The deadline for the 1st Larawang Bulakenyo Turismo Photography Competition is on June 15, 2016. Stock photos taken from August 15, 2015 until the deadline is included in the contest.
The theme for this photo contest is “Lalawigan Ko, Kikilalanin Ko”. Please visit their website at www.bulacan.gov.ph for more information.
This contest is open to all Bulakenyos (residents of Bulacan).
Here’s the schedule of activities for the upcoming Libad Festival in Calumpit, Bulacan. It’s basically the celebration of the Feat of St John the Baptist in Calumpit. It’s a weeklong festival that will start on June 15, 2015 until June 24.
I believe the highlights of the event are on June 20, 2015 for the Indakan Festival, June 23 for the Libad and June 24 for Araw ng Kapistahan. I believe this will be a “water-filled” event in commemoration of St John’s Baptism of Christ through water at the Jordan River. Let’s have our waterproof camera ready.
The Libad Festival is a fluvial festival in the river similar to Bocaue’s Pagoda Festival.
June 15 Monday
Opening SALVO – Pasinaya Street Dancing, Parade and Showdown “Mardi Gras Style” at 4:00 AM
Regular Mass – 6:00 AM
Battle of the Band – 7:00 PM
Fireworks Display
June 16 Tuesday
Bayanihan sa Bayan – 8:00 AM
You Can Dance – Ultimate Dance Revolution Contest – 7:00 PM
June 17 Wednesday
Opening of Calumpit IDOL Singing Contest – 1st Elimination Night – 7:00 PM
June 18 Thursday
Calumpit IDOL Singing Contest – 2nd Elimination Night – 7:00 PM
June 19 Friday
Calumpit IDOL Singing Contest – 3rd Elimination Night – 7:00 PM
June 20 Saturday
Indakan Festival – Parade and Showdown – 4:00 AM
Calumpit IDOL Singing Contest – 4th Elimination Night – 7:00 PM
June 21 Sunday
Zumba (Calumpit Sports Complex) – 4:00 AM
Fun Run (Takbo Para Kay San Juan) – 5:00 AM
Regular Mass – 5:30 AM
Calumpit IDOL Singing Contest – 5th Elimination Night – 7:00 PM
June 22 Monday
BINGO For Every Juan – 8:00 PM
June 23 Tuesday
MISA / LIBAD / Prusisyon – 5:30 AM
Serenata
Bulacan’s Next Top Model 2015 – 8:00 PM
June 24 Wednesday
ARAW NG KAPISTAHAN – Holy High Mass/Prusisyon
Calumpit IDOL Singing Contest – GRAND FINALS
Fireworks Display
Jose & Wally Concert – 8:00 PM
So far, this year was a year of travel for me. I have so many backlogs as far as posting pictures are concern. I also have a lot of “first” this year. Some of the backlog stories I have not posted yet includes:
Please bear with me as I sort my pictures and do the write up of this travels so far. Hopefully, the rest of the year will be as busy as the first half of this year (as far as travel is concern).
Aliwan Fiesta 2015
My first time at Baler, Aurora
My first time at the Sumakah Festival (Antipolo City)
My first time at the Pulilan Kneeling Carabao Festival (Bulacan)
What happened to the Taytay Settlement? (San Lorenzo Ruiz, Taytay)
Sta Martha Festival 2015 (Pateros)
Jeepney Series
Black Friday 2015 (in Pasig City)
Panagbenga 2015 (Baguio City)
My first time at La Mesa Dam (Quezon City)
My first time at Wawa Dam (Rodriguez, Rizal)
My first time at the Dagupan Bangus Festival
The town of Pulilan, Bulacan will be celebrating their annual Carabao Festival, which they renamed to Kneeling Carabao Festival, on May 14-15, 2015. I was advised by the organizers via Facebook that on May 14, the program will start at 2:00 PM.
The Kneeling Carabao Festival is in honor of San Isidro Labrador (Saint Isidore), the patron saint of farmers. I lived in Baliuag during my school days but I’ve never been to this festival. This year, the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) declared the Kneeling Carabao Festival of Pulilan as one of the 4 On-The-Spot (OTS) of the Federation. I’m definitely going to this festival.
Viva! San Isidro Labrador. Viva! Fiesta Pulilan 2015.
I was very fortunate to attend the Feast of the Ascension 2014 at Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon (sharing boundaries with San Pablo, Laguna). It’s my 3rd time at this famous plantations and resort and it’s always a good thing to visit this place.
This time, Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort has a new band – Banda 31 Original of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Inc. Most of our entries to our club’s On-The-Spot (OTS) contest for Villa Escudero feature the band. Sad to say, I have very little information about them aside from being a band from Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Their Facebook page also give little information about them aside from having an objective “to uplift not only the growth of the group but the members entirety as well.”
They also believe that the band “can be more of a person with music as their passion and confidence as their foundation. Our band is becoming popular and we are proud to say that we are making our footsteps more visible for others to follow.”
Group picture of Banda 31 Original of Sta. Maria, Bulacan Inc.
Logo of Banda 31 Original
The majorettes of Banda 31 Original of Sta. Maria, Bulacan Inc.
The conductor of Banda 31 Original of Sta. Maria, Bulacan Inc.
Nice smile. I wonder what his name. He’s very photogenic.
Banda 31 Original at work.
Marching towards the Main Pavilion from the chapel.
Picture-picture din ‘pag may time (taking a pose for the camera).
I also find this guy photogenic.
The Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is located at Cruz na Daan, San Rafael, Bulacan. It’s one of the most beautiful church I’ve seen in my province of Bulacan and it’s located along the National Road that connects Baliuag to San Miguel, Bulacan (and to Nueva Ecija).
The façade of the San Rafael Church (officially known as the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Bulacan.
The church is Neo-Classical because of the use of the Greek Corinthian column, and Romanesque because of the curves and arches. It has a single belfry and the image of the Sacred Heart is on the façade of the church along with a stained glass rose window.
The rose window shows the Resurrection of Christ.
The main doors of the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus has the Lamb of God as it’s decoration. Inside the church, you’ll see arches and the dome at the main altar. The main altar shows the apparition of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque of France who started the devotion to the Sacred Heart. There’s also a painting of the Immaculate Conception and an archangel (I’m assuming it is St. Raphael).
The marker reads:
Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Cruz na Daan, San Rafael, Bulacan
We commend to the Lord the thousands of people who helped build this church.
The wealthy who shared their abundance, the gifted who gave their skills and their labor;
The less fortunate who offered their prayers, friends and kinsmen from far away lands;
All who gave what they could to transform a dream into an inspiring reality.
This house of God stands
As a living symbol of their common faith,
A monument to friendship that made them one,
Their fullest offering of thanksgiving of His beneficence
May the Lord inscribe their names in His generous heart
And grant them their just rewards,
1st Day of December 2000
The other marker reads:
Marker
In commemoration of the solemn dedication and proclamation of the church as the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus located at Cruz na Daan, San Rafael, Bulacan.
Officiated by his Excellency Rolando J. Tria Tirona O.C.D., D.D. Bishop of Malolos on the 1st Day of December 2000 in the year of our Lord during the incumbency of Rev. Fr. Adalberto G. Vergara as parish priest.
This Holy Week 2014, it’s worth visiting the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in San Rafael, Bulacan along with other churches in the province.
The markers of the church.
The Lamb of God.
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Interior of the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Rafael, Bulacan.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The wonderful dome of the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in San Rafael, Bulacan.
The Main Altar.
The Rose Window depicting the Resurrection of Christ and other events in the New Testament.
Details of the arch. Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Rafael, Bulacan.
Details of the ceiling.
Details of the façade.
Details of the side windows.
Details of the grills.
The side elevation of the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Rafael, Bulacan.
Façade of the church.
Monument to the Unborn.
The Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, San Rafael, Bulacan is along the National Highway that connects Baliuag to Nueva Ecija, passing by San Rafael, San Ildefonso and San Miguel in Bulacan.
