PhotoHunt: TRIANGLE

Hoisting the Philippine Flag this week in celebration of the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12th. This one is courtesy of a paratrooper from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the opening ceremonies for the hot-air balloon festival last year.

From the National Historical Commission of the Philippines:
After the ratification of our independence in 1899, Gen. Aguinaldo in his speech in Malolos, Bulacan explained the meaning and symbolism of our national flag. According to him the flag “it has three colors, three stars and a sun, the meaning of which are as follows: the red color is symbolic of Filipino courage; the blue carries an allegorical meaning that all the Filipinos will prefer to die before submitting themselves to the invader; the three five pointed stars indicate the solidarity of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and allude to the islets and rocks falling under their jurisdiction; and lastly, the eight beams of the sun stand for the eight provinces of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite”


In a week's time, we'll also be celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal. Some of his words of wisdom applicable to citizens of any nation are as follows:



Clark Field, Pampanga, February 2010, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: PAUSE

Sometimes, oftentimes, the best journey to take is the timely swim into one's faith, heart and soul. Even the Lord didn't see Himself as exempted from this powerful exercise.

Have a blessed week, everyone!

Betis Church, Guagua, May 2009, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: LIKAS (Human nature)

Kitang-kita ang tiim na pagsasalo ng sining at pananampalataya sa mga dingding at haligi, sulok at patag na bahagi ng Simbahan ng Betis sa Pampanga. Matutunghayan sa buong gusali ang mga lilok at pinta ng mga tagpo sa Bibliya, at mga banal na katauhan, gamit ang lente at kalinangang Pilipino.

Ito na nga talaga ang Kapilya ng Sistine ng Pilipinas.

LIKAS = HUMAN NATURE

The inextricable merger of faith and art is very evident in every nook and cranny of the Betis Church in Pampanga. Out to inspire and mesmerize are the paintings and sculptures depicting scene from the Bible, and holy men and women, captured and rendered by way of a uniquely Filipino lens and hand.

This is indeed the Philippines' Sistine Chapel.

in the town of Guagua, May 2009, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: LIGHT/BEER

From the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

Clark Field, Angeles City, February 2010, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: IMPOSIBLE BA ITO? (Is it impossible?)

Imposible ba ito, na makabangon ang isang parokya na nabaon ang kalahati ng simbahan sa rumaragasang lahar mula sa Bulkang Pinatubo? Ang simbahan ng San Guillermo sa Bacolor, Pampanga ang tinaguriang pinakamalaking simbahan sa buong Pampanga- hanggang noong dekada '90 nang lumatay sa bayan ang hagupit ng pagputok ng naturang bulkan. Subali't hindi lamang nakaalpas ang parokya mula sa trahedyang ito. Nagkaroon pa sila ng bagong sigla, mula sa bugso ng mga turistang gustong tumunghay sa kanilang di matinag na pananampalataya. Gabi-gabi ring ipinapakilala ni Santino sa mga manonood na Kapamilya ang simbahang ito, patunay na sa tulong ni Bro, totoong walang imposible, totoong May Bukas Pa.

IMPOSIBLE BA ITO = IS IT IMPOSSIBLE for a parish half-buried in volcanic debris and pyroclastic flow to survive and eventually thrive once more? This is the San Guillermo church in the town of Bacolor, touted as the largest in the province of Pampanga, until the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the 1990's. However, the parish and the town not only escaped from the doldrums but they are now flourishing- thanks to the influx of tourists who want to witness for themselves the resilience and faith of this community. Nightly, Santino also gives our faith a shot in the arm, proving that with help of Bro, nothing is impossible, that there is still a tomorrow to look forward to.



Church of San Guillermo, Bacolor, Pampanga, May 2009, using a digicam.