Come with Me to Rio's Birthday

Some people say that birthdays are just ordinary days but I believe otherwise! Birthdays are important reminders of how blessed you are for having good friends; a body that takes you anywhere you please and a God who continuously showers you with great blessings.

Last Monday night, we went to attend my cousin's coming of age but not at 19... At 33 to be exact. He held his birthday bash at the Smallville 21 Hotel. The cake above is a gift from two of her friends and they made a mistake about the numbers, which my cousin delightfully accepted without any trace of anger whatsoever. 

He didn't want to be remembered celebrating his 33rd birthday that night and so he figured it was such a 'blessing in diguise'. Haha. And to make things even more perfect [to him, that is], he switched the two numbers. Thus, he was celebrating his 23rd birthday and the picture above shows you just how into denial he was. Haha.

That's my cousin, second to the leftmost lady holding the song book.

The Symbol of Ilonggo Pride

I will not let this month pass without ever publishing a post on one of perhaps Iloilo's priceless milestones. On the 25th of August this year, a very important figure called the Lin-ay sang Iloilo [very symbolic of every Ilonggo's aspirations, rich culture and industrious people] had been unveiled to the public on the same day of the city's celebration of its 74th Charter Day.

Forgive me. This is the nearest shot I got. I don't think it's pretty cool climbing up to the top
with all the carpenters and foremen looking at you while you take shots. Haha.

This was the only information I gathered after careful listening and watching while the local news were being aired that day...

This structure was made by Prof. Eduardo Defensor who explained in depth every thing that could be seen and found on the statue from head to toe. The statue is made of bronze and is a replica of a woman who holds harvested rice stalks in her arm. On the other, she holds a scythe, which had long been the tool used by farmers in harvesting rice and other products in Iloilo. 

*Iloilo abounds with hectares of plains which yield abundant root crops and rice products, giving livelihood to thousands of Ilonggo families.

She wears a bandanna, which is rampant among farmers especially during summer when the sun is emitting scorching heat. Also, she wears the patadyong which is a type of clothing used my almost every Filipino during the Spanish rule and shortly thereafter.

Well, there you go! Another important figure in Philippine history discussed.I know this may seem like general knowledge especially among Ilonggos but who knows? I might just be the first person to bring you such knowledge.

Just think of it this way: Now you have more stories to tell. And not just made up stories, mind you, but real stories in history. :)

Sta. Teresita del Niño Jesus Parish

I had to pick something up from a friend who happens to be living near Robinson's Place Iloilo. I had no budget for food today because the item I had to pick up happened to be a lot expensive than I thought. I paid more than the money I withdrew from the bank and so I couldn't takes photos of food and me today. [Poor me!] 

Well, I figured I could drop by Santa Teresita del Niño Jesus Church since it's just a walking distance from my friend's house and take a few shots. This church is located near the mall I mentioned above and has been existing for years now. I forgot how the inside looked like and so I decided to visit it again.

I must admit. It doesn't look that good on the outside especially that it's one of the few churches I found with little landscape in front of it. The church is surrounded by cement except for the small garden you pass through before reaching the adoration chapel.

But let me tell you this. It looks good inside. It gives you the same relaxing and comforting feeling you get whenever you enter a church. I just love churches' chandeliers! I wonder how much they pay for all chandeliers they adorn a certain parish.