Postcards from Lindogon Simala

     Summer is a wonderful time to relax and have fun, but it is also a great time for us to thank God for what he had given us. We can always choose how we spend our vacation anywhere we want, but spending time to visit somewhere holy wouldn't hurt.

      Filipinos are known to be very religious so a number of pilgrimage sites can be found almost everywhere in the Philippines. In Cebu, one of the most popular ones is the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist which is located in Lindogon, Simala , Sibonga, Cebu. I visited the place last year with my family to thank and to pray. I couldn't help but to take some photographs of its magnificent view. Of course,I did that after praying and when the mass has ended. lol

     The place looks like some sort of a castle/palace to me. A great place to offer to Mama Mary and to talk to God. Once you get inside, you will witness so  many things that will prove God's love. A series of cabinets containing thank you notes can be seen along with other offerings. A museum of the different images of the Virgin Mary is also free for everyone to visit.

      If you want to kiss the miraculous Mother Mary, you have to get in line. No need to worry though because it moves pretty fast. Some people said that if you smell sweet smelling flowers as you kiss her statue, that means Mother Mary is around. That is really interesting. My family and I went to kiss her but we weren't able to smell a different kind of sweetness. But I still believe she is with us every single time.

      Although it couldn't be denied that the place is good for picture taking, please bear in mind that it doesn't mainly serve as a tourist attraction. The whole place is built for worship, that means you have to be respectful at all times. Avoid unnecessary talks and wear something decent.

Here's a short guide I wrote based ONLY from my experience going to the place. We went there mainly via bus. If you will visit the place using other means, then our story would be different. hehe

How To Get To Simala
1. Ride a bus going south at the South Bus Terminal. Don't worry because you can easily find a bus going there once you get at the terminal. Going to Simala, we paid 75php each as of December 2014. *The price is the same both for kids and adults. It took us more than 2-3 hours to get there. (Travel time will of course vary under different circumstances.) Don't forget to inform the bus driver or the bus konduktor if you have zero idea where the monastery is.

2. I've been to the place thrice and I found out that there are times that the buses will stop a walking distance away from the monastery. Some other buses doesn't go all the way to the monastery and will only drop you in the main highway. In that case, you have to get a motorcycle ride for 20php per person. *The monastery is too far to walk from the highway so you really have to take a motorcycle ride going there. The motorcycle drivers will take you to the gate of the monastery (as seen on the photo above.)

More tips and information*
1. Short shorts and skirts are not allowed in the monastery. Same thing goes to strapless and daring tops. You have to wear something decent to get into the place.

2. If you are wearing something not-so-decent, you can rent a cloth big enough to cover you. Rental services are available in the front gate of the monastery. Souvenirs are also available outside.

3. An eating area is available for free inside the monastery. You can always eat somewhere outside, but it is better to bring your own foods because the ones sold outside are usually expensive. Of course, bring lots of water with you. The monastery is often crowded with visitors so prepare some heat protection stuffs like water, fan and medicine just in case your body needs it.

4. You have to take off your footwear if you want to kiss Mama Mary's statue. I would suggest wearing something comfortable and easy for you to take off.

5. Solicitation inside the monastery is not allowed. If you want to donate something, give it directly to the people in charge in the donation area. Devils are everywhere so be careful not to be fooled. lelz..

     I hope this post can help you if you are planning to visit the place. If it is your first time going to Cebu, I hope you'll have time to visit the place. I promise, it is worth it! have fun and be safe :)

love lots,
Tin

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52 comments:

  1. nice post! kisses :)

    http://www.itsmetijana.blogspot.com/

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  2. Very beautiful photos :) It's so interesting how strict they are in that church. Good to know about Lindogon Samala

    tootsiejean.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Thea! And yes, they are very strict. It's understandable because it's a holy place. If you visit Cebu someday, it would be great if you can visit Simala :)

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  3. if there's anything i miss in the PH, one would be the beaches and second would be the historical churches (sadly churches here in my city are just buildings with little character, really). this is amazing!! parang sobrang gaming culture and character!

    Animated Confessions

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    1. Aww soon 'pag balik mo sa Pinas Sybil, visit ka ng mga beach at churches natin hehhe
      Thank you Sybil! and yes, the place is very beautiful :)

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  4. That is fascinating! The traditions of it are somewhat familiar but I had no idea about the specifics. I would like to rent a cloth, that just sounds fun :) Your pictures bring a wonderful feel for the location. So glad you had a time like this to gather faith and strength. Lots of love dear!

    All Things Bright and Lovely

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    1. Thanks a lot dear! Yes, I am blessed to be able to have the chance to ask and gather anything that I need from the Lord :)

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  5. Beautiful photos!

    --

    nhengswonderland.blogspot.com

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  6. It's so beautiful :)

    Follow me now on GFC, I always follow back.
    WWW.HEKYMA.COM

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  7. This place looks great and firstly, when I saw it I thought it's caste, not the holy place :) I really like that you share with us with post such like this, because personally I'm religious too and in country where I come from (Poland) there is amount of places such like Lindongon Simala as well :)

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

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    1. Yes, it really does looked like a castle dear hehehe
      I hope I could visit your country someday as it is a very beautiful one. I would love to see holy and historical places in your country :)

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  8. such a magnificent place! I often visit Međugorje, a small village in Herzegovina that is one of the most visited places decidated to Virgin Mary.

    I really enjoyed reading this post...and as I said, it is a magnificent place. The photographs are stunning! It would be great to visit it some day.

    http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you my dear. I do hope you could visit the place someday, once you do, let me know! ;)

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  9. Wa nako karemember kanus-a ko last nakaanhi! What I remember is, dili pa ingon ani ka developed ang place. Hehe. Mayta makabalik nako puhon! :)

    www.itsjaninella.com

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    1. Yasss! and it is still developing pa gyud Jan. Mas daghan pa new structure ila ipatukod soon. Balik niya ta sa place puhon Jan! :)))

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  10. Amazing photos!

    Please click the link on my post
    http://helderschicplace.blogspot.com/2015/05/silver-shoes-with-sheinside.html

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  11. Hope you had amazing weekend, dear Tin:)

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

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  12. Have a lovely day!
    I think the fabric paints can be used with most materials...the silk is the only exception, I think there are special paints for silk.

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  13. Looks like such a beautiful place!!
    Lovely post! :)

    http://floralsandsmiles.blogspot.com

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  14. Nice post
    xx

    http://losaway.blogspot.com.es/

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  15. Hope that you're having amazing day, Tin :)

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

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  16. Everything looks beautiful! Nice photos! :D

    www.jhanzey.net

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  17. How are you, dear? I can't wait for your next post, Tin :)

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

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  18. Lovely photos tin! Just went there couple months ago with fam and as always super crowded :( But we still managed to do our stuff there <3

    www.sarahrizaga.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Sarah! Yes, the place is almost always crowded jud hehe

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  19. Looks like a very interesting place! <3

    http://www.thestylishbipolar.com

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  20. Beautiful photos of an amazing place. Thx for sharing, Christine.
    xox
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

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  21. This was such an interesting post to read Tin! I really loved learning more about your culture, values and opinion of this beautiful place! No doubt I would love to visit it, even though, I am not very religious I can still appreciate the beauty and the culture of a certain place!
    The first two pictures were breathtaking!

    www.callmemaddie.com

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    1. Thank you Maddie! I hope you can visit our place and I can visit to your place too. That would be amazing :) I hope someday we'll meet.

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  22. Great pictures

    New post :
    www.miharujulie.com

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  23. Such an amazing place Tine! Thanks for your recent visit, hndi mko nakakalimutan nttouch ako... ;)

    Kisses!
    Cassie

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    1. Aww thank you Cassie dear!! Of course, I'll never forget you! :)

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  24. It's my first time to hear about this place. I hope I can visit there too! Btw, love love your photos!

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    1. Thanks sis! Yeyy I really suggest you visit the place sis!:)

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