First Saturday of March 2026
I observe the First Saturday devotion. Since it is also grocery day, I would have to leave earlier so that I would be the first in the queue for confession. Left with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
It was easy to find a parking slot. Doing groceries is also a breeze as there are still a few customers. After paying our purchases, left Edgar, the driver, to bring home our purchases while I proceeded to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.
I was the third in the queue for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The priest was not yet in the confessional when I arrived. Prayed the Act of Reparation for the first Saturdays of the month before queuing.
After the confession, did a fifteen minute meditation of the Ascension of the Lord.
I was able to finish my morning prayers and join the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Lawrence.
The reading from Micah is a prayer to God as a forgiving Father and for us to put our trust in Him. God’s mercy is always greater than our stubbornness. He shows delight in showing compassion to us.
In the Gospel, Jesus shows us the different movements of the human heart:
Young son. We desire freedom without responsibility. Life in our own terms. Eventually, self-centered life makes us hungry. The young son is also hopeful—courage to return.
Older brother. He did what was expected of him but eventually he became resentful. Outwardly close to God. Pride in our heart. We become judgmental towards others. Mercy we receive from God is mercy others may need from us.
Father. He goes out to his children.
The parable reminds us that we see ourselves either on the two sons. The good news, God is the same.
After the Mass, I visited the Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. Lunch is at the Food Center of the department store. It is also here where I bought items needed for the wedding I would be attending--shoes, bag, knee-hi stocking.
Bought USB-C to Lightning cable. I was able to buy hair clips with "pearls" at Broadway Gems.
Walked back 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. Joel.
The well is the place where people talk, exchange news, gossip, etc. But that well became the salvation of the Samaritan woman when she conversed with Jesus.
God will satisfy our deepest thirst. He is our living water.
After the Mass, I went to The Landmark Supermarket to buy fruits (oranges and strawberries) for my niece. She has had a fever since Wednesday. She said she no longer has a fever and colds. She still has coughs.
Then I went to
Pancake House at
Glorietta to buy food-to-go for my niece. While the food is being prepared, went to
Pinkerton Ice Cream. I was curious about this. Tried their ice cream in taco. Not bad.
Returned to Pancake House to pick-up the food.
We then passed by my niece's condo to bring her her food and fruits. She said she no longer has a fever but when I touched her, I think she is still hot/ warm.
Home.
First Friday of March 2026
It is the first Friday of March and I would be attending the noon Mass. Left around 10 AM with my black Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I was dropped off at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.
I was able to pray my Precious Blood of Jesus chaplet and joined the community to pray the Rosary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The message is that even if you kill the messenger, the message will still continue.
Jealousy kills. Joseph was planned to be killed by his brother; Jesus by the Pharisees.
The Gospel symbolizes the plan of God for us. The vineyard is the world or the church. The owner is God. The son is Jesus. The tenant are the Pharisees and Sadducees, even us.
With stewardship, you must recognize who the owner is. Be responsible what is given to us. Be accountable to what we did.
Our gifts are grace--we should not use it as a disgrace.
I have the double wrap rosaries which I purchased online at Crux Invicta blessed after the Mass.
Passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. Also, started looking for a bra with see through straps which I will be using for the wedding. I was able to buy the strap at The Landmark and the bra (for my size) at SM Makati.
For lunch, I tried grilled squid rings of Mesa Steak Sizzlers at Glorietta's Food Choices. For dessert, yogurt at Red Mango.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, rosary
Luxe Duty Free
I still am allowed to go to Duty Free. This time, it will be at Luxe Duty Free at the Mall of Asia grounds.
My niece should have been with me; but she got fever. Thus, instead of leaving around 9 AM, left nearly 10 AM. I wore my Chopard Happy Sport 30mm automatic, Lucent Steel Diamonds on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Arrived before its opening of 11 AM. Instead of waiting for it to be open, decided to have an early lunch at SM Mall of Asia.
While Edgar, the driver, was parking the car, went to National Bookstore to buy notebooks. I advised Edgar to let his son, a nursing student, to take their (Edgar and Bing) blood pressure every day and record it. So, bought two notebooks which they can use.
Then, we had our lunch at Max's.
Finishing our lunch, we then proceeded again to Luxe Duty Free. Unlike the Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall, it has fewer choices for chocolates or snack foods, no electronics, no supermarket. Otherwise, most of the items here can be found at DFP Fiestamall.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, mall, shopping
Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall
We have 48 hours after landing in order to shop at Duty Free Philippines. So, I went to Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall to buy a eau de toilette tax free.
Left the condo around 9:30 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
Before, I recall, there would be lots of people at Duty Free, queuing during registration. Oddly, as soon as I arrived, I was able to register immediately.
My choices for the eau de toilette are:
I was able to buy the Bulgari.
We then proceeded to Glorietta where I had lunch at MAiSEN at Food Choices, bought pearl earrings (on sale) at F&C Jewelry which I will use for the wedding, visited Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel, and bought storage box at The Landmark.
Passed by my former office to give my pasalubong. Also got the Christmas gift sent to me by my friend in Austratlia as well as the wedding invitation.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, mall, shopping
Day 6: Japan
Last day here in Japan. We will be picked-up around 6 AM to be brought to the Kansai International Airport (KIX).
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| Kansai International Airport |
Everything is smooth. In spite of the delayed departure, we still arrived early.
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| View of the Philippines from the plane |
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| NAIA |
Edgar, the driver, picked us up. Dropped off one my nieces at the bus station and the other at her condo.
Home.
Thank you, Lord! 🙏 Our trip is safe and enjoyable.
Labels: Chromebook, travel
Day 5: Japan (Nara)
Today, it will be fewer activities for us. It takes into consideration that we still have to pack for our return flight to the Philippines and it is predicted to rain by 6 PM. We left the hotel later than the usual. It is time to see the deer!!!
As soon as we arrived at Nara and left the train station, a few distance away is the Nara Park. I did not expect that there are so many deer! They move freely and has priority of the street (cars has to stop and wait for them to cross).
We bought food so we can feed them. These deer know how to bow. So, we (both the deer and I) bow first before I give them a treat. LOL. They slowly go near you, smelling your pockets, bags, etc. searching for food.
It is a calming experience for the deer have a calming aura--their gaze, their graceful movement.
We walked our way to the Todai-ji Temple. Todai-ji Temple is a monumental symbol of early Japanese Buddhism, reflecting the intertwining of religion and politics, and showcasing remarkable architectural achievements.
For lunch, we walked our way to the Sakura Burger. Ordered their SAKURA Blossom Oni-Tama and mango tropical juice. 👍
Crossed the street to the Higashimuki Shopping Street where the store Tabi-Ji can be found. My niece plans to buy Tabi shoes.
We then went back to Osaka, passing by Don Quixote for additional souvenir purchases. On the way back to the hotel, rain is starting. Stopped at Precious Coffee Moments to try their coffee ice cream, ordered food-to-go at McDonald's. This way, we don't have to go out again for dinner and pack at our leisure.
Labels: Chromebook, food, photography, shopping, transaction
Day 4: Japan (Kyoto)
A Sunday, we would be attending Mass at the Catholic Osaka Umeda Church. We left around 8 AM as we would be attending the English Mass at 9 AM.
We were on time as we were there before the Mass starts (which should be the case). At the end of the Mass, the congregation was asked who was their first time attending that Church. We were asked to stand up, introduce ourselves and where from. 🙏 Attending a Sunday Mass at Japan is my request to my nieces to include in our itinerary.
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| Catholic Osaka Umeda Church |
After the Mass, we went to
Blue Bottle Coffee for waffles (for me) and coffee (for my nieces).
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| At Blue Bottle Coffee |
Again, we would be going to Kyoto (via train and lots of walking). This time, we would be visiting the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Tenryu-ji Temple.
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| Togetsu-kyo Bridge |
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| View from Togetsu-kyo Bridge |
The Togetsukyo Bridge ("Moon Crossing Bridge") is the iconic 155-meter, 400-year-old landmark of Kyoto's Arashiyama district. Spanning the Katsura River, it serves as a premier, year-round scenic spot for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. It is historically significant for its Heian-period origins (836), traditional design, and role as a, cultural symbol of Kyoto.
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| Togetsuzen of Arashiyama Yoshiumra |
We took photos as we walked through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
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| Arashiyama Bamboo Grove |
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| A rickshaw |
We entered the Tenryu-ji Temple, exploring its Sogenchi Garden. Tenryu-ji, a top-ranked UNESCO World Heritage site in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is best known for its 14th-century Sogenchi Garden, the powerful "Cloud Dragon" painting in the Hatto Hall, and traditional Zen architecture. Visitors can also experience authentic shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine), tranquil temple halls, and direct access to the famous Bamboo Grove.
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| Cherry Blossoms at Sogenchi Garden |
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| Camella |
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| Tenryu-ji Temple |
On the way to the train station, we stopped at
Kumonocha Cafe to rest a bit and tried the food they offer.
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| At Kumunocha Cafe |
At Osaka, we went back first to our hotel to rest before having our dinner.
You can dip the meat in the Wasabi or in the soy sauce (or both) before further grilling the meat to your liking. The side dishes can be added to the rice while you eat. It also has a warabi mochi for dessert.
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| At Gyukatsu Motomura |
Passed by Don Quijote for more souvenirs before going back to our hotel.
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, photography, travel
