Magellan's Cross

My mom told me that one of the proof you can have that you've been to Cebu is have a picture at Magellan's Cross. On our first day on Cebu, after eating lunch, freshen up and rested awhile in our hotel, we headed to the monument. We took a taxi because were not exactly sure where it is.

Outside Magellan's Cross -- this is my brother

The Cross of Magellan
From time immemorial this spot has been set aside to commemorate the erection of a cross. When King Humabon of Cebu and his Queen, Sons and Daughters, together with some 800 of their subjects were baptized by Father Pedro Valderrama. This hallowed site was improved in 1723 by Rev. Juan Albarran, prior to San Agustin and in 1834 by Rt. Rev Santos Gomez Maraňon, Bishop of Cebu. The image of the Sto. Niňo found by the expedition of Legaspi in a House near the present side of the Cathedral of Cebu is venerated by the faithful in the nearby church of San Agustin.

Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross
This cross of Tindalo Wood Encases the original cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan on this very site April 21, 1521

The paintings on the ceiling of the monument

When we arrived there, we saw some old ladies and a group of tourist having some kind of "novena" --- it's kinda like a series of prayer in one session. 

Outside the monument, was a small park with trees and across the street is the Municipality of Cebu.

After some picture taking, we walked around the park and the church beside it. I couldn't take some shots because some beggars and standing by the street and they might snatch the camera.

Lapu-Lapu Shrine

On our way to Lapu-lapu shrine, my mom keeps asking the taxi driver on how to get around the city and how are going to find some hotels. ( Before we go to this trip, I already researched about the place where to find affordable hotels and what places to visit, but my mom what it to do it her own way, so I said fine, which ended up to disaster.) Our taxi driver became somewhat of a tour guide too, explaining our current location and the history of the place.

Welcome to Lapu-lapu Shrine

Tower standing at the entrance of the Shrine

Lapulapu

Here on 27 April 1521,  Lapulapu and his men repulse the spanish invaders killing their leader Ferdinand Magellan Thus Lapulapu became the first Filipino to have repelled the European Aggression.

According to some historian, Lapulapu did not physically killed Magellan in combat but rather one his soldiers. But during those time, soldiers don't get the glory and fame for killing a leader or someone popular, just their leaders. So some random soldier killed Magellan, then Lapulapu gets the glory. (no haters here)

The battlefield

Lapulapu

Outside the shrine, there was this a few souvenir shop that has cute  keychains and other stuff, and a lot cheaper too. After our shopping, we got on a jeep going to Mandaue City so we can catch a ride going to Cebu. Oh boy, Mandaue is awesome.... because of the Tsiboom :p

Bonfire with the Locals

After eating dinner and before ordering the booze. I went back with my mom to our room to get my iTouch and sneak the cigar from my bag and went back to the Pinikpikan House were I left Kimi with Awingan.

After ordering a few bottles which Kimi put downs like water, Awingan invited us to a bonfire at the back of the restaurant. There, we met some of the locals who are also tour guides during the day. I was never a heavy beer drinker so I let Kimi and Awingan drink all they can. One of the locals who is kinda like the leader of their organization named Gustavio (I think that is his name.... ???) told us about some history of Sagada and some local stories. Since I'm a big fan of horror and ghost stories, I did not hesitate to ask him if they had some. But he told me they never believed in ghost but instead believe that if they felt something, it is part of their natural surroundings and what if it is a presence, they never considered it a ghost because it was once one of them. Could be their relatives or a close friend.

Kimi is starting to get drunk, so she was brave enough to ask somethings to the locals and a paper and a pen. Kimi wants to throw all her misery to the fire so she wrote it all in a paper, humoring her, I did the same thing since I was also feeling like a mess during that time. After she throw her paper into the fire a spooky thing happened, the smoke suddenly just blown to her face, then she stood and moved to another spot but the smoke followed her again... guest her misery does not want to leave her yet :p

A moments later, one of the local tried to hit on me .. o_0 .... yes he did. He asked where we were staying and if he could come by later. Good thing a new group of tourist came, so we had an excuse to go back to our room. I do not want to be rude because were on a different place.