Inauguration 2010

As I await the inauguration of the newly elected Philippine President, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, there is a feeling of both relief and anticipation. Relief because of the reality of a change in the leadership and anticipation because of the unknown future after today. I do not fear this change and this uncertainty in the air. And I know that I, we, must embrace it and put forward our best effort in making this country great again. It is, after all, our responsibility as citizens of this beloved country to make things work rather than sit, sulk and put the blame on others and not ourselves.

I was pleasantly surprised with Noel Cabangon's song and his asking the public and the people on the stage and the grandstand to join him in singing and pledging to become good citizens of the Philippines. Indeed, that is what we need to become and not just by our words but by our actions. I just hope the public and our leaders understood the message, and embrace and live the change that we need for the future of this nation.

Hymns

While I only went to three schools, I only know of two having hymns. These are the hymns of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, where I spent my grade school and high school days (11 years), and of the University of the Philippines, where I took my Bachelor's and Master's degree in Civil Engineering (7 years total). Incidentally, I still am with UP but as a faculty member of its College of Engineering. I am not aware of my third school, the Yokohama National University, having a hymn and so I reproduce below the hymns of both LSM and UP:

LOURDES FOREVER

Let us blend our tongues in praises,

Let the years resound our voices,

Enduring be our fealty

To the school, we love so well.

Though the years our paths may sever,

Sons of Lourdes we’ll ever be,

And with joy thy praises

Sing so proudly, cheering

Alma Mater, hail to thee!

Comrades dear…

Let the song…

Echo clear…

Loud and long!

UP Beloved (Original English Version of the UP Hymn)

I.

U.P. beloved, thou Alma Mater dear

For thee united, our joyful voices hear

Far tho we wander, o'er island yonder

Loyal thy sons we'll ever be

Loyal thy sons we'll ever be.

II.

Echo the watchword, the Red and Green forever.

Give out the password, to the Hall of Brave sons rare.

Sing forth the message, ring out with courage

All hail, thou hope of our dear land,

All hail, thou hope of our dear land.

UP Naming Mahal

I.

U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang

Ang tinig namin, sana'y inyong dinggin

Malayong lupain, amin mang marating

Di rin magbabago ang damdamin

Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.

II.

Luntian at pula, Sagisag magpakailanman

Ating pagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal

Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang

Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan

Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

Old Churches

I've taken a lot of photos during my travels and among my favorite subjects are old churches. However, I've misplaced prints and negatives of older photos taken with my trusty Pentax and Minolta cameras. Most of these older photos may have been lost to typhoon Ondoy and it will take me some time before I can travel to places like Tuguegarao and Vigan though I might have opportunities to shoot Lucban, Tayabas and Cebu soon.

Below are some of the more recent photos I've taken in Iloilo, Bohol and Camarines Sur:

Iloilo province has a treasure trove of old churches including the ones in Miag-ao and Cabatuan. I would like to get newer shots of the churches in Jaro, Molo and Sta. Barbara. These are part of the older photos I took.

Cabatuan, Iloilo (view from the town plaza)

Cabatuan, Iloilo (closer view of main door and tower facade)

Miag-ao, Iloilo (UN World Heritage Site)

Miag-ao, Iloilo (facade)

Bohol is another province with a wealth of culture and I was very impressed with the churches there. Unfortunately, I was not able to visit Dauis (an irony since we stayed in Panglao) and missed time to travel to see the picturesque seaside towns that had, aside from old churches, old lighthouses. Loboc, Albuquerque and Baclayon are among the finest examples of Christian Catholic architecture (is there such a term?) in the Philippines.

Loboc, Bohol (view from plaza)

Loboc, Bohol (perspective)

Albuquerque, Bohol (view from national highway)

Baclayon, Bohol (view from across the highway)

Baclayon, Bohol (main altar)

I went to Naga City, Camarines Sur in early September 2009 to speak before a Civil Engineering student convention for Region 5. I took advantage of my free time by going around the hometown of my father-in-law and familiarizing myself with the city's transportation. A visit to Naga will not be complete if one does not visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

Naga, Camarines Sur (view from the plaza)

Naga, Camarines Sur (stained glass of dome in the plaza)

The Shrine to Our Lady of Penafrancia is not actually an old church as the one above is a more contemporary structure built to host devotees flocking to the Shrine every year to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady. The old church is still standing and is actually nearby. Naga City is home to a lot of old churches and I look forward to visiting the city in the near future for more photo opportunities.

I hope to find photos of old churches in Rizal and Laguna including those in Baras, Binangonan, Morong and Paete. Perhaps I will be featuring more of these in succeeding posts.