The Vicariate of Southern Cebu

In his book "Breve Resena de lo que y de lo que es la Dioces de Cebu" written in 1887 and translated into English by Ms. Azucena L. Pace of Barili, Cebu, in 2014, Fr. Felipe Sendino Rebondo describes the parishes under the vicariate:

Cordoba (presently spelled as Cordova, and now a municipality in Mactan Island)

"This parish was erected under the patronage of the glorious San Roque, by Diocesan decree of October 8, 1864 through Royal approval of May 22, 1863; its mother parish was Opon. - The Church is made of coto until the middle of its walls, the rest is tabique pampango; it has nipa roofing; measures 23½ fathoms longs, 7 fathoms wide, and 5 fathoms high. - Cemetery: enclosed by a plant called sorosoro, it is 35 fathoms long and 25 fathoms wide; there is a chapel made of bamboo and nipa. Rectory: made of harigues (square-hewn timber posts) and tabique pampango in the upper part; it has nipa roofing; it measures 15 fathoms long, 14 ½ fathoms wide, and 4 ½ fathoms high. - Barrios: Pilipoc, less than ¼ hour away; Gabi ½ hour away, and the island of Jilutungan, located 4 hours away, is inhabited. - This town is situated in the southern part of the island of Mactan. - From Talamban and Cebu across the channel, it is one hour away, and is bounded by Opong."

San Nicolas Parish

"It was created on May 16, 1584 in the 6th Provincial Chapter of the Augustinian Order. - Patron saint is San Nicolas de Tolentino. - Church is made of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry with transept; 67 meters long, 17 meters wide, and 9 meters high (the walls in the outer part) while the façade is 19 meters high; it has tile roofing and has a good organ. - Bell tower: slender; three-bodied, made of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry; 29 meters and 16 centimeters high; it has a corresponding base; there is a clock. -Cemetery: enclosed by a fence of cut coral stone and lime moral masonry, with columns interlaced with wood, 71 meters long, 42 meters wide; it has a chapel made of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry, 6 meters high and 5 meters wide, in the interior. - Recotry: made of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry, 42 meters long, 19 meters wide and eight meters high, with tile roofing; it is attached to the church. - Barrios: Mambulin ¼ league away; Basac to the southwest, Labangon to the west, ½ hour away; Guadalupe to the north, 1 hour away, Bocaue and Balabac 2 ½ hours away. - It adjoins the city of Cebu to the east; separating them or serving as boundary is the bridge of Tabuada or Fagina falls, a few minutes away; to the southwest is the town of El Pardo, 1 league away."

(To be continued)