I Left My Heart In Samboan

 

I thought I’ve seen the best of Samboan. But I was wrong. I mean, my friend Irene took us there a few months ago and we extremely enjoyed Aguinid Falls and the nice beaches. But just like what Chris Tucker said in one of his films, indeed, ‘I ain’t seen nothin’ yet!’. LOL.

The four-hour road trip on my motor bike to the southern tip of Cebu was no picnic. But when I saw the real beauty of Samboan, all bad things were just forgotten. I never reached the ‘heart’ of the town during my previous trip. And I’m so thankful that this time, I finally did. I really enjoyed my short stay there. It was mind-blowing!

 

View of the kiosk and an age-old house from the municipal hall.

You know you’ve reached Samboan when you see this small kiosk with a statue of a farmer on the roof.

Road to the town church.

Samboan’s nice municipal hall.

And Satchmo had to pose.

Road fronting the school.

The Samboan town church and convent.

Satchmo with Australian friend Lucille.

Church bell tower.

Statue of Jesus.

Side view.

Posing na pud!

Nice convent!

Another angle.

 

Pretty nice job, ei! 🙂

Other important buildings in town.

The place is just so clean and green.

Fountain in the middle of the plaza

A watchtower which lies directly on top of Jacob’s Ladder.

And the view from the plaza – the beautiful sea.

View from the plaza.

There’s the sea! Wow!

View inside the watch tower – notice the cross.

Satchmo and Lucille @ Jacob’s Ladder.

Awesome view of the ocean.

Path to the church.

 

Grotto of the virgin Mary.

 

View from the grotto.

 

109 thoughts on “I Left My Heart In Samboan

  1. wow, kadaghan na sa kausaban sa Samboan, convent have been renovated, ug limpyo pod…sa 1st picture kanang backgound if am correct, dili ba na ang tindahan ni “Alice”? naa pod mga Aninon diha ug ditoy sa ubos sa may Merkado dapit….nice pics…

  2. Kanindot pod sa mga pictures oy, home sick man pod kaayo ko, nausab na pod and backdraft sa imong blog Ley, its nice…as usual you alway deliver the best…..

  3. Beautifullllllll pictures.I love the ocean view picture. Is that island Neg. Orr. So close! looks like 3 to 5 klms in distance only. Oh thats a nice kiosk w/ an eye catching man.Hi Satch @ Lucille

  4. Very nice and clean town! Thanks for sharing.

    Ley, I love the 20th photo. Very cool landscape shot of the sea, sun, sky and shade of trees…the power-play of blue and black colors..love it! Did you use any color filter for this shot or any shooting mode you used? You got the eye for great shots!!! Keep it up!!

  5. ley… nice ang mga pic…nag pic pud unta ka sa saint pius x school kilid ra sa church heheh gimingaw naman so sa ako school..dugay na wa ko kaadto way back 1999.

  6. It looks breathtakingly bueatiful. I want to visit Samboan later this year. Is there any accomadation for foriegners in Samboan? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    1. 31. Dec. 2010

      I dont know when you published ur question.But I would like to give you a suggestion where to stay in SAMBOAN.

      Threre are small Beach Resort that have rooms for accomodations. When I was there. My friend of mine suggest me to stay there. It is just a walking distance from the NPC plant in Suba going to Ginatilan.This charge foreign and locals alike at about USD 10/18 an overnight stay.

      Hope this could help you find ask the locals or Tricycle driver to go there.
      Probably they will guide you.

      What you are looking for is my future plan to build one someday…
      It is a peaceful and safe community.

      ror@seven/seas

  7. mingAw q samboan but i have many heartaches na
    maremember f muole q…i prefer to stay fAr.i have 2 move on.
    ur a good photograPher ley,,,nindot jud ang sAmboan…hup
    naa pud na cla chrstmas dsplay prsentation when madecmber’..

  8. Hi, Ley!.. I enjoyed watching your blog.. I don’t believe you are not a professional photographer, you seem one.. you can take nice angles, nice lighting, nice view and subject.. I bow.

    Taga- Samboan sad ko and I’ve been there lately. I’m proud that you took pictures of my town…only few photographs were taken that were published, kasagaran ang church lang ug ang Jacob’s ladder, which is ang Samboan is famous for.

    Pangutana: Gi-left gyud nimo imong heart sa Samboan? hehehe.. btaw, joke lang.

    Keep up the good work, Ley!.. You’ve done a great job in promoting Cebu.

    1. Hi, nice photo of Samboan I’m proud of this place even I was not born here but my ancestor my grand-father Marcelino Lisondra was born here at Samboan. Samboan is the originiting place of all Lisondra Clan even those Lisondra in Surigao, Negros, Palawan,Bohol and other place trace back thier roots at Samboan, Cebu.

  9. hai ley…hehehe curious jud Q f knsa ng satChmoo…tnuod jud na cya?
    hmmm…keep up da goOd woRk..imiz samboan..regards to my fwnd jeneve agdon., na wa pa jud me nagkameet

  10. di 2 farmer ang naa sa ibabaw sa kiosk. Boluntary ang tawag ato, sila ang naghatag ug fuds sa mga guerilya during the war(between japanese and americans)

  11. ley! thanks for promoting the place! hehe.. that’s my hometown.. remmbrd the grotto.. wheew! we’ve always been there during our HS days in saint pius.. i miss the place as well as the times we’ve spent there.. Used to hangout there wherein worry-free and life’s not that complicated pa.. huhu! noticed the bushes beside it? mangatkat mi diha sauna..hehe.. hi to monette, joy, adah, marnelli, reynan, giovan, ronald, moises, james, lee, anajeani, anatolia, & etc.. my friends and classmates in HS batch 2002.. ty!

  12. plano namo mamakasyon me diha karon march ,yehey moanha unya me diha ..miss na jud nako diha sa pilipinas ,diha sa probinsya sa bukid ,,naa bay ka stayhan diha sa samboan like a lodging house ?

    1. 31.Dec. 2010

      Taga SAMBOAN pod ko. Siguro Pareho mo pangutana sa Friendly Aus.
      tungud sa taas kaayo nga istorya mora na pod ko ug foreigner.1975 ko milayo sa ato.

      Pakibasa lang sa suggestion ko para sa imo…..

      ror2seven/seas

  13. hmmmmmmm samboan? nndot btaw kuno dha,kay nice place to stay and relax labina sa dagat :-)… just know lang 2ngod sa akong ex-niadto huhuhuhuhu :-(, taga dinha mangud sya.. asan na kaya sya ngayon ano? nahala paging nlang sa mga taga samboanon, kinsa may nakaila ni jayson? anyway daghan man tao dha hehehhe.. but he study b4 in pius school kuno..okies tym to move on na haahahhaaha… labay langko sa samboan sa blog mo ley, para 2 rmmber d past lang ba aahehehhe.. drama kaau sa? bwahahhaa

  14. … compare and see the difference… hehehe. nice jud ang samboan, as in, hello to ka batch 1991 hi to teresa lomente, elba omana, arnold torres, fe aninon, arnelyn capa, marnie rafols, (asa na ka run) og sa tanan ako classmates sa saint pius x school… ang bulontaryo maoy nakadalag bida… oh di bah…

  15. hello there!..staring kau ko diri sa greetings da!..hehe..bdwy, nakawtan na diay ang kato st joseph ug bbay jesus dha luyo church no?..kita kos tv patrol..nanglimbarot ako balhibo dah!..wako magdahom nga kato santos sauna cg nako ambakambakan kilid sa stage sa pius ky milaggroso diay to…i think kinahanlan jd na ipabarog para wa na kalamidad mo hitabo…so, attention taga samboan..dapat managkot jd ta inig uli..ok..have a nice day!

  16. Waaaaaaa! Its my relative’s/father’s hometown! We’ll be going there this coming holy week of 2009! Kitakits!

    Those who know Laura Pidge is my tita. She is active in the church there.

    I will take my advanced PS camera(wish could have SLR) and will take lots of shots there.

    Ley, thank you for promoting my beloved town Samboan! (as well as to MoalBoal and Bato)

    – Jonil, from Cebu City (09083008080, pls donate load, LOL!)

  17. ley, good job! thanks for featuring samboan in your blog. now samboan is known because of you. i came from bato (a part of samboan) but i am now settled in mandaue with my family, lami man jud na ang ato hometown. i think the house in the 1st picture belongs to the family of my friend vincent calderon of coa. hello to my sister – ester c. luague of ponong, samboan.

  18. Samboan the best. Dili ko taga Samboan pero akong papa ug iyang mga ginikanan, (akong apohan) taga Samboan jud. So may dugo gihapon sa Samboanon. Daku kaayo kausaban ang Samboan limpyo kaayo ug naa pa juy background nga dagat. Naka bakakasyon ko diha adtong Mayo 2009 sa beach house sa akong grandpa Abdun Villarin. Porbeda lagi….tua ra ko sa dagat permi. Mabuhay ang Samboan. Viva San Miguel Arkanghel ug Senor San Jose.

    Padre E. Mascardo
    Stockton, CA.

  19. My grandfather is from Samboan (Villarin). He settled in Bicol and married my grandmother, probably around 1920. Thus none of us in the family have ever been in Samboan except for my mother. If you don’t mind, I will post this link to my FB for my family to view. Thanks for bringing Samboan to us! Dolores

  20. mao jud nindot na kaayo tungod na sa kaayo sa mga municipal officials didto.
    ug sa past parish priest na si father eric pedrosa.
    puerting lang paeta sa nipuli ni father eric puera gaba sa santos.dunganon ug misa ang patay ug ang kasal.kung ikaw kaslon malipay kaha ka!!!!!

  21. hope you’ll include the new prayer room on those pics (a kind hearted businessman donated the project) it’s a way of thanking his silence.

  22. the one that has a “And the view from the plaza – the beautiful sea.” title is one of the best pictures i have seen so far!

  23. awww… wala pa naguba ang bellfry ani nga pix, karon naguba na siya tungod daw sa bagyo. I love Samboan, I just brought my friends there for a short vacation (kahapon ra mi nakauli dri sa ciudad..hahaha), and they said the place exceeded their expectations. BTW, the “kiosk” is called the Boluntaryo in memory of the volunteer guards during WWII (namention na diay ni..hehe). Thanks for featuring my humble hometown…

  24. Hi.. I saw your blog site while searching for ‘Samboan Cebu’ in google…

    My ‘lola’ (grandma), who is 84 yrs old already, used to grow up there in Samboan Cebu.. I remember when she used to tell me stories when I was young, she grew up there in Samboan with her family, but when she turned 18 I think, she tried to escape to go to Manila… Her mother sent some of her brothers to Manila to look for her, and were able to find her.

    After sometime, she escaped again to Manila. But this time, her brothers no longer find her. It’s almost 60 yrs since she last saw her family. . .

    It’s just that. . . I know my lola is too old now. . . I just want her to see at least few members of her family there in Samboan before it’s too late. . . I know she will be very happy.

    Is Samboan not that big? Would you know someone whom I can contact who you think could help me in case I will be looking for someone there — (Villarin is my grandma’s surname)?

    Hope you could help me! Thanks! God Bless!!!

    1. Hi!! There’s no place like home.. Samboan, Cebu.. I read ur message and understand ur desire for ur lola. I was born in Samboan, Cebu and have known some Villarin family from Kalin-ay. They are now living in Las-pinas and Makati. There are also Villarin family in Punong, Samboan. U ask ur lola of this initial info for reference. U can reach me at 09275472512 for further info. GOD BLESS.

  25. Hi!!! There’s no place like home.. “SAMBOAN, CEBU”. I read ur messages and understand ur situation. I was born in Samboan and have known Villarin family from Kalin-ay, however, they are now living in Las-Pinas and Makati. There are other Villarin in Punong, Samboan. You tel ur lola about this info for reference.U can txt me at 09275472512 for further detail. I am living in makati area.

    1. Hi Marvin! I have asked my lola! She used to live in Bonbon in Samboan! Her mother’s name is BENITA Villarin! Do you know someone from Bonbon, Samboan?

    2. Hi Marvin,

      Good to know you are from Samboan just like to ask if there are still few Lisondra you know in your place. If you do and if you don’t mine can you give me their initial information such names and address. I’m planning to visit Samboan since it is very know to our clan that Samboan is the originating place of our ancestor. thanks Bismindo A. Lisondra

      1. Hi! My grandma’s middle name is Lisondra! She’s Juanita Lisondra Villarin. Can they be somehow related!?! I’m also looking for her relatives.

        1. hi Pats… my mom also name Juanita, but she is Juanita Villarin Lisondra.. i was surprice to see ur grandmother’s name cause they almost have the same full name as my mother… hope to know u guyz soon… were still on the same clan after all…

          1. Hi Riza! Really? Magka-name nga sila! Baka naman nabaligtad ko lang. How old is she? My lola is 86 years old now. Ang name daw ng mother nya is Benita Lisondra. Can u ask her if she nows Benita Lisondra?

          2. hi patz, my mom is 63 years old… her mothers name id demitria bendanillo villarin and her fathers name is vevincio javier lisondra… hope to met you soon…

      2. Hi Bismindo,

        My lola is also from Bonbon, Samboan. Her name is Juanita Lisondra Villarin. May I know your grandparent’s names? My grandma’s mother is Benita Lisondra, just wondering if they are somehow related. 🙂

        Thanks!
        Pats

  26. Really?!?!? Yeheeey!!!! Thank you Marvin!!! I’ll ask my lola, and I’ll inform you asap! Thank you so much!!!! =)

  27. Hi Marvin! I have asked my lola! She used to live in Bonbon in Samboan! Her mother’s name is BENITA Villarin! Do you know someone from Bonbon, Samboan?

    1. I have clasmate in high school (“Rodriguez” family name ) that reside in Bonbon, however, it needs to update the status if he is still living thereat. I just read ur mesage I visited Samb last week end and back manila on 19 Apr 10. It was an opportunity to ask the old folks in Bonbon.

      1. Really? You’ve been in Samboan last week?! Do you still have any contact with your classmate or any friend living in Bonbon? Friend in facebook? 🙂 I hope she/he knows my lola’s family there…

  28. Really? You’ve been in Samboan last week?! Do you still have any contact with your classmate or any friend living in Bonbon? I hope she/he knows my lola’s family there… 🙁

  29. …yes,i do really agree that samboan is such a great place….i am very proud to be samboangnon..i will always miss my very own place..love all of you..
    GOD Bless.

  30. wow! so many changes sa samboan.. 4yrs had passed na wa pa ko kauli sa samboan, hopefully this coming Fiesta this year. I’ll be back home for short vacation… to all my relatives Briones and Villarba see you..

  31. good job of taking those pictures.
    I grow up in Talisay,Santander
    its not far from Samboan .I went to
    school in St. Pius .

  32. ..hi ley..just want to ask ur permission…i want to grab the photo in your blog..coz it was so nice…so that i can be able to live as is in samboan.even i’m far..hehehe..
    By the way,hu wants to experience the beauty of samboan…the best time is NOW…
    GOD Bless us all..
    Once again, thanks ahead ley..

  33. I’ve been in this town several times in the late 70’s and played basketball with team MarCats. I made a lot of friends and had so many memories of this town worth remembering. Daghan na improvements and nindot na sad ang Samboan.
    Sa akong mga amigo/amiga diha – it’s been a long long time na…Komosta na lang.

  34. Taga Samboan ko. Sa Tiltil ko modako.1975 ko milayo diha uban sa akong pamilya.Sa CAVITE ko manimuyo karon.

    JULY 2010 miduaw ko with my wife and daugther. SO NICE TO SEE THE PLACE I WAS BELONG.

    May panahon ra na mobalik ko sa SAMBOAN magbuhat ug panginabuhi pohon.

    ror@seven/seas

      1. BUWAD
        Basin naka-ila ko nimo.

        Kumusta ka man? Anha na ko sa ato pohon basin mag_kita ta X2. ta pohon. Remember life is too short.

        Biro lang…..
        ror@seven/seas

  35. I spent 31 days in Samboan from Feb. 12 2011 to Mar. 15 2011. I went to visit my fiancee’ and I loved this place so much I am planning to retire there in about 6 years. One of the first things I want to do is go to the schools in Samboan and tell the kids not to litter their beautuiful province and perhaps I can get the kids to begin to remove the litter that has been scattered about over time. I need to tell them they live in one of the most beautiful areas on the entire planet and that protecting it should be in their interests. When I was there I particuallialy enjoyed seeing all the lovely children and how they seem so interested in seeing a foriegnier form another country. I felt very safe there and I was well received by the people that lived there.

  36. I am curious about Samboan. They say our Patriarch Mariano Kahulao Lisondra is from Samboan. Glad I saw these pics. May meet our relatives there someday.

  37. thanks for proposing this place.. its so amizing, and lots of places to discover… taga samboan pud ko, actually from suba..on the past 4 years naka uli lang ko 2 times because naa ko abroad ng work… on the picture na notice lang nako, cuz lets back 5 years ago, sa park naa paman to ang monument ni dr. jose rizal. but now mura ala na xa also ang kang papa jesus in front sa mean door sa church.. thanks again…

  38. Hello mga samboangnon…its more fun in our place…ABS-CBN did visit our place..i hope it will published and be liked by everybody…God bless us all.

  39. Wow, kanindot makita ang yutang natawhan, bisan sa mga hulagway lang. Kanindot makabisita na pud unta pag-usab. Naa bay Association sa mga taga Samboan dinhi sa America? Maayo unta ug naa para makuhaan ang kamingaw.

    R. Lisondra of Tambo, Samboan

    1. Very nice place, My old folks is from this beautiful town. Mouli gyud ko someday. very relaxing place. Congratulations to the local government for maintaining the cleanliness and green sceneries. Good job..

  40. This was the place of my father Timoteo Angcon. Naka anha nami kausa gagmay pami. dugay na tawun wala kauli si papa. Naa sya sa Cagayan de oro karun.

  41. my mom was the Juanita Villarin Lisondra.. she was born in this place.. my Uncle teddy is living here until today.. he tend the land pass to them by their ancestor…

    1. Hi Riza! Can u please ask your uncle Teddy if she knows my granda or Benita Lisondra? Please? Thank you!!! 🙂

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