Blogalag

HAPPY TRAVELS CONTEST!

Yes, you read right.  I am holding my very first contest!  I realized that I have been blogging for almost 5 years now.  Blogalag is turning 5 this coming January 5, 2010!  I still can't believe I've been in existence in the blogging world for this long.

And as a "Thank You" to my fab visitors, I'd like to give a little something back to show my appreciation.

The mechanics are simple:

SIMBANG GABI, DAY 9: NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART + CIRCLES EVENT CAFE

For my 9th and last day of Misa de Gallo, I went to the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City.  The church is just along Dao St. and right smack in the middle of Makati CBD.  Since we got there a few minutes before the mass started, we weren't able to get seats inside the air-conditioned building.  Good thing the weather was excellent so it was okay for us to stay outside.  They placed monobloc chairs outside to accommodate the crowd.

In order to ensure that the churchgoers won't miss the action happening in the altar, they installed a widescreen LCD TV in front where they can view the mass that is being filmed.  Too bad their speakers outside can only project the voice of the priest and not the choir so we had a hard time figuring out what tune and what version of the hymns they were singing.

The mass ended at 5am.

SIMBANG GABI, DAY 8: ARCHDIOCESE SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY + R&J BULALOHAN

The Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy was my next stop for my 8th Misa de Gallo.  As with some of the churches I visited for the past days, it was my first time to set foot in this church and to hear mass.  The church is on the 2nd floor of the building.  You'll be glad to know that it's fully airconditioned just like St. John Bosco Church, St. Andrew the Apostle and Manila Cathedral.

The place was packed with parishioners when my friend & I got there.  Standing room only.

SIMBANG GABI, DAY 7: MANILA CATHEDRAL + JOLLIBEE

A few more days to go and I'll be able to complete the 9-day Misa de Gallo.  My dad is always checking up on me because he doesn't want me to miss a day.  So I always make it a point to send him an SMS every time I get to finish a dawn mass.

For my 7th day, my friend & I decided to explore the walled city and found ourselves inside the Manila Cathedral.  Another one of the magnificent old churches, Manila Cathedral is full of history.

According to the tablet in front of the church, the first cathedral was built in 1581 but was unfortunately damaged by an earthquake in 1582 and destroyed by fire in 1583.  The church was rebuilt and this time, of stone, in 1592 but another earthquake around 1600 partially destroyed the structure.  In 1614, a third cathedral was constructed but faced the wrath of another earthquake that happened 1645.  By 1654 to 1671, a fourth cathedral was born but was destroyed in 1863 by (you guessed right!) another earthquake.  A fifth cathedral was erected from 1870 to 1879 under 3 architects but was later on destoyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945.  Not to be deterred, a sixth cathedral was reconstructed from 1954 to 1958 and is still proudly standing to this day.  THANK GOD for that!

One might see it as plain history with facts and data, but I see it as a symbol of Filipinos' resilience and love of God.

SIMBANG GABI, DAY 6: HOLY EUCHARIST PARISH + PUTO BUMBONG

It has been months since I last stepped inside our parish church.  So for my 6th Misa de Aguinaldo, I decided to hear mass at the Holy Eucharist Parish Church.  As far as I can remember, I have been going to this church since it was established in 1984.  My family is very active in various church organizations- from my lola to my tita to my tito to my parents down to my brother (of course, I am no exception).  I grew up doing service in this church and met my wonderful friends (who are still my friends after 20+ years) in the process.  So many fond memories.  Even though I seldom hear mass at this church at present, I know that I am still a part of the community.  And I felt that when I heard my 6th dawn mass.