Languages
Cebuano is the native language of Cebu. It is spoken in most parts of the Central Philippine Islands, including Bohol, western Leyte, Negros; some parts of the Southern Philippine Islands including Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao, Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur.
Differences exist but in many of these places the variations are slight. There are about 20 million speakers of Cebuano. Cebuanos are conversant in other native Philippine languages including Tagalog; as well as other Visayan languages such Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray; and other languages.
In the Camotes Islands, a native language related to Waray-Waray called Porohanon is spoken. What distinguishes it from Cebuano is that what is normally "y" in Cebuano is "j" in Porohanon. So in Camotes, "maajo kaajo" (very good) is said instead of "maayo kaayo".
In Santa Rosa, Bantayan Visayan is also spoken.
Spanish is spoken by its mestizo, and Spanish communities. Cebu was the first province that was influenced by the Spaniards until the capital of the Philippine Islands were moved to Manila. English is also used on education, media, commerce and the government; and Chinese is spoken by its Chinese community.
Religion
The patron of Cebu is the Our Lady of Guadalupe. But most of the natives regard the Santo Niño de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus as their patron saint. The statue is housed in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and San Nicholas de Tolentino.
According to Philippine historical accounts, the Santo Niño was given by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of the native chieftain of Cebu. The friendship are depicted in Cebu's cultural event, the Sinulog where street parades, and loud drum beats preceded by a Holy Mass is celebrated.
Cebu has a Roman Catholic Archdiocese, and has several major churches, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the San Carlos Church, the Santo Rosario Parish Church, San José-Recoletos Church, Sacred Heart Church, and other christian churches; as well as several other non-Catholic churches, mosque, and temples.
Population
In the Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000), Cebu City recorded a total population of 718,821 persons, 56,522 more compared to the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results. Metro Cebu (5 cities) and Cebu Province is estimated to have over 2.5 million inhabitants.
According to the latest census conducted by the government, as of August 2007, there were 798,000 people living in Cebu City, with over 3.5 million in the entire province.
History
Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, Cebu then known as Zubu (or Sugbo) was an island inhabited by pagan, and islamic people who traded with other Asian civilizations.
Losing favor for his plan of reaching the Spice Islands by sailing westward from King Manuel I of Portugal, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan offered his services to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V of Spain. On September 20, 1519, Magellan led five ships with a crew of 250 people out of the Spanish fort of San Lucar de Barrameda enroute to the Spice Islands via the Americas, and Pacific Ocean.
They reached the Philippine Islands on March 16, 1521. Rajah Kolambu the chieftain of Mazaua told them to sail for Cebu, where they could trade, and have provisions.
Arriving in Cebu City, Magellan, with Enrique of Malacca as translator, befriended Rajah Humabon the native chieftain of Cebu, and persuaded the natives of allegiance to Emperor Charles V of Spain. Rajah Humabon, and his wife were baptized as King Carlos, and Queen Juana. The Santo Niño was presented to the native Queen of Cebu, as a symbol of peace, and friendship between the Spaniards and the Cebuanos. On April 14, Magellan erected a large wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. Afterwards, about 700 native Cebuanos were baptized.
Magellan soon heard of a tribal ruler named, Rajah Lapu-Lapu, in nearby Mactan Island. It was thought that Rajah Humabon, and Rajah Lapu-Lapu have been fighting for control of the flourishing trade in the area.
On April 27, the Battle of Mactan occurred where the Spaniards were defeated, and Magellan killed by native warriors. According to historian, and chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan's body was never recovered despite efforts to trade for it with spice, and jewels.
Magellan's second-in-command, Juan Sebastián Elcano took his place, and sailed the remainder of the fleet back to Spain, circumnavigating the world.
Spanish conquest and colonial period
Survivors of the Magellan expedition brought tales of a savage island in the East Indies with them when they returned to Spain. Consequently, several follow-up expeditions were sent but all ended in failure.
Forty-four years after Magellan first set foot in Cebu; Spanish conquistadors led by Miguel López de Legazpi sailing from the western coast of Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico arrived in 1565, and established a colony. The Spaniards marched through the island, bombarded the palisades of chieftain Rajah Tupas, and destroyed the native villages. The Spaniards established settlements, trade flourished, and renamed the island to "Villa del Santíssimo Nombre de Jesús" (Town of the Most Holy Name of Jesus). Cebu became the first European settlement established by the Spanish Cortés in the Philippine Islands.
In 1860, Cebu opened its forts to foreign trade. The first printing house ("Imprenta de Escondrillas y Cia") was established in 1873. In 1880, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion was established. The first periodical The Bulletin of Cebu ("El Boletin de Cebú") began publishing in 1886.
On June 12, 1898 marked the end of the Spanish period. In 1901, Cebu became a municipality, and on February 24, 1937, the island became a chartered province during the American period.
World War II
Cebu, being the most densely populated island in the Philippines, served as a Japanese base during the Japanese occupation in World War II which began with the landing of Japanese soldiers in April 1942. Almost three years later in March 1945, combined Filipino and American forces landed and reoccupied the island during the liberation of the Philippines.
Cebuano rebel soldiers led by an American, James Cushing, is credited for the capture of the Koga Papers which is said to have changed the American plans to retake the Philippine Islands from Japanese occupation in 1944, by helping the United States and the Philippine Commonwealth troops enter Cebu in 1945.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebu
