LUCBAN, QUEZON: Christ is indeed Larger than Life!

Ang Kamay ni Jesus.

Lucban, Quezon.

(You can't miss this... this is just along the National Highway, a few minutes before reaching the town of Lucban, Quezon).

Have a Blessed Holy Week!

As you enter the premises, you will be greeted with a "Noah's Arc", with some statues of animals trying to get inside the "arc".

There are also the statues of of Adam and Eve... and the Angel that led them away from the Paradise...

Then, get ready to climb hundreds of steps to reach this...

(the view above is spectacular... you will see the verdant landscape of Lucban, Quezon).

The giant statue of the Risen Christ, mightily situated on a hilltop.

Reminds me of Christ's Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Some scenes on The Way of the Cross

HOMETOWN: LA CARLOTA CITY

I may have been born in Manila, but I consider La Carlota City as my hometown -- the land of my maternal ancestors.

La Carlota City is approximately 2 hours drive from the capital city of Negros Occidental, Bacolod in the island of Negros (one-hour plane ride). It is a city dotted with endless fields of sugarcane plantations and home to the oldest sugar mills in the province, not to mention some ancestral houses that are still inhabited up to this day.

Typically, your address here simply states which hacienda you are located -- very reminiscent of the feudal set-up which I still think exists today.

There are a number of spots here frequented by tourists, like the mysterious Guintubdan where a majestic falls await visitors. One can also explore the towns by bike and get lost in the sweet and charming characters of genuine Negrenses. And for the adventurous ones, climb the imposing Mt. Kanlaon (an active volcano).  La Carlota is a quiet town populated by hard-working people who made a living out of sugar production.

Hacienda Salamanca is owned by the Ledesma clan. Almost 80% of my

immediate relatives live here.

The Balay Dako, where the Ledesmas lived while they were

manning the hacienda. My mom told me that during strong typhoons,

this is where they all stayed for shelter.

The floor tiles at the Balay Dako are still preserved (and kept shiny).  

Detail of a very old tree that stood witness to the

hacienda's glorious past.

An ancient church at the town plaza. My mother's high school is just

beside the church, and this is where they held their daily prayers

and rosaries. Not much has changed, according to my mom...

One thing I noticed when I first entered the church is the state of its walls.

There were green moss on some parts, and the windows were filled

with bird dung, producing a pungent smell of antiquity and nostalgia.

the Town Plaza at night, during Christmas Season.  

The elders practicing their Christmas carol

A typical past time of my relatives - mahjong! Oh well, this is part

of Negrense culture. Remember the film, Oro Plata Mata? Whatever

happens, as long as the mahjong set and table is intact, everything

will be alright... I used to play mahjong, but now,I rarely do due to 
lack of friends here in Manila whomI can play with. 
 Besides, Manila is soooo addicted to Poker and Casinos!

Washing the coffee beans... I never realized they could be this colorful!

Of course, the endless rows of sugarcane plantations!

Care for some sweets?  

                 

                   The mountain at the background is actually a volcano - Mt. Kanlaon!

The workers, after a back-breaking day in the fields... 

Ancient trees. According to my mom, these trees have been

there even when she was still young. That means, these sturdy

witnesses to history could be more than 50 years old...

Carabaos (water buffalos) - mestiza and negra 

Pili fruits/nuts. Not really a major industry in La Carlota but their

trees abound amongst the sugarcane fields. It's leafy and long

branches provide a cool shade from the enervating sun...

VIRGINS IN BICOLANDIA!

I have always wanted to see the magnificent Mayon Volcano. I have been to Naga City several times (for work-related purposes), but I didn't have the opportunity to go further down south in Iriga, Albay to see the world-famous Mayon and the ruins of Cagsawa Church.

Luckily, my friend was invited to visit the University of Northeastern Philippines in Iriga City for a consultancy assignment. He requested to bring me with him, and so... off we went to Bicolandia!

After an hour of plane ride from Manila to Naga City, we needed to travel another 45 mins to 1 hour by land to reach Iriga. We were billeted in our hotel, the Iriga Plaza Hotel, right in the heart of the town... and still, no Mayon Volcano in sight. We were told that it's another hour of travel to Cagsawa / Daraga. But it's alright... we took some rest first and treated ourselves with a nice meal. Unfortunately, i'm not really a fan of spicy and coconut-based foods! Which means, a trip to Bicol is always a gastronomic nightmare for me... Thank heavens, there are already a good number of restaurants down there who realized that there are people like me who just don't eat spicy and coconut-based food...

And finally, after a day of meeting the University officials and going around town, it's time to see Mayon! The Bicolanos have this funny saying that if it's your first time to see Mayon and be lucky enough to see the tip / crater, that means you are still a VIRGIN! According to them, the tip is always covered with thick clouds, even on a sunny day. (Actually, most mountaintop are always covered with clouds like the Makiling, Arayat, etc.)

Well, well, well.... the tip/crater appeared while we were there! And our guides/hosts officially labeled us as VIRGINS in Bicol! But we wittingly retorted that this "virginity" is something that we need to lose while we are there! Hmmm.... did we or didn't we?

I am still amazed at how the force of nature buried such a wonderful structure back then... and how sturdy this church's belfry is! Still standing after hundreds of years... According to the information we gathered, the Cagsaua Church was built in 1700s and was buried by rocks and lava during the eruption of 1814.

And today, this has become a famed symbol of Mayon's destructive force. A sterling and gripping reminder of how something so beautiful as Mayon Volcano can be so ruthless and indiscriminating.

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When in Naga City, try to dine at this Cafe...

A quaint place that serves organic food

(from pastries to drinks).

Colorful native products are sold

very cheaply. Must-buys.

The Church of Daraga built in 1773. This sturdy Baroque structure which is made of stone has been a refuge during the 1814 eruption. Situated on a higher ground, the church survived several eruptions that followed.

The church became the headquarters of the Japanese forces during WW2. It also suffered major damages during the heavy bombings of the said war. What a shame that it was the work of man (the war) that damaged the church...

Restoration took place in 1971-73.