My Favorite and Unforgettable Summer Holiday

When I was still a child I counted the days when the school is over so that I could have more time to go for swimming, playing outside the house with friends and to attend for  summer Catechism held in the Church which is usually the routine practice in our town. Really it was very exciting, lots of funs and adventure. I think it was really fantastic to live with the flow of life and enjoy with it as it goes.

Time moves on until I’ve reached the age of puberty then to adolescent. And finally my life changes to the fullest when I decided to enter the sanctity of marriage. My role was changed to a more mature and being responsible wife, mother, daughter and sister. But though life’s role changes but our mind still have to work, had to enjoy and makes things work for the best. Every year holiday was there and experienced but with all the holidays that we do have especially during summer time I couldn’t forget the one most wonderful and unforgettable holidays that I do have spend with my family. That holiday was been categorized as my most favorite summer holiday.

Since I was born in warm country thus we decided to spend our holiday back home, the Philippines. The climate is warm and very beautiful. Honestly nothing can compare the life back home. Home sweet home is what we usually called after landing to the airport of destination. Time travel to fast and we don’t want to leave the days that we didn’t have anything to do. What a hectic schedule we have.

"Tops"

On the very first day after our arrival we attended the graduation ceremony. Then after the rites we have dinner outside with friends and after nine o’clock in the evening we went to “tops”.  “Tops” is located in Busay, Lahug, Cebu City and the site is overlooking to the city. It is the top of the mountain but restaurant can be found there. The place is cold day and the night due to its location. We stayed there for how many hours. Same normal agenda we do have, picture taking here and there. The children were enjoying running and playing all over the place. You can see the beautiful picture of Cebu City at night. Watching falling stars can visible seen.

Basilica del Sto. Nino

The following day we went for Church visiting. We’ve started in the Basilica del Sto. Niño (a 16th century Church in Cebu City which was built purportedly on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting the Holy Child Jesus found by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition. It is located in Magallanes Street, Cebu City). Then we move to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Church (built in 1595' and was considered the first church which was firstly built by wood, bamboo and latch. It is located in Cebu City just a few walks away from Basilica del Sto. Niño). Then move again to Carmelite Monastery (it is a convent and chapel, founded in the mid 1900’s by the Carmelites and it is located in Mabolo, Cebu City). Then we proceed to Poor Clare Monastery (it is located in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu and an hour drive from the heart of Cebu City). The day ends watching movie in the theater.

The next day we went to visit the shrine of the miraculous Mama Mary in  Lindogon, Simala which also known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist. After that we headed our way back to Minglanilla, Cebu wherein the Schoenstatt Shrine was located. Then we pass the Lourdes Church in Punta Princesa, Cebu City. After retiring for the day, the last Church visit we want to go is the San Lorenzo Church in San Jose Village, Tisa, Cebu City. It was a tiresome day but very satisfying and promising.

Kawasan Falls

The following day was a day out to “Kawasan Falls” (located in Matutinao, Badian and which is deemed to be one of the most popular getaway destinations in southern Cebu. It was full of fun. We brought with us mostly the native foods that Filipinos tends to enjoy. We are walking for 20 minutes with very rocky and narrow path before we arrived to our destination. Raft riding, swimming, exploring the three waterfalls and enjoying the nights with humming of the birds and running of the waterfalls is what you can hear. Awesome experienced.

After the two nights stay we headed our way to the city but dropping to take a look the “Inambakan Falls” located in Ginatilan, Cebu. We didn’t have a full stop over for we just want to take a look with the falls since we still want to see the virgin and hidden falls in the mountain of barangay Conalum, Argao, Cebu known as “Bugasok Falls”. It was really a horrible experience to have the four wheelers cab climbed on that forested cliffs and solid rock boulders since it was not fully developed yet at that time.

Kota Beach

After a day of rest and another preparation, we headed to the Northern part of Cebu. We ride a boat for 20 minutes from Hagnaya, Cebu so that we could arrive to Sta. Fe, Bantayan, Cebu. Bantayan Islands is considered as Cebu’s fishing ground and was known for its white beaches. We stayed at “Kota Beach”, one of the resorts in Sta. Fe. We enjoyed the day swimming and exploring the other days within the area. We have a side trip to “Doong, Bantayan, Cebu” (Doong is one of the islets of Bantayan). The beach is also purely white especially in barangay Silanga. I was imagining how many years from now if the places and the beaches I’ve visited will be the same.

Then after a week staying in Bantayan, Cebu we headed back to the city. We stayed there for couple of days roaming within the city. Went to explore restaurant from restaurant to name the few such as the Golden Cowrie (mostly liked by my children due to unlimited rice), “Kumbera” (the “kaldereta” is very tender and juicy), Jo’s Inato (we like for the “sisig”), Triple A (delicious native chicken and spicy barbeque), Neo Neo, Café Laguna (nice for its “kare-kare”), Marina Seafood’s, Chikaan,  Sunburst Fried Chicken, Maxx, Gerry’s Grill , Family Choice (bottomless drink), Royal Concourse, “Abuhan” (nice “pochero”) and so many things to mention. Window shopping, gaming zone and driving lesson was been done.

Chocolate Hills

The last week of our plan we headed to Bohol (the island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region and the capital is Tagbilaran City). We go there by land trip. We started in Cebu City early morning headed to Argao, Cebu then we crossed through “Ro-Ro” shipping and arrived at Loon, Bohol. From Loon, Bohol we headed to “Sagbayan Peak” (one of the tourist spot in Bohol). After, we went to Chocolate Hill wherein Bohol was noted worldwide. It is located in Carmen, Bohol. Then we went to the famous hanging bridge of Bohol  located in Sevilla, Bohol. Then we went to the floating restaurant located in Loboc, Bohol. Then after that we went to Alburquerque wherein the biggest python or known as the anaconda of Bohol stayed. (The snake measures 23 feet or 7 meters as of 2005 and weights 300 kg or 660 lbs). Then we headed to Baclayon Church, the second oldest church in the Philippines. Then before the day end we passed the Blood Compact Shrine (it is between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. This is considered as the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos).

The experienced on my summer holiday is worth remembering. My whole family see and appreciate the beauty of our country wherein most of the time we could just only read and view in the books or in the internet. I was so thankful that everybody was very helpful, cooperative and more patience. Thanks to the Almighty.

Terms:

Kaldereta            - is a dish popular in the Philippines, especially in Luzon island. Its common ingredients are cuts of pork, beef or goat with tomato paste or tomato sauce with liver spread added to it.

Kare-kare            - is a Philippine stew. It is made from peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables, stewed oxtail, beef, and occasionally offal or tripe. Meat variants may include goat meat or (rarely) chicken. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili, and sprinkled with calamansi juice. Traditionally, any Filipino fiesta (particularly in Pampanga region) is not complete without kare-kare. In some Filipino-American versions of the dish, oxtail is exclusively used as the meat.

Pochero               - a Filipino Stew similar to that of “Nilaga” (commonly known as boiled beef). This dish is complimented by the sweetness of the “Saba” (Cavendish banana) and a unique sour blend is brought-in by the tomato sauce. A very enticing dish that is worth craving for; beef pochero brings out the delightful taste of our Spanish influence

Sisig                       - is a traditional Filipino method of preparing meat. The meat is diced and sautéed with onions, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, jalapeños and seasoned.