Hongkong - Madam Tussauds and The Peak

My first destination of choice when I was a kid was always been Hongkong. May it be on birthdays and saying my prayer before I go to bed. I'd always wanted to visit this city but with limited resources I could say that some things were meant to happen later. Since grade school, I always envy those kids who had the opportunity to celebrate their childhood in other places especially in Disneyland. It is much better to see those characters you watch on TV. But I'm here now. It was only a brief trip of 3 days trying to experience the city as much as possible, but the city helped me make the most of it by turning it on even more by night.

Starting the trip was kind of different from any other trips I had. It would be the first time that I'd be spending my own money on everything and my over excitement. I normally have anxieties about flying but from the moment I sat down on the flight I was lulled in to a calming few hours away from my own thoughts. Above the clouds is such a beautiful place to escape yourself. With the help of a good book to read (50 shades of grey chapter 24: Christian and Anna riding on a glider) and inflight entertainment (Sitti my favorite flying playlist) of course! The stress free flight allowed me to both physically and mentally refresh before arriving in Hong Kong. In complete honesty I had my personal troublesome days, weeks and months due to a heartache. I mean, somethings were not really meant to happen. I waited for months, and when I arrived at the airport. I just came to realize that Im in Hongkong and its a fact (haha). 

Travelling is a wonderful, blessed experience. To travel is to take chances and seek more of the world and yourself. For the many years I existed I have to admit that Asian Cuisine has been my preference. Yes, I am Asian but it is a matter of personal preference. Its the distinct flavors that blends inside your mouth that makes me happy (or taste buds I should say?).

With so little time I decided to spend my time at the Peak. Most of the tourist visited the site because of Madame Tussauds; famous for waxing in well-known celebrities.

Mophie Love

Whats up Wanderers, Today im going to give you a review about my experience owning a mophie juice pack. :)

Owning an iphone since from 3g to 3gs to 4 to 4s and to 5 battery life has been my issue not only because it is limited but a hassle bringing the cords and trying to find that perfect corner in the coffee shop that has a working socket. Then I purchased a power bank from a store online. Yes, it is convenient but hey I am not that guy who carris a bag most of the time. I usually leave my things everywhere. I only consider my car as my bag (haha).

When i got my iphone 5, a friend told me about this thing they called "mophie" but I just did not give it a try because I know it is going to be pricey.

I stopped being on the apple trend when i got my Iphone 5 because I also need to save money.

Not until late 2014 apple release the 6 and the 6 plus. My reaction was, "Hey I have to get the 6 plus in gold."

Firstly, the 6 plus is the best travel companion ever! not because of the camera but it has a longer battery life. However, it is quite limited. And with that, It made me choose to get the "Mophie" thing. I made a thorough research and review and purchased one.

 

On the 6 plus it gives you 60% extra battery life. Not much to unbox, it just came with the battery case itself, the USB cord and a headphone adapter for the headphones.

The case itself is very attractive, it gives an additional edge on the new style of the Iphone. Especially  the gold that looks nearly the same with the iphone. It definitely feels more compact and extremely solid.

All button works exactly the same as expected from the volume and the power button.

The way it works is pretty much self explanatory. Flipping the switch on the green side indicates a charging mode and the red one to turn it off. However, it gets a little warm sometimes. (which I think is normal while charging.

Lastly, when it comes to the battery claims it definitely does its job. When Im on 10% I usually get 80-90 additional battery life which is way beyond 60%.

For now, Im using this case on a daily basis though my friends tell me that it is big and bulky. But it is upon your preference.

Come back to me

As Mr. Google told me. However, im not a well-know person. But hey, i can be someday. Squee!

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

A brief History

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish was officially and canonically established on January 27, 1957 with Father Clifford, SDB as the first parish priest and Father Pericle Bianchini, SDB (an Italian missionary) as his coadjutor.

Father Clifford paid the construction bills with money raised by the Cebu Boys Town through selling eggs. A “weekend movie” fundraiser also helped generate funds for the construction of the church.

In February 11, 1958 , in time for the Centenary Celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes, the wooden structure of the church was completed.

The parishioners of the small Punta Princesa community rejoiced with the rest of the Catholic World – marking the completion of the Parish as well as commemorating the Centennial Celebration.

Magnificent Structure

In 1970, an 18 meter-high concrete parabolic shell of the church was erected. The current church now boasts an overall length of sixty meters and transepts of 22.3 meters.

The 6-foot stone tabernacle of the church is one of the most attractive religious structures in the metropolis. After exploring the winding Mananga River twenty seven times searching for a hard and towering rock for the tabernacle, Father Bosch discovered one weighing more than twelve tons in Bo. Taup. The door of the tabernacle is of solid bronze weighing twenty kilograms.

Hanging above the main altar is the crucifix with Christ’s body, which is slightly bigger than life-size. This was donated by the hometown workers of Father Bosch in Ciudadela , Spain in1972. Except for the arms, the body is made of Dutch pine tree by Casa Bochaca of Barcelona for P6,000.

In 1971, Architect Virgilio Asuncion redesigned the rear walls, façade, canopy grotto and the belfry. This was completed in close collaboration with Engr. Eli Hubahib, Engr. Capistrano Ramientos and Jesus Caracena.

The three bells, donated by the Spanish people and cast in Spain , are named Fatima, Maria Auxiliadora, and little Fatima, respectively.

In 1973, the stained glass windows were installed on the façade of the church. All these lovely multicolored stained glasses and the small circular panel at the back of the baptismal font were the artistic work of Casa Kraut in Manila .

Another exceptional highlight of the church is the baptismal font. It is made of a carved stone from a rock in Bo. Taup. This is located in front of the sacristy separated by a thick wall embroidered with gray stones.

The statue of the Blessed Mother was placed on a big white stone depicting the strength and purity of the Mother of God.

Governor Osmundo Rama provided the transportation in getting the stones from Mananga River in Sitio Taup to the church site. The statue of the Blessed Mother is made of marble by a local artist Fidel Araneta.

Above the sanctuary is the chandelier designed by Pio Bonilla. Each bulb in the chandelier represents a chapel in the parish. This became a permanent mark of the people’s faith and commitment to the church.

The stained glass of the fourteen Stations of the Cross portraying the passion of Christ and His death adorn the church walls. Architect Pio Bonilla donated paintings depicting exquisite representations of man’s redemption. The pews and kneelers located in the east and west transepts were originally bought by Father Clifford for the wooden church.

Into The Present

It took over 16 years to finish the present church of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

Without the dedication of Father Bosch, the support of the Salesian community, and the collective efforts of the parishioners, the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes would not be the magnificent church that it is today.

Credits to: http://fiscym.org/

Celebrating its 57th Annual Fiesta last February 11. I get the chance to attend the Pontifical Mass by Archbishop Jose Palma. The Mass is on 4pm, I arrived at 2:45pm so capturing some of the church interior was not an issue.

Some of the Interiors inside of the church was still on the process of reconstructing due to the earthquake incident last October 15 in Bohol and Cebu and some parts of the Central Visayas. But nevertheless, in my own point of view the church is halfway there already.

Like any church visit, it is not complete by not touching the image of the Patron and say a little prayer it may be a thanksgiving or a petition. 

It is one of the shrines in Cebu dedicated to Mary with the title Our Lady of Lourdes. It celebrates 3 daily masses in Cebuano at 530am, 630am, & 600pm. On Sundays it has 10 masses plus baptism which starts at 1000am. Confession is at 430pm to 700pm from Monday to Saturday. And on Sunday simultaneous with every Mass. The shrine is managed by the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Contact Details:

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

Address: Francisco Llamas St, Punta Princessa Dakbayan sa Sugbu, Cebu City

Phone:(032) 261 5393