BARANGAY MAYSAN FIESTA 2011

The humble town of Maysan celebrates its Fiesta on May 11 every year. The prominent people of Maysan usually surface out during this time, making sure that everything about the fiesta celebration is in order. Some sadly goes out for campaign purposes but it is always a relief to know that a significant number of people still helps out because of their pure intentions and their devotion to the town's patron saint.

The familiar sounds of the brass band parading around the streets of  Maysan always brings me back to the time when I was one of those who make the street flags and decours that brighten up the town during fiesta season.

According to some sources, the earlier members of MSC always help out to prop up the church during the Maysan Fiesta. They were present from preparation, to the singing for the High Mass, to the eating that goes after... one house after another!

Thanks to the advancement of technology and the power of advertizing, we don't have to make those painstaking signages and decorations from scratch. We just send out solicitation letters to people and businesses who are willing to sponsor for such!

I was stoked to see how the Maysan Chapel was propped up for the occasion. The picture of how the old Maysan Chapel appears in my mind's eye, is somehow slowly fading away and is gently veering me to modernity and progress. Although there were mixed reactions regarding how the old church's appearance came out after its major renovation. 

The Maysan Fiesta 2011 was a success. Cheers to the organizers. This tells me that the people of Maysan are still united when it comes to occasions like this! That they are always ready to set aside their other tasks to participate in the celebration whatever and however they can.

SPOTTED: GUESS WHO'S IN BORA THIS YEAR'S HOLY WEEK??

Yes! This may look like a mysterious paparazzi shot but it's certainly obvious who these people are! Cocoy, Mackoy and Millette went on an all out summer extravaganza in the island of Boracay on 22-April, 2011. It was a 3-day stay and according to Cocoy, it was certainly one for the books! Everyone had a great time...

I think the flying fish experience had a lot to do with it! (ahaha!)

I still have high hopes that one day, MSC will get to walk along the shores of Bora together in one heck of a trip!     

MAUNDY THURSDAY- THE QUEST FOR THE SEVEN SHRINES (3)

We got lost along the way.

But after a few U-turns and inquiries at several by-standers along the roadside, we managed to get to our final and ultimate destination, The Immaculate Conception Seminary in Guiginto, Bulacan.

Now this is something else. Within the compound, devotees get to do the "Visita Iglesia" on foot! There's no need for a ride because the altars were set not so far from each other. You just have to find your way from one building to the next. Many people were there as well. Some come in large groups of families and friends, while others in pairs and yet others alone (for a much more solemn meditation) This reminds me of an old tourist spot in Manila, the "Nayong Pilipino" wherein you get to see miniature famous places and landmarks smacked in one place. That's why I consider this visit to the Seminary "a walk in the park", LITERALLY!  

The seminarians (pupils studying to be future priests) were really accommodating. Everyone of them were all really to assist any visitor for directions and their other needs. The visitors on the other hand were nice to respect the sanctity of the place. 

  

This year's Maundy Thursday is truly a date worthy of remembering. I just hope that MSC had a joyous yet meaningful time doing this in spite of all the discomforts we have expecienced while we were at it.

It is also right to always bear in our hearts that the "Sacrifice" has already been done. The Lord already did that for us a long time ago. None of us can measure up that kind of sacrifice that only a Loving God can do. I believe that the only way to please God is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  

MAUNDY THURSDAY- THE QUEST FOR THE SEVEN SHRINES (2)

While driving to Guiginto, Bulacan, another church by the river caught our attention and we headed straight toward it! It was the church of St. Martin de Tours.

The place was packed with so many devotees and we had to literally squeeze our way in. But seeing the ornate altar was worth it, really! 

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY- THE QUEST FOR THE SEVEN SHRINES (1)

Visita Iglesia is a Catholic Christian Tradition influenced by our Spanish colonizers  where the Catholic Faithful visit seven (or more??) churches for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Maundy Thursday. 

It was a scorching hot afternoon on the 21st of April when MSC drove to Bulacan for a Visita Iglesia. There were only ten of us that day and we had to endure the heat of a non-air conditioned truck, the hunger and thirst and the terrible traffic!

First stop was in Bulacan, Bulacan where our former parish priest at OLHRP, Rev. Fr. Albert Suatengco is currently assigned. We encountered a lot of Catholic fanatics along the way to the church who were trying to imitate the sufferings and hardships of Jesus Christ, hoping for an absolution of the sins they have committed. It's more of self mutilation if you ask me. This also contributed to the nasty traffic but it surely was a feast for a photo geek like me! You don't get to see blood and gore in the streets everyday, right?

The Our Lady of the Assumption Parish church was our first station. After the mass, we headed straight to Fr. Albert. He surely was happy to see us there and was gracious to even offer us some refreshments for strength for the long journey ahead.  

  

After indulging ourselves with unlimited coffee and biscuits (with the permission of the kind church ladies), we headed off to another shrine not far from Fr. Albert's parish.

Our second destination was surely a showstopper!!! Although I failed to catch the name of the church. This one was illuminated with candles, giving out a reddish ambient glow! The angel figures surrounding the altar were real people, they pose like mannequins and change positions every 5 minutes or so! I was truly amazed!

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