Traveling, at least from the author’s point of view, is one soul taking steps towards its broken pieces. The second that we fall upon new places feels like a new world. However, even how far you have gone, at the end of the day it is still you—the same unique you. Believe it or not, traveling cannot create a new you, it only adds spices to who you are. This is the reason why to travel is like having a walk down memory lane only that you are not doing it backward. The present setting of a country can be understood by taking a closer look at its past and the various events and places. That played a significant role in the evolution of a place like Cebu.
Going to these significant landmarks is like picking up pieces of history. And do an assemblage to fully understand what it was before and how it helped the present. So today, we will be having a historical tour and a walk down memory lane. To several significant landmarks in Cebu that played important roles in what is Cebu now.
The era of colonization
The era of colonization brought major changes to the Philippine setting. In fact, it caused great effects on our [Filipinos’] identity. Also, colonization created diverse cultures in the Philippines. This is why Filipinos celebrate not less than 20 festivals in a year showcasing rich Philippine cultures. That has been shaped by almost 400 years of foreign inhabitation in this country. Therefore, it is only of great necessity to have a historical tour to fully understand the place you will soon love to visit.
Philippines ’ oldest street
Let’ start this historical tour with you standing right exactly at the Philippines ’ oldest street. Colon street of downtown Cebu City formerly known as Parian. The street was built in 1565 and named after Christopher Columbus or Cristobal Colon. An Italian great explorer and navigator who worked under the flagship of Spain. It is the only street in the country recognized as an important national historical landmark. Known as part of the ‘Spanish Colonial Urbanism Project’. Today, the street might be filled with modernity. But there are still several structures preserved as proof of a rich Cebuano history.
Plaza Independencia
Right there where you stand, take a ride with a jeepney going to Plaza Independencia. One of the significant sites in the history of Cebu. The place is surrounded by century-old tall trees witnesses Cebu’s evolution through time. Plaza Independencia, for Cebuanos, symbolizes freedom and independence from all the conquerors that tried to take over the island of Cebu.
Fort San Pedro
Few steps from Plaza Independencia is where Fort San Pedro located. The structure was built in 1565 under the command of then Governor-general Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as a defensive fortress against the Muslim invaders. It is triangular which its three corners served as soldiers’ outpost. It has performed many uses since then; a defense fortress, a prison camp, a mini zoo, and now a significant historical attraction standing as a handsome ruin.
Gorordo’s old ancestral houses
Taking a jeepney again, now you go to Gorordo’s old ancestral houses. These structures were fated to become evidence of the old Cebuano civilization. Casa Gorordo commonly known as ‘Balay sa Tisa’ was originally a two-story house built in the 19th century in the country’s oldest street, Parian. During the Spanish era, the Parian district was prominent as the place for rich merchant families. Thus, evident in its architectural design the family’s social status then. The house was originally owned by Alejandro Reynes y Rosales and was later bought by a Spanish merchant family of Juan Isidro de Gorordo in 1863. One of the residents in this house was Cebu’s first native Cebuano bishop, Juan Gorordo.
Today, the house has been turned into a museum with its original phase being preserved. Visitors can have a tour inside the house and experience the antique Cebuano life atmosphere which will cost Php50. Part of the house has been turned into a restaurant serving famous Filipino foods such as adobo and Lechon. Moreover, a souvenir shop can also be found on the second floor of Casa Gorordo’s coffee shop. At night, the coffee shop can be used as a study area or for romantic dates.
Cebu Heritage Monument
From Casa Gorordo, take a five-minute walk going to the Cebu Heritage Monument still located at the historical street of Parian. The structure was built as an illustration of historical personalities and events. Especially those that happened in Cebu by a Cebuano local sculpture, Eduardo Castrillo. The construction was started in 1997 and was finished in December 2000. One of the events depicted on the monument is the ‘Battle of Mactan’, the historical battle against Ferdinand Magellan of Spain, and the brave Datu Lapu-Lapu of Mactan, Cebu. This structure may not be as old as the other structures, it became a famous tourist spot since it showcases important events in Cebu that then leads to cultural understanding for those who can visit there.
Basilica Minore del Santo Nino
There are still a lot of historical places to be visited within Cebu City, but we will end this walk down memory lane with the famous Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, the home of the famous Holy Child Jesus of Cebu. Still found in the Cebu City downtown.
Basilica del Santo Nino is one of the churches built during the Spanish era by the Augustinian priests in order to further spread Catholicism. Found inside the Basilica is the antique figure of Santo Nino, a gift from Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to the Cebuanos after the first Catholic Baptism happened in the country that marked the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines. Devotees of Senor Santo Nino visit the place all year long to ask for the Holy Child’s guidance and protection. However, the feast of Santo Nino, the Sinulog is celebrated during the last week of January which has been known as Asia’s most colorful festival.
Magellan’s Cross
Moreover, just beside the Basilica stood the famous Magellan’s Cross built by the Spanish and Portuguese explorer to commemorate Ferdinand Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines back during the 15th century. The Christian cross has become not only a spiritual figure but also a significant historical landmark in the country. It stood there amidst typhoons and earthquakes that hit the place. Also, it has become a cradle of Catholicism in the Philippines since it is the symbol of Christianity.
Cebu is indeed full of historical narratives limited not only to what is being written here. The island was first to be discovered by the Spaniards during their conquest and became a gateway for them to further colonized the Philippines. Cebu was first to be civilized by the Spaniards and they were in their full strength to protect it against foreign invaders.
I consider a walk down memory lane and historical tours as one important thing to be done by a person. Walking down to your memories is like scanning your old photo album showcasing the significant events and places you have been to. Just like any historical tours where you will realize how these structures and events contributed to the present setting of a place, scanning your old photo album will make you realize how these events, travel, and places contribute to who you are now—not new but built by broken pieces made day after day, moments after moments.
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