Philippine Independence Day

Today June 12, 2025, we are celebrating the 127th year of Philippine Independence also known as Araw ng Kalayaan or Araw ng Kasarinlan. The theme of this year celebration is Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan. This day is a national holiday in the Philippines and observed annually on June 12 celebrating the announcement of Philippine Independence from Spain in 1898. As part of its commitment to Philippine tradition, SM malls is taking part by displaying the Philippine National Flag as centerpiece of the exhibit aside from showing Filipino display art at their activity center. Below photos was taken at SM City Bacoor.

Philippine National Flag

2025 National & Local Elections

Today May 12, 2025 is the national and local midterm election in the Philippines. Millions of  Filipinos who are eligible to exercise their rights to vote will go out and choose 12 senators and 317 seats in the House of Representatives. Local elections are also held for the executive and legislative branches in every city, municipality, and province in the Philippines. Filipinos are encourage to vote wisely because this is crucial to the future of the Philippines.

Pope Leo XIV (His Excellency Robert Francis Prevost)

The Vatican announced the newly elected Pope, His Excellency Robert Francis Prevost and took the papal name Leo XIV. Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago on September 14 1955. He is the first American to be elected as pope and the first Augustinian pope. His election was followed by the death of Pope Francis. He is the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

NOTE: Photo not mine. Photo by Riccardo De Luca/Associated Press

Rest in Peace Pope Francis

The Vatican announced yesterday (April 21, 2025) the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. According to Vatican, the Pope died of a stroke following a heart failure. Pope Francis was the head of the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025. Pope Francis is the first Latin American pontiff. The whole world mourns the passing of the Pope who left a legacy of being pro-poor. Pope Francis visited the Philippines on 2015 and push through with his scheduled visit in Tacloban City braving strong winds and non-stop rains to reach out to the poor communities. He is a source of compassion and humility for the whole world. Let us all pray for the eternal repose of Pope Francis.

NOTES: Photo not mine. Source of photo from Mother Mary Facebook account and Vatican.

Easter Sunday (2025)

Today is Easter Sunday as Christians around the world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his crucifixion. This is marked with joyous celebration by the Catholic Church, the first being the pre-dawn rites called "Salubong" in Filipino where the meeting of two statues, one of the Risen Jesus Christ, and the other of a still mourning Virgin Mary. 

Churches in Metro Manila to be Visited on Semana Santa (2025)

National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, known also as Baclaran Church at Redemptorist Road, Paranaque, Metro Manila

The interior part of Baclaran Church

San Agustin Church

It is located inside the walled city of Intramuros, Manila. The church was completed in 1607 and is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.

The Church beautiful interior

The Manila Cathedral, known also as Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. 

It is located in Intramuros, Manila. 

The interior of the Cathedral and Basilica and the image of the Immaculate Conception at the Altar.

The Minor Basilica & National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno - popularly known as Quiapo Church. It is located at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila.

The interior part of Quiapo Church with the high Altar in the middle.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, popularly known as Santa Cruz Parish in the district of Santa Cruz, Manila. 

The Nave of Santa Cruz Church.

 National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus or Saint Jude Parish. 

It is located at Jose P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila

The interior part of the Church

Sagrada Familia Church. 

It is located at Gateway Mall 2, Level 5, General Araneta, Cubao Quezon City. The structure of the church takes a pertinent inspiration from the mitre, a traditional headgear worn by bishops, archbishops, cardinals and the Pope.

The inside part of the church. The church highlights an all-white interior.

PALM SUNDAY 2025

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It marks the first day of Holy Week for the Catholic church. It is the event of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and celebrated in many Catholic churches. Devotees observe it with processions, blessing of palm leaves or branches after attending the Sunday Mass. Today, as a devout Catholic, I attended the Palm Sunday Mass at Sto. Nino de Molino Parish Church at Bacoor City, Cavite. Here are some photos I took at the church.

First Sunday Mass (April 2025)

Today is the first Sunday mass for the month of April 2025. Holy Week is fast approaching.