Nueva Ecija Trip

I was in Nueva Ecija two weeks ago to shoot a video documentary for the Diocese of San Jose. I was able to visit all the towns and parishes under the jurisdiction of the Diocese. I got to meet a lot of wonderful people and see equally wonderful sights.

Here are four of the more than four hundred photos I took while I was there.

That's Martin Portin of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. He is a farmer and barrio Lay Minister. One of his main functions is to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word and distribute communion in the barrios. He said that distributing consecrated Hosts is like sowing seeds in his farm - it helps others grow and mature.

A ciborium. Taken at the Sacristy of the Cathedral in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

A stained glass rose window in St. Tolentine church in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

Somewhere between Talugtug and Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

New Photos

       
       

I have updated my Flickr account and uploaded new photos into my online photo album and embedded them in my website. I will upload more of my original photos in the coming days.

Look What God Gave Me

Look what God gave me – this gorgeous sunset. But not only that. He also gave me pink-edged clouds. An “I love you, anak” text message from my mother. Being able to comfort a friend who is burdened by family problems. Remembering that this same friend was recently chosen as Employee of the Month. A smile from Julia, who celebrated her 7th birthday yesterday. Lunch with a workmate who shares my passion for Linux. The arrival of a confrere from Italy. Light traffic while driving from Sta. Mesa to New Manila. Dinner with brother priests. The jazz music playing while I was reading the latest Paolo Coelho novel. A restful sleep. An answered prayer. And the resolve to watch sunsets more often.

This Side of Heaven

I was in Surigao City last weekend to facilitate a Lenten recollection in two parishes. After my Saturday afternoon mass at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Shrine I went outside the chapel to wait for the sunset. I gazed at this gorgeous sunset and watched the sky change colors for about 10 minutes. Then when it was dark I went back to the chapel to thank God for making this side of heaven such a lovely place.

Towards The Sunset

While waiting for the sunset at a monastery in Sydney, Australia, I saw this old man walking past me. It’s not difficult to see the profound poetry of this simple shot I took. The sight of him journeying towards the lovely sunset made me contemplate the many times I thought I had reached a dead end only to be surprised to learn that new doors of opportunities were right there waiting for me to be opened.

Sta. Mesa Sunset

I was thinking of and praying for a dear friend of mine when I took this pic two afternoons ago from my residence in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Photographing sunsets is my way of capturing and remembering moments of deep feeling, of showing care, of expressing love.

Windows

Opening all the windows of your being is the most important thing if you want to allow God to heal you. Opening all the windows of your being tells God that there is a welcoming person inside, a person in need of His abundant grace and joyful presence. Opening all the windows of your being to God is to make Him feel at home in your heart. Without opening all the windows of your being, God would never be able to make His Spirit work in you, nor could you experience His love from within.