How Tanauan didn’t bore me to death (I’m Proud To Be Tanaueño)

The first time I received a marching order to go to Tanauan, Batangas for a travel article, I immediately thought, “BORING!” It could have been an exotic island in the Visayas or Mindanao. “What in the world has Tanauan got to offer?,” I thought.

Travels to Batangas are strongly motivated by the province’s pristine beaches, underwater paradise of diving spots and the world-famous coffee kapeng barako. Other than these, I had no clue what Tanauan could possibly entice me with. Honestly, I was almost an inch away from the black hole zone of non-expectation. I don’t see it featured on TV, nor do I read a lot about it on travel blogs.

Thank God my editors had the gift of discernment on this matter. They got me Kuya Mayong! He’s a JIL member who really knew the way around Tanauan.

Mabini isn’t a nightlife hotspot

Kuya Mayong and I started our journey at 10:00 a.m. Our first destination was neither a Boracayesque beach nor a spa nestled in a relaxing rustic ambience. It was the Mabini Shrine in Brgy. Talaga. Oh how my college History professor would love me for this!

Two pylons guard Mabini’s tomb in the Shrine’s compoundI love History but memorizing details sometimes turn me into its unfaithful lover. I never remembered that great Filipino revolutionary and thinker Apolinario Mabini’s hometown was Tanauan until Kuya Mayong brought me to the hero’s ancestral house. Now maintained by the National Historical Institute, the vast estate features a museum and a library, designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan F. Nakpil.

Our dearly beloved National Artist did a great job there. The shrine personifies the oxymoronic intellectual superiority and physical inferiority of Mabini (the polio Mabini contracted as a child confined him to a wheelchair the rest of his life). It lies humbly a one-story edifice that at the same time exudes dignity and unmistakable importance.

The shrine houses Mabini’s tomb and exhibits some photographs and artifacts intimately relating to the hero. Display cases feature compilations of his writings that were very instrumental in changing the course of Philippine history. The wooden coffin used to transfer Mabini’s remains from the Mausoleo Drop by Batangas and dont forget to chat with Lola Pelagia Mabinide los Veteranos de la Revolucion in Manila to Talaga in July 1965 is also there.

But what the shrine could most notably boast of is the possibility of visitors having an encounter and a real face-to-face conversation with a Mabini descendant. There I met Pelagia Mabini who enthusiastically talked with us and showed us around. The “Apolinario Mabini Genealogy” posted on the shrine says that she’s a grand niece of the Brains of the Revolution. It was my first time to actually interact with a person in whose veins run an A-list hero’s blood. Now that’s something you don’t get in a Boracayesque beach!

It’s amusing to realize that in Manila, Mabini is a street that’s been identical to nightlife hotspots that teem with bars and revelries. But down in Batangas, the name remains an enshrined, living proof that physical limitations are nothing but hollow threats to one’s success and significance in life.

Laurel was there, too

The gate welcomes visitors into the residence of Jose P. Laurel–AbogadoAnd because this trip initially catered on my unusual appetite for history, I ended up craving for more! We left Mabini shrine with the intention of binging on yet another piece of Tanauan’s rich history.

The house is typical of Spanish colonial houses–spacious and well-ventilatedThe birthplace of Former Pres. Jose P. Laurel was a fitting next destination. Basked in the calm of wind-caressed greens and the laughter of students hanging around the vicinity, the Laurel Memorial Library welcomes visitors into an architectural time machine. The house, built in 1880 and restored in 1964, displays books, artifacts and furniture used by the late president and his family.

The floral sofa set is outstanding in the living room. Its form and style exhibits the era’s fondness for detail usually neglected in modern furniture designs. Some family photographs are also displayed on the house’s wooden walls. These photos and the articles that decorate the shrine can make any Filipino realize the preciousness of memories the house signifies not only to the Laurels but also to the country.

The tour had been satisfying so far but a physical sense of satisfaction remained unmet deep within my belly. It was lunch time!

My taste buds and their best buds

Parking was full in front of Rose and Grace’sTwister for meKuya Mayong took me to the famous Rose and Grace Restaurant in Sto. Tomas. It boasts of delicious bulalo and mouth-watering skewered tawilis fish.

Seriously, the grilled tawilis they serve there? GROUND. BREAKING. In fact I was thinking it could pass for movie food—replacing pop corn and chips. I could spend a full two hours seeing a movie while digging in the tawilis. And this isn’t hyperbole!

We also had pork sisig and ginataang tulingan. But my taste buds spent more time joyfully engulfed in the Fruit Twister. It’s one of the best fruit juices I’ve had in this lifetime! It’s an orange juice that has fresh watermelon and orange chunks in it. It’s a simply perfect tropical paradise treat! The sweetness of watermelon bursting in the cool of citrus is a beverage experience one shouldn’t miss on this side of Batangas.

We end with goat meat

After lunch, I was thinking of a pasalubong I could bring back home. I was looking for something unpredictable but pasalubong from Luzon provinces seem too familiar for my mom That’s my goatand sisters in Manila already. Kuya Mayong suddenly said he would buy me kalderetang kambing (goat meat in tomato sauce). Praise God.

The cafeteria Boy and Nory’s Carinderia in Brgy. Pagaspas is where Kuya Mayong and his friends buy kalderetang kambing, He got me my kaldereta there where I even saw a goat’s head resting peacefully in one of the cauldrons displayed on the counter for all customers to see. I couldn’t wait to taste the dish but my impatience would ruin the hallowed concept of pasalubong.

So I went home to Manila and, in an instant, had goat for dinner.

Ambrosial.

Tanauan just wouldn’t let me go. It was an epiphany of sorts.

Definitely not boring.

Source:  JIL Church Worlwide (www.jilworldwide.org), Mr. Jade Angelo Gascon

Can YOU Believe It?

There are three certainties in life - you’re born, you live, and you die. End of story. But what if someone comes along and changes the story? This blogpost is a glimpse into the life of that someone whose death can change our story.

 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

 
MAN LIVES BEFORE BIRTH

God’s Son, Jesus, existed before the beginning of time

He is the firstborn Son, superior to all creation. Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities.

All things were created by God’s Son, and everything was made for him. God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. - Collosians 1:15-17

 In the beginning was the one who is called the Word (Jesus), The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. - John 1:1-2

MURDER PREDICTED CENTURIES EARLIER

Jesus’ murder was written about as though it had already happened.

He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” He was painfully abused, but he did not complain.

He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. He wasn’t dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb of cruel and rich people. - Isaiah 53:3, 7-9

MURDER VICTIM CHOOSES DEATH!

Jesus said: “The Father loves me because I give my life so that I can take it back again. No one takes it away from me; I give my own life freely.

I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.” - John 10:17-18 

Jesus said: “We are going to Jerusalem. Everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man (Jesus) will happen.

He will be turned over to those who are not Jews. They will laught at him, insult him, spit on him, beat him with whips, and kill him. But on the third day, he will rise to life again.” - Luke 18:31-33

MIRACLE-WORKER KILLED

Listen ti what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him perform miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you.

So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death coculd not hold him in its power. - Acts 2:22-24

CRIMINAL SENTENCED TO HEAVEN

There were also two criminals led out with Jesus to be put to death.

One of the criminals on a cross began to shout insults at Jesus: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? The save yourself and us.’

But the other criminal stopped him and said, ‘You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment as he is. We are punished justly, getting what we deserved for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’ - Luke 23:32, 39-43

EYEWITNESS SAYS JESUS IS GOD

At noon the whole country became dark, and the darkness lasted for three hours. At three o’clock Jesus cried in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.’ This means, ‘My God, my God, why have you rejected me?’ Then Jesus cried in a loud voice and died.

When the army officer who was standing in front of the cross saw what happened when Jesus died, he said, ‘This man really was the Son of God!’

JESUS IS ALIVE ANGEL SAYS

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead. The angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would.’ - Matthew 28:1-6

SCEPTIC CONVINCED BY NAIL SCARS

Thomas said, ‘I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unlesss I do this!’

A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples and said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!’

Thomas replied, ‘You are my Lord and my God!’ Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!’

‘I’LL BE BACK!’ SAYS RESURRECTED JESUS

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.’ - John 14:1-3

Christians believe that Jesus died and was raied to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died. - 1 Thessalonians 4:14

YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER

Jesus said:

‘I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?’ - John 11:25-26

‘I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemed. They have already gone from death to life.’ - John 5:24

JESUS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE NOW

Jesus said:

‘If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.

If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it.

What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourseld or waste your life?’ - Luke 9:23-25

Christ carried your sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. - 1 Peter 2:24

 Jesus said:

‘I came to give life - life in all its fullness.’ - John 10:10

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

Why not talk to a Christian and ask how Jesus can change your life?

You can even ask Jesus himself.

You can read more of his life, death and resurrection in the Bible.

Try starting with the book called John.

Source: Scripture Gift Mission, SGM International

What I Believe In

I believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit;

I believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and, therefore, is infallible and entirely trustworthy, and is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct;

I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who is God revealed in human form, and I believe in His virgin birth, and His sinless life, His miracles and His atoning death;

I believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, in His personal return to consummate God;s kingdom, and in God’s judgement of the world;

I believe that all have sinned and, therefore, are under God’s condemnation and are separated from Him;

I believe that redemption from the penalty and the power of sin is possible only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ;

I believe in the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective for individual sinners, granting them repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and enabling believers to live holy lives and to witness and work of Christ;

I believe in the resurrection of all people, leading to eternal blessing for the believers and eternal punishment for unbelievers; and

I believe that every believer is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and is responsible for keeping unity of the Spirit by loving one another with a pure heart.

This is what I believe in.

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