Ponds and Pines View Resort

Ponds and Pines took my breath away. That is an exaggeration, but I really did love the place the moment I saw it.

Located in Nagbunga, Castillejos or San Marcelino (I don't even know, but it is located at the border), Zambales, somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Aside from the pool, what I actually loved about the place is the spacious landscaped lawn. It is a great place for events, plus parking won't be a nightmare. ;)

Ponds and Pines View Resort

For inquiries, call: 09157840974; 09198954652; 09215559282

Cris Aura Swimming Pool

Hidden somewhere in Magsaysay, Castillejos, Zambales. I think they charge P50 per person. They close at 6:00 PM, but it was indicated in their rules and regulations that they'll charge you extra for staying beyond that time. I guess it has to be arranged in advance.

Cris Aura offers separate pools for kids and adults. However, the slide is located at the adult pool, and using it plunges you to some 6 feet of water, so better get the life jacket ready if you can't swim but wish to enjoy the ride.

:)

Cenaculo 2009

The reenactment of the Passion of Christ

I was amazed to find out that there were three cenaculo's in Castillejos this Holy Week. I didn't follow them or see what they were doing, though, except for viewing the live kubol's around the town. I just waited as they passed by our place.

The cenaculo enacted by the Union of Concerned Youth of Castillejos, Incorporated (UCYC, Inc.) was the best, I believe. I could feel the holiness of Holy Week and the suffering of Jesus Christ in their faces and actions. A must-see for me next year. (Photos of UCYC below.)

As mentioned earlier, there were live kubol's around the town. I didn't get to see all of them. Another must-see for me next year. And hopefully, I'll be able to capture them in photos by then and share them with the world.

Holy Week 2009

Castillejos, Zambales

Semana Santa

Isang sulyap sa selebrasyon dito sa aming bayan noong nakaraang taon.

Sa Park

Lara in a bench donated by "SNA Batch '71 of California USA" in the little park in our not-so-sleepy town of Castillejos

Sunday, January 25, 2009
Around 11:30 in the morning

St. Nicholas: The Parish and the Academy

That's what the side of the church and the other gate of St. Nicholas Academy now looks like from the playground near the Parish Hall.



Background: A (pricey?) comfort room for SNA students, which I haven't tried or even seen yet, but which I hope is extremely clean and beautiful. Foreground: Lara poses for me in the swing in the playground.

Taken on Sunday, January 25, 2009, around 11:30 in the morning

Holy Week 2008

When a friend asked me how my Holy Week was, I said it may be off to say, but it was happy.

I have often heard that Holy Week is the time of the year when our town is full of life, probably even surpassing the festivities during our town fiesta. There are lots of people walking down the busy street under the scorching heat of the sun, motorists causing traffic jam in both highway and small streets, and the "tourist attraction."

Holy Week is one long vacation that I would want to be just home. It's a family moment and also a reunion with friends. It's one of the few (or two?) times of the year when one would expect people to come home.

Home... I love home.

Holy Thursday
I did not really go out of the house on Thursday due to the extreme heat. Besides, very few people went out of their way to get a glimpse of the happenings in town on that day. In the afternoon, I had a joyride with the kids around town. Here's one shot that I liked.


Balaybay. The Bundok ng Kalbaryo where people get themselves nailed on the cross. This year, though, I heard that nobody got himself or herself subjected to such an act. By the way, the full moon could have been seen here but the clouds hid its beauty.

Holy Friday
With Mon, his mom, and his nieces, we drove around the town to see what's up. In the afternoon, I simply stayed in my relatives' house across the street.


Pana. He's the single person I saw this year who really endured the pain of walking with arrows all over his body.


Penitensya. Flagellants praying in a kubol.


Fresh Wounds. The wounds of my cousin (yes, I have relatives who do these things).


Flagellant on the Side. Uncle Cyril sitting by the bench at the gate.


Carrying of the Cross


Burdened. A man finding it difficult to walk on the hot sidewalk. The cross he was carrying has already been brought to the next kubol.


Pagbubuhat


Carrying of the Cross, Faces Covered


Burdened in Costume. A man in costume portraying the suffering of Christ by carrying the cross this Holy Week.


Cenaculo. The Catholic Church frowns upon the "imitation" of the suffering of Christ during Holy Week. If people would listen to the Church, this Cenaculo would be the only thing spectators would see aside from the other religious celebrations being observed.


Cenaculo: The Carrying of the Cross


Cenaculo: Tres Marias


Family
My Holy Week wouldn't be complete without seeing at least some of my relatives. Here are snapshots of the people I love.











This last shot was taken by Lara. Budding photographer :)

Pasko 2007 at Bagong Taon 2008 sa Pinas

I haven't been abroad to celebrate Christmas or New Year in those foreign places or to compare their celebrations with ours. With various articles regarding the grandness and uniqueness of the way Filipinos celebrate the holidays, I can almost conclude that nothing beats Philippine Christmas and New Year.

Given that, I want to share through these slideshows how I enjoyed my holiday break recently.


Christmas



New Year



Kampay!