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Ferdinand Magellan a Portuguese navigator working for the King of Spain in
search of the Spice Islands was the first European to come to the Philippines
in 1521. The Magellan's Cross was planted by Magellan himself to commemorate
the baptism of Rajah Humabon, his wife and numerous native warriors who agreed
to accept Christianity. Magellan planted a cross to signify this event in Cebu.
The original cross is known to have been encased in another wooden cross for
protection, because people had started chipping it off in the belief that it
had miraculous powers to heal. Some feel that the original cross was destroyed
and the Magellan cross kept on display is probably a replica of the original.
It is kept in a small chapel situated in front of the present city hall of Cebu,
along Magellan's Street (named after Magellan).
Magellan was killed by another Cebuano chief Lapu Lapu as they fought for the
authority of Mactan. Magellan's Cross is a symbol of Cebu City and the chapel's
image can be found in its city seal. It also signifies Roman Catholicism in
Philippines. The cross that we see at the kiosk is but a replica of the wooden
cross Ferdinand Magellan and his men had planted in Cebu on 14 April 1521 to
mark the beginning of Christianity in the island. An octagonal brick pavilion
was built in 1834 to house the cross. Among the devotees it is an old practice
to throw coins or light candles at the foot of the cross. The cross is a popular
tourist attraction together with other Cebu historical landmarks.
The city of Magellan's Cross is equally popular for its guitars and other
local handicrafts like shell craft and woodcraft accessories. Magellan's Cross
is now undergoing renovation with other Cebu historical landmarks. Magellan's
Cross is located in front of the old Cebu city Hall building, near the port
and can be easily reached through a cab.
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