🕰️ A Glimpse of the Past
Standing at the heart of Tubigon is an old church that once radiated timeless grace. Built in 1886, with its bell tower completed from 1928 to 1934, this church has long been a silent witness to the town's history.
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| Photo taken in 2013 - Before the earthquake |
I first saw it during a food hunt with my friends around Tubigon’s town plaza in 2013, right before our return trip to Cebu. Its coral stone facade, quiet strength, and the elegant arched gate made me pause and take photos. I didn’t expect to discover a treasure on our last day.
📅 October 15, 2013: A Day That Changed Everything
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| Photo taken in 2016 - After the earthquake |
Just a few months after my visit, Bohol was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, devastating many of its heritage churches—Tubigon Church included. On my return in 2016, the church stood damaged and crumbling, its bell tower fractured, and the arch partially collapsed. It was heartbreaking to see this historic structure in ruins.
🛕 A New Church Emerges
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| Photo taken in 2016 - After the earthquake |
During my 2024 revisit, I was relieved to see a newly constructed church in Tubigon. It’s built on a lower portion of the lot, not exactly the same as the old one, but it stands as a symbol of the town’s enduring faith. While the original facade and bell tower may be gone, the spirit of the old church lives on.
📸 Before & After Gallery
- 🕍 2013: Original coral-stone church and bell tower, intact
- 📷 2016: Ruins after the earthquake
- 🏗️ 2024: The newly built church serving the community once again
⛪ Travel Tips & Reflections
✅ Don't skip Tubigon – If you're taking the Cebu-Tubigon route, make time to explore the plaza and the church grounds before your ferry.
🕰️ Plan ahead – We had to wait 2 hours for the next ferry trip back to Cebu, so we explored the town and took turns eating and relaxing.
🌳 Relax at the plaza – The town plaza across the church is a peaceful place to wait. We stayed at the shaded waiting shed, took turns exploring, and even enjoyed the local ambiance.
📸 Take photos – Even if you're just passing through, Tubigon Church is photogenic and rich in story. Every angle tells a part of Bohol’s cultural tapestry.
💻 Support Bohol’s
Church Restoration Efforts
Help rebuild the heritage churches of Bohol through www.rebuildboholchurches.org.
Every little bit counts in preserving history.
📍 Church Info (Pre-Earthquake):
- 🕍 Built: 1886 (church) | 1928–1934 (bell tower)
- 🗺️ Location: Tubigon Town Plaza, Bohol
- ⛪ Status (2025): Original church destroyed; new church now in use
- 🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Morning before ferry trips
💬 My accidental discovery of Tubigon Church is proof that unplanned moments often turn into the most memorable ones. Even in ruins, this church stands for resilience—and now, with its new structure, it stands for hope. If you pass through Tubigon, don't just wait at the port. Take a walk, feel the history, and appreciate how a small town rises after the fall.
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