OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD ( KERYGMA, DECEMBER ISSUE)

This simple yet indeed inspirational article was taken in the December Issue of Keryma Magazine, a Catholic Inspirational Magazine available at St. Paul Located at SM City Pampanga. Let me share you the whole story of this influential write-up entitled " Occupational Hazard". Here it goes...


Did you hear about the man who was looking for a job?

He noticed there was an opening at the local zoo. upon inquiry, he discovered the zoo had a very unusual position that they wanted to fill. apparently their gorilla had died, and until they could get a new one, they needed someone to dress up in a gorilla suit and act like a gorilla for a few days. he was just to sit, sleep and eat.

Of course, his entity would be kept secret, and no one would be the wiser, thanks to a very fine gorilla suit. the zoo offered good pay for this job, so the man decided to do it. He tried on the suit and sure enough, he looked just like a gorilla. They led him to the cage; He took a position at the back of the cage and pretended to sleep.

But after a while, he got tired of sitting so he walked around a little bit, jumped up and down and tried a few gorilla noises. The people watching him seemed to really like that. When he would move or jump around, they would clap and cheer and throw him peanuts. So he jumped around some more and tried climbing a tree. That seemed to really get the crowd excited. They threw more peanuts.

Playing to the crowd, he grabbed a vine and swung from one side of the cage to the other. The people loved it and threw more peanuts. "WOW! This is great," he thought. He swung and the crowd grew bigger. He continued to swing on the vine, getting higher and higher and then all of a sudden, the vine broke! He swung up and out of the cage, landing in the lion's cage that was next door.

He panicked. There was a huge lion not 20 feet away and it look very hungry. So the man in the gorilla suit started jumping up and down, screaming and yelling, " Help, help! Get me out of here! I'm not really a gorilla! I'm a man in a gorilla suit! HELP! the lion quickly pounced on the man, hel him down and said, " Will you be quite! You're going to get both of us fired!"

ANGELS AND DEMONS NOW IN THEATERS!

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

"What terrifying discovery would make the Vatican turn to Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), the man who cracked history's most controversial code? When Langdon finds evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati—the most powerful underground organization in history—he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the Illuminati's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church.

Upon learning that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, Langdon is recruited to travel to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer), a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow the 400-year-old Path of Illumination that marks the Vatican's only hope for survival."

Based on the best-selling novel Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

Source: http://www.tribute.ca/movies/Angels+&+Demons/14273

I just came from Robinsons Pampanga, just to have my cellphone repair because of malfunctioning, until i dropped by over the cinema to see what are the movies shown today... I was glad to see that the most awaited movie of mine is now in theaters cinema 4 and 5 of Robinsons Pampanga, "the angels and demons"... But i was quite disappointed because the staff informed me that Cinema 4 is not anymore available due to the bulk of number of moviegoers inside... as I have seen Cinema 5 schedule ,iIhave to wait for 1 hour and 10minutes just to watch the beginningof the movie. So I decided to watched first Best Friends Forever, oneof the most funniest and endearing movie I ever watched... I can't hide my feelings of laughters upon watching this movie,,, Sharon and Ai Ai are absolutely great in this movie... This is really intended for families and our kadas!

After watching BFF, I rapidly went to Cinema 5 to watched Angels and Demons ( Eje! adik sa movie, pinanood talaga lahat! ganito talaga me pag gusto ko, watch talaga lahat! waha) anyway back to my story, story? whaha! whatever it may call... Upon entering the Cinema, I was wondering where will I seat,so i went in the balcony, but with my shock, I saw one of my students... Eje, I felt a little bit shy because I'm Watching all alone, but what is the matter,isn't? ejeje...so i just went on...

Upon watching the movie, I can't control myself to be amaze of the flow of the story itself and my God its effects really shakes my heart off...ahaha... I was a little bit emotional seeing 3 of the pillars of the church in this movie who happens to be candidates for being a pope after the death of the late Pope John Paul II dying caused and done by the illuminati group, the ever history enemies of the catholic church...

But with the help of Prof. Robert Langdon, a Professor in the Harvard University who played by the ever awarded actor, Tom Hanks...The Illuminati Time Bomb placed in the vatican's premises was stopped and put the vatican's in its peaceful mode.

The movie was really something to watched for, there are variety of twists especially in the end of the story... Thumbs up! for the Director of this film, which is undoubtably enormous...

As I finished watching the movie, I was able to reflect how much I Love my Catholic Religion and GOD !. It is a question of what can I do to save the earth from evil? simply, to do what is right, and deepen my faith and devotion to HIM. How about you?

EXPLORING THE SPLENDOR OF BETIS CHURCH

"The baroque-inspired Betis Church was built around 1660 and it was headed by Father Jose de la Cruz. The preliminary structure was made out of light materials which was composed mainly of wood and stucco. Fire broke out within the church several times due to these light materials so it was finally built with concrete materials in 1770.In the last quarter of 19th century, Father Manuel Camañes dug an artesian well on the north-side of the church which served as a source of potable water not only for the Betis townsfolk, but to the other nearby towns as well. On the other hand, the present-day concrete fence with caryatids was built in the 2nd quarter of the 20th century.

In 1908, the rectory of the church was burned with fire and all the documents about baptism and other historical catalogues of the church turned into ashes.Beautification of the interior part of the church was extensively done by the last Spanish priest named Father Santiago Blanco in 1939. The ceiling paintings were repainted by a native of San Agustin named Macario Ligon. His assistant named Victor Ramos, who was in his teen years then was also the one who restored these paintings in the 1970s.During the Spanish-Colonial period, Betis is an independent town which has its own autonomy as a municipality. But due to migration of its inhabitants to the nearby Guagua in the American Period, it was merged to this town in 1904 under the Act 943. Today, although part of the municipality of Guagua, the Betis church has its own parochial priest and has its patron saint named St. James the Great. "

Source: http://www.betis.wetpaint.com

It was such a tremendous day for me as I woke up in the morning thinking that I am going to visit the Famous and Historical Betis Church... Honestly speaking, this is just my 2nd time to see this church, the first one was when we had our pilgrimage wayback 5 to 6 years ago as part of the activity of the Archdiocesan Youth day. When I started creating this blog, this church was the one who first came into my mind to explore, but as you observed this is not the first one whom i featured... There is a purpose definitely! Whatever it is I guess is not anymore matter...

Betis Church is absolutely one of the oldest churches in the Philippines like the one that I've visited a few weeks ago, the San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor. But beyond its being old, you will be fascinated by its creative and unique features and designs as you enter the whole vicinity. How do I say this so? come and join me as we explore the radiance inside of it...

Walking inside the church is like watching paintings in a certain museum because of its undeniably gratifying view, while roaming around, I can't avoid saying " Wow! This is great" The kapampangans should really be very proud of having a church as lovely as this. The Ceiling and Walls of the Church are painted with murals of the Holy family, selected scenes from Jesus Life, Catholic saints and cherubs. It depicts as well how religious filipinos are, especially kapampangans.

Betis is known for having enormous woodcarvers and wood sculptors. their works are not known only locally but even international. This church is also where Fr. Eddie Panlilio, The controversial Governor of Pampanga came from. Yes, He became a parish priest here before He decided to enter politics, that is why it is not even a doubt that this church is indeed historical.

Because of its being prominent, some scenes in the different movies or televisions were shoot here...

" Icons placed inside niches in successive stories are predominant in churches built by the Augustinians during the spanish colonial period in the Philippines called a "RETABLO", this structure showcases the religious patrons of every community. Betis has one of the magnificent Retablos built by the Augustinians orderd in the last quarter of the 18th Century."

"The folowing are the names of the icons of Betis Retablo."

1.) San Jose Ampong Jesus
2.) San Nicolas De Penitencia
3.) San Nicolas de Totentino
4.) San Agustin Obispo
5.) Maria a Talapan- Ampun da ring Kristiyano
6.) Banal na Krus ning Kristo Jesus
7.) San Agustin Misterio Trinidad
8.) Sto. Tomas de Villanova
9.) Sta. Clara de Montefalco
10.) San Rita de Cascia
11.) San Agustin Quing Kumbento
12.) San Pedro
13.) san Pablo
14.)San Agustino Krus at Maria
15.) Sta. Monica

Source: www. betis.wetpaint.com

While I am taking pictures, I was wondering why the Security Guard of the church keeps on looking at me, until I approached and asked him some questions. He told me that the church as much as possible is letting others refraining from taking pictures of the RETABLO, which i featured above. For a reason that He explained there was an incident happened two or three years ago, the pictures that was taken by certain individuals used those in creating posters and cards which they sell to the public. In short, they used the picture of the image of the Retablo for earning purposes. From then on, The church became so strict!

In addition, the latter also informed me that the 15 icons in the retablo were all preserved images as in if the church is more than 400 years old, the images were preserved for that long years.

Upon hearing that, I realized that the church is indeed sacred.

My visit there is not just a personal adventure, but it is a spiritual journey, a journey which made my faith even deeper!

Good Day!

FYI: At the side of the church, there is a small Museo.

MUSEONG KAPAMPANGAN: EXPLORING KAPAMPANGAN CULTURE

Museong Kapampangan located at the 2nd Floor of Clark Museum, Clark Field Pampanga corroborates the relics and native furnitures, equipments and other materials used by early kapampangans.

I am not supposed to visit this place but a kindhearted security guard approached me and tells me " May Museong Kapampangan Exhibit pa sa taas baka gusto mo ring tignan." I was astonished with what I heard, I just replied " ow? totoo?, cge puntahan ko din." I did'nt knew that we have collections of kapampangan relics and so forth...

Upon going to the 2nd floor, i felt the excitement inside because of the expected preserved furnitures that I am going to see.

Upon entering the room, these are the equipments which fascinated me most.

Here they are guys, in the image 1 shows the mortar and pestle which is being used by our grandparents in making " Maman" in the earlier times. he3. I hope my kapampangan word is correct, I am not familiar anyway! ehe... In the next image showcases the various furnitures used.

In one corner of the room, you can view the clothes worn, the furnitures used and the remnant of the late President Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, who is the loving father of our current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Sorry if i was not able to take pictures of those... i didn't have enough time. Promise! next time i will go back there and take other pictures which I will post here in my blog.

I am also grateful during that day because i was well accomodated by a lady guard, sorry i was not able to ask her name to be recognize, i will ask her name next time. waha!

To see more of what is inside the exhibit... Come and visit the place!

The Experience was absolutely awesome. I made myself even proud to be a KAPAMPANGAN!

INSIDE CLARK: CAFE MESA

" CAFE MESA is an elegant touch to the Clark Freeport Zone as you enjoy your favorite specialty coffee in a peaceful garden setting alone the Clark Parade Grounds. It is located at Building 2078, Cardinal Santos Clark Freeport Zone, Phils."



I left Clark Terminal in OG Road Dolores at 10:45 am passing by NLEX and Dau Mabalacat with a good weather condition... Thanks to God.he3. As I'm riding the jeepney, i can't control but ask if where will I first tour myself at Clark for it has so many beautiful and lovely spots. Until a friend of mine sent me a message that i have to try one of the famous and unique coffee shop bar at Clark, The Cafe Mesa... " Ok", i said, sounds interesting,,, " Let's make it try"

It was exactly 11:15 am when i arrived at Clark Main Gate thinking what route i am going to ride on going to Cafe Mesa, so i asked one of the jeepney drivers in the terminal and gave me a cue that it was route 2... So that was it, The adventure began!

I felt so overwhelmed with the very passionate welcome that the employees and even the manager of Cafe Mesa gave me. Seeing the place seems to be just as ordinary as the others which i've been went through, but did you know that there is this secret that i personally discovered about the place which I believe is one reason why the bar is very famous and attractive to filipino and foreign customers... The bar has its variety of enchanting designs of furnitures which are really very pleasing to the eye.

Another thing, their foods are absolutely appetizing... in fact, i tried one of their best selling pica-pica,,, the Quesadilla ( Pork or Beef) which costs P 230. It is like a pizza but it is more than that, you must try it! I partnered it with their unique and amazing Choco Frost which amounts to more than P 160... I am not sure with the exact price because i was discounted then.he3.

The bar also has its captivating terrace just a few steps away from the dining area. From there, you can view the exquisite Clark Parade Grounds where the statue of John Stotsenberg was being built.

In addition, The latter also has its function hall which is good for 30 persons... so if you have simple gatherings or celebrations... You just have it there! Your money is worthy.

By the way, Cafe Mesa is open everyday from 7 am to 12mn, so if you have time take a little of your day dropping by to see its cozy ambiance...

Cafe Misa also accepts reservations for meetings and events... for more details and information you can contact the place through its telephone number (045) 499-0694

The 1 1/2 hour stay was indeed an enjoyable and relaxable moment for me...

Till Next time. Thanks!

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...