Labada

My mother always scolds me when I frequently change my clothes in one day; “Bihis ka ng bihis dumarami ang labada!” when I wore it for three days, she also nags on me; “Magpalit ka na ng damit, mahirap labahan pagmakapal na yung dumi!” It really confused me; “Nay, pagnagsusuot ako ng damit ng ilang beses, nagagalit ka, pagsinosoot ko naman ng two straight days, nagagalit ka pa rin? Ano ba?” Bottomline is, “Mahirap kasing maglaba.”

And its no joke, I tried washing my own clothes. Results: Wounded hands, exhausted backs, and still, clothes seemed not to be that cleaned. That’s what you expect from an amateur like me. But my mom, when she does it, seems so effortless, and the transformation, from mud-stained jeans to spotless denim.

I don’t know what’s her secret. As I imagined it, the process was very grueling. Separate the whites from the colored, scrub them until stains disappear, rinse it with water, squeeze the water out of the clothes, repeat rinsing and squeezing and then hang it dry. Its pretty arm-numbing but my mother does it flawlessly, not to mention, she does it by hands, no washing machine, no spin-dryer.

I guess its her years of practice, Thursdays, she will sit in the backyard and do her traditional laundry. I tried to offer her to use the washing machine. She will always say no, and will nag me about how washing machine could destroy and loosen our clothes, and doing it manually is more valued.

And its true, clothes seemed to be more clean when washed by hand. Thanks to my mom’s expertise of laundry. But as I think of it, she’s at youth no more, and aging took almost half of her vigor away, her hair gray, her hands bony and weak, her back concave with all the years of stooping in house work.

Despite of the fact that she was weaker than ever, she still continued what she does best, laundry. What can I do? Believe it or not, I sit beside her, get some stuff that are easy to wash specifically not jeans and whites, wash, smile, give her a talk, a company. That’s the simplest way I could say thank you to her. Because if not with all of her work, I won’t learn anything, even how to handle laundry. Besides, isn’t it the cutest seeing a mother and her son washing clothes together? Awww.

I love you mother, and thank you for everything that you’ve done for me. Especially the labada!

Inside Intramuros: Beneath the Pillars of the Manila Cathedral

It's been a while since I visit Intramuros again (for some certain reasons), and it is still as breath-taking as always, one of the reasons; the ever-historically renowned Manila Cathedral.

For some who are not familiar with the Manila Cathedral, let me give you some of the church's historical scoops.

The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica (also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and informally as Manila Cathedral) is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. It is located in the Intramuros district of Manila in the Philippines. The cathedral has been damaged and destroyed several times since the original cathedral was built in 1581; the sixth and current incarnation of the cathedral was completed in 1958 and was consecrated as a minor basilica in 1981. It is dedicated to Saint Mary under the title Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Philippines.

It is also knowed for the burials of some infamous filipino personalities like Cardinal Sin, for presidents Carlos P. Garcia and Corazon C. Aquino.

I am really a fan of architecture, and I could say that the cathedral's facade and interior are the epitome of the saying "perfection personified".

From the Cathedral door and all its sides, a view from afar, it will make you mouth-agape.

Main doors, graced with travertine statues.

Top view of the Dome

Manila Cathedral: Tower

Another majestic view of the entrance.

Keeping it proper. Street signs keeps the orderliness at the church.

The main façade of the Manila Cathedral is graced by statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman travertine stone.

Here is the Latin inscription on the tympanum of the main door.

The façade of the Manila Cathedral is festooned with artistic bronze carvings representing its important historical episodes and giving homage to Mary, the Mother of God

Let me take you to the insides where the words stunningly theatrical is actualized.

Central nave showing a glimpse of the prestigious altar.

Right nave at its finest.

 

A part of the left nave dramatically enveloped of darkness.

Metal sculptures of bronze, frontal altarpieces, wrought iron grille gates, dividers, chandeliers, and other forms of metal craft give elegance and style to the Manila Cathedral interior as they combine with the finest marbles, the precast concrete ornaments, and stained glass windows.

 









 

Illuminations of stained glass windows.

 Manila Cathedral’s stained glass windows are not only lovely decorative features of the edifice but truly symbolic media that set religious fervor and a deep understanding of the Faith.

 

A replica of Michaelangelo's Pieta, marble sculpture that depicts the never ending love of Mary for Jesus Christ.



These are some photos for Manila Cathedral's historical belongings, the Pipe organ and information of the post war conditions of the cathedral :

After an afternoon of sight seeing and picture taking, me and my friends chilled down the stairs with my prof outside the cathedral. It's quite a tiring day, but the horses and calesas made the day effortless.

 These are only some few of the subtle beauty of the Manila Cathedral. Its quite amazing in photos, but seeing it real makes a whole difference. Take a chance to visit the Manila Cathedral nad you'll see.

Its a wrap! After the shoot, friends and my Prof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Arividerchi!