DAYON KAMO SA BOLJOON!

     Welcome to Boljoon! The best alternative tourist destination in the Philippines. We heartily invite you to visit and discover Boljoon yourself, and offer you this website to help you get acquaint and leave a first impression. Savor the wonders of nature and its good people! And take a closer look....Discover Boljoon!

     Imagine a world filled with wonders of nature. There's the enchanted Ili Boulevard, the mystique lover's cave, the variety of fishes, rich in cultural heritage and abundant of kind-hearted and hospitable people. All these and more are offered by BOLJOON.

     Boljoon is located 103 kilometers, southeastern part of Cebu. It is two and a half hours travel by a public bus or less. The town is strategically located in between waters and mountains. Thankfully, the town is rich in cultural heritage and wonderful gifts of nature. So if you plan to get away from it all--the pressures of urban dwelling and the stress of work etc., why not spend a glorious vacation in BOLJOON? Commune with nature, enjoy the place, and re-acquaint yourself with tranquility and serenity. Seek refuge in the wonderful town of BOLJOON. Discover Boljoon!

BALIK-BALIK TA DIRI SA BOLJOON!!!

     Thank you for visiting www.boljoon.net. Here at www.boljoon.net, our goal is to give you the opportunity to stay in touch with Boljoon. In no time, we will always keep you up to date about this naturally gorgeous and gifted little town.
     You can reach us at: admin@boljoon.net

ABOUT BOLJOON

Boljo-on Land area: 11,500 hectares / 111.2 square kilometers Boundaries: It is bounded by the Municipality of Alcoy in the north, the Municipality of Oslob in the south, the Municipality of Malabuyoc in the west and Bohol Strait in the east. Total population: 13,380 Boljoon is a fifth (5th) class municipality composed of eleven (11 barangays. Of the eleven, 6 barangaysare coastal including the Poblacion, the rest are upland barangays. It is an agricultural town where fishing and farming is the two main livelihood of its people. The Poblacion is the main commercial district of the town. Boljoon is one of the oldest towns in southern Cebu. It is also the quaintest and picturesque. Its narrow coastal plains are bordered by cliff and luxuriant hills; which offers a commanding view of the Bohol Strait. Boljoon therefore is hemmed in by tall mountain ranges with residual natural forests making it “ THE ONLY POSTCARD TOWN IN THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF CEBU”.

According to Marin Morales, the town was created in 1598 while the parish was established a year later. A certain Fr. Blanco disputed this claim and asserted that the Parish was founded in 1600. Another source stated that Boljoon’s church was created in 1606 with Barili and Pari-an in 1614 and Mandaue in 1630. A document that still exists in the Archives of the Augustinian Province of the Philippines recorded the formal establishment of Boljoon’s Parish in 1692 with Fray Nicholas de la Cuadra, OSA, as its first parish priest. The present church was constructed in 1783 by Fray Ambrosio Otero, OSA, in 1783 and completed by Fray Julian Bermejo, OSA, who also continued the church convent that was finished in 1841. Boljoon Church is veritable showcase of old and intricate carvings and bass relief. It is also pseudo-baroque rococo with beautifully decorated interior. It has a main nave and transcript and has twenty-eight pillars, two meters thick and made of mortar and lime, which support the walls as thick as the pillars. A communion rail with ornate silverworks was stolen from the church. According to Tamayo, of all Cebu’s churches, the Boljoon Church best gives one sense of the philippine colonialpast. its tower is unusual because it is Islamic in character being square rather than curved. The Church’s design has seemingly followed the same pattern is the churches of Argao and Dalaguete with the exception of some rococo decorations on the panels and along shallow pillar. It has the appearance of an impressionist painting “a la Greco” with its elongated shape.
The Boljoon Church is the oldest remaining original stone church in Cebu that is relatively well preserved. In 1999, the National Historical Institute declared Boljoon’s church a National Historical Landmark and the following year, the National Museum declared it as a National Cultural Treasure.

The Church

Built in 1783, but during Fr. Julian Bermejo’s tenure, the church complex underwent expansion of 1808. Work on the church, rectory and belfry took many years to become one complex.

Arch. Melva Java, in her article publish in Cebu Daily News, described the church complex as among the few maintained its square plan. “The look and layout has remained consistent with the 18th century plan as no new or additional structures that would obstruct or destroy alignments of buildings has been built by the succeding generations,” she said.

The church is made of coral stones and hard wood. The roof is made of clay tiles. Twenty-six pilasters support the walls. The walls are as thick as the pilasters. In terms of oranmentation, the facade contains relief and carving depicting various biblical and church characters, such as the biblical snake and Ybix bird, etc. The retablos are gilded with gold dust. The choir loft sports intricate and fine tracery railings. The ceiling paintings are said to be 80 years old painted by Miguel Villareal, a native of Boljoon.

The parish was under the Spanish Friars up until 1948. The church structure is now Boljoon’s landmark.

THE TOWN OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Hon. Deogenes Derama

Vice Mayor: Hon. Merlou Derama

 

Municipal Councilors:

Hon. Ruben Niere
Hon. Proculo Navarro
Hon. Nephaley Ceballos
Hon. Edmundo Estavilla
Hon. Franklin Nacario
Hon. Alfred Awe
Hon. Cedric Batoctoy
Hon. Ernesto Dakay
SKF President: Hon Renze Mendez
ABC President: Hon. Esmeraldo Getubig