First Things First
This is my Steemit initiative, to travel the Philippines and showcase her beauty to the world through Steemit.com. With your help and support for my posts, I will be able to accomplish this goal in due time.
My trip to Cebu City, Philippines was made possible by Steemit through the kind hearts of all of you who supported my posts to gather funds for the Sinulog 2018 trip. But I’d like to mention those who have regularly, unselfishly, tirelessly and continuously upvoting my posts and I am ever grateful for their kind soul.
Please accept my thanks, my dear Steemian friends: @darthnava, @nxtblg, @supassinggoogle, @arcange, @raphaelle, @livingfree, @ahlawat, @onlineprds, @sultan-aceh, @juliank and @photocontests, @joalvarez, @hrhabibur, @mimbel, and everyone who joins the #colorchallenge and voted for my posts. THANK YOU!
And now, come with me and let me tell you a story.
The Sinulog 2018, perhaps the most celebrated festival in Cebu, if not in the whole Philippines. The details on budget, itinerary, and the like will be presented at the last part of this report. You can jump right to it if that is the information you need.
Sinulog Festival
One of the most celebrated festival and the most awaited event of the year is the Sinulog to honor Baby Jesus, Sr. Santo Nino for the blessing He brought to the Cebuanos. This festival is celebrated every 3rd of January of every year. Coincidentally, this same celebration is also happening in Kalibo, Aklan.
Cebu and Cebu City Map
Called the “Queen of the South”, Cebu City is one of the most highly urbanized locality in the Philippines. Home to many popular artists, actors, multi-million dollar businesses, and historical sites, it has indeed earned its namesake, the Queen.
Day 1: Travel to Cebu City Via San Carlos City-Toledo City Ferry Boat
Coming from Bacolod City, you can either take the plane or choose a more long yet adventurous journey by land through the Ceres bus. I chose the bus for two reasons: It’s been 15 years since I took this route and I’d like to relive it; second, it is within budget that I designed for myself and for those who are planning to do the same trip with a tight budget.
Stop-over for a short hot choco/coffee
As I was waiting for the bus to journey on, I saw this orchid flower
Full bloomed orchid
I took the morning trip at 4AM on Friday, 19 January 2018 thinking I could do more photo shoots if I were there early that weekend.
Our bus arrived around 7:30AM at the San Carlos Pier.
It was a cold morning and the place was very quite.
We were the first group of passengers to arrive on a bus
While waiting, I took photos...
...to kill some time.
This little girl is more excited than I am.
The passengers' lounge.
Unexpected company. My cousin Boy Marco is celebrating Sinulog, too! We haven't seen each other for years.
Leaving San Carlos Pier
Panoramic view of San Carlos City as we sailed for Cebu
Approaching Cebu Island via Toledo City
Getting off the ferry boat to continue our travel on our bus waiting up ahead of us.
Day 1: Arrival - Make Haste and Waste No Time
As soon as we checked into our hotel, we immediately headed to Basilica Menori del Santo Niño, the parish church of Cebu City where devotees go to attend mass and participate in the communion especially for this event, Sinulog 2018. There are no merry-making and street-dancing at this time. The event was a religious and a solemn one.
It's about 2:30pm and devotees were waiting for the Basilica to open its doors. For some, they prefer staying outside as you can actually hear and see through a live video broadcast the priest and his sermon.
Altar boys getting ready to do their part in the mass and communion
Cebu City Hall
Public Office is a Public Trust... I couldn't agree more!
The gathering started to build up and canopies were provided by the local government for devotees
Altar boys all dressed up to do their parts.
Those who are not able to get in to the basilica were still able to attend the mass and communion on the streets where there was live video broadcast on TV's.
People walk to and fro trying to find the best spot.
To some, this gathering is an opportunity to advertise their products.
And to some, business as usual as deliveries were done.
Candle burning. It is literally burning and melting the candles. People buy candles and light them up together with a prayer, as the practice. However, devotees give their candles to a central station manned by people accepting candles and burning them in a tin drum.
Hand them candles...
He was complaining how hot it was being inside the station with all these burning candles.
The Gazebo that houses the famous Magellan Cross
Children selling candles for Php 2.00 each or about U$D 0.04.
Smaller children sell them, too!
An opportunity to sell some delicacies, as well.
People flocking towards the Gazebo Magellan's Cross where they throw their candles instead of burning them.
Of course, I am not the only tourist here taking photos.
Her Sr. Santo Nino statue has been blessed. It's now ready to head back home and place on the altar.
The Magellan's Cross. The Gazebo was closed so I have to be content shooting from outside with my smartphone.
Day 2: My Rest Day.
It's Saturday and it's my day of rest.
The previous day was great and I had some really nice photos taken and an experience I will never forget as long as I live. But today, it's time to stop and "smell the roses". Tomorrow will be a grand day for merry-making and street dances and parades and floats.
Part 2 will be posted separately due to quite a number of photos.
I don't want you to miss what I have witnessed even just through the lens of my smartphone.
All photos in this travel blog are free for personal or commercial use. Please give credit to where credit is due.
Device: Cloudfone Excite Prime 2Location: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines #cebucity
Great Arcticle!!!
Thank you! Your upvote will allow me to move along to my next destination of festival. Your support is greatly appreciated, @tanemahuta ;-)
Saya sangat menyukai posting anda, # @cjclaro