Capilla Santa Ana part 1 Labyrinth

What a wonderful experience it was stepping into the gates of Capilla Santa Ana or in English Chapel of Saint Anne. With a minimum entrance fee of 100 pesos  you are able to access and experience the labyrinth and be fascinated with the vast collection of Chrisitian artifacts and the unique details inside the chapel. 

By the way ladies and gentlemen reading this,  this post is just for the labyrinth garden. And another post will be made for the chapel. Because as I went through it, the labyrinth garden made me reflect on my life. Like the feeling you have when going around Good Sheperd during the Holy Week.

Anyway, as I was standing outside the labyrinth prepping myself for the experience. Mentally measuring the area. I thought that it was not like the labyrinth from the movie, "The Shining". Which had tall hedges and a much wider area. The area of the labyrinth garden was most like 100 meters and the bushes were just waist high. So you won't feel lonely going around the labyrinth garden but you would definitely feel breathlessness going round the circle especially if you don't walk a lot.

As I began my steps going around the labyrinth, I thought it would be quick but surprise, surprise it wasn't. Then the following words come to mind...It is not the destination but the journey.

The turns made me think that sometimes life has no shortcuts and literally the garden, as well has no shortcuts. Which is funny, personally deep in our hearts we want to be ahead of someone or of everyone. Which made me realize, for you to feel satisfaction of achieving a goal you work HARD for it. Plus, of course luck or divine intervention then you might get to your goal in a short time.

But honestly for most of us we got to work, work, work...work hard in life. To achieve that grand illusion of grandeur. But then again, we have to choose the right decisions in life which is not always easy to accept. Or accepted by commmunity.

As I continued my walk around the labyrinth, another  thought came to mind that our life has one entrance and it is also the exit...in the Biblical verse  it starts and ends with me. 

And yes, I finally arrive at the center with the image of Mother Mary with a special prayer that she gives me strength as I face the challenges of my life. 

And with the sun sinking behind me a sense of peace was felt in my heart.

Venice Grand Canal Pinoy Version

When I came to Bonifacio Global City or BGC as it is popularly known I was amazed. I felt transported to Venice, Italy, because of the gondola rides and the paintings of the buildings which are a replica of the original. Of course, I have never been to Venice, Italy but because there are lots of picture of Venice, Italy in the interenet, movies and everywhere else. You can't help but be familiarize with the structures of the the original. All the corners are meticulously inspired from the original and instagramly picture perfect. For me the gondola ride, the structure of the buildings and there paintings gives you the feel of being there but once inside the mall you know, you are in the Philippines.

The price of the gondola ride is honestly expensive. It looks fun being inside the gondola with the gondoliers maneuvering it but it is much more expensive than your movie ticket and just for 30 minutes. I had to pass and hoping that next time I go there I will afford it. The gondola ride at night is amazing with the booming music in the background and the lights from the buildings surrounding it reflecting on the water, it was just an amazing view.

Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City

My sister highly recommended this place to me if ever we went to Makati City. So even if she is not beside me anymore I had to go there to discover the wonder this place had that she love it so much.

I have heard so much about this place from my big sister because she lived and worked in Makati City for 10 years. And in her own words, Makati is the "creme de la creme"

It is a garden in the middle of a commercial area. Though there are a lot of buildings surrounding this place it has its own charm away from all the hustle and bustle of the commercial grind around it.

So after a lot of twist and turns and with the help of google map, I finally got to Ayala Triangle Gardens. It was a holiday so there weren't a lot of people as well as PUJs on the streets.

Surrounded by bustling commercial building this place is a haven with its tall trees surrounding the whole area - it is nature in the heart of the city.

Inside the garden, it houses a wide variety of food to choose from and a great place to hang out on a payday or just to meet up with a good friend or friends after work. But, if you work on the weekends or just gathering your thoughts after a crazy overtime day at work. This is the place to be.

But be warned though the restrooms in the area are limited and during the Christmas light festival and weekends there are a lot of people hanging around the garden -  the restrooms have a long queue so be prepared for your turn.

During mornings, you could also join other people jogging in the area or yoga classes as well.

My sister also said that especially during Christmas the gardens would be loaded with Christmas lights on the trees and it really makes the place cozy when lights are steady and entralling when the lights begin to move it is just an amazing site to witness.

A wedding pictorial at Casa Pelaez Hotel and Residence

This old fashioned house was the scene for the pre-wedding pictorial of my good friend Adel. This place is located in 43 Ramahan Street,Cebu City. The pictures were taken on a sunny Sunday last March 18, 2018.

When I was young and residing in Sikatuna Street, passing by this place made me think that the area was a village for the weathy families. Big houses and huge lot areas. Frankly the few houses left in the area brings me back to 1930s. With the style of the architecture of the houses that are left in the street.

The place is big, on a house level but small for a hotel level. What I love about the place is our exclusivity within the place, it was just us all over the place.

The beauty of the house is its old architecture and fixtures in the house that gives you drama when the shots were taken.

In this time, where hotels are the "in thing" for pre-wedding pictures it was a nice twist that the couple preferred this setting. I love the homey feel it gave in the pictures.

A perfect wedding picture taking day I must say.

And it was a sheer joy to pose for the pictures as well as to be with friends on a joyful day.

Also if you want to hold a birthday party or any event in your life the place is an ideal location if your theme is classy, of a certain period and old fashion.

Moreover, since the wedding was held in Sacred Heart Church in D. Jakosalem St.it was just a short travel for us from the house to the church and we didn't experience any traffic on the way.

One of the disadvantages of the place  for me is the location or the place is not that well know, so I had a problem locating the place. But over all, it was an enjoyable experience in Casa Pelaez.