Holy Year of Mercy, Philippines

The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage. Pope Francis himself called on the faithful to make a pilgrimage because “mercy requires a goal, dedication, and sacrifice.”

“Mercy is not just a concept or an abstract idea but an action word. It’s something that we do perform acts of mercy to one another,”

Aside from the spiritual benefits, a plenary indulgence is also available to the faithful for making a pilgrimage.

The Catholic Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone, people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the dioceses of the world including the Philippines.

In Manila, Cardinal Tagle starts the celebration by opening the Cathedral’s Jubilee Door and hold Mass on December 9, 2015. Catholics are encouraged to go on a pilgrimage to designated “jubilee churches”.  Rectors and parish priests are coordinating well on how to make pilgrimages fruitful and meaningful to pilgrims.

These five churches were chosen for the pilgrimage “because of their connection to mercy.”

1. Manila Cathedral

2. National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City

3. Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Mandaluyong City

4. Santuario de Santo Cristo in San Juan City

5. Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay City

The Holy Year encourages the faithful to understand the practice of “merciful love” by dividing the works of mercy into two kinds "spiritual and corporal." Ritual is meaningless if not coupled with works of mercy and concrete actions towards charity,”

Year of Mercy pilgrimage may be held starting from Ash Wednesday, which marks the season of Lent, until the Pentecost Sunday.

The universal Church will observe an extraordinary Year of Mercy as decreed by the Pope from December 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.

Donations may come in cash or in kind and will be used to feed the hungry, provide housing for the homeless, and other projects.

Albar's Certificate of Pilgrimage
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Once you have completed the pilgrimage to all the five Jubilee churches, a certificate of Pilgrimage will be given to you at the last church you will visit.

Passports are available at all five churches. May start and end at any church.
Refer to your Pilgrim's Passport for the list of activities
you need to fulfill in your visit to the Jubilee church.
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Passport-stamping
Catholics may start their pilgrimage from any of the churches,
they will have to proceed to the parish office every after they accomplished the required activities
in each church for stamping of their passports.
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Guidelines in the granting of indulgence during the Jubilee of Mercy:

1. Make a pilgrimage to the Holy Door in designated Jubilee Churches.
2. Have a good confession and celebrate the Eucharist with reflection on mercy.
3. The profession of Faith (Creed).
4. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the good of the Church and of the entire world. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be)

Manila Cathedral 

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, informally known as Manila Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Manila, Philippines, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. The cathedral serves as the see of the Archbishop of Manila.

Located at Plaza de Roma in the Intramuros district of the City of Manila, the cathedral was originally a parish church owned and governed by the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on 6 February 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Praesidio by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current instance of the cathedral was finally completed in 1958.

The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis. On 27 April 1981, Pope John Paul II issued papal bull Quod Ipsum designating the cathedral as a minor basilica by his own Motu Proprio.

The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral.
http://manilacathedral.ph/
(Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Manila Cathedral Holy Jubilee Door "Porta Sancta"
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Recite the Year of Mercy prayer in front of Jubilee Cross
containing a relic of the True Cross of Christ which you may venerate with a kiss.
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Grand bronze image of St. Peter the Apostles (a replica of the one in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican)
Pray for the intentions of our Holy Father Pope Francis.
You may venerate and kiss the foot of the image as is practiced in Rome.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Blessed Souls Chapel
Offer prayers and masses for your departed loved ones.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

St. Peter Adoration Chapel (newly renovated)
Spend some moments of silent adoration and meditation inside.
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Going down to Manila Cathedral Crypt.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Manila Cathedral Crypt
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Manila Cathedral Crypt
Where four former Archbishops of Manila laid to rest. (Here you may pray for their eternal repose.)

Rendering peaceful solemnity and quiet grace to the crypt is the mosaic of Marcello Avenali.
The three-subject mosaic depicts the Lord’s agony on His way to Calvary,
the meeting of Mary and Jesus on the way to Golgotha, and the Crucifixion.
The crypt has been dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Former Archbishop of Manila
Michael J. O’Doherty, Gabriel M. Reyes, Rufino J. Cardinal Santos and Jaime Cardinal Sin
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Going up and will pass by the confessional box. Avail the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

(Check the schedule of Confession)
(Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Baptistry
Renew your baptismal promises by reciting the Creed.
(Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Saint Joseph Chapel
Share your help and donation for the homeless.
(Photo by Tony  Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Pray "Hail Holy Queen" in front of the main altar
where Mary the Immaculate Conception is enthroned.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Proceed to the Manila Cathedral Office for proper stamping of your passports.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Santuario Del Santo Cristo

1. Enter through the Holy Door and recite the Prayer of the Year of Mercy.
2. Pray for the intentions of Pope Francis.
3. Pray the devotion to the Santo Cristo.
4. Give Alms for the Corporal Works of Mercy of burying the dead.
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

5. Proceed to the Conventual cemetery and pray for the dead.
6. Those who may want to attend Mass or avail of the Sacrament of Confession may do so.
(Please check the schedule of masses and confession.)
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

6. Baptistry
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

7. Going up to Santo Cristo Altar
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

8. Exit the church through another door.
9. Proceed to the Parish office for proper stamping of your passports during office hours.
(Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Shrine of  the Divine Mercy

(Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

Our Lady of Sorrows

1. Enter through the Holy Door.
2. Celebrate Mass with Community.
3. Pray the Rosary or the Novena to Or Lady of Sorrows.
4. Give donation to the Prison Apostolate.
5. Give food to street children/homeless
(Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries)

High School Chums!

January 24, 2016, I have to meet my High School friends for casual lunch today. I love my "kababata" as they are always in my heart. I always value my friendship with them, "Ibang iba talaga ang may pinagsamahan."

My younger days was truly full of wonderful memories and it fills my memory box with lots of joy just remembering them. My grateful heart will always be thankful to God for this kind of love and friendship He gave to us to each one of us. For almost 37 years of friendship since High School graduation, we hardly see each other at all. Different paths made us wide apart and yet God has made a way for us to come closer again.

Arriving a bit early gave me time in a having a tete a tete with a group. The food was truly a feast that everyone enjoyed it. No pork, No beef. All seafood and veggies only truly safe for every one of our age.

Indeed, simple & perfect good friends never forget, the sweetest smile from the heart and friendship never fades. We are normal boys and girls who love to laugh and share awesome memories of the past. I love each one of them for their pure and genuine laughter. NO IFS NO BUTS JUST LAUGH TO YOUR HEART.

For a moment I realized that everyone is not anymore getting any younger, this experience made me feel more grateful to God Almighty because we still have each other, strong and in good health. When true love and concern is there, it will always be there.

The Gents are quietly losing their hair, while the Ladies are gaining bellies and yet still looks pretty. Almost all of us are pulling our reading glasses and showing photos of our families and how successful and beautiful they are and some have already grandchildren. We got new fine lines and more gray hair which are not big deal at all because we understand the fact that aging is an inevitable part of life. Truly, we are all grateful to God for living our lives to it's fullest. To God be the glory.

How wonderful for us to start the year counting our blessings with priceless treasures we've earned all these years.

My High School Chums!
Theresa, Greg, Eve, Tina, Elvie, Celso, Irma, Dexie, and Elnora 

Few of my favourites!

It's nice to be happy! 

Talaba!

No pork, No beef. 

All seafood and veggies only truly safe for every one of our age. 

Casual lunch is more fun with "Harana Boys"

Waiting for our delicious chocolate cake!
Cake courtesy of Elnora. 

We could not stop playing at times!

We don't have to have anything in common with people we've known since were younger. 

With old friends, we've got our whole life in common.

All are happy after having their cake.

I could not hold myself not to laugh with those pips at my back. Hahaha!
Now I understand why Elnora bought this chocolate cake. Hahaha!

The best and most unique smile of the day! 

You all made this day truly blessed
and sweet for each and every one of us.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of friendship and togetherness.

Spinning Shot (Full)

(YouTube Video)

Spinning Shot (cut)

City of Dreams

(YouTube Video)

Happy Lunch at Shylin Restaurant

(YouTube Video)

Copyright © Sol Albar 2016 All Rights Reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced without written consent from the owner.

Red Ribbon’s Click Post Win

January 16, 2016, God gave us a lovely surprise experience, Good Luck for the 1st month of the year 2016!

From the bottom of our grateful heart, we thank you so much Red Ribbon's Click Post Win Promo for these delicious 8's Choco Cake Slice. It has pride of place on our dining table to always have Red Ribbon cake for birthdays and special occasions. We are truly grateful to experience such a thoughtful and tasteful gift from you.

Thank you to all nice and smiling people of Red Ribbon Southmall Branch Ms Hazel Grace Rosales, Jocel Brusola, Rodelyn Rebinito and Paul Riva and their Managers.

Thank you so much, Red Ribbon!

With Ms. Hazel Grace Rosales

Delicious Choco Cake Slice!

Beautiful staff of Red Ribbon Southmall Branch

Beautiful staff of Red Ribbon Southmall Branch

 Princess Sol Diaries

By Sol Albar ©2016

Viva Sto Niño De Pandacan

June 11, 2015 I went to Santo Niño Parish Church in Pandacan to get my Baptismal Certificate. It was a cool and blessed afternoon for me to consider how lucky I was to have chance to visit my High School friend and classmate Towie and Genaro who lives nearby the church and joined me all throughout the afternoon.

In a while, I had a chance to have a little conversation with Aling Nonie (Mom of my friend) who hardly remember me then. After a while, I got my certificate on my hand and ready to leave the patio when I suddenly felt to see Santo Nino inside the church. Luckily Aling Nonie knew the church caretaker (I only knew him as Negro/Ferdie former Barangay Kagawad in the area.) and offered me to see the original image on the private chapel. To my surprise I thought it was just a joke. I asked repeatedly, Kuya are you sure it will be alright for me to go inside the private chapel and see the original Santo Nino image? Without a doubt he said yes, you can come with me now and we will go to the private chapel. While we're going up stairs I silently thank God with a grateful heart. Aling Nonie told me it will be her 1st time too.

It was the 1st time in my life to see the original image of Miraculous Santo Niño De Pandacan from the day I was born 6th of September and baptized 19th of September. Dito rin ako sa simbahang ito nag 1st communion, habang lumalaki na ako it was only Msgr. Guillermo Mendoza our parish priest ang kilala ko. After Holy mass all children will run near the altar for his final blessing.

Inside the private chapel I kneel and pray and felt the message. I ask Kuya if it's alright for me to take pictures and if I can touch Santo Niño image? Kuya was so generous to trust me, he also offered me he could take a souvenir shot of me with 303 years old Miraculous Santo Niño image. Right after, he ask me to check the pictures, because there are times that the pictures doesn't appear the Sto. Nino image clearly and sometimes none at all to recognize the image. They don't know the reasons why, yet they believe that the Santo Nino has a reason.

I suddenly remember a short story about Pandacan history in one article i've read long time ago. That it's the patron saved the town from being crushed by Spanish colonial troops in the late 18th century. This Sto Niño De Pandacan's spectacular tales of the miracles wrought by the Holy Child in other parts of the country, including another old Manila district to the north, Tondo and Cebu.

"Parish priest Fr. Lazaro Abaco believes that after being unknown and “hidden” for hundreds of years, the Sto. Niño de Pandacan will rise and begin to “do its public ministry” "

PANALANGIN SA SANTO NIÑO DE PANDACAN:
(Hango sa Filipos 2:6-11)

O Banal na Niño Jesus, Bagamat ikaw ay Diyos, Hindi ka nagpilit na manatiling kapantay ng Diyos, Bagkus hinubad mo ang lahat ng katangian ng pagka-Diyos, Nagkatawang-tao ka at namuhay na isang alipin. Nang maging tao, ikaw ay nagpakababa at naging masunurin hanggang kamatayan, Oo, hanggang kamatayan sa krus. Kaya naman, ikaw ay itinampok ng Diyos At binigyan ng pangalang higit sa lahat ng pangalan. Anupa’t ang lahat ng nilalang na nasa langit, nasa lupa, At nasa ilalim ng lupa ay maninikluhod at sasamba sa iyo. At ipapahayag ng lahat na si HESUKRISTO ANG PANGINOON, Sa ikararangal ng Diyos Ama. Amen.

The original image of Miraculous Santo Niño De Pandacan
Photo taken: June 11, 2015 By Sol Albar

The original image of Miraculous Santo Niño De Pandacan, since 1712
Photo was taken 11th of June 2015 by Sol Albar

Inside the private chapel I saw the amazing original image for the 1st time.
The original image of Miraculous Santo Niño De Pandacan, Since 1712
Photo was taken 11th of June 2015 by Sol Albar

The 1st time for me to touch the original image of
Miraculous Santo Niño De Pandacan.
Photo was taken 11th of June 2015 by Sol Albar

The Main Altar of Pandacan Parish Church and the
site of the new location of well near the original site where
the Santo Nino image was found in 1712
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

The original site of well where the original image of Miraculous Santo Nino was found in 1712
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

Beautiful interior and exterior of Santo Nino Parish Church in Pandacan.

The faithful at the Feast of Santo Niño De Pandacan.

This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

I love seeing these things around the church patio. My all time favorite colorful "Maya" birds.
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

My favorite take home native foods.
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

Happily watching the traditional procession of Santo Nino and catholic saints.
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

The faithful and her Santo Nino De Pandacan replica.
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

Albar Replica image of
Miraculous Santo Nino De Providencia
will meet Original image of
Miraculous Santo Nino De Pandacan.

Reunion with the original image of Miraculous Santo Nino after 6 months.
This Photo was taken 17th of January 2016 by Sol Albar

Princess Sol Diaries

By Sol Albar ©2015

Dr. Joel Ruiz

Our salute to the most love, favorite, best, and grandest Godfather/Missionary/Doctor and mentor in the whole wide world Dr. Joel Ruiz. 

Thank you for always being there for our health and for giving us free advice in our journey of life, your wise medicines are more than effective for us to know the difference between your best way of treatment. "Gumagaling talaga kami at lumakas kapag alam namin na ikaw ang Doctor." because you gave us not only medicine prescription but medicine with great advice and laughter.

Words are not always enough to express our grateful hearts knowing your unconditional love. Thank you for seeing my father and my mom's health back then, to us and to your grandchildren. You are one excellent Doctor truly awesome in many ways. I would always be proud of you not only because of what you achieved but most of all because you are my Ninong. 

Ninong Doctor Joel today is January 15, 2016, and it's your special day. We're wishing you today and all your coming days to be filled with countless happiness, good health, and endless joy, peace, comfort, and serenity all your life. 

Gracious and awesome Doctor Joel Ruiz, Your love for God drives what you do.

Let us thank you again and again and again for always being there for our health. For sharing your life with us on our special events since my younger days up to this moment.

Godparents play a special role in our life as mentors, concerned partners with our parents, and a great source of advice while we grow. While we may not see them as often as our parents, remember we are in their thoughts and prayers throughout the year. You mean a great deal to them since your parents have entrusted you to their care should anything happen to them.

Godparents like my Ninong Doctor and Ninang Rhoda is one of life’s most precious blessings. I’ll never forget what they have been since my younger days and what they are in my life to this moment. It’s a big part of what makes me now. We're so lucky to think how wonderful to have adopted parents when our own parents are both now in heaven. Let me add the sweet and thoughtful things to receive gifts from you each year no matter how big I am now. 

I thank God for You Ninong Doctor and Ninang Rhoda every day.

I thank God for giving us both of you to us and us to you.

I thank God for allowing you to be such an important part of our family and married life.

I always appreciate your shared wisdom.

You are one of the nicest people I've ever known.

From the bottom of our grateful hearts, we are thankful and we love you Ninong Doctor and Ninang Rhoda, and kids for always. I and My Tony especially thank God for letting both of you be a reason for us to smile many times.

Princess Sol Diaries 

By: Sol Albar ©2016

Rizza on her 5Oth

Birthdays comes around every year, but sincere/true bosom friends like my best friends only come once in a lifetime. I’m so glad they all came into my life.

Happiest Birthday to the best friend a person could ever dream of having as the saying goes "Good friends don’t just get old. They only get better as they age, like a fine wine." It feels good and blessed to have a confidant in life. With a grateful heart I thank God for you and you for always being there in my good and not so bad times of my life since we we're younger. Thank you for being there for me when I call you and need someone to just listen. It doesn't matter where we are in this world or in our lives, I know you will always pick up. Thank you for always being my best supporter. Thank you for late-night conversations. Thank you for remembering every inside joke we have ever created. Thank you for listening to my long stories as though you haven't already heard them a million times. Thank you for loving my family like you love your own.

Happy golden Birthday dear awesome friend Rizza!

You are the source of happiness and strength of many people around you. Your birthday gives all the people whose lives you’ve touched, a designated day to tell you how happy we are that you entered the world on this day. We love you for always

Thank you for making this moment really so special for all of us to be grateful on your special day.

Thank you for making our Maria Clara moment a little sweet and unique.

Thank you for continuing to be true to yourself as well, because I think you rock, we all rock together.

Happy girls are the prettiest! Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Thank you for the moments of silence we share together, where words don't need to be said,

but we know we are all in it together.

"PRISM" Our memory lasts forever, and never does it die.

True friends stay together and never say goodbye.

Friend is someone who tells you things while you are alive, things that others tell after you die.  When friendship is deeply rooted, it is a plant that cannot even be uprooted by a storm.

Princess Sol Diaries 

By: Sol Albar 
©2015

Charlie Chaplin Quotes!

When you're uncertain it doesn't mean you are thinking wrong. Sometimes quotes makes us understand what life can offer us. It's never too late to start over. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck. Do better. My parents told me "Sometimes it's nice to laugh at your own self, learned lesson from other people's experience  and never ignore chances and opportunities that comes everyday."

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~ Smiling and laughing can have a positive effect on your well-being, but as you make the transition from child to adult, you often tend to lose the habit of indulging in these behaviors. A good example of this is a children’s playground. You often see the kids running around, constantly laughing and smiling as they enjoy living in the moment, while the parents sit around the edge, full of the stresses that modern life can bring, with the occasional grin breaking their otherwise serious facial expressions. Adults can benefit from taking a lead from children and making more room in life for smiling and laughter.

"Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot." ~ Get really close and look at the details of the situation, you will be alarmed at the tragedy you see. However, if you back up and take it in from a greater distance, with some context to go with it, the same situation can become funny.

It’s the same situation, but it’s what you focus on. If you want to feel bad, focus on the details of how life is being mean. If you focus on the cheese on your sandwich, when you specifically said no cheese, you’re going to be upset. If you take a bigger view, and realize that that’s the first thing all day that’s gone wrong, and it’s easy to remove, instead of tragedy, you might find humor or even comfort.

"Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself." ~ Failure is extremely important, infact more than success. You have to fail to know the loopholes in the task in hand. That said, repeated failures of the same kind is a sign of a foolish person who doesn't learn anything from the mistakes. The courageous part is to accept the failure and take a renewed approach to the task in a bid to accomplish it.

"We think too much and feel too little.” Charlie Chaplin

Sister Emma Dizon a Marian Devotee and Visionary

Time flies so past and it's been more than a decade since the last time we saw and hugged each other so tight. "Di pa uso ang Facebook pero" we never lost in touch. 

I still remember how Me and my husband 1st met Sister Emma Dizon, a visionary, a blue blooded Marian Devotee and a founder of Mama Mary Apostolate Cursillo. 

I can't believe that you’re gone so early my friend. I miss that I’ll never be able to visit you again in your sweet home.  I miss you and a true friend in you and that I’ll never have it again the way your comforting thoughts delivers to me with gladness when you wrap your arms around Me and give Me a big, big hug.

As you were dying, did you wonder if people would remember you? Then let me tell you that I will remember you forever and hold you close in my heart.

I wonder what you were thinking as your life ended. I remember you can even see or predict your last day and that was it. Did you wonder if your life mattered? Then let me tell you that it did. That in those few days together in Cursillo and in your many apostolate works you touched my heart with your kindness, your laughter, your positive energy. And above all else with your beautiful heart, beautiful smile full of faith in God. I wan't you to know how I value your seed in me, including your propagation of Divine Mercy and as part of it I continue meditating my chaplet of Mercy. 

Priceless souvenir picture of Me with Sister Emma Dizon 
(Photo taken by Tony Albar)