Ever since I was a little child, I together with my family go to the feast, as we call it then. The feast or festival as we call it now is an annual gathering of the church. It is a joyous occasion to praise God and spend time with fellow Christians. Though there are other festival sites, my family usually goes to Baguio to celebrate.
I can still remember the sweet smell of pine trees while riding a bus going-up to Baguio when I was younger. I can still remember spending 8 days almost every year at Teacher's Camp together with my family and friends. I can still remember walking at Session Road hardly seeing people walking ahead of me and not worrying about snatchers. Memories memories.
After not going to the feast during my entire college days, I again went to Baguio last year. As expected, it was great! The same 'ole FOT feeling has started to come back. We were together again as one big happy family. I told myself that I would never again fail to go to the feast this time of the year. I also recommitted myself to God last year, that I would go to the church to praise Jesus every week and faithfully serve a ministry. I even realized that I should only court and date Christians.
The theme for this year’s festival is Families on Fire! The sermons were about family – parents leading their children towards God, families attending church services together, singles marrying fellow Christians and so much more. For evangelicals, a Christian is someone who accepted Jesus Christ as his/her personal savior, having faith in him alone and not with the Pope, the Saints or Mary nor with any graven image. A Christian believes that he/she is going to heaven, not by good works though but by grace. A Christian does good things so that others may also know of Jesus Christ.
Saturday: As scheduled, the Victory Liner bound for Baguio departed the Cubao station at 5 am. Leah and I, together with her father arrived at Teacher's Camp after 6 ½ hours. After registering and checking-in, we went downtown to eat and do some things. The 1st service of the festival started at 2 pm. I helped in selling the souvenir program afterwards, which I did for four days before and after the service/activities.
Sunday: The service started at 9:30 am, the scheduled start for the rest of the festival. At around 2 pm, Leah and I went to La Trinidad to see its famous Strawberry Fields. Much to our dismay, there wasn't extraordinary to it – a rice field is far more beautiful. Our next stop was the Lourdes Grotto since Leah wants to see the place. We climbed every step of it and sat on the top-most step to talk and watch the devoted Catholics pray. And finally, we went to the plaza – Burnham Park to eat. I thought I could see my family there before they go home, but sadly I didn't.
Monday: The morning praise & worship lasted until 12:30 pm. At around 2 pm, Leah & I went to Good Sherherd to buy ube for pasalubong. After going to the bus terminal to reserve a ticket back to Manila, we went to see SM Baguio - not the usual box-type SM. Monday night is movie night but the film didn't catch my interest, I left after 15 minutes. It's a subtitled Bollywood movie.
Tuesday: After the morning service, we left for Mt. Sto Tomas at 2 pm for the Single's activity. It was fun-filled and quoting from one participant, “Mabuti sumama ako, ang saya at ang dami kong nakilala”. Leah and I, together with her father left Baguio at 10 pm. How I wish I don't need to work so that I'll be able to finish the festival. After just 5 hours, we're back in Manila. Since it still too early, I slept in Leah's place before returning back to UP.
This was by far my happiest feast ever. (Maybe not just for me, but to most people.)
1. I was able to see my family again and go with them to the church.
2. I was able to help and serve the church.
3. I met a lot of people.
4. Leah and I have become closer and better friends.
5. I was able to worship and praise God.
--
My thesis proposal presentation was scheduled at 9 am today but was postponed because of blackout since 10 last night. Instead, I went to work at 7:30 am. My thesis adviser called me at around 10 am informing me that power has been restored, and asked me if I want to present my proposal at 1 pm. I said NO since I still need two hours to edit my script, rehearse my presentation and fix myself before I'm ready. Besides, I don't have the latest copy of my script and presentation since I was not able to send it on my email account. I usually send my thesis stuffs on my email so that I can access it anywhere. (Un)fortunately, I was unable to send it on my account because of the blackout. If it is for the better or for the worse, I don't know. All I know is that I'll do my best and keep trusting God to guide me.
I can still remember the sweet smell of pine trees while riding a bus going-up to Baguio when I was younger. I can still remember spending 8 days almost every year at Teacher's Camp together with my family and friends. I can still remember walking at Session Road hardly seeing people walking ahead of me and not worrying about snatchers. Memories memories.
After not going to the feast during my entire college days, I again went to Baguio last year. As expected, it was great! The same 'ole FOT feeling has started to come back. We were together again as one big happy family. I told myself that I would never again fail to go to the feast this time of the year. I also recommitted myself to God last year, that I would go to the church to praise Jesus every week and faithfully serve a ministry. I even realized that I should only court and date Christians.
The theme for this year’s festival is Families on Fire! The sermons were about family – parents leading their children towards God, families attending church services together, singles marrying fellow Christians and so much more. For evangelicals, a Christian is someone who accepted Jesus Christ as his/her personal savior, having faith in him alone and not with the Pope, the Saints or Mary nor with any graven image. A Christian believes that he/she is going to heaven, not by good works though but by grace. A Christian does good things so that others may also know of Jesus Christ.
Saturday: As scheduled, the Victory Liner bound for Baguio departed the Cubao station at 5 am. Leah and I, together with her father arrived at Teacher's Camp after 6 ½ hours. After registering and checking-in, we went downtown to eat and do some things. The 1st service of the festival started at 2 pm. I helped in selling the souvenir program afterwards, which I did for four days before and after the service/activities.
Sunday: The service started at 9:30 am, the scheduled start for the rest of the festival. At around 2 pm, Leah and I went to La Trinidad to see its famous Strawberry Fields. Much to our dismay, there wasn't extraordinary to it – a rice field is far more beautiful. Our next stop was the Lourdes Grotto since Leah wants to see the place. We climbed every step of it and sat on the top-most step to talk and watch the devoted Catholics pray. And finally, we went to the plaza – Burnham Park to eat. I thought I could see my family there before they go home, but sadly I didn't.
Monday: The morning praise & worship lasted until 12:30 pm. At around 2 pm, Leah & I went to Good Sherherd to buy ube for pasalubong. After going to the bus terminal to reserve a ticket back to Manila, we went to see SM Baguio - not the usual box-type SM. Monday night is movie night but the film didn't catch my interest, I left after 15 minutes. It's a subtitled Bollywood movie.
Tuesday: After the morning service, we left for Mt. Sto Tomas at 2 pm for the Single's activity. It was fun-filled and quoting from one participant, “Mabuti sumama ako, ang saya at ang dami kong nakilala”. Leah and I, together with her father left Baguio at 10 pm. How I wish I don't need to work so that I'll be able to finish the festival. After just 5 hours, we're back in Manila. Since it still too early, I slept in Leah's place before returning back to UP.
This was by far my happiest feast ever. (Maybe not just for me, but to most people.)
1. I was able to see my family again and go with them to the church.
2. I was able to help and serve the church.
3. I met a lot of people.
4. Leah and I have become closer and better friends.
5. I was able to worship and praise God.
--
My thesis proposal presentation was scheduled at 9 am today but was postponed because of blackout since 10 last night. Instead, I went to work at 7:30 am. My thesis adviser called me at around 10 am informing me that power has been restored, and asked me if I want to present my proposal at 1 pm. I said NO since I still need two hours to edit my script, rehearse my presentation and fix myself before I'm ready. Besides, I don't have the latest copy of my script and presentation since I was not able to send it on my email account. I usually send my thesis stuffs on my email so that I can access it anywhere. (Un)fortunately, I was unable to send it on my account because of the blackout. If it is for the better or for the worse, I don't know. All I know is that I'll do my best and keep trusting God to guide me.
