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.
<insert homily>
I have the double wrap rosaries which I purchased online at Crux Invicta blessed.
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
Day 3: Japan (Kyoto)
Our Day 3, my nieces would be bringing me to Kyoto to visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and the Hanami-koji Street. The latter in hope to catch a (real) Geisha.
Today, I would also be experiencing riding Japan's public bus. My nieces arranged that we take the train and the bus.
We walked our way to these landmarks. It is an uphill walk. The area has several stores--food stalls, souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.
On the way up, we paused for a snack. I tried a vanilla and matcha ice cream at Kyoto Kiyomizu Chigiriya.
We also stopped by Yuzen where I was able to buy chopsticks and have my name engraved on them. We will pick up the engraved chopsticks later.
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| Yuzen |
We wanted to try Starbucks there because of the experience of drinking your coffee differently--while on the floor. But the coffee shop is full. It also has a different facade which matches with the area.
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| Starbucks |
Took several photos near the Houkanji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda.
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| Yasaka Pagoda |
For lunch, we ate at Ninenzaka Kamanza. I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. 👍 It is also here where I tried using chopsticks. My niece taught me how.
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| Ninenzaka Kamanza |
We then went back to Yuzen to pick-up our engraved chopsticks before proceeding to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, stopping from time to time to check stores and/ or buy items like in
Kuroroku.
We entered the temple grounds and took several photos.
On our way out, there was a group of ladies donning the Geisha attire. Many people flocked around them and took photos.
Our next destination is the Hanami-koji Street where you can find real Geisha if you would be able to catch them. We walked our way there, stopping at Starbucks to refresh after all that walking.
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| Hanami-koji Street |
We then went back to our hotel to rest a bit before having our dinner.
For dinner, we went to
Fukutaro. When we arrived at the restaurant, there were already people waiting outside to be seated. We ordered their Negiyaki Mixed (pork, shrimp, squid) and Okonomiyaki Beef. 👍
Back to the hotel.
Labels: Chromebook, food, photography, travel
