My Short Visit to Cebu

I just want to share some photos during my short (just went there for my mom and dad's birthdays) but memorable visit to my parents in Cebu. It's been years since my last visit so I really had to go there. I never got to see my dad during his birthday last January and last June 3 was my mom's birthday, so the visit was for both of my folks. And besides I miss them so much too.

I also got to meet, finally, my nephew Yuan. I've heard a lot of things about him from my sisters. But before I hit Cebu, I actually told myself to try not to be so attached with the cute little angel for personal reasons. Unfortunately, Yuan got ways (and tricks) to get me so fond of the little guy that I'm afraid I might have to brace myself for a 'heartbreak' or disappointment soon. I just hope my sister, Yuan's mom, won't choose to keep the newest member of our family away from us.

Well, whatever happens, Yuan has a special place in our hearts. I hope he will grow up to be a fine man and make his mom and us proud.

Because of the lack of time, I wasn't able to meet one of the significant people in my life-- my bestfriend Kenneth. She wanted us to meet during my visit and I learned she even applied for a leave from work just to make sure she's available within the days of my stay. But it never materialize. There was not enough time and I had to attend to family issues. This could mean I just lost my bestfriend. I hope she's reading this so she would know how sorry I am to make her wait for nothing.

I met my nephew but I lost my bestfriend (still hoping that I didn't). Some experience in such a short visit to Cebu, huh?

Tikboy and his dependable bike

Me-an and Kc on the videoke

Yuan checking out how the horns look like on him

Yuan's angelic grin while on those devilish horns

Yuan posing for Tito Rey

Yuan can't wait to grab some of the cake which explains the face

Still going stronger after all these years

Dreaming Big In The Big World

Few days ago I was feeling a little low. I got myself some reality check and didn't like how it made me feel. A friend in college called me up couple of nights ago and we were talking about how life has treated us and some of our friends. It's been long since we've seen each other since I relocated myself here in Manila. I've lived most of my life in the city of Cebu.

I remember in our 4th year in college, though not knowing what lies ahead, we asked each other what we would want to be few years after our graduation. Like among the others I also enthusiastically shared that I want to find myself successful like the rest. Although the path wasn't crystal clear, I planned to excel in the field of Human Relations. Further studies in Psychology or give Law a shot also were some of the few I lined up for me after that door to the outside world would open. Since I was in the seminary for eight long but memorable years, the "door to the outside world" was meant literally. With those mentioned, I put on my toga and marched to my college graduation beaming with confidence and pride because the best things were just waiting for me outside those walls...so I thought.

After that conversation with my friend Aldwin, who is currently a professor in literature back home and is currently taking his PHd, the world seemed to have stopped for awhile for me. I asked myself where I am right now with those plans. And the answer made me sit back and stare blankly at the wall for a moment which seemed like eternity. The fact that I am nowhere close to achieving any of the goals I set myself years back made me worry. That moment I really felt like a failure. Was I just wasting the years that passed or did I just let the wind blow me where it wants me to be?

I am currently working in the call center. And I have worked for five call centers here in Manila for the past, what, five years? So the person I see right now in front of the mirror is definitely not the person I thought I would be. I'm not doing HR works and not even making Pleadings or attending hearings (well occasionally I attend hearings for the sole reason of being with my girlfriend who is a lawyer).

So do I have any regrets? Probably. But that doesn't mean I'm not at all proud of what I've achieved for the past years. I definitely have literally shed blood and tears just to get to where I am right now. I can even feel and enjoy it looking at my current payslip. So I realized that I should not feel bad. My "change of path" shouldn't be thought of as a failure. The challenges and hurdles I've gone through and survived definitely made me a stronger person that I am now. My strengths are all clear to me and I have worked to improve myself in areas where my weaknesses reside.

The proud and confident Cebuano who used to have big dreams back in his hometown is now in Manila with bigger and clearer dreams to make it here.

But what made me change path? Am I going for a mediocre dream?

I doubt it. I noticed that the plans I had for myself was all about me. But as I matured, I realized that they won't make me happier since I won't be able to share it with the people I hold dear. The plans I have right now includes those special few. So I'm gunning for bigger plans...bigger dreams!

Let me end this with a something I read from DJ Chico Garcia's blog by Kaboosh22; Life is good when you’re happy & blessed. But life is at its best when other people are happy & blessed because of you.

Missing The Sinulog

Last Sunday, I missed one my most anticipated festivity since birth. I can’t believe I failed to witness the Sinulog the second time around. It’s considered as the biggest celebration in my hometown Cebu but it slipped me. Honestly, I didn’t choose to go. There were a lot of reasons why I was here in Manila and not where all the street dancing and fun events were held. Responsibilities and duties kept me from going but I got no regrets—aside from attending the Sinulog.

So I’m now blogging about the Sinulog 2009. This might work as an escape to the feeling of being left out. I don’t want to pity myself missing it so I guess writing about the happenings from the Queen City of the South last Sunday will give me some satisfaction. I’m also going to include some history and some interesting facts about the Sinulog.

The Sinulog word comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog. It means "water current movement." Its adaptation describes the forward-backward step movement of the Sinulog dance. Dancing to the rhythm of the drums, people would dance two steps forward, then a step back.

This memorable event falls every third Sunday of January-- this year it happens a day before my birthday. The celebration is in honor of the patron of Cebu-- the Santo Nino. It’s also meant to remind Cebuanos the first time Christianity reached Cebu’s shores.

Although the Festival itself is celebrated on this day, however, a series of events are held every day for the whole nine weeks before the much awaited Sinulog Grand Parade. Concerts, pageants, and other colorful events prepare the Cebuanos for the main event which is the Sinulog itself. During the event, colorful displays and street dancing can be seen. The participants are on their colorful costumes dancing to the Sinulog beat. The Fluvial Procession (a water parade) is held a day before the Grand Parade. The procession starts at dawn from Mandaue City and ends in Cebu City. A pump boat where the Santo Niño on is decorated with flowers and candles. Then a reenactment of the Christianizing of Cebu follows at the Basilica. A solemn procession is held in the afternoon along the city's major streets. This usually lasts for hours due to multitudes of participants. I still can recall how it is when you attend the procession. It’s like the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo.

A Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Cebu himself and is held at the Basilica de Señor Santo Niño on the day of the Grand Parade. The said mass marks the beginning of the Sinulog Grand Parade. After the mass, the people would go out of the streets where the parade will take place- - where you’ll hear the people chanting “Viva, Senyor Santo Niño!” all throughout the parade.

Now that’s the Sinulog for you.

Well, now I feel better in though I didn’t get to watch the event this year. There are still more years to come for the Cebuanos like me (and for those who just doesn’t want to be left out next year) to look forward to.

Viva, Senyor Santo Niño!