The history of Fort San Pedro in Cebu, Philippines

Today is Saturday, my niece and I have agreed to go somewhere in Cebu to celebrate Mother's day. Along with my daughter, we explore Fort San Pedro in Cebu. We've reach the place through Ferry boat from Mactan Island to Cebu Island.

To give you an overview on the history of the Philippines, Philippine archipelago was discovered by the Spaniards several years ago headed by Ferdinand Magellan. Along with his men, they travel the world to seek spices and treasures. As Magellan’s fleet continue to sail, they've reach the Philippine archipelago specifically on the island of Cebu. He was able to befriend with the natives and successfully introduce Christianity. When he agreed to help Cebu in fighting against the natives in the Island of Mactan, he was unexpectedly defeated by Lapulapu, the warrior from the Island of Mactan. However, the Spanish exploration to the Philippines did not stop from there, another fleet from Spain came headed by Miguel López de Legaspi which marked the Spanish Colonization in the Philippine Archipelago.

Fort San Pedro is one of the of the historical places which was built during the Spanish Era. Fort San Pedro is one of the oldest Spanish Fort in the Philippines. Work was started in May 8, 1563 with Legaspi himself did the ground-breaking. The work of colonization has just begun and due to the hostility of the natives, the Spaniards compelled to build a fort. Most of the attacks by the natives came from the sea so, Legaspi decided to construct the fort by the shore to protect his men. The name San Pedro was derived from Legaspi’s flagship in which sailed the Pacific Ocean in 1565.

The fort was triangular in shape made of stone and mortar with two sides facing the sea and the third fronting the land. The two sides facing the sea were defended with artillery, and the third side with a strong palisade made of wood. In its triangular structure lies the three bastions namely: San Miguel, La Concepcion and Ignacio de Loyola. Aside from that the building was surrounded with cannons and other weapons which were prepared in case when the natives will attack them. It was then became the center of trade during that time.

While we explore the historical place, we have noticed that there were buildings inside.

One is the Cuerpo de Guardia, the house of the guards. Unfortunately, the room was locked-up and we didn't see what's inside the house.

The other building is Viviende del Teniente, the living quarter of the Lieutenant of the Port. When the Spaniards were defeated by the Americans. This building became the storage of weapons and gunpowder. Today, the local government turn the building into museum where pictures of Cebu in the past where exhibited.

These are the old pictures of Cebu in the past as exhibited and contributed by Uytingchua

• The old photos of Fort San Pedro

• The small boats with Nipa roof which were used for trading and transporting passengers from one island to another.

• The carabaos which were also used as a means of transportation for products.

The ground floor of Viviende del Teniente building is used to exhibit the masterpieces of a famous Cebuano artist named Emmanuel F. Panares. Most of his paintings portrays the history of Cebu and the Spanish voyagers who discovered the Philippine Archipelago.

Inside the glass cabinets, you can see the old artifacts of the Katipuneros, the sword and their garments and also the flag of the Spain.

Spain Flag

Spanish Sword

Vestidor or Vest of the Katipunero

Another attraction inside Fort San Pedro which my daughter wanted to bring home are the CATS. These cats stayed here for many years already. Visitors really like them a lot. The other cat has blue and yellow eyes. It was the first time we see cats with different colors of the eyes.

We took our lunch under the Kalachuchi tree. There, you can see also the cannon and the Bastion of La Consolacion.

We really had a beautiful learning experience this day. Refreshing the history of our place, Cebu.