By Rica Fernandez

I don’t know about you, but I am a firm believer of serendipity and happenstances, also known as 'fortunate accidents'. I reckon that we are right where we are, for a reason, and the people we meet, even just for a brief period of time, are put on our way to either serve as a reminder or a lesson of some sort.

On the first day of my Cebu trip with three friends, we were plotting the most convenient way to traverse the whole city in less than 48 hours, and came across a local taxi driver who gladly helped us out. We called him 'kuya', a common Filipino term used to address an older man.

Kuya Richard Morante, born and raised in Cebu, undoubtedly knows the province inside out. He brought us to all the must-see places in Cebu and also served as our tour guide. But what I remember most about him is that he shared a couple of helpful lessons about life and love - exactly what we, as struggling young adults needed.

We started the tour around noon. Our first stop: Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, the oldest Roman Catholic Church which was built in 1565. Here, we lit candles and said our heart’s desires amongst a huge crowd who, like us, were either praying for something to happen or taking time to thank a higher being for all the blessings we've reaped.

There is also an old wishing fountain in the area, another thing that I am really fond of. There’s no harm in trying, so I asked my friends to join me in saying a wish and throwing a coin. A few steps away from the church is Magellan’s Cross, a landmark which commemorates Ferdinand Magellan, a Spanish explorer who is believed to have started the propagation of Catholicism in the country. You'll know you're here when you are approached by candle peddlers, mostly women in yellow dress uniforms who also offer to pray for visitors or their loved ones.

Another church we visited is the Chapel of St. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint and a Cebuano lay catechist who was officially canonised in 2012. Since it is relatively new and not yet known to most tourists, the chapel is more tranquil — the most ideal place to go if you’d really want to have some quiet time to reflect. I liked its contemporary architectural design; the walls are all white and the style was minimalist. According to Kuya Richard, some parts of the walls outside the main chapel are not entirely made of cement. Instead, these are made from a strong type of wood which were put together to make it just as sturdy as concrete.

 

The Chinese people also have a remarkable place of worship in Cebu, the so-called Taoist Temple which is located in the highlands of Lahug. It is surrounded by lush greens and provides a panoramic view of nearby towns. Even non-believers are welcome to set foot in here, so if ever you find yourself craving more of nature’s wonders, come here and enjoy the refreshing atmosphere — just like what my friends and I did. Aside from the overall mood at the Taoist Temple, I was amazed by the Chinese traditional structures, like the huge sculpture of a dragon, which is considered a legendary creature in Chinese mythology. The details of the temple are so intricate and authentic, which can make you feel like you’re somewhere in China and not actually in Cebu.

As we travelled miles and went from one place to another, Kuya Richard shared bits and pieces of his life story with us, his eager passengers. Kuya Richard told us that he studied in prominent schools when he was younger but when he got his heart broken once, his life was never the same again. He started to skip school and eventually lost focus on his studies, withholding him from his potential. I believe these were the reasons why he said to us, “when you fall in love, don’t forget to leave some of that love for yourself”. To which I responded, “I will definitely take note of that, Kuya”.

 

Sometimes, a destination’s gem is more than an ancient structure or a frequented area, it is also the people you meet on your way that teach you a thing or two about life, without them even realizing it.

 

Ready to have your own adventure in Cebu? There are various tours and activities available on BeMyGuest!

This is the second part of a blog series entitled “A Brief Love Affair with Cebu,” written by BeMyGuest verifier Rica, a young professional from Manila who has a lot of dreams that include travelling the whole world, and maybe, finding true love along the way.

Stay tuned to BeMyGuest blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram account for more updates regarding this blog series. Happy travelling!