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Simala Shrine
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Simala Shrine

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Simala Shrine
4.5
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The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
2 within 10 kms
Monastery of the Holy Eucharist
45
27 mReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Simala Parish Church
29
Churches & Cathedrals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
303 reviews
Excellent
169
Very good
96
Average
27
Poor
8
Terrible
3
Mars C
1 contribution
Cmthe hidden gate
Oct 2022 • Family
Use City Tours, 3800 for 4 people. The shrine is breathtaking..
Places to see for 3800, whale watching,
Written 28 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark K
Edmonton, Canada392 contributions
Great sight to see!
Jan 2023
Lovely church, very nice grounds, and church. Special meeting to Catholics. We enjoyed and took lots of photos. Worth the trip
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
uzmelissa
Dubai, United Arab Emirates173 contributions
Don't forget to visit Simala
Dec 2022 • Family
I'm impressed so much with this place, architecture and ambiance of this church is very different that I've ever seen in Philippines. So many local people visits there with their pure feelings and it's location at very crowded town worth to visit
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jazeejaz
7 contributions
Must see
Oct 2022 • Couples
Simala quite extensive. Altho for us my 74yo Sister and I stayed close to the Church. We lit candles for All Souls Day. It’s a must see Id say.
Written 5 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
frenchy8888
Los Angeles, CA21 contributions
Breathtaking Place
Jul 2022 • Friends
This place is so beautiful and sacred… Breathtaking It’s like a castle - I love it !!! I can’t wait to go back when the chapel is done , it’s under renovation when I was there last July 11,2022 . I love this place especially the Virgin Mary . VILMA VITUG JENNINGS here 😍 all my love 😍
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zayn
2 contributions
Crowded
Nov 2021 • Friends
Today, we visited this place. We ought to have a solemn prayer unfortunately the place was very crowded. And there was one guy on duty shouted on us. We know our fault but its not a major offense, he didn't have to shout and humiliate us in front of the crowd. I knew his doing his line of work but is it right to humiliate us?
Written 27 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Manfred P
6 contributions
Disney Khatolizism
Jun 2020
In Beton gegossenes Khatolisches religiöses Dineyland.

Catholic religious Disneyland cast in concrete.
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Taylor S
5 contributions
Hopeful Prayers
Feb 2020 • Couples
Went here for a Religious Tourism and it was divine. The place is truly solemn and reverent.
Feels like that any prayer of a sincere heart will be granted by this place.
Visiting here on weekdays are much more preferable too as lesser people will be around.
Written 22 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pio
6 contributions
religious place. .
Jan 2020
simala has a big changes from those times i visit here with my family ,,it started just like very ordinary and so few people came here. .. and usually we wait at the gate when they open. . .now its like a tourist place to visit
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marty
Cebu City, Philippines380 contributions
Worth the trip south from Cebu City
May 2019 • Solo
So far 😉 I’ve found 4 different names for this magnificent Cebu 🇵🇭 Religious Heritage Site
• Simala Shrine
• The Monastery Of The Holy Eucharist
• Mama Mary Shrine Of Simala
• Birhen sa Simala

For Simala Shrine ... I believe , is the shorten name ( could be mistaken , as I’m not a Filipino )

I noticed a meaningful sign , up the top of the first ramp up to the Simala Shrine — You are here a PILGRIMS , NOT AS TOURISTS to offer praise, Thanksgivings, Sacrifices, & Petitions to God and Mama Mary

Even thou I’m surely not Catholic ... you feel something there

In any respect ... I’m elated 😀😁 to finally have been able to make my way to Simala Shrine

As previously , over a year now , I’ve been looking at traveling to visit the Simala Shrine ... however disappointingly 😖 I was always quoted between P2500 - P3500 for a return trip by taxi or Hire Van

As yesterday , with intending to travel by V Hire Van ( from Junquera St , Van transit depot ) to Carcar City ... to have an explore , I discovered that the V Hire - P100 , travels through to Sibonga - which is the small township nearest the Shrine ... with this I described to continued on ( give it a go 😁 glad I did )

After having a uneventful quick look around Sibonga , I traveled by Tricycle the near 5kms to Simala Shrine - P150

I later discovered ( whilst at the Shrine ) that the V Hire Van I was on actually travels just to Simala Shrine & returns to Cebu City - even through on the side of the V Hire states it travels to Santander ... therefore after my interesting look around Simala Shrine , I was conveniently able to catch another V Hire Van back to Cebu City 😁

As usually whenever you catch a V Hire Van from any of the depots around Cebu City , the Van’s has it’s final destination on the side door ... as for the van depots , each depot is the transit point for V Hire Vans traveling to their different locations across Cebu ( even thou these V Hire Vans are all one company )

The Simala Shrine is located nearly 2 hours south of Cebu City , on Mama Mary Sanctuary Roard , Sibonga ... as a few Facebook address post maps , have Simala Shrine in Cebu City

Opening hours at Simala Shrine :
• 7 days 8am - 8pm

Holy Mass Schedule :
• Sunday – 12:00nn & 3:30pm
• Monday to Friday – 12:00nn
• Saturday – 10:30am
• 13th of the month – 10:30am & 3:30pm

It is free entrance to the Simala Shrine ... with Religious donations welcomed

Over many decades ... the Miraculous castle like Simala Shrine , is still being built by the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration ... who serve as the guardian of this sacred site ... with the help of different communities of Sisters

Within the church main building ... for the devoted , there are many “Dagkutanan” ( meaning a place for candle lighting )

For choosing your candles at the Shrine
• Gold – Healing ( good health , recovery , spiritual , family tree )
• Green – Prosperity / Success ( exam , study , financial , business )
• Blue – Perseverance ( employment , career, assignment , promotions )
• Violet – Achievement ( plans in life , struggles, endeavours , journey , voyage )
• Red – Love ( unity , friendship , engagement , family )
• Yellow – Peace ( courage , strength , hope )
• White – Purity ( enlightenment , guidance , right path )
• Orange – Reconciliation ( sweetheart , wife , husband , enemy , family )
• Pink – Thanksgiving / Happiness / Joy ( spiritual , physical )
• Black – Souls ( forgiveness , pardon )
• Brown – Vocation ( marriage bond , God’s servant , single life )
• Grey – Deliverance ( bad ways , things , spirits )
• Cream – Conversion / Faith ( children , household , couples )

Please note ... there is a strict dress code into Simala Church grounds :
• No Sleeveless / Tube / Short Blouses
• No Shorts above the knees ( men / women )
• No Sleeveless men’s T-Shirts
• No Mini Skirts
• No Fitting or Transparent Pants
• No inappropriate images or language of cloths
• Plus No Smoking or Alcoholic Drinks
• Plus No food or water - consumed outside
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Simala Shrine, Cebu Island

Frequently Asked Questions about Simala Shrine
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