San Sebastian de Martyr Parish Church
Borbon's Catholic parish church, rebuilt after WWII but still crowned by its original Spanish-era belfry.
The overview
About San Sebastian de Martyr Parish Church
San Sebastian de Martyr Parish Church is the Catholic parish church at the center of Borbon, a town established as its own parish on September 15, 1862 after being a visita of Sogod. An earlier church on the site, described in 19th-century accounts as built of wood and tabique on a mortar base, was considered one of the oldest churches in Cebu before it was destroyed during World War II. The present concrete structure dates to the postwar rebuilding, but it retains a bell tower, or belfry, from the Spanish colonial period, along with a fragment of an original wall from the earlier house of worship. The facade has a two-level design with a pedimented upper section and a covered porte-cochere entrance, while the polyhedral steeple, pierced by open arches, remains the church's most historic feature and its visual anchor over the town. The church is dedicated to St. Sebastian, whose feast is celebrated every January 20 alongside the town's Silmugi Festival, drawing crowds for the fiesta mass and street dancing. A candle pavilion, rectory, and a roadside Marian grotto sit near the main church building.
What makes it worth it
Highlights
- Spanish colonial-era belfry
- Remnant wall from the original 19th-century church
- Pedimented facade with porte-cochere entrance
- Annual San Sebastian feast on January 20
- Adjoining candle pavilion and Marian grotto
- Town-center location in Poblacion
- 1 Dress modestly if visiting during mass. Check ahead for mass schedules if you want to attend a service. Time a visit around January 20 to catch the San Sebastian feast day and Silmugi Festival celebrations. Location approximate — confirm on arrival.
Wayfinder route
How to get there
From Cebu City North Bus Terminal, take a bus or van bound for Bogo or Borbon (roughly 2-2.5 hours) and alight at the Borbon town proper (Poblacion); the church sits at the town center, a short walk from the drop-off point.
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Entrance Fee
Free
Opening Hours
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily; mass schedule varies
Duration
30-45 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Best Time to Visit
January 20 for the San Sebastian feast and Silmugi Festival, or any morning for a quiet visit.
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