A Lenten Season Special: Why trek to Calvary?

CEBU, Philippines - A Blessed Pedro Poveda insight gives light to this annual trek up a symbolic Golgotha that we Roman Catholics embark on during the Lenten observance:  “From faith stems love; with love one acquires strength, and because of love, one is capable of suffering with perseverance.”

Our trek to Calvary, usually accompanied with the offering of prayers and reflection at the foot of each Station of the Cross, is identifying with the suffering of Christ.

According to Fr. Gabriel Ataide of the Society of the Holy Family here in Cebu, our trek is about witnessing and identifying with Christ’s suffering so that we may learn to know how much He loves us. By then, our suffering would be nothing. It would be less of a pain, lesser of a burden, and more of an offering.

“It’s love, love, love! It’s more than engaging in a symbolic journey. It’s identifying with the women, the robbers, the apostles, the disciples, those who were with Jesus in His ministry, and learning how God the Father has chosen His only begotten Son as sacrificial lamb. What love could be greater than this?” Fr. Ataide elucidated.

Reflection up discovery hills

Try to discover God’s unconditional love again and get awashed with renewal at Discovery Hills. The management of this two-hectare property development up Sitio Tagaytay, Barangay Tilha-ong, Consolacion (sharing a border with Liloan) opens its gate to the public beginning Holy Wednesday where the markers of the 14 stations bear an embossed blood red heart. It is already a popular picnic ground for quite a number of North Cebu residents, but this is the best time of the year to troop up there because the entrance fee is waived. Holding capacity is 300 pax, so bear with the directions from security guards and attendants. Potable water is available. Stalls selling candles and snack items are expected to mushroom outside of its gate so food stuff would be available if you need more than you have brought along. A Holy Mass will be celebrated right after recollections at the site’s Formation Center. Reflections are facilitated by Bro. Ariel Busabos during Holy Week.

Added features include a dining hall for families to converge and meet new friends. A hut houses wooden boxes containing honeybees working on their combs so people may learn to understand the industry of honeybees and how we can co-exist with them in a bid to enjoy economic prosperity through low-cost maintenance livelihood opportunities.

Theotokos Shrinein Perrelos

This is one of my favorite places to do Lenten meditations because it is here where I can find one of my favorite homilists, Msgr. Esteban “Eser” Binghay. It is also very accessible, a stone’s throw from the main road. Most drivers of mini-buses and multicabs plying the south Cebu road from Cebu City to Carcar City are familiar where to unload you if you choose to trek up Theotokos. It is marked by an arch proximate to a century-old rain tree (acacia). Another interesting trek would be up the hills of Ocaña, further south of Carcar City. Obtaining correct information from the parish rectory of the St. Catherine of Alexandria can be helpful.

Tabor Hill in Talamban

According to the Order of Discalced Augustinians, Tabor Hill (also known as Marian Hill) is open always for prayer, penance, conversion, confession and adoration, and that priests are always available to “bring God closer to the people and to bring the people closer to God.”

Named after the mountain where Jesus transfigured and manifested a glimpse of His glory to three of his beloved disciples on earth, Tabor Hill has also transfigured many lives.

Mt. Manghilao in Danao City

Climb happens on Good Friday. It is the highest peak of North Cebu.

One can reach the Mt. Manghilao Cross after an eight-kilometer ride via public transport from the city proper to the foot of the mountain. Trek entails a 3.5-kilometer steep ascent, or about 1.5 hours to the cross.

CEBU MUSIC LEARNING CENTER: A One-Stop Learning Destination CEBU MUSIC LEARNING CENTER: A One-Stop Learning Destination

Focused on offering a comprehensive learning environment to children and adults alike, Cebu Music Learning Center now has a new location at PiazzaElesia in Talamban, which is also set to become a one-stop learning center.

The Talamban branch does not only offer the usual music lessons, but also dance lessons, arts and crafts, speech and communication, and fitness programs like yoga, aerobics and zumba.

The center’s main branch is located in Ortiz Building in Guadalupe. The music center also has a third branch at One Pavilion Mall, still in Guadalupe.

All three branches will start offering summer programs on April 8.

“Music is a way of life and plays a huge part in our society’s growth and development. My husband, Denis, believes in this and I have always been here to support his dreams and passion,” says Cebu Music Learning Center owner Sandra Namocatcat.

“This is why we are branching out to the north,to widen our reach and cater to the needs of our students in these areas.”