Cebu Philippines Sinulog, Chinese New Year, and Work Goes On

Sinulog is the biggest single celebration in Cebu.  Millions of “balik bayan” – Filipinos living all over the world try to return home for Sinulog.  It is the celebration of the Santo Ninyo or “Holy Child Jesus” – an early Christian relic, a statue of Baby Jesus, which is believed to be responsible for the blessing and protection of Cebu.  There are also many stories of times when the Christ Child has appeared and performed a miracle for individuals.  For many Filipinos, it is easier to relate to Jesus as an infant or child with his mother Mary than to his life and death as an adult. We had heard reports of the many beautiful floats and dancers, but also of the number of people on the streets.  We finally decided to go with another missionary couple anyway.  I can truly say it was unforgettable, but we could actually see very little! 

The number of people actually made it impossible for a single individual to choose a direction and move there in most cases.  What one tried to do is find a small group of individuals moving in approximately the right direction and cling to one’s companions and try to attach your group to the moving group.


 In trying to get around an immobilized vehicle, I became separated from our group and had to make it back to our vehicle on my own.  At one point we came to a street crossing where the people on one side were trying to get to the celebration while those of us on the other were trying to get away from it.  It truly became impossible for anyone to move in any direction at all.  There was a car stranded in the intersection and a big fellow who told us he worked with the police climbed up on it and started hollering at people that if any of us wanted to move anywhere then the one group must squeeze to one side and the other group must squeeze to the other.  He gestured with his hands as to what we would have to do.  We had experienced the stalemate long enough that people were willing to listen and make an attempt and we were finally able to creep forward again.  It was a totally unique experience in my life and I must confess it’s not one I really care to repeat.

Chinese New Year is also pretty big.  The malls of course love celebrating everything so they had gigantic Chinese lanterns and huge posters depicting the Chinese horoscopes for the “Year of the Wooden Horse” – 2014.  

Since my last post, we were also able to visit the ancient Chinese Cemetery in downtown Mandaue City near SM Mall.  The ruins are both beautiful and sometimes tragic, 

We were also able to attend the “Lion Dance” at Fooda, our local grocery store, on the day of Chinese New Year.  The dragon arrived first, 

but we were let to know in no uncertain terms that the Lion must dance before the Dragon – so we all had to wait on the Lion.  The dragon costume requires many people, but a Lion costume requires 2 people and the one in the back half must be able to smoothly lift the front one up so the Lion can “stand upright” on his back feet.  Two lions finally arrived along with the rest of the band.

  There was also a blue-faced man who was apparently the ‘funny, smiling person’ described on-line as representing the God of Smiles.  The performance was a lot of fun and we loved the costumes.

Just a note --relative to the Cebuano "boast" that Christmas lasts till February -- we can verify that his lighted sleigh and reindeer were dropping in at Country Mall, Elves and trees were to be seen on the front door of our local hotel, etc., were still up past the middle of February!

In the meantime the real work of our mission is actually picking up the pace as it nears the start of a new school year.  We are holding trainings for leaders and young people throughout Cebu to help students get financing for continued education.

   We also hold free 2-day Career Workshops to help individuals of any age learn advanced techniques in discovering their own skills, talents, and experiences that will increase their value as potential employees, job searching, interviewing, and resume writing. 

 

And, of course, the popular American Accent Class because being able to speak a good grade of English is important to getting most of the better paying jobs here.

At the end of the day, the problems are still there, but we pray that we can always say, 

    " Well, today at least I have made a difference for someone."

Olango Island off Cebu, Philippines

In mid-January, we returned to visit Olango Island  a second time. This time we took a bicycle tour with Sister Evan’s family: Clayton and Amy Strong.  

It was a cool morning, with a misty rain – pretty nice weather for biking in this generally very hot climate.

Our native guide, Jun, from Bugoy Bikers, felt it was rather too cool, however. 

There were many more birds out this time—I even got a look at the elusive blue-eared kingfisher that I had only seen a flash of last time – sadly, no photo.  A couple of egrets on the walkway

and a friendly starfish made for some nice shots.

We had a wonderful time exploring the “longest bamboo walkway” on the island

and met some new friends who were also junior boat builders.  

We had lunch at the charming rustic Talima Beach Resort.  

Then we returned to the ferry for our return trip.

Unfortunately the tide was low so the local bankas (boats) were grounded 

and the public ferry was not running because of rough waters.

 Despite our best efforts, especially Clayton’s, we were unable to secure any transportation to get us off the island in time to get them back for their scheduled return flight. (I think the local people must have thought we were a bit crazy talking to private charter boats and even helicopter companies.) 

It was interesting watching people seining for fish and digging for clams and shellfish during the low tide, however.

We were again assured that evening ferry would run; however, this time we were not as convinced.  

When it didn’t, Jun, our guide, was very helpful in securing us lodging at the Talima Beach Resort and transportation – two tricycle taxis--back to the lodge because in the dark it was not a road  for bicycles. 

“Tricycle taxi”  is a Philippines term for a motorcycle with a side car to hold 4 passengers that frequently takes 8.  The drivers loaded the 5 bicycle on first, then the 5 of us piled in or on

The lodgings were nice, but we had not brought anything for staying overnight, of course. The Talima Resort people were kind enough to fix a late supper and Bugoy Bikers were kind enough to cover the bill – though they could not be held responsible for the weather!

Again we were assured that the public ferry would pick us up early the next morning.  Of course it didn’t. 

That morning all of the bigger private boats were involved in the boat parade that announced the beginning of Sinulog, but after the parade was over we were finally able to join with another family trying to catch a flight out of Cebu and charter a private boat to take us back to Cebu. 

The sea was still too rough for the public ferry and any but a very experienced crew.  The boat crew was superb, but the swells were still high and dark.  The sea seemed charged with an immense power.

 

 This picture is as close as I could find to what the ocean looked like as we were much too busy holding tight to take pictures during our crossing!  There were actually somewhat less whitecaps—mostly large dark swells with an incredible sense of power.

I felt at peace because I felt assured we were "in the hands of God" during this difficult passage.