The Story Behind Santo Niño de Cebú : My Random Pics as a 50% Devotee

It was year 1521 when a Spanish explorer named Ferdinand Magellan landed in an island in the Philippines, known by now as Cebu. Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara Amihan was later baptized as a Catholic taking the Christian names Carlos and Juana after Magellan convinced them to pledge their allegiance with Spain. As a symbol of allegiance, Magellan gave them the Santo Niño.However, Magellan died during a fight against a tribe in Mactan led by Lapu-Lapu. In 1565, the Spaniards came back led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi .

The mystery behind the Santo Niño de Cebu started when Juan Camus, a soldier of Legaspi found the Santo Niño, relatively unscathed in a burn-out hut. It was then directly acknowledged as miraculous. Eventually, a church was then built in that area.

The Santo Niño de Cebu is a representation of the Child Jesus. Considered as a patron saint of Cebu, the Holy Child of Cebu is said to be an example of humility and as a celebration of the Incarnation. The feast of Santo Niño de Cebu, called Sinulog Festival falls on the 3rd Sunday of January. There are street dances, and land and fluvial parades which are sometimes attended by Filipino celebrities.

You might be a Catholic or not, but the Church and Convent of Santo Niño de Cebu and his feast is a historical place and event. If you love adventure, culture and travel, I bet you try this. Though I was so young when I have attended the feast and I can't remember anything right now, I am a 50% devotee to this patron. 50% because it takes a lot of responsibility to be a 100% devotee.

My last visit was the month of July this year. I always remember, when I was young, everytime we go to Cebu, to visit our relatives or to have a vacation, we always fall in a long line untill we get inside to see, touch and kiss the glass that covers the Santo Niño. Then we dropped coins at the front of the glass or sometimes we offered candies and chocolates and put it beside the glass. I was so young then.

A view from the outside of the church. The Santo Niño Church is located in Osmena Boulevard,Cebu City in Central Visayas.


A relaxing view at the left side on the way to the entrance of the
Santo Niño. There are angel statues and fountains and beautiful landscapes.


The Walls on the way to the Holy Child.


The Santo Niño de Cebu.
This is how it looks like inside.


A painting inside the church. There are more paintings you can see inside.





Outside the Church

I remember, when I was young, I always ask for a balloon after we attend the mass or visit the Holy Child.






Now I just like to capture the man who sell it, not minding the heat of the sun.












This old woman and that woman at the back are selling candles.
When you buy, you tell them your petition and they'll offer you prayers
while they dance and wave the candles you bought. (Dance is one of the trade mark according to the oldies because they said the Holy Child loves dances. That's why during the Sinulog, people offer dances to Him.) After that, you light all the candles.
I did this many times. This is how I was raised. It's part of my life now.


In front of the the Church is a wide-opened space.
This is used usually in a mass during the Sinulog Festival,
where huge number people attend it.


Standing at the side of the wide-opened area are statues of the 4 Saints.


Magellan's Cross
Standing in front of the Santo Niño Church, the Magellan's Cross
It is said that this cross is just a replica of the real cross.

The World's First Edge Coaster

I never thought that I can do this when I stepped back in Cebu. Doing it is like a suicide to me especially I just got like 70% recovery after an accident. And besides, I thought they wouldn't allow me for my condition and also thinking about the cost. But I just did.

The world's 1st edge coaster is at the 38th floor of the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers in Cebu, Philippines. And from the moment you'll see the building outside, you'll love the lights.


First, to enter, you must pay their entrance fee at the 36th floor of the building. During our time, we paid 450 php for 2 people and that covers a snack good for one person with bottomless iced tea. Then we paid 600 each, good for an edge coaster ride and a sky walk. Yeah right, they, too, has a Sky Walk and it's the Philippines 1st.
I think the rates vary from time to time. I have a friend and she told me, they paid 1000 php for edge coaster and sky walk. Yes, they've got promos, as far as I know. And I would suggest you go with bunch of friends or companions, and maybe they've go a package for that. And by the way, there is this waiver to sign first.

It really cost a lot for a 5 minutes (something like that) tough ride and around 1o minutes thrilling walk, but the experience is worth it. And once you have tried it, you want to do it again. It's like you've conquered your fear.


So, we did the SkyWalk Extreme 1st. At first my aunt, who's connected in medical field, did not allow me to do the Sky Walk because of the harness that will be wrapped around each of my two legs. Later on, they called me and said that it will be okay, just not to compress it too much.

That orange suit in the pic, you've got to wear it. Then if you're not wearing closed shoes, which is required, you can borrow shoes to them for free. You just have to buy a pair of socks at their counter worth 20 php.
Before the walk, our guide taught us how to wear the gear and gave us some instructions. There also instructions shown in their T.V. while you are waiting for your turn.

The first steps I took, it's a breath taking experience. It's maybe because the floor for the first steps is a glass, looking down is a breath taking, I'll tell you that. It was thrilling and kinda scary. I feel like I want to go back. You can scream if you want. And I have to, it helps. It's a lot of fun. Eventually, after a few distances, you'll get used to it. You'll love to stay there for long and see the city's panorama, the lights, and feel the breeze and take pictures. However, you are not allowed to bring cameras during the walk. They have professional photographers and if you want to copy the pictures and put it on a CD, the fee will be 1000 php. It's so expensive, we paid 2000 php in all for the sky walk and edge coaster. However, I was spared, thanks, the oldies paid it.
If you want to save, you can take the Edge Coaster randomly, and then asked your companions to take a picture for you, then do the same thing in return. So, you just have to pay for the sky walk photos for 1000 php, at least, if you want a copy.

On the other hand, the Edge Coaster, I think, for me is more of like thrilling. This edge coaster has a tilt control that can go as far as 55 degrees. However, there will be an automatic tilt in the beginning of the ride. It sounds crazy. Why it has to be in the beginning? They really make it sure you can feel the thrill and adventure. I was with my uncle during the ride, him taking the control and he tilted it all the way. I was just shouting. And I swear something. It was too embarrassing. The ride ended too soon. And I feel like I want to do it again.

Riding and walking into such things is like a suicide maybe for someone who's just been into an accident. But it's not really like that, doing it is more like of living your life. I thought, yeah right, accidents happen unexpectedly and swiftly, so why be afraid? Why not take the chance? Either take that sky experience adventure or never.

So when you get the chance, try this. It's a real adventure and fun!

There are also lots of things to enjoy and discover inside the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers.

Sky Observatory
(A coin-operated telescope)
for 10 php

Sky Bar

At the 38th floor Waiting Area
(I wonder who's that guy lying)

4D Theater opens 'till 9 p.m.


Souvenirs for Sale

Stunning Chandeliers @ Sparkz Restobar

A certificate will be given each for both Edge Coaster and Sky Walk Extreme.

Find it more here:

http://www.skyexperienceadventure.com/main/

How I Fell in Love With Frodo Baggins and Friends

I was like in my first year in high school when I discovered and fell in love with this brave men who sacrificed their lives to save the middle-earth. There were hobbits and dwarves, elves and a wizard, and of course men. The fellowship were all appointed to do one thing: to cast and destroy the evil and most powerful Ring to where it was forged - Mt. Doom, the enemy's place itself. It sounds weird, but to those who are inclined or have already watched it, you know from the start, I'm talking about the Award-Winning movie, The Lord of the Rings by Peter Jackson.

I fell in love for the first time I saw The LOTR - The Fellowship of the Ring. It wasn't by accident that my uncle bought a VCD Player with a bonus of a VCD movie that happens to be The LOTR. And it is a fallacy if I will say, I would never knew this movie if my uncle didn't bought such thing. I knew it from the moment I watched The LOTR, I fell in love with the movie and the characters, most of all, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Legolas, and Aragorn. The first part left me, wondering what will happen next? Will their mission be successful?
From that moment, I started to dream to become a film director and one day I will make a movie as good as that.

The next year, with all of my surprise, I've seen in the television that The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers is coming soon in cinemas. I didn't google much about the movie before but, a second part is really something interesting.

After that, I asked my mama that I want to buy the book. I bought first The Fellowship of the Ring. By the time I started reading it, I didn't like to stop and I wanted to know what goes next. Then I have a dictionary beside me for some very old and deep English terms. After reading the first part, I bought the The Two Towers, then after I finished reading the second part, I decided to buy the third part, but by that time, it was out of stock. I'm still looking forward to buy The Return of the King. I can say JRR Tolkien did a great job. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) ,The LOTR is the 1st long and sequel movie that now every writer wants to do the same, like Harry Potter and Twilight. Peter Jackson has never been wrong to put the trilogy into a movie!

I also started to collect pictures of the The LOTR, VCDs, play games, draw and google some information about it. "I mean how could a 13 year old girl like and love a seemigly-classical, fictional movie? Come on cant you see? It's more of an old." Well for your information , I was 13 when I saw the movie, and I ain't a kid anymore. If you try to analyze it, you'll see the beauty of the movie. Everything is there. Yeah it is a fiction, a fantasy indeed. But it represents true feelings; of what courage means, of valuing friendship; of sacrificing yourself for the good of all; of not giving up; of love and hope; for a better future.

I don't know what wisdom and gift Tolkien has, but his LOTR characters are truly lovely and amazing. I would especially mention Frodo and Sam.

So how did I fall in love with Frodo and friends?
It's because of this gifted, talented, and committed person who created their characters and this passionate and determined man who believes of what he is doing. These people who inspired me to become like them someday. I fell in love with Fodo and friends and of the movie because it is wonderfully created. Perfect! And it's the best of all time.