As the Philippines’ oldest city and former capital, there are plenty of historic places in Cebu to visit. Besides its rich history, it’s a booming eco
As the Philippines’ oldest city and former capital, there are plenty of historic places in Cebu to visit. Besides its rich history, it’s a booming economic hub and a great spot to work remotely.
However, if you’re tired of the usual tourist spots like Magellan’s Cross, Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu, and Mactan Shrine, check out these underrated historical landmarks in Cebu.
Yap-Sandiego House
Built between 1675 and 1700 by Don Juan Yap for his growing family, the Yap-Sandiego house is one of the oldest houses in the Philippines.
It owes its longevity to its construction: coral stones and egg whites comprise its walls, while its roof is made of molave, balayong, and terracotta glue.
Today, this well-preserved house is a museum displaying the cultural heritage of Cebu during the Spanish era. It houses relics like chinaware, cutlery, figurines, and other handicrafts made by masters of the time. Visitors can even touch some of the items, though they should do so with the utmost care.
The ancestral house is currently under the administration of Val Sandiego, the great-great-grandson of Dona Maria Yap-Sandiego. It’s located near Colon St., the oldest street in the Philippines, and the entrance fee is fifty pesos (PHP 50).
Casa Gorordo
Another of the underrated historical landmarks in Cebu is Casa Gorordo.
Built in the 1850s, it was originally owned by Alejandro Reynes y Rosales. Isidro Gorordo, a merchant from the Basque province of Vizcaya in Spain, bought the house. Four generations of the Gorordo family lived there, including Cebu’s first native Filipino bishop, Juan Gorordo.
Like the Yap-Sandiego house, Casa Gorordo is another example of a colonial-era house known as a “balay nga tisa,” or house with a tiled roof. Its architecture combines Spanish, Filipino, and Chinese influences, making it unique to the Philippines.
This house features several artifacts and personal belongings of the Gorordo family, chronicling the changes in the family’s lifestyle and Cebuano society and culture.
It is owned and managed by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and was entitled a National Historical Landmark in 1991 by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines (NHIP). It is open from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Museo Sugbo
One of the relatively newer historical and heritage sites in Cebu is the Museo Sugbo (Cebu Museum).
Located in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), this museum houses four galleries in two different buildings. (Yes, it’s the same building that housed the famous Cebu Dancing Inmates.)
The first one, the Museum of Philippine Political History, appropriately enough, houses the political history gallery and the presidential gallery.
The former displays the country’s political development from the pre-colonial period to the present; the latter showcases various Philippine presidents with their portraits and signatures engraved in twenty-four-karat gold.
The other two galleries sit across from the Museum of Philippine Political History. They house archaeological artifacts excavated from Cebu, including gold and ceramics from the 1600 San Diego shipwreck.
The museum aside, the CPDRC, or the Carcel de Cebu, is another colonial-era site in Cebu. The prison was designed in 1869 and was meant to be the primary prison in Visayas due to its size. It is said that the coral blocks from the demolished Parian Church were used to build parts of the prison.
The Jesuit House
If you’re visiting the former business district of Parian, one underrated historical landmark you shouldn’t miss is the Museo Parian sa Sugbo - 1730 Jesuit House or just the Jesuit House.
This two-story house, which was once the headquarters of the Jesuits in the 1700s, is now located in a seemingly mundane warehouse. It is owned by Jaime Sy, whose family purchased it from the Alvarez family in the 1960s.
Initially, he wanted to turn the compound into a warehouse. However, once he discovered its historical significance, he changed his mind.
The museum is divided into two houses connected by a bridge. House A contains bedrooms and precious memorabilia left behind by the Jesuits when they stayed there. House B features a living room, dining room, and kitchen.
There is a third building, which was supposed to be a watchtower, as well. However, only its base remains today, but there is a tattered painting of the residence that shows what it might have looked like.
Cebu Provincial Capitol
One of the more modern yet underrated historical landmarks in Cebu is the province’s current Capitol Building. It’s considered one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the country and has been declared a national landmark for its part in Cebu’s history.
Designed by Juan M. Arellano, the architect who also designed the Manila Metropolitan Theater, the then Legislative Building (now the National Museum of Fine Arts), and the Manila Central Post Office, it’s inspired by the US Capitol Building.
It was finished and inaugurated in 1938 and was heavily damaged during World War 2. Fortunately, it was rehabilitated after the war and remains the seat of government in Cebu today. Thus, when visiting this historic landmark, be mindful of your behavior.
Unknown Historical Gems in the Queen City of the South
Despite its many perks, working from home can get boring sometimes. Fortunately, the Philippines has plenty of scenic and historic sites from where you can work remotely. One such destination is Cebu City.
Whether you’re tired of going to the usual haunts there or want to know more about the city’s rich history, the five underrated historical landmarks you should visit on your next trip to Cebu listed above ought to suffice.
If you’re looking for online job opportunities so you can finance your next Cebu trip, Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list has various available positions for you to choose from, ranging from virtual assistant jobs and data entry jobs to engineering and architecture jobs.
Good luck!
COMMENTS