MAXTEIN PHILIPPINES
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ABOUT MAXTEIN
This site is all about Filipinos, living in or visiting the Philippines, the people, culture and low cost of living, how to get there and get around, where to stay and how to stay safe! The primary purpose of this site is to discuss Philippine life styles, trabaho Philippines, Filipino food - Jollibee and current events. Expats, Tourists, OFWs, Local Filipinos / Foreigners are all welcome here. Read DISCLAIMER. |
ABOUT ME
Hi my name is Ronnell. And for the people who know me, they know that I love the Philippines very much and I am not really one who rants and complains to high heavens about what is happening to our country and does nothing about it. Yet, after seeing how events in our nation had transpired the past years and after talking to some friends, I feel the urge to share with you my own thoughts and feelings here. |
Magellan's Cross
Who wouldn't know about this infamous Magellan's Cross? One of the main tourist attraction in Cebu, Philippines.
But did you know that the Cross you saw in the chapel isn't the original one?
Yes, you heard me right!... the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of this chapel.
This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for sourvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers.
Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines.
Actually, I've been living in Cebu for 8 years now and I never bother to look inside the kiosk everytime I passed by. In my notion, What's with that cross anyway? Until... a good friend of mine from Manila came to visit us. He was really whining to see the Cross and narrated the Chronological Past about it (He's a History Professor by the way, eerrrrr!!! - I hate History subject).
Inside the kiosk (left image), he continued to narrate the signifcance and value of the Cross. I now began to understand the importance of it to the Cebuano's. I didn't even know that the Cross Symbol is found on the Official Seal of Cebu if it wasn't for his lecture. hehe...
It's funny to think that I was his tour guide but didn't know much about the subject. I sure got a hell of a sermon there!!! Not to mention afterwards, we went to Sto. Nino Church (oldest church in Philippines) which is just adjacent to the kiosk. Not again...
Getting Directions:
Magellan’s Cross is right in front of the old Cebu City Hall building(left image), which is now being renovated as a legislative building, in downtown Cebu near the port area. The easiest way to go to the area is to take a taxi, all drivers know where it is. If you’re from the uptown area, the taxi ride may cost you around P60. If you’re coming from Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island, the taxi fare may be around P200.
If you feel adventurous and you want to tour Cebu City via public transport, you can take one of the many public utility jeepneys with routes passing near the area. Just check the jeepney’s signboard, usually on the windshield, if it says City Hall or Basilica (for the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, which is right next to Magellan’s Cross).