Travel: Tarlac Trip - Day 2

January 17, 2015

Yesterday, we found out that the swimming pool can't be used by the kids because the filter was broken.  Apparently, someone was rather lazy in cleaning the buildup on the tiles and was simply using a chemical to "clean" the pool.  This ultimately clogged up the filter totally causing it to fail.

However, I considered it a blessing in disguise because it meant that we had all the time in the world to explore Tarlac.  The kids were playing with their cousins and having a grand time even without the pool. So Patrick and I went to the Tadeos' market spot in the town square and we did a bit of walking around too.  

Gerona Public Market

Gerona Town Hall

This was the first time I've ever walked around Gerona but Patrick seemed to know his way around from previous trips when he was a kid.  He said there was a lot that has changed but essentially everything is still the same.

In the afternoon, Kuya George, Patrick and I went for a road trip.  Kuya George wanted to test the Mazda 6 for himself and it was a treat that Patrick was driving one for this trip.  From Gerona, we drove around Moncada with its quaint Spanish houses then went on to Paniqui and Camiling.  Kuya George wanted to show Patrick a new, shorter path in going to Lingayen, Pangasinan.  It was practical to know these things from someone who's a native around the place.  The drive was awesome!  Lots of scenic views, mostly of farmlands.  Every once in a while you'll see huge houses/mansions that were built by people who worked abroad.  As we reached Camiling, the mountain ranges of Zambales were clearly very visible.  Here is a short clip of the scenery we passed on the way there.

On the way back, Kuya George stopped at the St. Jose Maria Escriva Parish Church in Magaspac, Gerona, Tarlac.  It is the first and only Diocesan Parish of the Opus Dei in Asia.  The Parish was established in February 2003 but the construction of the actual Church began in 2010 and was blessed in February 14, 2014.  The Church was designed by Father Alex Bautista who was himself an architect before he became a priest.

The Church is simple and subtle on the exterior which is why you'll be surprised when you get inside.  It's bold yet not flashy.  It's extremely well-thought of and I especially loved the Baptistry.  It's private and can probably accommodate 50 people.

View from the back

Close up of the altar

The ceiling

Baptism Altar

Where the Child is Baptized

Close up of the Baptistry Font

Where you dip your fingers in Holy Water

The Confessionals

Because of the long drive, embarrassing as it is to admit it, we all needed a trip to the restroom.  I was so amazed at the completeness of the restroom that I couldn't help but take pictures of the interior of the girls' restroom of the Church.  It had a bidet sprayer, tissue paper, soap, strong running water and it was so clean!

To see more pictures and to know more about the St. Josemaria Escriva Parish Church, you can visit their Facebook site here or through the Tarlac website here.

Travel: Tarlac trip - Day 1

January 16, 2015

We were running a little late because I went and saw Pope Francis as he travelled along Nagtahan on his way to Malacanang Palace.  Instead of leaving early, we were only able to take off around 1130 AM.  It was still a fast drive since we reached our first toll booth at around 1215 where we paid P45.  By then, everyone was hungry and we ended up having lunch at Jollibee Shell Station along NLEX.

Even after finishing their lunch, the kids were still hungry in the car and started eating their Sweet Corn snacks.  This kept them entertained during the long drive.

Eventually, we reached our 2nd toll gate on the NLEX.  We were exiting at Dau to reach the SCTEX and at this Toll Booth, we paid P173.  There was a bit of traffic with a number of cars heading to Subic.  Good thing that they set up extra toll booths along the extent of the highway to cope with the volume.  We paid P104 to use the SCTEX.

 

We continued driving and the kids were fascinated by Mt. Malarayat in the background.  

We reached the TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) in no time.  It took about 20 minutes from the SCTEX to reach this point.

It took another fifteen minutes to reach the exit at Pura, Tarlac from the TPLEX.  At this point, we paid another P58.  The total travel time was around 2 hours since we entered the NLEX at 12noon and reached the Tollbooth at Pura by 3PM.  It took one hour for us to eat our lunch.  That was a fast drive considering it used to take us around 3-4 hours before.

We would have reached our destination in Gerona in a few minutes but we chose to drive to Pura instead to visit our Tita Flor but unfortunately, she wasn't home.

All in all, we paid P380 for the toll fees.

When we reached Uncle Bebot's home, we got settled in first.  Later in the afternoon, we tagged along with JR when he did his errands about town.  We went to SM City Rosales (didn't take pictures because SM malls are relatively alike) and then to City Walk in San Roque, Tarlac where we had snacks at Nathaniel's.  Their Buko Pandan Salad is to die for :)

Inside City Walk

Buko Pandan Salad

That wraps up our first day in Tarlac.  Technically, we all had a busy day today starting with the Pope and it's good to end it with family and good food :)

2015 Papal Visit - Nagtahan/Malacanang

January 16, 2015

I woke up at around 5:30am to wait for Pope Francis to pass along Nagtahan going to Malacanang today.  It was a rare opportunity and it was only luck that we lived near the area.  In fact, on Sunday, he will pass by directly our house but we won't be here to see him.  That is why I decided to see him now :)

5:45AM - The sky was still dark when I left the house but there were some people walking toward  J. P. Laurel Street and I knew we had the same destination in mind.  Since I was early, I got a good vantage position, right in front of the street where the Pope was supposed to pass.  The taho vendor near me was having a brisk business from all the people that missed breakfast just so they can be first in line.  I wanted to buy too but I didn't want to risk going to the bathroom (where there's none) and miss the Pope.

Smooth traffic

6AM - Traffic was still flowing smoothly at this time but people were starting to gather along the streets.  Aside from the taho vendor, 7-11 was also busy with all the people wanting coffees and hot chocolates to fill their empty stomachs.  There were staff that went around collecting trash though which was good.  There were military men strategically positioned around the area.  It made you feel safe but scared at the same time.

Police deployment

By 7AM, traffic was slowing down because of the arrival of the dignitaries.  Different sized, mostly black luxury cars (there were a lot of Lexus) were continuously passing by and for me, it became a game to identify the flags on the cars. :)  There were also fast convoys, most likely the Cabinet members, who were zooming to Malacanang.  This continued until 9AM and the level of anticipation of the people was at an all-time high.  Whenever someone started to shout and clap, everyone started pushing forward to get a better view.  Even the Legarda Flyover was filled with people!

Finally, around 9:15, Pope Francis whizzed by.  It was rather disappointing that he wasn't in the Pope Mobile but in the VW Touran which was smaller and you couldn't really see him.  I only had a glimpse of him for about 2 seconds! and I wasn't even able to take a picture/video by then, the phone lost all battery.

After 3 1/2 hours of waiting, it was over in seconds.  Some people didn't even realize that he already drove by because they were expecting him to be in the Isuzu Pope Mobile.  Well, there's always the livestreaming and TV. :)