History of Mactan
Before the island was named “Mactan Island or Lapu-Lapu City” , it is known as “Opon or opong ” the local word for cogon grass that is abundant in the island. Mactan Island is an island located at the east of Cebu and known for its history being the site of the so called “Battle of Mactan”, the first violent incident between native Filipinos and Europeans. The Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, met his death in a surprise ambush at the hands of the tribesmen under the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu. Mactan Island is an island that is still belong to Cebu, which belong to the region VII. The island is connected to mainland Cebu by two (2) bridges, the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and the second Marcelo Fernan Bridge which span the Cebu Strait. The presence of two bridges has greatly improved the accessibility between Lapu-Lapu City and other areas in the Province of Cebu.
The first and second Mactan bridge is connected from Mactan to Cebu.
This is the known shrine of the island hero “Lapu-Lapu”, where the island got its name
Mactan Bridges Connecting the Island and the Mainland Cebu
Old Mactan Mandaue Bridge – Connecting from UC Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu
First bridge that has built is the old Mactan-Mandaue bridge, provided the first land transportation link between Mactan and Mandaue. Before this bridge have existed, the people in Mactan traveled to the the mainland Cebu by boat. Until now, ferries are still existed and have been used by the island people.
The Marcelo Fernan Bridge and its Park – Connecting the other side of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City
The Marcelo Fernan Bridge, opened in the year 1999 is to lessen the traffic at the Old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. One of the longest and widest bridges span in the Philippines. Underneath it is the Marcelo Fernan Park, was also built for people who wants to spend their time through walking to a nice and breezy place. At night, people spend their time on whatever activities they have in mind, some of them doing picnics on the hut, go on dating, playing basketball, dance in a disco and watch battle of the bands.
This is Mactan Cebu International Airport, the only airport built in the province of Cebu and located at the Mactan Island, 30 mins. away from Cebu by cab.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
