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Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy

By | Travel | No Comments

We came all the way to Cagayan de Oro to come here and bring Lolo Benny here.  I shared our experience and his devotion in my article in the Philippine Star

Previous entry:  Why My Lolo Is So Dedicated to the Divine Mercy October 1, 2014

Sharing here more photos from our visit Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (41)

IMG_7670Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (10)

This is the main entrance, but we did not pass here due to the steps.  There are around 170 steps to walk upArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (2)

So we passed through the back which goes straight up to the back of the chapelArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (6)

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Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (13) Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (3) We heard mass as soon as we arrived.  They are strict in terms of attire.  Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (4)

You have to wear a skirt for ladies.  There is a booth in the area where they can lend you plain coloured skirts which you can just wrap around in case you do not come in a skirtArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (35)

The chapel which has an iron crown of thorns around itArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (31)

divine mercy chapel interiorsBeautiful stained glassArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (34)

The Last Supper enclosed under the main altar
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People flocking towards Mama Marydivine mercy chapel el salvador mama marydivine mercy priest opolOur key to our private tour 🙂  Remy  Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (30)

The Rays of the Divine Mercy are made of stained glass and metal mirrors.  But they are not just rays, but they are stairs that you can go up to pray in the Heart of the Divine mercy.  You need to attend a briefing first before you are allowed entry and there are some guidelines you need to followArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (14)

Photos are not really allowed but they allowed Heart2Heart.  You need to walk up 100 stairs to get up to the heartArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (17)

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You can kneel here and pray Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (19)

Wow up here, the hands of the Divine Mercy is gigantic 🙂Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (20)

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Beautiful view from up there!!!Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (21)

divine mercy el salvador landscapeThen you have to go down the stairs 🙂Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (23)

Beautiful landscapingArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (24)

There are many stairs here – this is a beautiful one with limestones on the side of the railwaysArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (16)

75 feet tall plus25 feet for the platformArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (26)

I am trying to get an angle to show how huge it is and how big the area is.  Below are bushes which spell COME TO MEArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (25)

I went farther to show more – how big a land space they have for thisArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (27)

Blessed to have been here during Mama Mary’s birthdayArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (28)

Side viewArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (38)

Shrines around the placeArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (39)

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Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (15) Water which came out of a miracle after the people prayed for water since there was none in this areaArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (9)Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (8)Religious shops in the area Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (5)
Bathroom which they keep clean.  A voluntary donation can be madeArchdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (40)Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (1)Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (12) Archdocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy (11)Click below to go to their website for more information

Divine Mercy Hills (20141001)

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Kagay Anon Restaurant Cagayan de Oro

By | Foodie, Proud to be Pinoy!, Travel | 2 Comments

We had our first local meal in Kagay Anon which is supposedly one of the best Filipino restaurants in the city
Kagay Anon (2)

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with lots of awards 🙂Kagay Anon (15)

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We came, we sat down and all the food just arrived!!  Mom and Nilo had already ordered in advance to save on timeKagay Anon (11)

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SinuglawKagay Anon (13)

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Liempo!Kagay Anon (21)

Grilled Tuna Belly YUM!
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Ostrich Salpicao – this is their speciality here Kagay Anon (7)

Ostrich TapaKagay Anon (10)

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They got an award for the Best Pinakbet 🙂Kagay Anon (9)

I would not know since I do not eat Pinakbet but I like the presentation 🙂  The others said it was goodKagay Anon (14)

Steamed fishKagay Anon (8)

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Mix Mix as per Lolo Benny 🙂  One of his favourite dessertsKagay Anon (1)

Kagay Anon (5)[email_link]

Rustan Group in Cagayan de Oro

By | Travel, What's New at Rustan's | No Comments

Cagayan de Oro is booming which is why the Rustan Group of Companies is very much present in the city.  There are already 2 Starbucks with the first one being in Limketkai Avenue.Rustan Group in Cagayan de Oro (2)

Rustan Group in Cagayan de Oro (8)Starbucks in Centrio Mall

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Rustan Group in Cagayan de Oro (1)

Rustan’s Supermarket is there and we were so happy to bump into Jeff Dilao, Vice President of Store Operations,  who was visiting from ManilaRustan Group in Cagayan de Oro (4)

OMG!  So happy to see YUM YUM TREE there in Rustan’s!!!
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Renato was looking for Marang in the side of the road only to be able to find it so easily at Rustan’s Supermarket 🙂Rustan Group in Cagayan de Oro (3)
Love this biscotto which had like a milk topping on itRustan Group in Cagayan de Oro (6)For SSI, there is Agatha, A/X Armani Exchange, Ecco, Makeroom, Okab, Polo Ralph Lauren, Steve Madden, Stride Rite, Superga, F&F and Samsonite – Soon to Open (4th Quarter)

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Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro

By | Accomodations, Travel | One Comment

We arrived in our hotel in Cagayan de Oro.  Seda Hotel which is connected and in the same building as the Centrio Mall which is operated by Ayala LandSeda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (2)

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Take the elevator to go to the main lobbySeda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (5)

I like it that everything is neutral in colour – grey, white, beige and black

Love the photos by Travel and Lifestyle photographer Paco GuerreroSeda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (7)

Love the photos all over the hotel by Travel and Lifestyle photographer Paco Guerrero

paco guerrero photos seda hotel cagayo de oro3 paco guerrero photos seda hotel cagayo de oro 2

Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (8)seda hotel cdo pool

Mini kitchenette as you enter the roomSeda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (9)

Hope in a bottle!!! YAY!Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (11)

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They provide a lot of outlets!  Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (13)

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There is a coffeeshop in the hotel called Misto which has all day diningSeda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (6)

We had breakfast which came with the roomSeda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (20)

Infused waters at the breakfast buffet
misto infused waters

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Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (19)There is no room service but you can DINE IN A BOX 🙂Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (15) Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (16) Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro (17)

Click below to go to their website for more information

Seda Centrio Hotel (20140927)

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Arriving at Cagayan de Oro

By | Travel | No Comments

I love tour guides!!! It’s truly a totally different experience when you go to a new place and you have a native taking you around and telling you all the historical and important information about that place.  I love listening to all the stories and trivia!  It’s a good investment.  Not only can he be your source of information but he will help you in anything and everything that you will need.  I always feel bad saying bye to our tour guides after a trip because even if it’s a short time, they become your friends and already part of your memorable experience.  So they will always be a part of that time in your life when you visited a beautiful place that you will remember forever

Nilo was our tour guide in Cagayan de Oro.  He is a freelance tour guide and is the President of the Philippine Federation of Professional tour guides Association Inc.  Do call him at 0917-454-3473  Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (10)We landed in Laguindingan airport which is a new airport.  It will soon be an International airport.  It’s around 40 minutes to an hour away from Cagayan de Oro.  Always look at the sides of the road when in a new place.  There is so much to see.  I wish I could stop to take proper photos but it’s hard.  Anyway I was able to take a few.

I love coconut trees!!!Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (2)Look very well at this photo!  We stopped because from this part of the road, you can see the Shrine of the Divine Mercy 🙂  Lolo got inip because we kept taking photos – he said ” We are going there anyway!” haha!  Oo nga naman 🙂Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (3)Love this scenery alwaysArriving at Cagayan de Oro (4)Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (5)Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (6)CornArriving at Cagayan de Oro (11) Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (12)Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (1)Nice heart sign on the roadArriving at Cagayan de Oro (7)Our tour bus!  I love going on trips with big groups!  It’s just so much more fun.  And even if you won’t fill up the whole bus, it’s nice to have space to put things and move around.  The cost will outweigh the convenience and the comfort that you will getArriving at Cagayan de Oro (9)Arriving at Cagayan de Oro (8)[email_link]

Travelling with a Coffee Traveller by Starbucks

By | What's New at Starbucks? | One Comment

Starbucks makes everything easier for you!  Even when you have to travel, they have a coffee traveler which you can purchase and take with you.  This can keep your coffee hot for four hours!
Travelling with a Coffee Traveller (1)Of course my Mom thinks of everything!!  Starbucks Baon on the planeTravelling with a Coffee Traveller (2)Fruit cups,  tuna and corned beef pandesal and oatmealTravelling with a Coffee Traveller (3)Complete with lids, stirrers, splenda, napkins and sleevesTravelling with a Coffee Traveller (4)Travelling with a Coffee Traveller (1)I had my oatmeal which I enjoy!! Mom put the hot milk in the thermosTravelling with a Coffee Traveller (2)[email_link]

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