More from Cebu

My goodness, an honest-to-goodness typhoon blew into Cebu, Philippines - wild rain, wilder wind, cool weather - it was fantastic! Hadn't experienced that in a long time. People brought out their sweatshirts and coats! This typhoon was only a Number 1 - the lowest caliber, although I heard there is a boat sinking right now, somewhere. If this was a mild typhoon, I dread to think what a Typhoon #3 is! Believe me streets were drowned, trees strained against the fierce wind.

The tridium prayers for St. John the Baptist in Old Cebu's Parian District began last night - typhoon or no typhoon. This year, the prayers were held in a covered area; we couldn't have it on the gorgeous open air balcony. Louie Nacorda had dressed the santoses: Jesus, St. John, and angel; and there they stood on the altar, resplendent in their gold braided velvets and satin. Louie also presented two statues of baby John the Baptist and baby Jesus. He found them in an antique shop in Manila. He first saw the St. John the Baptist baby statue. He wanted the buy it but wanted a stand and a sheep made; the owner didn't have the wood, couldn't comply, Louie did not buy it. But when he returned a year later,there was a new statue of Baby Jesus, and according to Louie, he immediately understood why the St. John statue did not wish to be purchased the first round. He waited for the Jesus statue.

Aside from the members of the Cofradia of St. John the Baptist, there were some guests, members of the Urdaneta 500, a commission lining up events to celebrate Fray Urdaneta's anniversary here in the Philippines. I am not sure which anniversary specifically, but Urdaneta came here with Legazpi in the 16th Century.

I heard that it's official: there are now tourism police patrolling the Old Historic Cebu District. I find this thrilling because now visitors can feel safe as they visit the five museums in the area: Casa Gorordo, Yap-Sandiego House, Cathedral Museum, Santo Nino Museum, and Fort San Pedro Museum. I don't know if the exhibit is still there apparently the Fort San Pedro Museum had displayed galleon artifacts uncovered by Jacques Costeau.

All for now,
Cecilia

(Photo shows Louie Nacorda and devotee of St. John the Baptist)