List of people from Cebu

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):

Culture

Literature

• 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)

VISUAL ARTS

• 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)

MUSIC

• 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)

FILM

• 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)

Media

• Amelyn Veloso - broadcast journalist CNN Philippines (Cebu City)
• Harry Gasser - Newscaster and anchor of Balita Ngayon on ABS-CBN from 1969 to 1972 (Carcar City)
• Leo Lastimosa - is a veteran tri-media journalist based in Cebu City. He was formerly an anchorman for ABS-CBN's regional news program, TV Patrol Central Visayas, the host of the current affairs program Arangkada on radio station DYAB, and a columnist for Cebu's newspaper, The Freeman (Cebu City)
• Dan Campilan - a radio and TV reporter for GMA Network (Cebu City)
• Angela Calina - local news anchor and TV host in Cebu. Former housemate in the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition (Cebu City)
• Maria Quiban - weather anchor for KTTV in Los Angeles, California (Cebu City)

Entertainment

• 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

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

• 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)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Julio A. Llorente - Governor of Cebu (1899–1901) and Governor of Samar (1902–1903).
• Juan Clímaco - Governor of Cebu (1902–1906). (Toledo City)
• Sergio Osmeña - Governor of Cebu (1906–1907). (Cebu City)
• Dionisio Jakosalem - Governor of Cebu (1907–1912). (Dumanjug)
• Manuel A. Roa - Governor of Cebu (1912–1922). (Cebu City)
• Arsenio Climaco - Governor of Cebu (1922–1930). (Toledo City)
• Mariano Jesús Cuenco - Governor of Cebu (1931–1934). (Carmen)
• Sotero Cabahug - Governor of Cebu (1934–1937). (Mandaue City)
• Buenaventura Rodriguez - Governor of Cebu (1937–1940). (Bogo City)
• Hilario Abellana - Governor of Cebu (1941–1943). (Cebu City)
• Jose Delgado - Governor of Cebu (1943–1944). (Cebu City)
• Jose Leyson - Governor of Cebu (1944–1945). (Cebu City)
• Fructuoso Cabahug - Governor of Cebu (1945–1946). (Mandaue City)
• Manuel A. Cuenco - Governor of Cebu (1946–1951). (Carmen)
• Sergio Osmeña Jr. - Governor of Cebu (1951–1955). (Cebu City)
• Jose Briones - Governor of Cebu (1955–1961). (Mandaue City)
• Francisco Remotigue - Governor of Cebu (1961–1963). (Argao)
• Rene Espina - Governor of Cebu (1964–1969). (Cebu City)
• Osmundo Rama - Governor of Cebu (1969–1976 and 1986–1988). (Cebu City)
• Eduardo Gullas - Governor of Cebu (1976–1986). (Talisay City)
• Lito Osmeña - Governor of Cebu (1988–1992). (Cebu City)
• Vicente dela Serna - Governor of Cebu (1992–1995). (Butuan City, Agusan del Norte)
• Pablo P. Garcia - Governor of Cebu (1995–2004). (Dumanjug)
• Gwendolyn Garcia - Governor of Cebu (2004–2012 and 2019–present). (Cebu City)
• Agnes Magpale - Governor of Cebu (2012-2013). (Danao City)
• Hilario Davide III - Governor of Cebu (2013–2019). (Cebu City)
• Gedeon G. Quijano - Governor of Misamis Occidental (1946-1967). (Alcantara)
• Mike Rama – Mayor of Cebu City (2010–2016 and 2021-2024), Vice-Mayor of Cebu City (2001-2010; 2019–2021) (Cebu City)
• Pablo John Garcia - 3rd District Representative (2007-2013; 2019–present) (Cebu City)
• Tomas Osmeña - Former Mayor of Cebu City (1987-1995; 2001-2010; 2016–2019). (Cebu City)

Sports

BOXING

• 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)

BASKETBALL

• Marco Alcaraz - former varsity basketball player at San Sebastian College-Recoletos. (Cebu City)
• Alfie Almario - professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is a former San Miguel Beermen player for PBA. (Cebu City)
• Dondon Ampalayo – retired professional basketball who played for San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Cebu City)
• Boy Cabahug - professional basketball player in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He also become the head coach of the University of Visayas Green Lancers varsity team. (Cebu City)
• Paul Desiderio - professional basketball player for the Mindoro Tamaraws of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He previously played for the Blackwater Bossing of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), he was also a former college varsity player for the UP Fighting Maroons. (Liloan)
• Barkley Eboña - professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is a former Alaska Aces, Blackwater Bossing and Converge FiberXers player. (Cebu City)
• Ernesto Estrada - professional basketball player. He played for San Miguel Beermen, Toyota Super Corollas and Great Taste Coffee Makers in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Cebu City)
• June Mar Fajardo – professional basketball player for the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is also known by his nickname "The Kraken" for his extraordinary size and finesse against opposing big men. (Pinamungahan)
• Ramon Fernandez - professional basketball player and current commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission. He won four PBA Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA titles. (Cebu City)
• Brian Heruela - professional basketball player. He currently play for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Cebu City)
• Dondon Hontiveros – professional basketball player and coach. He served as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) (Cebu City)
• Rob Labagala - professional basketball player. He last played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He also played for Barako Bull Energy and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in (PBA)(Talisay City)
• Raymar Jose - professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was selected 3rd overall by Blackwater Elite in the 2017 PBA draft. (Cebu City)
• Reed Juntilla - professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. Juntilla last played for the Zamboanga Valientes of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup. He also played in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Carmen)
• Calvin Oftana - professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He played college basketball for the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA. (Danao City)
• Bibiano Ouano - professional basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
• Manny Paner - professional basketball player. He is one of the 25 Greatest Players of Philippine Basketball Association and PBA Hall of Fame in 2007 (Cebu City)
• Roger Pogoy – professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Minglanilla)
• Eliud Poligrates - professional basketball player. He then played in Liga Pilipinas and the PBA D-League before he was drafted by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the 2013 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft. He later played for PBA teams Air21 Express and Kia Carnival.(Poro)
• J. R. Quiñahan – professional basketball player for the Valenzuela Classic of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). (Cebu City)
• Cristobal Ramas - professional basketball player. He competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
• Aldrech Ramos - professional basketball player for the Terrafirma Dyip of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was part of the FEU Tamaraws team who played back to back finals in seasons 73 and 74 against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.(Cebu City)
• Neil Rañeses - professional basketball player. He previously played in the Philippine Basketball Association with the Coca-Cola Tigers. (Cebu City)
• Biboy Ravanes - professional basketball player and former head coach of the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Cebu City)
• Greg Slaughter - professional basketball player for the Manila Batang Sampaloc of the MPBL. He was selected first overall by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 2013 PBA draft. Sports commentators and scribes call him GregZilla because of his apparent heft and height. (Cebu City)
• Dale Singson - professional basketball player. He last played for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association. He plays the point guard and shooting guard positions. (Cebu City)
• Mac Tallo - professional basketball player for the Davao Occidental Tigers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is a former TNT KaTropa and NLEX Road Warriors player for Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). (Cebu City)
• Carl Tamayo - professional basketball player for the Changwon LG Sakers of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He played college basketball for the UP Fighting Maroons of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).(Talisay City)
• Jojo Tangkay - professional basketball player. He was drafted 16th overall by the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the 2001 PBA draft. (Aloguinsan)
• Jimwell Torion - professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association from 2000 to 2007. He is a former Red Bull Barako and Sta. Lucia Realtors. (Cebu City)
• Arnie Tuadles - professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). In 1979 he is awarded as PBA Rookie of the Year. (Argao)
• Junthy Valenzuela - basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), a former Red Bull Barako and Barangay Ginebra Kings player. (Bogo City)
• Francisco Vestil - professional basketball player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics. Vestil was the flag bearer of the Philippine delegation at the1948 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
• Kelly Williams - professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). and he also represented the Philippines in international competitions. (Cebu City)
• Roger Yap - professional basketball player. He last played for the Manila Stars of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). (Cebu City)
• Warren Ybañez - professional basketball player who last played for the Marikina Shoemasters of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is also a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player. (Cebu City)
• Roberto Yburan - professional basketball player who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)

VOLLEYBALL

• Zenaida Ybañez-Chavez - professional volleyball player who played for the Philippines women's national volleyball team and current coach at the Philippine Super Liga. (Cebu City)
• Cyd Demecillo - professional volleyball player. She played with Meralco Power Spikers in the 2015 Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix Conference and with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers for the 2016 Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference helping that club to win their first Superliga championship. (Cebu City)
• Casiey Dongallo - professional volleyball player. She is currently playing for the UE Lady Red Warriors in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). (Catmon)
• Justine Dorog - professional volleyball player. She currently serves as assistant coach for the Farm Fresh Foxies volleyball team in the Premier Volleyball League. (Catmon)
• Thea Gagate - professional volleyball player. She is currently playing as a middle blocker for the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). (Cebu City)
• Isa Molde - professional volleyball player. She currently playing for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). (Catmon)
• Thelma Barina-Rojas - professional volleyball player. She played for the Philippines women's national volleyball team at the Southeast Asian Games from 1981 to 1993. (Cebu City)
• Sisi Rondina - professional indoor and beach volleyball player. She is currently playing for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at the Premier Volleyball League. (Compostela)
• Grethcel Soltones - professional volleyball player. She is playing for the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). (Catmon)
• Lorene Toring - professional volleyball player. She played for the Adamson Soaring Lady Falcons in the UAAP. (Cebu City)
• Deanna Wong - professional volleyball athlete. member of the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles and Choco Mucho Flying Titans. She won the Best Setter Award during Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in 2018. (Minglanilla)

FOOTBALL

• Kenry Balobo - footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Philippines Football League club Kaya–Iloilo. (Cebu City)
• Jerry Barbaso - footballer who plays as a defender for Philippines Football League club Maharlika Manila and the Philippines national football team. (Cebu City)
• Charlie Beaton - professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Loyola F.C of the Philippines Football League and a former Philippine U23 National Team player. (Cebu City)
• Louie Casas - former footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for Kaya–Iloilo in the Philippines Football League. He was a member of the Philippines national football team being part of the squad in the 2004 AFF Championship. (Danao City)
• Oliver Colina - professional football coach. He is currently the assistant coach of Philippines Football League club Kaya-Iloilo. (Cebu City)
• Dean Ebarle - professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Philippines Football League club Manila Digger. (Cebu City)
• Chad Gould - former footballer who played as a central defender or striker for the Loyola Meralco Sparks and the Philippines national football team. (Cebu City)
• Ray Jónsson - former footballer and current head coach of 3. deild karla club Reynir Sandgerði. He previously played for Úrvalsdeild karla club Keflavík. (Liloan)
• Ivan Ouano - professional footballer who plays as a forward for Philippines Football League club United City F.C.. (Cebu City)

MARTIAL ARTS

• Jose Caballero - the founder of a Filipino martial art called De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres Orihinal. He is considered the Juego Todo champion of his era. (Toledo City)
• Ciriaco Cañete - a Filipino martial artist of the Doce Pares Eskrima Club. In 1951 he developed a personal system of his named Eskrido. (San Fernando)
• Antonio Ilustrisimo - the Grandmaster of Kalis Ilustrisimo (KI). (Bantayan)
• Beatriz Lucero Lhuillier - former athlete and Olympian. She won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in taekwondo, a demonstration sports at the Games. (Cebu City)
• Gisele Shaw - a professional wrestler. She is known for her work in England with various promotions including Progress Wrestling and Revolution Pro Wrestling, having held the Women's Championship in both promotions.(Toledo City)
• Sonny Umpad - a professional eskrimador. He created Visayan Style Corto Kadena (VSCK) Larga Mano Eskrima in the late 1970s. (Bogo City)
• Kiyomi Watanabe - a Filipino judoka who has represented the Philippines in international competitions including the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)

CHESS

• Glicerio Badilles - chess player and nicknamed as "Chess Lion of Cebu" . He is Chess Olympiad individual gold medalist in 1968. (Cebu)
• Richard Bitoon - a Chess Grandmaster of Philippines. He was the International Master in the year 2003. FIDE awarded him chess Grandmaster title in 2011. (Cebu)
• Joseph Sánchez - a chess Grandmaster. Becoming the first Cebuano chess grandmaster and the 11th Filipino chess grandmaster. (Cebu City)
• Enrico Sevillano - a chess player who received the FIDE title of Grandmaster (GM) in September 2012. (Cebu City)
• Kim Steven Yap - a professional chess player. He holds the FIDE title of International Master (IM). (Cebu City)

TRIATHLON

• Jasmine Alkhaldi - a swimmer who represented the Philippines in the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
• Ulpiano Babol - a professional swimmer. He competed in two events at the 1956 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
• Jonel Carcueva - a professional cyclist who rides for UCI Continental team Go for Gold Philippines, of which he has been part of since 2017. (Minglanilla)
• Leonardo Illut - a long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)
• Mary Joy Tabal - a marathon runner. She is the first female Filipino marathon runner to qualify for the Olympics. She placed 124th at the 2016 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)

WEIGHTLIFTING

• Elreen Ando - a weightlifter who competed at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She is also 2023 SEA Games gold medalist.
• John Ceniza - a weightlifter who represented the Philippines at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He is 2019 SEA Games and 2023 SEA Games silver medalist.
• Ramón Solis - a weightlifter who represented the Philippines internationally from 1975 to 1998. He won gold medals in 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1991 in the Southeast Asian Games. He competed in the men's middle heavyweight event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. (Cebu City)

BASEBALL

• Arlie Pond - an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles from 1895 to 1898. (Cebu City)
• Regino Ylanan - baseball player and athletics. He rose to fame with three gold medals in track and field at the 1913 Far Eastern Championship Games. He won two further medals at the 1915 Far Eastern Championship Games and also represented his country in baseball at three editions of the tournament. (Bogo City)

SOFTBALL

• Leticia Gempisao - a softball player who played as a catcher. She was part of the Philippines women's national softball team which placed third in the 1970 Women's Softball World Championship in Osaka, Japan. (Sibonga)

BILLIARD

• Warren Kiamco - a professional pool player. He is known for his performances in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games. (Cebu City)
• Rubilen Amit - a female professional pool player. She is a two-time WPA Women's World Ten-ball champion and the first Filipina pool player to become WPA Women's World Nine-ball champion in 2024. (Mandaue City)

SKATEBOARDING

• Margielyn Didal - a professional street skateboarder who rose to fame when she competed in the X Games Minneapolis 2018 and won a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games. (Cebu City)

SHOOTING SPORT

• Simon Racaza - a sport shooter who took silver in the Open division at the 2011 IPSC Handgun World Shoot and silver in the Production division at the 2014 Handgun World Shoot. He was also the number one qualifier of the US Gold Team for the 2010 ISSF World Shooting Championships. (Cebu City)

GYMNASTICS

• Allen Aldrin Castañeda - an Olympic gymnastics coach who coached two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo. (Cebu City)

ATHLETICS

• Josephine de la Viña - a discus thrower who won gold medals in her pet event at the 1966 Asian Games and 1973 Asian Athletics Championships. She also competed at the 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics.

BOWLING

• Lita dela Rosa - a 4-time World champion in Tenpin Bowling. She was posthumously inducted in the World Bowling Hall of Fame and in the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. (Cebu City)

GOLF

• Ben Arda - a professional golfer who was the first Filipino to qualify for the Masters Tournament and The Open Championship. He won nine tournaments on the Asia Golf Circuit, including the Philippine Open three times, and headed the points list in 1970. He also won four times on the Japan Golf Tour and played in the World Cup 16 times, recording a best finish of 2nd place in 1977. (Cebu City)

Fashion and designs

• 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)

Business

• Lucio Tan - Filipino-Chinese Businessman (LT Group Inc.)
• Vicki Belo - Filipino businesswoman (Belo Medical Group)
• Justin Uy - Cebuano Entrepreneur (Owner of JPark Island Resort and Water Park, Founder of J Centre Mall and Founder of Profood International Corp.)
• John Gokongwei - Filipino, Cebuano billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Universal Robina.
• Lance Gokongwei - a Filipino businessman. He is the President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, Inc. since 2018. He is the only son of businessman John Gokongwei He and his siblings are listed among the richest in the country. (Cebu City)
• Andrew Gotianun - Businessman and investor. He is the founder of Filinvest and EastWest Bank.
• Wilfred Steven Uytengsu - Filipino businessman and President of Alaska Milk Corporation.
• Michael Lhuillier - Cebuano Businessman known as the country's ‘Pawnshop King’ ( M Lhuillier Group of Companies Founder and Chairman, Cebu Provincial Sports Commission Chairman, Honorary consul of France in Cebu and Cebu Safari and Adventure Park Founder)
• Jean Henri Lhuillier - A businessman, diplomat and sports patron. The current President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
• Philippe Lhuillier - A diplomat, businessman and philanthropist. He is the chairman of the Philippine's largest pawnshop chain, Cebuana Lhuillier.
• Eugene Acevedo - A business executive. He is the President and chief executive officer of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).

Science

• Romulo Davide - an agricultural scientist hailed as the “Father of Plant Nematology" is a philanthropist and leader for the poor farmers of the Philippines and a recipient of the renowned Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2012. He is a National Scientist of the Philippines in 2024 in the field of Plant Pathology and Nematology.(Argao)
• Casimiro del Rosario - a Filipino scientist. He was named a National Scientist of the Philippines in 1983 for being a pioneer in physics, meteorology, and astronomy in the Philippines. (Bantayan)
• Roman Kintanar - a scientist in the field of meteorology. An asteroid (6636 Kintanar) was named after him in 2007 for his contributions to the science of meteorology. In 1995, he is awarded an International Meteorological Organization Prize by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). (Cebu City)

Military service

• Crisologo Abines - former First Lieutenant in the Philippine Army assigned in the Logistics Service, Visayas Command.
• Manuel F. Segura - was a colonel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
• Andres Centino - a retired Philippine Army general who currently serves as Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns to President Bongbong Marcos since September 2023.
• Rozzano D. Briguez - a general who formerly served as the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force. He was also a commander of the AFP Western Command, and formulated a new command framework: "Padayon PAF: Perform, Reform, Transform", a framework of his leadership philosophy in the Philippine Air Force.
• Hilario Moncado - The legendary and self-proclaimed five-star general, founder of the "Moncadista" (officially called the Filipino Crusaders World Army, where he is the Supreme Commander).
• Ramon Montaño - A politician and military officer. Chief of the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police from 1988 to 1990.
• Cesar Nazareno - Retired police officer who served as the inaugural Chief of the Philippine National Police (1991-1992). Former Chief of the Philippine Constabulary (1990-1991). (Talisay City)

Pageant titleholders

• Pilar Pilapil – Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1967
• Gazini Ganados – Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2019 and Miss Universe 2019 Top 20
• Beatrice Luigi Gomez – Miss Universe Philippines 2021 and Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 finalist
• Maria Karla Bautista – Binibining Pilipinas World 2004 and Miss World Top 5/Miss World Asia and Oceania 2004
• Tracy Maureen Perez – Miss World Philippines 2021 and Miss World 2021 Top 12
• Yedda Marie Romualdez – Binibining Pilipinas International 1996 and Miss International 1996 Top 15
• Nicole Schmitz – Binibining Pilipinas International 2012 and Miss International 2012 Top 12
• Nicole Borromeo – Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 and Miss International 2023 3rd Runner Up
• Karla Paula Henry – Miss Earth 2008
• Jamie Herrell – Miss Earth 2014
• Rogelie Catacutan – Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2015 and Miss Supranational 2015 Top 20
• Elizabeth Clenci – Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2017 and Miss Grand International 2017 2nd Runner Up
• Eva Patalinjug – Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2018
• Samantha Ashley Lo – Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2019
• Kris Tiffany Janson – Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 and Miss Intercontinental 2014 2nd Runner Up
• Rizzini Alexis Gomez – Miss Tourism International 2012
• Fuschia Anne Ravena – Miss International Queen 2022

Religious

• Pedro Calungsod - 2nd Saint in the Philippines (Ginatilan)
• Teofilo Camomot - A beatified bishop in the Philippines (Carcar City)
• Luisa Abano - Popularly known as Nanay Loling, a Catholic laywoman and faith healer. (Talisay City)
• Patricio Buzon - is a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. He is the current Bishop of Bacolod in Negros Occidental (Cebu city)
• Antonieto Cabajog - a Roman Catholic bishop in Bohol, as of 2001 bishop of Surigao (Cebu City)
• Francisco Montecillo Padilla - a prelate of the Catholic Church who has worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 1985 (Cebu City)
• José S. Palma - is a prelate and a professed member of the Dominican Order who is currently serving as the Archbishop of Cebu since 15 October 2010 (Cebu City)
• Ricardo Vidal - was a prelate of the Catholic Church. Made a cardinal in 1985, he was Archbishop of Cebu from 1982 to 2010 (Cebu City)
• Dennis Villarojo - a prelate of the Catholic Church who is the 5th bishop of the Latin Church Diocese of Malolos in the Philippines (Cebu City)
• Jesus Dosado - was a prelate of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, who served as the Bishop and then Archbishop of Ozamiz from 1981 until his retirement in 2016 (Sogod)
• John F. Du - is a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. He is the Archbishop of Palo in Leyte, Philippines (Bantayan)
• Juan García Ruiz - was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Nueva Segovia from 1784 to 1796 (Madridejos)
• Christian Vicente Noel - was a Roman Catholic prelate. He served as the Bishop of Talibon from 1986 until his retirement in 2014 (Asturias)
• Osvaldo Padilla - a prelate of the Catholic Church who spent his career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See. He became an archbishop in 1991 and the position of Apostolic Nuncio to several countries before retiring in 2017 (Sogod)
• Daniel Franklin Pilario - a contextual theologian, writer, educator, and Vincentian Catholic priest. He currently serves as president of Adamson University. He was a former professor and dean of St. Vincent School of Theology (Oslob)
• Leopoldo Tumulak - was a Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines. He served as head of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines from 2005 until his death in 2017 (Santander)
• Narciso Villaver Abellana - is a Roman Catholic bishop and the current and 5th Bishop of Romblon (Talisay)
• Emilio Bataclan - a prelate of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. He is an auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Latin Church archdiocese of Cebu (Bantayan)

Heroes, revolutionaries and historical figures

• 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)

Education

• Vicente Gullas - an educator, writer and lawyer. Founder of University of the Visayas
• Lourdes Quisumbing - prominent educator and former Secretary of Education of Philippines.
• Roberto Yap - an economist and Jesuit who currently serves as the 31st president of the Ateneo de Manila University.
• Daniel Franklin Pilario - an educator, writer, contextual theologian and Vincentian Catholic priest. He is the 7th president of Adamson University.
• Nicolas Escario - an educator, physician, politician and legislator. He founded Cebu Institute of Technology.
• Emanuel V. Soriano - An engineer and academic administrator who was the 14th president of the University of the Philippines.

Notable people with roots from Cebu

• 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)