PLAZA INDEPENDENCIA

The Plaza Independencia is locally famous for its "dating" scenes. (Fact is, a lot of couples spend their "quality time" here) Why? Maybe because of its serenity or the breathe of fresh sea air as it is located near the port or maybe because of its strategic location as it is just a few blocks away from metro Cebu and the Sto. Nino Cathedral. Apart from having no entrance fee, the plaza has been newly renovated (when I went there) with more light posts, and wider space for strolling, jogging, biking, or parking. There's also a gazebo with medium-sized platform (I thought of this as a stage, strategic for holding a zumba exercise class. haha!)

Despite its remodeling into a modern kind of plaza, its role in history remains the same. What most people don't know is that this plaza has witnessed historical events since its establishment as a Plaza in the early1600's. That time, it was known as Plaza de Armas. Read here for more information)

rules and by-laws

my supermodel friend :)

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

This is Fort San Pedro nearby..

MONTE CUEVA DE LA VIRGEN

Location: Rizal, Maasin City, Southern Leyte

How to commute: ride a tricycle, about 10-15 minutes from the terminal to this signage

cost: 8-10pesos only (as of April 2012)

Also known as the Shrine of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus and Our Lady of Assumption, this is a famous spot especially on Holy Week and on the Blessed Virgin Mary's birthday on September 8. Quite famous for pilgrims, this climb of more than 500 steps upward is accentuated with the 14 Stations of the Cross. 

Exhausting as it may seem, the journey uphill becomes rewarding enough once you reach the top and be welcomed by the awesome mouth of the cave. Masses are held there on schedule and on special occasions.

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FUN FACTS: 

(my source: The Josephinian Issue No. 2 Nov 2011-Mar 2012)

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* known as "Aghuban" which means mountain cave and "Tinibgan" which means a carved rock shaped like a wooden basin.

* Used to be a habitat for bats and caves

* During the Japanese occupation, all the images of the Cathedral (Our Lady of Assumption Parish)  were hidden here

* As of 2011 statistics, there were 47 foreign visitors from Canada, USA, Australia, Los Angeles, Nagasaki Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and London. And 3,583 Philippine tourists have been recorded here.

for more info and contact numbers, you may visit THIS.

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

HERE AT SM CEBU

WHAT ONE CAN DO @ SM CITY CEBU

1. SHOP

2. DINE

at Cafe Laguna

at Golden Cowrie

3. WATCH (in 3D)

2. RIDE

for children...

and adults... 

5. PLAY

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A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

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.