Fr. Picx during the baptism rites Sunday morning...

Fr. Picx. Met him for the first time last Sunday. We had been online acquaintances prior to my trip to Davao. I have read and heard about him. The biking priest from SAT Davao. The Davao word escaped my mind. All I could associate him was his hermitage periods in Busay, near our place. On second thought, not really near. But that house where he stays is our training ground back when I was still biking. I spent half the day going up and down those mountains on my bike training for the next race. And so I raced and finished 3rd while I was pregnant. It never occured to me that Davao was where Fr. Picx was based at. Nang Cynch was excited. I sat thru the baptism Fr. Picx was performing at the Redemptorist church in Bajada. I joined him for lunch at the seminary. I have had lunch with so many priests and seminarians before. But my conversation with the biking priest was to treasure for always. Lively, cheerful! An enthusiast! Politics or no politics, he is interesting to talk to. My first carrot-apple juice please... fresh. HAHAHAHAHA. It was way to cool to be talking to Fr. Picx. I had so many questions. I didnt even know I remembered to ask all of them. Like talking to an old friend. Bike for Hope, Bike for Peace...I had fun talking with the only priest who could pass me on the way up to Buak! hahahahahahahahaha... I need to get back on the saddle fast! So short the visit, too many things I still would have wanted to talk to him about. So many "why's" in my mind.

Thailand Redemptorist

Redemptorist - Thailand

They have not seen these yet. I just hope I did the ceremony justice. It was hot. Really hot. But the ceremony was just too amazing. Looking at the images now made me realize I took home more than pictures...
Went to Thailand for an 8 days 8 nights cultural tour. With the main event being the ordination to the priesthood of 2 Thai students who finished their theology studies in Davao City (thus the Pinoy connection). The whole trip was glorious! I have declared myself to be half Thai! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Unknown to the ordinandis (yep, I know the fancy word, courtesy of my ever-there-to-help-out sis in law, Nang Cynch), I have already googled them days before we left for Thailand. Afterall we would be meeting them for the first time and I wouldnt want to be staring clueless if I just happen to be a foot away from either of them. Such nice people! It's like we've been friends for some time na. The ordination was glorious! Glorious! Glorious! Can I say glorious just one more time? hehehehe. Amidst the wonder of it all, I was desperately trying so hard not to trip over anything while I was shooting at just about anyone and anything that caught my fancy! And Im loving my Thai skirt! It's orange and cool.
Well, let me start over. April 29, I took the kids to Ormoc to my parents. May 1, took a boat back to Cebu. Did a photoshoot of a newborn baby. Had dinner with Nang Cynch, Nong Oca and Monsgnor Nonoy. JOel and I had our luggages in tow already as our flight to Manila was at 10pm. Marie and JP was already waiting for us in Manila. May 3, we flew to Bangkok. We were joined by a group from Davao. Bro. Matthee and Chi met us. Went straight to Pattaya. I didnt know what to expect. I have never been in the presence of a religious sector for that long period of time. I went to Thailand with open mind and open heart. I had been dreading being away from my children. For more than a week! But I knew it would be good for everyone. I did not even question what will be there for me in Thailand. I said to my self, let it all come to me! hehehehe. But what Chi and Bom showed us was more than my mind could comprehend!!! First off, seeing the Fr. Ray Brenner Center (Redemptorist Center) at Pattaya just blew me away! We had the afternoon free so I took my time to go around the compound and met some students who were disabled or orphaned. It was amazing! It was humbling! I melted at how they smiled at me. How contented they looked. HOw happy they were. Yes we should be thankful to be able to experience life, no matter the bodily state we are in!!! The food was divine! I want my spicy hot food all the time now!!! Did I say the sun was hot too? All the time? That didnt even bother me a bit. My sweat was just rolling and rolling but I felt no discomfort as I saw the great wonderful sights in front of me and truly sincerely friendly people I met.
Ordination: can I just say Glorious again? The warmth. The happiness. They must have been wondering who on earth is this girl in orange skirt going around taking pictures of everyone and everything? Daw Manol! hahahaha! 2 days into the trip I have already decided I was going to make something special with the ordination pictures. And I just know that no matter what gift I give to them it would pale in comparison to the gift they have given to me in this trip! Could you just imagine how desperate I was to go up the stage for better shots? Come to think of it, I did go up the stage at one point and took a very quick shot of the choir and I ran back down the stairs. So afraid I might be scolded! hehehe Lucky the photographer in black shirt.
Thailand, amazing Thailand. Just as I pictured it to be. But the people I met there made Thailand even more amazing than it already was. The colors, beautiful sceneries, fruits! Fruits! SAWAS-DEE KAH! All those temples, churches, spicy spicy food!!! I love them all!
Sunday mass at Church of the Holy Redeemer...we were there early so I took the time to go around the back and meet the many Pilipinos at the bazaar. Bangkok was really hot. I figured I'd get a bottle of water at the souvenir shop before the mass starts. I was amused at how easy I could communicate when asking for prices just coz I knew how to count 1-30 in Thai! Hehehehe (thanks to Bro. Mathee). The shop was airconditioned. I decided to rest my eyes for awhile. 5 minutes, then I go to church. I couldnt understand what the women were talking about, I only recognized the word, Ole, and Philippines, so I had the feeling they were talking about me. Then everything faded. I fell asleep on the table!!! Woke up to the sound of Jojo's voice while he was waking me up. I feel asleep! And missed the mass!!! And I was so cold coz I was in front of the airconditioner! Daaaannnngggg! HAHAHAHA.

In 2 hours things changed forever for Chi and Bom: they have become priests. We only met six days before their ordination. But already showed us what beautiful and sincere friendship is. Their culture added more wonders to the ceremony. It's like they communicate and give high regards to one another with their hearts and soul. That is why I said I took home more than pictures and images...I saw their culture. I just might retire in Chantaburi. HAHAHAHA! How wonderful it is. I will be back there someday.

"Kurp khun kah"