133.45 km2 (51.

53 sq mi)
Popularly known as the “Simala Shrine” or “Simala Church,” the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist is one
of Sibonga’s most visited locations.
Located in Barangay Lindogon, one of the town’s barangays. Built in the late 1990s, the site has been
associated with various miracles – one of which is the shedding tears of blood of a statue of the Virgin
Mary housed in the site.
At the town center is the Sibonga Heritage Park and Sibonga Plaza which are bounded by the Sibonga
National High School, the Sibonga Municipal Hall and the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church.
In 1910, a kiosk was built in the area. The kiosk served as a gathering place for various events, and in
1924, General Emilio Aguinaldo delivered a speech there. The General visited Sibonga at the time to
establish the Spanish-Filipino War Veterans Association
Completed in the early 1880s, Sibonga’s Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (Our Lady of the Pillar)
Church is characterized by a Gothic-themed architectural elements.
What makes this church unique is its pre-war ceiling frescoes depicting accounts from the Bible like
the “Creation of the World.”
The church’s ceiling was painted in 1924 by artist Raymundo Francia. The artist, who worked on
paintings in other churches in during the Spanish times, was popularly held as “the Michelangelo of
Cebu.”
The “Bonga” (fruit) Festival is held every 9-10 August annually to honor Sibonga’s two
patron saints: St. Philomena and Our Lady of Pilar. Dance competitions and other
activities are prepare by the local government. Expects lot of dancing, food, singing
and other festivities in August. Expect heavy traffic along the main roads too.
Sibonga Cherry Blossoms. Who would think cherry blossoms can survive in our tropical
climate? But it did. It only blooms once a year between March and April (surely in April, the
flowers will start to fall out).
In 1990s, the employees of the LGU planted cherry blossoms with the help of the previous
Municipal Mayor Bonifacio Bacaltos. Only 3 survived. Sadly, the other two were damaged by
the typhoon Sendong and Yolanda. One lucky a tree withstood the storm though.
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-
lifestyle/2017/08/26/1733175/sibonga-day
https://sugbo.ph/2019/simala-shrine-church-cebu/
https://www.onecebu.com/read/10287
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibonga
https://halalanresults.abs-cbn.com/local/cebu/sibonga