⛪ Loboc Church: A Ruined Treasure by the River

📍 Loboc, Bohol | 🗓 Last Updated: 2025 Edition

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🕍 A Church by the River: Before the Quake

Nestled peacefully along the Loboc River is one of Bohol’s oldest and most historic religious structures — Loboc Church, formally known as Saint Peter the Apostle Parish Church.

Photos taken in 2013 - before the earthquake

Photos taken in 2016 - after the earthquake

📸 Photos taken in 2013 — Before the Earthquake

Founded in 1596, this site became the second oldest Christian settlement in Bohol, next to the more famous Baclayon Church. Like Baclayon, it has been declared both a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure.

🗿 The current coral-stone church, built in 1734, is actually the third structure on site. The original was destroyed in 1638, and the second, built in 1670, was later replaced.

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🕯 Tentative UNESCO Status

Photos taken in 2016 - after the earthquake

Loboc Church holds a spot on the Philippines’ tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, under two collective nominations:

• The Baroque Churches of the Philippines
• The Jesuit Churches of the Philippines

Photos taken in 2013 - before the earthquake

While it’s often overshadowed by Baclayon or Dauis, Loboc Church’s baroque architecture and riverside location made it one of the most scenic and spiritually rich churches in the Visayas.

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🌊 The Church That Withstood Floods… But Not the Earthquake

Positioned beside the river, the church has survived centuries of floods — a testament to its strong foundation and historical value. But when the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol in 2013, the church suffered catastrophic damage.

📸 Photos taken in 2016 — After the Earthquake

From afar during our Loboc River cruise, I could still see remnants of the church. Sadly, the bell tower, which stood a few meters away from the main church, was severely damaged.

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🧱 My Personal Reflection: Ruins and Remembrance

I was thankful to have taken photos back in 2013 before the destruction — of the church façade, the museum, and its distinct bell tower.

When I returned in 2016 and 2017, the bell tower had collapsed entirely, leaving only a fragment as a quiet witness to what used to be a grand riverside landmark.

🧡 "It’s heartbreaking to see once-proud heritage buildings reduced to rubble. I just hope they restore Loboc Church—not necessarily to its original glory, but enough for the next generation to remember."

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🏗 2025 Update: Is Restoration Still Possible?

As of 2025, restoration has been slow. Some structural stabilizations have been done, but the full restoration remains in limbo, likely due to lack of funding or logistical challenges.

Visitors can still view the ruins from outside or during the Loboc River Cruise. You’ll see its haunting silhouette—a mixture of devastation and dignity.

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🧭 Travel Tips for Visiting Loboc Church (or What's Left of It)

🔹 Add to Itinerary: Ideal stop after your Loboc River Cruise
🔹 Photography: Visit during golden hour for dramatic ruins lighting
🔹 Respect: This is still a sacred and cultural site—observe respectfully
🔹 Local Stories: Ask guides or locals for church legends—they're often moving
🔹 Pasalubong Nearby: Support local crafts and help fund church efforts indirectly

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📌 Fast Facts

• 🏛 Name: Saint Peter the Apostle Parish Church (Loboc Church)
• 🏗 Built: Originally in 1596 | Current structure in 1734
• 🗺 Location: Poblacion, Loboc, Bohol, Philippines
• 🎖 Status: National Cultural Treasure & Tentative UNESCO World Heritage
• 📷 Best Viewpoint: Loboc River Cruise or across the main road

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🙏 Even in ruins, Loboc Church stands as a monument to resilience—a reminder of what we lost, and what’s worth fighting to preserve.

If you're visiting Bohol, make time to stop by, say a silent prayer, or just take in the energy of a place that has seen centuries of both grace and grief.