Biyaheng Manaoag

Ang Shrine of our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaog ay pormal na iprinoklama na Minor Basilica noong February 17, 2015 matapos ang proklamasyon ni Pope Francis sa Roma noong October 11, 2014.

(Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship. At the same time a basilica must stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy.)

Paano nga ba makarating sa Basilica ng Manaoag?

Mula sa Cubao pwede kang sumakay ng bus papuntang Manaoag, Pangasinan. I recommend Dagupan Bus dahil may deretsong byahe sila patungong Manaoag. Tatagal ng 5 o 6 na oras ang byahe depende sa traffic. Umalis ang bus sa Cubao terminal ng mga 6:00 ng umaga at nakarating ng mga 12:00 ng hapon. Medyo matraffic sa NLEX dahil may inaayos na daan. Marami din ang schedule ng mga misa kaya ayos lang kahit tanghali na makarating.

Huwag mag-alala dahil sakto ito sa budget.  

·         Cubao – Manaoag – Cubao (two way) =  Php628 (air conditioned bus)

·         May mga murang religious items na pwedeng ipasalubong = Php 25.00-Php200

·         Marami ding available na candle store para sa mga personal na hiling = Php7.00-Php20.00 depende sa choice mo.

·         Sa gilid ng simbahan ay may mga native delicacies at mga souvenir items

·         Meron ding mga murang kaininan na swak sa budget

Sa may mga sariling sasakyan, may malawak ng parking area kaya huwag mag-alala.

Paalala:

5:00pm ang last trip ng bus pabalik ng Manila.

To watch the video, click the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY5zh_bUDp0

Shercon Adventure (CM Outing)

June 06, 2015 -  All are set for the anticipated team building/anniversary outing of CM FOH. This is my first time to join such event since I’m new in the company. Everything is ready – extra shirts and stuff, and my camera of course. I won’t let this event pass by without capturing every moment of it. When we arrived, the program is about to start, so we just take our breakfast, have some rest and the organizers brief us of what will going to happen for the whole day.

And, yes, the activities had started. Everyone’s stamina is high and all are excited. Games between different team had started and so far our team make it to finish the game in a shorter time than the other. However, all of a sudden, we almost give up on the last challenge. But as the saying goes, “Never give up”. We did manage the finish the challenge, though in a longer time so we fail to get the reward. Despite of that, we still enjoy the challenges. Here are some of the highlighted challenges: 






>Rappelling








                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Wall Climbing <

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     


>Zip Line

Discovering the beauty of Taal Volcano

I was asked by a friend to come with them for their short break at Tagaytay. As agreed upon, we will meet at one of the malls in Dasmarinas Cavite, April 22, 2014. But due to unexpected circumstances, they decided to just pick me up along the way. After almost an hour of waiting, they picked me up and finally get to the place at around 11:30AM.

Our initial plan is just to explore Tagaytay City. When we get off the bus, a man approached us and asked if we want to go to Taal Volcano through Talisay, Batangas. With so much excitement, we decided the visit Taal first and resume our Tagaytay adventure as planned when we came back from there. We took a tricycle ride from Tagaytay to Talisay for about 25 minutes. It’s a little farther than we expected. But the fully concrete road is good enough for the travel. Along the way is a relaxing view of Taal Lake and the volcano itself. A breath-taking view of deep ravines and the zigzag road will give you an experience of travelling to Baguio City (according to them, I haven’t been there yet).

Revisiting My Hometown

Part II

April 18, 2014 – Moriones Festival: I am Crucified, You are Saved!

 9:00 AM. We’re ready for the Moriones Festival. We decided to move early to be able to catch up with the parade of Morions in the town of Mogpog. During this time, it’s not easy to get a jeepney or tricycle because everyone is busy for some church activities and we really have a hard time to get one. Luckily, a Good Samaritan passed by offering a ride with them. Unfortunately, the parade is done already and we are not able to watch it. We decided to just have some photos with the Morions roaming around the town. We also managed to visit the town’s church, San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, where we found busy local folks preparing for the late afternoon procession. After a while, we decide to look for a place to eat. We found one at the public market so we take our breakfast there. Right after, we decided to move to Boac, Marinduque’s capital town, hoping that we can watch the Via Crucis(Station of the Cross) – the re-enactment of Jesus Christ’s carrying of the cross and His crucifixion.

Luckily, the activity is just about to commence when we arrived the town. Everyone is in high spirit for the highly anticipated event. This is one of the highlights of the festival (the other one is the Pugutan – the beheading of Longhinos, a left-eye blind Roman Centurion who struck Jesus’ body with a spear and the blood from it make him see the world). The activity started at about 11:30 AM. Under the intense heat of the sun, the Via Crusis started roaming the town. Almost everyone is on the street to witness Jesus suffering for our salvation. The event ended up in Jesus Christ crucifixion along with the two sinners.

Revisiting my Home Town

Part I

Two weeks before the annual Moriones Festival in Marinduque, I was asked by my friends if they can come with me to witness the spectacular tradition of the Marinduquenos. Without any hesitation, I agreed believing that this is the time to showcase what my province got. Everyone is excited.

April 16, 2014 – All the Buses are packed. 

We decided the rendezvous at Turbina Terminal, Calamba City at 2:00PM. Two of my friends need to attend to their job on that day but decided to go out early to avoid a heavy traffic and make it on time. Unfortunately, the 2:00PM call time became 5:00PM because of the crowd of passengers taking the opportunity of having a long vacation. All provincial buses are packed, so it’s hard to get one that can accommodate us. After several tries, we are lucky that we get one. Although we are standing, we are happy that we finally get the trip started. We leave the terminal at around 5:30PM. Along the street are groups of passenger waiting for buses. I wonder when will they reach their destinations if (even in the terminal), (the) buses can no longer accommodate the passengers?

On our way, some passengers get off the bus leaving empty seats where we can seat comfortably. We reached Dalahican Port at 9:15PM. We paid for our ticket and started boarding. The ships started its 3-hr course at around 9:45PM. The sea is calm making the travel more enjoyable. The moon is watching over our journey, lighting our way. The gently blowing wind gives us comfort. 

Lucban Adventure!

It's been a long while when this one-day adventure happened. May 15, 2012 when we (me and my two friends) decided to witness the "Pahiyas Festival" of Lucban, Quezon.

Early in the morning, I prepare my self and decided to leave the dorm right after things has been set. Digital Camera, Tripod, extra shirts... all are ready. With so much excitement, I leave Lipa City and took a trip to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. From Sto. Tomas, I have to ride a bus up to Sariaya, Quezon for the rendezvous.

On the bus to Sariaya, my friend send me text message that they are already there waiting for me. Unfortunately, I was stock on a heavy traffic. They told me its because of the festival held at Sariaya. They don't have any choice but to wait for me since I don't know any alternative route. Ha! ha! ha!


In God's grace, I reached the meeting place 10:30 am. We ride a jeepney right after I arrived. With all the luck that we have, we ride a trip to Tayabas, Quezon. A trip directly to Lucban is not available. From Tayabas, we ride another jeep to Lucban.


Under the intense heat of the sun, we reached our destination past 11:00 am. The main road is almost full of other tourists and locals as well, celebrating these colorful festivity.





We decided to have our brunch (breakfast and lunch) in an old restaurant serving the most famous Pancit Lucban and longanisang lucban.

After the delicious meal, we decided to roam the area looking for an interesting subject of the place. Our tired feet brought us to the historical church of Lucban. The age of the church is so distinct though there are some modification done to preserve it.





Feeling exhausted, we look for a convenient store to buy some drink. Thanks God there is. Now that we are re-energized, we took our next destination, "Kamay ni Hesus Shrine". I have heard beautiful stories about it and I'm so excited to witness it with my eyes. We take some rest for a while inside the church within the area. The place is so calming and relaxing.






We explored the whole area after the short rest. The life size images of the biblical characters, the known Noah's Arc and so much more. The place is really beautiful. There is also place for the wishes, lighting candles of several colors depending on wish that you have.





Finally, we climb the top of the hill where the shrine has been erected. Passing the several hundreds of steps at last we're on top. It's so wonderful looking at the  base of the hill, seeing the colorful mainland, watching the sun slowly fading away through the clouds! So wonderful!

It's time to go back home. The problem is the transportation going back! We push our self on our jeep hanging at the back because there are no seats available. It's an adventure anyway. We agreed to drop by the resto along the way. "Kamayan sa Palaisdaan", it's one of the famous restaurant at place. We did our dinner as fast as we could to catch up the last trip to the city.

It was fun.. so much fun!! :)

There's no other place like Home!

Last March, I was invited as a guest speaker for the 33rd Commencement Exercises of my Alma Mater. I was hesitant to accept the invitation, yet in the end I was persuaded having in mind that this might be right time to give back for all the things that my Alma mater done to me.

Any way, as a preparation, I set my digital camera (DSLR actually) so that i can capture this special event. I decided to bought a new lens, Tamron AF70-300mm, far better than my 18-55mm lens. I know a lot of amazing things and scenes will come in my way home and I'm so excited for this.

To my excitement, I decided to leave my work early fearing that I might be left by the last trip of ferry. It might took a long time to travel to Dalahican Pier, considering the weather condition ( it has been raining for almost five days). With all the things packed, I set off to Dalahican riding a jeepney from Lipa to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. I ride the first bus to Dalahican that pass by. But when I pay the fare, the bus is bound to SM Lucena only. OMG. (I'll try to tell the whole story on my next blog).

To make the story short, I arrived at Dalahican port at exactly 8:30 in the evening yet I still manage to get the 10:30 trip. Though the weather is bad, I know this is worth my while. I feel something strange in my stomach, so I care to buy some food in the stall. I still have 2 hours to take some rest. I try to find some familiar faces but I found nothing.

The heaven keeps on pouring its tears and the wind  constantly blowing hard, literary, my way home will be hard. It's 2:30am when I reached Marinduque. The usually 2.5hrs trip take 4hrs. Thanks to the bad weather. Huh.

Finally, I'm home. I miss everything in this place, cool wind breeze, fresh air, peaceful ambiance, everything. I take a deep sleep and I know there's is a great day waiting ahead.

_______________

I was awaken by the ringing of my phone. I check the time.. it was 8:30 am and my friend is checking me if a got home safe. I get off the bed and the table is ready. This is one of the things I missed the most, a hot and delicious "tinolang manok" of my mother. I can't help my self eating a lot.

I started wandering around, trying to capture beautiful spots and strange things with my cam. But the rain is keep on trying to hinder so I just go back and try to capture the thing that my lens can reach.

And these are some of my it..

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.260425130715732.63018.171157052975874&type=1

Later in the afternoon. I had a little conversation with my cousins, telling stories of how, what and why life is while drinking local wine called "tuba". I decided to get back home when the rain had a pause. It' s my chance.

I take my rest as we finish our dinner. Tomorrow is the day.

_______________

It was a long and peaceful sleep. I feel so comfortable. It's not hard waking up except my....hahaha.. The rain is still on, yet today's activity must go on. After the breakfast i started preparing for it. The program will start at 10 so I must be there early.

And the ceremony goes... It started well and it ends well...Congratulations graduates!

I had a little nice conversation with my former mentor after the program. It's really nice to be back and give thanks to all the people who contribute much for your success.

It's worthy. It is

A Life In an Isle: A Research Study II

This article/case study has been made by my brother during his college days as one of his requirement in his class. As I browse my files in my laptop, it happened that I saw this one and I decided to post it in my blog for the reason maybe that someone from our province might read it. The content of this article mirrors the life of our fellow countrymen who have been taken for granted long time ago.

A Life In an Isle: A Research Study

This article/case study has been made by my brother during his college days as one of his requirement in his class. As I browse my files in my laptop, it happened that I saw this one and I decided to post it in my blog for the reason maybe that someone from our province might read it. The content of this article mirrors the life of our fellow countrymen who have been taken for granted long time ago.

My apologies for some mistakes found in this article (if there is). I decided not to change the whole context of this aside from other minor proof reading I have made.

Summer Escapade II

It's already past 12 nang dumating kami sa resort sa Matabungkay. Nagpahinga lang kami ng konte then we started preparing our food. Inihaw na isda at liempo. Isang masarap na tanghalian para sa lahat.

Dahil mataas pa ang sikat ng araw at nakakasunog ng balat, nagpasya muna ang grupo na matulog upang may lakas para mamayang gabi.

Summer Escapade I

Ngayon ko lang maikukwento ang aking summer gimik with my friends. Ngayon lang kasi nagkaroon ng time na gawin. Almost 2 months na pala. Haha. Busy lagi sa work. Anyway this happened on April 21-22,2011

Bago sumapit ang Holy Week kung kelan two days walang pasok ang mga malls, nagpasya ang grupo na maligo sa isang resort sa Matabungkay sa Batangas. Siyempre excited dahil ngayon lang ulit muling magkikita-kita. Lahat kasi ay busy sa mga trabaho at ito lang ang tamang panahon upang makapagrelax.

I'm Going Back Home (Day 3)

Tagal ng last chapter na to. Sorry, I was just preoccupied with so many things. Anyway, eto na ang last part ng pag-uwi ko sa aking lupang sinilangan.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Kinabukasan maaga silang naghanda para sa thanksgiving ng aking kapatid. Pero tulog pa din ako.

Sarap talaga ng buhay sa probinsya. Nagpatay sila ng isang maliit na baboy. May kalamay ( pritong saging na may harina), tinapang isda na bagong huli at marami pang iba. pero syempre, hindi mawawala ang native drink na tuba. Masarap naman ito at matagal ko na rin itong hindi natitikman. Unti-unti ng nagsisidatingan ang aming mga kamag-anak kaya nagdeside na akong maligo.

I'm Going Back Home (Day 2)

Nagpasya kaming muling matulog ng 3:00 ng umaga. May ilang oras pa rin upang makapagpahinga bago kami lumuwas ng bayan para sa graduation ng aking kapatid. ( Nasa bundok kasi ang bahay namin. Hehehe.)

I'm Going Back Home (Day 1)

"Ang sarap balikan ng lahat ng naging bahagi kung ano ka ngayon."