Viva Pit Senyor!

my 1st sinulog experience... arrived at the Mactan IA at around 1015- Jan 14, a bit too early to check in. but the hotel allowed me to do so- for FREE! but the thing is- I landed in a hotel somewhere in Lapu Lapu which is 45mins cab drive away from the main event. But it's ok- i said. I do more than 45mins of travel from home to makati-every single working DAY, so what the heck! i headed to the city right away, ignoring the inviting crystal-clear waters of the pool just outside my room. I can do it later I said.

I went to Ayala Center, visited the gym, then went for a massage at a familiar spa. then visited the basilica. just before i went back to my hotel, i dropped by SM to buy some food (lechon and chicharon of course) so i can use my small but nice kitchen to prepare my sumptuous and sinful dinner- yummy!

i really wished i could make it to the fluvial procession which starts to assemble at 430am the next day. unfortunately- the animal fat mixed w/ alcohol kept me and my bed intimate until 930am. I went for a quick swim then headed back to the city- where I met former officemates and friends whom I spent the next 2 days with. we braved the drizzles afterwards and went to the basilica for the solemn land procession at 0130. the sky did not settle for mediocracy- it poured- "raining cats and dogs"as they say. but the devotees never abandoned the lines. walk thru the floods w/ cold winds, holding on to their rosaries and images of the PIT SENYOR. we were soaking wet already, never had the chance to leave the downtown streets, though we attempted to. we ended up eating in some old fried chicken house before we went back to the basilica to hear the post-procession mass.

the next morning sunday, so early- 5am i left the hotel to hear the pontifical mass- before joining the merry making and the famous sinulog parade. had some henna tattoo together w/ a friend, went for lunch in one of my colleague's home. then- the never ending walk. - i did not have to go to the gym at all for a work out. I had to walk all the way to Mandaue just to get a cab that will bring me back to my hotel in Lapu Lapu at the end of the day. Tiresome- but a wonderful experience. the next day- Monday- i'm still on vacation but my blackberry is NOT anymore! I headed back to manila... telling myself, i'm gonna see this- again next year. FOR SURE :)

Thanks to Joey, Connie, Marcial, Emma/Nathan, Clint, Jam, and those whom I may not have mentioned. Viva Pit Senyor !