Habemus Papam Franciscum!!!

Habemus Papam Franciscum is We have Pope Francis in English. It's the new Pontiff's first tweet which has already been retweeted 52,981 times and favorited 13,361 times as of this moment (04:42 AM PH time). 

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is a 76-year-old Argentinian Jesuit until Wednesday, March 13 at 7ish PM, when his fellow cardinals voted for him to be the new Pope. He is the first non-European Pope, the first Latin American. He was elected the new Pope after the 5th round of voting on the second day of conclave. He chose the name Francis (St. Francis of Assisi) as it symbolizes humility, poverty and simplicity. The new Pope, like the name he chose, has been living a quiet and simple life. Back in Argentina, he doesn't grant interviews so often and doesn't want to, if only he has the choice. If he goes elsewhere, to Rome for example, he flies economy class. Wow. He doesn't have a car and rides the public bus to work, he even cooks his own meal. He is the 266th pope and the 265th successor to the apostle Peter AND my third pope. :)

He is considered a straight-shooter who calls things as he sees them, and a follower of the church's most conservative wing.

Wow! It feels amazing. Just amazing! 

Pope Francis waves and smiles to the large crowd.

"As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from faraway. ... Here I am. I would like to thank you for your embrace." -Pope Francis I

Personally, I like him. The very first time I saw him as the new Pontiff, he made my heart happy. I'm pretty confident he'll do his job. He looks so cute and so lovable. It seems like he's really very down-to-earth, very approachable. He looks like a Pope. And I cannot wait to see him do his Papal "chores". I sometimes miss seeing Pope John Paul II in Vatican, presiding mass. He was my first Pope after all. But seeing Pope Francis up there, seems like he really was born to be one. I can tell, he kind of looks like Pope John Paul II from afar. (which is a good sign, for me at least) His Papal "cassock" or whatever it's called even looks so good on him, like he's worn it several times already. 

Vatican says Pope Francis' inaugural mass will be held on March 19, Tuesday but will most probably say Mass this Sunday, March 17th. 

God bless you, Pope Francis. Please visit us soon. ❤

Kisses from the Philippines!!!

Love,

M x

Sun & Sand: Tatay Ade Beach Resort

Just like most places in the Philippines, Southern Leyte also has a long stretch of white sand beaches. It might not be as white and as powdery as the sand in Boracay or El Nido but its good enough for an afternoon of relaxation, away from the hustle-bustle of the city life. 

About 30-45 minutes away from the capital of Southern Leyte, lies the very peaceful and very charming beach of Tatay Ade Resort. It isn't like one of those luxurious beach resorts wherein there's concierge 24/7 or a spa or a gazebo. Tatay Ade only has a few cottages. There's only a few sari-sari store on the way to the beach, you really have to bring your own food. It's like a bring-your-own-stuff kinda thing!!! :)  

Tatay Ade Beach Resort is in Buscayan, Macrohon, Southern Leyte. There are lots of beach resorts in the area, it is famous for its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. 

Harmless fishermen!!! :)

The clear waters (at night).

If you have your own car, you can stay there for as long and as late as you want... you can even stay overnight if you have your own tents. They have these new cottages which are good enough for overnight stays but they only have one common bathroom (which isn't really tidy but good enough). 

Night swimming with the fambam!!! 

See, we were the only ones there for the night so we had the whole beach all to ourselves. Woohoo. 

Leave only footprints. 

PS: if you can't find the signage of the beach resort, you can always ask the locals. They'll be very much willing to help you find your way to the beachfront.

PS: bring your own food (no corkage as far as I know) and your cameras. 

Let's open SUMMER 2013 with a dip in the enchanting clear waters of Tatay Ade Beach Resort, Buscayan, Macrohon, Southern Leyte.

Love,

M x

27. The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Every one has his own idea of heaven and this is Eddie's heaven, not an idea, not a destination but an answer. Eddie is an 83-year-old man. He fought for his country some time ago and got wounded. Since then, he's been different... All his life, all he's wanted is to go out of Ruby Pier (where he's working). Thus, he's always thought he's living a worthless, meaningless life. And that's what the five people for, to give light to the dark, to give answers to the unspoken questions. 

Eddie's five people:

• The Blue Man

• The Captain (soldier)

• Ruby (where the amusement park got its name)

• His wife... the one and only woman of his life. (Aside from his mother, of course. Haha.)

• Tala, a Filipino girl

Oh yes. I love this book!!! I love it simply because it features the Philippines, well kind of, but still. 

PS: When Eddie enlisted, he was sent to the Philippines. 

A conversation with the captain: Eddie's second person

Ahhhhh yes!!! Only in the Philippines!!! :D

I am a happy Pinay nerd but I'm the happiest whenever I read some things about the Philippines in a best-selling novel or like if I hear a best-selling author talk about the Philippines. That's good publicity. =)

I hope one day, authors would include the Philippines more often. 

Mitch Albom, thank you. If you or haven't been to the Philippines, visit again and we'll welcome you with big open arms. xoxo

Read this book. I know at the end, you'd think who you'll meet in the afterlife. I know because I did too. Hehehe. Will I be in your list? Or will you be in mine?

PPS: I love the ending. Must-read. 

Love,

M x