Philippines Highlights - Temple of Leah

    On Monday, June 1, we set out for a "Camping" adventure high in the hills behind Cebu City.  On our way out of town we went in search of something Daisy had heard about called the Temple of Leah.  Set several kilometers out of town and far up on a steep hillside this soon to be completed structure will no doubt become a Cebu landmark! 

Temple of Leah Facade view, outside Cebu City Philippines

     The scale of this massive concrete and block structure is hard to get your head around.  I lived in Greece as a child and have seen the Parthenon in person and this is not far off from full scale (if at all).  What is more amazing is that this is literally hanging on a steep hillside with 30 feet of stabilized wall behind and a 30 foot retaining wall holding up the massive courtyard.

     If you have ever read or heard the story behind the TajMahal, you will recognize the theme here.  Within the massive entry hall is an equally impressive gold plated bronze statue in the image of Leah Villa Albino-Adarna in whose loving memory this monument is being constructed. 
     The statue sits atop a marble pedestal at the top of the first set of stairs flanked on each side by curving staircases that lead to a private museum of sorts, the resting place for all of Leah's "Lifetime Collection".  A large framed statement to the right of the statue on the rear wall of this main hall reads:

"I constructed this temple in the year 2012 A.D. as a symbol of my undying love for and ceaseless devotion to Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, my wife of 53 years.  I 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 their roots and heritage.  All her lifetime collections are showcased in the 24 chambers of this Temple principally for the members of our family who cherish her memory"

There are credits given to family members who helped fund and organize construction and then it is signed:

"May this Temple serve as a symbol of a great love of a husband to his very loving wife.

TEODORICO S. ADARNA"

    I have heard estimates of around one year more to complete the construction.  When complete this will be a very impressive attraction to add to your tour of Cebu City.  If it is properly maintained it will be impressing visitors for decades to come.  I took a short video showing the building and courtyard as well as the awesome view of Cebu City and the north east coast of Cebu as far as about Carmen.