Walking Through Time In Boljoon

The heritage sites of Cebu are not limited to the Queen City of the South and its surrounding cities and towns. There are also a number of heritage sites all over the island. A good place for history and culture buffs to explore is the southern part of the island. Aside from old churches and convents, these places also have structures built during the American period. One of the places visitors can educate themselves about history is the town of Boljoon.

Boljoon

The southern town of Boljoon is located around a hundred kilometers from Cebu City. The town has a rich cultural history dating to the time before the arrival of the Spaniards. Archeological excavations conducted between 2007 and 2009 showed burials dating back to the early part of the 16th century. Artifacts discovered in these burial ground include ceramics from China and Japan. This shows the town was already a thriving community. The town was once a barrio of Carcar before a parish was established in the area.

Boljoon – image source: flickr.com

Heritage Walk in Boljoon

The rich heritage of Boljoon is still evident up to today. Many of the Spanish era structures have remained standing as local officials have been working to preserve them for future generations. The following are some of the heritage structures visitors can visit to have a glimpse of the rich history of Boljoon.

Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church

Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church – image source: en.wikipedia.org

The Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church or Our Lady of Patronage of Mary Parish Church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1999. It was also identified by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure in 2001. Aside from taking care of the religious need of the people of Boljoon, the church also served as a fortress to keep the people safe from raiders. Construction of the church started in 1783 and it was completed in 1814 during the time of Fr. Julian Bermejo. 

Church Rectory

Church Rectory – image source: tripadvisor.co.za

The rectory of the church can be considered as the oldest Spanish-era residential building in Boljoon. Located right beside the church, the rectory was shaped like an “L.” It was one of the biggest rectories in Cebu during the Spanish period. The structure used to host members of the clergy and important visitors to the town. It was completed in 1847 and was a typical bahay na bato. The ground floor of the structure was used as a storage area while the second floor was the living area.  It is now used as a museum. 

Church Belfry

Church Belfry – image source: cebu.myguide.ph

The belfry of the church is another place where visitors can catch a glimpse of history. It does not appear to be well designed and simply looked plain. But, one notable thing about the belfry is it was shorter than the façade pediment of the church. One possible reason for this disparity is that it may have been built at the same time as the old church, which was destroyed in 1782 by pirates. The belfry was used as a lookout or watchtower to warn residents of the presence of pirates or raiders.

Balay Cirilio Sestoso 

Balay Cirilio Sestoso – image source: boljoon.myguide.ph

Balay Cirilio Sestoso is the last remaining 19th-century house left standing in Boljoon. It is also considered as the oldest ancestral house in the town. The house was built by a former goberndorcillo of Boljoon, Cirilio Sestoso, in the 1880s. The rectangular structure features detailed ornamentation along the gutter. The Balay Cirilio Sestoso is a typical example of a house built during the Spanish period.

Catolica Escuela

Catolica Escuela – image source: sk.pinterest.com

Another structure built by the Spaniards was the Catolica Escuela. While it was built when Cebu was already under the Americans, it was used as a dorm for children who were preparing to take their first communion. These children typically come from barangays located in the upland area of the town. Aside from being used as a dorm, religious teachings were also conducted in the building. At one point in the past, it was also used as a school.

El Grande Baluarte

El Grande Baluarte – image source: mycebu.ph

El Grande Baluarte is an imposing structure in the town of Boljoon. The two-level blockhouse was a part of the coastal defense established by Fr. Julian Bermejo to protect residents of towns in the southern part of Cebu. Aside from serving as a watchtower, the structure also featured cannons on the second level and a prison in the ground level. It also had a storage area for weapons and ammunition. The structure was called El Grande Baluarte sine it was the biggest watchtower on the island.

Baño sa Poblacion 

Baño sa Poblacion – image source: boljoon.myguide.ph

The Baño sa Poblacion was supposedly the place where the Spaniards first encountered the locals. The place features a gushing spring, which was attributed to the name of the place. Similar to other towns in Cebu, the name of Boljoon was also a product of miscommunication between the Spaniards and the locals. When the Spaniards arrived in the area, they asked for the name of the place. But, the locals thought they were asking for the name of the spring in front of them. So, they answered “bulho,” which eventually became Boljoon.

Other Attractions in Boljoon

Dayhag Falls – mage source: sunstar.com.ph

Aside from these historically and culturally-significant sites, Boljoon also has a number of tourist spots where visitors can pass by after immersing themselves in the culture of the town. These tourist spots include the Kan-Amno Falls and Dayhag Falls. 

Taking a road trip to the south not only allows you to get away from the stress of life in the city, it can also be quite educational. The journey brings you to different heritage towns featuring structures that have withstood the test of time. If you want to have something to munch on along the way, you may want to bring with you a pack or two of Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, or Toasted Mini Mamons.