Boljoon, Cebu, the Philippines
March 5, 2011
Boljoon, Cebu Island, 1823.
Monsoon winds from the south had been agitating the waters around the Spanish settlement town of Boljoon. Atop a watchtower, a sentry spotted a fleet of pancos outlined against the horizon. He frantically hoisted a red flag on a bamboo pole as villagers, assigned sentinel duties for the week, cried “Moros! Moros!” They rang a massive bell at the baluarte and prepared the canons peeking out of the loopholes. At the toll of alarm, brawny menfolk mounted their armada of wooden sailboats, the balangayes.
Ten balangayes raced to meet seven pancos at sea and canon fires exchanged. Three pancos capsized as the others gathered speed and collided with the Cebuano fleet. The warring vessels locked into one another. The Boljoanons engaged the Moros in close combat using arnis martial arts moves while teetering on their bobbing boats on choppy water. At this point, the battle was waged by the bolo (machete) and the kris (wavy dagger).
This decisive three-hour battle kept the raiders at bay for nearly three decades. Exhausted and bloodied, the Boljoanon warriors returned to shore where villagers loudly cheered for their victory and mourned for their losses. Then the swarming crowd cleaved to make way for Fray Julian Bermejo, “el capitan parroco” – the warrior priest of Boljoon.

Fast forward to 2011.
Boljoon is now a sleepy town; its fortresses are mere vestiges of its action-packed past. Fr. Bermejo’s baluarte, under restoration during my visit, and Boljoon Church’s belfry have similar fort windows. The belfry housed not only a bell but also canons back in the day.
Lindzey Romero, the president of Boljoon Heritage Foundation, is kind enough to give a crash course in Boljoon history to travel buddy Ki and me. He explains that Fr. Bermejo built a chain of fortifications in the coastal towns of Cebu and trained Cebuanos in tactical defense to quell a spate of Moro raids. The Moros from the south were resistant to Spanish colonization, unlike the indios in the Visayas and Luzon who had been easily subjugated and converted to Catholicism. This caused constant conflict between the Moros and the Spanish.

These days, Boljoon has no more need for el capitan parroco. But a new season brings with it new dangers. Looting, defacing, and neglect plague the country’s historical heritage. It’s nothing short of a miracle that Boljoon’s colonial treasures have mostly dodged such dangers. Still, Boljoanons should remain vigilant in safeguarding them. Lindzey comes off to me as this town’s heritage guardian, attempting to preserve the vestiges of history that add quaintness to the naturally picturesque Boljoon.
Boljoon Parish Museum

Intermittent excavations have been conducted since the early 1920s, pioneered by archaeologist Carl Eugen Guthe who scoured the country’s southern islands, to unearth the remains of a pre-historic settlement where Boljoon Church now stands. Several human bones have also been dug up, indicating that the Cebuano ancestors buried their dead under their dwellings. A rendering of that ancient community with the church structure outlined for scale and Spanish era artifacts are exhibited at the museum, located at the ground floor of the rectory. Most memorable are an uncredited Madonna and Child painting of undetermined origin and extant handwritten baptismal records from centuries past.


Boljoon Church (The Church of Patrocinio de Maria)
Rebuilt in 1783, Boljoon Church is one of the best preserved colonial churches in the country. Much of the church’s coral stone structure and bas-relief survive to this day. Even the gold-gilded retablo has not lost its sparkle. Local artist Miguel Villareal painted the wooden ceiling in the early 1900s with drawings of various church architectural designs. However, much of the church’s charm lies in the fact that its front door invitingly opens up to the sun-drenched water of Bohol Strait. Behind the belfry, a walled Spanish churchyard overgrown with flowers and weeds, lies in partial ruins. Ki and I find it by chance while taking photos of the church at different angles.




Spanish Churchyard
Partly concealed by the bell tower, an ancient cemetery sparkles in the glow of the afternoon sun. The gate’s skull-and-crossbones design and the pediment’s carving of an otherworldly figure lend an eerie ambiance, only balanced off by the fragile beauty of a bed of flowers.


Escuela Catolica
A recent addition to the church complex, Escuela Catolica was built in 1940. The house marries masonry and wood in stately harmony. I stop at its front steps to take everything in. The intricate calado woodwork on its pediment base and the prayerful murmurs from a religious meeting detain my senses.


The Boljoanons
Other than Lindzey, we have the privilege of meeting other townspeople who embody the soul of Boljoon. Lani is the neighborly sort who injects local trivia to Lindzey’s historical stories. Without qualms, she reveals that she’s a descendant of a friar in a real-life lineage of fictional Maria Clara. Her Spanish lineage shows in her sharp facial features and fair complexion. Someone was “el amante parroco” in Boljoon’s history. Rounding up the small town cast, the town clown, Jose, takes care of all the laughs.

Church Plaza
Before we know it, Boljoon is bathed in the last rays of sunlight. As Ki and I wait for a Ceres bus by the church plaza to take us back to Cebu City, we hear the church bell peal. It vaguely conjures up the long-gone era of el capitan parroco, although its relics are preserved through the efforts of the capitan of the town’s heritage. The wars and violence that have shaped Boljoon’s history and architecture seem unimaginable in the present peace and quiet. Just beside Fr. Bermejo’s baluarte, we see young men playing soccer with nary a care and the elderly walking in brisk half-steps to evening mass. All is well with the world in Boljoon.



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Wow that was really an interesting read! I felt like you brought me back in time… Didn’t know this place had so much history in it. T’was very action packed too. Thanks for sharing!
Daghang salamat, Cherrey! You’re right, Boljoon has so much history and so many stories. El Capitan Parroco is just one of ’em. I think his story and the setting has cinematic potential. If only I were a filmmaker!
You’re very welcome.
Oh you might want to add that beautiful flower in Project Noah so that it can be ID’d. You might want to read my blog about it. Gagmay pa kayo mga Pinoy nag-join so hope join pud ka unta hehe..
You can read about it in my blog http://cherrey.110mb.com/index.php/project-noah-re-living-a-childhood-hobby/
Basin daghan pa ka tinaguan pictures of plants, animals and wildlife.. Share ngadto na.. 🙂
I love how your started this blog. I was careful to read through all the details, not wanting to miss anything. Nice 🙂
I appreciate your attention to details, Lili! This post is representative of the kind of transcendental traveling I do. I visit both a time and a place. Yeah, I’m weird like that. 🙂
So this is the continuation of your Boljoon series. This place is like candy mountain for history buff. Do you think Joel will also find Boljoon interesting? 😉
To be honest, I knew about Boljoon from Joel’s FB album. Never heard of this town before! So when my friend and I had nowhere to go in Cebu, I suggested this place. And whadya know – Boljoon was the best thing that happened in the trip. 🙂
This place is full of stories and I think you have captured it perfectly through words. 🙂 Very beautiful.
Thanks for the generous comment. There are many other stories, yes, but I’ll leave it to other bloggers to tell them. 🙂
Tama sya, Claire. AJ knew about Boljoon when I first went there last year. Ang kinaswerte lang ni AJ ay kung paanong pinag-tagpo sila ng tadhana ng Piolo na yun!
(punas-laway)
Down boy! 😀
What an interesting history! I love reading about places like these…actually I am lying…I would like to travel to a place like this!
Your photos are stunning AJ!
I hope you find yourself on our tropical shores, Nelieta. We have a lot of small towns with long histories. Thanks for the photo love. 🙂
..oh, chills…suddenly that photo of ‘Escuela Catolica’ reminds me of a nightmare i had years ago…it’s strange but the structure’s almost the same as it used to be in my dream… yay, bka dahil nakita ko ‘to managinip n nmn ako…i hate nightmares p nmn…prang totoo kc at nakakatakot… anyhow, i appreciate the other photos but not that ‘EC’ one…hehe… pasensya na..(T__T)
Good day.
~Kelvin
what’s your nightmare about hehe.. would you dare visit the Escuela Catolica?
Sorry for giving you the chills with the Escuela Catolica photos, Kelvin. Like Cherrey, I’d like to know what your nightmare was about. Parang “Bahay ni Lola” ba? 😀
ganda ng photos esp the belfry shot! at napahanga na naman ako sa narration, I learned something frm you again, yan ang gusto ko sa post mu, lageng my back up history, very interesting! 🙂
Just tried my hand at a bit of historical fiction. But of course, I based it on an actual historical event. Glad you dig it, Gael. Boljoon has a lot more stories that deserve to be told.
Great story and lovely photos.
Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday (Welcome back!)
Love your Travel Photo Thursdays!
Reading this is like watching a play in a theater! I sooo love your play of words 🙂
I was gunning for a testosterone-packed Michael Bay action flick effect, but a theater play will do just fine. 😀 Thanks Gay!
AJ.
Just want to say that I’ve learned a lot of terminologies in this blog. :-). Yun lang.
Si Merriam-Webster na ba ako? LOL!
Back here after a couple of weeks and I still am amused by the pictures on your blog! Boljoon is so beautiful! Never heard of this place but looks interesting:)
Nehha!!! I like your handle – sonrisa. Isn’t that Spanish for “smile”? 🙂
Anyway, Boljoon is under most people’s radar, even in my country. Which is a pity cuz it’s really a picturesque town. On the other hand, it’s good that it doesn’t attract touristy throngs. That wouldn’t be picturesque at all!
Yes, you’re right! But I don’t know how the system pulled up this username :p
I am sure when I would want to go on a travel spree abroad, I’d definitely have to go through your blog to choose the best places to visit in and around Philippines 😉
Part of this world we haven’t paid much attention to AJ but you’re certainly highlighting it for us and stimulating our interest!
Enjoyed your post…as usual.
Such a nice thing to say, Jim. Boljoon is not even known in my country. If you find yourself in our fair shores, do pay a visit to this town. 🙂
ah napanood ko yang boljoon sa living asia channel pati yung historian na kamukha ni piolo hahaha.ganda ng town.ang galing mo talaga magsulat aj.good job!
Xie xie! Lindzey Romero (the Piolo Pascual of Boljoon, hehe) has become one of the tourist attractions of the town! 😀
maganda din ba beach jan sa boljoon?
There wasn’t much of a beach. The shoreline was rocky and blanketed by a green mantle of algae.
First time to hear this place. This is very informative post 🙂
Thanks. I like going to little-known places and discover their hidden delights. 🙂
salamat po… but would have been better if i was not wearing that outfit.. kakahiya po.. .. salamat for the storyline and the feature…
Wow, it’s THE Lindzey Romero! Truly honored to have your comment in my blog. *genuflects* 🙂 No worries, your shirt is so cool. Actually I want one.
But I should thank you, really, for sharing your passion and historical knowledge. Your stories and love for your hometown made Boljoon’s history come to life! Thanks for dropping in.
Hi AJ. I’m going to Cebu Feb 8 and thinking of hiring a van (for 5 or 6 of us) to do Oslob, and then Boljoon and Carcar on our way back to the city. How do I get in touch with Lindzey? Love this blog, AJ. We’re 2 suckers for history, indeed. And if Lindzey is there to guide old ladies like us, it would be great!
Southern Cebu road trip! Would love to do that again.
Here’s Lindzey’s contact details (he did give me his business card so I suppose he wouldn’t mind my posting it here): Mobile +63 922 889 9808. Email: lindzey82@yahoo.com
You’re gonna have a blast, T.Lili!
hmm Escuela Catolica is really old .. How I wish to visit Boljoon, Cebu as well! nice pics! 😀
Actually not that old. Built in the 40s, it’s actually the newest structure in the Boljoon church complex. It’s wooden that’s why it looks ancient. 🙂
WOW!!! We got a bit of history here
and you Reluctantly Walking Away from Boljoon is understandable! 🙂
Were really rich when it comes to heritage, its really nice to write about them
I may have walked away, but my heart is still there in that precious little gem of a town. Oh, and I must credit Lindzey for making the town’s history come alive. 🙂
I am happy that they were able to preserve this place. It seems like I was transported back in time while I was reading this post. Thanks for this cultural exposition. Places and history like this make me truly proud to be a Filipino.:)
It’s easy to forget national pride in Metro Manila, where streets are filthy and criminality rampant. Our small towns, though, could easily remind us of our heritage and how much we can be proud of as a people. 🙂
Beautiful shots and historical place….. !! Parang naaalala ko lang ung mga old church and plaza nung mga sinauna sa history ng Pilipinas… nice post!
Thanks Shiela! It’s good that the town of Boljoon did not build gaudy multi-purpose structures made of cement by the church. Other old churches in other towns (Pakil and Cavinti come to mind) are not as lucky.
Write a book, for crying out loud! I think I already mentioned in one of your posts that I am awed by your writing skills. Man,you can get away with an entire post with all words and no photos and it will still be interesting.
Whoa DG, over! 😀 Well, I have 3 articles in the first issue in 2012 of BluPrint Magazine. It’s not a book, but it’s the next best thing, I think. 🙂 Thanks for the appreciation. It makes the long nights of writing worth it.
Im am blown out on how good you are on writing! How I wish I will became as good as you! I you also got very good photos. You got it all I think? I admire you the most! 🙂
Novie, you made my day, hehe. I still have a long way to go in blogging, even after almost 3 years. 😀
I don think so but its nice to learn while writing at the same time. What will be you after 10 years!? I will just heard that you will release you first written book, dont forget to keep a copy for me if ever! 🙂
Oh geez, I’ll be so old in 10 years! 😀 Actually I have a book coming out this summer. It’s a grade school textbook, hahaha! Yeah I co-authored it and it’ll be used in schools this coming schoolyear. But I guess that’s not the kind of book you mean. I need an agent to get me a book deal. 🙂
And yeah, I’ll remember your encouragement and give you a signed copy. #dreaming 😀 Thanks Novie!
I love how you narrated the the history in a very creative manner. Nice old town by the way, peaceful and laid-back.
Add to it the town’s historical heritage – and that’s exactly why Boljoon is my favorite town!
i like your shirt! haha!
that photo with the dog looks so cool :>
You’re not the first person to say that. Penshoppe should pay me for modeling it. 😀 Yeah, that dog IS cool.
Ang ganda ng churches nila ah
Wondeful escapades. Your blog is very nice and informative. Keep blogging!
Thanks for the props, Jen. Right now, I’m experiencing a major writer’s block. Haven’t written a new post in 2 months. But the well isn’t dry yet. Just busy with other things perhaps. I’ll get back into the groove soon. 🙂
The Escuela Catolica looks like it could fall at any minute. I hope its strong enough to withstand typhoons.
The church looked eerie but something worth seeing. Love the Spanish feel of the place.
You have a point there, Kathy. Escuela Catolica has withstood typhoons for about 7 decades now, but then typhoons nowadays are stronger than before.
I think any old church has an eerie quality to it. In Boljoon it’s the Spanish cemetery by the church lying in ruins that monopolizes the eeriness. There are strange, seemingly pagan symbols carved on its stone walls.
that’s a piece of history you have written there AJ.yea sometimes it feels sad when historic sites are left to banish and lost its significance. glad there are still people who could bring the past glory in its light for us to learn and appreciate. the people of Boljoon you’ve met are treasures by themselves!
That’s why I appreciate the passion that Lindzey had for his town’s heritage. It was very inspiring and infectious.
great photos and super nkaka-enjoy ung story. I wanna visit boljoon church tuloy! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed my little take on history. And yeah, go to Boljoon. It’s the coolest town, pinkie swear. 🙂
Wow! That’s a different Cebu you showed us. Thanks for sharing your experience there. Is it far from Cebu City?
Traveling does let you see places with fresh eyes. Boljoon is just 103 kms south of Cebu City, which is about 2 hours by Ceres bus. Do pay the town a visit when you go to Cebu. It’s so lovely.
Beautiful writing and beautiful photos! I’ve been to Cebu several times (I live in Dumaguete) and yet I’ve never been to Boljoon, which is too bad, really.
That’s a shame, Rachelle! 😀 You’ve done Bangalore, now do Boljoon.
Beautiful photos! I love the intricate design of Boljoon Church especially its mural on the ceiling. Please swing by my page too! Thanks!
The bell tower is already a reconstruction, but the facade still has the original indigenous-designed bas-reliefs. Truly a church worth visiting for its heritage value.