ENCOUNTERS: ILOCOS (Pagudpud - May 7, 2016)

After a day of travelling to historical places, eating lots of food and conquering the sand dunes, we headed towards the other side of Ilocos Norte, to the place known for its white sand beach (yeop, like Boracay, less the people) and other frontiers that is not frequented by the usual mob.

Next stop: PAGUDPUD!

Our first stop: Big Electric Fans! Es te, The Windmills of Bangui!

Hot day, eh? xD

Yes, it is really a hot day. xDDD

Even my mom can't stand the heat, but at least she's still smiling!

Next stop: Kabigan Falls deep inside Pagudpud. Despite
its silent and mystic look-and-feel, it is still frequented by a good number of tourists.

To visit Kabigan Falls, you need a 30-minute simple trek from the main road. As
you take the trail, you will see lots of farmlands with ample irrigation, since their water
comes from the falls. The rest goes down towards the sea. The feeling is tranquil, even this
carabao can't help but to take a bath.

Yeop, that's me looking around my land. (Actually, my sea. Just kidding. xD)

I'm not sure what this is, but the view from where I was was super great!

ENCOUNTERS: Ilocos (Laoag - May 7, 2016)

Two weeks before entering the Seminary, I and my sister treated my mom to a special trip to Ilocos. Though unplanned, it was nevertheless a great visit, since it was her dream to visit Ilocandia, a place of history, legacy and yes, relaxation.

After twelve hours of land travel (via Partas Bus. The special trip has designated hours, so we went thru the regular trip which was also relaxing anyway), we reached Laoag City in the morning of Friday. We spent the day travelling through its known churches, special places and try its sand dunes as the sun is just setting.

Here are some shots. I opted not to post the facade of Laoag and Paoay churches, since we are already familiar with them. Instead, I have here the shots from the Sanctuary of Laoag Cathedral, and the image of the Patron of Paoay Parish.

The interior of St. William the Hermit Cathedral under the Diocese of Laoag.

JM and Ajie posing in front of the Provincial Capitol, a few days ahead
of the election.

Mommy at the Sand Dunes of Paoay (which is beside... South China Sea? I'm not so sure)

Paoay Lake, a majestic lake beside the Malacañang of the North (the residence of
the Marcoses at Ilocos)

Our Holy Father Saint Augustine, patron of Paoay Church

IMITATION towards REALITY

When I find time to write on things, I make sure I grab the chance. Mahirap ulit mawalan sa kawalan. xDDD

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In the past few months of journeying with life, I used as a guide a little book. Little as it seemed, it focused on the big things of life, especially one's relationship with the Lord. It has been used by many generations, especially by those in the religious life, clerics and nuns.

The title: Imitation of Christ by Thomas a' Kempis.

The book was given to me by a very close friend last October, as a birthday/vestition gift for that year. Being not so fond of reading books, it took me some time to read it. Until that night, I never thought what was inside the book. It was until one November night when I tried to see what's inside the book.

And indeed, it was more than what I expected.

From simple basics of faith, to things that helped me decide on which road to take, the Imitation guided me step by step, page by page, towards attaining holiness in a not-so-quick manner, in the here and now.

In the book, I reflected on how important obedience is, how great it feels to carry the cross and to pursue with the road of the cross, to keep my mouth shut except in praising God, among many others. As I read, I resolved to do these things the next day, to become better, to accept everything in patience, to be moderate, to control, and to become a model.

Imitating Christ in today's reality is very hard to do. Indeed, especially in a judging and criticizing society, you'll find it very hard to be another Christ. But then, reading books and contemplating on them can certainly help you achieve a better way of life, one patterned after Jesus. as long as you open yourself and your ideals to God's divine will and mercy, nothing's impossible.

THE HANDS (In memory of Ivan Rolfe A. Banaag, 2000-2013)

It took me three years to post the story of  Ivan's death here on my blog. Perhaps, it's more of me either not yet moving on with how Ivan died, or with my general busyness with teacher things. But I have to admit that until now, his story - and memory - remains in the hearts of those who believed in him, his family, friends and colleagues.

I personally believe that his story does not end with his death. It continues on, as long as people are continued to be inspired by his story. Thus, I re-post here my personal account on how Ivan died three years ago, on February 18, 2013. It served as a pivoting point in my life, and in the lives of many others. The story of my encounter would give a glimpse on it. Likewise, I added some information in italics, so that the story could be as whole and updated as possible.

This picture is the last I took of Ivan while he was still alive: this is the story of his hand holding mine on the final battle he faced.

The tight grip he gave would always remind me of the boy who never gave up.
That hold would be cherished all the days of my life.
His hands serve as a reminder for me to trust in God's loving will for me.

THE HANDS (The Last Days of Ivan)
An anecdote on Ivan's final hours, from the AM Moderator, Bro. Weldann Lester Panganiban

(Reposted from the AM Online Necrological Service - February 22, 2013.)

Since we began the advocacy of prayers for Ivan's recovery, a lot of people are asking us regarding his sickness. The same question came in when we made the official announcement of his death last Monday.

We tried our best to keep it hidden, with respect to Ivan and the Banaag Family, but eventually some individuals shared in the comments the reason of his demise. With this, I prayerfully decided to make a little account of Ivan's parting hours, particularly when I visited him the night before his death.

VIA CRUCIS SA AVE Year 5: Lolo Uweng

It's been over a year since I last visited Lolo Uweng at Landayan. This year, due to my proximity to the place (thank you, NCR Palaro!), I was able to venerate the Santo Entierro once again. I attended the Ash Wednesday Mass there, and took photos of the stations there. I was also able to meet Christian, a FB friend who is serving there. He helped me with shooting some videos for the intro vid of VCSA. 

Of course, there were some bloopers during the shoot.

But in the end, with Lolo Uweng's help, we were able to come up with a simple yet informative video on Lolo Uweng and the Diocesan Shrine. This served as a kickstart for this year's edition of Via Crucis sa Ave. 

More videos will be done during this Lenten Season, as we continue this custom of journeying with Jesus on the Way of the Cross.

GOLDEN ARROW

The GOLDEN ARROW PRAYER given to Sr. Mary of St. Peter. After receiving this prayer, Sister Mary of St. Peter was given a vision in which she saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by this "Golden Arrow" as torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners.

Oh well... Trying..

JOURNEYS

The last two months of 2015 was focused on adventures. Just when I thought that having an adventure is expensive, I found out more. People spend on adventures because they wish to see something outside their comfort zones, that there's more than office work, or a classroom setup. True enough, the experiences I had prove that there is more than what I usually do. The company of friends prove that those who are true will stay no matter what.

I will share these stories soon. :)

2016... LIFE'S A SURPRISE!!!

Hindi lang ako ang nag-iisang nagsasabing kakaiba ang taong 2015 sa mga pagsubok at bagyo na dinala nito. Kung tutuusin, sobrang bigat ng naging impact ng mga pagsubok na iyon para sa akin. Yung tipo bang akala ko wala nang nagtitiwala, yung wala nang nagmamahal? Yung feeling mo nasa kawalan ka, at palagi ka na lang magbabanggit ng hugot lines para mabawasan ang kirot na nararamdaman? Higit sa lahat, yung feeling na mag-isa ka, kahit na hindi. Mabigat na taon, sabi ng iba.

Pero hindi rin ako nag-iisang magsabi na may mga kakaibang surpresang dala ang taong ito. Nakita natin ngayong taon si Pope Francis, kinilig tayo sa Aldub, Merong nagkaroon ng bagong trabaho, tulad ko, mga bagong karanasan at taong nakilala, mga biyahe at bundok na naakyat, mga bagong larawang nakunan, at para sa akin at sa mga kasamahan ko, ngayong taon kami tinanggap sa Order of Preachers bilang mga Lay Novice.

Surpresa sa gitna ng mga problema sa buhay. Ganito naman ang biyaya ng Diyos, di ba? Hindi niya tayo pinababayaan sa oras na tayo ay nangangailangan. Yung nabibigla na lang tayo at may ganitong kabibigat na blessing na dumarating. Basta manatili lang tayong nagtitiwala sa kanya. Hindi tayo nag-iisa. Kahit kailan, hindi tayo nag-iisa.

At alam kong mananatili ang mga surpresa sa pagpasok ng panibagong taon. Hangga't may taong naniniwala sa kung ano'ng mga bubulaga sa kanyang buhay, darating ang biyaya. Hangga't may nagsusumikap na tuparin ang pangarap, may surpreesa. xD

Pinangako kong mag-iiba ang 2016, at magiging higit na masaya. Sana ganito rin tayo. Dahil ang buhay ay punung-puno ng surpresa, ito ay magsisimula sa ating pagsusumikap, at sa pagpapala ng Panginooon.

ISANG MASURPRESANG 2016 PO SA ATING LAHAT, AT PAGPALAIN TAYO NG PANGINOONG DIYOS!!!

NEW HOUSE. NEW SPHERE.

NEW HOUSE. NEW SPHERE. This is my 2015. Wounded, yet still in battle. Dead, yet alive. Lost many friends, yet blessed with real ones. All under one new roof. 

In 2015, I went beyond who I was. Leaving the comfort of a private school, to enter the challenging world of the public school system, the cheers of many friends for real people who stood by me in some of the most trying moments in my life. What I thought was right was skinned off me, painful as it seemed. The care of two mothers who never let go of me. I admit I was a lot clumsy and pasaway this year, yet God knows how tough it came for me, and eventually, for most of us.

I promised myself that the coming year will be a lot different. And it will be. I have lots of pains this year, that I will always remember in my memory, yet God will always be the master of my ship. And this year, I will let him surprise me. Through me, he will surprise everyone. 

This year will be a year of surprises. Like the new house where I live now, everything will be new. This, I promise. This, I will do.  #LifesASurprise2016