visita iglesia in manila

staying in manila this coming holy week? Go and do a visita iglesia or just simply visit these beautiful churches then

holy week is about a few weeks from now, and for catholics the visita  iglesia or bisita iglesia has been a tradition of the faithful. and here in the Philippines, visita iglesia or church visits is part of the holy week, usually carried out on holy thursday.  Some say you have to visit seven churches while others said it should be 14 churches, the faithful say or pray the stations of the cross with one station in each church.

i was raised a catholic but the first time i joined this tradition was in 2008 only, we have visited 14 churches in batangas, and the year after that we have visited churches in pampanga and tarlac.

have i told you that i love churches? not because i am a religious person but i just love church architecture and i am a sucker when it comes to old things and most of our churches are centuries old. i haven't doen a visita iglesia yet in manila but i would like to recommend the following churches you should visit come this holy week.

yes, manila is full of churches and they are all beautiful. so herewith are the list of manila churches you can visit.

1. Manila Cathedral (Intramuros) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/12/cathedral.html

2. San Agustin Church (Intramuros) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/05/san-agustin-church.html

3. Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine (inside Fort Santiago) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009/06/our-lady-of-guadalupe-shrine-in-fort.html

4. Espiritu Santo Catholic Church (Tayuman)

5. St. Vincent de Paul Parish (San Marcelino St., Malate - inside Adamson University - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/08/this-ones-church-alright.html

6. Malate Catholic Church (M.H. Del Pilar St., Malate) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/04/malate-church.html

7. Sta. Cruz Church (Sta. Cruz) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/11/church-of-sta-cruz.html

8. Binondo Church or Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Quentin Paredes St., Binondo) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/07/inside-binondo.html

9. Quaipo Church or Basillica Minore of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/05/quiapo.html

10. San Sebastian Church (Quiapo, Manila) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/08/san-sebastian-church-facelift.html

11. Sto. Nino de Tondo Church (Tondo, Manila)- http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/10/sto-nio-de-tondo.html

12. St. Pancratius Chapel or Paco Park Church (Paco Park, Manila) - http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/paco%20cemetery

13. UST Church (inside University of Sto. Tomas) - PS i know this isnt the church inside the UST but i dont have the photo of the church but the main building looks like one anyways :)
http://mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/08/simply-called.html

14. Baclaran Church or the Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine - can't find the church's photo in my archive but this photo is one of the candle offering stand just outside the church. will just replace the photo when i find it.

galleon andalucia

Galleon Andalucia is a replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon which plied the Manila-Acapulco route centuries ago. The name of the ship, Andalucia, refers to the land of the galleon's birth. Andalusia, located at the south of Central Madrid, with Barcelona in the northeast is region to 3 million inhabitants. It is here where they lay the keel and raised the masts of the galleon, between Punta Umbria and Huelva.

Galleon Andalucia arrived at Pier 13 on the South Harbor in Manila on October 6, and left on the 9th enroute to Cebu. Galleon Andalucia will dock at Cebu waters on October 13. The arrival of the galleon Andalucia was the highlight of the 1st Día Del Galeón Festival being hosted by the Philippines under UNESCO which declared October 8 as Galleon Day to commemorate the beginnings of world trade and cross-cultural exchange.

Built by the Nao Victoria Foundation of Spain under the design of Seville Ignacio Fernandez Vial, a historic shipbuilder; the galleon Andalucia is 51 meters long, comprising of 6 decks with a usable floor area of 320 square meters, 3 masts with seven sails, and about 40 feet in height.

The ship's body is made of iroko wood, oak and pine fiberglass and polyester resin, cast iron, wrought iron and galvanized iron nails. Two engines of 350hp each assist the galleon during port arrivals and departures, as well as during bad weathers and wind mis-directions. 170 tons of concrete and iron served as the ship's ballast and stabilizers in the bottom deck.

Source: Aboard the Galleon Andalucia

UPDATE: Galleon Andalucia will be open to the public at Cebu City's Pier 1 from October 14-18, 2010. The visits will be coordinated by the Provincial Government of Cebu. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, e-mail bessfrancia@yahoo.com

manila hostage crisis

with the recent tragedy over the hostage crisis here in manila, i would like to make a plea to everyone to remain objective and not vent frustration and anger towards the whole Filipino nation... Manila is still my home, the Philippines is still a beautiful country, and the Filipinos are warm and caring in general no matter what one stupid man did, or how incompetent the policemen were, and how irresponsible was the media during that fateful event...

we are sorry it happened and ended the way it did... i guess most of the sentiments of all Filipinos are well explained and written by this teenager...

=====

August 23, 2010

"A letter from a teenage Filipino to the WHOLE WORLD”

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao
Catbalogan City, Samar

Source: http://dabz0326.tumblr.com/

happy land

Happiness is a state of mind.

Waking up everyday to the stench and depressing situation and still able to smile at the world means something... makes you realize how lucky you are indeed... and the next time you feel like the world is unfair... think of these children and the lives they live everyday...

Had a chance to visit Payatas and Smokey Mountain with some bloggers that i really admire (Sidney, Dennis, Dodong, and Liza) and it's so sad to see how some of our fellow countrymen live...

Payatas is called the "Lupang Pangako" or the Promised Land but it is manila's dumpsite and is one of the cheap source of livelihood for one of the largest and poorest informal settlers in this jungle city

Smokey mountain is a large landfill in manila with over 2 million tons of waste, where people still live and earn their keep by picking garbage.. adults and children alike...

the way they live and the state they live in will make you cringe and cry not because of the stench and dirt but because of sadness... no one should live like this

 

I never intended to post street children and the depressing lives that some of our people live, but I also have to show you the other side of Manila, the site where others would prefer to look the other way...

But such is life... and i can only hope that posting these pictures here can help them... to let the people know how miserable and sad their life is...

And with hope that people not only see depression but hope especially with the coming elections... and i am begging my countrymen to please vote wisely...

it was journey that is sad and depressing...

they say that once in your life you'll encounter a place or people that will make an impact in your mind and can alter the way you see life...

oblivious

manila floating hotel and restaurant

Manila Floating Hotel and Restaurant, docked at the Pier 15 , Port Area Manila, just near the Manila Hotel (seen in the photo as well) since the ship is now owned by the Manila Hotel and serve as an overflow hotel and restaurant. i haven't tried dining here yet but its on my list now because i found the ships history interesting. (By the way, i took this photo from the Fish Spa at the Manila Ocean Park)

The ship's first name was MS Augustus was a 27,090 GRT, luxurious ocean liner built in 1950 for Italian Line. It was designed to sailed on Italy-South America route, run with three classes, the ships' interior were designed to have full air conditioning and swimming pools for each of three classes to make the ship looked like a luxurious hotel and to be the symbol of modern technology.

The Augustus was retired from service in January 1976. On January 15, 1976, she was laid up in Naples. She was sold to Hong Kong and was renamed Great Sea. After a little use, she was renamed Ocean King in 1980. And in 1983, she was renamed Philippines. At that time, she served as an accommodation ship in Manila. She was renamed President in 1985. However, she was laid up in Kaohsiung, and in 1987, she was renamed Asian Princess and in 1997, she was moved to Subic Bay, where she was converted into cruising. However, the ship was failed in making money in this venture. Then she was moved and place at an at anchorage off Manila. She was dry-docked at Subic Bay in mid 1998, and in February 1999, she returned to Manila, where she was refitted and now serve as a floating hotel and restaurant.

maligayang pasko

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT!!!

Photo taken at the San Agustin Church, a pinoy version of the nativitiy scene. i alos liked the christmas tree made of indegenous materials. see the bao and the pamaypays :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

taho sa gabi

i just wanted to show you this beautiful arch of the Manila Cathedral aglow, i've posted the door here before. so nice to see the manila cathedral well lit up this christmas in time for the simbang gabi.

anyways here's a taho vendor in front of the manila cathedral, yum yum yum

simbang gabi

Simbang Gabi at the Manila Cathedral

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.

Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.

During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.

According to some, if you have completed the nine day mass your wish will be granted or fulfilled, i wouldn't know if that is true or not cause i haven't completed any simbang gabi in my entire life. but it doesnt matter i already feel blessed. may all your holiday dreams come true, here's wishing you an early Merry Christmas!

The schedule of Simbang Gabi at the Manila Cathedral is every 4:30 in the morning and another mass is held at 8:30 in the evening.

jose rizal monument

Another look at Jose Rizal's monument at Luneta (Rizal Park). Photo taken using iPhone on our way home from Manila Ocean Park yesterday (will post photos of the Manila Ocean Park in the succeeding days, hope you wont get tired of it when i start the series hehehe).

I know i've posted Jose Rizal's monument here and here but i just cant resist posting this photo, first time i got the chance to capture it with the Philippine flags flying and showing vivid colors.