MANILA, Philippines – The province of Cebu celebrates its 445th founding anniversary

on Wednesday, August 6.

Cebu plays a major role in Philippine history. The first known skirmish against foreign
invaders took place on the shores of Mactan Island in April 1521. Lapu-Lapu and his
men fought the Spaniards and killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the
process.

On August 6, 1569 – a few years after the establishment of the first Spanish settlement
in Cebu City – Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was appointed by King Philip II as governor of
Cebu province. This event served as the basis for the celebration of Cebu's foundation
day.

In 1994, Republic Act 7698 declared August 6 of every year as a special non-working
holiday in Cebu. Republic Act 8952, enacted in 2000, expanded the holiday's coverage
to Cebu's highly-urbanized and component cities.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7698

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7698 - AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST SIX OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL
NONWORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU

Section 1. August Six has been celebrated as the foundation day of the Province of Cebu.

Sec. 2. August Six of every year is hereby declared a special nonworking holiday for the Province of
Cebu.

Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

* Lapsed into law without the signature of the President on April 29, 1994, in accordance with
Article VI, Sec. 27(l) of the Constitution.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8952

August 31, 2000

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7698 DECLARING AUGUST 6 OF EVERY YEAR A
SPECIAL NONWORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU TO INCLUDE ITS
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES OF CEBU AND MANDAUE AND ITS COMPONENT CITIES OF
LAPULAPU, DANAO AND TOLEDO

Section 1. Sec. 2 of Republic Act No. 7698 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 2. August six of every year is hereby declared a special nonworking public holiday for the
Province of Cebu including its highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Mandaue and its component cities of
Lapulapu, Danao and Toledo." chanro blesvi rt uallawl ibra ry
Sec. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: August 31, 2000

1. One Philippine president hailed from Cebu.

Born in Cebu City, Vice President Sergio Osmeña became president on August 1, 1944,
following the death of President Manuel L. Quezon. He served until May 28, 1946.

2. One Philippine president died in Cebu.

On March 17, 1957, President Ramon Magsayay was on his way back to Manila after
visiting Cebu City. Unfortunately, the "Mt Pinatubo," a Douglas C-47 plane, carrying
Magsaysay and 25 other people crashed on Mount Manunggal in the town of
Balamban. Only journalist Nestor Mata survived the crash.

3. Cebu has the country's smallest and oldest fort.

Fort San Pedro in Cebu City was built during the Spanish occupation to fend off local
attackers. It later served as a bastion of resistance of Filipino revolutionaries in Cebu,
barracks for American forces, a school, a refugee camp during World War II, and an
army camp after the war.

The fort was restored in the years that followed. It is located beside the Plaza
Independencia park.

4. Cebu once had a railway system.

The main track, stretching over 90 kilometers, linked the towns of Argao and Danao
(which became a component city in 1961). Unfortunately, the railway system was
heavily damaged during World War II.

5. One of the oldest schools in the Philippines and in Asia can be found in
Cebu.

The history of the University of San Carlos (USC) can be traced back to the Jesuits-
founded Colegio de San Ildefonso in 1595. It was closed in 1769 and re-opened in 1783
under the name Colegio-Seminario de San Carlos. The college attained university
status in 1948.

However, USC's claim as the oldest existing school in the country and in Asia is
disputed by the University of Santo Tomas (UST), established in Manila in 1611. UST
argues that there is "no visble or clear link" between the Colegio de San Ildefonso and
the USC.

6. Cebu has the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines.

Made by Flemish artisans in Europe, the Santo Niño de Cebu (Holy Child of Cebu) was
a gift of Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah (King) Humabon and Queen Juana for their
baptism into the Roman Catholic Church in April 1521.

The province holds the Sinulog festival every January in honor of Santo Niño de
Cebu. In addition, the Santo Niño's image can be seen at the Basilica Minore del Santo
Niño in Cebu City.

7. The Malacañang of the South (Malacañan sa Sugbo) is located in Cebu.

Built in 1910, the "Malacañang of the South" in Cebu City was formerly known as
the Aduana, the Spanish word for customs. It originally served as the headquarters of
the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the province.

The BOC left the building in 2004, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo restored it
and made it her official residence in Cebu. She named it after the Malacañang Palace in
Manila.

The official Sinulog flower is called __________. Celosia

The City of Cebu has __________ Legislative districts. 2
This monument in Downtown Cebu is called __________.

The heritage of Cebu Monument

The Temple of Leah was built was by the grandfather of Cebuana

actress __________. Ellen Adarna
Colon Street is the __________ street in the Philippines. Oldest
6. The SM Northwing expansion project was opened to the public in
__________. 2007
SRP stands for __________. South Road Properties
The TransCentral Highway connects Cebu City and the town of
__________. Balamban
Tops Highland Garden, Mountain View Nature Park, and Lantaw
Restaurant are located in the highland barangay of __________.
Busay
The official name of 'Mango Avenue' is _________________. General
Maxilom Avenue
This old structure behind the Cebu City Hall is called __________.
Compania Maritima

__________ is considered Cebu City's biggest wet market. Carbon

Market
The Malacañan sa Sugbo was previously called __________. Aduana
CPDRC stands for__________. Cebu Provincial Detention and
Rehabilitation Center
The __________ is considered Cebu City's very first skyscraper.
LUYM Building
Osmeña Boulevard was formerly known as __________. Jones Avenue
It is believed San Pedro Calungsod was born in the town of
__________. Ginatilan
Cebu's ruler when Magellan and his men arrived was __________. R.
Humabon
Cebu's patron saint is __________. Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu
Sergio Osmeña Sr. is the ______________ of Cebu. Grand old man
Crown Regency's 'roller coaster' ride at the 38th floor is called
__________. Edge Coaster

Kabang Falls is located in __________. Brgy. Budlaan

Museo Sugbo was formerly a __________. Prison (BBRC)
Museo Sugbo, Cebu’s official museum, was a former provincial jail known then as Cárcel de Cebú.
Built during 1870s, the prison was intended to house criminals from the whole Visayas district,
which explains its large size when it was constructed.
Cárcel de Cebú have witnessed several pivotal events during its 135-year history. It once served as a
prison for Katipuneros who were sentenced to death, a stable for horses during the American period,
and again as a prison where guerillas were tortured by the Kempei-Tei (or Kempeitai) during the
Japanese Occupation.
In the 1980s, the prison changed its name to Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. It
was converted into a museum in 2008 as part of the celebration of the 439th Cebu Provincial Charter
Day.

The Cebu Provincial Capitol was completed in __________ 1938

The word "busay" means __________ waterfall
is considered Cebu's siomai capital. Tisa
University of San Jose-Recoletos' basketball team is called
______________. Jaguars
There are __________ barangays in Cebu City. 80
The rapid economic development in Cebu in the early 90's was called
__________. Ceboom

Ancient Cebuanos used “genital jewelry.”

Tantrism (Tantrism is a collective term used to describe various esoteric rituals and
traditions which originated in India thousands of years ago. It believes in the principle that
sexuality is a doorway to the divine, and that the “highest transcendental ecstasy” can be
achieved through sexual union.)

Hipodromo.. Known then as Hippodrome, this place was heaven for horse aficionados. Before the
war, watching a horse race was part of the Cebuano lifestyle, and Hippodrome was the racetrack that
started it all.
The starting point of the race was located near the entrance along M. J. Cuenco Avenue while the
Pacific Foundry once housed the clubhouse where people watched and bet on horses.

Pantaleon Villegas, also known as Leon Kilat, was not born in Cebu (he’s originally from Bacong,
Negros Oriental), but his heroism is not something that Cebuanos should forget.

Leon Kilat, then only 24 years old, led the Cebuano Katipuneros in attacking the Spaniards during
the famous battle of “Tres de Abril” on April 3, 1898. They were able to drove the Spaniards away
and control the province of Cebu for a few days.

But what makes Leon Kilat special?

The answer lies within his life story which almost borders on the supernatural and myth. After
working in Cebu for a few years, Leon moved to Manila where he allegedly earned his “kalake” or
supernatural powers. He wore talismans and was also known to be a “kublan” or someone who could
repel bullets.

Some stories also suggest that Leon Kilat kept a mythical animal called sigbin. This creature
allegedly gave him the power to quickly move from one place to another, say one day he’s fighting in
Cebu, the next day he’d find himself back to where he was born in Negros Oriental.
However, no legendary tale could match the tragedy of Leon’s death. A few days after the battle,
Leon was assassinated by Cebuanos led by his own aide, Apolinario Alcuitas. It is told that they let
Leon drink a sleeping potion first before they removed his talismans and killed him as planned.

Also known as the “Father of Cebuano Journalism, Language and Literature,” the late Senator
Vicente Yap Sotto founded the first ever newspaper written in Cebuano in 1901. The newspaper,
which he would named “Ang Suga” , served as an avenue for Cebuano writers to publish their
works. Sotto’s daughter, Dr. Suga Sotto Yuvienco, was named after this news magazine.
Aside from Ang Suga, Sotto also wrote “Ang Paghigugma sa Yutang
Nataohan,” “Maming,” and “Elena,” which was made into a play. Sotto was the author of Republic
Act 53 or Press Freedom Law (known today as “Sotto Law”) which was passed in 1946 to protect
journalists from being forced to disclose their news sources.
Vicente Yap Sotto is the grandfather of famous actor Vic Sotto and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
OFFICIAL SEAL AND SYMBOLISM

The official seal of Cebu City is a replica of a rich cultural

heritage.

The seal features the most famous historical landmark of the

city, the Magellan’s Cross. The cross is housed in a kiosk made
of thick wood and brick tiles. This symbolizes the strong
foundation of the people’s Catholic faith. Magellan’s Cross is
also a symbolism for Cebu being the oldest city in the country.
The black and white tiles represent the 80 barangays comprising the City of Cebu.

LAW CREATING THE CITY OF CEBU

President Manuel L. Quezon signed the law creating the City of Cebu. On October 20,
1934, Commonwealth Act. No. 58 creating the City of Cebu was approved. Authored by
the late Senator Vicente Rama (who also served as Cebu's second City Mayor),
Commonwealth Act No. 58 provided for the granting of the Charter of the City of Cebu.

On February 24, 1937, the City of Cebu was inaugurated. The Secretary of Interior,
Hon. Elpidio Quirino, represented President Manuel L. Quezon in the inaugural
ceremonies. Quirino administered the oath of office to the newly appointed City Mayor
and Members of the Municipal Board. Former Provincial Treasurer of Cebu, Hon.
Alfredo V. Jacinto was sworn into office as the first Mayor of Cebu. Along with Mayor
Jacinto, the following city councilors were sworn into office by Secretary Quirino:
Councilors Manuel Roa (the first President of the Municipal Board), Regino Mercado,
Felipe Pacaña, Jose Fortich, Diego Canizares, Jose P. Nolasco, Leandro A. Tojong and
Dominador J. Abella.

Republic Act No. 244, which was approved on June 12, 1948, provided for the position
of Vice Mayor of the City of Cebu. The Vice Mayor was appointed by the President of
the Philippines and must be confirm then by the Commission on Appointments. First to
be appointed Vice Mayor,by virtue of the provisions of R.A. No. 244, was Hon. Arsenio
Villanueva who took his oath of office on July 16, 1948.

Second appointed Vice Mayor - Hon. Carlos J. Cuizon, on April 9, 1953.Third appointed
Vice Mayor - Hon. Florentino D. Tecson on January 28, 1954. One of the most
significant amendment to the charter of the City of Cebu (C.A. No. 58) came with the
approval of Republic Act No. 1243 on June 7, 1955. This particular amendment
provided for the election at large, by the qualified voters of the city in conformity with the
provision of the Revised Election Code; of the City Mayor and Vice Mayor.

The first election of the City Mayor and Vice Mayor was held during the general election
of the provincial and municipal officials on November 8, 1955. Chosen as Cebu City's
first elected City Mayor was the Hon. Sergio Osmeña Jr. with Hon. Ramon Duterte as
the first duly-elected Vice Mayor.
Another very significant amendment to the City Charter, the most significant one in fact,
is provided for in Republic Act. No. 3857, otherwise known as the "Revised Charter of
the City of Cebu" approved on June 10, 1964.