Gray Sands ► Seaside

Captured during low tide
while my brother and sister-in-law together with my baby nephew,
enjoying the view.

It's been a while since me and my family went to a beach. I did miss swimming under the sun, having sun burned skin and most of all, the touch of sea breeze. It's really relaxing to feel the cold breeze as it touches your body; making you forget all the worries in the world. And it reminds me and you on one of the teachings in life that the sea have taught us over the years, "Sometimes, we must go with the waves." Yes, so true! We just learned how to go with the flow.

High tides occur during sunset.

Some of you would definitely notice the color of the sand, yes it is gray. Gray sand beaches is very common here in the Philippines specifically in Mindanao region where we, General Santos City is located. We also do have white sand beaches but you need to travel far (from one province to another), because it can be found kilometers away from the city, hidden beauty they call. But if you would prefer just to relax and enjoy the sea without travelling too far, so here we are. Welcome to Gray Sands of Gensan!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

More nature photography @ LaezeeWay Flickr Albums

Lenten Season: GOOD FRIDAY

On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. 

The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people . (http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/friday.php)

Filipinos are also known to be one who really practice and value the real essence Good Friday. Different practices were done; sinakulo (reenactment of passion of Christ) even real people let themselves be crucified, majority of the households would prepare "Binignit", families go together to the church and last, station of the cross --- the highlight of all.

I could really feel that the entire city remembers the solemnity of Good Friday. The city feels like silent hill because of its quietness, less vehicles and people around and majority of the establishments were close. Really a day to be spent solemnly with our love ones and with our Almighty God; a day to be filled with reflections and prayers.

HAVE A BLESSED HOLY WEEK TO EVERYONE!

Lenten Season: PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday or referred as "Passion Sunday" for other Christian churches, indicates the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem before he was crucified, died and resurrected; thus, concludes on Easter Sunday (one week "Passion of Christ"). Christian followers will bring palm leaves and other branches to be blessed during the mass on that day. And Philippines is one of the country that truly celebrates this liturgical event.

Me and my mom went to church early this day to celebrate the Palm Sunday. Blessing of the palm leaves began before the mass had begun. People carrying their own palm leaves and other branches in front of the church, making an aisle in the middle to where the Priest will pass and walk while showering the people with holy water as entering the church. The people will wave their palm leaves while it receives it's blessing like an reenactment base on the Gospels; Jesus's followers wave and covered his path with palm leaves (palm branch - symbol of triumph and victory in the Greco-Roman culture) as Jesus was entering Jerusalem.

Here are some photos I took while my mom was buying palm leaves. Sellers make these palm leaves on streets (on the spot) with different sizes and styles. They positioned themselves around the church, so it is up to you on where and which you will buy your palm leaves.

Quick note: "It is not on what size or what your palm leaves look like, it is the essence of celebrating Palm Sunday and solemnity of our prayers, reminiscing the passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ through out the Lent Season."