Trip to Coron

LANDING AT BUSUANGA AIRPORT


BUSUANGA AIRPORT


ST. AGUSTINE CHURCH ON MAIN STREET






DARAYUNAN LODGE WHERE I STAYED












AT THE GIANT CROSS ATOP MT. TAPYAS OVERLOOKING CORON AND ISLANDS NEARBY






VIEWS OF CORON FROM MT. TAPYAS GIANT CROSS MONUMENT


CORON GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT


CORON VILLAGE FROM STILTS WALKWAY

Last Saturday Oct. 23 2010 I flew to Coron courtesy of my dear friend Roland Nunez of Zest Air. Taking from Manila at 10:15am we landed in Busuanga Airport at 11:30. From there I took a public shuttle to the Coron pier to catch a 2pm boat trip to Culion which is described in the following entry.

I returned to Coron Sunday morning after morning Mass and relaxed before going around the market and climbing Mt. Tapyas. Unfortunately I had no time to go island hopping and see the various sights nor go to Calauit for the safari reserve of President Marcos.

Nonetheless it was a great trip as I fulfilled my late father's wish to visit Culion Leprosarium which he had supported when he lived. I also had a quiet time of reflection and planning for my soul.

Thank God for the great weekend.

I returned to Manila at 1pm today in time to cast my ballot in the local baranggay elections.

Cheers
Gabby

Trip to Culion

CULION CHURCH VIEW FROM THE BOAT


CHRIST STATUE ATOP HILL OVERLOOKING PIER


CULION CHURCH FROM THE PIER


CULION CHURCH FROM THE JESUIT RESIDENCE ATOP THE HILL


CULION CHURCH FRONT


VIEW FROM FORMER CHURCH GUARD TOWER


TOMB OF FR. JAVIER OLAZABAL SJ


CULION LEONARD WOOD STATUE


CULION LOYOLA COLLEGE


CULION LEPROSARIUM

I flew to Coron Palawan on Saturday Oct.23 2010 and arrived at noon. I immediately took a public van to the pier to cross to island of Culion. The boat left at 2:30pm and reached Culion pier at 4:30pm. I proceded to the Jesuit residence from the pier but no one was there so I walked down to the monument of US Gov. Leonard Wood who established Culion Leprosarium after the turn of the 20th century. It once was the largest leper colony with 3000 patients. Now there are only 100 former lepers who have been cured and the leprosarium has been converted into a sanitarium.

From the leprosarium I walked a short distance to the 18th century old Church built on top of a hill with a strategic view of the sea and the coastal communities. There is a watchtower at the back of the church by the edge of the cliff. I passed by Loyola College of Culion a small Jesuit school for the residents. From the church I checked into the lodging house of the Jesuits beside the rectory where I spent the night very peacefully. I had dinner at the open verandah overlooking the calm sea on a moonlit night with 3 lady bankers based in Coron.

Early morning I walked down to pier where I caught the 6am Sunday Mass before taking the 7:30am boat trip back to Coron.

I was very happy because I have now fulfilled my late father's wish to visit Culion Leprosarium which was one of his favorite projects as an officer of the Order of the Sovereign Knights of Malta. He used to visit the place from Manila and was a good friend of the Jesuit chaplain there Fr. Javier Olazabal SJ who died in 1988 and is buried in the Church.

Thank God for the opportunity to visit Culion a very peaceful and happy place.

Gabby

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

October 17, 2010

The Roman Catholic Church celebrates today WORLD MISSION SUNDAY and offers prayers and support to all missionaries who sacrificed and sacrifice to bring the good news of Christ to all places worldwide. May peace and cooperation be fruits of their good work.

Godbless
Gabby

10/10/10

On this auspicious and historic date cheers, Godbless and all the best to family, friends and followers everywhere. May we all have good fortune for our remaining years and lots of happiness.

Gabby

OCTOBER 1, 2010

Today is First Friday, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and it is also the feastday of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower of Lisieux, France, a Carmelite contemplative and Catholic patroness of the missions. This afternoon we were treated to a wonderful performance at Ateneo of our former music teacher, soprano Irma Ponce Enrile Potenciano, half sister of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Really wonderful show and very nostalgic. She's 79 years old. What a great treat.

Godbless
Gabby

PS Tomorrow is the feast of the Guardian Angels, who figure out in the Bible, the Torah and the Koran.