Notable Individuals From Cebu

Cebu has had its share of notable persons in the history of the archipelago. From the first native chief to lead his men against a foreign invader to a president of the archipelago, Cebu has produced a number of notable personalities who claimed some prominence in local and international scene. 

Lapu-Lapu

Lapu-Lapu – image source: commons.wikimedia.org

Lapu-Lapu was the ruler of Mactan who is considered as the first Philippine hero since he was the first native who fought the Spanish invaders. He led his men against the Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521. The death of Magellan on the shores of Mactan delayed the colonization of the archipelago by around four decades. Monuments were built in Manila and Cebu while his image is found on the seals of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine National Police.

Sergio Osmeña, Sr.

Sergio Osmeña, Sr. – image source: britannica.com

Sergio Osmeña, Sr. became the first president of the Philippines from the Visayas after the death of President Manuel L. Quezon in 1944. Prior to becoming the president of the country, Osmeña served as the Governor of Cebu in 1906 until 1907. He was also the first Speaker of the House of Representative of the Philippines. Osmeña was also a senator of the Philippines for thirteen years before being nominated to become the running mate of Quezon in 1935. Sergio Osmeña, Sr. is also the patriarch of the Osmeña family. 

Gabriel “Flash” Elorde

Gabriel “Flash” Elorde – image source: boxing.com

Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was a professional boxer and a native son of Bogo. A cultural and sports icon, Flash is among the best boxers in the history of the Philippines. He won the World Junior Lightweight belt in 1960 and was inaugurated as the WBA and WBC lightweight champion in 1963. He was the longest reigning junior lightweight champion. The style of the Filipino southpaw was described as "subtle little temple-dancer moves" by American sports writer Robert Lipsyte. He was the first Asian to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 

Marcelo “Celing” Fernan 

Marcelo “Celing” Fernan – image source: garbosugbuanon.com

Marcelo “Celing” Fernan was the third Filipino who held the highest position in the judicial and legislative branches of the country. He became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 1988 and became the Senate President in 1998. The Cebu native also ran for the second highest post in the country in the 1992 elections as the running-mate of then-House Speaker Ramon Mitra. The second bridge connecting Mactan Island with the island of Cebu was named after Fernan. 

Pilar Pilapil

Pilar Pilapil – image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

Pilar Delilah Veloso Pilapil was an actress who represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe in 1967. Born in Liloan Cebu, Pilapil received a number of movie offers after she won the Binibining Pilipinas in 1967. She was a notable actress who has two best acting awards under her belt. The foundation she established, Pilar Pilapil Foundation, provides assistance to abuse and battered women.

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier – image source: intothegloss.com

Monique Lhuillier is the daughter of Michel J. Lhuillier and Amparito Llamas Lhuillier. She rose to prominence after her dresses were worn by a number of American actresses attending the Emmy Awards n 2004. Britney Spears also took a liking for her bridal dress designs. She opened her first store in Los Angeles in 2007 while her New York store opened in 2012. She was given the Presidential Medal of Merit by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006. Some of the prominent US celebrity clients of Lhuillier include Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Swift, and Gwyneth Paltrow, among others. 

Kenneth Cobonpue

Kenneth Cobonpue – image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

Kenneth Cobonpue is an industrial designer whose furniture designs made an appearance in a number of Hollywood movies, such as Ocean’s 13. The Cebuano designer has a number of prominent personalities in his list of clients, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Queen Rania of Jordan and Queen Sophia of Spain.

There are many other Cebuanos who have made a name for themselves in the local and international scene.  Their achievements have become the source of pride for all Cebuanos around the world.