Pilgrim in Cebu

Arriving by boat from Manila in Cebu City, I take a few days to get to know the city a little better. The St. Mark Hotel where I have taken up residence is neat, perfectly clean and nothing but praise for the room, breakfast and staff. Unfortunately I can't say that about the place itself.

Messy streetscape, lots of traffic and a lot of shabby buildings. There is not much to see, but it does strengthen your image of the world. And above all, proof that we Westerners can consider ourselves lucky and quite satisfied. It's my last day in Cebu City and today I charter a taxi that will drive me around all afternoon to see a little more of the island. The beaches of Cebu are undeniably very beautiful, but they are not my goal this time.

Mama Mary

The driver shows me on a map the route he is going to take with me and says that we are also going to Mama Mary.

At first I want to dismiss that because what the hell am I doing with his mother. Don't want to offend him and put my thumbs up. We drive along the harbor and further along an area with palm and coconut trees. Every now and then a short stop in a village to take a few pictures. When he turns into a narrow road, he proudly tells us that we will be at Mama Mary in a few minutes.

Simala, Sibongo

We have arrived in Simala and there I get more clarity about Mama Mary. It is a ludicrous-looking monastery complex with many images from Roman life. Immediately at the entrance I read that Mama Mary was born on September 8th. The year has been omitted for convenience. Walking further I see 'A friendly reminder'. “You come here as a pilgrim to pray and pay homage to Jesus and Mama Mary and not as a tourist. This shrine to Mama Mary has been chosen by our Heavenly Mother as a place of sacrifice and worship. Well I'll just have to make do with that and immediately put on a very good and pious face. It is also necessary if you regularly come face to face with the most important people of Catholicism. I would have loved to take a picture with my namesake, but unfortunately he was nowhere to be seen. Crowds of people line up at an image of Mama Mary and touch her image one by one with their hands.

Shoes off

Walking a little further I get the request to take off my shoes because I'm entering the holy of holies where Mama Mary is showing off in a big way. Leave my shoes on and turn around and look at some display cases where many have testified to an answered prayer.

Tears

The story goes that someone who was almost blind was able to see again after a multi-day hike to Simala. Compare it a bit with Lourdes. And what did you think? His sight returned. And a lot more impressive. The eyes of the Mama Mary statue showed tears, real tears. Even Rome was impressed.

Fairy tale

I looked at the scenes with attention and respect. The whole is reminiscent of a fairytale castle. And isn't it wonderful if you believe and really think that there is a heaven where you can meet your parents and many friends again after death. I myself would like to shake hands with Joseph in heaven. The good man has worked his ass off as a carpenter for his family and receives little or no attention in this place. Personally, I don't believe in fairy tales, but it was still wonderful that my driver entrusted me with praying to Mama Mary for me. Would he now expect a bigger tip or do I have an image that is too worldly?

Images speak more than many words, so just click on the link below to get a good impression.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9AGEOUyIU[/embedyt]