MSC'S LATEST FEAST

On July 10, we were once again invited to sing at THE FEAST at SM Hypermarket, Valenzuela.

It is always a pleasure serving at the mighty kitchen of God at THE FEAST!

SUNSHINE AFTER THE RAIN

As mentioned before in one of my previous entries, our Tito Oyet, sufferred a minor heart attack and was rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment. He stayed in the Intensive Care Unit for a few days for some close monitoring. Apparently, he was very much conscious during his ordeal. Four days after, he was released from the hospital and was adviced to take a long vacation from work to recover. MSC was not able to visit him in the hospital but we opted to come by his place to celebrate his victory over his life-threatening situation...  

After our Sunday service on May 22, we headed straight to Tito Oyet's place, brought some food and celebrated! Ate Bhing, not long after her arrival from the airport, was there too. 

I was pleased to see that Tito Oyet was already up and about when we got there. Although a bit weak and cautious with his moves, not trying to exert too much, he managed to eat and have a good laugh with us! Somehow, seeing him like that assures us that he is on his way to recovery!

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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ADIE AND COCOY'S BIRTHDAY BASH 2011

MSC's February Birthday Bashers, Cocoy and Adie had their COMBINED celebration at Mr. T's Inasal along McArthur highway on the evening of 13-Feb, 2011.

Kuya Arnel, Ryan and I arrived a bit late at the venue. Our assigned table was already packed with an overwhelming array of food that Adie took the liberty of ordering for all of us! The other celebrant, Cocoy, had prior engagements that she arrived a bit late that night. There was Chicken Inasal (of course!), Kare-kare, BBQ Liempo, sisig among others! 

  

It was a party well attended by both the younglings and the elders of the group. I was so pleased seeing my group once again happy and at ease with one another, sharing dinner in that one long table. These are definitely those  moments that keep MSC's fire burning!  

CHEERS TO ADIE AND COCOY!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR A VERY NICE AND MEMORABLE PARTY!!!

LET'S TALK IT OVER

The Sunday Service was delayed this week which led the group to cancel rehearsals. It was slightly disappointing on my part for I was so eager to finish my goal choir piece for this month but unfortunately I didn't happen this week. Oh well...

The group had a meeting at my garage shed instead. MSC President JP discussed the activities that are lined up for this year. Part of the agenda were the possible Fiesta Mass service in San Vicente Pampanga, The "Visita Iglesia" on Holy Thursday, the annual summer excursion and other stuff. 

MSC's Vice President Adie and Treasurer Jeybi (JP's Brother) were also there by his side for support. There was also a discussion about the group funds that are usually utilized during the MSC's major activities. The contribution of the elders were slightly modified this year. Aside from the weekly contribution of Php20, the elders (including me) must now shell out Php100 additional during the 15th and 30th of the month. So far, there weren't any adverse reactions from the people involved in this slight modification. 



The last to be discussed was the birthday blowout of Adie and Cocoy that is to happen later in the evening of that day.  More about that on the succeeding entries. 

FLASHBACK: SUMMER 2007

Honestly, i have fond memories of this summer activity. The private resort we rented was located at the "back door" of U.P. Los Baños. The water comes from the springs of Mt. Makiling. We arrived pretty late at the venue due to traffic and the inevitable tardiness of the members. We arrived just in time for dinner.

We had the place for ourselves. We brought our own videoke machine complete with projector! Food was, as always, delightful! Two rooms were offered to the guests who rent the resort overnight but only one was airconditioned. The guys had to make way for the girls to enjoy the cool room. While the guys had to endure the cot spread wall to wall and ceiling fans. Not to mention mosquitoes!!! The mesh covering the windows wasn't at all efficient.   

But we had a great time. More bonding moments for the group. More opportunities to get closer to each other.

Thank you, Lord for such great blessings!

ONE YEAR PLAN FOR 2011

Sunday, January 30, MSC had its first Assembly Meeting held at Tito Oyet's place in Maysan. The aim is to come up with different activities that would be laid out for the whole year in order to further rev up the group spirit.

Dining al fresco at Tito Oyet's beautifully tended garden with simple home-grown food such as salted eggs, steamed tilapia, rice and veggies was a great idea! One knock-out food group that I really liked that night was the authentic burong hipon from Pampanga. Stinky but pure joy for me and our other kapampangan buddies! Brewed coffee was served as well in lieu of Beer that night.

I was quite disappointed by the number of members who came out that night. But we proceeded with the meeting nonetheless. Fortunately, most of the people present were the "BIG BOSSES" of the group. Meaning, these people already have the "know-how" in handling the group through years of experience.

As expected, our newly elected (sort of mandated) President precided the meeting. He wholeheartedly shared his bold plans for the group. He tried to put in activities that would somehow help break the group's weekly, boring and tiring routine.  Mark, on the other hand, MSC's previous Vice intently listens and contributes his own views.

A huge calendar was laid down on the table courtesy of the host to help in scheduling the proposed activities for each month.

-MEMBERS' BIRTHDAYS
-UPCOMING LENT ACTIVITIES
-MASS ASSIGNMENTS
-SUMMER ACTIVITIES
-PARISH AND BARANGAY FIESTA
-CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES were some of the things discussed.

Too bad, Meanne, our Secretary was not able to come. So Jeybi, our new Treasurer took notes of the proceedings. He also discussed some concerns about the group's funds and where and what he thinks is ideal to spend it.

A whole year of activities... A mixture of serious work and fun. Would that ever help the group in uplifting its morale? Or will it just wear out the members instead? Makes me wonder...

As a bonus, this is a picture of our host for the night, Tito Oyet in his fresh, hunky and matinee years! Enjoy!!!

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 1

The Day after Christmas. When all still have their holiday hangovers from the drinking spree they had the previous night. The 26th of December, the scheduled day of our party fell on a Sunday. So we still had to serve our 5AM scheduled Mass Service. I was quite eager to wake up that day. I knew that the members, especially the elders of the group are bound to make food preparations for the Christmas Party in the evening. And I gladly join them everytime. sort of a tradition on my part.   

After the mass and breakfast, we went to Suki Market in Quezon City to buy ready-made Sushi and other ingredients for the food that we will serve at the party. I was quite surprised to find out that Suki Market was somehow at par with Farmer's Market in Cubao where there are  many things to buy especially when you are into asian and other oriental foods. But knowing that there are a lot of newbies and younglings in the group this year, we decided to serve the traditional.   


Chicken Cordon Bleu was assigned to the Sopranos, Roasted Chicken for the Tenors, BBQed Pork Belly for the Basses and a refreshing Kani Salad for the Altos. There were some members who volunteered to contribute other foods too. Tita Lulu (Soprano) made us a big batch of Carbonara, Charles (Bass), who recently made a comeback, gave the group a special ice cream cake from DQ for dessert, chocolates and candy bars from Glenn (fresh from Singapore, Tenor) and as mentioned, a large platter of sushi from Tito Oyet (Tenor).

(continued...)

CHRISTMAS PARTY MEETING

On December 12, Sunday,  the officers and some elders of MSC decided to go for another food jamming session after rehearslas, this time at Starbucks Marilao, Bulacan, along the North Luzon Expressway.  

The core wasted no time for this was also the perfect chance for us to talk about our upcoming traditional Holiday fellowship. We chose to have it post-yuletide since most of the members have their own company/family parties as well. What's  essential is the aim to celebrate the birth of our Lord, the day of our salvation whenever it may be. ☺