Category: Historical Landmarks

Mandaue–Mactan Bridges I and II

image source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/578096

There are two bridges that span the Mactan Channel, connecting the islands of Cebu and Mactan. The first is the First Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the second is the Second Mandaue-Mactan Bridge or more popularly known as the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Both bridges have become major landmarks of Cebu and they directly connect Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City.

The First Mandaue-Mactan Bridge is a box truss type of bridge that is 846 meters long (2,775 feet) and 9 meters wide (29 feet), and was constructed during the term of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. The bridge was wholly designed and created by Filipino engineers. The construction of the bridge began in 1970. It was inaugurated in 1972, at 65 million pesos.

image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mactan-Mandaue_Bridge.jpg

The Mandaue-Mactan Bridge initially had toll booths on both sides of the approaches to the bridge collecting fees from vehicles until the late 1980’s when the toll fee collection was stopped. Afterwards, the toll booths were demolished and removed.

The Second Mandaue-Mactan Bridge is named after the late Marcelo B. Fernan, a former senator and Chief Justice of the Philippine’s Supreme Court. Construction of the bridge began in 1998 and was inaugurated in August 1999 during the term of former President Joseph Estrada. The bridge has a total length of 1,237 meters (4,058.40 feet) with a center span of 185 meters (606.96 feet).

The bridge is an extra dosed cabled stayed type of bridge and is one of the widest and longest bridge span in the Philippines. The bridge was primarily funded from the Japanese Government and was constructed as a as a symbol of friendship between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan. The bridge has also decongested traffic from the First Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

image source: http://www.pbase.com/hammerslag/image/52165034

Underneath the Marcelo Fernan Bridge on the side of Lapu-Lapu City is a mini- park that has benches and some walkways. The mini-park is visited by both local and foreign tourists since they can take pictures and enjoy the sea breeze at the same time while they are in the park.

The two bridges have immensely contributed to the economic development of Cebu. Before the First Mandaue-Mactan Bridge was constructed, the only travel connection between Mactan Island to the mainland was through ferries and boats, which took some time and was subjected to the sea conditions of the Mactan Channel.

Both bridges have facilitated the travel of goods and services between Mactan Island and the mainland and greatly contributed to the economic development of Cebu. This is signified by the presence in Mactan Island of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the two export processing facilities of the Mactan Economic Zones 1 and 2, and numerous tourist destinations like hotels and resorts, beaches, bars and restaurants, shopping malls, historical landmarks, and other tourist destinations.

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Rizal Memorial Library and Museum

Along the busy street of Osmeña Boulevard and just nearby the Cebu Provincial Capitol, is a pre-World War II building — Rizal Memorial Library and Museum. The structure is named after the Philippines’s national hero, Jose Rizal, who fought for freedom through his writings during the Spanish colonial period.

The museum was opened to the public on March 16, 1992. The building has undergone renovation in the recent years. The edifice has its inherent charm and magnetism, as its pre-war, neo-classical look stands out amidst the business establishments, restaurants, parlors and convenience stores that line the area.

image source: http://img141.imageshack.us/i/rizalal2.jpg/

The city public library is located at the ground level of the building, which keeps important and rare books on Cebu’s history and culture. The museum houses a collection of antiques, sculptures, furniture and woodcarvings donated by prominent Cebuano families. There are also several important archeological finds. As one strolls around the museum, one can find portraits of well-known Cebuano figures, floral and landscape artwork, and murals.

One can also marvel at the paintings and sculptures created by the finest artists of Cebu. The paintings illustrate authentic Cebuano customs and costumes, and give an idea of Cebu’s lifestyle during the 1500’s up to the Japanese occupation in the 1940’s. A spacious and elegant hall with stained glass windows occupies the third level. It is sometimes utilized as a performing arts hall for concerts and theater performances by Cebuano talents.

The Rizal Memorial Library and Museum serves to educate and give Cebuanos and tourists alike a look into the past. Indeed, a visit would immerse one into the local culture and also reignite the beauty and the gratitude of how far history has taken us, and those who made the difference.

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