SugboPH

Cebu is a place known for its famous Sinulog Festival, beautiful beaches and a very nice scenery. The name "Cebu" came from the old Cebuano word sibu or sibo ("trade"), a shortened form of sinibuayng hingpit ("the place for trading"). It was originally applied to the harbors of the town of Sugbu, the ancient name for Cebu City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebu_City)

There are so many beautiful places perfect for photography that you can see here as you travel Sugbo and here are some of my favorite spots.

#1. The Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño
It was founded on 1565 by the Augustinian Friars, fray Andrés de Urdaneta, O.S.A. and Diego de Herrera, O.S.A.. It is also the oldest Roman Catholic Church built in the Philippines, it is built on the very spot where the image of the Miraculous Sto. Niño was found.

The structure of the church was not originally made with bricks and stones. It was built with wood and nipa but was burned down 2 years after it's construction and then the priests decided to build another church again using some stronger materials (bricks and stones).

The church has undergone some renovations for many years, up until now. And the Basilica del Santo Niño remains under the care of the Augustinian Friars.

#2. Magellan's Cross

It is a christian cross planted by the Portugese Explorers upon arriving here on Cebu City, Philippines way back March 15, 1521. The cross is just located next to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Church. The structure is covered with Tindalo Wood to protect the original cross from people who chips away some parts of it to bring home as a souvenir and in the belief that it possesses miraculous powers. Some also believed that it is not the original cross but a replica of what the explorers had planted here. They believed that the original cross was destroyed or disappeared after Magellan's death.

#3. Plaza Independencia

Pedro and the building that used to be the Gobierno Provincial in the downtown area of Cebu. The plaza is a popular hangout for many living or working around the area. It is one huge garden filled with trees, ornamental plants and flowers. There is also a public skating rink and a kiosk at the center of the circular skating rink. An obelisk dedicated to the memory of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general of the Philippines, is planted at the very heart of the plaza.

Plaza Independencia is the most historically significant plaza in Cebu. Its land and age-old acacia trees are witness to the many phases and stories of Cebu’s rich history.

In the early 1600s, it was called Plaza de Armas. When it was widened later on and expanded to reach nearby properties of the Cathedral of Cebu, it was called Plaza Mayor. Later in the Spanish rule, it was further landscaped and developed and was christened Plaza Maria Cristina, in honor of the queen regent. During the American colonial period, its name was changed to Plaza Libertad, as the Americans asserted how they liberated Cebuanos from the Spanish rule. Later on it finally became known as Plaza Independencia.

In a road tunnel construction project in 2006 that touched a part of the plaza and nearby areas, pre-Hispanic human bones and some earthenware were uncovered. In 2008, some artifacts were unearthed which included gold death masks, a pair of gold earrings, a Thai bluish-green “guan” celadon, jars and other earthenware. Plaza Independencia and some strategic parts of the downtown area of Cebu are a rich archaeological field due to its history as a prehispanic settlement and trading port. Indeed, there are many secrets and stories from Plaza Independencia. (http://www.everythingcebu.com/attractions/places/plaza-independencia/)

These are just some of the beautiful spots in Cebu. I'll be posting more next time.