South Cebu Series - Sibonga

Sibonga is situated in the southeastern coast of Cebu and is about 50 kilometers from Cebu City. The municipality is bounded on the north by the municipality of Carcar, on the west by the municipalities of Dumanjug and Ronda, on the south by the municipality of Argao and on the east by Cebu Strait. 

What to see in Sibonga?

The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as Simala Shrine or Simala Church, is a castle-like church located in Marian Hills of upper Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. Simala Shrine was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks from Pampanga, after the occurrence of several miraculous events, including that of Mama Mary's shedding of tears. Because of the said miracles, Simala Shrine became so popular that devotees and believers flock the shrine, hoping and believing that their prayer requests would be granted. 

The shrine's castle-like and picturesque structure makes it even more popular, drawing local and foreign tourists, alike.

South Cebu Series - Argao

The town of Argao is considered as one of the oldest towns in the province of Cebu, having been founded by the Spaniards and established as a pueblo in the year 1608.

What to see in Argao?

The church of St. Michael the Archangel in Argao was built in 1783 during the time of Fr. Francisco Espina who was the parish priest from 1782 to 1798. It bears a striking resemblance with the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church in Dalaguete.

Sporting influences of baroque and rococo, the church features a three-level facade that is divided into segments by pilasters. At the lower level is a paired pilaster each with a carved-relief of a cherub clinging to an ornamental plant on one hand while carrying another plant on the other hand.

The eastern portal that opens to the sea seems to have doubled as a watchtower since a small door beside it opens to a narrow passageway to the top. Just beside this portal is the mortuary chapel that was recently rediscovered after being hidden for years behind an out-patient department building of a nearby hospital. This contemporary structure was torn down recently thus finally exposing the stone chapel.

The entire church complex, the municipal hall and the two-level coral stone building which is now a courthouse were once enclosed by a defensive wall of stone with bastions. Parts of the wall including the three portals still exist.

Like mangoes and Danggit, Torta is one of the delicacies that the province of Cebu is proud of. It comes in a wide variety of cooking styles, sizes, tastes, and presentations, but the torta that comes from Argao is considered the original and most delicious type.

It has become famous among local and international visitors. In fact, a large, symbolic torta was constructed in front of the municipal complex to regard its popularity.

South Cebu Series - Dalaguete

Dalaguete is a 1st municipal income class municipality in the province of Cebu located 84 km south of Cebu city. It is bounded on the north by Argao, on the south by Alcoy, on the west by the municipalities of Badian and Alegria and on the east by the Bohol Strait.

What to see in Dalaguete?

Dalaguete is the home of the famous Osmeña Peak considered as the highest peak in the province of Cebu at 1,072,6 MASL.

To get to the peak, one has to hike for about half an hour starting from Barangay Mantalongon, one of the highest towns in Cebu, and known as Cebu's  "Summer Capital" and "Little Baguio of Cebu". It has a healthy climate, cool during November, December, January and February, and hot during the rest of the year. Also called the vegetable kingdom of Cebu, Mantalongon is  trading post for vegetable dealers and townfolks and children are wearing jackets at high noon. High value crops especially vegetables and flowers are produced all year round.

Another famous tourist stopover in Dalaguete is the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church, constructed in 1802 and was completed in 1825. A rectory was later added and was completed in 1832 as indicated on the inscription on its front door. The belfry was added into the church at a later time.

South Cebu Series - Boljoon

About 106.2 kms south of Cebu City is the quaint and scenic 5th class municipality of Boljoon. It is two towns away from the southernmost tip of Cebu. It is bounded by the towns of Alcoy on the north, Oslob on the north, and Malabuyoc on the west. East of the town is the Bohol Strait.

What to see in Boljoon?

The way to Boljoon offers a picturesque view of the Bohol Strait from the coastal highway that snakes around the foot of a rocky promontory signifying your entry to the town. This huge slab of geological formation is called Ili Rock and is considered as the town's most important landmark next to the Parish Complex.

Among the more prominent features of the town center include the Boljoon church, rectory, and watchtower that date back to Spanish colonial times.

The church of the Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio is the only extant fortress church in the country that still has an almost intact enclosure  and is the oldest remaining original stone church in Cebu. The National Historical Institute declared it as a National Cultural Treasure in 2000.

The Dayhag Falls is one of the many natural attractions in Cebu that has remained relatively undiscovered by everyone other than the residents of the area. It is located in Sitio Ylaya, Upper Beceril in the southern town of Boljoon. Consisting of seven waterfalls roughly of the same sizes and heights, one needs to walk, climb and hike for an hour to complete the tour of the falls.

The 2017 LakbayLoyd's Lighthouse Collection Desk Calendar

Lighthouses were never my fascination when I started to travel alone all over the Philippines almost 20 years ago. I just wanted to travel - period!

I never had any particular agenda for my travels before , except to go to odd, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Until I realized that there are unpopular, undocumented, unrecognized and neglected historical structures in the Philippines still existing but in miserable condition and left in oblivion. They are the century-old lighthouses which have stood proud yet lonely, sentinels which have served heroically as their flashing lights from the distance served as symbols of hope, tranquility and comfort.

I came up with a list of historic lighthouses in the Philippines in 2014 and made a commitment to visit, document, and take photos of each 27 of them. I am just missing one lighthouse as of the time of this writing, the Faro De Cabo Melville in Balabac, Palawan.

Nevertheless, I am coming out with a lighthouse collection desk calendar featuring 12 of the 27 lighthouses I visited. This is my own simple way of appreciating and respecting these magnificent structures as I share to you these images of these romantic beacons of hope captured exclusively thru LakbayLoyd lenses.

Special thanks to Ms. Eunice Grace Gatdula (@HuhSmileTheArtist) for the layout.

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