Temple of Leah

An opportunity to see this temple presented itself to me when I was on a brief visit to Cebu sometime in January. I had very low expectations as I haven't seen or heard of this temple not until a friend suggested we take a side trip there to kill time.
To get there, my friend and I got on a habal-habal ride. After a 45-minute drive we reach the top hill of barangay Busay. For an entrance fee of Php50, you get to see a wonderful overlooking view of the city and perhaps the closest thing we can see of Roman-type architecture in the country. Upon entering the place, a large courtyard with granite floors will greet you, with a small marble fountain at the center. There are a number of Grecian sculptures around the area. There are also a lot of white table umbrellas and red mono block chairs. Those are actually an eyesore when you're taking scenery photos.
The structure was enormous, and for it to be a shrine, it's a very grandiose way of expressing love for someone. It's dedicated to the memory of Leah Albino-Adarna. There are two golden lions on each side of the stairs leading up to the main hall where you'll see the golden statue of Leah. The statue is 9 feet high and on either side are stairs adorned with more detailed mini golden sculptures as well as the presence of a large chandelier.
The place is a refreshing sight from seeing mostly greenery in the area. The view and the breeze in truly nice. Photography would be fun except you'll have to go very early in the morning to avoid the crowd. Otherwise, you'll end up getting frustrated that your photos will never clear up from all the people in the background.
Some photos from my visit.

Seen in Ilocos { Churches - Santa Maria Church }

Sta. Maria Church also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is in the province of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur. This church is built on a hill and is a really big structure in its area. It's in the list of Baroque Churches in the Philippines.