Blog #115: Boljoon Trip | Part 2

Hey Hivers!

Today, I will be going to continue my story of my Boljoon trip. For those who have not yet read my Boljoon story- part 1, here's the link of it.

As I arrived in Boljoon, I immediately headed to the Baluarte and since it was situated closer to the Escuela Catolica building I went there also.

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As I strolling around I could really noticed that this vicinity is really well-maintained because the surrounding is tidy and well-organized.

I came closer to the building and I have noticed that there is a year posted in front of the structure. The year written is 1940. I am not sure if that building was built in 1940.

I have not seen history about the structure posted in front so I got curious what is really the story behind this building. It looks creepy because of being old.

I made a research about it and I found out that this was used before for academic lessons and religious instruction. If you are interested of the history of the building, you may read the history below.

The Escuela Catolica is just one of the structures built by the Spaniards to meet the religious needs of the people in Boljoon. Since the transportation during that time was difficult the building conveniently served as a dormitory for children from different areas in Boljoon who were about to take their first holy communion. The structure become a convenient place to hold religious instruction & academic lessons. It was believed that the double staircase was used to separate boys and girls when going up and down the building. Today, it is now serves as a meeting place for the parish's various religious groups and a surprising tourist & group picture "stop" for travellers going south. The Escuela Catolica building forms part Boljoon rich cultural heritage together with the town's strong colonial past of Spanish & Americans influence.Boljoon

This time, this building is one of the most visited attractions in Boljoon. Tourists/ Visitors will grab the opportunity to have a photo on it whenever they would visit Boljoon.

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After taking photos of the Baluarte and the Escuela Catolica building, I headed to Nuestra Señora Del Patrocinio De Maria parish church or the locals called it today the Boljoon Church.

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The church is facing to the coastline. After I had visited a lot of churches in the south of cebu (most of them are facing in the coastline), I didn't wonder why this too is facing in the coastline. This structure helps the locals to monitor the incoming Moro Raiders. This church was built in 1700s.

This is the front view of the church. This church is visible when you are on the top of the Ili Rock. You can truly see the whole beauty of the church, the baluarte, and the escuela catolica building.

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_{I went inside to the church and I had passed through the Holy Door since the main door that time was closed. As I get inside I was able to have a photo of the interior design of the church. I like the design they put on the ceiling. On the right side of the photo above, you can see the designated area for the choir.}

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This way to the holy door....

I thought I was not able to get inside the church because the main door was closed as I arrived. I went to the back side of the church and I saw the sign holy door. As I get closer I saw the people inside and they had passed thru the holy door so I followed them.

The Story of the Holy Door....

There are only 13 historic churches in Cebu that has holy door. They are called Jubilee Churches. And luckily, the parish church of Boljoon is included of the 13 Jubilee Churches.

What is Jubilee Churches?

A Jubilee Church is a parish selected where pilgrims can visit and pray to gain plenary indulgence. According to Rev. Fr. Gleen Therese Guanzon chairperson of the committee on liturgy of Cebu Archdiocese, anyone who passes through the Holy Doors, and has recently gone to confessions, received Holy Communion and prayed for the intercession of the Holy Father and the church will receive plenary indulgence or complete remission of all temporal punishment due to sins.

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References:

News Info Inquirer -Holy Door In Cebu

Rcasf News and Events- Jubilee Churches

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I am not sure if it was my first time that I had been passed in the Holy Door because I can't anymore remember.

I was so grateful that I went to the back of Boljoon church because if I didn't do it maybe I could not pass to Boljoon's Holy Door.

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After my friend and I went to Ili Rock, he suggested that we could visit the beach resorts in their place. I requested him to go first in the Club Fortme. So we went there first.

I thought we have to pay for the entrance fee but I was completely surprised as I have learned that my friend is everybody's friend in the resort so our entrance fee was being waived.

The pool is facing to the coastline. There are also rooms close to the pool area. I think these rooms are expensive compared to the other rooms.

You can have some refreshments in this area. This is close to the pool so in case you feel hungry or thirsty you can have it in this area.

These are some of their rooms but these rooms are a bit far from the pool area unlike to other rooms.

If you wanted to spend your time alone, this area is so perfect because it is truly tranquil. You can only hear the water keep splashing on the sea wall.

If some of you might interested to stay in the resort, you can find their room rate below.

After strolling around the Club Fortme, my friend toured me to another resort. The Beach Bay Resort.

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As we get inside, we are again free for our entrance fee because the staffs are his friends.

We directly headed to the beach area and enjoy the scenery and the cold breeze. As we were already in the beach area, I found myself busy reading the Management's reminders.

This is the shoreline. If you can see the man standing well that's my friend @melvinhistory.

Although I didn't stay too long in the resort, but I had enjoyed the moment strolling around the beach.

One day is not enough in Boljoon. They have many tourist attractions to offer but eventhough I was not able to visit it all but still happy because I was able to see the beauty of Boljoon. It is just a simple and small coastal town of the south but it is full of glorious story of the past.

Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!

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Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

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