Brunch Date
I have a brunch date with my friend. It would be her belated despedida for me on my retirement. We would be eating at Panco Cafe in One Ayala. I set the meeting at 10:30 AM. Why? Because the mall will open at 10 AM. I would have time to buy her my belated birthday gift of cake from Chrisha's Kitchen.
Left the condominium around 9:30 AM with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left hand and my Apple watch on my right.
I was dropped off by Edgar, the driver, at Glorietta. First went to Lamy Concept Store in hope to buy a Lamy Tipo Rollerball Pen. They said that said model is already phased out.
Then, proceeded to Chrisha's Kitchen to buy a Keto cake. But the sales lady would be leaving the stall for a short time to pick up a Lalamove delivery. So, I went to National Bookstore to check if they still have a Lamy Tipo. Nope. Went back to Chrisha's Kitchen to buy the cake.
After, proceeded to Panco Cafe for our brunch.
It was fun. My friend is a Born-Again Christian. We talked about faith. She said she wanted to share with me her experience ever since, but she cannot find the right time. She used to be a Catholic. I am Catholic... and will always be a Catholic. I may not memorize the verses, but I know in my heart the teachings. And I believe I was able to answer her questions, and, perhaps, I pray, I was able to open her eyes which most Christians (Protestants) often try to downplay, ignore or argue--Mama Mary, intercession of saints, purgatory. And I haven't even talked about the Holy Eucharist!!! Thank You, Holy Spirit. 🙏
Her worship starts at 2 PM. Since there is still time, she accompanied me in buying a pair of cargo pants at Uniqlo in Glorietta 5.
When we parted ways, went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I started this blog.
I walked my way to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass. I was able to finish my morning prayers, and joined the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The Gospel tells us who Jesus is.
We know about Jesus but do we know and experience Him?
Focus on Jesus. Paul, Cephas, etc. are tools to lead to Jesus.
Jesus heals the body and the spirit. The ultimate goal is conversion.
After the Mass, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.
Bought food-to-go at ChaTraMue. Since it would take 30 minutes to prepare my order, went to the parking lot to leave my bags in the car.
Proceeded to Uniqulo at SM Makati. Will buy another pair of pants, this time, a geared pants (similar to cargo pants). The one I bought earlier is a bit heavy.
Went back to ChaTraMue to pick up my order; then, proceeded home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, gift, mall, Mass, meeting, rosary, shopping, tea
Pick-Up Replacement
Left the condominium around 10 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right. I will be attending the 12:15 PM (Friday) Mass.
I was dropped off at Greenbelt Chapel by Edgar, the driver.
I was able to finish my morning prayers, pray the Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet, pray a decade of St. Gertrude Chaplet, and pray with the community the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Joel.
The Gospel is about the call of the 12 apostles.
The first line for the Gospel are the two (2) moments of being a follower of Jesus.
The call to UNION. Discipleship. One who learns. One who sits at the feet of the Master. The same thing when we attend Mass and listen to the readings, Gospel and homily.
The call to MISSION. Apostleship. The one who is sent. At the end of every Mass, the priest says, "The Mass is ended. Go..."
At the end of every Mass, you are given a mission. You must share with the world what you found in the Church. These could be honest work, engaging in honest business, forgiveness, kindness to others, etc.
After the Mass, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.
For lunch, my usual Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Ordered Sinigang sa Batwan Bangus Belly (PhP337.00), Plain Rice (PhP45.50), and Buko Salad Halo-Halo Special (PhP237.00). It is the first time I tried their halo-halo. Good!
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| Buko Salad Halo-Halo |
Then, I went to Lamy, where I bought a Lamy Swift as well as its refill in blue ink.
Home.
I called BPI to inquire if my replacement credit card is already available. Yes. So, walked my way to Cash & Carry Mall to pick up the card. It is a breeze.
Since the locked BPI credit card is used for auto-debit arrangement (ADA) for my Smart and Sun bills, I proceeded to PLDT-Smart Business Office to have it updated. And this is where it really took a long time. Aside from that, the customer in the queue after me was serviced first than me. Tsk! Tsk! That's about an hour of waiting before I was serviced for a 5 to 10 minute transaction.
Passed by Conti's stall where I was tempted to buy a Strawberry Shortcake.
Home, again.
Japan Visa Application
Today,my nieces and I are going to VFS Global Japan Visa at Gateway Tower at Araneta, Cubao, Quezon City. One of my nieces was able to get us a slot so we can submit the requirements for a Japan Visa. Here's praying that we get approved for a multiple-entry Visa.
Left the condo around 6:30 AM with my Rado Captain Cook Automatic 37 mm on my left hand and my Apple watch on my right. One of my nieces was picked-up by Edgar, the driver, at Victory Liner bus station around 5 AM. We will be picking up my other niece at her condo around 7 AM.
Since we were early, my niece and I waited for my other niece in Starbucks at her condominium building. I also made a "deposit". LOL Must be the excitement.
There were pockets of traffic on the way; but, still we arrived early. We were advised to be return before 8:45 AM (our schedule is 9 AM). Also there are items in my bag that are not allowed inside. So, instead of placing them in a locker, we went to Cafe Pocofino, a coffee shop at the ground floor of Gateway Tower. We asked Edgar to go there and leave him the "banned" items. The banned items with us are: trackers, umbrella, tablet/ iPad, power bank, ear buds.
The process is smooth and stress free. Thus, we were able to finish less than an hour.
We dropped off my niece at her condo before proceeding to my condo. My niece had her lunch before dropping her off at Victory Liner bus station. I have to go out because Lyn did not cook lunch for me. LOL.
So, for lunch, went to MAiSEN at Food Choices of Glorietta 4 where I ordered the Prawn Katsu.
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| Prawn Katsu |
Before going back home, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.
N.B. I gave my nieces (and nephew) the UGREEN 2-in-1 Smart Finder Locator which they can put in their wallets. My niece who always travel by bus, I gave her one UGREEN Rechargeable Track Duo Smart Tag Tracker which she can place in her bag. I also gave Edgar, the driver, one Smart Tag Tracker which he can place in his tricycle.
Labels: Chromebook, food, transaction
MAiSEN At Food Choices
I am really late in leaving the condominium to buy groceries. Left with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist, and my Apple watch on my right.
I am still at the check-out counter when it prompted that praying the rosary has started at the Greenbelt Chapel. So, I would be skipping the Mass at lunch time; but, I would attend later the anticipated Mass, which I was set out to do in the first place.
If I attended the 12:15 PM Mass, I would have eaten at MAiSEN in Greenbelt. The next best thing is to buy food at MAiSEN (one of the food stalls at Glorietta's food court) and eat it at Food Choices (Glorietta's food court). Frankly, I am enjoying the benefit of being a senior citizen when it comes to eating food with a discount. 😀 I ordered their Tenderloin Katsu.
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| Tenderloin Katsu |
I wanted to buy a sticker to put in my (incoming) UGREEN Fine track Slim Smart Finder to differentiate it from the one I already have. I have placed the Benedictine Cross sticker on the first which I plan to place in my wallet containing credit and debit cards. I was able to buy a pad of stickers at Fully Booked. It would either be a camera, a cassette tape, or a 3.5 inch floppy disk sticker for the second tracker. The second tracker will be placed in my wallet containing reward and loyalty cards.
Next stop is at Pacsafe Flagship Store in Glorietta 5. I bought a wallet strap. This is when I noticed that they also carry luggages. If I have known, I would have bought their Azpac luggage instead of ordering online. They call it their Trucker series, which is what I like because I do not "feel" the clam-shell design of most hard case luggages.
And, of course, chilled at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I had a cup of tea while updating this blog.
After, walked my way to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the antcipated Mass.
I was able to pray the Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet, and joined the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The Feast of the Santo Niño is celebrated in the Philippines. It is an extension of Christmas. It reminds us of incarnation, God's humility represented by the Child.
What's in a child? Humility. Simplicity. Obedience. Innocence. Honesty.
Total dependence on God. Submission to God's will.
The world cannot give us salvation. Only God can give salvation.
After the Mass, went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.
On the way to the parking lot, saw Lord Stow's and bought a box of egg tart. Then, home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, grocery, mall, Mass, rosary, shopping, tea
Columbia
Yesterday, my niece sent over her jacket which she thinks I can use for our Japan trip. It is small for me even though it is loose for my niece. So, I decided to try my Columbia convertible pants if it still fits. I can still fit in it but I am uncomfortable. So, I will be buying a Columbia (winter) jacket and convertible pants. Also, looked for my Columbia card.
Today is the day that Joven, Lyn's nephew, will be going home to Antique. He came over to assist Lyn for her operation and treatment. Edgar, the driver, will drive him to the bus company around 7:30 AM. Praying that his trip will be safe since there is a tropical storm at Visayas area.
Then, I saw a pigeon at my neighbor's. This I tied up with the story of Noah (from the Bible) who used birds to check for dry land after the great flood. I wonder...
Left the condominium around 10 AM to attend Mass at Greenbelt Chapel with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I was able to complete my morning prayers, the Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet, a decade of St. Gertrude Chaplet, and joined the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
- The four men carried the paralytic to the roof. The faith of the four men interceded for the paralytic's healing. Think of asking for prayers from saints. Also, baptism of children whose declaration of faith is done by the parents and the godparents for the child.
- Jesus forgives the paralytic. The channel of forgiveness is through the priest and the Church.
- There is a relationship between sickness and sin. The ultimate is not the physical healing; but, conversion and salvation.
After the Mass, proceeded to
Columbia at
Greenbelt 5. I was able to buy the (winter)
jacket and two (2)
convertible pants, 36. I was only able to buy two because there are only two colors available. And thanks to my Columbia card, I was able to avail of the 10% discount. Note: Mild soap only. No fabric conditioner. Not dry cleaning.
I noticed that my wallet is getting "fatter". Since the UGREEN FineTrack Slim Smart Finder I ordered will be arriving, focused on my Pacsafe wallet. I would separate the credit/ debit cards from the reward cards. The tracker will be in my wallet with the debit/ credit cards. When I removed them from my wallet, my wallet became slim. At The Landmark which happens to be on sale, I was able to buy a leather (Riviera) wallet for cards. It also has RFID. Nice.
Then, I went to the fifth floor to visit the Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel.
And for lunch, my usual Bacolod Chicken Inasal where I tried this time their Sizzling Gambas, ordered Plain Rice and Adobong Kangkong without meat.
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| Sizzling Gambas |
Next stop is at National Bookstore where I would buy a refill for my Inoxcrom and my Parker pens. I was able to buy one for Inoxcrom (who according to the sales lady is Inoxcrom's Parker type refill). I was not able to buy one for the Parker pen because I wanted a medium tip. Also bought a circular ring. I may be using it instead of the lanyard that comes with the trackers I bought.
I was able to buy the Parker refill at SM's stationary.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, mall, Mass, rosary, shopping
Bag Tag
Joven, Lyn's nephew, who came to assist his aunt in her operation and treatment. He'll be going back home on Friday.
After the online deliverance, went to Glorietta with my Rado Centrix Automatic Diamonds on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
The first stop is at Timex. The watch I gifted Lyn as her Christmas gift stopped. I bought my Christmas watch gifts around August of last year because of the sale. LOL. Since there is one year warranty, the battery replacement would be free. I went to National Bookstore to have the warranty xeroxed as this is needed by Timex for them to replace the battery during warranty.
The second stop is at Nanyang where I would have my lunch. Ordered their Hainanese Fried Chicken Rice (PhP288.00) and Hainanese Kaya with Honey Traditional Toast (PhP80.00). I tried the latter for the first time. And it is good.
The succeeding stops are to look for and buy a bag tag. True Value (used to carry one but not anymore), The Travel Club (there are bag tags but did not catch my eye), and Wanderskye where I was able to buy one.
I then went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, and to its supermarket where I bought bags of imported fun size chocolates which Joven can bring home as pasalubong. Also, went to Office Warehouse inside the department store to buy board and A4 bond paper.
Since Dairy Queen at Glorietta 4 has closed shop, I asked Edgar to pass by Cash & Cary Mall so I can buy ice cream before proceeding home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, shopping
RFID Blocking Compact Travel Organizer
Left the condo around 2 PM with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I asked Edgar, the driver, to drop me off at Glorietta as there is still time before the 4:30 PM anticipated Mass. Besides, I intend to buy a Pacsafe RIFD Blocking Compact Travel Organizer. I wanted a wallet that I can put my passport, credit/ debit cards, bills/ coins.
The first stop is at Urbanize at the ground floor of Glorietta 3. Not available. At the second floor is Urbanize's kiosk. It is also not available.
The next shop is Travel Club. Not available. Then, Rustan's. Not available. And finally, Pacsafe Flagship Store at Glorietta 5. Found the only stock. Yes!
Then, proceeded to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The homily is about knowing Jesus and His mission.
Baptism is a gift and task, grace and responsibility. John is baptism of repentance; Jesus is baptism of forgiveness, salvation.
Why did Jesus get baptized?
- To give approval that John is really the precursor of the Messiah.
- For John to know that the Messiah has come.
- To be one with sinners--to experience everything except sin. Not to be a sinner but to empathize with their situation.
- To fulfill the will of God and God's plan. He will begin the mission of salvation.
Ideally, one should be baptized when you are able to express your faith. But our belief that you will not go to heaven if you die without being baptized, we are baptized while we are babies. The initial responsibility is with parents and godparents.
After the Mass, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. For our to-go food, went to Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar.
Before leaving the mall, I went to Food Choices to check if Kaya Express is still operating. It isn't. Sad.
