Blogging Rights: April 2011

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Visita Iglesia 2011: San Sebastian, San Antonio de Padua, Our lady of Loreto Church

BASILICA MINORE DE SAN SEBASTIAN

(SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH)

The San Sebastian Church was designed by Genabo Palacios. The structural metal of which this church is uniquely built was manufactured in Belguim and erected here by Belgian engineers. The church was solemnly blessed on August 15, 1891. Earlier churches build on this site by Recollect Friars since 1611 were destroyed by Earthquake in 1859, 1863 and 1880. The church was declared a National Historical Landmark by President Ferdinand Marcos through Presidential Decree No. 260 in 1973. State funding was accorded the church throught the National Historical Institute which undertook restoration in 1982. The Recollect community on the other hand has also used a lot of dundas for the church’s maintenance and restoration.

There has been recent threats to the structural integrity of the church as the steel structure has been beset by rust and corrosion to which the seas breezed from the nearby Manila Bay contribute. In 1998 the church was placed in the biennial watch list of the 100 Most endangered sites by the World Monuments Fund. Although it was not retained in subsequent watch lists. In 2006 the church was included in the list for possible designation as World Heritage site on the account of its architectural and historical heritage.

SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA PARISH

Saint Anthony’s feast is celebrated every 13^th of June. He is well-known as the miracle worker. People from all walks of life, even non-Christians and non-believers invoke in his help for whatever need from the recovery of lost or stolen things to helping childless couples bear a child. In the Philippines, devotion to St. Anthony dates back to the arrival of the Franciscans in 1578. Since then, it would be exceptional for a church to be without a statue or image of the famous miracle-worker.

The present St. Anthony shrine was built in 1947 throught the efforts of Fr. Mariano Montero, OFM where the devotion to St. Anthony was transferred from Intramuros in Manila. Originally, in this same location a chapel was constructed in 1794 for the use of the Secular Fransciscans under the tutelage of the Our Lady of Pilgrims whose statue is now enshrined at the fight of the shrine sanctuary.

OUR LADY OF LORETO PARISH

When the Maestro de Campo or Capitan General ceded the land in Sampaloc to the Franciscans and donated to the construction of the convent and the church, residents of Sampaloc request the City of Manila to separate Sampaloc from the spiritual jurisdiction of Santa Ana de sapa. In the year 1616, the Parish church of Nuestra Senora de Loreto was dedicated and Fray Augustin de Tordesillas as the first parish priest.

Just like all Spanish built churches, the convent of Loreto which was founded in 1613 by Fransciscans withstood the test of time as it was burned during the Chinese uprising in 1639 but was rebuilt by Fr. Andres Puertollano. The church was enlarged in 1660 and was damaged by a terrible earthquake in 1880. Fr. Pedro de Alcantara Flores del Pozo initiated the renovation of the church which was later completed by Fr. Ramon Caviedas who was the one who built the Sampaloc cemetery in Balic Balic. The parish of balic balic was established in 1925.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Visita Iglesia 2011: San Miguel & St. Jude Church

SAN MIGUEL CHURCH

The Church was built by Jesuits and is the first church made of stone near the Tirpa de Gllina in 1603. The church became a parish in 1611 and the center of the japanese mission in 1615. The church was given to the secular priests in 1768 and to the Franciscans in 1777.

The Church was under the care of the Parish of QUiapo in 1783 and later transferred back to the Fransciscans in 1797 under the auspices of secular priests in 1899. The church was heralded as Pro-Cathedral in 1946 - 1958. The church was named the the Altar of St. Michael and the Archangels in 1986.

On the altar is the crucifixion scene while the seven archangels have their own statue on the altar – St. Barachiel, St. Sealtiel, St. Uriel, St. Jhudiel, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and St. Michael.

Upon entering the Church you can notice the seven archangels sculptures on every post. There is also a big 12 foot Bronze statue of St. Michael defeating a serpent who we know is the symbol of Lucifer.

NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. JUDE THADDEUS

The National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus’ early beginnings can be traced back to the evangelization of the Chinese in Manila in 1588 under the Dominican Fathers which was so successful that in 1670 the number of baptized Chinese exceeded 70,000. Due to the so-called Chinese revolts, the Chinese ministry was placed under the secular clergy in the middle of the 18^th Century. Because of this it was deemed impractical to have a separate parish for the Chinese.

There is a number of devotees that flock the church every Thursday ever since the church started its novenas. In June of1959 weekly novenas were held in which a lot of devotees from all over the country would eventually go to. Saint Jude Thaddeus, cousin and apostle of Jesus Christ is known as the patron of desperate cases.

Visita Iglesia 2011: Manila Cathedral & San Agustin Church

One of the most popular churches in the country is the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral - Basilica, Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or most popularly known as the Manila Cathedral. Located right at the heart of the walls of Intramuros the first cathedral was built in 1581 and was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and was destroyed by a fire in 1583. The Second Cathedral was built of stone in 1592 and partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1600. The third cathedral was built in 1614 and destroyed again by an earthquake in 1645.

The fourth cathedral was magnificently built 1654-1671 by Archbishop Miguel Poblete and destroyed once again by an earthquake of June 3, 1863. The fifth cathedral was built in 1870 – 1879 under Architects Luciano Oliver, Vicente Serrano Salaverria and Educardo Lopez Navarro and solemnly blessed in December of 1879.

The center of the cross on the dome is the reference point of Astronomical longitudes of the Archipelago. Destroyed during the battle of manila in 1945 a sixth cathedral was reconstructed in 1954 – 1958 under the direction of Archbishop Rufino J. Santos of Manila mainly with the support of the people. To this day, Manila Cathedral remains the symbol of Filipino’s devotion to the Catholic Church.

At the entrance of the Manila Cathedral there is a latin phrase enscripted that says "tibi cordi tuo immaculato concredimus nos ac consecramus " translated as "To your Immaculate Heart we commit and dedicate!"

Me and my family during our Visita Iglesia.

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

The San Agustin Church is the oldest stone Church in the Philippines. When plans for the church was approved in 1586 the construction started right away in 1587 and was completed in 1607 under the supervision successively of Augustinian Fathers Francisco De Bustos, Ildefonso Perez, Diego De Avila and Brother Alonso De Pera, its architect was Juan Macias. The church has withstood many earthquakes from 1645 up to 1762, the Spanish-American in 1898 and the Japanese Invasion in 1942.

The church choir has 68 carved molave seats with narra inlaids. An artistic lectern and parchment cantorals of the 17^th and 18^th centuries The church and its graves were profaned during the british occupation of manila in 1762. The ashes of early Spanish conquistadores Legazpi, Salcedo, Lavezarres and Blessed Pedro de Zuniga and others now rest in the easternmost champel of the transept. Terms for the American occupation of Manila were prepared in the vestry of the church in 1898. The first Philippine plenary council was held here in 1953. This church was chosen as a world heritage site by the UNESCO in1993.

The Church is a place where numerous weddings happen and the reservations list is so long that the couples wanting to get married should reserve at least eight months before.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

THE FIRST STATION

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Sto. Domingo Church

THE SECOND STATION

JESUS IS GIVEN HIS CROSS

Manila Cathedral

THIRD STATION

JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

San Agustin Church

FOURTH STATION
JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
San Miguel Church

FIFTH STATION
JESUS CARRIES THE CROSS TO CALVARY
National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus

THE SIXTH STATION

JESUS FALLS UNDER

THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

San Sebastian Church

THE SEVENTH STATION

JESUS IS HELPED BY

SIMON OF CYRENE

San Antonio de Padua Bustillos

THE EIGHTH STATION

THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

WEEP OVER JESUS

Our Lady of Loreto Parish

THE NINTH STATION

JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

Most Holy Redeemer Church

THE TENTH STATION

JESUS IS STRIPPED

OF HIS GARMENTS

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine New Manila

THE ELEVENTH STATION

JESUS IS ENTRUSTED TO JOHN

St. Joseph's Convent of Perpetual Adoration

THE TWELFTH STATION

JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Christ the King Seminary

THE THIRTEENTH STATION

JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church

THE FOURTEENTH STATION
JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHRE
HOME PARISH

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Project 6

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

STI COMPANY OUTING 2011

at the Batangas Port

The beauty of this year’s company outing of the STI Education Services group is that it’s in one of best places to go to in summer – Puerto Galera. Months back I was suppose to pass up the opportunity to go to the summer outing mainly because I am bored with the happenings. When I learned it was going to be in Puerto Galera I suddenly changed my mind because this is my first time to explore the place.

Jade, Diane and Shy

Puerto Galera is a town in the northeast coast of the island of Mindoro. Before going to Puerto Galera by land is a cool four to five hours but now because of the new South Luzon Expressway linkage to the STAR tollway the trip from Makati to the Batangas port is one and a half hours maximum without traffic. Toll at the end of the South Luzon Tollway is Php 151.00 and then there’s another Php 21.00 for the extension and Php 60.00 for the STAR Tollway.

Buying Pasalubong

During the outing we were given an allowance for our meals so that whatever we want to eat we can since the place is loaded with affordable restaurants. Team STI was billeted at the the Marco Vincent Dive Resort hotel which was a nice place to chill since they had nice rooms and accommodating people. Just like last year I shied away from all the snorkeling and trekking and opted to stay in my room to relax and sleep. As I said I was on vacation.

Diane and the Pogi

In the first night I spent most of my time with my female friends and my new fave friend Rothz de Lima was also there to cheer me up not only in the evening but also through the whole Tuesday. We had breakfast together and spent most of the afternoon and evening together. I am just lucky that I found someone who was also there to relax so we hang out together. In the evening other friends joined us for a night cap.

Just lookin around

The next day was fun time again going back as mah gurls RJ Marasigan, Diane Babaylon, Mina Consignado, Shy Bringino, Des Quibral, Jade Reyes and Always Cruz joined me as we trekked back to Manila. We left the place at 12 noon, arrived at Batangas Port at 1:30 pm and my vehicle was returned to me by Mr Edgar Diamante with whom I left my vehicle with for the amount of P600. Rest assured I will be back to relax at Puerto Galera.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Kulasa get together again

L-R Gil & Mae, Aga, Gabby & Tammy, Jack & Gladys

When I was in Singapore Gladys Guevara and I went out for dinner and talked about some stuff about her life in Singapore. I am happy to know that she is in the country and with her American boyfriend Jack Moran. Tammy Mananzan-Dyliacco sent me a text message inviting me for dinner with Gladys and Jack. I am just so happy that the day they requested to meet up was on an evening that I am available.

While Gladys and Gab were counselling,

we talked about Gladys & Jack

We had dinner at Fely J’s restaurang in Greenbelt 5. Gladys suggested Filipino food since I believe she is dying to eat some authentic recipes here in the country since she has been out for a long time. The food and the conversations were great since I have not seen the group for the longest time. Tammy and Gladys were not at Baba's wedding reception last November so it made me miss them more. Here's to the next get together.