Travel, Photographs and Lifestyle

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

THE PAPAL VISIT 2015 ITINERARY

THE PAPAL VISIT 2015 ITINERARY

The official itinerary is as follows:

January 15, 2015

Arrival from Sri Lanka – Villamor Air Base
Motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature – Taft Avenue, Manila

January 16, 2015

Welcome Ceremony – Malacañan Palace, Manila
Motorcade to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)
Mass with Bishops, Priests, and Religious – Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)
Motorcade to the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Encounter with Families – Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

January 17, 2015

Departure for Archdiocese of Palo – Villamor Air Base
Arrival at Tacloban Airport
Holy Mass – Tacloban Airport
Lunch with the Poor and Survivors of Calamities at Gonzagahaus (Residence of the Archbishop of Palo) – Palo, Leyte
Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor – Palo, Leyte
Meeting with the Priests and Religious at Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) – Palo, Leyte
Departure for Manila
Arrival at Manila – Villamor Air Base

January 18, 2015

Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders and Encounter with the Youth – Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila
Motorcade to Rizal Park, Manila
Concluding Mass, Rizal Park, Manila

January 19, 2015

Motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature
Departure for Rome – Villamor Air Base

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Saturday, January 10, 2015

TERMINAL FEE: To be Included In Your Plane Ticket's Cost

TERMINAL FEE: To be Included In Your Plane Ticket's Cost

Is this a good thing or a bad thing for all of you out there with itchy feet? MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado said in a memorandum to all the airlines and airport stakeholders that the integration of the terminal fee will finally proceed on February 1, 2015

The MIAA has deferred the integration which was supposed to take effect beginning Jan. 15 to give way to the papal visit on Jan. 15 to 19.

For me, this is a good thing because it means you and I, common people, don't have to line up and wait for our turn to pay for our terminal fee. It would facilitate smooth boarding. So, thumbs up for that.

The implementation of the memorandum circular seeking the integration of the terminal fees with the cost of plane tickets has likewise been delayed in September last year due to opposition mainly from groups of overseas Filipino workers who because of the new policy would need to pay the terminal fees and line up for refund afterward.

OFWs along with Muslim pilgrims, and Filipino athletes are exempted from paying the terminal fees.

To avail themselves of the exemption, workers have to present their exemption certificate while pilgrims and athletes must present airport authorities proof of the endorsement of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and Philippine Sports Commission, respectively.

Those buying their tickets online and overseas may get a refund at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport afterward.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

MALDIVES: Coleen Garcia's Vacation Photos

MALDIVES: Coleen Garcia's Vacation Photos

Velassaru Maldives is my ultimate dream vacation destination. And local showbiz stars Coleen Garcia and her boyfriend Billy Joe Crawford spent 8 days frolicking in the sand of Maldives, said to be a paradise on earth.

Look at those beautiful stilt cottages, gentle waves, white powdery sand, pretty clouds and sunny skies.

Anyway, here is Coleen's mantra for this year 2015 which she wrote on her instagram account:

“Today I’ve decided to center my life on the things that really matter to me. I’ve realized that I have absolutely no time for negative emotions because I choose to focus on what makes me happy and on what makes me better. I choose to continue growing and learning. And appreciating. Fill yourself with gratitude, and there won’t be room for anything else that isn’t needed.”

Go, girl! Happy New Year!

Monday, January 5, 2015

MRT 3 FARE MATRIX

MRT 3 FARE MATRIX

Wondering how much you will paying at your next MRT-3 ride? Please be guided accordingly and use the Fare Matrix above.

I hope MRT-3 will have better service.

Happy New Year!

NO CLASSES ON JANUARY 9

NO CLASSES ON JANUARY 9

Yes! You read it right. There will be no classes in Manila on January 9, 2015, Friday, the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

In Executive Order No. 1 for 2015, Mayor Estrada said the suspension will cover public and private schools at all levels.

"Classes for all levels in universities, colleges and schools in the City of Manila (are) suspended 09 January 2015, Friday," Estrada said in his order, which was posted on his Facebook account.

Devotees of the Black Nazarene are expected to flock to Quiapo this week for the yearly feast of their patron, whose image is believed to have miraculous powers.

Mayor Estrada also said work is suspended in all departments, offices and bureaus in the city government except those involved in:

maintenance of peace and order;
traffic enforcement;
disaster and risk reduction management;
health and sanitation; and
issuance of business permits and collection of taxes.

But Estrada said the suspension of work in national government offices and private offices in the city "is left to the discretion of their heads of office."

Monday, December 29, 2014

FREE ENTRANCE AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

FREE ENTRANCE AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

The National Museum (NM) celebrates Rizal Day by offering free admission.

Come to the NM tomorrow, December 30, and view artworks for free by our national hero, Jose Rizal. One of the more important pieces in the National Fine Arts Collection is this terracotta sculpture "Mother's Revenge" by Rizal. It features a mother dog attacking a crocodile that harmed her pup. It is a National Cultural Treasure.

National Museum of the Philippines wishes you all the best this holiday season

The management and staff is looking forward to your visit but remember besides December 25 & 26 and January 1 & 2, NM will also be closed on the two Mondays: December 29 and January 5 for its usual cleaning and maintenance days. Remember that admission is free on the public holidays which fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 30 and 31.

The National Art Gallery is part of the National Museum complex in Manila and is in the Old Legislative Building (along Padre Burgos Avenue). The complex also includes the Museum of the Filipino People (Old Finance Building), National Planetarium and the National Museum of Natural History (Old Tourism Building) which will open late 2015.

RIZAL DAY: December 30

RIZAL DAY: December 30

President Aquino will lead tomorrow's Rizal Day commemoration at the Rizal Park in Manila.

Statement of Secretary Edwin Lacierda:

On the week of December 29, 2014 – January 2, 2015

[Released on December 29, 2014]

This week, President Aquino is set to commemorate the martyrdom of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Tomorrow, the President will be at the Rizal monument to preside over the flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies, in remembrance and recognition of Dr. Rizal’s staunch devotion to truth and justice in the face of the abuses of our colonizers, a devotion that led to incarceration, exile, and eventually, his execution.

As we welcome the New Year, it is an appropriate time to remember what Dr. Jose Rizal stood for: bravery, integrity, an undying love for country, and the firm belief that national progress requires good citizenship, recognizing that freedom carries with it responsibilities. It is through embodying the values and lessons of civic consciousness that we have learned from Dr. Rizal that we can further accelerate our journey along the straight path to progress, and achieve our collective goal of a more inclusive and more prosperous Philippines.