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.