Living Rosary

This image is in the sacristy at the St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Note the words written in Spanish

statue known as Our Lady of the Rosary

October is the month of the Holy Rosary.  The church held a living rosary which lasted about 1 1/2 hours.  In between the decades, there was praise dancing.  Members of the different church organizations carried candles indicating each bead of the rosary.  It was a beautiful and inspiring evening.

"Pray for us, O holy mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."

United Nations Day Parade

Pre-Kindergarten children celebrated 

United Nations Day, October 24.  

They paraded throughout town.

Queenie representing Poland

Queenie and her mother, my goddaughter, Reggie

In the background is my uncle, Reggie's father, Kuya Freddy.

Marian's golden birthday

October 23, 2014

spaghetti, not pancit

Marian, the golden girl

Marian with Poof (nephew), Ravel (son),
Jiron (nephew), and Wilfred (nephew)

Framed picture is my gift to Marian.
It is a picture taken about 1972 when
Marian was 8.

Marian, her mother Ate Charry,
sister Kitting, and nephew Wilfred 

         

enjoying the birthday outdoors, Marian's backyard

Paul's 1st birthday

October 22, 2014

Paul, nicknamed Pao, is the second son of Gibson and Charmy Maranan.  Gibson is my third cousin. Charmy is an ESL teacher teaching Koreans.  Because of this Gibson cooked mostly Korean foods for the party.

Paul Jozeph Maranan and yaya

Seminar (workshop) on Living Christ/Sharing Christ

Throughout the day breaks were taken as we sang praise songs.
Even though the songs were in English
I couldn't participate fully since I didn't know any of them.  

2014:  Year of the Laity  

Sat, Oct. 18, from 8 - 6, 
with an hour break for lunch

There were about 150 attendees in the morning, about 100 in the afternoon.  We were challenged to know Christ through reading the Bible, attending workshops, and checking out suggested websites.  It was emphasized that knowing Christ is a lifetime adventure.  We were also mandated to live Christ so that others will know Christ in our actions.

while waiting

Rainy season is alive and well

in the tropics, here in Pililla.

There's a poem in here ....

Mass and Rosary at Central Elementary Public School

Every Friday Mass is said at Central Elementary School, a public school.  Children read and are part of the choir.  Led by catechists Mass is followed by the recitation of the Rosary.   Again children help to lead.

Filipinos are mostly Catholic.  Every school day begins with prayers.  I have often seen "The Ten Commandments" posted within school grounds.  Meetings, whether they are local, provincial, or national begin with prayers.  Apparently there is no such thing as separation of church and state.

Dragon fruit

Cousin Mariann has four dragon fruit trees in her backyard.  She has more in her farm in the mountains.  Aunt Charry harvested the fruits this morning and I ate some.  This dragon fruit isn't particularly sweet; its seeds are edible. Check out the net for more information.

Classifieds

I read this advertisement earlier today for one of the businesses in Tanay, Pililla's neighboring town.

The 3rd starred item:
Brgy is the abbreviation for Barangay.  Every city or town is divided into areas.  Each area has some jurisdiction:  captain (equivalent of mayor for the town), kagawad (equivalent of counsilors).  When people have disputes which can't be resolved by simply talking with each other, the next step is to make an appointment with the barangay team.  The members will listen to both parties and help solve the argument.

One reason this company is looking for barangay clearance is probably to make sure the person they hire is a good neighbor and that no one has complained about him.

I had asked the workers at this store why the advertisement specifically mentioned "BOY".  There were several women working at this store. I was told because the position calls for someone who can lift and carry heavy items.

another gem

I saw this name plate in a cabinet in the bodega and 

Ate Tessie cleaned it off.  

I'll be asking Mama or Aunt Lucy for the years in which Tito Jesus did his residency. 

Demolition Day 5

We don't need to guess any longer when the bodega was built.  

This board which was found on a wall clearly states: "ENERO 27 NG 1950".  

We hope that when the old house is demolished we will also find a board that has a date on it.

Halo Halo Photo Essay

This refreshing and cool dessert's ingredients include leche flan, pinipig, gelatin, sweetened jackfruit, sweet red beans, evaporated milk, and shaved ice.  

Halo halo from various restaurants.

Inaasal Fast Food Restaurant

 Bulawan Floating Restaurant

 Halamanan Restaurant.

Kata Cafe

Demolition beginning of Day 4

I was at the site for a couple of hours in the morning.  Yesterday I had seen a stack of tiles and glass.  Today I moved them from the floor of the bodega.  Aunt Tessie offered to take them to their house to wash.  I asked her to keep them at their house until I'm ready to use them.

I also saw a small small marble with green, blue, and pink strands.  I remembered the jar of marbles that had been in my grandmother's room.  I had hoped it'd still be here when I returned in 2005.  

Demoliton end of Day 3

I saw a framed picture of the Perpetual Help of Mary amid the debris on the first floor.  The frame gave way easily.  Jesus' picture had crumbled onto the glass.  It reminded me of a prayer inviting people to be Jesus' hands and feet.

In this picture instead of Jesus' picture we see a reflection. Is it mine? Jesus invites me to respond, Amen.

Demolition end of Day 2

Wood pile and
yero, corrugated iron sheets at the top of the picture

More yero was piled on the other side of the bodega.

Demoliton end of Day 1

Monday, Sept. 29, Feast of the Archangels:  Michael, Gabriel, Raphael

 I sat for 3 hours watching workers begin the demolition.

Dear Bodega,

     Thank you for your years of service to my family.  If walls could talk what stories could you tell me? Please know we did not completely abandon you although you'd probably disagree.  I agree that we should not have allowed you to have gotten into such disrepair.  You were made to last forever surviving typhoons, earthquakes, and the intense heat of the sun.  Had we repaired and kept an eye, we would not need to demolish.  We would not be where we are today.  For this I offer my sincere apologies.  

     Throughout the years you stored rice grains although I don't remember that.  I was told yesterday that you had also stored salt.  What I remember is an open space for running.  On the first floor I remember the long tables full of gadgets, saved pieces from various projects, found items that perhaps were used for future projects.  In your later years you were also home to a family and a source of income for them.  Students improved their skills within your walls.

     Building on your foundation a house will rise and a library within its walls.  In these pictures and my memory, I pray, you will live several more years.  I will always speak of you with joy and gratitude.

                                                                                                             My love,

                                                                                                             Taina

These pictures were taken at the end of Day 1

Eve of Demolition

Sunday, Sept. 28, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, first Pilipino Saint

I spent time at the bodega running my hands on the wood, leaning on the cool cement walls.  I thanked God for this bodega that has been around since the 1940s.  I thanked the bodega for its service to our family.