BLACK NAZARENE OF MANILA PHILIPPINES RITUALS AND PROCESSION

Black Nazarene of Manila and its procession is one of the most spectacular events in the country. It is in fact the largest procession in the Philippines, held every 9th of January. Its home church is the Church of Quiapo.

The figure Black Nazarene refers to a black wooden sculpture of Christ decorated in beautiful fabric. It is pulled through the streets on a cart. (Black Nazarene is Quiapo's patron saint)

This sculpture was brought by the Spaniards in the 16th century.

Hundreds of thousands of people would join the procession each year. It is believed to be a "miraculous" and life altering experience.

Black Nazarene procession. Credits to Philstar

Many of the participants would try to the touch the Black Christ, in the hopes that doing so will bless them. Some even claimed that it cured them from ilnesses.

HOW CRUCIAL AND HISTORICAL THE 2016 VICE PRESIDENTIAL RACE MAY BECOME

With less than 45 days before election time, everybody is talking about the Presidential Race. Not much is being spoken on the Vice Presidential derby. Rightfully so, as the battle for Malacanang is turning out to be one of the tightest races in recent memory.

But let us shift our focus a bit on the Vice Presidential Race. Who's here, and how the victor might become more than what they seek to be.

Officially, there are six (6) candidates as finalized by the COMELEC.

The following are:

Senators Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Gregorio Honasan, and Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo.

Five Senators, One Congressman. Not that it mean much.

Let's play first impression here. That is, I will describe the aforementioned candidates based on the first thing that would come to my mind (and probably yours too).

Francis Escudero

Makata, Evil Scheming Grin, Heart Evangelista

Alan Peter Cayetano

Taguig, Companero, Duterte's Vice

Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos

Martial Law, In denial, Half Cup Rice Bill

Antonio Trillanes IV

Oakwood Mutiny

Gregorio Honasan

Coup d Etat

Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo

Asawa ni Jesse Robredo

Look, it is obviously very unfair to judge and base your votes on those little and obscure descriptions, but this post is not about who they are, what they have done or failed to do. You can find it almost everywhere these times (election time), and we are not about to add anymore. By now, you know better. And we are not endorsing anyone.

HOWEVER. Contemplate and think about this. Due to the "fragility" of the Presidential Candidates we have right now, one of these VP Candidates may end up a step higher than they initially hoped for, in no time.

It is now time to play President X will be ousted because!!! 

Imagine these possibilities.

Binay Wins

Then impeached in no time due to all of his cases.

Duterte Wins

But steps out of the position if he fails to clean house in 6 months, knowing that he is a man of honor.

Poe Wins

But a final decision on her Nationality states that she does not qualify.

Mirriam Wins

Then realizes that she if not fit enough.

Then Roxas, well he's not gonna win.

No F8cking Way.



That is how crucial and could be historical the upcoming Vice Presidential Race is.

We may have not realized it at the moment.

CAMOTES ISLAND CEBU TOURIST DESTINATION GUIDE BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS

The Camotes Islands

About 30km northeast of Cebu City, the friendly, peaceful Camotes Islands, which once sheltered Magellan’s fleet, are gradually opening up to tourism, with fast boats from Cebu now bringing them within a couple of hours of the city.

The two principal islands, Poro and Pacijan, are linked by a causeway, which makes exploring by motorbike an appealing prospect.

The main town on Pacijan is San Francisco, but most of the resorts are on the beaches of the northwest and southwest coasts. In the north beyond Lake Danao, Tulang is a picturesque islet lapped by turquoise waters, which has good snorkelling and diving.

Over on Poro you can pay P10 to swim in a series of small underground caves in Bukilat, while easier swimming awaits at Busay Falls just a short walk from Tudela on the south coast. To get the lay of the land head up to Arquis Viewing Deck on Pacijan.

From here you can see Lake Danao, site of Greenlake Park where you can take sakanaw (local boats; P500 for a 10-person boat) trips out to the mangroves.

Arrival and information
The Oceanjet fast ferry departs for Poro daily from Cebu City Pier 1. There are also daily bangkas and Supershuttle Ferry (T0928/371-3113) services from Danao to Poro and Consueles on Pacijan. Poro is also linked by public bangkas from Mandaue. Hiring a motorbike (P500/day) is the easiest way to get around, while short trips on a habal-habal cost P50. The easternmost (and smallest) Camotes island, Ponson, can be reached by small bangka from Poro. There’s a tourist information desk and post office at the town hall in Poro, but there are no banking facilities anywhere in the Camotes, so bring enough cash to last.

Accommodation and eating
For food, the better restaurants are mostly in the resorts, but the Green Lake Restaurant on Lake Danao does delicious tilapia. Keshe Beach Resort In the northwest of Pacijan Island, next to Borromeo T0929/892-5792.

Situated on beautiful Bakhaw Beach, Keshe has
attractive simple nipa huts.

2 Mangodlong Rock Resort Heminsulan on Pacijan Island T032/345-8599, Wwww.oceandeep.biz. Sister resort to Santiago Bay, Mangodlong has rooms set in a coconut plantation overlooking the beach, plus a dive centre.

4 My Little Island Hotel In Esperanza on Poro Island T032/497-095 Wwww.mylittleislandhotel .com. The best rooms on Poro, and a pool (P75 for non-residents), but it’s not on the beach. 4

Santiago Bay Garden and Beach Resort In the southwest of Pacijan Island T032/345-8599 Wwww.camotesresorts.com.ph. Great views and comfortable a/c rooms with cable TV. 3