Cebu City (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbo) is the capital city of Cebu and the second city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest city established by the Spaniards in the country.

The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines’ main domestic shipping port and is home to about 80% of the country’s domestic shipping companies. Cebu also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippines and is a significant centre of commerce, trade and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao region. According to the 2007 Philippine census, the city has a population of about 798,809 people.

Cebu City is the centre of a metropolitan area called Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay. Metro Cebu has a total population of about 2 million people. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is only a twenty-minute drive away from Cebu City. To the northeast of the city are Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion, to the west are Toledo City, the towns of Balamban and Asturias, to the south are Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City and an aquarium attraction are located.

History of Cebu

In the 16th century, Cebu City was an area part of the Rajahnate of Cebu with an Islamic, Hindu and Animist populations. On April 7, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu. He was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the King of Cebu, who together with his wife and about 700 native islanders, were baptized by the Spaniards on April 14, 1521. Magellan, however, failed to successfully claim the Philippines for the crown of Spain, having been killed by Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Muslim king in Mactan Island on April 27, 1521 in the Battle of Mactan. On April 27, 1565, Spain colonized the area with the arrival of Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi, together with Augustinian Friar Andrés de Urdaneta, sailing from Mexico, arrived in Cebu. The Spaniards established settlements, trade flourished and renamed the city on January 1, 1571, from San Miguel (Saint Michael) to Villa del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús (Village of the Most Holy Name of Jesus). During this six year period of exploration and settlements by the Spaniards, Cebu City was the capital of the Spanish East Indies. In 1898, the city was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. In 1901, the city was governed by the United States for a brief period, however it attained the status of a charter city in 1936 and was governed independently by Filipino politicians. Following the end of the Japanese occupation in World War II, the city gained independence from colonial rule in 1946 as part of the Republic of the Philippines.

Cebu City Government

Cebu City is an independent and chartered city. Registered voters of the city cannot vote for provincial candidates unlike its nearby counterparts (Mandaue and Talisay cities) that form part of Metro Cebu. It is the capital of the province mainly because the provincial capitol is located in it. There were proposals however during the time of Governor Emilio Mario Osmeña to establish an “administrative district” that would be independent from Cebu City. This would literally mean carving out Cebu City’s Barangay Capitol where the provincial capitol and other provincial offices are located. The plan however didn’t push through and was even followed by other proposals like the transfer of the capital to Balamban.

Cebu City is governed mainly by a city hall, composed of one mayor, one vice-mayor and sixteen councilors (eight representing the northern and eight representing the southern region). Each official is elected publicly to a three year term. The chief of the Association of Barangay Captains and the President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation also managed in the city council. The day to day administration of the city is handled by a city administrator.

Michael Rama is the mayor of Cebu City. The former vice mayor, he was elected during the 2010 Philippine elections. Joy-Augustus G. Young is the vice mayor.

Source: wikipedia.org

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Fastcraft

Golden Express Vessel of Oceanjet is a fastcraft that travels to Camotes. Fare ranges from Php 400 pesos or more per passenger. The Bullet Express Vessel travels faster than pumpboats. Although it’s quite expensive than the regular pumpboats, the ride usually takes (at most) in 2 hours or less. Schedules are subject to change without notice.

Golden Express Oceanjet contact numbers:
+63-32-2557560
+63-32-4205467
+63-32-4205468
+63-32-346020

Poro – Cebu (Pier 1)

Pumpboat

There are many available pumpboats going to Camotes. Just go to the ports of Danao , and Mandaue Ouano Warf.

From Danao port, a pumboat travels for about 2 hours or more, depending on the weather. The fare is around Php 180 pesos per passenger.

If it’s you’re first time around Cebu and don’t know where to go, just start at central city of Cebu, called Colon. Just take a ride by taxi or jeepney. All jeepneys pass in this street. Look for a Mandaue jeepney going to Ouano Wharf. If you are lost, just ask around, a policeman, also called CITOM, that you can find in the area.

If you’re in Mandaue, and in case you miss the boat via Ouano Wharf, you can still catch the pumpboat in Danao port. Go to AS Fortuna Street corner Mandaue City, Cebu, and jeepneys going to Danao are waiting for you. If you find it difficult to ride a jeepney, there’s always a taxi cab.

If you choose Danao, take a jeepney or bus going to SM. When you reach SM, take another jeepney or a cab going to Danao. There are also Vans-for-hire, also called “V-hire”, ready in the SM terminal located just behind the mall. There are also jeepneys for Mandaue routes near SM Mall. Schedules below are subject to change without notice.

Via Danao; DAILY SCHEDULE

Via Ouano Wharf (Mandaue); DAILY SCHEDULE

Ferryboat

You can also take the barge(ferryboat), like M/V MELRIVIC of E.B. Aznar Shipping, but it travels slower, about 3 hours or longer. Go to Pier 2 by cab or jeepney. Pier 2 is just a few blocks away from the historical monument, Plaza Independencia. If you get pass the corners of S. Osmeña Street and P. Gomez Street. For just a few meters, you can see the gate of Pier 2. You can catch the ferryboat at the following times: Schedules are subject to change without notice.

M/V MELRIVIC of E.B. Aznar Shipping

G.E.G Sea Transport Services

for more updated schedules go to http://schedule.ph/boat/from/Cebu-City/to/Camotes

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Camotes consists of four islands, Pacijan Island or San Francisco town, Poro Island that includes Poro and Tudela town, Ponson Island, where you can find the town of Pilar, and a tiny Tulang Island.

The islands of Pacijan and Poro are connected by a paved road.

Camotes are low-lying islands. There is only one hill on Pacijan and another hill on Poro. These hills are used by a telecommunications company for relay stations. Pacijan has a fresh-water lake around two kilometers in length.

Palm trees are the dominant plant on the islands. There are also numerous native varieties of fruit trees and other plants.

In these islands, you can find variety of white sand beaches and tourist attractions that you will enjoy.

The map of Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines

Map of Camotes

Coordinates: 10° 40′ 0″ N, 124° 24′ 0″ E

More here: http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Camotes_Islands&params=10_40_N_124_24_E_region:PH_type:isle_source:GNS-enwiki#Help

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In 1945, the liberation was taken by the Philippine Commonwealth troops landed in Camotes Islands in Cebu we fronted the battles against the Japanese forces in the Battle of Camotes Islands during World War II.

The word camotes is Mexican for sweet potatoes.

Source: wikipedia.com

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Barangays: Politically subdivided into 17 barangays.
Livelihood and Resources: farming

• Adela
• Altavista
• Cagcagan
• Cansabusab
• Daan Paz
• Eastern Poblacion
• Esperanza
• Libertad
• Mabini
• Mercedes
• Pagsa
• Paz
• Rizal
• San Jose
• Santa Rita
• Teguis
• Western Poblacion

San Francisco – Population: 41,327 people in 8,189 households.

Barangays: Politically subdivided into 15 barangays.
Livelihood and Resources: farming, fishing

• Montealegre
• Cabunga-an
• Campo
• Consuelo
• Esperanza
• Himensulan
• Northern Poblacion
• San Isidro
• Santa Cruz
• Santiago
• Sonog
• Southern Poblacion
• Unidos
• Union
• Western Poblacion

Tudela – Population of 10,401 people in 2,313 households(2000 census)

Barangays: Politically subdivided into 11 barangays.
Livelihood and Resources: farming, fishing

• Buenavista
• Calmante
• Daan Secante
• General McArthur
• Northern Poblacion
• Puertobello
• Santander
• Secante Bag-o
• Southern Poblacion

Pilar – Population of 11,226 people in 2,638 households. (2000 census)

Barangays: Politically subdivided into 13 barangays.
Livelihood and Resources: farming, fishing

• Biasong
• Cawit
• Dapdap
• Esperanza
• Lanao
• Lower Poblacion
• Moabog
• Montserrat
• San Isidro
• San Juan
• Upper Poblacion
• Villahermosa
• Imelda

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The beach is located in Esperanza, San Francisco Camotes Cebu.

[reservations]

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The goal of the competition is to determine who is the best cyclist that comes first in the race. A 40 – 50 kilometer race that passes all the 15 “barangays” of this municipality including a downhill and uphill mountain course is the main challenge of the game.  It is organized by the LGU through the Camotes Off -Road Bikers Association (CORBA), an environment friendly group in the Philippines.

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Just like the Sinulog Festival, the streets will be filled with a parade of colorful dancers showing their love for Saint Joseph. True in Filipino culture, people also celebrate by throwing parties into their households. Other activities are also dancing contests, the disco and a beauty pageant held in San Francisco, Camotes Municipal Gym.

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