No crystal skulls, no alien corpses were found. But the archaeological excavations in Boljoon town, south of Cebu, offer just as interesting—and more realistic—finds on Cebuano culture and tradition.

Bersales, an archeologist, said among those unearthed a few meters from the Patrocino de Maria Parish in Boljoon town south of Cebu province were 26 burials, antique ceramic dishes and jars, a necklace of precious stones and one large gold earring. More…

EVIDENCE of pre-Spanish trade and industry in Cebu were found in Boljoon town, right in front of the Nuestra Senora Virgen del Patrocinio Parish Church.

Different kinds of artifacts and nine burials were found at the third archaeological excavation by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the University of San Carlos.

The recent excavation, done over a period of one month, was 60 to 70 centimeters deep. More…

An old warehouse is one of the last places you will expect to find a national treasure.

Philippine businessman Jaime Sy never thought there was something special about the four-decade-old warehouse owned by his family in Cebu.

That is, not until he noticed a 40-centimetre plaque on a wall inside the building.

He said, ‘For old houses, they normally have a plaque which says the year that it was built. So in this case, its ano 1730, it’s in Spanish, but in English, it’s year 1730.’ Channel NewsAsia

A street in Xiamen, Fujian province in China has been named Cebu, or Su Wu Lu, in recognition of the two city’s ties as sister cities.

The Cebu street is located at Wuyuan Bay area, which is being developed into an economic and commercial center by the sea.

As a reciprocal gesture, the Cebu City Council plans to name a street in Cebu after Xiamen City, according to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto. GMANews.TV

Cebu is one of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines. A “Queen City of the South” marks its rich in history and culture.  You can find lots of firsts and best of the bests. Foods, places and historic landmarks.

One historic places you can find is the Fort San Pedro (near Pier1).  It was rainy Sunday afternoon, when my friends and I decided to visit Fort San Pedro for a photo shoot.  It’s a nice location indeed for a picnic–uhmm picnic?  Noh!  Did i say picnic?  Uh we’ll what can you do to a beautiful garden, castle-like and peaceful? Is it a nice location for a picnic, right?  Fort San Pedro is an ideal place for picnic yet it’s considered as a National Treasure by the Philippine Government.  It is said built on 1565 by the Spaniards to keep a lookout for pirates, has also served as prison during the Philippine revolution, as US Army barracks and city zoo. Today, the fort has been turned into a park or museum where visitors can have a little more information about Cebu history. Keep the Fort, keep our history.

After the success of Suroy Suroy Southern Heritage Trail last July 27-29, another remarkable Suroy-SUroy in Northern Town happened last last August 30-September 1 dubbed as “Northern Escapade” About 15 northern towns were able to showcase their native delicacies, unique culture and festivals to hundreds of local and foreign visitors. 

Gov. Gwen Garcia initiated the 3-day tour assisted by Dir. Dawnie Roa and other members of the CCCI Board member and directors also the presence LGUs.

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Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday declared St. James the Apostle parish church in Compostela town as Cebu’s own ‘Santiago de Compostela,’ the newest archdiocesan shrine for pilgrims to visit.

In a decree of conferment he issued on July 24, Vidal named the shrine “Santiago de Compostela,” in reference to the famous pilgrimage Cathedral in Galicia, Spain.

“They don’t have to go outside the Philippines or outside Cebu anymore because there is already a shrine here,” Vidal said. More…

It’s a rather obscure town, a sleepy, quiet place by the sea on the southern part of Cebu. It can hardly be considered a tourist destination, but I guess that would depend on what one’s travel preferences are.

Below is the poem by Maria Theresa Niere that describes the beauty of Boljoon.  Discover its wonder.

a town of fresh spring water that dries not
in history, legend and song it cries a lot
in this little postcard town of beauty down south
a huge sleping reptile lies at its mouth

the scenic water leaves visitor in awe
of natures’ creation, one would love to draw
the church speaks voluminous memories of old
in friendship and beauty, the people are sold

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What do you do when you want to go out of Cebu City but your busy schedule won’t allow you to get that far? What do you do when your taste buds want something different and adventurous but your choices in the city is nothing but ordinary?
Embark on a food trip. Albeit a not so distant one.

Thirty minutes out of the city proper, or 45 minutes depending on how you want to enjoy the ride, is a perfect weekend foodtrip getaway – Liloan.

Liloan (in Cebu) is probably anice escape away from the city.  It’s basically the first logical stopover for a quick bite and trip to the loo (at Jollibee usually) at the first leg of your trip. Or, the last pit stop (for pasalubong of Titay’s Rosquillos and torta) on your last leg before you hit the city proper on your way back.

Of course people go to Liloan for the parola (lighthouse). But for the seasoned out-of-towner, Liloan is just one of those quaint towns reminding you that, alas, you’re out of Cebu City proper! One does not know that beneath its homely charm is a treasure trove of gustatory delights waiting to be discovered.

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Boljoon is one of the oldest towns in the South. And it is also the most quaint and picturesque. Its narrow coastal plains is bordered by cliffs and luxuriant hills which has a commanding view of Bohol Strait.

According to Marin Morales, the town was created in 1598. The parish was established a year later. But this was disputed by Fr. Blanco, asserting that the parish was founded in 1600. The church of Boljoon was started by Fr. Manuel Cordero and completed by Fr. Julian Bermejo, who also built the convent that was finished in 1841. The convent is L-shaped like a monastery surrounded by walls and tile roof.

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The Santo Niño is the soul of Cebu. Devotion to the Holy Child Jesus is strongest in Cebu but one, whether in statue or stamps form, is found in all Catholic homes across the entire Philippines. Filipinos in other parts of the country often appreciate if a statuette of the a Santo Niño is brought as a pasalubong (travel souvenir) or remembrance from Cebu.

The original statue is small, barely about 12″ tall. It is made of dark wood is given as a conversion gift to the wife of Cebu’s ruler Rajah Humabon by Magellan himself in 1521. The church burned down in 1565 but the little statue was undamaged and became a a legend. The Santo Niño is more than Cebu’s patron saint and is an object of veneration of cult-like proportions.

The Santo Nino exists in various forms, from black to white with blonde hair, alone or posing with Mary and Joseph, or lying down taking a nap. This replica is the classical pose but is (Spanish) Caucasian in features while the original is dark brown.

Taken inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines .

Share your devotions here with Santo Niño.

Here is an Excerpt on the new book.

Evan Thomas on the Last Great Sea Battle - Newsweek Books - MSNBC.com

Nov. 13, 2006 issue - During the Second World War, it was very unusual to be standing on the deck of an American warship and actually see a Japanese vessel. Most sea battles in the Pacific War were fought at night or from great distances—by carrier-based planes flying many miles from their ships. But shortly after dawn on the morning of October 25, 1944, the men of the USS Johnston, a destroyer patrolling near Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands, saw something the survivors would never forget.