Alay Lakad 2013

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I again walked to Antipolo Cathedral on the eve of Good Friday, and although it was my fourth consecutive year to do it, it was the first time that I did it alone.

I made the vow to do the Alay Lakad annually back in 2010, when my Catholic soul felt somehow ‘fulfilled’ after doing it for the first time. We were a group of ten back then, all first-timers, and today I am glad that majority of those I went with that year still continue to do it every year, even if not with me anymore.

I found myself with a different group of five the following year, although my ‘kid Friday’ back then went with me, of course. And then my Alay Lakad company became less every year. In 2012, I just went with a friend, and then this year I was alone.

It was fun. I was alone, but then again not. From the Immaculate Conception Parish in Pasig City, I walked with a throng of strangers. They were in groups or pairs; some walked with their families, others with their friends, and then some were with their religious groups.

There were more pilgrims that walked from Pasig Cathedral this year compared to last year, but then I was a little surprised upon reaching Ortigas Avenue because there were obviously less pilgrims this time.

I walked fast, only stopping to buy a bottle of Gatorade in one 7 Eleven store. It took me two hours and eleven minutes, from 10:15 PM Thursday up to 12:26 AM the following day, to walk from Pasig Cathedral up to the first Station of the Cross. It took me almost three hours, however, from the first Station up to the Antipolo Cathedral (also called Immaculate Conception Parish or National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage).  Of course, it was because I stopped at every station to listen to the recorded message, and also because it was impossible to walk faster than the pace of the people around.

As usual, there were a lot of teens who joined the ‘walk,’ but what surprised me was to see a mother carrying a less-than-a-year-old baby on that part between the fourteenth station and the church. It was the most crowded part that you’d feel the breath of the one behind you on your nape. You wouldn’t have a choice also but to go with the flow, and by flow it means two to five steps at a time.

I eventually lost sight of the young woman with a baby before I reached the church’s door where everyone would throw coins and make wishes. I just hope they made it through safely.

As for the wish, it was the same one I usually say every time - good health for me and my loved ones.

It was almost 4:00 AM when I hopped on a tricycle, telling the driver to take me to the highway. I meant the one near the first Station of the Cross, but he took me to that road that’s just a few minutes walk from the municipal hall. I had a bad experience there last year because there were no buses and the people became barbaric whenever a Crossing-bound jeepney would pass by. What I did that time was to hire another tricycle to take me down the road to that first station where a lot of buses were waiting. It was a good thing that this time, I was able to chance upon a still almost empty Crossing-bound jeepney before I gave up and hired another tricycle like last year. It was barely two minutes after I hopped on, though, before it got full.

I was only able to take one decent photo with my phone’s camera throughout the whole experience. I decided to leave the big camera behind because I wanted to concentrate on the pilgrimage and not on taking pictures. And then I secretly hoped I had a better camera phone than what currently have.

Alay Lakad 2013

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PAL Express Domestic Fares Promo!

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As much as 75% lower! Domestic Fares Promo

Selling Period: March 22 to April 22, 2013

Travel Period: June 16 to October 15, 2013

Book now at: http://www.flypalexpress.com/ for PAL Express. For Philippine Airlines promos, check out http://www1.philippineairlines.com/

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Malls, LRT and MRT Sched for Holy Week 2013

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For those staying in the metro for the Holy Week, I guess we are left with nothing to do from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday as the malls are closed and even the LRT and MRT won’t operate until Sunday.

Check out the sched below.

SM MALLS

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

AYALA MALLS (including Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Market! Market!, Trinoma, Abreeza, Ayala Center Cebu, Centrio):

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

ROBINSONS MALLS

Maundy Thursday
Robinsons Luisita, Tagaytay, Pangasinan and Palawan: Regular Mall Hours
Other Robinsons Malls branches: CLOSED

Good Friday
Robinsons Luisita and Tagaytay: Regular Mall Hours
Other Robinsons Mall branches: CLOSED

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

POWER PLANT

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 10:00 PM

Easter Sunday
10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

EASTWOOD CITY

Maundy Thursday
All shops are closed except for selected restaurants

Good Friday
All shops are closed except for selected restaurants

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

NCCC MALL DAVAO

Maundy Thursday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

SHANGRI-LA PLAZA

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

FESTIVAL MALL ALABANG

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

GATEWAY

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

STA. LUCIA EAST GRAND MALL

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

TIENDESITAS

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

LANDMARK

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

LUCKY CHINA TOWN MALL

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

LRT 1 and 2

Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday
Closed

MRT

Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday
Closed

FREE iPhone 4 from Smart

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Here is Smart's special offer to the Class of 2013:
The iPhone 4 FREE at Plan 999 with 250MB Data & 40 SMS + 100 mins. of calls to ALL networks. Visit any Smart Store to avail.

Smart iPhione 4 FREE

Samsung Galaxy S4 (Video)

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Developed to redefine the way we live, the GALAXY S 4 makes every moment of our life meaningful. It understands the value of relationships, enables true connections with friends and family, and believes in the importance of effortless experience.

Highly crafted design with a larger screen and battery, thin bezel, housed in a light 130g and slim 7.9mm chassis. The new Samsung GALAXY S 4 is slimmer, yet stronger.

The GALAXY S 4 gets you closer to what matters in life, and brings your world together.
For a richer, simpler and fuller life.

To find out more, click here http://www.samsung.com/galaxys4/

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Airphil Express rebrands as PAL Express

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Further strengthening its alliance with Philippine Airlines (PAL), Airphil Express is undergoing a major transformation by improving and aligning its service standards and product offerings with the flag carrier.

Airphil Express rebrands as PAL Express

Reflecting this change, Airphil Express will rebrand itself as “PAL Express” effective March 15, 2013. All Airphil Express planes will use the familiar “sunriser” PAL livery and logo on its tail and fuselage.

Side by side with the rebranding will be a total enhancement of customer experience as PAL Express ensures that customers receive the best quality service that each carrier has been known for.

With the rebranding, PAL Express passengers will now enjoy complimentary snacks, drinks and reading materials on board and other amenities previously enjoyed only by passengers of full service carriers like PAL. Passengers of PAL Express can also earn miles through their membership in Mabuhay Miles.
“It’s not just a name change, but an alignment of two standards into one. With this rebranding, PAL and PAL Express will be full service carriers in terms of service, but LCC in terms of managing costs,” PAL President Ramon S. Ang said.

Once the transformation is complete, PAL Express will have the same service standards as PAL, a strong 72 year-old brand recognized as one of the country’s most prominent corporate institutions. The objective is to deliver enhanced customer experience in all touchpoints both on ground and inflight.

Despite the rebranding, PAL and PAL Express will remain distinct and independent airline companies but following a single service standard. All PAL flights will be manned by PAL pilots and cabin crew, while PAL Express flights will be operated by Airphil Express pilots and flight attendants.

Both airlines will also maintain their respective websites –www.philippineairlines.com and www.flypalexpress.com as well as hotline numbers (02)8558888 for PAL and (02)8559000 for PAL Express.

For seamless alignment of service standards, PAL and PAL Express frontliners like cabin crew, airport customer service agents (CSAs), ticket office agents and contact center service agents are undergoing continuous training. Policies, procedures and standards of the two airlines are also being aligned.

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Goodbye, Google Reader

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This was what welcomed me when I decided to read some feeds from Google Reader just now:

Google Reader popup

Bakit kaya? Baka next thing we know, Blogger na ang mawawala.

Now the big question is, what can I use in replacement for the Google Reader that I have used for almost five years now?

Our New Pope is Argentinian

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Celebs with Dogs: Mikael Daez

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Mikael Daez seems to love him so so much. Lucky dog.

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Tom Cruise

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This scene from Oblivion makes me miss climbing. So much. My last climb was on January 3 with K when we did Maculot Traverse.

Tom Cruise in Oblivion

I think I have to pack my ever dependable Hawk daypack soon.

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