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Click herA socmed video of a beach strip caught my attention and got my curiosity up enough for me to want to explore this town on the southern side of Cebu. The strip is not a white sand shoreline, like what most people look for, but the rustic vibe it evoked caught my attention. I had to experience it for myself so I went out to check kung bongga nga ba ang Sibonga!  The beach cove that pushed me to visit Sibonga! Just two hours away from the city of Cebu, Sibonga is a small and quaint municipality that is popular as a pilgrimage site Local stories share that the name Sibonga was derived from the name of betel nut palm trees that once grew abundant in the town. It was established as a separate town and parish in 1830. Beyond the faith, the town has pockets of attractions that give you a glimpse of its history and the laidback vibe of its community. Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church (Sibonga Church) At the heart of the town is the Nuestra Senora del Pilar Church, more popularly called as Sibonga Church. This Spanish-period church and its convent will catch your attention as you breeze through the town since it is right along the highway. The church was originally a visita under Carcar until its was declared an independent church in 1830. The church honors the Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza as its patron saint.  Sibonga Church is one of the Spanish-period churches in the province. The present structure started construction in 1866, under the neo-gothic architecture. It was in 1898 that the stone church was finally completed. Interestingly the adjacent church convent stands older than the church, having been built in 1839. Built from coral stones, the church convent was designed by Bishop Maranon of Cebu. Both structures remain to be a strong remembrance of Spanish rule in Sibonga.
The church interior is simple and elegant. The altar is the centerpoint of the church where the image of the Nuestra Senora del Pilar was mounted. The coral stone and pillars of its nave are well-preserved and intact. Just like other churches in Visayas, the ceiling murals are a real beauty. These biblical ceiling paintings were done by Cebu artist, Raymundo Francia, and was completed in 1924. Sibonga Heritage Park The Sibonga Heritage Park is a wide open-space park located near the church. The space offers a chill out space for locals and guests who just want to relax and enjoy the day or the moment pass. The large and old trees along the plaza offer a quick relief from the heat with its shade and the cool sea breeze.
The plaza is complete with benches and canopies where you can just sit back and enjoy watching what is happening around the town. It is surrounded by structures that date back to the different time periods of Sibonga. It gives you a glimpse of the town’s colorful past. Sitting on a bench and just watching gave me a nostalgic feel of that old town vibe. Sibonga Municipal Hall and Plaza Just a stone throw away from the Sibonga Heritage Park is the Sibonga Municipal Plaza. In contrast to the former, the sprawling park is manicured with cemented pathways and manicured gardens. A monument of Dr. Jose Rizal stands as the centerpiece of the park. The park is best visited during the early mornings or late afternoon because it has less tree covers and offers very little shade cover during the day.
At the far end of the plaza stands the Sibonga Municipal Hall. The center of governance of the town was built in American-period architecture. In front of the building is a statue of the Late President Ramon Magsaysay with the inscription of being the “Champion of the Poor”. I guess President Magsaysay has a strong connection with the people of the Sibonga. Behind the Municipal Hall is the Sibonga Wharf that offers a panoramic view of the town and the Cebu Strait. Balai Ortiz and Heritage Cafe Just a few meters walk from the town center, I came across an ancestral house where the first floor was converted into a cafe - the Balai Heritage Cafe. It caught my attention because of its American-style architecture. Interestingly, one of the residents was one of the individuals who had a first-hand account of the death of Former President Ramon Magsaysay. This quaint home was the ancestral home of the Ortiz Family of Sibonga.  The Ortiz Ancestral House is now a museum and a cafe in Sibonga. The first floor of the house was converted into a cafe that offers meals and snacks. It also has common areas where guests can enjoy group and board games while waiting for their orders. The cafe is neatly designed to be homey with artworks displayed along its walls. I really enjoyed the crispy dinuguan that I ordered - a must try.
The second floor serves as the museum that displays the heirloom of the Ortiz Family. You get a glimpse of their simple life in Sibonga as you walk through the house. Antique objects and photographs owned by the family are on display around the house. There were also news clippings on the death of President Magsaysay were also mounted on the wall. As it turns out, Mr. Mario Ortiz, was one of the first responders to the crash site of the late president in Mount Manunggal. Monastery of the Holy Eucharist (Simala Shrine) At the center of the faith in Sibonga is the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, which also known as the Simala Shrine or the Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine. This pilgrimage church was built on 1998 by the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration from Pampanga. What makes its stand out is its castle-like structure that was built along the hills of Sibonga. The construction of the church was part of the vision of Ingko Niyong Villamayor who believed that the hills of Lindogon would be holy once the image is enshrined in the area.  The Simala Shrine is both a pilgrimage and tourist attraction in Sibonga. What will strike you the most when you visit this pilgrimage church is how the monastery was built. It is massive and grand with its castle-like architectural design. The structure was built along the hills following the contours of the land it sits on. Towers jut out on the corners of its walkways. A manicured courtyard stands in the middle of its structure. Its main church stands in the background of its courtyard. The church is still undergoing construction with its expansion.
The main church has an elaborately designed nave that glows in gold. The altar has the Holy Eucharist as its centrepiece and above it is the image of the Our Lady of Lindogon that is believed to be miraculous. Many devotees line up just to touch the image and offer their petitions. Devotees of the Virgin Mary claim that the image provided healing to those who were afflicted with dengue outbreak in the area in 1998. The image is also believed to have shed tears in 4 different occasions. The monastery is a pilgrimage site so one needs to dress properly when entering the shrine. Old Simala Railway Station Tucked in a small corner of the Simala Elementary School is a small building that was once part of a railway system in Cebu. Yes… you heard it right that Cebu had a railway system that run from Argao, in the south, to Danao, up north. It had 14 stations that spanned 57 miles across the island. Unfortunately, the railway system fell victim to World War 2 bombings and only a few structures remain standing today.  The Old Train Station of Simala was re-used as a school facility of the Simala Elementary School. The small railway station in Sibonga is one of the few reminders of the train station. However, you won’t see any historical markers that would indicate the history of the said spot. It was repurposed by the school as a storage room, although, I have read that it was turned into a library. It would be nice though if the provincial and/or local government could put a marker that would highlight the historical value of the place. Aroma Beach Hidden behind the mangrove covers of Sibonga, Aroma Beach is a small beach cove that has been popular among locals for years. Its brown-colored sandy coast is a great way to enjoy a quick beach fix in Sibonga. The cove is just a few meters walk from the highway through a tree-lined rough road. This beach spot is a great way to watch how locals enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon.  The beach cove that caught my curiosity to explore Sibonga. Aroma Beach is a public beach and a no-frills beach spot. As soon as you reach the cove, you will notice its tree-lined shore. There are no huts for rent so you get to find your own corner along the cove. If you have a hammock with you, you can prop it up between the trees. Locals bring their own mats or tents to set up. I came in with just my bag so I just found my spot under the cover of one of its trees.
Since it is a no-frills beach spot, expect to enjoy a chill lowkey experience. You can explore the mangrove covers on both ends of the cove or wade through its waters. There are no basic facilities in the area - no showers and no toilets. There are ruins of a house in the area that you can use to change clothes but that is just it. I just hope that the LGU can take the lead to secure and tidy-up Aroma Beach because its raw beauty gets spoiled with garbage left by beachgoers and broken bottles in the area. POST TRAVEL NOTES More than just a pilgrimage site, the town of Sibonga has pockets of interesting sites that give you a glimpse of its beauty and colorful past. Exploring the poblacion gave me the thrill on its history with its well-preserved structures, that date back to the different time periods of the country. Its no-frillls attractions and beach spots assures you that life is simple and you just need to pause and breathe in its beauty. Sibonga does teach you a lot about faith and life.  Our next stop is a destination made from legends and folklore. More often than not, a lot of travelers keep their eyes on the hot items on their tourism checklist. We are often excited checkout the more popular spots or the social media savvy ones. But if we take a pause to stop briefly and just explore more, you will be surprised to discover how colorful a destination that you just usually pass through. Try it… just explore one destination along the way. Check out my Sibonga travel video on my Youtube Travel Channel:
Getting there: There are daily flights to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from major local and international airports. You can take a cab or a TNVS ride to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Alternatively, you can take a bus to SM City Cebu then a jeepney ride to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. You can purchase a Ceres Bus ticket for Sibonga. Buses bound for Argao and Oslob pass through Sibonga. Just ask the driver to drop you off at the Poblacion. Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and “dry during my travels. Get 5% off on your Hull & Stern dry bag purchase on the Hull & Stern website when you use the code - marc7del.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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