incessant rambling

we often take for granted what is right before us. in this case, cebu has got one of the most diverse selections of church architecture spread around the island. in my travels around this island paradise, i have collected digital memories of these landmarks that are slowly fading into oblivion and memory.

It's Blog Action Day and the theme for this year is Poverty. Responsible parenting is an issue as it has been shown time and again that the poorest sector of the country are the most prolific in producing the next generation of mendicants. The church is against the Reproductive Health bill - equating it with hell and damnation when the real sin is their inability to educate the masses on responsible parenting. Isn't it a bigger sin to bring a child unto this earth knowing that you have nothing to provide for them? Eradicate poverty, Be Responsible Parents, Support the Reproductive Health Bill. Today is the day of action as me and millions of bloggers write about poverty! ------------------------ church leaders are threatening to refuse supporters of the reproductive health bill from taking communion. if that is not enough, they gloat and hurl invectives carelessly that lump "anti-life" and "abortionists" in the same breath as the RH bill. next time they ope...

i was sweaty, my feet hurt and extremely satisfied with myself. having some free time on a sunday, i decided to head off downtown of this city on a walking-photo-taking-tour. people normally DON'T end up in this part of town - horror stories of traffic and a number of undesirable citizens usually scare people off. then again, am tall, burly, bearded - hopefully something that will scare them instead. hmmm. my agenda? i wanted to record a part of the Cebuano Architectural Heritage before any of the old structures fall victim to termites, weather, the wrecking ball... or all three. the guard dog, Cebu Cathedral Museum Click on Read More for a photo tour of the Sto. Nino Basilica, Cebu Cathedral Church and Museum, Old Parian, Casa Gorordo, Plaza Indepedencia and Fort San Pedro. Sto. Nino Basilica - My Starting Point Cebu Cathedral - just a block away from Sto. Nino bought some pineapple sprinkled with salt for 10 pesos yummmiiii... Cebu Cathedral Museum, just across the road from the...

It was a bit unexpected, but it was a welcome event when i got invited to join the summer outing of Nits and Fred together with the kids and some other family barkada to Dalaguete (pronounced with the last "e" as silent compared to Dumaguete). At the back of my head, i was wondering what's interesting about Dalaguete as it looks like any small roadside town south of Cebu. 7:30AM we all met up in Ramos St. Cebu City. As usual, Ron's running a bit late and Joy went ahead. From there we went on a "caravan" to head off to Ocean Bay Resort. 8:30AM had to make a MANDATORY stop in Carcar, kids wanted some Jollibee by the rotonda and i grabbed some Chicharon from Tito's. 10:00AM arrived in Ocean Bay Resort, Dalaguete. I think i drove too fast but i've always LOVED the southern coastal road. the views are just fantastic specially when you get to hilly roads along the coastline with amazing views of the bay. the strips of white hint at the white sand the area ...

of course i am purposely "misquoting" the famous line delivered by nora aunor in the LA County Jail after her incarceration for drug possession. err i meant the movie "Himala". Regardless whether you believe in miracles or not, Simala (Barangay Lindogan, Sibonga Cebu) is getting foot traffic from pilgrims that wish to visit the miraculous shrine of Mama Mary. shrine is not probably the best way to describe the place as it has grown from a mere payag (nipa hut) originally built by the Marian Monks to a massive castle-like structure on top of a hill that overlooks the bay and hills. and based on the master plan, the existing edifice is just part of an intricate complex that is currently being developed. town lore tells of a Penitential Rosary Walk (1998) for the intercession of Mama Mary to halt a devastating plague that claimed lives of children and infants in Lindogan. to honor Her powerful intercession, they gave a plot of land to the Marian Monks to establish a sh...

Carcar is bad for the HEART . It is home to the heart-stopping, artery busting chicharon (pork rind) that is cooked to a crackling crisp with a thick layer of fat dipped in pinakurat (fermented vinegar with exotic spices) that melts in your mouth and goes directly to your hips or tummy. we groan and complain that fat always deposits itself on the most inconvenient space (gathering above the belt line of tightening pants or cramming itself on our cheekbones) but we continue to pop another piece of this devilishly scrumptious delicacy. add jollibee to chicharon and you would have the basic answer of a typical cebuano when they are asked about Carcar. i don't think it is purely chance that jollibee is situated right at the bustling town rotonda and a hop right across Luis' Chicharon . Insider tip: if you're cute and nice enough, you can pick and pack your own chicharon pieces - don't forget to get chummy with the tindera . interestingly, Carcar is one of the newest city o...

i had to do some work and needed to get to a coffee shop where they allow me to plug in my laptop. thought of a couple of options and decided to work in brown cup (st. patricks). along the way i passed through redemptorist church in Cebu City and had to stop as i saw the spectacular play of the setting sun behind the church. good thing i carry my trusty camera in my car just in case something like this happens. and nope, the title is not about the end of the world, just a play of words referring to the time of day. :)