| On October 7, 2015, I went back home to
California, USA and my vacation in Philippines is over. Although my
vacation days in Philippines is only 15 days, I enjoyed it in spite of
heavy rains and traffic. The heavy traffic is not only in Metro Manila
but also in the provinces as well. Philippines is more crowded after 6
years. I visited in Philippines in 2009. During my vacation days, I spent my time in traveling and visiting my Alma Matter, classmates, friends, family friends, and relatives. Me and my mother arrived in Philippines last September 23, 2015. My cousin, Rodelio Magtalas and my aunts Leonila Magtalas, and Estelita Zapanta picked up us at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). We enjoyed all foods and dishes in Philippines that we didn't eat for a long time already and also the fruits and desserts there. We left earlier from Baliuag, Bulacan at around 12:00pm because of the possible heavy traffic and rains especially in Metro Manila area. Thanks God that we arrived at NAIA in Parañaque City around 5:30pm. Not bad because my flight schedule is 10:00pm via Philippine Airlines FT 104. Since there's no fast food chains and restaurants inside the airport at Terminal 3, we decided to have our dinner at their main canteen. The restaurants are far from the airport and it is hard also to find the parking spot in the airport as well. It is better to eat in the restaurants rather than in the airport canteen because the foods are expensive. My cousin, Rodelio Magtalas, my aunts Leonila Magtalas and Estelita Zapanta, and my mother, Rosario Balajadia send and dropped me off at the airport. My mother will stay for another 15 days and she will be back home in USA on October 21, 2015 in order for her to enjoy her vacation for exactly one month. I noticed that there's no Terminal Fee at the airport. The Terminal Fee is already waived or abolished since February 2015. The Terminal Fee was PHP 500 for domestic flights and PHP 750 for international flights. Thanks God that everything was alright after I checked in my luggages. My aunts and cousins helped me in weighing and packing my things at my two luggages. The limit weight of a luggage is 50 pounds and 15 pounds for a handcarry bag. A laptop computer is free to carry inside the airport and plane as well. My travel back in California, USA is a straight flight for 12 hours without a stop over. While traveling, I ate a snack and two meals. I can't sleep well inside the plane. Thanks God that I slept light for at least 4 to 6 hours. Until now, there's no wifi inside the airplanes of Philippine Airlines. I don't have a choice is to try to sleep or nap as much as I can. The other airlines have wifi but mostly they are not free and you have to pay it using your credit card. Finally, we arrived at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on October 7, 2015 at 7:00pm. Since we passed the International Dateline while traveling, we arrived on the same date. Philippines is 15 hours ahead from California during daylight saving time and 16 hours during winter time. The immigration department at SFO is still very strict and thanks God that everything was alright especially to the things that I brought from Philippines. They are strict with fresh fruits with seeds from other countries as well as the living things like animals and plants. They are trying to avoid the spread of diseases especially the contagious one from other countries. My brother, Addison Balajadia picked me up from SFO airport at 8:00pm and then we proceed to Vacaville, California at my other house. After I distributed and organized all my things that I brought, I took my rest and then sleep deeply because I have to go back to work at Morton Salt on the following day on October 8, 2015. #MNL #NAIA #PAL #Parañaque #Rizal #SFO #Millbrae #California On October 7, 2015, I went back home to California, USA and my vacation in Philippines is over. Although my vacation... |
This website is about a life story of Armando Magtalas Balajadia as a Traveler, Chess Player, Food Lover, Chemical Engineer, Mathematician, and Math Blogger from his birth and up to present time. He currently resides in Newark, California, USA. His dream is to share his knowledge in Mathematics to everyone thru his website, "Math Principles in Everyday Life". Also, his dream is to travel to different parts of the world and to meet new people.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Departure from Philippines (2015)
Last Day Tour in Philippines (2015)
On October 7, 2015, before we went to
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City,
Philippines, we travelled from Baliuag, Bulacan, the rest of towns in
Bulacan thru North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Caloocan City, Quezon City,
Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Pasay City, and Parañaque City thru EDSA,
Tramo Boulevard, Domestic Avenue, and finally Airport Avenue.
We left earlier around 12:00pm from Baliuag, Bulacan because we know that traffic is so terrible and heavy especially in Metro Manila Area. There was a rain that why the traffic is more terrible and heavy.
The province of Bulacan is also crowded because there are many shopping malls, establishments, and subdivisions. There are many companies and industries as well that's why the province is also crowded. Although my vacation is only 15 days, I enjoyed it with my relatives at my mother's side. My aunts cooked our meals during our stay. I'm the one will go back home in USA and my mom will go back home on October 21, 2015. She will complete her 1 month vacation exactly unlike me, it's only 15 days.
We visited also our relatives and family friends in Caloocan City. Caloocan City is also crowded when I visit it after 6 years. We used to live there and spend my childhood days. The traffic along Samson Road, Rizal Avenue, 10th Avenue, Monumento, and EDSA are terrible and heavy.
At around 2:30pm, we proceed to NAIA in Parañaque City thru EDSA. We passed Caloocan City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Pasay City, and then Parañaque City. From EDSA, we took Tramo Boulevard, Domestic Avenue, and then Airport Avenue. We finally arrived at the airport around 5:30pm. Not bad because the traffic along EDSA is moderate.
This is my memorable visit in Philippines although my vacation is only 15 days. I would like to give thanks to my cousin, Rodelio Magtalas, who gave us a ride using her sister in law's minivan. I hope that I can visit in Philippines again on November 2017. I will attend our Silver Jubilarian later at MIT ChE Chm Alumni Homecoming.
#Baliuag #Bulacan #Caloocan #NLEX #QuezonCity #Mandaluyong #Makati #Pasay #Parañaque #MNL #NAIA #Rizal
We left earlier around 12:00pm from Baliuag, Bulacan because we know that traffic is so terrible and heavy especially in Metro Manila Area. There was a rain that why the traffic is more terrible and heavy.
The province of Bulacan is also crowded because there are many shopping malls, establishments, and subdivisions. There are many companies and industries as well that's why the province is also crowded. Although my vacation is only 15 days, I enjoyed it with my relatives at my mother's side. My aunts cooked our meals during our stay. I'm the one will go back home in USA and my mom will go back home on October 21, 2015. She will complete her 1 month vacation exactly unlike me, it's only 15 days.
We visited also our relatives and family friends in Caloocan City. Caloocan City is also crowded when I visit it after 6 years. We used to live there and spend my childhood days. The traffic along Samson Road, Rizal Avenue, 10th Avenue, Monumento, and EDSA are terrible and heavy.
At around 2:30pm, we proceed to NAIA in Parañaque City thru EDSA. We passed Caloocan City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Pasay City, and then Parañaque City. From EDSA, we took Tramo Boulevard, Domestic Avenue, and then Airport Avenue. We finally arrived at the airport around 5:30pm. Not bad because the traffic along EDSA is moderate.
This is my memorable visit in Philippines although my vacation is only 15 days. I would like to give thanks to my cousin, Rodelio Magtalas, who gave us a ride using her sister in law's minivan. I hope that I can visit in Philippines again on November 2017. I will attend our Silver Jubilarian later at MIT ChE Chm Alumni Homecoming.
#Baliuag #Bulacan #Caloocan #NLEX #QuezonCity #Mandaluyong #Makati #Pasay #Parañaque #MNL #NAIA #Rizal
On October 7, 2015, before we went to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City, Philippines, we...
Posted by Armando Magtalas Balajadia on Monday, November 9, 2015
Monday, October 5, 2015
My Farewell Party (2015)
On October 5, 2015, we had a farewell
or despedida party at my cousin's house in Quezon City, Philippines.
This is also a family reunion for Balajadia family at my grandfather's
side. I asked my cousin Ester Garcia to contact all our relatives to have a mini-reunion at her house and beauty salon along Cordillera Street in Quezon City, Philippines starting at 7:00pm.
Me and my mother went to my cousin's salon around 5:00pm. We know that the traffic is so terrible and heavy especially if there's a rain and also during rush hour. We bought ube cake at Merced Bakeshop along EDSA near to Quezon Avenue before we went to my cousin's salon.
While waiting for our other relatives, me and my mother had hair and facial treatments with the assistance of Malou and Susan. My cousin's salon is already in the business in 1970s at the present location. My cousin is also a friend of Mr. Ricky Reyes, a well-known hair stylist in Philippines.
My cousin bought softdrinks, pancit Malabon, lumpiang prito, and puto (stramed rice cake). We brought biko (sweet rice cake) also. Her family like her children and grandchildren are also present in the family gathering.
Unfortunately, many of our relatives were not able to make in our family gathering because of many reasons. Some of them are already tired from work, stranded in heavy rains and traffic, and so on.
Our relatives like my cousins Daniel Balajadia Dalacat, Estrella Garcia Carpio, and Erlinda Garcia Fernandez as well as my aunt Beatriz Balajadia Garcia were able to attend in our family gathering.
We had fun and socialized to each other while eating and waiting for our other relatives to come if they can. Since we set our family gathering on weekday which is October 5, 2015 (Monday), then many of our relatives were not able to make in our family gathering. I know that most of the people are busy and tired from work on weekdays. Because of my cousin, Ester Garcia was not available last weekend and her schedule is already fully booked, then we decided to move on October 5, 2015 so that she can attend in our family gathering.
Well, my vacation in Philippines is only 15 days and I have hectic schedules. 15 days is too short for me because of heavy traffic especially in Manila. Unfortunately, I didn't meet my other cousins because of my hectic schedules and short vacation. Anyway, because of the social media like Facebook, then we can still communicate and chat each other.
I hope that I will meet my other cousins and relatives later probably in 2017.
#Balajadia #QuezonCity #Rizal
Me and my mother went to my cousin's salon around 5:00pm. We know that the traffic is so terrible and heavy especially if there's a rain and also during rush hour. We bought ube cake at Merced Bakeshop along EDSA near to Quezon Avenue before we went to my cousin's salon.
While waiting for our other relatives, me and my mother had hair and facial treatments with the assistance of Malou and Susan. My cousin's salon is already in the business in 1970s at the present location. My cousin is also a friend of Mr. Ricky Reyes, a well-known hair stylist in Philippines.
My cousin bought softdrinks, pancit Malabon, lumpiang prito, and puto (stramed rice cake). We brought biko (sweet rice cake) also. Her family like her children and grandchildren are also present in the family gathering.
Unfortunately, many of our relatives were not able to make in our family gathering because of many reasons. Some of them are already tired from work, stranded in heavy rains and traffic, and so on.
Our relatives like my cousins Daniel Balajadia Dalacat, Estrella Garcia Carpio, and Erlinda Garcia Fernandez as well as my aunt Beatriz Balajadia Garcia were able to attend in our family gathering.
We had fun and socialized to each other while eating and waiting for our other relatives to come if they can. Since we set our family gathering on weekday which is October 5, 2015 (Monday), then many of our relatives were not able to make in our family gathering. I know that most of the people are busy and tired from work on weekdays. Because of my cousin, Ester Garcia was not available last weekend and her schedule is already fully booked, then we decided to move on October 5, 2015 so that she can attend in our family gathering.
Well, my vacation in Philippines is only 15 days and I have hectic schedules. 15 days is too short for me because of heavy traffic especially in Manila. Unfortunately, I didn't meet my other cousins because of my hectic schedules and short vacation. Anyway, because of the social media like Facebook, then we can still communicate and chat each other.
I hope that I will meet my other cousins and relatives later probably in 2017.
#Balajadia #QuezonCity #Rizal
On October 5, 2015, we had a farewell or despedida party at my cousin's house in Quezon City, Philippines. This is also...
Posted by Armando Magtalas Balajadia on Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Tour at The Podium (2015)
After we visited the Capitol Commons
and the downtown area of Pasig City on October 3, 2015, we went to The
Podium which is located at Ortigas Center in Pasig City, Philippines.
The Podium is also a shopping center located at Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It is also located at the back of SM Megamall. Since we came early, we had a tour there. There are many stores, restaurants, and salons inside The Podium. It is not a very crowded shopping center compared with the other malls and shopping centers.
At 6:00pm, we had a dinner at Healthy Shabu Shabu located at the second floor of the building. It is a Japanese restaurant and you can cook the food at your table. You can dip the choice of your food in a boiling soup or stock like Japanese beef, big prawns, fish fillets, tuna slices, scallops, and assorted vegetables and noodles. You can season them with sauces and condiments. We ate there with my friends from PSI and OCCI like Rocel Santiago Borilla, Benjie Leogardo, and Aurora Cobarrubias. Our other friend, Claude Santa Ana was not able to come for any reason.
We spent our time while cooking, eating, and socializing to each other. Because of having social networks like Facebook, I was able to find and communicate with my long time no see friends from PSI and OCCI. We didn't see each other since 2000 when I came in USA. I made a promise that I will meet and see them later if I will visit in Philippines later. Thanks God that my wish came true. I know that it is hard to invite people because of their hectic schedules.
#ThePodium #OrtigasCenter #Pasig #Rizal
The Podium is also a shopping center located at Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It is also located at the back of SM Megamall. Since we came early, we had a tour there. There are many stores, restaurants, and salons inside The Podium. It is not a very crowded shopping center compared with the other malls and shopping centers.
At 6:00pm, we had a dinner at Healthy Shabu Shabu located at the second floor of the building. It is a Japanese restaurant and you can cook the food at your table. You can dip the choice of your food in a boiling soup or stock like Japanese beef, big prawns, fish fillets, tuna slices, scallops, and assorted vegetables and noodles. You can season them with sauces and condiments. We ate there with my friends from PSI and OCCI like Rocel Santiago Borilla, Benjie Leogardo, and Aurora Cobarrubias. Our other friend, Claude Santa Ana was not able to come for any reason.
We spent our time while cooking, eating, and socializing to each other. Because of having social networks like Facebook, I was able to find and communicate with my long time no see friends from PSI and OCCI. We didn't see each other since 2000 when I came in USA. I made a promise that I will meet and see them later if I will visit in Philippines later. Thanks God that my wish came true. I know that it is hard to invite people because of their hectic schedules.
#ThePodium #OrtigasCenter #Pasig #Rizal
After we visited the Capitol Commons and the downtown area of Pasig City on October 3, 2015, we went to The Podium which...
Posted by Armando Magtalas Balajadia on Monday, October 19, 2015
Tour in Pasig City, Philippines (2015)
On October 3, 2015, I went to Pasig
City, Philippines with my cousin, Rose Ann Zapanta. From EDSA and Shaw
Boulevard (Crossing), we took a jeepney ride going to Capitol Commons.
Capitol Commons is a new shopping and commercial complex in Pasig City which is located at the former site of Rizal Provincial Capitol. The new Rizal Provincial Capitol is now located in Antipolo City since March 2009. After the transfer of Rizal Provincial Capitol from Pasig City to Antipolo City with the help of Ortigas Company, the capitol building at the old site is returned to Ortigas Company. Later, the old capitol building is demolished and converted into shopping and commercial complex. They called it Capitol Commons because the former site is Rizal Provincial Capitol.
Let's talk about the history of Rizal because it is part of the history of Pasig City. On June 11, 1901, the province of Rizal was created and Pasig became its capital. The first capitol building is located at Lopez Jaena Street in Barangay Santa Rosa (near to Pasig River) which was built in 1901. During Japanese Occupation and World War II, the capitol building was used for prison and it is damaged by fire in 1944. From then, the capitol building didn't repair because of the shortage of the provincial fund.
Later in 1950, the Ortigas Company donated their building to the provincial government of Rizal which is located at Shaw Boulevard corner Meralco Avenue. That building became the second capitol building. Rizal became a premier province because Manila is surrounded by the towns of Rizal. The towns which are closer to Manila became most progressive including Pasig, its capital.
On November 7, 1975, Metro Manila was created thru Presidential Decree 824 and the 12 most progressive towns are separated from Rizal. Because of that, the second capitol building became out of the provincial territory for more than 30 years because Pasig is also separated from the province . Pasig became an independent city on January 21, 1995. Still, the second capitol building is out of the provincial territory.
On March 4, 2009, the capitol building of Rizal was transferred from Pasig City to Antipolo City with the help again of Ortigas Company. The new building in Antipolo City is their third capitol building. The old capitol building in Shaw Boulevard is returned to the donor and later, it is demolished and converted into shopping and commercial complex. Right now, that site is Capitol Commons.
We walked around at Capitol Commons and there are many restaurants, fast food chains, and office buildings there. Later, there will be new condominiums and townhouses in the area.
After that, we took again a jeepney ride and we dropped off at Barangay Santa Rosa to visit the old provincial capitol of Rizal along Lopez Jaena Street. Unfortunately, the area is closed to the public and you can take the pictures from outside. The whole area is closed and secured by wire fences . We're glad that the first capitol is still there. The government of Pasig City is trying to preserve and build the first capitol building later for their tourist spot.
After that, we went to the downtown area of Pasig City. The city hall is now bigger and taller. The public market is still the same. I missed Pasig City very much because I used to live there in Barangay Rosario when I was working at CFC Corporation (now Universal Robina Corporation) and Republic Asahi Glass Corporation. I was eating my lunch and dinner at the carinderias of Pasig public market. Unfortunately, because of the shortage of time, we are not able to visit at my former residence at Barangay Rosario along Ortigas Avenue. We just passed along Shaw Boulevard and Pasig Boulevard.
While riding in a jeepney going back to EDSA Crossing, we passed at Rizal Medical Center along Pasig Boulevard. Rizal Medical Center is formerly Rizal Provincial Hospital. Because Pasig is separated from Rizal, Rizal Provincial Hospital is changed later into Rizal Medical Center. I'm glad that the hospital is still there in spite of being a crowded city.
Pasig City is still a memorable place for me since my childhood days. We used to visit my aunt and my relatives often in Barangay Rosario and visit at Pasig public market. There are so many changes in Pasig City because there are many buildings and establishments and the whole city becomes more crowded. The traffic is so terrible especially during rush hours at Ortigas Avenue and Shaw Boulevard as well as in Ortigas Center where most of the Head Office of the well known companies are located.
#RizalCapitol #OrtigasCenter #CapitolCommons #Pasig #Rizal
Capitol Commons is a new shopping and commercial complex in Pasig City which is located at the former site of Rizal Provincial Capitol. The new Rizal Provincial Capitol is now located in Antipolo City since March 2009. After the transfer of Rizal Provincial Capitol from Pasig City to Antipolo City with the help of Ortigas Company, the capitol building at the old site is returned to Ortigas Company. Later, the old capitol building is demolished and converted into shopping and commercial complex. They called it Capitol Commons because the former site is Rizal Provincial Capitol.
Let's talk about the history of Rizal because it is part of the history of Pasig City. On June 11, 1901, the province of Rizal was created and Pasig became its capital. The first capitol building is located at Lopez Jaena Street in Barangay Santa Rosa (near to Pasig River) which was built in 1901. During Japanese Occupation and World War II, the capitol building was used for prison and it is damaged by fire in 1944. From then, the capitol building didn't repair because of the shortage of the provincial fund.
Later in 1950, the Ortigas Company donated their building to the provincial government of Rizal which is located at Shaw Boulevard corner Meralco Avenue. That building became the second capitol building. Rizal became a premier province because Manila is surrounded by the towns of Rizal. The towns which are closer to Manila became most progressive including Pasig, its capital.
On November 7, 1975, Metro Manila was created thru Presidential Decree 824 and the 12 most progressive towns are separated from Rizal. Because of that, the second capitol building became out of the provincial territory for more than 30 years because Pasig is also separated from the province . Pasig became an independent city on January 21, 1995. Still, the second capitol building is out of the provincial territory.
On March 4, 2009, the capitol building of Rizal was transferred from Pasig City to Antipolo City with the help again of Ortigas Company. The new building in Antipolo City is their third capitol building. The old capitol building in Shaw Boulevard is returned to the donor and later, it is demolished and converted into shopping and commercial complex. Right now, that site is Capitol Commons.
We walked around at Capitol Commons and there are many restaurants, fast food chains, and office buildings there. Later, there will be new condominiums and townhouses in the area.
After that, we took again a jeepney ride and we dropped off at Barangay Santa Rosa to visit the old provincial capitol of Rizal along Lopez Jaena Street. Unfortunately, the area is closed to the public and you can take the pictures from outside. The whole area is closed and secured by wire fences . We're glad that the first capitol is still there. The government of Pasig City is trying to preserve and build the first capitol building later for their tourist spot.
After that, we went to the downtown area of Pasig City. The city hall is now bigger and taller. The public market is still the same. I missed Pasig City very much because I used to live there in Barangay Rosario when I was working at CFC Corporation (now Universal Robina Corporation) and Republic Asahi Glass Corporation. I was eating my lunch and dinner at the carinderias of Pasig public market. Unfortunately, because of the shortage of time, we are not able to visit at my former residence at Barangay Rosario along Ortigas Avenue. We just passed along Shaw Boulevard and Pasig Boulevard.
While riding in a jeepney going back to EDSA Crossing, we passed at Rizal Medical Center along Pasig Boulevard. Rizal Medical Center is formerly Rizal Provincial Hospital. Because Pasig is separated from Rizal, Rizal Provincial Hospital is changed later into Rizal Medical Center. I'm glad that the hospital is still there in spite of being a crowded city.
Pasig City is still a memorable place for me since my childhood days. We used to visit my aunt and my relatives often in Barangay Rosario and visit at Pasig public market. There are so many changes in Pasig City because there are many buildings and establishments and the whole city becomes more crowded. The traffic is so terrible especially during rush hours at Ortigas Avenue and Shaw Boulevard as well as in Ortigas Center where most of the Head Office of the well known companies are located.
#RizalCapitol #OrtigasCenter #CapitolCommons #Pasig #Rizal
On October 3, 2015, I went to Pasig City, Philippines with my cousin, Rose Ann Zapanta. From EDSA and Shaw Boulevard...
Posted by Armando Magtalas Balajadia on Monday, October 19, 2015
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Tour in Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan, Philippines (2015)
On October 1, 2015, we went to
Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan, Philippines to visit my aunt, Dolores "Nene"
Balajadia Villaluz and her family there. We went there at night because
we came from Holy Cross Memorial Park and we visited our relatives in
Caloocan City. It was raining and we got stuck in traffic that's why we
went there at night.
Because of my hectic schedule, I decided to proceed my visit to my aunt even at night. I want to see my aunt there while she's still alive. My two uncles, my aunt, and even my father are already passed away. I have four aunts left, my father's remaining siblings. Two of my aunts are residing in Pacifica, California, USA.
Tiya Nene and her family are long time resident of Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan. They are big family because her children have grandchildren. Tiya Nene and her husband, Tito Mario have great grandchildren. Almost all of them are residing in a same house or residence. They still have sari-sari store at their house until now. That's their source of income until now. They are selling foods, household items, cigarettes, soft drinks and so on. Many of their children as well as their grandchildren are finished in their college and have stable job.
Tiya Nene is weak already because she can't walk very well and she needs an assistant especially for using restroom and bathroom. Sometimes Tiya Nene is forgetful especially at her age according to my cousins and their children. Thanks God that Tito Mario is still in good condition and currently manages their sari-sari store.
While traveling to Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan along M. H. Del Pilar Street, we noticed that the Arkong Bato or stone arch is changed already. The old Arkong Bato is damaged by a huge and big truck. The Arkong Bato is repaired but they changed the structure slightly. They removed the printed boundary names which are Bulacan and Rizal because Valenzuela and Malabon are already independent cities and part of National Capital Region.
Arkong Bato was built in 1910 during American Period. It was an official boundary of the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal. Valenzuela was part of Bulacan and Malabon was part of Rizal. M. H. Del Pilar Street was an official road going to Bulacan before McArthur Hi-Way and even North Luzon Expressway.
Arkong Bato is so memorable to me because it reminds my childhood days. We used to passed Arkong Bato every time we're visiting my relatives especially during the fiesta of Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan every last Sunday of May. The residence of Tiya Nene and her family is located along F. Navarette Street which is second road from Arkong Bato. F. Navarette Street has a man statue still at the center. If you proceed to F. Navarette Street straight, it's already a part of Obando, Bulacan. Tiya Nene's residence is near to Valenzuela and Obando boundary. Panghulo is a big barangay that is divided into two areas. The first area is part of Malabon and the other area is part of Obando.
#Balajadia #ArkongBato #Panghulo #Obando #Valenzuela #Bulacan #Malabon #Rizal
Because of my hectic schedule, I decided to proceed my visit to my aunt even at night. I want to see my aunt there while she's still alive. My two uncles, my aunt, and even my father are already passed away. I have four aunts left, my father's remaining siblings. Two of my aunts are residing in Pacifica, California, USA.
Tiya Nene and her family are long time resident of Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan. They are big family because her children have grandchildren. Tiya Nene and her husband, Tito Mario have great grandchildren. Almost all of them are residing in a same house or residence. They still have sari-sari store at their house until now. That's their source of income until now. They are selling foods, household items, cigarettes, soft drinks and so on. Many of their children as well as their grandchildren are finished in their college and have stable job.
Tiya Nene is weak already because she can't walk very well and she needs an assistant especially for using restroom and bathroom. Sometimes Tiya Nene is forgetful especially at her age according to my cousins and their children. Thanks God that Tito Mario is still in good condition and currently manages their sari-sari store.
While traveling to Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan along M. H. Del Pilar Street, we noticed that the Arkong Bato or stone arch is changed already. The old Arkong Bato is damaged by a huge and big truck. The Arkong Bato is repaired but they changed the structure slightly. They removed the printed boundary names which are Bulacan and Rizal because Valenzuela and Malabon are already independent cities and part of National Capital Region.
Arkong Bato was built in 1910 during American Period. It was an official boundary of the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal. Valenzuela was part of Bulacan and Malabon was part of Rizal. M. H. Del Pilar Street was an official road going to Bulacan before McArthur Hi-Way and even North Luzon Expressway.
Arkong Bato is so memorable to me because it reminds my childhood days. We used to passed Arkong Bato every time we're visiting my relatives especially during the fiesta of Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan every last Sunday of May. The residence of Tiya Nene and her family is located along F. Navarette Street which is second road from Arkong Bato. F. Navarette Street has a man statue still at the center. If you proceed to F. Navarette Street straight, it's already a part of Obando, Bulacan. Tiya Nene's residence is near to Valenzuela and Obando boundary. Panghulo is a big barangay that is divided into two areas. The first area is part of Malabon and the other area is part of Obando.
#Balajadia #ArkongBato #Panghulo #Obando #Valenzuela #Bulacan #Malabon #Rizal
On October 1, 2015, we went to Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan, Philippines to visit my aunt, Dolores "Nene" Balajadia...
Posted by Armando Magtalas Balajadia on Sunday, October 18, 2015
Tour at Holy Cross Memorial Park (2015)
On October 1, 2015, we went to Holy
Cross Memorial Park in Novaliches, Quezon City, Philippines with my
mother and my cousins to visit the grave of my grandparents, uncles,
aunt, and our other relatives.
Holy Cross Memorial Park is a well known private cemetery in Philippines. There are many changes in the memorial park within six years. Before at my grandparents' grave, the vacant lot was so wide at the side. We used to build our tent during All Saints Day every year at the vacant lot. Right now, there are many new graves besides my grandparents' grave. Because of this, it is impossible for us to build the tent during All Saints Day. It is impossible for us also to stay for the whole day during All Saints Day because sometimes there's a heavy rain and the worst is traffic. It is very hard for everyone to visit in cemetery during All Saints Day on November 1. The whole cemetery is so crowded on November 1. Some people are preferred to visit the grave of their loved ones on October 31 or November 2.
We visited the grave of my grandparents, two uncles, and aunt. They are the parents and siblings of my father. My aunt's grave is located neat to restroom and sidewalk while my grandparents and two uncles are located in one grave besides the road. Their grave is also near to restroom.
Few steps away to the left from the restroom, we visited the grave of our other relatives. They are the cousin, uncle, aunt, and grandaunt of my grandmother at my father's side also. They were close to our family because my grandmother was living at her aunt during her younger days. Her uncle and aunt adopted her until she got married to my grandfather.
Thanks God that we had a chance to visit my grandparents, uncles, and aunt as well as our other relatives in spite of my hectic schedule in Philippines. I would like to give thanks to my cousin because he gave us a ride going to the cemetery.
#HolyCrossMemorialPark #Novaliches #QuezonCity #Rizal
Holy Cross Memorial Park is a well known private cemetery in Philippines. There are many changes in the memorial park within six years. Before at my grandparents' grave, the vacant lot was so wide at the side. We used to build our tent during All Saints Day every year at the vacant lot. Right now, there are many new graves besides my grandparents' grave. Because of this, it is impossible for us to build the tent during All Saints Day. It is impossible for us also to stay for the whole day during All Saints Day because sometimes there's a heavy rain and the worst is traffic. It is very hard for everyone to visit in cemetery during All Saints Day on November 1. The whole cemetery is so crowded on November 1. Some people are preferred to visit the grave of their loved ones on October 31 or November 2.
We visited the grave of my grandparents, two uncles, and aunt. They are the parents and siblings of my father. My aunt's grave is located neat to restroom and sidewalk while my grandparents and two uncles are located in one grave besides the road. Their grave is also near to restroom.
Few steps away to the left from the restroom, we visited the grave of our other relatives. They are the cousin, uncle, aunt, and grandaunt of my grandmother at my father's side also. They were close to our family because my grandmother was living at her aunt during her younger days. Her uncle and aunt adopted her until she got married to my grandfather.
Thanks God that we had a chance to visit my grandparents, uncles, and aunt as well as our other relatives in spite of my hectic schedule in Philippines. I would like to give thanks to my cousin because he gave us a ride going to the cemetery.
#HolyCrossMemorialPark #Novaliches #QuezonCity #Rizal
This is A. Bonifacio Avenue in Balintawak, Quezon City, Philippines.
Posted by Armando Magtalas Balajadia on Thursday, October 15, 2015
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