Discovering the Temple of Leah: A Father-Daughter Adventure in Cebu

A journey of discovery, heritage, and the greatest treasure a father could find

The Adventure Begins

There are moments in life that crystallize into perfect memories—snapshots of time that you carry with you forever. My recent journey to the Temple of Leah in Cebu City, Philippines with my daughter Amalie became one such treasured collection of moments that inspired me to capture the experience in song.

As many of you know, my travels often take me across the globe, but there’s something particularly special about exploring new worlds through the eyes of your child. At just nine years old, Amalie possesses a curiosity and wonder that transforms even the most ordinary sights into extraordinary discoveries.

“Daddy, it’s like we’re explorers from one of my books!” she exclaimed as our taxi wound its way up the winding roads of Busay Hills. Her excitement was infectious, her small hand clutching mine as the dense Philippine jungle occasionally parted to reveal glimpses of Cebu City sprawling below.

The Temple on the Hill

The Temple of Leah is often called the “Taj Mahal of Cebu”—a grand gesture of love that stands as a testament to one man’s devotion to his wife. Constructed in 2012 by Teodorico Soriano Adarna as a tribute to his late wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, this massive structure draws inspiration from Greek and Roman architecture, creating an unexpected classical oasis in the tropical Philippine landscape.

As we approached the entrance, Amalie’s eyes widened at the sight of the 24 columns supporting the structure’s facade. “Look Dad, it’s just like the buildings we saw in my mythology book!” she observed, immediately making connections between what she’d read and what stood before her.

I watched with pride as she counted each of the nine pillars supporting the grand entryway, her finger pointing skyward to trace the ornate details. The temple rises an impressive three stories high and spans nearly 5,000 square meters—statistics that mean little to a child until they’re standing in the shadow of something so immense.

A Monument to Love

The bronze statue of Leah that stands at the center of the temple’s courtyard captured Amalie’s attention immediately. While most visitors snap quick photos before moving on, my daughter stood transfixed, studying the seated figure with uncharacteristic stillness.

“She looks kind,” Amalie whispered. “Do you think she knew someone would build all this for her?”

This innocent question led us into a conversation about love and remembrance that I never expected to have on a humid afternoon in Cebu. I explained how Teodorico had this temple built as a repository for the vast collection of items he had given to his beloved wife during their 53 years together—a physical manifestation of memories and affection.

“That’s a lot of birthday presents,” she giggled, bringing levity to the moment in that perfect way children do.

Exploring the Grounds

What makes the Temple of Leah particularly fascinating is its blend of architectural influences. The structure boasts:

• A library filled with books that Leah loved
• An art gallery showcasing paintings and sculptures
• A museum housing her collection of antiques
• Majestic marble floors imported from abroad
• Intricate brass railings around the perimeter
• Life-sized statues reminiscent of ancient Greek sculptures
• Sweeping terraces offering panoramic views of the city and sea

As we explored, Amalie transformed into an impromptu tour guide, reading plaques and information boards aloud with theatrical flair, then translating the contents into what she called “kid language” for her own understanding.

Her favorite discovery was the fountain courtyard, where she spent nearly an hour watching water cascade down multiple tiers. “It sounds like music, Dad,” she observed, closing her eyes to listen more intently. This moment later inspired the melodic pattern that begins the chorus of “The Treasure of Temple Leah.”

The Sunset Revelation

As afternoon gave way to evening, we climbed to the uppermost terrace of the temple. From this vantage point, the sprawling metropolis of Cebu City stretched before us, with the ocean shimmering gold in the distance. But it wasn’t the view that created the day’s most profound moment.

Seated on a marble bench, watching the sunset paint the sky in vivid oranges and pinks, Amalie asked a question that stopped me in my tracks.

“Would you build something like this for Mom?”

The innocence and depth of her question caught me off guard. Amalie’s mother and I have been separated for years, a reality she has navigated with remarkable resilience. Before I could formulate a careful response, she continued.

“I don’t think you need to. I think the songs you write are like your temples.”

Out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom that adults spend lifetimes seeking. In that moment, my adventurous, perceptive daughter taught me something about the different ways we express love and remembrance.

The Historical Context

The Temple of Leah, while relatively new compared to many historical sites, has already become one of Cebu’s most visited attractions. It stands as an interesting counterpoint to the island’s colonial Spanish architecture and indigenous structures.

For those planning a visit, it’s worth noting that the temple sits approximately 10 kilometers from downtown Cebu City in the mountain barangay of Busay. The entrance fee is modest (approximately 100 Philippine pesos), making it an accessible destination for families.

What many visitors don’t realize is that the temple remains technically unfinished. Teodorico’s vision included additional features that were still under construction when he passed away. This ongoing development adds an interesting layer to the site—it continues to evolve, much like the memories it was built to preserve.

The Treasure We Found

As our day at the Temple of Leah drew to a close, Amalie and I sat on the steps leading down from the main structure, sharing a bottle of water and reflecting on our adventure.

“Did you find any treasure today?” I asked, recalling how she had framed our excursion as a “treasure hunt” during breakfast that morning.

She took a thoughtful sip of water before answering with the kind of straightforward wisdom that children often possess.

“We found a story,” she said. “And stories are better than gold because you can take them with you everywhere.”

Her words became the emotional core of the song I would later write, “The Treasure of Temple Leah.” The chorus speaks to this revelation—that the true treasure wasn’t in the marble columns or brass fixtures, but in the moments we shared and the bonds strengthened through exploration and discovery.

Capturing the Experience in Song

Music has always been my way of processing experiences, of capturing emotional truths that might otherwise slip through the fingers of memory. This father-daughter adventure deserved to be preserved not just in photographs (though we took plenty), but in lyrics and melody.

“The Treasure of Temple Leah” emerged over several evenings, with Amalie contributing lines and ideas as I strummed my guitar on our hotel balcony. Her insistence that the chorus needed to “sound like the fountain” shaped the melodic flow, while her recollections of specific details—the way sunlight filtered through columns, the feeling of cool marble beneath tired feet—added authenticity to the verses.

An Invitation to Explore

I share this personal story and song not just as a father proud of his daughter’s adventurous spirit, but as an invitation to fellow travelers. The Philippines contains countless treasures like the Temple of Leah—places where history, culture, and human emotion intersect to create experiences that transcend typical tourism.

Whether you’re traveling with children or simply carrying your own inner child with you, I encourage you to seek out these spaces where stories unfold. Ask questions. Listen carefully. Look beyond the obvious. The greatest treasures rarely announce themselves with signs and souvenir shops.

As Amalie taught me on those marble steps overlooking Cebu City, the most valuable discoveries are often not things at all, but moments of connection—with places, with history, and most importantly, with each other.

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Listen to “The Treasure of Temple Leah” on our latest album or catch us performing it live during our upcoming tour dates. Share your own Temple of Leah experiences in the comments below!

– Ryan Thompson, Disruptarian Radio