Good Friday Procession | Plaridel, Bulacan

Every year, during Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, a grand procession of "Karosas" with different Holy statues and figurines defecting Christ's Life is being held in Baliuag, Bulacan. Last year, me and my girlfriend was able to watch the grand procession with almost a 100 plus participating "Karosa". When Lenten season for this year was near approaching, I was mentally preparing myself for this year's grand procession, but for some unexpected reason, I was not able to see the procession in Baliwag. I did not want to let this Lenten season past without seeing one so as an alternative, and knowing that my own town also host such activity, I went to see the procession held in Plaridel, Bulacan.

So last Good Friday, after a late afternoon nap, I took a bath and fixed myself. I readied my stuffs and rode a tricycle to my town's crossing. Reaching the intersection, I thought of just walking from where I am to St. James Parish Church. After about 10mins of walking, I finally reached my destination. There was an activity being held inside the Church but I was not able to really see what was it because their were almost done.

I started taking pictures of what ever I think is good for the eyes. I wandered around inside the Church first and after taking shots of whatever is inside I decided to go out and see the preparations being done.

A child looking at Christ.

The "Karosas" started to pile up in front of the Church. With a specific arrangement to be followed, the "Karosas" are one by one arranged by the owners, much like parking a car. The marshals facilitated the arrangement.

Outside the church.

The "Karosas" piling up.

A man and his devotion.

Taking part of his pain.

When all are already in their proper places, the Priest calls the crowd's attention and the Catechism started. One by one, the "Karosas" moved towards the front of the audience and the Church. A boy, probably a "Sakristan", reads an excerpt from the Bible and gives some explanation on what the current "Karosa" in front is portraying. For some of the "Karosa", the boy also gave a brief biography of the Saint placed in it.

Desmayado.

Nazareno.

He looks over us.

Are we turning our back on Him?

Jesus talking to his Disciple.

Mama Mary.

St. James, Patron Saint of Plaridel.

Veronica's Hankerchief

There were about less than 30 "Karosas" who participated, a lot smaller number than the one being held in Baliwag, but overall, it is not about the number of participants. If we look closely and religiously, it's about reflecting on Christ's sufferings no matter how many "Karosa" we see. The "Karosa", figurines and statues are all man made. All made of material things. Those cannot pave our way to Heaven, it is the faith within us that will.

More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markdelrosario/sets/72157629757747731/

My first time in Boracay

Today is Palm Sunday and Holy week has just started in the Philippines. For this year, holiday will start from Maundy Thursday, April 5, until Monday of the next week which is April 9, in line with the celebration of Araw ng Katigingan (Day of Valor). That's a 5 day non-working holiday, well, for some. I'm sure that many people will take this opportunity to flock all over the vacation spots here in the Philippines. One sure vacation destination would be Boracay. Luckily for us, we were able to go there before the peak seasons, thanks to the LCC(Low Cost Carrier) promos.☺

It was February 27, 2012, Monday. We were scheduled for a late afternoon flight to Caticlan but we opted to get a much earlier flight since it is available. After a 2hr flight (including delays), we landed in Boracay Airport. It's a small airport and I wondered how can it accommodate all the tourists that goes there. We'll I know that there is also an Airport in Kalibo that can be an alternative but I bet, it is not super big to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people.☺ Let's just leave it unanswered. ☺

Commuting was not a problem for us since almost all the people there are going to Boracay Island. First we rode a tricycle going to the Pier. After paying some fees, we aboard a ferry going to Boracay. After disembarking the ferry, another tricycle ride awaits us to get to our hotel.

Arriving at the hotel, we set our things in the room and after some Hi! and Hellos! with our travel colleagues, we went directly to the beach front for some late afternoon picture taking.

My first sunset image from Boracay.

Some local painters sell their paintings along the beach front.

The atmosphere was not like an off-peak season. I was very surprised to see many people and to add to that, it is a Monday. I think we took about 2 to 3 kilometer walk of the seashore (well from my body calculator ☺) and after getting tired, we went back to our Hotel for some rest and a dinner.

If I have an opportunity, i'll be buying one.☺

The day after, we started doing fun stuffs. We went for a fun trip in Boracay. First we drove some ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) all the way up to the view point of Boracay.

The other side of Boracay. A view from Tanawin View Point.

After the ATV ride, we went back downtown to have lunch.

I love those rice shaped like kisses.

We continued the Boracay trip by some fun activities. We went for the ever lasting Banana Boat ride. It was my first time though. It was fun but my eyes were really hurting from all the water splashing in my face, I should have wore a goggle. We also tried Helmet diving. It is quite scary at the start cause I don't know what will happen or what is under the water but after submerging all doubts disappeared. Riding a speedboat was also fun. The speed thrills me. And when manong makes a sudden turn, it was very exciting and a bit scary. After the water activities, we were supposed to have an Island hopping but since it is quite late already, we opted to take the Island hopping the following day.

Seafoods for sale along the shoreline.

Day 3 and we started Island Hopping. From our bangka, we passed by half of station 2 and station 1 of Boracay island. It amazing to see the world class hotels in station 1. We also passed by the controversial Pacquiao residences and was amazed by its design. After about 30 to 45 minutes boat ride, we arrived on the first beach. It is quite quiet and seems unexplored. I was surprised to see people selling bracelets and other accessories there. I thought of how can these people sell their products given the fact that there is almost no other people in that beach besides us and another boat. How can they earn for a living? Well, it seems people really tends to complicate their lives unlike those people selling their products.

Umbrellas shading guest in station 1.

Later that afternoon, after our island hopping, we just spend our time walking in the shoreline. We reached the Grotto and had some pictures taken. Near also the Grotto are some skim boarders. It is the first time I saw one real skim boarder. I used to see them in TV only. I always wanted to try that sport but is not able to get the opportunity. Maybe someday I can try it. ☺

A skimboarder walking.

Riding the waves.

Our Boracay trip was truely a fun and exciting trip. I hope we can go back there and try more new activities in the future. For now, i'll just glaze on the memories I have about Boracay. Till next time!

More photos: http://www.flickr.com/markdelrosario

This will be the start

It was another day for work. I left my room past 7:30am. Everyday seems forever when going to work. I always take the train when going to work and finally, after waiting for about 20mins for the skip train, it finally arrived and stopped in Tayuman station. While passing the streets of Tayuman and Bambang, overseeing the rusty rooftops of buildings and houses, there came an idea to my mind. How about putting up a blog?!. It seems cool and nice. I can blog about my travels(even if it's not that quite regular), well, I think I travel as much more than an average person of my age do. I can also boast about my photos that I took (well i'm proud of them even if some are not that good☺). I can talk about anything and everything under the freaking hot sun. So, what would I call my blog, what would be it's name. I started Googling and brainstorming my brain out. I was disappointed to know that some of my ideas are already existing and I can't longer use them as my Blog's name. Then suddenly, I thought of what is really my purpose for this blog?  Hey man, I want a blog for me to take a break from all the stress and negative vibes I'm feeling. There you are, "I do need a break". Luckily, it is not yet taken ☺. And for now, I'll be taking my break. And by the way, my next post would be related to the picture below.☺