"Meeting with the People's Pope - 18th January 2015"

Pope Francis: "do you love me smile"
at the Manila Cathedral

Mercy and compassion is the Pontiff’s mission visiting our country… and it’s been a while since we are visited by a Pope. Despite heavy rain shower, people (Filipino families) flocks together in places where our dear Pope visits – that includes his way to & pro his Apostolic Nunciature.

For a while, I haven’t been to places where crowd turns almost a “mob”, as I have this feeling of claustrophobic – being uncomfortable for close spaces that limits me – but for this moment, I challenged myself and faced my fear… trying to inch myself closer to Pope’s lane and strategic places where I could be able to get a closer look.  Me & my wife together with some relatives and friends went to Quirino Grandstand or we call it “Luneta” & pushed myself to witness the presence of our most dear Holy Father.

Filipino's everywhere... 

People braved all challenges just to have a glimpse of the Pope – to hear his homily, listen to his speeches, to take part on this once in a lifetime historical event and in spreading Our Dear Lord’s prayer.

Once again, we Filipinos marked and showed the world our deepest solidarity regardless of our social status, gender, professions, all-walks of life and personal beliefs that we can all be reunited in one common goal… and that is to spread the Light of Christ and let it shine in our hearts and to our families… indirectly, reinventing our relationship to our Dear Lord Jesus Christ. 

An aerial shot from from Fr. Rocky's post... (please allow me grab this photo).

We thank you dear Pope for strengthening our weakening Christian foundation – due to proliferation of selfish technologies &/or inventions that sway us from bonding with our families and ignoring our social responsibilities; for teaching us how to weep; for allowing us to us learn how to dream & making it happen; and for helping us rebuild our society for a better world.

You showed us your mercy and compassion to our calamity stricken countrymen in Leyte provinces. You rekindled the fire in us to help the less and unfortunate fellows. We will go with you in the peripheries. You may have just stayed 4days in our country, but in our heart - you will stay forever. We will cherish and savor your pastoral message, your precious time being with us and we hope to see you once again & we'll pray for your good health as you continue your quest in enriching our faith in God and love for humanity.

taken before the Pope's concluding Mass
at the Quirino Grandstand...

Finally, as you leave us, you planted a seed of love to us - something we will treasure and reminisce for the rest of our lives. You are truly a bridge builder. Thank you Dear Pontiff. Thank You Sa Malasakit. Mabuhay Ka at nawa'y pagkalooban ka pa ng mas malakas na pangangatawan.... muchas gracias!!! 

2014 yearend ilocandia adventure....

My Ilocandia Adventure

1^st destination: Vigan City, Ilocos Sur....before reaching Vigan City,

Basilica Minore of
Our Lady of the Charity
Agoo, La Union

we passed-by and attended a Christmas Mass in Agoo, La Union celebrating the birth of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, thanking him for the vasts of blessings He showered upon us...

...and after about 6hr drive from Manila, we finally landed in this vintage & fascinated city. Hotels around the city are almost all fully booked until we finally got Gordion Hotel located parallel to famous Calle Crisologo within the very heart of the city – where its' service crews/staffs are so accommodating and very generous – to rate: 09/10 par excellence services. Cost wise: fair enough! Food – native fantasticly.

Baluarte Zoo

Around the city on a limited time, we were able to get a walkthrough at Gov. Chavit  Singson’s mini wonder zoo where my kids/family took turns in taking photos around each animals. A couple of “tamed” Bengals who are within reach by tourist and numbers of local animals around in this “no-fee” zoo (I guess, the one and only no entrance zoo in the country) are so lovely to see.

Bantay Bell Tower

A peaceful & scenic Bantay Church Bell Tower - is just a few kilometers away – is also something you need to take a look when in Vigan… surely, I bet you shouldn't miss. 

Calle Crisologo

At night, another place you don’t dare to miss… - there you can see ruins of an old and very valuable rose of antique houses along Calle Crisologo stretch will bring you back to Spanish era. This includes “kalesa” roaming around with bunchful variety of local souvenirs and mementos before you end up your day, even if you missed out the actual molding of pots manually in their pottery nook. 

Vigan Pottery

Batac Proper: Home of the Great Leaders

Next to our itineraries is heading up northeast via Manila-North Road passing the stretch of an emerald green and golden rice fields along way by-passing Laoag City all through the “Home of the Great Leaders” as they describe it – at Batac, Ilocos Norte.

Marcos Monument

We were guided by a local police officer and told us to have our service vehicle parked in Batac Church just across the Marcos Mausoleum or others called it Malacanan Palace of the North. 






There you can see a gallery of various citations, achievements & other keepsake of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos including a replica of his detention cell where he took time in reviewing & preparing for his bar exams, even topping it amongst his colleagues despite being incarcerated. 

Presidential Center. Right beside is 

where the remains of the Former President 

currently lies atop his bier.

Besides to this Mausoleum is a Presidential Center where the remains of the former President lies in a bier surrounded by Marshall in a “no-picture taking” policy, awaiting decree from whoever sitting President may proclaim to eternally lay him at rest (possibly in Heroes Memorial Park).

working table of the former President 

After an educational walk-thru, we headed further up northeast to Burgos, Ilocos Norte passing a thru the towns of San Nicolas, Bacarra & Pasuquin –  and headed to Cape Bojeador, a remarkable century old landmark built during the Spanish era sometime in 1887 as a guide or lighthouse to ships and seafarers. 

Cape Bojeador

Atop of this historical structure is a wide blue water horizon shoreline with subtle waves overlooking the open sea of the West Philippine Sea or formerly known as South China Sea. A cool breeze wind embraces you while enjoying an indescribable magnificent one of a kind view. 

Bangui Wind Mill

Another interesting place to visit within this area is the Kapurpurawan – a vast white rock formation surrounded by numbers of huge fans or Wind Mills strategically erected facing the windy shoreline. Further up northeast is Bangui Wind Mills  - this is the original Wind Power Plant from 15MW to 150MW and currently expanding. As per local info, each “huge fan” can generate around 3MW optimum output.

Again, number of “huge fans” as my kids described it… the wind velocity in this area will prove you of the feasibility of this infrastructure, as it almost swayed me while we are having our quick photo opportunity. It also boast our pride of having this kind of facility saying to the whole world that this place has a lot more to give for further rural or urban development and beyond.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

This day, we have visited so much of this wonder places around… we are supposed to go directly Saud beach in Pagudpud just few minutes away from Bangui, we decided to take a look of the long vast via duct lovely bridge of Patapat – a connecting bridge for two adjacent provinces of the north – Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Norte, before we knew it….my kids and my family are enjoying the cool waters of Pagudgud white beach and ended this worth long drive day journey.

Saud Beach Resort

The following day, we decided to get back Laoag City – there we took our lunch out together besides sinking bell tower and proceeded to the Fort Ilocandia Resorts & Convention Center. Again, a breath taking ambiance welcomes us as we did not miss any nice spots to take our souvenir photos together.

Our ilocandia adventure doesn’t stop us wandering around this rich Ilocano region as we moved fast Paoay Church – another historical structure that captivates every visiting tourist tagged as one of UN Heritage awardee being one of historical pieces of structure & a symbolic landmark that will rekindle the nationalistic trait of each and every Filipino.

Ending the day is catching up time to drive back to our sweet home to prepare for the celebration of the coming New Year 2015!

Such a tiring journey but immeasurable experiences we will never forget. Just a friendly reminder – make an effort to know history behind places in this Ilocandia Region for kids so as to make your vacation not only relaxing for new places to see but to educate and reminds everyone that these places remarkably fought by our ancestors and heroes for the next generation to treasure and to cherish.

Thank you 2014 & welcome 2015…. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyJuan.

My 37th birthday!

"Another year over... a new one just began" as the song goes by.

It's my 37th birthday... im glad & happy God had given me this great opportunity to live this much. I pray Thee & wish Him to continue giving me the priviledge to live more, dream more, aspire more, perform more, act more, work more, provide more, share more, love more and many more.

In my 37th years of existence, i realized more the value of life, value of leading a family, value of creating a small community, value of work, value of real & reel friends, value of things i possesses both material & non-monetary possesions. These makes me become more mature individual, learning thru variety of experiences & all behind these things and most of all discerning all wisdoms behind thoughts & serendipity.

While it's quite embarrassing to mention that it took me 37years to make all these realization in my life, it also stop me from wandering & playing the kid in me from time being... i am thankful for having these lessons thought me became who i am now. I thank Thee for guiding me thru my day to day obstacle in life & for having such a very supportive family including my extended ones up until to my last consanguinity.

As the new year has just started (coinciding with my birth month), I have promised 5 achievable things to myself to overcome w/c I have already put in my mind & my heart - 5 things that will define my next 37 & more years to come.

And so as I continue to do my dreams, my responsibilities & my obligations, let me thank our dear Almigthy Father for such a priviledge of happily living all these years... for my wife, my immediate family and extended ones, friends and colleagues, i love you all.

Happy 37th birthday to me & to our dear Black Nazarene; continue to join & help me fulfill all these aspirations!

1st of January 2014

January 01, 2014....

Photo take New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!!! 
"I'm super happy"... three (3) sweet words other than Happy New Year we utter every 1st day of the year; but the earlier words came from my dearest daugther while we are in the middle of our day tour at the Dinosaur Island, Clarkfield Pampanga. 

      

Tyrannosaurus (t-rex), apatosaurus, rhinoceros... these extinct giant monsters are just a few from this exhibit/island which are so amazing inspired by a real growling sound effects & robotics manuevers that makes kids seem to believed if these are real or reel.

Alongside these dinosaurs are the replicas of bones & skulls made from fiberglass & resins combined displaying the evolution of these dinos from Jurassic to Cretaceous Period... an exhibit of its anatomy.

After a thorough walk thru, a dancing dinos welcomes us at their mini grandstand where a dino-mascot dances with guests as an ending part of a quick tour... but this doesn't really end your wonder dino trip here as there's a coaster ride called Jussaric Safari Trail ride on a make shift cart traversing you to a mini tunnel where different dinos in between sections chase & scare you to its fullest (kids screams like its a real dinos chasing its prey). 

Beside this amazing park is a Clarkfield Picnic Groove where u can enjoy cool ambiance & air breeze from lush & greeny environ acting as a natural sunshade... a very natural relaxer free from carbon emissions & similar pollutants.

Moving south-westward is another park called.. The Airforce City, where you can see decommissioned vintage aircraft jet fighters, air combat planes... surely we'll get back here for a family picnic at this wide theme park surrounded by a classic rides for kids...

After a couple of hours moving around these wonderful place/s, my tummy's pushing me to look around and look for best food... Kapampangan's taste....

There we found "Ihaw Juan" a local fast food  resto at SM Clarkfield foodcourt... you'll find it unusal as this is not a typical SM foodcourt we normally see amongst these mall chain. Ambiance are totally different, food are so tasty & so affordable... rate would be 7/10 for its taste and price (that includes grilled seafoods, griled chicks & porkchops, plain rice w/ mixed veggies plus a soda drinks).

Finally, i suggested to get back Manila as its getting darker... and after one & a half hour cruising NLEX, we safely arrived to our sweet domicile.

Happy New Year Everyone!!! Cheers!!! 

Goodbye 2013 and WELCOME 2014!!!

Remembering the year of Our Dear Lord 2013 and Forward Plan for 2014!

The myth about 13th has been so very "primitively fad" up until today's modern generation... some say's 13 stand for change... yes it does, but in unlikely turn of events seems like these changes have made our country in general so miserable in the midst of all these tragic moments happened to us.... these includes both man-made calamity in Zamboanga seige, Bohol-Cebu tragic earthquake & the most destructive typhoon of all time (in the world), that struck our country (of all places, for God sake), not to mentioned the strings of anomalies blown out of corruptions in our government.

Despite all these trials, we've shown the world how resilient we are as a nation of smiles and hospitality - an innate charater no one in this world could ever have except us... "kasi sanay na daw tyo sa hirap".

With the advent if these struggles, we still manage to celebrate the birth of our Almighty Saviour. I brought my family together in Skyranch Tagaytay and spent quality time of togetherness... share breakfast together, kids enjoyed the rides, visited immediate relative (Tito Bobot's family in Alabang) & we ended up having a Christmas celebration with a karaoke at home w/ my in-laws and friends... apart from exchanging gifts for our dear ones and friends.

Today, as we approaching the end of 2013, I wanted to leave behind all these challenges in our lives on the very last minute of this year and move double steps forward to welcome 2014 with utmost enthusiams, ambitious and a very proactive year to come... overcoming the marks of these past years wrath.

For the 1st time, I will be putting up on writing my wishful list of resolutions (an act of determination) I wanted to do; to help me mold where I wanted to be... not for myself as an individual but for my family and love ones to wit, as follows:

1. Spend more quality time with my family, specially to my kids - this will help me make my family develop spiritually, physically sound & healthy. Having a healthy family means wealthy father!
2. Minimize food intakes... reduce weight!!! - this will help me more (literally) healthy, inorder for me to gain & have strength to perform my responsibility for family & relatives.
3. Refrain from impulsive buying unnecessary things (or of its kind) - i need to save for my family's future.
4. Will refrain if not ignore from colliding with immature or unnecessary verbal confrontation or altercation to others be it constructive or subjective - observe anger management (specially at work). This will help me have more time to think and plans for my work...more productive and competitive grandee Randy for 2014.
5. To travel at least 1 (local or abroad) w/ my partner, my dearest wife Sheila - this is our stress reliever & an opportunity to rekindle our vows together.

With these five very achievable goals... I envision 2014 as a very ambitious, promising and best year for me and my family! Welcome 2014 and bring the best luck for us!!!!!

Today - 07th Nov 2013

7th Nov 2013; 2349hrs

Thanks Almigthy Father for another wonderful day passed & for allowing me accomplish part of a continuing performance to my day-to-day commitments, roles & obligations w/o prejudice for any accountabilities lies behind each responsibilities under my watch.

Today as our country bound to anticipate Yolanda's unwelcome visit, I pray thee that u spare us from her gustiness & refrain us from any harm - to include our dear ones & our source of living.

Also, most of our fellows had watched a hearing full of lies & deceit from people who betrayed each one of us & from taking advantage to our government's coffers - these are the corrupt legislators conniving w/ greedy individuals in the person of JLN. Please have your Holy Spirit touch them - let them surrender, realize all their misdemeanors and face all the consequences of all these evil deeds and most of all, return all these valued taxes they stoled from every Juan.

I pray also to you dear Father to open the gates of Your Kingdom to our friend & fellow, Hernan Dolatre, have mercy on him & allow his soul enter into Your Kingdom and may he rest in peace.

Finally, please continue showering Your Blessings upon us & give us our strength to perform what we are ought to do; In Jesus Name, I pray. AMEN

Bora Madness....

you feel proud & relax the moment you stepped into a very clear, clean water; smooth sands & fresh breeze of air in bora... onli in the pilipins sabi nga nila... i feel like i don't wanna go back to stressful & congested streets of metro manila... at least kahit sa maiksing panahon, u feel relaxed and enjoying the beauty of nature plus of course... as song goes...♫ ..♪"sa Manila ka makakakita ng magagandang babae!!"... not anymore...♫ ..♪ "sa Bora mo makikita ang napakagagandang babae!" just kidding... -  i hope i don't sound to gender discriminating....

helmet dive feeding marine life... 

there are so many activities you may want to get into...a visit to the crystal cove island...very magnificent... something to be proud of talaga...

snorkling or aqua dive... wherein you can feed marine life...colorful fishes arms reach... one of a kind experience you'll regret kung di mo nagawa or napuntahan man lng....

para-sailing.... also one of a kind breathe taking activity you may want to experience in the air where you can see the beauty of bora island...











wonderful experiences... you wanted to repeatedly doing it all the time.... free from phone calls, emails, kj boss, nerdy officemates & bunch of projects....

One thing makes you feel relax is... at least for one time.. .you feel like... "hey 'dad you're so cool!"... because, you got to enjoy henna tattoo as well... no tattoo or braided hair for instance... incomplete bora experience... lest no island hop... u miss half bora experience as well...

at night, still lovely, while enjoying & listening to music around... seeing geek people crazy dancing, cultural & fire dancing...native & tasty foods... cold drinks...dinner together with love ones...

however...  there's always  an end for all these  wonderful experience... but mind you, at the airport... may napakasarap na pwedeng puntahan while waiting your flight back to manila... don't miss your la paz batchoy... authentic & very tasty... samahan mo pa ng buko pandan w/ gata... authentic ilongo 's best... 

after enjoying bora island experience... back to normal life... & hoping to get long wkend for another next bora adventure....