Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Temple of Leah

I've visited Cebu three times in the past, but for me it was always only just a jump off point to Bohol or Siargao. I would just usually spend a day or day and a half in the Queen City of the South and I was not really able to experience this vibrant city. Cebu is probably the other city state outside of Luzon that is urbanized and equally progressive as Manila.

Although it is a metropolitan area, what I like about Cebu is that destinations where you can enjoy nature is easily within reach. Mountainous areas like in Busay is just a few minutes away from the city, world-class beach resorts in Mactan Island is just an hour away while Bantayan Island, Moalbal (diving site) and Oslob (whale shark watching) are just a few hours away.

So when I had the opportunity to go on a weekend trip to Cebu, even though it was somewhat unplanned and instantaneous I grabbed it in a heartbeat. Getting to travel early on this year excited me, it’s my first trip of the year, yey! Plus this will be the very first time that I'll get to really experience Cebu. 

So when I had the opportunity to go on a weekend trip to Cebu, even though it was somewhat unplanned and instantaneous I grabbed it in a heartbeat. Getting to travel early on this year excited me, it’s my first trip of the year, yey! Plus this will be the very first time that I'll get to really experience Cebu. I flew with fellow blogger and friend, Bettina via AirAsia.

Since we had very limited time during our visit to Cebu, we only got to go to a few tourist spots and one of them is the Temple of Leah in the Busay area. It is quite popular among tourists and locals alike as the place is very picturesque and totally Instagram-worthy.

Temple of Leah is the Philipines' equivalent of India's Taj Majal. The construction of the temple was spearheaded by one of Cebu's elites, Teodorico Soriano Adarna (the grandfather of Filipino celebrity Ellen Adarna) in 2012. It serves as a symbol of his undying love for and ceaseless devotion to his wife of 53 years, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna. Mr. Adarna adopted an architectural and structural design that can withstand time and still be appreciated for a millennium so this Temple will become a landmark of Cebu where future generations of the Adarna clan coming from her can come and trace the roots and heritage. All her lifetime collections are showcased in the 24 chambers of this Temple principally for the members of the Adarna family who will cherish her memory.

The temple was carved from the mountain side and had massive temple grounds overlooking the major cities down below Cebu and the sea  When we were there, construction is still underway. The temple adopts an ancient Roman and Greek architectural style complete with huge columns and statues of gods and goddesses. It's like being transported back in time. Since it is located and on the elevated land on Mt. Busay the atmosphere is mostly calm and cool.

  

It was raining when we were there so it was a bit cold and breezy. But despite that the number of visitors keeps on accumulating. Entrance fee is cheap, priced at Php 50 (USD 1) from what I can remember. There's really nothing much to do there but to take tons and tons of photos or basically admire the view and enjoy the cool breeze.

But one could wonder, how much a man loves his wife that he would spend millions of pesos for an extravagant tomb. I guess he loved her unfathomably. Well, it would be very nice if I get to have a husband that will be devoted to me like that. He can just make me feel and show his love and spend the millions for us to travel the world instead (while we're still alive). I won't mind it if he wouldn't construct a structure ala Taj Majal in my honor. LMAO!

TEMPLE OF LEAH

Roosevelt St., Brgy. Busay,
Cebu Transcentral Highway,
Cebu City, Philippines
Contact No: (032) 233 5032 / 0906 324 5687

Website: templeofleah.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TempleOfLeah

Read more of my Cebu 2018 trip:  - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Bai Hotel, Mandaue City - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Cafe Bai at Bai Hotel - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Twilight Roofdeck Lounge + Bar at Bai Hotel - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Marble & Grain Steakhouse at Bai Hotel - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Oqtagon - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Cebu Original Lechon Belly - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: The Pyramid - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Mactan Island - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: The Abalone at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: The Olive at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Ching Hai at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Coral Sea Side at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Havana By The Sea at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark - Cebu 2018 Travel Diary: Temple of Leah

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