MACAU-HK VACAY P5

We now come to the final stage of our three-day experience in the country of Macau...

An uphill road leading to one of the famous landmarks this small country has to offer.

The Ruins of St. Paul the Apostle Church. A stone church facade is all that was left caused by a great fire more than a century ago. The site was breathtaking. After climbing the 66 stone steps leading up to the landmark a path worth taking. There is also a small museum at the back where  relics of the ruined but historical church are showcased.

After our mini-tour at the ruins, we went on to mangle on free food samples along the streets, grabbed some warm coffee form Starbucks and finally, bought our "pasalubongs" for our loved-ones back home. Just a few freshening up and we headed straight back to the airport, said our heartfelt goodbyes to Karesse and boarded our plane homeward bound.

THANK YOU, MACAU AND HONGKONG!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

MACAU-HK VACAY P4

Ahh... The Venetian Hotel.

Where decadence is present everywhere you set your eyes upon. This Hotel is located at the heart of Taipa, Macau and it is  just a brief bus ride away from the airport. This is where Karesse is currently employed as a singer/ gondolier.

Fact: This hotel is the biggest single structure building in Asia, 40-storeys high comprising 3,000 suites (imagine that!) and boasts for the most number of Filipino Gondoliers in the world!

The main "visual" attraction of the hotel is the portion of it showcasing a little glimpse of Venice, Italy.  Hence the name, "The Venetian", It never fails to serve as a "come on" for tourists and natives alike.

Located deep within this massive structure is an indoor river where gondolas cruise around and gondoliers sing beautifully for passengers and on-lookers on the sides of the river. The river is surrounded by facades mimicking the ones in Venice. Although I haven't actually been in Venice. (ahaha!)

There is also a vast casino on the ground floor! Unfortunately, we cannot take pictures of it. One other unique feature of the hotel was the curved escalator which was the first in Asia.

The lobby was indeed an epitome of opulence! The murals spread arcoss the ceilings like paintings of Michael Angelo with a modern twist. The Venetian Hotel experience is one which I'll be remembering for years to come. 

MACAU-HK VACAY P3

At last, we arrived at Disneyland! Where most of us, as kids would only dream of getting to see it first-hand! Well this is the day. Actually, this is already my second time. But I still share the same level of excitement and happiness my first time companions had by just being in front of its majestic gates. 

The Sleeping Beauty Castle was as breathtaking as the first time I saw it. You could instantly be driven out of the normal world and led into a magical place where all "fairytale" dreams could come true. Our pack didn't waste any more time and immediately took souvenir photos of it at all angles and poses one could ever come up with!  

The parade entitled "Flights of Fantasy" is new to me. There were new attractions that were truly eye-candy. People doing acrobatics on the floats and new characters  were introduced! Of course, the FILIPINOS work for Disney were usually the ones leading the parade. I couldn't help but shout "mabuhay" whenever I see my kababayans trying their best to please the crowd! And they would always shout back: "Mabuhay ang Pinoy!" I could still remember Annalyn, whispering to me while watching the parade, "Iba talaga and Pinoy"...

The majority of workers and performers at HK Disneyland are Filipinos. And I couldn't help but feel ultimately proud of the fact that a country as progressive as HK could not manufacture such raw talent that could only be found in the Philippines.

continued...

MACAU-HK VACAY P2

All were excited the next day. We were bound to HK aboard a Ferry! It wasn't entirely enjoying because I was never fond of travelling on water. So we had to force ourselves to sleep while in the sea... 

The climate in Hong Kong was as cold as Macau's and very nice to walk while breathing in the occassional cold breeze. Once again, I have gotten to walk through the busy streets of this bustling country.

At lunch time, our choice of resto was at the Cafe de Coral. It is famous for its authentic Chinese food served in a contemporary way at reasonable prices. They were famous for their Hong Kong stlye baked pork chop that was unfortunately unavailbale when we were there. But certainly, the other food on the menu were just as great!

After lunch, we had to walk to the train station for Disneyland! I could almost taste the excitement as the last train to Disneyland arrived at the station. We immediately took pictures on the train and had a great time enjoying the view along the way.  

  

More to come...

MACAU-HK VACAY P1

A few months ago, there was an airline promo posted on the internet about a very reasonable deal to get to go to Macau and back. Of course the travel-hungry members of MSC immediately grabbed the deal and set on a journey to a strange land to get some well deserved R and R!

Annalyn, Mackoy, Oyet, Joy,  Glady and her family and I signed up for the journey immediately! It was a three-day vacay which also is intended to visit our very own Karesse that is currently working as a singer in a well-known hotel in Macau, The Venetian.  

Flight was at 7:30PM at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga. We arrived at the Macau Airport an hour and a half later and was warmly greeted by our Host, Karesse who enthusiastically invited us all for a welcome dinner at her apartment.

After a sumptuous dinner, we headed to the famous casinos and some tried their luck on the gambling tables in which Macau is famous for. As we stolled down the streets of Macau, I couldn't help but appreciate the cold climate of the night which one could never go out without a coat or a jacket.  

We managed to convince Karesse to stay at our hotel so that we could all be together the earliest to set off for Hong Kong the next day... Disneyland, baby!!!

SPOTTED: COCOY AND FAMILY IN TAGAYTAY



Found on facebook!

A nice weekend lunch with the family in one of the famous tourist destinations in the southern part of Luzon... Tagaytay! The photo deserves to be published here!

THE PRESIDENT IN SINGAPORE

Yes! You read it right! MSC was surely surprised when pictures of our President Jaypee came spreading through Facebook having the time of his life on a recent leisure trip in Singapore. I bet it was more to that. Perhaps a couple of job hunting took place as well... Hmmm... Are you planning to leave us too?  

 

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!

(continued)   

GLENN IN AUSTRALIA

During my recent browsing in Facebook, I was surprised to find a set of pics wherein Glenn Foronda (TENOR) currently living in Singapore had an opportunity to go to the Land down under, Australia! He had a chance as well to reunite with co-MSC member and good friend, Bhing Mondido (ALTO). There is no doubt that these two had a great time frolicking in the wonderful places that OZ could offer!

I wonder... Would there be a moment that all MSC members, old and new be at one place at the same time again?... Just a thought...

BORACAY-- SUMMER IN AUGUST

Because of the numerous long weekends and non-working holidays that have been announced by the government these past few months, our barkada (which, most of us are MSC, both active and inactive) decided to go on a trip to the far south of the Philippines... BORACAY!!!

One may think it is a bit weird to go to the beach especially if the probability of the sun showing up was slim during this time of the year. But the airfare and hotel accommodation rates were simply irresistable! Too hard to pass off!

After a smooth, 45-minute plane ride via Zest Air from NAIA to Calibo and another two-long hour bus ride to Caticlan, all of us were graciously welcomed by the staff of 357 BORACAY. Complete with welcome drinks and shell necklaces! It definitely was worth the wait!

357 Boracay is a clean and very cozy beachfront boutique hotel. The stylish and cool air conditioned rooms were fabulous! Fit for the choosy and the meticulous (ahrrrm!).

As I roam around and get stoked by the clear blue ocean and fine, white sands, it got me instantly imagining of my MSC being with me on this adventure.

The first day (arrival) was purely laid-back-mode for most of us, "vacationistas"! All we did was rest, lounge around the hotel, eat, windowshop and "girl or boy watch" along this 5 km worldclass shoreline. Videoke and a couple of drinks was the thing in the evening.

The second day was the complete opposite! I was actually up at 5:30 in the morning so I could be able to take advantage of every moment of my stay on this island. The cool morning breeze of the ocean was as great as the breakfast, provided by the hotel! The sensation was like, as Edward Cullen would say... "it's like having my own brand of heroin".

The itinerary was bustling with activities!!! We rented a boat that would take us for fishing in the middle of the ocean, go snorkeling and marine diving. We had lunch on one of the neighboring islands called Magic Island, where we were served delicious Chicken and Pork BBQ's, Sinigang na Hipon and fresh fruits to satisfy our hunger from all the water activities that we did the whole morning.

(the "marine walk" adventure)

In the evening, since it was also because of Mom's upcoming 70th birthday thus this plan of a holiday in Boracay was organized, we enjoyed a sumptuous banquet of meat, seafoods and veggies prepared by the wonderful people of 357.

(Mommy's 70th birthday banquet)

(Caticlan Airport Passenger Lounge)

Our three-day "off season" vacation will truly be remembered by all of us. Im hoping we'll get to come back soon.