Cebu is subdivided into 6 component cities, 44 municipalities and three independent cities that are not under provincial supervision. Among these municipalities and cities are popular tourist spots, these include nature wonders like Tumalog Falls, Kalanggaman Islet, Sumilon Island and Malapuasca Island. Religious attractions that are frequently visited by tourists are the Simala Shrine and Santo Niño Basilica.
As the Queen City of the South, Cebu City is the province’s crowning jewel. It stands as the country’s top tourist and business destination because of its growing potential as a rising tiger that coincides with Metro Manila. The towns near the city are also coping up with new innovations and developments. Their progress benefits the whole province.
Among the towns that are worth exploring is the municipality of Alegria. It is a 4th class municipality that was baptized as Tuburan after tubod (a vibrant spring). Alegria is situated on the southeastern part of the province bestowed with pristine beached, undiscovered caves and majestic falls. One of the important structures in Alegria is the St. Francis Xavier Parish.
The parish was built in March 13, 1857 and it was dedicated to the town’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. It is believed that the parish was the last bastion of the Japanese forces during the World War II. In front of the church is a heavily damaged watch tower, the Bantayan sa Hari, which is another historical landmark.
One can also take a visit to the nearby Alegria Museum. The museum houses the artifacts that were unearthed from Kambulakan Cave in 1999. The town center of Alegria features an overview of old colonial houses. Despite the historical attractions and natural destinations, the town has struggled to showcase it to visitors.
It prides itself with alluring and beautiful caves that is not mostly visited by tourists. One of them is the prodigious Salay Cave which is accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). So the cave is generally safe for exploration which is perfect for adventure-seekers.
The municipality of Alegria launched the Kawayan Festival on December 2, 2006, coincides with the town’s annual fiesta. Contingents of the festival paraded in the streets and it highlights the locally produce kawayan (bamboo). The festival is a part of the town’s annual fiesta celebration to pay tribute to St. Francis Xavier.
How to get there
From Manila, one can take a direct flight going to Mactan Airport. Upon reaching Cebu City, you should take the Ceres bus from the South Bus Terminal. Tourists will certainly enjoy the route going to Alegria because of the scenic coastal views and the friendly seaside resorts. Visitors can also take a direct flight going to Dumaguete City airport. From there, they can take a ride going to Sibulan port and then have a ferry trip to Santander, Cebu where Ceres Bus are waiting at the port.