The Philippines is predominantly Catholic. The church has had massive changes over the past millennia, but Catholicism is still the most practiced religion throughout the country.A museum in Cebu has a collection of exhibits related to the Catholic faith, giving visitors a walk down memory lane to learn how religion has shaped the country’s culture and people today.The Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, also known as the Cathedral Museum, is housed in one of the oldest structures in downtown Cebu. It stands right across from the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, hence the nickname.
Claimed to have been built in 1730, the Jesuit House Museum is one of the oldest museums in Cebu. It’s a building that is rich in Philippine history.Located in the former business district of Parian, this heritage house is frequented by many tourists and locals alike.Its owner, Chinese-Filipino businessman Jaime Sy, originally intended to make the building a warehouse. He changed his mind when he discovered its history.
The Parian district played a crucial part in the history of Cebu City. This quiet neighborhood was once a center for trading and bartering before turning into a residential area for Chinese settlers in the 1600s.Today, Parian has several historic sites, including the Parian monument, the Jesuit House Museum, and the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House.The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is the oldest ancestral house in Cebu. It was built near Colon, the oldest street in the Philippines between 1675 and 1700. And it was first owned by a Chinese trader, Don Juan Yap, and his wife, Doña Maria Florido.
There are a number of museums in Cebu worth seeing. Old antiques and centuries-long infrastructure give insights on how the city was before today.Casa Gorordo is a perfect spot to learn about the life of Cebuanos during and after the Spanish colonization. This two-storey house keeps many artifacts that have been passed down for several decades by one of Cebu’s most prominent families.This used to be the ancestral house of four generations of the Gorordos, which included the first Cebuano Bishop, Juan Isidro de Gorordo. It was purchased and renovated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation and was turned into a public museum in the 1980s.
Museo Sugbo takes you on a stroll along the many years of Cebu history. It houses galleries that transport you back to notable moments from the past and informs you of the lesser known trivia from way back during World War II and the Spanish and American colonial era. This is a place to appreciate the pieces of history and events that summarize all these years of change.The museum is situated in what was once the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), the main jail of Cebu province. The detention center was famous for the viral videos of the dancing inmates, and it is now situated in the mountainous barangay of Kalunasan.
Cebu is known as the design capital of the Philippines, and was declared one of UNESCO’s creative cities in 2019. Spawning multiple world-renowned artists and designers, the locals’ best work can be found on the walls of famous food parks, the ceilings of old churches or in the chassis of public utility jeepneys. Modern art in Cebu may have adapted to the digital revolution, but physical works are still luxury items that even the most novice curator and museum fanatic would want to put their hands on.
There are places that would make us remember the past. Towns and cities have museums that will remind them of their histories. The museums in Cebu are some of the places that store the best stories of the island. Here are some of the museums that will take you to a trip down memory lane:
Several towns in Cebu Province gathered to celebrate the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo. Cebu Province has an assortment of local festivals that celebrate the food culture, the endemic plants and animals, and the general lifestyle of the people. These festivals are celebrated through a number of cultural dances that give you
The Cebu City government has revived the famous Colon Night Market. Two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, government officials have proudly reopened the iconic Colon Night Market. This weekend-only business strip brings dozens of budget-friendly products and food items to fellow Cebuanos, located along the oldest street
The shoe business in Carcar remains essential to the city’s tourism and economy. Carcar City is known as the Heritage City of the South due to its many historical sites. It has one of the oldest churches on the island and several ancestral houses with centuries-old architecture. You may have
The Archdiocesan Museum is where you can learn more about the history of Catholicism in Cebu. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic. The church has had massive changes over the past millennia, but Catholicism is still the most practiced religion throughout the country. A museum in Cebu has a collection of
Not only is it a delicious dessert, but it’s also an integral part of the culture of Argao. Many Cebu towns are associated with the special delicacies sold in their locality. The cities of Carcar and Talisay have their Lechon, while the municipality of Liloan has the Rosquillos. In Southern
Rent a bangka and visit the many islands of Mactan with your barkada. Cebu is a summer paradise. Abundant with beaches, mountains, and forests, it’s clear to see why it’s a top vacation spot in the entire country. Some popular activities on the island include canyoneering and snorkeling, especially in
