DISCOVERING CEBU CITY: A BLEND OF HISTORY AND MODERNITY
Cebu City Cebu City, a first-class highly urbanized city, rests on the eastern side of Cebu Island, within the Central Visayan region of the Philippines. Spanning 315 square kilometers, it neighbors Mandaue City to the northeast and Talisay City to the south. Boasting a population exceeding 920,000 as of the most recent census, it ranks among the country's most populous cities. Historical Roots: From Magellan to Modernity Cebu City holds the distinction of being the oldest city in the Philippines, founded by Spanish explorers in 1565 during the era of colonial expansion. Initially established as a Spanish settlement, Cebu City attained its cityhood on February 24, 1937, during the American colonial period (1898-1946). Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan's Arrival and Legacy On April 7, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu, where he was welcomed by Chief Rajah Humabon's people. However, a subsequent encounter on April 27, 1521, at nearby Mactan Isl