Cordova, Mactan Island: Every Traveler's Bucketlist and More (My Sinulog 2016)

What sets Cordova, Mactan Island apart from all the wonderful places in Cebu?

It was last January 17-20, 2016, when I had a chance to revisit Cebu Province but this time, it was not only because I want to celebrate Sinulog 2016 but also to explore at least one place outside the city of Cebu. Although the first plan of going to Badian for canyoneering and then spending a night at the white beach of Moalboal was not materialized, still I was so happy that I have experienced a great adventure in Cordova, Mactan Island. Here’s the whole story…

At Cordova Tourism Office, Poblacion, Cordova, Mactan Island

My Travel Diary

               January 17, 2016 –I reached Mactan –Cebu International Airport from Laguindingan International Airport around 9:50am. From the airport, I took a yellow Multicab located at the main entrance to Savemore at a fare of 7 pesos and then from Savemore, I rode another multicab to Poblacion, Cordova for 13 pesos.

                After reaching Poblacion, Cordova, I immediately went to my Aunt’s house, left all the unnecessary things and headed straight to Cebu City proper where my high school batch mates were waiting for me. It was the last day of Sinulog 2016 and as expected –heavy traffics on some areas and a lot of queuing for public vehicles in and out of the city. So, I decided to take a “pakyawan” on a motorcycle from Cordova to Cebu City for 200 pesos. Well, I don’t really have a choice but to take it so can reach the city as soon as possible and thanked God –it was all worth it!

It was my third time experiencing Sinulog but still it never gets old. Here are my Tips on surviving the Sinulog Festival, ‪#‎thexuixuiWay 

              1. Sunblock, sunblock and sunblock. It’s really hot on the road so better protect yourself first and also; if you have extra money it is advisable to buy Sinulog Starter pack like Sinulog White T-shits but not necessarily with fancy designs, face paints and a bottle full of water before hitting the roads and street parties. 

2. Keep hydrated! Bring always a bottle full of water. This is a necessity.  3. Make sure there's a plenty of space on your camera's memory card and the battery is full. Every moment with friends is a worth picturing for. 

Sinulog! Mag syagit ug Kusog! Viva Pit Senyor! Prititit! Celebrating the last day of Sinulog 2016 with my High School Batchmates, #thexuixuiWay! *insert Christine Cuay BTW

REFLECTION

    Sinulog was surprisingly organized this year. However, my heart saddened as I have observed that most of the tourist and spectators were not after religious purposes but for fun, simply for parties and enjoyment especially the youth. How I wish even the youth, nowadays, knew the true essence of Sinulog festival, that they will celebrate it confidently with a heart –colorful, loud and grandeur but with heart full of sincerity and joy for Sr. Sto Nino.

SINULOG SIDETRIP –TEMPLE OF LEAH

Temple of Leah is located in Roosevelt St., Barangay Busay Cebu City which is about 15-25 minutes away from the proper city (Ayala Mall-Cebu). It will be inconvenient to take public jeepney going to this place so it is advisable to ride on a taxi or a motorcycle. Motorcycle will cost you 100 pesos or 50 pesos each person. You may call them through 233 5032 for more inquiries. 

This temple was constructed in the year 2012 as a symbol of undying love of Teodorico Adarna, father of actress Elen Adarna, to his wife Leah Albino-Adarna. Indeed,#TempleOfLeah is a perf example of a place where love and art collide! BTW, it was just opened to the public last year but still lies unfinished!

EXPLORING CORDOVA, MACTAN ISLAND

On May 22, 1863, Governor General Rafael Echague chose the name Cordoba which means "stark nakedness and bare". Cordova (also spelled Cordoba) is a third income class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines and became a municipality in 1864. 

WHERE TO STAY?

If you are in Cordova, the best place I can recommend where you can stay elegantly but at affordable cost is the Cordova Home Village, it is a resort that you can definitely call a home and everything will follow easily. 

This resort offers Island Hopping - specializes tours to the islands of Nalusuan, Gilutungan, Kawhagan, and Pandanon!        

Also, one way to get rid of a Sinulog hangover is not by saying, "I will never drink again!" But of wakin' up in the morning with this view...          

Thank you Cordova Home Village Resort for making me feels like I am extremely accommodated for my whole short stay! I will be glad if I will be given another chance to stay here next time and probably try your island tours… 

LET’S GO TO THE BEACH…

Beach Resorts in Cordova aren’t as many as compared to the other municipalities in Cebu but they were all cool and worth visiting in their own respects. Such as Alta Cebu Village Resort, Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort, Cordova Reef Village Resort, Island Sun and Beach Resort, Nalusian Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary and Villa Asela Garden Resort.

Do you know that Cordova also offers a fascinating spot for swimming all for free? Yes, you read it right, it’s free! This is at a port going to Bohol and surely, the waters here will leave you breathless. I’m with my cousins this time, so kids 'Rya ready for a lil boating and fishing?

Cordova, Mactan Island: After hours of fishing, I caught nothin' but a single starfish! Poor fisherman! Ha-ha To the next resort, #thexuixuiWay please... 

Finally, let’s go back the title question, “what sets Cordova apart from all other wonderful places of Cebu?” For me, there are only three words to answer this and that’s, “Convenience, Luxury and Stillness!” Well, it’s probably true that not many tourists and even Filipinos visit Cordova because it is kinda isolated from the more famous beaches and tourist attractions in Cebu Island but because of that, they were able to maintain tranquility, stillness and the true beauty of nature despite that the location of just about 25 minutes away from crowded areas of Cebu City! Definitely, you’ll never go wrong choosing Cordova as you’re next destination when going to Cebu! 

Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa 

Taoist Temple - Cebu City

Built in 1972, the Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Lahug Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City, Philippines. The temple was built by Cebu's substantial Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

Unlike the neighboring Phu Sian Temple,the Taoist temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one's wish. The ritual includes washing of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish. If not then it is not yet the time for one's wish to be granted and one has to come to the temple some other time.

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Zi. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.

The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu.

Some guide books and travel agencies offer trips to the temple or as a side-trip in a tour around Cebu City. But it is more popular with grade school students and no student who grew up in Cebu City or the neighboring Mandaue City has not gone to the temple in any one of their field trips.

Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!  

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Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu , Cebu City

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino Cebu where the image of Santo Nino was found is the oldest Catholic Church of the 16th Century in the City of Cebu and the first monastery to be established in the Philippines. Upon the discovery of the image of Christ Child inside a burning house by the troops of Legazpi, they considered the finding of the image as a good omen making them built their first house in Cebu. Thereupon the founding of the image of Santo Nino marks a history.

 The Church’s Structure
The façade of the church is made from cut-coral stones with the images of saints which were believed to be quarried from Panay. The spacious church has an image of two Chinese-style lion. A mix influences blends the façade of the church from Muslim, Neo-Classical according to Agustinian historian Father Pedro Galende and Romanesque.

A three-level belfry attached to the end of the façade on the northern. At its south is the two-level monastery. A pilgrim houses the Agustinian Province of Santo Nino de Cebu. The pilgrim was built in the early-1990s.

 The Altar
A carved multi-level wooden altar screen features particular Agustinian saint or blessed. The altar originally had four altars which includes two on the sides of the transept but were removed after the renovation on 1965 for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christianization in the Philippines. Gone also during the renovation was the 18th century pipe organ but on the year 1966, another pipe organ was installed by Jose Loinaz. The organ itself was manufactures in Germany by the Laukhuff Orgelbau, Weikersheim. But what highlighted the most in the altar is the 480-year old image of the Santo Nino.

Visiting the image of Santo Nino in the Basilica Minore, lighting of candles inside the church are strictly prohibited. However, touching the image of Santo Nino is possible as long as you follow the line from the outside of the ambulatory between the church and the convento.

The Convent
Strictly prohibited for anyone to enter the second story of the convent, the first floor is occupied by Parish offices. A carved stairway leads to the spacious aula or living room, were painting of Agustinian saints is displayed.

Me myself and I having a selfie photo in the crowd of devotees at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino De Cebu Church, houses of the most sacred Christian relics in the Philippines; Sto.Niño de Cebu (the infant Jesus) during the Sinulog 2014

The Festival
Sinulog is the name of the festival in Cebu. Taken from the Visayan word “suug” which means water current. The festival is a combination of dancing and prayers which were believed to seek the favor of Santo Nino to carry out the prayers of the community. Outside the Basilica, women selling candles dances while holding a handful of candles as a part of the tradition of praying to Santo Nino.

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Mactan Shrine, Lapu Lapu City , Cebu

The Mactan Shrine located in Mactan Island, Cebu is dedicated in honor of Lapu-Lapu, Ferdinand Magellan, and the Battle of Mactan. Lapu-Lapu was the native chieftain of Mactan Island, and he resisted the efforts of Magellan to subdue his people and to be converted to Christianity and to be subjected to the throne of Spain.

The subsequent battle on April 27, 1521 between the Spaniards and Lapu-Lapu and his men resulted to the death of Magellan. The shrine was erected on the supposed spot where the battle took place.

 The Magellan monument consists of a plain obelisk on whose apex rests a sphere. The obelisk is mounted on a tall plinth and the plinth rests on a tripartite structure: an octagonal base on which rests a tall quadrilateral structure, divided into two parts. The lower part is decorated with high relieves of vases, and the upper part is pierced by narrow arches. On the monuments are inscribed texts honoring Magellan. A low fence surrounds the monument.

A heroic sculpture of the chief of Mactan who defeated Magellan, Lapu-lapu stands near the Magellan monument. Lapu-lapu, sculpted with great realism, stands tall, with a shield held by his left and while a curved kampilan sword, drawn is held by his right.

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The sculpture celebrates the readiness of the brave warrior to confront aggressors.


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Magellan's Cross , Cebu City

Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on (depending on source) March 31, 1521!

 

 This is where the Current Location of the Magellan's Cross in Cebu, just beside the Basilica Manore Del Sto. Nino De Cebu

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street (Magallanes being the Spanish name of Magellan), just in front of the city center of Cebu City. A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers

Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines

Me, Myself and I having a selfie photo inside the shrine or whatever it was, behind me is the Magellan's Cross, it was supported with woods in order not to fall since it was damaged after the devastating Bohol earthquake.

It took another 45 years (1565) before Cebu was visited again by another European. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, under orders from King Philip of Spain, came and made Cebu the first capital of the Spanish colony known as Las Islas Filipinas.

Below is a photo of myself with someone i don't know in front on the shrine where Magellan's cross is situated. I just love his look, the art of body paint and the creativity of expressing his feeling towards drug addiction!

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