The city of Cebu is the provincial capital of Cebu in the Philippines and is the second most important metropolitan center in the country. The city lies on the eastern shore of the island of Cebu and is the first Spanish settlement in the country.

Tourism, attractions

Early 2006, one of the island's famous landmark formally reopened under a new name, Marco Polo Plaza, after more than two years of closing its doors. The hotel complex was formerly occupied by Cebu Plaza which was the first deluxe hotel in the province. It opened in the early 80s and was viewed by some as a symbol of the province's economic growth.
There are a number of commercial establishments in the city, the most popular of which are the SM city and Ayala Center malls. There are also other smaller malls and stand alone department stores. Throughout the years however, the establishment of "strip malls" which offers some sort of a town center environment have become the trend.
Despite the presence of such establishments, the downtown area still remains the nerve of commercial activity in the city. The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and the Metropolitan Cathedral are also located there.