A JOURNEY AT SAN GUILLERMO PARISH, BACOLOR PAMPANGA

THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CHURCH BEFORE THE LAHAR...

" San Guillermo Parish Church is one of the oldest and largest churches in the Philippines. It was accepted as an Augustinian convent on December 31, 1576 on the lot owned by Don Guillermo Manabat. The church was restored by Fr. Manuel Diaz in 1897. The church boasts of having main retablo, side retablos and pulpit that are heavily gilded with gold leaves. The rich decorations of the church depict the Baroque style of architecture.

Only half of the original facade of the church can be seen today due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 which half-buried the church. After the volcanic eruption, the town’s people painstakingly excavated the altar and the retablo and relocated it under the dome in order for the tall wooden retablo to fit. The retablos niches are filled with centuries- old statues which were saved from destruction of the lahar.

The citizens of Bacolor take pride in their rich heritage which is why they carefully excavated the ornately carved main and side altars and restored in its immaculate condition. The church is already a world famous tourist destination prior to the lahar tragedies and present has remained being so.

The San Guillermo Parish Church was named after the town’s Patron Saint, San Guillermo. This Philippine Religious Heritage was originally constructed by the Augustinian Friars in 1576 with Fr. Diego De Ochoa, OSA, as the first town’s parish priest. In 1880, the Church was destroyed by an earthquake only to be rebuilt by Father Eugenio Alvarez in 1886. On September 3, 1995, lahar flow from the slopes of Mount Pinatubo which was erupted on June 15, 1991, buried the church at half its 12 meter height."

Source:http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/tourism_news/pampanga-philippines-san-guillermo-parish-church-in-bacolor.htm

NOW HERE ARE THE PHOTOS OF THE HISTORIC CHURCH AFTER THE SAID MUD-FLOW...

It was such a fair weather morning of April 28 when I and my friends decided to visit one of the historic churches in Pampanga, The San Guillermo Parish Church located at Bacolor Pampanga. It was exactly 8:15 am when we arrived in the place, it was so silent and still no visitors inside. Upon entering the vicinity of the church, We felt the holy spirit is welcoming us in the said alluring and enchanting church. There is already an enormous difference about the features of the historic church from its original construction to its present condition due to the lahar floods, but still the beauty of it remains.

For your information, if you are an avid viewer of " May Bukas Pa" in Primetime Bida of Channel 2... it is in this church where they shoot most of the scenes of the said teledrama.

According to the people near the church, There are a lot of tourists coming from varied locations who drops by everyday just to see the place where the said scenes is being taken and to have a glimpse of the preserved attributes of it.



The 45 minutes visit was indeed an exceptional experience, an experience that will always reminds me of the splendor of San Guillermo Parish Church...

CMO OUTING AT VILLA ANTONINA RESORT

"Villa Antonina Villas and Resort provides a cozy holiday vacation destination for international and domestic travelers, at the same time provides a comfortable venue for business travelers.

Stay close and enjoy the rustic ambiance and relaxing atmosphere which only nature can offer. VILLA ANTONINA VILLAS AND RESORT fulfills your long awaited dream vacation close to the quality comforts of your home within a wholesome community."

March 28-29, 2009- A day to remember for us Campus Ministry Volunteers Alumni. it is a day where we took a break from our respective work just to give way in this special event to be together and remember the days when we were still volunteers in the ministry. The group decided to held its outing at Villa Antonina Resort located at Baliti Road Panipuan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

It is not my first time to hear this resort, i almost hear this to some of my friends and tells me that it is indeed an incredible resort. Upon hearing it, it slips my mind and telling, " oh i guess this is just a typical resort that i've been through"

Until the day when we got there, entering the place as if you were in a far place. because of its peaceful and cozy ambiance. I felt this feeling of warmth in my body when i saw its amicable environment.

We were supposed to be 17 who will celebrate the said event, but unfortunately 8 of which did'nt made it because of vital reasons. But despite of the half of the number who were not around, this does not stop us from spending the rest of the days with one another in the pool and in the ever beautiful cottage who happens to be different from the other cottages. ( It's absolutely nice!)

I felt the joy inside of me seeing my friends in the organization. Like what i've said in my previous blog, I almost spend my life being with this organization during my college years.

I believe we are going to be much happier in the outing, if our OM and CM directors. Fr. Melchor Sitchon, Fr. Jonathan Bartolome and Fr. Israel Bong Garcia came through with us. But that is just fine, We knew that eventhough they are not physically present during those days, they were emotionally and sharing the delightful moments with us.

the two day event did not only depicts the closeness of our friendship but how much We love God even better...

by the way to personally see the beauty of this resort, you can log on to http://www.villaantoninaresort.com/

HS GET TOGETHER AT GERRY'S GRILL

Gerry's Grill provides everyone and anyone who loves to eat with fresh food that is cooked, grilled, or prepared to satisfy the most distinguishing of palates. Ultimately, every item on the menu goes perfectly well with your favorite beverage; whether it be alcoholic or not. For a full meal with the family or for a night-out with the boys or girls, Gerry's Grill offers the perfect place with the perfect menu to fit any occasion at any budget."

It was December of 2008, when my classmates in high school batch 2002 organized a get together for us to see each other once again and update one another about the latest in us... it was such a fun-filled night as we had our dinner in the most captivating and famous food outlet in town" Gerry's Grill" located at SM City Pampanga, beside Sushi-Ya. It was an Unforgettable evening as we see each other after a certain while narrating all of the the things that happened in our lives. a little bit number of my classmates in High School are now closer to their dream of becoming a Doctor, Yes 3 of them will move through in their last year in Medicine sometime in June. ( Wow! Awesome, Go! Go!) Most of them are now working in reputable and respected companies in Makati and Manila and holding positions in the higher level of Management. it is gracious that once in a while, We take a little break and bond to prove that our batch remains strong and intact.

The Fabulous evening was even made great with the food that we ordered, Sizzling Tuna Sisig, which is a favorite of mine, a taste of it will surely relief your stress. Try it! How can i forget the even more delicious chopseuy, which made the group's favorite. he3, it is as if eating like there was no tomorrow. How about the Inihaw na Pusit which is undeniably palatable of its taste and others.

Th 3 hour picture taking, chikahan and asaran was indeed something that should be remembered every now and then. Till Next time Classmates! Love Lots.

COLLEGE GRADUATION '07

These are the quotes taken from famous and reputable authors that i pondered after my graduation in college. These are a sort of pieces of advice that i carried as i face life after education years.

"Graduation day is tough for adults. They go to the ceremony as parents. They come home as contemporaries. After twenty-two years of child-raising, they are unemployed." ~ by Erma Bombeck

"Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these." ~ by Susan B. Anthony

The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after- by Newton D. Baker

Be fearless. Have the courage to take risks. Go where there are no guarantees. Get out of your comfort zone, even if it means being uncomfortable. The road less traveled is sometimes fraught with barricades, bumps, and uncharted terrain. But it is on that road where your character is truly tested- Katty Couric ( TV Journalist)

It was March 31, 2007, when i received the most anticipated gift of my hard work, My College Diploma. It was a mixed emotions to narrate on how i feel during that day, i was filled with joy because finally my years of studying is over, the sacrifices of my parents is done, the preparing of assignments, term papers and reports is at ease, the stress of memorizing, analyzing business and accounting transactions has put to an end. But i cannot hide the fact that i was also overshadowed then by sadness, for a reason that i am going to leave the alma matter whom i have stayed for almost 9 years ( 4 years in High School and 5 years in College with my Degree of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy), the alma matter who thought me of the different mathematical equations, various parts of the body, several techniques in writing news and other articles in High School. Accounting formulas, equations, techniques and principles in College. In addition, I am also a little bit all alone then because my classmates and I will going to separate ways and face the life on our own finding a job to earn a living. it is like walking in a road, and it is up to us on how we will be going to face the challenges that will come our way. Graduation depicts a new chapter in the lives of a graduate, many changes will pass through, many circumstances will try to enter our whole individuality, but it is a matter of courage and determination on how are we going to surpass all of those.

Remembering my days in college gives me so much joys and smiles in my heart. why? because of the endless number of activities and events that i've been went through, this is made possible with the organizations that i am affiliated into. I was been an active and devoted member of the UA Outreach and Campus Minitsry. My 5 years in college ideally evolve with these two.With these organizations, i was able to see life beyond greatness, richness and so forth, I was able to touch personally the lives of the people at Munting Tahanan of Nazareth, Pampanga Provincial Jail, Social Action Center of Pampanga, Jose B. Lingad Medical Center, Bahay Pag-ibig and others. I was also given by God the chance to speak to thousands of students and spread His good news and teachings to everyone.

With the interest, love and dedication that i showed with these organizations, i was an awarded as one of the archbishop's most distinguished awardee for formation. But it is not the award that counts to me, it is how i was able to help and changed their lives and how they shape and touch my life.

I had so much unforgettable memories during my stay in the University, not only with those organizations but with my set of friends, peers and classmates whom for five years we've been together through thick and thin.

Life at College will always be a noted one in my life... this will never erase as my life breath takes away.

BAGUIO RETREAT '07

It is very common for graduating college students in the University of the Assumption to experience this what we called " RETREAT" This is a silent residential retreat of 2 days for those who desire to experience God's love through prayer and individual spiritual direction. According to an article "A retreat is a withdrawal from immediate concerns to assess and integrate one's relationships. Yes, we leave and forget for a while our problems and anxieties at home and in school and assess. We evaluate our commitments to friends, to work, to country, to God, and even to ourselves.

It was January of 2007, when it is our turn to have a fascinating 3days and 2 nights meaningful retreat at Sta. Catalina Retreat House located at #2 Marcos Highway 2600 Baguio City. It was a time for us 5th year accountancy students to take a pause for a moment and reflect how is our life going on. It takes a little bit 5 to 6 hours travel from San Fernando, Pampanga, before we arrive to the ever ravishing and cold city of Baguio. During our first day, we were given the time to visit some of the tourist spots of Baguio, the Burnharm Park which you can see a massive number of foreign and filipino tourists taking some pictures as a sort of remembrance. We also went to Grotto where we met some of the katutubong ifugaos selling same stuffs which they personally made. We even went to SM Baguio where we had our lunch, it is just a typical mall like what we have here in SM Pampanga, not so much variation at all .After an almost a half day of walking travelling and exploring, we came back to our ever so silent retreat house. he3

My experience in the retreat was undeniably an incredible one, because it is a moment when i became so much closer to God through praying, moments of reflections and sharing with classmates. I was also given the time then to have a bonding with my friends and classmates and ask for forgiveness to those classmates whom i had misunderstanding with.

and lastly, the experience also gave us the cue that a few months from then was the most awaited glory of our lives, our graduation day which marks a new beginning for us as we enter the challenging world of work.

As i end up this simple remembering of mind, i just wanna extend my endless gratitude to the Sisters of Sta. Catalina Retreat House for their warm accomodation for us during our stay there.

That adventure was indeed a remarkable moment of my life...