Mayors of Magellan's cities tour Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - At least 25 guests, including mayors of different cities in the world, witnessed the reenactment of the arrival of Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu City nearly 500 years ago.

The delegates are here for the three-day convention of the Global Network of Magellan Cities.

They were toured around downtown Cebu City yesterday, which included a visit to the iconic Magellan’s Cross where the reenactment was staged.

“It (the convention) is bringing all of them in one place. The world is in Cebu… Magellan circumnavigated the world so this matter about Global Network of Magellan Cities is putting the whole world in Cebu now,” said Mayor Michael Rama who joined the tour.

Rama was hopeful that the fifth convention of GNMC in Cebu City from February 15 to 17 will open opportunities for cultural tourism, knowledge and local development.

The delegates arrived on Monday and paid a courtesy call to the city mayor and city officials.

Yesterday, the downtown heritage tour kicked off at Fort San Pedro. They had a horse carriage ride from the area to Magellan’s Cross, where the delegates were entertained by the reenactment played by local artists and dancers dressed in their most colorful displays.

Performers showed the delegates renowned Sinulog dance with the lead dancer holding an image of the Santo Niño.

Delegates also visited Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and the museum housed in it, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Jesuit House and Yap-Sandiego Museum.

Today, they will be in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City where they are set to visit the Galleon and the site where the ceremonial launch of the construction of Magellan’s statue will be held.

GNMC, an international non-profit organization, holds periodic international meetings with the participation of the cities involved in the first voyage around the world, courtesy of Ferdinand Magellan and finished by Juan Sebastian Elcano.

The global network is made up of almost 30 cities, including Cebu, from thirteen countries around the world.

GNMC secretary general Juan Manuel Nuñez Dela Fuente, who was also present during the tour yesterday, said he felt excited and amazed being part of remembering one of the important historical events.— (FREEMAN)