Part 2: Holy Week @ Bonifacio High Street

It's the night of the Black Saturday here in the Philippines. Traditions are not observed anymore. Throughout the holy week, my neighbors still went on with their lives - buying liquors and cigarettes from us. Yes, we run a small business. We got no choice but to sell to these people, times are tough nowadays. Again, while I'm not religious, it's kind of sad.

I covered half of the stations in my previous post, check it out if you have time!

Station 8, The Two Simons. In this station, there's a table with a lamp, pieces of paper, jars, and pencils. One can write their prayers on a piece of paper and drop them on the jar. One can read the papers in the jar and pray for those people. I didn't write anything. While I think I have many problems, a lot of people have it worst. I picked some papers, went through them and prayed for the others who deserve it. One message I can't forget was, "I wish for my husband's success in his career. I wish for the good health and blessings of my family. Hopefully, one of these days, we can finally have that wedding - not just in my dreams. I will not stop hoping."

Station 10, The Mother: Jesus Entrusts Mary to John There were pictures clipped showing mothers with their children.

Station 11 The Promise, Jesus promises Paradise to the Thief. Aside from Jesus, there were two other men crucified on either of his side, both were criminals. The other one threw him insults, the other one believed in him. He then promises paradise to the latter.

Station 13, The Cloth. My favorite station! One can write in a piece of paper about people they are thankful for. Wrote about my friends in high school and college, people I've met elsewhere, and everyone in between.

Much Love,

Part 1: Holy Week @ Bonifacio High Street.

I got the week off. Most of us do. I should have been at a bar today but I declined the offer. I am not religious but I think it's not appropriate to drink during the holy week.

I went to Bonifacio High Street the other night with a friend. For some who don't know, the place is a hot spot for celebrities that live nearby, owning the million dollar condos only them could afford. The place is also dotted with shops and restaurants that are high end. However, in additional, as it is Holy Week, there are 14 stations of the cross that people could visit and reflect on. CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE!

Fragmented reflection. I am the one on the right.

Station 1 is about Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus and his disciples prayed before the crucifixion. In this station, we each took a red bead as a souvenir. The fragmented reflection has a deep meaning, which I can't clearly write in here.

Station 2 is about the betrayal of Judas. Judas sold Jesus for a few pieces of silver, roughly about two or three months of what a common laborer would earn that time. Judas was taken in with the offer of money and his selfishness, which this station depicts - the person inside the glass tube container with piles of money in his feet.

Station 3 is the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin. This is the one where the crowd was made to choose between Jesus and Jesus Barabbas. The crowd chose Jesus to be crucified - the man who performed miracles, over the guy who was a known crook. In this station, there were three telephones. When I listened, it was a conversation between a man and a woman, and how they passed judgment on an overweight woman without knowing the real story.

Station 5 is the infamous whip. The whip is suspended in mid-air, with red paint, supposedly blood, splattered about.

Station 6: Jesus is crowned with thorns. As the whipping is not enough, a crown of thorns was placed upon his head. In this station, I picked up a black cloth, which will be put into use in one of the stations ahead.

As I've mentioned, I am not a religious person. Yes, I have read the bible in two languages, from cover to cover. I like some of the teachings, I probably believe in Jesus. I don't go to church on Sundays, I don't even pray anymore - unless it's for others. I like money and I am selfish. I judge other people on how they look without knowing their story.

Visiting those stations made me more aware about myself. That's all.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Something extremely useful and the doppler effect.

Recently, I've been searching for places to go to and things to do when I finally get to be at Baguio by the end of this month. It's looking good so far for my itinerary and budget. Google Blog Search has been extremely helpful. Blogs are more helpful because the prices are out in the open and pictures are shared by the writers. You can even refine the search by choosing publishing dates, if you are looking for more accurate information.

***

A panoramic shot of the pool

Blurred shot of Antipolo Skyline. I can't get a good shot. Haha

I got back from the Antipolo trip last Sunday night. I had an awesome time with my best-est friends, as well as their best friends. One breathtaking thing about Antipolo besides the cold climate that will surely take your breath away, is the breathtaking overlooking view of the city skylines from certain standpoints in Antipolo.

***

Want to go that Restaurant but not quite sure of the budget? Want to explore a new dining place? Want to share your favorite restaurants or drop bombs on restaurants that suck? Live in Metro Manila? Well you better head on over to MunchPunch if you said yes to all of the above!

I review restaurants in there, I go by the name of ASoprano.

***

Smart is indeed sexy.

I finished watching Community Season 1 a few days ago. While the series is not a barrel of laughs, it has good writing. So overall, it's worth it, so go download and watch! They've been renewed for a third season.

I recently started on The Big Bang Theory. I do understand the scientific jargon going on but like Penny, maybe someday I can get the hang of listening to the other guys talk about subatomic particles, molecular positronium, the doppler effect, and well, a lot of other big words. It's an okay show for me, I chuckle here and there.

Use the Holy Week to reflect and spend time with your loved ones!

Much Love,

Something that smells like burnt cash and where royal flush is the ultimate killer.

"Your productivity is the reason of my interest. I like the person that you are, but I am in love with the person that you have potential to be." - Wale, in Ambitious Girl.

***

A necklace that has far too many laces and a bonnet. I love the brown/copper/bronze shade! Bring on the earth colors.

A few days ago, I went shopping. I really don't go into shopping sprees, usually just a top and an additional item here and there, usually once a week. We don't have issued uniforms in school so being the big spender that I am, I constantly need new tops and accessories to go with them.

----------------

I started watching this show because I am about to finish the brilliantly smart and witty show that only lasted for three seasons, Arrested Development. Still can't conclude anything from Community but I think I'm gonna go far with it, I love the pop culture referencing they do. They did a lot of Breakfast Clubbing in the Pilot episode.

----------------

I have four possible trips this April. One is this upcoming weekend, in Antipolo where we will go bar hopping while looking at the beautiful major city skylines; Two is the trip to Pangasinan where we will camp and have fun in the beach. I am hoping for some sports to play - just not Volleyball because I just wasn't made for that; Three, Ilocos, where I will visit this Music Producer who I have a crush on; and Four, a trip to the summer capital of the country, Baguio, where I will explore, get cold, meet friends, and enjoy the nightlife.

These trips are sponsored by my Dad - only he doesn't know of it.

----------------
I very sincerely think that if you have multiple blogs and you don't use some of them unless they have some kind of sentimental value (For example: a blog covering your trip to Africa and doing social work), delete them. I get confused on which to visit so I click all of them and see which one is the most active.

Save me the time so I can read your wonderful posts!

----------------

I've been playing a lot of Poker lately - especially Hold Em. I got the money, chips, and cards for the possible trip to Antipolo tomorrow! All set for gambling!

Something about flying away and on being a quitter.

For as long as I can remember, I've been a quitter. I'm not proud of it. The reason for being at first, being obsessed with the idea of a particular thing, could be due to a lot of things. The hype surrounding it, the glory after attaining that goal, and my dreams, hopes, and attitude of wanting to be versatile and skillful in a lot of areas. I am interested in a wide array of things so I tend to get confused and overexcited over what I really want to do with my life.

The idea of wanting to get into med school. I took the test that serves as a requirement for all medical schools in the Philippines. I got a really low score. I feel like I can't take the hardship that I have to go through med school.

Being an officer of the Student Council. I was head of the Sports committee then promoted to Secretary. I quit because I wanted to focus more on my studies and my internship that time.

Enrolling in a private institution for Spanish classes. I attended a few classes but then decided it was too hard for me, I need to be immersed in a place where I could really practice the language.

Shifting from BS Computer Science to BS Psychology. Calculus and analytical subjects shot me down.

For most of the time, I am great at the start of these ideas but then after a while, I quit before I hit the finish line. I could have had a shot at being a Doctor, I could have organized and helped BS Psychology be recognized and appreciated in my university, I could have been speaking and understanding Spanish now, or I could have been a Computer Programmer instead of a Psychotherapist or a Human Resources person.

I have a lot of regrets but there's no use sulking over them. I do not promise any more quitting in the future but I would like to redeem myself and make use of what I have now, take things one day at a time, do time management. I wrote and posted this on my blog to serve as a memory and a guide for a lot of things that I gave up.

What have you been quitting lately?

Much Love,

Something you either love or hate and an out of town experience.

Drake's So Far Gone mixtape - if you're into Hiphop/Rap, listen to it. You shouldn't pass up a mixtape this great.

When I get tired of the rappers rapping about money, the cars, the fame, and "the hoes", I hit stop and listen to The Script instead. Sometimes I need a pause or a stop button from all the swagging, bragging, and partying, and get in touch with my softer side.

My favorite genre is hip-hop and rap and I am aware of the negativity surrounding it. A lot of rappers do make sense. Some of their songs don't, some of their songs do. It's a love it or hate it relationship. Either way, they will dominate the charts.

***

A few days ago, I went with some schoolmates on this paradise not yet reached by industrialization and capitalism - Papaya, Nueva Ecija. It is a very long ride from the province's capital and does not attract a lot of tourists. People in there possibly only got the information by word of mouth or letting the pictures speak for its beauty. Which comes after this paragraph, without further ado. CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE! :)

There are many other photos but I picked out the best ones from a handful of pictures I took. We spent about an hour trekking out the rock formations and finally into some really dark cave with bats and blasts of cold air. Finally out in the sun, we went to the pictures shown above. It was very tiring but rewarding, especially when you actually get to be there.

Come on, Department of Tourism, promote the damn place!

How to get there:

Ride a bus to Gapan in one of the Bus Liners in Cubao. We picked Baliwag Transit (P160, if you're a student, bring your ID.) From Gapan, ride a jeep which will cost one person P23. Tell the driver to bring you to Papaya, where the cave and the water is at. I really don't know the exact name of the place, but show em some pictures and I'm sure they will know from there.

Much Love,

Something you think, feel, and do when bored and you actually want to do something meaningful with your life.

It's my term break so I got nothing better to do but sit in front of the computer and check Facebook multiple times during the day and through the night. I have no life. I hate being on vacation cos my allowance gets cut too. I prefer stressing over some exam the next day after just getting home from a night of getting wasted at some bar.

Thankfully, all the negativity, bitterness, and laziness will be over once school starts in two weeks.

And oh yeah, this might be my last summer vacation, I will be graduating in six months, hopefully sometime around November. Time to get some money and wash those dollar bills like laundry!

***

Run for Japan. (Registration Fee: P350.)

I don't just mean spending on parties, clothes, and escapades, I also mean doing things for a cause, to explain what I said in the previous paragraph before those asterisks. I mean, what kind of person do you think I am?!

I am planning to participate in fun runs this summer. I like the whole idea of giving and doing something for a cause. I like how the Run For Japan event only costs P350 or close to 9 US Dollars. Because it's not expensive and with the recent media blasting about the unfortunate disaster that struck Japan, this is bound to be participated by many.

Now I just need me some running shoes. There are a LOT of fun runs this summer!

Much Love,