The temple was constructed in the year 2012. It was built as a symbol of the undying love and ceaseless devotion of Teodorico Soriano Adarna to his wife for 53 years, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.
If the surname sounds familiar it’s because “Leah” is the grandmother of Kapamilya’s very own talented actress, Ellen Adarna.
(Photo from Ellen Adarna’s Instagram account.)
In a photo posted by Ellen on her Instagram account, the actress posed together with her mother beside the statue of Leah.
The temple was designed to endure the test of time and has an architecture that can be appreciated by everyone who steps foot inside. It will serve as Cebu City’s landmark for future Adarna generations where they can trace their ancestry and heritage.
More importantly, the Temple will serve as testament to the Filipino’s innate creativity, compassion, and faith.
There’s a family tree posted inside the temple where any Adarna can start tracing his or her roots.
The temple has 24 chambers. There’s a museum, an art gallery and a library with all the favorite and personal belongings of Leah. Taking inspiration from Greek and Roman architecture, there are statues of gigantic lions, as well as a grand staircase with brass angels.
At the middle of the temple, you’ll find a bronze statue about 9-feet tall of Teodorico Adarna’s Queen, Leah Albino-Adarna.
At the foot of the edifice you’ll find this inscription:
Leah V. Albino-Adarna was chose Matron Queen of her Alma Mater, the University of Southern Philippines. This nine-foot bronze statue portrays her composure and regal bearing when she was crowned. May the beholder discern her innate beauty, poise and genteelness.
If to some it is just described as Cebu’s version of the Taj Mahal but to the family it is a symbol of their undying love to the great matriarch of the Adarna clan.
The Temple of Leah is located at Roosevelt St., Brgy. Busay Cebu City. For inquiries, contact (032) 233-5032.
How to Get There
From Manila, you can fly to Cebu (estimated cost of Php3,000++, round trip, 45 minutes). From the city, you can hire a cab (estimated cost Php250-Php300, one-way) going to your destination.
From downtown Cebu, you can ride a jeepney going to the Temple of Leah at the University of San Carlos in front of Jollibee going to JY square (Php8, one-way). From JY square, ride another jeepney going to Busay (Php10, one-way) and ask to be dropped off at the mountain view highway intersection. From there, you can walk going to the Temple of Leah.
If you opt to ride a habal-habal going to the Temple of Leah, you can ride at JY square. Habal-habal ride fare is about Php50-Php100. Or for a more convenient ride, you can just hail a cab.
