Visita Iglesia 2013

My fourth Visita Iglesia activity. We would normally visit 7 churches and recite the prayers for 2 stations each commemorating the last moments of Jesus' life.  This year, we have decided to try the "WALKWAY" at Bonifacio Global City. An interactive Stations of the Cross.

"Walkway: Reflections on the Stations of the Cross", features all the 14 stations with art installations and  activities that for me seem to appeal to a younger crowd. An activity put together by a non-profit organization called CHURCH SIMPLIFIED , the Walkway gave me a different view on the events that fateful day that started at the garden of Gethsemane. Information on each station installation are largely printed, some focus on the historic events, others on issues that we deal with in modern times, it also guides the reader on how to reflect and gives instructions on the "act" that the station would want you to participate in. 

Here is a quick look at my "favorite" stations:

Station 2 - The Betrayal : After saying a quick prayer for those whom I feel have betrayed me, and humbly asking for forgiveness if at 1 point I have betrayed anybody, I took a piece of red cloth.

Station 4 - The Verdict: This station focused on how Pontius Pilate, despite being convinced of Jesus' innocence, decided to "wash his hands" and denied responsibility. A donation box is located at the fourth station, this station reminded me not to  "wash my hands" ... not to absolve myself of any responsibility for the innocent. A minimal donation of 5 pesos was requested. The donations from this station will be forwarded to the "Sponsor a Child" program of WE International Philippines . 

Station 6 -The Curse : This station focused on the crown of thorns and its relation to environmental awareness.  I pinned a piece of green cloth on the huge crown of thorns. A simple act that commits me to doing my share, even in my own little way to leave a greener earth to the next generation. 

Station 8 - The Two Simons : Probably my most favorite station. This showed the contrast of Simon Peter and the stranger Simon of Cyrene. How Simon Peter denied Jesus and how a complete stranger, Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus.  I was given the chance to be a Simon of Cyrene, I took a piece of paper from a bowl, written on it is a prayer of someone I do not know, I kept that piece of paper and intend to include that person in my Wednesday Novena. I too wrote my prayers on a piece of paper, with hopes that my own "stranger Simon" would also pray for me.

Station 9 - The Crucifixion : The red piece of cloth that I took at the second station was nailed to a cross. I used my finger to write down the things that I feel weighs me down, my misdeeds, misjudgments, acts of selfishness, stuff like that. I kid you not when I say that every strike of the hammer pinning that little piece of cloth to the cross was very liberating. 

Station 12 - The Darkness : I entered a small dark tent. It serves to highlight that there will really be times when I would feel like I will be surrounded by darkness, that it would seem like I can not find my way out of a really bad and depressing situation, that darkness seems permanent. It is sort of a reminder that during very trying times, all I have to do is be strong and have faith that the darkness is temporary and that there will be a way out of it.

Station 13 - The cloth : I wrote down the names of the people who made a great impact in my life and with it a prayer that they be blessed. I not only wrote the names of those who are dear to me and those who have always been with me through good and bad times... but I also wrote down the names of people who I feel has made me stronger, people who have in a way wronged me, doubted me and made me feel less of the person I am. I pray they be blessed more.

The Walkway is open until midnight today. There is even a free concert on Easter. Try to go, it is informative, fun and I left the place feeling lighter... I'm not quite sure how, maybe because I used up some calories with the kilometer-long walk...doesn't really matter the important thing is it did make me feel more blessed and happy! 

Now I am talking Greek - GO GREEK at Glorietta

Foodie = Friday... But I can not wait until Friday to write a post about this new discovery. I am not very adventurous when it comes to food. I am comfy with the familiar. The words gyros and baklava literally and figuratively well... Sounds Greek to me. 

Can't remember the last time I ate at food choices. No, I am not trying to say that I no longer visit foodcourts. Quite the contrary as I am a huge fan of Pao Tsin's fried shark's fin dumplings. I also had a grand time stall-hopping at Robinson's Magnolia's foodcourt. Today I had the chance to eat at Glorietta 4. Instinctively, my legs dragged me to where I remember World Chicken was located... Luckily, my friend suggested we try Go Greek.

photo grabbed from foodums.ellaganda.com

Before we were able to get to this side of the food court, I can't help but be annoyed by the presence of  small groups of people who occupy most of the tables at the food court. You know those lovely couples sharing a tub of fries occupying a table meant for four, more so those group of full-grown men with not a single food item bought from the food court but occupies the spaces meant for those who plan to eat and are just trading magic cards. 2 words : grow up ! Or  otherwise 10 words: go find an appropriate place to display your geek encounters!

Going back to Go Greek, I settled for the mixed meat gyros. I am a huge shawarma fan, so yeah it is basically similar to a shawarma, but so much better I thought the Greek gods worked doubly hard to create them. Well I have yet to taste an authentic shawarma, as in fresh from Persia (sorry, forgive my ignorance if shawarma did not originate from Persia, yes i know I can google it..but I am too lazy to click open another tab) but this one had me at first bite! The pita is thicker, but the meat was so tasty! One bite and I instantly knew that I have added yet another reason for me to go to Santorini!

I plan to try the kebab (meat skewers) next time.. and maybe the moussaka (eggplant lasagna) and being the chicken freak that I am, I do hope to try the lemon chicken roast too. Really if someone wants to bring me out on a date, and have me smiling like a well-fed hippo,food choices is the place to be.

of greatness and goodness

My fingertips are yellow, and I feel bloated. It can only mean one thing, I saw a movie! Been a while since I last had my hand in a huge tub of cheese flavored popcorn and gobbled red iced tea, the sumo sized one from Tokyo Tokyo. 

I saw Disney's Oz: The Great and Powerful. An entertaining one, the witty winged monkey was very endearing, not to mention the little China girl.  At the end of the movie, I learned something important. It made such a huge impact on me that I have decided to post it as my FB status. It was something to this effect : 

Glinda : I always knew you had it in you.

Oz : Greatness?

Glinda : No, better, Goodness.

To be great... something I might not be able to achieve, but to be good... is something I could probably practice everyday. To be good and to do good, every little act of goodness, at least once every single day... until it comes out naturally, after all,it has been said, practice makes perfect. ahhh easier said than done I know. But I am hopeful.