The San Pedro Calungsod Altar @ Archbishop Palace

Built at the time of San Pedro Calungsod's beatification. It lies in the vast property of the Archbishop Palace.

Anointing of the New San Pedro Calungsod Chapel

At the heart of the new City built by SM Primeholdings lies a new chapel named after the newly canonized saint San Pedro Calungsod.

In most of the times that I pass by SRP (South Reclamation Properties) I can only glance at the side where the new structure is built...they said that it is soon to be chapel of San Pedro.  If not for the saintly nun Sister Raquel, who wanted to give me a car pass I wouldn't be there... not on it's first day of public opening and anointing.

I arrived at the chapel few minutes before San Predro.  It was a blessing in disguise...the first thought that came across my mind.  What was initially planned as a car-pass-pick-up-moment turned out to be a hearing-the-mass-and-witnessing-the anointing-time.  My heart leaped with too much excitement.

Above is the image of the altar...with Rev. Father Junie Tupas as the appointed Chapel Chaplain holding onto the relics with another image of the priests and bishops marching to the alter for the mass.

Now there will be more reasons to visit SRP. 

National Thanksgiving of San Pedro Calungsod

Alas, the long wait is here....November 30, 2012 was marked in the calendar by Millions of Filipinos...not to mention majority of them were Cebuanos all over the world.  It's now time for the National Thanksgiving of San Pedro Calungsod and many formed part of the pilgrimage.

We were one of them...we took turns standing...sitting...waiting for the mass to start.  It was an overwhelming moment and many hearts were overjoyed.  Some were singing...some were raising their San Pedro Icons...and some were busy appreciating the presence of many believers... We gained more friends and we realized that faith matters most despite the hot weather condition.

I was very young then during the times of World Youth Day so I can only hear what people said...for them the National Thanksgiving is another event similar to the World Youth Day...I can only nod while I imagine those overwhelming situations.

There were mixed emotions witnessed that day.  I saw a cancer patient with so much hope it crushed my heart to see him yet I was grateful for the perseverance he showed and how much faith he had for the new Saint.  I saw young lads who I couldn't imagine would be there rather than be at the malls and be with another group of individuals their age.  I saw a family tightly hugging each other with so much joy and celebrating togetherness as they hear the mass.  There were more...more that I can't say them all.  Nonetheless, the sight that I saw was really a wonderful sight to behold.

I commend to the overall committee for the successful celebration of the National Thanksgiving Mass...it was a job well done.  May God be with us all.

Off to an Island

It was a unanimous decision, everyone is going to an island.  Yes, we are all going to Camotes Island.  The place where I always longed to be with even for a day.

I enjoyed my panoramic view of the distant Island where we will soon be.

The kids were exulting at the sight of the Island getting nearer and nearer.

It looks so perfect from a distance and is so realistically naive at a closer look. 

My CucineRah Experience

This is the yummy taco basket

In a corner of President Quirino and President Magsaysay Sts. of Villa Aurora, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City lies a cozy restaurant I never thought to have captured my taste.

Hubby ordered Beef Lasagna which enticed me to choose another one for me the Taco Basket.  It was large enough for me not to finish and invite hubby to finish the serving for me.  Delightfully tasty! That's all I can say.

So it never stopped there.  Yesterday, I almost skipped lunch as I couldn't make up my mind what to eat.  Thoughts were overwhelming with rumbling tummy when I remembered I wanted another round of CucineRah Foods.

Banana smoothies, osso bucco, linguini aligue

Brought my friends to eat with me, a sign enough that I am truly proud of this discovery.  They were amazed with the interior and much more the foods they offer.  We tried the Signature Occo Bucco, Linguine Aligue, and Fish n' Chips with our Banana Smoothies.  Hahahaha, obviously we finished the Linguini Aligue in no time (see the back of the smoothies).  Oh lala...it was fun and yum yum yum!

Oh I almost forgot!  I like it there because they serve extra rice in various flavors from Plain Rice, Java Rice, to Bagoong Rice. Neat isn't it?

Golden spoon in Cebu

It was a rainy night of September when my dear friend Joy Dave brought me to the Ayala Triangle for a surprise treat of a cup of yogurt. It was a crazy idea for me since I never really love yogurt. I was closing my eyes when my spoon dipped for the first time into the cup of yogurt. I let it set into my mouth before I actually decided swallowing it. Viola! It wasn't bad at all. The night ended, we had so much fun chit-chatting and I totally forgot how I hated yogurts.

Yesterday, meeting-bound in SM City Cebu (Northwing) along with another good friend, the sight of Golden Spoon excited me again as I remember my first experience. It was very delightful and we enjoyed the cup of yogurt which we just shared.

I did say goodbye to the yogurt hater me!

Lovin' the CucineRAH Foods!

Simply delightful!

In the heart of the City

In the heart of the City lie these towering towers of Crown Regency.

I got this perfect view from the 6th Floor of St Vincent Hospital in one of my visits there.

I missed blogging so I would want this to be my first post after days of staying off my blogsite.

I can still clearly remember my encounters with Ms Joy King, a fellow Carolinian, who now heads Finance and how humble their means are.

Perhaps that is how it takes to be a Vice President and partly owning the chain of Hotels and Resorts in the country, you become fearless yet so grounded. She'd say "I get what I want!" most of the time whenever she's negotiating.

The Towers symbolize how far one can stand, sore and reach but despite it all it stays on the ground.

All things great and small

Mactan Beneto Ebuen Air Base

Wow wow wow... What a wonderful sight to behold!

Carcar Public Market: The cleanest public market i've been

Where:   Carcar City, Cebu

Oh yes, I'd say this is one of the cleanest public market I've been to.  Congratulations to the people of CARCAR for keeping it tidy.  

A glorious first Friday

Despite a busy day and rush thanks God I managed to slip out to hear mass. The Basilica is in its usual thick crowd of believers and faithful followers.

I am touched with the sincerity of the church goers that despite the occasional rain-showers they remained untouched and focused.

Praise God! Praise Sto Nino!

Dirty Kitchen

I'd say this is a very primitive way of cooking but after all these times it has proven to be very efficient and effective.

It is able to cook our native chicken really quick yet the tenderness of the meat was to its perfection. As if cooked on a low heat fire, the old burner made wonders.

It's very economical and I hope people will continue to adopt it despite the fast evolution of technology.

Almost Bare

In the service of the people it doesn't matter which foot lands first, it doesn't matter which footwear you are on. The important thing that matters is that each service comes in time. Just in time.

Thou shall not judge the feet that you are staring for you don't know how noble are the intentions of the bearer. Rather know deep within on how you can help as one continues to serve mankind.

Special thanks to Father Cabug for allowing this shot. You are an inspiration and forever you will be.

Earthquake shake map of Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere

God bless the Philippines and the people in it.  Keep us safe always please.

Earthquake shake map of Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere: 'via Blog this'

7.9 earthquake rocks Philippines, tsunami warning issued - World News - IBNLive

I can still picture out the previous incident, I hope nothing serious had happened.  God please keep us safe.

7.9 earthquake rocks Philippines, tsunami warning issued - World News - IBNLive:

'via Blog this'

Late lunch

My super late lunch turned out to be an early dinner. Thanks to Pancake House you make life more easier.

Man-made forest

Salute to the people of Bohol for doing a good job and keeping it great.  If they can make this (kind of forest) why can't we?

Paint

If I could paint the world i'd paint it with white, blue and green all over again. Then I knew it's a wonderful world.

The famous Chocolate Hills, taken last Sunday August 26, 2012 @ Carmen, Bohol.  

The Sun never left he just needed to rest

Today had been a busy day but the sky changed my mood instantly. Other than sunrise, sunset is my favorite part of the day. It's just so good to see the mixed colors creating a lovely sky.

Though I never wanted to say goodbye I am always certain that tomorrow I'd see Mr Sun again. Good night everyone!

Prony (a Boholano Python) meets the Cebuanos

Somewhere in a nook of Baclayon, a town in Bohol lies a spot where people are curious to go.  this is because of the famous Python caught several years and grown really huge.  He is big enough to swallow and consume a 65kg pig or whole goat.  I forced myself to open my eyes as I stare at this creature with mouth halfway open.  I had several wild ideas coming out of mind and that includes imagining Prony (as they call him) going wild and crazy.

He is really huge!!! It took 6 men to carry him to a multi cab the time they were about to move him into this new cage.

Of course my boys couldn't let the opportunity just slip away.  This is the scariest attempt that I can ever imagine.  My heart stopped beating looking at them.

And MariMar as this lady guy wanted to be called did his show trying to steal the crowds attention.  Oh well, he's so used to hearing people calling him as the human twin of Prony, what a classic joke but he took it lightheartedly.

Another day to relax after work

After several meetings for the day I finally got the chance to unwind and just enjoy the scenes from afar.

A cool and cozy place is all I need to relax from a day's stress and pressure.

This is it! As I always say, life is good for you to make it miserable.

Have a nice day everyone!

Top of the World

A typical Cebuana love's to travel whenever there's a chance. All it takes is to have a long holiday or a day off and expect her to be skittering from one place to the other.

Bed Crawler

Off to bed now....Bohol is waiting for the Cebuanos!  See you tomorrow Bohol...

Asia Town IT Park at night

This isn't how it was few years back. Back then the picture was plain and there's a much wider space than buildings.

Though I miss the old place I couldn't help but smile thinking of the greater good these developments gave back to the people of Cebu in terms of employment and improving the means of living.

Along with these developments Cebuano culture partly changed. We are now easy to adopt to the ever changing environment.

In a nutshell I couldn't help thinking like is it really for greater good or greater evil?

Greater good because ________; greater evil because __________. Come help me fill in the blanks.

Mactan old bridge

For the longest time has been connecting the Mactan Island to the Mainland of Cebu.

We call it old bridge due to the rise of the second bridge which is closer to the MCIAA.

An oysterous lunch in Liloan

Come let's eat!  Let the picture speak for itself..  

Just a bit of pork chop 

and an Anduhaw fish

Then get loads of Talaba.....

So far this "Talabahan sa Liloan" has the most 'malaman' Talaba I ever had.  They also make sure the shells are clean and no foul smell too.  

Looks like it's gonna be a rainy afternoon

Remembering Bantayan Island

The journey wasn't as sunny as expected.  We had a rough ride on board a boat to Bantayan Island but on our arrival we were greeted by the smiling sun.  It was too hot in the Island and it gave us enough chance to roam around its small capital.

This is a 3-Century old Church.  Older than anyone else that I know ever exist.  It's such an honor to be here for the nth time.

Of course, one shouldn't leave the island without shopping for some dried fish.  It's a lot cheaper here since this is the source of the dried fishes in the market.  Once it arrives the City they are normally sold in Tabuan Market.