Fabulous Friday | The Newlyweds

Last Tuesday, my mom and I attended the wedding of our neighbor Cindy. It was a celebration that came as a surprise as we really didn't know she was about to tie the knot. They were together for such a short time, but of course we are all happy for her, as she has been hoping to meet her Mr. Right. The wedding was a small gathering - only attended by close friends and families.

When I took this picture, I was actually fighting for a space as there were also a few people who wanted to take pictures of the newlyweds. The spot I found was blocked by the flower vase and I could see from my camera's LCD that the focus was on the flowers. I tried to turn the cam on and off, yet the camera was still focusing on the flowers, probably because the light was quite bright on that side. The newlyweds might be out of focus, but somehow I liked the effect, and this has been one of my favorite pictures from that day.

*** Jenn ***

Live Every Moment | Vibrant Colors

For this week's prompt, I chose this picture from the Pahiyas Festival, which I took last 15 May. Every festival celebrated here in the Philippines is actually a feast of vibrant colors, but since most of the popular festivals are very far from where I live, the Pahiyas Festival was the second festival I attended, thanks to an invitation from a neighbor and friend whose family hailed from Quezon Province.

The colorful lanterns and flowers are called "kiping," these are thin wafers made from rice paste. They uses big, mature leaves as molds, and is actually edible, though of course you need to cook it. The Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every 15th of May in honor of San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Laborer), in which the people of Lucban are offering different kinds of produce.

*** Jenn ***

Fabulous Friday | Lucban Church

Since I got home last Monday from a weekend getaway in Quezon Province, I still haven't had the time and the urge to go out, and that I still haven't transferred pictures from my camera taken Tuesday 'til today, so my share for Fabulous Friday is still something from last Sunday's Pahiyas Festival.


After checking out the Kiping Adorned Houses along the streets of Lucban, we went to eat lunch at Ground Zero, then went to Lucban Church to pray. We were hoping there would be a mass - as it was Lucban's feast day and it was a Sunday - but when we entered the church, it was just full of people who wanted to seek refuge from the blistering heat, and it was also full of people who wanted to take pictures. After saying my prayers, I joined the many people taking pictures inside the church, and some minutes after we decided to go out.

Ria (our neighbor and our "tour guide") told us there will be a parade later in the afternoon, so the next best thing to do was to find us a spot to watch the parade. I made a request for us to exit by the front door so I could also take a picture of the church's facade.

Part of the parade were the giant human forms, and I was really surprised seeing two giants walking around the grounds of the church. The other one (a male giant) was already making its way to where the parade would start, and his lady love (the one in the picture) was slowly following, so I just took my time to take pictures. Can't let this moment pass. :)

We weren't able to watch the parade anymore because it was just so hot that afternoon. Sad, but no regrets.

*** Jenn ***

Sweet Shot Tuesday | Pahiyas Festival 2011

I have always dreamed of seeing the wonderfully decorated houses in Lucban, Quezon every May when they celebrate the annual Pahiyas Festival - a colorful festival in honor of San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Laborer), the patron saint of farmers. Every 15th of May, people of Lucban decorate their houses with different offerings, all related to agriculture.

This house in particular, was decorated with yard long beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, finger chilies, and rice. Other houses were adorned with carrots, gourds, coconuts, and a whole lot more. Though houses may differ in decorations (there is a contest for the most beautiful decoration, too, by the way), one common decoration the houses have was the "Kiping," the leaf shaped decorations made from rice paste. In this image, the kiping were the ones used in making the petals of the flowers, as well as the dangling decorations on the top part of the window. The same material was also used in making the diamonds/triangle shapes, as well as the background for "San Isidro Labrador."

Taking part of this year's festival was a dream come true for me. I am blessed to have a friend whose family hailed from Quezon Province (but their family is from the neighboring town of Tayabas), who invited me to come see the festival.

*** Jenn ***

Day 26 - BROmance

My sister was my main subject for this class, but towards the end, I have shared something about my dad, and now, as the prompt suggested, I am going to talk about my brother. Truly, this class is all about the joy of love for I have tackled the joys of loving my family.


Day 26 - BROmance

I was born a year and four months after my brother. I am considered the "unexpected" child because parents thought mom won't get pregnant right away because they heard breastfeeding moms won't get pregnant right away, so mom was surprised why her period didn't get back sooner than expected. It was obviously because she was already pregnant with me.

Parents welcomed me into the family, but because they still haven't fully adjusted with building a house after the marriage and welcoming their first born, taking care of two babies became a big challenge for them. They allowed dad's eldest sister to take care of brother in La Union, while I stayed with my family. I did have memories of brother early in my life, but there was part of my life where I got surprised learning that I have a brother. It was in 1984 when we got reunited - when parents took me to La Union for a summer vacation and to attend brother's pre-school graduation.

He then came home with us and moving to a new house (where we are living up to this day), it started my roller coaster relationship with brother. Maybe because we have different genders, which was why adjusting to each personalities was tough - or maybe because we were just kids - that we fought most of the time. Growing up, we would get irritated with each other and our fights would be very violent at times - him biting my arms (which would leave his impression as if my arms are something dentists use to make dentures), and me throwing stuff directly at him (making sure I'd hit his head or anywhere that would make him shout in pain). When we welcomed sister in the family in 1988, it somehow balanced the tension between us, and also, we were getting matured, so fights have lessened.

We are close, yes - we do share secrets at times - but I am not as close to him as I am close to my sister. Still, he would be there when I needed him - like when I needed to leave the house real early and needed some companion... or when I needed some help about something. What touches my heart the most would the very few times I'd have the flu and he would cook something hot - either congee or noodles - to comfort me. Our relationship wasn't really smooth smooth (sometimes buttons are pushed), but we do care and respect each other - him as my older brother, me as his younger sister.

- - - - -

This picture was taken last December, when the family celebrated sister's birthday. Well, sister might take a back seat for this joy of love class, but I could still say she is part of the picture, as this was her birthday party, and that she took this picture. Thanks sis!

*** Jenn ***

W = WordCamp Philippines

September of 2008, I was one of the lucky bloggers who took part of WordCamp here in the Philippines. Even if I was just a newbie in using WordPress as a blog platform that time, I really took the effort in making sure I could be one of the campers because it was the first time it's happening in the Philippines, and I want to be a part of it.

Hmmm... my photo blog is in Blogger, but my travel blog - Jenn Was Here - is in WordPress platform. Actually, the camp wasn't just exclusive for WP bloggers, because I met a few who uses Blogger, although it would be nice if you're in WP, of course.


The day was divided in different classes - all related to blogging and WordPress. It was a very educational time to spend with other bloggers, but I guess the sweetest part of all was being able to have a picture next to the man behind WordPress, Matt Mullenweg. My friend Mabelle and I knew early in the day that if we won't be able to have a picture with him that morning, we would be having a real hard time being photographed with him. If not for Mabelle's determination, I won't be able to have that picture I could certainly brag about. =)


After lunch, all the campers converged in the hall because classes were intended for all. It was also the time when games were played, announcements were told, and upcoming news about WordPress were given. Before we all called it a day, we were able to have a class picture with Mr. Mullenweg. Nice!

The 2009 WordCamp Philippines is now in the works. I am so looking forward to be a part of it again.

*** Jenn ***

ps - the second and last pictures were taken by Mabelle Santiago-Rubia. Thanks, Mabelle!

Umbrella Details

This colorful and wonderfully decorated umbrella is part of the Pakaradyan Festival float, an entry from Malapatan, Saranggani Province.

According to the Aliwan Fiesta website:
The municipality of Malapatan in Saranggani province is participating with a float entry. The Pakaradyan is a term used for any festivity in the area – be it a kalilang (wedding), a kuyog (procession), or the enthronement of the sultan. In Saranggani, a pakaradyan celebration is highlighted by beautiful Maguindanaoan décor artfully arranged. The sound of drums, kulintang, and agung are heard the whole day. The Pakaradyan is an opulent feast to fill the senses.

*** Jenn ***