Ortigas Malls Media Alerts: Holy Week, Ortigas Malls store hours

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 In observance of Holy Week, Ortigas Malls store hours are as follows:

From April 3 to 5, Greenhills Mall will be open from 10am to 8pm, Tiendesitas will be from 10am to 9pm, and Estancia will be from 11am to 9pm. All three malls will be closed on Maundy Thursday (April 6) and Good Friday (April 7).

The malls will open again at regular hours on Black Saturday (April 8) and Easter Sunday (April 9).

Check Ortigas Malls’ Holy Week schedule below:

For more details, visit the social media pages of Greenhills Mall, Tiendesitas, and Estancia. Download the Ortigas Malls app to find out more about upcoming events, and sign up for the Ortigas Community Card for exciting perks.

Holy Week Staycation and Easter Treats at City of Dreams Manila

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Families and friends looking for a Holy Week getaway can choose to visit City of Dreams Manila and avail of the Nobu family staycation package with complimentary DreamPlay access and more, or the Easter “Eggs-perience” at DreamPlay packed with thrilling activities and goodies for the season.

Nobu Hotel Manila

Nobu Hotel staycation package during the Holy Week consists of a minimum two-night stay with buffet breakfast for two at Nobu Manila restaurant, four DreamPlay passes, complimentary Zumba classes during the guests’ stay, and free shuttle services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday for the Visita Iglesia and other Lenten services at the Shrine of Jesus church, near SM Mall of Asia. 

The four DreamPlay passes included in the staycation package enable families to bond together in more than 12 thrilling attractions and activities. They can bake and design gingerbread cookies, build and fly dragons, experience the excitement of DreamWorks short films in the 4D theatre, train to be a Kung Fu master, and a lot more.

Over at the Nobu poolside deck, families can indulge in a summer swim at the modern lap pool and dance their way to wellness with complimentary Zumba classes from 8 to 9 am, 9 to 10 am, and 4 to 5 pm.

The drop-off and pick-up schedule of the complimentary shuttle services from Nobu Hotel Manila to the Shrine of Jesus near Mall of Asia are at 10 and 10:30 am, 3 and 3:30 pm, and 7 and 7:30 pm.

The staycation package starts at P20,888. in a Nobu deluxe room, with booking period until March 28, 2018 and stay dates: March 29 to April 1, 2018. The complimentary buffet breakfast is for two adults and two children five years old and below. Children six to 12 years old enjoy 50% off the buffet breakfast price while those 13 years old and up pay the adult rate. Other terms and conditions apply.

DreamPlay

The Easter Sunday egg hunt, inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon”, is one of the highlights of DreamPlay’s “Dragon’s Ultimate Easter Eggs-perience” on  April 1.

Guests who avail of the DreamPlay Easter package at P1,488 net per person get to also decorate their own plaster dragon egg, bake and design egg-shaped cookies, watch the limited-time run of the “Book of Dragons“ movie in 4D, enjoy 10% discount on all How To Train Your Dragon merchandise and enjoy an all-day pass at the DreamWorks-inspired play space for the rest of the day. 

For more information, call 800 8080, e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com .

Seda Vertis North Offers Ultimate Urban Escape this Holy Week !

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We’ve got an exciting Easter vacation for the family sans the hassle of out-of-town planning. Seda Vertis North offers you the ultimate urban escape this Holy Week with special room packages and activities perfect for family bonding and some ‘me’ and ‘couple’ time.

Room Offers

EGG-CITING CITY GETAWAY

Stay Period: March 23-31, 2018

Deluxe Room - Php 5,700 nett

Club Room - Php 6,600 nett

Premier Room - Php 7,500 nett

Corner Suite - Php 8,700 nett

Inclusions:

• Buffet Breakfast for two (2) adults and two (2) kids (12 years and below) at Misto

• Complimentary WiFi

• Use of swimming pool and gym

• Third person rate is Php 1,800 nett (inclusive of extra bed and breakfast)

• Late check-out at 3PM (subject to availability)

Daily Hotel Activities:

2:00PM to 4:00PM Arts & Crafts Workshop (Ticket Price: Php 600 nett)

Color Buddy / Praline-making / Cupcake Decorating

4:00PM to 6:00PM Family Movie Time (w/ free one (1) round of popcorn, lemonade and cotton

candy)

6:00PM to 8:00PM Storytelling Under the Stars

EASTER EGGS-PERIENCE

Bring your baskets and hop to an exciting eggs-perience on Easter Sunday! Take the time off with our room offers inclusive of two (2) tickets for Seddy’s Easter Adventure. Relax, play or feast with your family as we turn our Misto Garden into an Easter playground.

Stay Period: March 31 to April 2, 2018

Deluxe Room - Php 7,000 nett

Club Room - Php 7,800 nett

Premier Room - Php 8,600 nett

Corner Suite - Php 9,900 nett

Inclusions:

• Two (2) tickets to Seddy's Easter Adventure

• Buffet Breakfast for two (2) adults and two (2) kids (12 years and below) at Misto

• Complimentary WiFi

• Use of swimming pool and gym

• Third person rate is Php 1,800 nett (inclusive of extra bed and breakfast)

• Late check-out at 3PM (subject to availability)

Schedule of Activities:

10:00 AM to 10:30 AM - Easter Egg Hunt for Kids (6 years old and below)

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Easter Egg Hunt for Kids (7 years old and above)

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Bouncy Time

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Pet-a-Bunny

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Arts and Crafts Workshop

SEDDY’S EASTER ADVENTURE

Calling all kids and kids-at-heart! Join Seddy for an egg-citing Easter weekend at Seda Vertis North! Begin with some action-packed challenge as adventurers compete to earn the top spot in the Amazing Race on March 31. If you’re hop-py and you know it, join the kiddie adventurers for a fun-filled day with activities like bouncy time, pet-a-bunny, and arts and crafts on April 1. 

Surprises await the best adventurers!

Amazing Race (13 years and up)

March 31 to April 1, 2018, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Php 999 nett

Easter Egg Hunt and activities (12 years below)

April 1, 2018, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Php 850 nett

CEB PEAK SEASON TRAVEL ADVISORY

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Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Cebgo remind all passengers to allot ample time to check-in, go through security and immigration checks, and process pre-departure requirements, to avoid long queues at the check-in and immigration counters.

CEB Domestic Check-in counters are open three (3) hours before the scheduled time of departure and four (4) hours for International flights. All check-in counters close 45 minutes before the scheduled time of flights, except those exiting the Middle East (one hour) and Shanghai (50 minutes).

 To cut the waiting time, CEB and Cebgo passengers are encouraged to use the following check-in options:

• CEB Mobile Check-in. Download the official Cebu Pacific Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play and tap on the Check-In option. CEB Mobile Check-in is available from seven (7) days to four (4) hours before an international flight, and up to one (1) hour before a domestic flight.
   
• CEB Web Check-in. Visit the Manage Booking section of the Cebu Pacific website (http://www.cebupacificair.com). For international flights, web check-in is available from seven (7) days up to four (4) hours before scheduled flight departure. Those taking domestic flights can do web check-in up to one (1) hour before their scheduled departure. 

• Self Check-in Kiosks. Passengers at NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 and selected domestic airports can use these kiosks to check-in their flights eight (8) hours up to one (1) hour before the scheduled flight departure.

Domestic Airports with CEB Self Check-in Kiosks

Bacolod	Bacolod – Silay International Airport
Busuanga (Coron)	Francisco B. Reyes Airport
Cagayan de Oro	Laguindingan Airport
Clark	Clark International Airport
Davao	Francisco Bangoy International Airport
Dipolog	Dipolog Airport
General Santos	General Santos International Airport
Iloilo	Iloilo International Airport
Kalibo	Kalibo International Airport
Legazpi	Legazpi International Airport
Ozamiz	Labo Ozamiz City Airport
Roxas	Roxas Airport
Pagadian	Pagadian Airport
Puerto Princesa	Puerto Princesa International Airport
Tagbilaran	Tagbilaran Airport
Zamboanga	Zamboanga International Airport

Domestic web or mobile check-in guests with check-in luggage can drop these off at the bag drop counter at least 45 minutes before the flight, except those exiting the Middle East (one hour) and Shanghai (50 minutes). International web or mobile check-in guests still need to show up at check-in or bag drop counter at least one (1) hour before the flight to present valid travel documents.

Here are other reminders for all CEB and Cebgo passengers:

• Mind the weight of your hand-carry. CEB allows only ONE (1) hand carry bag  with maximum weight of 7 kilos) for all flights
• Liquids, aerosols and gels inside a hand-carry bag should be in a container (100 ml or less) and they should be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
• Purchase baggage allowance upon booking, with options ranging from 15 to 40 kilos. This lets you save as much as 71% compared to paying excess baggage fees at the airport.
• Be security-conscious. When possible, lock and seal your luggage and easily identifiable markers on your check-in baggage. We advise guests to hand-carry valuable items. 
• Proceed to the boarding gate immediately after completing check-in requirements. Guests should be at the gate 30 minutes before the scheduled time of departure.

TravelBook.ph: Metro Manila Tops 2017 Holy Week Destinations

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Metro Manila is the top destination for Holy Week, making a huge leap from its 5th ranking in 2016, according to leading online travel agency TravelBook.ph.

“Data shows that three months prior, Filipinos booked a stay in the metro for Holy Week (April 10 to 16) this year, which is 10.4% of Travelbook.ph’s total bookings for the Lenten Season,” the report said.

The report also indicated that Makati, Manila, and Quezon City thrive the most among other cities in Metro Manila.

In comparison to the 2016 data, Metro Manila only acquired 6.6% of the previous year’s total bookings, which placed them on the 5th rank while Baguio City is at first with 10.8%.

According to a Jane Cariaga, a Travelbook.ph customer, spending the Holy Week within Metro Manila is a practical choice.

“Considering the additional expenses for the fare and other travel necessities, plus the heavy traffic you’d have to endure while traveling, it is best to spend a quiet staycation in Metro Manila to observe the Holy Week,” the customer said.

Travelbook.ph caters mostly to Filipino travelers aged 18 to 34. A lot of them are also from Metro Manila.

Here is the complete list from TravelBook.ph of the top 15 Holy Week destinations this 2017 in the Philippines:

In 2016, the top 15 destinations were Baguio, Cavite, Boracay, Zambales, Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Ilocos Sur, Batangas, Albay, Davao, Pangasinan, and La Union respectively.

It is also interesting to note that Mindoro, Camarines Sur, and Laguna made it to this year’s list, replacing Ilocos Norte, Bohol, and La Union.

Interested travelers can book accommodations for their staycations or out of town trips by visiting www.travelbook.ph or downloading the TravelBook.ph mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

City of Dreams Manila Marks the Lenten Season and Easter with Various Offers

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Luxury integrated resort City of Dreams Manila gears itself for the Lenten and Easter holiday season with a host of activities to suit various inclinations, from church visits to exciting Easter-themed promotions for rooms, dining and events during the Holy Week. 

Families looking to unwind amidst a modern and vibrant oasis can avail of a staycation at Nobu Hotel Manila that also offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the nearby Shrine of Jesus church from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. The Holy Week Retreat package, which is available from April 9 to 16, consists of a two-night stay at P18,300 net or three nights at P24,800 net and includes: a luxurious accommodation for two persons with buffet breakfast at Nobu restaurant, DreamPlay passes for 2 adults and 2 children, daily Aqua Zumba classes, gym and pool access. Children under 12 years old are free of charge, if sharing room with parents. Daily breakfast at Nobu is complimentary for 2 adults and 2 children, 5 years old and below. For children ages 6-12 years old, buffet breakfast is 50% off the adult rate.

The young ones and the young at heart in the family will have a grand time at DreamPlay’s Easter Sunday Celebration on April 16, from11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. With the Easter VIP package, guests at this DreamWorks-inspired play space are entitled to an enticing Easter brunch buffet at Chez Gingy, all day park access, fun-filled Easter activities, special Easter bag with goodies, and “Secret of the Master” movie pass at the Dream Theatre. Guests can join Kung Fu Panda’s Po and other Dreamworks characters in Easter fun activities such as Egg-stravagant Egg Hunt, photo op with Po, Gingy’s “Baking is Colorful” cooking class and dance routines by well-loved DreamWorks characters with the DreamPlay Dreamers. The Easter VIP pass is at P1,799 net per child (80 cm. & above, up to 17 years old) and P1,499 net per adult.

Guests and families who love Nobu’s new-style Japanese-Peruvian fusion artistry, can complete their holiday dining experience on April 16 at the restaurant’s Easter Sunday brunch buffet highlighting Roasted US Prime Ribeye, Authentic Kobe Beef Fried Rice, Chicken Foie Gras Gyoza, Whole Fish New Style and Nobu Style Roasted Chicken. The Easter brunch buffet also features a variety of appetizers, hot dishes, sushi, sashimi, cut rolls, grilled skewered meats and vegetables, breakfast pastries and desserts.

A complimentary green tea-white chocolate Japanese Easter bunny exclusive to Nobu diners is provided per table. The Nobu Easter brunch buffet is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at P3,880++ per person. An additional P990++ or P1,990++ per person applies for the standard alcohol drink package and premium champagne drink package, respectively.

At the Wave poolside bar and restaurant, a barbecue dinner buffet makes for a refreshing al fresco Easter Sunday celebration from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests are treated to freshly-grilled Angus beef burgers and Frankfurt and Hungarian hotdogs served with choice of cheddar cheese, tomatoes, mustard and barbecue sauce, and sidings of baked potatoes, grilled corn and vegetable skewers. The Easter barbecue buffet, which also features Paella Negra, Halo-halo station and a dessert corner with local rice cakes and cake rolls is at P999++ per person and includes one round of iced tea, soft drinks, fresh juices or shakes. Guests who opt for free-flowing non-alcoholic drinks, local beers and cocktails pay a supplement of P700++ per person. Easter chocolate goodies as sweet tokens complete the Easter barbecue buffet experience.

Throughout April, Red Ginger showcases the “Unbeatable Egg” and its versatility with Southeast Asian flavors in an a la carte menu consisting of: Cha Thrung, Vietnamese style baked egg meatloaf; Red Ginger’s Egg Benedict; Telur Masak Merah, Malaysian style spicy braised eggs, Sate Telur Puyuh, char-grilled quail egg skewers; Angus Beef Short Ribs with sunny side up spicy egg white fried rice; and coconut pudding with mango yolk and palm sugar caramel. 

For Easter-rific treats to bring home and share, or give as gifts, guests can hop to Café Society from April 6 to 16, and choose from a selection of Easter-inspired chocolates and pastries, such as: the trio of pastel chocolate eggs and individual pastel chocolate eggs in various sizes, Easter carrot cake, assorted pastel chocolate and milk chocolate eggs, chicken people chocolates, duck and rabbit chocolates, hot cross buns, Easter egg breads, and Easter Ensaymadas with salted egg.

For inquiries and reservations, guests can call 8008080 or email guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit cityofdreams.com.

Advisory : PAL tells passengers: Be at airport 5 hours before departure

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MANILA - Philippine Airlines on Tuesday advised passengers of international flights to be at the airport up to five hours before departure in anticipation of long lines at immigration counters.

"Please come early in anticipation of long immigration lines," the flag carrier said.

Immigration officers have gone on mass leave to protest alleged non-payment of overtime work.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, who said more than 30 personnel have resigned and 50 others are on leave, admitted that the problem may extend until the Holy Week.

Read full advisory below:

"Tinatawagan ng pansin ang mga pasahero ng Philippine Airlines na paalis patungong ibang bansa: Sikaping makarating sa airport (NAIA Terminal 2) para makapag-check-in sa inyong flight ng apat hanggang limang (4-5) oras bago ang takdang oras ng lipad dahil sa kakulangan ng tauhan sa Immigration counters na nagdudulot ng mahabang pila. Agahan po ang pagpunta sa airport dahil mahaba ang pila sa Immigration. Salamat po."

Manila International Aviation Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal insisted, however, that they have a "contingency plan" to ensure normal operation despite the mass leave.

Guide for Holy Week; Red Cross gears up for Holy Week

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The first big day of Holy Week is Palm Sunday, the day that we commemorate Jesus entering into Jerusalem. There are a few different ways in which a community can celebrate the beginning of Mass on Palm Sunday but they all begin with the blessing of palms. 

As Catholics enter the church or gather around the back of the church everyone is given a palm (either before or after the blessing). As we gather and listen to one of two Gospels that we will hear at Mass that day we are not just remembering what happen almost 2,000 years ago but rather we are bringing the past into the present. 

It is a special way of recalling past events with the help of signs, symbols, gestures, and our own imaginations. Many people use this special type of memory every year also as they celebrate Passover.

We believe that if only one person needed to be saved that God’s love for that one person would be so strong that He would have endured the cross for that one person. Have you sinned? Then you are responsible for Christ’s death on the Cross. The Good News is that Jesus came to save us and not to condemn us. While the reading of the Passion takes us all the way up to the death of Christ and his burial in the tomb, Holy Week has really just begun.

In anticipation of the influx of travelers this Holy Week, the Philippine Red Cross activated its Holy Week Safety Assistance operations last March 27.

PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon said this is to ensure immediate response should any emergency arise while people travel to the provinces and visit churches in observance of the Holy Week.

“In observance of the Holy Week, we expect increased people mobility in places of worship, recreational areas, ports and terminals with traffic congestions on major roads and highways, we want to ensure the safety of the general public by setting set-up first aid stations, ambulance services and welfare desks in areas where people are likely to converge. We want to ensure that help will be readily available should any need arises,” he said.

Gordon said the PRC set up First Aid stations and Welfare Desks, as well as deploy volunteers and ambulances in public areas.

He added terminals and ports are very strategic areas as huge volumes of people go through these areas during the start of Holy Week, Gordon added. Such places are: Alimall bus terminal, and Batangas pier.

Gordon said, the Red Cross also mobilized ambulances and volunteers along with the First Aid stations and Welfare desks in gasoline stations, highways, major roads, churches, parks, and other major crowded areas to offer motorist assistance and emergency response readily on standby.

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang advised everyone to keep safe and be wary of accidents.

Pang also instructed the Red Cross chapters to coordinate with local authorities for the duration of the operation which is from March 27 to April 6, 2015.

“Prepare First Aid kits with enough supplies and equipment in advance. Tasking shall be made to ensure systematic provision of assistance,” she also instructed.

In case of emergency, the Red Cross numbers are readily available for anyone to contact:

Emergency number: dial 143

Direct line: 524-5787

Trunk line: 527-0000 Loc 117

Sun: 0942-553-3622

Smart: 0939-261-2576

Redcross.org.ph

Happy Easter Sunday

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Easter Sunday is one of the most festive events worldwide. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. The day symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and his triumph over the grave.

The holiday known around the world as Easter Sunday usually brings pleasant images, greetings, quotes, family gatherings, egg hunts, and visits from the Easter bunny.

The seven days before Easter Sunday is referred to as Holy Week, or the Passover season. These days are set aside to commemorate the brief life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

"Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Thankful and we think about the new life that we have in Jesus.

Easter Bible verses help us to meditate on the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

These verses help us to focus on the risen Christ and bring us hope for our eternal home in Heaven.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe in this?" John 11:25-26

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Co 1:18

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:8-11

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Co 15:55-57

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isa 53:4-5

"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died---more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:34

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and become obedient to death --- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Php 2: 5-11

Holy Week

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Holy Week is a Christian holiday that takes place on the last week of lent, and one week before Easter.

The holiday starts off with Palm Sunday (April 13), and includes Holy Thursday (April 17), Good Friday (April 18), and Holy Saturday (April 19).

Easter Sunday is on April 20, 2014. 

The Christian celebration of lent takes place 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays, and this year began on March 5, 2014 and will end on Thursday, April 17, 2014. 

Specific rituals and traditions, as well as set dates for observing lent, vary across denominations, as the Eastern Orthodox churches begins on a Monday and does not celebrate Ash Wednesday.

Just like during lent, during Holy Week, Christians typically abstain from meat and dairy, alcohol, and follow a stricter moral code.

Yesterday, April 13, is the Palm Sunday. A Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four canonical Gospels.

In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday includes a procession of the assembled worshipers carrying palms, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem.

Here's the Gospel for today Holy Monday: 

"Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was filled with the scent of the ointment.

Then Judas Iscariot -- one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him-said, 'Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?'

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contents.

So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone; let her keep it for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.'

Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus."

- - -  John 12:1-11

Celebrate Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday

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Easter Sunday is one of the most festive events among Christians worldwide. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death, as written in the Christian bible.

We know about Lenten Season, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and more.

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:3

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

I  also always read and learn the meaning of the words as "Easter Sunday." Just want to share I read from  GotQuestions.org Home

The origins of Easter are rooted in European traditions. The name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Originally, there were some very pagan (and sometimes utterly evil) practices that went along with the celebration. Today, Easter is almost a completely commercialized holiday, with all the focus on Easter eggs and the Easter bunny being remnants of the goddess worship.

There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about. For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.

Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. As a background, please read our article on the origins of Easter. Essentially, what occurred is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus' resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday (Matthew 28:1;Mark 16:2,9;Luke 24:1;John 20:1,19). Jesus' resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). While it is appropriate for Jesus' resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus' resurrection is celebrated should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection on a Sunday.

As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far more appropriate and biblical. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus' resurrection.

By all means, celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ's resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior.

Happy Easter Everyone! 

Procession with Palms

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Today is Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter Sunday, marks the beginning of the Holy Week. Christian churches distribute palms on Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest and Crucifixion on Good Friday.  Great crowds of people thronged the streets waving palm branches to welcome Him. The people shouted "Hosanna" and laid their cloaks and palm branches from the nearby trees in His path.

Procession with Palms

Gospel: Mk 11:1-10

When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.

Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you,

'Why are you doing this?' reply,

'The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.'"

So they went off and found a colt tethered at a gate

outside on the street, and they untied it.

Some of the bystanders said to them,

"What are you doing, untying the colt?"

They answered them just as Jesus had told them to,

and they permitted them to do it.

So they brought the colt to Jesus

and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it.

Many people spread their cloaks on the road,

and others spread leafy branches

that they had cut from the fields.

Those preceding him as well as those following kept

crying out:

"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!

Hosanna in the highest!"

Lent culminates this Holy Week

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Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 22 February 2012 and ends on 7 April 2012, which is the day before Easter.


Holy Week was a tradition that was integrated into the Filipino society during the Spanish regime. Since then, Filipinos have been commemorating this day as an important religious holiday. 

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, then Easter Sunday. It is traditionally a solemn occasion in the Philippines,  a time for serious atonement. Holy Week is when many people perform holy rites in fulfillment of a vow they made when they asked God a favor, such as a cure for an illness. Priests and religious statues are dressed in purple to symbolize gloom. Devout Catholics go to church everyday, some fast. 

An important Maundy Thursday symbol is the concept of the Holy Eucharist, which is evident in the re-enactment of the Last Supper scene that depicts the last day before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. Maundy Thursday marks the event before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. Aside from fasting, most Filipinos refrain from activities such as drinking alcohol, eating meat and intercourse with their partners. Maundy Thursday is highlighted by the re-enactment of the Last Supper, which is organized by churches. It is customary for Filipinos to visit seven churches on this particular day. This is called Visita Iglesia which is a Spanish word for “to visit churches”. Some people visit 14 churches to symbolize the 14 stations of the cross.

Good Friday is symbolized by the cross, as it commemorates the belief that Jesus Christ suffered and sacrificed his own life to save humanity. Good Friday is a part of the religious holiday week in the lead up to Easter Sunday. This is the time when many Filipinos refrain from engaging in worldly activities such as listening to loud music or drinking alcohol. Most Catholics refrain from eating meat during this day and engage in fasting and prayer.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are regular non-working holidays. Vacation seasons are always prime time to many people. There are large crowds of people in bus terminals.  Aside from going home to their provincial , regional destinations, holiday destinations such as beaches and hotels are also busy with many tourists and travelers.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has set up a microsite emphasizing safe travel during the observance of the Lenten season next week.

DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas said motorists and the general public looking for updates on land, air and sea travel and other related topics just  log on to www.oplanligtas.org. 

Image sourced here

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Have a blessed Holy Week ! Give glory to God who has offered His Son for our salvation.
Live well and be worthy of this blessing!