Category: Stories of Old Cebu

THE KINGDOM OF MABOLO: From Ancient Capital to Modern Cebu

Map of Old Cebu showing Mabolo town

Before there was Cebu City, there was Singhapala, the ancient capital of the Indianized kingdom of Cebu, founded by the legendary Sri Lumay. And right where Barangay Mabolo now stands is believed to be the heart of that ancient realm, the cradle of early Cebuano civilization.

Long before Spanish ships anchored on our shores, the land of Mabolo was already a thriving hub of trade and culture. Here, native leaders ruled, merchants from distant islands exchanged goods, and life was shaped by Indian and Malay influences. This was the Cebu that time almost forgot, the Kingdom of Mabolo, centuries before it became part of a bustling city.

As the Spanish colonial era dawned, Mabolo evolved from a royal capital into a flourishing town of farmers, traders, and the faithful. In 1850, the Mabolo Parish was established, giving the community a spiritual anchor.

The town was named after the mabolo tree, whose fruit, a type of Philippine persimmon known for its soft red velvet skin and fragrant flesh, once grew abundantly across the area.

Mabolo Tree

By the late 1800s, Mabolo stood proudly as an independent municipality, rich in tradition and community spirit. But change arrived with the American period.

Mabolo Church

In 1905, Mabolo’s independence as a town ended when it was incorporated into the growing City of Cebu, along with other nearby municipalities.

The Old bell

What was once the seat of an ancient kingdom became part of a modern metropolis. Yet beneath the concrete and city lights, Mabolo’s roots run deep, whispering the story of Singhapala, of Sri Lumay, and of a humble fruit tree that gave a kingdom its name. 🍈✨

Sinulog 1931: A Glimpse of Pre-War Cebu

From the January 16, 1931 issue of Bag-ong Kusog, we are offered a rare window into Cebu almost a century ago, its people, its culture, and the vibrant celebration of the Sinulog Festival. Long before modern parades, street dances, and grand concerts, Sinulog was already the beating heart of Cebuano faith and festivity.

Jan 16, 1931 issue of Bag-ong Kusog, archived by Max Limpag

A Feast That Drew Thousands

Even in the early 1930s, Sinulog was no small-town affair. Pilgrims from every corner of Cebu, and even from neighboring islands such as Leyte, Negros, and Buol (likely Bohol), would travel to Cebu City days before the two-day fiesta. Ships arrived at the ports fully loaded with passengers, while trucks and vehicles from across the province poured into the city, bringing with them the anticipation of a grand celebration.

The newspaper described the scene vividly:

“Hilabihan kadasok sa mga tawo, malisud ang pag-agi sa kadalanan. Labaw pa kabaga sa mga hulmigas ang mga mangingilin…”
(Crowds were so dense it was difficult to move along the streets. The pilgrims were as numerous as swarms of ants.)

Faith and Devotion

As in today’s Sinulog, devotion to the Santo Niño lay at the heart of the festivities. Those who had made vows, mga may panaad, would spend the entire day at the Basilica, dancing their sinulog in front of the Holy Child. For many Cebuanos, this was an act of deep personal faith, a gesture of gratitude and petition that transformed the city into a living prayer.

A Festival Beyond Religion

Yet Sinulog in 1931 was not purely religious. Cebu’s fiesta spirit extended well beyond the churchyard. The city came alive with social events:

  • Dance halls (Salon de baile) filled with music and merriment,
  • Theaters such as Oriente, Ideal, and Magallanes Auditorium staging popular shows,
  • Even boxing matches at the Cebu Stadium, which drew large and enthusiastic crowds.

The celebration spilled into every corner of the city. People converged in bustling districts like Taboan, Carbon, and Pansitan, where trade, food, and entertainment intertwined in a lively mix of faith and festivity.

A Century of Continuity

Nearly a hundred years later, the Sinulog Festival has grown into one of the Philippines’ grandest events, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. Yet, as this 1931 account reminds us, its essence remains unchanged: a city united in faith and festivity, welcoming pilgrims and revelers alike in honor of the Santo Niño.

Sinulog is indeed a cultural phenomenon, its soul rooted in the timeless devotion and joy of the Cebuanos, enduring from time immemorial to this very day.

Tabuelan, The Youngest Town in Cebu

On the rugged northwestern coast of Cebu lies the town of Tabuelan, tucked between the municipalities of Tuburan and San Remigio. Cebuanos love it for its beaches, from Durhan to Maravilla , and its scenic rivers. While many are familiar with its natural beauty, only a few know its history.

Tabuelan holds the distinction of being the youngest municipality in Cebu. In fact, it is the only one created after the second world war. Young heart with an old soul.

Created by Executive Order No. 621 issued by President Elpidio Quirino on October 23, 1953, Tabuelan was born out of the desire for better governance and closer services for the people living in the far barangays of Tuburan. With a sense of purpose and hope, 12 barangays were carved out of Tuburan to form what would become Tabuelan.

The Town That Found Its Voice

In its early years, Tabuelan was what many would call a frontier town , distant, rural, and largely unknown. Life was simple and self-sufficient. Residents relied on farming, fishing, and raising livestock to make ends meet. Roads were rough, public services were limited, and opportunities were scarce. But what the town lacked in infrastructure, it made up for in resilience.

Local leaders, teachers, and farmers became the quiet builders of a new identity. Schools were established. A municipal hall rose on the hill. Community life began to take shape, with town fiestas and civic events giving people a sense of pride and belonging.

Maravilla Beach

A Scenic Gem Waiting to Be Discovered

Today, Tabuelan is a vibrant town but remains a largely agricultural town, one look at its landscape reveals a place of untapped beauty. Rolling hills stretch toward the sea, and in places like Maravilla Beach, powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters surprise first time visitors. For years, only a few locals and backpackers knew of this hidden paradise — but in recent years, word has begun to spread.

Tabuelan Astrodome

With improved road access and a growing interest in countryside tourism, Tabuelan is now positioning itself as a peaceful beach destination for those looking to escape the busier shores of Cebu.

A Vital Link to Negros and Iloilo

The port facility of Tabuelan is one of the busiest in the province because of its strategic location serving roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) services for the movement of cargos between the neigboring Visayan islands of Panay and Negros.

Tabuelan Port

From the bosom of Tuburan, Tabuelan was born, and today, it has fully grown into a promising locality with immense potentials. It is home and source of pride for its constituents, yet within it, still dwells the soul and memories of Tuburan, its mother town in the not so distant past.