Amid the rush

The Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition to visit seven churches and recite the Stations of the Cross in them. This is usually done on Maundy Thursday.

St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Timog

Devotees of all ages and from all walks of life flock various churches with the intent of completing the pilgrimage.

San Agustin Church, Intramuros

Barefoot devotees. - University of Sto. Tomas, Manila

Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City

Vendors also take this opportunity to take advantage of the foot traffic and sell various merchandise from food to toys to religious objects.

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Kamuning

Amid the rush of urban living, the annual Visita Iglesia serves as a time for us to reflect. During this time, we pause, look back and start anew. Or do we?

St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel, Quezon City

Fighting fire with fire

Not really sure if this is a product of a parking violation gone bad or a way of taking graffiti to the next level.

Let's just put it this way: stubborn driver meets stubborn hip-hopper. Ikaw, matigas din ba ulo mo?

halalang pambarangay 2010

Today marks another crossroad in Philippine politics ~ Barangay elections. Being able to witness elections in two different sites, (my wife and I are registered in two different barangays), I was reminded that this usually ignored sector of the government is much coveted among local lords. No different from the national elections, there were at least five candidates for Barangay Captain and Sangguniang Kabataan chair in each site we went to, not to mention the number of people running for Kagawad.

Fiesta? Probably after the elections
the winners will have one.

We talked about the reasons why everyone was after a position in the barangay, when the salary grade is not that high. Could it be just pure public service; the expansion of their political network, preference in budget allocation, or just mere satisfaction of man's insatiable need to be in control? Remember that even in this smallest form of government, power-tripping and namedropping still exists.

Another question that lingers is on the existence of the Sanguniang Kabataan. Does it still serve the purpose for which it was founded? Or is it a nesting ground for future hooligans and cronies hiding under the guise of public service. Where is your SK chairman 15 years ago now? You be the judge.

"Sir, bawal yan." I smiled and just stepped back. (taken with my LX3 up close, verrrry close. Btw, the mask is my son's, not the Bgy Chairman's. I think I should have worn it to make my shooting more discreet)

The indelible ink has been used by many developing countries as India, Indonesia and the Philippines as a deterrent to electoral fraud. To some, it is a proof that they have exercised their right to vote. For others, it could be a symbol of hope.

Today I got inked again.