Getting Married at Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish

Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish in Guadalupe, Makati is definitely one of the most popular churches around town where couples choose to get married. And why not, it is an authentic baroque church built in 1599. The church's facade makes for a dramatic and romantic background in pictorials. The steps leading to the entrance looks grand especially if adorned with a red carpet. Any bride will feel like a queen.

As of 2010, Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish costs 13000Php. It is inclusive of a priest and mass, 2 candles, simple flower decor with tulle (8 middles aisle and 2 main altar), red carpet, lighted chandelier and wedding usherettes. Red carpet is rolled out only inside the church. To have it extended up to the staircase, there will be additional 500 charge.

Booking at Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish is advised at 9 months to 1 year in advance. 50% down payment is required to confirm your time slot. Sir Ryck, the man behind the church office, is very bubbly, accommodating and kind. =)

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Trip to the Aquino Museum in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac

I was looking forward to visiting this museum because I am such a big fan of the Aquinos. Everything stops when anything about them is featured on TV. What they did for the Philippines is simply momentous, something often just found in fictional novels. I have heard of the Aquino Museum for a couple of years now, and my interest was revived after watching President Noynoy Aquino's interview on CNN Talk Asia just a few weeks before Noynoy formally took his oath (the interview was held at the museum).

The entrance was immediately inviting with high ceiling, a spacious lobby and larger than life portraits lined up on one side. At the end of the row of portraits is a quaint chapel with glass doors:

The museum itself was basically only a picture story of what transpired from pre-martial rule up to Cory Aquino's rise to power as the president of a democratic Philippines in 1986. There are a few memorabilia displayed worth looking at too.

However, the tour will be rendered trivial if not for the highlight found at the center -- a simulated 3 x 5 meter cell where Ninoy found himself in solitary confinement for 7 years in Fort Bonifacio:

Ninoy was not only a very effective speaker; he was also a very talented writer. He described his imprisonment like a slow and painful death:

"I scratch the wall to mark the passage of each day
A day lost forever never to return - wasted, gone!
I watch the marching, lengthening column of my days
Passing me by in mournful cadence to their death
Like dripping drops of water from life's vessel
Drip, drip, drip
The leather jug will soon be dry
Empty like a body with no more blood and tears to shed
and then: Good-bye!"

Next is the gripping sight of the bloodstained white suit that Ninoy wore when he was assassinated:

I replayed in my mind the countless of times I have seen Ninoy's last moments abound China Air in 1983, before he was gunned down at the Manila International Airport. It is always the same overwhelming feeling whenever I see that video, and this same feeling was heightened ten times when I stood inches away from that bloodied suit. Only a glass encasing separated me from a precious piece of history. Truth is, 1983 of the Philippines can be summed up by a single piece of tainted white suit that defined the next ten years of a renewed democracy.

As I peeled myself away from that heart-wrenching sight, I moved on to view more framed pictures, stopping once in a while to read personal notes written by Ninoy and Cory. Both their diaries were put on display and it was opened on the page where they separately wrote their grief over the death of Jose Cojuangco (Cory's father). Ninoy wrote about his bereavement from his cell while Cory wrote hers from their home. I wished I could flip the pages and peer deeper into their thoughts, but again, the diaries were protected in glass cases. Reading their entries inspired me to also keep a journal and write down my thoughts spontaneously with my own penmanship!

In another entry, Ninoy wrote about his decision to go on a hunger strike and mentioned he was losing weight every time he stepped on the scale. I imagined a man writing about his progress in a weight loss program, except that he is not. I do not recall the exact words written but he wrote it in a matter-of-fact tone, even enumerating details to support his decision. Truly, it was an emotional time for Ninoy and his family, yet Ninoy still managed to justify his act of defiance in bullet points. He made it sound like selflessness is an everyday thing to do, like a breakfast staple.

Yet, Ninoy was very much a family man though he was not privileged enough to give them his time. While imprisoned, he requested to call up his son, Noynoy, to greet him on his 16th birthday. This was one of the most touching letters I've seen in the museum.


For P100 entrance fee, I'd say the trip to the Aquino Museum was so worth it. Once again, I had a renewed deep sense of respect and admiration for the Aquinos, especially Ninoy and Cory. I sure hope that more memorabilia will be added soon, especially with Cory's recent passing, and Noynoy's becoming president.

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Mall of Asia Globe Lights Attraction

We went to SM Mall of Asia specifically to check out this globe lights attraction. It's said to be the first in Asia. We thought it was a spherical LCD screen. We were curious as to how it could be done without distorting the view. But as you can see from the video we took, it is NOT an LCD screen but a series of light bulbs programmed to produce those animated effects. Nonetheless, it was really cool! Simple joys. We went there basically just to get a glimpse of this globe lights attraction and take pictures. SM Mall of Asia is still the same. Super big and super crowded.

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My Mt. Pulag Experience

So here I am trying to recount my own story of climbing Mt. Pulag two months after our descent. I've since written several drafts but none of it seemed to perfectly convey how I really felt. I try again this time once more with renewed inspiration after reading my friend's post.

I joined the climb out of impulse, with nary an expectation, no idea of what will happen or what I will really see. I was cramming up to the last minute, borrowing items left and right, and buying stuff I decided I needed. But none of it prepared me for the actual events that transpired. The trek was bearable although really tiring. The Ambangeg trail we took was for beginners so there were hardly any steep inclines except for that uphill to Campground 2. Maybe I am not one who perspires easily because my shirt was dry all the time. But I felt the strains taking its toll on my legs and shoulders (I had 3 liters of water in my backpack, a totally bad idea!).

We stayed overnight in the campground before trekking anew to the summit. They were not exaggerating about the freezing cold temperature. The cold winds were finding its way through my 3 layers of shirts, 1 sweater, and thermal jacket! It was doubly cold at the top when we got there at dawn. I waited for sunrise to come while trying to fiddle my camera but I could not feel my fingers.

And then there it was. The sun slowly crept in. Everyone started clicking away , but nothing could fully capture that magnificent view. I realized then that I was above a vast sea of clouds. I was in heaven! I never thought I will reach it in my lifetime but I did. I am not a very religious person, but at that particular moment I silently asked, "Are you there, God?" It is my most intimate date with Him so far.

The sun cast its rays on the mountains that seemed to roll on without end. People started their way down back to the campsite for breakfast. I followed behind while taking careful steps on the rough and uneven trail. I conquered Mt. Pulag.

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Visita Iglesia in Pampanga

We went to Pampanga last Maundy Thursday to visit churches. The road trip was very relaxing amidst the tiring summer heat. Anything that's out of my usual routine is good. We were able to check out six churches in Pampanga, and two in Bulacan (on our way back home). I took the liberty to do a little research about each church we visited before posting pictures here. It was interesting to read a little history about each.

Our first stop was the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Fernando. The Augustinian Friars built it in 1755, initially just out of wood and thatch. It was reconstructed in 1788 after it was transferred to secular priests. In 1899, General Antonio Luna ordered the Phil. Revolutionary Army to burn it down. In 1939, it suffered yet another fire before it was restored to how we see it today. Pope Pius XII elevated it to cathedral in 1948.


Outside the San Fernando Church, we saw a couple of devotees subjecting themselves to physical punishment to show penitence for their sins.







Next stop was Bacolor Church, one of the oldest and largest in the Philippines. Its patron saint is San Guillermo. It was built in 1576 also by the Augustinian Friars. The interiors is of Baroque style. The church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1886. In 1995, 4 years after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, lahar flowed down and buried half the church along with other residences of the town. The remains are still being maintained to this day.

These two images on the right show the preserved arches of the old windows of the church, and what's left of another buried house nearby.

This is a lifesize image of the Virgin Mary in the Bacolor Museum. It is said that the blemish on her right cheek could not be removed with any means of cleaning. A disbeliever hurled something (a stone? I forgot) at her and the Blessed Mary bled. Days later when he saw that the cheek stain would not go away, he knelt before the image and repented for his sins.




Betis Church or St. James Parish in Guagua, Pampanga was our third stop. Its construction started in 1660 but was only completed in 1770. It is the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines because of the paintings in the walls and ceilings depicting biblical events. It is one of the ten churches declared a national treasure by NCCA (National Commission for Culture and Arts).



Still in Guagua, we proceeded next to the Immaculate Conception Church. It was built in 1772. The interiors is of Ionic style and the facade of Doric architecture.







We next moved on to Lubao Church (St. Augustine Parish), one of the oldest churches in the country, built in 1572. Augustinian priest and architect, Fr. Antonio Herrera, headed the construction made of bricks and sand mixed in egg albumen.

Filipino revolutionaries occupied it in 1898. Then the American soldiers used it as a hopsital in 1942 during WWII. It was damaged heavily on the same year when the Japanese attacked. It was repaired in 1949.

We proceeded to Sta. Rita Church for our sixth stop. There is scant information about it on the internet. I wonder who is the patron saint. Anyways, I surmised this church is rather old based on the facade.

It has a beautiful domed ceiling with paintings.

Outside, we saw some Aetas and had a chance to take pictures of them.








The following day, on our way back home via Bulacan, we passed by St. John the Baptist Church in Calumpit. It is the oldest church in Bulacan built in 1572. It has survived the Spanish, American and Japanese colonizations. It has a tunnel inside that priests used in the Spanish period to keep gold, statues and other jewelries. It was in the same tunnel that Spanish and Filipino revolutionaries were buried during the war.

I asked about the tunnel from a lady who was cleaning, and she gladly led me to a room behind the altar. She showed me the entrance permanently closed already while reduced to an unkempt storage of church paraphernalia.




The Barasaoin Church in Malolos was our last stop. It is also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. Its image used to be seen in the our ten-peso bills before it was phased out. This historical church was founded by Augustinian missionaries and built in 1630. "Barasoain" means baras ng suwail (dungeon of the defiant). It was named such because of Filipinos who rebelled against the Spanish reign and used the church as their meeting place.

Barasoain Church is witness to some important events in history. The Malolos Constitution was drafted here in 1898-1899, and was the venue of the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in January 1899.Both Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Joseph Estrada were also inaugurated here.

Our road trip ended here, and I think I slept on the way back home. Also most of the other times. :)

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The Ship that Launched a Thousand Books

It was several years ago when someone told me tales of a ship carrying lots of cheap books for sale. It’s called the M.V. Doulos, and it last docked in Cebu. I had since forgotten her story until two weeks ago when someone told me that this largest floating bookstore is currently in Manila. What followed is a text brigade of how to get to the Manila South Harbor. No one seemed to know how to get to the port, including my dad. But my companion soon was able to get directions and off we went immediately.

M. V. Doulos is a nonprofit organization from Germany. It aims to spread knowledge and faith in God through literature. They carry a wide selection of children’s books and reference books such as dictionaries and almanacs. There were lots of books also on cooking, basic drawing and sewing, and some other Christian books. Although I didn’t find anything I wanted, many parents hoarded on children’s lit and other reference books all of which were sold at good bargain prices.

The bookstore wasn’t really what I expected. With a ship for a venue, I was hoping for a more spacious display of books, rather than a sardine-packed place. It probably took us a longer time in our queue than the time it took us to browse inside. And making your way around the store wasn't exactly fun. You had to squeeze yourself pass through the throngs of people inside. If you will not mind the discomfort inside, it will be more interesting to note the group of volunteers running the ship. These volunteers come from different parts of the globe, all extending their time and effort for free. I saw a Korean, Norwegian, Indian, and a Singaporean volunteer. They leave their homes for about two years to be part of the Doulos team. Indeed, the M.V. Doulos ship is a haven of multi-culture, surpassing racial differences, with volunteers working together to propagate hope and unity around the world. It’s so cool. If only I can, I would like to be part of Doulos. It's like a diorama of a utopian world.

Pictures

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Bowled Over BOHOL

Map of Bohol Tarsier with a baby. Can you see? Chocolate Hills Loboc River Cruise Alona Beach at Sunset Baclayon Church Blood Compact Monument

Four days have passed and I'm still bowled over my vacation in Bohol. It will be one vacation I will always cherish. For one, it was my first plane ride trip with just my friends. Second, it was my first time in Visayas. Bohol is located south of this region and gazing at the vast horizons of Alona Beach in Panglao made me feel really close to Mindanao already. Most importantly, Bohol will always be a vacation to remember as it was a welcome break for me after a very, very long time. It was a splendid three days to free my mind of the perennial scares of life. Simply put, Bohol was a time to beach, relax, eat, sleep, beach again, sleep again, sleep some more, then beach again. I'm tanned with no regrets. I wanted to burn!

The Blood Compact Monument was our first stop in our day tour of the Tagbilaran City. This symbolic act of friendship between Sikatuna (native) and Legazpi (Spanish) happened long time ago when AIDS was yet unthinkable. The monument offered a serene view of a river in the background.

I was never fond of History classes in school and it never failed to reflect in my grades. Memorizing numerous dates, events and names was a bore. That's why historical trips can be more fascinating for me because history unfolds and becomes alive right before my eyes. And this is exactly how I felt when we went to see the Baclayon Church, the Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers next. Wow Philippines na talaga!

The Baclayon Church (Church of the Immaculate Conception) is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was built by the Jesuits and continued by the Augustinians. I marveled at the centuries-old walls mainly composed of crushed corals and egg whites, and the ancient floors made primarily out of molave wood. One thing I like in visiting churches for the first time is that I get to make a wish, and I did just that before leaving the said church =). I was trying to read more about Bohol after our trip and I learned that there are other historical churches we missed. Too bad. That would have mean more wishes to come true for me.

The view of the Chocolate Hills next really exceeded my expectations. What I imagined to be simply a land of a hundred or so earthly brownish outgrowths turned out to be a sea of 1,268 hills sprawled out magnificently! Our tour guide told us that our visit was very timely because the month of May is the perfect time when the hills turn really brown (thus the adapted name), and are easily viewable.

It was lunch time when we left the chocolate hills so we headed straight for the Loboc River Cruise. It was lunch buffet while cruising the river. The concept was pretty much the same as the floating restaurant in Bangkok, but this time around it was more of a nature-tripping cruise. Great view, lovely cruise with a solo guitarist-singer serenading the tourists, and really good food all capped this wonderful experience.

The tarsiers we saw are the ones in captivity only. I forgot why we didn't go to the tarsier sanctuary. Anyways, the tarsiers in captivity are said to be oversized creatures already because they are overfed. These animals live for over 13 years only as compared to the normal 25-years life span of the wild tarsiers. I found them really cute! Their eyes are bigger than their brains hehe. I was able to take a photo (see pic on the left) of one female tarsier with a newborn baby. Sorry for the flash of my camera. One of the caretakers said mothers who get distracted often have a tendency to get irritated and eat their young. Yuck!

Bohol will not be complete without a plunge in the beach! So the rest of our stay were water adventures! The Alona Kew Beach Resort became our home for two nights and three days. I haven't been to many beaches for comparison but I just loved Alona Beach! I loved the white powdery sand, the cool water and simply everything about it. I had my first try of snorkeling in Alona. Seeing all those colorful fishes under the sea abandoned me of all my fears of drowning while I relied on my life vest for dear life. Now I'm dying to do it again! And yes, the dolphin-watching activity was also very fun! Too bad, I wasn't able to get any photos of them. My futile attempts only captured their splashes in the sea. But heck, I saw many jumping and playful wild dolphins to last me a lifetime.

One thing I missed was the Hinagdanan Cave Adventure. I was really looking forward to this but we were discouraged by our tour guide to try it. Said it was very stinky, infested with bats, not well-kept anymore and very dangerous. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed Bohol. I enjoyed it so much that I really forgot for a great while there what life will be back in Manila. I did not miss anything back home. I even forgot for three days about badminton. It was absolutely a wonderful getaway!

Punta rin kayo sa Bohol!

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BOHOL at a Glimpse

Charlie's Beachy Angels


Footprints in the Sand


Blood Compact Monument


Baclayon Church




The Chocolate Hills


The Tarsier is NOT a Monkey


Shots by the Loboc River






Alona Beach






I love...

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