Hello, Its Me, Hi

 Hello, 

I am just dropping by to tell you that I didn't give up. or gave you up. Although I was on the verge some three months ago. 

I was wondering if it is still practical to keep you or if was I just wasting my time paying for your annual maintenance. I let you expire, and then at the last minute I saved you! Causing me more money than usual. 

The truth is, I can't. I can't let you go. Letting you go will just be like letting go of a fourteen-year-old relationship. Yes, that long it had been. You've been a cathartic to me for all those years. 

So let's hang out more OK? 

Sunday Memories and Photographs: The Manila Cathedral And Everything Nice Around It

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Quarantine Day 63
~

It's funny when I read from somewhere how people classify the current date under "BC" which stands for "Before Corona" so it would read like AD (Anno Domini) and BC (Before Christ). 

Thinking back from the last time I really had an enjoyable wandering before the lock down was mandated, the classification seems valid though.  It gives you the feel that the last time you had the freedom to be out and wander was some hundred years back and not just some months ago.

More than 60 days into the lock down, we are all probably wondering when and where was the last time you had a nice wandering before the government-mandated lock down caused by the COVID19 pandemic forced us to stay put.

For me, it was a week before the declaration of the total lock down which was March 08, 2020 BC to be exact.  It was a very happy chance! A happy chance because we never planned to visit the place where we enjoyed our time.  It was a result of some unexpected changes from the original place that we're supposed to visit.

March 8 was the Sunday before my birthday. Days before that Sunday, I was following the activities of the  "Veggie Drop Off" because apart from craving from fresh strawberry and lettuces, I sincerely wanted to support the cause of the Veggie Dropped Off which is to support our Benguet farmers. By Saturday, I learned that they will be at the Rizal Park (Luneta) starting at 5:00AM. I dragged hubby to  Luneta and told him that it would just be a a quick buy since we still have to attend the Sunday mass. Unfortunately, when we arrived at Luneta, there were no more veggies. Apparently, the organizers had a last minute schedule change and the drop off happened in Quezon City.

Frustrated and not wanting to waste our prep time to be out that Sunday morning we drove to The Manila Cathedral since it is in the same traffic route. We're lucky to be there just before 9:00 AM and just in time to join the celebration of the Sunday mass. By this date there was already the warnings about the Corona virus so there was not a lop of people attending the mass or idling by the park.  It was so different from the previous days I was in the cathedral and the nearby Intramuros.

It was one of the most solemn mass I attended. I'm not sure if it was because the cathedral wasn't so crowded or that people the are in a melancholy mood anticipating the threat of the virus. When the mass was over we explored the place. I can no longer remember how many times I've been in this place but as always, it always gives me a unique awe just being there. I can never get used to the magic that this place can bring. The church, the park, the Walled City, they never fail to amaze me.  I  always have the the urge to stay and simply idle while appreciating the vicinity of this old-looking city.  The park and the public library in it has always been my favorite place to visit and to linger around.  Too bad though that the public library is temporarily close (empty).

Nevertheless I was delighted to find that there was an on-going bazaar within the park fronting the cathedral. The bazaar was catering mostly to food and products from Baguio and Benguet.  My husband is a bit hesitant to stay because of the virus threat but, he also can't resist to join me when I sit down in one of the red-checkered-covered-table lined at the side of the park to have a taste of lots of deliciously-looking food they were selling. We had empanada, banana queue, some street foods and some fresh juices.  I think I ordered a piece of each of the food and I can't no longer remember all of them. What I can definitely remember is having to taste one of the the most appetizing fresh lumpia.   Apart from the  good food, the street vibe was just simply enjoyable.  You just sit there in one of those cute tables while enjoying the yummy food in street-vibes in front of the breathtakinly-looking cathedral just beside the park. I learned that it was the last day of the bazaar's. They were ordered to close down at the end of the day due to the impending announcement from the government about the COVID19.

After that we go around the tiangge and I was lucky enough to buy some fresh bell pepper that the seller said were part of the vegie drop off from Luneta. I also got to buy Benguet coffee and the best sweet-tasting "kakanin".  While waiting for all the food intake to settle down, we roam around the park.  It was humid but there was also enough wind to balance the temperature and enjoy the park. Grabbing some poor-man's ice cream completed our Sunday park adventure! It had been years since I had one!

Earlier before heading out for Luneta, I never thought that I would have such an enjoyable day.  While at the park I told hubby that we should be back next Sunday and bring the kids.  I told myself that I wanted to celebrate the mass again here on my birthday which is the coming Sunday.

Sadly, that plan did not happen. For that Sunday, my birthday was also the same day that the country-wide lock down was declared.  Nobody is allowed to be out unless documented with a Quarantine Pass and for purpose of procuring basic needs only such as food and medicine.

It was maybe the reason why that Sunday was so enjoyable.  It was some sort of an omen.

~~~~~

The Cathedral of Manila 
Dedicated to the Virgin May under the tite of the Immaculate Conception, elevated as a bishopric by Pope Gregory XIII, 1578; then raised as an archbishop by Pope Clement VIII, 1595. First (181-1583), second (1591-1600), third (1614-1645), fourth (1681-1751). fifth (1760-1852), sixth (1854-1863), and seventh (1879-1945) cathedrals on this site superseded by the present eight structure. Build following the designs of Fernando Ocampo with stained glass windows by Galo Ocampo, (1956-1958). Elevated to the status of basilica, moti proprio, by Pop[e John Paul II, 1981. (Source: The Manila Cathedral signage)

The cathedral is located at Beaterio and Cabildo Streets in Intramuros, Manila.

Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical

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Quarantine Day 75 

~

I'm not here to do a review for this one great musical, 

Aside from the reason that I don't have a formal training in doing a review for stage plays and musicals, I feel so incapable to even discuss this one great creation. An all Filipino one! 

My purpose here is to tell everybody to go watch it!  So as not to miss one half of your life!

Set your heart to be ready though.  It's not one for a soft heart or for "kilig" moments.  It's heavy and tragic.  It might make you cry or in my case, I ended up with a heavy but happy heart! 

The good catch is that you'll be on for a treat for a non-stop Eraser Heads songs played by a live band!  That alone is a good good reason to watch this musical plus that you can do it in the convenience of your home for free! Aside of course for the great performances of Filipino theater actors. 

This is the best entertainment one can offer during this time of pandemic.  Thank you for the generous heart and the genius mind of the people behind this musical. Not only that you brought theater closer to the Filipino people but, for giving the theater experience for those who can not afford to go to real one.  And that is a majority versus the ones that can afford. 

So my dear fellow Filipino, watch it!  Watch it and you might find yourself in one of the characters  being portrayed in the play.  It might be a hard realization but, it might teach you a good lesson.  I found mine and learned the lesson.

~

Credits:

The photograph posted is a screenshot from the musical being played on my tablet posted here for the purpose of sharing the greatness of the musical. With no intention to violate any copyright infringement whatsoever.

Sunday Thoughts And Photograph: Hello Summer, Stay Please?

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Quarantine Day 42


Are you really here?

I'd like to see you, feel you!

But the crowned virus is out there to get us!

Wait for us please?

Bear with us?

Stay a bit longer?

The virus didn't like you, you know that?

So we need you to stay a while longer please?

Probably more than a hundred days is better

Stay summer, please stay...

***
The photograph is taken in the summer of 2019 (last year).  From one of the beautiful beaches in Nasugbu, Batangas.  Dark shades, waterproof mobile cam and some shells collected from the beach are among my summer treasures.  Take me back.

Sunday Song, Prayer and A Photograph: Why The Happy Birthday Song?

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Quarantine Day 35

I was listening to the Sunday Healing Mass (televised) today which is being officiated by Father Oscar Orbos.

This had been a usual in the house even before the lock down brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Every 6:00AM on Sundays, I open the television and our home celebrates the mass via the television.  But, of course we still attend the actual celebration later in the day.

One of the lesson that struck me most during this celebration is the advise that Father Orbos gave before his final blessing.  He reminded about washing hands.  He said that instead of singing the Happy Birthday song, why not say the "Hail Mary".

Thinking about it I realized its one sensible advise.  My birthday happened last month on the very day that the lock down took effect and there was really nothing "happy" about it.  Birthday celebration in this time of pandemic is not the best thing to do when other people are mourning for the death of their love ones and that most people are struggling with their survival.

Call me crazy but I actually counted the number of words comprising the "Happy Birthday" song and the "Hail Mary".  The Happy birthday song has a total of :

39 words - if you sing the song in full
16 words - if you sing the first part of the song only

The Hail Mary has a total of 41 words, 42 if you include "Amen" in your prayer.  It will not only make your hands cleaner by praying the litany rather than singing the Happy Birthday song which right now is actually untimely, She might actually be listening too.  She always, always listen.

The photograph of the Virgin Mary was taken from Lake Bulusan located at the Bulusan Volcano National Park when I explored the Bicol Region some two years back.   It was one of my unforgettable exploration where I thought I felt quite a number of miracles.

Merry Month of March No More

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Today the 75th day of the year, the government announced that the Enhanced Community Quarantine should take effect on midnight tonight. ECQ for most people is a subtle term for lock down.

Today happens to be my birthday as well.  Today will encompassed all previous birthdays that I considered the most memorable ones as today is undeniably my most unforgettable.

Yesterday, amidst the anxieties and panic caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, I was lucky (and smart) enough to score myself a birthday cake from SnR.    I remembered to snatch it from the rack and took advantage of the discount as well. We did an early grocery shopping before the lock down takes effect to secure home necessities grabbing on cleaning and hygiene materials.  I bought just enough and throw dagger looks to those who were obviously hoarding. I hoped I was able to help a bit by doing my part of just buying enough and sending signals to those who were hoarding (laughs).

Though I can no longer call my birthday month a "merry month" as it would be cruel and insensitive for the world or at least to where I am located to say so, I just thought that I could have even just a cake to blow and whisper my one important wish as I believe in God, angels and birthday wishes.  I am using my wish card for this year. 

Dear God, I only have one wish for today and that is to please heal us, the world from this pandemic, the corona virus COVID-19.   Forgive me for being too ambitious for making this wish but please God, please.

Sunday Story and Photograph: Me and Ed Sheeran on Mother's Day

I don't have Ed Sheeran in my saved Spotify playlist.

Not because I don't like the guy or his music but, because I don't feel the need to add him on my personal saved playlist because you can literally hear his music EVERYWHERE! At work, in classy or cheap shops, taxis or any kind of commute or to whatever place that music can be played Ed is there. Almost all singers both famous, wannabes and you-tubers are doing covers of his music to the point of making his Perfect song IMperfect (sigh*).

Anyway it's perfectly understandable.  Who wouldn't love Ed Sheeran?  Apart from him being a genius song writer and possessing an awesome voice that gets to your heart's core, the guy is also (freaking) adorable with his "all-time-casual-attitude, cutie smiles, ginger head plus looking like Ron Weasley.

Personally, I love Ed Sheeran's music because most of them is written from the (his) heart meaning, they are all so so true.  They seem to be always written as a story that anyone who listens will know WHAT happened and HOW to feel.

So what the adorable Ed has to do with (my) Mother's Day?

If you had been following this blog you will know that there are several things that pulls me (back) to writing/blogging.  Sometimes its the "rain", "a song lyric" and always is "my being a sucker for sad things".  And hard as I try not to but... Mother's Day really makes me feel sad.  In spite of my age and me being a happy mother I can't help but, this day always drives me back to my fourteen year old self - the year when I lost my mother.

So here I go again finding myself  reunited with my old lappy browsing old photographs while listening to whatever music Spotify play in my headset-piped-ears with the strong urge to write without any specific topic in mind.  All I know is that huge piece of sadness again is back hanging in my chest.

And for some twist of fate Ed Sheeran suddenly played.  The melody is familiar but the lyrics... I think this is the only time I really listened to it... and I cried... once again I cried on Mother's Day... and I write...

SUPERMARKET FLOWERS

I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill 

I threw the day old tea from the cup

Packed up the photo album Matthew had made

Memories of a life that's been love

Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals

Poured the old ginger beer down the sink

Dad always told me. "don't you cry when you're down"

But mum, there's a tear every time that I blink.

Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know 

A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved.

So I'll sing Hallelujah

You were an angel in the shape of my mum

When I fell down you'd be there holding me up 

Spread your wings as you go 

And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah 

You're home

I fluffed the pillows, made the beds. stacked the chairs up

Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case 

John says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek

And wiped a tear from the side of my face

I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know

A life with love is a life that's been lived 

So I'll sing Hallelujah

You were an angel in the shape of my mum

When I fell down you'd be there holding me up 

Spread your wings as you go 

And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah 

You're home.

The story behind the song 

"Ed Sheeran's grandmother was very ill during the time he was making the record and she passed away at the end of him making the record.  He wrote the song as a tribute to her grandmother.  He wasn't initially going to include the song on his album "Divide" but during his grandmother's funeral his grandfather encouraged him to." (CTTO/Source: Web)

As for my story...

I Held You Till Your Last Breath
When You Lose A Mother The Mourning Never Stops