Sunday, March 31, 2013

Annual Outing

Our annual outing is swimming in one of Laguna's hot spring resort.  And usually scheduled every Easter Sunday.  My treat to our "angels" at home.

Woke up early and, with Manong, went to The Aristocrat to buy our food for the outing.


While waiting for our order to be packed, went to the nearby Malate Church and try to witness the Salubong.  Just in time, I was at the church's door when the priests are blessing the congregation with holy water... and I was one of them.  Blessed day!


After, went back home to pick-up the rest of the group.

While on our way, saw an AUV that turned-turtle along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).  We had our breakfast at McDonald's along SLEX.  And finally arrived at Cuyab Hot Spring Resort.


Left the group there after getting a cottage and went to The Original to buy pasalubong (translation: souvenir) of buko pie.  We also have two boxes of buko pie and espasol for our meryenda.

Sure that just being in the water is relaxing.

Left Cuyab around 2PM.

Met a group of children at Cuyab who requested that I take pictures of them underwater.  They provided me an e-mail address.  Wrong e-mail address.  Attempted combinations of name; but still, was not able to send the photos.  Names I recall are Augusto Macalino and Christian Nista.




Saturday, March 30, 2013

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Decided to go to the mall on a Black Saturday.  One, to have my movie weekend fix.  Second, buy things needed for our annual outing/ swimming.  Third, put a lot of to do in my recently downloaded mobile application Carrot... and for free!  LOL

First task, eat Eggs Ben at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for brunch.  Finally, due to lots of complaints, they finally looked into the problem of their Swirl Rewards system.

Second task, buy a movie ticket.  Woah!  There were lots of people queueing to buy a ticket.  Thanks to my m-Pass, purchased a ticket using my Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2 7.0 and Sureseats mobile application.

Since there is still time before my movie, completed my third task: buy a 4GB SD card at CD-R King.

Fourth is buy chichiria for our swimming/ outing tomorrow.

Then, my movie--G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

From http://www.gijoemovie.com

The G.I. Joes, a team of special operations soldiers, are betrayed and disavowed, as terrorist cell (Cobras) have infiltrated the highest levels of the United States government.  They have survivors have to find the truth and reclaim the government.  One word:  Action.

Sixth is early supper of lamb chop platter from Go Greek!

Finally, buy a sunblock.

Friday, March 29, 2013

At The Office On A Good Friday

Because of a project, the head of the business unit who is the project sponsor required that the testing be done even during Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  Duh?!

Since there would be maintenance on Thursday, we were spared of going to the office on Thursday.

I have no plans of going on Good Friday, but since our foreign counterpart reported a problem yesterday, have no recourse but go to the office today.

Was at the office around 9:30AM.  Have food delivered for lunch and merienda.  The business unit did not even bother sponsoring our food.  Or they have intention to but was too late as I already have food delivered.  Right!

Left the office around 3:30PM.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Wedding Shoot

It is our officemate's brother's wedding.  As a favor, we would be covering their wedding.

Went first at the University Hotel to take pre-wedding photos.

Wedding will take place the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice.


We took photos after the wedding and proceeded to the University Hotel for the reception.

My assignment?  Shots requiring ultra wide scenes and infrared.  LOL


Saturday, March 16, 2013

Advanced Photography Workshop

I would be assisting in our office's camera club advanced photography workshop.  Lecture in the morning and actual model shoot in the afternoon.

During lunch time, went to Greenbelt to drop off the CD for Edwin to share the images I took during the pilgrimage.


There were two models, Lav and Weng.  The group was divided into two.  Both groups would have a chance to take photos of both models.

After, was dropped off at Glorietta where I attended the anticipated Mass.  Had dinner at Luk Yuen.  Our favorite is stir-fried shrimps with cashew.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Oz The Great And Powerful

Since I was not able to attend the anticipated Mass yesterday, went to Glorietta to do so.  Ooops... forgot to bring the CD of photos I took from the "Lenten Pilgrimage of Faith to Bataan". Should have left it at Greenbelt Chapel for Edwin.

After the Mass, decided to have my movie weekend.  It's been a long time.

Had lunch at Food Choices and watched Oz The Great And Powerful.


A carnival magician with dubious ethics was whisked to the Land of Oz, where he was mistaken to be the wizard prophesied to fight the evil witch.  Somehow, he must transform himself into a great wizard--by being a better man.  The movie dazzles (visually) and is witty.

Saturday, March 09, 2013

Officers Meeting

Would have to skip my Saturday routine as I have to attend our office's annual officers meeting at SMX.


Just finished the talk, ate the snack served and left.

Since I am already near the SM Mall of Asia, went to St Pauls to buy a rosary bracelet  with Benedictine Cross for my brother.  Bought a black agate rosary for him.  Hope he does not lose it again.

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Beautiful Creatures Gone Zip

It's our camera club's monthly meeting.

Since don't feel like staying during the meeting, decided to just submit my entries for "Off The Wall" and proceeded to Glorietta 4.

Thus, decided to watch Beautiful Creatures.  Odd... was inside the cinema for quite some time but the movie has not started.  Yikes!  Technical problem.  No "Beautiful Creatures" for me.

Saturday, March 02, 2013

Lenten Pilgrimage Of Faith To Bataan

Joined the Lenten Pilgrimage to Bataan arranged by Green Faith Travels.  Our pilgrimage chaplain is Fr. Jason Laguerta.

Meet-up is at McDonald's, Greenbelt around 4AM, where we would be having our breakfast.

Left Makati a few minutes past 5AM.  We also stopped at Balintawak to pick-up the rest of the pilgrims.


 Stopped at Total Gas Station along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) for a restroom break.

Our first Church is the San Pedro de Verona Parish at Hermosa.



"We humbly request for the particular grace of Faith, that our Faith be firm and fruitful.  We will hold on to our Faith amidst the trials and temptations of life.  We will show our Faith with the proper change of heart and with good deeds done with our hands."

Our second Church is Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Orani.


"We humbly ask for the grace of fidelity, that is faithfulness to our calling, commitment and careers."

Our third stop is St. Catherine of Siena Parish at Samal.


"We humbly ask for the grace of filial devotion and dedication to our Lord.  We completely attach our lives to Him, aligning our ways and will to His very life."

For our seventh and eight station of the Cross is St. Dominic de Guzman Parish at Abucay.


"We humbly ask our almighty God for the grace of consistency, commitment and continuity in the practice of our faith."

For lunch, we stopped at Ihaw-Ihaw sa Tagle's at Balanga.


We also visited Msgr. Antonio Dumaual at Residencia Sacerdotal, which is just a stone's throw away from where we had our lunch.

Our fifth Church is the Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph in Balanga.


"We humbly ask the grace to be touched and transformed by God's hands to be truly his image and likeness.  We fervently surrender ourselves to God and unconditionally cooperate with Him in order to mold us and bring out the best and the beauty in us."

Our sixth Church is Our Lady of the Pillar Parish at Pilar.


"We humbly ask for the grace of solidarity with people entrusted to our care and strength amidst sufferings and sorrows in life."

Our seventh and last Church is St. Michael the Archangel Parish at Orion.


"We humbly ask for the grace of strength against temptations and trials in life.  We meekly solicit God's guidance and abiding graces to sustain and support us in our daily struggles."

On our way back to Makati, we stopped at Caltex Mega Station along NLEX for a restroom break.

Concluding Prayer

Ever-loving Jesus
we pray for pilgrims
who leave the comfort and luxury
of their places and homes,
to go through difficulties,
detachment and deprivation,
in order to stand in reverence,
in contrition and in thanksgiving,
in your presence
in these holy place and shrines.

May they find
what they are searching for,
receive what they ask for,
and experience what they need,
in their pilgrimage of life.

We pray for pilgrims
who are returning home:
may they be safe,
may they be renewed in spirit,
may they be completely healed,
and fully converted,
so that, as they go back
to their families and communities,
they may become your true witnesses,
faithful sharers of your caring words
and saving works,
and thus bring others back to you,
as we all journey together in this life,
towards you and for you.
Amen.