If you’ve been following My Cebu Photo Blog for a while, you probably already know that I’ve passed by the beautiful Boljoon Town Church more times than I can count. Every time I take a long, scenic drive down south, I almost always stop right in front of it. Whether it’s to snap a few photos, admire its beautiful stone façade, or enjoy a few quiet moments at the plaza across the street, stopping at the church was always my thing.
Inside the Boljoon Town Church
Well, that finally changed during a recent trip to Dalaguete with my fellow bloggers. For the first time, I got to enter the historic Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio Church in the heritage town of Boljoon. And let me just say, it was worth the wait!
As soon as we stepped inside, I was immediately struck by its unique energy. From the outside, it looks majestic; that’s a given. But inside, it’s something else. The centuries-old walls, the flooring, and the pews all felt sacred and alive with stories. You could really feel the history seeping through every detail.
The Pulpit Panels of Boljoon
And speaking of details, are you ready for an unexpected twist? During our visit, we got to see, up close, the recovered pulpit panels that were at the center of a recent controversy.
If you’ve never heard about it, it’s a pretty wild story. You see, a few decades ago, the panels that adorned the pulpit inside the church went missing. Many said that they were stolen. Anyway, the people of Boljoon thought that these intricate religious paintings, believed to be from the early 19th century, were forever gone. However, in February this year, four of the panels surfaced, right on the eve of a public exhibit at the National Museum of the Philippines. And finally, in March, the panels were back in Boljoon. The pulpit originally had 6 panels. One of the panels stayed in Boljoon, four were recovered, and one remains missing. Take a look at how beautiful they are.
Today, the panels are displayed for visitors to appreciate once again. It was surreal seeing them in person, especially after following the story online. Standing right there next to them, it was hard not to feel a mix of awe and joy. I’m very happy they’re back!
I also got the chance to drop by the Capilla del Patrocinio de Maria Santisima, a beautiful chapel at the church’s left wing. There, I was able to say a quick, quiet prayer. The place was gorgeous.
After exploring the church, I went back out to revisit one of my favorite photo subjects in Southern Cebu – the Escuela Catolica. Probably the most photogenic structures in Boljoon.
Also, I’d like to commend Boljoon for keep the town church as lovely as possible. The gardens, the greens, the statues were all in top shape.
A Meaningful Visit
I was grateful that I was accompanied by other bloggers and heritage enthusiasts who shared bits of history and context as we moved through the space. It was a tour that I should’ve taken years ago!
Looking back, I can’t believe it took me this long to finally enter Boljoon Church. I guess sometimes, even when something is right in front of you, it takes the right moment and the right company to really experience it fully. And hey, did you know that I also hadn’t visited TOPS until recently? Well, that’s for a different blog. 🙂
To my readers who, like me, have admired Boljoon from the roadside all these years, you should take this as a sign. The next time you’re in the area, park your car or motorcycle along the road, walk inside, and take it all in. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
