The Cebu Provincial Capitol is one of the iconic architectures in the Philippines. It is the seat of government of the Province of Cebu.
This historic building houses the offices of the governor and the different departments of the Cebu Provincial Government executive department. In the same compound where it stands also sits the Legislative Building which houses the offices of the Vice Governor and the members of Cebu Province’s Legislative Body, the Cebu Provincial Board.
It was in 1910 when the idea to build the Capitol was conceived but the construction only began in 1937 during the term of then Governor Sotero Cabahug, under the supervision of the architecture firm of Pedro Siochi and Company. It was completed a year later during the term of then Governor Buenaventura Rodriguez who became its first occupant.
On June 14, 1938, the building was inaugurated by President Manuel L. Quezon, with Cebu Archbishop Gabriel Reyes blessing the new building, and the wife of Governor Rodriguez breaking the champagne bottle at the main balcony.
During the Second World War, the Capitol sustained serious damages. A year after the war ended, it was completely restored through the Tydings War Damage Act of 1946.
This stately edifice was designed by a famous Filipino architect during his time, Juan Marcos Arellano. Its architectural style is neoclassical in spirit, but its extreme simplification foreshadows Arellano's changing architectural language towards the Art Deco style.
As part of the 1912 Cebu master plan, the Capitol is positioned dramatically at the end of the avenue named Osmena Boulevard. The boulevard was developed during the early colonial days of the American Period to connect the old Spanish colonial town of Cebu to outlying areas being opened up by the American government.
The architect drew inspiration from the U.S. Capitol building, and in the Philippines, the Cebu Provincial Capitol Building is one of the oldest structures of its kind, making it a well-known tourist attraction.
That is why, on July 9, 2008, the National Historical Commission declared the building a National Historical Landmark in recognition of its beauty and recognizing Cebu’s rich culture and history.
The center structure of the Capitol building is designed in a U-shape, embracing the Osmena Boulevard ends figuratively.
On the sides of the Capitol grounds are two prominent figures in Cebu’s history. On the left side stands the statue of Lapulapu, the first Filipino hero who fought the first group of colonizing Spaniards to arrive in the island. On the right side the statue of Sergio Osmeña, Sr., the first Cebuano to become President of the Philippines. He served as Philippines’ fourth President from 1944 to 1946.
The building has a wide courtyard - a ceremonial courtyard bounded by a balustrade where events and parties used to be held. Two grand staircases lead to the building’s second which houses several executive offices including the Office of the Governor, The Gallery, the Dignitaries Hall, and the Social Hall. The attic or the third floor, is where the chapel is found and where employees hold their first Friday masses.
The Capitol has also been the venue for many events local and international. Now, as a National Historical Site, the Provincial Capitol is considered one of the must-see places for tourists and guests.
