Heritage of Cebu Monument

After the Davao trip, my sister and I were still in a travel mode and were dreaming once again on embarking on a new trip.  Unfortunately a lot of things were not in our favor. There was the weather. It rained daily, creating a somber mood with all the dark skies and the torrential rains. And worst of all, we were short of budget. And so, we decided to just go on some local tourist destinations. 

Destination No. 1:  Heritage of Cebu Monument

If you are a first time visitor in Cebu, you won't need to spend anything to see this.  It is free of charge.  And because Cebu is small, you can always take a taxi to bring you there.  It is near Sandiego-Yap Ancestral House, 1730 Jesuit House, and a little farther is Casa Gorordo. All walking distances from each other.

Because I am not a history expert, I would like to borrow an official description and share it.  Hopefully this will explain the monument.

"It is located in an area called Pari-an. The Heritage of Cebu Monument showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod. 

The construction of the Heritage of Cebu Monument began in July 1997 and was only inaugurated on December 8, 2000. It was designed and conceptualized by the multi-awarded sculptor and Cebu’s pride, Eduardo Castrillo. The combined cement, iron, and steel of the gigantic monolith depicts the different significant moments in Cebu’s history.

Detailed statues that are part of the monument represents the memorable fight of April 21, 1521 in the island of Mactan where native chieftain Lapu-Lapu defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Other sculptures show the local revolutions against the Spaniards. There are also those that portray the conversion to Christianity of Rajah Humabon and his followers, and the Cebuano veneration of Sto. Niño.

Other meaningful structures found in Cebu carved in the monument include a huge Spanish Galleon, the famous Basilica del Santo Niño, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the San Juan Bautista Parish Church, and the Magellan’s Cross."

My personal contribution:

I wish the the Tourism or Historical commission will exert efforts to take care of this monument, regardless if there are tourists or none, because it is beautiful, and a source of pride. And Cebuanos will be sad to see it go to waste due to neglect.