SIMALA: A RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGE SITE IN THE VISAYAS

MONASTERY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

SIMALA AT CEBU 

 

 

 

 Text & Photos by Henry Libo-on

 

 

  

 

 Simala is a name that refers to the church in the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist.

 It is located in the small village of Sibonga in the southern part of Cebu island.

  The monastery is the place where the Marian Monks live. 

 The place started as a small farm where two monks lived. Through those years that they stayed in this huge piece of land, they developed it by planting trees and vegetables and raising chickens and farm animals. They also constructed a chapel and houses made of local materials. Soon the place was called as Marian Hills.

 When an epidemic hit this community, the monks incessantly prayed for the intercession of Mother Mary and to save the children who suffered from that epidemic. 

With the help of the local population, this small community soon developed until the monks constructed a church that will honor the Blessed Virgin Mary for all the miracles that helped the people of Sibonga. 

When, the church was built, the whole place was transformed. It became known as Simala and Marian Hills, being the home of the Marian Monks.

 Some people connect the name "simala" to "himala" or "milagro" or miracles. But the Wikipedia says that Simala is a small community in the Province of Oristano in the Italian region of Sardinia. 

Since, there was no one to talk to about the real origin of the word Simala, I just leave it that way - if there is a place in Italy known as Simala, then, there is also one place in Cebu that is called Simala. 

The Simala Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Cebu is a place where stories of miracles and healing occurred many years ago. 

We started our tour from the City of Cebu that early morning of Friday, three days after the celebration of the birthday of the Blessed Mother. We traveled for about two hours until we reached the town of Sibonga. We turned right (depends on your orientation and origin), and followed the narrow road leading to the Shrine. 

The side of the road was adorned with multi-colored banners and flaglets. These were remnants of the celebration of the birthday of Mama Mary. From the distance, the whole structures looked like a castle. 

 From the entrance, I followed the concrete walkway and turned to the right to join the rest of the pilgrims who were going to the main altar of the church. Once inside, I silently sat on one of the pews, whispered my prayers and asked God for the forgiveness of my sins and blessings for my family. I felt fulfilled to have visited Simala.

There, a great feeling of hope that good things may happen to me filled my soul. However, I felt a little sadness because not a single member of my family was with me. It could have been the happiest day of my life when I was in the company of my family. 

My pilgrimage to Simala ended with a shopping for souvenir items and gifts (pasalubong) at the town of Carcar.  The town of Carcar is famous not only for its "chicharon" but also for its numerous old houses and heritage sites. 

Touristang Pobre is joined by Doc Merlit, Ms. Jo and Ligut S. Thanks, guys!

From Simala, I suggest you pass by Carcar and explore the place.  
If you want to stay longer in Simala, you can stay in a nearby hotel which is around 150 meters to the entrance of the Shrine.  This is the St. Catherine Boutique Hotel and Restaurant.  It is located along the road to the Shrine. 

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Hi, before you change the channel, so to speak, do you like this story?  If you do, please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this story with your friends.  Have a nice trip to Simala.

All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre.

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Few days ago, I visited Mactan Island and toured its historical sites and places. 

I remember meeting this gracious lady who related to me how she and her family descended from the ancient bloodlines of Chieftain Lapu-Lapu of Mactan(g). She traced her forefathers as coming from Camotes Island where Lapu-Lapu lived with his family hundreds of years ago, on the coastal village called Mactang.

Photo was captured when we had coffee in the house of a friend/relative in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Cebu is really a very interesting place, religiously, historically, and culturally. Ciao.

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Updated 30 June 2018.
Updated October 26, 2019.
Updated January 22, 2020. 

Reviewed on April 1, 2021.

Reviewed on December 5, 2022. 

Reviewed on April 28, 2023. 

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Touristang Pobre was organized and started as a Blog on April 9, 2013

in Philadelphia, U.S.A. 

Last April 2022

TOURISTANG POBRE

 was 9 years old. 

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