Church Visits

Some friends and officemates have planned a few weeks ago to visit Catholic Churches in the Cebu Province. However, visiting all these beautiful and historical churches in 1 day or even just for 2-3 weekends would be a huge goal for us. Time and budget constraints call for the setting of small goals. So, we've decided to divide our goal of visiting Cebu's Catholic churches into small chunks, but highly achievable goals.

Last Saturday was the start of one of those small chunks. Because I felt in the mood to create an itinerary for this plan, I proposed (i think "imposed" is probably the right term...hehehe) that we visit Mandaue City Church Parishes. I also suggested to visit a Cebu Parish because we would be passing by it. Thankfully, my companions have agreed with the plan even though we would just use the jeepney and tricycle during our tour. This is the first itinerary that I have successfully created for a group activity. :)

A. San Isidro Parish, Talamban, Cebu City
* From Ayala Mall, ride any jeep to Talamban (13B/C or 62B/C)

B. Our Lady Of The Nativity Parish, Canduman, Mandaue City
* From Sand Isidro Parish, ride jeep (13B/C) to Tintay Market. Then, ride tricycle.

C. Our Lady Of Fatima Parish, Basak, Mandaue City
*  Ride tricycle to corner Canduman. Walk from eskina Canduman to Fatima Parish.
** After the experience, it's better to ride a jeep especially if the weather is too hot.

D. Sto. Niño Parish, Paknaan, Mandaue City
* Ride jeep to Basak Elementary School. Then, ride tricycle.

** After the experience, I learned that it is more practical to walk from Fatima Parish to the school. Then hop in a tricycle and tell the driver to go to Sto. Niño church in Paknaan (not the chapel). It was here that we had our first interaction of a good driver because he looked for a tricycle driver who was willing to drive us to our destination and suggested a very affordable group fare.

E. Christ The King Parish, Alang-alang, Mandaue City
* Ride jeep/tricycle (maybe 2 rides).
** The experience made me realize that there are still honest and good tricycle drivers. The tricycle driver from Sto. Niño Parish happily waited for us then, volunteered to drive us to St. Joseph Parish without asking for more than the regular fares.

F. St. Joseph Parish, Poblacion, Mandaue City
* Ride tricycle (maybe 2 rides).
** During our tour, it was only one ride from Christ the King Parish.

LUNCH at ChowKing.

G. Holy Family Parish, Maguikay, Mandaue City
* Ride jeepney to Mercury corner AS. Fortuna. Walk to corner Maguikay. Ride tricycle.
** During our tour, we hopped in a tricycle from a terminal near Gaisano Grandmall. The tricycles there go to Cabancalan passing through Maguikay. It was the first time I learned that I could directly go to Maguikay from the center of Mandaue City. :D

H. Gethsemane Parish, Casuntingan, Mandaue City
* Ride tricycle.

I. San Roque Parish, Subangdaku, Mandaue City
* Ride tricycle.
* During our tour, we rode a tricycle and stopped at the corner of Hernan Cortes extension and AS      Fortuna St., near Rose Pharmacy. Then, crossed the other side to a tricycle terminal and told a driver we are going to San Roque Parish. There was very heavy traffic. But, we arrived in one piece despite the heat of the afternoon sun. :D

At less than P300.00, we completed our church visits in one day. It was fun! And, thanks to Google Maps, we found our way to these churches. :)