/

How did I spend my Christmas Day?







I woke up today late than usual and arrived office just in time, almost. Thanks to the ever reliable MRT. After all the revelry yesterday, today I find my worksite block seems to be too quiet. Today also, my mind and body seems not on sync than usual. But I guess this I felt morning after feeling always pop out after every revelry or occasion-draining day.
Yesterday I spend my Christmas late afternoon at Orchard Road for the annual Christmas show right in the middle of the road. There are floats that not much to be desired, but learned later that they were better than last year huh. The show itself was yawning and appears to be a hush-hush. You see I decided to catch the show expecting it will be grandiose as the landmark road itself, speaking of Orchard Road why the whole stretch of the road is a bit messy. I understand that the road is undergoing upgrading works but I can say that my block worksite is better and nicely maintained. This is being my first time to catch this annual fair. I stayed on until the UP Madrigal Singers completed their performance. I purposely waited for their turn to perform though I was completely not at ease standing outside the cordoned mock up stage. I must say it's a pity they came all the way from the Philippines just to perform in a hush-hush show. Their performance itself was not that impressive as the sound system was not able to highlight their voices well. But one thing I have noticed, their performance was well received after every completion of song, they have rendered a Filipino song Kumukutikutitap and two not so familiar English songs. The rest of the performers came from different countries in the region. The first performer was heartwarming though. He's Singaporean artist performed a dragging aerobic exercise complete with back ups, and two Chinese songs. What a feat for a guy who battled leukemia. Performers from Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, and Hawaii were there to perform as mentioned by the program emcee who I find him annoying the entire show I was there. Maybe that's the reason why not everybody paid much attention to the show although the entire stretch of the Orchard Road was full of people.

I was surprised when I left the show area and found out the huge people along the road and its sides. It was past 9 in the evening. They were there having the grand time taking pictures with them, floats have been lighted out and just settling there on the road waiting for people who love to take pictures with them.

Summing up, I enjoyed spending Christmas day at Orchard Road. The pictures were taken the hours before my iPhone life lasts.

How did you spend your Christmas day?

Simbang Gabi in Singapore


I was not aware that there is Simbang Gabi being held here in Singapore because last Sunday the church where I heard mass did not mention about the simbang gabi. It was only last Friday that I came to know so I attended the same day and the day after. The twist of the simbang gabi is that it is being held nightly at different churches. Can you imagine every night you have to go to a church different from the last night you have been to and they are far apart.

I find this amusing and love to complete the nine nights should I have learned it ahead. But my excitement somehow has been dampened by how the mass has been carried out. The priest who is officiating mass has a different approach in conducting the mass, it is far from solemn. That night I thought I was attending a gathering or a rally. Maybe he was just overwhelmed by the crowd or it is just me who is not used to that kind of officiating mass. His homily is diverting, he is reading mails he said emails sent to him a day earlier talking about the letter sender enjoyment of the arrozcaldo being served after the mass, and kept mentioning it the entire homily. The Ambassador and her family was invited to set at the altar together with the sacristans facing us during the entire mass, i was astounded seeing them facing us. When she was introduced and praise to heavens, a lady behind me was not able to control her temper and utter ' oa naman yan, wala naman natulong sa amin yan', what she means by that i have no idea and have no guts to asked her after the mass. After mass she was asked to speak before us, I expected her to say something related to her job like what her office was doing  given the present situation but she just mentioned only about her first time arriving Singapore being welcomed at the church and wishing us a merry christmas. 

I thought I was not used to it and maybe because of the attendees the church was full pack and overflowing of kababayans as myself also was surprised to see them in one place, and decided to attend the mass the next night at a different church in Boon Lay. Still I experienced the same thing. The priest talking again emails he received and the letter contains how delighted he was eating what else but arrozcaldo after mass. The Ambassador speaking again after mass, I have no idea if she  sit together with the priest as I was outside the church the entire mass. 

After that I decided not to continue attending the simbang gabi as I learned that it was always that way from the start. I hope God is not mad at me, as I don't feel the spirit nor the solemnity.  It keep me feeling I am attending a rally which does not help me good.

No I have not tried the arrozcaldo the priest keep on talking, maybe because I hate falling line? It did not cross my mind.  

Would you do the same thing? 

the resurrection

I have completely forgotten this blog I have created almost two years ago. Few days ago I was supposed to create one I can call my own and surprised to find out this. 

I will be updating this on a regular basis from now on. Changes will be made as this blog develops. Posting will be guided by the new title description and more. Previous postings will still be there. Expect a different perspective from now on.

Enjoy reading and welcome once again.