We Are Family

I was having my morning exercise, and jogging outside our subdivision yesterday, three horses beside a National Book Store caught my attention. It seems they are one whole family waiting for the store to open, hehehe. What a sight to behold!

Simply Lemon

Summer heat these days are a bit too much. Many people are flocking to the malls to ease the sweltering temperature outside. One reason I kept coming back at SM malls are those small kiosks that sells cold drinks to relieve my thirst and avoid dehydration. For this reason, I always buy this large size lemonade worth 55 pesos at Simply Lemon. Yes, people are lining up to this kiosk simply because a fresh squeezed lemon with syrup plus ice is shaken before it will be transferred to your large or medium size cup. Believe me, it is so refreshing and delicious. I recommend this to all because aside from being thirst quenching, lemon juice or lemon water has lots of health benefits. It is a source of vitamin c, it aids digestion, it also help prevents kidney stone, it promotes a healthy skin, and it helps weight loss. So try to visit Simply Lemon and try their fresh lemon juice.

National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Thomas, Batangas

It was a beautiful Sunday morning of May 07, 2017 when I left my house in Imus, Cavite going to Buendia bus terminal of JAC Liner. I left at exactly 5:00 am and was lucky enough to ride a bus along Aguinaldo Highway going to Buendia-Ayala route. My destination is my first visit at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio at Sto. Thomas, Batangas.  I arrived at the terminal 6:00 am and ride a Lucena City bound JAC Liner and ask the bus conductor at the drop point going to Saint Padre Pio Shrine located at Barangay San Pedro.
 

I heard many things about the Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, it’s beautiful domed like church and the Mary Mother of Mercy belfry which is beside the main church.  When I arrived at the shrine, the church was full of people and pilgrims who will attend the 8:30 morning mass.  I was awed by the interior of the domed like church wherein the design is in circular and bamboos are used as the main wall of the altar. The main altar is the crucified statue of Jesus Christ with the portrait of Saint Padre Pio on the right side. There are many beautiful spots inside the vicinity of the shrine wherein you can do your selfies or group pictures, but we need to be aware that this is a shrine not a tourist place. This is a place of worship and prayer, devotion, and reflection for us. 

The main altar of National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was an Italian priest, friar, and stigmatist. He is known as the Patron of Civil Defense Volunteers, Adolescents, Pietrelcina, and Stress Relief.  His real name is Francesco Forgione.  He was known for his piety and charity.  He was born on May 25, 1887 and died on September 23, 1968.  He was revered as a saint on June 16, 2002 by Saint John Paul II.  Saint Padre Pio’s famous quote “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry” is his spiritual message to all Christians around the world and directed to put God in all things. Saint Padre Pio is also known to have exhibited the stigmata most of his pious life. 

“Stigmata” is a term used by members of the Christian faith to describe body marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ, such as the hand, wrists, and feet. (Source: Wikipedia)

Welcome Arc to the Main Shrine wherein the message of Saint Padre Pio is "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry" is shown.

The Main Church/Shrine of Saint Padre Pio

Beside the main church is the Mary Mother of Mercy belfry

Mary Mother of Mercy Belfry which houses various images and relics of Saint Padre Pio.

Below are some relics and images inside the belfry. 

 Chapel of Saint Padre Pio (located below the Mary Mother of Mercy belfry)

 Wood of the Most Sacred Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Sanctuary

Relic of the Holy Cross inside the Sancturary

 Saint Padre Pio Paris and Shrine Office

 Articoli Religiosi San Giovanni Rotondo (where you can buy religious articles and souvenirs)

Other portion of Articoli Religiosi San Giovanni Rotondo (where you can buy religious articles and souvenirs)

Holy Water Sanctuary

My souvenir photo - Behind Saint Padre Pio statue

Divine Mercy Sanctuary for Pilgrims 

 Lower view from Mary Mother of Mercy Belfry

 Wall dedicated to prayer lock

 Mini forest at the lower area of the shrine

 Traditional "banga" wherein you can get holy water at the Holy Water Sanctuary

 Well maintained garden at the shrine

Statue of an Angel at the entrance of the Shrine

Statue of Sainte Padre Pio inside the Chapel

Breathtaking view of Mount Makiling from the belfry

How to Get There at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio

By bus - go to Buendia Terminal (LRT Gil Puyat Station) and take a JAC Liner bus going to Lucena City (Grand Terminal). Tell the bus conductor to drop you at Padre Pio Shrine (Barangay San Pedro), landmark is an overpass where you will drop off (bus fare is 99 pesos). Take a tricycle going to the shrine (fare is 40 pesos if you are alone, 10 pesos each if you are four passengers). 

Jian Axel Sisig Station

Yesterday I went to SM City Molino to get rid of my boredom at home.  As I roamed around the mall, I felt hungry and went straight to SM Hypermarket where you can find those stalls selling quick meals and juices.  I was curious to check this Sisig Station and tried their pork sisig with rice which is very affordable. Believe me, the meal is yummy and delicious, added with seasoned chili peppers and calamansi.  In the end, I ordered another box to satisfy my cravings. For sure, I will come back again to try another menu. 

Jian Axel SISIG Station

Pork Sisig with Rice - Yummy and Delicious

Happy Easter!

Today is Easter Sunday and the last day of the Holy Week for Christians around the world.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, it is about time for us to reflect and recollect his sufferings. This is the right time to change our bad attitude and do good things to others.  Change our negative aspect in life, respect for our parents and elderlies. This is the time to forgive others, give hope to those who are in despair, and love God as well as your neighbor. Happy Easter to all!

Holy Week 2017

Roman Catholics in the Philippines celebrates Holy Week on April 9 to 16.  Started on April 09 which is Palm Sunday wherein Catholics flocked the churches with "palaspas" (branches of palms) and bless by the priest.  This commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and celebrated in many Catholic churches by processions and masses in which branches of palms are carried by devotees. Then follows Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday (which reenacts the Lord's last supper with his apostles, Good Friday (which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death), Holy Saturday (the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, mass is not celebrated in Catholic tradition), and Easter Sunday (resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated). Holy Week is very sacred to Christians wherein it commemorates the sacrifices, last days, and death of Jesus Christ on earth. 

The First Station (Jesus Institutes the Eucharist)

The Second Station (Jesus Prays in Gethsemane) 

The Third Station (Jesus Before the Sanhedrin) 

The Fourth Station (Jesus is Crowned with Thorns) 

The Fifth Station (Jesus Carries the Cross) 

The Sixth Station (Jesus Falls to the Ground) 

The Seventh Station (Jesus is Helped by Simon)