The festival of Kadaugan sa Mactan is known to be celebrated in Cebu, Philippines in the month of April as the defeat of Magellan by Lupa Lupa is re-enacted annually at the beach of Barangay Mactan where the event had actually taken place (Mactan Shrine). This is a major attraction for the tourists and the locals in the city and draws a lot of crowd. The 3 ships of Magellan are represented by the bancas or canoes and they are made to lead a river procession up to the beach. This act is followed by the re-enactment of the planting of the Magellan’s Cross leading to the final act of Lapu-Lapu’s victory. Kadaugan sa Mactan literally implies about the ‘Victory of Mactan’. It was also called Bahugbahug sa Mactan or ‘Melee at Mactan’ when it was initially staged in 1981. The exact time of the commencement of the festival mostly depends on the tidal conditions and otherwise it is known to begin at around 8 in the early morning hours. This festival is mostly celebrated on the 27th of April with much grandeur and pageantry. This festival grants the Cebuano people a good opportunity to re-visit the days of Mactan Battle between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu and also to celebrate their history and events. Being in Cebu you shouldn’t miss out on a visit to this grand celebration in order to get a clear idea about Cebuano history and culture.
Osmeña Peak is located in the Municipality of Dalaguete in the province of Cebu. The peak is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level making it the highest peak in the island of Cebu. The peak is part of the Mantalungon mountain range, which is unique from other mountain ranges in the Philippines because of its multiple jagged hills grouped together that overlook and stretch as far as the Badian shorelines. The highest of these hills is the Osmeña Peak named in honor of the famous Osmeña clan in Cebu. The visual appearance of the Mantalungon range is almost similar in form to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol but the peaks of the ranges are thinner, sharper-pointed and rocky. Unlike the Chocolate Hills, the peaks of the Mantalungon ranges cluster quite near each other and give the impression of being formed from rocks that have survived through time. Once you reach the Osmeña Peak, you get a 360-degree view of that includes the southwestern coastline of Cebu, and you even see the province of Negros Oriental. However, the peak area is fenced and under private ownership. A lot keeper collects at least 20 pesos from each climber that enters the area and there is a campsite a few meters down the peak. The campsite has a toilet and a bunkhouse available to the public for a fee. Osmeña Peak and the Mantalungon range are accessible to hikers and mountaineers all year round but it is best to climb the peak in the first half of the year since the rainy season is from June to October. The peak and mountain ranges become wet and slippery during the rainy season.
When Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, working for the crown of Spain, arrived in Cebu in 1521, he was warmly received by the chieftain of Cebu, Rajah Humabon, his wife Queen Juana, and their subjects. Magellan then persuaded Humabon to form an alliance with Spain. Afterwards, Humabon, his wife and their subjects were baptized into the Roman Catholic faith. On April 14, 1521, Magellan planted a wooden cross on the shores of Cebu to commemorate the baptism of Humabon, his wife and their subjects, and to signify the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines. The cross that Magellan planted has been known since then as the Magellan’s Cross. Since 1834, the cross and has been housed inside a small chapel or kiosk that is shape like a gazebo and made of adobe and red tiles. The kiosk is located beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street and in front of the city hall building of Cebu City. A plaque was placed just above the entrance of the kiosk in 1941.
When you enter inside the kiosk, you will see the Magellan’s Cross situated in the center. The ceiling above the cross has paintings that depict the arrival of Magellan and the planting of the cross, and the baptism of Rajah Humabon, his wife and their subjects. A sign below the cross states that the original cross is encased inside a cross made of tindalo wood. That was done to protect the original Magellan’s Cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross in the belief that the cross has miraculous powers or for souvenir purposes.
Cebu is known for its grand Sinulog Festival. Every January, the whole province honors the Santo Niño or the child Jesus. Millions of locals and tourists join the colorful and lively celebration that features fun-filled activities. During the day, the streets are packed with participants dressed in vibrant costumes who are dancing to the loud rhythm of the drums, trumpets and gongs. Onlookers are busy taking pictures or simply enjoying the Sinulog fever. This festival is also known for concerts and parties in the evening.
Sinulog comes from the Cebuano word “sulog” that typically means “like water current movement.” This describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. This festivity lasts for nine days, which culminates with the Sinulog Grand Parade. The fluvial procession is held a day before the parade. At dawn, the image of the Santo Niño is carried on a pump boat, which is adorned with flowers and candles, from Mandaue City to Cebu City. The procession ends at the Basilica del Santo Niño with a reenactment of the Christianization of Cebu. Another solemn procession transpires in the afternoon along the major streets of the metro.
Lechón is the Spanish word for suckling pig and in the Philippines, it connotes a whole roasted pig or “ litsong baboy,” in the local language. The process of cooking the lechón involves the whole pig or piglet that has been impaled in a bamboo branch and being slowly roasted over charcoal. The roasted pig is often cooked during national festivities or fiestas, the holiday season, birthdays, weddings, baptisms, family reunions, and other special occasions.
The lechon is usually served with a liver-based sauce. But in some cases, it may be served Chinese style with steamed buns and a sweet plum sauce. In addition, the left-overs from lechón is easily recycled into another delicious dish called “litson paksiw”. It involves cooking the left-over lechón by boiling it in vinegar to make the meat moist and the skin very soft. Some of the provinces in the Philippines have their own way of cooking and preparing their own version of the lechon. One of these versions is the Lechon Cebu from the province of Cebu.
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