Holy Mass
The Mass at the Monasterio de Tarlac we missed is not an anticipated Mass; thus, woke up early to attend the Mass at Glorietta. I like the sermon of Fr. Ike.
After, bought some groceries before proceeding home.
Easter Pilgrimage: Tarlac
Would be joining
Green Faith Travels' Easter Pilgrimage to Tarlac. The Way of Light (Via Lucis) is a complement to the Way of the Cross. Although, I have joined before, wanted to visit again the Monasterio de Tarlac. Besides, as a gift by Green Faith Travels for those who joined their pilgrimages a lot of times, this pilgrimage would be free. Thanks!
Meet-up is near McDonald's Greenbelt, ETD 4AM.
On the way, we prayed the Pilgrim's Prayer and the rosary.
Heavenly Father, we thank you as we come together in your name to be with this community of pilgrims and share your reconciliation, peace and love with others in this Easter Pilgrimage.
Prepare our hearts and minds that we may be worthy to receive God's gifts and favors today.
Remind us always that this is a spiritual journey for a much deeper purpose and not a sightseeing trip.
Help us to practice the virtue of patience for whatever discomfort and difficulty that may arise.
Grant us the spirit of obedience to be one with others and participate fervently in all the activities.
May our visit to the churches foster personal spiritual growth with a joyful hope to return in our respective parishes and homes inspired, enlightened, transformed, rejuvenated and healed.
May God protect us and keep us in His loving care.
May Jesus of Calvary and of Emmaus walk with us.
May the Spirit give us clarity of mind, strength of heart and a sure foot as we all make this Easter journey with the Risen Christ today.
All these we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We also said a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
After each church we visit, we'll draw from a bag containing Easter messages for my Easter message.
First stop is the
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus at Ramos, Tarlac. We were supposed to attend the Mass but due to traffic, we were not able to be there at the start. We also prayed here Stations 1 to 3 of the Way of Light.
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| Saint Therese of the Child Jesus at Ramos, Tarlac |
Panalangin kay Santa Teresita ng Batang si Hesus ang Munting Bulaklak
Bumabati kamit at nagpupugay sa iyo, o Santa Teresita ng Batang si Hesus, bulaklak ng kalinisan, hiyas at luwalhati ng sangkakristyanuhan! Ipinagdarangal ka namin, dakilang Santa at anghel ng pag-ibig na makalangit. Kami'y nagagalak sa lahat ng mga biyayang tinanggap mo sa ating Panginoong Hesukristo na ipinagkaloob sa iyo ng buong kasaganaan. Hinihiling namin sa iyo ng buong kapakumbabaan at pananalig na kami'y tulungan mo, sapagkat nababatid naming binigyan ka ng Diyos ng diwa ng pag-ibig at pagkaawa at gayon din ng kapangyarihang mamagitan sa amin. Masdan mo ngayon ang aming mga pagdurusa, kahirapan at pangamba.
O Santa Teresita, sabihin mo sa kanya ang aming mga pangangailangan, at isang hibik mo lamang ay magtatagumpay ang aming hangarin at matitigib kami ng kagalakan, alalahanin mo ang iyong pangakong maghasik ng kabutihan dito sa lupa. Ipagkamit mo mula sa Panginoong Diyos ang biyayang hinihiling namin sa pagkakataong ito. (Banggiting ang kahilingan)
Sta. Teresita ng Batang si Hesus, ipanalangan mo kami. (3x)
My Easter message: "Jesus shows us the real face of God, for whom power does not mean destruction but love, and for whom justice is not vengeance but mercy."
We, then, proceeded, to
YMES Grills at Junction, Paniqui, Tarlac for our buffet breakfast. The food tastes good!
Then, we went to the
Sanctuary of the Holy Face of Jesus in Asia at Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija. The message of the parish priest which stuck is that we should see the face of Jesus on others who are in need, and we should see the face of Jesus in us. Also, the church was supposed to become the Immaculate Conception Shrine but the Holy Face of Jesus came--Mama Mary gave way to her Son for it is He who must be known. We prayed here Stations 4 to 6 of the Way of Light.
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| Holy Face of Jesus |
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| Sanctuary of the Holy Face of Jesus at Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija |
Panalangin sa Banal na Mukha ni Hesus
Panginoong Hesukristo, sa iyong pagpapakasakit para sa amin ay ankintal sa iyong mukha ang matinding kalungkutan na tanda ng iyong mukha ang hanggang pagmamalasakit sa sangkatauhan lalo na sa mga mahihirap at pinabayaan. Pinararangalan namin ang iyong Banal na Mukha na siya ring nagpamalas ng kagandahan, pagmamahal at kaamuan ng Diyos Ama. Sa kabila ng Iyong sirang kaanyuan namamalas namin ang Iyong walang hanggang pag-ibig na siya namang nag-uudyok sa amin na Ika'y amin ring mahalin at himukin ang iba na Ikaw rin ay mahalin sa mga sirang kaanyuan ng aming kapwa na ipinagkakatiwala mo sa amin. Ang luha ng masaganang bumukal sa Iyong mga mata at pisngi ay parang mga perlas na nais naming tipunin upang tubusin ang mga kaawa-awang kaluluwa ng mga makasalanan sa pamamagitan ng Iyong hindi matatawarang halaga. O Hesus ang Iyong kabanal-banalang mukya ay nagbibigay galak sa aming kalooban, hinihiling namin na manatili ang pagkakakintal ng Iyong Banal na Mukha sa aming pagiging mabuting katiwala ng mga kaloob mo sa amin. Maisabuhay nawa namin sa bawat araw ang tunay na diwa ng pagdadamayan bilang mga Kristiyano. Pag-alabin mo kami ng Iyong pag-ibig upang sa pamamagitan nito, kami nawa'y maging karapat-dapat na makibahagi sa pagsamba at pagdakila ng Iyong Banal na Mukha sa kalangitan. Amen.
My Easter message: "To live Easter means to enter into the mystery of Jesus who died and rose for us."
After which, we proceeded to the
Diocesan Shrine of Saint Josemaria Escriva at Gerona, Tarlac. It has drive-thru. Hehe! What stuck is the animals in relation to the Opus Dei: donkey as workers--work without complaining; duck as being independent. We prayed Stations 7 to 9 of the Way of Life.
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| Diocesan Shrine of Saint Josemaria Escriva at Gerona, Tarlac |
Panalangin para sa pamamagitan ni San Josemaria Escriva
O Diyos, sa pamamagitan ng Mahal na Birheng Maria, ipinagkaloob mo sa iyong pari, si San Josemaria Escriva, ang napakraming biyaya, at hinirang mo siya bilang isang napakatapat ng kasangkapan upang itatag ang Opus Dei, isang landas patungo sa kabanalang nababatay sa pagganap ng gawaing propesyonal at pagtupad ng mga karaniwang tungkulin ng isang Kristiyano. Ipagkaloob mo sana na ang lahat ng mga sandali at pangyayari sa aking buhay ay maiukol ko rin sa pagmamahal sa iyo at sa malugod at walang-parangyang paglilingkod sa Santa Iglesya, sa Santo Papa, at sa lahat ng mga kaluluwa, upang ang lahat ng daan sa lupa ay mailawan ko ng liwanag ng pananampalataya at pag-ibig. Sa pamamagitan ni San Josemaria, ipagkaloob mo sa akin itong biyayang hinihiling ko sa iyo (banggitin ang kahilingan). Amen.
Ama namin, Aba Ginoong Maria, Luwalhati.
My Easter message: "If we open ourselves up to welcome God's mercy for ourselves, in turn we become capable of forgiveness."
Since we are running late, we went to the next church instead of having lunch.
Our next church is the
San Sebastian Cathedral (Tarlac Cathedral) at Tarlac City. We prayed Station 10 of the Way of Light.
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| San Sebastian Cathedral at Tarlac City |
Prayer for Inner Healing
Speak clearly, Lord, into my heart. In the past, I had been busy with life and I forgot what it meant to really live. In the midst of my pains and difficulties, allow me to know you so that I may understand what living for you is all about. I am weak, Lord, and helpless without you. I surrender to you, Lord, all my fears, all my burdens. I will focus on your truth that you will be with me always. I will never understand your ways but I know that you have a purpose for me.
Lord, as I continue this prayer, gently touch me with your healing hands. You are the Divine Healer and the greatest Physician of all. I believe in my heart that nothing is impossible to you. Heal my innermost being, my spirit and my soul. I know, Lord, that there is an end to my loneliness and sickness because you died on the cross and rose from the dead. From now on, I just want to live with a loving heart and not with a grumbling heart; from now on, Lord, I just want to live with a faithful heart and not with a fearful heart. In the might name of Jesus. Amen.
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
My Easter message: "Lord, help us to live the virtue of generosity, to love without limits."
We, then, proceeded to
Tessie's Grills & Roasters at Tarlac City for our late lunch. Bad experience.
And finally, we went to
Monasterio de Tarlac at San Jose, Tarlac. It was raining hard. We were not able to attend the 3PM mass; thus, we prayed Stations 11 to 14 of the Way of Light and veneration of the Holy Relic. Then, the rain came to a drizzle.
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| Monasterio de Tarlac at San Jose, Tarlac |
Dalit sa Poong Santa Krus
Maluwalhating Krus, Dakilang Sagisag,
marangal na Tronong Tagapagligtas.
Ginawa man ikaw sa kahoy na hamak
sa halaga'y walang katumbas.
Wala kang katumbas dahil mahiwaga ang dunong ng Diyos ng s'yang nagtadhana.
Ikaw nga O Krus na matalinhaga ay simbolo at banal na tanda.
Banal na tanda ng kaligtasan sa pag-ibig
Bathala'y namatay, sa sakripisyong ganap luwalhati'y nakamtan,
Luwalhating kinamtan nagdaan sa dilim,
kamatayang dati'y nag-aalipin,
nagapi sanhi ng paggiliw upang tao'y tubusin.
Nang kami'y tubusin sa pagkakasala, hari ng langit ang syang nagdusa,
nagpakasakit kahit maharlika hamak sa kanyang pagsinta.
Ipinamalas nga't sa krus nalarawan halaga ng Taong mahal.
Pighati sa Krus ang simula Tagumpay sa pagkabuhay.
Ang muling pagkabuhay nangyaring totoo upang wakasan na sa mundo
Pang-aalipin ng imbing demonyo ng makalaya ang tao.
Kanyang ibinuhos ang iwi ngang buhay.
Sa Krus winika ang patawad
tanda ng tao'y kanyang minamahal
tawag nya'y magbagong-buhay.
Yan 'yung pagmamahal ang mensahe ng Krus.
Nasa atin ngayo'y nagbabantig tinatawag sa pagbabalik-loob tahakin landas ni Kristo. Amen.
The last Easter message I drew is the same as the first--I wonder why.
Oddly, on the way to the churches for our pilgrimage, we were lost several times that our pilgrimage bus has to turn around to be on track.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
A holiday and a day before the Easter Pilgrimage I would be joining.
First went to
Pet Express to buy a water bottle for Brad. The heat we're experiencing is different. Could it be due to global warming? Yesterday, ordered an
evaporative air cooler at Lazada which is on a discount (actually, with the delivery fee, I still saved PhP300.00+ if I bought it from the malls) and it will be delivered today.
Then, was dropped off at
Glorietta where I immediately bought a discounted movie ticket for
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Ate Mongolian lunch at Food Choices, renewed my Robinson's Rewards Card, and window-shopped.
Quill and his friends, once again, proved that they are the guardians of the galaxy as they again saved the worlds. They fight to keep their new-found family as they learn the mystery of Quill's true parentage. You don't have to share the same blood to be "family". Humor and action. Like.
The heat? Bought another
Vornado at
True Value. My
old one will be used in our sala to circulate air.
Then, bought groceries at
The Landmark before proceeding home.
Hair
Hair-pampering day.
But first, brunch of Eggs Ben at
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. As soon as the mall opened, went to
The Chronicles Salon.
Decide to see if I can buy a dog treat that Tsubasa and Theo would enjoy, so walked my way to
Bow & Wow at
Greenbelt 5. Bought one that is soft and chewy--my dog Tsubasa is already a senior-citizen in human age and his teeth is really not that strong.
Walked my way back to
Glorietta to buy a small
bilao of
pancit luglug at
Razon's and a bucket of Chickenjoy at
Jollibee for our
merienda before proceeding home.
Anniversaries
Walked my way to
Ayala Center.
No plans of watching a movie so would just window shop until the anticipated Mass. Had Mongolian lunch at
Food Choices. Decided to buy a digital luggage scale. Bought one at The Travel Club where I found one which below PhP1,000.00--the
World Traveller digital luggage scale. For dessert,
Baskin Robbins' World Class Chocolate.
Since it is my Nanay's death anniversary (yesterday, it was my Lola Clara's death anniversary), went to
Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at
The Landmark. Prayed the novena to the Divine Mercy and rosary for the repose of my Nanay.
Attended the anticipated Mass, we had dinner at
The Pancake House and bought groceries at The Landmark before proceeding home.
Offered the Mass for my Nanay (+), Lola Clara (+), Nana (+); for Lily, Kuya and Vangie.
Note: Lily, my Nana's niece, underwent endoscopy and colonoscopy. She's got stage 4 colon cancer. Prayers.
Easter Sunday Mass
Attended the Easter Sunday Mass at
Don Bosco Parish Church. After the Mass, some people are sharing food and water. Decided to walk my way to
Glorietta.
Was thinking of buying the
Anker PowerCore Speed 10000 Portable Charger, and I did. Bought a short cable for use with the charger at
The A Shop. Also the tape for the Brother PTouch at
National Bookstore. Then, walked my way to
Conti's for lunch. Took a cab home since it is raining.
Fast And Furious
Black Saturday--regular mall hours. Went first to
Pet Express with my niece to buy dog food for Tsubasa and Theo. Then, we were dropped off at
Greenbelt 5 to eat lunch at
Bulgogi Brothers.
My niece will meet with his boyfriend at Rockwell, but for the meantime, strolled around Ayala Center. Went to SM Makati where we were able to buy band for our hair. Also have the photos with Sarita and Arnel (my Nana's niece and nephew) printed and have it sent to them via LBC.
When she left, bought discounted movie ticket for
Fast and Furious 8. Then, ticked-off items on my list before my movie:
Anker PowerPort 4 USB Wall Charger,
Pacsafe Toursafe EXP21, Oracare, brown string.
While Dom and Letty were on a honeymoon, with Brian and Mia retired from the game, a mysterious woman seduces Dom back into the world of crime. Some of the characters from the previous Fast and Furious installment is back in this film but there are twists and there are twists. As the title, it is fast.
After the movie, ate early supper at
The Landmark's food court, dessert at
Baskin Robbins and groceries back at The Landmark's supermarket.
Senakulo
Because of the long weekend, most our out of town. But I prefer staying at home during the Holy Week. It is the first time that my niece is at home during Good Friday (she went for a
Visita Iglesia with her boyfriend yesterday)--she's always at Moonwalk with her mom during Good Friday, and
Visita Iglesia with her Moonwalk friends.
A
senakulo (street passion play) passed near our house.
Heard the Seven Last Words on TV as well as the Mass after. And started the novena to the Divine Mercy. At night, a procession passed by our house.
Legazpi: Day Three
We would be leaving for Manila. We would be taking the hotel's shuttle to the airport. Left the hotel at 5:30AM for our PAL PR2922 flight ETD 0710H ETA 0810H.
Upon arriving at Manila, was picked-up at Terminal 2. Went to
St. Luke's Medical Center at BGC. Saw Uncle Ben and spent sometime with my aunt and two cousins Ate Ina and Tata.
Upon going home, passed by
McDonald's drive-thru per request of my niece.
Dropped my things at home, and with Lyn and Nerry went to
Sta. Clara Parish Church for the Stations of the Cross. Had
meryenda of
halo-halo at
Chowking before going home.
Legazpi: Day Two
The mass at St. Peter Chapel will be at 11AM. Sarita, my Nana's niece, sought the help of my Auntie Lourdes to talk to a priest who can celebrate the Mass for Nana. We'll have lunch after before the burial. Arnel will pick us up at the hotel at 9AM to bring us to St. Peter.
Woke up with a nice view of the Mayon Volcano.
And for breakfast, we had
sinigang,
tocino and fried egg at
CISYD (pronounced as seaside), which is at the ground floor of the hotel. It is quite good.
My niece finally met Auntie Lourdes. Like me, she's a "girl scout"--she has with her flashlight, bottled water, utensils, etc.--which my niece noted. She's also
sutil (naughty). There's a young boy with long hair that he looks like a girl. We keep on saying that he's a girl. My aunt also joined in. The boy's father said that he will only have his son cut his hair when he reaches seven years old.
My Nana was laid to rest in their public cemetery. For a public cemetery, it is very clean that you can almost mistake it as a private cemetery. According to Vangie, before her casket was put inside the tomb, she saw Nana for a split second--and Nana is smiling.
We requested that we would be buying
pasalubong. Thus, Arnel with his wife brought us to
Albay Pili Nut. We were supposed to go back to the hotel, but since there is still a lot of time, Arnel suggested that we go to
Cagsawa Ruins. On the way to the ruins, my
kuya called her daughter and informed her that Uncle Ben fell, hit his head and is now in the ICU at St. Luke's at BGC. Decided to go to the hospital upon arriving in Manila.
Spent some time taking pictures at Cagsawa Ruins and buying more
pasalubong.
Back to the hotel, we rested. We, again, will have dinner at CISYD. Before going to dinner, decided to go around the
Embarcadero Mall. That's when we saw the
Shrine of Padre Pio. Could it be a sign? Went there and said a few prayers.
For dinner, we had barbecue, buttered vegetables, shrimp. Food is good. Also went to
Puregold at Embarcadero Mall since my niece would like to buy some medicines.
Legazpi: Day One
It will not be a vacation as I would be going to Bicol to attend my Nana's wake. With me is Vangie and my niece Camille. We would be taking PAL PR2925 flight ETD 0940H ETA1035H. Left the house around 5AM.
Edgar the driver dropped us off at
Terminal 3. Everything is smooth as we already made an online check-in.
After checking-in and passing through several x-ray machines, we had breakfast at the airport while waiting to board our flight.
In our flight is Richard Gutierrez and his family plus two nannies for his son. The couple wanted to have the seat to themselves that their son is carried by one of the nannies on his lap. And the wife has a commercial ad as if she's a doting mother. Tsk! Tsk!
At
Legazpi Airport, we were picked up by my Nana's niece Sarita and nephew Arnel. Arnel would be driving us around while in Bicol. Asked that we be brought first to our hotel to check-in and drop our luggage and see Lily first.
Our hotel is the
Embarcadero Hotel. We three have separate rooms.
Wanted to check on Lily. She was at home as she easily gets tired. Everything changed as I remembered them. Gone were the
palayan and
nipa huts. We spent sometime with Lily, hoping that we have lifted her spirits and her will to fight her disease.
Before proceeding to
St. Peter Chapel, we stopped at
Waway's for lunch.
We were at Nana's wake the rest of the day. Met several of her relatives--nieces, nephews, grandchildren. We left St. Peter at 11PM.
When we first saw Nana, as if she's frowning. But when we checked on her before leaving at 11PM, she looked relaxed. And it is not only I who noticed it.
Because one of the kids has a third eye and told us stories about it, my niece is afraid to stay in her room. So we upgraded our room. My niece and I would be staying in a two-bed room. According to Vangie who has a third eye herself, there is something in her room but my room is clear. My niece who can't see but can feel something, is not comfortable with her room either. That is why I always have my holy water, crucifix with Benedictine medal, and, now, the image of our Lady of Fatima with me when I travel.
Treatment
Would be attending Nana's burial; thus, decided to have my treatment at
KARADA. As soon as the mall opened, went to KARADA (already made my reservation the previous day). While being treated, my niece keeps calling. She's in charge of getting our plane tickets and hotel booking. Originally, was thinking of hiring a van if many wanted to join. But since we're only three, and Vangie can't handle long trip due to her operation, it would be by plane.
The burial is Wednesday with Mass at 11AM. Since there's no evening flight, will have to take a leave on Tuesday and Wednesday as we are taking the morning flight. We would be returning Thursday morning.
After my treatment, had lunch at
Bistro Ravioli. Went to
The Landmark to buy an electric fan at
Anson's before going home.
Ghost In The Shell
Had the chest X-ray last Thursday after office. Will pick it up before going to
Maxicare at
Makati Medical Center to have the result interpreted. Was asked to do another chest X-ray after six (6) weeks I was cleared of my community acquired pneumonia. Passed by in front of the
Sta. Clara Parish Church to buy palm fronds (
palaspas).
Everything is clear in my lungs. Then, was dropped off at
Glorietta. Decided to watch
Ghost In The Shell while waiting to attend the anticipated Mass. The usual, had Mongolian lunch at
Food Choices.
"In the near future, Major is the first of her kind (and so she was told to believe): a human saved from a terrible crash who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals. However, when terrorism reaches a new level which includes the ability to hack into people's minds, Major is qualified to stop it." And then she learns the truth...
While waiting for my movie, decided to eat fishballs. That's when a blackout occurred. Did not find anything strange as it seems everyone was normal until learned that there was an earthquake--the reason for the blackout. Did not felt it.
Attended the anticipated Mass, had dinner at
Luk Yuen and bought groceries at
The Landmark.
Friday, April 07, 2017
Sarita, my Nana's niece, called that night. Was informed that Nana passed away. Was really surprised since I know she's still fit (except for being bedridden because of her fall). We have them brought back to Bicol because of Lily, and Nana wanted to be Lily. Was not able to sleep that night.
Beauty and the Beast
Before leaving home, waited for the
Lazada delivery of
Powerex MH-C9000 . Also, have my last IP camera mounted.
Our office's camera club has workshop with an Emma Watson look-alike model for its portrait photography. Thus, the model will be in a Hermione and Belle costumes. Did not finish the activity.
Walked my way to Ayala Center where I bought a discounted movie ticket for
Beauty and the Beast. Had lunch at
Italianni's before my movie.
From animation to real people. Love the movie. Even if I already know the story, still shed a tear (or two) when Beast is dying. Weh! The movie further explained why the cursed prince became what he is, Belle has more character.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass, had dinner at
Bulgogi Brothers, bought a quarter of
Baskin Robbins' World Class Chocolate who's on 31% discount, and bought groceries at
The Landmark.
