Simala Shrine, Our Lady of Lindogon - Sibonga, Cebu

I've heard of this place long before I finally decided to visit this famous religious place in southern Cebu a year ago, shortly after Mother Mary's birthday. My friends and I went there with excitement, though some were on their second visit already. We visit the place with two things in mind: to implore Mother Mary's help and seek her intercession. It was a Saturday and we were expecting a huge flock of people so we were on the road as early as 7:00 in the morning. It took us almost two hours to get to the place situated in some mountainous area called Barangay Simala. Unfortunately, we arrived at the area just to know that we were too late already. The very long queue had reached just as you pass by the entrance area. So we had no choice but to fall in line to be able to take a look at the image of Mother Mary known as Our Lady of Lindogon. Indeed, the long wait under the scorching heat of the sun was worth it. You just can't describe your feeling when you're already in front of the miraculous image. The experience was so solemn that all you can do is just pray.

I captured this photo when we had just crossed the entrance area, where we joined the long queue.

If you don't want to get caught with this very long queue, you better be in the area as long as 5 o'clock in the morning, when visiting on usual weekends.

Have you noticed the candles in different colors? Each color represent a certain petition, be it about love, marriage, peace of mind and other things you could ask Mother Mary to intercede for you. The candles can be bought right beside the area.

Another statue of Mother Mary's image along the way to the shrine.

Since it's already a year since my last visit, my friends and I are planning to visit the place again hopefully within this month.

St. Benedict Monastery, Our Lady of Manaoag - Carmen, Cebu

I had a chance to visit this religious place sometime in November 2006 when my company was having its annual year-end outreach/pilgrimage program. The place was located in a mountainous area some few kilometers from Carmen proper. We went there to extend some help to our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the mountainous barangays. It was such a great experience being able to help other people and looking at their happy faces upon receiving our gifts for them. We attended a Holy Mass celebrated by Indian OSB (Order of St. Benedict) monk priests who are also the founding priests of the monastery. The priests were so accommodating and we were able to visit other areas of the site such as the Rosary Center where you can see beautiful paintings depicting the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. We also had the chance to go to the monastery itself hoping to get a chance to see the monks. Unfortunately, we didn't get even just a glimpse of their hands which is the only one you would be seeing, as what people are saying. Here are some photos i was able to capture. It was such a worthy experience and I plan to pay visit again to the place sometime.

A huge statue of the image of Sto.Nino located just beside the church. Just imagine how huge it is by looking at the photo.

A beautiful site which seemed like a stairway to heaven. The staircase leads to the Sto.Nino statue.

I forgot to mention that since the place is situated in the local mountains of Carmen, you can't just get away with breath-taking views by the hills and mountains.