Good Friday Pilgrimage… Literally

I always found Good Friday as the most uneventful day of the year. I usually just spend it at home watching movies like The Ten Commandments, or The Sound of Music, or Fiddler on the Roof, or watch a marathon of TV series like Seventh Heaven, or practically just anything I can get my hands on.

However, today was different. I was already watching different shows since yesterday (Maundy Thursday) so watching even more shows today was just too much. And I found watching re-runs, for the past 30 plus years of my life, getting old, in the real sense of the word. I did something really different; something I have never done before. I gave the word Pilgrimage a whole new light; walked to different churches as my stamina and time permits.

First stop was Sta. Cruz Parish at Sta. Cruz, Manila. I didn't walk to get there. Walking to my first destination was not part of the plan. Besides, I wasn't really planning on going to Sta. Cruz Parish in the first place. It so happened that it was the first church that I saw.

After Sta. Cruz, I walked around thinking of which church to go to next. I was at walking around aimlessly for at least 30 minutes until I realized that the closest church is Quiapo Church. That took me a while. So I walked back to Avenida and decided to take a shortcut. I wasn't familiar with the area but I took a seemingly logical shortcut to Quiapo. Turns out, the end of the street was indeed Quiapo Church. Second stop, Quiapo Church.

There were a lot of people at Quiapo Church. Only when I was heading back home did I realize that Friday is usually the day when devotees visit Quiapo Church. Hence Friday being called Quiapo Day. (And Wednesday being called Baclaran Day but, I didn't have the strength left in me to walk to Baclaran after my last stop.)

After Quiapo, I walked to Recto via Quezon Avenue and continued on until I reached UST (University of Sto. Tomas). I was pretty much walking aimlessly again and I was probably walking for a couple of hours by then. I took a left at Lacson Avenue (at least I think It was called Lacson Ave.) and walked straight until I reached a junction. I decided not to take either the left (to Cubao) or right (to Malacanang). I continued straight to Mabini Bridge (formerly Nagtahan Bridge). At the end of the bridge was another junction. Again I decided to go straight to Quirino Ave. But when I took a look around, I saw a cross from a distance. A church. So I decided to go to that church. I turned left. Third stop, St. Joseph Parish, Pandacan, Manila.

After Pandacan, I walked back to the junction and walked on to my original plan, straight to Quirino Ave. I never realized how long Quirino Avenue was. I walked on and on until I actually reached Makati. By then I was already getting tired. My legs were sore. My feet were killing me. I already lost count on how many bottles of water I drank (500 ml each). I decided to at least get to one more church before I call it a day. A friend told me that there is one at Greenbelt. So off to Greenbelt.

From Cash & Carry (another junction), I turned left and walked to Ayala, towards Greenbelt. I noticed that Makati seems so deserted on a Good Friday. It is completely the opposite on ordinary days. The place felt like one gigantic ghost town with high rise buildings. Kindda like a plague fell upon it and everyone left. Looking for that church was like finding a needle in a haystack and you don't know what a needle looks like. By the time I found the place, it wasn't a really a church with a big giant archway and a cross sticking out of its bell tower. It was a small chapel. I was looking for a small chapel smack dab in the middle of high rise buildings. You can just imagine how relieved I was when I finally found it. My last stop for the day, Greenbelt Chapel.

I took the bus back home. I wasn't about to walk back home because it was already pretty late. I walked for six and a half hours to four different churches. And I probably consumed at least three litters of water. Like I said, a new light on the word Pilgrimage.

Will I do it again next year? Probably. If I do, I'll do so in a different area.

EDSA Bus Stops - Northbound

This is a guide to the Northbound bus routes. Please take note that most of the buses enter EDSA from Baclaran through Pasay. There are, however, buses that take a U-turn (loop) at Mall of Asia. Buses from SLEX (South Luzon Express Way), and Alabang enter EDSA at Mantrade. Also, take note that provincial buses have different bus stops and most of them are different from city buses.

Pasay Rotonda, Mantrade, Piltranco (Cabrera), Buendia, Ayala (EDSA), Pasay Road, Guadalupe, Boni, Crossing, Shaw, Mega Mall. (Practically from South EDSA all the way to Crossing, just before Ortigas) All buses pass through all these places (considering of course the above mentioned). Make sure to ask the driver or conductor if the bus would take any express lanes along the way. Some of them tend to take those lanes in times of traffic jams.

Ortigas (Specifically Robinsons Galleria). Take a bus that has a sign board that says ORTIGAS ILALIM. Most Air-conditioned buses stop at Robinsons. Avoid buses that have a sign board that say ORTIGAS IBABAW or non-air-conditioned buses. All non-air-conditioned buses get on the Ortigas overpass.

Santolan (Cubao), Camp Crame. You can take any bus to this area.

Farmers (Cubao). Take a bus that has a sign board that says CUBAO IBABAW. Avoid buses with sign boards that say CUBAO FAST LANE lest you get off at the next bus stop which is quite a distance but is still in Cubao.

Cubao (Baliwag, Five Star, Q-Mart). You can take any bus to this area.

Kamias Bus Stations (Victory Kamias, Jac Liner), Timog Ave., and other areas that are no longer along EDSA such as SSS main, and SM Fairview. Take a bus with a sign board that says SM FAIRVIEW, TUGNKO. Avoid all other buses.

GMA, NIA, Trinoma, Paramount, SM North, Munoz. Take a bus with a sign board that says UE LETRE, MALANDAY, NOVALICHES, MONUMENTO, GARDEN. Avoid buses that go to SM FAIRVIEW, TUNGKO.

Novaliches. Take a bus with a sign board that says NOVALICHES. Avoid all other buses.

Royal, Oliveros, Balintawak. Take a bus with a sign board that says UE LETRE, MALANDAY, MONUMENTO, GARDEN. Avoid buses with sign boards that say SM FAIRVIEW, TUNGKO, NOVALICHES.

Garden (Bulacan). Take a bus with a sign board that says GARDEN. Avoid all other buses.

Bagong Barrio, Monumento. Take a bus with a sign board that says UE LETRE, MALANDAY, MONUMENTO. Avoid buses with sign boards of SM FAIRVIEW, TUNGKO, NOVALICHES, GARDEN.

Other areas beyond Monumento such as Malanday and Letre. Take the respective bus routes of MALANDAY and UE LETRE and avoid all other buses. Malanday routes sometimes gets as far as BBB, Karuhatan, I's Bangkal, all the way to Valenzuela. UE Letre bus route includes Sangangdaan.

Provincial bus stops along EDSA are: Pasay Rotonda (sometimes), Mantrade, Ortigas (Galleria), Cubao (Kamias), Trinoma, Balintawak.

Again. Please feel free to comment on any corrections or additions.

Yuroshiku ne. ^_^

EDSA Bus Stops - Southbound

If you've been living in Metro Manila, you probably know all about what's written here. Probably. Some, no matter how long they've been living in the Metro, seem to forget which bus to take. So I guess, this small guide can be of use to you. Of course, it will most likely be limited to EDSA (but not entirely).

EDSA starts from the Monumento area (North) to Mall of Asia area (South). Northbound routes are different from Southbound routes especially along Makati Area and Cubao Area.

Let's start with the Southbound route (starting from Monumento). Please do take note that buses from Bulacan enter EDSA at Balintawak, buses from Novaliches enter EDSA at Munoz, and buses from Fairview enter EDSA at Timog Ave. Also bus stops of Provincial buses have different sets of bus stops before they end at their respective bus stations.:

Balintawak, Munoz, SM North, Trinoma, MRT North Ave Station, Quezon Ave, Centris. You can practically take any Southbound bus to these places (or any place that these places happen to be the landmarks). All of them pass by these places.

GMA Kamuning, Timog Ave, Victory Kamias, JAC Liner Cubao (and the other bus stations found at Kamias). Like the above places, you can take any bus. However, you have to get of either before or after the bus gets onto the overpass (fly-over). You can also ask the conductor (or driver) if the bus is not going on the overpass. It would be more convenient for you if it doesn't. (But most of the time, it does.)

Cubao Area (Q-Mart, Aurora, Farmers, Tuazon), Gate 5. Again, any southbound bus is okay.

Camp Crame. Just like Kamuning area, ask the conductor for your convenience (overpass issue).

Ortigas (Robinsons Galleria, going to Greenhills). Get on a bus with a sign board that says ORTIGAS ILALIM. Avoid getting on buses that say ORTIGAS IBABAW (most provincial buses are). Also, avoid getting on non-air conditioned buses. These buses all go onto the overpass. In case you got on a bus that goes onto the overpass, you can alight at the Ortigas MRT station and walk back. Exercise.

Mega Mall, Crossing, Shaw, Boni, Guadalupe (Tulay). Again, any southbound bus.

Makati / Ayala area. Get on a bus with a sign board that says AYALA LRT. These buses go inside the Makati / Ayala area. They don't re-enter EDSA until they go back Northbound from Pasay. Also, please be aware that Makati observes very strict traffic and pedestrian rules. Avoid buses that say PASAY ROTONDA, MIA 611, MALL OF ASIA, PACITA, ALABANG.

SM Makati (EDSA) Glorietta (EDSA), Buendia, Mantrade, Pasay Rotonda, MRT Taft Station. Get on a bus with a sign board that says PASAY ROTONDA, MALL OF ASIA, MIA 611. Avoid buses that say AYALA LRT, AYALA ILALIM, PACITA, ALABANG. Be mindful of your bus stops along this area. Buses tend to skip them.

Alabang, Pacita. Get on a bus with a sign board of ALABANG, PACITA. Avoid buses that say AYALA LRT, PASAY ROTONDA, MALL OF ASIA, MIA 611, BACLARAN.

Mall of Asia. Get on a bus with a sign board that says MALL OF ASIA. Not all buses loop here. Unless the sign board says MALL OF ASIA, the bus isn't going to Mall of Asia. You can always get off the bus at Pasay Rotonda and take a Jeepney to Mall of Asia instead.

Baclaran. Get on a bus with a sign board that says BACLARAN. Most buses pass by Baclaran. This is usually their common turning point. Avoid buses that say PACITA, ALABANG.

MIA. Get on a bus with a sign board that says MIA 611. For those heading to the airport (I'm not sure which terminal but definitely not Terminal 3). Avoid buses that say AYALA LRT, PACITA, ALABANG.

Now for the Southbound Provincial Bus stops. Most of the Provincial Bus stops are situated below overpasses (or fly-over) and they are usually far from the common city bus stops.: Paramount (SM North), Quezon Ave, Timog Ave. , Guadalupe, Mantrade. Most of the bus stations along EDSA are located at Cubao and Pasay.

Most of the above info are to the best of what I know. Please to comment on corrections, changes, or additions. Next will be the Northbound route.

Shoot 'Em Up... I mean Drive Angry

Drive Angry is an action movie that stars Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard (Zombieland, as 406), and William Fichtner (Prisonbreak). Visuals. There's a lot of explosions, a lot of bullets, quite a lot of blood, and some paranormal stuff. All of that in 3-D. Story. It's about a guy who escapes Hell to save his granddaughter from a Satanist. And what do you know? One of Satan's minions came after him and gave him a little hand. The story is pretty linear and left nothing for the imagination. It was a no-brainer. That's how 3-D movies are. Most of the scenes are made to make use of the 3-D technology to its maximum.

Overall. Drive Angry is just your basic shoot-em-up movie. Pretty much like Shoot 'Em Up (stars Clive Owen). It involves saving/protecting a baby. Pretty much like Shoot 'Em Up. There was a scene where the main dude was shooting bad guys while doing the deed. Pretty much like Shoot 'Em Up. It had lame-shot bad guys just like Shoot 'Em Up. The whole movie was pretty much like Shoot 'Em Up, minus the carrot, plus the god-killer. Recommendations. I'd say this was a little bit of an improvement over Cage's last movie, Season of the Witch. So yeah, Cage fans and action fans can go see this movie. It's not really for the family with all the violence, nudity, and devil worship.

Tomato Rating: Ten tomatoes.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2011

Since I started with the news let me continue with more… Sports news. Though many don't consider Pro Wrestling as a sport. It's Entertainment.

The WWE Elimination Chamber Pay Per View happened last 20th of February 2011. This event is part of the Road to Wrestlemania. Below are the results and highlights of this event:

- Alberto Del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston - Alberto Del Rio wins by submission

- Smack Down Elimination Chamber for World Heavyweight Championship - Participants are Kane, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, Big Show, Rey Mystrio, and Edge. Big Show eliminated Wade Barrett. Kane eliminated Big Show. Kane eliminated Drew McIntyre. Edge eliminated Kane. Last two participants were Rey Mysterio and Edge. Edge gives Rey Mysterio a spear in mid-air. Thus, winning the elimination chamber match and retaining the World Heavyweight Championship.

After the match, Alberto Del Rio did a number on Edge but Christian came in to the rescue and beat down Alberto Del Rio. As retribution for himself, Edge delivered a spear to Alberto Del Rio.

- Santino Marella & Vladimir Koslov vs. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel for WWE Tag Team Championship - Heath & Justin win via pin fall as new Champions

- The Miz vs. Jerry The King Lawler for WWE Championship - The Miz wins via pin fall retaining the WWE Championship.

- RAW Elimination Chamber - Participants are Randy Orton, John Morrison, CM Punk, John Cena, King Sheamus, and R-Truth. The initial elimination of CM Punk was revoked by the anonymous RAW General Manager. CM Punk is then reinstated in the match. King Sheamus eliminates R-Truth. CM Punk eliminates Randy Orton. John Morrison eliminates King Sheamus. CM Punk eliminates John Morrison. The last two participants were John Cena and CM Punk. John Cena wins via pin fall after delivering the Attitude Adjustment to CM Punk on the steel floor for the #1 contender slot for WWE Championship.

WWE Elimination Chamber also featured the introduction of Trish Stratus as a trainer on WWE's Tough Enough. Also, the re-hiring of Kely Kely to Smack Down.

EDSA at 25 and Prescription Condoms

Today, the people of the Philippines celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution. Twenty five years ago today, the Marcos regime was overthrown ushering in the age of democracy for the Filipino.

Being on night shift, I got off work at six this morning. When I arrived at my usual bus stop, most of EDSA-Ortigas has already been closed off. That, of course, includes my usual bus stop. That means that the preparations have started the night before.

Come afternoon (of course I was asleep most of the day), on my way to work, I was able to see at least what was left of EDSA-Ortigas after the morning activities. The same sections were still closed off from traffic. There are still quite a number of people around the ESDA Shrine and most of them were wearing yellow. I guess the celebration would continue well into the night until the day is over.

One thing is for sure. Tomorrow morning, the street cleaners will have a very busy day. There are going to be tons of garbage and refuse left along that section of EDSA.

On a lighter note.

Those who are against the Reproductive Health Bill, you may rejoice. There is a new Barangay Ordinance being enforced at Ayala, Alabang. The ordinance states that, one may not purchase a condom from any establishment without a prescription from a licensed physician. The aim of this ordinance is to stop the use of contraceptives or to limit its use.

Of course, this is just a Barangay Ordinance. So if you are from Ayala, Alabang, you can just go to Festival Mall and get your condom since it's out of the barangay's jurisdiction.

Yes, people. Sometimes I do a little news, too.

Bloody Movies

Two movies are up for review and their commonality: revenge, killing, and a lot of spattering blood.

First up we have, The Warrior's Way. This movie stars Jang Dong Gun (he's also the guy from The Promise), Kate Bosworth, and Geoffrey Rush (Captain Barbossa). You'd think that the main character would be from Japan but, no. Story. About the greatest swordsman in the whole world and his refusal to kill the last of his enemy's kind, a very cute baby (kawaii!). It's a three-group fight; people from a circus town against the Colonel's gun-armed posse against a guild of assassins from the orient. Spoiler Alert! The circus people win. Yay! There's revenge tossed in there, too. Visuals. Pretty good visuals. Could be a good 3D movie but I think they didn't make it to be one. Gotta love the sword fights. Very quick. Its cinematography reminds me of the Japanese films Goemon and Casshern (live-action movie). Recommendations. Action aplenty. I'd recommend it to an anyone who loves great action.

Tomato Rating: Six tomatoes.

Next up is, Faster. This movie stars Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock), Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Billy Bob Thornton (in case you didn't know, he's Jolie's ex). Story. The Driver (Johnson) is out for revenge. Killing those who had anything to do with his brother's death. With the tag line, 'Justice is Swift, Revenge is Faster," he does the job in 1, 2, … 5 days after his release from prison. All kills are in-your-face, up-close-and-personal. Reminds me of the movie Taken (stars Liam Neeson). Visuals. Typical of your American action movie with very little slow-motion effects. Recommendations. Action fans, go see it. The Rock fans, go see it. Billy Bob fans, yeah, see it.

Tomato Rating: Six tomatoes.

There you go. Two movies filled with action, killing, and blood. Enjoy the spatter.

Fantastic Four #587

I just finished reading Fantastic Four issue #587. I read it for one reason, the death of Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch. Yes, this is where the Human Torch, made his (as the comic book says) last stand against a horde of invading bugs. What can I say. I'm a sucker for big comic book events, Legion Quest (the death of Xavier), the Onslaught saga, Civil War, Secret Invasion, etc. (Sorry Batman and Superman, I'm not much of a DC fan.)

I was expecting an all-out, going-out-with-a-bang end for Johnny since he can go supernova. In fact, why didn't he go supernova? He would have taken out a whole lot of those invading bugs. Anyway, seeing Ben Grimm shed a tear for old Johnny was the touchy part. I guess seeing Johnny getting swarmed-in was too much. I say The Human Torch deserved a more fitting last stand than being overrun by bugs. They should have killed off some ordinary bystander. That way, the ordinary bystander would have become a hero in his own way. I mean come on. The task is basically just flicking a switch that happens to be on the other side of the shield.

In conclusion, Johnny Storm's death came short to a super-hero death. But then again, there were many super-hero deaths in the Secret Invasion saga that most of them are just whimpers.

On another note, I hear Spider-Man's joining the Four. He was once a member of The New Fantastic Four together with Ghost Rider, Hulk, and Wolverine. Nuff said.

Season of the Witch

There is something about working and watching a movie that seems to be a pattern for me. Before going to work (I'm on night shift that time and was hoping that my work schedule would get cancelled and it did), I opted to go to the mall and watch a movie. That day's target movie was Season of the Witch.

Season of the Witch stars Nicolas Cage (you probably know him very well) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy) as two deserter Templar Knights assigned with the task of bringing an accused witch to the holy monks to be tried and stripped of her powers. Nuff said. We don't want to give away too much of the story.

Visuals. The costumes were nicely done and were perfect for the setting. The special effects were pretty much decent. Story. Pretty standard and linear. Very predictable. One thing's for sure, it's not a witch they're up against. Overall. This movie made the attempt of making an Action / Adventure / Fantasy / Suspense / Horror with a touch of Lord of the Rings and a dab of futile humor. Recommendations. If you're a Cage fan then you might want to see this movie. If not, then don't bother. But I do think that the masses would love the effects, simplicity, and no-brainer story.

Tomato rating: Eleven tomatoes.

The Green Hornet

After work, I went straight to the mall, got myself a ticket and watched The Green Hornet, the hero that poses as a villain.

Green Hornet was originally a radio program back in the 1930's. I never knew that before today when the movie credits started showing; "Based on the Radio Program." What I did know was that there was a TV series and Bruce Lee starred as Kato. I used to watch that show when I was a boy.

This 2011 movie adaptation stars Seth Rogen as Britt Reid/Green Hornet, Jay Chou as Kato (a.k.a. Kato), and Cameron Diaz as Lenore Case. For those who think Chou looks kinda familiar, he played Takumi Fujiwara in the live action movie of Initial D.

Now on to the ratings. Visuals. This movie has a 3D and a non-3D version (I saw the non-3D). It probably looked nice in 3D but the non-3D is nice enough to look at. Story. There were some pretty good conflicts going around. Plus, the villain tries hard enough to become more villainous. Overall. For a GP movie, this one's pretty action-packed with quite a few surprises, and it has a lot of funny moments. Recommendations. See it on 3D if you want to but the non-3D will still have the same story. It's great for the masses and is a good movie to watch with the whole family. Since, there have been quite a lot of changes to the characters over the past 70 or so years, a little "nowadays" change wouldn't hurt.

Tomato rating: One tomato. Now cue the theme.

With or Without Ophiuchus, I'm still a Piscean

Ophiuchus (or some would call it Serpentarius) some might say is the 13th Zodiac sign. Though not really 13th in order, it goes between Scorpio and Sagittarius. This caused a lot of hype in the horoscope-believing community. Especially those who are hard core horoscope believers.

Astronomer, Park Kunkle, said that the shifting of the Earth's axis caused a shift in the stars alignment. This caused the sun to go through Ophiuchus like it does the original 12 constellations.(click here for the article from The Epoch Times)

It's a good thing that we have GPS nowadays. If not, navigators using star positions would probably get lost.

According to Dailyhoroscope.com, Ophiuchus has been there for a long time as a constellation and not a zodiac sign and that the Zodiac signs are based on the four seasons with a beginning, middle, and end. (click here for the complete article)

Do take note that astronomy and astrology are entirely different. Even the horoscope practicing world is divided; those who follow the constellations and those who divide the seasons. Though there are some horoscope practitioners that would gladly make use of the new Zodiac sign, there are still purists that wouldn't.

But then again, this is just concerning the Western Zodiac. The change in constellations will probably never affect the Eastern Zodiac that, like the Western, has 12 signs. Adding a 13th would cause a lot of confusion since the cycle goes through 12 years. Eastern Zodiac is based on Chinese astronomy and follows a 60-year cycle that does not coincide with the modern calendar.

For the sake of imagination, if there would be a 13th sign in the Eastern Zodiac, what would it be? A cat, there already is one, the tiger. A bear perhaps? But a bear is not very eastern. I know. A panda. Mind you, a panda is not a bear. Year of the Panda. Sounds about right.

New Year, New Bill... Not Really

What better way to kick off the new year (a very late kick-off) than the bill on the additional tax on cigarettes. Ah, yes. I can't wait for the cigarette prices to sky rocket so the average wage smoker (or the poor smoker) would have to spend more in order to get a fix.

According to the newspaper article I read last year. The bill will take effect roughly around early 2011 or January 2011. I'm not sure on the exact date but I sure hope it happens soon. It will add about Php 30.00 to a pack of cigarettes. So if a pack costs Php 30, with the bill, it'll be Php 60 a pack. Your 1.50 per stick would now cost you double. How wonderful. I say, it should add more than 30, say 90 or 100. That would be most excellent. That should get the attention of a lot of smokers from the middle-class down to the below-poverty-line group. The higher class peeps probably wouldn't mind. Besides, most of them don't usually smoke with the common masses.

Seriously, a higher price tag on cigarettes will never eradicate smoking. But it will (hopefully) discourage smoking for those who earn very little or just enough, or discourage those who would like to take up smoking as a hobby. Especially those who smoke like it's okay for everyone to inhale their mouth farts. For example, chain smokers, or those who smoke while walking, loitering, or practically anywhere even if the sign says "NO SMOKING" or on the public vehicles. Those are the people who I want to suffer. Yes. Suffer. If you people want to smoke then go spend some more. Burn your money and pockets for all I care, you mouth farting freaks.

So, if you're one of those who are really affected, then too bad for you. I suggest you stock up on smokes while they're cheap. If you're not, then good for you (whether you're a non-smoker or you can still afford a smoke even if it's a USD a pop).