FAST FACTS: Bogo City, Cebu earthquake’s epicenter

Bogo City, Northern Cebu, was among the hardest-hit areas, being one of the nearest to the epicenter of the magnitude 6.9 tectonic earthquake that struck Cebu province at 9:59 pm on Tuesday, September 30.

Authorities reported that Bogo recorded the highest casualties with at least 30 fatalities and 180 injuries aside from the heavy damage to infrastructure and residential areas.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. visited Bogo City on Thursday, October 2, to lead the situation briefing on the ongoing rescue and relief efforts for the areas affected by the quake. During his visit, Marcos also inspected the damaged city hall and met with survivors. (READ: Marcos visits quake-hit Bogo City in Cebu)

Aside from experiencing one of the strongest and deadliest earthquakes in Cebu’s recent history, Bogo City has a deep heritage and a strong economic standing as a major regional center for commerce.

Here’s a brief rundown of facts about Bogo City:

Northern gateway of commerce

Bogo City is a bustling and vibrant regional hub for commerce located on the northern coast of Cebu island. Its major ports connect it to other parts of the Visayas and the Bicol region, facilitating large-scale trade.

With settlements dating back to the early 1600s, Bogo is now a 6th-class component city in the Philippines. Spanning a land area of 103.52 square kilometers and comprising 29 barangays, the city is home to over 88,867 residents.

The city’s name was derived from the lone Bogo tree (Garuga floribunda) that once stood on the shore, marking the original bartering spot where the city’s wharf is now located. Since the 1920s, Bogo has also been known for its significant sugar cane plantations, covering 3,000 hectares, which support both the local industry and tourism.

Cultural celebrations

Bogo City is defined by two major festivals that celebrate its patron saint, its history, and its agricultural wealth, the Kuyayang and Pintos festivals.

Bogo’s unique cultural trademark is the Kuyayang cultural dance, traditionally performed for courting. The dance takes its name from the Visayan word for insect larva — the inspiration for the dance’s slow, flowing movements, expressive hand gestures, and flirtatious sways that perfectly suit a playful, traditional courtship ritual.

The dance is the highlight of the annual Kuyayang Festival, which dates back to the 1960s. Beyond honoring the traditional dance, the festival is celebrated to honor Bogo City’s patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer, who is revered for his role in building up the local church and community through his sermons. Locals view the festival as a vibrant celebration of love, devotion, dance, and community spirit.

Aside from the Kuyayang festival, the city also celebrates the annual Pintos Festival, an occasion that honors the bounty of Bogo’s corn and sugarcane harvests. The festival is named after the local delicacy, Pintos, which is integral to the city’s sustenance and history.

Pintos is a sweet treat made from ground corn, sugar, margarine, ground peanuts, and coconut meat, which is then enclosed in corn husks before being boiled. More than just a culinary celebration, the Pintos Festival highlights Bogo’s simple, resourceful lifestyle and its enduring agricultural strength, drawing tourists eager to experience authentic local cuisine and creativity.

Tourist destinations

Whenever Bogo City is mentioned, tourists often remember the city because of its Capitancillo Islet, which is popular for its snorkeling and diving tourism spots.

Capitancillo is popularly believed to be derived from American navy captain Cillo, who beached his vessel on the isolated island during World War II. Now, the islet offers a nature escapade for people seeking solace and adventure away from the bustling city landscape.

Next on the list is the Tugbungan Mangrove Eco-Park and Forest, a peaceful spot where tourists can observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Locals from Bogo were engaged in planting mangrove trees and led various community-driven conservation efforts that built Tugbungan and turned the eco-park into a wildlife and nature haven.

Finally, known locally as Bogo Church, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer is one of the top destinations for tourists and pilgrims visiting Cebu. This historical and spiritual site, established as a parish on May 31,1850, endured various calamities and wars before it was declared an archdiocesan shrine in 2006.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer also sustained damages from the September 30 quake, joining other major and old churches across Cebu that were heavily affected. The Bogo shrine has since appealed to the public for support for its vital restorations.

As government aid lags and supplies for displaced families grow thinner, locals, including children, have tragically been forced to hold signs on the streets asking for food and water. (READ: Slow relief efforts in Bogo City pick up pace – mayor).

The current situation of the city highlights how Bogo’s residents, its once bustling commerce, and vibrant tourist attractions are in grave need of urgent help to rehabilitate life and restore the beauty of the city. – Rappler.com