Black Nazarene
Since was not able to attend the anticipated Mass, went to
Glorietta to attend the Mass. But first, had Eggs Ben at
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
After the Mass, went to
Greenbelt Chapel. The Black Nazarene of Quiapo is at the Greenbelt Chapel until March 31, 2014.
Lenten Pilgrimage Of Faith And Heritage In Taal And Nearby Towns In Batangas
Would be joining the Pilgrimage arranged by
Green Faith Travels.
Registration is at 4AM at
McDonald's in Greenbelt. We first had breakfast before boarding our Pilgrimage Bus. Our Pilgrimage Chaplain is Fr. Paul Marquez.
On the way, we prayed the Holy Rosary and A Pilgrim's Prayer.
Our first Church is the
Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay at Labac, Taal, Batangas. We are hoping to be there before 8AM in order to attend the Concelebrated Mass with Rev. Fr. Paul J. Marquez, Rev. Fr. Alex Callada and Rev. Fr. Bon Cumagun, Shrine rector.
"
Our Lady of Caysasay is a celebrated 16th-century image of the Immaculate Conception. In the small barrio of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas, a fisherman Juan Maningcad found the little statue of the Blessed Virgin of the Immaculate Conception soaked in the water. Instead of catching a fish with his net in a river nearby the sea, he picked it up and brought it home. No one knew how the image got to the river, according to the old folks, the image was thrown by one of the Spaniards to pacify the ravages of the ocean during one of those expeditions and somehow the waves pushed it to the river, some believe it came from China and another opinion was that perhaps someone exploring the river accidentally dropped it."
We were also able to touch the image (called "
Pahalikan").
Then, walked our way to the
Leon C. Apacible Museum and Library, where we had our snack as well as a guided tour.
After which, walked our way to the
Minor Basilica of St. Martin de Tours (Taal Basilica) at Taal, Batangas. On the way, you see old houses. Also, one of townsfolk gave us
mabolo. First time to eat one, tasted like a ripe apple. LOL
"Designed by Spanish architect Luciano Oliver, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours stands 95 meters long and spans 45 meters. It is the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia with a facade of lonic columns resembling that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The original ceiling painted by Giovanni Dibella, one of two Italian artists who painted the ceiling of San Agustin Church, used the trompe l'oeil style ("trick of the eye"), which gives a three-dimensional effect. It is the only church in the country with a silver tabernacle. The church was elevated to the dignity and honor of a Minor Basilica in 1948 and declared a national shrine in 1974."
It is also at the Basilica where we had our lunch.
Our third church is
San Isidro Labrador at San Luis, Batangas.
"San Luis, named after San Luis Rey (St. Louis IX, the devout Catholic King of France), was created as a town at the same time as Lemery in 1862, out of Taal. It reverted to being a barrio of Taal until February 2, 1918, when it became a municipality again. All throughout, the Taal parish priest served the spiritual needs of the people of San Luis.
"The Parish of San Isidro Labrador was established on March 8, 1919. The parish administration was given to the Oblates of St. Joseph, whose first parish priests in San Luis initiated construction of the church in the barrio of Calumpang. In 1957, the administration of the parish was turned over to the diocesan priests."
Our next church is
St. Roch at Lemery, Batangas.
"In the early 18th century, Lemery was just a small village called 'Punta' as a great number of traders go (Puntahan) bringing with them their products and merchandise. The name Punta was changed to San Genaro in honor of the Spanish Governor-General, Jose Lemery. It was a small barrio in Taal until it became a town in 1862. Lemery parish was established as a separate parish in 1868 with St. Roch as their patron.
"The parish of St. Roch shares geographical, historical, and cultural proximity with the Parish of St.Martin de Tours in Taal. Only a small bridge separates them, but the towns that take different characters, and yet their people share in the strength of their faith."
Our fifth church is the
Holy Cross (Mahal na Poon ng Banal na Krus) at Lemery, Batangas.
"The Parish of the Holy Cross is one of the youngest parishes in the Archdiocese of Lipa. It was established on September 4, 2010, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross as a result of the archidiocese's centennial celebration. Its first parish priest is Fr. Hermogenes R. Rodelas.
"The parishioners venerate their Holy Cross and believe it to be miraculous. The townsfolk had tried to make a sled from a large piece of wood but could not. They then made a cross, and it prevented floodwaters from entering the town. Today the people say that various petitions have been granted to those who have sought the intercession of their Holy Cross.
"It is said that there was a small chapel of the Holy Cross even before the eruption of Taal Volcano in 1911 and that devotees prayed and offered flowers here."
Our next stop is
St. Raphael The Archangel at Calaca, Batangas.
"Calaca, which was the midpoint of the ancient communities of Balayan and Taal, became an independent parish in 1836, around the same time as the establishment of the town. The patron saint chose was St. Raphael the Archangel, whose image was enshrined in the first church made of bamboo and nipa palm.
"The stone church build on October 24, 1861 had survived the wars and earthquakes of the succeeding years. Until recently, this magnificent structure is one of the best-preserved churches in the province, including its interiors.
"On September 27, 1965 Taal volcanic eruption, the roof of the houses in Calaca were all covered with ashes, sands and stones enough for the structure to collapse but to the town folks' surprise, their church was spared. The church roof was clean and no volcanic ash falls were seen. This unexplainable event was attributed through St. Raphael's powerful intercession."
We were also able to visit the parish's Marian Garden and the parish's Museum.
Our last and seventh church is the
Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face at Sta. Teresita, Batangas.
"Fr. Vicente Catapang started to establish the parish in 1943 known as Sambat with the first chapel dedicated to Santa Teresita del Nino Jesus. On December 29, 1961, Sambat became a municipality, and was renamed Santa Teresita.
"On February 21-22, 2000, the Pilgrim Relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, first visited the parish. Archbishoop Ramon Aguelles declared the parish church the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of Child Jesus and the Holy Face on January 2, 2007. The second and third visits of the Pilgrim Relics took place on February 10-11, 2008 and February 4-6, 2013, respectively."
Divergent
My movie weekend.
First had a Mongolian lunch at
Food Choices before my movie,
Divergent.
In a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues, namely: Abnegation (selfless), Amity (kind), Candor (truthful), Dauntless (brave) and Erudite (intelligent). Faction over family. It was believed grouping by factions have set peace to the the world. And there's the Divergent, those who demonstrate virtues of more than one faction and will not fit any faction. When a conspiracy of a faction leader to destroy all Divergents, Tris (Shailene Woodley) with the mysterious Four (Theo James) would have to find out what makes Divergents dangerous, specially those who want to overrule. The main characters have chemistry. Like!
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass, had dinner at
Italianni's and bought a purple shirt, the color theme of the pilgrimage I would be attending next Saturday.
Wedding
We will be covering a wedding today. And I will be bringing my niece and her friend along since they are in-charge of the video.
First stop is the hotel (
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel) where we will be taking photos and video of the preparation. I wonder why the room of the bride is always a-buzz. LOL
The wedding will be held at
Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish in Pasig. The reception is at
Blue Ridge A Clubhouse in Quezon City.
Not bad.
Mr. Peabody, Sherman, Mr. Banks and Emotions
It is our camera club's monthly meeting and the photo theme would be "Emotions". Just dropped by to submit my entries and proceeded to
Glorietta.
First stop is the cinema counter to buy tickets for
Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and
Saving Mr. Banks.
Since I still have time for my first movie, have a cupcake-fix at
Vanilla Cupcake Bakery and Cafe.
Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, adopted Sherman, the baby he found left in an alley. He uses a time machine, which they call WABAC, to teach Sherman about history. In order to impress his friend Penny, Sherman went for a joyride with the WABAC, causing havoc on the most important events in world history. Fast paced and funny, using historical figures to pull the punches.
After, had
meryenda of Saigon noodles at
Phobac before my second movie.
The story behind the making of the Mary Poppins movie. Walt Disney promised his daughter that he will let Mary Poppins fly out of the pages, it took him twenty years to convince the author, P.L. Travers, to sell the rights. Almost at his grasp, the rights seems to move further away. Until he goes back to his childhood that he uncovers the ghost haunting the author. A spoonful of sugar...
After the movie, went to
SM Appliance looking for
Olympus OM-D EM-1 with 12-40mm lens. The one who assisted me is very helpful. He's going to check if there's stock from the distributor.
Annual Officers Meeting
Today would be our company's annual officers meeting. And it will be held at
SMX. Will just listen to our President's message and would leave the event. I still intend to attend the anticipated Mass.
Unlike last year, the talk took longer. Immediately left the venue when possible, dropped by the house to change clothes and proceeded to
Glorietta.
Hayyy.... arrived when the Mass is half-way.
Had my entries printed, dinner at
Kaya Express, picked-up my entries before proceeding home.
Retention
Brought my car at
Ziebart-Car Savers for its annual diamond gloss, rustproofing and interior detailing.
Since I have no intention of discontinuing my plan, might as well avail of a retention plan and get me the new iPhone 5s. My existing retention plan would end March 6.
So, lunch first at
El Pollo Loco in
SM Mall of Asia before proceeding to the Smart Business Center. As soon as I was able to do my business, went to
Glorietta. Bought
Otter Box for my new iPhone 5s.
Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Modern Shanghai.
