Maka-getaway akala mo talaga naman out of town na overnight trip ang naganap eh.
No, for our anniversary this year, Alvin and I went to Padre Pio Shrine in Sto. Thomas, Batangas.
Walang check point. The travel was derederecho.
We left the house at 7am. We stopped at Coffee Bean to take out breakfast. I had my favorite African Sunrise Hot Tea Latte.
Waze said that it will take 1 hour for us to reach our destination. I liked this road trip with Alvin. This is the first time in years maybe, that we went to a road trip with just the two of us. Alam niyo naman si Anika, siya ang pambansang 3rd wheel sa amin ni Alvin lelz. Joke lang. We always tag her along because we really enjoy her company. There is never a dull moment when you’re with her because SHE DOESN’T STOP TALKING! Masayahing bata si Anika kaya tawa lang kami lagi ng tawa when we’re together.
Before the trip, I was kinda nervous being with Alvin in a car for a long time na just the 2 of us. Virgin ang peg. Kasi naman, since lagi namin kasama si Anika, kako baka hindi na kami magusap dalawa sa buong biyahe.
I am super happy because super kwentuhan kami all the way to Batangas. We were laughing about the silliest things. Ang saya. The car ride was my most favorite part that day.
We arrived at the Padre Pio Shrine around 9:20am. We parked and I bought Anika her bilin na bracelet with cross from the tiangges in the vicinity of the church. We were not allowed to go in pa because the ongoing mass wasn’t finished yet. Tinancha ko, mga 10am siguro ang tapos nung mass. It was our first time there so we really didn’t know the rules.
Someone approached us to sell us some candles. I got 2 bundles: 1 for the wishes and the other was the family candles. Alvin and I lighted them up and prayed. Sayang. Sana meron sa loob ng church compound na isang altar where you can pray your petitions solemly. Yung mga lalagyan ng candles nasa labas ng gate ng church eh. They’re just propped up in different places. Yun isa nga nandun sa tabi ng mga sari-sari stores. Parang business tuloy ang dating.
The guard at the main gate said that we should go to the secondary gate at the side entrance. Nagpuntahan dun yung tao. We were told to line up. I was sad because social distancing wasn’t practiced. Madami dami din the people who were there. When the gates opened, nagsiksikan yung mga tao lining up. There were a lot of people but there was just one guard with a thermal scanner in front. Ang bagal ng pagpasok. Hindi efficient. No social distancing. Nakakatakot.
I was surprised to see kids there. I thought bawal. I wonder why the parents brought them. There were a lot of people. Ang risky baka mahawaan ang mga bata. Besides, di ba bawal pa ang mga bagets lumabas?!
Anyway, when we went inside the church compound around 10am, hindi pa tapos yung mass. 50 persons lang daw ang allowed inside the church. I checked, more that 50 yun. Ang dami ding devotees ni Padre Pio talaga ano?
Alvin and I just prayed in the small church beside the main church. Wala kasing tao dun. Oh by the way, I have to mention that the guard said that after the mass, they won’t let the next batch of attendees inside right away because they’ll have to disinfect and clean daw the place. Very good naman.
This is the small church where we prayed. Walang tao, kami lang.
Alvin reminded me the 3 wishes. Di ba you have 3 wishes if you go to a church that you have never been to before? I wished for good health, happiness and contentment for me and my family.
This is the name of the church and this is what I wore.
Favorite ko talaga yang dress na yan. It’s old. I had it before I married alvin. I bought it from one of the many tiangges I frequent before.
After praying, Alvin and I went to the main church. At 1030 am, the previous mass was still ongoing.
Alvin and I stayed outside under a tree and prayed with them. From where we were standing was an old bell tower. You can’t go inside to explore.
Afterwards, we tried going around. We saw this cross and prayed there too.
I wanted to go pa to see the Padre Pio relics but Alvin said he was super hungry na daw. Plus mainit and madaming tao so I said next time na lang pagkasama na si Anika and wala nang Covid.
We ate at Mando and Elvie’s restaurant. Para siyang turo turo. Ituturo mo yung ulam mo na gusto then you will have to pay first before eating. They had acrylic dividers sa tables nila. Alvin and I got a table for 4 para tabi kami. Kalungkot naman kasi mag anniversary date na may acrylic screen sa gitna niyo noh!
We ordered Lomi (kasi we’re in Batangas, heller), grilled pusit, grilled tuna and lumpia shanghai. We washed it down with softdrinks na malamig. Masarap siya.
We were home around 1pm. We just passed by Starbucks in one of the gasoline stations in SLEX to buy Anika her Unicorn drink as pasalubong.
When we got home, the anniversary cake that I had made for Alvin was delivered na. I ordered from Baker Rae. She makes and bakes really nice looking cakes! I told her I want the simple cakes that I always see online. Parang yung mga Korean cakes. Ganern. I gave her a peg and she delivered exactly how I like to to look like =)
So that’s how we spent our 11th year anniversary together. Sabi nga ni Alvin, yun daw ang cheapest na anniversary date that we’ve ever had. Hehe. Sabi ko naman, most meaningful for me.
Cheers to marriage guys. Hindi siya madali pero as long as walang bibitaw, you guys should be fine.