Cebu is a province of the Philippines and is an island surrounded by 167 other smaller islands near the centre of the Visayas which are a hop skip and jump from Vietnam in the North and Malaysia to the West. 

An island with a population of some 3.5 million folk which is some 225 kilometers from North to South with a narrow coastline, rolling hills and rugged mountains. Between the 13th and 16th century it was known as Zubu and was inhabited by Hindu, and Muslim tribal groups ruled by Rajahs and “Datus” (chieftain/king). In 1521 the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and established a period of Spanish colonization. Unfortunately Ferdinand was soon after killed in battle on a nearby island by the hands of the reigning Datus one “Lapu Lapu”. 

One of the by products of many centuries of Spanish rule was the conversion to Catholicism by the majority of the population which remains so today. The image of Senor Santo Nino is the oldest Christian image in the Philippines and is venerated in the many colourful Cathedrals and churches throughout the region. According to historical documents the image was given to the Rajah of Cebu by Magellan’s wife. This event is celebrated as Cebu’s cultural event the “Sinulog” which is a vast dancing street parade supported by the deafening and incessant sound of thousands of drums. 

The origins of the thriving fashion jewellery industry in Cebu is the vast amount of natural sustainable perfect raw materials based essentially around wood, seeds and most important of all shells plus the natural talents of designers and craftsmen. 

Both the wood, seed and shells used have to a large degree become sustainable in recent years thanks to specific new forest plantings and cultured shell farming. Amongst the shell varieties available are Abalone, Black and Brown Lip, Capiz, Cowrie, Hammer, Hishie, Mother of Pearl, Saltwater Oysters, Freshwater Clams, and Puka (as Jamie Oliver would say).But this bountiful array of materials would be worth little without the design inspiration and ingenuity of over 100 designer/producers whose output is truly eclectic and wondrous in it’s scope and imagination. One of our favourite designers being a working architect by trade! 

So to all our customers be thankful to Cebu for its dazzling seasonal crop and of course to Jonathan Keating who makes the twice annual sacrifice involved in visiting the world’s seventh best Island destination!