I Blog, Therefore I Am.

I am so behind with my blog posts. This entry was supposed to be posted two months ago. I've been busy with work and personal stuff so I wasn't able to update. I have a whole lot more to tell about the summer that was and I'm really hoping that I would be able to blog them all.

Our first family adventure for the summer was a Visita Iglesia of Laguna churches. I've been to Ilocos, Batangas, Cebu and other old Spanish towns and provinces but nothing beats Laguna when it comes to its abundance of historical churches. I've always been fascinated by churches so this trip is both cultural and religious. The goal of the travel was to visit 7 churches which includes a trip to the popular Kamay Ni Hesus religious grounds in Lucban, Quezon. We had two Stations of the Cross for each visit to complete the 14 stations.

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
Our first stop was the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish at Luisiana, Laguna. It's a very simple church but is very popular among Visita Iglesia goers. It's also said that it's the oldest parish honoring Nuestra Senora del Rosario in the Philippines.

Jako & Charu. FINALLY! What a great way to go back to blogging by posting about the very nice and super fun wedding of my dear friends, Jako and Charu. Friends and readers of my blog are sure familiar with this duo who are very often featured and pictured here at my blog.

Jako and Charu are my friends from highschool. They first met in Kindergarten (!!!) but only got together as a couple five years ago. It really made me happy that they finally sealed the deal last December 12, Saturday, at St. Jerome Emiliani in Alabang. They've always been one of my favorite couples and I am really happy that I was part of the beginning of their happily ever after.

Here are some of the things I love about the wedding:

The Crying Sentimental Bride
Charu cried throughout her bridal march and we find it really really heart-felt. We can't help but shed a tear or two as we watch her all beautiful and regal yet crying her heart out as she walks to the love of her life.




The Crying Groom
Jako's moment came when he was reading and reciting his self-made vows to Charu.




We were part of it!
Tintin, Aileen and I were part of the entourage as Bridesmaids and Veil Sponsors. We are so happy and delighted that the couple chose us to be part of their wedding. We are honored! :)




"Swerte Ako!"
Wong & Kaloy, friends from Highschool, put a sign of "Swerte Ako!" (I'm Lucky!) on Charu's side of the chair after their Secondary Sponsors duties. Charu's mom asked the camera people and the female entourage members to put it on Jako instead. The sign kept on switching from Jako's side to Charu's side throughout the ceremony!




Blue & The Cambe Gowns
Junjun Cambe outdid himself with Charu's tube gown and its intricate bead work. Our blue bridesmaids gown were also cool! The boys also look nice with their Lumban Barongs.




The Baicapture Booth
Photo booths are all rage now and Baicapture is the most popular! We had around 10 snaps at the booth! Talk about sulit!






Cologne Fountain
This is probably one of the most unique wedding give-aways I've ever seen. There was a fountain of cologne and guests can get their share through the bottle sprays that were provided! Cool!




Jako & Charu's First Dance
The couple's first dance was slow and sweet but they shifted midway to a choreographed dance move which got collective cheers from their guests.




Elation and the After-Party!
Jako & Charu really knows how to throw a party! We had unlimited shots, cocktails and mocktails because of the Elation Mobile Bar. There were non-stop dancing and partying at the dance floor, even the parents and the godparents joined the celebration!








The Bride
Charu's one of the most elegant and beautiful brides I've ever seen. Need I say more? :)




Best Wishes, J & C! :) We love you!

Thanks to Tin for the Cologne Fountain shot and to Witt for taking most of the pictures above.

Today is an important day for Cabuyeños and "Clarissas" all over the world for August 11 marks the day of the feast of St. Clare of Assisi. 750 years ago Clare answered to God's call of chastity, humility and poverty. Through the guiding principle of St. Francis, she entered the convent and turned her back to all her family's material wealth to live a life of holiness. She devoted her life to solitude and love for the poor. Through her kindness and miraculous ways, she was canonized immediately after her death.

People in my town are so blessed since two of the Franciscan missions are in Cabuyao since 1975. Hundred of devotees flock each day to the monastery to ask for pleas and prayers that St. Clare readily intercedes to the Lord. My big clan is among them. I recall so many Holy Weeks and Feast Days where we visit the nuns and participate in novenas and masses. Since I am also asking for something big these days, I am happy and proud to say that I just ended my 9-day novena (in preparation for her feast day) yesterday. I am sharing with everyone this wonderful prayer that you can use as novena or as a daily devotional prayer.



Remember, O glorious mother St. Clare, the promise of Jesus made to you, when prostrate before the Holy Tabernacle, you implored Him in behalf of your distressed children. Full of confidence in your power over the Divine Heart, we implore your maternal protection.

It was your glory to confound the enemies of the Church by presenting the Holy Eucharist to their gaze. Obtain for us, we beseech you, O Mother of the humble and the poor, the grace we now ask for (mention your need or intentions). Reject noy, O Mother the prayer of your children, protect us by your continual assistance and bestow on us, one and all, your maternal benediction.

Lord have mercy on us *Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us *Christ have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us *Lord have mercy on us
Christ hear us *Christ graciously hear us
God the Father in heaven *Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world *Have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit *Have mercy on us
Holy Mary *Pray for us
Holy Mother Clare *Pray for us
Holy Mother Clare, renowned in deed and name
Holy Mother Clare ,brighter than the light
Holy Mother Clare, great in merits
Holy Mother Clare, bright light illuminating the world
Holy Mother Clare, new luminary
Holy Mother Clare, star of the heavens
Holy Mother Clare, renowned virgin
Holy Mother Clare, saintly Virgin
Holy Mother Clare, prudent Virgin
Holy Mother Clare, shining splendor of heaven
Holy Mother Clare, friend of the Cross
Holy Mother Clare, mourning dove
Holy Mother Clare, spouse of God
Holy Mother Clare, disciple of Christ
Holy Mother Clare, city of the Saviour
Holy Mother Clare, vessel of purity
Holy Mother Clare, pattern of obedience
Holy Mother Clare, marvel of abstinence
Holy Mother Clare, prodigy of sanctity
Holy Mother Clare, mother of poverty
Holy Mother Clare, flower of virginity
Holy Mother Clare, palm of fecundity
Holy Mother Clare, fountain of purity
Holy Mother Clare, endowed with every virtue
Holy Mother Clare, guardian of consecrated virgins
Holy Mother Clare, plant of the Minors
Holy Mother Clare, sweetest mistress
Holy Mother Clare, despising vanities
Holy Mother Clare, triumphing over the demons
Holy Mother Clare, most devoted to the Blessed Sacrament
Holy Mother Clare, emulating our Holy Father St. Francis
Holy Mother Clare, craving the food of the word of God
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world *Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world *Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world *Have mercy, O Lord!
Christ hear us *Christ graciously hear us
Pray for us, O Blessed Mother Clare
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray:
We beseech you, O Lord, that your servants who are renewing the votive commeration of your holy Virgin, our Mother Clare, may, by her intercession become partakes of the heavenly joys and co-heirs of your only-begotten Son, Who lives and reigns, world without end, AMEN.

O God, Who was pleased that our holy Mother, St. Clare by the splendor of her virtues should become a guiding lighjt to inumerable virgins; grant through her intercession and merits that those virgins may always walk in your light here on earth, and may be found worthy to enjoy the perpetual serenity of your facein heaven. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

O glorious Mother St. Clare.
Hear and grant our petition.


St. Clare Monastery of The Blessed Sacrament
Cabuyao, Laguna