Month: September 2022

St. Francis of Assisi Church of Mandaluyong

The St. Francis of Assisi church in Mandaluyong has been an integral part of the local community for more than 65 years, showcasing its remarkable beauty. Established in 1958, the church was entrusted to the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor, commonly known as the Franciscan Capuchins, who adhere to the rigorous principles established by St. Francis of Assisi. Consequently, the church located in Ortigas, a Capuchin’s church, is devoted to the patronage of St. Francis.

Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church of Pasig

The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church is considered one of the oldest churches in Pasig having been first built as a big chapel in 1798. It was established as a church in 1953 and was declared as a Pilgrim Church by Pope Francis through a papal decree on April 17, 2013.

Flashnote: Sunset in Sunken Garden

It was already late afternoon, so there are many people jogging around the University of the Philippines Diliman sunken garden. ​But what amazes me is the beautiful sunset with pinkish sky shadowing the tall acacia trees.

Santa Cruz Church of Manila

Santa Cruz Church is one of the churches that I most often see whenever I travel to work. The church is officially called Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church, and recognized as the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament situated in the Santa Cruz district of Manila.

Jovel Lorenzo and the BoxCamera.PH

What’s interesting is that instead of using a digital camera, photographer Jovel Lorenzo is using a wooden contraption supported by a tripod. The box camera he built from scratch during the early quarantine phase of the pandemic was modelled from the 19th Century street box camera. More popularly known as the Afghan box, it serves as both a camera and a darkroom instantly producing black and white prints in a couple of minutes.

Early Christmas Dinner at the Café Claus

Café Claus is the first Christmas-themed restaurant in the Philippines. The owners, GMA 7 actor Ken Chan and his business partner Ryan Kolton opened this restaurant only last December 2021.