Nueve en Anvaya

May 20, 2012: We celebrated the 9th birthday of James and John at Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan. It was a 3 hour drive from Manila via NLEX and SCTEC.

Thanks to our Ninong and Ninang, not a single centavo was spent for this family vacation and birthday celebration in one.

On our first day, the kids enjoyed swimming at Anvaya Cove's pool at the club house. John even tried the kiddie pool with many colorful balls. We had a dip at the beach and played with the sand.

For the accomodations, we stayed at the newly built retirement house of our godparents. Dinner was cooked by our Ninang with some ingredients freshly picked at their backyard.

They had a small pool where the kids continued their swim all they can day.

On our second day, we tried the kayak and the kiddie zip line. James liked the zip line so much that he asked for a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round from the kuyas who were assisting them with the line.

For their birthday, which was also our last day, our Ninong bought KFC, pizza, cakes and ube ice cream for lunch.

A million thanks to Kuya Boyet, Sarah, Rene and most especially to our Ninong and Ninang for this memorable birthday gift and family vacation. May our Lord God shower you more blessings.

And to our twins, James and John, we wish you more birthdays to come, good health and we hope that both of you would be blessed with speech in the coming days.

Road Trip: Marikina-Infanta Road

April 30, 2012: It was a very humid Monday afternoon when we decided to make an ocular visit at Barangay Daraitan in Tanya, Rizal.  According to DENR, Daraitan has the "Cleanest Body of Water" in the whole of Region IV.  But before we get there, we dropped by at the poblacion of Tanay to get a glimps of their lighthouse.  Commonly known as the "Parola" or "Dike" to locals, it stands guard to warn water vehicles that land is near.

After a 30 minute drive, we finally reached Barangay Daraitan.  James was very excited and tried out the fresh running water.  Mang Randy, a tour guide of the place, greeted us and told us that a 30 minute hike will bring us to a cave with beautiful pockets of pools of cool fresh water.

On our way home, we decided to turn left towards Infanta Quezon to check if the road going to Infanta was already complete.  Known as the Marikina-Infanta road or Marcos highway extension, the government plans to connect Manila and the port of Infanta through this highway.  Since Infanta is already at the side of the Pacific ocean, ships carrying goods will no longer pass through Batangas port making delivery of good to Manila more faster.

After an hour and half drive through the cool and winding road, we reached the Infanta Quezon boundary marker at 110 kilometer post. 

Every time we visit a place, we make it a habit to drop by at the Catholic church to light a candle and seek guidance for a safe trip.  

A relaxing drive and a scenic view of the Sierra Madre, Laguna de bay and the Pacific ocean was indeed a good stress reliever.  On our next trip, we will make sure to take a dip at the cool waters of Daraitan.

Laguna Church Visits

April 5, 2012: After completing the 14 Stations of the Cross, we drove past the town of Paete in the direction of Pagsanjan Laguna in search of the old stone church of Longos, a small bario in Kalayaan Laguna. Built in 1669, the church of San Juan Bautista was heavily damaged by typhoon Milenyo in 2006 where the roof of the church was totally damaged. To this date, the parish priest together with Longos town folks are putting up funds to complete the repairs of the church.

Ruins of what could have been the church convent was found beside the church.

On the way to the "Tatlong Krus" of Paete Laguna, we stopped at the Shrine of the Our Lady of Fatima at Mary Hill. A very peaceful place for prayer and home to Sisters of Fatima.

From the town of Paete in Laguna, three crosses can be seen on top of Mt. Maharap, which is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges. Known as the "Tatlong Krus", pilgrims flock the place by foot during holy week for penitence. A panoramic view of the town of Paete and Laguna de Bay will greet you at the top.

Another Holy Week trip to remember.

Seven Church Visitation

April 5, 2012: It has been our family tradition to go on a pilgrimage every Maundy Thursday to visit seven churches. This is one way of showing God the Father how we appreciated all that he has given us including sacrificing his only Son who died on the cross to save us from original sins. As always, we start our pilgrimage at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City.

Next stop, a church dedicated to St. Joseph in Baras, Rizal. The church has a simple facade and a well preserved interior. It was completed in 1686.

For the 5th and 6th stations, we stopped at the church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal. Listed as one of the National Cultural Treasures, the church is made of adobe which dates back in 1780s. The church's Stations of the Cross is a 200 year-old creation of an artist known only as the Master of Tanay.

Nuestra Senora de Candelaria chruch in Mabitac, Laguna was our next stop. The church is found on top of a hill overlooking the whole town and can be reached by 129 steps from the main road. Only the church bell tower survived destruction from the world war.

The Church of Nuestra Senora de La Natividad in Pangil, Laguna was next on our list. An image of the Virgin Mary depicting her pregnancy of the Child Jesus was housed in this church. The original church structure was destroyed during the world war 2.

Station 11 and 12 were recited at the Church of San Pedro Alcantara in Pakil, Laguna. One of the Jubilee Churches in the country, it is the home of Virgen de Turumba. The feast of the Turumba is said to be the longest that lasts for seven months.

One of my favorite towns in Laguna is Paete. Known as the carving capital of the Philippines, Paete is home to the best wood carving artists in the world. We usually end our Stations of the Cross at St. James the Apostle church. This church has a Western Baroque style.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings you had showered my family.

Monasterio De Tarlac

August 28, 2011: It was a stormy Sunday morning, typhoon Mina was still in the Philippine area or responsibility, when we drove to Tarlac to get the chance of touching the Sacred Relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The only relic in the whole of Asia was enshrined in a Monastery in Tarlac, where pilgrims flock to hear mass and fall in line to touch the miraculous relic.

We were fortunate enough that the rain stopped when we reached Mount Resurrection in Barangay Lubigan, San Jose, Tarlac.

A 35ft. statue of the Risen Lord was on the mountain top to welcome pilgrims.

A peacful view of the rice fields of Tarlac greets pilgrims. We thank our Lord God for all the Blessings that he has given our family.