Cebu City, Cebu

The precolonial history of Cebu City is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures and societies that thrived in the region long before the arrival of European colonizers. The earliest settlers were Austronesian-speaking groups who engaged in fishing, farming, and trade. Cebu was recognized as "Sugbu" or "Zubu," functioning as a vibrant trading hub frequented by merchants from China, Thailand, the East Indies, and the Arabian Kingdom.

One of the most well-known precolonial entities in Cebu is the Rajahnate of Cebu, a polity led by local rulers known as Rajahs. The most famous of these rulers was Rajah Humabon, who played a significant role in the early interactions with the Spanish explorers.

In 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached Cebu, where King Humabon, the reigning monarch, extended a warm welcome. During this period, King Humabon, Queen Juana, and 400 attendants embraced Catholicism.

Magellan marked this historic occasion by raising a cross and presenting the Santo Niño, an icon depicting the youthful Christ. Despite Magellan's defeat and demise at the hands of Lapu-Lapu, the leader of Mactan Island, Cebu witnessed the arrival of Legazpi and Urdaneta with the Spanish forces on April 28, 1565. They initiated settlement and established significant landmarks like the Santo Niño Church, the University of San Carlos, and Coron Street, signifying the inception of the first church, university, and street in the Philippines.