Two Cheers for Two Years: Celebrating Our Son's 2nd Birthday Part 1

Hello Hivers 😊 Another day for a new blog! I hope everyone has a great day 😊

October 20, 2023, marked our son's second birthday. And look who were the happiest - us (the parents)🥰.

It was last Friday and a workday, so I decided to make it a half-day from work to spend priceless time and moments with my son on that special day.

The weather was great too. This was a view from the fourth floor where my classroom was located. A deep breath of relief was released when I got on my room's floor. Hahahaha!

(On the way to church and I rode O6B jeepney)
The weather was so hot. We met up here in the church.

(We were here.)

As part of our tradition and ritual during birthday celebrations going to the church to light candles is a must for us. Lighting candles and attending mass are ways to praise the Lord and rejoice in the life that He bestows on us. It is also a way to offer prayer and thanksgiving to Him.

We have it in Basilica Minore del Santo Nino which is located in Cebu City, Philippines. It is precisely located in the historic area of downtown Cebu City near Magellan's Cross and Cebu City Hall.
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The St. Nino Basilica Church in Cebu City is famous because it houses the image of Santo Nino, sacred religious artifacts in the Philippines. It is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the country and is linked to the early spread of Christianity in the Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The church is a notable heritage and cultural landmark, drawing many pilgrims and tourists from other countries.

The St. Nino Basilica Church is a prominent historical and cultural destination in Cebu City, Philippines. The church's facade is characterized by complex embellishments and lively shades.

There were different religions carved out on the wall too. Inside, it houses the sacred image of the St. Nino, the Holy Child, which is the central attraction for pilgrims and visitors.

When you get inside, you can conclude that the church has a rich history. It has various artworks and paintings that brought us back to the early days of Spanish colonization in the Philippines.

Our minds, bodies, and souls would be filled with knowledge, gratefulness, and solemnity upon roaming inside the church or listening to the Holy Mass, making it an important cultural and religious landmark.

Candlelit Area or Dagkutanan in Filipino term - After visiting the image of St. Niño inside the St. Niño Chapel offered a closer look for the churchgoers, visitors, and pilgrims, we went ahead to the candlelit area.
We lighted some candles as a symbol of our son's precious and blissful year of life and to make a special wish for the future.

On the other hand, we were happy that the Magellan's Cross was opened to the public and the area was not that crowded with people. We took and documented some of our moments there.

Magellan's Cross is famous in Cebu City because it represents a significant historical occurrence - the arrival of Christianity and Spanish colonization making the start of Christian influence in the Philippines.

The cross is housed in a small-chapel-like structure made of wood and coral stone, which has a lofty-arched roof with lively colorful paintings making it more attractive to visitors. The walls were painted white with a minimalist adornment.

The design emphasized an aura of historical genuineness and highlighted the importance of the cross and its role in Philippine Christian History.

Even in the extreme heat atmosphere, above all, we were always grateful for these valuable moments and milestones for our son.

Family is the best gift and on that day we celebrate the most cherished member of ours.
Happy birthday Andrei😘

Finally, we were on the way home feeling blessed.

Of course, that day ended with a happy birthday song to our birthday celebrant. We gave him time to enjoy his cake and yes he did!

Stay updated with the Part 2 birthday celebration.

That’s all for my blog today. My sincerest thanks for taking the time to read and support my blog, until next time. See you!

XOXO ~ @ancrafts