An abandoned bike at the Cebu Chinese Cemetery.

I have always been interested about heritage and history ever since I attended my first world history class back in fourth year high school. My particular interest now delves more into sacred art and architecture for a reason that I myself do not know. Well, the general attraction to it remained just a simple interest until I walked through the narrow streets of the old downtown of Cebu city happily snapping photos of old buildings, churches, and various street scenes on a 3.2 megapixel digital camera that I recently bought right after passing the licensure examination for nurses. Having gone home with so many pictures I thought that it would be a waste for all of it to be just stored in my computer’s hard drive. Since I already had prior experience in creating simple websites I decided to make a blog that talks about the heritage of Cebu. Thus the birth of this site.

Cebu is an interesting place to visit. Rich in history and tradition, its capital city has rapidly grown into a modern and cosmopolitan place through the years.

All photos and texts are my original work unless otherwise stated. Facts mentioned in some posts were culled from various books that I have read in the past (see references below). Since I am also interested in photography some of my entries would seem to be like photo essays — less of paragraphs but more of pictures. Anyway this blog aims to document the various tangible heritage sites in Cebu including the way of life of its people, their music, art, and culture. The ultimate goal is to create an awareness among Cebuanos in particular and Filipinos in general so that the heritage of Cebu may be preserved, at least, and passed on from one generation to another.

On June 17, 2010 I inked an agreement with the Latin American Library of Tulane University in Arizona, USA to feature Richard E. Ahlborn’s black-and-white photos of old churches in Cebu.

The Cebuanos are known for their deep religiosity and piety.

I read a lot of books and journals about history, architecture and the arts. Some of the books that I have in my stash are:

• Mclean, et al. The Art of the Italian Renaissance. Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing. Tandem Verlag GmbH, 2005.
• Gerschwiller, Paul. Bolhoon a cultural sketch. The Foundry, 2009.
• Fenner, Bruce. Cebu under the Spanish Flag (1521-1896), An Economic and Social History. San Carlos Publications, 1985.
• Galende, Pedro, OSA. Angels and Stone, Architecture of Augustinian Churches in the Philippines. G.A. Formoso Publishing, 1987.
• Javellana, Rene, SJ. Wood and Stone for God’s Greater Glory, Jesuit Art and Architecture in the Philippines. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1991.
• Jose, Regalado Trota. Simbahan, Church Art in Colonial Philippines, 1565-1898. Ayala Foundation, Inc., 1981.
• Redondo y Sendino, Felipe. Breve Reseña de lo que fue y de lo que es la Diocesis de Cebu en las Islas Filipinas. Printing Press of the College of Sto. Tomas, 1886.

I also read this journal which for me is by far the most informative and the most helpful in developing the topics that I discuss in this blog:

• Sacred Architecture Journal (http://www.sacredarchitecture.org)

Me.

Comments and suggestions are very welcome! Just leave a response at the comments box below or email me at acfs1982 at gmail dot com.