Magellan's Cross
Waking up at early dawn and to see Cebu from a balcony as the sun slowly rises from the east pushing itself out of the clouds is truly a magnificient sight to behold. As take a breath of fresh ocean cool air, I look out to the distance and just over the horizon I could see ships and little fishing boats slowly moving by the shore. Looking down, the city itself is slowly waking up to the hustle and bustle of tricyles, jeepneys and the usual sound of the markets and people shouting SAB A! DANGGIT!
Having just got dressed and holding a bag full of food supplies, I decided to head straight to Magellan's cross.
Magellan's Shrine - this is the place that houses the cross Magellan's men planted when they first landed here in 1522.
As a I approached Magellan's Shrine, I suddenly began to feel a tingle in my bones, and as I took a look I could see that the hairs on my arms where standing like pins in a cushion. I took no notice of it, but then I got worse and the anxiety within me just kept on building and getting stronger. Was it just me or was I getting all anxious over the fact that I may actually be able to find out my true origins and where my family came from, where it all began.
Suddenly as I entered, I felt this sense of aura as I gazed up as low and behold the cross of Magellan stared right down on me surrounded by paintings of the Spanish arrival on the Island and along side them the natives who had greeted them.
Then all of a sudden I felt a tap on my shoulders as I was touching and feeling the cross for anything suspicious.
Cough!
Father?
Juan, I took it that uncle Romolo has told you? Hehehe you make a lot of effort not to look suspicious huh son.
But why are you doing here? I thought that you're in Korea?
I was Juan, but I made a promise to your grandfather that I'd tell you when it was time.
Ok, but I'm trying to find the...
Inscriptions, they're on the bottom of the cross. There should be a little opening on the side somewhere, its been a while since I last found it when I had to go through this right of passage.
Right of passage? So you're telling me that all this, its a test?
Yes, every Velazquez since the time of Magellan has had to go through the same test, to prove himself to the Conquistador that he was the right man to face Lapu Lapu, the King of Mactan Island.
But father, who started it all?
Enrique de Velazquez, an indentured servant and most trusted man of Ferdinand Magellan himself.
You see son, this is how it all started..............
Cebu slowly waking up to the beating night as students and business men/women go out to party the night away.
This is the old part of the city and if you look carefully, you can still see the mix of Spanish and Filipino styles.
A birds eye vie wof McDonalds where I decided to stop and grab a bite to eat before heading off to fort San Pedro.
Hmmm quarter pounder and cheese. YUM! 
This is fort San Pedro, love the lights on this 17th century fort.
Seaport-this is one of Cebu's most important features for it relies heavily on export and the shipping industry.
Looks like the Santa Marta (Blue) will be ready to leave soon.
Villa San Pedro - This is one of the posh places to live here on cebu.
It's quite near the seaport, but that doesn't really matter since without the port, Villa San Pedro would not be able to receive tourists coming in from the main islands to view the historic Spanish architecture.
Witness the spectacle that is Cebu.
It will leave you BREATHLESS!
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