Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino (Cebu City, Philippines)

Inside the church.....

Our Cebu trip won't be completed without visiting the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. This church is located just beside the Magellan's Cross (http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/04/magellans-cross-cebu-city-philippines.html).

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino is the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines. It was founded in the 16th century.

Outside the church

The Spanish term for this church is Basilica Menor del Santo Nino and the Italian version is Basilica Minore del Santo Bambino.






 It says:

CHURCH AND CONVENT OF
SANTO NINO

The church and convent erected by the Augustinian Fathers under the Rev. Andres Urdaneta in 1565 were the first established in the Philippines. Both were burned down on November 1, 1566. The second church was likewise destroyed by fire in March of 1628. But rebuilt soon after (1628-1629) under the administration of the historian Rev. Juan de Medina, O. S. A. The present massive church was designed and constructed during the priorship of Rev. Juan Albarran O. S. A. (1735-1737). The Santo Nino venerated in the church since the time of Legaspi, is the center of intense devotion and religious pilgrimages throught\ out the Visayas.


 My second visit and again I took time to stand on line for my 2nd encounter and prayer for Sto. Nino. This is also to complete my pilgrimage or BISITA to the churches of Visayas since I already started in Bohol's Baclayon Church (http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/04/baclayon-church-bohol-philippines.html).


Retained Spanish designed building.... 


Saying my prayers....


This image of Sto. Nino is the SAME IMAGE of statue that Ferdinand Magellan gave to Rajah Humabon's wife after Humabon's baptism.
This Sto. Nino is the center of all pilgrimage.

I hope you enjoyed our little tour here in Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. For more of Cebu, please check out the following:

Posted by at No comments:

Monday, April 29, 2013

Magellan's Cross (Cebu City, Philippines)

After Taoist Temple and its 81 steps (http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/04/taoist-temple-cebu-city-philippines.html), we had our good lunch and went to Magellan's Cross.

This is Magellan's Cross.

Magellan's Cross is located at the heart of Cebu City and just beside Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. This cross was planted at around year 1521 when Magellan, a Portuguese national landed on Cebu.



Ferdinand Magellan was born in Portugal in 1480 and he was a Portuguese explorer who proved in Portugal that the Earth was not flat instead it's round.

The Spaniards at that same time was looking for Spice Island. And Magellan believed that the Spice Island could be reached through sailing the west part of the world.


 Magellan's Cross



At the ceiling is a painting of how Magellan and the Spanish people planted the cross.

During 1518, Spanish people especifically Charles I engaged in funding Magellan's exploration for Spice Island giving him 270 men including the ships; Concepcion, San Antonio, Santiago, Trinidad and Victoria. Magellan was in the ship Victoria. But, in lieu of these, the Spanish should be of total control for the whole duration of Magellan's voyage. This was after the king of Portugal rejected his proposal for circumnavigating of the earth.


 Behind me is Magellan's Cross.
My second time here..

In 1521, Magellan thought that the island he landed was Spice Island, however he was in the Philippines. He befriend Rajah Humabon, a chieftain of Cebu during that time. He was then persuaded to join them in killing the chieftain's enemy Lapu-Lapu.

However, joining in that kind of situation led Magellan into his unfortunate death. He was killed by Lapu - Lapu. And he didn't finish his voyage.

Lapu Lapu was the ruler of Mactan, part of Visayas where Cebu lies. He was the FIRST man who was known to have resisted the Spanish colonization. He was actually the first native Filipino hero. He was made the first Filipino hero for he defeated the Portuguese Magellan during the BATTLE OF MACTAN.



Outside Magellan's Cross.
Although Magellan's voyage wasn't finish, there were so many credits given to him after his death like first person who circumnavigated the Earth, discovered the Pacific Ocean, known for Magellan's Strait and South America's Tierra del Fuego.


This isn't the original cross that Magellan placed here. It is only a replica. Some locals said that the cross vanished when Magellan died. Some said that the real cross was kept because there were several people who would come and cut of a piece of wood out of the cross and take it with them. Whatever happened to the real cross, this very site marks a very special reason why Cebu is already known around the world and how Filipinos survived the Battle of Mactan. Thanks to Lapu Lapu!

Please follow this little momma blogger on instagram: slimwitch

Posted by at 4 comments:

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Taoist Temple (Cebu City, Philippines)

Taoist Temple

Day 2 of our trip was going to Cebu. This time, we visited Taoist Temple. It was not my first time in Cebu City however, it was my first time to visit the Taoist Temple.

Taoist Temple is located at Beverly Hills Subdivision, Lahug, Cebu City. It is very near Phu Sian Temple. The temple was built in 1972 by the Chinese Community.



The entrance of the temple resembles the wall of Great Wall of China. Plus, the temple is open for both worshipers and non - worshipers. 

 Entrance of Taoist Temple...
Hello 81 steps..

The ladder comprises of 81 steps which represents 81 Taoist scriptures. This temple is the center for Taoism. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu which advocates humility and religious piety.


Hello Taoist Temple! 


With my friends...

Some devotees / believers are offering prayers or asking for wishing to come true. There is a ritual to be done which involves washing of hands and using the blocks of wood or stones.

However, I was not able to do this because I was so tired climbing the 81 steps.





 The dragon behind me...



If you are planning to visit Cebu, grab the chance to visit the Taoist Temple and experience climbing the 81 steps. Plus feel the Chinese tradition.

Have fun!!!

Please check the other places in Cebu:

Magellan's Cross - http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/04/magellans-cross-cebu-city-philippines.html
Basilica Minore del Santo Nino - http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/04/basilica-minore-del-santo-nino-cebu.html
Skywalk Extreme Adventure - http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/05/skywalk-extreme-adventure-crown-regency.html

Please follow this little momma blogger on instagram: slimwitch

Posted by at 2 comments:

Friday, April 26, 2013

Hinagdanan Cave (Bohol, Philippines)

Hinagdanan Cave

The view of Hinagdanan Cave from inside..

Hinagdanan Cave is located at Panglao of Bohol, Philippines. The discovery of the this cave is purely and surprisingly accidental.


It was said that the owner of the land was clearing of the land with decayed branches of trees when he found out there was a hole in his land area. He started to throw stones and heard a sound of splashing water. He built a cemented ladder in order for him to get down the cave. Then he named it Hinagdanan which means "laddered".




The entire cave is just a small area. Natural sunlight lights up the area through the numerous number of wholes in the cave.






There are rock formations, stalactite and stalagmites. There are birds which I mistakenly thought as bats. However, the guide said those were birds of some kind which prefers to stay in the cave rather than stay on the trees.












That's it for our Cave adventure.

For more of Bohol's wonders, please visit the following:
http://joneeacedilla.blogspot.com/2013/04/chocolate-hills-at-bohol-its-more-fun.html

Please follow this little momma blogger on instagram: slimwitch
Posted by at No comments:

Panglao Beach Bohol

Panglao Beach Bohol

A view of Panglao Beach
Philippines has a lot of beaches like this...

Panglao Beach of Bohol was our last destination. Thanks to our driver who was very kind to show us what the beaches of Bohol are made of. Well, they're made of pure white sand. It's like mini Boracay.

When our driver told us that it's far away from Tagbilaran, I never had any idea that it's really far than what I was expecting. I realized that when I had a thorough research at home. Panglao is 18 kilometers away from the main location Tagbilaran.

 With my friends Teachers Leah, Glory Mae and Gene..

Panglao is a municipality in Bohol. The word Panglao was known before as "Panglawod" which means "to the open sea" for Boholanos. 



Panglao is divided into 10 barangays; Bil-isan, Bolod, Danao, Doljo, Libaong, Looc, Lourdes, Poblacion, Tangnan and Tawala.


 Me me me!!!


Did you know that there are no lakes or fresh water streams on the island? So, for the people to drink safe and clean water, they depend on wells and Canhilbas Water Spring.


 The water is just soooo inviting..

Panglao is also the habitat for "Tabalong Habitat Village". This village is often visited by foreign people to aid in the construction of their village.










That ends our tour in Panglao Beach of Bohol.

I hope you enjoyed our tour and I am hoping you will visit Bohol and all its natural wonders. For the Filipinos : Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan.

For more of Bohol please visit the following:


Please follow this little momma blogger on instagram: slimwitch
Posted by at 1 comment:

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Blood Compact "Sandugo" (Bohol, Philippines)

Sandugo
Blood Compact

As a teacher and a person who loves history, I consider my self fulfilled whenever I get to know my own culture and country very well.

One good thing about our trip in Bohol was, it was not just for fun but it was about visiting historical places in the country (Philippines).

In this article, I'll be showing you the Blood Compact Shrine that Bohol has.

Blood compact was known as "Sandugo" for the locals and the Filipinos. Sandugo simply means Blood compact. It is a Boholano word that means "one blood". This was performed by two people namely Datu Sikatuna (the chieftain of Bohol during the 16th day of March, 1565) and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (a Spaniard). To embark the sign of their friendship, they have done this ritual.



The performance of this tribal tradition depicts the allegiances of Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

This is an explanation of what Sandugo means written in Filipino.


With my friends: (Above) Teachers Loraine, Riz, Gretchen, Edma, Leah
(Below) Me, Shy, Jessa, Jhong, Mae and Gene.

The places, buildings, infrastructures and shrines tell us so many stories of how we Filipinos came to be. It is an honor for one Filipino or for one teacher to teach something to students of next generation about the places that engraved so much in the Philippine history.

Know your culture and history. Know who you truly are, for without these people in the past, we will never meet the freedom we are experiencing now.

Have fun!!

For more of Bohol please check out the following:


Please follow this little momma blogger on instagram: slimwitch


Posted by at No comments:

Baclayon Church (Bohol, Philippines)

Baclayon Church, Bohol

Our one day trip in Bohol started with Chocolate Hills then we went to Man-Made Forest, Shiphaus, Hanging Bridge and Loboc River with the Floating restaurant. But the adventure did not end there. There is more to Bohol than you ever know.

Bohol is known for its churches. Not ordinary churches but old churches during Spanish era. So, Baclayon Church is one of those churches.

Baclayon Church


Baclayon Church and me...

 Baclayon Church or Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Bohol is in fact one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was build during Spanish Era. It is a Jesuit church.

Front view
This is how it looks like the day we went there.

 One of those images on the walls of the church.
This image is believed to be Padre Pio's image, a priest in the church who has done miraculous things according to some locals.



Situated beside the church is the convent which has a small museum which caters old relics, antiques and other old artifacts. These artifacts were believed to be there since the 16th century. It was even dated in history that it was constructed around 1727.

When you enter the whole area and the church itself plus the museum, there's a quick flashback of the Spanish period in our history. I could just imagine how the Spaniards especially the Jesuit Priests made this Catholic Church. I could just imagine how they preach using Latin sermons during that time with all the "prayle outfit". 

I am so glad that I had walked through one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and touched the edifice that marked so much in the history of the Filipino people -- the Catholicism.

 Light a candle of your choice and make a wish.


 These were the candles I had.
Green for money, marriage and employment.
Orange for business deals.
Pink for health, love and affection and romance.
Yellow for studies and concentration.

Reliving every single Spanish Era moment fulfills my personality as a Filipino. Tracing every single path where our history passed through makes me feel that I am lucky to have lived and witnessed with my very own eyes the past that has brought every Filipino here today.

A church visit is a must for every tourist, Filipino or not. Besides, it's part of the history of the Filipinos.

For more of Bohol, please check the following:
Please follow this little momma blogger on instagram: slimwitch
Posted by at 1 comment:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)