Monday, May 3, 2010

Hours Alone in Naga City, Cebu


I couldn’t muster the laziness that clouded my afternoon that Sunday. Boredom equates to laziness, that I know is a petty excuse of seizing the day at a stall, calling it a boring one. I had to revert it into a productive day and thought I had to do something that was far removed from all the serious stuff. I have to go someplace, I told myself. Despite the sun being at its peak, I went out and headed down south where I live.

I rode a jeepney to Naga City. When non-Cebu people hear about it, they often mistake it as that one in Bicol. Founded on June 12, 1829 by the Spaniards, it is now a young city, granted the cityhood status in 2007 or more so restored back in 2009. In 2008, the conversion was deemed unconstitutional by reason of not meeting the requirements for cityhood. To the joy of its people, the city proved itself as rightful of its title. As the city grows more well-known, competing globally, I guess they have to consider changing it to a different name to cut the confusion, that way distinguishing itself as a distinct city in Cebu, just a thought.

First time all alone to Naga, I paid 10 pesos, assuming it would cost me less than that. To my surprise, the fare was actually 14 pesos. The jeep conductor was telling me, to near swearing, why in the world would I forget it, as if implying I did any wrong or had bad intentions.


After 30 minutes of travel with the imposing summer air, I dropped by the city’s celebrated Catholic church, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi. It was built in 1939 and remains a popular landmark.

On October 10, 2007, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal declared and named the once Parish Church of St. Francis of Assisi into its present name. Upon entrance, I noticed the beautiful façade with cherubs playing (or holding) musical instruments and sun rays coming out from Jesus with words below Him, creaturae praedicate evangelicum. I had to translate them to English that by the way literally mean, creature preaching the gospel (thanks to translation-guide.com). It is evident, though , that it was renovated into a modern-looking version of the old church. The belfry itself is a new installment built in 1970s.


Right across the church are another of the city’s landmarks: the Naga City Hall, the Bonifacio Park, and the beautiful Naga Baywalk. I’ve heard so much about the Baywalk, which is good for strolling, catching some fresh air, and food tripping. I saw couples lined up along the strip that day. How much fun can there be when lamp posts get lit?

It was indeed so hot that day I had to grab some shade by the side of the tennis court and read a good book.

27 comments:

  1. Definitely a nice place. I would love to do something like this too. ;)

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  2. You'll love it Kim especially if you need some alone time. Thanks! :)

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  3. good story and most of all I love these pictures

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  4. @theBluesman: I appreciate that Sir! :)

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  5. Uhuh...

    By the way, have you ever heard about yummy-cebu.com? I hear they just started a new contest called Mama's day out!

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  6. Wowwwwwwww. :) I am in awe. Your photos are amazing! I'd love to have a trip to the south sooooon. They have the best Churches in Cebu. I'd love to have photos of each one of them. :)

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  7. Sure they do. What's more amazing is that you get to experience them visually at an instant on a bus ride.

    Thank you Noelle! :)

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  8. Gorgeous pics! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  9. Thanks for the visit! I will poke my nose here for a bit if you don't mind! :-)

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  10. Hi! What an awesome post. And what gorgeous pictures. I love the history and the sights. When you're a native living in a place like this you sometimes take for granted how gorgeous the old church really is and how beautiful the old homes with their peeling paint and loose bricks really are. I love your lazy Sundays!!! xoxo

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  11. Thanks for the pictures of Naga. Somebody told me that my ancestors on my father's side came from Naga. But I have never set foot on this city. I did not know Naga is so beautiful. Thanks for awakening in me the desire to visit our ancestral place.

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  12. @Cindy: I just love going to places that are far less common to people my age. I appreciate more places that show a bit of history and visual delight.

    Wow! Thanks for the comment!

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  13. @joebulaojr: I'm glad that my post is giving you the desire to visit your ancestors' place. You're welcome and thanks to you too Sir!

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  14. Naga, is also known for the 'unggo' myths. When I was a teen way back down the 80s my cousins and I used to stroll down the road from Mainit to the Poblacion. We saw people running in one of the turns, when asked they said the winding road is 'abaton' and sure enough when we passed a wakwak greeted us from the distance. We did taunt it to come down but it never did, one of my cousin ran ahead of us, I guess its because he was from that place and too superstitious, while the rest of us were out of town; in for the Sugat on Easter morning for the burning of Judas. If I remember it right the moon was bright that night too, coincidentally eerie.

    Naga has been constantly improving, since after the fall of the Marcoses.

    And thank you for visiting Naga.

    Have you tried going to Boljoon? Nice place too.

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  15. uhmm.. i think that "creaturae praedicate evangelicum" means "preach the gospel to all creatures".
    ^_^ i read it on a book...

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  16. @Anonymous: i think you're right. it makes sense. the whole translation messed it up! thanks. :)

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  17. uhmm..i have something about the church..:)

    the place where the belfry stand today was once used as a cemetery..but i am not sure with what i have read on the book..the picture on the book showed a wall 2 meters high? on the right side of the church which i think is a cemetery..the picture is not clear and is really small..so i'm not sure and i have no intention to scare ^_^

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  18. @Anonymous: Where did you get that book? Just curious. I appreciate all of these info. If you'd like to reveal yourself to me, just shoot me an email to joemill.flordelis@gmail.com :)

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  19. no doubt. definitely a nice place, i use to live 5 km to the north from the town proper. but guess what, this place would have been a lot more better without the common scene during the night. doves without wings flocks area at night. so sad :(

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  20. hi, new to the site, thanks.

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  21. nice pic... but watch out for the more improvements in naga city.. from having a metro gaisano and bay walk.. soon it will be more far better than any other cities in cebu.. more improvements, more opportunities for people to improve their living..", naga will become the first city in cebu for "zero waste".. watch out for it.. ",

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  22. @Anonymous (right before me): that's good news. the city would have then a rightful claim to its cityhood. :)

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  23. Nice blog. I live here in Naga. Thank you for this wonderful piece. And you really have a talent in photography.

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