Birhen sa Simala Statue: An Unplanned Visit

Hello, avid readers.

Here's to a fresh news about the latest happenings of my life.

Last Sunday, July 14, 2024, my older sibling's family and I visited Birhen sa Simala (Virgin Mary of Simala) in the southernpart of Cebu, Sibonga. It was not planned but the entire pilgrimage journey is worthwhile amidst the challenges encountered.

_{A quick snap made by my niece after minutes of waiting for the perfect timing where pilgrims stop to alternately pass by.}

The story goes like this.

In Saturday morning, my brother-in-law shared about the jetski racing to be happened in our town, Tabogon. I was so excited and searched about the information in the municipality's page. Indeed! "There will be a jetski racing happening in an hour later in the 13th and 14th of July", the mayor broadcasted.

So, I was about to prepare to go to Tabogon and waited for my mother and my father to finish their work in the farm. My parents also deserve to be treated with such a special taste of view and pleasure. So, I invited them. But, mama declined to accept the offer because she wanted to finish weeding the entire cornfield. So, I waited for my father.

Later, my older sister arrived from her medical appointment. She, then told me that we were going to Simala in an hour after her husband would arrive from buying's piggy's feeds. I was surprised and so my mother. So, I clarified the date that we're going and indeed it is "Saturday". So, I told my parents that we were going to Simala in an hour and pushed through the jetski viewing on Sunday. So, only my father got to witness the race.

My jetski plan in the northern town has quickly turned into a pilgrimage visit in the southern town.

So, at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, we went to the bus terminal. In five minutes, the bus departed right away. In the two-hour travel, I had a hard time catching my breath due to sardined seat and at the same time, carrying my nephew in my lap, protected by my arms, because he fell asleep in the mid-journey. As we arrived in Mandaue City, I was thankful when he looked for his mother for food. So, he had to transfer a seat near to his mother.

But, wait, we had to stop in my brother-in-law's shelter. It was around seven o'clock in the evening when we arrived in SM terminal. I was so hungry, and my sister's baby needed to eat his porridge. Without caring other’s comments, we sat and opened our lunchbox to take our dinner. Minutes later, we rode on a taxi heading to the place where my brother-in-law lives.

In the morning, I woke up late. I only woke up after I heard the children's noise jumping and playing on the bed. My sister and brother-in-law had finished preparing the meal and even finished taking their bath. So, I had to double time. I fixed the mat, grabbed my towel, and went straight to the comfort room. Then, I bought our viand in the restaurant. But, my niece was so clingy. She always wanted to go with me wherever. So, she was there with me in the bathroom and in the restaurant.

After we fixed things, we rode a taxi to South Bus Terminal. It was a little challenging because the guard from different gates directly pointed out the directions to where we should go-from exit to entrance and went back to exit again. It turned out that after lining up for seconds in the entrance ticketing area, V-hire is not included. So, we had to go back to the exit area where the ticketing office for V-hire is located.

After handing out the payment, the official dispatcher guided us to the vehicle we had to take on. We had a safe ride until Simala but abruptly had a motion sickness after I smelled mixed perfumes with a foul vomit made by the kid behind me. After the kid's family asked to alight after their kid's situation, I vomited two times, too as I went back to the vehicle. It was really disgusting knowing that the people in front of me witnessed the sudden occurrence of my undoubted diaphragm.

Minutes later, we arrived at the church vicinity. But, we had to take a short walk to the gate for almost a kilometer since the streets were so busy with lots of vehicles and pilgrims. Astonishingly, the line-up for halok (kiss for the Virgin Mary) reached around 200 meters away from the gate. Indeed, several people visit the church every Sunday, as what some pilgrims on the line commented.

Since my sister's family had brought the three children with them, I offered them to just wait for me in the church and I will be the one who will do the line. But, they decided to take the early lunch first with the kids and would just buy me something to eat while on the line. It took an hour and half until we arrived at the halok area (a place where the Virgin Mary's statue is located and can be kissed and offered). I also put the letter I prepared beforehand in the Thanksgiving box and Mama's letter in the petition box.

_{Here's the snap of my sister's family inviting me again to the beautiful place of the statue.}

Reaching the area gave me a sense of fulfillment. After an hour of falling in line and praying, the image could finally be seen visibly. Because of that, I had made a grateful bow to the gracious Mother Mary who has been with me and family at all times.

_{A distant view of the Virgin Mary's statue}

_{An image of the devotees kneeling down their sincere prayers to Mother Mary}

_{A clip-snap from my niece video showing our surrendered feets and knees beside Mama Mary's statue}

After offering our kiss and flowers, sharing of sentiments to the Virgin Mary, we attended the mass until the blessing of the religious articles.

As we stepped out of the church, we lit a candle for a moment.

I am beyond grateful to the Almighty and Mother Mary for the safe and unexpected visit, the unplanned time, and the immeasurable love and care in our everyday journey.

And if you are wondering about how to visit the place, then sit back and breathe, here's how.

If you are travelling by motorcycle, just buy a load, turn on your mobile data and tap Google Map on your phonr. Set your location and the destination, Birhen sa Simala Statue...

If you want to travel that is friendly to your pocket, then do it by bus. If yoy are already in the city, just go to the South Bus Terminal and go to the Entrance ticketing area. Buses route is along the highway only, so you need to ride on a tricycle to take you to the Simala Church. It costs 50 pesos each.

If you are going via V-Hire, directly go to the exit area and tell the guard where you are going so that they will point you to the exact window. V-Hire costs 150 pesos per head. The vehicle will take you near the Church gate if it is not a busy day but only requires a short walk on weekends especially Sundays.

And for you to even save your pocket especially if you have kids with you, then just bring your own snacks and foods. Must things you should not miss to bring are as follows:

Formal outfit- Wearing informal and sexy outfits are prohibited, so you need to rent for a scarf that costs 50 pesos depending on how long/ how many are needed for you to be clothed decently inside the church.
Water
Umbrella
Fan

If you have questions and comments, feel free to drop. May Mama Mary be with you all. Thank you for sparing your time. See you in the next rose@lign.