The Mantawi Festival is an annual festival celebrated every on May 7th in

Mandaue Mandaue (), officially the City of Mandaue ( ceb, Dakbayan sa Mandaue; fil, Lungsod ng Mandaue), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 364,116 ...

City in

Cebu Cebu (; ceb, Sugbo), officially the Province of Cebu ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Sugbo; tl, Lalawigan ng Cebu; hil, Kapuroan sang Sugbo), is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, and consists of a main island and 16 ...

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

History

The city of Mandaue and the festival is named after a tree that grew abundantly in the shores of the Cebu. The cove was founded by

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

explorer

Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan ( or ; pt, Fernão de Magalhães, ; es, link=no, Fernando de Magallanes, ; 4 February 1480 – 27 April 1521) was a Portuguese explorer. He is best known for having planned and led the 1519 Spanish expedition to the Eas ...

on April 7th, 1521 while in search for food and supplies. On the island a settlement was then built. The discovery of the cove, present day Tipolo, brought about the establishment of the first drydocking facility in the islands. In 1565, the

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

explorer Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in the Philippines five decades after the Magellan expedition and built the

' first drydock on the shores of Tipolo, about a few meters from the San Miguel Brewery Complex. The drydock was built by the facility served the Galleon ships that established trade with Mexico and Spain. From that beginning, Mandaue emerged as the industrial hub of the southern Philippines, the city of Mandaue.

Festival

The founding of the settlement Mandawe on April 7th, 1521, has historical value and significance in the history of Cebu. In order to commemorate the city’s foundation, a festival was conceptualized and came to be known as the Mantawi Festival. The festival was a project started by the former mayor of Mandaue City. It was first celebrated on the 33rd charter day celebration of Mandaue, August 30th, 2002. The next year, the day of the festival was changed to the last Sunday of August since it overwhelmed the city's charter day celebration the year before. In 2004, the festival was stopped due to organizational problems. In 2005 the date was again moved to May 7th to coincide with the city's fiesta celebration. The festival is a symbol of Mandaue City’s history. Its historical past affirms its present identity as a highly urbanized industrial center and a new tourism destination where arts and culture become tools for progress and prosperity. The highlight of the festival is a parade of street dancers and dioramas showcasing the history and culture of

accompanied by brass instruments. Industries in the city join in on the celebration with their creatively crafted floats. Other participants range from government officials, teachers and students. In 2005, the festival was opened for participation from places outside Cebu. The festival also includes the parade of higantes (giants)--The people who shaped the present Mandaue City. The festival culminates in the awarding of the winners of the street dance and float competition followed by a grand fireworks display.

Historical accuracy

The questions about authenticity of Datu Lambuzzan, the said chieftain of Mandaue before the Spanish Period, were raised. As well as the existence of the vine or tree which they call Mantawi.

References

{{Mandaue City

External links

Official Site of Mantawi Festival

Mandaue Culture of Cebu