Online Marketing

Any day is a good day to start a blog. Been away for ages! But I thought resuscitating my website for additional online spaces to share a growing culture is timely. This pandemic is really a challenging time. Why? There had never been a time like this before!

This blogspot was started in 2014. I opened an account in Youtube in the same year. Facebook was way ahead. I also made an account with Instagram, Linked In, Google+ Twitter and Skype. You name them! Every new account I made was actually preparing me for now. Seven years in the making. And here we are in the new  era of Online Marketing. During this pandemic, we were locked down and we had to find solutions fast. We cannot mess with the deadly virus. And so, online shops began to mushroom. Delivery service such as Grab and Foodpanda became a trend and online marketing was born. Today, we see the biggest advertisers such as Shoppee and Lazada, Amazon and E-bay skyrocketing in their sales. G-Cash, Alipay, Shoppee Pay  became our mode of money transfer and payment. We're also banking online. Boom! We're facing a new era. 

Education has no less  become online. Friendships are nourished with online games simply because our kids cannot see each other. Virtual is the next best thing!  Hey, don;t get me wrong! Those relationships which they started from childhood are still strong and growing stronger everyday. Our faith has made a quantum leap into the tubes as well. Look at how we attend the Eucharistic Celebrations. How else, but online, of course. That doesn't make our faith any weaker. On the contrary we have decided to remain faithful.

Personally, this pandemic is an eye-opener. I've been reaching and teaching more or less 40 kids in the classrooms while youtubers are reaching millions. When I opened my channel in 2014, I thought I was there only as a viewer. I never thought that I could create my own content as I do today. I may still be a newbie as a creator but it took a pandemic to make me start seriously. Little by little my subscribers are growing. I am reaching people more than I do inside the classroom.

It may take awhile before I can be monetized but online marketing has opened a new possibility. In fact, many are claiming Online Marketing as a very promising and untapped resource. It's actually like the gold rush! We'll see  what we can do and what we can discover in the coming days. God

 

Magsungay River

Did you know that Bacolod started as a small village near Magsungay River? It became known as San Sebastian de Magsunggay when the Spanish missionaries put the small village under the protection of St. Sebastian.

According to Fr. Cuesta, a Spanish Recollect historian and as quoted by Mr. Modesto Sa-onoy, our local historian, this settlement can be traced back from 1500s. History books are consistent in mentioning the existence of Magsungay when there was no Bacolod, yet. Mr. Saonoy quoted 1777 as the year when the relics of San Sebastian was donated to the visita, that is, a small mission dependent upon Bago. So, Bago predated Bacolod. 

Next time, I would like to photograph, the same River a little further inland where it will be called Lupit River near San Antonio Abad Church. The same sources mentioned the occurence of the bloodiest battle in 1787 when Moro raiders in 12 and a half vintas attacked them at 4:00 in the morning. So, that means 18 vintas of blood thirsty pirates attacked them before the break of day. Hundreds of Taga-Ilogs died in the attack. Their women were raped and almost all of the houses were either burned down or looted.

Lupit River winds up at the back of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos and I intend to follow this river trek up to that bridge near the Bacolod City High School and towards the New Government Center where the river is said to be called Ngalan River. Well, not through the river, of course. Sorry but it's not clean, anymore. I will just do it by land. Okay? 

Seriously, I want this river cleaned up and turned into a Historic tourist attraction for the City of Smiles, Bacolod. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1143030969069978&set=pcb.1143032159069859&type=3

St. Michael de Archangel Parish Church in Argao, Cebu

 

The marker does not bear the National Historical Commission's Mark.

Marker in marble reads:

The construction of this beautiful Baroque Rococo Church was begun in 1734 - a year after the parish was established by the Augustinian Order and was completed in 1788.

On the Bicentenary of her completion specifically from September 29 1987 until September 29, 1988 the feastday of St. Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of Argao, the Argawanons, thru the Argao Parish Bicentenary Commission headed by Hilario C. Davide, Jr., restored her and her premises to their original beauty and grandeur - in gratitude to their forebears who built her. In thanksgiving to God for the countless blessings he showered and continues to shower upon them. As an expression of the constancy of their love for Our Lady and their devotion to their Patron Saint and Protector, and as their spiritual gift to the generations yet to come.

The feastday was fittingly climaxed by a pontifical Mass with His Eminence Ricardo D. Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu as  the Main Celebrant.

Installed this 29th day of September in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight.

St. Michael the Archangel Church in Argao is beautiful. It is something that the Argawanons can be really proud of. I appreciate their love for the Church. I'm sure the restoration of their Parish Church cost them a lot but their generosity is indeed remarkable. The result is a fitting legacy and living testimony of your fervor.

A story of how they happened to make "torta", a local delicacy made of flour, eggs and sugar have been faithfully circulated. They said they've been using the egg whites for the construction of the church walls, putting stone upon stone using egg whites as adhesive. And what with the eggyolks? They started using them to make torta. It's a folk story, so we can no longer trace the original author. Thanks to people who have been retelling this story, 

Carcar

Facade of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Life-sized statues of the apostles around St. Catherine's

Carcaranons must be very industrious persons. To think of making ampao, a delicacy made of sweetened puffed rice sometimes drizzled with peanuts. They also make chicharon, banana and camote chips. Their shoe making industry have flourished and supplied neighboring islands with spadrilles, sandals and other footwear. 

They're friendly, hospitable, courteous and honest people. I have observed that with those who attended us at the mall, at the restaurant, the tricycle driver who brought us around, as well as the Innkeeper at the Pension House where we spent the night.  Going around the city made me feel at home right away. It was a simple and peaceful place.

The Church of Carcar was dedicated to their Patron Saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria, a fourth century martyr of the faith. She was martyred for her philosophical  defense of the Christian Faith. Now she is considered as the patron saint of science, students, and teachers.The Church Architectural design is one of a kind. It's not common to find Eastern Orthodox style of architecture in the Philippines. Seeing the Church of Carcar will make you feel like you are in the land of Alladin and Disney Princess, Jasmin. 

Carcar Museum

The Carcar Museum was originally a Dispensary where the cholera victims were treated during the outbreak. It's an American Era Wooden building with two floors. How I love the woodwork intricately designed like the dainty white lace or crocheted white bedspread.

When we first had the ocular visit, it was clean up day at the museum and we were not allowed to go to the second floor. I was so intrigued by what the museum curator told me. She said, the table where the Leon Kilat plot was hatched was displayed upstairs. At that time, I barely knew Leon Kilat. I googled everything I could to know about him, especially because he was from Negros Island.

I was transported through the "google wayback" to the time of Pantaleon Villegas and the people behind the plot. I saw what an able fighter he was. He was precisely called Leon for his bravery and Kilat for his lightning skills. He learned magic from Cebu because he used to perform in the circus there. He was legendary for his speed and fighting skills. I do not want to mention now the names of those responsible. I became emotional: moved to tears, angered and felt patriotic. Later, my heart found a way to understand the plight of those Filipinos who plotted against Leon's life. Imagine, he was a highly able General of the Katipunan, who won against the Spanish troops in Cebu. As the Spaniards regrouped themselves and called for reinforcement from Manila, Leon Kilat went to Carcar to meet with his friends in order to plan further for Philippine Independence. He was welcomed by his Carcaranon friends with a banquet. He ate and drank that night of Holy Thursday, just like Jesus. That very night, they killed him with their own hands, afraid of Spanish retaliation. So, at dawn of Good Friday, they hanged him at the center of town so people would see that he was dead. They wanted to prove to the Spaniards that they were not supportive of whatever Leon was fighting for. Now, the Carcaranons have placed Leon Kilat's Monument astride his horse to redeem themselves.

In Carcar, Judas' statue was placed away from the church. It was standing alone near the convento. My reflection was, any one of us can be a Judas if we are not careful. Oh, the complications of the human heart. May St. Catherine of Alexandria help us pray to God for purity and faithfulness to God.

In case you do not know, the second Bishop of  Bacolod, Monsigneur Manuel Yap was a son of Carcar. They have also the Servant of God, Monsigneur Camomot who has founded so many Diocesan Congregations of Sisters to aid the Church. Our very own Blessed Virgin Missionaries of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or BVMC and Sisters of the Rural Mission were founded by him. Thank you, Carcar.

Palm Sunday 2015

Tomorrow, March 29, 2015 will be Palm Sunday. It is the start of Holy Week. We bring Palm branches to  Church to be blessed, intended for our home altars. How do we prepare our palm branches? Do we make them or do we buy them?

According to the Catholic tradition and transfer of faith that was handed to me, the palm branches represent our welcome for Christ into our lives. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a a donkey and he was given a king's welcome. They were waiting for a Messiah and they were filled with high hopes it was going to be Jesus. They thought Jesus will be another King David for them; someone who will deliver them from their enemies, the Romans.    

Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday. The Gospel read on this day is the Passion Narrative and the Priest wears red vestments. Passion Sunday readings set the tone for the whole Holy Week.We need to prepare ourselves for another Paschal experience in our lives. Jesus showed us the way and everyday we experience suffering, death and resurrection. We're not aliens to the Paschal experience. We are in fact, so at home with it. We may not naturally like the little and big pains we undergo in life but each time we experience pain, we look forward to deliverance, we look forward to the resurrection.

May Holy Week 2015 bring us to greater depths in our spiritual journey.May we experience a happier Easter and a more meaningful Christian Life this year.

Patrocinio de Maria, Boljoon, Cebu

Boljoon Church Complex

Visiting an Ecclesiastical Heritage Site like the Boljoon Church Complex was very enriching. It was good to know that several hundreds of years ago, this place near the sea was occupied by settlers most probably from Borneo. Gold necklaces, bracelets, a lone ear piece such as one worn by a chieftain like Humabon and Lapu-lapu were found there. Human remains were found in the area. A young tour guide assigned by the museum curator explained to us how the human skeletons were found. He said it was not exactly a graveyard as we understand it today. It was believed that people of long ago buried their dead under their homes, He said, if they were buried elsewhere, their spirits will not be at rest according to their common belief.  There must have been a village in that area before the Spaniards came. He explained further that women were buried  with pots or Chinese porcelain because women were related to the preparation of food. Men, on the other hand were buried with hands and arms crossed over their chest with  farming tools over the head.

With the coming of the Spanish Missionaries, a big Church was built and the people seemed to welcome the Christian faith. The vast Church Complex included the Church of Patrocinio de Maria which means Patronage of Mary. It has a seating capacity of more or less 500 persons. In my calculations, there were about 25 pews on the left and another 25 pews on the right which can sit about 10 regular person per pew.The Convento was huge. The walls were super thick and were constructed from the limestone which must have been cut from the mountain near the area.The Museum was located at the ground-floor of the Convento and the Guide explained that during Moro Raids, the Parish Priest passed through an escape passage which he showed us. There was a big open area in front of the church and at the left side 

El Gran Baluarte was located much further near the sea. According to the marker I read near the building it was the largest extant Spanish watchtower in the Philippines built by Fr. Julian Bermejo, OSA in 1808. According to the marker, it was the main fortress in the vast church complex's fortification. The marker pointed out that during the height of the Moro Raids, the structure served as Fr. Bermejo's command center in his elaborate defense of the Visayan seas. (This portion was not part of our museum tour. After dispersal from our museum tour, I saw this building from afar and I run to take a picture. Then, I discovered the marker where I got the info I wrote above.) The marker even added that the basement was used as a prison and that there was a mural painting made by the prisoners themselves at the same basement of the watchtower.

I found the Escuela Catolico. It was an old wooden building with two big staircases. It was built in 1909 so it was a later addition. I would have gone inside if not for the limited time. I could imagine St. Pedro Calungsod with his companion catechists being instructed there before being sent to the Marianas. If I was not aware that he was martyred in Guam many centuries back, I would have believed my imagination. Who would know for certain what took place in these sacred grounds of history or herstory? If only the walls can tell what really happened then. Now, imagination is the only limit. Why don't the Historical Commission reconstruct this Spanish Village? The residents can dress up like they were in the Spanish Era like the way they preserved Fort Santiago. Perhaps more tourists and pilgrims will be interested to come and film makers will make historical movies shoot here.

The original records found in the museum are in bad state because of the humidity. There are no air conditioning units to cool the place and preserve the museum pieces. The steel trusses they placed on the ceiling must be removed to restore the beauty and grandeur of the painted ceiling. The paintings that were stolen from the old pulpit must be replaced to restore the aesthetics. More pilgrims should come to visit Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu.

Importance of Research

For Academic Institutions to thrive and flourish, it is important to go into research. If all we did in the past was finish our Master Thesis and even attempted a dissertation, that will not do today. We challenge ourselves to work on Studies that will help improve our teaching and assure the growth and development of our students.

The challenge is upon us and we gladly embrace it. With God, nothing is impossible. With the spirit of St. Augustine who loved knowledge so much and made it as the scaffolding of love, I will push myself to the limits and vow to maximize the gifts the Lord has given me. Amen.

So, where do we start? 

1. Find a problem

2. Review Related Literature

3. Clarify Methodologies to be used in the study

4. Conduct the Study

5.. Draw the Conclusions

6. Make the Proposals

7. GROW

Reading and writing go hand in hand. Academic life is such. We cannot give what we do not have. So, in order to give better, let's have more. Really, life is so simple! 

The Gate

Gospel according to John  

John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. And will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

So many would want to lead but with ulterior motives. Only Jesus led with the end view of giving us life and giving it more abundantly as the Gospel tells us. Why are positions of power so attractive? Simple, they give us opportunities of enriching ourselves. No wonder so many would like to run for office: be it in the national or local level. And it is always with the wrong intentions. It takes a lot of honesty to accept that our services are tainted with selfishness and ambition: reason why, in the Church, an ambitious priest could never become a bishop. In the Church, only those who are humble and would never want positions of power are given power. Quite a paradox, don't you think?

This 2016, let us watch out for those who would run for elections. May this Gospel reading be our guide in choosing our future leaders. It is unfortunate how we were deceived by thieves and robbers! As early as today, let us study each prospective candidate and pray for light and guidance. 

And because it is Mothers' Day today, we need not look any further but on our own mothers for a good example of self-sacrificing love and service. To all the mothers in the world, HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY. May you teach your children to choose to be brave! 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The best preparation for Holy Week is a good Confession. They say, there are few people who go to Confession, nowadays. I don't think so. In fact, I have gone to Confession today and there were six priests hearing Confessions. Each Confessional Box had a long line of Penitents.Penitents are persons who are sorry for their sins and are willing to go to Confession. With contrite hearts they are willing to do penance and have a strong resolve to amend or change their lives. 

If you have observed, the things I mentioned above are all found in the Act of Contrition. Let us highlight each resolve a penitent should have based on the Act of Contrition: 1. to confess my sins; 2. to do penance 3. to amend my life.Recall that the Act of Contrition tells God how sorry we are for our sins: "O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins..." Why should we hate all our sins? The Act of Contrition tells us clearly that the reason why we should detest all our sins:is because of that dread that we shall  lose heaven and we fearfully anticipate the unimaginable pains of hell. But most of all because I have offended you, O my God who art all good and deserving of all my love." So, it's not merely because we are afraid of hell. Well, are you not afraid of the sufferings hell would bring? We've had enough sufferings here on earth. Do you still want more in the next life? No way! But that's not the most important reason. It says "most of all because I have offended You, O my God. Yes, my God who is all good. Yes, my God who is most worthy of all my love. All, meaning not half but all. 

After confessing or telling our sins to the priest, there is another thing we need to do. We have to do penance. Penance is the satisfaction or peace offering for our sins. It is not enough and it will never be enough to pay for the sins we have committed. It is Christ's death on the Cross that paid the full price for our sinfulness Nevertheless, it shows our sincerity to do everything we can to reconcile with Him. 

Reconciliation with God does not stop in confession and doing penance. The last component is a change of heart or continuous conversion. We call this the purpose of amendment. For some, doing good and living an ordered life is a form of penance. Indeed, it is a good way of doing penance. It is also a way of amending one's life.

If you have not yet gone to Confession, you still have next week. Remember, the schedule for Confession at San Sebastian Cathedral is at 4;30 pm every Saturday.    

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday will be on April 13, 2014. That will be next week. Palm Sunday marks the end of Lent. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week.On Palm Sunday we commemorate Jesus' triumphal entrance to Jerusalem. People welcomed him bearing palm branches in their hands. They even put palm branches on the ground where his donkey walked. What a grand welcome! But the same people who welcomed him on Palm Sunday, were the same people who rejected him and shouted crucify him on Good Friday.

Human nature is such that we sometimes do things we don't fully understand. Don't get disheartened when you experience this. We experience acceptance and rejection on a daily basis. Don't take things personally. Usually, when people do not understand you, it is simply because they are going through something. That something is just temporary. Nothing is constant in this world. One day you are the best of friends, the next day, the exact opposite. We go through a process that only God understands. It's all up to us to cooperate.

I remembered how we used to celebrate Palm Sunday in the Formation House. We prepared special food on Palm Sunday. It was our way of telling Jesus, that if in Jerusalem they welcomed him without giving him food to eat, here in our community, Jesus can eat a hearty meal. Actually, the idea behind that practice was the reliving of the Bethany experience. Bethany is the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary where Jesus was always welcomed so hospitably. They were Jesus' best friends.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross is another good Holy Week practice. It can be done any day for those who'd want to meditate on the passion and death of Christ, but most appropriately for the Holy Week especially on Good Friday. It's a very good way of meditating upon the last few hours Jesus spent on earth. There are many versions, so far, for this devotion. Many still keep the Traditional Stations of the Cross. Pope John Paul II introduced changes by going back to what was written in the Gospels. He tried to do away with Stations not found in the Gospels like Veronica wipes the face of Jesus as is shown in the picture above. The Scriptural Version was introduced by Pope John Paul II in 1991 and approved by Pope Benedict XVI for public celebrations in 2007. 

What are the differences and similarities between the two Stations of the Cross? I've put them side by side for comparison. 

Traditional Form                                                       Scriptural Form

1. Jesus is condemned to death                                 1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

2. Jesus carries His cross                                          2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and
                                                                                      arrested   

3. Jesus falls the first time                                          3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin

4. Jesus meets his mother                                          4. Jesus is denied by Peter

5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His              5. Jesus is judged by Pilate

    Cross
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus                           6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with
                                                                                    thorns

7. Jesus falls the second time                                     7. Jesus takes up his cross

8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem                     8. Jesus is helped by Simon to carry his
                                                                                    cross

9. Jesus falls a third time                                        9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem                       10. Jesus is stripped of His clothes                            10. Jesus is crucified

11. Jesus is nailed to the cross                                  11. Jesus promises his kingdom to the
                                                                                      repentant thief

12. Jesus dies on the cross                                       12. Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each
                                                                                      other.

13.. Jesus is taken down from the cross                    13. Jesus dies on the cross 

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.                                     14. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Read more about the Stations of the Cross by clicking the link below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stations_of_the_cross

VISITA IGLESIA #KAKAIBA

St. Therese Shrine is located at Newport, Metro Manila. This was the first structure erected in the area before all the other world class buildings in the Resorts World and the Mega World Global in front of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III. This is the seat of the Military Ordinary of the Philippines.

If this is where our Military Ordinary resides, you would ask why of all Saints, they have chosen a young woman and a contemplative nun for a Patroness. Why did they not choose a valiant soldier like Saint Sebastian, for example who was a martyr of the faith? Or may be Saint Ignatius of Loyola for that matter? There are many reasons running through my mind why they chose St. Therese as the Patron Saint of our Military. Unless we ask the very person or persons who made the choice, we would never know the exact reason. 

For now, let us just enjoy our Visita Iglesia to the Shrine of St. Therese. I'll try to show you around. How about entering the Adoration Chapel. Here, we can pray more fervently without much distractions. It's so quiet and peaceful in here.You may ask for a special grace that your heart so desires. You know that God listens to all our prayers. Remember, he grants only those things that will bring us closer to Him. He may answer our  prayers with a yes, a no, or wait. "Man proposes, God disposes," an old adage goes. 

Oh, Lord, you know what the human heart usually asks and desires for. I heard one priest say in his homily that instead of saying "Panginoon" the Tagalog word for Lord, what we usually utter in prayer is "pahingi noon" a phrase which means "give me that". We can be greedy most of the time. Just watch the news, and you'll know what I mean. Saint Therese, help us to be more childlike and simple in our needs. Help us to let go and let God. 

After praying in the Adoration Chapel, let us now go up to the Shrine.You need to climb a few steps before you can reach the Shrine where the Eucharist is celebrated. A relic of St. Therese is found at the side altar for veneration of the devotees. Don't worry, next time I'll visit St. Therese' Shrine, I will remember to take a photograph for you. For now, let me just show you these colorful stained glass windows all over the Shrine. They are artistic depictions of St. Therese' beautiful and holy life. 

If you find these pictures beautiful, how much more if you're looking up and marveling at their enormity as you move around the Church. Reminder, please move around reverently and quietly because you are inside the Lord's House. We need to put our hats and cell phones off as we go around. The glass doors are works of art, too. They are decorated with angels and flowers. You'd  think you're already in heaven.

A shuttle bus goes around the whole district. You can take a ride for free. Isn't it amazing? Now, let's go around some more. By the way, this is no longer part of our Visita Iglesia. This is already site seeing. Do you see the Mariott Hotel in the background? That's a 6 Star Hotel included in Resorts World Manila. A hotel can only qualify for 6 Star status if it has a shopping center, theater and casino all in one place. Maxims Hotel is also included in this Mega Compound. High rise condominiums are mushrooming in this area and you would marvel at the speed they multiply. Where do people get all the money to build all these? Surely, not from the taxes I paid? Lol!

Wohoho! What do you say of this chandelier? Everything in here is grandiose, including the price tags inside each branded shop. Oh, yes, many of us can not afford them. But do you need them to be happy? I don't! It is enough to see them and make my personal observations. Hilarious! 

VISITA IGLESIA DE ILOCANDIA #THROWBACK 2012

On my way down from the Belfry Tower of Bantay Church, Ilocos Sur

It's good to explore and learn from life itself. This summer, we have time for trips and exciting adventures outside of the classrooms. There is so much to learn, places to visit and knowledge to conquer. I remembered a quote, Ms Elvie shared with me on our trip to Boracay, "The wider the shoreline of knowledge, the greater the ocean of wonder." Can you tell who said that? Sorry guys, I still need to find out. Anyway, I find it really brilliant. Don't you?

Do you know that the brick walls of Bantay Belfry Tower was put together using egg whites. They must have eaten tons of eggs to collect egg whites as much as the amount they used to put this Belfry Tower together. And do you know that FPJ as in Fernando Poe Junior jumped from this Belfry? He did that in the blockbuster movie, "Panday". He got the magic sword from this belfry. So, as I went up the belfry and as I touched the old bell, I told myself, may I get that magic sword so I could be dauntless in fighting all the evils of this life.

Belfry Tower of  Paoay Church

On trips like this, we learn not only about belfries and how they were built. We also learn history such as: Who were the persons behind there construction and reconstruction? When they were constructed and reconstructed? The earthquakes that destroyed them. It made me think of Bohol. Will the Churches destroyed in the 2013 earthquake in  Bohol stand a chance to be reconstructed? Why not? If all of these Churches and Bell Towers were built and rebuilt, that shows that life is really a process of building and rebuilding. 

Facade of Paoay Church, Ilocos 

Katipuneros and Guerilleros used the Bell Towers as observation posts in the past. Today, we use them as tourist destinations where we take selfie pictures to make a statement: "Oh yes, I was here!" Above all, we learn from history. History repeats itself. How I wish I was Mr. Peabody who has a WABAC or simply the way back machine, a time machine so we can all go back to that time when they were constructed and how the people who constructed them struggled everyday. Ahah! and maybe there were love stories, too! How exciting! As I touched the walls, they seem to communicate that they are living stones and I seem to feel the pulse of the past.

Conversion of St. Paul Cathedral, Vigan

We visited so many places that Summer of 2012. It was really a LAKBAY- ARAL. For me, it was a VISITA IGLESIA, too. Our last stop was in the Cathedral of Vigan where we could barely understand the Mass because it was in ILOCANO. So different from our own HILIGAYNON or ILONGGO dialect. We're all Filipinos but we speak different dialects. We have a common past and we share the same present. We all look forward to a better and brighter tomorrow. 

As I look up to St. Paul riding his horse in the facade of the Vigan Cathedral, I asked for my personal conversion. It made me realize how much I still needed this reconstruction. We're all saints in the making. The process may be painful but always for our good. We're like sandpaper trying to refine and polish each other so that the end result will be all for God's greater glory.

For more Visita Iglesia sites this YEAR OF THE LAITY please click the links below:

http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/religious-women/310-oar-order-of-augustinian-recollect-contemplative-nuns

http://www.cityofpines.com/catholiccathedral.html

http://home.catholicweb.com/BacolodDiocese/index.cfm

http://wowbatangas.com/destinations/churches/basilica-of-st-martin-de-tours-taal-batangas/

http://wowbatangas.com/features/latest/visita-iglesia-a-religious-expedition-in-batangas/

Visita Iglesia in Bacolod

Let us begin our Visita Iglesia from the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian in the heart of Downtown Bacolod. It is located just in front of the Bacolod City Plaza. San Sebastian Cathedral is the Seat of our Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Vicente Navarra, DD. The Church was constructed by Recollect Priest, Fray Mauricio Ferrero, OAR on April 27, 1876. I learned that he got permission from the politico-military Governor at that time to use the prisoners to transport coral stones from Guimaras Island. As an exchange deal, Fray Ferrero was supposed to build the old Provincial Jail. Imagine, prisoners of war trying to build  San Sebastian Cathedral. Yes, in the eyes of the ruling Spaniards, those Filipinos were outlaws who needed to be incarcerated. Though in chains, their hands were kept busy building this holy temple so that the people of Bacolod could come together as a community of believers.

From San Sebastian Cathedral, let us proceed to Padre Pio Chapel, right side of  the Sacred Heart Shrine. This is the latest structure found inside the Sacred Heart Seminary Compound. This new edifice, gives balance to the other chapel built at the left side of the Sacred Heart Shrine intended for Eucharistic Adoration. Padre Pio Chapel was built basically for funeral wakes providing a comfortable chapel for bereaved families. Other Sacraments like Baptism are also celebrated in this Chapel, if other chapels are not available as in the case of a wedding in the Shrine, a Mass in the Seminary Chapel, and a Baptism at Padre Pio Chapel all done simultaneously. It's good to reflect at the process of how our diocesan seminarians are being formed in this same compound. We need to pray for more vocations to the Priesthood, for their perseverance and for a solid formation so that our diocese will have good shepherds of the flock.

From Sacred Heart Shrine, let us walk towards the Oratory of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. In this Oratory, our pupils, students, teachers, staff and administrators take part in the Eucharistic Celebrations and other Liturgical Celebrations. This Oratory is a Quasi Parish which falls under the Parish of San Antonio Abad. Recollect Fathers administer the sacraments here, looking after the overall welfare of members of this academic community. Residents near the area prefer to come and attend daily or at least  Sunday Masses to celebrate the Lord's Day. In this Church, it is good to consider how children, youth and young adults are molded into becoming responsible Catholics, docile to the life of the spirit.

From the big Oratory, join me in walking through the Museum of Trees inside the Green Campus of UNO-Recoletos to the Earth Chapel, the first solar-powered Religiious Structure in the Philippines. This was constructed through the initiative of Recollect, Brother Jakosalem, OAR. In the Earth Chapel we can meditate on how we can best improve our stewardship of God's Creation. We make our pledge with St. Francis of Assisi who sung his hymn to Brother Sun and Sister Moon. We are aware of the effects of climate change. We know that we have contributed to the damage in one way or another. 

Our next stop is the Parish Church of St. Joseph the Worker at Dona Juliana Subdivision. This is a Church located in a residential area aptly named as St. Joseph the Worker. We pray that the fathers of families living in this residential community may work hard and provide for their families just as St. Joseph did for the Holy Family. We pray for mothers, too, that they may not tire to take care of their families. Like Mama Mary, may all mothers emulate the virtues of self-sacrifice and become good examples to their growing children. We pray for children and youth, that they may grow in wisdom and grace like the child Jesus.

St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Church is found in Alijis, Bacolod City. This Church was mainly a product of the generosity of former President, Joseph Ejercito Estrada and was constructed under the able leadership of former Parish Priest, Fr Felix Pasquin.St.Jude Thaddeus is a Parish Church located in an area near two major cemeteries in the City of Bacolod namely, Bacolod Memorial Park and Sanctuario de Bacolod. Due to the proximity of these two cemeteries, it is good to meditate on the end of our journey. After all is said and done, how do we face our God?

Our last and seventh Church is St. Ezekiel Moreno Moanstery Chapel. Sorry but I will still go to St Ezekiel to take a picture of our seventh Church.There are many Churches in the Diocese of Bacolod and I got photos of them. Why would I include a Monastery Church in this particular Visita Iglesia? My logic is simple, we need to include one of the power houses of prayer in this Diocese. There are actually two contemplative monasteries and community of nuns namely, the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph and that of the Recollect Monastery of St. Ezekiel: one at the northern part of the city and another at the southern portion. Prayer is a very important  component of our Christian Life. We join our prayers with those of the contemplative nuns, that we may truly accompany Jesus on the night of Holy Thursday in his Agony.

MAY HOLY WEEK 2014 BRING US PEACE AND GROWTH.

Summer Getaway

If you talk about Summer Getaways, the Philippines will offer you unlimited options. With so many shoreline all over the archipelago, you will marvel at limitless possibilities. From snorkeling, to scuba diving, to banana boating, to island hopping, or just take a plunge into the cool and refreshing waters of Bora. Basking under the sun is so pleasurable to some foreigners. Getting a good tan is an achievement for some Europeans who come to the Philippines.

Let’s zero in on Boracay Island. We started early for our trip to Boracay. There were twenty of us. From Bacolod we took a “Roro,” a boat known as roll on roll off. It was four in the morning when we left. We arrived at six am in Dumanggas in the neighboring island of Panay. From Dumanggas Warf we took two closed vans for Caticlan. The road trip took us another four hours. Then, we took a motor boat. Before lunch, we made it to beautiful Boracay.

It was my third time. The first time was when Boracay still kept its pristine beauty. That was when the tallest structure was half the height of a coconut tree. That was when backpackers put up their tents anywhere along the shore or under some shady tree to pass the night. A few restaurants were made of nipa and bamboo. The second time was with my sister, Linda and her family. We stayed at La Carmela. We occupied two adjacent rooms, I forgot which floor but, I remembered we were taking the elevator to get there. We used special cards to open the keyhole and the same card to put on the lights. We kept our valuables in vaults with numeric passwords.

Now, this trip is my third time. More hotels are being constructed. From where we stayed at Holiday Homes, we could see the Currents. It’s the latest among the Astoria Group. Sales Agents continue offering visitors to Boracay their vacation packages and Club Membership. Megaworld Global Estate, Inc. offers Boracay Newcoast. They dub their site development plan as the exciting new face of Boracay. So, now, Boracay is a resort island on its way to becoming a world class tourist destination.  

Annunciation

Happy Feastday, Mama Mary. Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This was the day when the Archangel Gabriel announced that you'll become the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. You accepted. Your fiat, your YES made the Incarnation possible.  And the WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us. 

The Annunciation is the key to the Incarnation. Without your generous YES, God will never force humankind to accept his REDEMPTION, his SALVATION. He created us without our consent but he will save us ONLY IF WE WANT HIM TO. He gave us freedom to decide for ourselves.This freedom is what makes our human lives so beautiful. If we truly understand the beauty of this authentic freedom, it will bring us SALVATION. 

Mama Mary, please help our young people and all of us discover this authentic freedom. We must be responsible for every choice we make. You were young when you accepted God's proposal, and your YES was lived every minute, every second of your life: when you conceived Jesus; when you faced the consequences of  your pregnancy; when you gave birth to your son, Jesus; when he was growing up; when he went away preaching; when Jesus was arrested and most of all when he was dying on the cross to save us all. May we have the same courage and generosity in our own choices and decisions.

Visita Iglesia

One very challenging practice for Holy Week is Visita Iglesia. Do you have plans for Visita Iglesia 2014? Which Churches do you plan to visit? Will it be local Churches found near your residence? Will you choose Churches found in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao? You may opt to go abroad and go international! How about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or the Holy City of Rome?

When my daughter was too small for this practice, we just stayed at home. It was great doing the Visita Iglesia through the Internet. I visited Churches all over the world through YouTube. Isn’t it great that Churches we cannot possibly go to, can be viewed through the web?

You might be wondering, why we are doing this Visita Iglesia after the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday night. Are you wondering why Churches on this night are beautifully decorated? Yes, the Altar of Repose where there is an Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, usually at a side altar of the Church is filled with flowers and candles. They look like real gardens. Why is this so?

There are two reasons why we have this Eucharistic Adoration. The first reason is because it is the night of the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the First Eucharist. So on this night, we celebrate Jesus’ gift of Himself in the Eucharist. We recall how Jesus became food for all of us. He took bread, broke it, and gave it to His disciples and said: “Take this all of you and eat it. This is my body which will be given up for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (words of consecration for the Holy Mass). The second reason is because we want to watch and pray with Jesus even if only for an hour as he agonized in the garden. Did Jesus not complain that Peter and the other apostles could not stay awake?  To make up for this, we make the sacrifice of visiting not just one but seven churches. 

Bo Sanchez

Why do people go nuts over the Preacher in Blue Jeans? Think about it. My sister went, listened, bought a book and had it signed by Bo. She even posed for several photos. Now, they’re all over Facebook! Oh, yes, because Bo can present the Gospel in simple, funny and down to earth terms.

Way back in 1990s, when Kerygma and Didache were still new, I remembered subscribing to them. How they have inspired me, then, as they still do today. I no longer buy the magazines. Instead, I open YouTube to watch videos of the Preacher in Blue Jeans. Girl, he is really effective!

Last time my daughter and I went to National Bookstore, this book caught my attention: “How to be Really, Really, Really, Happy! But First, Let Me Introduce You To My Uncomplicated God”. What a Book Title! As I leafed through it, I was amazed at his simple humor. It made me laugh several times, even made me teary eyed at times. Hey, Dude, aren’t you a Drama King? His simple reflections touched the heart because his faith is great!

For this Year of the Laity, I recommend this guy. Read his books or watch him on YouTube.