The History of Cebu

Originally, Cebu was called Sugbo. Cebuanos lived in stilt houses made of bamboo, wood and nipa. Men were extensively tattooed and women were lavishly ornamented with gold jewelries, silks and lip color.

Prior to Spanish colonization, the city was the center of trade in the south, where Chinese ships arrived with silks and porcelains which they exchanged for honey, gold, wood and spices from Mollucas. Unreasonable trade restrictions of the colonizing Spanish caused the rapid decline of Cebu as a trading port. However, in 19th century, restrictions were lifted and brought back the commercial life of the city.

The Spanish troops headed by Ferdinand Magellan arrived Cebu in 1521 with a friendly reception from the island villagers. He made friends with Rajah Humabon and converted most of the locals to Christians including the leader’s family. But when Magellan reached the narrow strait to Mactan Island, the reception was not similar. He encountered a negative response and had a hard time entering the area. Lapu Lapu, the chief, resisted his entry and fought against the Spanish troops leaving Magellan lifeless on the ground. Cebu’s invasion was delayed until Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta arrived in 1566.

The historic Fort San Pedro has served many purposes to the Cebuanos. It was constructed in 1565 upon the arrival of Legazpi on the ship San Pedro but remained unfinished until 1738. Originally intended to protect the island from Muslim raiders, the port also served as the barracks and defense post of the US army during the American occupation; a prison camp during the 3 year Japanese invasion; the city zoo; and now a small park. For many centuries, renovations have removed the waterfront lying few blocks from the Fort.

The eastern province of Cebu is part of Philippines. The history of Cebu is very interesting. Earlier Cebu was known as Sugbo and its inhabitants lived in bamboo houses with their distinct architecture. The people were very ornate in their own way, tattoos, gold jewelry, silks and lip colors were used with abandon. The history of Cebu reveals that at one point of time it was the trade center and Chinese ships laden with goodies like silks and porcelains arrived with unfailing regularity. The goodies from the ships were exchanged for articles like gold, honey, wood and spices from Mollucas.

With the arrival of the Spaniards, things changed for Cebu. From Cebu's history, it is known that Ferdinand Magellan with Spanish troops arrived in 1521 AD. Here the Spaniards got a good reception and most of the local villagers converted to Christianity including the ruler, Rajah Humabon. But reaching the slender Strait to Mactan Island, the Spaniards encountered stiff resistance from the locals. The process of colonizing Cebu started with the arrival of Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta in 1566 AD. The Spanish colonial rule continued for some time and eventually with the passage of time Cebu started coming out on her own. The municipality of Cebu was started in was started in 1905. Cebu was occupied by the Americans for some time , but now with all this behind her, Cebu is one of the most busy and thriving cities of the world.