May Kwento Ako

May Kwento Ako #30 : La Scala Sancta

My young friend, Ovidio came by the hotel for a quick chat. He had come from work and he was off in the afternoon from school. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he asked me what places I was intending to go to. I said I wanted to go. I said ‘The Scala Sancta’ and after checking ‘google maps’, he said, he’d take me! I asked how. Silly question. He came in his new motorbike! He said ‘Hop on!’ 🙂

I kid you not.

It took us about 20 minutes to get to this Holy place. I remember we passing the Colosseum.

Moving forward. The Scala Sancta is one special Holy place. It was one experience of blessedness like no other. A friend from Cebu mentioned this to me and I googled it to know more about it’s significance.

The Scala Sancta translated is the Holy Stairs. All 28 white marble steps now encased in wood like in most homes. These are the same staircase that our Lord, Jesus Christ stepped on, on His way to trial by the Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem.

The effort to transfer these marbled stairs to Rome was through the efforts of Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, the Great in 326 A.D.

A pilgrim is to say his prayers as he climbs up the stairs on his knees. According to my source “Wikipaedia”, several Popes have performed the same deed. A plenary indulgence for climbing the stairs on one’s knees was granted of nine years for every step. A plenary indulgence is one’s way of reducing one’s penance for the sins he has committed.

Upon reaching the top, he can take the adjoining staircase to go down as one would normally do. He can also visit the small chapel located on top of the staircase which I did not get to do because. Anyhow, I bought the DVD that was being sold by the entrance. I hope to one day view and watch it.

I am very thankful for this trip. Very thankful that it happened and it allowed me to experience and see some of History’s most awesome stories that many i did not even know happened.

Too bad, my young friend, Ovidio had his Mom waiting at home for them to have lunch together. Well, I knew what I needed. I was so thankful for all that had happened that morning. I went to have a gellato after a few blocks down the road!! Happy. So happy. Almost estatic!

Thank you, Ovidio! Thank you, Roma! Thank you, Saint Helena! Thank you, Lord!!!

May Kwento Ako #20 : Memories of a Geisha

They looked flustered. And I dont know why.

I was taking photos of the fascinating centuries-old houses in the Gion section. All in wood, all looked delicately made yet strong and sturdy eventhough they seem to appear to be made of soft wood, of Palo China as we refer to it back home.

And typical of me although my photography teacher taught me not to keep checking my photos every so often, I turned to check my photos. When suddenly, I felt a sudden commotion.

People around me seemed to look stunned. They literally halted in their tracks. Then, she appeared. She was tall and beautiful. In full Kabuki make up. In the finest and most Kimono ensemble that I have seen. She stunning. But she was hurriedly weaving her way around the stunned people, just like I was. Like she was trying to escape this place she was in or was rushing to where she had to go to. It was close to dinner time then.

Honesty, I was thrilled by the experience of having been able to capture this moment. Admittedly, the camera’s settings were not perfect. I had no camera flash with me. And I had thought of how the photo-journalists did it. Maybe I would be able to go another time. And take better photos.

But I was shaking after that first encounter that I entered to dine at one of the restaurants in this street and have my first steak at a Japanese restaurant in Gion.

A couple of nights after, I thought I would take my chances again. While I felt I would not see one again, I figured since I had the time, it would be worth it if it meant just being in this fabled street once again.

Apart from the restaurants, I had noticed the presence of a few premium brands like Leica and Hublot.

Looking back, I would have wanted to see a different expression on their faces. A happy one. Maybe there’s a story behind this. After all, it is 2018. Many people can be found walking in the streets, wearing fabulous kimonos in full opera make up. If I were one, I would be proud.

I shall look for that famous book and read it, now that I have had a brief encounter with a few of them.

May Kwento Ako #46 : The lady who sang the best version of "I did it my way"

This blog is my homage to a friendship. A year had gone by so fast. I had grown accustomed to your text messages at 7:00AM, asking if we could talk. Almost every morning, I still half expect that text message from you.

Each call was always fun and a learning experience for both. A chance to update each on our lives’ dilemma. At times, it was for lunch or merienda.

Regardless of what country we were in, thanks to today’s technology, we seemed to be just an armlength away from each other. With a velvet glove, you nurture, develop to refine me. The same way you did with your family and many other friends whom I have spoken to since.

You were always, always generous to me. With your time, fine humor and genuine affection. You were happy for me in my triumphs. And there for me during my lows. Friendships can’t get better than that.

I had very recently realised that you had become a life’s mentor, after I had lost my Mom & Dad some years back.

One fine person you sure are. Lucky to have had you in my life. You have given to me one of life’s best inheritance – your family and dearest of friends.

Paalam, Sandie, mon amie. A year went by so fast. Hanggang sa muli. Salut! 🥂💐🇵🇭

fullsizeoutput_76df — Out for the night for some visual treat; October, 2017

fullsizeoutput_9d65 — Taking me out for one my life’s most beautiful experience; June, 2016

SandieFRC (1 of 1) — At the Inauguration of your late Dad’s room in the Malcolm Hall in the University of The Philippines (UP) with your sister, Rowena and your son, Miguel; November, 2017

fullsizeoutput_76ab — Introducing me to experience my very first autumn colors; late 2017

fullsizeoutput_7197 — Admiring anything and everything that was beautiful; late 2017

You took this as your last photo of me, inside a shoe store; March, 2018. I was really just waiting for you to finish trying out shoes.

May Kwento Ako #47 : Para Bailar….To Dance. In Argentina!

One Friday evening, while walking from dinner, our group chanced upon a town plaza a fairly good number of people having a great time. They were just being themselves. No big production numbers.

These are not great video clips. The lighting conditions were not great. I was using my phone camera. We couldn’t come too close and cause them to feel awkward. But still their faces showed happiness and contentment. They just wanted perhaps to just chill after a long work week. Some seeing each other again for the weekend maybe.

The ladies were most feminine dancing. They were sultry without being indecent. The machismo of the men was strong and powerful even while dancing. Both participating in this centuries old ritual called dancing. The music was recent, popular worldwide. Not even overly latin. The people were young and not so young. A mixed group of maybe family and friends. Neighbors even.

Our Argentine friends then further explained to us that the Tango over a hundred years ago was the favored dance of the common folk who had migrated from Europe as slaves and lived by the docks of Buenos Aires. It was probably derived from dances that they brought with them which originated in Europe where several versions of the tango today had developed. They pretty much made it free flowing while keeping to the basics.

I never thought that I’d ever get to this side of the world but fate got me to this awesome, awesome country whose people seem to have the same temperament as mine, whose love for life is without question enjoyed to the hilt.

I was and am very thankful.

Maybe because the harvest season was making the local people very happy with the turnout in quality and quantity of their produce. I shall mark 2016 and remember this year to be a great year then.

Happy lang….No feers for the moment.