The photos were mine and it was edited thru canva.
Good evening my dear hive friends! :) I just want to share my experience last Sunday (January 19, 2025) here in PeakD as a reminder of me as what I went through. I'm taking it as my personal journal or digital diary that I can revisit my write ups for the years to come in flashback time.
Last Saturday, I had shared here in my last post "Beyond Blessed" that we had a crowd control activity that truly I am grateful to be part of that association because of my college years experience that I wanted it to continue once a year as part of my Thanksgiving and offering of my time and effort.
I arrived home late. I told my mother that I won't go to Sinulog because I was exhausted yet I was happy with the experience though.
I was not prepared that my family members (Mama and Kheanna) were anticipating the event to bond with my relatives. They had planned that they were staying at Plaza Independencia and just stay there for the Sinulog and attend Mass in Basilica as one of the most important activity for some.
I really woke up late that time and I decided to go because Inday Kheanna was asking me repeatedly if we won't go there. I was thinking that their mind was alreasy programmed to atyend the said activity. So we fixed and prepared everything to do and get done.
The line of the Vhire was too long and the van was limited. We waited more than 30 minutes to get a ride. It was nothing and it was past 12 already. I went to my mother who was sitting on the bleacher and decided to ride the van with the route to SM instead of passing the CCLEX. So, we rode in without knowing that it will take us into longer and "sacrificial" route due to the distance of walking to our destination.
I asked my mother this question: "Why are deciding to take that ride to SM?" She answered back that she thought there were taxi out there and we can go directly yo our destination but it wasn't the case. No taxi agreed because of the traffic and there were part of the road was closed as the driver responded.
We decided to eat our lunch first because we arrived at SM Cebu at past one o'clock already. We went to food court to look for a space but the area was full of crowd too. We waited a little for that specific family to finish their lunch so that we can have that space and eat our lunch! Finally, they were done! It's our turn now.
Luckily, we had prepared our food for luch first. We bought 1 piece of chicken , cooked our rice and bought 1.5 softdrinks and disposable plates and cups. It was originally for the picnic vibes at Plaza. I just ordered one soup and one fresh lumpia as a respect to the SM Vendors since we were occupying space in the food court. I'm glad that we have that kind o memories to cherished most especiallybto the young ones.
Our plan was to go home after letting the kids play at playhouse since we do not have any idea on how to go to Cebu City that time because of the Sinulog fever. Fortunately, there was a man sitting in our table for a while. I asked him if he was done attending mass at Sto Niño and he said yes. He went there already. So I asked him what vehicle to ride and he replied the white van.
Another idea sparked that we have the chance to catch things up! It failed because the white van won't pass the Plaza. We walked almost 300-400 meters to go the Basilica. The people were passing by back and forth. We had a back pack. We cannot enter the Basilica of Sto Niño and my feet was in pain due to the sauce of fresh lumpia that has tok many peanuts. I'm a little bit realizing that one. I just realized when I can barely walk.
I told my mother that we can't enter the Basilica since I'm carrying a back up. Back pack was not allowed during this time. Why not attending Mass at the Cathedral since we were already there? She agreed. I was happy I can finally reat my aching feet until after the Homily my niece asked me to accompany her in the comfor room. I told her the direction, he followed. Minutes later, she has not returned yet so I looked for in the CR and I saw her falling in line in the CR and went back slowly. (I was in pain walking literally.)
Initial plan was after the mass we would go home directly. I'm thinking that if we would go to Plaza and my relatives were still there then I won't worry for the transportation for my mother. We tried and failed again. We went back to the place where the white bus dropped us earlier. Too much crowd that caused my mother to stop a little, inhale and exhale and move again. "Kapoya diay." At least, we have attended the Mass that day as my consolation.
It seems that we were fighting a battle on how to ride safely and with convenience because of too much crowd.
We arrived at Toyota and waited for the vehicle to pass by. While waiting, I told my niece to pray and ask God to give us a ride. I was praying that time too.
I saw a vehicle that have so much space and took the courage to ask if we could hitch with their vehicle so that we can ride because my mother was a "PWD". She was stroked last four years ago. The person I was talking to; told me to ask the driver if it is possible to have a ride. I did. The driver dis not approve. So I was looking for another opportunity to come but providentially the first person I had a conversation with talked the driver and successfully rode in their vehicle.
We were very grateful at this time because of this vehicle we arrived early at SM Seaside. There was a vacant taxi also and we asked the driver if he will take us home. He said that he was booked and the person who booked that ride did not show up. So he cancelled first the booking, then decided to take us home in our home.
Even though that I was tired and initially I don't have the energy to go with them. I realized life is short. Spend as much as you can with your family as long as you have the time and little energy to do it because one day, we will not be able to do it any longer.
Thanks for reading this far. To God be all the glory for this weekend experience of ours! ♡
Best regards,
KATRINE CARLA S. TURA
