Lulinghayaw sa Cebu #1: And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Is it just me or have you also noticed that I always feel the need to categorize each and every post? 😂 So far I've introduced #Project81PH, Mental Health Mondays, Financial Fridays and Bake it 'til you make it. Call me meticulous but that's just me. I am more comfortable when things are arranged in a certain way. For me, it's an art to be able to categorize everything. Absolutely everything.

And while we're at it, did you know I arrange my clothes by fabric type, by usage, and by color? I also use the same color of hanger in my cabinet. It's time-consuming but it's wonderful to look at.

I'd like to do the same with my posts. I actually tried to post a Cebu-related travel blog with no categorization whatsoever and it only made me extremely uncomfortable knowing that there will be more contents about Cebu but it will be all over my feed in total chaos. Harmony is no where to be found. Er

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The Unveiling: Lulinghayaw sa Cebu

I could no longer tolerate it, so last weekend, I sat down and extracted all the creative juices in my brain (glad there were few drops left 😂).

Today, I'm unveiling Lulinghayaw sa Cebu. My boyfriend told me it was his first time hearing the word "Lulinghayaw". I bet I have to define it then for non-Cebuanos and Cebuanos alike. In English, Lulinghayaw could be either of the following: a vacation, leisure, an outing, a time available for ease and relaxation. It could also mean "time that is free from duties or responsibilities" or free or spare time.

Don't trouble yourself with the word's meaning tho. In my Lulinghayaw sa Cebu I will highlight all of my past (as well as future) wanderlust in and around the Province of Cebu. I thought it was only right to make one special travel post category for my beloved Cebu.

✨I'm excited. Let's keep the ball rolling.✨

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Boljoon: A Post-quaratine Travel

In my first Lulinghayaw sa Cebu, I'll take you back to my first travel after the lockdown in one of the towns in Southeastern Cebu.

Cebu was under strict community quarantine/lockdown from April-August 2020. By September 2020, when government restrictions were easing out, our company's COVID Taskforce issued series of memorandums discouraging employees to attend mass gatherings and travel outside of the city.

For someone who loves to travel a lot, it was so hard to be kept in isolation. There were days I couldn't help but be envious of people who could already roam around even in Cebu. I hate hearing people going on trips with their family and friends. There were also days I couldn't stop crying that all my travels for last year were put on hold until further notice. Call me a crybaby but traveling is my life. And it broke my heart to be restricted to do so.

On the 1st of November, my family decided to go for a long drive to Boljoon. Deep inside, my heart couldn't stop screaming "This is it! I'm finally going out!" If you've seen how I ran towards the sea that day, how the sun radiated the "beach glow" in my face and how elated I took step after step while roaming around, you'd probably think it's my first time in Boljoon. I felt so alive that day. It took all the worries I've been keeping for months.

The main reason for the visit was to go to Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church. It has been my sister's tradition to visit this church during the birth month of my niece, Leila.

It was supposedly close that day but the caretaker gladly opened the side door so I can see the inside of the Church. I told her I will not take much time inside.

This church has always been one of the places I look out for from the bus/car window when I go down South. I can't tell exactly what's with this church but I'm always drawn to it.

My sister was still lighting some candles while the kids were running here and there when I went out. It's been a while since I dreamed to have my photo taken at the facade of this church. Luckily, there was a couple who were taking turns in snapping photos, too. It's my forte to ask strangers to take photos of me. I even instructed the guy for my pegged angle and he got it perfectly!

After our visit to the church, we met our family friend from Boljoon and they took us to a public beach roughly 200 meters away from the church. There was a low pressure or a typhoon (I couldn't really remember) at that time. This explains the huge waves crashing on the shore.

I've passed by Boljoon countless times already but I didn't expect that this public beach (where you can also see Eli Rock at the far north side of the beach) can be this inviting.

I was bursting with mixed emotions when I finally went out after months of staying at home (staff house). It felt great to be reconnected with mother nature once again. And I couldn't be more grateful to have spent this day with my family as well. I felt I was so blessed to be hanging out with my family when some friends and even strangers were mourning for their loved ones' passing.

Aside from my family, there were other beach visitors that day, too! ❤️

When we were about to go home, some kids from the neighborhood arrived and played with the big waves.

But that day, there's one person who couldn't stop dancing the music the waves created. That's yours truly.

Actually, after this trip, my anxiety symptoms subsided a little. Indeed nature can help us heal in ways too magical to understand. Just kidding, there's actually a science behind how nature can heal us but I'd rather not go into details. Hehe! I was just too happy that day! 😁

There was nothing fancy that day. We didn't go to a resort, our food was simple homecooked dishes. Since we stayed on a public beach, there were no cottages, no chairs, no tables. Our family friend had to get chairs and tables from their house so we can use them. We even had to take turns changing dry clothes inside my sister's Wigo.

But despite the simplicity of this travel, I was beyond happy. It's true that you don't need too many things to be truly happy in life. In my case, as long as I can spend time with my family, I'm good.

Before we left, an unexpected rainbow appeared just above Eli Rock. What a perfect day, right?

The Lord must have felt sorry for all the sorrows the pandemic brought to my life that He gifted me this wonderful day with my family. He is truly faithful. ❤️

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That's it for my first Lulinghayaw sa Cebu travel diary. I'll see you soon!

Keep exploring! Let me know your thoughts about Lulinghayaw sa Cebu in the comment section! 😁

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