Memorare-Manila 1945/OWT

We were walking towards the Manila Cathedral at dusk when I noticed this moving monument at Plazuela de Santa Isabel along Calle Anda in Intramuros.  I came closer to read what was etched on the black granite.

Memorare - Manila 1945

This memorial is dedicated to those innocent victims of war. Many of whom went nameless and unknown to a common grave, or never even knew a grave at all.  Their bodies have been consumed by fire or crushed to dust beneath the rubble of ruins.

Let this monument be the gravestone for each and everyone of the over 100,000 men, women, children and infants killed in Manila during its battle Liberation, February 3 - March 3, 1945.  We have not forgotten them, nor shall we ever forget.

May they rest in peace as part now of the sacred ground of this city, the Manila of our affections.

The inscription on the marker reads:  

This monument is erected in memory of the more than 100,000 defenseless civilians who were killed during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila between February 3 and March 3,1945. They were mainly victims of heinous acts perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Forces and the casualties of the heavy artillery barrage by the American Forces. The Battle for Manila at the end of World War II was one of the most brutal episode in the history of Asia and the Pacific. The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people.

I hope these young girls playing by the monument would learn the lessons in history, keep them alive and not take for granted the innocent lives lost from the battle to liberate their hometown 67 years ago.

A monument dedicated to non-combatant victims of the last war erected in 1995.

 Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Autumn leaves/Mandarin Orange Monday

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Linking to Mandarin Orange Monday

Manila Bay sunset/SWF

Sunset sky at Manila Bay on Thursday, October 18th.

Ancient poets and sages have called the earth the mother of all things. They could hardly have chosen a more attractive name, or one that was more appropriate. From her lap springs everything that possesses life and motion, everything that flourishes, fades, and has its fated day, and she tirelessly provides material for the countless varied bodies that are created --- and then abandoned --- by the life force in its unending, hidden progress through nature. ~ Jonas Hallgrimsson

While we cry ourselves to sleep, gratitude waits patiently to console and reassure us; there is a landscape larger than the one we can see. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Nasi Lemak

It was one of those days again---I was craving for something hot and spicy.  I wanted a bowl of hot Laksa but Secret Recipe's really large bowl made me change my mind.   Nasi Lemak was the next best option, and the spicy sambal didn't disappoint. 

Nasi Lemak is a Malaysian dish of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf.  My Nasi Lemak was served with chicken curry, slices of boiled egg and cucumber, roasted peanuts, fried anchovies and spicy sambal.  This is more of a Malaysian Indian style because of the curry.  It was lip smackin' good!

 

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Ships/Water World-Wednesday

Ships at Manila Bay

Played with textures and overlays

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

“Do we not each dream of dreams? Do we not dance on the notes of lost
memories? Then are we not each dreamers of tomorrow and yesterday, since dreams
play when time is askew? Are we not all adrift in the constant sea of trial and when all is done, do we not all yearn for ships to carry us home?” ― Nathan Reese Maher

straight out of the camera

Linking to Water World-Wednesday

Glass mosaic lanterns/Mandarin Orange - Monday

Turkish glass mosaic lanterns at an antique store.

Linking to Mandarin Orange - Monday

Lorenzo Ruiz/Our World Tuesday

 
Most Filipino Catholics recognize the name San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino saint. He was also known as Lorenzo de Manila, born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 and 1610 to a Chinese father and Tagalog mother.  He was an altar boy and was educated by the Dominican Fathers.  San Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, with two sons and a daughter.

This statue of Lorenzo de Manila is located at the open field near Quirino Grandstand across the Rizal monument.

The caption at the statue’s base reads: “Si yo tuviera miles de Vidas las daria por mi fe."  The on-line Spanish-English translation is "If I had thousands of lives, I would give for my faith."  This was part of his declaration while being tortured and his tormentor taunted him that his life would be spared if he would renounce his faith.  

"That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God, and for Him I will give many thousands of lives if I had them.  And so do with me as you please." ~ Lorenzo de Manila

In 1636, Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard.  He sought asylum on board a ship with Dominican priests bound for Okinawa, Japan.  By the time they arrived in Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate was persecuting Christians and the missionaries were consequently arrested and thrown to prison.  Ruiz and his companions went through different types of torture---needles were inserted inside their fingernails, they were beaten unconscious; they were hung by their feet and submerged in water until some of his companions recant their faith.

On September 27, 1637, Ruiz and his companions were taken to the Nishizaka Hill.  There, he was hung upside down into a pit---this form of torture was known as tsurushi in Japanese or horca y hoya in Spanish.  This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person until the tortured person suffocates and is crushed from their own weight.  After two days, Lorenzo Ruiz died from bleeding and suffocation.  His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown to the sea.  He never recanted his love and faith in God.  Source

Lorenzo de Manila was beatified by Pope John II during the Papal visit to Manila on February 18, 1981.  Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on October 18, 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Rome.  He is recognized as the first Filipino saint and martyr.

I feel sad for this tattered marker.  I feel sad for those who suffered, who are still suffering  and persecuted because of their faith, political allegiance, and ethnicity.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday 

Raindrops/Mandarin Orange-Monday

The rain began again. It fell heavily, easily, with no meaning or intention but the fulfillment of its own nature, which was to fall and fall.  ~ Helen Garner

I'm  trying to stay cool at the current 30 degrees C we're having today.

Linking to Mandarin Orange - Monday

Gratitude/SWF

The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. ~ Carl Sagan

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Pomelo Shrimp Salad

It's been awhile since I posted a pomelo shrimp salad, so here it is.  This is from Jatujak, a Thai bistro.  I love the succulent shrimps and luscious pomelo in this sweet-spicy concoction.  A scrumptious starter!

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Quiapo Church/OWT

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or more popularly known as the Quiapo Church in Plaza Miranda along Quezon Boulevard in Manila.  I haven't been to this area of Manila in almost two decades until last Saturday.  

This church is home to a 17th century life-size statue of the Black Nazarene to whom many Catholics are devotees.  Many devotees have testified to the healing power of the Black Nazarene, making this church a pilgrimage to Filipino Catholics.

The feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated every January 9th, and attended by thousands of bare-footed devotees, mostly men (women, especially the elderly are discouraged to join because of the pushing and shoving), who join the procession.  Year after year, people have died and hospitalized from the surge of devotees during the procession.

Franciscan missionaries built the original church in the 15th century.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Men in uniform/Blue Monday & Mellow Yellow Monday

Like many women with a penchant for men in uniform, I stopped and stared at these cadets.

 There was an ongoing wedding ceremony at the San Agustin Church, and I wasn't invited---but that didn't stop me from taking photos before the church door was finally closed to paparazzi.:p

Cheers to all the men and women in uniform!

 

Linking to Blue Monday

Mellow Yellow Monday

Endure/SWF

"If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm." ~ Warren Wiersbe

Linking to Sky-Watch, Friday

Mojos, Pizza & Pasta @ Shakey's

Mojos and Fried Chicken

S and I were in Glorietta recently to watch "The Mistress"---well, she wanted to see it, I was there for the mojos!  I have been craving for mojos and was pestering her that I needed to be fed first before going to the movies.  I didn't miss the chance of taking advantage of S's willingness to bribe me with food so I'd accompany her to watch her favorite love-team.:p

We shared everything here---although I ate most of the mojos.

Tropical Bacon Pizza

The pizza was a bit of a disappointment.  It wasn't as tasty as I imagined it to be.  I think it was the absence of bell pepper and onions.  The seafood marinara wasn't bad but it didn't excite my taste buds, either.

Seafood Marinara

Back to "The Mistress"...3 theaters in Glorietta were full when we got to the ticket counter.  We walked to Greenbelt 3, the theater showing "The Mistress" was also full.  Unbelievable!  I refused to walk to Greenbelt 1 anymore.  We ended up at Starbucks and S drowned her disappointment in coffee.:p  We finally watched the movie 3 days later.

Linking to Food Trip Friday

Food Friday

Dancing Rings/OWT

Right across the Rizal monument at the Rizak Park is a replica of the "Dancing Rings" sculpture by Olympic artist, Jose Datuin.  The sculpture won 1st Prize in the 2008 International Olympic Committee Sport & Art contest at Lausanne, Switzerland in the celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, besting 35 countries.  The winning piece is now permanently housed and exhibited at the International Olympic Committee Museum in Switzerland.

Crafted from stainless steel, the work consists of five rings and ball that is lightly welded on the central ring.  According to the artist, the ball represents the World while the interlocking rings denote One Dream.  It also suggests the form of dancing human figure, creating an exciting infinite movement.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Cotton Candy/Blue Monday & Mellow Yellow Monday

A cotton candy cart at San Miguel by the bay.

My contribution to Blue Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday