Ang Pagninilay-nilay Tuwing Semana Santa

Ang Pagninilay-nilay Tuwing

Semana Santa

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Uumpisahan ko ang share na ito sa pagpuna tungkol sa ilang bagay tungkol sa ginugunita ng mga Katoliko. Tulad halimbawa ang “semana santa” na sa Ingles ay “holy week”, at kung tagalugin ay “banal na linggo” pero hindi ganoon ang nangyayari dahil ang ginagamit ay “mahal na araw” na tumutukoy sa “isang araw” lang…anong araw ito? Biyernes santo ba? Sa dasal na “Hail Mary…” kung sa Tagalog, ito ay “Aba Ginoong Maria…”. Bakit naging “ginoo” ang birheng Maria? Ang “ginoo” ay pantukoy sa lalaki. Bakit hindi, “Binibining Maria” o “Ginang Maria” at lalong sana ay “Birheng Maria” dahil siya ay babae? Sigurado kong marami ang magtataas ng mga kilay sa pagpuna kong ito.

 

Kaya ko inunahan ng mga pagpuna ang isinulat kong ito ay upang ipakita na karamihan sa mga gumugunita sa Semana Santa, ang pananampalataya ay ampaw…walang laman. Ang mga dasal, minimemorays, hindi pini-feel sa puso. Kung susunod sa mga panuntunan ng simbahan, parang wala sa sarili kung gawin ito, hindi iniisip. Kaya sa binanggit ko sa unang paragraph, maaaring kung hindi ko nasabi ay hindi rin mapapansin, dahil sa ugali ng karamihan na kung i-describe ay “parang wala lang”.

 

Maraming paraan ang pagtitika at pagninilay-nilay sa paggunita ng Semana Santa tulad ng  pagbisita Iglesia…paramihan ng pinupuntahang simbahan, subalit ang nakakalungkot ay hindi nila pagpalampas sa pag-selfie sa harap mismo ng altar! Pagkatapos ng mga pasyalang ginawa ay magpo-post sa facebook ng mga selfie, pati ng mga pagkaing nabili sa paligid o harap ng simbahan. Isa pa ring paraan ay ang tinatawag na “staycation”…ang hindi pag-alis ng bahay o bayan o lunsod kung saan nakatira, dahil marami rin namang magagawa maski hindi na lumabas pa. Sa ganitong paraan, nakatipid na ay nakapag-bonding pa sa mga mahal sa buhay, subalit karamihan pala ay nanonood lang ng mga DVD ng na-miss na mga pelikula!

 

Ang mga may perang magagastos, dumadayo pa sa mga bayang nakakaakit din ng mga dayuhang turista. At ang iba naman ay pinipili ang mga resort, swimming pool man o dagat upang mas maganda daw ang ambience ng pagninilay o pagmi-meditate….sana.  Yong iba kasi, ang pinagninilay-nilayan ay ang mga naka-bikining nagsi-swimming. Pero, ang matindi ay ang mga astig, na ang pagninilay ay ginagawa sa harap ng mga bote na ang etikitang nakadikit ay may imahe ng demonyo at ni San Miguel Arkanghel!

 

Ang mga pilosopo naman ay nagsasabi na taunan naman ang pagninilay-nilay at paghingi ng tawad o paglinis ng ispiritwal na aspeto ng pagkatao, kaya huwag mag-alala kung nakaligtaang magbisita Iglesia, magpinetensiya, o sumali sa pagbasa ng pasyon sa kasalukuyang taon dahil marami pang mga taon na susunod, at upang idiin ang pagkapilosopo, may dagdag pa na: “habang buhay…may pag-asa”.

 

Ngayon, magtataka pa ba tayo kung bakit ang mundo ay tila niyuyugyog ng mga sunud-sunod na kalamidad? Idagdag pa diyan ang mga giyera sa pagitan ng magkakapitbahay na mga bansa at pagkalat ng mga terorista sa iba’t ibang bansa upang maghasik ng karahasan? At huwag ding kalimutan ang gutom at mga sakit na ang iba ay wala pang lunas.

 

Dahil sa labis na talino at pagkagahaman ng tao, nawalan na siya ng katinuan at kinalimutan na ang Manlilikha, kaya hindi lang simpeng pitik ang nararapat kundi mararahas na pambukas ng kanyang mga mata at kaisipan!

Rose

Rose

(para kay Rosita Segala)

Ni Apolinario B Villalobos

 

Kung siya’y iyong pagmasdan

Mababanaag mo sa mga mata niyang malamlam

Bigat ng pinapasang katungkulan

Hindi lang para sa mga mahal sa buhay

Kung hindi, pati na rin sa malalapit na kaibigan.

 

Mayroon man siyang kinikimkim

Hindi kayang isiwalat ng maninipis na labi

Ang matagal nang pinipigil na damdamin

Nakapaloob sa nagpupumiglas na tanong

“May kaligayahan kaya para sa akin sa dako pa roon”?

 

Marami na rin siyang inasam sa buhay

Nguni’t maramot ang kapalaran at pagkakataon

Kabutihang kanyang pinamamahagi sa iba

Kalimitan ay palaging may katumbas na luha

Pati na pag-abuso na nagbibigay ng matinding pagdurusa.

 

Sa kabila ng lahat, marubdob pa rin ang paniniwala niya sa Diyos

Na siyang tanging nakakabatid ng lahat ng kanyang paghihirap

At alam niyang darating ang panahon na kanyang makakamit

Pagmamahal at katiwasayan ng kalooban na sa kanya’y pinagkait

Samantala, kanya na lang iindahin, mga darating na siphayo at pasakit.

 

(Si Rose ay taga-Quezon at nang mapadpad sa Maynila noong 1972 ay kumuha ng maliit na puwesto sa Recto, sa bahaging kung tagurian ay “Arranque”. Sa bahaging ito ng Maynila makakakita ng mga alahas na binebenta ng mura dahil karamihan ay nabili ng bultuhan o maramihan sa mga bahay-sanglaan o pawnshop. At, sa ganitong uri ng negosyo sumabak si Rose, subalit hindi sa pagbenta, kundi sa paglinis na kasama ang pagtubog upang lalong tumingkad mga alahas. Ang puwesto niya ay nasa ilalim ng hagdan patungo sa ikalawang palapag ng lumang gusali, kung saan ay may inuupahan siyang kuwarto, kasama ang kanyang pamangkin na si Marivic.

 

 

Marami siyang kakumpetensiya sa uri ng kanyang trabaho – mga lalaki, kaya napabilib ako sa kanya nang malaman ko ang kanyang trabaho. Ayon sa kanya, pinipilit niyang makaipon upang may magamit sa mga emergency na pangangailangan kaya alas- siyete pa lamang ng umaga ay nag-aabang na siya ng mga kostumer na gustong magpalinis ng alahas, at inaabot siya ng gabi dahil sa kanyang pagtitiyaga.

 

Sa probinsiya pa lang nila ay marami nang natulungan si Rose, subalit hindi siya naghangad ng kapalit. Nakakaramdam siya ng kasiyahan sa pagtulong sa iba upang hindi sila makaranas ng mga kahirapang napagdaanan niya. Ayaw niyang umasa sa mga kamag-anak, kahit na yong mga natulungan niya, kaya nagsisikap, at pinapasa-Diyos na lamang niya kung ano man ang mangyari sa kanya, subalit kahit papaano ay nag-iingat pa rin siya.)

 

 

Pastil: Versatile One-dish Meal of Muslim Filipinos

Pastil: versatile one dish meal

Of Muslim Filipinos          

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

If you have ventured into a Muslim community, you may notice a delicacy neatly wrapped in a banana leaf. It is called “pastil”, a special kind of rice with a spoonful of viand on top– either fish or chicken. While the fish takes a shorter time to cook, the shredded chicken takes more, for as long as two to three hours to ensure its softness. The fish is flavored with “palapa”, a hot chili and shallot- based condiment, while the chicken is cooked in its own oil enhanced with a small amount of coconut or vegetable oil, toasted garlic, and with shallot and hot chili as optional ingredients.

 

In Manila, the place to go for this one-dish meal is the Islamic Center in Quiapo. While it can be partaken as is, some prefer to have other dish to go with it. At the Islamic Center’s halal carinderias and sidewalk eateries, the choices for other main dishes are chunks of young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk, red beans in coconut milk, broiled tuna, mudfish or tilapia, boiled eggs, stir-fried vegetables in herbs, and chicken cooked in thick coconut milk.

 

For dessert, one can have the Muslim version of “fruit salad” which is a soupy combination of gelatin and fruits in season flavored with milk and sweetened with brown sugar. It is different from the “dry” version of fruit salad which is topped with ice cream and shaved ice.

 

Variably, “pastil” is also called “patil” in other parts of Muslim Mindanao, and the preparation varies according to the added spice or condiment. The price however, does not vary, as the price is  fixed at ten pesos per wrap.

Ang Lumpiang Sariwa ni Flor Enriquez-Francia sa Quiapo

Ang Lumpiang Sariwa ni Flor Enriques-Francia

Sa Quaipo

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Mahigit apatnapung taon nang kilala ang lumpiang sariwa na binebenta ni Flor Enriquez-Francia sa labas ng simbahan ng Quiapo. Subalit ngayon ang nagpatuloy sa pagtinda ay ang kaniyang pamangkin na si Nathaniel. At, kung dati ay sa bilao lang nakalatag ang mga lumpia, ngayon ay nasa kariton na at naka-styro at may balot pang plastic sheet upang masigurong hindi naaalikabukan o madapuan ng langaw.

 

Una kong natikman ang lumpia noong taong 2002 nang umusyuso ako sa selebrasyon ng kapistahan ng Black Nazarene. Si Flor naman ay nakapuwesto sa hindi kalayuang Avenida dahil ipinagbawal muna ang mga sidewalk vendor sa Plaza Miranda. Sa pag-uusap namin, binanggit niyang basta walang okasyon sa labas ng simbahan ng Quiapo, sa Plaza Miranda siya nagtitinda, kaya nang bumalik ako sa Quiapo makaraan ang ilang linggo ay nakita ko nga siya doon at halos hindi magkandaugaga sa pag-asikaso sa kanyang mga suki. Matagal bago ako nakasingit upang bumili ng dalawang pirasong inilagay niya sa maliit na supot na plastic at nilagyan ng sarsa. Mahirap kainin ang lumpia kung nakatayo at hindi nakalagay sa platito o pinggan. Kailangang hawakan ang supot na parang saging at ang ilabas lang ay ang dulo ng lumpia. Pero kapag sanay na ay madali nang gawin ito.

 

Nang dumagsa ang iba pang vendor sa labas ng Quiapo church ay hindi ko na nakita si Flor. Inisip ko na lang na baka umuwi na sa probinsiya o baka nagsawa na sa pagtinda ng lumpia. Subalit nang minsang namili ako sa Villalobos St. ay may nasalubong akong lalaking nagtutulak ng maliit na cart at ang laman ay mga lumpiang naka-styro.  Hindi ko siya pinansin dahil inisip kong katulad lang din siya ng ibang naglalako ng pagkain sa lugar na yon.

 

Sa pagpasok ng huling linggo nitong Disyembre, bumalik ako sa Quiapo kasama ang mga kaibigang balikbayan upang bumili ng mga panalubong nila pagbalik sa America at Canada. Nakita ko uli ang lalaking nagtutulak ng cart na may mga sariwang lumpia. Nagtanong na ako kung inabot niya ang “original” na nagtitinda ng lumpia sa Quiapo. Ikinagulat ko ang kanyang sagot dahil tiyahin pala niya ang tinutukoy kong tindera, at idinagdag pa niya na ang buong pangalan ay Flor Enriquez-Francia. Nasa bahay na lang daw ito at doon niya inihahanda ang mga lumpia na kinakariton naman ni Nathaniel.

 

Halos isang taon din pala bago naitinda uli ang lumpiang gawa ni Flor at ito ay pinangatawanan na ni Nathaniel na umaming maski anong mangyari sa kanyang tiyahin, ay walang problema dahil naituro na sa kanya ang sekreto sa pagtimpla lalo na ng sarsa. Nakakadalawang hakot ng mga lumpia si Nathaniel hanggang dapit-hapon kaya malaking bagay daw para sa kanilang magtiyahin ang kinikita niya lalo pa at nagkaka-edad na rin ito kaya marami na ring pangangailangan.

 

Ang ginawa ni Flor ay isang halimbawa ng pagbuhos ng katapatan sa anumang bagay na ginagawa – walang panloloko, kaya lumpia man, na sa paningin ng iba ay napaka-simple, kung hindi naman masarap ay madaling makakalimutan. Ganyan dapat ang ugali ng tao… bukal sa kalooban ang anumang ginagawa maliit man ito o malaki, pansarili man o nakaka-apekta ng kapwa.

Imelda Torres: Ang Babaeng “Barker” o Taga-tawag sa Liwasang Bonifacio (Lawton Plaza)

Imelda Torres: Ang Babaeng “Barker” o Taga-tawag

sa Liwasang Bonifacio (Lawton Plaza)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang “barker” ay taga-tawag ng mga pasahero at taga-sigaw ng destinasyon ng sasakyang pampubliko tulad ng bus, jeepney o van. Siya rin ang namamahala sa maayos na pag-upo ng mga pasahero. Kung minsan, ang tawag sa kanya ay  “dispatcher”, subalit iba sa talagang “dispatcher” sa istasyon ng bus na konektado sa kumpanya. Kung nakapila ang mga jeep o van na itinatawag ng “barker”, siya rin ang taga-kolekta ng pamasahe at kapag inabot na niya sa driver ang nalikom na pera, ay saka pa lang siya aabutan ng bayad sa kanyang serbisyo. Ang bayad naman sa “barker” ay hindi pare-pareho, depende sa dami ng pumipilang sasakyan at lugar ng pilahan. Mayroong inaabutan ng Php20.00 at ang pinakamalaki ay Php30.00.

 

Ang mga nakapila sa Liwasang Bonifacio ay mga aircon van na biyaheng Sucat (Paraἧaque) at Alabang (Muntinglupa). Ang pilahang ito ay hawak ni Imelda Torres, 65 na taong gulang. Taong 1972 pa lamang ay nagtatawag na siya dito….panahon ng Martial Law sa ilalim ni Ferdinand Marcos. Nang panahong yon, ang sabi niya, napakaganda ng Manila Metropolitan Theater na tanaw lamang kung saan kami nakaupo. Ngayon, ang paligid nito ay mapanghi dahil ginawang ihian at ang mga dingding na natuklapan na ng pintura ay sinalaula ng mga istambay sa pamamagitan ng pag-spray paint ng pangalan ng gang nila.

 

Ligtas daw noon ang pamamasyal sa paligid ng liwasan dahil palaging may umaaligid na mga pulis kahit sa gabi. Kahit abutin siya ng dis-oras ng gabi sa pagtatawag, hindi siya natatakot sa paglakad pauwi sa tinitirhan niya sa kalapit lang na Intramuros. Ang kinikita niya ang ikinabuhay niya sa apat niyang anak noong maliliit pa sila. Ngayon, ang isa ay nasa Japan na. Ang iba pa niyang mga anak ay may mga sarili nang pamilya.

 

Pinakamalinis na kita ni Aling Imelda ay Php200 isang araw. Napapagkasya niya ang halagang ito sa kanyang mga pangangailangan sa araw-araw. Hindi na siya nagluluto dahil mag-isa lang naman siya at sa maghapon ay nasa liwasan siya, kung saan ay maraming karinderya na mura lang ang panindang mga pagkain. Ang tanging luho niya sa katawan ay ang minsanang manicure at pedicure, at ilang alahas na pilak sa mga daliri at braso.

 

Sa gulang niyang 65, wala nang mahihiling pa si Aling Imelda na kailangang gastusan ng malaking halaga. Masaya siya dahil ang mga anak at apo niya ay nakakakain sa tamang oras, hindi nga lang maluho ang mga pagkain. Ang kalaban lang niya ay ang paminsan-minsang dumadapong sakit tulad ng sipon at lagnat. Ganoon pa man, kahit halos namamalat na siya dahil sa biglang pagkakaroon ng lagnat o sipon ay hindi pa rin siya tumitigil sa pagtawag, tulad nang umagang nag-usap kami. Sayang din nga naman ang kikitain niya kung palalampasin niya.

 

Mabuti na lang at pumayag siyang kunan ko ng litrato, pero tinapat ko siya na igagawa ko siya ng kuwento at ilalagay ko sa internet. Natawa siya nang sabihin kong baka mabasa ng anak niya sa Japan ang isusulat ko tungkol sa kanya.

Nang iwanan ko siya upang ituloy ang paglakad papunta sa Avenida (Sta. Cruz), narinig ko uli ang boses niya na tumatawag ng mga pasahero. Habang naglalakad ako, naalala ko ang nanay namin na nagtatawag ng mga mamimili upang lumapit sa mga inilatag niyang ukay-ukay tuwing araw ng tiyangge sa bayan namin, noong maliit pa ako….

A Philanthropist at Quinta Market of Quiapo….Baby “Bicol” Dionisio

A Philanthropist at Quinta Market of Quiapo
…Baby “Bicol” Dionisio
By Apolinario Villalobos

If I am around the Quiapo area and want to partake of my favorite eggplant torte, I would just go to my favorite carinderia (makeshift restaurant) at the Quinta market. The stall is beside the fish section. For more than nine years now, I did not know that the single mom, Baby “Bicol” Dionisio, who is tending the said eatery has been silently enduring trials that have befallen her, as under her care is a hydrocephalic granddaughter. Both sleep in the cramped area behind the counter, among their worldly possessions, and the worst time is during the flood season during which the overflowing murky water from the Pasig River which is a few meters away would flood the whole market for days, reaching up to her ankle, and during some seasons, up to her thigh. In addition to such nuisance is the several decades-old roof that drips rainwater.

I learned about her hydrocephalic granddaughter one morning when I dropped by for my favorite dish, before proceeding to the Hospicio de San Jose beside the Ayala Bridge, and which is just a few hundred meters away. During our animated conversation, she inadvertently mentioned about the child in her care. It came as a surprise. I did not know about her ward as every time I drop by, she was always cheerful. I did not know that in the crib is a handicapped child.

What touches me every time I drop by for my cheap breakfast is her very positive outlook despite her strangling financial needs for the health maintenance of the child. That morning, she told me that she has learned to leave her fate to the Lord, but added that she has never failed to exert much effort in earning for their daily survival by waking up as early as four in the morning to do her purchases and cooking, and since theirs is a public area, staying awake as late as ten in the evening. She also cheerfully mentioned that the child has learned to knock at her crib post to wake her up consistently every morning.

Baby’s daughter, the mother of the child, still has two children in her care and she is also doubling her effort to support them by doing odd jobs. She and her family live in a shanty by the Pasig River with her two other small children. Her husband drives a traysikad or pedaled tricycle. I was even more surprised when Baby pointed at an old man who was sleeping that morning on an old reclining chair in front of her stall. She said, the old man who is past his seventy years, and suffering from the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease is also under her care. As soon as she is free from attending to her customers, she checks the old man. She has no idea about her additional ward’s family. I had no courage to ask her how her caring for the old man started. I find it unethical. For me, what’s important is what is being done at the moment of need.

I did not mention to Baby about the Hospicio as I was not sure if the said institution could take care of semi-invalids such as her old ward. I am resolved, however, to at least try my best in helping her locate the family of the man for his own sake. Most often, victims of Alzheimer’s disease who could not find their way back home are painstakingly searched for by their families.

Baby’s friends in the market would sometimes extend their assistance, although, not regularly, to help lessen her financial burden. Despite her situation that could break the bearing of the weak in body and spirit, she would just smile while attending to her customers, with not a bit of complaint. Due to her very amiable personality, she exudes a warm aura that gives her face some kind of a radiance that veils her real age, making her look like fortyish despite her age of past sixty years. When I asked if it is okey to take her photo with her granddaughter beside the old man, she vehemently refused, but she did not hesitate to give me her real name. I only knew it after more than nine years, during which I would just call her “nene”.

As always, people like “nene” or Baby keeps me going…

The Overzealous Devotion to the Black Nazarene

The Overzealous Devotion to the Black Nazarene

By Apolinario Villalobos

Every year, I partially witness the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Luneta to Quiapo Church. Partial because I just stay along Taft Avenue and follow until the procession reaches the Jones Bridge, then I go the other way towards the direction of Quiapo Church where a multitude of devotees are waiting.

As during the previous years, the Quiapo church authorities try their best to rectify the belief of the devotees that the January 9 is the fiesta of Quiapo which is wrong. The fiesta of Quiapo is June 24, as the district’s patron saint is St. John the Baptist. January 9 is the commemoration of the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Intramuros to Quiapo, and not a fiesta.

Observable as usual, is the overzealous praying to the image which the church authorities are trying to discourage by explaining that it is not Jesus, but just his representation, hence, an image, so that such act is idolatrous. Devotees are also advised not to bring their children to the occasion. Also, those living along the route of the procession should refrain from holding drinking sprees on the street, thinking that the occasion is a “fiesta”. And worse, they also hold piῆata games using earthen pots, resulting to the scattering of potsherds all over the streets which are along the route of the procession of barefooted devotees. Unfortunately, all those calls are unheeded.

The kissing ritual and wiping of the image with hand towels on which is printed the face of the Black Nazarene are also among the overzealous acts of the devotees. The kissing ritual is held at the Luneta Grandstand and the wiping of the image is done along the route of the procession during which many wonder how the towels can be thrown back to their owners afterwards by members of the Hijos de Nazareno who are protecting the image which is firmly perched on the “andas”.

This year, a “miracle” can eventually bolster the faith of the devotees to the Black Nazarene. A long- distressed mother is reunited with his mentally-handicapped son, after so many years of separation. It is as if her son is pushed to her side during the melee that ensued. The mother almost failed to recognize her son whose features are slightly changed. But her maternal instinct told her that it is her son. Radio field reporters eagerly picked up the story with eagerness, and which overshadowed the death of a member of the “Hijos” due to a stroke that resulted from over exhaustion.

The Black Nazarene is among the most popular images with millions of devotees in the Philippines, most of whom are concentrated in Manila and its suburbs. What distract the high-strung devotion are those who act as if possessed if they notice cameras focused to them, as well as, the Jesus personifiers, complete with crown of “thorns”, and who meld themselves in the sea of ardent devotees.

Before I left the procession, I asked one “devotee” whose breath strongly smells of liquor, the reason for his devotion. To my question, he answered that he is asking the Black Nazarene to give him a chance in winning the lottery, even just for once….

A Brief Visit to Hospicio de San Jose

A Brief Visit to Hospicio de San Jose

By Apolinario Villalobos

On November 11, I made an urgent trip from Cavite to Quiapo for a visit to the Hospicio de San Jose, the entrance of which is at the southern end of Ayala Bridge. I intended to personally talk to the people in charge of the orphanage which opened its doors to the needy in 1810. What caught my attention was a small window on the left wall through which, perhaps, infants can be turned over discreetly by mothers. Noticeable too, were the courteous staff and cleanliness of the compound.

I was hoping to gather first-hand information about the orphanage for a kind-hearted Filipina who lives in the US whose advocacy is donating books to schools and libraries. As she was thinking of “expanding” her acts of charity, I suggested the hospicio to her. The orphanage administrator, Sr. Maria Socorro Pilar G. Evidente, or just plain Sister Socorro, was not around during the time of my visit. I was entertained, instead, by the two secretaries, Ammie Visitacion and Anne de la Cruz. Our short meeting was fruitful, as I gained more information than I expected, and which elaborated the ones that are printed in the brochure and flyer of the hospicio’s needs that they gave me.

During our meeting, a group of six children whose age ranged from 3-4 years in the care of a house-mother, peeped first, but eventually made their way inside. Anne was prepared for such visit, as she immediately went inside a room to quickly pop a small pack of popcorn in a microwave oven. The contents went around the children who delightfully nibbled them, one by one, with care yet, and in seemingly solemn silence . The scene pinched my heart…they were all smiling.

I was told by Anne and Ammie that they ran out of biscuits, referring to the inexpensive broken kind that come in tin cans, the ones served during wakes, and also popular “pasalubong”, and which they give to the children to stave off their hunger between meals. The wards were all evidently well -scrubbed and wearing neat clothes. I was hesitant to ask if the children were found in unlikely places abandoned by their mothers or were intentionally left in their care . I told myself to just find out more about the wards later. It was enough that I was told by the two secretaries that they also have wards who are attending high school and college outside the orphanage.

Interestingly, the orphanage is not limited to assisting infants, children, and youth but elderlies, as well. There are more than a hundred normal children in its care and about 56 special children. Despite its limited resources, the orphanage also shares its blessings with street children, as shown by a tarpaulin displayed at the entrance of the compound, announcing a scheduled outreach program for them. What I saw during the brief visit gave me another reason to visit Quiapo.

As mentioned earlier, the hospicio is prominently located at the southern end of Ayala Bridge, and overlooks the Pasig River. The commuting visitors can take the LRT train going to Monumento, and get off at Central Station, from where they can stroll leisurely to the bridge, along the way to which, is the SM City-Manila, and behind which is the City Hall of Manila.

Two tin cans of broken biscuits may not be too cumbersome to carry to the smiling kids and bedridden elderlies, or some packs of diapers – any size, including large and extra large for the adults, or some packs of band aids, etc. For those who may have no time to buy any of the basic needs, a few pesos can be left behind, after a brief visit. Don’t forget to ask for their brochure and flyer on which is printed the list of needs. But, if your plan is just to visit for curiosity’s sake or gather information as basis for future visits and charitable acts, please do not hesitate to go ahead. The receptionist at the lobby will refer you to the office of the Administrator where answers to your queries can be had.

I am calling on friends from the provinces, and those who live in Manila and nearby areas, who plan to splurge their bonuses in Divisoria and Baclaran, and those from abroad who plan to come home for the holidays, to please, drop by the hospicio…in the name of Jesus. Your shared blessings will go a long way, even as far as the sidewalks of Manila, as they will surely be shared by the orphanage with children not in their care, as well.

Please take note of the following useful information:

Address:          Ayala Bridge,1099

Quiapo, Manila

Emails :          hospiciodesanjose@yahoo.com

mspg.evidente@gmail.com

Website:          www.hospiciodesanjose.org

Phones            :          +632 7342367 – 68

Telefax :          +6327342366

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION….