Lea Judan

Me and cousin Lea, who's 7 years old but does not talk much (good thing a Happy Meal helped!). I hope she can still remember me 10 years from now when she comes back to the Philippines... 

Holy Week Prayers and Picnics

Last Stop: San Sebastian Church, Manila

After 2 years, we finally went to a Visita Iglesia again on Holy Thursday to continue family tradition. Interestingly enough, friends Eda's and Raeden's families also went on their own Visitas at the almost the same chruches--we just missed each other by few minutes!

A lot of Filipinos really observe the traditions of Stations of the Cross; it's both humbling and heartwarming to see many people go to confession, reflect and remember to pray. Because most have already gone to the provinces, Manila seems like a ghost town.

But lo and behold, on Good Friday, it seemed that everyone flocked back to the parks (since malls were closed!) to find some sort of enjoyment. We visited riverbanks, QC circle and finally to Baywalk, all of which were so jampacked with families and dates you'd never realize it was still the Lenten Season.

As they say, Filipinos are the happiest breed of people anywhere, anytime in the world...even during Holy Week.