Marty the Photographer (and lawyer): April 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Visita Iglesia 2011

Like most Filipino families, during Holy Week (particularly Good Friday), our family do the Visita Iglesia - visiting and offering a short prayer in 9 churches in our home province Ilocos Sur, to commemorate the death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. This has been a yearly tradition of our family and we've been doing this since I was in elementary.

Here are the churches we have visited this year:

St. Mark the Evangelist Parish Church in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur

St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan (Lapog), Ilocos Sur

Our Lady of Piat Church in Bacsil, San Juan, Ilocos Sur

Church of St. William the Hermit in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur

St. Dominic Parish Church in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur

St. Ildephonsus Parish Church in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur

Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad in Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Our Lady of Fatima Church in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Vigan Cathedal in Vigan Ilocos Sur

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Jr's 1st Airplane Ride

The last one in our family to ride an airplane, Jr, flew with me and Bolet from Vigan to Manila via the South East Asian Airlines last Friday, April 9, 2011.

Yes, you heard it right, The SeAir has resumed its domestic flight Manila-Vigan and vice versa during Fridays and Sundays' afternoon through its 32–seater Dornier 328. For your bookings, you can check out this address: http://outoftownblog.com/seair-starts-domestic-flights-in-vigan-ilocos-sur/

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

2nd Year a Lawyer

I did not have the chance to celebrate fully my becoming an attorney when I passed the bar exams last April 3, 2009 because a few days later, I learned I had a seminoma (a kind of germ cell tumor). So from 2009 until 2010, I did nothing but fight the illness. Now that the battle is finished, I promised myself to celebrate every April 3 of the year to make up for not having done it enough in 2009.

Last April 3, 2011 was my 2^nd year of being a lawyer. My family had a simple lunch by-the-beach at Mija’s resthouse in Salomague, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur to celebrate the event. Unfortunately, Mija was not there because she had work to do in Manila.

After having our lunch, we all plunged into the pool and got our first taste of sweet summer. Now, I can say confidently, I definitely have my life back.

Oniel, Popop & Owen underwater shot

Princess, me, Zalo, & Ogie chatting

Princess & Zalo

I just can't get enough of my cute
nephew Zalo boy

This one can pass as a cover photo
for a lifestyle magazine

our security guard for the day, Tyson

the mendicant, Dobby

This is life

Good food, fantastic place,

2nd year as a lawyer

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Bolet's Graduation Treat

After Bolet's graduation in San Beda College last April 1, 2011, we went straight to Edsa Shangrila Hotel for dinner. It was the 3rd most expensive dinner we have ever had. But honestly, Summer Palace is the best restaurant in the country for me so no matter how expensive it is, it worth our every centavo. And besides, graduation is one of the best events for our family and it has been our tradition to dine in and celebrate in a fine place every time one of us graduate from school.

5 kinds of cold appetizers

Fish lip soup with shitake mushroom

Beef with asparagus

Steamed cod fish fillet in light soya sauce

Yang chow fried rice

Four seasons

Crispy fried chicken in lam yet

all so full

The best restaurant in town!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Bolet's Graduation

I wore the same toga 9 years ago. Now, it's my brother's turn.

Animo San Beda!

My brother, Bolet, graduated as a dean's lister with the course BS Psychology on April 1, 2011 in San Beda College grounds in Mendiola, Manila.

The guest speaker was the business magnate, Manuel V. Pangilinan, a fellow Bedan.

The ceremony started at 3 P.M. and ended at 8 P.M.