Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sagrada Familia

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family, in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family.


Image of the Holy Family of our BEC household.


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

CHRISTMAS BELEN

Belen is a Filipino traditional Christmas symbol. A tableau depicting the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger with Mother Mary and Joseph. Optional are the Three Kings, Angels, the shepherds, animals and star.

Belens can be found displayed in homes, churches, schools, hospitals, office buildings, parks and all possible places from the beginning of the Advent until the end.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!


Belen inside the church of the Parish of the Last Supper of Our Lord.



Monday, December 23, 2013

Mangyan Of Mindoro - Plays Basketball Too

Every year since 2008, we visited the Apo Irayas' in Sito Atipan, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. I always make sure that I watched them play basketball every time I visited them. They're friendly and peaceful people.

More of the Magyan from Wikipedia:

Mangyan is the generic name for the eight indigenous groups found in the Philippine island of Mindoro, each with its own tribal name, language, and customs. The total population may be around 100,000, but no official statistics are available because of the difficulties of counting remote and reclusive tribal groups, many of which have no contact with the outside world.

The ethnic groups from north to south of the island are: Iraya, Alangan, Tadyawan, Tawbuid (called Batangan by lowlanders on the west of the island), Buhid, Hanunoo. An additional group on the south coast is labelled Ratagnon. They appear to be intermarried with lowlanders. The group known on the east of Mindoro as Bangon may be a subgroup of Tawbuid, as they speak the 'western' dialect of that language. They also have an alphabet which is called the Ambahan.

Mangyan are mainly subsistence agriculturalists, planting a variety of sweet potato, upland (dry cultivation) rice, and taro. They also trap small animals and wild pig. Many who live in close contact with lowland Filipinos sell cash crops such as bananas and ginger.

Their languages are mutually unintelligible, though they share some vocabulary. Tawbuid and Buhid are closely related, and are unusual among Philippine languages in having an /f/ phoneme. Tawbuid is divided into eastern and western dialects. Western Tawbuid may be the only Philippine language to have no glottal phonemes, having neither /h/ or /ʔ/. They use Hanunó'o script to write.

Their traditional religious world view is animistic. Around 10% have embraced Christianity, both Roman Catholicism and Evangelical Protestantism. The New Testaments has been published in six of the Mangyan languages. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangyan_peoples)




Monday, December 16, 2013

PUTO BUMBONG AND BIBINGKA


Christmas Season in the Philippines kicks off at the Start of Simbang Gabi, and is celebrated with much fanfare in churches throughout the country.
  
Traditional breakfast of the faithful after the Mass are "Puto Bumbong" (purple colored native delicacy made of steamed heirloom glutinous rice inserted in a small bamboo tubes) and "Bibingka" (Rice cake cooked in a banana leaves covered terracotta container with charcoal fire on the top and in the bottom) both with traditional toppings of margarine, muscovado sugar, cheese, or grated coconut. Free hot "tsaa" (tea) is a bonus.


Traditional food stalls
Preparation and cooking of Puto Bumbong.
Cooking the Bibingka.
Hearty breakfast after the "Simbang Gabi".

Related post: Simbang Gabi





Sunday, December 15, 2013

MA MON LUK


My wife and I had a quick visit to Ma Mon Luk Restaurant branch in Quezon Ave., QC., for our light afternoon merienda (Snack). Have you tried dining in this restaurant before? Come and visit this historic and iconic restaurant in the Philippines. THE HOME OF MAMI and SIOPAO. They have another branch in Quezon Blvd., Quiapo, Manila.


Menu
My favorite Siopao during my younger days.
We order Canton Guisado this time.
Their Mami noodles soup (not in photo) is the all time favorite.
Nice clean "old school" dining ambiance.
Ma Mon Luk (1896-1961) was a pioneering
Chinese Filipino Chef and entrepreneur.
He established the popular Chinese restaurant
that bears his name, Ma Mon Luk.
Antique phone.
Panoramic view.







Friday, November 1, 2013

TODOS LOS SANTOS (ALL SAINTS DAY)


During Undas, Filipinos visits their dearly departed in the cemetery, ranging from October 31 and lasted until November 2 (All Souls Day). People usually visit the grave the night of October 31, stay overnight and leave after lunchtime of November 1 (All Saints Day). Majority will visit the cemetery morning of November 1 and goes home early evening of the same date. Some will stay overnight of November 1 and leave the following morning. Few will stay until the evening of November 2. 

Filipinos traditionally offered prayers, lighted candles, flowers, and food. This occasion is also a chance for quick reunion of the families and relatives. Picnik mood (eating), karaoke/videoke singing, playing games like badminton, kites flying, boomerang, etc., (mostly in memorial parks), card games (solitaire, pusoy dos, lucky nine, black jack, etc), playing chess, games of the general, snake and ladder, dama and other board games. In this time of high tech gadgets, many people, specially the young ones, just simply settled playing games/browsing the net with their smart cell phones, tablet, notebook or just simply listen to their music (mp3).

Here's some photos in the cemetery that was seldom seen. Taken in one of the public cemetery south of Manila early evening of Thursday , October 31, 2013. Ready for the throng of visitors to arrive.


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED BACLAYON CHURCH AND OTHER CENTURIES OLD CHURCHES IN BOHOL AND CEBU


Earthquake struck Central Visayas at around 8:12 Tuesday morning, October 15, 2013. Epicenter reportedly located at the municipality of Carmen, Bohol. (Update 10/18/2013: Phivolcs identified the quake's real epicenter as being located between the municipality of Catigbian and Sagbayan in Bohol, and not in the town of Carmen, as was previously thought.)

Centuries-old heritage churches destroyed or damaged: Church of San Pedro Apostol, Loboc; Church of Our Lady of Light, Loon; Santissima Trinidad Parish, Loay; Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Baclayon; Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Dauis; San Nicolas Church, Dimiao; Santa Cruz Parish Church, Maribojoc, all in Bohol. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño; Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu.

The Baclayon Church

The beautiful Baclayon Church taken during my last visit on February of 2010.
The image of Padre Pio.
Inside the Baclayon Church
The Sanctuary, where you can find the Altar
and the Reredos.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It is one of the best preserved Jesuit build churches in the region. Baclayon became a parish in 1717, and construction of a new church commenced.

Some 200 native laborers constructed the church from coral stones, which they took from the sea, cut into square blocks, and piled on to each other. They used bamboo to move and lift the stones in position, and used the "white" of millions of eggs to cement them together. The current building was completed in 1727.


After the earthquake. (Photo from S. Suganob facebook post)
Look what's remained untouched. (Photo from E.D. Cal facebook post)

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.... Please pray for us!





Monday, September 16, 2013

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL BUEN SUCESO


The image of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso (Our Lady of the Good Event) was brought to the Paranaque by an Augustinian missionary after the foundation of the parish on May 11, 1580. Devotion to the Virgen del Buen Suceso began after Fray Alonzo de Mentrida, then Superior of the Order of St. Augustine ordered the enthronement of her image in St. Andrew's Church. This was on August 10, 1625. Not knowing what to call the image, Fray Alonzo asked the friars to write all famous titles of the Blessed Mother in Europe on strips of paper. The strips of paper were then placed in an urn and an eight year old child was asked to draw from them. For six consecutive times the title, Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso was picked so they decided to call the image as such. At various times, she was also acclaimed as "Abogada de los Navigantes" (Advocate of Sailors) and Patroness of those afflicted with Asthma and Tuberculosis.

In recognition of the more than 350 years of devotion of the people of Paranque to the Virgin of Buen Suceso, His Holiness Pope John Paul II ordered her Canonical Coronation. This took place on September 8, 2000. The late Archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin proclaimed her as the Patroness of the entire City of Paranaque




Panalangin sa Ina ng Buen Suceso

O Reyna ng mga Anghel, Ina ni Hesukristong Panginoon ko! Ikaw nga ang Birhen ng Buen Suceso, ang mairuging Ina at pintakasi ng bayan ng Parañaque. Ibig mong tawagin ka ng ganitong ngalan nang makaanim na tamaan ka ng ganitong pagtawag sa iyo noong makita ang iyong larawan. Ikaw ang takbuhan ng mga anak mong nalulumbay at naghihirap at sa pamamagitan mo ay natatamo ng lahat ang awa at kaloob ng Panginoon sa tao. Kaming iyong mga lingkod ay dumudulog ngayon sa iyong harapan at dumadalangin para sa aming mga pangangailangan (banggitin ang sariling kahilingan). Mahal na Ina, alam namin na madalas naming nalilimutan at ipinagwawalang-bahala ang mga grasya at biyaya na ipinagkaloob sa amin. Kaya, turuan mo kaming magpasalamat sa bawa’t mabuting bagay at pangyayari sa aming buhay. Nawa ay matularan ka namin sa pagsasabuhay at pagpapalaganap ng Mabuting Balita ng Iyong Anak at nang sa wakas ay makapiling ka namin sa pagpupuri sa Panginoon sa Kanyang kaharian. Amen.

O Ina ng Mananakop Sa mga langit kay Lugod
Bigay Buen Sucesong Bantog Ang humihingi'y Kaloob! 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

ST. JAMES THE GREAT PARISH CHURCH






Church information:

Address: Cuenca corner Ibaan Streets, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, Philippines.
Telephone number: 807-1623

Parish Priest: Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Venus

Holy Mass Schedule
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
07:00 AM - 08:00 AM
06:15 AM - 07:15 AM
06:15 AM - 07:15 AM
06:15 AM - 07:15 AM
06:15 AM - 07:15 AM
06:15 AM - 07:15 AM
06:15 AM - 07:15 AM
08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
04:30 PM - 05:30 PM
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
07:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Note: Data may not be accurate or updated. Please contact the church if possible.
The site is not connected to this church. Please transact business directly to this church.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

THE CHOCOLATE HILLS

How to get there: In Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, you will have to go the integrated bus terminal in Dao and catch a bus going to Carmen. Make sure it is the first one to leave, and ask the driver to drop you off at the Chocolate Hills complex, about 4 kilometers before the town of Carmen. From there it is a 10 minute walk along a road winding up to the complex. 

Going back to Tagbilaran, you will have to walk back to the main road, and wait for a bus to pass by. The last bus from Carmen to Tagbilaran leaves at around 4 pm. To avoid walking, you can hire the services of motorbike taxi, locally known as "habal-habal"


Bohol's most famous tourist attraction.



THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER

The smallest monkey in the world? NO....

Scientists consider tarsiers to be a taxonomic suborder among the primates. While, because they are closely related to lemurs, lorises and bushbabies, others classify them with the prosimians to which these animals belong. Monkeys and apes belong to the suborder of anthropoids.

Photo below was taken in Bohol, thus belong to T. fraterculus species. Other species are T. philippensis can found in Samar and Leyte and T. carbonarius living in Mindanao.

For detailed information about this lovely, cute animals please visit this site: The Philippine Tarsier





Sunday, August 11, 2013

St. Joseph Parish Church



St. Joseph Parish Church, a Roman Catholic Church, home of the world renowned Las Pinas Bamboo Organ is located Diego Cera Ave., Poblacion, Las Piñas City, Phillipines. The parish is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Paranaque. Rev. Msgr. Mario Josefino Martinez, PC, JCD, is the current parish priest.



Short history: Fr. Nazario de Ayala was the first parish priest in the year 1775. Fr. Diego Cera was appointed parish priest in 1795, two decades after the Augustinian took over the parish. In 1800, Through the effort of the new parish priest from Spain, the building of the stone edifice began. The church, in what is described as “earthquake Baroque” architecture, was completed in 1819. Father Diego Cera served as parish priest from 1795 to 1830. 

 The church museum

The church underwent a major restoration, which was completed in December 1972, under the care of Architect Bobby Mañosa.

The St. Joseph Parish Church, the Church Museum at the old convent house, and the famous "Bamboo Organ" are the popular tourist destination for Filipinos and foreign visitors alike in Las Piñas City.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut)




Bahay Kubo (called Nipa Hut in English) is an indigenous house used in the Philippines. Traditionally constructed with bamboo tied together and covered with a thatched roof using leaves made from "Nipa" plant (Nypa fruticans), other alternative materials used were "Anahaw" leaves (Footstool palm) and Coconut leaves.

This native house is still widely used mostly in rural areas all over the Philippines. Since the materials are relatively lighter, it can easily be transferred (via "Bayanihan" or spirit of communal unity or effort) to other location. (Photo taken somewhere near Zambales/Tarlac boundary)

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

MACRO: INSECT




I took this photo on the trunk of a cross that can be found at the peak of Mt. Kalisungan (760+), Calauan, Laguna. I don't know the exact name of this insect. Any help from the readers is highly appreciated. Kindly fill-up the comment box below. (Konica Minolta DiMage z10 with some editing).

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

GRAFFITI


These flood victims were taking their dinner (relief food) at the side of the approach wall of a bridge in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Taken after the Typhoon "Ondoy", Sept. 27, 2009.

Friday, July 5, 2013

BATALAN sa Bahay ni Jose Rizal




Dr. Jose Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna is a "must see" place when you visit the province. According to the National Historical Institute (NHI), it is the replica of the original ancestral house of the Mercado-Rizal. The old house was destroyed during World War II. Through the supervision of National Artist/architect Juan Nakpil, upon the order of then President Elpidio Quirino. The Shrine is reconstructed the same as the original house, including the materials used.

I took the photo inside the kitchen using an ordinary p&s camera with some editing.

When you're in Laguna, don't ever miss this historic, beautiful house of our National Hero. No entrance fee. Donation if any, is highly appreciated. The Shrine operates during Monday to Sunday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM (Note: Lunchbreak 12:00NN - 1:00PM).

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Bible




Biblia sa wikang Pilipino. Napaka importante ang pag-a-aral ng Salita ng ating Diyos. Upang lubos natin siyang makilala, matutunan mahalin at paglingkuran. Ang larawan ay kuha sa kumbento ng St. Paul the Apostle Parish, sa Brgy. San Antonio, Verde Island, Batangas City.


MTB OTR


Real life off-the-road mountain bikers is great to see in the countryside. No gadgets, no fancy headgear no colorful dri-fit attires, no bottled mineral waters, no energy food and drinks..... JUST PURE ADRENALINE......

Photo taken at Sito Atipan, Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.

Monday, May 27, 2013

VILLAR SIPAG CENTER


THE Villar SIPAG (Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) CENTER is now open. I had the opportunity to visit the place. Located at C5 Extension, Las Pinas City.

Owned by The Villar Foundation under the Chairmanship of Senator Manny Villar and former Las Piñas Representative now Senator-Elect Cynthia Villar, also known as "Misis Hanep Buhay" managing director.

Villar SIPAG Center have Poverty Alleviation Museum, SIPAG Poverty Knowledge Management Center, Museum, reception hall, mini-theater, offices, archives and training rooms.

The Villar Foundation, through its various livelihood-generation and skills training program and initiatives, has played an active role in poverty alleviation for past 20 years. Its barangay-based livelihood enterprises now provide income to Las Piñas and other parts of the country.

The building in the background is where you can find the Museum,
Mini Theater, Training Rooms and offices.
Chandelier featuring empty bottles... HANEP!
Opposite building is the Villar Hall.

Friday, May 24, 2013

INTRAMUROS

After attending a meeting at the Laiko office in Cabildo St., Intramuros, on my way home late in the afternoon, I had a short walk going to the direction of Liwasang Bonifacio (Plaza Lawton).  I have always been fascinated with this historic "Walled City", that I could not resist taking pictures of ordinary people in extraordinary background.  These photos were taken inside the Revellin del Parian/ASEAN garden and on the walkway atop the adjacent wall.