All RoAds leAd to Cebu

Hail to the Queen—the Queen City of the South, that is! The jewel of the Central Philippines takes centre stage this month as a leading hub for business and tourism

For many people—both Filipinos and foreigners alike— Manila appears to be the place to be when it comes to doing business, to take in the sights, or to shop. But while the national capital does have its charms, there is actually one part of the country that has so much more to offer in terms of history, culture, gastronomy, commerce, and retail—that place is Cebu.A DynAmic DestinAtion

Historically, Cebu is where the western world got their first look at the Philippines, as this was where the famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in 1521. But long before Magellan arrived, the province was already a thriving hub for trade where merchants from China, Arabia, and other parts of the Malayan Peninsula would bring silks, spices, and other goods. Indeed, the province takes its name from the words sinibuayang hingpit: “the traders’ place.”

Today, Cebu is considered one of the most densely populated parts of the Philippines, with its capital, Metropolitan Cebu, ranked 7th among the cities with the largest populations with nearly 800,000 citizens (World Population Review, 2018). It is also one of the country’s most highly urbanised regions, and its metropolitan skylines can easily rival that of Manila and other key cities in and around the region.

Furthermore, the province prides itself on being a centre for learning and research, a place that forms young minds and raises a new generation of thinkers and leaders. It is home to the University of San Carlos, an institution of higher learning that predates Manila’s oldest university by 16 years as it was founded in 1595 and continues to be an academic hub for the study of law, architecture, engineering, and commerce. The university is also home to numerous research facilities, including the Bio-process Engineering Research Centre which is focused on the development of sustainable upcycling solutions for various industries.

A HUB FoR PRoGRess

In the present day, Cebu continues to be one of the country’s key economic centres. Indeed, it is one of the more developed and economically advanced provinces, one made prosperous by a diverse array of industries. Its economy makes up 69 per cent of the total gross domestic product (GDP) of the Central Visayas region, with its own GDP estimated at Php 704 billion as of mid-2018.

Tourism continues to be a prime industry for the province, thanks to its excellent hospitality which has led some of the world’s leading hotel chains to set up shop on the island. Places with historical significance such as Magellan’s Cross and the museum at Fort San Pedro continue to pique the curiosity of visitors, while the fantastic beaches and pristine lagoons of the Cebuano coastline draw in those seeking the perfect island getaway, as well as the thrill of more active water sports.

The opening of Terminal 2 at the Mactan Cebu International Airport—a spectacular edifice that highlights the aesthetic heritage of the region—has also increased the number of tourist arrivals, augmenting its original capacity from 10 million to 12.5 million travellers annually almost as soon as it opened in June 2018.

As it is a province that was founded by a race of sea-faring warriors, it should not come as a surprise that shipping and shipbuilding are also among the prime movers of the Cebuano economy. 80 per cent of all domestic and international shipping operators are located on the province’s main island and in nearby Mactan, while the expertise of local shipbuilders has helped the Philippines rank fifth among the largest shipbuilding nations in the world.

These industries and the booming IT-BPO sector have also boosted another sector of the economy: real estate and retail, as Cebu’s growth has driven more people to take residence in its urban areas and developers have been keen to meet the demands for housing and commercial centres.

Rooted in HeRitage

Despite the changing times and the relentless march of progress, Cebu and its people have kept true to their heritage.

Cebuano, the native dialect, remains the lingua franca throughout both the province and a great part of the Visayas Region. Traditional devotions such as that to the revered Santo Niño de Cebu remain strong, and the festivals dedicated to these devotions draw in pilgrims and visitors from across the globe. In the streets, buildings from the Spanish Colonial era—many of which have had their original facades preserved or restored by experts—share space with taller modern structures.

The richness of Cebuano culture can also be experienced in the province’s hospitality sector. Local colour can be seen in the décor and interior accents of major hotels and resorts throughout the province, mostly through the use of indigenous fabrics, plants, and motifs. Traditional treatments to soothe weary minds and aching bodies, including the famed hilot form of massage, are offered even by the most sophisticated spas. Even at highly modernised resorts

such as the Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, service is always given with a warm smile and a genuine concern for the well-being of guests.

Restaurants proudly serve a wealth of dishes: traditional delights such as the iconic Cebu lechon with its crackling skin and tender, lemongrass-infused meat; sutukil (sugba, tula, at kilaw: a mixed platter of grilled meats, broth, and marinated raw fish); and the infamously tasty chicharon from Carcar are on hand to tempt even the most jaded palates.

A Shopper’S pArAdiSe

Cebu is justifiably proud of many of its indigenous products.

Mangoes continue to be a cash crop for the province, as these sweet golden fruits are shipped fresh throughout the country and even to places as far away as Japan and Korea. Dried mangoes remain a popular souvenir for both local and foreign tourists, as these are both an energy-boosting snack and an excellent ingredient for cooking and baking.

Cebuano craftsmanship is also something that has made the world sit up and take notice. Musician from here and abroad swear by the sweet and refined tones of guitars and other stringed instruments from Lapu-Lapu City, noting how each piece is crafted by hand, and how local artisans pay close attention to even the smallest detail in their designs.

Such craftsmanship can also be seen in the excellence of Cebuano designers who produce everything from furniture to jewellery. While the revolutionary designs of award-winning furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and fashion master Cary Santiago have been making the headlines for quite some time now, the province also boasts of the talents of D’Oro Barandino, Aztick Villarin, and the Rodriguez Sisters who are all making names for themselves.

But, being the cosmopolitan province that it is, Cebu also draws in some of the world’s biggest brands. Fritz Hansen, in particular, brings a mix of Eastern flair and Western expertise via Japanese designer Nendo’s N01 chair—an accent that blends in beautifully with Cebuano-inspired interiors. Jewellery brand MyDiamond also joins this illustrious roster of retailers, bringing queenly baubles to the beauties of the south.

There is, indeed, something for everyone in the Queen of the South. Maayong buntag; adto na sa Cebu!