University of San Carlos

The University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City is the oldest university in the Philippines and in Asia. Originally founded by Spanish Jesuits in 1595, it is a Catholic institution of higher learning run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD since 1935. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses. Further, it offers a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges. It consists of four campuses located in different areas of metropolitan Cebu – the main campus along P. del Rosario St., the Talamban campus, the north campus, and the south campus.

History:

The university traces its origins to the founding of the school Colegio de San Ildefonso, founded in 1595. Colegio de San Ildefonso was founded by the Spanish Jesuits fathers Antonio Sedeno, Pedro Chirino and Antonio Pereira on August 1, 1595. It was closed in 1769 at the expulsion of the Jesuits. In 1783, the initiative of the Bishop Mateo Joaquin de Arevalo opened the Colegio-Seminario de San Carlos. In 1852, the management of the college was entrusted to the Dominican fathers, replaced in 1867 by the Vincentian Fathers then, in 1935, the Societas Verbi Divini or theSociety of the Divine Word (SVD). The Second World War led to the interruption of the courses in 1941 because several buildings suffered various destruction. The reopening of various faculties spread out between 1945 and 1946. The college of San Carlos was granted its university charter in 1948.

The college-seminary of San Carlos became University of San Carlos in 1948. Various faculties have been created at this time, while new buildings were built in parallel. The university is currently chaired by the Father Roderick C. Salazar, Jr. The board of directors (Board of Trustees) is chaired by Jesus N. Alcordo.

Colon Street

The oldest street in the Philippines named after the renowned explorer 'Cristobal Colon' a.k.a. Christopher Columbus is the heart of 'downtown' Cebu City. A glittering city by night lined with moviehouses, department stores and other establishment.

The Tops

Situated high on top of cool Busay Hills is an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Cottages are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties. Only 15 minutes ride from Cebu City's Lahug area.

Cebu Provincial Capitol

The Cebu Capitol, built in 1937 during the incumbency of Gov. Sotero Cabahug, is the terminus of Jones Ave. Strategically located at the foot of a hill, the graceful capitol commands a dramatic setting. Classic elements contribute to the sedate beauty of the structure. Its concave facade links two wings of the capitol forming a u-shaped plan. The facade leads to a tall foyer capped by a dome. Inside the dome is painted the history of Cebu. The foyer leads to the wings on either side. The Cebu Capitol is easily one of the more beautiful civic buildings built during the American colonial period.

Casa Gorordo

Casa Gorordo, built in the mid-19th century, was bought by Juan Isidro de Gorordo in 1863. Now under the Aboitiz Foundation, the house has been restored and outfitted as a house museum that showcases the elegant lifestyle at the turn of the century.

The house’s lower floor or zaguan, which traditionally served as a storage space, now houses the offices of the house museum, a small store and an area for art exhibitions. It is built of bituka tabliya (coral stone blocks) and roofed with tile. It has all the typical features of a bahay na bato (balay nga bato): wooden upper story, ventanillas, sliding capiz windows, etc. The second story is furnished with antique furniture and has a collection of costumes, books and memorabilia from the past. Worth noting is the master’s bedroom which displays a collection of sayas. A room in the residence was outfitted to become a chapel because a scion of the Gorordos, Juan (1862-1934), became first Filipino bishop of Cebu (1910-32). The bishop would use the chapel whenever he visited home. The chapel displays a pasyon manuscript in Cebuano. Another item in the house collection is an antique nativity set.

The dining room of the house is separated from the landing or caida and living room by an arch ornately carved with plants and birds. The kitchen at the end of the dining room or comedor is typical of the period. Atypical is the wide balcony or azotea, that runs the whole length of the dining room and kitchen. A trellis supports a bougainvillea plant, that is so large it is almost a tree.

The garden has been landscaped and a new service building, inspired by 19th century architecture, has been built beside Casa Gorordo.

Fuente Osmeña

Named after Pres. Sergio Osmeña, Fuente Osmeña is a fountain and park inside a rotunda along Jones Ave. and General Maxilom Ave. (Mango Ave.) The Osmeña residence is near the park. It is presently occupied by CAP (College Assistance Plan).

Taoist Temple

Taoist Temple. Located at Beverly Hills, Cebu City. This temple preserves the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. Everyday people climb its 99 steps to light joss sticks and have their fortune read. A towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes. Attractions here consist of huge, colorful dragon, a replica of the Great Wall of China, spacious balconies offering scenic views, souvenir shops, mini library with instructional materials, and dozens of escalating steps.

Lapu-Lapu Shrine

The Lapu Lapu shrine is a 20 metre bronze memorial statue erected on Mactan Island in the place of Punta Engaño, Cebu, Philippines, in honour of Datu, Lapu-Lapu who defeated the Spaniards and killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross is a large Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines in 1521. This cross is housed in a small chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street (Magallanes being the Spanish name of Magellan), just in front of the city hall of Cebu City. A sign outside claims that the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of this chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for sourvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers. Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines. Magellan's Cross is a symbol of Cebu City and the chapel's image can be found in its city seal. It is also seen as the symbol of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.

Basílica Menor del Santo Niño

Basílica Menor del Santo Niño (sometimes also called Basilica del Santo Niño) is a 16th century church structure in the heart of downtown Cebu City, Philippines. It is built in the exact spot where the image of Santo Niño (the Black Holy Child Jesus image/sculpture) was found by the Spain|Spanish conquistadors in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind by the Portugal|Portuguese and Spanish explorers in 1521. The church of Santo Niño de Cebu was first founded by the Augustinian priest, Andrés de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565 . The first church structure was built out of earth, hard wood and nipa in 1566 ordered by Fr. Diego de Herrera. In 1735, Fernando Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed by hard stone, which was build in the same spot were the previous church stands. Constructions finally finished in 1739. In 1965, during the fourth centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines, Pope Paul VI elevated the church to the rank of minor basilica.

The Basilica remains under the care of the Augustinians.

Fort San Pedro

Fuerza de San Pedro is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and Indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu. It is located in the Pier area, Cebu City in what is now Plaza Indepedencia. The Fort is the "oldest, smallest and well preserved colonial fort" in the Philippines which occupy a land "area of 2,2025 square metres". It was first constructed in log structures and earth in 1565 for protection from violent sieges from the native cebuanos and Muslim pirates on the area. The fort was then developed , upgraded and constructed using hard stone, which made the surrounding walls stronger and tougher. It stretches "8 metres thick with high walls of 20 metres and a front entrance towering 30 metres high". The fort was finally finished in 1738 after many years of refurbishing and developments. These days the fort is made into a museum. Inside, the fort houses the legacies of the Spanish Government with well preserved Spanish artifacts such as: documents written in Spanish, Paintings, Sculptures, cannons, Chapel, prison dungeons, living rooms, bedrooms, school rooms and oasis garden. A large statue of Legazpi and Antonio Pigafetta is erected outside the fort. The museum also contains old coins dating back to the time of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.