Sampiro Fiesta 2016

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Poblacion, Makati City, will celebrate its Sampiro Fiesta 2016 this June 29-30, 2016.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Merciful Love of God in the Eucharist and the Family: Realities and Challenges”.

Novena Masses

June 20, Monday 6:30 PM – Rev. Msgr. Jose Clemente F. Ignacio

June 21, Tuesday 6:30 PM – His Excellency Most Rev. Arch. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D.

June 22, Wednesday 6:30 PM – His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, D.D.

June 23, Thursday 6:30 PM – Rev. Fr. Renato De Guzman, SDB

June 24, Friday 6:30 PM – Rev. Fr. Joselito Martin

June 25, Saturday 6:30 PM – Rev. Fr. Enrique Manalo Luzung

June 26, Sunday 5:00 PM – His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D.D.

June 27, Monday 6:30 PM – His Excellency Most Rev. Bp. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D.

Parish Activities

June 19, Sunday 3:00 PM – Daong Maria, Fluvial Parade for the Virgen de la Rosa de Macati, Sta. Ana Ferry Station to Valenzuela Ferry Station

June 29, Wednesday – Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

6:00 AM – Rev. Fr. Ryan B. Dino, SVD

7:00 AM – Rev. Fr. John Patrick D. Calimlim

8:00 AM – Rev. Fr. Gabriel A. Paraan Jr.

9:00 AM – Procession in honor of Saints Peter and Paul

12:15 PM – Misa ng Bayan – Rev. Msgr. Pedro Gerardo O. Santos

6:30 PM – Rev. Msgr. Pedro Gerardo O. Santos

June 30, Thursday – Feast of Virgen de la Rosa

6:00 AM – Rev. Fr. Ryan B. Dino, SVD

7:00 AM – Rev. Fr. John Patrick D. Calimlim

8:00 AM – Rev. Fr. Gabriel A. Paraan Jr.

9:00 AM – Procession in honor of Virgen de la Rosa

12:15 PM – Misa ng Bayan – Rev. Msgr. Pedro Gerardo O. Santos

6:30 PM – Rev. Fr. Gabriel Paraan Jr.

7:30 PM – Procession in honor of Virgen de la Rosa

Technorati Tags: Sampiro Fiesta 2016,Poblacion Makati City

1st Larawang Bulakenyo Turismo Photography Competition

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).

Technorati Tags: Bulacan,Bulakenyo,Photo Contest

1 Day Visita Iglesia in Pampanga

My good friend at the photography club invited me to accompany him in a 1 day Visita Iglesia in the province of Pampanga. We left Genesis Transport terminal in Cubao around 7:00 AM (the wait time is a grueling 1 hour).

San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in San Antonio, Lubao, Pampanga is our 1st Church on our list.

First we visit the town of Lubao. We got off at Brgy Sta Cruz along Jose Abad Santos Avenue from SM Pampanga in San Fernando. Our first destination was the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Brgy San An tonio, Lubao. We could have gotten off the Lubao Supermart and the L-TODA tricycle station in the corner but we went back from Sta Cruz Market.

So we took a jeep to to Brgy Pasbul and another tricyle to San Antonio de Padua Parish Church. I thought it’s a huge church but I think it’s more of a chapel. From San Antonio de Padua Parish we rode a tricycle back to Pasbul and a jeep to Lubao Plaza.

In Lubao Plaza, we took pictures of the Lubao Church aka San Agustin Church. I love the brick façade of this church and the huge patio. The Church of Lubao was founded in 1572 in Barrio Santa Catalina but was moved to the current site 30 years later due to yearly floods. A few meters from the Lubao Church is the Lubao Municipal Hall and the nipa hut of President Diosdado Macapagal.

Next to our list of church to visit is the Church of Guagua. It was built by light materials by Augustinian priests in 1590 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It could have been better if there are no nearby electrical wires on the front side of the church that ruins the vista. Next the Church of Guagua are the Municipal Hall built in 1937, the Plaza and a small Razon’s Halo-Halo store besides the creek. I don’t know if it’s the original Razon’s store of Guagua.

We then rode a jeep to our 4^th church of the day – Betis Church, Guagua, Pampanga. I’ve seen pictures of this church’s interior but unfortunately, like the Church of Guagua, it is close on a Friday morning. Betis Church is a very interesting church with its Ionic columns on the main entrance. The side entrance (facing the street going to San Fernando) is also very elaborate.

Instead of going straight to San Fernando, we made a side trip to Sta Rita Church in Sta Rita, Pampanga. We have to go back to Guagua Town Proper and ride a jeep going to Porac. We took off at the Sta Rita Public Market and walk towards the church. The Sta Rita Church is dedicated to Sta Rita de Casia. My photography friend saw this church being featured on ANC due to the colorful umbrellas that lead to the main entrance (from the street).

The Sta Rita Church is beautiful and it was submerged in about 3 feet of lahar. As you enter the church, you will descend a few flights of stairs and you will see the arches inside the church which is half-way buried. There are also a lot of statues of saints lined up the façade of the church. Near the Sta Rita Church is Villa Epifania which is an ancestral house build in the 1930s. There are also other umbrellas along the street leading to the Municipal Hall.

From Sta Rita Church, we walked back to Sta Rita Public Market, ride a jeep back to Guagua and rode another jeep towards San Fernando, Pampanga. We took off at the Bacolor Public Market and walk towards the Bacolor Church (San Guillermo Parish Church). This is our 6^th church of the day. The Bacolor Church is buried in lahar about 6 feet. The entrance now to the church used to be the windows above the main entrance.

I like the wooden trusses used in this church. Plus, the bell tower is home to local species of bats. There is a Museum besides the church and a few meters away is the Campo Santo de Bacolor. We walked towards the road to San Fernando and by this time, it’s already 4:00 PM. We haven’t eaten yet and we got mesmerized by all these beautiful churches. The road from Guagua to San Fernando City is also part of the Death March road. We saw markers 96 and 97 but we failed to take a picture of the 100^th Kilometer Marker.

Our 7^th and final church for our Visita Iglesia in Pampanga is the Metropolitan Church of San Fernando. It’s dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. Like the 6 previous churches, this also has a single bell tower. It’s also opposite the City Hall of San Fernando and a few meters away from the Heritage Houses along A Consunji Street.

This 1 day Visita Iglesia in Pampanga is both tiring but it’s worth it. Next time, we’ll try to visit the other Pilgrimage Churches with Holy Doors during the Year of Mercy – Apung Mamacalulu Archdiocesan Shrine in Angles City, Divine Mercy Parish in San Jose, Floridablanca, Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles City, Sta Ana Parish Church in Sta Ana, and San Pedro Apostol Parish in Apalit, Pampanga.

Lubao Church aka San Agustin Church in Lubao Town Proper, near the Municipal Hall and Diosdado Macapagal Nipa Hut.

Guagua Church (Immaculate Concepcion) in downtown Guagua, Pampanga. I hope the City Government of Guagua would do something about the electric lines.

Our 4th Church is Betis Church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga. This church is dedicated to Saint James the Apostle.

Our 5th Church is Sta Rita de Casia Parish Church, Sta Rita, Pampanga.

Our 6th Church is the Bacolor Church (San Guillermo Parish Church) in Bacolor, Pampanga.

To complete our Visita Iglesia, our 7th Church is the Metropolitan Church of San Fernando, Pampanga, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption.

Technorati Tags: Visita Iglesia,Pampanga,Churches

The Mangroves of San Juan, Batangas

Last May 22, 2016 our photography club had the chance to visit the quiet town of San Juan, Batangas. This is in line with their photography contest that aims to showcase the best of what the town can offer.

One of the highlights of our trip to San Juan is a visit to their vast Mangroves area. According to the website of San Juan, there are 496 hectares of mangroves and swamp area. Of this area, over 100 hectares of intact mangroves forest is located along the coasts of Imelda, Bataan, Nagsaulay and Subukin. This is the largest mangroves area in all of Batangas Province.

No other than Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) chief Noelito M Pasco accompanied us to this natural wonder. These mangroves are classified as a finger type of mangrove as it is a strip located along the coast and is covered by daily tides. The predominant groups are Bakauan, Bungalon and Pagatpat (Source).

We were amazed at the pristine water and there are really very few residents leaving these mangroves. Navigating it via a small boat is like navigating a river that has not been commercialized. We do hope that the Municipal Government of San Juan, Batangas will do everything to protect these mangroves and at the same time, develop eco-tourism so that citizens will be aware on how important these mangroves are to our marine life and the environment.

Thank you again MENRO Officer Noelito M. Pasco for this wonderful trip.

Technorati Tags: Noelito M Pasco,MENRO,San Juan,Batangas,Mangroves

Manila-Dagupan Railway

Due to the issue of heavy traffic in Metro Manila, several proposals by presidential candidates to ease the traffic in Metro Manila were revealed. Most of the proposals are the establishments of railway system – including the on-going MRT7 to Fairview. There’s also the extension of the LRT1 from Baclaran up to Cavite via Emilio Aguinaldo Highway. LRT2 from Santolan station is also scheduled to be extended up to Antipolo.

The rehabilitation of the Philippine National Railway (PNR) particularly the Northrail Project will revive the train system from Manila up to Malolos City and Angeles City.

I happen to stumbled upon an old price list of the old Manila-Dagupan Railway and I wonder from when this pricelist is. Valenzuela City is still called Polo on this list and Balagtas, Bulacan is still Bigaa. There are also some other towns that are not familiar to me and I’ll probably Google these old names.

Santo Tomas – town in Pampanga

Calulut – a barangay in San Fernando, Pampanga

Bamban – town in Tarlac

Murcia – now called San Agustin, Concepcion, Tarlac

Moncada – town in Tarlac

Malasiqui – town in Pangasinan

I can’t believe that it’s just P7.45 for a first class train ticket from Manila to Dagupan during this time. Dagupan is 196 kilometers from Manila.

Technorati Tags: Manila-Dagupan Railway,Train System,Traffic

Schedule of Cuaresma 2016

Here’s the schedule of Cuaresma 2016 (Holy Week) at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.

Most of the time, I just stay at home during the Holy Week. Hopefully this year, I’ll participate in the celebration of Lent.

Technorati Tags: San Agustin Church,Intramuros,Manila

Upcoming Philippine Festivals and Fairs 2016

Here are the upcoming Philippine Festivals and Fairs 2016:

January 25 – Bacolaodiat Festival, Bacolod City

January 28 – Sana-aw Festival, Jordan, Guimaras

January 28 – Dagkot Festival 2016, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte

January 30 – Etag Festival, Sagada, Mountain Province

February 1 – Panagbenga 2016, Baguio City

February 5 – Rotary Mega Job and Business Fair, Glorietaa Activity Center, Makati

February 6 – Pasinaya 2016 Open House Festival, CCP Complex

February 8 – UP Los Banos Feb Fair, Laguna

February 9 – Pahimis Coffee Festival, Amadeo, Cavite

February 9 – UP Fair, UP Diliman Sunken Garden, Quezon City

February 11 – Tinagba Festival 2016, Iriga City, Camarines Norte

February 13 – The Malolos City Bike Festival 2016, Bulacan

February 13 – Hot Air Balloon Festival, Clark, Pampanga

February 13 – 7^th Philippine International Pyromusical, MoA, Pasay City

February 15 – Tawo-Tawo Festival / Bayawan Festival, Dumagueta City

February 15 – Paraw Regatta, Arevalo, Iloilo City

February 18 – First QC Animation Fair 2016, Quezon City Memorial Circle

February 18 – The Art Fair 2016, The Link, Makati City

February 19 – The 41^st International Bamboo Organ Festival, St Joseph Church, Las Pinas City

February 20 – Kaamulan Festival 2016, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

February 20 – GoodVybes Music Festival, ASEANA Open Grounds, Paranaque City

February 22 – Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay, Bukidnon

February 22 – Sibug-Sibug Festival, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay

February 26 – Dia de Zamboanga 2016, Zamboanga City

February 27 – Nihongo Fiesta 2016, Shangrila Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong

February 27 – Itik-Itik Festival, Pasig City

March 2 – Strawberry Festival, La Trinidad, Benguet

March 4 – Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental

March 4 – Balayong Festival, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

March 5 – Wanderland Music and Arts Festival, Makati City

March 17 – Pasayaw Festival, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental

March 18 – Banana Festival 2016, Baco, Mindoro Oriental

March 19 – Sinigayan Festival, Sagay City, Negros Occidental

March 25 – Via Crucis 2016, Banawa Hills, Cebu City

March 26 -- Pista Y ang Kanyogan 2016, Brooke’s Point, Palawan

April 1 – Lang Ay Festival, Bontoc, Mountain Province

April 1 – Bangus Festival 2016, Dagupan City

April 8 – Summer Siren Camp, Crystal Beach, Zambales

April 9 – Paradise International Music Festival, ASEANA City, Pasay

April 10 – Magayon Festival 2016, Legaspi City

April 24 – Kadahoman Festival, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur

April 25 – Bahaghari Festival, Pinamalayan

April 28 – Philippine Flow Fest 2016, Crystal Beach Resort, Narciso, Zambales

May 1 – Sumakah Festival, Antipolo City, Rizal

May 1 – Pasalamat Festival 2016, Pagadian City

May 3 – Garlic Festival, Sinait, Ilocos Norte

May 12 – Nabas Bariw Festival, Nabas, Aklan

May 14 – Getting Married Bridal Fair, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City

May 15 – Pahiyas Festival 2016, Lucban City, Quezon

May 15 – Sarangani Bay Festival 2016, Glam, Sarangani

June 1 – Sakay-Sakay Abayan, Brgy Taft, Manila

June 15 – Pineapple Festival, Daet, Camarines Norte

June 23 -- Mudpack Festival 2016, Mambukal Mountain Resort, Murcia

July 13 – Sandugo Festival, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

July 16 – Kinabayo Festival 2016, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

July 26 – Santa Anang Banak River Festival, Taguig City

July 30 – CineFilipino Film Festival 2016, Manila

August 3 – Ibalong Festival, Legazpi City

August 7 – Cinemalaya Film Festival, Manila

August 15 – Coron Festival, Tiwi, Albay

August 17 – Kadayawan Festival, Davao City

September 5 – Tuna Festival 2016, General Santos City

September 14 – The 37^th Manila International Book Fair, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City

September 17 – Banamos Festival, Los Banos, Laguna

October 1 – Paruyan Festival, Talisay, Camarines Norte

October 1 – Masskara Festival 2016, Bacolod City

October 14 – Calaca Batangas Festival 2016, Calaca, Batangas

October 18 – Lanzones Festival, Camiguin Province

December 1 – Cinemanila International Film Festival, BGC, Taguig

December 3 – SM Mall of Asia Grand Parade of Lights, MoA, Pasay City

Source: Metrokelan

Technorati Tags: Upcoming Philippine Festivals and Fairs 2016,Metrokelan