Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Good Friday

Good Friday in some parts of the Philippines, particularly in Bulacan, was not really good... more like weird - and extreme - and strange. Did I already say weird?

It was Friday of the Catholic Holy Week. The street was packed despite excruciating heat.


A lenten tradition locally known as "Penitensya", a bloody event, was one of the most awaited. And yes, children were among the viewers.


Women chant a poetic prayer known as the "pabasa" or "pasyon" which tells the story of Jesus.


Some demonstrate their penance by carrying wooden crosses.




The leaves around their heads symbolize the thorny crown that Jesus wore.


They wore masks simply for secrecy.


Some go for a more extreme practice and re-enact the beatings that Jesus Christ endured in the hands of the Roman soldiers.

They walk barefoot (this is noon so the road is scorching hot)


and they lash their backs with bamboo.



Looking at them, it seemed like they can't make it through but these are the same people who carry on their "panata" or pledge every year.


From what we know the Catholic Church discourages self-flagellation but these people think it's a form of repentance.


All in the name of their faith.




Adoring and kissing the Holy Cross at a designated Church marks the end of their public penance.



We hope you found this post interesting. Thanks for visiting!




Monday, April 11, 2011

Timeless Beauty

These were the roses from the bouquet that Naldo gave me last White Day (March 14). Originally, they were pink. Now that they've dried up, I can't believe they're still sooo beautiful! They're like magic flowers!


I never intended to keep the roses but with how they turned out, it's just impossible for me to throw them away. =) So now I am storing them in the box of Ferrero chocolates that I gave Naldo last Valentine's Day. More treasures! Yay!


So I hope you're discovering some wonderful treasures today. And oh, don't be throwing those Ferrero boxes. You'll never know when they'll come handy. ;-D




tag: art

Friday, April 8, 2011

Pretty Basket

This was how it looked originally.


I wanted it to be prettier so I decorated it. But I didn't have the materials I wanted so I recycled.

1. floral lace (sort-of) from an old shirt
2. pink strap from Monster Hunter costume ^0^
3. yellow ribbon bow from an old hair-clip
4. elephant mini-plush from an old key holder

Tah-dah! :-)



p.s. We got this basket for only 150 pesos from the traveling handicrafts merchant.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Traveling Handicraft Merchant

Encountering this handicraft merchant was like traveling to the past. It's because we rarely see them anymore. Their way of trading is almost like an endangered industry.


Naldo talked to the young merchant (above: in purple) and found out that the boy and his caravan came all the way from Pangasinan and have been on the road for a month now. They'll only travel back to their hometown when they have sold all of their products. From the look of it, they won't be going home yet. (*sad-much!)


I wanted to take more photos --- y'know picture perfect ones without the unwanted human body parts (go and find them) but we were late for something more important. Anyway, their handicrafts are pretty well-made. We even bought a 150-peso basket which Kultura and Papemelroti sells for a ridiculously much higher price. So that's it for now. Meanwhile I'll be decorating the basket. (To see the basket, click here.)

Have a happy April!