Family, Faith, and Simala: A Memorable Visit to Cebu's Divine Sanctuary

Hello there again, dear Hivers. Today I will share with you a special day that I spent with my boyfriend's family in Simala Shrine, Cebu City, Philippines. It was a memorable trip and let's talk about it.

Last July 22, 2024, my boyfriend's family invited me to their family trip in Simala Shrine, Cebu, Philippines. So since it's the first time that his mother wants me to go with them, I agree.

SIMALA SHRINE TRIVIA

The Simala Shrine is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site. The site hosts the image of Our Lady of Lindogon, which is believed to be miraculous by devotees of the Virgin Mary. Next to its reported shedding of tears, it was credited with the healing of those who were afflicted with dengue in the area in 1998. The main reason why they visit the place is for them to offer their devotion, prayers, and petitions to the Virgin Mary with the hope that each petition and devotion will be answered.
And when you go inside, you can really see the granted wishes of those who are sick and want to pass in board exams.

There are so many people who will visit this place; even though the opening time was 8 am, the people will have a light in the gate. And even on weekdays, there are so many people who will visit to have their prayer granted and also to have petitions. And also on weekends or holidays, these days will have a lot of people; even though it's so hot, people will sacrifice to line up so that they can pray.

When we arrived inside the church, it was so timming because the mass was about to start; it is the first mass this morning, and we were so lucky that we have a seat even though there are so many people. It is my first time to join a mass here because every time I go here we will only pray at the Virgin Mary.

After we joined the mass, we decided to light a candle. These candles have different meanings, and you can choose what color you want just like this:

Gold: Healing (Good health, Recovery, Spiritual, Family Tree)
Green: Prosperity/Success (Exams, Study, Financial, Business)
Blue: Perseverance (Employment, Career, Assignment, Promotions)
Violet: Achievement (Plans in life, Struggles, Endeavors, Journeys, Voyage)
Red: Love (Utility, Friendship, Engagement, Family)
Yellow: Peace (Courage, Strength, Hope)
White: Purity (Enlightenment, Guidance, Right Path)
Orange: Reconciliation (Sweetheart, Wife, Husband, Enemy, Family)
Pink: Thanksgiving/Happiness/Joy (Spiritual, Physical)
Black: Souls (Forgiveness, Pardon)
Brown: Vocation (Marriage Bond, God’s Servant, Single life)
Gray: Deliverance (Bad ways, Things, Spirits)
Cream: Conversion/Faith (Children, Household, Couples)

This time, I've chosen the colors green and white because I'm still a student running a small business, and white symbolizes guidance.

After we lit a candle, we decided to have a picture; they said it was a family picture, and still they want me to join. Im so grateful because this family makes me feel that I belong to them. And after we took a picture, we decided to go to the parking area and have some breakfast. Even though we ate before we went here, we're still hungry after the long ride that we have.

After we ate, we decided to go home. Even though it is so tiring, we have been blessed in this time.
And I am so happy to experience a family trip with them; even though we were still new with their brother/son, they treated me so well. To sum up it all, it was a beautiful experience with them.