Live the experience. Love the adventure.
These lines summarizes all of my 2 days sojourn in this beautiful city of Cebu wayback in 2013.
A former boardmate asked me to accompany him in Cebu for a supposedly religious intention ( Virgin Mary's Simala Shrine) plus a bit of escapade. Hearing about this got me excited and immediately said yes.
We boarded the bus at 1 o'clock AM going to Cebu from Bacolod South Terminal via San Carlos - Toledo route. By 4 : 00 AM, we were already at the Lite Ferry RoRo vessel traversing Tanon Strait. Upon arrival at Toledo Port, we took a stop over for a quick breakfast before heading to Cebu City.
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leaving San Carlos Port
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approaching Toledo Port
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Upon arrival at Cebu City, we immediately stroll around the city taking advantage of the early morning when its not yet crowded with people. Here's our itinerary :
1. University of San Carlos. A private Catholic research university in Cebu City. It is one of the best universities in the Visayas region and one of the oldest in the country.
2. Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu. The Santo Nino Basilica in Cebu City is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is built on the spot where the image of Sto. Nino de Cebu was found during the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
It is the same image that was one presented to Reyna Maniwantiwan and Rajah Humabon by Ferdinand Magellan upon their christening on April 14, 1521.
The presented church building was completed from 1739-1740.
Luckily, I was able to come and see this designated Mother of all Churches in the Philippines before it was devastated by an earthquake that destroyed its belfry.
3. Magellan's Cross. Next to the Sto. Nino Basilica just in front of the City Center of Cebu is a chapel that houses the Magellan's Cross. This is the cross that was planted by the Spanish explorers upon arriving in Cebu on March 1521. A sign below the cross states that the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross made of tindalo wood.
Nowadays, devotees come here for prayers and intentions. Cebuano folks would offer chants while dancing before the candles are lighted.
Upon check in at a nearby budget hotel, we headed to one of Cebu's top tourist attraction. The Crown Regency Hotel. It's an amusement park and a hotel built into one.
And this is where the once in a lifetime fun and adventure I would never forget. Really it's not too late to try something for the first time.
4. The Sky Experience Adventure of Crown Regency will never disappoint every tourist that comes here looking for a different kind of adventure other than the beach, or mountain hiking, or the least place to go- shopping mall.
SKYWALK EXTREME. Located at the 37th floor of Crown Regency Hotel, we got the chance to walk around the edge of the building with an overhead safety harness.
EDGE COASTER RIDE. Claimed to be the world's first and only amusement ride of its kind. Situated at the 38th floor, you go around the building while locked on a rail seat, which can tilt down up to 55 degress so get ready for a ride of a lifetime. I was so nervous that I kept on screaming everytime the rail seat flatform would tilt down. Nevertheless, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the entire Cebu.
THE TOWER ZIP. The country's first and only urban zipline. This one allows you to zip across two buildings on a cable line. We didn't try this one anymore.
Other amenities are the Sky Observatory, 6D movie theater and Sky Lounge.
Then we headed to Ayala Malls Cebu for an afternoon stroll before going to Joven's Restaurant for a delightful eat all you can dinner.
On our second day, we headed to Cebu South Terminal to go to Simala in Sibonga, Cebu. Upon alighting at Simala we took the habal2 to take us to the Simala Shrine.
5. Simala Shrine : The Miraculous Castle Church in Cebu
Simala Church became famous over the past years because of its castle-like church that is standing on a hill in Lindogon village in Sibonga, Cebu. It also became a pilgrim site, hence people flocked here to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Being a devotee, this is the best place to visit because it is the home to the miraculous Virgin of Simala.
Once you enter the monastery, you will see a lot of letters ( testimonies) from locals believed to be healed or petitions granted by the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are also pictures, wheelchairs, crutches, books, pens, graduation robes, etc. displayed along with the letters.
The next part of the monastery is where you can write your prayers or petition letters to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Beside it is the prayer station where a replica of the Virgin Mary statue is enshrined. Then you may fall in line to be able to meet and kiss the Virgin Mary.
There's also a certain part of the monastery where different replicas or statues of Virgin Mary is displayed.
And then, there's a place where you can light candles of different colors symbolizing different needs.
However, if you are planning to come here, you should observe formal dress ettiquette and also to be watchful of your words and actions.
Going back to Cebu City, we decided to visit the Taoist temple.
6. Cebu Taoist Temple. Located at Beverly Hills Subd. in Lahug, Cebu City, it will take you a 30-minute walk going to the temple. But its a good way to commune with nature since you shall be passing by tree-lined streets.
Entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China.
This temple was built in 1972. It has a chapel, a wishing well, and a souvenir shop. But there's a certain part of the temple that taking pictures is prohibited but open for worshippers and non-worshippers. Then there's another temple that is not open for the public.
At 270 meters above sea level, the temple has a scenic view of the city.
Before going back to the hotel to pack up our things, we dropped by at SM Cebu for a shopping spree and stroll.
Indeed, our two days vacation wasn't enough to experience all of what Cebu has to offer. There's a lot, lot more. Time is the only essence.
Nevertheless, we had a great time.
