Simbang Gabi

Three more days and my attendance to "simbang gabi" will be perfect (again, for the nth time)!

"Simbang Gabi" (translated literally : night mass) or more popularly known as Misa de Gallo is a devotional nine-day series of masses practised by most Catholics in anticipation of Christmas (from December 16 to 24).  Traditionally, masses are held at dawn but during the 1990s, anticipated night masses at night started, I guess to encourage more to attend especially those who found it hard to wake up very early in the morning.  I still remember when I was growing up (elementary and high school days), waking up was really a sacrifice wiith cooler mornings and very early ringing of bells (around 3:45). I usually slept after the mass upon reaching home.  Not only that, there were times when even during the mass I fell asleep.  This usually happened when I went to mass directly from a party!

Simbang Gabi  (like running!) is a sure-fire formula for family bonding.  Last year, my daughter Dani and I were able to complete the series. Actually, Dani had asked a special favor and God granted it. It made her a  believer for novena masses, like me (remember my Run Pray Love entry). I don't know what the girls were asking this year, but I guess they relate to their studies.  Surprisingly, the girls were not that hard to wake up!

Last Saturday, we're supposed to join "The Long Run" under TBR's Dream Marathon at Nuvali.  But, due to conflict in mass schedule, we did not go.  Also, Tuesdays are usually for short runs.  Again, we did not run yesterday. Yes, it's an easy choice - God above all things!!

The soon-to-become so popular running venue!

It's a good thing that yesterday was the last day of the girls' school....their christmas party!! They have a two-week Christmas break.  Of course, they're very, very happy!!

Readying for her school Christmas party!

Showing off her new shoes...so dainty!

This morning we were able to run...of course, after the mass.  But we had to cut it short from 6.5k to 4k due to time constraints - I have an office to run (corporate slave!).  Anyway, life is not only about running.  I run to make the body given by God healthy.  In this way, I glorify God!

How about you?  Did you run or attend simbang gabi?  Wish you did both!!!

Miraculous Home(town) Run

Do you believe in miracles? I do.  They happen everyday.

Like last Sunday when we celebrated in Catarman (my hometown)  the Feast of the Miraculous Medal.  It had been raining since the day I arrived (Thursday).  Somebody advised to visit the nuns in Sta. Clara Monastery located around 8-10 kilometers away from Catarman.  The nuns will help us pray for a sunny Sunday so that we can encourage lots of churchgoers to join the procession (I'm the hermana *angelic smile).  These nuns also helped in praying for my success in slaying the evil 2010 bar exams *wink wink.

As the monastery is around 8-10 kilometers far from my house, I decided to run on Saturday in going there.  Anyway, I was slated to run around 8-9K based on my 10K training.  Then, I will just ask somebody to fetch me from there just in case I don't have any more energy to hail a tricycle for hire.

The Original Charlie's Angeyls

On Thursday evening during the birthday celebration of my older sister Annalissa, I met three funny gays who asked me if they could join my run on Saturday.  Who am I to say no?  The many-er the merrier, the more gays the funnier the run will be!  Especially if the gays to accompany you look like this ==>



We agreed to meet at the front of our house at around 4:30AM and leave at exactly 5AM, with or without any or all of them.

Saturday came and alas, not even one gay showed up.  So, I, Doods, Bambi and Gemma proceeded to run.  After crossing the bridge (around 500meters from start line), Bambi suggested to have a last minute change in the plan.  Instead of going to the monks, we diverted to a highway since the road has less vehicles, more fresh air.

I was able to run 11 kilometers, more or less, that ended up in the Catarman airport.  The run was magnificent!  We passed by a number of rice fields and some locals who were early risers cleaning their backyard!  There were other runners too like a woman expat who passed by me (her pace is amazing!).  We arrived at the airport at around 7AM, just in time for the arrival of the Cebu Pacific flight from Manila.  It was also a last minute plan to run directly to airport to meet my sister Letty and Dani who were arriving from Manila.

My shins were stressed much because it was my first time to run longer distance from my usual 5-6k.   Worse, I even forgot to put ice cubes after the run so it was really helluva suffering the whole day and even after!  Add to that the episodes of diarrhea (may be due to the water that I drink!) I had.  Grrrr.

Anyway, the run was truly miraculous as not even a drop of rain fell on Sunday. Not only were we able to parade Mama Mary around Catarman...

The kids had also a blast at the White Beach despite the scary waves....

Later, I learned that my daughter, Julia had really prayed hard the night before for a nice weather so they could go to the beach.   See her smile at the beach....priceless!

 And whether, the miracle of the Sunny Sunday was due to Julia's vigorous prayer or to my fabulous 11k for no rain, it really doesn't matter....All for Mama Mary...Long live the Queen!

So, keep on running....the act itself is indeed a miracle!

Run, Pray, Love...on my birthday!

Like Elizabeth Gilbert, we ladies sometimes embark on some journey searching for something or everything.


Imitating her search on her book, Eat Pray Love , I set sail on a mission on my birthday.  But, it doesn't mean you have to wait your birthday to do your thing.  I just availed of my birthday leave so as not to forfeit it! =D




RUN


Hubby and I woke up at a quarter to 5 AM for our 10K training schedule .  It was just a relaxed run and I had to cover only around 2 miles.  Most of the time I jogged (fabulously!) LOL.  It was nice not to wear contact lens nor eyeglasses since I could not see the distance I have to cover.  Hence, running was easier!

Ready, set, SWEAT!

 Upon reaching home, my daughter Juia was already ready for school.  She's always punctual.  Sometimes, she is the one who wakes us up!

My future running partner!

Our overweight (like me) but cute and sweet labrador Ichang is one of my first greeters. =D  We could not however tag her along in our runs because of her nasty habit of greeting other runners with a loud bark!

Tickling Ichang!

PRAY


On the day the 2010 bar examination results came out, together with a friend-barrister, I visited a total of nine (9) churches.  Desperate situations call for desperate measures.  I promised to return to these churches - pass or fail.  One of these churches is the St. Jude Shrine in Manila, which is very popular among those taking different board/bar examinations, going overseas, praying for partner in life, etc.  After all, he is the Patron Saint of Desperate Cases!

Devotees flocked St. Jude statue right after the Novena

 First pit stop was the very popular among Wednesday's devotees, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine.

It was my first time to go near the altar.  May be because, it was not a Wednesday hence less devotees were visiting Mama Mary.

Isn't it glorious?

Didn't I mention that I was only able to visit three churches?  I know the Good Lord will understand.  I was just commuting!  I took a bus from Edsa, Ayala going to Baclaran and it took an hour to get there.  Thereafter, I rode the LRT on the way to Mendiola.  I was supposed to alight at Doroteo Jose but goodness, I missed it!  I alighted at the next station - Bambang and took a jeepney ride going back to Doroteo Jose then took another jeepney ride going to Mendiola.  Except for the humidity, I really love commuting!  It's always a humbling experience!


Second pit stop was one of the nicest interiors I've ever seen here in Manila....the Abbey of our Lady of Montserrat inside San Beda College in Mendiola.

Beautiful interiors, di ba?

Next pit stop was St. Jude which I already mentioned earlier.  It was there that I lighted my candles....five in all (for 5K FAB runs!).

5 candles for 5K runs!

And the final pit stop...

NO, it's not a church though it also has bells. It's the SPA in Greenbelt which led me to....



LOVE


Before we can love others, we have to love ourselves, right?  Loving means pampering so I had my body scrubbed with seasalt...then wrapped with honey (wanted to taste it while being wrapped...YUM!)...and finally, an hour Swedish massage.  It was AWESOME that I wanted to run sleep for 10K hours after!


Of course, I did not miss lunch.  I shared a lovely meal of Sicilian chicken salad and stuffed mushroom at Italianni's Greenbelt 2, one of my favorite restaurants with my business partner-very good friend, Kumareng Jacquie....

I blew my candle there...Italliani's staffs love me for being a frequent visitor...thanks Bistro!

Now, about sharing love....there was no GARMIN watch to share..only GAP sweatshirt.  But I LOVE it and I intend to wear it every FUN run that I will join (*wink).

GAP now, GARMIN later!