To the Unknown God

The Besaki Temple Complex in Bali.  The Mother Temple of Hinduism in this Island

While on a business trip to Bali, Indonesia and despite of the hectic schedule I found some little time to explore the beauty of this Island famed for its culture and for its tourism value.  I decided to visit one of the most renowned temple in Bali.  According to my tour guide there are 17 temples in this complex.  Every temple is dedicated to a particular use.  One section of the temple was dedicated for all members of other religions where they can also pray.  This reminded me of the passage in the Bible where St. Paul commended the religiosity of the Athenians and that a shrine was even dedicated to the "unknown god".  This conversation became the starting point for St. Paul to proclaim the message of the gospel.  St. Paul did not dare to insult the gods of the Athenians but focused his discussions on the Unknown God, which according to him was the One God who created the heavens and earth and all living creature and in this One God we derive all our being.   One impression I got is that even in places where the gospel of Christ is not known, the light of God's knowledge is not fully extinguished.  The various forms of religiousity can be a starting point for our search for God.  Thus for us Christians it is incumbent that our lives, deeds and words should reflect the values of the gospel in order to draw other people to the light of Christ's message of salvation.

The Province of Albay and Mayon Volcano: Story and Pictures

In the forty years of my life I have taken for granted the beauty of my home province.  I have flown from Legazpi City to Manila many times on official business and on personal trips, and never taken the time to capture this beauty on camera.  But this time I took the pains to take with me my hand camera and  took these pictures.  I am glad that the Lord has given me this chance to live in one of the most beautiful places in these Philippine Islands and not only in the Philippines but in the whole world.  Aboard Cebu Pacific Air on February 20, 2010 using my Olympus  FE-310 I took these pictures.

The tarmac of Legazpi Domestic Airport.  In the background are the Linon Hill and Mt. Mayon Volcano. (I used my Nokia E61i phone to capture this).

Below is the facade of Legazpi Domestic Airport.

As the plane soared high over Legazpi City, the capital of Albay Province one can see a glimpse of the City.  Legazpi is a small city but it is beautiful.  The people are generally urbanites the city is clean well ordered.  You will see here the Albay gulf.  

Another view of Legazpi City and Albay Gulf.

The buildings with redbrick colored roof is Aquinas University, my alma mater.  I obtained my B.A. in Philosophy from this Catholic University.  I obtained solid Thomistic training in Philosophy from this institution.  The Campus is bounded on the left by the Yawa river, which form time to time suffers from siltation coming from the foot of Mt. Mayon volcano. Two years ago a devastating flood submerge this portion of the city.  But in a few months time the University recovered and now you how beautiful the buildings are.  The symmetry and orderliness is admirable. Oppiste the University campus is the Bicol Regional Government Center.  I am proud of the education I received from this Domincan Institution.  The solid Catholic education I received is something that I will cherish.  'Gratitude in Love" as the university motto says. 

Mt. Mayon the majestic. Look at the valleys.  Mt. Mayon is one of the most active volcano in the Philippines. Its eruption from time to time provides nourishment for the valleys and provides fertility to the land.  But also deadly and devastating.

The Bicol peninsula is a string of volcanoes.  At the background is Mt. Malinao, an extinct volcano.  Home to wild animals and wild orchids.

From the eastern seaboard the plane circled around Mt. Mayon towards the north bound for Manila.  From a distance I could see my little home city of Tabaco.  San Miguel Island is also seen from a distance.  While the Island province of Catanduanes is seen from afar.

The peak of Mt. Malinao.  I wonder what it looks like inside those crater.  Ten years ago I went with some of my students at the foot of this mountain.  We enjoyed our little picnic near a falls. We did some little adventure  by looking for the source of the falls.  Along our way to the top we saw little caves and little streams of water.  Wild orchids and exotic plants.  Although we were careful not to encounter poisonous snakes.

Another view of the crater.

Beyond Mt. Malinao one could see the rice granary of Bicol, the district of Partido.  Wide valleys and rice paddies dot the surrounding valleys and hills.  Beyond is the Caramoan Peninsula, made famous by the TV serious Survivor.  Its enchanting islets and white beaches will enthrall the nature loving tourist.

From the Naia 3 terminal I hit the road for my destination.  From here one can see the Church of a military camp.  

The fastfood sign competes for attention with the Cross of the Church.  Once upon a time crosses dotted the skyline proclaiming the glory of God.  Today the gods of commercialism competes with the proclamation of our faith.  How important it is that in this materialistic age of ours we sand firm for our faith.  In our own little way let us do what God wills.

Paradise on Earth? : A Visit to Misibis, Cagraray Island

As nature lover and an avid traveler, I could not help myself but share with you dear readers some of the photo shots I took this morning (December 22, 2009) while we were on a tree planting activity at Misibis, Cagraray Island in the Philippines. These offshore islands for sometime have been considered as backwater but today has found prominence because of its pristine beauty. Some private investors and the provincial government has been promoting misibis as a tourist destination. I don't want to clog my blog with pictures but I feel that I will be selfish if I did not share these wonderful photos with you. We were privilege to visit the resort. Tourism development is a development goal of the government of the Philippines. And with these development projects going on this will boost tourism and put Cagraray Island into the map of the world.

This is the Cagraray Island Eco-Energy Park a project that demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

Looks like we are at the Aereopagus. Is this the Aegean Islands in Greece? No, it is in Misibis, the Philippines

Our Friends

For the Sports Enthusiasts, overcome your fear! Go jump!

Test your endurance!

Misibis Beach Resort

With all the amenities to enjoy

Albay Gulf in the Background

World class accomodation

Mt. Mayon : Timid Fury of a Volcano

A couple of days ago around 22,000 people were evacuated for safety because of the simmering fury of Mt. Mayon. Mayon is known for her beauty but it has had a history of violent eruption. Burying entire villages, destroying crops and livestock. Using my cellphone camera I took these pictures of Mt. Mayon.

Majestic Mt. Mayon as seen from the roof top of Jennifers Kababayan Hotel

Clouds always love to form around the conic shape of the volcano during high humidity days

A seeming unrest. Mt. Mayon as seen from the 2nd Floor of Hotel Villa Angelina

Guinobatan, Albay

Today I have the chance to visit the town of Guinobatan. A municipality in Albay Province. It is a town set on hilly terrain. Its proximity to Mt. Mayon Volcano makes it susceptible to lahar flooding and ashfall during volcanic eruption. The town is also famous for Simeon Ola considered a local hero for his struggle against the American occupation forces. Nonetheless, because of its terrain, hills and mountains, the town has been famous for its natural springs.

Anyone thinking of performing visita iglesia might consider Guinobatan's parish church of Our Lady of the Assumption.

The town overlooking the hills and beyond.

The belfry of the Church rises above the lush tropical vegatation. On top of it the Cross of Christ proclaiming the eternal salvation, witnessing to the people of Guinobatan

The belfry and the entrance. Notice the banner announcing the appoiuntment of the New Bishop of Legazpi, the Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon together with the outgoing administrator, Auxilliary Bishop, Most Reverend Lucilo Quiambao

A poster in front of the church providing instruction on the proper dress code when attending mass.

The Outdoor Altar of Christ the King. At the bottom of the monument are the statues of the four virtues that characterizes the Kingdom of God. The statue also bore the Latin inscription Christus Regnat.

The Ad orientem altar now fell into disuse. Now a metal fenscing surrounds it to prevent vandals from sitting or climbing on it.

The symbols of Mary on the Door post. This church is indeed a Marian Church.

Catholic Art as Reflected in the Islands of Leyte and Samar, the Philippines

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.

Caramoan: A Paradise on Earth

The Heavens proclaims the Glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork!!!!!

Let me share with you some of the beautiful photos of scenic places in these Caramoan Islands. Still undeveloped and recently discovered as places for tourism. For so long a time these islands were untouched only known to fishermen who frequented this place. But with recent promotions these places are becoming popular with tourists looking for exotic hideaways. The beauty of this Islands calls us to learn to appreciate nature and to care for it. Nature sustains us so we have to care for it.