12.12.12

It's 12.12.12 and I'm in the Philippines!  I promised to start my own legacy to be at somewhere special doing something special on such a historic date.  In fact, I captured my promise on this blog. :)

Well, being in the Philippines for a short, pre-Christmas vacation is already a blast.  Although I did not wake up in a fancy hotel at one of the tourist spots in the Philippines (not what I initially planned), I am thankful to be here in my hometown when this historic date hits.  After all, there's still a lot of things to be thankful for; and being alive and kicking today is one of those many things!

What made the day extra special is my visit to Divino Amor Redemptorist Church at Lipa City.  The church is well-known to be the place of profound devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for most Batanguenos.  On Wednesdays, the church is packed with devotees from all walks of life.  In fact, today's scene is not far from what it was like when I was still a kid.  The church's structure may have already been renovated but it is still the same place where people would squeeze in to light candles or would rub hankies on Mama Mary's portrait.  I'm glad, most Filipinos continue to believe in Mary's intercession.  The massive presence was amazing!

Snapped after a powerful novena on 12.12.12

It felt great to attend an all-Filipino version of the novena once again.  It's been awhile since I celebrated this devotion with fellow Filipinos 'coz in Singapore, I normally do the novena alone. In here, the rites are familiar, the tunes are familiar and I sang out loud! 

And oh, did I mention about the puto-bumbong and bibingka stalls just outside the church? Yummy! Only in the Philippines... :)

Perfect for the cold December breeze.