It is so great to stroll solo.
It was my second time going out to watch the Sinulog
festival. I have been in Cebu for few years now but I didn’t dare to step into
the streets alone to experience the fun festivity until this year.
Days before that, I contacted my friend who’s renting near
YMCA that I will go to their place on the Sinulog day and she agreed. And so,
in the morning, I prepared my stuff – my blue “messenger” bag with umbrella,
wet and facial tissue, fan, keys, coin purse, Samsung galaxy y cell phone,
concealer, lip tint, lip balm, ATM card, a-150 peso bill, small bottled water and
my ultimate partner, my handkerchief. It was sunny that day so I opted to wear
sunglasses, sleeveless blouse paired with knee-length shorts and slippers.
Around 11:30AM, I took a jeepney to Ayala. I directly headed
to the ATM machine inside the mall and – it was offline. I inquired to the
guard in-charge and he said that cash cards are allowed while debit/savings
account was affected. He added that the bank branch has reported the issue to
the main office and was being worked on. It was already lunch time so I decided
to eat first. I went to Metro Food Avenue, where several stall of food choices
are available. I chose Dimsum because it is quick and easy meal and costs
around 51 pesos only. I didn’t bother buying a drink, since I have my bottled
water. And part of my strolling goal was to spend less.
I went back to the ATM machine to check out – it was still
offline. I was asking for possible options and the guard said that over the
counter savings withdrawal was an option, only if we have passbook. I contacted
my sister who was still in the apartment and instructed her to bring my
passbook. I looked for a chair while waiting for her. I had fun watching the
boys and girls who played the dance revolution at the timezone [where I
seated]. I like that game too but I can’t dare dancing at timezone, - well I
tried but I was with my sister and it was at the upper level, not in the first
level where many people are passing by and sometimes stopped to watch.
I was bored. I decided to pee and guess what - ladies falling in line to the comfort room, long line. Well, not too bad because it was
manageable. Success! I went back to the ATM machine and great news – it’s back
online. Yes! I was able to withdraw money as my strolling allowance. My sister
also arrived with my passbook – it was no use, but at least I had back up. Since
she was going to date with her “friends”, we parted ways. I went out the mall and
started walking to my friend’s place. I was passing by MJ Cuenco Avenue where
street dance has begun. I had my umbrella and sunglasses for protection from
the sun. I was planning to cross the street and so I needed to mingle with the
crowd. However, due to the thickness of the crowd, I needed to keep my umbrella then bought a
cowboy-like hat instead that originally at 120.00 and I haggled for 100.00. And the
final walking began.
I took E. Chavez road where only few people were passing by.
Actually, there were jeepneys in the area where passengers were taken to Colon
or Jones Avenue but I didn’t ride. I took the road in Velez College then to
McDonald’s Jones Avenue. The crowd was screaming so I assumed that a local
celebrity float was passing by. And I was right, it was JC De Vera of TV5 plus
Gary V in MLhuiller float who was throwing out t-shirts, bags, basket balls,
purse and other stuff to the crowd. I walked fast so I can also get shirt
because my blouse was already wet with sweat but I was unlucky. I reached YMCA.
I contacted my friend and went to their place. Cool – such a cool place
compared to the temperature outside. I relaxed, watched tv and wiped off my
sweat.
We went out around 2:30PM to eat. I left my belongings
except my hat, fan, hanky and money. We ordered barbecue and hanging rice.
While eating, the crowd was screaming and my friend stood up to look out. It
was ABS-CBN float with Kim, Enchong, Xian, Slater, Zsa-Zsa, Erich and Papa Chen!
I also stood up and left our food and screamed [in a limited voice] – so crazy!
And we went back to finish eating. My friend paid for that meal. Savings for
me! :)
We strolled Jones avenue until
Fuente circle looking for Sinulog shirts but we didn’t find nice designs. As we
were reaching Fuente circle, we noticed the float on standby playing latest songs and ladies were dancing. When we checked out it was IPI float with Melissa Ricks, whom we
recognized first and a lot of Kapamilya celebrities. The float was robotic-inspired
where Sto. Nino was held by a crane and an angel running through a track. That
was a beautiful float. After a few minutes, we decided to go back to my
friend’s place so we can prepare for the fireworks display in Ayala at 9PM.
While on our way, the wave of the crowd was uncontrollable. There were people
going west and others going east. You would be hurt if you won’t struggle and
so we did. That was an very nice experience.
Around 7PM, we started walking to
Ayala. Since we were hungry again, we bought hotdog on stick on our way. And
guess what, she paid for me again. Savings! :)
Just right on time, we sat on the
street waiting for the fireworks display with the rest of the crowd. Ayala area
was so jam-packed with viewers.
I didn’t get the chance to take
pictures on my earliest activities because I was afraid to loose my phone – it’s
going to be a sad thing. After the viewing of fireworks, we went to Food
Choices of Ayala to eat. Who won’t starve of our walking craziness? And again,
I saved. My friend’s friend paid for our dinner. It is so nice to have friends
with you too. I love my friends. :)
Around 11PM+, we decided to go
home. I was confident that we can easily get a ride because it was already late
night. But I was so wrong. My friend, her sibling and friends decided to walk
home while I opted to wait in the terminal. See these pictures below:
 |
| People passing by at the Ayala Center Cebu Terminal |
 |
| People lining up waiting for Talamban jeepney. |
 |
| They were lining up for downtown destination. |
I finally got home around 12:30AM of January 21st,
Monday.
It was worth it! I love the
experience - next year again and the years to come. Sinulog! Isyagit ug Kusog!xoxo
How's your Sinulog experience?
"A guide to the
blue journey - a relaxing, peaceful, blissful, healthy and honorable
life." -TBC
