Cebuanos are known to be some of the friendliest and happiest Filipinos.
Filipinos are generally known for being some of the friendliest people in the world. You will always find a few locals who are happy to welcome you during your trip to the Philippines.
You will find many of them walking around, smiling and laughing with friends, family, and neighbors.
The island of Cebu revels in these people. Its popularity as a tourist destination has attracted many foreigners who have repeatedly complimented the friendliness of the Cebuanos.
Locals are shameless in inviting visitors for a meal or giving travel recommendations. Once you get to meet these people, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from them.
The following are a few notable personality traits commonly found among Cebuanos.
Filipinos generally have easy-going personalities.
- EASY-GOING
The countryside of Cebu has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere that encourages you to live a more easy-going lifestyle. There is no heavy traffic or busy infrastructure projects, just the undisturbed calm of mother nature.
Seeing locals go with the flow will definitely have a positive influence on you, making you want to relax and forget your troubles. You can doze off while facing the clear blue waters of their stunning beaches or experience the peak of their mesmerizing mountains.
Locals in the province tend to have a minimal sense of urgency. They live in the moment and find joy in the simplicities of life. They also try not to stress themselves with the pressures of adulthood.
Cebuanos know how to have a good time. You can chat about life, explore breathtaking tourist spots, or party all night. Their smiles are infectious, and they are always eager to spend time with travelers.
They also have a good sense of humor, joking about mundane moments in life to liven up the surroundings. Some of the jokes may go over your head, but staying long enough will get you to make similar jokes.
Filipino people are very welcoming regardless of whether you’re a local or tourist.
- HOSPITABLE
Like most Filipino people, Cebuanos welcome travelers with open arms. They love accommodating visitors, especially those interested in seeing the rest of the island.
They take pride in their hometown and love offering recommendations to visitors about places they should see during their visit.
Filipinos are also known for the importance they place on family, even among friends. Many Cebuanos love visiting their friends during fiestas and parties. Some even create an inseparable bond, and separating from a loved one can be uncomfortable for them.
This hospitality was even present during the Pre-Colonial period when the early Cebuanos welcomed the Spaniards led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The early Cebuanos offered a banquet to the Spaniards as soon as they arrived on the island in 1521.
Dancing is one of the many skills and talents prominent among the people of Cebu.
- TALENTED
Cebu is also a breeding ground for the performing arts. Many Cebuano celebrities have wowed audiences worldwide with their exceptional skills and talents.
Cebuanos are very much musically inclined, especially with the popular guitar-making business in Mactan. Singers, actors, and dancers have also performed on national and international stages.
One of the more prominent viral trends featuring Cebuanos is the Dancing Inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
These orange-clad performers dance to famous pop songs, their most popular one being their viral performance of Michael Jackson’s hit song Thriller, which garnered millions of views on Youtube.
CPDRC Dancing Inmates will return in 2022, as announced by Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. In 2010, the Cebu Provincial Capitol canceled its performances due to an investigation regarding their donations and contributions.
Also, you might feel a little anxious when going to a karaoke bar with Cebuanos because they are also fantastic singers. They have a lot of confidence too! Even if they aren’t the best singers, they will try their hardest to reach the highest notes possible.
- GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Many locals are fluent in the English language, and they also speak the Bisaya language more than the national language, which is Tagalog. Some locals may have hard accents when they speak in English, but they are pretty easy to understand.
Their ability to speak “better English” has made the city a haven for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. BPOs are some of the biggest industries in Cebu and the Philippines, housing many international companies in places like the IT Park.
Another lucrative business venture in Cebu is the English as a Second Language (ESL) industry. This industry employs Cebuanos to teach the English language to students from outside the Philippines, like China, Korea, and Japan.
Aside from this, universities and colleges offer English proficiency courses to foreigners in Cebu.
Conversing with Cebuanos is easy, as they mostly understand what you will be asking. You will have to get used to some accents and broken sentence structures, but it will be easy to understand once you get them.
Some might say that Cebuanos are similar to any other Filipino. Once you step foot on the island, you can see that they are very different in terms of personality and culture.
Some have different lifestyles, but you will easily notice their easy-going personality, humor, and hospitality. If you get to know them even more, you will be able to witness their talented nature and proficient use of the English language.
Cebuanos know how to have fun. They will do whatever they can to boast about the province they live in and want everyone else to experience it themselves.
