Pucay Road + Bencab

27 December 2012

My mother had a mini-reunion in Baguio City, where she studied high school. My grandparents sent her to an exclusive all-girls school up there in the mountains. It was run by nuns. My grandfather said that they were not satisfied with the high schools in Pangasinan, so they sent her (and one of my aunts) to Baguio because Holy Family (now co-ed and runs by a different name) was a good school.

My grandmother said they wanted her to become a nun. Yeah, right.

Anyway, we went to Baguio and visited one of my grandmother's friends, and her neighbor. The neighbor owns a really beautiful house, with extensive views and gardens that grow just about anything.

Coffee

Then we went to the Bencab Museum along Asin Road.

I found it interesting that Bencab found his muse in a vagrant woman.

My grandmother nagged me into taking pictures of paintings that she liked.

Stealing old flower seeds.... shhhh.

Christmas Day

25 December 2012

The day before Christmas was spent cooking, making ref cake, last-minute gift wrapping, babysitting, and other chores. Christmas eve was a little unusual for us. First, there were not much fireworks (due to the DOH Gangnam ban on them) so there was not much noise. The Simbang Gabi was held outdoors, which made the mass seem more like a concert due to the crowd. I didn't take pictures of the Noche Buena because there were already too many people holding cameras. I was also too busy eating. heh.

Christmas Day was even more unusual. We decided to spend it in Tita A's small farm/outhouse/play area/escape grounds in Aramal.

We decided to eat healthy for once. 

We also visited the construction site of the parish's new theology seminary.

Went back and played awkward basketball...

and awkward Bingo...

 

Then a beautiful sunset made Christmas Day even better.

Happy Holidays! :)

Thoughts on the Church... and crying babies

22 December 2012

We woke up early today... very early. Our grandparents woke us up at 3:30AM so we could go to simbang gabi. I don't actually go to those masses because a. I'm too lazy, b. I would just fall asleep in the middle and embarrass myself and my family and, c. If ever I do go to simbang gabi, I admit I'd probably do it for the wish thing, which is totally the wrongest reason to go to any holy celebration. 

But today, I went with the family to celebrate mass because it is my uncle's 22nd year as a Catholic priest.

My uncle (standing) with some of the guests from the church.

My grandparents hosted breakfast at their house (which is a few blocks away) right after. When my grandmother told me us to expect a few people (tayo-tayo lang naman), she meant a lot of people. 

People are surprised when they find out that I have an uncle who belongs to the clergy. I don't know what they expect. Maybe they thought that I would be more... pious if I had an uncle-priest.

But then I supported the RH bill, and I celebrated with the women of the nation when it was passed. I disagreed with a lot of priests and bishops when they made their "pro-life" stances, and I hated the feeling I get when I had to listen to the overbearing sermons of priests of their thoughts on divorce, abortion, sex, and sexuality. It infuriates me when the church says "no" without consulting the facts first, and without looking at the consequences.

Nonetheless, I still go to mass because of my uncle-priest, who answered my questions on life and death when I was younger after my pet rabbit died, who would give me communion on those days when I couldn't go to mass, who answered my question "why me?" when I had to go through surgery and physical therapy.

Happy Anniversary, Tito!

..........................

Anyway, here are some other pictures of what happened after the breakfast. We all had sugar rush and we crashed after the guests were gone. Some of us slept until 5pm. :)

At last, a picture of myself!

Bricks

Topy

Matthew and Nina

End of the World Party

21 December 2012

I'm in Pangasinan with my mother's side of the family for Christmas. The pictures below pretty much sums up our time here.

I am working on my thesis during vacation--- something I am surprised I could even do. :)

Topy and Daia

Happy Holidays, people! 

Lantern Parade 2012

15 December 2012

Last night was UP Diliman's Lantern Parade, which we do every year to start off our Christmas vacation. This is (hopefully) the last lantern parade I'd be able to experience as a student, and it's also the last legit Christmas vacation for me...

I arrived very late. The Arki party was nearly finished with its route once I arrived in UP.

People were already starting to flock the ampitheater.

I eventually caught up with the parade and met some friends...

People from UP Optics cheerfully delaying the delegates to take pictures.

Let's go UP!!!

Wordlessly volunteered to take TFA's picture.

To the stage

We found out why lanterns had supposed height limits. Hello Galvanized Iron Man!

Our delegation was composed of buildings and landmarks.

Faculty Follies was cancelled this year (wtf right?) so our professors had performing withdrawals.

Of course Justin Guiab had to be Galvanized Iron Man.

Hung out with some friends at the amphitheater after our lantern passed by. It would have been better if the stage faced the larger group in the amphi instead of the ones in Quezon Hall.

Joan was late. :P

We went to the Arki party afterwards. There was free booze, pizza and brownies.

Thesis? What thesis?

Writing on the freedom floor of the National Architecture Week.

I didn't take any pictures once we left Arki. Hazel, Joan, and I went to the AS parking lot to eat. We ended up staying there, just talking. We talked about art for art's sake, street children, Philippine movies, Karl Marx, pornography... and life in general. We watched the fireworks and then stayed at the steps until about 10pm, when Joan was picked up by a male "friend" so they could go stargazing at the PAGASA observatory (hahahaha, latter not true btw). 

It was a great night. Even though I felt like a loser for getting dizzy due to San Mig Apple and a tiny cup of Red Horse, it was a night spent with friends. 

And so I leave you with Pilosopotato and friends.