Like the other province, Cebu is laden with different historical landmarks, living museums of the province's spirited past. Through the years, this significant milestone of the province continues not only to entice visitor but also to nurture them on the wealth history of the province. Patrocinio de Maria Church is one of its historical landmarks and considered as the oldest remaining stone Catholic Church on the island of Cebu. It is the church in Boljoon which best gives one a sense of the Philippine colonial past.
The Church of Our Lady of Patrocinio in Boljoon was built in 1599 under the direction of the Augustinians. The jurisdiction over the church was then transferred to the Jesuits in 1737. Conceived as a fortress-church which stands on a hill overlooking the sea, the church has features that provide safety for the parishioners against periodic Moro raids.
What are these features?
1. The exterior facade of the church has a watchtower-like bell tower belonging to a chain of southern Cebuano churches and watch towers, particularly in the neighboring towns of Argao and Dalaguete. Constructed from locally quarried coral stone and topped with a roof of terra cotta tiles, the architectural volumes are simple, which contrasts with the more ornamented interior that follows the trompe l'oeil style of Alberoni and Dibella.
2. The church is 65 meters long, 12 meters wide, and 12 meters high. Its design nods to Argao and Dalaguete, although hints of rococo have been integrated on the panels and along the pilasters. The pilasters number 28 are made of mortar and lime. These are two meters thick, and they support walls of equal thickness.
3. The three levels are somewhat disproportionately arranged, with an awkwardly-sized pediment. The facade has the look of an El Greco painting because of its elongated shape. Bas reliefs, floral motifs, and geometric shapes enhance the facade's distinct classic look.
How to get there
By Plane: From Manila, there is a daily flight going to Cebu City.
By Boat: Cebu City's domestic port is the country's busiest. Cebu City is home to almost 80 percent of the country's passenger vessels. The country's largest shipping lines, namely WG&A, Sulpicio Lines, Trans-Asia, George & Peter Lines and Lorenzo Shipping Lines, are headquartered in Cebu. Large passenger ferries with a capacity of 2,000 to 4,000 passengers ply the more distant routes such as Manila, Davao, Butuan City, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro.
From the airport, you can ride a multicab, jeepney, or taxi. Simply ask around for which route to take. They are available 24 hr and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. Just be sure you know what part of the city the jeepney will take you to.
Accommodations:
• Crimson Resort and Spa - Seascapes Resort Town, Punta Engano, Cebu, Philippines
• Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa - Punta Engano Road | P.O. Box 86 , Punta Engano, Cebu, Philippines 6015
• Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Hotel - Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
• Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu - Serging Osmena Boulevard Corner Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000
• Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa - M.L Quezon Highway, Maribago, Cebu, Philippines 6015
• Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu - Punta Engano Mactan Island Lapu-Lapu, Punta Engano, Cebu, Philippines 6015
• Badian Island Resort & Spa - Badian Island, Badian Island, Cebu, Philippines 6301
• Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino - 1 Airport Road, Lapu-lapu City, Mactan - Airport Area, Cebu, Philippines
• Cebu Parklane International Hotel - Archbishop Reyes Avenue and Escario St., Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
• Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino - 1 Salinas Drive Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines 6000