Masajiro Burger
Grocery day. I have a lot to do today. If my lunch date cancels, it would ease my schedule and be able to attend the 12:15 PM Saturday Mass.
- Grocery
- Xerox papers provided by my company
- Go to SM Mall of Asia for the Tagalog Bible I reserved for one day
- Lunch date
- Anticipated Mass
- Have my religious items blessed
- Pass by Storage Mart to store an item
Since my lunch date was cancelled, after doing tasks (1) and (2), I went to
St. Paul's Superstore (passing by
Storage Mart) instead where I was able to buy the
Tagalog Bible. Yesterday, I was able to buy a rosary, and the
Tagalog version of "Straight from the heart"--a compilation of prayers--at their branch in SM Megamall since I have a meeting at our Ortigas office. The
Tagalog Bible (Biblia ng Sambayanang Pilipino, Katolikong Edisyong Pastoral) is not available in said branch. I got the number of their branch at SM Megamall where I was able to reserve for one day their only copy. Bought these things for Joven, Lyn's nephew. Maybe he can influence his family when he gets back home.
Yes! Now, I would be able to attend the Saturday Mass.
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| "Stained Glass" Paperweight |
I was able to finish my Precious Blood Chaplet devotion, and join the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Jeffrey.
Jesus distinguishes a person who lives in the Spirit and the person who lives in the flesh. Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ do not belong to Christ.
"Flesh" is in contrary to the dictates of the Spirit.
How would you know if the person is living in the flesh? He/ she is someone who likes something, who dislikes something. The person who always grumbles, complains; who cannot tolerate suffering.
Change of life does not start on other people. Conversion starts with "us".
Then 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 I offer it for the souls in purgatory who put family before God.
And for my taste test, it would be
Masajiro Burger, which recently opened at
Glorietta.
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| Masajiro Burger |
I asked for their popular meals. The recommendations for burgers are Egg & Bacon (PhP499.00), Masamax (PhP529.00), and Double Cheese (PhP569.00). For rice meals, the recommendation is Hamburge (PhP299.00) and Java Curry (PhP299.00). I chose the Hamburge. This way, I would also be able to taste the hamburger patty.
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Hamburge
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The patty is unlike other hamburgers. Maybe it would be better to eat it as a regular hamburger instead of the viand for a rice meal...? And also maybe I should try sides of fries or tasty bites.
And of course, I went to
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to start my blog. Chose to drink the Double Chocolate Frappuccino to make up for my meal. LOL. Again, they have the promo of accumulating 20 stamps to get a freebie item.
Then, I went to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass. I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
Jesus always shows contrast when He shares His message. In this parable, He chose the Pharisee and the tax collector.
Pharisees are strict followers of rules, at times, they overdo them.
Tax collectors charge more than they should; thus, people are angry with them.
But the tax collector is humble. What is lacking in the Pharisee is his repentance--and that is what is important to God.
If our heart is not contrite, all those offerings will have no value at all. We do good things, do act of charity; but, let us not forget to offer our heart to Him.
In regards to repentance, for us Christians, repentance includes restitution.
After the Mass, passed by BPI before proceeding home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, frappuccino, grocery, mall, Mass, rosary
Election
With the demise of my sibling and the intention of one of my cousins to step down from being the Corporate Secretary, a meeting was called to elect the new officers and decide on some matters that were presented in the previous meetings.
I was elected President.
I ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit how to lead our family corporation. Usually in the case with families, there are sensitive issues especially when it comes to money. I pray for their conversion. We should be of the Spirit and not of the flesh to belong to Jesus.
I wore my Rado Centrix Diamonds, my first Swiss watch.
Local Tour
Lyn's nephew is in town because he will be assisting her when she goes under the knife. The operation is scheduled for Monday, October 20. Since it is his first time in Manila, I will give him a historical tour. LOL
Lyn would remain behind with Theo, the dog. She would be resting to prepare for the operation.
Included in the "mini-tour" is me, Joven, Luis, and Edgar the driver.
First stop is at the Rizal Park. There were lots of people. Learned that it is the sect Jesus Is Lord's anniversary. I acted as the tourist guide and photographer. 😂
Next stops are Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and shops at Intramuros.
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| Stained window of Manila Cathedral |
Time for lunch, we will be going to The Aristocrat. It is one of the historic restaurants in the Philippines which include Toho Panciteria Antigua (1888), Ma Mon Luk (1920), Ramon Lee Panciteria (1929), and The Aristocrat (1936).
Ordered Hototai Soup (PhP468.00), Boneless Chicken Barbecue (PhP325.00) for Joven and Edgar, Pork Spareribs (PhP375.00) for me, Pork Barbecue (PhP350.00) for Luis, Camaron Rebosado (PhP450.00), and Pinakbet Baboy (PhP345.00).
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| Pork Spareribs |
We then proceeded to SM Mall of Asia. It is the largest mall in the Philippines.
This ends the tour.
Dropped Joven at the condo, passed by the office to pick the crystal I was surprised to find in my things, and was dropped at Greenbelt Chapel.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The parable is for the necessity to pray always without being weary.
Prayer is communicating with God. It is one way of deepening our relationship with God.
We have to persevere in prayer so that we can know God deeper and Him to know us better.
After the Mass, passed by the family corporation's parking lot--it has a small plot of land where I can bury destroyed occult objects. Followed the steps of disposing cursed objects. Then, proceeded to the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish Church to offer my life, family and property to God. (I already attended the Mass before disposing of the object.)
Then, home.
Rosary Procession
Last year, we joined the Rosary Procession arranged by the Rosary Family Crusade for the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. This year, we would be joining them again.
Left the condo around 2AM with my (black) Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Usually with this procession, the float containing the religious images (or sacramental, if blessed) are being arranged and prepared by family. The family mans and follows their float during the procession.
We don't have a float. I just choose which float to follow. My conditions? Not motorized (so that I won't be smelling smoke belching from its exhaust pipe), only have a few people.
Last year, we followed a float containing three (3) people: the man pedaling the pedicab, the owner of the images who is holding the images to ensure it would not fall, and a woman with them. Lyn and I make it five (5). Then, I don't hear anyone praying nor prayer being announced on a speaker that Lyn and I started praying. The woman joined us.
Somehow you lose your breath praying aloud while walking. Because of this, I thought of bringing a small speaker where I can play a prerecorded prayer of the rosary.
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| Rosary procession |
Most of the floats are motorized, either because they are mounted on a motorcycle or there is a generator to light the images. Found one but they are big group.
So Lyn, Monay and I joined them. We can actually hear the rosary being played on a speaker but we cannot understand it. So, I decided to play my prerecorded rosary on my portable speaker. We prayed the Glorious Mystery (in English).
I don't see anyone in the group we joined to be praying. But according to Lyn, she only saw the grandmother, being assisted by her grandson, who is praying the rosary.
When we finished our prayer, we were still far from the church where we started. So, I decided to play the Gregorian Chant Rosary in Latin. With that, not sure why the grandmother was looking at me but she was smiling. Later, Lyn said she heard the grandmother telling her companion that it is Latin. That means, even with my small speaker and the audio being played outside, they can hear it. Nice.
Truth, I was thinking of bringing my Marshall Stockwell II. Last minute, I changed it to my Marshall Willen. I think that the Stockwell would be too much since it is not our float--we don't have our own float!
When we have arrived near the church, we left the procession and went straight to church, waiting for the Mass to start.
After the Mass, since the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish is one of the Jubilee churches, prayed hoping to gain a plenary indulgence, which I offer for souls in purgatory who had or supported abortions.
Then, we proceeded to McDonald's for our breakfast before going home. 🙏
BTW Theo, the dog, is with us. He and Edgar were at the McDonald's parking lot waiting for us. They even attended the Mass, seating at the back of the church.
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| Theo on church pew |
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, procession, rosary
Du Hsiao Yueh
Grocery day. Should have left the condominium around 9AM. Left at 11AM with my Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto 40mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Got delayed with the call from my cousin. Discussed the agenda for next Sunday. She already knows my decision on the items to be presented to the Board, just reiterated it again.
I know I would not be able to attend the Saturday Mass. Thus, after buying our groceries at The Landmark Supermarket, decided to have lunch.
My taste test is the Du Hsiao Yueh. It just recently opened at the Glorietta mall.
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| Du Hsiao Yueh |
I ordered their signature dish, the Danzi Noodles (PhP248.00), the Hot and Sour Soup (PhP138.00) which was recommended by the server for their choices of soup, and the Xiao Long Bao 5 pieces (PhP198.00).
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| Hot and Sour Soup |
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| Danzi Noodles (Signature dish) |
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| Xiao Long Bao |
It is actually pretty good. I ordered the first two, and ordered the dimsum as an additional. When you eat the noodles of their signature dish, be sure to eat with it the soup--it adds the punch to the food. I even heard from a group of diners leaving the restaurant that they will be coming back again.
Another restaurant has just opened at Glorietta--a Japanese burger joint. Will have that in my list to try.
Next, I went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for a Spanish Latte where I started this blog.
I was able to pray with the community the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary at the Greenbelt Chapel.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Ruben.
God's goodness extends to everyone.
The old Testament reading is about Naaman who is originally sceptical for he asks as to the difference in the water between the two lakes. His slave told him about his friend who was cured of leprosy. And Naaman decided to go to the prophet, he was healed.
The Gospel reading is about Jesus healing the ten (10) lepers where only one (1) returned to thank Him. Jesus not only cured the lepers' sickness but also brought them back to the community.
God does not only cure us physically but also our moral sickness. Sinfulness can be contagious. Thus, we must be wary. (Me: As per St. John Bosco said, the best way to fight temptation is to flee from it.)
It is natural for us to recognize the person that gives (utang na loob). It is a call for us to have a sense of communal relationship--just as Naaman thanked his servant for introducing him to the prophet.
All blessings come from God. To Him we give our thankfulness.
After the Mass, I 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 I offer it for the souls in purgatory who had opportunities but refused charity to neighbors.
Then went to the Office Warehouse to buy a masking tape so I can label the items for pull-out (since I am retiring from our office), to BPI to withdraw from their ATM, before proceeding home.
Labels: Chromebook, coffee, food, grocery, mall, Mass
My Birthday
I woke up late; thus, I was not able to attend the Mass online where I offered a thanksgiving birthday Mass for me. LOL. I left with my Omega Speedmaster 38 mm (this is becoming my favorite watch) on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
But, I will be attending the 12 noon Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. I was able to join the community to pray the Rosary.
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| Greenbelt Chapel |
The Mass presider is Fr. John Paul.
Prayer is about lifting our hearts and minds to God. It is opening the door which allows the grace to more enter our lives.
Difficult to pray?
- Choose a conducive time, conducive place. Always be connected to the Lord. Talk to Him.
- Distractions are normal but what is important is we steer back to God.
Prayer is not about thinking much but loving much.
Prayer does not change God but it changes the one praying.
After the Mass, I went to
Swatch at
Greenbelt 5. I wanted to check the Omega and Swatch collaboration. (I already have the Blancpain and Swatch collaboration's
Ocean of Storms). Walked away with a
Mission to Earthphase.
Passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. It is one of the Jubilee churches. I hope to earn a plenary indulgence.
Then, a quick lunch at Mamak Kopitiam at Glorietta 4's Food Choices. Before proceeding home. Will leave again later to buy our food for dinner to celebrate my birthday.
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| At Mamak Kopitiam |
My cousin sent over her (food) gift for me. Thank you. She never misses a birthday.
My niece also arrived.
Around 4:30 PM, I left for Emerald Garden to buy our food. My usual restaurant for my birthday.
Thank You, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for all the blessings You have given me and my family through the years. With Your grace, teach me to be always faithful to You. 🙏
Labels: Chromebook, food, mall, Mass, rosary
Samsam Chikin
Took a leave because I would be attending the online deliverance of Monsignor Rossetti of the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal. Already registered for this event. Rosary starts at 6:30 AM Philippine time.
Since today, also, is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, I plan to attend the 12:15 PM Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.
Left the condominium around 11AM with my (black) Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Unfortunately, they started early in praying the Rosary (which I later realized they added prayers before the Mass). Left my new one-decade rosary and my full rosary at the table where you put the items to be blessed before taking my seat.
The Mass presider is Fr. Cris. I was surprised because he is the parish priest of the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Church in Pasay City.
He said he loved sharing the anecdote about Mama Mary where St. Peter asked Jesus to stop Mama Mary because many souls are entering heaven without passing his office. Mama Mary through her open window have the rosary reached earth which people used to go to heaven.
The rosary is the most effective weapon and tool. It is also like holding the hand of Mama Mary.
Science also has proven that the rosary is a therapeutic tool.
Mary magnifies the Lord.
And for my taste test, it is the Samsan Chikin. Next in my list should have been the Botejyu. But since no one is there to assist me, decided to go the next restaurant in my list.
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| Samsam Chikin |
They have the Signature Solo Sets with your choice of one main and one drink. I chose the Bulgogi Rice Solo Set (PhP520.00). I asked the server what drink he recommends, he suggested the Sunset Splash. Both (meal and drink) are actually good. Service is also good.
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| Bulgogi Rice |
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| Sunset Splash |
I brought with me several blessed
Green Scapulars as a token for the memorial being celebrated today. I actually already have some stored at home which I plan to give on
December 8 for the feast of the
Immaculate Conception. Why not give away some today? I gave two at the Greenbelt Chapel. I also gave to three guards of the
Greenbelt Mall. And I gave one to my server. Of course, I ask first if they are Catholic before I give them the scapular.
I gave a scapular to the lady operating the elevator and to the two guards assigned at the Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel.
Instead of proceeding home, asked Edgar to pass by
Angel's Pizza to buy a pizza and have a taste. I send boxes of this pizza at my brother's wake not knowing if it is good. LOL. And because the
Cuerva Bakeshop is near the pizza store, went there to buy a
mango torte, their multi-awarded winning dessert.
Then, home.
Labels: food, Mass, rosary
Cremation
Mass at the St. Peter Chapels for my brother is at 11:30 AM before bringing him to be cremated at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium.
The Mayor of Pasay City has called my nephew if the ashes of my brother can be brought to the Pasay City Hall tomorrow. He was vice-mayor and was councilor of the city. I think my brother would like that.
Left the condominium with Lyn and Theo, the dog, around 9:30 AM with my Seiko GMT Field Deception on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Upon arriving at the wake, Lyn and I prayed a rosary for my brother. Then she and Theo were brought back home by Edgar, the driver.
Would be leaving St. Peter around 1PM, cremation would start at 3PM, it usually ends two to three hours.
Led the prayer for Divine Mercy Chaplet, changing the response from "have mercy on us and on the whole world" to "have mercy on <deceased name> and on the whole world".
Left my nephew and his wife after the prayer as we have to be home in time for Lyn to attend the Sunday Mass.
Since we have not had our lunch yet, passed by The Landmark Food Center to have our very late lunch. After Edgar and I did our own errands, me to buy my medicines, Edgar to buy some items in the grocery.
Then, proceeded home.
Hossein's
It is the first Saturday for October and I will be going to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel for the First Saturday Devotion.
I am actually late as I should have left the condo around 8:30 AM. Left past 9 AM (with my Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right). The confessor is not around. Thus, I was first in the queue as I waited for him to arrive.
Before the Mass, I was able to complete my morning prayers, prayed the Act of Reparation for the first Saturdays of the month, 15 minutes meditation of the Scourging at the Pillar, and prayed the Rosary as a community, aside from the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I was also able to finish my Chaplet of the Precious Blood, and the Auxilium Christianorum.
The Saturday Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.
Fr. Paolo started with the question "When was the last time you have a comprehensive eye check? Gaano kalinaw ang iyong mga mata?"
The Word of God says that the eyes are the lamp of the body. Poets would say that the eyes are jewels of a woman's face. Mystics would say that the eyes are the windows of the soul or being.
We should not only have good eyesight but also magandang pananaw sa buhay.
A good vision should be comprehensive, not just simply we have a clear eyesight but we also have an insight, foresight, hindsight, long sight, far sight.
(V)isualize the entire reality
(I)nternalize
(S)trategize
(I)nitiate or innovate
(O)vercome challenges
(N)urture relationships
Reflect on the three (3) virtues of St. Francis of Assisi:
- Clarity of vision. Not to focus on the present position of pain, suffering. But to focus on the gift of hope--to see beyond their present situation. To see pain as a participation with the suffering of Christ. Participation not punishment. (H)old (O)n (P)ain (E)nds. (H)eal (O)ur (P)ainful (E)xperiences. Do we see problem in every opportunity or opportunity for every problem? Perspective could be our prison or a passport to a better life.
- Correctness of vision. How do we look at the poor? Are they simply recipients of charity?
- Control of vision. St. Francis gave up richness, wealth, status, reputation just to follow Christ. Surrender of our control
Who can see angels? Those who cannot see angels are the conceited. Those who can see angels are those who are humble, the child-like. St. Francis can see the presence of God even in nature.
It is not only what we see but how we see.
For my taste test, it would be Hossein's at Greenbelt 3. I asked the server for her recommendation for a solo eater. She suggested the Chelou Shish Kebab. I ordered the Chelou Lamb Shish Kebab (PhP940.00). Thumb's up.
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| Hossein's Restaurant |
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| Chelou Lamb Shish Kebab |
Since the serving is large, I have to have some of the food to-go.
Then, I went to
Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at
The Landmark, one of the
Jubilee churches. I hope to gain a plenary indulgence, and I offer it for my brother, my only sibling, Greg Magno. He died last September 28, 2025, Sunday. He will be cremated tomorrow, October 5, 2025.
After, I went to
Tudor because I am interested in the
Tudor 1926 Luna, and I have my name listed in case it becomes available. I don't like the salesman there. He must have worked with
Rolex before working at Tudor.
And of course, went to
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I started this blog while sipping a (hot)
Spanish Latte.
Then, walked to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass. I was able join the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
It is more of us thanking Him rather than God being grateful to us.
Increase our faith. For faith is our response for His love to us. If we are faithful to God, e are thankful to Him.
Faith must be nurtured by obeying His commandments, praying to Him.
After the Mass, we will be going to my brother's wake. Edgar's family is with him as they, too, wanted to go to the wake.
Ever since I have been going to the wake, I never touched any food. It is one of the ways for you to be (preternaturally) infected. The mother of my brother's second wife has a
manggagamot friend.
Leaving the wake, we passed by
Mang Inasal with my brother's first wife who we would be dropping off in her house for our very late dinner.
Preternatural? Every night, I have been going to
St. Peter Chapels at
Sucat, Parañaque for my brother's wake. But something odd happened on a Friday. Two (2) near accidents while we are on our way. First is the motorcycle while we are waiting for the traffic light to turn green. Upon "go" signal, instead of going straight, the motorcycle turned to our lane before moving on--we could have hit that rider. The second is the car who can't wait for the passengers from a jeepney to alight that the driver immediately swerved to our lane. We were able to stop a few inches from the car. My eyes grew big while trying to press the brake--as a passenger. I've been praying all throughout this trip. It is said that witches' or
mangkukulam's power is strong every Tuesday and Friday, most specially Fridays. And they do their one hour
oracion starting 6PM. I leave the office to St. Peter Chapel at 6PM, which is usually an hour, or 1 1/2 hour travel.
Labels: Chromebook, coffee, food, mall, Mass, rosary, shopping, wake
