Viva Villavicencio

Viva - (adj.) living, enjoying life, active; (int.) hurray!

A well-deserved description indeed! Villavicencio's heritage houses at 33 Marella Street in Taal, Batangas is probably one of the most popular destinations in the town.  The pre-1850 ancestral house was the abode of Gliceria Marella de Villavivencio or "Aling Eriang." Aptly referred to as the "Forgotten Heroine of the Philippine Revolution," she and her husband Eulalio Villavicencio contributed a great part of their fortune to help the revolutionary forces against Spain. 

Gliceria Marella House

Aling Eriang donated the family ship, the "SS Bulusan" which was purchased in 1893 and it was the first warship of the Revolutionary Government.

El patrimonio de Taal

The Heritage of Taal. 

My tour of Taal Town last July 15-16 was surely an eye-opener of a heritage unknown to many of us. It is listed as a heritage landmark by the National Historical Institute, much like Vigan. Unlike Vigan, though, the whole town is in itself a well-preserved Spanish Colonial Town and walking around it brought me a reminiscent of a rich cultural past that we've learned only through the books.

At the center of the town is Basilica de San Martin de Tours or commonly known as Taal Basilica, said to be Asia's biggest Catholic Church. 

Taal Basilica

Original church was instituted on 1575 and current church structure was constructed on 1856.

Church is said to be Asia's biggest Catholic Church

Tour de Taal Town

My two-month vacation is almost over and so I thought I had to make a trip somewhere before I start on my new job. As I ought to still save some of my backpay money for my condo, I had to make sure the tour will be less than a 5K budget. And since I owe some obligations to my relatives in Lipa City, I figured out I'll just travel within my own province of Batangas.

Since I am not a beach bum (and that summer is really over despite the heat), I thought of one place where I can just walkabout and simply appreciate the sights. Only one place come to mind -- the Town of Taal!

Harry Potter's Guide on Achieving Victory over Voldemort

Movies are especially designed to lull our imagination, prompting us to wish for scenes to befall as actual personal moments. Ever experienced times wherein you and your friends would stay silent after exiting the movie house? That's due to "movie hangover."

Excited for Harry Potter 7 Part 2

Expectantly, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 also brought me some sense of association. In the hope of waking a dead man, Harry Potter taught and reminded me of the following top tips:

How to Awaken a Dead Man

For some reason he found it funny to flick on his cousin's ears. He was giggling as he stared at his target's irritated face. "He's sleeping so he couldn't fight back. It's a chance to bully," he thought. He was enjoying the moment when, all of a sudden, his cousin's mother saw what he was doing and she eventually stormed out on him. It was family siesta time so the rest of his relatives were made known of the act and everyone came to a conclusion that he became very cruel at that time.

As it was the norm when a kid would made a mistake, they shouted at him and, as he was trying to defend himself, they voted to throw him out of the house as a punishment.

"This is injustice." he thought, so he screamed "Di na kayo naawa sa bata! (You did not even show any pity to a kid like me!). All the while he thought that would convince them to allow him a re-entrance, but lo and behold, to make matters worse, he heard and saw their neighbors laughing at him because of too much drama.

It was as if the camera zoomed in on his face, marking a big blow that has since robbed his whole self. He felt Rejection. And that was what deeply wounded his heart.

That was how I became brokenhearted, and that was John Eldredge's target -- aimed to provide healing and restoration -- on his book Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive. 

Season 2

I am removing the -ing on my blog's name. This means finally removing the "progressive aspect" of my goal to bring back the habit of writing. I believe now I've made myself committed into using the talent that God gave me.

I used to say that this blog was created due to unexplainable stress; however, recounting the moments when I was on my most vulnerable state, I believe that, touching based on my faith again, I was actually commanded to do so. And I am very glad I listened and obeyed.  

I'm done keeping my old self, the writer in me, alive, so now I am bound to continue on keeping tracks of life's journey. May it be a travel destination or moments in my life that are worth of posts, I hope to write more than facts, rather a couple of bits and pieces to inspire.

If you have been a reader of my blog, I'm sure you've seen a lot of changes on its look and layout. The writer has earned a new heart so now he is presenting a brand new site. 

This is Bring back the habit: Season 2.