Cebu Experience Part 1

I was blessed to be able to go to Cebu last February 12-13, 2011, mainly to attend a friend's  birthday party. There were 2 or 3 "firsts" for me on this trip; (1) my first time to go to Cebu albeit this being an overnight trip only; (2) my first time to attend this particular friend's birthday party and (3) my first to attend a party wherein most of the invitees were from another group or department in our company.

I shall write about this 2-day journey in parts as I want to capture my experience as much as I can in words.

A trip was organized by the celebrant and his friends, for the "Manila contingent". It involved 4 famous tourist spots in Cebu, namely the Lapu-Lapu Shrine, the Magellan's Cross, the Basilica del Sto. Nino  and the Cebu Taoist Temple.

Outside the Basilica

Let me start this by sharing my experience in Basilica del Sto. Nino, this being one of the most meaningful part of my trip.

As I said in one of my posts here, I am not what one can call a devout Catholic, but whenever I'd visit new places, I always find it a delightful experience when I get to visit Catholic Churches in the area. It always give me that sense of serenity, of hope and history whenever I'd get to visit an old Catholic church.

The Main Altar

Center of the Main Altar

Needless to say, I savored the experience of being inside the Basilica.

I even went back the following day, a Sunday, and lined up in order to have the opportunity to venerate and pray right before the miraculous image of the Sto. Nino. It took me nearly half an hour before I finally got my chance. As soon as I stepped inside the room where the encased image was located, I instantly felt an unexplainable feeling of calm. It's as if all the worries and tensions I have been trying to carry and get through the last month had been lifted off me. As soon as I was in front of the Sto Nino, all I could do was stare at His face. It was so lovely and innocent, really like a child's.  To give way to others, one isn't allowed to stay long in front of the image. If you wish to pray longer and really talk to the Sto Nino, you can do so at the side. And I did just that. Touching the glass encasement, there I prayed and told the Sto Nino all that has been in my heart for quite sometime now. All the hurts, the anger, the forgiveness that I am seeking, the gratefulness I feel for God's continuous guidance to each and every member of my family. There I prayed too, for my friends who are sick, who are going through tough times at work, emotionally distressed, and lastly, I prayed for one person and begged for a chance to take care of this person. I was crying the whole time I was praying. I felt like a kid, making "sumbong" all of these to Sto Nino. I didn't care that other devotees can see me. I stayed and prayed for sometime, don't know how long I was like that, all I know is the moment I opened my eyes, I felt different; emotionally, I felt lighter. You know the feeling when you have questions that has been left unanswered for so long that you lose hope of ever finding out the answer, then suddenly, there it is? It was like that for me. I felt that every thing I told the Sto Nino was heard and will be answered.

And yes, the following day, Monday, something happened which made me say "Thank You, Sto. Nino!". I just know in my heart now, that everything's going to be fine. All I need to do now is to be patient. :)