A meaningful Lent and joyful Easter at The Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel revives pre-pandemic traditions in observance of Lent and to celebrate Easter. With an array of activities for its staycation, dining, and walk-in guests, and even those staying at home, the iconic hotel gives city folk and those who prefer to stay in Metro Manila options for the coming week.

Visita Iglesia 2022
Lenten tradition of Visita Iglesia is a time to commemorate and solemnly celebrate Christ’s passion in prayer and sacrifice. With a stay at the hotel on April 13 and 14, 2022 for a minimum deluxe room rate of only P7,000 nett and suite room rate of only P10,000 nett, guests can register 2 adults and 2 children 12 years old and below to join the Visita Iglesia tour. Walk-in rate for adults is P1,500 nett and 50% off on walk-in rate for children 5 to 12 years old.

Stopping at seven churches, namely:

• Manila Cathedral
• San Agustin Church
• St. Vincent de Paul Church
• Pope Pius XII Church
• St. Pancratius Church
• Malate Catholic Church
• Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guidance

The tour includes round-trip shuttle service, in-vehicle guides, bottled water, and a scheduled snack stop at Marcelino Street Café at The Manila Prince Hotel.

Registration for the Visita Iglesia guided tour is coursed through the hotel’s Front Desk/Reception upon room booking or for walk-in guests. For inquiries and reservation please call 85270011 or email resvn@themanilahotel.com.

A Bear-y Happy Easter
The popular Easter Egg Hunt is back this year. The Manila Hotel’s in-house guests and those having Easter lunch at Café Ilang-Ilang can register their kids 12 years old and below for the hotel’s Easter activity at the Fiesta Pavilion on April 17, 2022.

Let your kids complete the activities listed in our “A Bear-y Happy Easter” Kiddie Passport on this super fun Easter quest. Let them experience the thrill of finding Easter Eggs at our play area, and even win exciting prizes from the eggs find! Let them join activities like Arts & Crafts, Groovebeats Kiddie Dance workshop, and kiddie ballet; and watch a magic show. The whole family can also get one photo for free at the Family Easter Photo Booth.

To join the Easter Kid Activities, every P5,000 worth of single receipt food bill in Café Ilang-Ilang on Easter Sunday lunch entitles a guest to one (1) complimentary pass (good for one kid with one adult). Additional kid walk-in rate is at P1,500 nett (for one kid with one adult). Discounts are not applicable to the walk-in rate.

For a room bundled with 2 complimentary passes (1 child and 1 adult each pass) to the Easter event, rates start at only P6,000 nett for a deluxe room, which accommodates 2 adults and 2 children ages 12 and below. Overnight package is inclusive of buffet breakfast (for two adults), use of swimming pool and gym facilities.

The Manila Hotel’s A Bear-y Happy Easter event is co-presented by Little Georgia Academy with Kinder City.

Participating major sponsors are Make Believe Productions, Wonder Lab, Royal Artisans, Baby Fourth’s Couture, Star Baby Toy Store, Rhyme Lab Learning Center, S’mores Kit PH and Museo Pambata. Minor sponsors are Absolute Sales, DBE Fruits Trading (distributor of DOLE Fruits), ESV International Corporation, Globalinens Worldwide, Inc., RGL33 Fruits & Vegetable Dealer, SLC Agri Farm Ventures, Inc., Trisha’s Cakes and Pastries, and Werdenberg International.

For more information and reservation, please call 85270011 or email resvn@themanilahotel.com for room bookings, and restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com for dining reservations.

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THE TWO POPES movie review

Habemus Papam! A phrase that keep the Catholic Church rejoicing for centuries and continuing the faith in the Doctne. Fortunately, Netflix made an extraordinary movie that talks about the relationship of the two leaders of the Church in our time. Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce play Popes Benedict XVI and Francis in The Two Popes that will start streaming in Netflix on December 20.

When I saw the trailer, I noticed that they resemble pretty much of the two popes. And what's more interesting is that we had a deeper look into controversial events that involved Ratzinger and Bergoglio.

The Two Popes gives us a peek of the conclave as we've never seen it before. The selection process involved politics and more importantly, the virtues of Christianity has been looked in scrutiny. At least, for me I can say that we have a great pope in Pope Francis right now who ushers in modernization and reform in the Catholic Church with his ideals.

Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio in conclave (The Two Popes)

This also reminds us that they are not divine and they've shown their pure human and funny sides. Being a pope has given them so much pressure to preserve the faith of 1 billion Catholics around the world and that we should also continue to pray for them to have the wisdom and faith to lead us to holiness.

Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins as Cardinal Bergoglio and Pope Benedict XVI in the summer residence (The Two Popes)

The exchange of dialogue between the two moves me and it preaches to you to be spread kindness. One line is so powerful, "Mercy is a dynamite that destroys walls." To give you the full context of this statement, you need to watch the whole conversation that is written very beautifully. The Two Popes contains great lines from two great actors about the great relationship of two great persons.

The Two Popes will be streaming exclusively on Netflix starting December 20.

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Why watch Himala: Isang Musikal again?

Aside from it's one of the greatest stories ever told in cinema, the iconic "Walang himala!" cry of Nora Aunor on screen, Himala: Isang Musikal is a masterpiece that still very relevant and moving. Combining the great achievement by Ricky Lee and music by Vince De Jesus, seeing it for the second time at Power Mac Center Spotlight, I was still in awe of the spectacular story and performance of this exceptional cast.

The mystical plot while you're immersed in the black box theater where you get to experience how Brgy. Cupang turned from "cursed to blessed" is a one-of-a-kind experience. The cast, led by Aicelle Santos as Elsa, (with Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Sheila Francisco as Nanay Saling, David Ezra as Orly, Floyd Tena as Pari, Vic Robinson III as Pilo) I was more drawn into the emotions and the story than the first time I saw it. Himala is something that makes you appreciate more and more every time you see it.

Sheila Francisco gives great emotions with just a stare of the eye. The depth of her performance is quite felt. Vic Robinson III is a stronger Pilo than of Sandino Martin and I think they have more chemistry than Neomi Gonzales.

 

Collectively, the whole cast did an amazing job reliving this timeless piece and still worth another award and should not be missed. The story needs to be retold again and again, to wake us from blind beliefs and put faith where it's due. And our Filipino artistry deserves your applause.

The Sandbox Collective's Himala: Isang Musikal is playing (September 20 - October 20, 2019) at the Power Mac Center Spotlight. Tickets are sold at 1000, 1300, 1700 and 2300 via ticketworld.com.ph

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A visit at the Bl. Ivan Merz Reliquarium

Today is Holy Monday and a blessed day to visit the Bl. Ivan Merz Reliquarium Home of Sacred Relics in Marikina City. A small home turned into a mini-museum of sacred relics from all over the world.

You will be required to take off your foot wear when entering the Reliquarium to maintain the cleanliness and sanctity of the place. Take a glimpse of the relics or say a little prayer of your special intentions.

There are more than 1,000 relics found inside the Reliquarium, the third most in the Philippines. And the relics are coming from the bodies, vestments, place of birth, missions and my favorite section, from the Holy Land. It also includes relics from the apostles, and early Christians recognized for their holiness.

Relics are arranged according to the date of saints' feast days from January 1 to December 31. I learned that St. Rita of Cascia's feast day is also my birthday.

Relics of St. Rita of Cascia - Feast Day - May 22

You can also recognize some relics coming from famous saints like these from St. Pio de Pietrelcina, St. John Paul II, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Valentine, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Faustina Kowalska.

Relics of St. Pio de Pietrelcina and St. John Paul II

Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

  
But the center of the Reliquarium is the relics from the cross of the Crucifixion and there are secondary relics on the nails and thorns used in the passion of Christ.

Relic of the Holy Cross

Bl. Ivan Merz

Bl. Ivan Merz is of Bosnian descent, born December 16, 1896. He fought during World War 1 and decided to be a layman. He took the perpetual vow of chastity and devoted his free time to the Church. A young missionary and taught about Christianity to young Croatians until he died on May 10, 1928 (feast day).

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 22 2003 and declared him as Apostle of the Youth. He was then recognized by Pope Benedict XVI for his holiness by mentioning his name in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation: "Sacramentum Caritatis."

Bl. Ivan Merz is the perfect patron saint for young people, youth ministers, military personnel, philosophers, philologists, students, educators, liturgists, theologians, devotees of the Holy Eucharist, and lay faithful engaged in Christian apostolate.

He is also a powerful and compassionate intercessor when it comes to academic or professional examinations, dental and lung illnesses, couples who seek for a child and HIV/AIDS victims.

Bl. Ivan Merz Center and Reliquarium is open every Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 7pm. There is also no entrance fee. They've open it for Holy Week 2018 that's why we are lucky to visit it today. Here is the schedule for this week:

Holy Tuesday - Pabasa, 7am onwards
Maundy Thursday - 7am - 11pm
Good Friday and Black Saturday - 7am to 7pm
Easter Sunday (April 1 and 2) - CLOSED

* Office and Reliquarium resumes operation on Tuesday, April 3.

A visitor gets a certificate, a scapular and a stampita with the prayer to Bl. Ivan Merz. You can leave a letter where your prayer intentions will be included in every day masses for the whole year.

Visit the Bl. Ivan Merz Center and Reliquarium at SE Narra cor Champagnat St, Marikina Heights, Marikina City. Near St. Scholastica's Academy and C&B Mall.

For more information about the Reliquarium, prayer requests, religious items and souvenirs, you can contact them via:
Phone: +63 2 6212230, +63 956-1253804
Emal: vp.ivanmerz@gmail.com
Facebook Page: ivanmerzcenter

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A Lenten exhibit at Sta. Lucia Mall

As a Catholic, traditions are well-preserved especially in Church occasions like Christmas or Lent. Growing up, I can hear Pabasa in different parts of the community which sadly is no longer visible today. However, I am still thankful for the tradition of showing to the public different imagery portraying the suffering and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is seen in different churches until processions during the Holy Week.

And for many years, Sta. Lucia Mall hosts the annual Lenten exhibit featuring santos and santas xrom different families and owners who devote their time in adorning them with lavish and regal outfits and jewelry, offering beautiful and fragrant flowers.

Aside from the depictions of the different scenes during the suffering and death of Christ, there is also a Marian exhibit.

The Sta. Lucia Lenten Exhibit 2018 is ongoing until Palm Sunday, March 25. Located at the Ground Floor of Phase 2, beside Home Gallery.

You can give a donation or buy souvenir items, rosaries or stampitas at the entrance when you visit.

For more info, you can follow @staluciamall on Instagram or visit https://www.facebook.com/staluciamall/

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Papal Visit 2015 official theme song with actions

It's just 52 days away and Pope Francis will be here in the Philippines. And I am excited as a Catholic to be blessed in this wonderful event in the religious community. Pope Francis is very humble himself and I admire this character in him. The Pope will be in the Philippines from January 15-19, 2015, a blessed week for all Philippine residents. Check the cbcp.org website for his full itinerary.

As all preparations for the Papal Visit, it is memorable when we share the actions of the official theme songs from the previous papal visit of Pope John Paul II in 1995 and Jubilee Song in 2000. Now, we have "We are all God's Children," composed by Jamie Rivera and the official theme song of Pope Francis' visit. Sharing the video below with actions from the Santo Tomas Catholic School in Pampanga. Watch here:

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TV5 airs canonization rites of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II

on Sunday, April 27, we will witness another historic religious event for the whole Catholic community. Pope Francis leads the canonization rites of two blessed people, Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. the live feed on TV5 will be airing at 4PM.

canonization, the last step into sainthood of a religious Catholic, declares a deceased person to become saint and should have performed at least two miracles that have to be proved. for the cases of these two Blessed individuals, Pope Francis makes it easier with only 1 miracle each. from the time they are canonized, we can send our venerations and prayers for their blessings.

it would be very amazing that saintly individuals still exist in our time. these two popes have lived in the highs and lows of the world and wished for the world to be a better place like we also wanted. let's live like them and make it so, even if we don't get to sainthood.

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Visita Iglesia: Holy Rosary Parish Boracay

i was looking for a place to hear anticipated mass in Boracay and i found the Holy Rosary Parish.

the facade is a welcoming arms of Christ surrounded by island elements, trees and sea waves in tile mosaic. it's like feeling that you are in caring arms in paradise like Boracay.

going inside feels so calm and peaceful. the altar is adorned with the risen Christ and beside him are images of the Lady of the Holy Rosary. i heard the choir practicing their songs in peaceful harmony.

you can visit this parish when you visit Boracay most especially during lent. you can take a tricycle or walk on the shoreline of Balabag beach. it is a few steps away from Obama Grill and near the plaza.

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Visita Iglesia: St. Therese Parish Antipolo City

a young parish in the diocese of Antipolo is in reverence of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. it is located by the gate of Kingsville Subdivision, in front of SM City Masinag. the church sits there inviting all Catholic devotees to come.

white walls dominate the building and concentrating on the altar area where the Crucifix, the Immaculate Conception and the image of St. Therese of Lisseux stands. the special relic of St. Therese is found at the left of the altar.

the pews and the aisle is also spacious for your convenience. there are even more seats upstairs to accommodate more church-goers.

this is one of the stops you may consider when you do Visita Iglesia during lent. you can share your destinations by writing a comment below.

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Ateneo BlueRep's BARE: A POP OPERA review

Ateneo Blue Repertory makes their debut show outside of the campus with the 2012 rendition of Bare: A Pop Opera at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan City. the show runs from March 1 - 10, 2012 with 3PM and 7PM shows. this is directed by Ana Abad Santos based on the book by Jon Hartmere, Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo.

this is a story of 2 students, Jason and Peter, who are closet lovers inside a Catholic school. Peter (Bibo Reyes) may have wanted to get out of the open but Jason (Jaime Barcelon) stops him from doing so. alone, they do what they have to do -- express their love to each other. Jason really loves Peter but he struggles to protect his manly image. he is chased by girls and he doesn't want to disappoint his parents.

Bibo Reyes (Peter) and Jaime Barcelon(Jason)

to cut the story short, everything will be out in the open. with proper timing and acceptance of themselves, things will eventually work out right.

if you're going to watch the musical, the ensemble is good and there's a quite good set-up on the stage. cathedral-like, giving you the idea of Catholicism and being dogmatic of these types of schools. quite contrary to what's happening on our characters, where this kind of relationships happen. Ateneo, a known Catholic school in the Philippines, had embraced on this reality and i think it's a good decision to give BlueRep the liberty in choosing their productions and their students as well. substance comes first, if i may put it that way.

the songs are also nice. and you have to watch our for Sr. Chantelle and the Virgin Mary. Rem Zamora is powerful! his characters burst out the best lines i heard in the musical. praise be to him!

our main characters, Bibo and Jaime also did well. though i cannot find much of that chemistry portraying the lovers Peter and Jason. they can sing and act all right, however i think passion and engagement between them should be improved. Ivy (Maronne Cruz) and Fat Nadia (Cassie Manalastas) are also two ladies that can give out their character well.

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