Great words from Great minds

Past Season

Christmas season has indeed ended but I have to show how the past season has been for me. I am normally a grinch. I don’t like Christmas and the chaos it brings. I know that it’s time for love and giving and that ‘Christmas spirit’, but I didn’t really like it. I know I’m negative and dark and non placet but I’m not against the season. Just not into chaos and traffic. So happens I can’t seem to find a ‘Holiday cheer.’

Well, enough explaining and this is how I celebrated the season! I’m happy it was Christmas and I’m thankful to have spent it with family and friends!

Celebration of friendship!

Love of Family!

Summer 2010(Holy Week): Tayabas Quezon

Tayabas, Quezon was my destination last holy week. I was excited since it’s been awhile since I went out of town with friends on Holy week. I was clueless as to what will happen and as to what kind of activities were in store for me when we get there.

Day 1 – April 1
We left Manila before 6AM. I was taking pictures of almost everything I fancy on our way. Had some laughs and definitely sound tripping in the car. It was my first out of town trip with the Felicitas and I am not expecting much, just some time to see how they celebrate holy week and just to spend time with them. With heavy traffic we arrived around 1:30 PM. We had our late lunch and I started taking pictures. It was a simple and quiet day in the province. Not much to do but relax and just simply experience life in the province. We stayed at Mi Casa en Tayabas hotel and I felt it to be relaxing and very homey. There were a lot of antique furniture and I loved taking pictures. The aquarium was breath taking. I saw the town very well from this tower and had a breath of fresh air yet again. A thousand pictures after, I decided to rest and soon, we were back to the old house and then we’re off to Palaisdaan for dinner.

Day 2 – April 2
Procession Day. We were to decorate the float of St. Martha for the afternoon procession. It was so hot and I thought that the flowers will start wilting, good thing that it didn’t. It was exciting and mind boggling since I’ve never worked with very few flowers before. It was successful since Tin’s cousin was actually pretty good with decorating the float. We rested and cleaned ourselves for the procession and right after we were to give thanks to those who joined and helped escort St. Martha’s float by serving them dinner. A few more snapshots of the images for the procession and a shot of the Church’s long aisle was incredible. I was both mesmerized and astounded with the people, the images, and the food.

Day 3 – April 3
Time to go home. I decided to wake up early to get a few more shots of the place but was too lazy to go out of the room. Tita had some trouble with the billing and with a few yet long exchange of sides, it was all good. We left after a very hearty lunch at Palaisdaan and headed back to Manila… The ways and activities in Tayabas are really not different from the way other provinces or places commemorate Christ’s passion but being exposed to this kind of activity still gives me goosebumps and renews something deep within me. This simple and short vacation in Tayabas helped me again see our religious traditions and culture. It may be brief but it’s something we don’t see and definitely don’t feel everyday.

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To the heavens

God’s will, I will accept. God’s plan, I will follow. God’s laws, I will obey.

It’s all in God’s hands

…that it’s time you let go. Yes, of course, you want control so everything happens the way you want it. But at the end of the day, we control nothing, – it’s all in God’s hands, – has always been, and will always be. So, do what you can, and then let go, and let God handle the rest.

No Smoking

I stopped smoking… Not really. Every year during holy week I always stop smoking. This is my sacrifice. It might not be something really big to consider but for a smoker like me, it really is.

I have been doing this for years and somehow it helped me overcome my need (really?) and craving for nicotine. It helped me eat more healthily thus gain weight (as needed) and to breathe fresh air yet again. This year, I went with a friend to their home province so I can experience another traditional way of celebrating Holy week. It wasn’t really that different at all, but decorating St. Martha definitely helped me take my mind off of smoking. I took pictures of almost everything, from the preparation, procession, places, food, people and Church. I saw how wonderful and beautiful it was to be out of the city yet again. I considered that every time I think about cigarettes, I should think of the lessening air pollution instead. It was really helpful thinking that I actually have other activities other than burning my lungs out. It was fun and yes, healthier indeed.

Then holy week’s over. ‘No Smoking’ sign has been switched off and I can go back to my vice. I did. Though I know this time, I can lessen it further and eventually get it out of my system. It will happen and I believe it will be really soon.

No Smoking sign will then be lit forever and I will live longer. Healthier. More earth-friendly. Then I guess I have to think of a different sacrifice before the next holy week. 🙂