Hanging in the balance

An unlit chandelier casts pockets of shadows inside the Antipolo Cathedral as the morning mass procedes with over 300 devotees attending.

Panorama

Antipolo Cathedral is situated at the top of Antipolo’s rolling hills. The Cathedral is surrounded by hundreds of shops and stalls which sell everything from dried cashew nuts to small clay pots. An image of Mary can be found in the church and it has been given the title “Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyages.” Considered miraculous by flocks of devotees, birthday celebrants and anniversary celebrators gather at the church on their special days to be blessed.

View from the top

This is one of the many alcoves that surround the Antipolo Cathedral in Rizal. Situated near the entrance of the Cathedral, it contains several statues of Christ and Mary. This one is particularly haunting from this point of view, as if it’s from the perspective of a ghost hovering above the parishioners.

Standing still

A Flamingo stands still for a photo. This one is still from the MMLDC, in Antipolo, Rizal, this flamingo roams around the area freely. I’m not surprised though that they don’t get run over (not that many cars in the compound) or fly away (perhaps their wings are clipped).

Badger, badger

Badgers and mushrooms, that inescapable flash animation about, well badgers and mushrooms, was the first thing I thought of when I took a picture of these mushroom growths in Antipolo, Rizal. To my lament, from that morning till around noon all I could think of was badger, badger, oh and mushroom.

Koi Pond

A 2 days – 1 night stay at the MMLDC in Antipolo was rather cold and wet specially since Tropical Storm Frank (the first storm for the wet season) just passed over the Philippines. Nevertheless, the place was great with flaura and fauna galore.