Sta. Cruz Parish Church in Manila

The Jesuits arrived in the country in 1581, all the way from Mexico. In 1608, the Jesuits built a parish church to service the Chinese immigrants in Manila. The church is located in the fringes of Chinatown, near Binondo. The Jesuit order were ousted from the country in 1768 upon the order of King Charles III of Spain. All known Jesuits were taken to Spain, then deported to Italy.

It took the Jesuits 90 years to come back to the country, specifically for the tribal communities of Mindanao (Bagobos, Tururays, Maguindanaos) and Jolo. While they were away, the Dominicans took over the ecclesiastical dominion. Several catastrophes tested the structure, including a coterie of earthquakes, but what gutted the original church down to the ground was the Battle of Manila in 1945. This eventually ended the despotic Japanese occupation. Nuestra Senora del Pilar was brought from Spain and became the titular patroness of the Church.

I am not the most religious person in an inherently religious - and very Catholic nation - like the Philippines, but my faith is intact. I always pray for my family and for safe passage during my travels. Though the church, along with the solid symbols of a very ritualistic religion, is a tangible structure that the modern world has all but ignored, I believe in the Omnipresent Being who listens, who intervenes, and who offers solace to troubled souls. Sta. Cruz Church was one of the churches I visited prior to my long haul trip last November.

Here are images of this oasis of calm right in the heart of chaotic Manila.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The belfry.

The facade of the church. It faces a water-less fountain (seen below).

Lit candles for our intentions.

"Cast your burdens upon Me, those who are heavily laden..."

Sta. Cruz Church in 1926. This photo only courtesy of the University of Michigan Library (http://www.lib.umich.edu/) and tanawin.wordpress.com.

Neglected fountain structure just outside the church grounds.

Catholic Mass Schedule in Sta. Cruz Parish Church: http://www.mass-schedules.com/catholic-church/271/sta-cruz-parish.html

For inquiries, call (63-2) 733-0245 to 46.

Water-less fountain.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport - Random Images

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is Thailand's well organized major airport. It's busy and pulsates with life. Transient souls navigate with a certain cadence and rhythm. Then they depart just as fast. This post will show random images seen at the airport. Have a safe and enjoyable trip, every one.

This is the Eye in the Sky!


















Orchids adorn before a pre-departure gate.


The walla of the airport's pre-departure and arrival halls have been adorned with contemporary art works (above and below), a very clever idea that renders the airport sophistication.





Flower garden at the departure hall. Blooms come alive year round.

General Information and a little history of Suvarnabhumi - http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2008/04/bangkoks-suvarnabhumi-international.html

Crispy pork with rice in Black Canyon Coffee at the Pre-departure area, just before going to my boarding room.

Giants of Suvarnabhumi International Airport

There are huge statues adorning the Departure Hall of Thailand's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. These are colorful characters - giants, if you will - from the Ramayana. I am not familiar with any of them, but it's interesting to read snippets of their nature. For the unfamiliar, they tend to look very similar to each other. And checking them out is one of the things to do when you've a long wait at the airport.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Sahassadeja was a chief giant with a white body. He was the ruler of Pangtan City. Phya Moonphlam, his younger brother, was a viceroy and friend of Tosakanth. Sahassadeja had 1,000 faces and 2,000 hands. He eternally carries a Tan Club, his weapon of choice. He was killed by Hanuman.


Askan-Mara (above and below) was another chief of giants. He bears the special power of regeneration, thus when a body part is severed during a battle, this part becomes another body. The more body parts severed, the more body parts will be formed. Finally, he was hit by a Phrommat arrow from Phra Ram's bow. This arrow blows anything into pieces - throwing his body parts into pieces, thus preventing them to regenerate.


Askan-Mara


Viruncamban is the son of Phya Toos, the ruler of Charuek City and the nephew of Tosakanth. He disguised himself as a very tiny water insect and hid in a water bubble. Unfortunately, he was discovered and subsequently killed by Hanuman.


Tosakanth or Ravana is a green bodied giant. He is the ruler of Lanka City. He has 10 faces and 20 hands.


Mangkorakarn is another green bodied giant. He is the son of Phaya Khon, ruler of Romkhal City. He was the reincarnation of a mystical buffalo named Thoraphee. he was killed by Phra Ram's arrow.


Maiyarab was a chief of giants with a light purple body and the ruler of a subterranean world. He was responsible for the kidnap of Phra Ram, but Hanuman rescued the latter and eventually killed Maiyarab.

General Information and a little history of Suvarnabhumi Airport - http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2008/04/bangkoks-suvarnabhumi-international.html