Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu (the return)

I went to Cebu last week to claim my PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) license and also to catch up with my college friends. Oh God, how I miss this place!

It was a Friday when I arrived, the novena day for Senior Santo Niño, so I immediately headed to the basilica after eating a satisfying breakfast at Chowking just across the church. 

I attended the mass and as promised (see article here), I captured more scenes on the infamous basilica. 

However, I missed (yet again!) one shot of the real relic of the Santo Niño. 

Oh, there's always a next time. :)

THE FACADE

The maroon-and-gold dressed women selling their candles and prayer offerings.

The belfry

This is the wide area for masses on Fridays and special occasions.

"Dagkotanan" (candle-lighting area)

A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

A POEM FOR MOTHER NATURE

Hardened rocks, beautiful and grand;

Priceless beauty made by nature's hand.

Critically sculpted by the world;

Even the richest could not afford.

Sea, whose blue water runs wide;

Quenches the earth's thirst thru its tide.

Coolness provided by its breeze.

A scene of such tranquil bliss.

But let all these things remain

Nature is not worthy of any pain.

They are precious gifts from above

A proof of God's goodness and love.

Scenes from the Manaya Beach Resort.

MANAYA BEACH RESORT

Beauty once hidden,

Now revealed..

A small pool on top of a rocky mountain unconcealed.

see another poem here.

Manaya Resort is located in San Roque, Macrohon, Southern Leyte; just about 30 minutes ride from my hometown in Maasin City on board a public vehicle costing only 25 pesos.

ENTRANCE FEE: php 20

Swimming Pool Fee: php 50

Corkage: none (you can bring food and drinks without any fee)

* If you have booked for a room accommodation, there's no need to pay the entrance and pool fee.

ACCOMMODATION

P1500 - overnight stay good for 3 persons; with aircon; ; hot and cold shower

(2 bedrooms available)

P1200 - overnight stay good for 2 persons; with aircon

(only 1 bedroom available)

EXTRA BED \ person - P300

For reservations,  contact: 053-572-4037

Mobile Number: 09093283785 \ 09202231955 

Email: manayabeachresort@live.com.ph

visit their facebook page.

This is the way to the rocky island (see more photos here)

And when the sun leaves the earth

and dusk arrives

Darkness may come in,

but the beauty survives.

this is their dining area/canteen (still unfinished I guess)

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

*the last two photos credited to my friend, Boysie. :)

LIKAY-LIKAY BEACH

 "Likay" is a local dialect which means "avoiding or running away from something". The beach is named as it is because years back, when typhoons frequently hit the town, the sea is murky with its coast lined with the storm's remnants. Despite this, people take a swim while effortfully avoiding the twigs, leaves and other kinds of dirt. Therefore, locals who take a dip here would have to watch out for some UFOs (unidentified floating objects).

The beach is located near the heart of the city "Tunga-Tunga", just behind the Maasin Central School and the City Hall. It is the beach that lines along the Espina Boulevard. At present, the beach is clean and well-maintained by the authorities and people come here often because it is FREE. Ergo, there's no entrance fee or corkage; and people just have to bring their food and tables, chairs with their umbrellas while looking for a spot on a "first come, first served" basis. It was Easter Sunday when I with my family went there, so as expected, the beach was jam-packed. There were men and women swimming, some sunbathing or picture-taking, and some kids on the shore building sand castles, running after the waves or diving for it. 

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But while people were doing their own business at the beach, my family was busy eating. 

I was busy eating, too. *wink* @.@

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.