7 Things You Should Know About Cebu City

In order to understand the success that many companies in the Philippines are experiencing, you should first get an idea of the city’s they operate out of. Cebu City, a major city in the Philippines, is one of the country’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. It is also home to many companies that operate on a global scale.

Here are 7 things you may not know about Cebu City and the people that live there.

It’s a Historic City

Cebu City has roots that reach back centuries, and the region around the city has strong Chinese and Indian influences. Cebu is the oldest city in the Philippines, in 1565 it was claimed for King Phillip II of Spain by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. But in all reality, Cebu City had already been a kingdom for 300 years, only then it was known as the Rajahnate of Cebu. It is also officially known as The First Capital of the Philippines.

Urbanization at Work

Since Cebu City has been a major hub for trade since the 13th Century, it’s one of the Philippines most urbanized cities. Cebu City has the fifth biggest population, which gets around with the help of hundreds of buses, taxis, and colorful multi-passenger jeeps.

The BPO Industry is Huge

Cebu City may have shipping roots, but business processing outsourcing, or BPO, is shaping the city’s future. The connections made with businesses overseas has inspired the creation of many BPO companies in the region. That, combined with a large, educated population, has gained companies in Cebu City international recognition.

The City Has a Modern, Middle Class

Like most historic trade hubs, Cebu City is very modern and its citizens enjoy a great standard of living. It can be crowded at times, but the amount of jobs available gives residents a chance to work and live fairly comfortable compared to many places in South Asia.

A City with Shipping Roots

Since Cebu City is a coastal city, it has maintained a reputation as a hub for trade and shipping throughout its history. In fact, most of the imported goods that come into the Philippines by sea do go through Cebu City.

Tourism is Big Business

Tourists come to Cebu City for its rich history, exciting nightlife, and breathtaking views. You can get the best views of the city from Tops Lookout, there you’ll be able to witness the mix of skyscrapers, Spanish architecture, and the ocean that makes up the area.

An Educated Island

Cebu City is what many around the world would call a “college town,” with 11 major universities located in the city, many with regional branches. The population of highly educated young adults helps keep the many emerging industries within the city thrive. Many of these graduates go on to work for BPO companies since they are always looking for new talent.

Cebu City is a thriving, economic powerhouse in South Asia that will be making more noise in the future. As more connections are made with businesses around the world, the city looks to continue expanding its role on the global stage.