SIMPLY DA-BEST SERIES

day121: when a plan you thought a long time ago was finally pursue.
day122: an energy matches your busy-ness for the whole day.
day123: meet someone you can talk to while waiting in one place.
day124-day129: couldn’t retrieve..sorry.
day130: an initiative of a person to re-heat your lunch food.
day131: a short motivational speech heard over the radio in the morning.
day132: a delicious home-cooked meal share by your colleague.
day133: when someone prioritize the safety of other people despite paying a high price.
day134: happy reaction of your cousin when she unexpected won in a raffle.
day135: a bus arrive just in time after you get down from your building.
day136: went to Department Store and saw most of the items are affordable.
day137: when your housemate appreciate the good aroma of fabric softener you use in the laundry.
day138: able to achieve the taste that expect on the meal that you prepare.
day139: the thoughtfulness of your cousin to brought you some food from newly open restaurant.
day140: when you have enough time for dinner before your scheduled meet up.
day141: a wallpaper that looks surreal from afar.
day142: a scene in a tv show which softens your heart.
day143: when they drop you off directly to your house.
day144: a free shopping bag given in the counter of a supermarket.
day145: when you can easily found the specific food you want.
day146: a thoughtful officemate who cook spaghetti and shared it during break time.
day147: watching one family dancing in their special occasions.
day148: lots of item still available on display because today is just a start of a new sale period.
day149: following an online instruction and so happy with the results.
day150: able to witness the old tradition in your barangay thru Skype.
day151: lots of your cousin draw to your house for simple celebration.

BATO SPRING

 

Sun was up so early.
Humid.
Sweating.
Whoah, I experience summer in the Philippines… again!

This is the season whereas everybody wants to cool down. So, it’s common agenda to see some of my family/relatives/friends posting their photos while having fun in the beach or pool parties. Part of my short vacay was going out with my dear friends in a secluded beach but during our catch up meeting we decided to cancel because 1. safety is our priority for our mommy friend who has 2 kids 2. our rebonded hair is not good pala in exposing to beach water. Okay…proceed with our plan B.

Since beach is out of plan (for now) we all agreed to go on a nature trip slash swimming in a river slash falls shower in Bato Spring. It was hidden gem found in San Pablo, Laguna. This is really a perfect adventure for us as we also want to enjoy outdoor activities without getting much sunburn.

A warm welcome to us….

Upon taking left from Maharlika Highway going to Brgy. San Cristobal where Bato Spring is located, we initially felt the assuage presence of nature by passing onto these lanky trees. We’re in the middle of the forest. We even stop for a while to pay for Php20 per car as part of barangay ordinance.

Entrance fee of Php70 per pax is a good catch specially now that we’re on a peak summer season. We parked nearby and immediately search for available cottage.

We’re eyeing “Banahaw” cottage but felt sorry as it is fully reserved.

This one is good for small group.

Finally, we found a cottage (Php1300) fit for us. A bed, an electric fan, attached bathroom, a terrace to hang out and own key just in case we all want to go out.

After our light breakfast, we headed to our main agenda: swimming. Bato Spring is known for having cold water since it was situated on the foothills  of Mt. Banahaw.  The water is assured clean because it runs continuously.

a place good for big event…..

1…2…3…”lezzzzz go!”, as said by my super excited friend. We step down on the man-made cement ladder and the moment our feet touch the water we can’t help but scream out loud. Whoahh..lahat sila nakatingin sa amin. Sorry peeps, the water is freaking cold but its okay we love it.

No need to swim though there is an area where you can swim in 6ft deep. We are happy sitting in a rock while enjoying the natural massage from the Falls. The strong current of water showering our back is what we enjoy the most.

Past 11.30am when we return to our cottage for our hearty lunch. You can cook your own food because some cottages have a grill facility. There are mini- store outside where you can buy fresh tilapia or for time saving, ready-to-eat food.

We thought that the coldness will subside in the afternoon. Oh well, ang lamig pa rin ng tubig. We almost forgot that the sun was on its highest because the whole area where we stay is semi-covered with lush trees. For the 2nd time, we let the water flowing form the Falls to massage our back.

We’re happy and we know it!!!!!

Our day swimming in Bato Spring is actually our group first get-together in a modernized ilog.

It tighten our friendship bonding in Bato Spring.

Cheers in a river!

 

 

SAINT PADRE PIO SHRINE

I always looking forward to Sunday because this is the only day in a week where most of my love ones take rest from work and spent time with the family. I had only 2 weekend in the Philippines as part of my short vacay but I can say that both were became extra special when they say ‘yes’ to visit the newly established shrine in Batangas.

Some of you are aware how many people are devotees of stigmata saint-Padre Pio. Even his relics and church dedicated for him are scattered around the world. Here in the Philippines, I read a lot of devotion given to Padre Pio and another spacious place was reserved to built his home in San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. This is where we spent our Sunday family weekend.

 

There’s continuous mass during our visit. The 8:30am mass was about to begin when we arrive. So grateful to find a seat in between many churchgoers who also desires to hear God’s word. The church was fully occupied in an instant. The number of believers are more than the monoblock chairs available so others had no choice but to stand on the side.

When the priest utter a warm welcome to all, I learn that these people are not simply from Batangas but they came from different town. Same like us, the shrine became our common  meeting point for the close encounter with God thru the help of Padre Pio.

As fondly said by our attending priest,” we knew that most of the churches in the Philippines are closed at night but the main chapel of Padre Pio here in Batangas is open 24hrs”. Well, this is so true because it was design without door. I mean all possible way leading to the altar is considered as entrance. The chapel can be enlisted for its uniqueness.

Along with the gospel, devotees are looking forward for the blessing of Holy Water at the end of the mass. I can’t explain but there  is some force that invite us to come forward. We followed the crowd. Since  most of them were seated in the front, they are also the same people who got a good spot. We are standing on the far right side but believe me, the Holy water reach us (even those on our backside) generously. What a blessings!

 

My brother who visit this place few times became our instant tour guide. Aside from attending mass, there are other spiritual activities you can do in the shrine:

1. Chapel of the Most Blessed Sacrament

 

 

If you want a most quiet place to sincerely talk to our Heavenly Father then this area is best for your personal prayer request and intention.

2. Statue of Padre Pio

A life-size  statue found at the back side of the chapel where you can also enjoy the airy green farm.

3. Sanctuary of the Relic of the True Cross of Christ

 

4. Station of the Cross

If you plan for a visita iglesia during the holy week, better to include this shrine in your list because they actually provide a space to know more of Jesus sacrifice.

5. Chapel of the Living Water

So we are already blessed with the Holy water awhile ago but you know you can still get more  living water for free on this chapel. We witness lot of people patiently wait their turn to get water. Some even bring a big gallon for we believe this fountain of water is known for its healing power.

6. Store

 

If you want a keepsake of Padre Pio’s collection then pay a visit to this area. This is where we bought our candles as our simple way of asking spiritual guidance in every aspect of our life.

7. Mary Mother of Mercy Belfry

Each floor will help you to deeply understand the life of Padre Pio. Some facts and photos are hang on the wall as you step upward. As a bonus on the top floor, you will see the whole area of Shrine backdropping the beautiful town of Sto. Tomas.

 

 

We bid adieu to the Shrine past 12pm already but you know there is still a lots of people coming by to visit this sacred place. Maybe the number of visitors double today because its weekend but according to many, dinadayo talaga ang church na ito kahit anong araw. Though I had a short vacation, my time was well-spent on creating a happy  family memories like what we did on this ordinary Sunday. It even became more special when the bonding moment happens on the heavenly place like Saint Padre Pio Shrine.