3,000 years ago, Cebu, Zebu, or Sugbu, was already a prosperous settlement before it was colonized by Spain. It had trade relations with China and the other countries of Southeast Asia.On April 7, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu. He was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, who, together with his wife and about 800 natives, were baptized by the Spaniards on April 14, 1521 and are considered to be the first Filipino Catholics. Magellan, however, failed to successfully claim the Philippines for the crown of Spain, having been slain in neighboring Mactan Island on April 27, 1521 by the chieftain Lapu-lapu.

On April 27, 1565, Miguel López de Legazpi, with Augustinian Friar Andrés de Urdaneta, landed in Cebu. Legazpi renamed the city on January 1, 1571, from San Miguel to Villa del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus. During this six year period, Cebu City was the capital of the newly established Spanish colony. (See also: Manila Galleon)

The province of Cebu was created under Act No. 2711 on March 10, 1917. It is the home province of Sergio Osmeña, Sr. who succeeded Manuel L. Quezon as Commonwealth president during World War II.

CEBOOM refers to the boom of economy of both the city and the province of Cebu in the early part of the 1990s.

Cebu City was scheduled to co-host the ASEAN Summit along with neighboring Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City back in December 2006. However, due to the typhoon that swept through central Philippines on that month, the convention date was held in January 2007. The success of the summit made the city of Cebu one of the most renowned cities in Asia. With investor population growing in the metropolis, Cebu is a promising city to be reckoned with.

Source: Wikipedia