Vigattin at Manila Hotel

Billed as the “One of the grandest hotels in the orient,” Manila Hotel stands among the structures of the finest architectural and social creations of its time. Last year, I’ve made an article about Manila Hotel – its structure, as an institution, landmark, and as a well-preserved heritage. To my surprise, I didn’t expect that this year I will have the opportunity to visit the famous hotel with my Vigattin family. Let me share a simple story what happened during our visit in this heavenly place.

December 29 was the last day of work for us for the year 2012 and all of us were excited not only because of the long vacation, but also for the gathering this day.  We had little clue as to what our boss had in mind for the said gathering, but we had in our minds being in Manila Hotel.

We first went to Cabalen Restaurant at Robinsons Place, Manila, and after being treated to a wonderful dinner, our boss announced that we will proceed to Manila Hotel for another treat. We got so excited.

A great night at Manila Hotel

The perfect ambiance, warm greetings from their staff, the loveliness of the place, plus the serenade in the background – all of these welcome you upon entering Manila Hotel. One thing that I’ve noticed is that the staff is really hospitable and their only desire is to give us the best service to make our dining experience blissful, memorable and worthy of telling others about.

After the picture taking, we were served bibingka together with salted egg, kesong puti, and grated coconut. Then we had a little time to chat with each other. After an hour, we had decided to go home but before we left, we had our group picture at the entrance of the hotel.

I really had fun with our great night out with my Vigattin Family. I had hoped it didn't have to end so soon, but I'm pretty sure we'll have more fond memories in the coming year.

Here are some of the pictures during our stay at Manila Hotel.

Vigattin at Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves

Last August 25, 2012, the Vigattin Team got the chance to visit Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves in Pandi, Bulacan. Monday that week, it was a big surprise for us when our boss announced that we were going to visit the resort this coming Saturday. We got so excited because this would be the Vigattin family's first out-of-town get-together.

As early as 9am we left the office with all the things we needed. Before we went to the resort, we passed by Walter Mart Sta. Maria to buy foods and drinks. After that we proceeded to the resort that was almost an hour away from Walter Mart.

Pandi is one of the towns in Bulacan that is filled with fascinating attractions. Since it was my first time to go to Pandi, I was not familiar with the place and always asked my officemate questions as to the name of that particular place and attraction. Actually, I was really amazed upon seeing the place because of its serene and relaxing environment. If one wants a different commune with nature, then Pandi is one of the perfect places to visit.

And finally we arrived at Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves. I’ve heard is that, waves here are really wild and intense – perfect for a thrilling adventure. When we arrived, we first took our lunch, and after that we changed to our swimming attire. The deepest part of the pool at 6ft, and if you are together with kids, there are also available pools for them. We really had a great day at Villa Concepcion, particularly when the waves were opened to the public. It was the best part of the trip. The waves were really cool and wild! Because of this, I found myself coming back to the place over and over again.

We left the resort at 5pm and went home with happiness in our hearts. We need to thank our Vig boss Sir Elison for this treat. I will recommend this place to my friends and plan our next outing here at Villa Concepcion in Pandi.

Here are some of the pictures during our stay at Vigattin at Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves.

In the Cradle of Quiapo Church

The Day before the Black Nazarene Feast

The continous mass in Quaipo Church before the Black Nazarene Feast

Through the years, thousands of faithful frequented Quaipo church to celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene. And this year celebration, I’ve become part of the research team to explore the picture of Quaipo before the said feast. Come with us as we discovered this one of the most notable events in our country that continues touching the heart of many Filipinos.

Millions of the devotees are expected to join the January 9 procession of the religious image. And since it is harder for us to cover the feast on the exact day, we decided to set it the day before the feast (January 8).  Me with my co-writer Jp are excited with a little bit of nervous because aside from many people that we are going to encounter, it is our first time to do the job. We left in the office at 3pm and arrived in Quiapo past 4pm. Here, it starts our first journey to the said miraculous Nazarene.

As we walk through the church, I saw lots of people with different faces of lives and story. Though it is not my first time to visit Quiapo, it is my first time to see stories in the eyes of the faithful. They go to Quiapo church with hopes and believe that the miraculous Black Nazarene will grant their wishes and heal them from their illness. I noticed people praying in different ways. Some are raising their hands while the others are bending their knees just like asking for forgiveness.  And one thing that really breaks my heart is when I see people crying and sincerely praying.

Because we are not permitted to take pictures inside the church because of the continuous mass ceremony, we stayed and spend most of our time outside the church. Here we noticed lots of people including the devotees, media from different networks, security group, and vendors of different souvenirs and memorabilia of the Nazarene. Here, we interviewed some of the vendors on their point of view about the Black Nazarene and how it touches their lives.

Outside  the Quiapo Church during the mass ceremony

One man that catches my attention is Cesar Barro, a 43-year-old crippled and a vendor of Santo Niño in Quiapo church.  He lives at Home for the Disabled in Our Lady St. Quaipo, Metro Manila and considered himself as an independent man. I asked him some of the questions regarding on his faith and Cesar said that the Black Nazarene is a miraculous Saint that once heal him from his illness. The Nazarene is his guide and inspiration to go through lives and he added that whenever he does some unkind things that the Nazarene won't approve of, he will most likely get sick suddenly.

Cesar Barro, a devotee of the Black Nazarene

It’s an honor to meet one of the Philippine Journalists, Mr. Abner Mercado. He is a reporter, director and producer of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs since 1999. Photo taken yesterday at Quiapo Church.

Before we leave the Quiapo Church, we attended the 5pm mass and though I’m not a Roman Catholic, I still feel the spirit inside the church and give myself time to pray and give thanks for the blessings I’ve had every day. 

After the church mass, we proceed to Quirino Grandstand to get some of the information. It is past 7pm when we arrived and it is a surprise for me to see hundreds of people falling in line for the “Pahalik sa Poong Nazareno”. The line stretches all the way from Museo Pambata on Roxas Boulevard to the Quirino Grandstand. They are all waiting for the chance to touch the image of the Black Nazarene.

Tomorrow is another history for many Filipinos where millions of devotees are expected for the translation or transfer of the Black Nazarene statue at the church. This famous feast has become a modern tradition that is now entrenched in the Philippine culture. It only reflects that we, Filipinos are all heart when it comes to religion and faith.  We will do anything for faith because it is a way of life that gives purpose and inspiration to us.

VIVA Senor Nazareno!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

The Philippines has the world’s longest Christmas celebration. And as early as September, many Filipinos start to prepare for the coming Christmas season. Some are busy thinking of the best decorations while others are starting to save money for their godchildren and thinking of where to find the best bargains. Christmas is a celebration that truly lives in every Filipino’s heart. It is because during this season, family members who are in faraway places go home to celebrate Christmas together.

Why are we celebrating Christmas? For children, it is the time when Santa Claus comes to give them lots of gifts. For families, it is the season of spending time together after a long time of not seeing each other. For lovers, Christmas is the very romantic moment to celebrate and express love. For workers and employees, it is the luckiest month because of the 13th month pay and bonus. For students, it is their longest holiday vacation.

But do we really know the true meaning of Christmas? Sad to say, many of us don’t know that we celebrate Christmas to honor the holiness of Jesus Christ’s birth. Many are knee-deep in putting up the Christmas tree and thinking of the best places to celebrate Christmas, but few don’t know that Jesus must be the center of the celebration and nothing else.

For believers of Christ who accept him as Savior, celebrating Christmas is all about his life, death, and resurrection which saved us from our sins. Being a Christian is more about the way you live every day of your life, not just during Christmas or other religious occasions.

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrew 12:2

“Christmas in our Hearts”

"Whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on the streets...," the first line of the song "Christmas in our Hearts written by Rina Cañiza and Jose Mari Chan, is a Christmas carol that has truly captivated the hearts of the Filipinos with its lyrics reminding us of the real meaning of the season -- that Jesus is the reason for celebrating Christmas.

Filipino Christmas Recipes

Feast of Traditional Filipino Food

Withstanding the passage of time, Filipinos still have the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season. The chilly morning breeze, colorful lanterns and lights, Christmas carols everywhere, the beginning of Simbang Gabi – all signs that the Christmas season in the Philippines has arrived again.

One of the things I love during the Christmas season is the feast of food, especially the Filipino traditional ones. No matter how big or small the budget, Filipino families still do their best just to have something special to eat for this holiday. Noche Buena is one of the most awaited events of the year where lots of Filipino traditional food is prepared everywhere.  It is held towards midnight of December 24 where family members dine together on traditional yuletide fare, which includes: queso de bola (Spanish: "ball of cheese", which is edam cheese) sealed with red wax; tsokoláte, pasta, fruit salad, pandesal, relleno and hamón (Christmas ham).

Filipinos have their own specialty recipes during Christmas which can be something unique and prepared only once a year. I came up with a list of top Filipino Christmas Recipes that are rarely absent from a typical Filipino Christmas meal. Remember, Christmas in the Philippines is not complete without these recipes served on the table.

Lechon

Touted as the centerpiece of the dining table, Lechon is a whole roasted pig cooked over charcoal combined with lechon sauce. This pork dish is popular not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. Throughout the year, lechon has never been absent for special occasions. The seasoning and the process of cooking results to the tastiest pork dish with crispy skin and delicious taste.

Menudo

I grew up eating my father’s own way of cooking pork menudo, and I admit that it is one of the tastiest foods I’ve ever tasted. Menudo is a Mexican food that has been a favorite meal to serve during special occasions. It has the perfect combination of pork/beef, onions, potatoes, carrots, hotdogs, and red chili peppers. There are lots of variations of this dish and almost all provinces have their own version.

Salad

Who among us doesn’t love salads? Whatever sort of salad you are after, I am sure that your holiday is not complete without a taste of this healthy food. There are different variations of salad to choose from and some are made up of light and vigorous dressing that is good for the heart. So this coming Christmas season, have the best salad recipes for your family.

Pansit / Spaghetti

Pansit in traditional Filipino food is commonly served at birthday celebrations. Many say that pansit makes your life longer and healthier. It was introduced by the Chinese and later on adopted into local cuisine.  Pansit is one of the foods that are conveniently cooked fast, and because of this; it has been a favorite food to serve during holidays. Palabok, pansit bihon, luglog, and canton are some of its variations.

Spaghetti is another variation of pansit that is common to the Filipino meal during holidays. It is sometimes made with banana ketchup instead of tomato sauce, sweetened with sugar and topped with hot dog slices.

Kare-Kare

Another dish that is never absent from the Filipino dining table is kare-kare. Also known as “peanut stew,” oxtail or ox tripe is the main ingredient and is cooked with vegetables in a peanut-based preparation. It is typically served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).

Dinuguan

In dinuguan, pig's blood, entrails, and meat are cooked with vinegar and seasoned with chili peppers, usually siling mahaba.

Biko / Bibingka / Suman

These delicious puddings are made up of sticky rice best paired with sweet condiments. During the Christmas holidays, these are dishes that are never absent. This meal is commonly prepared not only for its affordable price but for its delicious taste that will surely be loved by everyone.

Leche Flan

Leche Flan is one of the top desserts during Christmas season. Also known as crème caramel and caramel custard, leche flan is made up of eggs and milk with soft caramel on top.

Other Popular Christmas Recipes

There are the other Filipino specialties during Christmas season. It includes adobo (chicken and/or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce, or cooked until dry), kaldereta (meat in tomato sauce stew), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), puchero (beef in bananas and tomato sauce), afritada (chicken and/or pork simmered in a tomato sauce with vegetables, crispy pata (deep-fried pig's leg), hamonado (pork sweetened in pineapple sauce), and lumpia (fresh or fried spring rolls). 

Bahay na Pula – More than just a House!

The Story of Our Ancestors

I was surfing the internet yesterday when I saw an article about Bahay na Pula in San Ildenfonso, Bulacan. I remembered one of my officemate told a story about this house. Quite funny, it is a ghost story. Haha! But as I read more about the house, I have known the true story behind it. Bahay na Pula is more than just a house! It is a witness, a living museum of the spirited past of our ancestors.

To check the whole story go to this link http://vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/69774d1d2c30f87cf94fccf21c51d46d

God Bless You!

Once Upon a Time in Manila Zoo

Last Sunday, when I was in my room I’ve noticed a box with a picture. Then I caught myself smiling alone – it was a picture of my father and I when I was a kid during a visit to Manila Zoo. Yes, Manila zoo has been one of the favorite places my family would visit whenever we were free. Though some details have been forgotten  due to the passage of time, the collection of pictures we have kept continues to tell the story of how wonderful childhood memories are.

My memories of Manila Zoo

The last time I went to Manila Zoo was last year together with my brother and his family. As always, we were first greeted by the Manila Zoo's lone elephant, Mali.  He is quite old but still catches the attention of many visitors. There are some sites which are great for taking pictures, but the most memorable things to capture on camera are the wacky things and crazy snapshots.

Tables for family picnics can also be found inside the park. Kids can also play at the children’s playground with swings, slides, monkey bars and many more. My unforgettable moment was when my brother and I tried the small man-made lake. I felt nervous, to be honest, but a cruise on the lake was quite enjoyable and relaxing.
Our whole day in Manila Zoo was very pleasurable. Although I m old enough to appreciate these things, they still make good memories for me to keep.

A day at Manila Zoo

With a fairly good balance of educational and entertainment attractions, Manila Zoo does its best to appeal to everyone. Located along Adriatico St., Manila, the zoo also has canteens, souvenir shops, boat rentals at the lagoon, and several playgrounds that cater to children and tourists.