PILGRIMAGE TO SIMALA

A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey in to someone's own beliefs. 


Many religions attach spiritual importance to particular places: the place of birth or death of founders or saints, or to the place of their "calling" or spiritual awakening, or of their connection (visual or verbal) with the divine, or to locations where miracles were performed or witnessed, or locations where a deity is said to live or be "housed," or any site that is seen to have special spiritual powers. Such sites may be commemorated with shrines or temples that devotees are encouraged to visit for their own spiritual benefit: to be healed or have questions answered or to achieve some other spiritual benefit. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim. 

--wiki


It was a nice experience though. I was really amazed by the different churches that we had encountered.
Our mission here was to experience a spiritual journey. It's more than a tour.

We started with a short prayer inside the chapel in USJR, and then went inside the bus and go.

We were just silent inside the bus because we want to reflect with our journey.



I was really amazed with those churches that stood still for how many long years.
I can't deny to take some pictures to some.

A lot of Cebuanos and Marian devotees flock Sibonga every now and then to give thanksgiving, pay their respects and ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Indeed, over the past half decade the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist Church located in Simala, Sibonga, has become one of the most visited places in Cebu.

Apart from the magnificent church structure, the area has a lot of features. They have a gift shop that sells pendants, rosary beads, prayer books, bibles, and statuettes, among other items. Proceeds are used to fund food and lodging for the monks. They also have a wishing well, several gardens and a picnic area.


 --everythingcebu

One word inside my mind: AMAZING...

If you wish to visit Simala, it is located specifically at the Marian Hills of Lindogon, Simala, in Sibonga, Cebu. If you opt to travel by public transportation, proceed to the Cebu South Bus Terminal located at N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City. Hop on a bus heading towards Argao and prepare for a two-hour drive. 

 D' FAMILY PARK

One of the famous park in Cebu is the Family Park. It's perfect for recreational activities and mostly for families.  It promotes beauty and protection for both plants and animals.

D’ Family Park was started in 1993, by former MCWD General Manager, Father Francisco G. Silva. The park’s construction started in 1996, with its initial funding coming from former Cebuano Congressman Raul del Mar. The park was inaugurated and opened to the public on May 8, 1999. 

The park’s facilities and attractions include:

• swimming pools, for children and for adults;
• a picnic camp site;
• a vast children’s playground;
• a wildlife sanctuary and a mini-zoo;
• a botanical research garden with a plant nursery;
• a multi-function club house and pavilion; and
• a large covered stage designed to host shows, concerts, and other social activities.

--everythingcebu

I was not so fascinated with their zoo. I expected too much. When we got their, I just saw some common animals, like monkeys, birds, rabbits, snakes, and a deer. I really wanted to see some wild that time. HAHA! 

But still I enjoy the place. It was relaxing and free. Do you know what I did? I played the seesaw, I rode the swing and I even ran over the grass like a kid. It was like nostalgia, remembering the moments when I was still a kid.

Entrance Fee: Php 10.00 only!

FORT SAN PEDRO

FORT SAN PEDRO NATIONAL COLISEUM, 

PIER Area, Cebu City 

The smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was build in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. In turns, it served as a stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries.  This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It has a total inside area of 2,2025 sq. Meters. The walls are 20 feet high, 8 feet thick and the towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. Work first started on May 8, 1565 with MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGASPI breaking the ground. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned the fort to the local Cebuanos; then it became an American Warwick Barracks during the American Regime which was later converted into classrooms where the Cebuanos received formal education.

Statue: Miguel Lopez De Legaspi

During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, it served as fortification for Japanese soldiers, when the battle for liberation was fought, the fort served as an army camp. After 1950, Cebu Garden Club took over and fixed the inner court into a miniature garden. For a couple of years it also housed the Cebu City Zoo. In 1978 to August 15, 1993, it housed the offices of the Department of Tourism and Philippine Tourism Authority. At present, it is under the care and administration of the National Museum, a historical park.

The Entrance:

These are pictures that show Fort San Pedro in the Past.

The Museum:

         Artifacts taken from the old Spanish Galleon known as SAN DIEGO within the deep sea of Fortune Island off the coast of Nasugbo, Batangas are on display in this centuries-old Fort. The museum used to house the offices of the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority.

         The artifacts on display include Ming porcelain pieces of all sizes, coins, lockets, swords fragments, cannons and helmets. 

Fort San Pedro from the Past...

An illustration how the fort may have looked like in 1565.

Fuerza de San Pedro floor plan. 

A.) Fuerza de San Pedro. B.) Cuerpo de Guardia. C.) Viviendo del Teniente 

.D.) Almazanes. E.)Pezo. F.)Mana para los Golas. G.) Almazanes del Polvora.

Front entrance of Fuerza de San Pedro circa 1900.

Do you want a tour?

Here are some of the amazing views inside...

Pastion LA CONCEPCION

The Cannon

POZO dela VIRGEN
the well

CUERPO de GUARDIA
where the personnel that manned the fort lived

VIVIENDE del TENIENTE
which was the living quarters of the lieutenant of the Fort

Somewhere down the road...

Upper Part of The Fort

You can see here the views outside.

The walls inside.

A Mary beside the well.

Fort San Pedro in the Past

Fuerza De San Pedro
1565

THANK YOU!

WATCH OUT FOR MY NEXT TRIP!

LET US EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF CEBU...