What's Keeping Me From Blogging (Part4)

COOLING OFF AT TAAL VISTA LODGE

There's a story behind this shot...Two foreign guests approached Matt and me and offered to take our shot after seeing me taking my son's solo pic at the lodge. Apparently, they thought we were a couple! Harharhar. I basked in the compliment for a few seconds and corrected them before turning to leave. :D

What's Keeping Me From Blogging (Part3)

Jake meets cousin Zia...

The kiddos don't look too happy with the new steering wheel and bathing suit...:P

The extended family at the Macapagal Ave., near the Mall of Asia

We didn't get to see the museum at this time since it was almost closing time. But Papa took Matt and Kyle to see it a few days later...

This ends our first day tour of Manila... We had to call it a day since the delegates from Cebu have been up since 3 AM!

What's Keeping Me From Blogging (Part2)

Yes, we are presently in Manila until April 30. Jerry and I are on official trip while the kids and yaya are on vacation.

Here's Jake, the youngest steward on board... Hahaha!

The boys...

Jake tries to pop his ear...

Torn...

What's Keeping Me From Blogging (Part1)

CVIRAA AND DON MERTO

Cebu delegates taking a chartered boat to Bohol for a week of competition...

We sent Matthew off to compete in Bohol for one week (April 17-22). He was part of a 500-delegation from Cebu who participated in the recent CVIRAA. He qualified for the finals and ran in the 100-m dash (silver medal) and 200-m dash (lost due to cramps).

His coach is asking if he's willing to join and run in the Palarong Pambansa to be held in Bicol but we thought against it. Unlike Bohol which is just a couple of hours by ferry, Bicol is too remote for us to let him go by himself.

Matt had a lot of good stories to tell, I should let him write it in blog-form. Hehehe.

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We recently celebrated our 14th anniversary at this little-known but wonderful resto at Banilad Town. At Don Merto's, I had my pan-seared salmon while Jerry satisfied himself with the US-certified Angus beef rib. Ahh... really delicious!

14

"Somebody once said that marriage is not only about looking at each other...

Marriage is about looking in the same direction..."

Credits: Scrapblog

Visita Iglesia

On Maundy Thursday, we were up early and were in church for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 830 am. There was already quite a number of people lined-up waiting for their turn to confess when we sat down.

The line before us became shorter as some people opted to join the general absolution instead. Jerry, Matt, Kyle and I remained seated, since we preferred to have a personal session with the priest.

Some took a long time to finish, while some were quick. The four of us had our sins listed on individual sheets of paper to save on time. It helped shorten the waiting time of those who went after us, I'm sure. I think it just took each of us 5 minutes tops or even less.

Kyle went first, followed by Matthew, then Jerry, and I was last. In the car, I was amused to hear that the priest asked Kyle his name, where he studied and eventually asked his permission if he (the priest) could keep his list of sins. Hehehe...

We said our penances and took turns reciting the Stations of the Cross. By 10:00 am, we were back home to prepare for the major activity for the day - the Visita Iglesia.

It was the first time my family (party of 5) embarked on a 10-hr road trip to the South of Cebu to see its centuries-old churches. We brought a huge cooler of ice and ice-cold water plus bags of chips. Jake was with us too, so we made sure we also had enough of his supplies - milk, diapers, wet tissues, water, and extra shirts. We even had his favorite pillows which he usually bites when he's about to doze off.

On the way to the South of Cebu***, we passed the coastal highway. Amazing views of the sea, the nearby Negros province and Sumilon island greeted us. The weather was very cooperative and the blue skies gave us the perfect canvas to the picturesque coastline that lay before us.

The lunch pit-stop was at the coastal town of Ronda where we heartily devoured our Jollibee bangus bellies. Then chased it with our mineral water. Jake, who was initially asleep when we stopped to park under a tree, woke up to ask for rice and to feast on his macaroni soup.

On the drive back home, we under-estimated the time and thought we'd be able to cover at least 7 churches. However, when it became apparent that we wouldn't get back to the city before nightfall, we just contented ourselves with six.

Since I'm not too good with descriptions... I am posting the 6 churches we covered for our visita iglesia 2006.

A blessed Easter to everyone!

Redemptorist

Carcar

Ronda

Alegria

Ginatilan

Boljoon - since 1599. This was the last church we saw right before sunset.

*** Our Southern Cebu route:  Cebu City, Pardo, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, crossed Barili to pass along the coastal provinces of Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Madridejos, Alegria, Ginatilan, Samboan, Santander (Southernmost tip of Cebu), back to the city via Boljoon, Alcoy, Dalaguete, Argao, Sibonga, Carcar, San Fernando, Naga, Minglanilla, Talisay, Pardo and Cebu City...

Best Buds

 My Papa and my Papa Rhante... They've been friends for close to 50 years!!! 

We treated them to an overnight stay at our favorite beach haunt. 

Aw this probably is my most favorite shot (though not in the best resolution) of the best buddies enjoying a hearty laugh as Papa tried to "eat" Papa Rhante's queen early on in the game. 

Another poignant shot... What could they be thinking in their prime years? Probably thanking the good Lord for bringing them together in this lifetime... 

My own boys were witnesses to this enduring friendship. I hope they learn the valuable lesson of true and unconditional friendship that Papa and Papa Rhante share. 

My family in celebration...