The Art of War, Araña't Baluarte Style

It's not always rainbows and butterflies, as sung by Adam Levine. Yes, Araña't Baluarte of Gumaca may seem beautiful to the eyes with the smorgasbord of fruits and vegetables and even local pastries and delicacies, bursting in a palette of greens, yellows, reds, indigos, any color you might think of are there. That is, before the patron San Isidro Labrador passes. As soon as he turns his back on the arañas and baluarte... IT'S WAR BABY!

No, this is not Pahiyas... It's Araña't Baluarte of Gumaca!

Say May 15, San Isidro, and Quezon; and people will automatically say "Pahiyas!" Well, there's life beyond Pahiyas my friends. Guys, I'd like to introduce to you, the Araña't Baluarte Festival.

San Isidro Labrador with San Diego de Alcala Cathedral as background

Yes, it might sound very Spanish, but

Did Jesus Dance?

I've seen this image of Jesus joining the traditional Good Friday procession in Gumaca, but it's just this last Viernes Santo that I noticed: Is Jesus dancing?




















No disrespect or blasphemy intended,

Viernes Santo in Gumaca, Quezon

San Diego de Alcala Cathedral before Palm Sunday

I was initially planning of going to either Paete or the nearer Carcar, Cebu (LOL!) to witness a different semana santa observance there, but I opted to get traditional and spend the long weekend in my hometown Gumaca with my sister.

A not so usual bus scene: an Islam emblem
 instead of the usual rosary

Good thing about traveling during Good Friday is that there are less vehicles,

The Unassumingly Elaborate Macalelon Church

Neatly tucked inside the town of Macalelon is the Immaculate Conception Church. Quaint, but packed with a lot of carvings and bas reliefs, particularly the facade. A definite feast for the eyes.

Immaculate Conception Parish Church. Note the angel-like figures with wings in the second tier, and the wave swirls decorating the main portal. Scroll projections also adorn the pediment.

View from the Top: Conversion of Saint Paul Church

Blame the Moro and Dutch marauders during the 16th and 17th century for this church's magnificent location. Located on top of a hill where one can see the whole town, the sea, and neighboring island of Marinduque stands a church named not after a saint, but an event on the life of a saint.

Conversion of Saint Paul Church

Built in 1817, this house of worship was constructed under Geronimo delos Angeles. Though the town was founded in the same location as early as 1766, it is only after 51 years that the present church was constructed due to the Moro's frequent raiding at that time. Realizing the strategic importance of Maaliw Hill,  and the finding the lost image of St. Paul under a Pitogo tree on the same hill, they decided to settle in, which is now the town of Pitogo, Quezon

Church facade

San Diego de Alcala Cathedral: Southern Quezon's Last Heritage Frontier

If there's a church that I know almost every nook and cranny, it will be my hometown's crown jewel. Located in Gumaca, province of Quezon, is the seat of the Diocese of Gumaca, the San Diego de Alcala Cathedral.

San Diego de Alcala Cathedral, a National Historical Site

Already registered in the Franciscan annals as early as 1582, Gumaca is considered one of the oldest towns in Quezon. With the town's establishment is the building of the church; a sign of Spain's christianization and declaration of authority.

However, due to frequent moro raidings, the people transferred to town to Silangan, a town in Alabat Island which faces the former town. But moros, and even the Dutch, did not spared the new town. They were attacked and burned by the Dutch in 1664. Once again, they transferred the pueblo to it's former location in Gumaca's shores for good.

An old photo of Gumaca from the Franciscan website archives

San Guillermo Church of Bacolor: The Phoenix of Pampanga

After travelling for about 8 hours from Gumaca, I finally got a glimpse of what I only see in photos and the TV show May Bukas Pa. Peeking from the trees in a middle of a vast lahar field is the belltower of San Guillermo Church.

The half-buried Church of Bacolor

The church might looks small, or short, considering that it's a Spanish Colonial era edifice. The reason why? Half of it is already buried under lahar.

Detail of a bas relief on the facade, half buried as well

A Beautiful Affair: My Hometown and I

Yep, I know that you noticed the connection of my title to your oh-so-loved Kapamilya primetime teleseryes. My apologies, but that is how I exactly feel about my hometown, Gumaca. You see, it has been in my blood since I learned how to read and write. I've been having an affair with her for almost 25 years (I transferred here from Manila when I was around 2 years old). How can I not fall? It's beauty is striking, as soon as you enter her confines...




It molded me to what I am right now. Brought up in the traditional, Catholic culture that I really treasure and is proud of:

Though traces of history are slowly being forgotten and neglected, pockets of memories are still intact, and give a sense of identity and pride:



Despite modernity creeping in, traditional values and culture are deeply embedded, as strong as a fortress watching over it's people:



And it's faith in God, very evident in it's values, makes them resilient and happy whatever turmoil comes:

Now tell me, how can I not fall in love with her?

Khana, Chalo! Let's Eat!

As a continuation to my India travel posts, I'd like to share to you some of the local cuisine that I tried when I was in Pune. Though I wasn't that adventurous, I was able to have a taste of some local delicacies thanks to my trainees' persistence. LOL!

Biryani is one of my most favorite (and frequently eaten!) food in Pune. Made up of basmati rice, chicken or mutton (lamb), and a lot of spices. Yes, A LOT. I don't know what spices do they put in it, but it was damn delicious! Interesting to know that the meat and the rice are cooked at the same time in the same container. Neat!

Sige, i-microwave mo...

Pune's Divisoria, M.G. Road

After feeling down not celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Philippines, I got perked up when my friend, my training assistant, and I decided to go to a place near where we could buy authentic Indian and Maharashtran stuff, good pasalubong location. Come afternoon, we find ourselves riding a rickshaw speeding towards M.G. Road.

Let's go, sago!

My training assistant met us up at SGS Mall, together with his friend. After some introductions, off we go to the heart of M.G.

Yes, they also have parol here at M.G.!

Nostalgia: India

"So, I need to ask some personal information from you, I'll be filling out your passport application."

This was our account's big boss talking to me on the phone. He's in Eastwood, I'm in Gumaca. Our boss filling out my passport application. Like a boss. And that was the precursor of my journey to the land of a thousand spices: India.

A shrine in Pune, India. Almost every street has one, big  and small.

Here, I trained a class of 10, whom I eventually become friends with. I was hesitant to go around due to difficulty communicating with the locals. They understand English, but find it hard to speak it. But that became one of my biggest regret. Being scared of the unknown, in effect, deprived me of knowing, of knowledge. A once in a lifetime experience, wasted.

Sundo Sa T2: The NAIA Terminal 2 Experience

I wasn't expecting anything this weekend. I turned down my officemate's invitation to come to our company's family day, since I think this is just a hassle for my family <considering the difficulty of commuting in the metro, and we have a kid with us>. But I was in for a treat: a friend from Japan will be flying in on Sunday, so we'll meet her at the NAIA Terminal 2 while she waits for her connecting flight to Davao. It was quite a while since I last seen T2, and I'd love to see how it looks like now.

Manong, Terminal 2 lang po...

Sunday, 1 PM, we got on a bus from 6-11 to get to T2. It's just a 5-minute ride, and just a few secs after we paid, we have to get off. (sayang, sarap pa naman ng air-con!). 

Dubai? Middle East? Nope, our very own Terminal 1 and 2 junction.

Mi Casa, Su Casa. Gumaca!

After a cup of coffee, a few pieces of pan de sal, and a few chats with my friends on Facebook, here I am writing my second entry with excitement and gusto.

Photo credits: San Miguel Exports

No, no, not really this type of gusto... But the dekada 90 babies do love this, don't you?

For the main topic, ladies and gentlemen, and those in between, I'd like to introduce to you mi casa, Gumaca.

Photo credits: Wikipedia

Test mike... Test Mike...

Don't really know what to do with my first post. Clueless. Haha! Well, since it's only me, a friend whom I chatted with last night, and my mentor BernieMack Arellano, who knows that I haphazardly set-up a blog, I'd like to welcome myself to the blogging world.

Mike, welcome to the world of blogging!

How did I had interest in blogging? Well, for starters, I love to talk. I love talking to a fault. If you happen to know the song "My Stupid Mouth" by John Mayer, you will have an idea of how I feel at times. I like sharing my two cents worth, but only when solicited. But since this is MY blog, I guess you have to put up with what I post, whether you like it or not...<evil grin> Oh, wait... Anti-Cyber Crime Law? Shoot...

My love for photography also nudged my to set-up a blog of my own. I really like shooting pictures, even when I didn't actually have a camera of my own. I remembered borrowing a camera from a friend for a visita iglesia trip (thanks Ate Lab!), taking some shots at them churches, and since then I realized that I'll venture to one of the most expensive hobbies a man will ever have (heck, you can actually buy a second hand car with the prices of some lenses!). Here's one of my most fave shot was with the Taal Basilica facade, circa 2009:

Basilica de San Martin de Tours (Taal, Batangas)