Trip to Jerusalem (Part 1)

We went to Israel with little knowledge of what to expect, only that it is a seat of religion and that majestic views and sceneries await every traveling-geek who visits. True enough, traveling to Israel is a spiritual exploration beyond compare. No amount of Instagram captures or OMG-punctuated Tweets and Facebook posts would come close to describing how the sight of these ancient structures wow the eyes.

From the food, the weather, the sites of ancient civilization to the priceless tours, Israel is definitely a priced destination. From the Stations of the Cross, the site of Jesus' Last Supper with his apostles, and the very location where He was arrested before his actual crucifixion, we were there to breathe in on the actual locations that we've only seen in countless movies portraying our Savior's travails in Holy Land.

A view of Jerusalem! Nothing more cinematic than this. Felt like a high-budgeted Hollywood film set.

Interesting view. The old world structures meshed with the modern traffic pile up. 

Calling of the 12th finalist.

Open happiness with me and our tourist guide Safi Said.

Strolling around the alleys of old Jerusalem with Ben and Nene.

Checking out vintage photographs with my shades on! (Tama ba 'yon?)

With my favorite travel buddy, Joseph.

Start of the Stations of the Cross.

The Flagellation

Sculptures commemorating Christ's last moments.

That's me (thanks to the wonderful lighting!) and Ben on my far right.

Enough said, magreview muna before entering. Haha

The view to the altar.

Station number 5.

The Sixth Station, and counting.

Station number 7

Travel buddies converge.

And the church's interior gives off that peaceful vibe. I can stay there for days.

And the solemn altar is accentuated by this golden structure commemorating the seventh station of the cross.

Via Dolorosa

Angelette's serious face at the eighth station.

Either the sun was too bright or I was just sleepy.

The Ninth Station, and counting.

Uhmm, Angelette, where's your group?

A quick pause and the tour continues.

The Last Supper Room (also known as the Coenaculum). Venerated as the room where Jesus and his disciples had their final meal together, this site is considered to be the fourth-most holy place in the Christian world. 

Again, call us the Holy Group! Haha

Located at the highest point of Jerusalem is the Chapel of Ascension. Erected by Queen Helena in the year 392 AD, this Chapel (or Mosque) marks the site where Jesus ascended into heaven.

On a rock inside can be seen a footprint which is identified according to Christian tradition as the print that Jesus left as he ascended to Heaven: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke, XXIV 50-51).

The modern Church of All Nations has a beautiful mosaic on its facade.

The Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony, enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. 

Early Christian pilgrims located the Garden of Gethsemane at the bottom of the slope of the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple Mount.

How I wish I have this on my backyard.

Adjacent to the Church of All Nations is an ancient olive garden.  Olive trees do not have rings and so their age can not be precisely determined, but scholars estimate their age to anywhere between one and two thousand years old.  It is unlikely that these trees were here in the time of Christ because of the report that the Romans cut down all the trees in the area in their siege of Jerusalem in AD 70.

The beautiful facade at night!

METEOR Philippines, Inc. is a land operator that has thrived on the mission of providing a one stop shop for Mediterranean and European tour rates and programs to its breadth of clients. Since 1997, it has offered competent programs and services to Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, UAE and Europe.

For more information, contact METEOR Philippines, Inc. at (+632) 9865137 ,6871743,6874596, 3401840, 3403856, 966 0643 or via e-mail at meteorphils@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meteor-Philippines-Inc/154593867932386

Oh, Petra!

Traveling to great destinations remain as one of the guilty pleasures that I can't seem to let go of. When my group of friends and I managed to squeeze in a couple of days free for vacation, the first thing we did was to book a flight to Jordan, which is, admittedly, an unchartered territory for me.

Yes, I may have remembered a thing or two about the place but there's no question that our plane trip to the Middle East was one enveloped by an air mystery that is, of course, both good and nerve-wracking. Without a clue of what to expect, we went to Jordan and we were amazed about the kind of beauty we were given a chance to see. From the Rose Red City, to the City of Mosaics to the Siq, Jordan and Petra simply imprinted irreplaceable memories of beauty and lovely scenery. But more than that, the trip was a form of spiritual revelry of sorts.

Am I coming back  to see what UNESCO certified as a World Heritage Site? Of course! And if I'm lucky, maybe that time I'd get to see Indiana Jones in action.

With BFF Angelette on board Etihad Airways.

Shalom! At Queen Alia International Airport with Anton and Angelette.

More pics with Felyn and Miko.

Waiting waiting!

About to check out some gallery!

CARPETS! With my favorite Joseph Marco.

Trying out some Jordanian meal for lunch. (Couldn't remember the name but there's broccoli.)

Exploring Mount Nebo, where Moses was given a view of the promised land. (Para lang s'yang bigger version ng bato ni Darna!)

Out in the sun, but it was actually cold!

Not anymore!

Welcome drink at the lobby of Petra Movenpick Resort. Beautiful hotel right at the entrance of Petra.

Open sesame! Such a dramatic entrance!

“A  rose-red city half as old as  time",  the place in the desert  that is  prepared by  God for  the  Jewish  people

The Treasury, a rose colored monumental building artfully carved out of sheer rock

These pillars have stood the test of time.

It's been a while since my last camel ride!

Rock formations that are witnesses of our ancient history.

What a magnificent scenery!

Tall impressive tombs outlined in the so-called Street of Facades.

Looking for Indiana Jones!

Condo living, Petra style!

Even with the sun shining brightly, not one Petra tourist showed any signs of exhaustion.

For more information, please contact our friends from METEOR Philippines, Inc. at (+632) 9865137, 6871743, 6874596, 3401840, 3403856, 9660643 or via e-mail at meteorphils@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meteor-Philippines-Inc/154593867932386

Metro Magazine's The Body Issue 2013

It’s this time of the year again to keep an extra keen eye on who’s managed to keep it sexy even after the Holidays! Metro Body’s January issue has always given us reason to ogle at men and women who are ringing epitomes of sexiness. Through the years, the magazine has applauded the industry’s finest and I have to say, the 2013 cover, with Enchong Dee, on the cover is by far one of the best ones produced yet. Watch out for this year’s lineup of sexy actors, actresses and models from Jessy Mendiola, Megan Young, Crystal Henares, Joseph Marco, Miko Raval, Mark Lopez, Sam Ajdani, June Macasaet and David Chua in a heart-racing shoot done entirely by top photographer Doc Marlon Pecjo in the idyllic Dahican Beach in Mati City, Davao Oriental. Grab your copy while it lasts!

The spread of happiness continues for Coca-Cola this 2013

One of the best things about Coca-Cola is that they know how to tug people's heartstrings through the power of their commercials. What a way to make a statement this new year but by touching our hearts with images and music that not only entertain but teach a valuable lesson.

 Coca-cola asks us this question once again with the release of their new commercials for TV. And of course, who better be in front of the camera showing us this ever-important virtue of valuing happiness than the four young celebrity ambassadors who have made us smile through the years.

Our favorite young superstars Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco, Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes gamely depicted how they go about every day trying to instill or to say the least, effect happiness to others. I love how Coca-Cola portrays that good intentions need not come from grand gestures but from even the smallest acts that make us capable of sharing happiness. And even in our simplest ways, we can make a change and that it is possible to make others happy without expecting something in return.

Below, you can watch different versions of the commercial with the four happiness ambassadors showing how they make it a point to put others ahead of themselves. Enjoy!

Enchong



Julia



Joseph



Kathryn



Caloy