Children of the South: The Cultural Pride of Cebu

Searching for the ideal real estate property can be a challenge considering a location can affect one’s lifestyle. Career opportunities may vary depending on one’s homebase, and while Cebu is not the center of business in the Philippines, it opens unlimited opportunities and unique advantages.

In fact, Cebu has produced a handful of talents that have made it both in the local and international scene in their respective fields. Several popular TV and movie personalities are living testimonies of how beautiful people from the south are and how they have contributed to our culture. Some of them are the following:

Martin Abellana (1904–1989)

Martin Abellana is an author of many novels that are characterized by the working class like Kaulit sa Kalipay, Ang Kalayo sa Sulad, and Tulisok sa Tanlag. He has led LUBADI, a group of writers in Cebu from 1956 to 1958. A school in Cebu City was also named after him to recognize his contributions in literature.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (1947—)

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard co-founded PAWWA or Philippine American Women Writers and Artists; she also founded Philippine American Literary House. She has also authored and edited 19 books of Ala Carte Food and Fiction, Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America, and Fiction by Filipinos in America. Brainard has worked with Asian American youths for which she received a Special Recognition Award from the Los Angeles Board of Education. She has also received awards from the California State Senate, 21st District, several USIS Grants, a California Arts Council Fellowship, an Outstanding Individual Award from the City of Cebu, Philippines, Brody Arts Fund Award, a City of Los Angeles Cultural grant, and many more.

Vicente Sotto y Yap (April 18, 1877 – May 28, 1950)

Vicente Sotto y Yap was a Filipino politician and former Senator of the Philippines and grandfather of the current Senator Vicente "Tito" Castelo Sotto III. Sotto is the main author of the Press Freedom Law which is now known as the Sotto Law, Republic Act No. 53. His contribution to culture has made him the Father of Cebuano Language and Letters. Sotto published Ang Suga, the first newspaper in Cebuano in 1900. He has also published a play "Paghigugma sa Yutang Natawhan" (Love of Native Land) and wrote the first published Cebuano short story, Maming. To honor the contributions of the late senator, The Southern Islands Hospital, which is the primary public medical care facility in southern Philippines, was renamed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center on May 21, 1992.

Real Estate in Cebu may be ideal for those who would like to satisfy their hunger for historical knowledge and scenic views, not to mention a home to many talented people.