Established as a parish on 28 March 1854, Dumanjug had as patron Saint Francis of Assisi.  It was formerly a visita of Barili.  Redondo (1886, 163) describes the Borbon church made of rubble and of new construction, measuring 40.5 fathoms long, 8 fathoms and two palmos wide and 7 fathoms and one palmo tall.  The church was cruciform, roofed with tile and bell tower under construction.

Heritage Site:  Dumanjug church is probably the most handsome of the 19^th century churches in western Cebu.  Made of finely cut coral, its hews closer to the neoclassical idiom for the sedate and chaste simplicity of its decorative elements.  The bell tower to one side of the church has a dodecagonal plan, usual for colonial churches.  Although made of three stories the floors are unusually high; this is a general characteristic of the church.  The engaged pilasters only add to the general sense of height.  The facade’s lofty elevation is broken only by double pediment.

Well known for its white sand beaches, Moalbaoal was established a parish on 20 January 1852, its patron is San Juan Nepomuceno.  It was formerly a visita of Badian.  Redondo (1886, 162) describes the church as made of stone with a colonnade of wood pillars thus dividing the church into three naves.  The church had a tile roof.  The church had the following dimensions: 34 x 12.5 yards, 7.5 yards height.  With a bell tower of tabique and wood, roofed with tile and 15.5 yards tall.  Before the façade was a portico, divided by two columns into bays.  This style of church architecture was popular in Bohol in the 19^th century and is usually associated with Recollect architecture.

Heritage Site:  The portico alone remains of the colonial church, behind it is a modern church of reinforced concrete.  Except for its pitched roof stylistically it has little to do with the colonial portico.  The colonial portico is divided into three arches with the central being the widest and tallest.  Vertical lines are emphasized by thin engaged columns on a high plinth.  The central pediment is liked to the lower story by diagonal lines.  The church plaza is cemented and its level seems to have been raised because the entrance to the church is depressed.

Established as a parish on 26 August 1825, Borbon had as patron Santiago.  It was formerly a visita of Barili.  Redondo (1886, 163) describes the Badian church made of rubble and in good condition, dimensions were 66 x 20 yards, and 9 tall. 

Heritage Site: Badian church probably was the prototype for Moalboal because like the church of this later parish, Badian had a colonnade of wooden pillars that divided the nave into three.  The church had a tile roof and a portico before the façade to which was attached the bell tower. This was one of the last churches in Cebu that had a tile roof, but was removed during a renovation, unfortunately.  Nonetheless, the church is rather well preserved.

Created as a parish on 16 June 1834, Malabuyoc, a visita of Samboan, chose as patron San Nicolas Tolentino, after whom the Recollect province was named.  Redondo (1886, 160) describes the church cruciform and made of rubble, roofed with nipa, 56 x 10 meters, and 8.5 wide.  A single bell tower was attached to the façade.

Heritage Site: The church of Malabuyoc is in general in good state.  Aside from the church, another heritage structure is a coastal watchtower (bantayan sa hari) one of many in network of defense works girding Cebu Island, the Malabuyoc watchtower is clearly visible from the sea.

Extras: This can be a long trip. If you are coming from Cebu City, it is best to leave early before traffic in Cebu gets bad. Bring your own food and drink, unless you want to eat along the way. You can stop at Liloan famous for its Rosquillos cookie.  To get to the west coast quickly, take the Toledo Road, south of Cebu Cit that cuts across the mountain.  This is historic road built by American engineers early in the century.