Ever wonder if you could travel back in time? Perhaps the only way is through imagination and a little help fromย photos snapped in theย past. Recently I have seen old Cebu pictures and felt nostalgic and curious how it has looked in the present usingย the same point of view. I started to walk around the city and find it out myself how is Cebu then and now.ย I also did a little research to add a quick history.
Disclaimer: The old images of Cebu used in this blog post are found in Karaang Sugbo (Old Cebu) Facebook page. This blog is meant to share Cebu’s Heritageย and is not meant to deliberately infringe on the rights of the original image owners.
Vision Theatre
First on our list is this building in the heart of Cebu and alongย the oldest streetย in the Philippines. The Vision Theatre in Colon Street, with aย facade of naked women and sculptured by an Italian artist Dante Guidetti,ย was built by Agustin Jereza andย opened in the 1930โs. Amazingly it survived the World War which is evident in the photo below.

1945. Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
Sadly, now it is being occupied byย hawkers selling pirated DVDs and other stuff. I agree to those who say it deserves some rehabilitation and maybe even turn it into a museum. I bet most ordinary Cebuano have failed to notice this gem in the midst of this busy traffic. Now you’ll never gonna pass this street the same again.
Magellan’s Cross
This cross is one of the famous tourist spot in Cebu and is housed inside a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niรฑo on Magallanes Street. It was plantedย after the natives of the island accepted Christianity which was brought with the spaniards led by the famous Ferdinand Magellan.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2013 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
Currently the chapel is still under maintenance and partially covered as the structure showed cracks and minor damages during the earthquake last October 2013. Still there are lots of tourists visiting this place which is nicelyย maintained and luckily I had this photo taken before the quake happened. ๐
Cebuย Metropolitan Cathedral
The Cebuย Metropolitan Cathedral is aย typical Spanish colonial church in the country. Its belfry was built in 1835 duringย the Spanish era which is one of the remaining structures, including its facade and walls, that remained intact after theย Allied bombings of the city during World War II. The church wasย later rebuilt in the 1950s.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
Several reconstructions and renovations were done to the church and it is now one of the famous wedding destination in Cebu. Well this photoย does notย give justice to it with the trees blocking the view but one willย be amazedย definitely with itsย interior.
Rizal Memorial Library and Musem
Another building built before the World War II is the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum. Obviously it is named after our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and is located along Osmeรฑa Boulevard.

1945. Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
Theย ground floor is now utilized as a publicย library where books on Cebuano history and culture are kept while theย upper floor has been a performing arts hall for concert and theatre productions. Everything looks good except forย the wires covering our national hero.
University of San Carlos
The University of San Carlos – Downtown Campus (formerly the Main Campus) is located along P. del Rosario Street.ย The Second World War saw the closure and occupation by Japanese troops. And shortly before Liberation, in 1944, bombs from US planes fell on San Carlos, almost reducing the school to rubbles.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
It is now aย premier university andย consists of five campuses in different areas of Metro Cebu.
University of the Philippines Cebu
Located in Gorordo Avenue, Lahug Cebu City, the University of the Philippines Cebu is a pre-World War II building. It even served as a camp during the war for American and British civilians and later occupied by the Japanese troops.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
University of the Philippines Cebu is nowย an autonomous unit of the UP System after several births and rebirths through out the years. It also has aย new campus in South Road Properties which features the UP Professional Schools which offersย masters degree.
Mango Avenue
Mango Avenueย is one of a kind in the 1940s because it was hedged with obviously none other than mango trees. It is also called General Maxilom Avenueย which wasย named in honor of General Arcadio Maxilom y Molero, a katipunero and a hero of the Philippine Revolution.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
Today, it is popularly known as one of Cebuโs main entertainment spotย crammed withย nightclubs, disco bars, hotels, restobars and the Filipino all-time favorite karaoke bars. It is on top of the list when you want to hang-out and party the night away. And sadly you don’t see the mango groves anymore. ๐
Fuenteย Osmeรฑa Circle
In theย midst of a bustling trafficย lies aย magnificent fountain named after the late Cebuano president Sergio Osmeรฑa. Fuente Osmeรฑaย whichย literally means โOsmeรฑa Fountain,โ, is a small rotunda park at theย heart of uptown Cebu City.ย Look how awesomeย you can clearly see the Capitol from the circle back then.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
This small park gets the highlight during Sinulog and Christmas season as it is the venue for events, concerts and gatherings and becomes packed with food stalls at certain times of the year. On a normal day you can see people jog around it while others just chill. You can still slightly see the Capitol today but a lot of establishments have sprouted around the place.
Fruit and Vegetable Sellers
And last but not the least, let’s take a look at the people of Cebu. One thing that has not really changed over a hundred years is the trading system in a typicalย Filipino market. This is where items offered range from fresh food products to handicraft materials which are low-priced.

Facebook.com/oldcebu

2014 ยฉ Emjae Fotos
The best place to be is in Carbon Market, the oldest and largest public market inย Cebu Cityย located in the downtown area. I personally prefer buying goods from these people since aside from being inexpensive and fresh, you are directly helping their livelihood. ๐
Cebu is evidentlyย a significant cultural center in the Philippines with its Spanish and Roman Catholic imprint. Through the years, the structures, landscapes and even the people have dramatically changed. But at the end of the day, let us be remindedย with this famous quote from our national hero.
He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.
โ Josรฉ Rizal
So, which Cebu then and now photos did you like? What can you say about the old Cebu and the recent changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below and spread good vibes. ๐
This is good, Emjae! especially the fruits and vegetables sellers, you did capture the moment. ๐
thank you Vic.. I enjoyed taking those photos. ๐
this is a great post. thanks for sharing.
great to know you liked it Jan… thanks ๐
Wow! =D Great work Emjae! But I’m more than glad that you really took effort to find the exact spot and take a shot from there.. good job! keep it up bai!
thanks bai Hanz.. glad to hear from a creative person who knows technical stuff…heheh you have nice blog and I love what you do also coz I’m a wannabe.. ๐
wow! great job master!
thanks bai Joshua… long time no shoot master ๐
Very important & historic places you emphasize.I salute you for such great effort.As if I travelled back in time where everyone now a days doesnt know how it look look like.Great & amazing job Emjae,Thank you!!!
It was out of curiosity when I saw those old pictures in the net. I may come up with a part 2 soon. ๐ thanks Ruby!
Awesome Emjae!
same to you John… heheh thanks! ๐
We need more photographers like you. Creative and passionate, and one who loves his homeland. Keep it up and thank you for this.
that’s very encouraging Gee…will do my best for more creative stuff soon! thank you much ๐
Great job! These beautifully captured photos made me miss Cebu in a lot of ways. I can’t wait to celebrate Sinulog ’15!
now that you mentioned Sinulog, it made me feel excited too…not only that it is fun but also reminds of a beautiful culture and tradition of Cebu!
awwwwwwwwwe.. ๐ ๐ this is nice.. ๐ ๐ naay uban maka mahay but ang uban maka proud.. ๐ makes me think how it would’ve felt like to live in Cebu before. ๐
same here Dhanie.. some countries have remarkably preserved their heritage sites and how I wish we do too.. thanks ๐
Wow! This is a great visual comparison. I love how you shoot from the same angle since we’re really able to catch a wonderful glimpse of the past from these present shots. I’m from the city and I ALWAYS come across to most of these places every.single.day but never looked at them the say way you did from your lenses. Good job bai. ๐
thanks mommy Rose.. it’s true we miss to notice them with the city’s hustle and bustle.. glad to hear that! ๐
Reblogged this on #OhLifeIsGoood and commented:
Capturing Cebu: An Interesting Visual Comparison
You’ve gone viral Emjae! Congrats!
really mommy Jhanis? weeheeh I am more than happy to know if thats true.. thanks for droppin by ๐
Look at the number of FB shares showing at the bottom of your post, it has been shared over 1k. ๐ Check your stats! LOL
ohh right..hahah too busy or just too lazy to check those..guess I still need to work my way around this blog.. this has been my best ever! ๐ yey!
do u have a photo of that masion in mango avenue where the horizon 101 stands now? i have, i’d love to share it with u.
Hi Andy.. I saw a photo of that mansion in Karaang Sugbo page and planning to include that in my future post but it would be better if the horizon 101 will be finished by that time. Anyway if it’s a different photo, feel free to email me at [email protected] , thanks ๐
i mean mansion.
Thank you so much for these photos! Meade me love Cebu even moreโบ๏ธ!
you are much welcome Rae…spread the love! ๐
WOW..great job..keep up the good work..:)
will surely do Jeremy…thank you ๐
Hello. Why is Cebu Normal University Admin Bldg. not included? I wish It would be.
Hi, thank you for your visit.. I’d love to include CNU on my next post (Part 2) which is currently in progress. If you have old photos of the Admin bldg, email me at [email protected] and specify also to whom I should credit the source. ๐
emjae, you are simply incomparable! thank you for sharing your unique talent, skill and interest!
wow what a word you used there Franco.. hahah I just do what I love, and love what I do. hehe thanks ๐
Amazing how Cebu was able to preserve these landmarks. The first one still looks good, though better before. Your city looks pretty much the same since the 1940’s. I wish Manila is still how it used to be.
Thanks Rap, yeah Manila was once a very elegant city with it’s historic landmarks.
Nice kaau! Very nostalgic!
Salamat guys. It’s a nice thing to remember. ๐
Nice one Emjae! Maayo ni nga post for people who were not able to experience Cebu without the hustle and bustle like me! Kamingaw pa gyud sa Cebu sauna! I wish we could turn back time! ๐
Same thoughts Janine. Makamingaw ang kamingaw sa Cebu in the past. heheh thanks! ๐
Emjae, I really enjoyed this article on your blog. I just moved here in Cebu a couple of months ago, and these photos makes me want to discover this City’s heritage even more. The two photos of Mango Ave. really caught my attention :-D, it looked like two different places. Thanks man!
Nice Photos bai, choy kaau ang idea
Thanks bai…hoping maka himo pa ko another batch puhon. ๐
Nice Photo and talent… i’ll bookmark your blog website… this article made my day
I’m glad you liked it sir..I’m more inspired to create another set soon. Thank you very much! ๐
It’s good to compare the old Cebu with the new, from which we would know how to improve the city. Before the city was clean, with no dangling cables serving as photobombers. Hehe.
Hi Emjae, great effort for doing these then and now Cebu photo comparisons. I was born in the early 50′ s and some of these old pics here had some imprints on my memory, but it’ s nothing like really seeing what these places now really looked like then when I was not yet around. More power!!!
I’m a cebuano and i am really proud of you Emjae. You just lifted my inner core to brag Cebu more.
Been to these places and you sure as hell correct about not going back to this places the same way i did. Thanks a lot, looking forward for part 2 ๐
i can remember an old mansion or was it a church perhaps in mango ave just across the original foodarama. i was so intrigued as to what was it. wherever i searched in the internet there can’t be found any account about it or a little information perhaps. my intrigued self is at a peril. can someone help me? it was very noticable especially during the 80’s because that place across foodarama was an open landscape with a hill and streams. it really looked like an old church or a mansion perhaps.
Hello, can I use your photos for our TV based intructions? Thanks …
Hello, yes you can. Please do include credits. Thanks.