One thing I appreciate about my country is its versatility and its contradictions. While we are acclaimed as a Country in Asia-Pacific that commands a majority we are also a country beset with problems that calls for a demonstration of the Christian virtue. Often, and amazingly sometimes religiosity is mixed up with lavishness amidst poverty and deprivation. With both rich and poor expressing their religiosity in their own way. Today while looking back to my digital files I found this photos I took several years ago. We visited Leyte and Samar provinces. Leyte is the home province of the former first Lady Imelda R. Marcos. We visited the Santo Nino Palace Museum. At the height of their power Imelda constracted this marvelous palace in Tacloban City, Leyte. Today since it was confiscated by the government it is now maintained as a museum. Sadly wanting restoration.
The Photo below shows a painting of the Madam Imelda R. Marcos, young, regal and authoritative. She was famous for her lifestyle and also for the marvelous infrustrcutures she helped build.
The Santo Nino Palace is quite a house containing religious art pieces. Below is a photo of a mosaic of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The main hall also serves as a chapel. On the side wall there is the stations of the Cross.
At the center of the Chapel is the image of the Child Jesus. Known as Santo Nino de Tacloban. The image ofthe Holy Child is a much venerated image in Visayas as this symbolizes the Christiabnization of the Visayan Islands four hundred years ago.
A statue of the Immaculate Conception.
A huge silver monstrance.
McArthur Monument in Palo, Leyte. My student Jinky found it amusing to have her photograph taken with the more than life-size statues. if a photo taken of the monument without anyone standing by will give an illusion that it is life-size. But if someone would stand between them will give us the idea that the statues are really big.
The San Juanico Bridge. At the time of its construction in the 70s it was famed as the longest bridge in Asia. I do not know if until today it still bears the title.
At the Catubig river.
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