A day I had been looking forward to. I was set to meet my friend Mabe and her family. They came all the way from Leyte for a short vacation and would soon return to Manila. Cebu was just their stopover, departing through Mactan-Cebu International Airport after their sea trip.
I arrived early in the city. Like my usual Sundays, I started the day by attending mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. After the mass, I exited through the left wing and walked toward the Basilica del Santo Niño. There, I lit a candle and joined the pilgrims lining up to see the image of Santo Niño at the back. It felt peaceful and grounding, despite the growing heat of the day.
I still had time before meeting Mabe, so I wandered around Carbon Market. The sun was already high, but I came prepared with my umbrella and sunglasses. Late morning isn’t the best time to visit the market. The freshest displays are usually early in the day but I still enjoyed exploring.
Inside, I passed through the fruit section of pineapples, watermelons, mangoes, and papayas stacked in abundance. I was just looking for now, taking mental notes. I made sure to stop by and buy peanut butter, remembering how good it was the last time. I ended up buying fifteen bottles, which quickly became heavy to carry.
On my way back, I picked up some taugi, lemonsito, pipino, and a few spices, just enough for the week. By noon, hunger caught up with me. I found a small food stand and ordered two servings of puso and fried chicken. It was simple but satisfying. After eating, I rested for a while under the shade of a closed building. Most establishments were quiet, it was Sunday, after all.
I then stepped into Pot Gems out of curiosity. Inside were accessories and religious items, fitting for its location near the church.
Soon, Mabe and her family arrived at our meeting place outside the Basilica. I carried my bags as I walked toward them. Seeing them especially little Zamira made me so happy. I had missed them more than I realized.
We still had some time, so we lit candles together and said our prayers. Afterward, we walked along the street toward Shamrock Pasalubong Center. Along the way, we decided to visit the Museo Sugbo, exploring the old house galleries and learning a bit more about the city’s history.
They bought pasalubong to bring back to Manila, small reminders of their Cebu stopover.
Later in the day, we went back to my place near the airport. Their flight wasn’t until midnight, so it was the perfect place for them to rest. We had dinner together, sharing stories and laughter, making the most of the remaining hours.
It was a simple day, but full of movement, memories, and meaningful moments. Glad to be with them even if its just few hours.
See you tomorrow 😊
Photos are mine | Captured with Vivo 1901.
