Bible Quiz

with my goddaughter Stacey
Stacey's mom is Sylvia, my 2nd cousin

Adults representing various church groups
who were part of the Bible quiz.

Ruth and some of the members of the children's choir.

winners of the intermediate group

"Will you be my neighbor?"

It's been great getting to know Jiro since I came to stay with Ate Diday.
He attends preparatory grade at Blessed Hope Christian School in Tanay.
When I first met Jiro, I often spoke to him in English.
When my Tagalog got better, he began asking me to keep talking to him in English!
That rocket ship was my gift to Jiro on his 6th birthday.
Jiro says his uncle helped him assemble the rocket.

Building Day 66

by the back door

more kitchen shelves

grills for kitchen window

Building Day 65

 

Building Day 64

tiles completed

one of window grills

kitchen shelves in the making, range hood installed

Building Day 63

working on grills

working on grills

doors drying

bathroom sink

kitchen area tiled

library area tiled

Building Day 62

tile in "living room"

tile in "kitchen" area

area in front and to the right of new house--will be a garden

back door getting coat of varnish

steel matting

Building Day 60

point to note-- door knob installed

Building Day 58

kitchen area

bathroom walls complete

bathroom flooring complete

acknowledging my past
"Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus"

Building Day 55

outdoor sink 

back door

bathroom tiles 

Pilgrimage to see Pope Francis

Several weeks ago I contacted my friend Ruth who is also in charge of the Music Ministry for St. Mary Magdalene Parish. I asked Ruth if she or if she knew anyone planning to see Pope Francis. Several days later Ruth contacted me. She didn't know anyone who was going.

Earlier on Jan. 15 (the Pope was scheduled to arrive in the Philippines late afternoon), Ruth came to see me. Was I still interested in going to see the Pope. I said yes. She said she'd ask her husband if he'll let her go. 

Mid-morning of Jan. 17 Ruth called. Her husband had given permission for her to go. We'd stay with her sister Fely who has a condo walking distance from where the Pope is scheduled to say Mass the following day. Ruth, her niece Charen, and I left Pililla about 5 pm. We rode the tricycyle to Tanay. From there we rode the "FX" a public van that has air conditioning to StarMall in the Manila area. From StarMall we rode a taxi to Ruth's sister's condo. It was about 8 pm when we arrived.

The following day Ruth's cousin Frocy and her friend Rose came. The six of us walked in the rain, stepped in several puddles (no other choice), and followed the crowd to Roxas Blvd. We stood in front of a travel agency whose owner is a friend of Ruth's sister. Off in the distance was one of the huge TV screens for people like us who couldn't get any closer to Luneta, Quirino Grand Center, to see Pope Francis. Two hours later as the Pope left Luneta, we waited in case Pope Francis' entourage would pass by on his way back to the Nunciature. We were not disappointed.

some of the crowd

some more of the crowd

Taina, Charen, Fely, Ruth, Frocy, Rose

display at Mall of Asia

Building Day 52

Ceiling and trim are almost up.

wall/fence smooth finish      

and man's/woman's best friend

Gifts

Rosita's husband had been hired by one of my grandparents' tenants.  Ever since meeting Rosita she's brought fruits from her husband's trees.  The latest gifts from Rosita are papaya and dalanghita.