 Tezal Cebu Cebu is a city in the midst of overwhelming growth that blends its ancestral heritage with a modern business edge. Standing as the country's top business and tourist destination, Cebu was crowned as the Queen City of the South. Finding its own place under Cebu's friendly skies, business and leisure coincide together with office buildings and beach resorts. Cebu is an elongated island some 250 km from north to south and 45 km across at its widest point. It is central to the Philippine archipelago and some 600 km south of Manila. This location combined with a shelter deep water harbor has made Cebu the base for most of the country's domestic shipping and the gateway to the central and southern Philippines. The island's area of 5,000 square km supports over 3.4 million people, of whom over 1.7 million live in Metro Cebu. The east and west coasts are separated by a mountainous spine which rise to 1,000 meters. The climate is warm, generally 23 to 33 degrees centigrade. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, except for the summer months from March to May which are dry. The beaches, coral ectoles, islands and rich fishing grounds surround Cebu. Cebu's central location, proximity to unusually exotic tourist destinations, ready access to a diversity of plants, animals and geological wonders within the island and remoteness from earthquake and typhoon activity makes Cebu a unique destination. In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in Philippine soil and planted a cross on the very spot where the first Filipinos were baptized. This cross marked the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines after the first Catholic mass was celebrated in McTan Island on April 14, 1521. The Chinese saw the value of Cebu as a trading post in around 900 AD and the island's physical location made it the obvious place for the Spaniards to establish the Philippines first city. Cebu became the de facto capital of the Spanish colony. Its central trading and shipping post status resulted in a remarkable range of cultures mixing amicably with the Malays. A unique cosmopolitan culture evolved during the 400 years of Spanish rule and continued during 40 years of American influence. People from many countries live in Cebu and are well integrated with the local population. The main religion is Roman Catholicism, while nearly every other religion is freely practiced. Although pre-Spanish culture is still a way of life for some mountain villagers it is often woven into the cultures of other lands then expressed in song and dance extravaganza such as the Sinulog Festival. Such fiestas creatively mingle foreign influences with local folklore. Relics of the past are found at plenty as Cebu is the country's oldest city. More than just a city of increasing sophistication, Cebu still retains much of its provincial warmth and charm with its colorful past. Apart from Cebu's numerous man-made landmarks and institutions, it also features many miles of forest greens, a haven to wildlife and the place for a perfect picnic. Cebu is a wonderful place to begin your tesal experience. A city of numerous white sand beaches, crystal blue waters and swaying palm trees will surely provide an ideal atmosphere for leisure and study. The city also boasts an active nightlife scene, many shopping malls and incredible diving areas. Cebu experiences a moderate climate and there is sure to be sunshine the whole year through. If you enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the beach combined with the liveliness of a city, Cebu is a perfect destination for you.