images from my old hometown

Need I say more?

The National Youth Cross in Calbayog

The National Youth Cross arrived in Calbayog yesterday. The visit was part of events slated for the CBCP Year of the Youth which was was launched in all dioceses last December 16, 2010 .

The cross was welcomed at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral where Bishop Isableo Abarquez presided over a mass for the youth. Other activities included a Holy Hour, conferences and a Dawn Procession.

The Cross will be brought to Catbalogan today after the 5:00 a.m. send-off mass at the Cathedral.

Check National Youth Cross (Launching) Facebook account

images from my old hometown

Summer na liwat! Summer or not, the Jasminez Bridge is always a giant diving board and the Calbayog River (at high tide) a giant swimming pool for the kids of Obrero.

Thanks to the high tide brought about by Holy Wednesday and Holy Thursday (yup the days I took these pictures), these kids had a grand time doing what they do best during vacation: pamarigo sa may tulay.

Ika-duha nga Alumni Homecoming sa East

May 7, 2011

Calbayog East Central School Grounds

Happy Easter!

"My Calbayog Diary" joins the Christian World in celebrating the Resurrection of Christ! Happy Easter everyone!

The image of the resurrected Christ at Kutay Islet in Barangay Malajog, Calbayog City

Semana Santa sa Calbayog: Easter Vigil

The Easter Triduum was completed last night with the Easter Vigil at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The celebration commenced with the blessing of the Fire and the Paschal Candle. A deacon was on hand to sing the Easter Proclamation or Exultet which was followed by a number of readings. The Cathedral lights were turned on, the altar linen put in place and the cloth covering the images of the saints were removed after the Bishop intoned the Gloria. After the homily, the faithful did their renewal of Baptismal Promises.

The faithful gathered in front of the Cathedral for the blessing of fire which was led by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.

The Paschal candle and the candles of the faithful illuminating the dark cathedral.

With lighted candles on hand, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez and Fr. Iluminado Paulino wait as Fr. Julio Gaddi assists the deacon prior to the singing of the Exultet.

A lector does one of the many readings for the night.

While the Gloria was being sung, the cloth covering the images of the saints at the retablo were removed (pix above) and altar linen were put in place (pix below).

The Bishop as he delivered his homily.

Bishop Abarquez leading the Blessing of the Water.

The blessing of the people which followed the renewal of baptismal vows.

Way of the Cross sa Kutay

As far as I can remember, doing the "Way of the Cross" is one of must-do activities of Holy Week in Calbayog. This year, instead of going to Calvary Hill in Magsohong or joining the Istacion Publico around the city, our group decided to do our Way of the Cross at Kutay Islet in Malajog. The landmark was blessed by Bishop Abarquez on September 4, 2010.

Here are some pictures I managed to take at Kutay Islet.

Somewhere in Tinambacan, we had to stop because of the public Way of the Cross. And yes, the faithful did it barefoot.

Semana Santa sa Calbayog: Pagharuk san Lignum

Sugad san nababatasan, katapus san Prusisyun san Viernes Santo, damu nga mga magtinu-uhun an nagpakadto sa Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral para humarok san Lignum.

Adi an pipira nga litratu nga akun nakuha kanina

Semana Santa sa Calbayog: Good Friday Service

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez presided over today's Good Friday Service at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The Service comprised of three parts namely: The Liturgy of the Word, The Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

Here are some pix I managed to take during this afternoon's service. My apologies for the angle I was stuck in the area where the commentator's lectern is.

An Señor Obispo kaupod an kapadi-an san ira pag-abot sa altar antes magtikang san Good Friday Service.

Usa nga Diakono an nagdara san Krus ngadto sa altar para san pagdayegun san kadam-an.

An tradisyonal nga pag prosisyun san Santissimo. An Diakono dara an Santissimo guin papayongan san Hermano san "Momumento"

An Señor Obispo kaupod an Kapadi-an ug mga Apostoles san pag-awit san "Amay Namon"