Remembering Christ's Agony

"Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again."
         The mass ended at 5 pm of Good Friday but the residents of the barangays that belong to our parish didn't go directly to their respective homes. Instead, they crammed at the back of their assigned karos (floats carrying holy life-size sculptures of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and the saints who significantly took part in our Savior's sufferings).
          The band began to play, signifying the start of the procession. The participants of the solemn walk started to light their candles and got hold of their rosaries. As their feet began to trudge on the rough road, their lips also started to utter the holy mysteries.
          The surrounding was already dimming and the full moon brightly glowed in the black sky. The karos lit up for the images to be visible. Those who didn't come in the procession placed their sparkling candles at the foot of their gates as they mourned with Christ's death. Two hours had already passed and the people continued to amble, not minding their already weary feet.
          As the night went deeper, the radiating karos  became more apparent, sending a meditative ambiance. There was St. Peter and St. John in their silky metallic robes, Mary Magdalene clutching an oil and a hanky, St. Veronica spreading the cloth showing Christ's face, St. Elizabeth holding a broom, and there was St. Martha as well. Maria Dolorosa, being the last to be moved forward in the procession, was in her black dress.
          The different scupltures that symbolized Christ's agony also paraded: Christ kneeling down, praying by the Garden of Gethsemane; Christ being scourged in the pillar; The crucified Christ; The Pieta; and Jesus lying in His sweet-smelling casket.
          As the procession came to an end, the karos, embellished with various colorful flowers and shrubs, were blessed with holy water. People then fell in an almost infinite line to kiss the human-size carving of Christ who has died.
          This whole sanctified practice of Catholics is necessary for us to remember how the Redeemer sacrificed His life to save us from our sins, thus telling people to repent their iniquities and strengthen their faith to our God Almighty.
          The Holy Week is the moment where we reflect on the lives we are leading, trashing away the wicked actions we are accustomed to and replacing them with ways that are pleasing to God's eyes.

Long Live Original Songs

          During Sundays, Ilonggo radio stations usually air local classic songs that are played whether in Hiligaynon, Tagalog, or English. The moment I hear such vintage tunes amidst the hot afternoon, I am urged to automatically turn the radio off since the sound seems to rock me to deep sleep in a snap.
          But awhile ago, I didn't plug my ears or shut the radio down after hearing the music my grandparents are surely familiar of. Surprisingly, the old songs appealed to me as unique, original, and simply full of heart.
          Unfortunately, today's music mostly comprises of revivals and technologically enhanced versions of the originals. Can't our present musicians write new songs that are glitter-free yet heartfelt? Is reviving the past hits the only way to make a mark in the music scene? Or is it just a technique to sell?
          Truth be told, we have a lot of talented, almost genius musicians in the country. I guess, what is holding them back to create fresh hymns and rhythms is the lack of freedom revolving around the industry's business aspect. Without this freedom, an artist can no longer genuinely express his music, thus compromising rawness and creativity.
          I am not against artists doing revivals. It's just that I think our singers must be given a chance to showcase their true and honest emotions and feelings in original songs that they can distinctively represent  themselves. With this, they can be identified differently from others, thus making their own mark in the music scene.
          No wonder those past musicians who fought for their music continue to make waves even up to this time. Their works has become part of the history, making them indelible in the hearts of its listeners, even to those who were not born to their era. Their music will surely continue to influence new compositions from one generation to another.

Soft Drink Obsession

          I hate it! I had been drinking soft drinks straight for two weeks and I know what my mother and other folks say about gulping too much carbonated drinks. It's either you'll get fat, acidic, or procure some kidney problems. 
          For my part, I experience minor headaches when I frequent such coolers but of course, I don't have any scientific explanation to prove that. All I believe is that too much of something  is bad enough. And sadly, that's what I'd been doing.
          I want to stop, but the moment I'm in our store, I can't help but grab a bottle or two. Maybe, I'm getting addicted to it. They contain amounts of caffeine anyway, which are some kind of addictive. It's as if these chilled refreshers are the only way for my thirst to subside.
          The summer sun allures me to even chug some more. So now, I'm promising myself to get hydrated not by soft drinks, but by water. I don't want to abuse my kidneys and grow old sick. It's okay to drink sodas from time to time; In parties perhaps, or in meryenda time with the barkada whom we don't see often. My rule is to take it moderately. I guess the same rule is true for the other aspects of our life.
          My siesta time may be incomplete without a bottle of soft drink, but how about training myself to love water a bit more. It's a natural cleanser and even gives me a nice skin. I don't even have to buy it.

Hungry for Hunger Games

          I totally enjoyed watching The Hunger Games. I mean, my eyes were totally hooked on the screen the whole time I was viewing it. The thrill, excitement, action, romance, and the drama were well combined to give us the entertainment that we need. I'm a fan now of director Gary Ross.

          The cinematography was styled to be creatively shaky, making me reminisce of Hitler's time. Special effects were carried out satisfactorily. I also liked the music, especially the mellow ones. The clothing worn by the people in District 12 were well-crafted, its simplicity the total opposite of the extravagant, histrionic fashion people wore in the Capitol. The main actors, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark)  were good in their performances since you will empathize in their pitiful situation and fall in love as well with the romance blooming between them.

          There were also a lot of quotable lines that the actors in the film had uttered. I can't wait to watch the next sequel. Will Peeta eventually win the heart of Katniss eventhough the game was over? Or will Katniss find real love in her close friend, Gale Hawthorne (played by Liam Hemsworth)? 

         Though the film was entertaining, I guess kids should still be guided when they watch the film because it has a lot of sensitive action scenes like teenagers killing one another just to survive in the game. The film was a based on the novel of the same title which was authored by Suzanne Collins. According to wikipedia.com, she had said in an interview that the book tackles on severe poverty, starvation, oppression and the effects of war among others.

Weird Stuff

          There are many weird things that I did this week. I don't know why I did those things. Maybe, they were just results of burning creative desires starting to flame like an active volcano.
          First, my little cousin and I cooked pancakes that turned out to be like "tikoy" (a Chinese delicacy) because we didn't include baking soda to the flour and egg (or am i correct with this recipe?). The pancakes turned out to be so shiny and sticky and as far as I'm concerned, they should be dry and fluffy.
          Second, My brother and I perspired to the hip-hop abs instructional video that my sister downloaded. My lola thought we were jerks as we danced like hyperactive chickens in our sala. My sister even filmed us with the digital camera and we all laughed as we played it because we saw how awkward we did the steps.
          Third, I would spend half of the day exhausting my vocal chords on the karaoke songs in my laptop. I just love I'm Yours by Jason Mraz and Heaven by Bryan Adams. I just hope my neighbors were not irritated with my crazy singing.
           Lastly, I was proud of myself for cleaning my room after how many decades (Of course, I'm exaggerating!) but yes, sometimes it's weird of me to fix my pad (pad talaga?). At least, it's starting to sink in me that to have a clear, peaceful mind, I should also learn to organize my room and that goes with our environment too. We have to take care of our surroundings so that we, the people benefiting from it, will benefit more.
            Weird is cool!

A Treat at Short Stop Bakery and Fastfood

            If you haven’t gone in this place, then you might be missing the full blast of your eating experience in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. This restaurant, popular to almost every resident of the town, is your quick stop to a fulfilling meal for your rumbling tummies. No wonder, the resto’s name – Short Stop Bakery and Fastfood, fittingly speak for itelf.

            The simple pang-masa refreshment is strategically located right in a corner where jeepneys and tricycles stop over to get or send off passengers. As a result, many recharge their hungry systems in this very accessible food stop. The place is spacious enough to accommodate customers. When meal time comes,  the venue gets a bit rowdy as diners rush to order their share of delicious pinoy dishes.

            As a celebration for my little cousin’s graduation, we treated her in the said familiar eatery.She just ordered a cheeseburger and a mais con yelo, both of which she tastefully loved. My sister had a similar order as my cousin. They may not be that hungry because during the graduation ceremony, they had been munching on waffles and nuts  and slurping on cheap shakes that were all sold by the food carts present in the occasion.

            Meanwhile, the rest of us ordered La Paz batchoy which easily got me full, a plastic of medium-sized pandesal bought from its bread shop, and bottles of softdrinks to quench our thirst. We dined at the separate airconditioned room.

            They also sell Pansit Lomi which I think is one of its must-tries. For 95 Php, it’s already good for you and your barkada.

            Short Stop has already been a household name in the town when it comes to food tripping. One thing’s for sure, it has served its residents the affordable meal that their bubbling stomachs deserve.

Summer Fun at Fleur De Liz Swimming Pool

          Who says living in the relaxed town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo would deprive you with the thrill of swimming this summer?
          Fleur de Liz Complex, located at the heart of the municipality, does not only comprise of karinderyas, boutiques, and internet stations but it also has a swimming pool that will surely cool you up this hot season.
          My younger sister celebrated her birthday here and we completely had a blast. Its rectangular pool is large enough for swimmers to have a fun splash and to do as many laps as they want. It also has a circular kiddie pool wherein my cousins and I played "ura ura kamansi (pool version)". The "it" chases us but is only allowed to move along the edges of the pool and at the assumed line that crosses at the middle.
          A videoke machine is also ready to use for those chilling by the tables so those who do not feel like swimming may just enjoy singing their hearts out.
          Swimming fee costs 50 Php, same as the price when you like to get a table for you and your company.

         

Chillin' at Shake Hauz

           Summer is starting to steam the air, and what better way to cool our condensing bodies than a glass of sweet-tasting, creamy shake. Surely, I want one that is pretty chilled.

            Shake Hauz, located at the main town of Sta. Barbara Iloilo, offers its residents and other customers with mouth-watering, palatable shakes coming in different likeable flavors: Choco Fudge, Cookies and Cream, Buko, Strawberry, Mango, etc.

            My cousins and I went here one hungry day and we were indeed satisfied with the taste. It seems like your thirst will vanish in a sec with a single sip. Their shakes looked simple yet presentable since flavored syrups were squeezed on top. These quenchers cost 20 php. Not bad  for an ordinary laid-back guy like me that strolls its town. I can even make “libre” if I have enough moolah to spend.

            Aside from the chillers, they also sell siomais (3 for 20php), hotdogs, spaghetti, fried chickens, bake macaroni, and other foods perfect for meryenda. One can just stop by its cute yet airconditioned space for a quick hunger fix after a reflective day of visiting the municipality’s historic church or to take a break from the sweaty time of bargaining in its wet market.

Time to order!

The entrance.

Cookies and Cream flavored shake with a heart-shaped syrup for 20 Php only.

Strawberry Shake for 20 Php only.