#100HappyDays Challenge

from 100happydays.com

We live in a time that is fast changing the world. Each day we struggle to keep up with the pace, and thus find lesser time to enjoy the moment we are in. This is the premise of the #100HappyDays challenge; that no matter how busy our schedules are, can we still find time to be happy?

Baguio Cathedral: Our Lady of Atonement

Baguio Cathedral is located at Cathedral Loop near Session Road. It is most famous for its pink facade and 100-step stairway leading to where it stands. It is also known as Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral, and is the see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baguio.

What I loved most about this cathedral is its aura of majesty as it stands on its own overlooking the city proper. Thus, much to my disappointment when we returned in 2013, the cathedral has now a sprawling complex of stores and parking lots. While it is a sign of growth, I could only hoped that they should have retained its lordship over the small area it stands on. Another source of dissatisfaction was how the stairway to the cathedral now looked. Its entrance is sandwiched among commercial establishments that one could hardly notice its billboard as gateway to a holy and revered place. If you plan to go to Baguio, check out the photo below to make sure you know where the 100-step stairway is.

In any case, a visit to the cathedral is still worth one's spiritual time however times would change its look. Here are some more photos of the cathedral:

Esoterica Sundate with Jessica Zafra

I am 6th from the left joining the crowd queuing for Jessica's signature.

I joined my friends to Solidaridad Bookstore in Manila where Jessica Zafra would have her book signing. Little did I know that the book signing is part of Elwood Perez's movie, Esoterica. To cut the story short, I joined the cast as part of the crowd queuing for Jessica's book signing. I could just imagine the thrill of extras with speaking lines, because I was thrilled enough just being part of a crowd. To top it all: credits rolled with our names, albeit not on the movie, but on Jessica's blog Worked All Weekend.

Photos from behind-the-scenes of Esoterica:

My Pick: 2013 Revisited

My 2013 was a blast. There were many ups and downs just like the years past, but there were few significant events that have made my 2013 like no other years that have gone by. The following are my pick for personal milestones and events of 2013.

Bell Church: Baguio's Hidden Temples

The Bell Church in Baguio City is located near the border of La Trinidad. In fact, if you are coming from the city center, either by a car, cab or jeepney bound to La Trinidad, the Bell Church is right before the arch that says Welcome to La Trinidad.

There is no entrance fee to the Bell Church, but the compound is open from 7 AM to 5 PM only. Within its walls are several Taoist temples intricately adorned with bells and dragons. These pagoda structures line-up the slopes of a mountain side.

Here are few of the pictures I took from the Bell Church.

Proclamation No. 655: 2014 Philippine Holidays

Here is one proclamation that we all look forward to: Proclamation No. 655.
Under this proclamation, the regular and special non-working holidays for 2014 include:

Ayala Bridge

This picture of Ayala bridge was taken during the Million People March last August 26, 2013.
This bridge is a witness to countless political marches and rallies.

Here are some of the facts about Ayala bridge.