"Experience Cebu Culture...
at Its Best!"

Cultural dance performance at Robinson's Cebu

Interesting Cebu Culture

Luzviminda

Breaking down the Philippines into three major islands (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) signifies diverse culture. Among the 7,107 islands, Cebu is one of those that represents diversity of culture.

Although Cebu is composed of one big island and surrounded with 167 islets, Cebuano or Binisaya is the common and widely spoken language, a language of Malay origin.

Roots & Language

From these three major regional islands come a wealth of diverse culture with Spanish, Malay, Chinese, and other influences from neighboring countries.

Although the people of Cebu call themselves 'Cebuano' they also consider themselves as 'Pinoy' a common or shortened version from 'Pilipino'.

Cebuano, as widely spoken language in the Visayas region among the extant 80 languages, is also commonly used in Mindanao Island, which was spread due to the migration of Cebuano/Bisayan speakers.

Pinoys who are born and raised in Cebu can speak Tagalog (and English generally) since it is a required subject in the school curriculum.

However, Tagalog speakers normally cannot speak Cebuano since they never learn it formally, unless they have other means of obtaining the language, such as having origins or migrating to the province.

Cebu Culture: Art & Grace

Art forms are diverse among Cebuanos. Before the coming of the conquestadores, Cebuanos used to paint themselves employing the nowadays popular tattoo art forms.

Although this form of art somehow vanished from the island, painting and other art forms are flourishing in myriads of medium. Many famous Cebuanos became clothing designers, furniture design artists, painters, sculpture, among others.

Another form of art common in Cebu is dancing. Dances could be interpretations of deity worship, religious devotion (as in Sinulog), or just ordinary dances done during various festivities in Cebu island.

The video clip shows some of such cultural performances...

Sinulog Festivity

More Cebu Culture, Customs, Traditions...

You might like other Cebu cultural and traditional beliefs...

Sinulog Festival

Sinulog is one of the most famous cultural events on the island. it is celebrated annually by performing religious dances with music and drums. It is usually performed by various participants in groups.

The participants are usually dressed in colorful costumes and they wear makeups, painted their faces (some black), or wear mask while dancing on the streets.

More on Sinulog festival here...

Customs and Traditions

Another way to look at the indigenous with religious aspects in Cebuano culture is by observing how they respect the dead and the way the funeral ceremony is being celebrated or solemnized.

Aside from Christian influences, native and indigenous beliefs are obvious in the way Cebuanos pray, wake, or bury their dead loved ones.

More on Cebu customs & traditions here...

Gaba & Buyag (law of nature, 'karma', curse...)

Gaba and buyag are clear evidences of native and indigenous beliefs among Cebuanos (also pervasive among Filipinos in various regions).

Gaba can be easily likened to 'karma' but a close look at them one can tell they are both different. One of them can be both positive and negative while the other is purely negative.

More stories of gaba, buyag (and karma) here...

Enjoy browsing...