Visita Iglesia

One of the traditions in the Philippines during holy week is Visita Iglesia.

The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is an ancient practice, probably originating in Rome, where early pilgrims visited the seven pilgrim churches as penance. In the Philippines, the faithful carry out this tradition of Visita Iglesia (Spanish: Church visits) and some expand it to include fourteen churches and say the Stations of the Cross, with one station in each church. - Wikipedia

I usually spend this time with my family, enjoying the road, bonding with my family and strengthening my faith.

Last year, we visited 14 churches from Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales. The Philippines is rich in historical churches that are field with history and culture.

LENT

It has actually been a while since I was last able to post something in this blog, and this time, I really promise to keep it more updated. The last post was actually about one of our various ways of celebrating Christmas in the country, and this post now is about Lent.

PHOTO FROM www.beverlycovenantchurch.org/

Filipinos are known to be religious, and not being biased on my own belief, I would be posting some of the churches found in the Philippines as part of the Lenten season. I enjoy visiting the churches not only to pay homage but the churches also depicts the history of the town and it also showcases the different buildings during the olden days.

Next time, I would also try to post about other religions in the Philippines but I'm afraid that my knowledge in other religion is poor.

Maytinis (Kawit, Cavite)

One of the events that I look forward to during the Christmas holidays is watching the yearly Maytinis parade held in my home town of Kawit, Cavite. There is no clear background on when and how the tradition started but the Maytinis parade showcases several scenes from the Bible. The parade normally happens on the eve of Christmas. The parade starts in the evening that passes several baranggays in Kawit and ends in the church where a mass is held afterwards.

Maytinis consists of several floats, wherein each float is assigned to a Baranggay in Kawit and usually a contest is held to choose the best float.

The floats consists of:

Eba't Adan (Adam and Eve)
This is the first float on the parade and shows Adam and Eve after eating the fruit of the forbidden tree.

La Purisima Concepcion

This is the second, and this is from our baranggay. This portrays the Virgin Mary on top of the world while the announcement of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin.

Si Noe at Ang Baha (Noah and the Flood)
The rainbow signifies God's promise that there will be a better day after the flood.

Pagligtas Kay Moises (The Saving of Moses).

The float shows the people that adopted Moses when he was sent up the river.

Haring David (King David)
King David's rise to power after defeating Goliath.

Ruth at Noemi

Ruth coming back to her mother-in-law after his husband, son of Noemi dies. She decides to stay with her mother-in-law.

Samson

Samson, whose strength comes from the length of his hair, together with Delilah who in the end cuts his hair.

Infanta Judith
Shows Judith as she asked John the Baptist to be beheaded.

Reyna Ester (Queen Ester)
A heroine in the bible, having a Book in the Bible named after her.

Zacharias

The angel announces to Zacharias that he would be a father soon to John the Baptist.

Pagbati (The Annunciation)

The angel shows up to Mary to announce her pregnancy to Jesus.

Pagdalaw (Mary Vists her Sister Elizabeth)
Mary visits her sister Elizabeth as she gives birth to John the Baptist.

Panunuluyan (Mary and Joseph's travel to find a place to give birth)

Mary and Joseph's journeys to Bethlehem to find a place to give birth to our saviour Jesus. The float stops by many houses during the parade and performs "panunuluyan" where they sing in front of the houses and they get pushed away until they reach the church.

Gloria In Excelsis Deo
Angels shows up to the shepherds announce the birth of Christ.

Inang Pilipinas
The Last float showing a woman portraying the image of the Philippines.

From Maytinis 2009

Finding Time..

It has been a while since I have updated this blog. Now that there is time, I can update it again.

The Philippines has undergone a lot of calamities during this year, hopefully the new year would be more calm. Hopefully no more storms and heavy flooding. I don't want to see EDSA under water again.

Amidst all the challenges, we Filipinos were able to stand tall and go through it all, in fact, almost everyone has the holiday spirit, preparing for Christmas, excited to spend Christmas together with family members and friends, but may we not forget the true meaning of Christmas. It is the time of giving, or sharing, forgiving, being thankful for all the blessings.

As we enter the new year, may we forget the hurt that this year has brought us, but let us not forget the lessons of everything that has happened to us, let us not let history repeat itself.

Review: Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, Cebu

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort is located in Sumilon Island, Cebu. It is an island resort that could be reached from their port at Oslob, Cebu. The day tour is about Php 2000 inclusive of boat transfer, use of kayaks, snorkling gears, the pool and jacuzzi, a lunch buffet and a snack. If you plan to stay overnight, it would take about Php 7500 for two people and Php 1500 additional per head.

The Island is 3 hours south of Cebu City, you just need to follow the main road. On your way to the island, you could see many site and drop by many places such as the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Simala, were thousands of devotees visit everyday to ask for their wishes. You could also stop by the Municiplaity or Carcar that specializes on chicharon (deep fried pig skin). Once you reach Oslob, take Bluewater's boat to Sumilon Island.

The people are welcoming and accomodating, although I did not enjoy the food that much since some of them were hard to chew, but still was tasty. Lunch included about 4 viands, rice, noodles, fresh fruits and dessert. The buffet is set in the beachfront, just between the beach and the lagoon.

The island has basically two beachfronts that you could swim in, however, the white sandbar, which has the finer sand, is only accessible during low tides and the water is deeper compared to the eatern beach which is very rocky.

The inifinity pool is nice located just near the pavillion overlooking the ocean, the water falls in the bottom where jacuzzis are located. But during the time we visited, the motor was down so the jacuzzis were not running.

There are many other activies in the island that you could do, such as kayaking or canoeing, snorkling, trecking and many more. You could go to the lighthouse, visit caves and grottos when trekking.

Accomodation/Room: 8/10
Food Choices: 7/10
Food Taste: 7/10
Customer Service: 10/10
Overall: 8/10

(Sumilon Island from afar)

(Infinity Pool)

(Infinity Pool)

(Lagoon for Canoeing and Kayaking)

(Lagoon for Canoeing and Kayaking)

(Eastern Dock)

(Shifting White Sandbar)

(Eastern Beach)

(Sumilon Island Map)

MANILA SALES OFFICE				CEBU SALES OFFICE
	MS. MARGIE MUNSAYAC  Director of Sales				For Reservations call us at: Maribago Bluewater Resort
Address:				Address:
	Room 1120 Cityland/Herrara Towers 98 Herera Corner Valero Streets Salcedo Village, Makati City				Maribago, Buyong Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone:				Telephone:
	(63-32) 817-5751				(63-32) 492-0100 (63-32) 232-5411 (63-32) 232-5412 to 14
Fax:				Fax:
	(63-2) 845-0680				(63-32) 492-0128 (63-32) 492-0129 (63-32) 231-0437
Email:				Email:
	margie@bluewater.com.ph				sumilon@bluewater.com.ph
Resort Address:
	Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort Sumilon Island, Oslob Cebu 6025  Philippines Telefax No. (63) (32) 481-0801 Email Address: sumilonreservations@bluewater.com.ph URL: www.bluewater.com.ph