Cebu is well known for the best low-priced, world-class quality and durable hand-crafted guitars. Guitar making is one of the biggest industries in Cebu. Most of the manufacturers are family owned. Guitars made are simple to shell crafted and intricately designed ones, and some can be personalized. Guitars in Cebu are famous for all Filipinos throughout the country and some balik-bayans actually buy them to bring back to the United States. There a variety of guitars made in Cebu; there are the acoustic ones, bandurrias (Filipino mandolins), banjos and ukuleles. Typical woods used are jackfruit, narra, black wood ebony and some imported woods. Guitar making goes way back in the Spanish old times when friars in Lapu-lapu City needed guitar repairs. The friars could not wait for guitars to arrive from Mexico so they commissioned the townspeople of Opon Village in Mactan Island to repair and make new guitars, thus the beginning of the guitar industry in Cebu.
People say that the melodious tune produced by Cebu-made guitars is due to the exceptional craftsmanship and hard work put by local artisans in the guitars they make. If you are visiting Cebu don’t forget to stop by and check out guitar factories in Mactan and maybe take home one unique guitar especially made just for you to serenade that loved one or just for your own playing pleasure.
