Cebu City is rich in historical attractions and considered as the oldest city in the Philippines.
Lapu-Lapu and Magellan
The place is named after Lapulapu -the great chief and ruler of Mactan. He was considered as National Hero who killed navigator and explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Magellan was the first Portuguese (European) to come to the Philippines in the year 1521. Along with his crew they brought Christianity and offer baptismal to signify the propagation of the Roman Catholic Faith. Magellan planted a cross which is now one of the historic tourist spot in the City. Some say that the original cross was destroy. The one display is only a replica as many people tried to steal the original cross because of its miraculous healing power.
Lapu-Lapu and Magellan statues are stand in the place to recall the awful meeting of West and East in this part of the world.
Fort San Pedro
Known as one of the oldest fort in the country. It was built in the year 1565 by the Spanish and Cebuano laborers as Military Defense Structure, 14 cannons were mounted in the area.
It is a triangle shape with two sides facing the sea with artillery, one side is facing the land with a strong palisade made of wood, they also built a tower used as viewing decks on each of the three sides and its served as bastions – the La Concepción at the southwest, Ignacio de Loyola at the southeast, and San Miguel at the North, towers are 30 feet high from the ground.
Simala Shrine
It was Establish in Sibonga Town, Southern Cebu where the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist where Marian monks live, work and pray.
The Shrine is one of those religious place in Visayas and most believers come to offer prayers, petitions, devotion to the Virgin Mother, and their wishes to obtain graces also to ask miracle to the people with illness whether its a minor physical sickness etc.
Its architecture is somehow looks like some Cathedrals in Europe. when praying, the people offers lighting candles with different colors and each colors has meaning;
Black – souls’ forgiveness and pardon
Brown – marriage bond, God’s servant, single life
Blue – employment, career, assignment, promotions
Cream – conversion/faith for one’s children, household, couples
Gold – healing, recovery, spiritual, family tree
Green – prosperity or success of one’s exam, study, financial, business
Gray – deliverance from bad ways, things, spirits, or anything that is bad
Orange – reconciliation between (among) sweethearts, wife and husband, enemies, families
Pink – thanksgiving, happiness, or joy in both spirit and body
Red – love (unity, friendship, engagement, family)
Violet – achievement in one’s plans in life, struggles, endeavors, journey, voyage
Yellow – peace including courage, strength, hope
White – purity especially in terms of achieving enlightenment, guidance, right path