Heritage Month escapades!

This summer, we went to three beaches in three days. For Heritage Month, we also went to three heritage sites! So take a glimpse of our heritage month escapades!

1. ILUSTRADO (Intramuros, Manila)

Ilustrado is not just a restaurant but can be considered as a historic site as well because the Capuchin friars' church of Our Lady of Lourdes used to stand there (come to think of it, I should have worn a more conservative attire and brought our veils). The church suffered massive damage during World War II, and the ruins was totally demolished years later. The only remains of that church was one of its wooden doors and some carved wooden faces of cherubims.

It was Señor Gómez who invited us for lunch at Ilustrado on Mother's Day, May 14 (a day after his godson Mómay's 13th birthday). We came in early, so while waiting for him, we just roamed around the site and entered the restaurant premises to explore its vintage look. Two lady staff members were not quite nice. The one who manages the entrance at the lobby and another lady there kept eyeing on us even though my children were well behaved. I noticed that other staff members were preparing some big event at the second floor. But instead on focusing on that, these two ladies were focused on my family who were just marveling at the restaurant's "bahay na bató" architecture as well as its numerous vintage sketches hanging on its walls. I can understand that they are concerned with naughty children running around the place, but my kids aren't like that. They were well-disciplined, especially with my hubby around. We've been to this restaurant many times in the past, but this is the first time we've experienced such unfriendliness.

I was sitting on a wooden bench at the lobby while the rest of the family were enjoying the interiors of the restaurant. But I noticed that the lady on the lobby didn't like this. And instead of being frank about this, she simply told me that people are not allowed to loiter on the lobby. So why did they bother putting a bench there in the first place? She told me instead to get inside the café, but I told her that we are still waiting for our friend. To avoid any further confrontation, I just got up and called my family for us to stay in the garden. It was just my third time in Ilustrados. The first two times that I've been there, all staff members were courteous and friendly. But on this third visit, the only friendly stafff members were the waiter who assisted us and the security guard.

When Señor Gómez arrived, all's well that ends well. We started ordering our food. There were many customers during that time because of Mother's Day. Because the food was great, I forgot how unfriendly those two staff members of Ilustrado were. We most especially loved their callos, among others in the menu.

After Ilustrado, Señor treated us for merienda in Cioccolata at The Bayleaf Intramuros. It was superb fun, all the staff are nice, the food was great. I really enjoyed my time there as well as our kiddos and even senor too! Kudos to all the staff of Ciocollata! Before we went home, Señor drove us around the Walled City of Intramuros. It is our favorite place in Manila because this is where everything that is Filipino started. As my hubby always say, Intramuros is the heart and soul of Filipinas. No wonder why nationalist writers like the late Nick Joaquín (RIP) love this place. It is no wonder too why Señor Gómez as well as my hubby Pepe and our friend Arnaldo (who is now based in Singapore) keep coming back here. All Filipino writers, especially those who love their country very much, are encouraged to visit Intramuros because our history and our national identity began inside its walls.

Thank you Señor Gómez for your Intramuros treat for my family! Thank you for that wonderful Ilustrado lunch and your Mother's Day treat for me at Cioccolata. Thank you most especially to my family who greeted me too and spending time with me the whole day. And to all my family and friends who greeted me that day, thank you! I am so touched!

Oh, and a friendly advise: whenever you visit Ilustrado Restaurant, make it a point to utter a short prayer. Or at least make a sign of the cross. Because the place is still holy ground.

Top left photo is at Baluarte de San Andrés near Calle Real del Palacio. The rest of the photos were taken where the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes used to stand. The site is now occupied by Ilustrado Restaurant and Silahis Arts and Crafts.

Ilustrado. 

¡Callos! Pepe told us that this is one of Nick Joaquín's favorite dishes.

Left: Some ruins of Lourdes Church included was the old door where Junífera Clarita is headed. Right: Daddy Pepe examines the carved wooden cherub faces which once adorned the now extinct Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Merienda time at Cioccolata!

Cioccolata.

Calle Muralla.

2. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES (Ermita, Manila)

HOCUS is on focus this year.

We Visited “HOCUS: The Hofileña & Custodio Paintings” last May 23 upon the invitation of our dear friend (and Junífera Clarita's fairy godmother), 1964 Miss International and culture heroine Gemma Cruz de Araneta. Gemma is the guest curator of the National Museum of the Philippines' "National Museum of Fine Arts". The HOCUS exhibit began last April and will run through October of this year.

There was actually a lecture on that date at the museum's Roxas Hall which was hosted by Gemma. We arrived an hour late because of the traffic, but we still got to listen to the speaker, Atty. Saúl Hofileña, Jr, as he explains the secrets of the HOCUS paintings. Aside from being a lawyer, Mr. Hofileña is also a writer and an avid historian. He conveyed his thoughts on Filipino History through painter and art restoration specialist Guy Custodio. HOCUS, therefore, is a portmanteau of their last names. He explained each of the paintings on the screen and Since my kids, especially Jefe and Juanito, are into art, I told them to listen carefully to the speaker because they might learn something from him.

Junífera Clarita's famous madrina (ninang) giving a talk at the background.

After the lecture, Gemma invited us to check out the HOCUS paintings on the third floor of the building. The National Museum of Fine Arts is known for its collection of precious paintings. Even the building's structure is historical. It is one of our favorite heritage sites not only because of its precious paintings and its beautiful architecture but within its walls lies the legendary painting of Juan Luna: the Spoliarium. Both Jefe and Juanito (who love to scribble and paint on our walls and floors) are in the opinion that it is more superior compared to Félix Resurrección Hidalgo's "El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante y Su Hijo" (The Assassination of Governor-General Bustamante and His Son) which lies across Luna's famous work.

With Juan Luna's masterpiece behind us.

¡Muchas gracias por la invitación, comadre Gemma! =)

3. VILLA ESCUDERO (San Pablo, La Laguna / Tiáong, Tayabas)

It was our second time here (and my hubby's third; his first was when he was still a kid). Our first visit was when Gemma brought us there in late 2015. It was super unforgettable for us because Krystal learned how to ride a bike here plus the fact that the place is so beautiful, filled with Filipino culture everywhere, and the people who work there are incredibly nice and courteous. Gemma even introduced us to one of the owners, Rosalie Escudero-Blume, who is a dear friend of hers. Rosalie herself is so nice and genuinely friendly despite her status. Daddy Pepe, who is an AlDub fan, was delighted to find out that Rosalie too is a fellow fan, haha!

We arrived a few minutes before nine in the morning. The atmosphere was already festive!

Gemma brought us there again last Sunday for us to experience the Feast Of The Ascencion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We didn't know that such a fiesta there existed. And it existed only within the premises of the 800-hectare hacienda-resort. Daddy Pepe also asked Gemma if she knew other place in the country that celebrates this feast day, but she couldn't recall knowing any. My husband learned from another friend of his who was at the event that the Escudero family has been celebrating this one-of-a-kind fiesta for fifteen years already. It's a hybrid thing, remarked my husband, but it's something that all Filipinos fiestas should be in the first place. Today, all fiestas have been modernized beyond recognition. That's why we are so happy to have experienced this kind of fiesta that we now only read in books and hear from our elders.

The event began with a High Mass at the hacienda's Chapel of the Ascension which was celebrated by the Most Reverend Buenaventura Famadico, Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo. Heavenly live music was provided by the University of Santo Tomás Symphony Orchestra and Singers. All in attendance were in Filipiniana attire (we noticed that many of them are from the country's high society). After the Mass was the procession towards the river. A fluvial procession will then begin from there. The image of the Risen Christ, the focal point of the procession, was proudly adorned with native flowers. The dirt roads were adorned with banderitas and colorful flags. There was also a marching band. There were even Gigantes (paper-mâché giants) which were popularized in the lake shore town of Añgono in Rizal Province. And fireworks filled the air. This fiesta is indeed the most Filipino-themed fiesta we have ever attended!

High Mass at Villa Escudero. Since this was our first time to attend this fiesta, Gemma informed us beforehand that during the Consecration, the national anthem was always played by a marching band outside the church. It has been a tradition in that fiesta. According to her, Don Conrado "Adò" Escudero (the owner) had the intention of offering our country to God.

It's a very festive procession! All Filipino fiestas should remain this way!

The star of this fiesta. This image of the Risen Christ has been with the Escudero family since the Spanish times.

Clockwise from top left: the "Grand Dame of Filipino Fashion" Patís Tesoro, Junífera Clarita, Mommy Yeyette, Daddy Pepe, Gemma Cruz de Araneta, and Antonio Aquino, director of the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values.

Don Adò thanks everyone in attendance. Seated to his left is Jaime Laya (former Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports, Central Bank Governor, and head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts).

After the reception held at the Wedding Center, my family got to enjoy the resort's newly renovated swimming pools. We spent the whole afternoon swimming!

Summer's not yet over!

Thank you so much for bringing us back to Villa Escudero, comadre Gemma!

Exposing our kids to arts and heritage sites is one of the best educational gifts that we as parents could give to them. We believe that this will make them appreciate our heritage, both tangible and intangible, all the more. Me and Daddy Pepe are hoping that we would be able to bring them to more heritage sites and expose them to more heritage events in the country. When our children know more about our country's past and existing heritage, they would appreciate more their national identity. We cannot go on to our future without appreciating our past.

Please don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! And click on the headings/subtitles above to view all of our photos of our Heritage Month adventure.

Happy National Heritage Month 2017! 😀

—Yeyette—

Domingo de Ramos 2017

Iglesia de San Vicente de Paúl.

Pasión de nuestro Señor Jesucristo según San Mateo (26,14–27,66):

C. En aquel tiempo, uno de los Doce, llamado Judas Iscariote, fue a los sumos sacerdotes y les propuso: 
S. «¿Qué estáis dispuestos a darme, si os lo entrego?»
C. Ellos se ajustaron con él en treinta monedas. Y desde entonces andaba buscando ocasión propicia para entregarlo.
C. El primer día de los Ázimos se acercaron los discípulos a Jesús y le preguntaron: 
S. -«¿Dónde quieres que te preparemos la cena de Pascua?»
C. Él contestó:
+ «Id a la ciudad, a casa de Fulano, y decidle: "El Maestro dice: Mi momento está cerca; deseo celebrar la Pascua en tu casa con mis discípulos."» 
C. Los discípulos cumplieron las instrucciones de Jesús y prepararon la Pascua.
C. Al atardecer se puso a la mesa con los Doce. Mientras comían dijo: 
+ «Os aseguro que uno de vosotros me va a entregar.»
C. Ellos, consternados, se pusieron a preguntarle uno tras otro:
S. «¿Soy yo acaso, Señor?»
C. Él respondió:
+ «El que ha mojado en la misma fuente que yo, ése me va a entregar. El Hijo del hombre se va, como está escrito de él; pero, ¡ay del que va a entregar al Hijo del hombre!; más le valdría no haber nacido.» 
C. Entonces preguntó Judas, el que lo iba a entregar:
S. «¿Soy yo acaso, Maestro?»
C. Él respondió:
+ «Tú lo has dicho.»
C. Durante la cena, Jesús cogió pan, pronunció la bendición, lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: 
+ «Tomad, comed: esto es mi cuerpo.»
C.. Y, cogiendo una copa, pronunció la acción de gracias y se la dio diciendo: 
+ «Bebed todos; porque ésta es mi sangre, sangre de la alianza, derramada por todos para el perdón de los pecados. Y os digo que no beberé más del fruto de la vid, hasta el día que beba con vosotros el vino nuevo en el reino de mi Padre.» 
C. Cantaron el salmo y salieron para el monte de los Olivos.
C. Entonces Jesús les dijo:
+ «Esta noche vais a caer todos por mi causa, porque está escrito: "Heriré al pastor, y se dispersarán las ovejas del rebaño." Pero cuando resucite, iré antes que vosotros a Galilea.» 
C. Pedro replicó:
S. «Aunque todos caigan por tu causa, yo jamás caeré.»
C. Jesús le dijo:
+ «Te aseguro que esta noche, antes que el gallo cante, me negarás tres veces.» 
C . Pedro le replicó:
S. «Aunque tenga que morir contigo, no te negaré. »
C. Y lo mismo decían los demás discípulos.
C. Entonces Jesús fue con ellos a un huerto, llamado Getsemaní, y les dijo:
+ «Sentaos aquí, mientras voy allá a orar.»
C. Y, llevándose a Pedro y a los dos hijos de Zebedeo, empezó a entristecerse y a angustiarse. Entonces dijo:
+ «Me muero de tristeza: quedaos aquí y velad conmigo.»
C. Y, adelantándose un poco, cayó rostro en tierra y oraba diciendo: 
+ «Padre mío, si es posible, que pase y se aleje de mí ese cáliz. Pero no se haga lo que yo quiero, sino lo que tú quieres.» 
C. Y se acercó a los discípulos y los encontró dormidos. Dijo a Pedro:
+ «¿No habéis podido velar una hora conmigo? Velad y orad para no caer en la tentación, pues el espíritu es decidido, pero la carne es débil.» 
C. De nuevo se apartó por segunda vez y oraba diciendo:
+ «Padre mío, si este cáliz no puede pasar sin que yo lo beba, hágase tu voluntad.» 
C. Y, viniendo otra vez, los encontró dormidos, porque tenían los ojos cargados. Dejándolos de nuevo, por tercera vez oraba, repitiendo las mismas palabras. Luego se acercó a sus discípulos y les dijo:
+ «Ya podéis dormir y descansar. Mirad, está cerca la hora, y el Hijo del hombre va a ser entregado en manos de los pecadores. ¡Levantaos, vamos! Ya está cerca el que me entrega.»
C. Todavía estaba hablando, cuando apareció Judas, uno de los Doce, acompañado de un tropel de gente, con espadas y palos, mandado por los sumos sacerdotes y los ancianos del pueblo. El traidor les había dado esta contraseña: 
S. «Al que yo bese, ése es; detenedlo.»
C. Después se acercó a Jesús y le dijo:
S. «¡Salve, Maestro!»
C. Y lo besó. Pero Jesús le contestó:
+ «Amigo, ¿a qué vienes?»
C. Entonces se acercaron a Jesús y le echaron mano para detenerlo. Uno de los que estaban con él agarró la espada, la desenvainó y de un tajo le cortó la oreja al criado del sumo sacerdote. Jesús le dijo:
+ «Envaina la espada; quien usa espada, a espada morirá. ¿Piensas tú que no puedo acudir a mi Padre? Él me mandaría en seguida más de doce legiones de ángeles. Pero entonces no se cumpliría la Escritura, que dice que esto tiene que pasar.» 
C. Entonces dijo Jesús a la gente:
+ «¿Habéis salido a prenderme con espadas y palos, como a un bandido? A diario me sentaba en el templo a enseñar y, sin embargo, no me detuvisteis.» 
C. Todo esto ocurrió para que se cumpliera lo que escribieron los profetas. En aquel momento todos los discípulos lo abandonaron y huyeron. Los que detuvieron a Jesús lo llevaron a casa de Caifás, el sumo sacerdote, donde se habían reunido los escribas y los ancianos. Pedro lo seguía de lejos, hasta el palacio del sumo sacerdote, y, entrando dentro, se sentó con los criados para ver en qué paraba aquello. Los sumos sacerdotes y el sanedrín en pleno buscaban un falso testimonio contra Jesús para condenarlo a muerte y no lo encontraban, a pesar de los muchos falsos testigos que comparecían. Finalmente, comparecieron dos, que dijeron: 
S. «Éste ha dicho: "Puedo destruir el templo de Dios y reconstruirlo en tres días."» 
C. El sumo sacerdote se puso en pie y le dijo:
S. «¿No tienes nada que responder? ¿Qué son estos cargos que levantan contra ti?» 
C. Pero Jesús callaba. Y el sumo sacerdote le dijo:
S. «Te conjuro por Dios vivo a que nos digas si tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios.» 
C. Jesús le respondió:
+ «Tú lo has dicho. Más aún, yo os digo: Desde ahora veréis que el Hijo del hombre está sentado a la derecha del Todopoderoso y que viene sobre las nubes del cielo.» 
C. Entonces el sumo sacerdote rasgó sus vestiduras, diciendo:
S. «Ha blasfemado. ¿Qué necesidad tenemos ya de testigos? Acabáis de oír la blasfemia. ¿Qué decidís?»
C. Y ellos contestaron:
S. «Es reo de muerte.»
C. Entonces le escupieron a la cara y lo abofetearon; otros lo golpearon, diciendo: 
S. «Haz de profeta, Mesías; ¿quién te ha pegado?»
C. Pedro estaba sentado fuera en el patio, y se le acercó una criada y le dijo: 
S. «También tú andabas con Jesús el Galileo.»
C. Él lo negó delante de todos, diciendo:
S. «No sé qué quieres decir.»
C. Y, al salir al portal, lo vio otra y dijo a los que estaban allí:
S. «Éste andaba con Jesús el Nazareno.»
C. Otra vez negó él con juramento:
S. «No conozco a ese hombre.»
C. Poco después se acercaron los que estaban allí y dijeron a Pedro:
S. «Seguro; tú también eres de ellos, te delata tu acento.»
C. Entonces él se puso a echar maldiciones y a jurar, diciendo:
S. «No conozco a ese hombre.»
C. Y en seguida cantó un gallo. Pedro se acordó de aquellas palabras de Jesús: «Antes de que cante el gallo, me negarás tres veces.» Y, saliendo afuera, lloró amargamente. Al hacerse de día, todos los sumos sacerdotes y los ancianos del pueblo se reunieron para preparar la condena a muerte de Jesús. Y, atándolo, lo llevaron y lo entregaron a Pilato, el gobernador. Entonces Judas, el traidor, al ver que habían condenado a Jesús, sintió remordimiento y devolvió las treinta monedas de plata a los sumos sacerdotes y ancianos, diciendo:
S. «He pecado, he entregado a la muerte a un inocente.»
C. Pero ellos dijeron:
S. «¿A nosotros qué? ¡Allá tú!»
C. Él, arrojando las monedas en el templo, se marchó; y fue y se ahorcó. Los sumos sacerdotes, recogiendo las monedas, dijeron: 
S. «No es lícito echarlas en el arca de las ofrendas, porque son precio de sangre.» 
C. Y, después de discutirlo, compraron con ellas el Campo del Alfarero para cementerio de forasteros. Por eso aquel campo se llama todavía «Campo de Sangre». Así se cumplió lo escrito por Jeremías, el profeta: «Y tomaron las treinta monedas de plata, el precio de uno que fue tasado, según la tasa de los hijos de Israel, y pagaron con ellas el Campo del Alfarero, como me lo había ordenado el Señor.» Jesús fue llevado ante el gobernador, y el gobernador le preguntó: 
S. «¿Eres tú el rey de los judíos?»
C. Jesús respondió:
+ «Tú lo dices.»
C. Y, mientras lo acusaban los sumos sacerdotes y los ancianos, no contestaba nada. Entonces Pilato le preguntó: 
S. «¿No oyes cuántos cargos presentan contra ti?»
C. Como no contestaba a ninguna pregunta, el gobernador estaba muy extrañado. Por la fiesta, el gobernador solía soltar un preso, el que la gente quisiera. Había entonces un preso famoso, llamado Barrabás. Cuando la gente acudió, les dijo Pilato: 
S. «¿A quién queréis que os suelte, a Barrabás o a Jesús, a quien llaman el Mesías?» 
C. Pues sabía que se lo habían entregado por envidia. Y, mientras estaba sentado en el tribunal, su mujer le mandó a decir: 
S. «No te metas con ese justo, porque esta noche he sufrido mucho soñando con él.» 
C. Pero los sumos sacerdotes y los ancianos convencieron a la gente que pidieran el indulto de Barrabás y la muerte de Jesús. El gobernador preguntó:
S. «¿A cuál de los dos queréis que os suelte?»
C. Ellos dijeron:
S. «A Barrabás.»
C. Pilato les preguntó:
S. «¿Y qué hago con Jesús, llamado el Mesías?»
C. Contestaron todos:
S. «Que lo crucifiquen.»
C. Pilato insistió:
S. «Pues, ¿qué mal ha hecho?»
C. Pero ellos gritaban más fuerte:
S. «¡Que lo crucifiquen!»
C. Al ver Pilato que todo era inútil y que, al contrario, se estaba formando un tumulto, tomó agua y se lavó las manos en presencia de la multitud, diciendo: 
S. «Soy inocente de esta sangre. ¡Allá vosotros!»
C. Y el pueblo entero contestó:
S. «¡Su sangre caiga sobre nosotros y sobre nuestros hijos!»
C. Entonces les soltó a Barrabás; y a Jesús, después de azotarlo, lo entregó para que lo crucificaran. Los soldados del gobernador se llevaron a Jesús al pretorio y reunieron alrededor de él a toda la compañía; lo desnudaron y le pusieron un manto de color púrpura y, trenzando una corona de espinas, se la ciñeron a la cabeza y le pusieron una caña en la mano derecha. Y, doblando ante él la rodilla, se burlaban de él, diciendo: 
S. «¡Salve, rey de los judíos!»
C. Luego le escupían, le quitaban la caña y le golpeaban con ella la cabeza. Y, terminada la burla, le quitaron el manto, le pusieron su ropa y lo llevaron a crucificar. Al salir, encontraron a un hombre de Cirene, llamado Simón, y lo forzaron a que llevara la cruz. Cuando llegaron al lugar llamado Gólgota (que quiere decir: «La Calavera»), le dieron a beber vino mezclado con hiel; él lo probó, pero no quiso beberlo. Después de crucificarlo, se repartieron su ropa, echándola a suertes, y luego se sentaron a custodiarlo. Encima de su cabeza colocaron un letrero con la acusación: «Éste es Jesús, el rey de los judíos.» Crucificaron con él a dos bandidos, uno a la derecha y otro a la izquierda. Los que pasaban lo injuriaban y decían, meneando la cabeza:
S. «Tú que destruías el templo y lo reconstruías en tres días, sálvate a ti mismo; si eres Hijo de Dios, baja de la cruz.» 
C. Los sumos sacerdotes con los escribas y los ancianos se burlaban también, diciendo: 
S. «A otros ha salvado, y él no se puede salvar. ¿No es el rey de Israel? Que baje ahora de la cruz, y le creeremos. ¿No ha confiado en Dios? Si tanto lo quiere Dios, que lo libre ahora. ¿No decía que era Hijo de Dios?» 
C. Hasta los bandidos que estaban crucificados con él lo insultaban. Desde el mediodía hasta la media tarde, vinieron tinieblas sobre toda aquella región. A media tarde, Jesús gritó: 
+ «Elí, Elí, lamá sabaktaní.»
C. (Es decir:
+ «Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?»)
C. Al oírlo, algunos de los que estaban por allí dijeron:
S. «A Elías llama éste.»
C. Uno de ellos fue corriendo; en seguida, cogió una esponja empapada en vinagre y, sujetándola en una caña, le dio a beber. Los demás decían:
S. «Déjalo, a ver si viene Elías a salvarlo.»
C. Jesús dio otro grito fuerte y exhaló el espíritu.
Todos se arrodillan, y se hace una pausa
C. Entonces, el velo del templo se rasgó en dos, de arriba abajo; la tierra tembló, las rocas se rajaron. Las tumbas se abrieron, y muchos cuerpos de santos que habían muerto resucitaron. Después que él resucitó, salieron de las tumbas, entraron en la Ciudad santa y se aparecieron a muchos. El centurión y sus hombres, que custodiaban a Jesús, el ver el terremoto y lo que pasaba, dijeron aterrorizados: 
S. «Realmente éste era Hijo de Dios.»
C. Había allí muchas mujeres que miraban desde lejos, aquellas que habían seguido a Jesús desde Galilea para atenderlo; entre ellas, María Magdalena y María, la madre de Santiago y José, y la madre de los Zebedeos. Al anochecer, llegó un hombre rico de Arimatea, llamado José, que era también discípulo de Jesús. Éste acudió a Pilato a pedirle el cuerpo de Jesús. Y Pilato mandó que se lo entregaran. José, tomando el cuerpo de Jesús, lo envolvió en una sábana limpia, lo puso en el sepulcro nuevo que se había excavado en una roca, rodó una piedra grande a la entrada del sepulcro y se marchó. María Magdalena y la otra María se quedaron allí, sentadas enfrente del sepulcro. A la mañana siguiente, pasado el día de la Preparación, acudieron en grupo los sumos sacerdotes y los fariseos a Pilato y le dijeron: 
S. «Señor, nos hemos acordado que aquel impostor, estando en vida, anunció: "A los tres días resucitaré." Por eso, da orden de que vigilen el sepulcro hasta el tercer día, no sea que vayan sus discípulos, roben el cuerpo y digan al pueblo: "Ha resucitado de entre los muertos." La última impostura sería peor que la primera.» 
C. Pilato contestó:
S. «Ahí tenéis la guardia. Id vosotros y asegurad la vigilancia como sabéis.» 
C. Ellos fueron, sellaron la piedra y con la guardia aseguraron la vigilancia del sepulcro.

Transcripción cortesía de Ciudad Redonda.

A day with Señor Guillermo Gómez!

We have known Señor Guillermo Gómez way back in college because he was our teacher in a couple of subjects. But being naughty students back then, we rarely paid attention to him. I actually received a low grade in one of his classes: 3.00. The highest I received from him was 2.5, LOL! And my hubby Pepe? Believe it or not, Señor Gómez gave him an incomplete grade in a Spanish class (4.00) because he was always absent, LOL!

Who would believe that Señor Gómez would become part of our life? He and my hubby became staunch partners in their advocacy to bring back the Spanish language to our country, he ended up as our compadre when he stood as godfather to our eldest son Mómay (whose real name, José Mario Guillermo, is a combination of Señor Gómez and Pepe's names), and he also became our wedding godfather in our Traditional Latin Mass wedding more than three years ago!

During our early years of living together, my hubby Pepe never had a permanent job. Señor Gómez took him in as his editorial assistant in Nueva Era, the last Spanish-language newspaper in our country. His main job was a typist, and he worked in Señor Gómez's house in Makati City. It was there where my husband learned how to type fast using Spanish accent marks. At the end of each day, he would go home with an allowance from Señor Gómez. It was during this time when my husband's knowledge of Filipino History and the Spanish language has grown. Pepe owes his love and deep regard for the Spanish language because of Señor Gómez. Without Señor Gómez, our family would not have discovered our national identity.

Last month (February 12), Señor Gómez invited us for lunch at the Casino Español de Manila. We haven't seen him for more than a year, and we heard that he is already using a wheelchair because of a struggle against gout. But he was still his jolly old self.

Señor Gómez (with his assistant Jeffrey Vecina) arrives. Junífera Clarita gave him a violet-colored flower which she had picked from the garden (Señor is holding that flower at right photo).

That Saturday lunch was so sumptous. Señor Gómez treated us to Spanish dishes such as paella and fabada. Before we even started eating, Junífera Clarita was already enjoying glasses of margarita. Maybe that was the reason why I think she fell asleep after our lunch, hahaha!

The best paella I have ever tasted is in Casino Español de Manila. I think one serving is good for three. During the meal, my dad and Señor Gómez chatted about their favorite topics: politics and history. Señor Gómez also advised my hubby to go back to blogging. Daddy Pepe already stopped blogging last year when he closed down ALAS FILIPINAS and FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES, mainly because of a nerve problem (and since then, I have been the one managing this blog). Señor Gómez told my hubby that he also suffered the same problem many years ago, and that he also stopped writing for about two years. Señor Gómez thinks that my hubby must have suffered from some sort of nervous breakdown, and that he just didn't know about it. That is why he advised us that I, as a mother, should take care of our kids full time, and that my husband should just focus on his work or advocacy so that he would not be prone to stress. Great advise, Señor. Thank you. Because many times Pepe becomes so stressed out with our children particularly when he comes home from his night shift, and that is one of the major reasons why he gets stressed out. Better take Señor's advise, Daddy Pepe. 😊

I have been to Casino Español de Manila many times already. Instituto Cervantes de Manila used to be beside it but has already transferred to Makati. Whenever there were events in Instituto Cervantes de Manila, many guests go to Casino Español de Manila to relax and dine. Casino Español de Manila is not a place to gamble. Casino is a Spanish word which means a social club. My hubby told me that the place is for members only. We are thankful because we were privileged to have visited the place many times, mainly because of our Spanish circle of friends. Whenever we are invited there, we feel as if we are already members, hahaha! The warm welcome of our Hispanic friends is so touching and muy intresante. ¡Mil gracias amigos y amigas!

Aperitivo: pan con mantequilla.

Fabada is a rich Spanish bean stew. It has blood sausage (morcilla) which reminds us of dinuguán.

Paella.

¡Buen provecho!

After our heavy Hispanic lunch, my husband and Señor were still chatting over important matters. Krystal was listening to them. They haven't seen each other for a long time. Since I couldn't relate to what they were talking about, I just went outside to the garden to take pictures and a video clip of the place while our three boys and Junífera Clarita were running around the grass and played with the piano by the hallway. They really enjoyed the place. It was not their first time to be here, that's why they were already familiar with the place, as if we are already members, hehehe!

In the afternoon, Señor invited us for a car ride in the old districts of Manila. He toured us to Ermita, Binondo (Chinatown), San Nicolás, Quiapò, Pandacan, and Santa Ana. Too bad our camera's battery power got drained, but I was able to record a few video clips (you may view them by clicking here, here, here, and here). Anyway, the best things in life are not captured on camera, hehehe! Señor shared to us historical tidbits during the tour while he's driving... and he's already 81 years old! He is a good driver for his age, and he still has a clear vision! 😊

Click here for our complete photo album!

Parroquia Basílica de San Lorenzo Ruiz y Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario.

Before we went home, he brought us to a mall near his house and treated us to some ice cream and KFC meals. We were so stuffed that we didn't eat dinner at home anymore!

We parted ways at the carpark. We did not want him to drive us to the nearest road where we could commute so that he could relax because of his age and he has driven a lot the whole afternoon. But despite his age, we know that he will never grow old. He feels and acts young all the time. He laughs with us, cracks jokes with us, and takes time to talk to our kids. His vast knowledge of historical information is still intact. And he could still give me advice on how to take care of our family. He still wants to teach Krystal Flamenco although he couldn't anymore. He just advised us to enroll her in a Flamenco class under one of his former students. He may have stopped teaching flamenco, but we are still hoping he could dance once again.

Señor Gómez is not just a former teacher, nor is he just a friend nor a compadre or padrino. We consider him a part of our family...

Thank you for always being there for our us, Señor Gómez... I am teary eyed as I write this. And as I wipe my tears away, I would like you to know that we love you so much and we are very thankful and grateful for having you in our life! We pray for your good health, and may we have more parties, events, and travels for us and our family to share. ¡Muchos besos y abrazos! =) =) 😊 😊

 -Yeyette-

—Yeyette—

DID YOU KNOW? General assemblies of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española and awardings for the Premio Zóbel are always held here in Casino Español de Manila.