Dakbayan sa Sugbu!
That's how you say it in Cebuano. Christened as the Queen City of the South, it is the second most significant metropolitan city in the Philippines and is an important center for trade, commerce and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. It is the capital city of the metropolitan area of Metro Cebu... and is famous for the Sinulog Festival.
In my less-than-48-hours stay in the big city, I played tourist and revisited attractions I've been to before and places I've seen as a first-timer.
Magellan's Cross
Koreans! Lots of 'em. It was like more than half of the people in that tiny building were chinky-eyed Koreans. Oh, well.. K-Invasion of the Philippines, remember? Haha.. So much for that. This Christian cross above, was planted by Ferdinand Magellan when he first set foot in the country, Cebu being the oldest Spanish settlement. It is right beside Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. The one displayed is not the original cross and a sign just below it says that the real one is encased inside to protect it from wear and tear... most specially from tourists/visitors who take a bit of the cross for souvenirs.
And of course, I din't attempt to chip off some souvenir. ☻
And of course, I din't attempt to chip off some souvenir. ☻
Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
The first church was constructed in 1565 and was made of nipa and wood on the spot where the image of the Sto. Niño (the Holy Child Jesus), kept in a wooden box, was said to be left by the Magellan group and was later found by Spanish explorers who came after him. Lots of people all over the country flock to this minor basilica located just across the City Hall, as the Sto. Niño is believed to be miraculous, healing diseases and such.
So, expect long queues if you wanna come face to face with the Sto. Niño!
