First Saturday of January 2026
Grocery day. It is also the first Saturday of January and of year 2026. I would have to leave the condo early in order to complete my Saturday devotion. Left with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
We were supposed to leave at 8:15 AM since the supermarket opens at 8:30 AM. Left at 9 AM. In spite of it, there are a lot of parking spaces available. And there are also few customers. Thus, we were able to finish doing the grocery shopping in a breeze. Paid for our purchases and left Edgar, the driver, to bring them home.
I walked my way to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Greenbelt chapel has daily confession. For Saturdays, it starts at 10 AM. The priest is still not there. I am second in the queue.
Takeaway from the confessor: He mentioned Rizal Day, a day before the last day of the year. You do not need to die to be a hero. By being the best in your job, tasks or role, you become a hero.
Saturday devotion includes Act of Reparation, confession, 15 minute meditation of one mystery of the rosary (I meditated on the Crucifixion), prayed the rosary (I joined the community in praying the rosary), and communion.
The Mass presider is Fr. Jobine. Today happens to be his ordination anniversary.
John the Baptist reminds us that we are children of God. John points us to Jesus with humility and faithfulness.
God has not given up on us. God's love is unconditional.
After the Mass, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. Bought some items in the department store before proceeding to its food center for lunch.
I wanted to have a complete set of Lamy Safari of different colors of fountain pens with fine and medium nibs, and rollerball. Bought the Lamy rollerball at The National Bookstore and have it engraved at The Lamy Concept Store.
And of course, stayed at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to start blogging.
Around 3 PM, I walked my way back to Greenbelt Chapel. I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.
The three wise men. What is the difference between intelligent and wise. A man can be wise but not intelligent, or intelligent but not wise, or both intelligent and wise. The intelligent person always pursues knowledge and information. The wise always pursue the truth. The wise understand what was left unsaid.
So, why wise men?
- They saw the star--they allowed themselves to be guided by the star. Open our eyes with the true meaning of Christmas. Courage. Clarity of vision.
- They sought the meaning of the star. They discerned and saw extraordinary in the ordinary.
- They shifted gears. They did not go back to Herod (representing the past). Life must be lived forward but understood backwards.
- They stopped and worshiped the Child. Humility. Generosity not only with presents but with their presence.
Look up. Look inward. Look forward.
After the Mass, I bought a case at The Landmark to put the cleaning "tools" for my fountain pens, Lapid's chicharon at The Landmark Food Center, and retrieved by packages at the package counter.
My niece happens to be at the mall, too, and she's going to ride with us on her way home. Since she has not yet finished her business, decided to stroll while waiting for her. Was hoping to buy the boode chige of Kaya Express at Glorietta 4's Food Choices. Not sure if it closed shop or just close due to the holiday break. Because of it, I bought cookies at Mo' Cookies instead.
Then, home after dropping my niece at her condo.
Labels: Chromebook, Church, food, grocery, mall, rosary, shopping, tea
First Friday of January 2026
I would leave the condo around 10:30 AM to attend the 12:15 PM Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Left wearing my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I as able to finish my morning prayers, Divine Mercy Chaplet, a decade of St. Gertrude Chaplet, and joined the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
It is being asked who John the Baptists represented--the Christ, the Elijah or the Prophet (Moses). He can easily choose any of the choices being mentioned; but in humility. he is clear on his role.
Each one of us has a role and our task is to fill that role. The Church is like a body, and yeah part of the body has its own role.
As far as God is concerned, all charisms are equal. We should find out charism.
We tend to dictate to God--being god In front of God. Discern.
After the Mass, had lunch at Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Enjoyed my meal. Ordered their Sinigang sa Batwan Bangus Belly (PhP337.00) and Turon ala Mode (PhP119.00).
I wanted to have a broad nib fountain pen. Thus, went to National Bookstore where I was able to buy a brown Pilot Vanishing Point. Then, I cancelled the one I ordered last week via Lazada.
And talking about Lazada, my mini-washing machine broke down; thus, I bought one as replacement while it was still a 1-1 sale. 😆
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, rosary
Day 1 of 2026
I would be attending the 10:30 AM Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Just like on Christmas day, I left the condo around 9 AM. On my left wrist is my Rado Captain Cook Automatic 37 mm, and my Apple watch on my right.
Arrived late for the 9 AM Mass but very early for the 10:30 AM Mass. So sat at the park within the hearing distance of the chapel. I was able to finish my morning prayers. When I heard the priest giving his blessing, walked back to the chapel.
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| Greenbelt |
I was able to join the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Boogie.
There are three events being celebrated today: new year, International Day of Peace, and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
What is certain is the changing of the year; but what is uncertain is what will happen in the new year. Is there a change in character with the change of the year?
Let Mama Mary accompany you and lead you to Jesus:
- Fiat of Mary. Mary has so many things in her mind but she still gave her fiat. As long you follow the will of God, He will make a way for us.
- Magnificat of Mary. It is the hymn or song of thanksgiving. God is the source of all blessings.
- Mary stood with Jesus. In spite of the challenge of life and death, Mary stood at the foot of the cross. She followed Jesus up the last breath of her Son.
My niece also has business at the mall. So we agreed to meet for lunch at Yakiniku Like at Glorietta. Since the shop she is supposed to pick-up her item will open at 12 noon, told her to have our lunch first. We were the first to be seated. LOL
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| Prime Karubi & Misuji Set, Cheese (have it melted to dip the cooked meat) |
We parted ways after eating. My niece will be going to Muji then Power Mac while I'll be going to The Landmark. After completing our business, will drop her at her condo before going home.
Of course, I passed first at Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel before buying the item in my list. The other item is not available. Or, it is available but since the saleslady for the item was not there (the saleslady of another brand is the one who assisted me) I am not able to purchase it. Next time.
Home.
Eve of Year 2026
My usual is to buy fruits and a dedication cake with a message for the new year. Since one of my tenants already gave me fruits, I would just add one or two fruits that are not "round". I just want fruits on my table for posting to social media. LOL. I do not believe in superstition.
Left the condo around 9:30 AM with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
What is different is that I have to replace Camille's gift to Lyn to a smaller size, that is, from medium to small. Watching for the time, I would be dropped off at Uniqlo at Glorietta 5 for the replacement while Edgar, the driver, will already proceed to The Landmark and buy two (2) cakes with "Blessed 2026!!!" message at Red Ribbon. The second cake is for Edgar. Edgar would then just wait for me to buy the fruits.
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| Uniqlo |
Replacing the item is a breeze. Then, I went to Muji because I received an e-mail saying I can claim a Muji Membership Card by showing the email. I did just that but they no longer provide a physical card but a digital one. I also bought three (3) notebooks as my stock.
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| Muji |
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| Glorietta Activity Center |
Walked my way to The Landmark. Instead of meeting with Edgar, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel since I am in the area. Then, I proceeded to the department store's Food Center where I saw Edgar waiting for me with two boxes of cake.
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| The Landmark |
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| Belen at Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel |
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| The Landmark Food Center |
Went inside the supermarket and bought mangoes and banana. LOL
Left our purchases in the car and decided to buy snacks. So bought at 10 Yen King. Since it takes time to prepare, I left Edgar to wait for our order and proceeded to Lamy to buy a bottle of blue ink. I also cancelled the one I ordered at Lazada.
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| 10 Yen King |
Proceeded home. Will leave again at 3 PM for I ordered food at Emerald Garden Restaurant for our media noche. I said that I would pick up the food around 4 PM.
We arrived at Emerald Garden Restaurant around 3:30 PM. I thought I would be waiting for my order. Nope. It is already ready. Because of my "panic" that it is ready, I forgot to avail of the senior citizen discount when I paid for my order. LOL. Next time.
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| Emerald Garden Restaurant |
Instead of going home, I passed by Cash & Carry Mall where I bought cases at Japan Home Center, syringes that I would use when cleaning my fountain pens at Mercury Drug and ice cream at Dairy Queen.
Home.
My niece came over to wait for the change of year. We attended the online Mass of Greenbelt Chapel. Switched between Make It Makati, and GMA in their countdown to 2026. ABS-CBN does not have a countdown--would have watched their countdown if they have one.
The Make It Makati countdown is directed well, "classier"; but signal is intermittent as it is aired via Facebook. Perhaps if they aired it via YouTube, it would be better?
The GMA countdown has good signal as it is aired via YouTube. But it is the worst-directed countdown ever!!!! It seems there a lot of things going on. There's a portion in the venue where they are interviewing guests at the same time there is an ongoing performance on stage. Then there are those in remote connection. They are switching from one venue to another while in the middle of sentences. I suggest to fire whoever came out with this idea and direction. But then, what to expect with GMA? And with all their resources. Maybe that is why they said when there is competition, you continue to improve your craft.
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| 2026's eve feast |
A blessed 2026 for all of us!!! 🙏
Labels: Chromebook, Church, food, grocery, mall
Check-Out
Today's the check-out of Lyn from RedDoorz Hotel @ San Marcelino, Malate. Check-out time is 12 noon; but, there is nothing stopping us from checking-out earlier. Left the condo around 10 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple Watch on my right.
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| RedDoorz Plus |
The check-out is smooth. Dropped Lyn at the condo and proceeded to Glorietta--I am already dressed going out and I have added items in my list.
Went to Lamy to buy the Lamy Joy Fountain Pen (with all three sizes of the nib) for calligraphy, and the Lamy Safari with medium nib.
Then, I proceeded to The Landmark Food Center where Edgar, the driver, and I would eat our lunch. Ordered at BonChon Chicken.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, hotel, mall, shopping
Pahabol Gift
There is a lawyer I go to for my inquiries. Normally, my brother has a list of people we would be giving Christmas ham as gifts. The lawyers would be included in the list. I don't have a copy of the list. I don't know how to contact the supplier of the Christmas ham. Maybe next year?
I was able to get the address. As soon as I was able to get the information, scheduled with Edgar, the driver, to buy the gift and deliver it.
First stop was at Healthy Options at Glorietta 2. bought the Passion Fruit Sparkling Grape Juice, and Organic Trail Mix and V-Good Trail Mix. Brought the items to the car.
Next stop is at U Name It because of my fountain pens. Was also able to buy a case for my passport as well as keychain.
Then, to to the National Bookstore where I have my passport and ITR xeroxed. Bought also Pilot ink (blue black).
Ticked-off all on my list, left the mall and proceeded to deliver the gift to the lawyer. Left it at their condominium's lobby guard.
Labels: Chromebook, gift, mall
