Semana Santa 2015

A right scoop of flavored ice cream while sitting at the balcony with an emerging air under the heat of sun is a good way to enjoy your staycation during Holy Week. I can feel the holiness of each day because of the "Pabasa" that is being held everyday by different families, left and right from our vicinity, which at some point could make me feel drowsy because of its rhythm and duration.

If you're looking for a perfect place to contemplate theologically, Baliuag, Bulacan is one of the perfect places to visit because of their popular culture of parading life-sized images of saints and Christ. If you're that one Catholic who seriously follows the restriction of enjoying a vacation in the beach both local and abroad, I know you would love to regard the tradition that Baliuag has for every Catholic people. Annually, they cavalcade tableaux from church and families as registered depicting the life and death of Christ, mostly found from the gospel of the four evangelists; Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John. Last day, they have paraded 109 huge and exquisite carozas which started at 6 pm. It was amazing to see that there were 100 plus life-sized images that had participated this year's Holy Wednesday procession.

Baliuag, Bulacan holds twice processions during Holy Week. The first part is every Wednesday which is believed the day when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss. And the grand procession on Friday with the Santo Entierro or the "Dead Christ". If they have had 109 carozas yesterday without the Santo Entierro, they will have 111 tomorrow with the said highlight being included. I'd suggest to bring cameras for perfect picture because these images are mesmerizing!

Again, we don't worship the images, we just use these tableaux to represent Christ for a clearer picture of His life here on Earth. With and through this, we won't get misled of what they might be look like.

Thank you guys for continuing our devotion to light in this well-known tradition of our town, most especially to my BFF and partner in crime, Mark Lester who surprised me yesterday with his presence. I just saw him outside our gate with a J.Co doughnuts. I wasn't really expecting that you'd come because I know your circumstance, and your family outing. But still, you've come along and joined us. You're the best! It was an indeed fun and I appreciated your surprise.

Now Playing: Need to be next to you - Leigh Nash

: Maundy Thursday

: Migs Lorenzana

Thank You Santo Padre, Papa Francesco!

From the Filipinos who really admire you, we love you Pope Francis! 

Thank you for the heartfelt and emotional visit in the Philippines. It was indeed remarkable and historical. May your teachings and love for us unite each and everyone of us, that we always see the good in our neighbors and fellowmen. Truly blessed and nurtured. God has made you His instrument. We're so inspired with the humility and compassion you've shown to the poor and in need. I can't explain the feeling when I saw you  few meters away from our view, your radiance enlightened us and covered us with love and hope. I almost cry 'cause of too much happiness and there's this unexplained feeling after 'cause seeing you is incomparable and uplifting. I can literally feel you and the ease you give and I feel blessed even afar, until now. All the hardships and jostling in the crowd are worth the while.

Being in the modern and new generation of personage, I must say that we are really lucky to experience this. The crowd who followed and attended all the activities of Pope really amazed me, it's sensational that's why it makes me proud to be a Filipino. Everyone showed unity, from poor to rich, adults to young, they didn't mind the sudden changes of weather just to see the Highness. Have a safe flight going back to Rome. Til we meet again. God bless you Papa Francesco! We'll always pray for you. Mahal kayo ng mga Pilipino!

To all the Filipinos, we've become saints for 5 days so I'm hoping that it won't change now that Pope Francis isn't around. He may not be around but his principles and powerful words will remain in our nation. He really believes that the vitality of the Church relies in every Filipino so let's make it happen. 

Viva Il Papa, Papa Francesco!

You'll always have a special place in our hearts and we know that we have in yours too. 

Thank you Lester for coming along. It was a rough ride and tiring marathon but we made it! We've seen the holiness of Santo Papa! It's fulfilling and unparalleled. :)

Now Playing: We are all God's children

: I love Pope Francis!

: Migs Lorenzana

Welcome to the Philippines Pope Francis!

Bienvenido Jorge Mario Bergoglio, our beloved Pope Francis!

The Pope of the New World just arrived in the Philippines yesterday (January 15, 2015) and is set to have religious activities and meetings from today up to January 18, and his departure is on 19th of the present month.

Photo Courtesy: GMA News 

To this day, my enthusiasm towards religion and religious stuff is on extreme since I grew up in a religious family. I can't explain the happiness and thrill I feel now that Pope Francis is in the land of the most religious country in Asia. When the late Pope Saint John Paul II had his State visit and World Youth Day in the Philippines, I was 3 years of age and too innocent to recognize the full implication of his holiness 'cause that was back in 1995. I couldn't contain myself even though I was just sitting here and watching the rock star pope behind this electrical tube. I can literally feel the extremity of Pope Francis' presence as if like I was already blessed. It's overpowering. Goosebumps!
(I badly want to see him physically! Ugh!)

Photo Courtesy: Rapler

Pope meets our president, PNoy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. And can you imagine the crowd of people waiting for the Pope's mobile to pass by? Just WOW!! Indeed love from Filipinos for the world's Catholic Leader.

Manila Cathedral's beauty. Today, Pope Francis held his first ever holy mass in the Philippines' most historical church. 

Photo Courtesy: Rappler

Photo Courtesy: ABS-CBN News

Pope Francis: "Do you love me?"

People: "YES!"

Pope Francis: (laughs) "...Jesus' said"

He smiles so sweet and he won't stop.

I must say that our today's generation is very lucky and truly blessed to witness and experience this once in a lifetime encounter with the Pope. This is priceless!

The Philippines bear witness to the youthfulness and vitality of the Church.

And it's real! The Pontifical's first ever Tagalog tweet.

Thank you people's Pope for visiting us and recognizing the faith of every Filipinos. It's a clear evidence that your compassion humbles and defines you for showing humility and simplicity, and for being close to the poor. You are the very instrument of God that reminds us how His love works in many ways and that it lives. Please pray for us! Bless this country.

As the Santo Papa visits our nation, we can't restrain the dialogue of the other religious group about the Papal visit. Permission to post this but please do respect our Leader as we respect yours. If you hate our religion, where do you think that hatred comes? Is it because we have statues, or because of the controversies our priests have borne? It is the person who commits mistake not the religion itself that makes the member unqualified. Remember, Judas once betrayed Jesus and had sinned, but the organization of Christ isn't sinful even though Judas is a member, meaning, our priests may have sinned but it doesn't generalize the whole community of Catholic, therefore it's their very own conscience. If your religion is the promise of God to the world and people, do you think He'll permit it to be indiscreet and vilified? Why do you recruit and persuade people and not let them choose and justify their faith in whatever religion he thinks is suitable? Why do you say that your religion is the only way to be in God's heaven, and that if we don't submit ourselves upon your care and glory we'll be burned in hell? Do you think you'll be glorified when you insult and vilify religions? Wow! Christ has never deprived one's supposition and faith 'cause at the end of the day, those who truly believe in Him, who has strong relationship with Him and who does things according to His will, will matter in heaven and not the religion where you are affiliated. Think twice before you speak on behalf of your so-called sacred religion.

"If we take away poor from the Gospel, we won't understand the whole message of Jesus Christ" - Pope Francis (during his homily in Manila Cathedral)

Long live Santo Papa! We love you!

PhFW Holiday 2014

I got this e-invite from a friend of mine. He genuinely gave 2 e-invites for me and Meo so we can attend together. Those important guidelines really hardened everything for us. First up is, they'll be needing a valid I.D for the authenticity of the holder. Man! Those e-invites were given by a friend and I don't think that it's a good idea to admit that you're a proxy of the real recipient. Secondly, it's not transferable. Good thing, it has a numbering system, and we've had two invites. The least that I know how to affiliate each other.

But, the main concern was, "Come in appropriate attire." Subtlety, it's a fashion show, and we were aware about the dominant clothing of each individual or guests before we arrived. Everything about them were eclectic and people were encyclopedic. I've experienced the fashion week back then, but I will never get submissive about its own desire for get-up. Visually, they were really odd. It was something so embarrassing for Meo and I, since we arrived with simplicity on us. We actually thought that we weren't belong since everyone seemed so hooked up attending a pre-Halloween party or a "Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour part 2". Hahaha! So we left the place with introspection about the whole fringe. We just laughed it out and we never wanted to have the eyes on us since we're completely plain and everyone's nailing themselves.

We just had a walk instead and scanned those grotesque people coming in and out. Such a great observation of us. Until we felt the need of food trip and ended up having a 2-hour conversation in Krispy Kreme.

Most reminder : Clothe yourself with extensiveness during such events. No one restrained us to get in, but, it's our very decision to prohibit ourselves in the venue. :)

Now Playing: Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran

                    : Rafhael Lorenzana

On Sports: DLSU Wins UAAP Season 76

Photo Courtesy: gmanetwork.com

Yesterday's rivalry between De La Salle University "Green Archers" and University of Santo Tomas "Growling Tigers" intensified the hardcourt in MOA Arena, but it was the Green Archers who brought home the title for the 76th season of the UAAP Men's Basketball Tournament.

Jeron Teng was named as Finals MVP, but admitted that it was bittersweet for him. Jeron said on his interview that he's happy 'cause Archers won the title but on the other hand, he feels the pain of his brother, Jeric Teng, who's in UST. He also said that it was his brother Jeric who deserves the MVP title because he fought with his heart out, humbling himself behind his award.

Photo Courtesy: Yahoo Philippine Sports

During the game, I really thought that it was UST who has the nearest chance of winning since they started the game with leading streak on the first and next quarters with, 16-18, 24-32, 47-48 until Jason Perkins slowly pushed UST into making penalties that gave free throws on his team which was their single advantage. But then, I actually regained the hope for UST as Jeric Teng executed consecutive triple shootings but you can never really tell when will the opponent strike with strong executions. 

Several times, the scores got tied. The UST has had the lead and Archers pursued, causing the actions on hardcourt intensifying and exciting because the scores shift every minute that aggravated the audiences' expectations that it might be the Tigers for the crown. The last two quarter scoring went 65-65.

Pressing further, after the UST's final timeout, the ball went to Mariano who had a terrible shooting day that time and had shoot the ball for the regulation of UST that failed to secure the title for the Thomasian community.

For the last hope of UST, Jeric Teng was assigned to do an in-bound pass which went to Abdul instead of making the last shot. Sadly, the Cameroonian ended the hope of Tigers with an inside awkward shoot, thus, passing the hope to De La Salle and they really pounded the basket, ended up the game with a score of 71-69.

Photo Courtesy: Philstar.com

The last time I felt the excitement and the firing rivalry was back in 2008-2009's UAAP season 71. Ateneo Blue Eagles versus De La Salle Green Archers, wherein, Nonoy Baclao was the Finals MVP. I enjoyed it that much since I am a big fan of Chris Tiu and he's one of the mythical five during the previous season. But I never enjoyed and never watched UAAP again when Tiu left Blue Eagles. What triggered me to watch the latest season of  men's basketball tournament was the most waited rivalry between the Teng brothers in the finals.

I personally like how De La Salle community chanted "Go Uste" as to console while the UST is accepting their award as this season's runner up. They did not show any hypocrisy, instead, they showed humility and that the whole Thomasian community were grateful about.

Now Playing : We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus

: Migs Lorenzana

          

Semana Santa 2013: Holy Wednesday

Sorry if the quality of the photos are not that good, I just used a phone camera since I'm not techie and I'm not really fond of using high tech gadgets and equipment. 

Ang pagpapagaling  ni Jesus sa lalaking bulag

Ang pagbubuhos ng pabango kay Jeesus

Ang pagpapatawad ni Jesus sa babaeng nahuling nakikiapid

Ang pagpapala ni Jesus sa mga bata

Ang pagpapatawad ni Jesus kay Maria Magdalena

Ang pagbisita ni Jesus kay Martha at Maria ng Betania

Pinagaling ni Jesus ang anak ni Jairo

Ang paglilinis ng templo

Ang pagsasalu-salo ni Jesus, Mahal na Ina at Juan na alagad

Ang pagpapaalam ni Jesus sa Kanyang Ina

Pananalangin sa halamanan kasama ang tatlong alagad

Ang panlulumo sa halamanan

Pananalangin sa halamanan

Ang pagpapagaling ni Jesus sa tainga ni Malco

Ang pagpapagaling ni Jesus sa tainga ni Malco

Ang pagkakanulo

Ang pagdakip Kay Jesus

Ang pagsisisi ni Simon Pedro

Hinatulang mamatay sa krus si Jesus

Ang pag-aatang ng krus Kay Jesus

Ang ikalawang pagpapatanaw

Ang ikalawang pagkasubasob ni Jesus

Ang pagpapako sa krus

Ang pagsibat sa tagiliran ni Jesus

Ang pagsasapalaran sa damit ni Jesus

I already posted my previous experience regarding the same matter last year, scheduled in Wednesday.
You can check it on
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Holy Wednesday; Holy Week 2012



Have a meaningful Holy Week. God bless us all!
Loving God <3