My travel record as of 30 November 2008

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

The MegaChapel of the Philippines

It's the biggest CHAPEL so far I've been to which is actually inside the first biggest mall in Manila, the SM Megamall.... So it's been branded as the MEGACHAPEL, the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord.

Inaugurated last 13 October 2008, the Megachapel can accommodate 2,000 people in it -- 1,500 can seat, the rest can stand. Well I can compare it with St. Peter's Church in Tokyo, Japan, but the difference of course, it's a church and the Megachapel is still considered a chapel.

There is a crying room for the babies at the back and they are trying to organize the receiving of the Holy Communion. In Japan where I was able to attend one Sunday mass there through a friend (and where I accidentally met a college classmate there), the people are guided by the church staff and the lines who wish to receive the Holy Communion are organized by rows.

I think this is the practice which the Megachapel wishes to do. It's just that the Filipinos are used to go to the line on their own when the Holy Communion starts, maybe later on they can do it.

One more thing is that it has a side adoration chapel and again, it can accommodate about 300 people for private adoration.

For me, it's convenient to attend Sunday mass there and the celebration is done properly as expected. It's not surprising to note that many church goers are there, and so may be the reason for the owners of the SM Megamall to build the Megachapel. The only problem there is that church goers, especially on weekends, they are in their shopping attire and so the proper dress attire as recommended by the Church is not strictly followed.

Some pictures here... and yes I was there...

This is the facade of the chapel...



The Altar (or should I say, the mega-altar... )


The adoration chapel


A view inside the chapel..


and this is my proof that I have been there... :)

How far have I traveled my home country?

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Data shows as of February 2008... :)

Boracay is no. 7 in the world survey!

So I would be starting with how the Philippine bets in the world survey in terms of natural wonders... and I would brag that I've also been there. Hence, I can be sure of what I'm blogging about.

So I've said Puerto Princesa's Underground River is currently no. 1 in the World Survey for Wonders of the World.

This time, it's the Boracay Island where many investors are actually foreigners... who got attracted to the island's unique qualities for a white beach. Its powdery sand and crystal-clear blue water make it one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world. Now Boracay is no. 7 in the world survey (based on Yahoo Travel survey). I remember years ago, it's one of the top 5 (just can't remember if it's according to Discovery Channel Travel & Living or National Geographic Channel). Ranking may change but still it belongs to the Top 10 of the world's best of the best.

More and more resorts are being established there, the area which they call the "back beach" is likewise being developed now. The back beach just lacks the resorts and establishments but the beach has the same potentials.

Fortunately I've been there for a few times now and I'm still willing to go back as I'm not yet through with the beach... Allow me to share some pictures...

Philippines' pride to Wonders of the World is no. 1

Great news to all! Just learned that as of 28 October 2008, the number 1 in the world survey for the New 7 Wonders of the World is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Check it out here.

I remember when we got the chance to go there last year, I feel so blessed to see with my own very eyes what they say a truly natural wonder of the world.

We really appreciated how nature shapes itself into something we can never imagine. We saw how the stalactites and stalagmites were able to form naturally the different figures inside the cave, which can belong to the historical landmarks of a country.

I can never forget that trip, because from then on, I learn how to appreciate nature more than ever. I urge, not just request, all to see it for yourselves why we are just so proud of this.

Come and Let's Enjoy our Planet

So I created this blog to express how I appreciate when I started to see the different features of our planet. I may have been only to a few parts of the world, but knowing what's in there means so much for me.

When we don't go out, we tend to believe for only a few and close our mind to other ideas, or rather what is really happening outside our door.

If we go out and open our eyes to the world, then we realize there are so many things to know and to care for. As for Angelina Jolie's experiences, who used to be a wild teen-ager and not knowing what's in it for her, but when she was exposed to the less privileged people, she then realize her purpose.

And so I really agree on what she said:
"If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in,
you won't understand how bigger the world is."