BOLJOON

Boljoon is a 5th class municipality in the province of Cebu. It is part of the southern Cebu, bordered by the town of Alcoy in the north, Oslob in the south, Malabuyoc in the west and Bohol Strait in the east.
The town has a land mass of 11,500 hectares, subdivided into 11 barangays. These barangays are the Poblacion, El Pardo, Baclayan, Arbor, Granada, South Granada, Lower Becerril, Upper Becerril, San Antonio, Lunop and Nangka. Six of these barangays which includes Poblacion are located along the coast while the others are upland barangays.
The geographic features of Boljoon ranges from undulate to hilly. A small river serves as irrigation to its land. It has plains as well as cliffs and hills with virgin forests. Overlooking the Bohol Strait, one has a very impressive view of the sea and its neighboring town, Bohol. Its mountain ranges and lush vegetations entitled the town as “The Only Postcard Town In The Province Of Cebu”.
The name of the town was derived from the word “Bolho” which means “springs of water”. Based on the historical records, the current name had undergone at least five renditions. Formerly, the town was referred to as “Bolhon”, “Bolhong”, “Bolhoon”, and “Bolhoong”. The sixth rendition which is “Bolojon” is believed to be an error in copying “Boljoon”.
The town is known as one of the oldest towns in the southern part of Cebu. It is an agricultural town where fishing and farming are the two main sources of living. The Poblacion is the only commercialized district in the town.
Legend goes that a certain Fray Bartolome de Garcia and his fellow Spanish Augustinian missionaries explored the southern part of Cebu with the purpose of evangelizing the natives. Arriving in the town, they decided to settle in place because of its abundant supply of fresh water. The natives who claimed the land were willing to be converted to Catholicism and were baptized including their leader, Datu Baladian.
Historical facts states that the town was created in year 1598 and the establishment of the parish is done after a year. It appears that the town was first constitutes as a parish before it was elevated into a municipality.
Furthermore, Boljoon was once part of the jurisdiction of Carcar. However, in 1690, due to the growth of Carcar in coverage and parishioners, it was divided and Boljoon became an independent parish both in civil and ecclesiastical administration. So it happens first to be a parish before converted into a civil municipality.
The town is now centuries old. Though progress is evident through modernization of almost everything from housing, vehicles to equipments and gadgets, few old houses, church and other structures still has the touch of the colonial design.
One best example is the present Boljoon Church. The church started its construction in 1783 by Fr. Manuel Cordeo but was completed under the tenure of Fr. Julian Bermejo including the convent. It is especially dedicated to the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary.
Since Boljoon was one of the targeted towns of the Moro raids, the church was constructed with its double purpose. It was part of the quadrumvirate, alongside the churches of Dalaguete, Argao and Oslob. These churches are also referred as fortresses, thus named “fort-churches”, evidenced by its massive walls in coral stones and hard wood. Aside from its ecclesiastical purposes, these served as a protection from the raid and a safe haven for the inhabitants.
Boljoon Church is the oldest remaining stone church in Cebu. Now a Boljoon landmark, it was declared as a “National Historical Landmark” by the National Historical Institute in 1999 and on the following year as a ”National Cultural Treasure” by the National Museum.
Because of the strong devotion of the residents to the Mother of God, they honored her as their protector. According to the story, the Virgin Mary appeared during one of the raids of the invaders. She covered the area with mist and the enemy fled in panic.
The miracle spread far and wide which initiated lots of people to do pilgrimage and has their petitions be answered. It has then become a tradition. The image enshrined in the high altar of the church was believed to have possessed miraculous powers.
Boljoon, though remained humble, has become one of the most interesting places to go in Cebu. Blessed with verdant mountains and hills, pristine beaches, rocky cliffs, historical structures and colorful history, it is an undiscovered paradise of Cebu, just 100 kilometers away from the main city.

Courtesy of: ExploreCebu.com