Table of Contents Chapter 1 Profile................................................................................................................. 5 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 5 Area and Climate ............................................................................................................ 5 Major Cities ....................................................................................................................6 Cebu City .................................................................................................................... 6 Danao City .................................................................................................................. 7 Lapu-Lapu City........................................................................................................... 7 Mandaue City.............................................................................................................. 8 Talisay City................................................................................................................. 8 Toledo City ................................................................................................................. 8 Major Rivers ................................................................................................................... 8 Guadalupe and Mahiga Rivers.................................................................................... 9 Buhisan River.............................................................................................................. 9 Bulacao River.............................................................................................................. 9 Mananga, Kotkot and Lusaran River System ............................................................. 9 Geographic Divisions.................................................................................................... 10 Mountainous Region................................................................................................. 10 Coastal Plains............................................................................................................ 10 Limestone Plateaus ................................................................................................... 10 Plants and Wildlife........................................................................................................ 11 History........................................................................................................................... 11 The Spanish Arrive ................................................................................................... 11 Manila Galleons........................................................................................................ 12 The Chinese .............................................................................................................. 12 Cash Crops and Serfdom .......................................................................................... 13 American Colony...................................................................................................... 13 World War II and the Guerrillas ............................................................................... 14 Historic Sites of Interest............................................................................................ 15 Economy ....................................................................................................................... 15 Media ............................................................................................................................ 16 Ethnic Profile ................................................................................................................ 16 Chapter Two Religion....................................................................................................... 18 Introduction................................................................................................................... 18 The Role of Religion in the Government...................................................................... 18 Religious Tolerance ...................................................................................................... 19 History of Religion ....................................................................................................... 19 Pre-Colonial Cebu..................................................................................................... 19 Arrival of Ferdinand Magellan ................................................................................. 20 The Spanish Legacy.................................................................................................. 20 Influence of Religion on Daily Life.............................................................................. 21 Discussing Religion ...................................................................................................... 22 Religious Events ........................................................................................................... 22 Christmas .................................................................................................................. 22 Ramadan ................................................................................................................... 23 2 Sinulog ...................................................................................................................... 23 Via Crusis.................................................................................................................. 23 Easter......................................................................................................................... 23 Fiesta sa Carcar......................................................................................................... 23 Santacruzan............................................................................................................... 24 All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days................................................................................ 24 Nuestra Señora de Regla Fiesta ................................................................................ 24 Places/Buildings of Worship......................................................................................... 24 Basilica Minore del Santo Niño................................................................................ 24 Magellan’s Cross ...................................................................................................... 25 Taoist Temple ........................................................................................................... 25 Other Places of Worship ........................................................................................... 25 Behavior in Places of Worship ..................................................................................... 26 Chapter Three Traditions .................................................................................................. 27 Greetings....................................................................................................................... 27 Hospitality..................................................................................................................... 28 Giving Gifts .................................................................................................................. 29 Dress Code.................................................................................................................... 29 Gender Roles................................................................................................................. 30 Traditional Economy .................................................................................................... 31 Cuisine .......................................................................................................................... 31 Social Events & Pastimes ............................................................................................. 32 Christenings .............................................................................................................. 32 Weddings .................................................................................................................. 32 Funerals..................................................................................................................... 33 Cock Fights ............................................................................................................... 33 Other Traditions............................................................................................................ 34 Privacy ...................................................................................................................... 34 Face........................................................................................................................... 34 Time Management or the Lack of It ............................................................................. 35 Offensive Language...................................................................................................... 35 Bayanihan ..................................................................................................................... 35 Non-Religious Holidays & Festivals ...........................................................................