Cultural and Historical Affairs Office - Cebu City

𝟭𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

True patriotism is more than just waving a flag; it is a lifelong commitment to understanding the roots of our freedom. This Independence Day, let us deepen our nationalism by looking back at the struggles and triumphs that defined our identity as a people.

The City of Cebu, through the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission invites you to the 128th Independence Day Lecture featuring esteemed guest speaker Dr. Emmanuel Calairo, Former NHCP Chair and Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal.

When: 3:00 PM | June 5, 2026
Where: Cebu City Museum (2F Rizal Memorial Library and Museum Building, Osmeña Blvd., Capitol Site, Cebu City)

Come join us as we rekindle our love for the motherland through history, knowledge, and shared identity. Admission is free! See you there!

𝙶𝙵𝚇: Alyssa Kirstin Ouano | CNU -BCAED Intern

June 3, 1565

Tupas, the chief of Cebu, sends his son Pisuncan to meet with Legazpi. Learning that Pisuncan, together with other Cebuano hostages, are well- treated by the Spaniards, Tupas himself appears before Legazpi the following day (June 4) and concludes a peace pact with the Spaniards.

Source: Dr. Resil Mojares, National Artist for Literature, Today in History in Cebu.

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Mayor, Nestor D. Archival!

We are deeply grateful for your leadership and vital support in preserving our local history, culture, and rich heritage. May you have a joyful and blessed day!

ɢꜰx: Pam Manalo

June 2, 1898

The battle of Budla-an (in Talamban) between Spanish soldiers and Cebuano insurgents under Gen. Alejo Miñoza takes place. Both sides suffer losses and the Spaniards withdraw.

Source: Dr. Resil Mojares, National Artist for Literature, Today in History in Cebu.

Photo from a portrait of Gen. Alejo Miñoza, Cebuano revolutionary leader who fought against Spanish rule, sourced from Argao Families: The Miñozas by the Filipino Genealogy Project: https://www.filipinogenealogy.com/2012/03/argao-families-minozas.html

Last month was all about diving deep into the roots of our heritage. This month, we’re celebrating the fruit of that history—our independence, our unity, and our shared future.

Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up this month from the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office.

𝙶𝙵𝚇: Diane Lane Fulguirinas

June 1, 1961

The City Council passes Ordinance No. 343 establishing a Cebu City General Hospital and appropriating funds for operations and salaries.

Source: Dr. Resil Mojares, National Artist for Literature, Today in History in Cebu.

Photo from the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), sourced from the Children’s Association Medical Care page: http://www.childrensassociation.org/medical_c

As we wrap up an incredible celebration of National Heritage Month and Cebu City Heritage Week, our hearts are full of gratitude. For this year's celebration, we proudly shifted our focus toward the city's intangible cultural heritage—the stories, music, and crafts that make us uniquely Cebuano.

Preserving our history, culture, and traditions is a collective effort, and we couldn't do it without the unwavering support of our event partners and sponsors: Pusô Village, F8 Photo, Photographers Club of Cebu Inc., Lost Books Cebu, Hablonuevo by Dexter Z. Alazas, It's Xiao Time of Prof. Xiao Chua, Fort San Pedro, D' Cebu Entertainers Association Corporation, and DYHP RMN CEBU.

We would also like to thank the Municipality of Carmen through its Tourism Officer, Mr. Tobias Maximino Villamor; the Municipality of Badian through its Tourism Officer, Mr. Earl Vincent Endab; and our in-house curators for this Heritage Month, Orland James Romarate and Diane Lane Fulguirinas.

To everyone who invested their time, resources, and passion into making these celebrations a success—Daghang salamat kaninyong tanan!

May 31, 1850

A decree of the Bishop confirms the er****on of Bogo, Cebu, as a parish. It is separated from Bantayan and placed under the patronage of San Vicente Ferrer.

Source: Dr. Resil Mojares, National Artist for Literature, Today in History in Cebu.

Photo from Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Archdiocese of Cebu.

"𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗔𝘄𝗶𝘁: 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰" 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆

The City of Cebu, through the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office, in collaboration with Pusô Village and D' Cebu Entertainers Association Corporation, presented 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗔𝘄𝗶𝘁: 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰. The celebration was anchored the National Heritage Month theme: “Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future.”

The joint celebration of National Heritage Month and Cebu City Heritage Week officially concluded last night. Serving as the grand closing ceremony, the event highlighted the unique cultural identity of the region by blending traditional Cebuano music with local humor and storytelling. The showcase brought together local artists, cultural advocates, and community members to honor historical legacies while ensuring traditional performing arts remain accessible to modern audiences. The successful staging of PasiAwit marked the end of a week-long series of events dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural awareness across the city.

The closing ceremony was the perfect tribute to our shared roots, proving that our heritage isn't just found in history books—it lives on through our distinct Cebuano wit, stories, and melodies. A huge thank you to all the artists, organizers, and everyone who came out to celebrate our vibrant culture.

📷 Daine Lane Fulguirinas
Fovy Celine Maaghop

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠-𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲

Yesterday, May 29, 2026, the Cebu City Government, through the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC), lawfully disposed of worn-out flags in accordance with Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬.

The flag-burning ceremony was led by CHAC Commissioner Atty. Marlouize Villanueva, in partnership with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, led by Scout Master Rudolph Paqueo, at the Cebu City National Science High School.

Also in attendance were Cebu City Councilors Hon. Francis Esparis, Hon. Joel Garganera, Hon. Harold Kendrick Go, Boys Scout and Girls Scout of the Cebu City Science High School, Mr. Ka Bino Guerrero, and Cebu City Employees.

📷 Orland James Romarate | CHAO Photographer
Diane Lane Fulguirinas