SCL101

LAPU-LAPU CITY
The history of Lapu-Lapu City influences the cultural involvement of its residents.
Many celebrations showcase the exchange of cultural interests, Spanish reflections,
ancestral legacy and modern trends.
Chief Lapu-Lapu's (1491-1542) other name is Kolipulako. The hero of Mactan and
conqueror of Magellan is described as stern, proud, intelligent, and unyielding. He
waged continuous war against the powerful ruler of Cebu, then a very much greater
kingdom than his little island of Maktang. Lapu-Lapu is considered one of the
greatest figures of ancient Philippine history. Although the first thing that usually
comes to mind when the name of Lapu-Lapu is mentioned is the fact that his battle
with Magellan led to Magellan's death, Lapu-Lapu was not honored because of that.
Rather, he is honored because he was among the first to reject submission to a
foreign power even though Raja Humabon, ruler of the neighboring island of Cebu,
and other chiefs recognized the king of Spain as their ruler and agreed to pay
tribute. When Magellan, with three boatloads of Spaniards and twenty boatloads of
Cebuanos, went to Mactan to help a friendly chief, Lapu-Lapu and his men armed
with native fighting elements, wooden shields, bows and arrows, lances, met them.
The invading Spaniards and Cebuanos were driven back to their boats, but their
brace leader, Magellan, met death in the hands of Lapu-Lapu. On what is believed to
be the exact spot where Magellan fell and died now stands an imposing monument
in honor of the gallant explorer. History has it that Mactan Island although small
was a thriving community when the great Magellan was in Cebu. The brave Spanish
navigator and soldier, upon learning that some inhabitants on this tiny island across
Cebu refused to recognize the King of Spain, burned one of the villages. Lapu-Lapu
was one of the native leaders who refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of Spain
over the Islands.
Chinese, Malay and Arab traders made this city their own along with the early
Spanish colonizers. Because of the many different nationalities that made Cebu their
home, it has led to Cebu being known as the most diverse and multifaceted culture
within the Philippine archipelago. One of the countries oldest churches in the
Philippines, the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, was built in 1565. After being
destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1620. It now houses the oldest and most
celebrated religious relic in the country. Fort San Pedro is the smallest triangular
fort built of wood but later rebuilt using local coral stone and was used to repel the
Muslim forces. Cebu was the sight of the first Christians in the Philippines and has
the oldest educational institution and fortress, and also the oldest street, Colon
Street. Many statues and relics still remain in Cebu to testify to its colorful history.
Fort San Pedro is the smallest triangular fort built of wood but later rebuilt using
local coral stone and was used to repel the Muslim forces.

History
Oceanic or Austronesian people called Malayo-Polynesians settled Cebu island and the rest of the
Philippines around 30,000 years ago. Most Cebuanos today have Malayo-Polynesian ancestry. The early
Cebuanos developed similar seafaring cultures to the Micronesian people; however, being closer to
mainland Asia, the Cebuanos also engaged in trade with Japan, Okinawa, India, China, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The ancient Cebuanos developed a culture with influence from mainly
Japan, China, India and Borneo.[3] They traded pearls and coral for silk, gold, weapons and spices. The
early Cebuanos held animist beliefs and worshiped anitos (spirits) until the introduction of Roman
Catholicism.
The famous encounter between explorer Magellan and the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu ended in the death of
Magellan at the Battle of Mactan. The Cebuanos held off colonization for a while until a Mexican explorer
colonized Cebu and the Cebuanos came under Spanish rule.
Today, the population of the island of Cebu stands at around 3,850,000 people; however, Cebuanos live
throughout many of the Visayan islands and parts of Mindanao.

Culture and festivities

Along with the rest of the Philippines, Cebu was governed from Spain and Mexico, and as a result received
heavy Spanish and Mexican influence. There are thousands of Mexican Spanish loanwords in Cebuano.
Mexican and Spanish influence is evident in the cuisine, traditional costumes, dances, music, festivals,
traditions and crafts.
Cebuano culture is traditionally characterized as a blend of Malay[4] and tradition with influences from
Asian culture, Spain, and the United States. The majority of Cebuanos are Roman Catholic.[5]
Among the island's notable festivities are the Sinulog[6] festival, which is a mixture of Christian and animist
elements, celebrated annually every third week of January.
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/culture-and-people/philippine-culture/culture-and-traditions/1326the-cebuanos-culture-customs-and-traditions
THE CEBUANO LANGUAGE
Cebuano language, also spelled Cebuanos, also called SUGBAHANON, member of the Western, or
Indonesian, branch of the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) language family. It was spoken in the late
20th century by as many as 14,6000,000 persons in the Philippines (speakers are spread over eastern
Negros, Cebu, Bohol, western Leyte, the Camotes Islands, and the norther and western coasts of
Mindanao). Cebuano is closely related to the Hiligaynon (Ilongo) and Waray languages, with which it is
sometimes grouped as dialects of a Visayan (Bisayan) language.
Native Cebuano speakers constitute about one-fourth of the population and as such comprise the largest
linguistic and cultural group in the country. Despite its spoken frequency, Cebuano is little used as a
literary language, although newspapers and films both use the language.
THE CEBUANOS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
The Cebuanos observe certain customs and traditions about birth, baptism, courtship, marriage, death and
burial.

ABOUT THE BIRTH

The coming of a child is welcomed by a Cebuano family for it is about to give birth, pomelo leaves are
placed under the house so as to drive away all evil spirits which maybe hovering around. While the woman
is in labor, the family burn some dried leaves and roots so that smoke will free the mother from painful
labor pains. It is a sign of good luck when the mothers first baby happens to be a boy. After the child is
born, the placenta is buried on he seashore to insure the baby's good health. During the first haircut of the
child some pieces of hair are set aside and inserted in the prayer book or any book to make the child a wide
reader when he grows up.
ABOUT THE BAPTISM
It is the customs among the Cebuanos to baptize child a few days after birth or in a week's time Godparents
are chosen very carefully because they are the second parents of the child. The parents hope the child will
emulate the good examples shown by his godparents.
ABOUT THE COURTSHIP
When a man falls is in love a girls the first step that he does is to visit her at home. Woman are quite shy
and it will take the man a long time before a girl answers his proposal. Sometimes the man asks a third
person to act as his go-between to help him win the favor of the girl he loves. As soon as he engaged, the
man's parents request an important person in the community, preferably the barangay chairman, to ask for
the girl's hand in marriage. The mediator has to go back several times before the girls parents give their
consent to the marriage of their daughter. Every time he goes to the house of the girl's parent he bring with
him food and drinks for merrymaking. An important requirement which the parents of the girl ask for the
living of dowry consisting of a certain amount of money of some valuable pieces of jewelry.
ABOUT THE MARRIAGE
All the preparations for the wedding party is done at the groom's house. Part of it is bought to the bride's
house to be served to her guests and relatives. The expenses for the party are shouldered by the groom.
After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds walk together to the bride's house. Two plates filled with
water and some leaves of the San Francisco plant are placed at the foot of the stairs for the newlyweds to
step on. An old woman who is a member of the bride's family combs the hair of the newlyweds and offers
some advice for a happy life together. It is believed that by stepping on the plates and combing the hair of
the married couple, they will have an orderly, and harmonious life.
ABOUT DEATH
Cebuanos believe that people should not sweep the floor when somebody dies for it might cause the death
of other members of the family.
CEBUANOS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS
Let us read of the superstitious beliefs of the Cebuanos about planting, courtship and curing one's sickness.
ABOUT PLANTING
It is believed that crops planted during low tide bear more fruit so farmers observe the movement of the
tides before planting anything.
When the skies are filled with thousands stars, it is the best time to plant for it will bear plenty of fruits.
ABOUT COURTSHIP
When a star is close to the moon, it is believed that it is the proper time to court a lady. The man's proposal
will readily be accepted.

ABOUT ILLNESS
When someone gets sick in the family, it is believed that the sick person is being punished by the fairies
because of his carelessness or naughtiness. An herbolario is invited to perform the healing ceremony. The
family kills or dresses a pig or two chickens on this occasion.
CEBUANOS PROVERBS
Wise saying serve as guides in one's daily activities. The Cebuanos have proverbs to share with us.
FAITH IN GOD
The way to heaven is hard and difficult.
PERSEVERANCE
Don't count the chicks before they are hatched. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
HUMILITY
Noisy water is shallow.
COOPERATION
Many hands make work lighter.
DISCIPLINE
A crooked tree can be straightened while young.
HEALTH
Health is wealth.
FRIENDSHIP
Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.