Papal Visit in Philippines 2015

2015 is another spiritually commenced and celebrated year for the Philippines as His Holiness Pope Francis will be visiting our country this coming January 15-19. It is indeed a great blessing for the whole nation. 

Our country has been tested in many different ways last year and over those past calamities, devastation, and tragedies; Filipinos remained strong and faithful to their Christian faith and other faith they may have in whichever way they find to connect to our Creator.

This world youth day is a common event for the Philippines which typically happens from changes of Pope to another, thus each provides encouragement to the believers, enlightenment and hope to the none. The theme for the visit of Pope Francis is "Mercy & Compassion". 

I was touched when my sister sent me a message one Sunday asking me to join the Human Barricade which De La Salle University is a part of this coming visit of Pope Francis. I am going. My cousin was also tapped to lead photographers for this event. This is indeed very overwhelming for me. I'm no longer visiting the church, I am still a Christian, but this invite is touching me to a very different way. I wanted to see the Pope in person not just because of the want but the need arose from the moment I read the message. 

I happily opened my calendar at work and found that January 16, 2015 is fully booked with work and I'm hoping God will bless me more than having those schedules cancelled so I will be able to attend the Pope's mass.

Here's the Apostolic Trip of His Holiness, Pope Francis, to the Philippines Schedule:

Thursday 15 January 2015
17:45	Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila
	OFFICIAL WELCOME
Friday 16 January 2015
09:15	WELCOME CEREMONY at the Malacañan Palace
	COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT
10:15	MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES and the DIPLOMATIC CORPS at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Presidential Palace
11:15	HOLY MASS with the bishops, priests, women and men religious at the Cathedral – Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Manila
17:30	MEETING with the FAMILIES at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila
Saturday 17 January 2015
08:15	Departure by plane from Manila for Tacloban
09:30	Arrival at the airport of Tacloban
10:00	HOLY MASS near Tacloban International Airport
12:45	Lunch with some of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo
15:00	Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor
15:30	MEETING with the Priests, Women and Men Religious, Seminarians and Families of the Survivors at the Cathedral of Palo
17:00	Departure by plane for Manila
18:15	Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila
Sunday 18 January 2015
09:45	Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders of the Philippines at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila
10:30	MEETING WITH THE YOUTH at the Sports Field of the University
15:30	HOLY MASS at Rizal Park in Manila
Monday 19 January 2015
09:45	Leave Taking Ceremony at the Presidential Pavilion of Villamor Air Base in Manila
10:00	Departure by plane from Manila for Rome
17:40	Arrival at the airport of Rome/Ciampino

Trip Comments by a Polish Blogger Trends - "Boracay is Probably the Worst Island"

Checking articles around, I came across reading wheninmanila.com's post by a Polish blogger who recently went to Boracay last December of 2014. This gone viral as the blogger, Anna Lysakowska of Annaeverywhere.com, expressed what she felt after visiting Boracay.

It was a very strong article and a brave blogger. Prepped with all her points of not liking the islands and what she was looking for, Anna gave lists of views she pointed from loosing the Filipino culture, to not respectful Filipino teenagers, rude vendors, crowded place, and giving suggestions of going elsewhere rather than Boracay. 

Here are some photo's from Anna's blogsite:

I will never get mad at Anna as a Filipino because for all we know that Boracay is nothing but a party island nowadays. What I can only comment to Anna is that she might have read blogs or article that most party people wrote which is total kill of what she expects a place good give but at least she have good points.

I and a group of friends also went to Boracay just recently, I too did not enjoy my stay because of overcrowding beach party goers which I expected even we went their after the pick season. Boracay is always overcrowded. If you don't like overcrowded place and your looking for peace and tranquility try different islands around the Phillipines instead.

Now, I get to write about my experience:

Boracay Island has lost its spirit, the island is dead. The sand was kept as nice and white and fine as it was described but there are parts of the island that have pebbles in it (maybe around 5%) but all in all the sand was very nice and the water too except when there are algae's or what was commonly called lumot. 

To note, Boracay is overrated and expensive as well, you can party by the beach as well in Puerto Gallery which is cheaper and nearer just don't expect the sand will be as nicer as Boracay. Well you cannot really get all the best in one place.

How to get there?

My friends and I took a 2Go travel or by sea to Boracay back and forth. Traveling by sea is a different experience but it really take a lot of hours traveling. So we just slept and eat and talk and roam during our travel. It's a 12 hour ride so better use the time to the wisest.

Where to stay?

Me and my friends stayed in a transient house in Station 3 which is very cheap and there are not much of people along the beach as well. So we got the enjoy Boracay with less crowd compare to staying around Station 1 (most crowded) and Station 2 (crowded).

What to eat?

Don't expect that you will get local food around the place if you haven't tried looking for one because Boracay is a well-visited place in the Philippines most of the dining serves foreign cuisines. Why? Most of those who visits Philippines say they can't eat local food and have fret trying one. I have heard many foreigners who are afraid to try local food or delicacy unless it looks good and colorful. Not everyone is brave enough to try exotic food as well which maybe around 70-90% of people around the world always when they visit a foreign place they try to look for what they knew how to eat.

I love the fruit shake and grilled chicken parts though. :)

We only eat on places that was rated great but not those high end/overrated restaurants there.

What to do?

We did not go to Boracay because we just wanted to party but that should be your TOP REASON why you visit the place. We went there to feel the sand and the cold water, the activities (I enjoyed the flying fish ride and the ATV/Buggy ride), I was curious of trying the helmet dive or walking underwater experience (this was the worst activity ever!), to party at one point which is likely partying in Manila bars and in Puerto Galera (I think partying is not really with the place but with the group of people you're with), and lastly to find out about the changes in Boracay.

What to expect?

Everything is EXPENSIVE from place to food to activities but go to the island which is off season I think you will be able to appreciate it more. 

This is a party place not a place where you can relax. So take it out of your list if your planning to go to Boracay and relax. It's also one best party place you can visit.

Experience

All in all my experience is 5/10. Why somewhere in the middle because I have expected all those points I have listed above and that my money's worth is not as highly recommend for a place where all you do is party. Money's worth over vices such as alcoholic drinks and the likes is a NO NO for me. The sand and the beach is an 8/10, I don't need to explain more. People is 5/10 as we all know most local will pay more attention to those who have money. Food is 4/10, we cook most of our food. View is 7/10, I have seen better views that what Boracay had offered. Transportation and ports 2/10... where the hell you can find a port that asks for a fee where is not well maintained and where you have not even set foot and use their amenities. The waiting areas are always full of people and their chairs are not that good and I hope the local government will pay attention to this and not corrupt everything.

Again, if you are a party goer and a socialist this experience will all turn to 10/10 or maybe 11/10.