Jute Bag
I am supposed to deposit a check on Thursday and was looking for a small bag to carry. I used to have a jute bag which I used to bring to the office but it tore. Replaced with a Lacoste tote bag. But I guess I needed a smaller one.
So, as an excuse, I would buy medicines, pens, and the jute bag.
I was dropped off at Mercury Drug at The Link. I was hoping to avail the Mercury Drug and Unilab partnership promo. Unfortunately, the Unilab system is being updated and is down. Decided not to buy the medicines yet.
Went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. That's when I noticed a relic below the image of Mary, Mother of Hope.
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| Stone from the site of the Apparition of Our Lady of Hope |
Next are the pens. Went to the National Bookstore to check for Parker IM rollerball pen, Lamy Joy, and Lamy Swift rollerball pen. It is either not available or it did not catch my eye.
Went to Lamy Concept Store where I was able to buy a Lamy Joy calligraphy pen and Swift rollerball pen.
And for lunch, initially, I was thinking of eating at Nanyang. But since Yakiniku Like!!! has a few customers yet, decided to eat here.
After, I proceeded to Muji to buy the jute bag. When I saw that there are jute bags with embroidery, ask the saleslady if there are blank ones or if I can have my name embroidered. That's when they directed me to the second floor where I can have the bag embroidered. Nice! And I only need to wait for 30 minutes.
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| Embroidered Jute bag with wrapped handle |
Then, home.
Labels: Chromebook, Church, food, mall, shopping
First Saturday of January 2026
Grocery day. It is also the first Saturday of January and of year 2026. I would have to leave the condo early in order to complete my Saturday devotion. Left with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
We were supposed to leave at 8:15 AM since the supermarket opens at 8:30 AM. Left at 9 AM. In spite of it, there are a lot of parking spaces available. And there are also few customers. Thus, we were able to finish doing the grocery shopping in a breeze. Paid for our purchases and left Edgar, the driver, to bring them home.
I walked my way to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Greenbelt chapel has daily confession. For Saturdays, it starts at 10 AM. The priest is still not there. I am second in the queue.
Takeaway from the confessor: He mentioned Rizal Day, a day before the last day of the year. You do not need to die to be a hero. By being the best in your job, tasks or role, you become a hero.
Saturday devotion includes Act of Reparation, confession, 15 minute meditation of one mystery of the rosary (I meditated on the Crucifixion), prayed the rosary (I joined the community in praying the rosary), and communion.
The Mass presider is Fr. Jobine. Today happens to be his ordination anniversary.
John the Baptist reminds us that we are children of God. John points us to Jesus with humility and faithfulness.
God has not given up on us. God's love is unconditional.
After the Mass, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. Bought some items in the department store before proceeding to its food center for lunch.
I wanted to have a complete set of Lamy Safari of different colors of fountain pens with fine and medium nibs, and rollerball. Bought the Lamy rollerball at The National Bookstore and have it engraved at The Lamy Concept Store.
And of course, stayed at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to start blogging.
Around 3 PM, I walked my way back to Greenbelt Chapel. I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.
The three wise men. What is the difference between intelligent and wise. A man can be wise but not intelligent, or intelligent but not wise, or both intelligent and wise. The intelligent person always pursues knowledge and information. The wise always pursue the truth. The wise understand what was left unsaid.
So, why wise men?
- They saw the star--they allowed themselves to be guided by the star. Open our eyes with the true meaning of Christmas. Courage. Clarity of vision.
- They sought the meaning of the star. They discerned and saw extraordinary in the ordinary.
- They shifted gears. They did not go back to Herod (representing the past). Life must be lived forward but understood backwards.
- They stopped and worshiped the Child. Humility. Generosity not only with presents but with their presence.
Look up. Look inward. Look forward.
After the Mass, I bought a case at The Landmark to put the cleaning "tools" for my fountain pens, Lapid's chicharon at The Landmark Food Center, and retrieved by packages at the package counter.
My niece happens to be at the mall, too, and she's going to ride with us on her way home. Since she has not yet finished her business, decided to stroll while waiting for her. Was hoping to buy the boode chige of Kaya Express at Glorietta 4's Food Choices. Not sure if it closed shop or just close due to the holiday break. Because of it, I bought cookies at Mo' Cookies instead.
Then, home after dropping my niece at her condo.
Labels: Chromebook, Church, food, grocery, mall, rosary, shopping, tea
First Friday of January 2026
I would leave the condo around 10:30 AM to attend the 12:15 PM Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Left wearing my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I as able to finish my morning prayers, Divine Mercy Chaplet, a decade of St. Gertrude Chaplet, and joined the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
It is being asked who John the Baptists represented--the Christ, the Elijah or the Prophet (Moses). He can easily choose any of the choices being mentioned; but in humility. he is clear on his role.
Each one of us has a role and our task is to fill that role. The Church is like a body, and yeah part of the body has its own role.
As far as God is concerned, all charisms are equal. We should find out charism.
We tend to dictate to God--being god In front of God. Discern.
After the Mass, had lunch at Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Enjoyed my meal. Ordered their Sinigang sa Batwan Bangus Belly (PhP337.00) and Turon ala Mode (PhP119.00).
I wanted to have a broad nib fountain pen. Thus, went to National Bookstore where I was able to buy a brown Pilot Vanishing Point. Then, I cancelled the one I ordered last week via Lazada.
And talking about Lazada, my mini-washing machine broke down; thus, I bought one as replacement while it was still a 1-1 sale. 😆
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, rosary
Day 1 of 2026
I would be attending the 10:30 AM Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. Just like on Christmas day, I left the condo around 9 AM. On my left wrist is my Rado Captain Cook Automatic 37 mm, and my Apple watch on my right.
Arrived late for the 9 AM Mass but very early for the 10:30 AM Mass. So sat at the park within the hearing distance of the chapel. I was able to finish my morning prayers. When I heard the priest giving his blessing, walked back to the chapel.
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| Greenbelt |
I was able to join the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Boogie.
There are three events being celebrated today: new year, International Day of Peace, and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
What is certain is the changing of the year; but what is uncertain is what will happen in the new year. Is there a change in character with the change of the year?
Let Mama Mary accompany you and lead you to Jesus:
- Fiat of Mary. Mary has so many things in her mind but she still gave her fiat. As long you follow the will of God, He will make a way for us.
- Magnificat of Mary. It is the hymn or song of thanksgiving. God is the source of all blessings.
- Mary stood with Jesus. In spite of the challenge of life and death, Mary stood at the foot of the cross. She followed Jesus up the last breath of her Son.
My niece also has business at the mall. So we agreed to meet for lunch at Yakiniku Like at Glorietta. Since the shop she is supposed to pick-up her item will open at 12 noon, told her to have our lunch first. We were the first to be seated. LOL
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| Prime Karubi & Misuji Set, Cheese (have it melted to dip the cooked meat) |
We parted ways after eating. My niece will be going to Muji then Power Mac while I'll be going to The Landmark. After completing our business, will drop her at her condo before going home.
Of course, I passed first at Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel before buying the item in my list. The other item is not available. Or, it is available but since the saleslady for the item was not there (the saleslady of another brand is the one who assisted me) I am not able to purchase it. Next time.
Home.
