just in case you'd be interested

A few days ago, I gave you a blog post on the latest project at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. I also featured the same pictures in my facebook account and I'm thankful to the two friends who gave comments and suggestions. Seems like nobody is interested in this development. Well, it's always the case with heritage conservation. Anyway, the Bishop has ordered the work to be stopped as we wait for the experts from some conservation groups which he contacted regarding the project.

In the meantime, let me give you some pictures which I managed to take (with my mobile phone again) last Sunday after the 8:00 a.m. mass.

Is he _________?

Last Sunday, to give myself a break from the heart-wrenching news reports on the onslaught brought about by "Ondoy", a friend and I went around the city doing just that - going around. It was a joy ride that brought us from the city proper to Ipao and Carayman. And what did we see? It was the usual picture of kids playing near the highway, yound men playing basketball in the barangay courts, guys doing their Sunday "tagay" (I hope they do it only on Sundays), and the usual gathering of chaterring women and yes, men (and everything in between) in some sari-sari stores. And then these pictures below. And what about it? I saw four schools in the city with a different "welcome message" When I say different, I mean I missed their message which said "Wow SIGA", meaning School In a GArden", or "This is a child-friendly school", and the like. They still have the usual "Mabuhay" and "Welcome" though; and this message which prompted me to ask: Is he _________ ? (you fill in the blank). Ooops, don't take it too seriously, just wanna make you smile this week.

... at San Policarpo Central School

. . . at Matobato Elementray School

. . . at Capoocan Elementary School

. . . and at the Calbayog SPED Center.

Manila Concerts for the CKC-Jose Gomez Orchestra

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra is off to Manila for a series of concerts

Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish Church
New Panaderos Street, Santa Ana, Manila
(October 26, 2009)

Sanctuario De San Pedro Bautista Church
San Pedro Bautista Street, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City
(October 27, 2009)

Saint Anthony Shrine
Manrique Street, Sampaloc, Manila
(October 28, 2009)

All engagements will start at 6:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the door.

Proceeds of the concerts will be for the scholarship fund of the orchestra members and for the procurement of additional instruments.

The 14th National Seafarers' Sunday

Today is the 26th Sunday in the Ordinary Season. We celebrate today the 14th National Seafarers' (Seaman's) Sunday. Let me give you something which I got from this Sunday's Sambuhay misalette:

". . . (today) we honor the thousands of Filipino seafarers serving in the international and domestic maritime industry. Though regarded heroes of our time, they are the "little ones" who brave danger and suffer loneliness for the good of family and country. We pray that they may continue to be effective ambassadors of our country and faithful messengers of Christ by bearing the treasure of our faith and the richness of our Filipino traditions and Christian culture."

Intentions for the Filipino seamen were also said in the Prayers of the Faithful:

• That our church leaders, especially our Holy Father Pope Benedict and the Pontifical Council for the Apostleship of the Sea, may continue to guide and support the priests, religious and lay people who assist seafarers all over the world.
• That our government officials overseeing the maritime industry may always respect the seafarers' rights and dignity and combat all forms of exploitations
• That our seafarers may accomplish their work with professional skill and a sense of responsibility, and remain strong in time of temptation and loneliness, drawing inspiration from our Filipino values and Christian faith.
• That our young people studying in maritime colleges may acquire the necessary knowledge for their future employment so as to serve the country with honor whole helping their families through honest work.
• That our seafarers who have ended their earthly voyage through accident of sickness may be part of the heavenly family, and that the families they leave behind may be comforted by the thought of reunion in the eternal home.

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

Happy Birthday Tita Emy!

Mrs. Emerita "Emy" F. Abasolo will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

What's brewing at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral?

If you are regular mass-goer at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, you must have noticed the ongoing "project" being done on the structure. I understand this is the "landscaping" project that they announced during the last fiesta mass, and that funds are needed 'coz the project amount is in the 7-figure range.

I have no comments about the project, as of yet, 'coz I still do not have the details as to how it will end up. One thing though, on one of the (outdoor) buttresses (I hope I am using the right term), the workers have chipped off a good portion of the bricks, the restoration of which is supposed to be the aim of this project.

Yes, exposing the bricks and the lime stones would be nice. I dunnow about you, but as of the moment I have no comments, again 'coz I don't have any details yet about the project.

In the meantime, I would like to share what I got from Balangkas, the NCCA Resource Book on the Care of Built Heritage in the Philippines:

1. (On the conservation of structures) page 17, entry number 12 on what is “antiquing” and why is it wrong: removing the plaster to expose the stone – actually hastens the deterioration of the stone.
2. (On specific concerns for Catholic churches) page 20: The Church of Las Piñas was stripped of its plaster. The stone wall is now eroding.

The two outer buttresses with the bricks exposed (23 September 2009)

My pix of the same area, taken on January 31, 2008

note the good portion of bricks chipped off (rightmost). Careless workers? No, excited perhaps.

Eid al'Fitr

Today we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance of

EID AL'FITR

more images from the 2009 fiesta parade

Here are some more photos taken during the Fiesta 2009 parade held on September 7, 2009

Some of the PNP officers on hand to assist the parade participants.

Vice Mayor Onald Aquino with Councilors Ver Porlares, Danny Bernate and Virgil Clemens as they waited for the parade contingents to be in position.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Marc Logan

Marc Logan takes time to greet Councilors Noel Sermense and Virgil Clemens.

That's me being interviewed by Aimee Catalan for the local TV channel.

Pasipara Band in ABS-CBN's "The Wedding"

Pasipara Band in composed of young talents from Calbayog namely Tonton Tallon and Boogs Erencio, among others. Their latest feat is a cameo appearance in an episode of ABS-CBN's "The Wedding". Here's a clip of that episode:

Your YouTube URL

Images from the 2009 Fiesta Parade

Better late than never. Let me give you my first set of pictures taken during the 2009 Fiesta parade.