STO. NIñO, DE BASILICA and MAGELLAN'S CROSS

Because of the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi (a Spanish conquistador) bringing the image of Santo Niño, this place has been one of the historical spots in Cebu which houses the miraculous unscathed image. 

During Sinulog, a festival in honor of  Santo Niño held in Cebu on the 3rd Sunday of January, this place is jam-packed with people, locals and tourists alike. Every year, one can witness the value for Christianity and the strength of faith of the Filipinos.

I often visited this place when I was still living in Cebu. But unfortunately, I failed to realize I was not able to capture "more" memories here. So for the meantime (while I'm still planning on my next trip to Cebu), scan on these pics for a clearer idea of the place. =D

For more information about this cathedral, visit their official website.

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MAGELLAN'S CROSS

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This Christian Cross, housed inside a small chapel beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño , is a historical mark of Christianity of the Filipinos. Upon arriving in Cebu Island in April 21, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan (the first Spanish conquistador who named the Philippines) instructed his army to plant the cross on the exact same spot as now. 

I can’t find what happened to this cross all through the years. All I know is that at the foot of this cross, is a plaque/tablet stating that the original cross is encased in this wooden cross we see.

Today, the locals and even tourists, visit this chapel, offering prayers with their colored candles. At the site, you can also find uniformed women (usually wearing the maroon and gold colors of the Santo Nino) who sell some candles and offer some psalms, singing prayers for you when you buy from them. Be sure to give them the names of people and the prayer intentions before you let them sing. :)

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

SANTO DOMINGO CHURCH

 

I came here a day after my interview in Metro Manila, to thank the Lord for the wondrous blessings and bountiful graces this year. Upon arriving, I was highly interested with its architecture and mostly, by this “Help restore our pipe organ” project ad I saw on one of the church’s corners. 

 

After praying, I did a self-tour through its confines and marveled more of this peaceful sanctuary. And to make an effort, I translated some information from this stone tab I noticed hanging on the wall. (I'm not really an A+ in translation, so sorry if I mistranslated any words. But hey, I tried my very best!)

 

This church was formerly a wooden-made chapel built by the first Dominican missionaries under the supervision of Bishop Domingo de Salazar, O.P., in Intramuros, Manila; and was inaugurated in January 1, 1588. In 1589, it collapsed and then reconstructed using concrete, along with the construction of Padre Alonso Jimenez’ convent, O.P. in 1592, and in 1953, venerated the miraculous “Our lady of the Rosary” or “La Naval”.

*while reading the tab, I was amazed of all the ordeals this church went through*
-> Burned in 1603 and reconstructed again in 1613.
-> Damaged slightly by an earthquake in 1645, and reconstructed on the same year.
-> Destroyed by an earthquake in 1863, and finally made into a magnificent neo-gothic architecture by Feliz Roxas in 1867.
-> Torn down for one last time by the Japanese bombing in 1941.
Finally, rebuilt in 1952 to where it is standing now and inaugurated by Rufino J. Cardinal Santos in 1954.

It was declared as the “National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary” of the Philippine Hierarchy in 1954.
It currently houses the image of the Our Lady of La Naval, that is believed to hear prayers and do some miracles. 

 

The church is one of the tallest and largest in the Philippines. The main altar has a mosaic of St. Dominic designed by Architect Jose Zaragoza. Galo Ocampo designed the stained glass windows. The mural in front was created by Francesco Riccardo Monti. (Source)

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JUST RANDOM

the confession booth

the hallway

the religious store

The candles I lit with my prayers in it.

the Santo Domingo Museum

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_____________________________

A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

MONASTERIO DE SANTA CLARA

This church is run by nuns of the Order of Saint Clare of Assisi, commonly known as Poor Clares. (her biography)

Its cream-painted facade marks one of the Spanish-built mission churches here in the Philippines.

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What has drawn my attention to this monastery is the unique tradition being observed here. That is, bringing a DOZEN EGGS with your petition and prayers. You can buy them from the mall/groceries but if you weren't able to do so, you can buy them at the sidewalk just outside the monastery's main gate. I never knew why, but people usually visit to pray and ask for a good weather.

I didn't ask for that though. When I went there, I had other special intentions; but I believe that whatever my prayer intentions may be, it will be granted if it's according to God's will and for my own good.

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_____________________________

A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

CEBU METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

the altar

This cathedral is acclaimed for its exquisite gold-decorated altar with its silver-plated sophisticated design. Successive weddings have taken place in this peaceful sanctuary because of its heavenly architecture and fascinating ambiance. With its facade valiantly expressing the remains of the Spanish colonial era (the Spanish Royal Coat of Arms is even at the door!), the cathedral prides itself of standing through the test of time and this can vividly be seen if we carefully trace back it's long and winding history.

As this magnificent cathedral presently looms in Cebu, it remains to be a famous tourist attraction to both Catholics or non-Catholics and is constantly present in foreigners' itineraries and must-see locations.

For Catholics, this cathedral is a suitable place for reflection, serenity and prayer and continues to attract Sunday church-goers and worshipers alike.
for their mass/events schedule: visit this.

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THE FACADE

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WHAT'S INSIDE

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(besides the beautiful altar)

Our Lady of Guadalupe's image on the right

 

NOTE: more photos will be uploaded as soon as I get back there. I haven't thought of capturing a lot during the previous time.

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

MOA SKATING RINK

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Skating. This is more fun when you're always falling down.

Yep. This happened to be my first time wearing ice-skates, stepping on a skating rink, and feeling the cold ice on my butt each moment I fall (which happened a lot).

I am not a pro, but I tried. I eventually skidded from one end to the other without any help and without falling. Success? Oh yeah! But my butt hurt and I had gruesome muscle pains on the next day. Seriously.

yep, that's me in the middle. "Look, I can skate on my own!" =D

But this is one unforgettable memory I had during my vacation in Manila.

And this would be treasured forever.