The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart

In Makati, Philippines

On October 2, 2009 (First Friday of the month), the NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART was declared a JUBILEE SHRINE, officiated by the former Archbishop of Manila; Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales at a concelebrated Mass in the morning.

The honor is granted to this Church for being a National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, this same year being declared a Year of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, plus being the Year of the Priests (150th death anniversary of St. John Vianney, Cure of Ars - Parish Priest of Ars).

To gain the plenary indulgence, all who visit the Shrine must be in the state of grace, receive Holy Communion, and say the following prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI) and Priests: Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the invocations: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us; St. John Marie Vianney, Pray for us  .

Holy Week Procession

In Maragondon, Cavite

Holy Week is a significant religious festival in the Philippines. Holy Week is known as “Semana Santa” (the original Spanish name), or by its Filipino name “Mahál na Araw”. Many communities observe procession of the Passion of Christ which is held during the evening of Good Friday in Maragondon, Cavite.

Have you experienced joining a procession in the Philippines? Everybody should at least try it once in their lifetime. It is said that you are also in one with the Passion and Death of Christ. See the rest of the blog...

Caylabne Beach Resort

In Ternate, Cavite

We went to this resort twice already. This is a nice beach resort only 30 minutes drive from Manila.

Mt. Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga.

My wife and her friends visited Mt Pinatubo last April 2012.

Fun in Maragondon, Cavite

We went to Maragondon, Cavite last April and spend our holiday. We had fun there doing the following activities which are good for the family and friends.

      

      1)      Riding “Balsa” and cruising on the river

Ancestral House of Emiliano Riego De Dios

In Maragondon, Cavite

Emiliano Riego de Dios (September 7, 1864 - February 14, 1926) born in Maragondon, Cavite, was a revolutionary leader and the secretary-general of the “Asociacion de los Veteranos de la Revolucion”. He is also a member leader of the “Katipunan” established by Andress Bonifacio.

Nuestra Senora De La Asuncion Parish

In Maragondon, Cavite

The Nuestra Senora De La Asuncion Parish (or Our Lady of the Assumption Parish) is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and was erected by the Jesuit friars in the year 1618 and was made a parochial church in 1627. It was declared a national heritage by the national museum in July 31, 2001

The Pink Sisters

In Tagaytay

We usually make it a point to visit Pink Sister's convent every time we go to Tagaytay.

Bonifacio Trial House

In Maragondon, Cavite

This is the place where Andres Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan, was on trial before he was executed at Mt. Buntis.

Fersal Inn

In Annapolis Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines

Looking for a clean, safe and affordable hotel within the heart of Manila? Look for Fersal Inn a clean and affordable budget hotel located in Cubao, Quezon City. We spent the night at this hotel before we proceed to Cavite for our holy week vacation.

Ube Jam of Good Shepherd

In Tagaytay City

If you happen to visit Tagaytay city for weekend getaway, you may want to buy some Ube Jam (Purple Taro in english) as a take home or “pasalubong”. As for Me, I love Ube jam from Baguio and Tagaytay. We never fail to drop by Good Shepherd Sisters to buy these delicious Ube jams.

Tahong and Talaba

In Bacoor, Cavite

Looking for fresh and cheap Tahong (Asian Green Mussels) and Talaba (Oyster) near Metro Manila?
You can find them here in Bacoor, Cavite Philippines.

The Quezon Memorial Circle

In Quezon City

The Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park and shrine. This is where the remains of Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, and his wife, First Lady Aurora Quezon are located.

Sumilon Island

In Cebu, Philippines

Sumilon Island which means “take refuge” is 125 kilometers away from Cebu City and almost 20 kilometers to Dumaguete City. The island area is 24 hectares which is surrounded by crystal clear waters with 39-hectare of marine sanctuary. It is the first marine protected area in the Philippines which was made a fish sanctuary in 1974 under the guidance of Siliman University Marine Reserve. This is also where we spend our honey moon after our wedding. A very romantic and memorable place.

Oslob Cebu Tourist Spots

Oslob is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 22,732 people.

Here is the list of tourist spots in the municipality of Oslob

Taxi Hotlines in Manila

Are you going somewhere late at night in Metro Manila?

Do you have a flight to catch early in the morning or late in the evening?

Is your area or the point of destination very far from access to Public Utility Vehicles (e.g. Tricycle, Jeepneys, or Buses)

Carrying heavy stuffs which requires transport service to destination?

Is your personal car going to be affected by the number coding day in Manila and you need a car service?

Do you need a transport service to tour around Manila?

Solution to the problem, consider getting a taxi pickup service.

The Chinese Garden in Rizal Park

Chinese Garden is one of the attractions in Rizal Park which is situated in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines. Chinese Garden was built to promote friendship between China and the Philippines. Inside the garden is a lagoon and corridor designed like the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. Entrance fee is 5 Philippine pesos per person.

National Shrine – Mary Help of Christians Parish

In barangay Don Bosco, Betterliving subdivision, Paranaque City, Philippines

On May 24, 1972, the cornerstone of the Shrine was laid in the land donated by the Serrano and Dolor families at Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque, adjacent to the Provincial Office of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Block by block, month by month the shrine rose from the ground. Mary Help of Christians would finally have a home of her own. In June 1975 His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin created the parish of Mary Help of Christians and designated the shrine as the parish church and the Salesian Fr. Pierangelo Quaranta as its first pastor. By July 24, 1975 the Parish of Mary Help of Christians was officially inaugurated at the Shrine. Fr. Quaranta with a host of parishioners and benefactors spearheaded the completion of the Shrine. The Church was solemnly consecrated on December 4, 1976 during the silver jubilee year celebrations of Salesian presence in the Philippines. As pastor, Fr. Quaranta zealously spread the devotion to Mary Help of Christians among the parishioners. To date, the statue of Mary Help of Christians is enthroned at prominent street corners of the parish.

Apolinario Mabini’s House Replica

This is the house replica of Apolinario Mabini, a Philippine hero often referred to as "the Sublime Paralytic", and as "the Brains of the Revolution."  This replica is located inside the Mabini Shine, the birthplace of Mabini. Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 in Barangay Talaga in Tanauan City, Batangas. He was the second of eight children of Dionisia Maranan, a vendor in the Tanauan market, and Inocencio Mabini, an unlettered peasant.

The Mabini Shrine - Memorabilia

Apolinario Mabini is a nationalist, hero, writer, political philosopher, revolutionary and a teacher. Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 in Barangay Talaga in Tanauan, Batangas. He was the second of eight children of Dionisia Maranan, a vendor in the Tanauan market, and Inocencio Mabini, an unlettered peasant. He came from a poor family.

He joined the revolution and became the Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who wrote a constitutional plan for the first Philippine republic of 1899-1901, and served as its first prime minister in 1899. He also became Emiliio Aguinaldo’s (first Philippine President) main consultant.

On January 1896, he was paralyzed because of Pollio. Then he was imprisoned by Spaniards on October 1896 and by Americans on 1899. He was then exiled in Guam on January 15, 1901 and returned to Philippines on February 26, 1903. He died in Manila on May 13, 1903.

The Mabini Shine is located along Talisay-Tanauan road at Barangay Talaga, Tanauan Batangas. Apolinario Mabini, one of the Philippine heroes of the revolution, often referred to as "the Sublime Paralytic", and as "the Brains of the Revolution."