I have not posted for quite a while. It seems that the hands of time were actually mad at me beating up my ass so fast. But as they say, Better be thankful for busy days than doing nothing.
Summer of 2012
Around almost the end of the year when I went to Cebu with my cousins and my Ninang (Godmother) Delia. These are the perks of having a good family with generous Ninangs and Titas. hehehe!!! Clarissa, Celena, Joan, Jane and Bea was with me. It was an all girls trip. At first, I said that it will be something like the usual travels that our family does from time to time. Early flights, non-stop chit chats, funny stories, old stories, foods and of course never ending picture taking. Thank God again for Digital cameras/DSLR or else we would be bringing rolls of films everywhere.
Cebu, the queen city of the south is like areas of Quezon City and Makati and Manila rolled into one smaller version and shipped to its location. But, more clean, more water around that makes it feel fresher maybe, mountain sides and landscapes somewhere. Other than that, I felt like a tourist in Manila.
FIRST DAY IN CEBU
It is the "getting to know the place day". That is by going to the familiar territories.
Had pictures. Went to the usual mall - Ayala mall, Dined in to the usual restos. We ate at Mesa. Yummy Filipino cuisines. Which is also found in Manila. And of course it was also hot!
We visited - "The Starbucks!" hehehe! (obviously we are coffee lovers)
SECOND DAY IN CEBU
Jane's birthday.
Jollibee breakfast joys. Pancakes, longanisa, egg and garlic rice.
or Chowking? I forgot.
This is the day I almost died - 37 floors above the ground.
In an orange suit, with a harness and with smiling faces around me.
Ok, let me start by narrating the casual tourist attraction visits.
First Stop -
THE MAGELLAN'S CROSS
When we were in school, this is a famous entry in our Sibika at Kultura books. Cebu is equal to Magellan's Cross. We visited it, offered prayers and met the equally famous "mandarasals" in the shrine. It feels nostalgic to finally touch the cross. It also feels as if I am also a part of everything that transpired in that moment of history. I don't know if tourists from other countries would appreciate the value of that cross. But for us, Catholics and Filipinos, that Cross is really big in our hearts as tall as it stands there in that monument.
The Heritage of Cebu Monument right at the heart of a busy intersection. As a tourist, you go down of that van, take that umbrella and have a picture taken. Forget the noise, the smoke and the bystanders around you. Besides, they are not included in your camera lens!
The Sto. Nino Basilica
As I write this blog, The shrine have fallen apart already due to the strong earthquake that hit Cebu.
When I saw what happened, as I watch the video clips of that falling shrine, I can't help but shed a tear. I felt so blessed that the Sto. Nino blessed me and my family and allowed us to visit that shrine, went to mass and just had pictures of that sacred place. Now, only in pictures that I can show my daughter Nea and my nieces how really beautiful and historic this Basilica is. We are very lucky.
This is the front part of the Basilica that collapsed.
This is the inside of the church. See how intricate and distinct the architecture of this church was...
WAS is a sad word.
The Pedro Calungsod Shrine
This is something very close to us, Filipinos. We are so religious and having Pedro Calungsod alongside with Lorenzo Ruiz is truly a precious gift. The shrine is so solemn and we are fortunate though, that when we arrived at the church, there are only a couple of families visiting and having their pictures taken too.
This is a relic of Pedro Calungsod found in the shrine.
The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House
From the name, it is very old. Very famous Cebuano attraction. SO, we must have a picture taken. lol!
All nice. All smiles.
So, what made this second day death defying for me?? SKYWALK EXTREME!!!
The country’s first ever Sky Walk Extreme will give you that natural high by walking around translucent glass flooring on the edge of the Crown Regency Hotel & Towers with an overhead safety harness at the main outer rim of the building,126.55 meters high above the street. The Sky Walk Extreme gives you a nerve-racking feeling as if you are floating on cloud nine. It is widely known to be the 4th in the world and first in the Philippines. Whether you start your Sky Walk Extreme escapade in the morning or at nighttime, expect to see a spectacle from the breath-taking view of the city with your family and friends. Experience this kind of adventure at the 37th floor
As we stroll the city in our rented van, We saw the Crown Regency Hotel. There were several structures on top it. Including the famous edge coaster. So we passed by... then they decided to stop!!! Go up the hotel... paid for my excruciating fear!!!
I have Fear of Heights. I am Acrophobic. I admit that. Even roller coaster rides are unbearable for me. But I because I love my cousins who dared me to walk hand in hand with them - " at edge of the 37th floor, on a glass walkway. - wait - no!! we walked - OUTSIDE of the building!!! I was literally shaking. My knees were trembling. My sweat was ice cold. I can feel that my stomach and all of my internal organs were shaking too. And because I love these girls so much... I gave in. But they had to deal with me. The walk was supposed to be only 10-15 minutes. It took us 15-20-25 minutes maybe. I have to stop and let go of my tears once in a while.
But when the camera clicks, I'm still smiling and of course, the attendant never left my side. They know I could have a panic attack right there - on top. Well, good thing we have our doctor Clarissa with us! hehehe!
and yes, I survived. I'm alive and I was able to blog this. But this is me after that walk. So much back pains and my hips were aching so bad.
But, the highlight of our night is our surprise Red Velvet cake for Jane - for her Birthday!
3rd DAY - HOMEBOUND
Before going home, we visited the Cebu Taoist Temple. Then went back to Manila.
:)
