"The way it came is the way it will go" (Croatian proverb). I can still vividly remember Holy Week 2008. Earlier that week, I got an email from NZ immigration that our application was declined. I was so full of myself, believing that I can navigate the application since I was educated, could read and write! But I was wrong! I ticked off and answered yes to stuff that I barely had any idea. It was a very expensive mistake!
Photo c/o RMO
My brother Jonas was visiting from the U.S.A. and we were at the former Fiesta Carnival site in Cubao which was then converted into the SM Supermarket. We were there to buy supplies to take with us on our annual visita iglesia. It was Jons who was originally from Aotearoa New Zealand. I really felt sad and heartbroken. I was really looking forward to coming to NZ and now all my dreams have been squashed. I was putting everything on the line and now it wasn't going to happen. I told my brother and he reassured me that something great is really coming my way.
The following day we proceeded with our church visits. We normally go the route that starts in Antipolo and then the eastern towns of Rizal province: Tanay, Pililla, Teresa, Morong, Baras, Jala-Jala.
Then we cruise on to the Laguna towns: Kalayaan, Pakil, Pangil, Santa Maria, Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Lumban, Pagsanjan, Santa Cruz, Cavinti, Magdalena, Luisiana, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Rizal, Victoria, Pila, Calauan, Calamba, Bay Los Baños, Alaminos, San Pablo.
We even went as far as some of the Quezon towns: Lukban, Dolores, Tiaong, Lucena City, Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria, San Antonio.
We were beginning to visit the churches in Batangas: San Juan, Lobo, Batangas City, San Juan, Rosario, Alitagtag, Balayan, Agoncillo, Talisay, Mabini.
There was one-time when we started with Cavite towns: Silang, Indang, Tagaytay, Amadeo, Mendez; moved to Batangas and Laguna towns, and end with Rizal towns like: Cardona, Binangonan, Angono, Taytay, and Cainta.
Of course we did more than the 7 or 14 church visits. I think there was once when we did the churches in Metro Manila. When we return to Metro Manila (we live in Cainta), we get to see the wave of people walking up to Antipolo for the vigil. Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Holy Thursday is still a working day.
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