Reality Check

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

note: posts are delayed here due to faulty crossposting function b/n multiply and blogger *sigh*

Hallelujah!

H A P P Y * E A S T E R !

thank GOOD it's FRIDAY!

*note: dunno why this post wasn't cross posted here when i posted it through my multiply account yesterday *sigh*

It's my 1st time to spend Good Friday here, more so, have our traditional Visita Iglesia. Leda (one of my charmed sisters) and I have been planning our IT several days ago; surfing here and there for parish activities and listing which parishes to visit first and so on and so forth. Are we OC? Nah, not really :) We need not stick to the plan 'though.

P.S. As much as I would want to take pictures inside the churches, I dare not to. I don't want to agitate fussy church goers.

9AM; Thomson Road

NOVENA CHURCH - We attended the morning prayers there together with a lot of Filipino OCW's. FYI, this is one of the well-known parishes among the Pinoys here. Maybe because it's nearer to Orchard Road and very accessible by bus/MRT.

945AM; Toa Payoh

CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST - We just got there in time, while people were starting to assemble inside the church. We managed to get a seat beside 7 old ladies. Leda was teasing me that we were their caregivers. By 10AM, the pews were already filled-up and the newcomers had no choice but to stand. The Stations of the Cross was scheduled at 1030AM followed by the Liturgy and veneration of the cross. The service ended around 1PM.

We had a quick lunch there then come 145PM, we decided to proceed to the next church.

2PM; Ophir Road

OUR LADY OF LOURDES - This was my 1st time to visit this Church. Small but very unique. The altar was a sculptured rock where Mother Mary in blue and white and a young girl was; i.e., apparition-ish and the cross was situated beside. Most of the parishioners were Indian and Sri Lankan. A few were busy setting-up the stage outside for the play. We just prayed, stayed on a bit then left.

215PM; Queen Street

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH - We walked 3 blocks to reach this next church from Lourdes. As we entered the church, a bunch of Pinoys were on their way out. It was so easy to spot a Pinoy today - a group of 4-5 or more that comes and goes; hopping from one church to another with a pamphlet/booklet on one hand. It's a signature tradition! ;) The church was vintage - high ceiling, varnished wooden pews, typical cathedral windows and a wooden balcony. I was able to take a sneak! (of the altar only)

they used a red drape to cover the altar instead of the usual purple cloth

230PM; Queen Street

CHURCH OF STS. PETER & PAUL - By the time we were walking towards the church, the sky was uber gloomy. It seemed it was going to rain any minute from then. The schedule of the play on their website was @230PM. However, when we went inside, the Passion play was about to end.*sigh* Along the sides, there were 3 groups of Filipinos praying the Stations of the Cross on their own. We didn't stay long for we wanted to catch the 230PM service in another church not so far.

245PM, Victoria Street

CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD - The church was standing-room-only-full when we arrived. It was so crowded that the air inside was so stuffy and warm. We decided to enter through the side and alas there was a little space to accommodate us. Come 315PM, the house was already jam-packed; sweat trickling down. It was the Archbishop of S'pore who celebrated the mass plus a wonderful choir.

After 1hr, the strong rain began to pour. So just imagine the bulk of people trying to squeeze in to avoid the spritz. It was truly a small sacrifice for everyone with a downpour of blessings. *wink*

This was perhaps our last stop, the 6th church we've visited. We still need one to complete the list. Hmmm...there's one just opposite this church...

A convent once with a chapel inside. Would that count? *grin*

FYI, this is CHIJMES...

...previously, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus used for 131 years. It has been restored for commercial purposes only (dining, shopping, entertainment).

Aaaanyways, the number of churches is not really crucial. It's the reminiscence of this important day that matters, right?

Lent is...

...a time to reflect,

...a time to refocus,

...a time to be silent,

...a time to sacrifice,

Incidentally, I wish to share a beautiful text message/prayer forwarded by my Mom:

LORD, enlighten what is dark in me;

Strengthen what is weak in me;

Mend what is broken in me;

Bind what is bruised in me;

Heal what is sick in me;

Straighten what is crooked in me, and,

Revive whatever Peace and Love that have died in me.

AMEN.

Have a blessed week everyone..

Foolish!

Good thing, us Pinoys, haven't got the hang of playing pranks. Otherwise, I may have killed someone already. *wink* I don't think I can live with it. I am the type who doesn't get amused easily you see. Hence, first impression: NR/ deadma/ KJ/ mahal ang ngiti a.k.a. snob.

I don't think so!

I guess only my friends can attest to this. No need to defend myself, you might think I'm just pulling legs.. :)

HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY!

*Trivia: APHRILOPHOBIA is the fear of April Fool's Day.

April 1, 2001: An April fool in Denmark, regarding Copenhagen's new subway. Apparently, one of her cars accidently had surfaced on the square in front of the town hall. In reality, it was a retired subway car from the subway of Stockholm cut obliquely, with the front end placed onto the tilng and loose tiles scattered around it (source: Wikipedia)

Happy April Fool's Day

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1. Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke. This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way. In Scotland, for instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving the buttocks and as such is called Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another name for cuckoo bird. The origins of the "Kick Me" sign can be traced back to the Scottish observance. In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered back luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon. In Rome, the holiday is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis, is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day." In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends. The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring. So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.

source: http://www.april-fools.us/index.html