ART IS A BANG: Concert At The Park 50th Anniversary

Rizal Park's CONCERT AT THE PARK celebrates its 50TH ANNIVERSARY with a feature presentation.

Selebrasyon – a celebration of Filipino culture through music, song and dance

featuring Philippine BARANGGAY Folk Dance Troupe

Sun 6 Jan 2013 | 5 pm 

Rizal Park, Manila

The public is cordially invited and admission is  free of charge

 

LAKBAYAN: Cafe Lupe at Rizal Park

Luneta has indeed reinvented itself from the dark days years ago. And as featured here in MTL with amazing transformation of the biggest urban park in the Philippines can now again claim its glory as a tourist destination for both foreign and local tourists. 

And with the Christmas and New Year season giving time for people to go out and spend time with family and friends. And indeed it was filled with a sea of people going around the park for the free concerts, bazaars, and the park features like the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Kilometer Zero marker, Quirino Grandstand, and of course the Rizal Monument.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 8 - GREETING

First Reading: Micah 5:1-4

Psalm: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

I was thinking with the series of churches I went for the Misa De Gallo are the usual churches I went to, but I was hoping that there would be something new, like the one I had in Trinoma upon disovering the chapel of St. Michael and the Archangels. 

Still on an event filled day, my last destination for the day was in Luneta where we will check out the Cape Lupe shop near the dancing fountain area. And just in front of the fountain is a stage set up for the Simbang Gabi which will start at 8:30 PM. It was great news because we can have the event and also don't need to go far to attend the mass. And the best part of it is the open air where the air is cool, and the spirit of Christmas can be felt with the number of families and friends going around the biggest urban park in the Philippines.

Traslacion 2012: The Feast of the Black Nazarene

Quiapo holds a lot of spiritual and personal attachments to many Filipinos including myself. And the celebration of the Traslacion this year is an event that I have always look forward every year to attend and now to feature in the blog. As a devotee this will mark my 9th year to attend this which started back in high school. And the thing is, I always go alone. 

Just like my other adventures, I do go on these trips solo with just a backpack or a mailman bag with everything I need for the long day. Though many perceive the Quiapo district as very dense, rowdy and unlawful place in Manila, the existence of Quiapo church and the Nazareno has somehow gave way to changes in the sights of the famed part of Manila. Though in reality, there is still chaos, crime, sex in the area, its massive structure and millions of followers has proven that faith can move mountains. Hopefully it would also change the district into a better community soon. 

Friendly Reminders for Devotees of the Black Nazarene

Here are some tips and warnngs that devotees and tourists should keep in mind when going to the feast of the Black Nazarene (Translacion 2012) in Quiapo and Luneta.

1. Pack less- don't bring unnecessary devices  that can be targets by snatchers.

2. Bring a towel and water umbrella and extra shirt - rain or shine it is still hot and you need to wipe the sweat off. the last two indeed will come in handy.

3. Do bring footwear - though people said its tradition/devotion, do not torture yourself because there are many sharp and rough surfaces along the way.

4. Place your backpack in front - aside from professional snatchers there are also "slashers"

5. When planning to be a "mamamasan" (rope pullers) - better to have a group to always know where you are and know if you are OK.

6. For mass goes - to get inside the church it would take 1 mass to go in 1 mass to go out.

7. Know places in the Quiapo/Sta Cruz area - with swarms of people better know escape alleys and places to avoid also.

8. Bring candies and a mini first aid kit - better be safe even on your own. Candie help remove nausea.

9. Organize your things before going - this will save the hassle of looking for money, food and religious items. 

10. Be vigilant - though it a enriching faith experience to celebrated with solemnity. Crooks might take advantage of you even while in prayer.

For those who want to stay at home and avoid the chaos live streaming is available at www.manualtolyf.com and www.quiapochurch.com

Live Streaming from Luneta for the Feast of the Black Nazarene

For those who are devotees of the Black Nazarene, Here is the live streaming from Luneta for the Traslacion . Will be there later to avoid the chaos. Hourly masses happens from 3 AM-12 NN, 3 PM- 9 PM.  Procession will start 8 AM.

Viva Senor Nazareno!

I also hope to make a video blog within the day, you can also read the post I had for the feast last 2011 and 2010. Here is also a video of Nuesto Padre Jesus Nazareno inside the church.

Manila Ocean Park: FOOD TRIP! MANILA'S BIGGEST FOOD FEST

Get ready to FOOD TRIP! MANILA’S BIGGEST FOOD FEST ever to hit Manila Ocean Park this September! The country’s only themed integrated resort destination suddenly becomes host to a rare gastronomic fete of popular Filipino dishes, grilled entrees, special delicacies, baked goodies, juices, drinks and more. The Manila Ocean Park open grounds (North side) will serve as venue to an array of delectable food booth offerings from various exhibitors, highlight of which is the traditional Filipino favourite roasted pork (lechon) and even street food varieties.

LAKBAYAN: Rizal Heritage Trail

Rizal is now 150 years old if he is still alive, however even he is executed at at young age, he had made the made  a mark in Philippine history by waking up the minds and heart of  Filipinos which lead to the revolution and the independence of the Philippines. And as he is also a backpacker himself going to many places in the Philippines, well not on his free will at some time, has marked the nation with his heritage and wisdom that we the children of the present has the responsibility to preserve it. 

LAKABYAN: The New Rizal Park! More Attractions Coming Soon!

If you were born before the turn of the Millennium, you might have spent leisure time not inside the malls but parks like Luneta.These were the original places of travel and fun. These places were the most "in" back in the days but with the age of malls and the rising crime rate at parks caused the demise of these parks especially Luneta.

We know that upon this place, Jose Rizal, the national hero, was sentenced to death by firing squad on December 30, 1986.  His remains was initially placed in Paco Cemetery but was transferred back to Bagumbayan and was named Luneta because of the cresent shape which in french is called lunette .   

When I was young, our family does go here, but there were a time that my mother was victimized by a pickpocket which made me look at Luneta as a place of crime and homeless people.