Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish Church
A 19th-century Baroque parish church and archdiocesan shrine in Daanbantayan town center, heavily damaged in the 2025 Cebu earthquake and now awaiting restoration.
The overview
About Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish Church
Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish Church anchors the town plaza of Daanbantayan. The parish was carved out of Bantayan and established on April 10, 1858, and the stone church seen today was completed in 1886 under Fr. Feliciano Torres, built with a grant from the Spanish crown and forced local labor. Its Baroque facade is divided into three sections around a wide arched main door flanked by rosette-carved pilasters, topped by a rose window and twin Corinthian columns, with niches holding images of St. Peter and St. Isidore. A hexagonal, three-level bell tower stands attached to the church's gospel side. In 2022 the Archdiocese of Cebu elevated it to archdiocesan shrine status, the first in the Philippines dedicated to St. Rose of Lima. The church has taken repeated hits from natural disasters: damage from Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Typhoon Ursula in 2019, then far heavier destruction in the September 2025 Cebu earthquake, which collapsed an estimated 70-80% of the structure. The retablo of Sta. Rosa de Lima survived intact. As of mid-2026 the Archdiocese, the National Historical Commission, and heritage conservation specialists are conducting engineering studies ahead of a planned restoration. Visitors today can view the surviving facade, bell tower, and plaza grounds, though the interior remains closed while repair work is organized. The site still anchors the town's August 30 feast day and Haladaya Festival.
What makes it worth it
Highlights
- 1886 Baroque stone church facade
- Hexagonal three-level bell tower
- First Philippine shrine to St. Rose of Lima (2022)
- Retablo survived the 2025 earthquake intact
- Town plaza and heritage core of Daanbantayan
- Site of the August 30 Haladaya Festival and feast day
- 1 Call the parish office ahead ((032) 437 8038) since much of the church interior remains closed for post-earthquake structural work. Visit in daylight to see the facade and tower from the plaza. Time a visit around August 30 for the Haladaya Festival and feast day. Location approximate — confirm on arrival.
Wayfinder route
How to get there
From Cebu City North Bus Terminal, take a Ceres bus bound for Maya/Daanbantayan (roughly 3-4 hours) and get off at Daanbantayan Poblacion; the church sits on the town plaza a short walk from the drop-off. A tricycle or habal-habal can cover the last stretch if dropped off along the highway.
Nearby on the chart
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Entrance Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Plaza and grounds accessible during daylight hours; church interior closed for post-earthquake restoration (confirm current access with the parish office).
Duration
30-45 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Best Time to Visit
Morning or late afternoon; August 30 for the Haladaya Festival and feast day.
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