First Saturday Of December
It is the first Saturday of December and I will do my First Saturday Devotion. But somehow, it seems something or someone is trying to delay me.
Left the condo with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Find a parking slot. ✅
Grocery. ✅
Senior Citizen grocery booklet for a max PhP2,500.00 discount. ❎
Now, Edgar, the driver, has to go back and get my booklet. That 2.5K savings is BIG. We put our grocery cart on the side, advising our regular bagger, and will get it later to pay. I started yesterday's blog at the food court while waiting for Edgar's return.
After paying, I left Edgar to bring our groceries home.
I proceeded to Greenbelt Chapel for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I am 8th in the queue. Then, the priest stepped out from the confessional; but, his replacement is not yet around. Will I not complete my first Saturday devotion? Then, the two ahead of me left. Hmmm... Mama Mary has her ways. 😇
In any case, while in the queue, I prayed the Act of Reparation, and did a 15-minute meditation of the Carrying of the Cross. I have started to pray the Rosary but decided against it as I am already near the confessional. The confessor is Fr. Froilan.
Even with all the delays, I was able to do my confession, prayed the Rosary (as a community), and attended the Saturday Mass. 🙏 I was even able to do my Precious Blood Chaplet devotion.
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| Greenbelt Chapel |
The Mass presider is Fr. Anthony. He is from Australia. He came back for a vacation.
He started sharing his experiences related to availability.
Availability is one of the surest test of love.
Availability is the capacity to be of help to someone. If you are truly available, you there to help, you are there not because you will gain something. Availability is other-centered.
The twelve apostles made themselves available for the Lord and to proclaim His Kingdom.
Availability is not only physical presence but an open heart and mind. The Pharisees and Sadducees are always where Jesus was but their hearts and minds are not open to His teachings.
After the Mass, proceeded to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. It is one of the Jubilee Churches. I hope to gain a plenary indulgence.
And for a quick lunch, I ate at the The Landmark's food court. Chose the pork chop with egg of Chuck's Steaks and Chops.
I have an idea of what to give Titas Josie and Norma. So I went to Made for U. It is available! I like it that I also ordered for myself. LOL. Will be able to pick it up next Saturday.
Then, I proceeded to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I bought a hot tea and started this blog. Because it is not a double stamp weekend, the length of the queue is acceptable.
Around 3 PM, I am on my way back to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass. I was able to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary with the community.
The Mass presider is Fr. Richard.
There are many ways of teaching people. There are many ways of correcting children.
John the Baptist proclaims boldly, very harshly. It is because he understood He will be coming and we must be prepared. This harshness is coming from love... tough love.
When we are already in front of Jesus for judgment, there is no more way to correct your ways. By nature, we are stubborn.
When we do good, is it to please God or to please "us". We have to check our status in terms of our relationship with God.
What is the secret of success? You have to know what hinders success. Your competition is the person you see in the mirror. It is the choices we make on a daily basis.
After, went to The Landmark's Food Court to buy Lapid's chicharon, and to Dairy Queen to buy their DQ sandwich and Blizzard.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, Church, food, grocery, mall, Mass, rosary, shopping, tea
Preventive Maintenance For HR-V
Already made a 9 AM appointment for my HR-V's preventive maintenance. Even if we have not arrived yet (since Edgar, the driver, already brought the car last night at Honda Makati), my service advisor reached out to me and gave my "go" signal to proceed with the service. Thus, I don't have to hurry there. Besides, I am preparing all the necessary documents for the joint affidavit being requested by PAG-IBIG so I can claim my retirement.
Left with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Upon arriving at Honda Makati, I went to my service advisor and gave him my Christmas gift. Paid for the service. Edgar will pick up the car later once it is released.
I, then, asked Edgar to drop me off at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Odd. At 10 AM, there is a Mass ongoing and Fr. Dave is presiding. Asked the guard and he told me that it is a special Mass.
So, walked a bit away from the chapel so I could proceed with my prayers. Completed my morning prayers, my Precious Blood Chaplet, and my St. Gertrude Chaplet. When I noticed that the Mass has ended, I walked my way back to church. I was able to join the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
He encourages us to go to the Spirit of Advent--anticipating for His coming and be prepared.
The parable is on the miracle of giving sight to the two blind men. Jesus asked them if they believe that He can do this, that is, do they have faith?
Faith and grace of God create a miracle. Never without faith. Always with faith.
Even when Jesus told them not to tell about the miracle, the two men spread it because they cannot contain the happiness of being given sight. Also, because they saw the Lord.
Why did Jesus stop the two men from spreading what happened? At that time, there were other miracle workers. He doesn't want to be known as a miracle worker. He wants to be known as the Messiah.
After the Mass, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. It is one of the Jubilee churches. I hope to gain a plenary indulgence and offer it for the souls in purgatory who sinned with their minds.
And of course for lunch, it is at Bacolod Chicken Inasal. I like their offering for non-meat (seafood and vegetables). I ordered Blue Marlin Steak (PhP247.00), Plain Rice (PhP45.50), Fried Veggie Lumpia (PhP137.00), and Maja Blanca (PhP79.50) for dessert. Thumbs up to the fried veggie lumpia.
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| Blue Marlin Steak |
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Fried Veggie Lumpia
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Maja Blanca
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Received advice from my service advisor that the car is ready for pick-up. Informed Edgar to do so and to pick me up at Glorietta after.
Since it is taking time for Edgar to pick me up, I decided to do some window-shopping (or so I thought). Saw me walking to Swatch and buying a quartz chronograph Greenshift Glow. Tsk! Tsk! And I don't think I have a green blouse to go with it!!!!
Instead of going straight home, I decided to go to Century Mall to order my Christmas Eve food at Conti's. Also passed by St. Paul's in hope to buy a Twin Hearts stampita. Not available.
Then, home.
Labels: car, Chromebook, Church, food, mall, Mass, rosary
PAG-IBIG
Supposed to have a lunch date today. It would fit perfectly as I have business in the area which I can do before our scheduled lunch. Unfortunately one of my dates got sick, thus, we have to reschedule.
Left the condominium around 8:45 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Processing my retirement claim from PAG-IBIG is a breeze. Originally, I thought I would be leaving with a check with me. You wish... Hahaha! They'll be processing it within 30 calendar days and I can have the check for pick-up or deposited to my account.
Next stop is at BPI to request for a Bank certificate, one of the requirements for a Visa application in Japan. I will have to return around 3 PM to pick up the document.
I walked my way to Metrobank to request for the same. Left with the Bank certificate. See the difference?
Met with my friend to give the wedding gift for my office mate this Saturday. My friend will be their godmother at their wedding.
Had an early lunch at Max's.
I received an e-mail from BPI that they have released my request. Huh? So, I will go back after my lunch to pick-up the Bank certificate instead of waiting for 3 PM.
It was ready and I was able to get it.
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| Legazpi Underpass |
I walked my way to The Landmark and went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel. Did some window-shopping and asked Edgar, the driver, to pick me up at Glorietta. Bought Blizzard-to-go at Dairy Queen and waited for Edgar so I can go home.
Budget Hotel
Today, my niece will be accompanying me with my errands (she, too, has an errand).
I left the condo around 7:30 AM with my Rado Captain Cook Automatic on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right, to pick up my niece on our way to Makati City Hall. Filing for our real property tax is a breeze. We decided to pay early to avail of the discount. Before leaving, asked about where to claim my Yellow Card and I was directed to one of the windows. Unfortunately, I do not have the claim stub.
After, we would be proceeding to ManilaMed to pay in advance for the RAI therapy procedure of Lyn but we stopped first to see the St. Martin de Porres Chapel along Leon Guinto.
When I was still young, I often had convulsions whenever I get a fever. They say if you experience it even after seven (7) years of age, it would be a lifetime--similar to asthma. So, we asked for the intercession of St. Martin de Porres, who is the patron saint of the poor, the sick, and those seeking healing, and people of mixed race due to his own experiences with discrimination and his charity toward all. His image shows children surrounding him as he gives bread to them. I recall always going to this chapel with my Nana. Then after, we buy barbecue on the way home.
Unfortunately, the chapel has been abandoned. 😔
So off we went to ManilaMed. The secretary is already there. Thus, left her the deposit as well as a copy of the PhilHealth MDR of the patient. I didn't know that copy of the PhilHealth ID is also needed. So I said I will just send it over via Viber.
Since we are sure of the procedure's schedule, it is time to book a room in a budget hotel for Lyn. She has to be quarantined for 14 days. She'll be staying in the hospital for 4 days and she will be released when the radiation level goes down to an acceptable level.
My niece already has a list of hotels for us to check but said to her we should be starting to the cheapest one. A difference of PhP300.00 per day means roughly PhP3,000.00 more in the total bill. Funny! We were advised to book online. Got it. Did the booking and made the payment already.
Next stop is at Cash & Carry for my niece who would be buying a specific size of balikbayan box at National Bookstore. We, then, had an early lunch at Mary Grace Cafe. I tried their Rib-eye Salpicao and Mango Bene (which according to the server tastes better than Conti's Mango Bravo when I asked her about this). My niece and Edgar, the driver, ordered Daing Na Bangus, and Matcha Latte (iced) and tea.
Passed by the condo to pick-up the claim stub for my Yellow Card, went to Storage Mart to store the luggage of my niece, and dropped-her off at her condo. We then proceeded to Makati City Hall, again, to claim the Yellow Card.
Since I arrived there during lunch time, I was asked to wait as the people are still having lunch. 😒 Anyway, with too many Senior Citizens around, you can hear a lot of stories while you wait. At exactly 1 PM, I followed-up again. Learned that my Yellow Card was already sent to our Barangay, and they would be delivering it to me.
Then, I proceeded home.
N.B. Distributed the share of the income of our apartments with my new co-owners. As agreed, this will be done after November for the income between December of last year to November of the current year. This way, we have additional money for Christmas.
Labels: Chromebook, Church, clinic, hospital, hotel
Hair
Hair-pampering day.
My niece has a business at Ayala Center that she joined going to the mall. Me to the salon, etc. She will have her luggage repaired, do groceries and pick-up her office's Christmas gift to their staff.
Left wearing my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
From the salon, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, bought A4 at Office Warehouse for the documents needed for the Japan Visa, bought my Christmas gift for Lorenz, my service advisor for my Honda HR-V at The Landmark Supermarket.
Learned that my niece is still at the mall. Thus, coordinated our activities so that we will be going home at the same time.
I went to Greenwich Pizza for pizza-to-go, Shakey's for bottled iced tea, Baguio Country Club for the apple cinnamon raisin bread.
Then, home.
Christmas Party
It was the Christmas Party of the Family Corporations' staff and I was invited. It will be held at Max's Restaurant at Sucat, Paranaque. It is supposed to start at 11 AM; thus, have to leave the condo around 10 AM. But my tenant sent a message that she would be paying her past due rent as agreed with our payment schedule that we have to leave earlier by 30 minutes to go to the tenant and receive her payment.
Left with my Omega Speedmaster 38 mm (my favorite) on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
We were first in the venue.
The party games started around 11 AM. Buffet lunch at 12 noon. Raffle after eating. The reservation is up to 2 PM; but the party ended earlier.
I asked that I be dropped-off at Glorietta since there's still time to spare before the anticipated Mass.
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| Glorietta Big Christmas Tree |
My feet brought me to Tudor. This shop is weird. Even with my reservation, I was not informed that it is already available. So... I bought it.
Then, proceeded to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass. I prayed the Precious Blood Chaplet and joined the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Rosary.
The (anticipated) Mass presider is Fr. Ruben.
It is the start of Advent. Preparation of Advent is the preparation of waiting and watching--for the peace in the land, for transformation.
Jerusalem means peace.
As we enter the season of Advent, we long for the coming of the Lord. Are we ready?
Be watchful and be prepared. Watch your words; watch your actions; watch your thoughts; watch your character; watch your heart.
Passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, one of the Jubilee Churches. I hoped to gain a plenary indulgence and I offer it for the souls in purgatory who sinned through lust.
And for our to-go food, bought <menu items> at Du Hisao Yueh.
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, party, rosary
SSS
Still, I was not able to apply for a retirement benefit claim. At the start of this month, I encountered an error that I am not able to proceed. Relayed this to the office and was advised to try again around the last week of November. I did it yesterday but still I encountered the same error. Since it is hard to reach out via phone, I sent an email. Finally, she reached out to SSS and was advised that I have to submit my application in the SSS office, instead of online. Great!
So, first thing today, I went to SSS. I left around 8 AM with my Chopard Happy Sport on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right. The SSS office opens at 8 AM.
What is nice about going early, there will still be a few people around and I can be served immediately. They accepted my documents. Learned that the reason the system is rejecting my application is because there contributions made in my account even before I started work.
Approval usually takes three weeks. If it got rejected, I have to go back and request to update my record to remove the contributions made to my account before I started work. Unfortunately, this update usually takes three (3) months. Great!
After, I asked Edgar, the driver, to drop me off at Greenbelt Chapel. I was able to finish my morning prayer, the Precious Blood chaplet, the St. Gertrude chaplet, and join the community pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Marthy. I am not sure but I think he is an exorcist priest.
We reflect on the apocalyptic literature. It is about the end times; but something we should not be afraid of. We are to focus on what matters most.
Apocalyptic means "to unveil".
Focus on the last things--things that last: death, judgment, heaven, and hell.
When we die, our soul will bear the consequences on the choices we made when we were alive.
Amidst all the chaos, God intervenes. God has the last say.
We trust. We believe. We hope. Deep within you, you are seeking the Lord.
After, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. It is one of the Jubilee churches. I hope to gain a plenary indulgence and I offer it for the souls in purgatory who were called to greater holiness but refused.
And for my lunch, went to Bacolod Chicken Inasal. I like their non-meat items here being a Friday. Ordered Bangus Sisig (PhPj287.00), Plain Rice (PhP45.50), Adobong Kangkong with no meat (PhP137.00), and Lecheflanilla (PhP145.00) for dessert.
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| Lecheflanilla |
Then, I proceeded home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, rosary, transaction
