Magellan’s Cross is a wooden cross erected as ordered by the Portuguese navigator and explorer who discovered Cebu, Ferdinand Magellan. The cross proudly represents Cebu and became a symbol of the Catholicism of the entire country.

The cross can be found in the very center inside the small chapel outside the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Both the church and the chapel are located in the Magallanes Street (which is the Spanish translation of Magellan), fronting the Cebu City Hall.

The cross, made of Tindulo woods can be seen from the outside. However, it only serves as containment of the original cross being planted by the colonizer upon their arrival in the shores of Cebu.

The cross-like containment is designed by the government to protect the original cross and its remnants from being chipped away by the devout believers. Some took pieces of the cross for souvenir purposes while others for the belief that the original cross possessed some miraculous powers. However, the inhabitants believed that the original cross was destroyed or disappeared after Magellan’s death and the present cross is just its replica.

History

Ferdinand Magellan, also known as Fernao Magalhaes or Fernando Magallanes, was a Portuguese explorer and navigator working under the Spain and its king. He was in charge of the pursuit of the “Spice Island” (known now as the Maluku or Moluccas Islands, part of Indonesia).

However, he and his crew landed in the shores of Cebu in 1521. The rulers of the island, Rajah Humabon and his wife Queen Juana received them wholeheartedly. Magellan was able to convince him to make an alliance with Spain. In addition, he triumphed in converting them from paganism to Roman Catholic faith. Father Pedro Valderrama baptized more or less 800 men with their wives, sons and daughters.

A cross was erected as evidence of the establishment of the religion in the country. And since then, it is called the “Magellan’s Cross”. The propagation of Catholicism has become a momentous phenomenon, not just for the Cebuanos but all the Filipinos as well.

The site was improved by Rev. Juan Albarran, Prior of San Agustin in 1735. It was further renovated by the Bishop of Cebu in 1834, Rev. Santos Gomez Maranon. During the time, the cross was already been placed in a small chapel or kiosk.

Shaped like gazebo, the kiosk was made of adobe and red tiles. Paintings are found above, depicting the arrival of Magellan, the baptism of Rajah Humabon, his wife and his subjects and the erection of the cross.

The plaque was situated just above the entrance of the kiosk. In the plaque, it states:

“From time immemorial this spot has been set aside to commemorate the erection of a cross in Cebu by the Expedition of Magellan. When King Humabon of Cebu and his Queen, son and daughters, together with some 800 of their subjects were baptized by Father Pedro Valderrama”.

Viewed from the outside, it is just a simple chapel and locals surround the place, selling candles for the venerators and other religious accessories and artifacts. Just a few pesos, some people would sing and dance, offering your prayers to the Almighty.

The cross may not be a definite sight to behold, but it has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in Cebu. From an icon, it became a logo and the image of the kiosk itself was incorporated in the official city seal. Even non-government organizations use the image of either the cross or the kiosk in its seals and logos.

If one wants to tour Cebu, be sure to visit its prominent feature that represents Cebu, the Magellan’s Cross