The City of Mandaue is a 1st class city in the province of Cebu. It is one of the three cities of the Province of Cebu that are highly urbanized and form the core of the Metropolitan Cebu area. It is known as the “Furniture Capital of the Philippines”.
Mandaue is situated right across Mactan Island where the city of Lapu-Lapu is located. As part of the Metropolitan Cebu, it is connected to Mactan Island by two bridges: the Mactan-Cebu Bridge and the new Marcelo-Fernan Bridge.
Mandaue City is located right at the heart of Cebu Province. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Consolacion, by the Mactan Channel on the east, by Banilad, Cebu City on the southwest portion, by Talamban on the northwest portion, and by the Cebu City North Reclamation on the South. It is politically subdivided into 27 barangays, namely: Alang-alang, Bakilid, Banilad, Basak, Cabancalan, Cambaro, Canduman, Casili, Casuntingan, Centro, Cubacub, Guizo, Ibabao-Estancia, Jagobiao, Labogon, Looc, Maguikay, Mantuyong, Opao, Pakna-an, Pagsabungan, Subangdaku, Tabok, Tawason, Tingub, Tipolo, and Umapad.
Based on the August 2009 census, Mandaue City has a total population of 337,320 people people.
History
The City of Mandaue was founded in April 7, 1521, when a “Cove of Cebu”, called Mandawe, was sighted by a Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan. Located in the present Barangay Tipolo, the “Cove of Cebu” became the host to the first facility in the country.
In order to hasten the colonization of the area, Legaspi established the country’s first dry dock complex on the shoreline of Tipolo, Mandaue in 1571. The dry dock facilities, which were a few meters away from the existing location of the San Miguel Brewery Complex, reportedly serviced the Galleons of Legaspi.
Historically, Mandaue obtained its name from a thick, clinging vines known as “mantawi”, which were abundant in the early times. Today, it was considered long gone.
During these times, Mandaue, with its eastern and southern boundaries facing the Mactan Strait, was already referred to as the “merchants’ paradise”. The major economic points within the area were already interlinked with several crude transportation networks. The “Cove of Cebu” was formally constituted into a “pueblo” between 1580 to 1700, was under Jesuit priests and was officially known as the Town of Mandawe in the year 1899.
From that “Cove of Cebu” emerged the now industrial city of Mandaue. Mandaue became a chartered city under the term of Mayor Demetrio Cortes on June 21, 1969 through Republic Act 5519 and industrialization started to spread. The city was recognized as a highly-urbanized city in 1991.
Landmarks
Mandaue known as an industrial center has its own historical and breathtaking landmarks. Some of these are the Mandaue Presidencia City Hall, National Shrine of St. Joseph, Cebu International Convention Center, the Luis Cabrera Ancestral House and Museum, the City Plaza, Mandaue Eco Park, and the Pahara Park under the Marcelo Fernan bridge. It also boasts of its natural beauty sites like the Monkey Caves, Cansaga Bay, Butuanon River, and the Casili Hills.
Culture
Mandaue is also proud of its creative festivals and celebrations which includes the Mantawi Festival, Kabayo Festival, Sugat sa Sagrada Pamilya, Mandaue Fiesta, and the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.
Mantawi Festival
It shows unique and exotic dance steps, is accompanied by a different beat, and is played by a brass instead of the usual drum or bugle. This makes up a one-of-a-kind festivity that entices and seduces the crowd to gather and witness one of the most anticipated celebration in the City of Mandaue, the Mantawi Festival.
Sugat sa Sagrada Pamilya or the Gathering of the Holy Family which coincidences with the patrons of the three major cities: Cebu's the Santo Niño, Lapu-lapu with the Image of Birhen sa Regla, and Mandaue's St Joseph, Señor San Jose.
Mandaue Fiesta
Celebrated every May in honor of the patron St. Joseph showcases Mandaue’s rich culture, inter-barangay sports competitions showcases Mandaue’s skills in basketball, boxing, badminton, volleyball, chess and tennis, the Miss Mandaue one of the most prestigious beauty pageants, and the Mantawi Festival which coincides with the city fiesta in May.
Kabayo festival
The Kabayo festival is held to remember Mandaue's past setting, with rodeos held annually in the second week of February ("Kabayo" meaning horse in Cebuano). Later, changed to the Governor's Cup , games are similar to the American rodeo but with a Filipino twist.
Pasigarbo sa Sugbo
It is a provincial event that held annually in Mandaue City. Show cases all of Cebu’s festivals through street dancing and cultural shows. The main event is held at the CICC where they will find Cebu's Festival Queen and Festival Champion.
