Cebu City Philippines (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbo) is the capital city of Cebu and the second city in the Philippines. It is the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and also known as the oldest city established since the Spanish times 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 region.

Cebu City is the centre of a metropolitan area called Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and 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 of Cebu

In the 16th century, Cebu City was an area part of the Rajahnate of Cebu with an Islamic, Hindu and Animist population. 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 baptized by the Spaniards on April 14, 1521. Magellan, however, failed to successfully claim the Philippines for the crown of Spain, having been killed by Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Muslim king in Mactan Island on April 27, 1521 in the Battle of Mactan. On April 27, 1565, Spain colonized the area with the arrival of Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi, together with Augustinian Friar Andrés de Urdaneta, sailing from Mexico, arrived in Cebu. The Spaniards established settlements, trade flourished, and renamed the city on January 1, 1571, from San Miguel (Saint Michael) to Villa del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús (Village of the Most Holy Name of Jesus). During this six year period of exploration and settlements by the Spaniards, Cebu City was the capital of the Spanish East Indies. In 1898, the city was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. In 1901, the city was governed by the United States for a brief period, however it attained the status of a charter city in 1936, and was governed independently by Filipino politicians. Following the end of the Japanese occupation in World War II, the city gained independence from colonial rule in 1946 as part of the Republic of the Philippines.

Cebu City Philippines  Government

Cebu City is an independent and chartered city. Registered voters of the city cannot vote for provincial candidates unlike its nearby counterparts (Mandaue and Talisay cities) that form part of Metro Cebu. It is the capital of the province mainly because the provincial capitol is located in it. There were proposals, however, during the time of Governor Emilio Mario Osmeña to establish an “administrative district” that would be independent from Cebu City Philippines. 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 mainly by a city hall, composed of one mayor, one vice-mayor and sixteen councilors (eight representing the northern, and eight representing the southern region). Each official is elected publicly to 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.

Michael Rama is the incumbent mayor of Cebu City Philippines. He was a former vice mayor, and was elected during the 2010 Philippine elections. The current vice mayor is Joy-Augustus G. Young.

Source: wikipedia.org

Bukilat Cave Poro, Camotes Islands, Cebu

Brgy: Bukilat Cave, Tudela

Camotes Islands have 8 natural caves and Bukilat cave is one of them. This cave was used as a shelter for the people  from the Japanese during World War II. It was named after the founder Bukilat.

When you enter, you will find a staircase going down. When you reached at the end, you can see a wide pool of  icy cool water. Locals, travelers, and tourists swim here in Bukilat cave. At the end corner of the cave, there is a rock formation with interesting shapes and enthralling figures.

Travel time:

from Poro, 15 minutes
from Consuelo, 1 hour

Transport:

by van,  multi-cab, motorbike

More about busay waterfall soon.

Welcome Green Lake Park

Green Lake in Lake Danao, San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu, Philippines.

Lake Danao is the only lake in the island of San Francisco, and Camotes Islands. It has a 1.5 hectare of ancient hardwood mangrove forest. It’s quite, calming, and serene atmosphere that makes you relax and adore the beauty of nature. Birds, butterflies and fresh water animals have lived in this area for a time now,-a truly natural sanctuary. Another interesting part is- it is a wide lake trapped in a small island.

Parks are created to commune with nature,- the Green Lake Park and Lake Danao Park. An entrance fee is collected, Php 15.00 per adult; Php 10.00 for children, for maintenace of the parks.

Green lake Park has also a mini food bar.

Pictures

Alta Vista Quarry

Altavista Quarry is a magnificient scenery during sunset. This mountain top is located in AltaVista, Poro. Very nice scenic beauty through a view from the top.

Lake Danao Park

Lake Danao Park, San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu, Philippines.

Lake Danao Park is a lake park where you can do picnic, fishing and boating. A paddle boat is available for you to go around the lake. You can also use the boat in going across a small island at the center of the lake. The park opens 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Fees/rents:

Maintenance Fees – Php 2.00 per person
Picnic Table – Php 20.00 per table
Paddle boat – Php 50.00 per trip
Fishing – Php 25.00 per hour ( maximum of 1 kilo per person )
Pleasure boat – Php 800.00 per hour (maximum of 8 persons )
Cottage – Php 150 per cottage

Pictures

Promo Rates – valid until 31 October 2009

Type of Rooms
Room Rates

Standard Room
Php 1,800.00

De Luxe
Php 2,100.00

Junior Suite
Php 2,800.00

Executive Suite
Php 3,600.00

Penthouse Suite
Php 6,300.00

Extra Person
Php 360.00

It has a function room, souvenir shop, spa massagge, salon and swimming pool.

*Prices are subject to change.
Tourcamotes.com is not affiliated with this hotel.