History Of JCI Mandaue
The City of Mandaue stands tall on the island of Cebu as an imposing industrial icon nurtured by the legend of the “MANTAWI”, the vine that grew abundantly in the cove called Mandaue which Magellan first sighted upon entry to the Island Sugbo in search for food and supplies for its voyage back to Spain. The legend of the Mantawi is rooted on pre-spanish folklore of hardy but
merry folks, a breed apart from the usual natives of the island, who braved the ravages of the elements to establish an early semblance of a prosperous civilization close to the cove, thereby drawing neighboring populations to their leadership. But a great flood soon swept the area and would have resulted in the total annihilation of the entire settlement, had many natives not been saved by these courageous cove dwellers at the cost of their lives. Several days after, several vines started creeping from where the bodies of the great fallen were buried. The vines sprang and thrived where no other plant would grow. The natives called the these vines the “Mantawi” in memory of the great men who challenged the rising tides. Now extinct, its memory is a vital image that stands for Mandaue’s survival, growth and development, progress and success. Spanish Colonial Mandaue was made into a pueblo in 1899 by the Spanish conquistadores after its discovery on April 7, 1521. The Mantawi Festival is a rediscovery of Mandaue City’s rich cultural heritage. Its historical past is to affirm its present identity as a highly urbanized industrial center and a new tourism destination where arts and culture become tools for progress and prosperity. This features a historical parade of street dancing and diorama floats to unfold the history of Mandaue. Seven hundred students, teachers, and school officials from public and private schools and some 100 government employees together will perform seven historical areas of Mandaue’s history in 1521 up to the present. Jayceesm started in Mandaue City as a new chapter founded by Ariston M. Cortes in March 15, 1964 with a band of Mandaue’s foremost visionaries and leaders. Birthed as one of the earliest JCI chapters in the Philippines (4th) by JCI Cebu, Inc., JCI Mandaue holds the reputation as Mandaue City’s Preeminent All-Male Junior Chamber, riding on the success and leadership of brilliant presidents, establishing a an multi-awarded and internationally recognized reputation, and emerging as one of the best contemporary chapters in JCI Philippines. Known by Mandauehanons as the Every Merry Gentlemen of JCI Mandaue for their camaraderie and works, the the Scions of the “Mantawi” continually challenge the tides and harness the power of this leading network of young active citizens to create positive change in their communities and in their lives.
