Visita Iglesia Diaries 2013

With the holy week now entering the Easter Triduum (Late Maundy Thurday to Early Easter Sunday), many Filipinos follow the tradition of Visita Iglesia which I also grew up with. And in the past years, I have being doing a blog/video documentation of my journeys going to the 14 churches (traditionally 7 or 8 to some but I opt to go with 14 for the stations of the cross and the abundance of churches in the city).

In 2013, I went on the Visita Iglesia journey with my fellow SCAns (Student Catholic Action) which was a yearly tradition of the organization. Touring around the city of Manila staring at PLM in Intramuros and first visiting the churches inside the walled city.

Now let me take you on what we went to the whole day with these churches, most of them are old and historical.

Join the AVFaith Festival Video Contest

If you love videos and the good news of the Bible you might want to try out the St. Paul National Bible Quiz Bee Video Competition in the AVFaith Awards.

Search for SPNBQ 2013 Outstanding VIDEOS that communicate your CATHOLIC FAITH (1 ten-minute Audio-Visual presentation [AVP] – a short film, music video or documentary – inspired by a bible verse/ pericope

1. The 4th St. Paul National Bible Quiz 2013 declares the opening of the AVFaith Awards.

2. The AVFaith Awards is open to all amateur and student video/digital film makers in Luzon.

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.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 7 - THANKFUL

First Reading:1 Samuel 1:24-28
Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Gospel: Luke 1:46-56

Just after the "End of the World," which did not really had anything catastropic (Thank God) but actually was a shower of blessings for me when I got of opportunities that gave me things, I though I never had in my life. First, in recent days I recieved several packages in the mail. Then I also got gifts like a very nice pair of Nike running shoes which I am very thankful of. I also recently had genrous events that made me feel Christmas is indeed here. 

It was indeed a busy December 21 for me which also made me miss the anticipated masses, so I would have to do the dawn/early masses. Which I have churches in mind, but have no idea about the schedules. Uh Oh, dilemma brewing.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 6 - LAUGH

First Reading:Song of Solomon 2:8-14 or Zephaniah  3:14-18
Psalm: Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Again the busy schedules still continues which is one of the things that I fear would be the biggest hindrances to the simbang gabi journey, but I guess that if there is a will there is a way, and also some help from above.

Just like Day 5 I was planning to have the next anticipated simbang gabi at the place where I would go. And since I went to an event up at SM North EDSA, I though I would be hearing mass at the nearest churches there. But since it was too early when the event ended, I don't want to spend too much time waiting or might get carried away doing blogs and updates at the customer lounge. So I decided to go to the similar supermall which is much nearer to home. So I took the MRT and got off at Ortigas and yes, it was Megamall.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 5 - EMMANUEL

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14

Psalm: Psalm 24:1-6

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

I'm now midway on the Misa De Gallo experience and still on a roll and now after an event in Cubao, I was planning to do the Simbang Gabi near the area, however the schedules I got starts at 630PM in which the event ended at 7PM. So I was thinking of churches where I would go to that would have an anticipated mass at 8 or 9 PM. With still minutes passed and thinking of considering a number of churches I took the MRT going southbound and still have not yet decided. On board the train, the church I will go to depends on the station I will get off. And I got off at Ayala Station which means I plan to go to the Greenbelt Chapel but not yet sure if the mass will start at 8 or 9.

But arriving at the chapel I was in the nick of time as the mass starts at 8PM. This would be my first Makati church in the novena masses and probably the most elegant since it is situated at Greenbelt which I join a lot of working and busy people of Makati. And indeed, the crowd here is different. 

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 4 - IMPERFECTIONS

First Reading: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25

Psalm: Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17

Gospel: Luke 1:5-25

The fourth day of Misa De Gallo was simple yet a unique one as I went back in attending morning masses at 4AM meaning that I have not slept again doing blog posts and checking on emails before heading out for the Simbang Gabi and I chose to go to the nearest church in my area which is San Felipe Neri Parish. I Have to admit that I am not a usual parishioner here because of the schedules that would bring me to farther places where I would usually attend mass. Though the parish has very interesting history which dates back to the Spanish era. If you would remember that on the second day, we did not make it to the 4AM mass and transferred to another one, this time I made sure that I would attend it and also do a little exercise.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 3 - FAMILY

First Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-8

Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

The third day of Misa de Gallo Diaries was indeed a busy one as I was so busy with school, then events on that day that I almost dread that I won't have the energy left to go on the Simbang Gabi. Looking at my schedule for today, I would have completed everything by 8-9 PM which I hope can lend me some time to attend an anticipated mass at a nearby parish. And since I am in the Tomas Morato area, the only church I know in the vicinity is the Sacred Heart Parish.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 2 - MOSAIC

First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Psalm: Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17



The second day of Misa De Gallo was something similar to what happened with the past year of attending the second mass. Originally me and my dorm mates planned to go to San Felipe Neri Parish which is just less than 2 KM away which we can just walk. But arriving at the church we found out that the only mass would be for 4AM only, we arrived at 5 PM. Now the problem of finding another nearby church was now our concern. Since I have already been to Divine Mercy Shrine of the first day, it was thinking of another nearby church where there is a 5:30 AM mass and the only one I can think of was the San Roque Parish which is near EDSA.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012 - DAY 1 - PREPARATION

For the first night (dawn) of the Misa De Gallo Diaries 2012, I started with the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy. This church has been a special church for me for many answered prayers and good news that happened while hearing mass at this shrine. This is also where one of the relics of St. Faustina can be found. 

The first night of Simbang Gabi also falls on the 3rd Sunday of Advent which is Gaudete Sunday or the "week of joy" which tells about the joy that the coming of the mesiah is bringing. And in the readings for this day talks about rejoicing with the coming of the Lord. 

Welcome The New Pinoy Saint - Pedro Calungsod

Filipino Pride is here again, but this time it is on a more religious scale with the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on October 21. He will be the second Filipino saint after San Lorenzo Ruiz who was canonized 25 years ago in 1987.

Pedro Calungsod also known as Pedro Calonsor (1654– 2 April 1672) was a young Roman Catholic Filipino migrant, sacristan and missionary catechist, who along with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious persecution and martyrdom in Guam for their missionary work in 1672.

While in Guam, Calungsod preached Christianity to the Chamorro people through catechism, while baptizing both infants, children and adults at the risk and expense of being persecuted and eventually murdered. Through Calungsod and San Vitores' missionary efforts, many native Chamorros converted to Roman Catholicism.

Calungsod was formally beatified on 5 March 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II. On 18 February 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially announced that Calungsod will be canonised on 21 October 2012.

With this celebration, Manual to Lyf, joins with fellow Filipino Catholics  with welcoming the new Pinoy Saint Pedro Calungsod!

The 1st Catholic Social Media Summit

Times are indeed changing and the church and the the ministers are using the social media networks and other technologies in evangelization and  ‎education.  And 2012 has been declared the Year of the Mission.

And today we have now the 1st Catholic Soaical Media Summit with the theme: "Ministering Grace to this Generation"

Happening on July 14-15, 2012 at the Renaissance Convention Center, River Banks Center Marikina City, Philippines

Registration Fee: 1,000.00

For more information email them at  ypopportunities@gmail.com

Also contact them at 09164831443 / 09321469436 / 09228426820

Telefax: (02) 709-64-86

This event is brought together by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines, CBCP Commission on Mission, Youth Pinoy, Plus Big and the Catholic Media Network.

HOLY WEEK Schedules at TV Maria

Today is Mandy Thursday and TV Maria has prepared programming that will be your companion this Holy Week. Watch the live streaming of the Mass of the Last Supper later today at 5:00 p.m. a www.tvmaria.net. 

I Auditioned For TV MARIA

Yesterday was the 26th anniversary of the People Power Revolution and also the birthday of my sister who lives in Japan. And this is also the day I went to audition for a TV station. It may not be the like the mainstream television networks, TV Maria is a television pioneer in the Philippines as the first Catholic TV which started in 2006. Though one may think that its all prayers and masses seen all day, TV Maria shows alternative and very value-oriented shows that indeed fit for family viewing. 

I was invited to audition for its upcoming shows involving music, youth and kids. So far everything went well and I hope to make the cut. It would be an honor to be part of the revolutionary project that will have a great impact in not just only entertaining, informing but also FORMING values and relationships that makes us a better nation. I do think its time to have more smart shows to help us think to be better. TV Maria is available in majot cable providers like Global Destiny, Sky Cable and Dream TV.

8th Blessed John Paul II Catechetics and Youth Ministry Conference

8th Blessed John Paul II Catechetics and Youth Ministry Conference


THEME: “Mary, Mother of God’s Word and Mother of Faith”

DATE: 16 – 18 May 2012
VENUE: Don Bosco Technical Institute
C. Roces Avenue (formerly Pasong Tamo Ave.)
Makati City


REGISTRATION
fee: Php 800.00 from February 6 – April 7, 2012;




REGISTRATION IS NOW ONGOING


for the program and list of workshops to REGISTER ONLINE or DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM
visit our website: www.blessedjp2cymc.com


HOW TO REGISTER
1. personally (see Blessed JP II CYMC Secretariat address below) or
2. fax: (+63 2) 845 0721 (telefax) or
3. via email: jp2cymc@gmail.com or
4. at our website: www.blessedjp2cymc.com

Message of Outgoing Cardinal Rosales

With less than a decade of as the Archbishop/Cardinal of Manila. Cardinal Rosales  will be retiring and the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila will be administered by Archbishop-elect (by the Vatican) Bishop Chito Tagle.

Though not yet officially installed, Cardinal Rosales sends the Filipino Catholic Community with a message on video (below) as a way of being thankful for the church  (people) for supporting his projects and made a big difference. 

Though not as controversial as Cardinal Sin, he s unusual charm toward the youth. His famous project is the Piondo ng Pinoy which garnered funds in supporting orphanes, hospital etc. Now lets hear his Final Message as Cardinal.

Bishop Tagle is the new Archbishop of Manila!

The Vatican just accepted the resignation of Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales as the Archbishop of Manila. To take his place will be the Bishop of the diocese of Imus, Bishop Chito Tagle. Cardinal Rosales filed his resignation way back 2007 when he turned 75 years old, wherein according to canon law that arch/bishops should file their retirement. Upon this announcement, Bishop Tagle had issued his statement.

World Youth Day 2011 From Manila to Madrid Vigil in Ateneo

I was not able to be in Madrid for the World Youth Day 2011 because I never had a chance to have the fare and the opportunity but I was glad t know that there was the youth vigil staged in Ateneo de Manila. 

Its World Youth Day in Madrid!

The World Youth Day has begun today in Madrid! The youth of the world is excited in this rare event that only happens every three years. Last time it was in Sydney Austrailia which was the second World Youth Day of Pope Benedict XVI. Of course Filipinos are also part of this momentous occasion as it also hosted it back in 1995, which was also the largest attended papal mass was held in history. And there will be more historical moments that will happen in the next few days. I was wishing to be part of this Youth Day to meet more friends and also share stories that you can really find inspiring.

World Youth Day 2011 Overnight Youth Vigil

I'm dying to be part of the World Youth Day, though it was held here back in 1995, I never got the chance to participate directly since I was young back then. World Youth Day is one of my dream destination as it is a holistic and spiritual experience with the youth of the world. Unfortunately, I don't have the means to afford airfare to Madrid, but I am still hoping to be part of the next. However, as of the moment I can still be part of the WYD here in Manila.