​The tapsilog consists of beef tapa (beef jerky) served with sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (fried egg). It started when Vivian del Rosario opened the first silogan place in Quezon City in the 1980s. At the start, customers were mainly jeepney drivers looking for a cheap place to eat. But, the tapsilog has come a long way. From offering simple tapa, the sinangag and itlog are now paired off with different kinds of viands and is now simply called silog meals. Cebu is already home to a number of silogans offering different silog meals to their customers. The following are some of the silogans in Cebu.

Silogan ni Gian

Silogan ni Gian is one of the more popular silogans on the island. It offers great-tasting meals that fit the budget of students and ordinary office workers. Due to this, the place is popular among college students who continue to go to the place even after they graduated. 

​Silogan ni Gian offers the usual silogan fare, including the Tapsilog, Tosilog, Hotsilog, and Cornsilog. In addition to these typical silog meals, the place also offers other types of silog dishes, including the Burger Steaksilog, Tempurasilog, and Spamsilog, among others. The prices of their dishes start at PHP33 for the Hotsilog up to PHP64 for the Spamsilog.

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Silogan ni Gian was selected as the Best Silogan by the Best of Cebu of Sun Star Weekend for 2014. Their innovative menu selections, long operating hours, and unassuming set up allowed the place to be considered as the best silogan in the many silogans in the island of Cebu. Silogan ni Gian has a number of branches all over the island, including Talamban, Jones Avenue, Banilad, Ramos, and Lahug, among others.

Sinangag Station

Similar to Silogan ni Gian, Sinangag Station is also one of the more renowned silogan places in Cebu. This silogan place was established in the Queen City of the South by Resty Esponilla. The food entrepreneur opened the first branch in Mabolo and immediately caught the attention of people living in the area. 

​Sinangag Station offers a number of typical silog dishes, including the Tocino Delight, Adobo ni Dong, Corned Beef, and Sinangag Tapa. The place also offers some not-so-typical silog meals, including the Crispy Bacon, Salisbury Steak, Grilled Tanigue with LBS, Chix Adobo Flakes, and Spanish Sardines. Some outlets offer non-silog items, including the Sizzling Kangkong, Pinakbet, Kansi, and Spaghetti. The prices of their meals are between PHP75 for the Chicken H-Dog and PHP125 for their Chicken Adobo.

​The Sinangag Station is opened its first outlet on October 24, 2003. Aside from local customers, the outlet along F. Cabahug Street also piqued the interest of foreigners living in the area. It allowed them to get to eat Filipino food without having to take a trip to the downtown area. Sinangag Station outlets are open for 24 hours every single day. In addition to the Mabolo outlet, the Sinangag Station also has outlets in Lahug, Capitol, and Banilad, among others.

Top Silog District

If you ever find yourself in Mactan Newtown and crave for tapsilog, you can check out the Top Silog District. The place is rather close to Mactan Newtown and offers great-tasting silog dishes to its customers. The place is open 24 hours and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

​Top Silog District offers different kinds of silog dishes, including Adobo Silog, Tocino Silog, Fried Chicken Silog, Chicken Wings Silog, Hotdog Silog, Tuna Hot & Spicy Silog, Beef Loaf Silog, and Tapa Silog. In addition to the silog items, Top Silog District also offers other types of food for their guests, including the Crocodile Sisig and Grilled Tuna Belly. Prices of their menu items start at PHP50 for the Sizzling Kangkong up to PHP350 for the Grilled Tuna Belly.

​Top Silog District is located at the ground floor of the Sebastian Hotel along M.L. Quezon National Highway in Barangay Mactan, Lapu Lapu City. It is a few meters away from the entrance of Mactan Newtown.  They are open 24 hours every day.

Chowabungga

Chowabungga may not sound like your typical silog place, but it does offer its own version of the Filipino silog meals. The place offers rice bowl meals, including Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. The restaurant offers international dishes at a reasonable price.

​Chowabungga offers its own version of the silog meals, which come with omelet. These meals include the Topsilette, Tocilette, Longsilette, and the Hotdogsilette. Aside from the silog meals, the place also offers Maki Mi, Beef Kofta, Chicken Sandwich, Tuna Sandwich, and Beef with Broccoli, among others. The prices of the menu items range from PHP40 for the Chicken Sandwich up to PHP135 for the Chowa Chicken.

​Chowabungga is located on the ground floor of the I1 building at the Cebu IT Park. The restaurant is open from 5:00 PM to 2:00PM every day.

​These are just some of the places in Cebu offering silog meals. While they may have their own versions of the silog, they all offer the basic elements of a silog meal, sinangag rice or fried rice, itlog or egg, and one other viand.

Which is your favorite silogan place in Cebu? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​There are 7,107 islands in the Philippines with only around 2,000 of them inhabited. In addition, there are many other islets that essentially disappear when the tide is high. This gives credence to the answer of a beauty pageant candidate many years ago that the number of islands depends on the tides. One of these islets is located on the midwestern town of Pinamungajan, the Campalabo Islet.

Pinamungajan

The Municipality of Pinamungajan is a small yet alluring town located on the western coast of Cebu. It can be considered as an unspoiled haven for nature lovers looking for something new to explore. The town is home to spectacular waterfalls, magnificent caves, mangrove forests, and a wide sand bar located off its coast. Pinamungajan is also one of the biggest producers of milkfish and coconuts in the island of Cebu.

Campalabo Islet

The Campalabo Islet is a small sandbar located off the coast of Barangay Tajao in Pinamungajan. The islet has an area of around one hectare, which is only visible when the tide is low.  It is located within a marine sanctuary managed by the Bantay Dagat. The islet gives visitors a stunning view of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island as well as the Tañon Strait.

​In addition to the white sand beach, the islet is also located close to a rock formation locally known as the “paril.” The two-kilometer rock formation emerged after the typhoon Amy hit the area in 1951. The rock formation is also one of the places where migratory birds from Olango Island stop by to rest. 

If you are planning to go to the islet, you should bring all your provisions since there are no stores on the islet. It is also best to visit the islet during summer since it gets submerged under seven feet of water when the tide is high during the rest of the year.

Getting There

You can get to Pinamungajan by getting on a bus headed for the town at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. The trip takes around two hours depending on the traffic. Before going to Campalabo Islet, you should pass by the municipal hall since they can facilitate your transportation to the islet. You would normally have to ride on an outrigger boat at the Barangay Tajao wharf. The boat ride takes around twenty minutes. 

​The Campalabo Islet is just one of the many hidden treasures where nature lovers and beach bums can have the time of their lives. It is also one of the places that remains submerged when the tide is high and comes out when the tide goes out. This means it is true that the number of islands and islets in the country really does depend on the tides.

​Have you visited the Campalabo Islet already? Tell us about you experience on the comments section below.

​The most famous festival in Cebu is the Sinulog Festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.  But, there are many other festivals in the province. Some of these festivals were named after the products of the towns where the festivals are celebrated. These festivals include the Inasal Festival of Talisay City, the Bodbod Festival of Catmon, and the Cassava Festival of Tudela in Camotes.

Tudela, Camotes

The Municipality of Tudela is located on Poro Island in the Camotes Group of Islands. It is situated eight kilometers east of the town of Poro. The town was once called Tag-Anit before the Spaniards came.  It was renamed to Tudela by a Spanish friar who comes from a Spanish city of the same name in 1892.

Cassava Festival of Camotes
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The Cassava Festival of Tudela in Camotes is celebrated on the second week of June. Aside from giving thanks to the blessings they receive each year, the Cassava Festival is also held in honor of the patroness of the town, Mary Immaculate. The festival was actually overshadowed by the festivals celebrated in the other towns of the Camotes Islands. But, it was later revived by local officials.

​The Cassava Festival features displays of cassava-based products, exhibits, cooking competitions, a cultural show, and a street dancing competition. The participants of the street dancing competition are made up of elementary and high school students. The presentations portray and express the gratitude of the residents for the bountiful harvest of sweet potato and cassava. 

Getting to Tudela

You can get to Tudela by getting on an outrigger boat from the Danao City port to Poro. From Poro you can get on a motorcycle for hire to reach the town of Tudela. 

​The Cassava Festival of Camotes is another Filipino festival where residents of a town show their gratitude for the blessings they receive each year. Have you experienced the Cassava Festival already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​There are a number of Cebuanos who have made notable contributions to the benefit Cebu and the country as a whole. Some of these notable Cebuanos were former President Sergio Osmeña Sr., Pantaleon Villegas or Leon Kilat, Arcadio Maximo, and, of course, Datu Lapu-Lapu. But, there are also some people who come to the island to help improve the lives of the people. One of these persons is Fray Julian Bermejo.

Fray Julian Bermejo

Fray Julian Bermejo was born in 1777 in Pardillo, Ciudad Real, Spain. He joined the Augustinian order in 1793. He came to the Philippines as part an Augustinian mission in 1797. At least twenty friar-missionaries were a part of this mission. After his arrival in the country, Fray Bermejo continued his studies at the at the Monasterio de San Pablo, which is now the San Agustin Monastery in Intramuros, Manila.

Cebu Assignment

Fray Bermejo later went to Cebu to study the Visayan dialect at the Convent of Sto. Niño. He was enthusiastic when he was assigned as the parish priest of the town of Boljoon. He was also assigned in Argao basing on the Catalogo of Fr. Elviro Perez, and was also appointed to a number of positions in the province. In 1839, Fray Bermejo returned as the parish priest of the town of Boljoon until 1848. 

El Padre Capitan

Moro incursions into the islands in the Visayas area were prevalent during the 16th and 17th century. In addition to Cebu, these incursions pirate attacks were also noted in the southern part of Panay Island. When Fr. Bermejo arrived in Boljoon, he devised a strategy to protect the town from these incursions. Due to this, he earned the title “El Padre Capitan.” 

Since the church in Boljoon was not yet finished, he supervised the construction of a fort to protect the church complex. The fort had four fortifications on each corner to watch for incursions by Moro raiders. One of these watchtowers is still standing and is currently one of the tourist spots in the town. This is the biggest watchtower in the island of Cebu and is called the El Grande Baluarte. It was a two-storey structure that allowed residents of the town to monitor the presence of pirates and raiders.  It also had a storeroom for weapons and ammunition as well as a prison cell. 

Fortifications in Other Towns 

Fray Bermejo also encouraged other towns to build their own watchtowers against pirates and raiders. These watchtowers stretched from Carcar to Santander. The remnants of these watchtowers can still be seen even up to today. Aside from these fortifications, Fray Bermejo also established a method of communication between towns with the use of flags. This gave advance warning of the presence of raiders and pirates and allowed the natives to launch counter attacks.

The natives were able to win a number of fights against the raiders and pirates. An anecdote from the Catalogo indicated that when Fray Bermejo and the native warriors were preparing for their counter attacks, they appeared to be headed to a fiesta. It simply shows that Fray Bermejo was successful in letting the natives internalize the importance of working together to protect their towns against incursions. 

Other Contributions 

Aside from the coastal defense system he established in the southern coast of Cebu, Fray Bermejo also encouraged the planting of cotton. Correspondence between the friar and the governor general at that time, Gov-Gen Pascual Enrile, showed Fray Bermejo taught the natives of Boljoon how to plant different cotton varieties. In addition, he also introduced other agricultural products to the town, including cocoa and coffee. In addition, Fray Bermejo also translated a number of literary works in to the Visayan language. He also wrote a number of novenas and contributed to the preservation of the Cebuano language. 

Many Cebuanos may not know who Fray Julian Bermejo is, but his contributions to Boljoon have endeared him to the residents of this southern Cebu town. He is just one of the many people who have come to Cebu and quietly worked to improve the lives of the people of Cebu.

​The towns in southern Cebu used to deal with constant attacks from Moro raiders during the Spanish era. To protect the residents of these towns, a series of watchtowers or baluartes were built along the southern coast of the island. This defense line stretched from Santander to Sibonga. One of these watchtowers is located in the town of Dalaguete.

Dalaguete

Dalaguete is also known as the Vegetable Basket of Cebu and is home to a number of historically-significant tourist spots. The town is also one of the access points to Osmeña Peak where you can see the islands of Bohol and Negros. In addition, Dalaguete is also home to the “Summer Capital of Cebu,” Barangay Mantalongon. 

Poblacion Watchtower 

The Poblacion Watchtower originally had two levels when it was built in 1768. It was the first line of defense of the town against raiders who posed a constant threat to the residents of the town in the 1700s up to the 1800s. It gave the residents of the town the chance to seek shelter in case these raiders came. The watchtower or baluarte was popularly known as the Bantay Moros during the Spanish era. 

​From being one of the watchtowers built under the direction of Fr. Julian Bermejo, the Poblacion Watchtower was transformed in the 1970s. The watchtower was rehabilitated and is now one of the tourist spots of the town. A pavilion-like structure was added to the watchtower and is now known as the “kiosko” by the locals. 

Getting to Dalaguete

Your journey to Dalaguete and the kiosko or Poblacion Watchtower starts at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. You have to get on a bus headed for the town.  Once you reach the town, you can simply ask locals the location of the kiosko, which is at the town plaza.

​In the last decade, the food scene in Cebu saw the emergence of restaurants catering to the different gustatory needs of residents and visitors of Metro Cebu. Aside from offering a wide variety of cuisines, some of these restaurants also provide a magnificent view of the city to the delight of their guests. The following are just some restaurants situated on the roof deck of a hotel or building in Metro Cebu.

Blue Elephant Sky Lounge

The first restaurant in the list is the Blue Elephant Sky Lounge. Located on the 19th floor of the Apple One Equicom Tower, the restaurant offers an excellent view of the skyline of Cebu. It is an Asian restaurant offering fusion cuisine that has tickled the taste buds of their guests since 2010. 

​The Blue Elephant Sky Lounge has a good selection of appetizers, soups, salads, vegetables, and meat dishes, among others. You can also check out their rice meals, including the Thai Pepper Pork Steak and Chicken Cordon Bleu. The restaurant also offers a number of Filipino favorites, such as the Crispy Pata and Pork Sisig.  

​The prices of their dishes start at PHP 150 for the Fresh Lumpia up to PHP580 for the Grilled Norwegian Salmon Teriyaki.  Blue Elephant Sky Lounge is located a stone’s throw away from Ayala Center Cebu and is open from 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM every day. 

Scape Skydeck

If you are looking for a view of the city from across the Mactan Channel, then the Scape Skydeck is the place for you. Situated on the roof deck of the Azon Residences along ML Quezon National Highway in Lapu-Lapu City, Scape Skydeck gives its guests a wonderful view of the Mactan Channel, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, and the lights of Metro Cebu.

​The restaurant offers a good mix of American, Italian, and Spanish dishes with a touch of Cebuano culinary flair. The Scape Classic Burger and Skydeck Burger are ideal for customers who love burgers. On the other hand, pasta lovers can try the Zingara, Aligue Marinara or Truffle Carbonara. Salad lovers will never be out of place at the Scape Skydeck since the restaurant offers a good selection of salads, including the Oriental Salad, Ahi Poke Salad, and Summer Salad.

​Prices of the dishes at Scape Skydeck are between PHP290 for the Fresh Spring Roll and PHP1,585 for the US Prime Beef Angus Rib Eye. The Scape Skydeck is situated on the 13th level of the Azon Residences in Lapu-Lapu City. The restaurant is open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM every day.

Highlights Lounge

Located in a relatively-quiet area in the city, guests can look forward to a fantastic view of Cebu when they visit the Highlights Lounge of Harolds Hotel. The restaurant offers a good mix of Filipino and international dishes that can satisfy the gustatory cravings of their guests.

​Meat lovers can try the US Angus T-Bone or Rib Eye Steak at the Highlights Lounge of Harolds Hotel. The restaurant also offers a good selection of salads, including the Chef’s Garden Salad and the Classic Caesar’s Salad. The Highlights Lounge also offers a number of Filipino favorites, including the Lechon Kawali and Chicken Pork Adobo.

​Prices of the dishes at the Highlights Lounge range from PHP128 for the Sopa De Oro up to PHP1,088 for the US Angus T-Bone Steak. The Highlights Lounge is located on the roof deck of the Harolds Hotel. The place is open from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM every day. 

Blu Bar & Grill

Located a thousand feet above sea level, the Blu Bar & Grill of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu offers one of the most breathtaking views on the island. The ambiance only gets better when the sun sets over the horizon as guests are treated to the best view of the city at night. 

​The Blu Bar & Grill offers a good selection of grilled items to the delight of their guests. Main course items include the Double Cut Grilled Bourbon Pork Chop, the Tequila Baby Back Ribs, and the Moscato Poached Salmon. The place also offers a good selection of steaks, including the Black Angus Rib Eye Steak and Black Angus T-Bone Steak.

​Prices of the menu items at the Blu Bar & Grill start at PHP300 for the Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake up to PHP2,100 for Black Angus Beef Tenderloin Steak. The place is open from 4:30 PM up o 12:00 midnight every day. The Blu Bar & Grill is located at the Penthouse of the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Pasta Bella 

Aside from being a rooftop restaurant, Pasta Bella may be considered as a hole-in-the-wall place in the Mabolo area. Located on the fifth floor of the KIMA Glass building, the only way you would know that the place is a restaurant is the small sign on the door at the ground floor. Since they do not have an elevator, you will have to sweat it out on the stairs all the way to the restaurant. But, going up to the restaurant will not be as boring as you think since the walls are decorated with bible verses to keep your spirits up.

Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by a quaint little restaurant that has a rather romantic ambiance.  Pasta Bella offers a good selection of Italian dishes, particularly pasta. You can start your meal with some appetizers, including the Grilled Panini with Pesto and Mozzarella Cheese and Baked Italian Meatballs. For the main dish, you can get the Ossobuco or the Grilled Chicken Kebab. Pasta Bella also offers a good selection of dessert items, including the Chocolate Ice Cream Cake with Nutella Drizzle and Paprika and the Vanilla Ice Cream Cake topped with Lemon-infused oil.

​Prices of the menu items at the restaurant start at PHP200 for the Muffin Lasagna up to PHP395 for the Roasted Chicken. Pasta Bella is located on the fifth floor of the KIMA Glass building along F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo, Cebu City. The place is open from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM from Monday to Saturday.

​These are just some of the roof deck restaurants in Cebu where you can dine with a spectacular view of the city as the sun sets over the horizon. Have you visited any of these restaurants already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​When the Spaniards established the towns in southern Cebu, these towns were subjected to attacks by Moro raiders. To protect the residents from these incursions, Fr. Julian Bemejo set up a series of watchtowers to monitor the presence of raiders and give the townspeople enough warning before the attack. One of these watchtowers is located in the southern town of Boljoon.

Boljoon

The Municipality of Boljoon is around a hundred kilometers away from Cebu City. It is one of the oldest towns in the island. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the place was already a small community that subsisted on farming and fishing. Excavations in the area showed the settlers were using Chinese porcelain, bolos, and brass beads. The town was established in 1598 while the parish was set up in 1599 basing on existing Augustinian records. Boljoon is considered as the most picturesque town in the island. 

El Grande Baluarte

The El Grande Baluarte was part of the complex coastal defense set up by Fr. Julian Bermejo to protect southern Cebu from Moro raiders. The blockhouse has had two levels and faced the sea. During the time of Fr. Bermejo, It was used as a bulwark and watchtower. It was completed in 1808 and featured a storeroom for weapons and ammunition in the ground floor. A prison cell can also be found on the ground floor of the structure. The upper floor was the defense station and was armed with cannons. 

​It is the biggest watchtower in Cebu, which is the reason it was called the El Grande Baluarte. The structure is now used as a bell tower and is one of the tourist attractions of Boljoon. Visitors to the structure can see markings made by the prisoners. These markings included a drawing of a pagoda and Spanish galleons.

Getting to Boljoon

Your trip to Boljoon starts at the Cebu South Bus Terminal where you can ride on a bus headed for the town. The trip will take around three to four hours depending on the traffic.

​The El Grande Baluarte is just one of the numerous historically-significant tourist spots in the town of Boljoon. Being one of the oldest towns in the island, Boljoon is one place history and culture lovers should not miss if they ever find themselves in the island of Cebu.

Have you visited the El Grande Baluarte of Boljoon already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​The Municipality of Oslob is known mainly for whale shark watching. This has become the main tourist drawer of the town. But, this southern town also has a number of other tourist attractions, including the Tumalog Falls, the Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion Church, and the Cuartel.

Oslob

Similar to other towns in the island, the name of the town of Oslob was supposedly due to miscommunication between the Spaniards and the locals. The town is also known for having one of the best shorelines in the southern Cebu. Aside from the natural attractions, Oslob can also be a good destination for history and culture lovers. 

Cuartel

The term Cuartel is Spanish for “barracks,” which means it as built to serve as the barracks of the Spanish army. A local historian said it was built through the effort of El Gran Maestro Don Marcus Sabandal. But, it was not completed following the arrival of the Americans in 1899. It was supposed to be the first line of defense of the naval forces of Spain in the town. The town was among the places in Cebu that had to deal with regular attacks from Moro invaders.

​The Cuartel is made of coral stones that came from the remnants of the collapsed floor of the bell tower of the Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion, which once had five levels. A marker on the structure indicated that the wall of the Cuartel had a thickness of 19 centimeters and the coral stone façade featured two rows of arches.

Getting to the Cuartel

To get to the Cuartel in Oslob, you should get on a bus headed for the town at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Just tell the driver you want to get of the Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion Church in Oslob. The Cuartel is located a few steps away from the church.

​The Cuartel in Oslob is just one of the many historically-significant tourist attractions in Cebu. While it was left unfinished, it still shows the extent of Spanish influence on the island. Have you visited the Cuartel in Oslob already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​A trip to the south of Cebu is a trip through the history of the island. The southern towns have numerous sites that are both historically and culturally significant. These sites include old Spanish era houses as well as churches that are centuries old. One of these churches can be found in Dalaguete, the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church.

Dalaguete

The southern town of Dalaguete is known as the Vegetable Basket of Cebu. It is also home to a strawberry farm located in the mountain barangay of Mantalongon. In addition, the town is also one of the jump-off points for the Osmeña Peak where you can see Bohol Island on one side and Negros Island on the other.  It was once a visita of neighboring Carcar before it became an independent parish in 1711. 

San Guillermo de Aquitania Church 

Construction of the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church did not start immediately after the town became a parish. Construction only started in 1802 under Fr. Juan Chacel. The church was completed in 1825. A rectory was later added by Fr. Juan Alonso 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.

​Cornice stone moldings form the divisions on the three levels of the church. The ceiling of the church is decorated by paintings made by Canuto Avila and his sons. Elaborate ornamental designs are also noted in different areas inside the church.  The rectory has a lower level made of stone and upper level made of wood, which is typical of structures made during the Spanish period.

​The church served not only as a place of worship, but also as a place of refuge from attacks by Moro raiders. It is one of the last church fortifications in the archipelago today. The San Guillermo de Aquitania Church was declared a National Historical Landmark on April 16, 2004. The church is one of the most preserved baroque-rococo structures on the island of Cebu. 

Getting There

You can get to the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church in Dalaguete by getting on a bus headed for the town at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Once you reach the town center, you can simply walk to the church. 

​The San Guillermo de Aquitania Church is one of the few churches that have survived the test of time. While the belfry of the church was damaged during the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013, the church itself remained relatively unharmed.  

​Have you visited the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church in Dalaguete already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​Cebu has numerous natural attractions for its visitors. While many of these natural wonders are already well-known, there are some attractions known only to the residents of the area. One of these lesser-known natural attractions is the Nonoc Cave of Borbon.

Borbon

The Municipality of Borbon was once a visita of the town of Sogod. This is the reason why many of the settlers in Borbon trace their roots to this neighboring town. A parish was later established on September 15, 1862. The name of the town was supposedly a misinterpretation of the Cebuano word “bonbon,” which refers to pebbly sand. Another story indicates that the name of the town was due to a miscommunication between the Spaniards and some locals. When the Spaniards asked for the name of the place, the locals did not understand what the foreigners were saying. They simply told the Spaniards their nicknames “Bor” and “Bon.”

Nonoc Cave

The Nonoc Cave is one of the natural wonders you can find in the town of Borbon. It was once the hiding place of Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. Visitors can still see some Japanese characters on the walls of the cave. It is situated on the hills of one of the barangays of this northern Cebu town. The trip going to the cave brings visitors through an area surrounded by thick foliage and trees.

​While the many residents of the town know about the cave, it is relatively unknown among people from other places of the island. If you plan on going to the Nonoc Cave, it is advisable to bring a guide with you since you may find it challenging to explore the cave. Residents in the area say the interior part of the cave is big. You should also wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for some climbing since the entrance itself is located higher than ground level. 

Other Places to Visit in Borbon

Borbon may be a quiet, unassuming town, but it does offer some sites to see for its visitors. Aside from the Nonoc Cave, you can drop by the Silmogue River, which is located close to the center of the town. You can also check out the old stone wall that once protected the San Sebastian Church. The Sandayong Falls is a good place for adventurers to visit. 

Getting to Borbon

You can get to Borbon by getting on a bus headed for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. You can also ride a bus with the “Tabogon” signboard since it also passes through the town. Just make sure to tell the driver or conductor that you want to get off at the town of Borbon.

​The Nonoc Cave is just one of the places you can visit if you happen to drop by the town of Borbon. In addition to being a natural attraction, the cave is significant to the history of the town. Have you visited the Nonoc Cave of Borbon already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.