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| These were the churches I visited in Makati last Holy Week
I never tried doing my own Visita Iglesia. I've done this holy week ritual with the company of my family. But this year, I thought of doing it alone for a change. Since I love going outdoors in my own pace, I did this despite the scorching heat of the summer sun that will accompany my journey during this entire experience. Yes, I finally did it in my childhood hometown, Makati.
I've chosen doing this activity in Makati because I wanted to go back to where I used to live. What has been my Church hometown looked like after several years I haven't been a parishioner. My family used to live here for 7 years before we decided to permanently reside in our present home in Laguna. Also, I have selected Makati for budgetary constraint. Other than that, I believe Makati has unique church structures- a mixture of historical and modern ones.
I did my Church rounds last March 27, Holy Wednesday, so as to prevent myself from being surrounded with the crowd who will flock to churches to do the same thing every holy week.
 First Stop: Santuario de San Antonio Parish Church - Brgy. Forbes Park This was my first in my list of itinerary, Santuario de San Antonio Parish Church. I came from my godparents' residence in Parañaque, rode a bus going to Ayala to get to one of the beautiful churches in Makati.
Located at Forbes Park, an exclusive village in Makati, Santuario de San Antonio is one of the famous churches to do a celebrity wedding because of its elegance and proximity to other nearby cities in the Metro. The cream-colored facade of the church reflects simplicity and elegance it has maintained. Entering the church's premises, I was awed with its big ambiance and beauty.
Talking about dramatic wedding entrance, no wonder, why a lot of brides would like to do their wedding here because it has a long aisle to walk on before reaching the altar.
At the right side of the church is the Station of the Cross Garden which was built in 2010. This is where I did my Station of the Cross. It was good that they designed such place because you will feel the solemnity of the activity. You can pray without being distracted. Apart from that, you are surrounded with green plants that you will be able to breathe at least fresh air despite the city's pollution.
Second Stop: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church - Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo
After my first ever church visit at Santuario de San Antonio, I headed to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Guadalupe Nuevo, where I was a former parishioner. We lived here back in 1997. This was used to be our worship place when I was in my First year in High School. It was good to be back as I went inside the premises. Nothing has changed except that it is now become the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Reading the marker (Sorry, I did not have a decent picture of the marker) of the establishment of the parish as the National Shrine by former Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales in 2010, I found out that my former professor in my Paulthenics class, Mr. Gerardo Guiuan, is the president of the Parish Coordinating Council of the said church, who helped in making the establishment a National Shrine.
Third Stop: Nuestra Señora de Gracia - Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo
If there is one church in mind that made most of my childhood years special in Makati, that would be Nuestra Señora de Gracia. As far as I can remember, we attended regular Sunday masses as a family in this old church for five straight years from 1990 to 1995. When I arrived at this church, I couldn't help but recall the memories of my childhood years. I used to attend the 3'o clock afternoon children's mass with my playmates before. Going to this church meant a lot to me. Inside the church, while doing my prayer, I said my gratitude to God for bringing me again in this place. I could not contain my happiness as I took pictures of my former parish church. I am glad that I was once a part of the oldest standing church in Makati.
Nuestra Señora de Gracia was built in 1601 by the Augustinian Friars. The marker installed by Historical Research and Markers Committee in 1937 narrated the details of the formation of this baroque church in the city.
Fourth Stop: Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Church - Brgy. Poblacion
Second to Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Sts. Peter & Paul Parish is one of the churches we visited to hear Sunday Mass. If we fail to attend Mass in our parish church, this was our worship place alternative since it's near to our residence and they have regular mass schedules at 9 in the morning.
Fifth Stop: St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Church - Brgy. Bel-Air
St. Andrew the Apostle Church is also special to me because this is where I rendered my 40-hour church service when I was in college. Our college instructor in Religious Education (Rel Ed) given this project back in second year. Through the help of my classmate in college, Kathleen Cruz, she invited me and the rest our friends to do our project in this beautiful, dome structured church. We were the ones who helped the parish in finishing the encoding of baptismal registry of the church and did parish clean-up during our 40-hour service. Nice experience especially if you are with the company of your friends.
St. Andrew the Apostle was built in 1968 by a legendary Filipino architect, Leandro Locsin. It was known for its X-shaped cross which signifies the manner of a martyr died crucifixion.
Sixth Stop: St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church- Brgy. Magallanes
Whenever I passed by South Luzon Expressway going to Sucat, I cannot help but stare at the magnificent structure of St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish Church or otherwise known as Magallanes Church. The architectural formation of this church is very modern and exquisite. I'm so intrigue of how its interior look like that's why I included it in my church visit.
When I arrived here at lunchtime, the church was holding a 12nn mass that's why I couldn't take much photos of the interior design of the church. Throughout the mass, I was mesmerized with the view I was seeing then. After the mass, I went out and did the station of the cross. What's good about their station of the cross, is that the prayers are already posted in every station and the depiction was very modern. Several national artist contributed in making the way of the cross.
After finishing my first Visita Iglesia alone, I have realized that the suffering of Jesus Christ during the way of the cross was very significant and should serve as a lesson to all of us that Love is a Sacrifice. No one has experience love without a sacrifice. This activity also has made me meditate on the significance of passion and death of Christ.
Other than Jesus show of unconditional love to mankind, I appreciated the creativity our fellowmen expressed in building these churches. They shared their time, effort and talent to build such wonderful masterpieces shown above. These churches are not only a place of worship but also a standing witnesses of a flourishing and continuing story of love of God to mankind.
It was a tiring experience but a very fulfilling one. I get to remember the past events of my life while I discover what are new things to look forward to. I will do this activity again next year in a different location.
All photos were taken by the author herself.
TouRIZta
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Tour, Recreation and Adventure: Vast Experiences in Life. That's TRAVEL.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Church Visitation - remembering my childhood roots and discovering anew
Be the Father’s Gold MINE
Stop looking for signs.
They don’t align.
Instead, live a life that’s right and light.
Eat healthy. start working to be wealthy.
Avoid talking non-sense. Think immense at the same time intense.
Choose to be upright; don’t pick up a fight.
It’s better to walk or run under the ray of golden sunshine
Than to drink a wine and drive a mile.
Always wear a smile. Never whine.
Be sensitive not insensitive.
When the clock strikes at nine,
Pray and tell the Father you're always Fine and ready to become His Gold mine.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Self vs. Self
Here I am. I am lost. I am trying to find myself. I am trying to re-gain who I am.
Uncertainty is ever present. Insecurity was my worst enemy. All my life, I was scared. I was
frightened. I could not find myself in
the solace of time. It took me years to figure out what was the real score on
life’s mystery and its difference. Still, it remained a mystery I couldn't figure.
Several internal struggles interfered. Mind over heart;
Selflessness over selfishness; Job versus career. Choosing the path of life I would want was
really difficult to unleash. I was
afraid of taking the risk. I loved being in the comfort zone. Change was very
difficult to manage. Paradigm shift was taken
out of my vocabulary.
I was a scapegoat. Escape was my solace. It was the easiest
thing to do but it should never be the case. I hate confrontation. Reality bit
me hard. I felt lonesome. No one ever
minds of who or what I am to them. I was just there for comfort whenever they
needed me. But whenever I needed them, I never find them. Or should I say, I
had the hardest time to find them for I was afraid of what would they say about
me.
I have a complicated life to begin with. I hate dramas. I abhor competition. I dislike comparison. I detest criticism. I hear but I never listen.
I am the usual silent type of girl;
however, it does not mean I do not complain. I complain a lot yet no one hears
for I only keep those to myself.
I felt all these
struggles when I entered my 20+ age. I never thought that life was really
unfair. Nevertheless, I have to accept that life is unjust in the first place.
I have dark memories of the past. I have regretted several things in life. No
one puts to blame except me because I’m the captain of my ship.I followed where the flow leads me.
I lost my zest to study and learn. My
ego has almost swallowed me.
I stop believing. I lack the faith. I am hopeless. Now, I am defeated. Pessimism overruled my life. Negativity affected my inner self in general.
At this moment, I don’t know how to start and lead a life
filled with optimism. Depressing as it seems, but, who will
bother to help me?
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| the empty bench @Plaza Cuatel in Puerto Princesa, Palawan |
Riz from A-Z
Excerpts from my Facebook post last June 19, 2011.
Yes, it’s over.
I've finished my own version of alphabet. It has never been an easy route. After twenty six years, I've realized that life is like writing the letters of the alphabet. I've written this to a friend four months ago. And I will lift the things I've scribbled there. I will replace the second person point of view to first person and make it as my open letter to myself.
Yes, it’s over.
I've finished my own version of alphabet. It has never been an easy route. After twenty six years, I've realized that life is like writing the letters of the alphabet. I've written this to a friend four months ago. And I will lift the things I've scribbled there. I will replace the second person point of view to first person and make it as my open letter to myself.
Lifted from Writing A-Z
“I have completed the letters A to Z.
I have written and ended the 26 letters of the English alphabet in my own beautiful way.
Writing these letters has never been easy. I have to start from scratch. I have to learn and follow the simple curves as well as the complex strokes of each letter until I mastered them. While writing these letters I've committed a lot of mistakes; yet, I have corrected them by erasing the flaws and re-writing the letters to achieve legibility.
Writing every letter of the English alphabet enables me to know the art and science of discipline. Now, I have reached the end, I have perfected every line of each of these letters. I am now ready to write a word, followed by a sentence, a paragraph, a story, and a novel - my masterpiece.
Now that I've learned and mastered the basics of writing the alphabet, I hope that inditing every letter of it has taught me all the basic necessities I need before I proceed to the next phase.
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” -- E.L. Doctorow
This is only just the beginning of my writing journey.”
Now that I am 27 and I am very proud to divulge my real age, I would like to share my own revelations, my realizations and other events in my life when I was at the age of 26.
Acceptance
Yes, no matter how difficult the situation is, there are certain things in life that I have to accept as it is.
Being the Brand Assistant
Middle of the year 2010, my work transitioned from Communications Specialist to Brand Assistant for Skincare. Accepting a new challenge for me was not easy for I really love my communications job since this was my first job after I graduated college. However, the thought of leaving my comfort zone is something new to me and I have to take that challenge. I am embracing my new role as a marketing officer handling skincare products.
Changing career
From communications to marketing, there’s only a thin line separating from these two different industries. Nevertheless, I am able to experience the best and worst of both worlds.
Dinner with my Angels (My College Friends)
I only do this during our birthday celebrations or any celebration that is worth remembering, but I always look forward to eating dinner with them because I am with a great company of beautiful, talented and caring ladies. :-)
Experience is the best teacher. Expect the unexpected.
The Subic project with Total Fitness Magazine (a work privilege) was an unexpected thing happened to me. I was able to meet new people in the business and was able to work with them again to other projects. Also, that project led me to experience sailing for the first time and I cherished that experience. Never mind the waves and the wind. :-)
Family First
They are the best persons I ever had in my whole 26 years of existence. :-)
Gatherings. Get together.
I love doing this. Last February 5, 2011, I am glad to set-up a high school reunion with the help of my friends and batchmates. Although, it was not the best event I ever done yet the circumstances made me realize that if you want something, it will happen. :-)
During the reunion, I realized that I have a lot of things I did not know about them but I was privilege to discover it during that day.
Apart from High School get together, my family (Dimaculangan clan) had our own reunion last December 2010.
Health is wealth
I have to live by this. I’ve been sickly for years. I hope to surpass it.
Independent Lady
I love being independent. :-)
Just Once
Even once in my life I get to experience sailing, conquering the zipline, running (FUN RUN), trekking, going out of town with my true friends, meeting the Presidents of the country ( Ex-PGMA and PNOY), whatelse? Any first in my life is always welcome. :)
Kid at Heart
Yes, I am still a kid at heart. No explanation to it.
Live. Life. Love.
I live my life and I love it.
Money Matters
Money matters in any circumstances but never allow it to dictate your life.
Never say never
Not the song of the singing sensation Justin Beiber. I’m not a Belieber. hehe… but I believe that you don’t have to say never to your dreams no matter how hard it is to attain.
Outdoors
Needless to say, I am starting to love outdoor setting. It gives me a peace of mind.
Picture-perfect moments
Thank God for Digicam, it has been my partner in capturing all my picture-perfect moments.
Quite there
I believe I am quite there. But nothing will stop me from pursuing my dreams and turn them into reality.
Run for Fitness
Weeks before I turn 27, I was able to finish my 5K run. :-) Will I able to do running again? We’ll see.
Status Single
Yes, I am and I’m happy with it.
TuRIZta
Travel is my next love. I am passionate about tours and journeys. I want to travel around Pinas first before conquering the Asia and the rest of the world. Thank God for my work for I am privileged to visit places I haven’t seen.
Understanding my “NEW” Undertaking
Given my new undertaking as I’ve mentioned in this written piece (wow? Hehe), I was taking it slowly but surely. I hope this undertaking will fulfill my mission in life.
Viewfinder
A viewfinder is what the photographer looks through to compose, and in many cases to focus, the picture. I want to pursue photography. Now I have to turn to my viewfinder. :-)
Writing, wishing, wanting
This habit started before and after I had my birthday. I write my realizations, wishes and wants before and after I turn a year older.
X- factor
Do I have that in the first place? LOL
Young blood
I still consider myself young. :) I know, my youngest sister will contradict my belief. hehe
Zipline adventure
I know I am scared of heights but I was able to conquer it and I was happy to do it with the company of my best of friends.
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