Photo Diary: Visita Iglesia 2012 (Church 1-3)

Dear Reader,

Here are some photos I took when we visited seven churches (also known as Visita Iglesia or Church Visit) earlier this morning.. (photo heavy post ahead)

(I call these, my “Visita Iglesia” essentials. hehe)

First church visited: Mary, Mother of the Church Parish (BF Las Pinas)

(My Aunt Leni and Mom)

Second Church Visited: Mary Immaculate Parish “Nature’s Church” (Moonwalk, Las Pinas)

(Welcome Signage.. Ossuary means depository of human skeletal remains. Too bad we didn’t go there)

(The station of the cross is placed around the church along with the trees and the plants, so you could feel the serene environment while praying)

(Roof of the main church. It’s made from anahaw fans linked together and those hanging from the ceiling are birds made from capiz)

(The floor of the main church is made from pebbles and wood slabs)

We decided to take a break from all of the walking that we’ve been doing inside the church perimeters and found that they have a small pond with koi fish and tilapia. Mom even joked that she should’ve brought a hook/net so she could catch the big pla-plas for dinner.

(A street lamp inside the church)

(Let me in…)

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the rock arch near the chapel.

Close-up pictures of the rocks and the roots growing on this arch..

This church really fascinates me, it’s like you’re immediately transported to another dimension when you step inside. Peaceful environment, you can only hear the birds chirp and leaves rustling against the wind. This place is really perfect if you want to reflect.. However, we can’t stay for long since we still have 5 more churches to visit. :-)

Third Church Visited: St. Jerome Church (near Alabang Town Center)

(Facade of the church, the sky is blue, no cloud in sight)

(Snapshot of an unknown guy doing the station of the cross)

(Umaartsy fartsy shot of Plumiera rubra or “kalachuchi”)

(To be continued on the next post.. ^_^)

Big Brother?

Dear Reader,

Wow, when I came back to the office from my 2 days off, I saw that our "IT" has installed a DIY CCTV camera (DIY because it's just a plain webcam poorly attached to the ceiling). I don't know why they decided to install such an atrocity (they can't even purchase and install a proper CCTV camera) here inside the office. It's not like we're slacking 24/7 inside the office (sure there are times when we really have nothing to do, but what can we do? clean the office maybe?).

I'm really uncomfortable knowing that someone is watching my moves constantly. I bet you'll say that I have to see it in their point of view as administrators and they're protecting the best interest of the company, but really, installing a CCTV will help? Ugh.. It's like being inside Big Brother's house. Maybe I could do a voluntary exit? Or have myself evicted?

Anyway, just wanna share to you what's happening in my office. Maybe i'll write about what I exactly do for a living, hmm. Maybe next time. :)

Holy Week

Dear reader,

Today is Palm Sunday here in the Philippines. It commemorates Jesus' entry to Jerusalem and it signifies the start of Holy Week.

To tell you honestly, last Saturday I was really puzzled when I passed by a church in Moonwalk and I saw a lot of vendors selling palms (or palaspas). I thought we already had Palm Sunday last February. I even asked my office mates when I got in... Lol, I guess I got confused with Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday.

Anyway, I'm sad that I won't be able to experience the looooong weekend (5 days of no work from April 5 to 9) because my work requires us to work even during the holidays (both US and Philippine holidays) (I work as a lead pharmacy technician for one of the biggest pharmacy in USA, and as you may derive from this, like hospitals, the pharmacy is open 24/7). I'd really like to join my family on their upcoming trip to Batangas this Saturday and Sunday, but alas, I have "grown woman responsibilities" (lol). But I do get to take the Good Friday off, so I could do at least the Visita Iglesia with my mom and aunts (yey).

Since it's Holy Week, I decided to give up one or two indulgence that I have as a sacrifice that may help me turn towards God during this season. I'm giving up eating junk food and rice (which I loooove so much) and I'm going to go AWOL in facebook. Those are the two habits that I indulge in so much, hopefully, I could give these up not only this holy week but for good. :)

So..

What are you giving up this Holy Week and how will you spend it?

Sale.Sale.S&R.Sale.Sale

Dear Reader,

Here in the Philippines, we also have a membership club store (like Walmart and Costco in the United States) called S&R (I don't know what S and R means, maybe Save and Run? or Save and Replenish? lol) (Another note: the store is previously known as "Pricesmart") which sells mostly "imported" goods (I don't know if it's tax free like Duty Free).

Last 2 weeks ago, me and my mom decided to get a membership from S&R so we could avail of their "famous" bi-annual members treat sale (from March 28 - April 1 2012 and the other one will be sometime in September). I've read from several blogs and heard from the members that prices of some products (and people, LOL) go crazy low during these times.

Let me share to you my tips on how to survive this sale:

1. Go as early as 4:30am to get a sweet spot in front of the line.

(This includes: sleeping early the night before the sale, eating breakfast, voiding every fluid you have in your body before going to S&R and wearing comfortable shoes/clothing)

Option: If you're so lazy to get up early, have someone cover for you, like a "trusted and equally- crazy-about-the-sale-as-you-are" friend/relative or maybe your household help (like most of the "richy-rich" people did this morning)

Ayun oh, may dalawang household help na nakapila! :D (photo taken at 5ish am)

2. Be prepared to do a lot of cursing, shouting and more tongue-lashing action. Or.. expect hearing a lot of bad-mouthing and/or physical contact from the "crowd")

As the time passes by, you'll notice that a lot of people will start piling IN FRONT OF YOU. In short, there will be a lot of people cutting line or "SISINGIT." Now it's up to you if you'll allow them or shout at the top of your voice and call the attention of the manager or whoever's in charge:

"EXCUSE ME PO, PERO MAY PILA!"

"SIR, YES, MR. MANAGER!! CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO THESE PEOPLE THAT WE'VE BEEN IN THIS LINE FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS NOW?"

"HELLO MISS PLS. BE CONSIDERATE NAMAN SANA! PWEDE WAG SUMINGIT!"

Actually this is the first time that I've seen this kind of behavior from people during a sale. I've been to dozens of stores on sale (Landmark, SM, F21 and yes even.. Divisoria) and wow, I just said to myself: "Sulit siguro 'tong sale, Imagine, they need a mobile patrol car to subdue people!"

3. It's best if you surveyed the store before the sale to know where to find the "good stuff"

(It will also help to list down the things you will buy beforehand. Research or ask the staff to give you a list of the products that will be on sale)

Got this tip from another shopper. There are a lot of people wandering aimlessly inside searching for various items such as soap, plates, food, etc etc...don't be like these people. Know what you want and know where to get it. This will save you time and enable you to buy what is most important to you. When you’ve purchased the most important things on your list, take all the time you need to roam around and check for more great deals.

Some of the things we bought.

4. Lastly, to reiterate, buy things that you NEED.

Avoid overspending your hard-earned moolah and buy only the things you need. Don't go buying things just because you saw the price went down. Think twice before buying an item!

Haha, so that's about it. I'm no sale guru, but I hope I could help! Have fun and enjoy shopping!