The Beautiful Small Town of Ginatilan

About Ginatilan:

Ginatilan is a 5th class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. Famous sites in Ginatilan include the Inambakan Falls and Millennium Park. Every March is annual festival in honor of the Great Patron St. Gregory the Great with colorfukl festivities and celebration. Another great thing about Ginatilan is it's the hometown of Catholic martyr and 2nd Filipino saint, St. Pedro Calungsod.

 

 Ginatilan is located in the southern part province of Cebu.
Little is known about this municipality in southwest Cebu. But it is rich in heritage and culture. This town was once a barrio and part of Samboan. It was originally called “Hinatdan” which means "where things are brought" during the Spanish regime. However, Spanish officials found it difficult to say the word “Hinatdan”, so they changed it to “Ginatilan”.

This is the picture of Ginatilan, Cebu town proper. This road is heading to St. Gregory the Great Parish Church, Municipal Hall and park. Chapel of St. Pedro Calungsod can also be found beside the church. Ginatilan was believed as St. Pedro Calungsod's home town. Cebu's first and Philippines second saint Pedro Calungsod was beatified by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square in Rome last October 21, 2012.

 

Ginatilan's Cultural Heritage:

                             

The first structure you will see in this town is the Holy Trinity College. There is no data on how old this building is but it was used as Casa Real and as a military hospital during the Spanish occupancy that extended during the Japanese invasion. In 1945, it was established as a secondary school and is now the pioneering secondary school in South Cebu. There's a road that leads to the town church and to the new municipal hall from this school.

                                                                          

                                                                                            

                                                                                  

The town was originally enclosed by a fortified wall. The watchtower, Puerta Dela Marina and the front wall are what's left of the framework used to protect the people from Moro intruders. Further, the Ginatilan Millennium Plaza provides a view of the Tañon Strait bounded by the Negros Island on the west and was put up for people to relax while waiting for the sun to set.

 

 

 

 Ginatilan has several heritage houses, including the Ferolin Ancestral House built in the 17th century. It was known as the first Spanish school. The four-century old house is well preserved and I was lucky enough to be able to have a short chat with one of its descendants. The other ancestral house is owned by the Ferrarens and was used as a Casa Real just like the Holy Trinity College.

     

 

 

 The old municipal building was put up in 1917 and has been converted to a police station. Adjacent to it is the new municipal building that has four floors and a roof deck.

The top of the municipal building gives a great view of the town church -- St Gregory the Great Parish Church -- with the rolling hills on the backdrop. Construction started on February 2, 1829 as an extension of Samboan Parish. It was given a parochial status only on October 5, 1847. It has a Baroque architecture though its facade is deprived of any interesting ornamentation. The graduated tier belfry wedged on the top by a pointed roof was added between 1880 and 1890 gives the church a unique and intriguing appeal.

The next pictures show the external and internal features of the town church

St Gregory the Great Parish Church

Coral-Stone Facade

Inside St Gregory the Great Parish Church

  Altar and Retablo

Thick Coral-Stone Walls and Stained Glass Designs

  View from the Choir Loft

Just beside the church located the statue of St. Pedro Calungsod where some people drop by to drop petition letters or to pray and light for their candles.

Here’s also a wonderful view of Ginatilan’s Millennium Park. It’s an ideal place to relax and see the sunset during afternoon for it is just near side the sea wall. You can also see the beautiful view of Negros Oriental across the sight, and feel the gentle breeze from the seaside.

Ginatilan Millennium Park view during night time.

 

Hidden Wonders of Ginatilan:

 Another must see site in Ginatilan is the Inambakan Falls. It’s located at the secluded part of the town. You can hire a motorcycle that could take you to the falls. Unlike the famous KawasanFalls, InambacanFalls is not commercialized and it’s not well developed yet. There are rumors though that the government has plans to develop the said falls where they would build cottages for tourist to stay.

 

 Inambakan Falls is around 100 feet high with a wide catch basin 8 feet in its deepest part. There is a big rock where the water drips and a small cave-in.

Kampael Falls is around 15 meters tall, has a narrow catch basin and just above Inambakan. It will take you about 15 minutes to get in the second falls.

Another falls is the bugnawan waterfalls. It’s called bugnawan for its cool and soothing water.

Hinatdan Festival of Ginatilan:

 Another interesting thing about Ginatilan is its colorful celebration during its festivities. In the making of a cultural festival of Ginatilan at present, "Hinatdan" was rightfully chosen as the name of the festival because of its historical and religious value.

"Hinatdan" can be considered as the general term, an act of progress and development. Aside from the above mentioned historical and religious accounts, we can aptly say that today Ginatilan is "Hinatdan sa mga butang alang sa kalamboan ug kauswagan. Hinatdan sa mga maayo, makugihon ug mahigugmaong katawhan. Hinatdan sa mga bahandi sa dagat ug kayutaan ug hinatdan sa mga grasya sa kahitas-an."

"Hinatdan" is the fitting name of the festival because it portrays a significant notion of the place itself. It inspires and encourages the townfolks to work harder and do things for the best in life, so that the fruits of their labor and dedication can be sent to the community and for them to cherish and be proud of. "Hinatdan" is an act of good service to God and to the Community. It is a festival of history, a festival of arts and culture of Ginatilanon and a festival of life.