6 Tips About The Miraculous Castle Church: Simala Shrine in Sibonga
![Attire Requirements for Simala Entrance Attire Requirements for Simala Entrance](https://ehoo3n2jp5e.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Attire-Requirements-for-Simala-Entrance.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
- For Men – You must wear long pants and a decent shirt.
- For Women – The hem of your skirt or dress should be lower than the knee. Wearing of sleeveless is not allowed. But, if you are comfortable wearing one, bring a cardigan or a scarf to cover your shoulders.
- Before you enter the church, you will see a sign that they strongly prohibit the wearing of tube blouses, transparent and fitting pants, miniskirts, spaghetti dresses, and shorts.
- No smoking and bringing of alcoholic beverages.
- No camera flash.
1. Exploring the Miraculous Church
Once you are inside the Simala Shrine, you will see how fascinating it is right away. Make the most of your time and try to visit every part of the church. I can’t remember the last time I was there, but the place was still under renovation. It was already beautiful at that time. If you go there now, it will be more breathtaking.Related Topic: 54 Tips from Experienced Sinulog Enthusiast – A 2019’s Must Know
2. The Testimonial Hall
There’s a hall in the church where messages and testimonials of firm believers of the Virgin Mary are posted. Many of these are from people whose prayers were granted. You can also see a display case of walkers and crutches from those who were able to walk again. They believe that it was through the intercession of Mary that they were cured.![Simala Shine Simala Shine](https://ehoo3n2jp5e.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Simala-Shine.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
3. The Dagkutanan Area
“Dagkutanan” means a place for candle lighting. A trademark of Cebu churches is the candle lighting area. In this church, there are many “dagkutanan” areas. What makes candle lighting unique in this![Dagkutanan Area Dagkutanan Area](https://ehoo3n2jp5e.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Dagkutanan-Area.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
- White – for purity
- Black – praying for a loved one who passed away
- Green – for success
- Gold – for healing
- Pink – for blessing
- Yellow – for peace
- Red – for love
- Gray – for deliverance
- Brown – for vocation
- Blue – for perseverance
What Are Some Tips for Booking the Right Hotel near the Miraculous Castle Church: Simala Shrine in Sibonga?
When planning a visit to the mesmerizing Miraculous Castle Church: Simala Shrine in Sibonga, it is essential to find the right hotel to enhance your experience. Here are some valuable tips for finding a hotel near this incredible attraction. Firstly, consider the proximity of the hotel to the shrine, ensuring easy access. Secondly, read reviews and ratings to gauge the hotel’s quality and service. Lastly, compare prices and amenities to make an informed decision. With these tips for finding a hotel, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay near the enchanting Simala Shrine.
4. The Main Altar
You have to fall in line first before you can take a glimpse of the statue of the Miraculous Virgin Mary. The line is long, especially during weekends and holidays, so bring a fan with you. Most of my visits to the Simala Shrine fell on weekdays. There were still so many people, but not as much as during weekends. It can get too crowded there, and it can affect your experience. So, I recommend that you also go there on weekdays.![Main Altar at Simala Main Altar at Simala](https://ehoo3n2jp5e.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Main-Altar-at-Simala.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
5. Food and Drinks
If you want, you can bring food and drinks. I packed some snacks with me so I’ll have something to munch in, in case I get hungry during the trip. I also brought a lot of water. You can’t eat inside the church. But, they have cottages outside for guests to sit and enjoy their food. There aren’t many cottages, but no need to worry. There are several ‘carinderias’ or cheap restaurants outside the gate. If you brought food, you could ask the owner of the eateries to use their utensils and pay the corkage fee.Related Topic: How to go to Temple of Leah
6. How to Reach the Simala Church
Here’s how you’ll get to the Simala Shrine if you’re riding the bus: Go to the Cebu Provincial South Bus Terminal. If you’re traveling with peers, I suggest you take the taxi. Taxi fare is expensive, but it’s convenient, and you won’t be lost going to the terminal. The flag down rate is P40.00, and an amount of P13.50 will be added for each succeeding kilometer and for the waiting time in traffic, P2.00 will be added every after two minutes. Ride a bus that’s bound for Oslob. Inform the driver you’re Simala-bound. The entire journey will take two hours and a half. Once you reach the bus stop in Sibonga, you’ll need to ride a tricycle or a motorcycle, commonly called as “habal-habal” by the locals. The ride will take about 5 to 10 minutes.![Cebu Provincial South Bus Terminal Cebu Provincial South Bus Terminal](https://ehoo3n2jp5e.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Cebu-Provincial-South-Bus-Terminal.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Important tips:
The South Bus Terminal has air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses. Take those that are air-conditioned, as the trip is quite long and you need to be as comfortable as possible it near the driver so you can casually remind him that you’re bound for Simala from time to time to make sure he doesn’t forget.If you prefer to ride the V-hire:
A “v-hire” is a van for hire. I prefer to take the bus because it’s spacey compared to the van. But, the upside of riding the v-hire is that the drop off is at the gate of the Simala Church. In case you like to ride the van instead,![Cebu V-hire simala Cebu V-hire simala](https://ehoo3n2jp5e.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Cebu-V-hire-simala.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)