrow island stretching 225 km (140 mi) from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan Island, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands. Of the hundreds of small islands some are uninhabited which make them the targets of adventure-seeking tourists. Cebu is known for its narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, all characteristics of a typical tropical island. Cebu also has predominant rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island. Cebu's steep mountains reach over 1,000 meters. Flat tracts of land can be found in towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan at the northern tip of the province. Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the country, which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with 4 neighboring cities Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, Danao City and 8 other municipalities. Cebu is served by Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Mactan Island, thirty minutes drive from downtown Cebu City. Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country and the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the central and southern parts of the archipelago. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls. The UK-based Condenast Travellers Magazine named Cebu the 8th best Asian-Pacific island destination in 2005, and 7th in 2004. |
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| GETTING THERE |
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| The fastest way to reach Cebu is by plane. Cebu is an international destination with flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Arrival is at at the Mactan International Airport almost daily. From Manila, Cebu is just an hour away by plane and 22 hours by boat. It is an ideal jump-off point for other tourist attractions in Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippines is accessible from the travel capitals of the world. Traveling time to Manila from Hong Kong is an hour and 50 minutes; from Singapore, 3 hours and 10 minutes; from Bangkok, 3 hours and 50 minutes; Tokyo, 4 hours and 15 minutes; Sydney, 10 hours and 20 minutes; London, 20 hours and 45 minutes; Paris, 21 hours and 15 minutes; Frankfurt, 19 hours and 40 minutes; San Francisco, 16 hours and 15 minutes; Los Angeles, 15 hours and 20 minutes; and New York, 25 hours and 20 minutes. A leisurely way to reach Cebu is by ship, which has first-class cabins, restaurants, and music bars. Travel time from Manila is approximately 20 hours. The sea route is serviced by WG&A Superferry, Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines. |
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| GETTING AROUND |
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| Next to Philippine peso, the US dollar also enjoys wide acceptance. Foreign credit cards maybe accepted only at major hotels and establishments. It is advisable to have a substantial amount of cash at hand for a pleasurable trip. Get around the province via jeepney, bus or tricycle. Taxicabs are easily available. Wear light clothing and maybe, a pair of shades. |
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| GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CEBU |
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Region: Central Visayas (Region VII)
Capital: Cebu City
Founded: April 7 , 1521 and April 27, 1565
Population: 2000 census—3,356,137 (largest) Density—660 per km² (6th highest)
Area: 5,088.4 km² (19th largest)
Divisions: Highly urbanized cities—2 Component cities—4 Municipalities—20 Barangays—1,203 Congressional districts—8â€
Languages: Cebuano, Ilonggo, Waray, English, and Spanish |
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| PEOPLE AND CULTURE |
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| The people of Cebu are called Cebuanos and are of Malay, Chinese, and Spanish ancestries. Spanish and Chinese communities play an important economic and political role in Cebu. Cebuano culture is laid back and easy going. A former American colony, American influence is dominant in music, movies, fastfoods, and the wide use of English. Foreign ethnic groups includes Koreans, currently estimated to be the biggest group, followed by the Americans, Japanese, British, Germans, Australians, and other smaller groups of Asians and Western Europeans. |
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| LANGUAGES |
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| Cebuano is the native tongue of Cebu as well as the linguae francae of a large part of Central and Southern Philippine Islands. As a language, Cebuano is spoken in Cebu, Bohol, western Leyte, Negros Oriental, the northern and eastern coasts of Mindanao, and parts of Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao, Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur. Differences exist but in many of these places the variations are slight.[1] There are more than 20 million speakers of Cebuano.[1] Cebuanos are conversant in English and Tagalog (official national languages), as well as other visayan languages Ilonggo and Waray-waray. Chinese (Fookien & Mandarin) are spoken by the Chinese Cebuanos. Spanish usage have declined over the years with the rise of English. English is widely used on education, media, commerce, and the government. |
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| RELIGION |
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| Cebu is predominantly Catholic. Other religious minorities include Protestant churches of Iglesia ni Cristo, Jesus Miracle Crusade, Jehovah's Witnesses, God's Kingdom, the Baptists, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Taoists etc. The patron of Cebu is the Santo Niño de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus. The statue is housed in the country's oldest church, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. According to historical accounts, the Santo Niño was given by the Portuguese sea captain and explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of the chief of Cebu, Rajah Humabon as a gift to celebrate their alliance. Soon, Magellan died in a battle at Mactan Island. That act is depicted in Cebu's largest, most popular cultural event, the Sinulog where street-dancing and loud drum beats preceded by a holy Mass is the main attraction. Soon, the patron was changed to the Lady of Guadalupe to conform to canonical practice of having patron saints instead of Jesus Christ himself. Cebu is a Roman Catholic Archdiocese and has several major churches, including the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the San Carlos Church, the Sto. Rosario Parish Church, San Jose-Recoletos Church, Sacred Heart Church, etc. as well as several other non-Catholic churches and temples. |
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| FESTIVALS |
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| Sinulog. The Sinulog festival is Cebu's biggest and most popular festival. It is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January. The feast is in honor of the holy image Señor Santo Niño de Cebu. Fiesta Señor, as it widely known, is the most celebrated among Cebu's festivals where people converge along the route of a grand solemn procession and partake in the gaiety amidst a mardigras parade immersed in vivid colors and the constant drums of the Pit Señor. |
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| Paskuhan. A Christmas celebration of songs and lantern making held during the month of December spread good cheers to local residents and visitors alike. |
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| Kadaugan sa Mactan. A one day re-enactment celebrated with pomp and pageantry every 27th of April to commemorate the historic Battle of Mactan between the forces of Lapulapu and Magellan. |
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| Virgin of the Rule Fiesta. Held to honor the patroness of Opon on November 20-21, this religious and social event reveals the deep religious faith of the people and the penchant for merry making. A food fair, a procession and a coronation of the Fiesta Queen highlight the festivity. |
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| Semana Santa sa Bantayan. A unique mixture of solemn religious rites and local celebration highlights the Holy Week activities in Bantayan Island. The normally quiet island is visited by relatives and friends of the residents, as well as tourists to experience the scenic rites and to cool off the summer heat in the beautiful white sandy beaches and clear tropical waters. |
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| Fiesta sa Carcar. Is celebrated on November 24-25 in honor of the town's patron, St. Catherine of Alexandria. Carcar town is noted for its old Spanish style houses in the quiet countryside setting. During fiestas, the residents would invite friends, relatives and town visitors into their homes to taste popular local delicacies. A lively and enjoyable event. |
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| Nuestra Señora de Regla Fiesta. Lapulapu City - Held to honor the patroness of Opon on November 20-21, this religious and social event reveals faith of the people and the penchant for merry making. A food fair, carnival, procession and a coronation of the Fiesta Queen highlight the festivity. |
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| Tagbo. Poro, Cebu - Celebrated every January in honor of Patron Santo Niño de Poro. Beloved memoir of a living past, Tagbo is the cornerstone from which this great municipality has sprung. Rich in cultural heritage and deep in spiritual values, Tagbo is a very significant event preluding the birth of a town every dear to the hearts of her sons and daughters. |
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| Sanayon. Agro-tourism festival in the southern towns of the second district about 100 km from the city. A month-long activity to spread out tourism to the coutryside. |
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| Tres de Abril Celebration. Celebrated every 3rd of April in commemoration of the Spanish resistance in the south. This historic battle under Leon Kilat's leadership gave Cebu the glory of being the first major island outside Luzon to oppose Spanish dominance. |
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| CEBU RESORTS |
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.:: Travel Outdoors
.:: Map View
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