Amazing Pope Francis

 Photo credit: Instagram by my Goddaughter, Nicole

During Pope Francis' first visit to the Philippines last week, I learnt to admire this man through his action and his words. I am Roman Catholic and the Pope is the Head of our Church with its headquarters at the Vatican City in Rome.  Pope Francis is God's representative here on Earth, head of the Roman Catholic Church, Vicar of Christ and also Bishop of Rome.  His State visit to the Philippines carried the theme of Mercy and Compassion because he wanted to meet the Filipinos in Manila and to visit last year's super typhoon Yolanda survivors in Leyte, Southern Philippines. 

When Pope Francis arrived in Manila to start his State Visit, he was greeted like a rock star by thousands of Filipinos who waited for hours along the streets. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia. The country is composed of at least 85% Catholics. So it was not surprising that the Filipinos gave the Pope a massive, friendly and loving welcome in the country.  Watching all these on TV, I admire Pope Francis now because he never wavered from his mission of representing God and Jesus here on Earth, he is very simple, down to earth and despite rain or shine he was out there to be with the people. In this time of trouble, terrorism and all negative things around us, we are blessed to have Pope Francis who is a symbol of God's goodness, mercy and love here in Earth. I hope we will never forget that regardless of our different religions. 

Some of you lost part of your families, all I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all, with my silent heart. - Pope Francis to the crowd in Leyte.

During his trip to Leyte, Southern Philippines, he was greeted by thousands of people and by an incoming typhoon. It was pouring rain when he arrived with his entourage. The typhoon did not scare or stopped him. The Pope wore the same rain poncho as the rest of the crowd showing that he is one with the people. He continued to celebrate the outdoor mass at the airport despite the rain and strong winds. The Pope told the people that when he saw the super typhoon Yolanda last year from Rome, he felt that he had to be here to visit the survivors. If you remember, super typhoon Yolanda devastated the island last year with massive floods that destroyed villages and killed almost seven thousand people.  Unfortunately, his day visit to Leyte was cut short because of the typhoon. But the Pope still completed all of his commitments there through a shorter visit.

The Pope delivered a very emotional speech in Spanish to the people of Leyte.

 After the mass at the Manila Cathedral, the Pope broke protocol by exiting at the side entrance of the Cathedral to cross the street to place a surprise visit to this Shelter for Street children. This surprise visit to the poorest of the poor in Manila, was very touching to everyone especially giving joy and love to these abandoned and street children. Pope Francis is known to serve the Poor. 

Here are some advise from Pope Francis to families:

 

The mass at the Luneta Park in Manila was attended by almost 7 million Filipinos, a record in the whole World. Pope Francis asked us to pray for him.

Photo Credits: Philippine Inquirer, Pope Francis in PH

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Exotic Shangri-la Boracay Gardens

Last week, we discovered the gardens of the Carmel Mission. Now we travel back here to Boracay, Philippines which I previously featured in my post, Shangri-la Moments in Boracay. The gardens here at the Boracay Shangri-la Resort & Spa are so authentically tropical, exotic and well maintained. The resort employs a fleet of local gardeners who are from the Island of Boracay to take care of these gardens like their own. They know these plants, trees and flowers so intimately. The gardeners maintain them everyday not only for aesthetic purposes but also with preservation of the environment in mind. The gardeners enjoy and takes pride in their work because they are also communing with nature and making an impact in preserving the beauty of their Island of Boracay in the Philippines. 

Everywhere we went, we were surrounded by the Coconut trees and local plants and flowers.

Even the birds likes to hang out around here.

The walkway to the Beach is surrounded by plants and trees.

Shangri-la made sure that their outdoor shower is very chic too. 

I miss relaxing here. 

The sound of the water here is so tranquil.

Stone garden and Banana trees.

A place to relax and socialise is surrounded by water and plants.

I can't resist hanging out here by the Beach.


Have a wonderful and fun Summer Weekend!

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Lenten Season: San Augustin Church

 In commemoration of the Lenten Season this week, I would like to share my visit to the San Augustin Church in Intramuros, Manila in the Philippines last October. The San Augustin Church was built in 1589 and administered by the Order of St. Augustine Friars for over 440 years. This Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and decorated in the Baroque Style. The Church has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 and a National Historical Landmark since 1976. San Augustin Church has stood the test of time throughout Philippines history from the Spanish times to the present. The Philippines was colonized by the Spanish for over 300 years and is the only Roman Catholic Country in Asia. This Lenten Season is a time to reflect, to say a prayer and to remember the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, it is nice to go back in time and visit historical places to admire the architecture, history and to reflect by being thankful to the past, to obtain courage to face the present and pray for a better future. 

 Visitors to the Church are welcomed through this ornate wood carving door featuring the symbols of the Order of St. Augustine Friars. 

 

 Inside is a Baroque and very Spanish interior. The Walls and ceilings were decorated with trompe l'oeil murals.

Below the left side of the Church is the Crypt where wealthy and prominent Spanish families were buried including my Spanish Ancestors from the Roxas Family.

 

 An ornate pulpit decorated in Gold where the Priest usually delivers his Sermon during Mass.

Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation and Chapel of Santo Nino which is the image of Jesus when he was a boy.

Our Lady of Consolation dressed elaborately in robes made from golden threads. 

 In the Main Altar is the religious image of St.Augustine. The whole main altar is in red and gold.

Adjacent to the Church is the Augustian Monastery.

You enter the home of God every time you pray. 
- Bo Sanchez 

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Riding High In The New Year!

January 31st was the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Wood Horse. The Chinese New Year is usually represented by an animal and one of the five elements of metal,water, wood, fire and earth. The Wood Horse symbolises loyalty, independence, determination and unexpected adventures. This New Year celebration will be full of parades, eating and fireworks. Many will be celebrating the arrival of the New Year with a huge and delicious feast of Chinese food with family and friends then end with a fantastic fireworks. 

Holt Renfrew's tribute to the Horse with style. 

Hermès has a long tradition with designing with horses. 

 When we were in Manila last October, we dined at the Summer Palace  Chinese Restaurant at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel. The Chinese consider red and anything circular as lucky and prosperous.

This is called the Birthday Noodle Dish. It is an egg noodle with a variety of seafood and vegetables. For the Chinese, Seafood plays a large role in festive celebrations. For instance, shrimps represent liveliness, happiness and well-being. Abalone represents abundance and good fortune, scallops represents a new start or the opening of new horizons and fish represents both wish and abundance. The noodle dish also have some Chicken which is considered healthy and symbolises prosperity and completeness. The noodles and green leafy vegetables represent a long life.(Source: Mandarin Oriental Manila Chinese New Year)

This was our meal with my friends at Modern Shanghai, Makati, Philippines. The restaurant's speciality is the Xiao Long Bao which is the round dimsum  in the basket as shown above filled with ground beef and soup inside. Eating anything rounded in shape symbolises money, profit and good fortune. Lastly, rice is served at the end of the meal to signify fertility, luck and abundance in wealth. Anything golden in colour like the fried rice we had above represents abundance in wealth. (Source: Mandarin Oriental Manila Chinese New Year) 

With the symbolism of the Chinese Feast above, I wish you all a blessing in abundance, prosperity, health, happiness and for sure a delicious feast with family and friends.

The Chinese Zodiac is different from the Western Horoscope. The Chinese Zodiac uses different Animal Signs. Your animal sign is determined by the Year of your birth. Discover your good fortune and predictions for the 2014 Year Of The Wood Horse.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Happy Chinese New Year!

Check out Mary Jo's designs of Bags and accessories sale at her Shop.

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