Cave near first bridge eyed as tourist attraction

This cave near the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, which was a place of worship for members of God’s Doctrine Church until 2011, is being eyed as a tourist attraction. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

For decades, a cave near the foot of the first Mandaue-Mactan bridge served as a place of worship of a religious group named God’s Doctrine church.

Although the cave has been abandoned for years, remnants of religious activities can still be found inside the cave like relics of saints and old balusters.

Water dripping from stalactites believed to be miraculous by the group can still be seen in the cave.

Two concrete stairways hugged the cave’s rock formation.

The idea surfaced that the area can be developed into an ecotourism site because the cave formation is different from any other cave found in the city.

Pajo barangay captain Junard Chan said the private lot owned by General Milling Corp., site of the cave, can be developed to boost the city’s tourism.

Since the place started off as a chancel, Chan said they could develop the place into a religious site.

“We can also put a huge statue of the Virgin of the Rule at the entrance of the cave,” he added. They still have to ask permission from the church.

After it was abandoned, the cave attracted lovers, martial arts trainees and drug dealers, Chan said.

Larry Cutamora, who lives near the cave, said there were even tales from the people that Datu Lapu-Lapu who killed Ferdinand Magellan prayed inside the cave.

Jenoviva Simafranca or Inday Allah to her followers, said she was driving at twilight when she was led down the bridge and heard a voice saying she should go inside the cave.

The voice told her to take 13 steps down the cave and dig the soil.

To her surprise, she dug old relics of the Virgin of the Rule, Jesus Christ and other religious icons.

Inside the cave are three tunnels, one of which is  believed to lead to barangay Punta Engaño.

The other one  ends underneath the Birhen Sa Regla Parish Church and the third is connected to barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City. .

After discovering the relics, Inday Allah gained followers who claimed they saw her and the cave in their dreams and their illnesses were healed.

In 2011, Inday Allah had an agreement with GMC management that they would need to leave the cave because they had to use it for other projects.

Cutamora said that the group welcomes the plan to develop the place but asks if the group could take part in the process.