Andres Bonifacio Shrine

I have always been into history when travelling. I wish to visit the places which I only encountered in books and the internet. I am not always into convenient travelling like taxi, bus or tourist shuttles. But, I am more into care-free roaming spree.

On my first time alone in Manila, I find it easier to roam via MRT and LRT. You can just buy a 'stored value' card for each railway transport and voila! You can step-by every station for fun walking experience.

I passed-by this very iconic symbol of heroism. This is the monument dedicated to the national hero Andres Bonifacio. He was the founder and leader of the KKK, the revolutionary group which won the Philippines its independence from Spain.

During the course of winning independence from Spain in 1896, different kinds of flags evolve and was used to unify the outcry of the people. These flags are now reproduced and are flying side by side each other beside this monument.

Read More

Never Again!

We always talk about the People Power. There are succeeding subjects for students from grades 1-6 and year 1-4. All talking about the scores of Filipinos marching towards the Palace. Armed with nothing but rosaries and statues of Jesus, Mary and the Saints. Giving flowers and praying in front of hundreds of war tanks and armed men. Men in soutanne. Young men also. Women in their habito but especially thousands more of young and old in simple clothes. All to subvert a powerful ruler. All subversive through silence and prayer.

One friend of mine told me about the holiday set on the 25th of February. I asked her what would be the occasion to commemorate? She said its the anniversary of EDSA revolution! I was: OH! It was such a realization. I have always thought that I am one of those lads whose ideals fit for a nationalist one. I have always memorized and known by heart some history's bits and facts that I thought it is enough.

We always heard big names when the anniversary comes. We always hear 'never again' slogans. But have we heard of these simple people? Whose names might be forgotten but what they fought for made big people.

The greatest tragedy for these unsung heroes is that the 'Never Again' will become: we will, we would, we can, we could 'never again' hear their names.

Let us again review our past and say 'NEVER AGAIN' will we forget your names. It is not their loss but especially ours for time may come that without their memories to inspire us will we 'NEVER AGAIN' see names like theirs to fight with us.

Read More

Intramuros: The Walled City

After 4 days of stay in Manila for the 2015 Papal Visit I made my way to the center of historic Philippines - Intramuros. This walled city became the center of the archipelago for 333 years of Spanish colonization. It became the headquarters for the Government and Church authorities.

This 64-hectare stone citadel was founded by the Spaniards in 1571 and from then has withstood wars, natural disasters and successive colonial invaders.

Intramuros is also visited for the detention cell of the National Hero of the Philippines. It was here that Dr. Jose Rizal was detained, accused and was sentenced to death. Literally, it was in Intramuros where the hero spent his last days.

Inside the renovated cell of Dr. Rizal is displayed a collection which commemorates the life and works of this great son of the Malayan race. One can see inside different apparatuses he used as a doctor, different tools he used as an artists, different specimen he used to send to scientific colleagues abroad and the book which brought him to his fate.

Dr. Rizal after detained and sentenced to death inside this walled city was shot in the nearby Bagumbayan which is now Luneta or Rizal Park.

This walled city lies along the banks of the Pasig River for the purpose of good military location and even transpotation.

It hosts for the office of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines. The conference where every Roman Catholic Bishop is a member and who manages correspondence between Rome and individual dioceses in the Philippines.

Inside the walled city also is located the mother church of all churches in the Philippines known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Manila or the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. This mother-church holds the seat of the Archbishop of Manila.

Scores of Museum offering local and foreign visitors line in the streets of this historic city. An example of this is the San Agustin Church Museum which holds the relics and artifacts of this historical Church of the Augustinian Order. This is the only church which has withstand the disaster brought about by the Japanese Soldiers during the second World War.

Casa Manila is another example of the many museum inside Intramuros. Its setting is that of a typical house setting during the Spanish era and showcases furniture and other embellishments.

One of the iconic symbol for historic Manila is the typical transport during that time. The status symbol used by the Illustrados or the educated and enlightened branch of Filipinos which is the Calesa.

For a rate, these Calesa drivers will take you for an hour ride around the walled city and explaining you bits of facts about history.

Most of the original buildings inside the walled city were destroyed during the Japanese invasion and brought about destruction inside this historic walls. But today, some were already renovated and put to its original make-up while others were totally changed.

Walk by Intramuros and know the Philippines of long ago.

Read More

Papal Hangover

 Last January 15, 2015 the leader of the worldwide 1.2 billion Catholics arrived in the Philippines via Villamore Airbase. He has the mission of bringing the message of Christ of Mercy and Compassion to the 80 million Filipino Catholics. Arriving in the said airbase he was greeted by scores of Filipinos including church officials and that of the government. He was greeted with smiles by both the Filipino youth and seniors alike. Also, he was greeted by his constituents in church matters and was greeted by the President as leader of a state - the Vatican.

Cabinet members of the Philippine government pile up to kiss the ‘Ring of the Fisherman’ which is the sign of the pope’s leadership to the flock of Christ. “You are Peter, the Rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Matt. 16:18 says Jesus to Peter, making him the leader of the Church. Their kisses reminded me with the kiss that brought death, death on the cross. After the tragedies happening in the Philippines they seem to wait for the pope before they would do some charity and find a place in the limelight of that Church affair and be dubbed as one of the Good Samaritan. They are like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time who follow and follow the Lord not to learn from his wisdom but finding holes to discredit him. They are kissing and kissing the ring of Peter and yet they forgot the message of Jesus carried by this man: “Tend my Sheep.” John 21:15

I left General Santos City in January 16, 2015 for the Papal Visit. At 7:45 I arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. I rode a shuttle bus going to Taft Avenue for an MRT ride going to our host parish. This will give us lodging for our next 5 day sojourn in the country’s capital. The parish convent is a modern design building. It has a common air-conditioning system not including the rooms for every room has its own air-conditioning. Life in that parish is very smooth. With parishioners coming from the upper social strata, no jeepney ride comes in front of that Church. Only taxi is the available public transport in that area. With such commodities present in a convent who can ask for transfer? After we arrived in the parish we took dinner offered by the parish priest.

After making it to the parish convent we made our way to the host family who will be giving us also an accommodation. My companions were first to arrive in Manila in the 15th so they told me about the ‘wonder’ inside the house of our host family. We reached the house inside a private village. We were asked what business do we have inside the village and we said the name of our host which they eventually called. After calling we were asked to log in our names in a log book in the guard house and we proceeded. Upon reaching I was amazed by the truth they were telling me. It has three floors and an elevator. 48-inch television is catering our recreational needs and it has an ‘azotea’ overlooking Quezon City. It took me some time to process the feeling I have with the house of our host family. Thinking that we have an unfinished house in a remote barangay in Mindanao the feeling inside this three-storey house is amazing!

For three days in Manila I was in the midst of the upper social strata of Manila. Living and doing everyday things in the way how a Quezon City rich club member would do. I do shower under hot and cold and spent time inside a spacious C.R. Touring and touring Manila with nothing in mind but enjoying life. We also joined a Saturday mass in the parish chapel. We were in the midst of the rich and when the offering part came bills not smaller than Php 100 came out from the pockets.

From my experience inside that village of the Rich I saw the real other face of men. I realized that we should stop stereotyping the rich and realize that they too keep their pace in their spirituality.

The other side of the face of man that I saw is that of the more common – the Poor. I saw that the face of the poor of Manila is different from the poor I was used to. Atleast in Mindanao the poor can be seen but the poor in manila is ignored more. I saw a man pleading just for rice and he was sitting in front a fast-food chain. Nobody who heard him ever listened to him. It broke my heart for during at the papal mass in Luneta there is about 7 million who participated, cried and said: “Oh! I was really transformed!” I doubt if they ever listened to the pope of his pleadings of mercy and compassion and ready to turn the word upside down or were they only there hoping to take for themselves a Papal Selfie.

I stopped at him and later on realized what I asked to the man: “What happened to you!” in Tagalog. I normally don’t do that to strangers but in that moment my feeling was so different that I need to explode. As I look into my wallet for what to give to the man I saw him crossing himself with the sign of the cross. Thanks God he has not lose his hope – in Jesus.

He told me after I asked that exploding words that he was finding a job. But, why? He is lame! How can one man could be so hardworking and not be given the opportunity? How heartbreaking it is to hear from the news the millions and millions or even billions of pesos being lost in the hands of those who promise hope, justice, equality, progress and many other things which could make the lives of these simple people better. Last election we hoped of the best from the son himself of the couple who fought in the front for the people against the regime of martial law and we again were disappointed. He is always there talking and talking about the corruption of the past government that he mask his own puppets in their money laundering spree.

This is the problem with kind words. Rhetorical words put great people to death. Nice and appealing words which took the hearts and souls of those who listens away from God. The Socrates of Athens and the Jesus of Nazareth were speaking of truth and yet put to death for it. The Rizal of Dapitan was shot because of the truth he spoke. The Gandhi of India was assassinated due to the truth he fought. All for the words that pierces more surely than the two edged sword. Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafsai, Ninoy Aquino, Aung San Suu Kyi and scores of others who suffered from the rhetoric of selfishness.

Rhetorical words disillusion us from the truth. As we listen and continue to hope, there come those who take advantage. Most often they are those who has promised. An old anecdote goes that: what differentiates us from those who are in the prison cells is that they were caught and we are not.

At UST I met thousands of others who is ready to meet with the Pope. They were mostly from top institutions of learning such as Ateneo, UST, FEU, etc. In essence we are all the hope of the fatherland for in our hands lies the future. We are the future. This was actually a very old saying said by a man born almost 150 years ago and was also killed because of his fight for truth – Dr. Jose Rizal. Yet, after the years spent where are we?

Read More

The Place Where a Hero Spent Last Days

After a long and tiring yet grace-filled papal visit on Jan 15-19, 2015 I decided to go on a foot travel to the famous walled city of "Intramuros." Without any traveler's kit at hand, any map, gprs, travel guides, etc. with only the anecdote from Pope Francis when we met him at the Papal Encounter with the Youth at UST 'be surprised' I braved this historic Spanish settlement who played a major part in the 333 years of Spanish colonization in the country. This was the old and original Manila which served as a settlement to the then serving government of the country.

This landmark is also famous for it served as the detention place of the country's National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal whose cell is a major attraction inside Fort Santiago. The last days of this National Hero's life were spent inside one of the cold dungeons of this Fort which is inside Intramuros before he was executed at Bagumbayan which is now Luneta Park.

The Dambana ni Rizal is a mini-museum which hold artifacts from the significant happenings in the life of Dr. Rizal. It is the place where Rizal was sentenced and showcases the room where he was detained and from where his last work was written: Mi Ultimo Adios.

The lamp which was used by Rizal to hide this last work is on display in this museum together with the scanned copy of this last work of Rizal.

Rizal is famous to have sparked the revolution with his two novels. The first one entitled "Noli Me Tangere" or "Touch Me Not" and the other is a sequel entitled "El Filibusterismo." The title of the first novel was a phrase taken by Rizal from the Gospel of John as an admonition by the risen Lord to Mary Magdalene.

Original copies of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is on display inside the museum. These two published novels of Rizal were followed by a third unpublished sequel entitled 'Makamisa.' This third work was stopped by Rizal because he has difficulty in his Tagalog.

Rizal is dubbed as the many splendoured genius. This is due to the many talents he had developed and acquired in his short lived years. Aside from being a novelist and a writer, he is hailed to be a servant of art. He is a genius in music, painting, sculpture and even in performing arts.

Sculptures made by Rizal were also on display inside the museum. These works were specially made by Rizal using the earth of Dapitan.

Aside from the works of art made by the hands of Rizal, the museum also holds several of the Hero's personal tools and equipment for his profession as a doctor, calling cards and fountain pens. It also holds the certificates and diplomas of Rizal during his school years and from contests he won.

The Dambana ni Rizal has ticket costing Php 75 for regular and Php 50 for students.

Read More

Padre Pio Shrine

As we rode a taxi going back to our host family for 2015 Papal Visit I chanced to see a large billboard bearing a picture of a praying Padre Pio and my reaction was: 'Oh my gosh!!!' Upon seeing the sign I promised to myself that I will never let any chance to hinder me from going. The shrine of Padre Pio in Libis, Quezon city was really one of my dream and this experience is a dream come true.

Under the canopy of high rising buildings in Libis, Quezon City is this humble shrine dedicated to the humble servant of the Lord whose fame became inevitable worldwide. This humble shrine is patterned to the convent and chapel housing the brotherhood of men in Italy whose one member became so famous because of his miracles and stigmata. His is the Padre Pio of the Franciscan Capuchins.

The shrine of Padre Pio in Libis is a 'private' donation or devotion by the Rodriguez family after a miracle performed by Padre Pio to one of the members. After that petition answered, the family feeling the urge of return and spreading the devotion to a more devotees put up and maintain this shrine.

The front facade of the shrine was patterned to the original Church and convent of Our Lady of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy where the saint's last days where spent blessing people. Inside this chapel one can see scores of letters of testimony testifying to the cures and miracles performed by the wonder-worker.

Devotees also anonymously testify to the efficacy of this saint through the rosaries they hang in the shrine. Thousands of beads are now hanging on the grills, statues and crosses inside the shrine.

The shrine opens its doors 7 days a week for pilgrims visiting the great Padre Pio.

Read More

Tantangan Potters

With a bit of sweat and coupled with hardwork, the potters of Tantangan make money literally from earth. Using clay they transform it into something wonderful and useful.

These earthenwares are made available along the highway going to Tacurong from Marbel. Earthenware such as pots, jars, bricks and even garden gnomes line up in the roads of Tantangan. This is the prime producer and supplier of almost every potteries in the province of South Cotabato.

The potters still use the traditional technique of pottery making. From the collection of clay to the forming of pots and to the cooking of it inside the furnace the potters of Tantangan are truly a heritage treasure.

The pots and other earthenware sold in Tantangan is a lot more lower in prize compared to those sold in the city stores. You can buy by dozen or half. Depending on the size and design prizes may vary.

How To Get There: One can reach Tantangan via Marbel. There is a Jeepney terminal which fares Php 20-30 each passenger.

Read More

Sagbayan Peak Water Park

Imagine one day in a place where every character in your childhood years come life sized. Yes, I am talking about Diseneyland! Then imagine you cannot go there because you lack in financial matters. That's a disaster! But, imagine again you get a tour to Cebu and Bohol. You can now reclaim that dream in Sagbayan!

This Chocolate hills viewing deck is not just a viewing deck but also a theme park packed with life size statues of Mickey and Minie Mouse, Donald duck and many other cartoon characters! It has also a T-Rex that will greet you on your way inside.

Sagbayan Peak is also a water park where one could enjoy swimming under the Boholano sun. It is so named a peak because it is in an elevation where one could enjoy Bohol's prime symbol the Chocolate Hills.

Sagbayan Peak has also a small botanical garden filled with shrubs that houses Bohol's another symbol, the endangered Tarsiers.

How To Get There: Sagbayan Peak is 35 km. from Tagbilaran City, Bohol. You can reach it by a rented Taxi from the port of Tagbilaran.

Read More