Cebu History

Cebu and Mactan are rich in historical significance. From around 800 AD Cebu harbor was already an important trading port for Chinese, Islamic, and Malayan goods. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines and eventually found his way to Mactan. Due to a dispute of uncertain nature, the Spaniards incurred the ire of local chieftain Lapu-lapu, who killed Magellan in The Battle of Mactan - arguably the first case of an Asian fighting European invaders. Thus, although the Magellan Expedition is credited with the first circumnavigation of the globe, Magellan the man died and remained in Mactan.

(It is said in some chronicles that Magellan's expedition included a Cebuano-speaking crewman, who must have earlier wandered across Asia, the Near East, and the Mediterranean before joining the expedition in Spain . When the expedition reached Cebu , this crewman - a Cebuano - became the first person to actually complete a tour of the world.)

During the early part of the Spanish era, Cebu was the effective capital of the country, which in turn was a province of Mexico . (The capital was later moved to Manila , which was more easily defensible against sea attack.) It continued to prosper as a trading port. And to this day, Cebu is the most ethnically diverse area in the country, with large Chinese, Spanish, and Malayan populations (not to mention more recent German and American arrivals).