Cebu
Despite its relatively small size, Cebu can be
ranked third in importance among the Philippine islands,
after Luzon and Mindanao. Cebu City is the second
most important metropolis of The Country , after Metro Manila.
The first Spanish expedition to the Philippines under
Ferdinand Magellan arrived on Cebu April 25, 1521.
The local chieftain Humabon who had heard of the invincibility
of the white explorers, readily agreed to be baptized together
with many of his subjects. To prove the whites' invincibility,
Magellan, without being expressly asked, was willing to settle
in Humabon's favor a conflict the latter had with the chieftain
of the small neighboring island of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu.
However,
through some clever precautions, Lapu-Lapu and his men were not
only able to defeat the Spanish intruders but also to kill their
leader, Ferdinand Magellan. Thereafter in doubt about the whites'
superiority and the superiority of their religion, Humabon not
only withdrew his allegiance to the Spanish conquerors but also
returned to his former gods.
When the Spanish came back to the Philippines under
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, they again eyed Cebu, conquered
it, and established their first colonial government in Cebu City.
Even today, foreigners coming to the Philippines
give some preference to Cebu. But foreigners today, of course,
come with more peaceful intentions than in early times. They come
to Cebu for a vacation at fine beaches (though their beauty
is often exaggerated) and resorts which are among the best
developed in The Country . Big modern resort facilities
are located on Mactan island, just a stone's throw away from the
international airport, and near the towns of Sogod, Badian and
Argao.
Moalboal is the place
most preferred by budget travelers visiting the island (though
the spot is by far not as popular and not as beautiful as Boracay).
There are also a number of dive sites in the waters around
Moalboal but dive shops and schools at Moalboal are in general
not as well equipped as those in Puerto Galera, and accidents
have allegedly happened. The dive sites are also less numerous
and less beautiful than those around Puerto Galera or the waters
surrounding northern Palawan.
Among the likable features of the island is its agricultural
produce. The mango plantations near Cebu City are famous
for the biggest and best quality mangoes in the archipelago. Prices
for mangoes are also lower than in other parts of the archipelago.
Good but expensive grapes are grown in the vineyards of
Cebu.
The big copper and gold mines in the mountains
of Cebu are not as beautiful as the orchards but are of major
importance for the affluence of the island which is rich in mineral
deposits, even beyond copper and gold. The resources also include
coal, iron ore, silver and pyrites.
The industries of Cebu island are too many to be
listed in detail. Some of the more colorful industries are the
manufacture of rattan furniture, shell handicraft
and guitars, all for worldwide export.
The news about the law and order situation, is not
as good as about the above cited subjects. Since 1986, the NPA
has time and again chosen Cebu as one of its major battlegrounds
after having suffered setbacks on Mindanao and Negros. Different
from the rural concept applied previously on Mindanao, the insurgents
on Cebu opted to fight in urban areas rather than in rural areas.
The NPA's bases of operation on the island are not in remote barrios
but in the depressed districts of Metro Cebu such as Pardo,
Talisay, and Consolacion. Ambush-style assaults
on single soldiers or small groups of government troops have been
very frequent, even in Cebu City. As a result, one may see in
downtown Cebu City military and police forces in full battle gear,
and all giving the impression of being very alert and suspicious
of hidden assaults.
But the NPA is not the only armed group on the island
challenging the state's monopoly on armed force. There are also
several anti-Communist militias, some of them at the same
time fanatics of religious sects such as the Tadtads who
are said to chop the bodies of their victims in religious rituals.
In the December 1989 coup the rebel soldiers of the
RAM (Reform Armed Forces Movement) took over the Mactan
Airport and many civilians gave them support. This paralyzed domestic
air travel for some time and the RAM resistance lasted longer
in Cebu City than in Metro Manila.
Cebu island is also alive with the feudal and patriarchal
tradition of The Country . The Duranos who are said to be
warlords still have their family rule over Danao City.
Despite giving the impression of a very orderly town, Danao is
allegedly a major production site for illegal firearms.
The island as a whole is lorded over by the Osmeña
clan. The governor of Cebu Province is an Osmeña,
and so is the mayor of Cebu City. On account of his strength
in the central Visayas, John Osmeña was elected a member
of the Philippine Senate in 1987.
The dynasty was founded by Sergio Osmeña(Sep 9, 1878 - Oct 19, 1961) who was elected speaker of the House of Representatives on Oct 16, 1916. Osmeña became Vice-President of the Philippine Commonwealth on Nov 15, 1935 and on Aug 1, 1944 President of the exiled Philippine government upon the demise of President Quezon. He is pictured on 50-Peso bank notes.
The island was badly hit by a typhoon on November
13, 1990. Much of the island's crops was destroyed, and in Cebu
City, many buildings and even the large Mandaue-Mactan bridge
that connects the city with Mactan Island (location of the airport)
were damaged.
GEOGRAPHY
Land Area: 5,088sqkm (1,964sqmi);
300km (186mi) long and 40km (25mi) wide at its widest portion
Topography: mountainous
and rugged, however, a narrow strip of lowland encircles the island
along its coast and all cities and most municipalities are located
there.
Mountains: Mt Cabalasan
1,002m (3,288ft) near Balamban; Mt Manungal 1000m (3,281ft)
Rivers: the few big rivers,
such as Cabiangon and Baliuagan dry up in the dry season; Cebu's
mountains are almost bare of trees and shrubs and rain causes
flooding and erosion
POPULATION
Majority Group: Cebuanos;
Language: Cebuano
Minorities: Negritos
Island Population: 2,646,000
Cities, Towns: (Census
of 1990, x1000):
| Alcantara 10, | Alcoy 10, | Alegria 18,
| Aloguinsan19, | Argao 52, | Asturias 30,
| Badian 27, | Balamban 46, | Bantayan 60,
| Barili 48, | Bogo 51, | Boljoon 12,
| Borbon 23, | Carcar 71, | Carmen 29,
| Catmon 20, | Cebu City 610, | Compostela 22,
| Consolacion 41, | Cordoba 22, | Daanbantayan 59,
| Dalaguete 46, | Danao City 73, | Dumanjug 32,
| Ginatilan 11, | Lapu-Lapu City (Opon) 146, | Liloan 43,
| Madridejos 26, | Malabuyoc 15, | Mandaue City 180,
| Medellin 34, | Minglanilla 51, | Moalboal 20,
| Naga 60, | Oslob 20, | Pilar (Camotes Islands) 11,
| Pinamungajan 40, | Poro 19, | Ronda 15,
| Samboan 15, | San Fernando 35, | San Francisco(Camotes Islands) 37,
| San Remigio 36, | Santa Fe 21, | Santander 12,
| Sibonga 33, | Sogod 23, | Tabogon 25,
| Tabuelan 16, | Talisay 98, | Toledo City 120,
| Tuburan 43, | Tudela (Camotes Islands) 10. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Political Structure (Province,
capital): Cebu, Cebu City
Continued
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