Biernes Santo 2011

While most people I know were in Boracay or Hongkong, taking advantage of the Lent holidays, you would find me and my girls tagging along at my husband's hometown in Cavite. Take note, not for an outing but to observe the Holy Friday the way a Catholic should do. With the long hours of masses and long queue of processions. Always! Annually! It has been like this since the first year I changed my surname. More than 16 years or so. . haha. Do I sound complaining?/?

A bit. . yeah. . It's just that, no matter how soooo Catholic my upbringing ( I even graduated from a exclusive for girls Catholic college) was, I am no way fanatically traditional.. Just like the family I married to. You know, if I would have my way, I'd rather spend the Holy Week in a quiet place of our choice, spend hours for spiritual reflections and give my working husband who is usually tired at this time of the year, a vacation he deserves.. instead of the assigned task he carries for almost decades now as "apostoles" and has to attend all the traditional roles. We are practically tied-up to this tradition up to when? I don't know! Those 16 years, there were irking thoughts. There was a time that it was my birthday, I was pregnant and nearing delivery. But had to be left alone at home cos the husband had to do the task. There were others but too many to mention. My husband has 3 older siblings, all married with kids of their own. None of them, goes to the same parents' church. The two are born-agains and the other one is based abroad.

Husband would lighten the issue with thoughts and love for his parents, way out of the tradition. He thought it would be too much for his kind parents ( I actually love my parents-in-law), if he too would take his back away from this church which the parents breath and live for. He has to do it, no one in the family would, anyway. I, on the other hand, treat it as a sacrificial note which in a way the Lent Season calls for, isn't it?




In the long run, I had taught myself to live with it. Diverted my attention to enjoy the Lent scenes which the old town of Bacoor is rich. I actually can recommend this town in Cavite as one of the best place to observe the culture during this season in the country. Why not_ the town doesn't only have one main church but three. And it's so near from Manila. The peak which happens on Holy Friday procession is spectacular cos of the countless beautiful carted statues participating the procession around the town.




And never to forget, this is also where the famous "halo-halo"of Digman can be found. see here

It's given that we had to arrive so much earlier than the procession time which would be around past 5pm. Why?. .cos the main road would be closed before that and no cars could enter the town anymore, not until the street activities had ended. It was actually a ok cos we have time to roam around the town which at this point is preparing the statues for the big procession.




buying candles is a must

In this town, presentation of the heritage statues of the saints is b-i-g! I even heard that most owners hire florist talents to do the flowers of the carts. They usually use fresh flowers in massiveness. The statues' gowns are also treated like reinas' gowns in a Santacrusan, sometimes even grander.

Chandelier lights surrounded the statue and complimented the awesome floral arrangements.

And when the sky gets  dim, the magnificent collections of statues of Jesus, Mary and other saints float around the streets of the town. The sight is so beautiful.

Most of them are hugely more than life size and really magnetic in their own way.




I actually see them annually, but they never failed to amaze me. Last year I posted a different set of these statues. see here.

the apostoles

This is for me, the best spot to take photos of the procession, with the historical bahay na bato as the background.

There are actually many other characters in this procession. Most of them participate in the name of beliefs and tradition.

Supposedly the body of Christ. . who is the main character of the procession.




I envy the faith of these people. . .can move mountains. . .

I have to confess (please don't hate me. . .) my indifference to the way faithful believers kiss and caress the statues, believing that the acts would bring them miracles. .Well, who am I to judge them anyway. They might be right , you know.

Let me say, I'm not traditional but I have this deep faith to God, only me could comprehend. . I'm sure we are all different in our own ways. . let's respect each other.

Mount Sea Grand Resort

Mount Sea Grand Resort is a perfect weekend getaway if you are currently enslave by the following conditions : 1. kids are priority 2. proximity is the only way 3. coming from a stressful week.




With those all of the above 3 conditions on our shoulders, we ran to Mount Sea Resort in Tanza, Cavite.




The room is neat and really smelled sooo good! We love the beddings because they were so fresh to both senses-sight and smell. The rest of the facilities in the room were of an upscale hotel.








The bathroom was nice and neat too.


















We went down to the resto for late (or was it midnight already?) dinner in our jammies. We were so hungry we didn't bother to dress-up since we guessed the place would be empty at that time.








And we were so right..we were the only people in this zen-inspired restaurant. The menu was a fusion of local and international dishes. There was also a bar.
We ended-up taking our left overs in the room since we usually don't bother about time when we are in vacation. Snacking is 24/7 when we are in a hotel.
The lobby was adorned with art works and the walk way to our room was beautifully lighted.




The next morning the kids woke us so early because they were so excited to swim. We let them had a taste of the pool last night for a night swim but only for a short hour. It was so cold because of the wind blowing from the sea. The resort is actually located in a sea front.




Complimentary breakfast was already serving so we went to the buffet and enjoyed it at the cabana in the beach.








While at it, we saw the obstacle facilities in the beach and had fun playing with the kids. Great work-out in the morning.




We went around the resort. The kids loved the mountain-zafari theme of the place.












There were giant crocs, monkeys and turtles (not real, ofcourse!), scattered around the resort.

Then we fancied to go up to the huge mountain and took the challenge to reach the top.



On the first level, there was a covered pool, in case you're anti-sun.













On each level, a slide mouth would invite you for a ride to take you down to the grand pool hundred (or was it a thousand?) feet below.




And when we reached the top_ the view was fantastico!




A giant eagle sits on top most  and you could enjoy his eye view of the whole resort and beyond.


















We went down back to the grand pool to enjoy the water.









Ready to face the world again!!