On Board MV Doulos

Pier 13
Manila South Harbor
11 March 2009

After a short visit at the Quiapo Church, sister and I headed to the Manila South Harbor to visit MV Doulos. Although this was a "spur of the moment" thing, my sister and I have already wanted to visit ship since I found out it was here in the Philippines.

Taken from Wikipedia, "The MV Doulos was the world's oldest active ocean-faring passenger ship. She is now owned by Mr. Eric Saw, Director and Chief Executive of BizNaz Resources International Pte Ltd in Singapore[1]. She was previously owned by the German charity Gute Bücher für Alle (English: Good Books for All), and was used as a floating bookshop. The ship has previously been known as the SS Medina, the SS Roma, and the MV Franca C. The Doulos Ministry ended at the end of 2009 in Singapore, with the ship being handed over to its new owners on March 18th 2010."

The first time I saw the ship in person was back in December of 2007. I was uploading pictures from that visit in one of my sites when I ran a search about the ship, and learned through its website that it was currently in the Philippines for the last time. Like what was written above, the MV Doulos was recently turned over to its new owner, and 2009 was its last sailing year. I didn't want to miss out the chance to see her again, so when my sister came home from her internship, we planned to visit the ship.

Some pictures I took:


My ticket. Entering the ship only cost me 10 pesos (0.20USD).


From the Deck, overlooking the Manila Cityscape.

MV Doulos was actually a floating bookstore, and all sales were given to charity all over the world. The crew of the ship were also volunteers from different nations, giving an affirmation that regardless of who and what people are, we can be united.


Books, tumblers, and mugs. People can browse to different books before they make their choice what to get.


Different Selections. Books in this store has a wide selection - from self help, medical, children, to cookbooks. There were also books about different novels, crafts, religion, and home. Not only that, there were also CDs and other MV Doulos merchandize such as postcards, key chains, mugs, pens, and ID lace.


A Time to Read. Since books don't have plastic covering, people can enjoy a time to read the books as well.

I wasn't able to see a book scrapbooking and / or photography, so I got myself a envirobag, key chain, pen, and some postcards. My sister got herself a bag as well. Towards the exit of the store, people can still say inside the ship and enjoy a breathe of air. Of course, my sister and I didn't leave right away, we still took pictures.


My sister. Just trying to get a feeling of being a ship crew.


Fill 'er Up. While the ship was on dock, it was given a much needed fuel refil.


The Philippine Flag. Waving proudly. I just love being a Filipino, and I love that the ship docked in our shores before it was turned over to new owners.


With a Staff from Mongolia. As my sister and I exit the ship, we asked this staff if we could have some pictures with her. She asked us if we were able to see the different rooms in the ship other than the book store, and we said we weren't able to. Turns out, staffs were allowed to tour guests in different parts of the ship, but sadly she just started her shift, and we were just told that if we are to come back, we can look for her so she could tour us.

Our visit was indeed great. It was my sister's first time to see the ship, and it was a nice to share the moment with her. Parting shot:




It was already dusk when we left, and as we take a look back, we were amazed at the splendid look of the heavens. I guess the heaven was smiling because charity and giving were at work.

*** Jenn ***

Quiapo Church

Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene
Plaza Miranda - Quiapo, Manila
11 March 2009


Quiapo Church, officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is a Roman Catholic church located in the District of Quiapo, Manila, in the Philippines. The church is one of the most popular churches in the country. It is home to the Black Nazarene, a much venerated statue of Jesus Christ which many people believe has miraculous attributes. The church was painted cream after the original Mexican Baroque edifice was burned down in 1928. It is expanded to its current form in 1984 for accommodation of thousands of devotees. Also known as St. John the Baptist Parish, the church at present belongs to the Archdiocese of Manila.

A few weeks before this, I saw pictures of Quiapo Church a friend posted at a forum. I remember commenting, "I admire people who already had pictures of Quiapo Church because even if I have visited the church, I still haven't taken a picture of it." I guess there really was power with thoughts, because before I knew it, I was already there, about to take pictures.

This came as a surprise, because my sister just invited me to go to the church, and I just went, "let's go!" I am not into surprises (good or bad), but for this instance, I loved it.


Facade. I just love that Plaza Miranda has this spacious floor area, which allows people to get a good framing of the church. However, this is a very populated place, so expect your pictures to have people walking around.


The aisle leading to the altar. Picture taking was prohibited inside the church, but people do have their ways to capture some. Just be nice when the church's staff would approach you to tell you're not allowed to take pictures. Actually, they would just give reminders, but will never ask you to delete the ones you've already taken.


Altar, up close. The Black Nazarene is a life-sized, dark-colored, wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ held to be miraculous by many Filipino devotees. Its original carver is an anonymous Mexican carpenter, and the image was transported by a galleon from Acapulco, Mexico. Novena celebrations are held every Friday throughout the whole year. Roman Catholic tradition holds that the Black Nazarene came from a boat that caught fire, turning it from its original white into black or charred complexion. The Black Nazarene is carried into the streets for procession in a "Caroza" or carriage. The feast of the Most Holy Black Nazarene is celebrated every 9th of January.


Religious Items. Outside the church is where different kinds of goods were sold - from religious items, to herbal medicines, to toys, and other things.

We cannot really take that much pictures, so from here my sister and I decided to go to the North Harbor to visit MV Doulos.

*** Jenn ***

RENT: The Musical

Mini Theater
National College of Business and Administration
Fairview, Quezon City
07 March 2009

As early as February, SFC sister Ela had already invited us to watch her student's version of Jonathan Larson's "RENT." According to Ela, they had to make some necessary changes, because the school wouldn't approve some of the characters in the play, so Angel (who's a gay man) became a real woman, and Mark Cohen became a woman to balance the love triangle. HIV/AIDS has been changed to Cancer as well.

Together with SFC friends Arnel (and his sister Rose), Emer, and Ran, we watched the play. I admit I had no idea how the story was like because I wasn't really into musicals. It was actually a good thing because I treated the play as a new story, and I liked it.

Pictures I took:


My Ticket. I asked SFC friends if we could watch the 07 March screening instead because I was still on the road. :) Glad they went with my choice.


"Light My Candle." A Roger and Mimi moment. I really loved the actress who played Mimi. She really knew how to act without inhibitions about the character she played.


"Tango Maureen." One of the sweetest scenes in the play.


"Maureen's Protest." The actress who portrayed Maureen certainly had great pipes and lungs. I loved how she sang "Jump Over the Moon." Not as good as Idina Menzel, of course, but she was good, too.


"La Vie Boheme." Fun, fun time despite the problems they were facing.


"Seasons of Love." The whole cast finished the play with RENT's signature song.

Because this was a class presentation, glitches within the flow of the play were noticeable, but knowing these students only had two months to memorize their lines, practice and create all the props and costume, I was deeply amazed at how they were able to juggle their priorities. They really loved what they were doing, and in the end, they really deserved a standing ovation. My friend Ela was so proud of her students.

*** Jenn ***

8th Philippine Food Expo

8th Philippine Food Expo
Megatrade Halls - SM Megamall
Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
06 March 2009

The day after my cousin and I took a day trip to Baguio City, I went to the cemetery with my Aunt Julie to visit daddy's grave as it was his 2nd death anniversary. Afterwards, we went to Aunt Lorie's house where we ate lunch. We were there pretty much the whole day, and because I wasn't able to roam around to take pictures, I'd move on to this event instead.

I got home around 6am of 06 March, and around 7am, I received a message from an ex-boyfriend saying he and his father were in Metro Manila because his father attended a doctor's seminar. He said that he has free time around lunch and asked if I could meet up with him. Realizing that there was an event in SM Megamall where we will meet, I decided to go and meet up with him. Afterall, I was able to sleep in the bus while traveling. We ate lunch, and since his father needed him to the seminar, he had to leave early. It was okay, because sister came over to meet up with me.

This food expo came to life through The Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex), the country’s biggest food organization. This expo was sort of a melting pot of different things related to food. There were seminars, kiosks, and the best part was that people can sample different kinds of foods from different parts of the country.

Pictures I took that day:


The expo featured different kiosks showcasing different food products, and one that got me really interested was this one. Aside from their very unique Avocado Cake, they also have different avocado by-products. An affirmation that Filipinos are indeed inovative people.


Looks delicious, right? As yummy as this one looks, no one can actually eat it because it's made of silicon. :)


Aside from seminars, they also had a stage where cooking demonstrations were held. Here, a group of students were teaching people how to cook certain dishes.


Late in the afternoon, celebrity chef Nino Logarta took the stage. He had a new program, so in line with that, he cooked two dishes:


I forgot the name of the dish, but it's actually chopped squids formed into balls on a bed of shredded and seasoned young papaya. There was a game, and the woman sitting behind us won this plate of food, and she was kind enough to let us sample it. The squid balls were okay, but I loved the papaya more.


Another forgotten dish, this is grilled chicken with tomato-coconut milk sauce. A very interesting combination, it's like Thai inspired and I liked it.


My sister and I saw people walking around with coffee cups in their hands, and intrigued where they got it, we found out that there was a coffee stall that pours coffee into these ceramic cups, which people can take home. Who are we to pass up free cups, we got ourselves a cup of coffee each. :)




It was already 7pm when we decided to leave the expo, but amid the free food samples from different stalls, our tummies still crave for a decent dinner, and seeing that there was a stall that sells cooked foods, we decided to eat dinner there. Yum yummy!

The food expo ran for three days, but we were only able to attend this day, which was Day 2. The experience was really great, and I am very optimistic that in the years to come, Filipino foods will make its mark on the map.

*** Jenn ***