Good Friday 2013

Woot-woo! I'm creating a new blog post again.

I am definitely on a roll!

I just got back from Shrine of the Holy Infant of Jesus of Prague

located at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City.

This has been a family tradition observed by many of the catholic church-goers here in Davao City.

The entire Shrine Hills road is closed off during the Holy Week to accommodate thousands of pilgrims.

The devotees relive the way of the cross in reflective prayer trekking up from the 

foot of Shrine Hills and offer prayers or candles for each station.

I look forward to this every year because it is also 'family time'.

Way way back, when my Lola Lita was still alive we would wake up very early

to avoid the scorching heat of the sun during this pilgrimage walk.

But this year, we came a little later than the usual 5:00-6:00 am-ish call time.

We arrived at the foot of Shrine hills at around 6:58 am.

So, avoiding the blazing hot summer sun was inevitable.

Good thing I had my handy dandy umbrella with me!

Note: The polka dotted thingy behind me is my umbrella.

Apart from the fourteen stations of the cross, the road to the Shrine is 

lined with talented beggars, regular beggars, vendors vending food and drinks, vendors vending useful stuff, and vendors vending other not so useful and super random goodies and thing-a-majigs.

I got these pair of cheap a*s aviator shades for the low low price of  P 50.00 (Plus-minus $ 1.00).

The cardboard box on the rack of shades said these shades were on sale. But then my cousins

told me that these shades actually just cost P 30.00. 

Important note: I can barely see through the shades.

It feels like midnight when you put these pair of shades on.

Anyway, the families of my mother's siblings usually meet in this one spot

on the grounds of Shrine Hills. Actually there are a lot of people with their families

lazing around the area. So we laze, talk and eat - basically hang out.

We had to wait up for everyone to arrive because we all have different pacing in walking, 

Ergo we had spare time on our hands for a few photos!

My 8 year old cousin, Leila!

 Give us some sunshine!

Lalala! Flaunting my thrifty find!

So, eventually everyone arrived. Therefore, it was time for
lazing around and more picture taking! LOL


So this is me, lazing on the grass.
Families like us bring blankets and mats and lay them
out on the ground and have a little family picnic.

And this is my view while lazing, sun rays filtered through the

heavy foliage of grandfather trees against a bright blue sky canvass.

Vanity shot by my brother, Egi.

Leila, enjoying her banana chips from Auntie Lot.

The not so little cousins of mine, Girard, Leila, Babas, Seth & Dolan.

Look who came by all the way from Digos City just to say 'Hi!'
Boyfie, Arch. Arnold Chong in his body fitness gear. LOL

Of course, what goes up must come down. In our case,

that was after about an hour or so.

 

The sun was already high at around 10:00 in the morning

but there are still people who are just starting the climb.

Hmmm... Here I am enjoying the sun kiss my cheeks.

I'm not wearing them aviator shades no more.  

Me and my dad!

On our way downhill!

Gaaaaahh! Really really hot! Look at how clear the skies are!

Anyway! We had to scurry back home since mom and aunts still have to prepare
lunch for all of us. No meat dishes of course!



Let every single day be blessed <3