The following is a list of notable people who were either born in, lived in, are current residents of, or are closely associated with the province of Cebu, Philippines (including from highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu):
- Antonio Abad - a poet, fictionist, playwright and essayist (Barili)
- Gémino Abad - an educator, writer, and literary critic. He is a National Artist of the Philippines for Literature (Barili)
- Martin Abellana – Visayan author (Cebu City)
- Onofre Abellanosa - writer of short stories and plays (Cebu City)
- Victorina A. Abellanosa - was a Cebuano dramatist who is specialized in writing plays particularly zarzuelas (Cebu City)
- Ramón D. Abellanosa - political journalist, minor politician, businessman, and writer. He was best known for his plays (Cebu City)
- Temistokles Adlawan - a contemporary Cebuano poet and short story writer who often writes with irreverent humor usually associated with Cebuano folk (Cebu City)
- Ruperto Alaura - is a Cebuano writer. He was a LUDABI prize winner in 1961 (Cebu City)
- Sinforosa Alcordo - fiction writer during the pre-war era (Cebu City)
- Jacinto Alcos - is a pre-Second World War Cebuano writer (Cebu City)
- Epifanio Alfafara - writer in the Cebuano language of political and philosophical articles. He used Isco Anino as a pen name (Carcar City)
- Sergio Alfafara - was a Filipino Cebuano Visayan writer. A parish priest, he published, authored and translated religious and missal texts in Cebuano. He published a grammar of Cebuano known as Sugboanon nga Gramatika. His pennames included Napoleon Alferez (Carcar City)
- Estrella Alfon - an author who wrote in English (Cebu City)
- Potenciano Aliño - a writer, translator, and revolutionary (Talisay City)
- Cora Almerino - is a Cebuano Visayan writer.[1] Her poems were included in Sinug-ang: A Cebuano trio published by Women in Literary Arts in 1999 (Cebu City)
- Tomas N. Alonso - is a well-known Cebuano Visayan writer. He published the first complete Cebuano translation of Jose Rizal's El filibusterismo. He also translated the Mi último adiós (Cebu City)
- Francisco C. Álvarez - was a Cebuano Visayan stage actor and playwright (Cebu City)
- Uldarico A. Alviola - known as the "Dean of Cebuano Writers", he was a Filipino Visayan civil servant, novelist, and editor (Cebu City)
- Natalio Bacalso - a writer, newspaperman, radio broadcaster, filmmaker, Constitutional Convention delegate in 1971 representing Cebu's 2nd district, and opposition assemblyman to the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1978 (Cebu City)
- Cecilia Manguerra Brainard - an author and editor. She co-founded PAWWA or Philippine American Women Writers and Artists; and also founded Philippine American Literary House (Cebu City)
- Simeon Dumdum Jr. - writer, poet and former RTC judge (Balamban)
- Adonis Durado - a poet, visual journalist, and graphic designer of Cebuano descent (Cebu City)
- Lina Espina-Moore - a Cebuano writer (Toledo City)
- Vicente Garces - a politician, writer, and poet (Talisay City)
- Vicente Gullas - was a Filipino writer, lawyer, and educator from Cebu, Philippines (Cebu City)
- Ernesto Lariosa - a writer, poet, and columnist (San Fernando)
- Pio Kabahar - a Cebuano composer, playwright, journalist, and director (Cebu City)
- Resil B. Mojares - a Filipino historian and critic of Philippine literature best known as for his books on Philippine history. He was recognized in 2018 as a National Artist of the Philippines for Literature - a conferment which represents the Philippine state's highest recognition for artists (Cebu City)
- Hilda Montaire - a writer (Mandaue City)
- Marcelino Navarra - an editor, poet, and writer. He was regarded as the father of modern Cebuano short story (Carcar City)
- Gilda Olvidado - a movie and television writer, and melodrama novelist (Cebu City)
- Amando Osório - a poet, playwright, novelist, and Cebu deputy governor (Dalaguete)
- Sulpicio Osório - was a Filipino editor, poet, and writer of fiction and essay in Cebuano language (Dalaguete)
- Gardeopatra Quijano - feminist fiction writer and was awarded the Gawad CCP para sa Sining: Panitikang Rehiyunal from the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1993 (Alcantara)
- Nicolas Rafols - a legislator, journalist, businessman, lawyer, and agriculturalist (Toledo City)
- Napoleon Rama - was a Filipino Visayan lawyer, journalist, and writer in English and Spanish. In 2011, he was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor, the country's highest recognition, with the rank of Grand Commander on the 25th anniversary of the EDSA 1 Revolution by President Benigno S. Aquino III (Cebu City)
- Vicente Rama - a legislator, publisher, and writer (Cebu City)
- Buenaventura Rodriguez - was one of the popular playwrights in Cebuano language during the American occupation. Like his contemporaries, his works featured the theme of rising nationalism,[5] combining social criticism and entertainment (Bogo City)
- Hope Sabanpan-Yu - a short story writer/poet (Cebu City)
- Adelino Sitoy - was a Filipino politician, lawyer, and Cebuano language advocate from Cebu, Philippines (Cebu City)
- Vicente Sotto – politician, author (Cebu City)
- Florentino Suico - a public school teacher and prolific writer, fictionist, poet, and journalist. He was known for his historical fiction written in Cebuano language (Mandaue City)
- Florentino Tecson - a lawyer, politician, editor, writer, and labor leader (Naga City)
- Vicente Ranudo - a writer, poet laureate, and Cebu provincial civil servant (Cebu City)
- Trizer D. Mansueto - an author of several books, he is also involved in museums, translation and teaching. He contributes stories to Cebu Daily News and the Philippine Daily Inquirer (both under the Inquirer Group) (Bantayan)
- José María del Mar - a writer, orator, playwright, theater actor, politician and authority on the Spanish Language. (Cebu City)
- Martino Abellana "Noy Tinong" - a renowned Cebuano and dubbed as "The Dean of Cebuano Painters" (Carcar City)
- Ramon Abellana - a Cebuano sculptor and composer (Carcar City)
- Paulina Constancia - a Filipino-Canadian artist known for her work on canvas, textiles, and found materials, sometimes incorporating stitching (Cebu City)
- Manuel Rodriguez Sr. "Mang Maning" - a Filipino printmaker. He was one of the pioneers of printmaking in the Philippines and was dubbed as the "Father of Philippine Printmaking" (Cebu City)
- Romulo Galicano - a Filipino painter whose works are technically academic and philosophical in approach (Carcar City)
- Sofronio Mendoza - a painter and teacher who mentored young artists in the Philippines and in Canada (Cebu)
- Leinil Francis Yu - a comic book artist (Cebu)
- David Medalla - an international artist and political activist. His work ranged from sculpture and kinetic art to painting, installation, and performance art. (Cebu)
- Adonis Durado - Graphic designer and visual journalist. His poetry collection "Who Steps Upon is Stepped Upon" was awarded the 2023 Philippine National Book Awards. (Cebu City)
- Vicente Rubi - a Filipino Visayan musician best known for composing the Philippine Christmas carol Kasadyaa Ning Taknaa, which was translated into Tagalog, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, by National Artist Levi Celerio. (Cebu City)
- Ramon Abellana - a sculptor and composer (Carcar City)
- Daisy Ba-ad - a playwright, stage director, composer, motivational speaker and life coach (Cebu City)
- Luis Borromeo - a jazz musician and entertainer. Known as the "King of Jazz" in the Philippines (Cebu City)
- Manuel Kabajar Cabase - a singer, songwriter, musical director, computer musician, instrumentalist of at least 28 musical instruments, arranger, conductor, bandleader and musical director (Cebu City)
- Albert Tiu - a classical pianist (Cebu City)
- Emilio Villareal - a composer and musician (Boljoon)
- Ingrid Sala Santamaria - is a Filipina pianist (Cebu City)
- Robert Hill - an American harpsichordist and fortepianist (Cebu City)
- R.D. Alba - a film and television director (Cebu)
- Isabel Sandoval - filmmaker, actress and director (Cebu City)
- Julian Daan - a character he played in a radio drama, was a Filipino Cebuano film, local TV, stage, and radio writer, director, actor, comedian, and politician (Talisay City)
- Julius Roden - producer and director, Hailed as "The Father of Modern Cebuano Movies"
- Lyle Sacris - a cinematographer and director, known for Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom (2005), Yanggaw (2008) and Transit (2013). (Cebu City)
- Natalio Bacalso - a Filipino writer, newspaperman, radio broadcaster, filmmaker, Constitutional Convention delegate in 1971 representing Cebu's 2nd district, and opposition assemblyman to the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1978 (Cebu City)
- Pio Kabahar - Playwright, Writer, Journalist, Director and Composer (Cebu City)
- Ruel Antipuesto - film director and cinematographer considered as "The Godfather of Cebuano Filmmaking". (Cebu City)
- Akiko Solon - singer and actress. 5th placer in Star Power (TV program) in 2010. (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Albert Martinez - actor, producer, and director. Dubbed as the "King of Philippine Teleseryes". (Cebu City)
- Allan Paule – actor (Cebu City)
- Amapola – singer, musician, actress, TV host and novelist. (Sibonga)
- Anna Fegi – singer and actress (Toledo City)
- Annabelle Rama - actress and talent manager (Cebu City)
- Bailey May - singer, model, actor, dancer, and television personality. 4th Teen Big Placer in Pinoy Big Brother: 737. Former member of global pop group Now United, representing the Philippines. (Cebu City)
- Beauty Gonzalez - actress and model (Daanbantayan)
- Ben Zubiri – also known as Iyo Karpo was a composer, actor, and media personality in the Philippines. (Cebu City)
- Aiah Arceta - singer, rapper, dancer, model and member of P-pop girl group BINI (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Mikha Lim - singer, dancer, rapper, actress and member of P-pop girl group BINI (Cebu City)
- Bryan Benedict - actor and model. (Cebu City)
- Buboy Villar – actor, comedian, TV personality host (Cebu City)
- Cattski - singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and founder of independent record label 22 Tango Records and Music Publishing. (Cebu City)
- Caridad Sanchez – actress (Mandaue City)
- Carren Eistrup - singer, performer and television host. Bida Next winner of Eat Bulaga. (Cebu City)
- Chanda Romero - actress (Cebu City)
- Claudia Zobel - actress (Mandaue City)
- Dave Bornea - actor, model and dancer. One of top 18 survivors on 6th season GMA's hit reality show StarStruck.(Talisay City)
- Devon Seron – actress and TV personality. Teen Big 4th Placer on the final night of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010. (Cebu City)
- Dionne Monsanto - actress (Cebu City)
- Diva Montelaba - actress and dancer. First Runner-up (First Princess) in the fifth season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network. (Cebu City)
- Dominic Roco - actor (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Dulce - singer and actress. She is popularly referred to as "Asia's Timeless Diva". (Cebu City)
- Eda Nolan – actress and model (Cebu City)
- Ellen Adarna – actress, model, and former internet celebrity. (Cebu City)
- Elyson de Dios - actor and athlete. Runner-up in StarStruck season 6 in 2015. (Cebu City)
- Enrique Gil – actor, dancer, model and endorser. (Cebu City)
- Erich Gonzales - actress (Cebu City)
- Eula Caballero – actress, first Star Factor grand winner. (Boljoon)
- Felix Roco - actor (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Fretzie Bercede - actress and TV personality. 3rd big placer of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010. (Cebu City)
- Gloria Sevilla – film actress, widely regarded as the "Queen of Visayan Movies" for her contributions in Visayan-made movies in the Philippines in the 50's and 60's. (Sibonga)
- Golden Cañedo - singer, first grand winner of reality singing competition The Clash (TV program).(Minglanilla)
- Honcho / Mark Ezekiel Maglasang - (formerly Bosx1ne) rapper, singer and songwriter. He founded the Filipino hip-hop group Ex Battalion in 2012. (Cebu City)
- Isabel Oli – actress and model (Cebu City)
- Jackie Lou Blanco - actress (Cebu City)
- Janella Salvador - actress and singer (Cebu City)
- Janine Berdin - singer and songwriter. Grand champion of the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan on It's Showtime. (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Jason Dy - singer, songwriter, musician and occasional actor. Winner of the 2nd of The Voice of the Philippines. (Cebu City)
- Jay-R Siaboc - actor, singer, host and model. 1st runner up of Pinoy Dream Academy. (Toledo City)
- Jessica Villarubin - singer, third grand champion of GMA's singing competition The Clash (TV program). (San Fernando)
- Jin Macapagal - Actor, Grand Winner of BidaMan: The Big Break contest of It's Showtime (Cebu City)
- Joan Almedilla - film and theater actress, composer, and singer. (Cebu City)
- Joanna Bacalso - television and movie actress and former model. (Cebu City)
- John Roa/JRoa - singer and performer. Former member of Ex Battalion. (Cebu City)
- Juan Karlos Labajo - singer, musician, and actor. He finished 3rd in the 1st season of The Voice Kids (Philippine TV series) season 1 in 2014. (Consolacion)
- Jun Sabayton - actor, comedian, host and director (Cebu City)
- Karencitta/Karen Ann Cabrera - Singer and Songwriter (Cebu City)
- Keanna Reeves – actress and comedian. She won the first celebrity edition of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother in 2006. (Danao City)
- Kenneth Medrano - actor, model and dancer. "Ultimate Bae Grand Winner" of That's My Bae on Eat Bulaga!.(Cebu City)
- Kim Adis - a British-Filipino actress. She is best known for her role as Kitty Wei in the BBC iPlayer series Get Even (2020) (Cebu City)
- Kim Chiu – actress and singer. Grand winner of the first teen edition of Pinoy Big Brother.(Cebu City)
- Kiray Celis - comedian and actress (Cebu City)
- Kriesha Chu - K-pop Idol (Cebu City)
- Kyle Echarri - actor, endorser, singer, songwriter, performer and vlogger. He joined The Voice Kids (Philippine TV series) season 2. (Cebu City)
- Lilian Velez - film actress and singer (Cebu City)
- Manilyn Reynes – multi-awarded actress, singer and television presenter. Regarded as a Philippine pop culture icon and dubbed as Star of the New Decade. (Cebu City)
- Mark Joseph - actor (Bantayan)
- Matt Daclan - Actor (Cebu City)
- Matteo Guidicelli – actor, military officer model, singer and former kart racer. (Cebu City)
- Max Surban - singer and songwriter. The "King of Visayan Song". (Cebu City)
- Marco Alcaraz - actor, commercial model, and former varsity basketball player at San Sebastian College-Recoletos. (Cebu City)
- Maureen Larrazabal - actress, singer and commercial model. (Cebu City)
- Mike "Pekto" Nacua - actor, comedian and television host. (Cebu City)
- Monica Cuenco - singer and actress. The second runner-up of Star Power (TV program). (Cebu City)
- Morissette - singer, songwriter, and record producer. She has been referred to as "Asia's Phoenix". (Minglanilla)
- mrld/Meriel de Jesus - singer and songwriter. (Cebu City)
- Nicole Uysiuseng – actress and model. The second runner-up of the reality television show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus in 2008. (Cebu City)
- Niel Murillo – singer, former member of BoybandPH. Winner of ABS-CBN's reality show Pinoy Boyband Superstar. (Bogo City)
- Panky Trinidad – singer, she was chosen to be one of the representatives to the World Championship of the Performing Arts. (Cebu City)
- Patricia Tumulak - actress,model, beauty queen and news anchor. (Mandaue City)
- Paul Jake Castillo - actor and businessman. Runner-up of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up.(Cebu City)
- Pilar Pilapil - beauty queen, actress and model. Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1967. (Liloan)
- Pilita Corrales - pop singer, songwriter, actress, comedian and television presenter. Popularly referred to as the "Asia's Queen of Songs". (Cebu City)
- Redford White - actor and comedian (Bogo City)
- Richard Yap – actor, singer, businessman and politician.(Cebu City)
- Shaina Magdayao - Actress (Bogo City)
- Sheena Belarmino – singer, dancer, and actress. Grand finalist on Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids in 2017. (Cebu City)
- Sheryn Regis - singer, first runner-up in the television talent show Star in a Million in 2003. Dubbed as the "Crystal Voice of Asia". (Carcar City)
- Slater Young – entrepreneur, actor, engineer, model and television personality. winner of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited in 2012. (Cebu City)
- Suzette Ranillo - film, television and theater actress (Cebu City)
- Terence Baylon - actor and model (Cebu City)
- Tita Duran - film actress, the first successful child star of Philippine cinema. (Pinamungajan)
- Van Roxas - actor and TV personality. He placed as the 5th Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2. (Talisay City)
- Vina Morales – actress, singer, entrepreneur and model. Dubbed as the "Ultimate Performer". (Bogo City)
- Vivian Velez - actress who previously served as Director General of Film Academy of the Philippines. (Cebu City)
- Zandra Summer - actress, Runner-up in Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break .(Cebu City)
Politics and government
[edit]NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
[edit]- Sergio Osmeña – 4th President of the Philippines (1944-1946), 1st Vice President of the Philippines (1935-1944), 2nd Secretary of Public Instruction, Health, and Public Welfare (1941-1944) and Secretary of Public Instruction (1935-1939) under President Manuel L. Quezon administration, 2nd Senate President pro tempore of the Philippines (1922-1934), Senator of the Philippines from the 10th district (1922-1935), 1st Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives of the Philippines (1907-1916) and 3rd Governor of Cebu (1904-1907). (Cebu City)
- Filemon Sotto - Senator of the Philippines from the 10th district (1916-1922). (Cebu City)
- Celestino Rodriguez - Senator of the Philippines from the 10th district (1916-1925). (Bogo City)
- Pedro Rodríguez - Senator of the Philippines from the 10th district (1925-1931). (Medellin)
- Manuel Briones - Senator of the Philippines (1951-1957 and 10th district 1931-1935), 51st Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (1945-1949) and Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals (1942–1945). (Mandaue City)
- Vicente Rama - Senator of the Philippines (1945-1947). Recognized as the Father of Cebu City. (Cebu City)
- Mariano Jesús Cuenco – Senator of the Philippines (1953-1964 and 1946-1951), President of the Senate of the Philippines (1949-1951), Secretary of Public Works and Communications of the Philippines (1936–1939) under Manuel L. Quezon administration and Governor of Cebu (1931–1934). (Carmen)
- Alejandro Almendras - Senator of the Philippines (1959-1972). Governor of Davao (1951–1958). Governor of Davao del Sur (1986-1988). (Danao City)
- Sergio Osmeña Jr. - Senator of the Philippines (1965-1971) and Governor of Cebu (1951-1955). (Cebu City)
- Rene Espina - Senator of the Philippines (1969-1972). Secretary of the Public Works, Transportation, and Communication (1968-1969) under President Ferdinand Marcos administration. Governor of Cebu (1963-1968). (Cebu City)
- John Henry Osmeña - Senator of the Philippines (1971-1972, 1987-1995 and 1998-2004) and 18th President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines (1999-2000). (Cebu City)
- Ernesto Herrera - Senator of the Philippines(1987-1998). (Samboan)
- Serge Osmeña - Senator of the Philippines (1995-2007 and 2010-2016), Chair of the Senate Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies Committee (2010-2016) and Chair of the Senate Energy Committee (2010-2016).
- Marcelo Fernan – 16th President of the Senate of the Philippines (1998-1999), 18th Chief Justice of the Philippines (1988 - 1991), 111th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (1986 - 1988) and Senator of the Philippines (1995 - 1999). (Cebu City)
- Hilario Davide Jr. - 20th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (1998-2005), 17th Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations (2007-2010) and Chairman of the Commission on Elections (1988-1990). (Argao)
- Regino C. Hermosisima Jr. - 4-termer regular member of the Judicial and Bar Council. 136th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (1995-1997). 15th Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan (1986-1995). (Sibonga)
- Dionisio Jakosalem - Secretary of Commerce and Communication of the United States Military Government of the Philippine Islands (1917-1922). (Dumanjug)
- Sotero Cabahug - Secretary of Public Works and Communications (1945-1946) under President Sergio Osmeña administration, 9th Secretary of National Defense (1954-1956) under Ramon Magsaysay administration, associate justice of the Court of Appeals (1956-1961) and Governor of Cebu (1934-1937). (Mandaue City)
- Manuel A. Cuenco - Secretary of Health (1964-1965) under President Diosdado Macapagal administration, Administrator of the Overseas Employment Council and Governor of Cebu (1946-1951). (Carmen)
- Vicente Duterte - Secretary of General Services (1965-1968) under President Ferdinand Marcos administration. Governor of Davao (1959-1965). (Danao City)
- Francisco Remotigue - Secretary of Social Welfare (1966-1967) under President Ferdinand Marcos administration. (Argao)
- Florentino Solon - Deputy Minister of Health (1983–1986) under President Ferdinand Marcos administration. Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council (1974-1979).
- Lourdes Quisumbing - Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports (1986-1989) under President Corazon Aquino administration. (Cebu City)
- Joseph Ace Durano - Secretary of Tourism (2004-2010) under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration and general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). (Danao City)
- Cerge Remonde - Press Secretary (2009-2010) under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration. Former chairman of Radio Philippines Network, one of the largest media networks in the Philippines. (Argao)
- Antonio Cuenco - Secretary General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) (2010-2013). (Cebu City)
- Rene Almendras - Cabinet Secretary of the Philippines (2012-2016). Secretary of Energy (2010-2012) and Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs (2016) under President Benigno Aquino III administration. (Cebu City)
- Adelino Sitoy - Secretary of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (2016-2021). (Cordova)
- Christina Frasco - Secretary of Tourism (2022 - Present) under President Bongbong Marcos administration. (Liloan)
- Winston Garcia - President and General Manager of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Arroyo Administration. (Cebu City)
- Pedro Lopez - Appointed to the Philippine Rehabilitation Commission, delegate to the first United Nations General Assembly and associate prosecutor International Military Tribunal for the Far East. (Cebu City)
- Aniano A. Desierto - 2nd Ombudsman of the Philippines (1995-2002). (Cebu City)
- Leonila Garcia - 8th First Lady of the Philippines. She is the wife of President Carlos P. Garcia. (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Christian Araneta - a Filipino professional boxer. He has won five consecutive fights, with four coming inside the distance, since his loss to Nontshinga in April 2021. (Cebu City)
- Mark Anthony Barriga - a professional boxer who challenged for the IBF mini-flyweight title in 2018. He represented Philippines at the 2012 Summer Olympics, reaching the round of 16 of the light-flyweight bracket. (Danao City)
- Bert Batawang - a professional boxer. Throughout his career, Batawang achieved notable success in both local and international boxing, winning several titles including the Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) Light Flyweight title. He also fought for the IBF Light Flyweight World Championship but fell short in his attempt against Mexican boxer Ulises Solis in 2007. (Cebu City)
- Dominador Calumarde - a professional boxer who competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics and 1968 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
- Kevin Jake Cataraja - a professional boxer. He is the current Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Super Flyweight champion. (Cebu City)
- Frank Cedeno - is a British-Filipino former professional boxer in the Flyweight division. (Talisay City)
- Arlo Chavez - a boxer who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He is a gold medalist in the Asian Amateur Boxing Championships and is the most successful Filipino boxer in the Southeast Asian Games with four gold medals. (Bantayan)
- Eric Chavez - former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1998. He held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight title from 1989 to 1990. (Talisay City)
- Ronald Chavez - former professional boxer who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics and is currently one of the coaches of the Philippine national boxing team. (Bantayan)
- Gabriel "Flash" Elorde - a professional boxer considered one of the best Filipino boxers of all time. He won the lineal super featherweight title in 1960 and he won the inaugural WBC and WBA super featherweight titles in 1963. (Bogo City)
- Rocky Fuentes - professional boxer. Throughout his career, he held several regional titles, including the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight title and the Philippines Games and Amusement Board (GAB) flyweight title. (Cebu City)
- Mercito Gesta - a professional boxer who challenged for the IBF lightweight title in 2012 and the WBA lightweight title in 2018. At regional level he held the WBO-NABO lightweight title in 2018. (Mandaue City)
- Rodel Mayol - a former professional boxer and the former WBC Light Flyweight World Champion. (Mandaue City)
- Joe Noynay - a Filipino professional boxer, who held the WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight title between 2019 and 2022. (Bogo City)
- Felipe Nunag - also known as Boy Nunag, a Filipino boxer who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics at Berlin. (Balamban)
- Rolando Pascua - a former professional boxer. He held the WBC light-flyweight title from 1990 to 1991 and challenged for the IBF super-flyweight title in 1993. (Cebu City)
- Jhack Tepora - is a professional boxer who is the former interim World Boxing Association Featherweight champion. (Cebu City)
- Malcolm Tuñacao - a professional southpaw boxer in the flyweight division. He is a former WBC and lineal flyweight champion. (Mandaue City)
- Bernabe Villacampo - was a Philippine boxer who took the WBA World Flyweight Championship in a fifteen round Unanimous Decision on 1969 against Hiroyuki Ebihara. (Toledo City)
Fashion and designs
[edit]- Monique Lhuillier – International fashion designer (Cebu City)
- Kenneth Cobonpue – International furniture designer (Cebu City)
- Clint Ramos - Costume and set designer for stage and screen (Cebu City)
- Furne One Amato - Dubai-based international fashion designer (Cebu City)
- Cary Santiago - International fashion designer (Cebu City)
Pageant titleholders
[edit]- Lapu-Lapu - First Hero in the Philippines
- Leon Kilat - Hero in the Philippine Revolution
- Arcadio Maxílom - a Filipino teacher and hero of the Philippine Revolution (Tuburan)
- Potenciano Aliño - Revolutionary, together with his brothers Felix, Hilario and Sulpicio fought as revolutionaries against the Spanish colonial rule. (Talisay City)
Notable people with roots from Cebu
[edit]- Bruno Mars - American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. (His mother, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot, was born in Cebu, but her family moved to Hawaii when she was a young girl)
- Kriesha Chu - singer and actress based in South Korea. She debuted as a solo K-pop artist under Urban Works Media entertainment with her single "Trouble" in 2017. (Her parents are from Cebu)
- Kirk Hammett - American musician who has been the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Metallica since 1983 (his mother Teofila Oyao have roots from Cebu).
- Darren Criss - a Hollywood actor, singer, and songwriter (His mother was from Cebu)
- Shawn Wasabi - an American singer and record producer from Salinas, California. He is credited as a co-inventor of the Midi Fighter 64, a custom musical software controller. (His mother was from Cebu)
- Rodrigo Duterte - 16th President of the Philippines (His father was from Danao City, Cebu)
- Sara Duterte - lawyer and politician who is the 15th and current vice president of the Philippines. (Her parents Rodrigo Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman have roots in Danao City and Tuburan, Cebu)
- Manny Pacquiao - Senator and Eight Division World Boxing Champion (His father was from Pinamungahan, Cebu)
- Tito Sotto - politician, actor, entertainer and athlete who served as the 23rd Senate President from 2018 to 2022. (His father was from Cebu)
- Vic Sotto - an actor, comedian and television personality. He is known for playing comedic roles in television sitcoms and films. He is also one of the three pioneer hosts of Eat Bulaga! with Tito Sotto and Joey De Leon. (His father was from Cebu)
- Val Sotto - an actor, singer, composer, comedian and politician. He was one of the lead vocalists of the Filipino band VST & Company. (His father was from Cebu)
- Napoleon Abueva - sculptor, he was known as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture". He was proclaimed as National Artist of the Philippines for sculpture in 1976. (His mother Purificación Veloso is from Tuburan, Cebu)
- Francis Magalona - Actor, the Filipino king of rap (His mother was from Cebu City)
- Ian Veneracion - Actor, athlete, pilot, singer (his mother is from Lilo-an, Cebu)
- Janine Gutierrez - Actress (her grandmother, Pilita Corrales is from Cebu)
- Ruffa Gutierrez - Actress and beauty queen, was Miss World 1993 2nd Runner Up (her mother Anabelle Rama is from Cebu)
- Richard Gutierrez - Actor (his mother Anabelle Rama is from Cebu)
- Raymond Gutierrez - A host, editor, columnist, endorser, entrepreneur, and occasional actor (his mother Anabelle Rama is from Cebu)
- Jovit Baldivino - Singer and actor. He was the first winner of Pilipinas Got Talent in 2010.(his father is from Dalaguete, Cebu)
- Mitoy Yonting - Singer, comedian and actor. He was the winner of the first season of The Voice of the Philippines in 2013. (his mother is from Ginatilan, Cebu)
- Terrence Romeo - Professional basketball player. (His father is from Boljoon, Cebu)
- Tina Paner - Actress and singer (her father Manny Paner is from Cebu)
- Danita Paner - Actress and pop-rock singer (her father Manny Paner is from Cebu)
- Rafael Rosell - Actor (His father is a Cebuano geologist)
- Mat Ranillo III - a Filipino-born American actor. (His mother Gloria Sevilla is from Cebu)
- Krista Ranillo - Filipino actress (Her grandmother Gloria Sevilla is from Cebu)