Saint Augustine Parish Church, Baliuag, Bulacan

I grew up and studied at Baliuag, Bulacan – from grade 5 up to high school. I consider it as my 2^nd home and my boyhood town. Having been brought up Catholic by my aunts, I go to church (not very often though) at the Saint. Augustine Parish Church in Poblacion, Baliuag, Bulacan. I remember back then, it was Monsignor Feliciano M. Palma Jr.’s mass that I always listen to.

The Saint Augustine Parish Church is also known as Baliuag Church since it’s the oldest church in the town. It’s dedicated to Saint Augustine of Hippo (Doctor of the Church) and the church was built in 1733 – which is also the founding year of the town of Baliuag. The architecture of the church is Baroque and it belongs to the larger Diocese of Malolos.

During my high school years when I was still active in church activities, I use to attend mass here at the Saint Augustine Parish Church – as well as attend confessions during Holy Week and attend the Legion of Mary meetings with my friends Cathy and Sheryl. During Holy Week, the Saint Augustine Parish Church is always included in the 7 Churches (Iglesia) that I visit, along with the Bustos Church, Sabang Church, Sagrada Familia, among others.

Ever since having a DSLR in December 2011, I haven’t taken a picture of this famous church. Hopefully, this Good Friday 2014 I’ll be able to take pictures of this church along with the several karosa that will be paraded during the annual Good Friday Procession. This will be a great photography opportunity and also a good way to reconcile with the church. I haven’t been active in the Roman Catholic Church since graduating in college.

Let me share to you the latest pictures I’ve taken using my BlackBerry 8520 of the Saint Augustine Parish Church, Baliuag.

The Saint Augustine Parish Church as seen from the Glorietta (town plaza).

The belfry of the Saint Augustine Parish Church with the image of Moses holding the Ten Commandments.

The image of the Immaculate Conception, in front of the Saint Augustine Parish Church, Baliuag, Bulacan.

The Saint Augustine Parish Church in Baliuag, Bulacan is where I used to attend mass during my high school years.

Technorati Tags: Saint Augustine Parish Church,Baliuag,Bulacan

11 Things I Want To See In the Next 37+ Years

It’s my 37^th birthday and I simply want to thank God for allowing me to walk on Earth this long. As I grow older, my belief in a Higher Power grows stronger. I just hope that God will give me another 37 years so that I could see the progress of mankind when it comes to technology, medicine and science.

I particularly wanted to see the following things unfold before I meet my Creator:

1. Airplanes capable of vertical lift-off – I believe that this would be the apogee of the aerospace industry. A 747 capable of vertical lift-off – wow! We’ll be saving a lot of land area for airports if we have the technology to lift these huge airplanes up in the air as if using anti-gravity technology.
2. Water as fuel for cars and other vehicles – Right now, most 3^rd World Countries are suffering because we’re dependent on oil. If the technology to turn water into fuel for cars and other vehicles (like the steam engine during the Industrial Revolution), it would help everyone on the planet.
3. The Philippines as a First World Country – Why not? Our neighbors did it. It’s possible. Believe.
4. Gay Marriage and Divorce in the Philippines – I believe that having gay marriage official in a country (as well as divorce) is the ultimate indicator on how mature citizens are in terms of maturity. It’s also a key indicator on how tolerant a society is in terms of mutual respect among its citizens. Most First World Countries recognizes both gay marriage and divorce – and I would like to see this happen in the Philippines as well.
5. The rebuilding of the 3^rd Temple in Jerusalem – For Catholics like me, the rebuilding of the 3^rd Temple in Jerusalem would announce the Coming of the Christ. The first prophecy about Israel gaining back its former land was already fulfilled (May 1948). Once the State of Israel decided to rebuild the 3^rd Temple in Israel, it would be a wonderful experience for believers of the Bible and for those history enthusiasts like me.
6. The independence of Tibet from China – I’m a strong supporter of the Dalai Lama and I would be very happy to see if the former country of Tibet would regain its independence. This would prove that independence can be gain by non-violence means and that the world government could be united in resolving issues like this in a peaceful way.
7. Mars Landing and establishment of a human colony there – This would probably be the most astounding news for mankind. If a human colony could be established in Mars, then what can prevent us in exploring other parts of the universe?
8. Cure for Diabetes, HIV and all kinds of Leukemia – For the longest time, the cure for these diseases have been researched and studied. It would be fabulous to see the day that these diseases would be a thing of the past (like polio).
9. Teleportation – I would like to see an improvement to the Fax Machine. Instead of just re-creating the texts written on a piece of paper, I hope to see a device in the future that can literally break down any object into its simplest form (atoms) be able to transmit that over fiber optic lines, and be re-created on another location. It such machine would be invented in the future, I’m pretty much sure that human teleportation would then be possible.
10. Electricity being distributed wirelessly – I’ve seen the TV series Dracula and it was set in London in the 1900s. In that alternate universe, the protagonist of the series, Dracula (under a different name) was able to create a technology that could distribute electricity wirelessly. In that TV show, light bulbs can be powered by electricity wirelessly.
11. See Aliens in the Flesh – In the 90s, the hype was, the world would end in an asteroid collision. It was also the theme of movies like Armageddon and Deep Impact. Lately, the hype is, we’ll be visited (or conquered) by aliens. This is the scenario is such films like District 9 and TV series like Falling Sky and Star-Crossed. Hopefully, I’ll get to see the day that a spaceship will land on Earth and aliens would talk to us about inter-planetary alliance.

These are the things that I’m hoping to see in the next 37 (or more) years. Hopefully, I’ll earn God’s indulgence and let me live a happy life up to age 80. That’s also my birthday wish on this 37^th birthday of mine.

Technorati Tags: 37th Birthday,11 Things I Want To See in the Next 37 Years,God's Mercy

Watch The Originals #TheWayYouWantIt!

“The Originals” is a spin-off of the US TV show “The Vampire Diaries”. I’ve always been fascinated with the myth of the vampires and I’ve read and watched almost all literature and show related to these creatures of the night.

“The Originals” is all about Klaus Mikaelson and his family – they are the original vampires in the United States. Klaus (played by actor Joseph Morgan) first appeared in Season 2 of “The Vampire Diaries” as the antagonist of the series. The actor Joseph Morgan played his role so well that he became a regular cast in the next season. Then the story of how the original family of vampires came to be was told.

The Originals was aired almost at the same time as The Vampire Diaries Season 5. Klaus and his siblings Elijah and Rebekah returned to New Orleans to take back their former city from the current ruler Marcel (a vampire sired – turned to vampire – by Klaus). The Original family later found out that New Orleans has been a battleground for witches, vampires, werewolves and the human population. Thus, each episode of The Originals explored the history of each supernatural race.

The Originals is the perfect TV show to watch on cable because of its rich history, superstitions and location (New Orleans). It’s now my favorite TV show to date. Every episode is worth watching and you’ll be craving for more blood. Good thing The Originals was shot in High Definition (HD) like most US TV shows and that SKYcable has the perfect feature for my needs.

SKYcable has the most number of standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) channels. We will enjoy over 180 channels for our entire family for a world of possibilities and limitless discoveries. Genres include Movies, Sports, Kids, Learning, Music, General Entertainment, News, Lifestyle, Religious and International channels. SKYcable also has the most number of high definition channels – a total of 42 HD channels – the most in the country! This will definitely let me watch more HD channels about vampires and other supernatural, both TV and movies. I can also follow the stars of The Originals and The Vampire Diaries in their guest appearances and interviews with other channels.

I would definitely love to watch The Originals and The Vampire Diaries on SKYcable.

I would love to watch The Originals on SKYcable

Technorati Tags: The Originals,The Vampire Diaries,SKYcable,Nuffnang Philippines

Love is in the Air: The Free Valentine Concert

The City Government of Pasig City is inviting everyone to a Free Concert this Valentine Season. “Love is in the Air” is a Free Valentine Concert on February 15, 2014 at the Rizal High School Oval (7:30 PM).

This special project of Mayor Maribel & Bobby Eusebio will feature Make Your Mama Proud (MYMP) and Julie Ann San Jose. To avail of the free entrance on February 15, just bring two (2) recyclable materials like plastic bottles, newspaper, aluminum cans and tetra packs. The gates will open at 5:00 PM.

Technorati Tags: Love is in the Air,Free Valentine Concert,Julie Ann San Jose,Pasig City