Three Phases in Cebu History
Pre-Colonial Cebu, Spanish Era Cebu, and the 1898 Cebu revolution. These phases are depicted in a timeline created by artist Josua Cabrera.
Cebu is a province located in the Central Visayas (Region VII) and consisting of a main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets. It’s capital is Cebu City, the oldest City and first Capital of the Philippines.
Precolonial Cebu
There are various versions on the origin of name Cebu or Sugbo.
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The name “Cebu” comes from the old Cebuano word sibu or sibo (“trade”), a shortened form of sinibuayng hingpit (“the place for trading”). It was originally applied to the harbors of the town of Sugbu, the ancient name for Cebu City. Alternate renditions of the name by traders between the 13th to 16th centuries include Sebu, Sibuy, Zubu, or Zebu, among others.
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Sugbo, in turn, is derived from the Old Cebuano term for “scorched earth” or “great fire”.
According to folklore, the Rajahnate of Cebu was a native kingdom which existed in Cebu prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. It was said to founded by Sri Lumay otherwise known as Rajamuda Lumaya, a half-Malay, half-Tamil prince of the Chola dynasty who invaded Sumatra in Indonesia. He was sent by the Maharajah to establish a base for expeditionary forces to subdue the local kingdoms, but he rebelled and established his own independent Rajahnate instead. Sugbo was referred to as Kang Sri Lumayng Sugbo or Sri Lumay’s scorched town, for their war tactic of burning the town to repel invaders and cutting the food supply.
Spanish-time Cebu
The arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 began a period of Spanish exploration and colonization. They reached the Philippines on 16 March 1521. Rajah Kolambu the king of Mazaua told them to sail for Cebu, where they could trade and obtain provisions.
On April 7, 1521, Arriving in Cebu City, Magellan, with Enrique of Malacca as translator, befriended Rajah Humabon and persuaded the natives to ally themselves with Charles I of Spain. Humabon and his wife were given Christian names and baptized as Carlos and Juana. The Santo Niño was presented to the native queen of Cebu, as a baptismal gift. On 14 April Magellan erected a large wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. Afterwards, about 700 islanders were baptized.
Survivors of the Magellan expedition returned to Spain with tales of a savage island in the East Indies. Consequently, several Spanish expeditions were sent to the islands but all ended in failure. In 1564, Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi, sailing from Mexico, arrived in 1565, and established a colony. The Spaniards fought Tupas, and occupied his territories. The Spaniards established settlements, trade flourished and renamed the island to “Villa del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús” (Town of the Most Holy Name of Jesus). Cebu became the first European settlement established by the Spanish Cortés in the Philippines.
The Spaniards imposed the Encomienda System and built pueblos in Spanish-time Cebu.
1898 Cebu Revolution
Leon Kilat “Pantaleon Villegas” in real life was born on July 27, 1873 in Bacong, Negros Oriental, to Don Policarpio Villegas and Doña Ursula Soldi. His grandfather was Don Pedro Villegas, a native of Spain, and Dorotea, a daughter of a Capitan of Bacong.
Leon went to Cebu in 1890s and held various jobs such as in a pharmacy where he used the name “Eulogio.” Now, there are 2 Eulogios working there so the German owner chose to call him “Leon.”
Leon then decided to join a Tagalog circus group who were going to Manila.
Now the circus owner turned out to be a Katipunero. Leon was then recruited into the secret council of KKK or Katipuanan (Kataas-taasan Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan)
Leon owned various anting-antings which made him a superhuman. The Katipunan also taught him various arts such as magic and other esoteric practices. Relatives in Bacong, Negros Oriental would testify that Leon Kilat had the strange ability to appear in places from seemingly out of nowhere and disappear, using his handkerchief like a magic carpet, thus the name “Kilat” (lightning).”
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Vistidora- A chasuble-like cloth worn over one’s clothes. Printed on it were symbolic words and religious pictures & corrupted Latin & Spanish Words and phrases.
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Amulet- A triangular amulet was worn by the Katipuneros to protect themselves from harm. Usually pasted on their foreheads or placed on the front part of the Katipunero’s hats.
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Hostia Redentora- a piece of paper that the Katipunero placed inside his mouth before he went to battle to avoid hunger.