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SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

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San Agustín Church, built between 1587 and 1606, is the oldest church in the Philippines and the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros during the Battle of Manila (1945). The present structure is actually the third to stand on the site and has survived seven major earthquakes, as well as the wars in Manila. The church remains under the care of the Augustinians who founded it.

The San Agustín Church lies inside the walled city of Intramuros located in the capital city Manila, Philippines. It is the first European stone church to be built in the Philippines designed in Spanish architectural structure. The church also houses the legacies of the Spanish conquistadors, Miguel López de Legazpi, Juan de Salcedo and Martín de Goiti who are buried and laid to rest in a tomb, underneath the church.

The church has 14 side chapels and a trompe-l'oeil ceiling. Up in the choir loft, note the hand-carved 17th-century seats of molave, a beautiful tropical hardwood. Adjacent to the church is a small museum run by the Augustinian order, featuring antique vestments, colonial furniture, and religious paintings and icons.

Together with three other ancient churches in the country, it was designated a World Heritage Site in 1993.

MANILA CATHEDRAL

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The Manila Cathedral, also known as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception , It was the seat of the Archbishop of Manila during the Spanish colonial Period in the Philippines, and still remains to be the ecclesisastical seat of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The See of Manila, with jurisdiction over all the Philippine Islands and suffragan to the See of Mexico, was erected in 1578. The first bishop, Domingo de Salazar(born 1512), arrived in Sept., 1581.

The first cathedral, made of nipa and bamboos, was built in 1581. It was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and razed by fire in 1583.

The new cathedral, which was made of stone, was made in 1592. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1600.

The third cathedral, with three naves and seven chapels, was started in 1584 and blessed in 1614. It was toppled by another earthquake which shook Manila in 1645.

The magnificent fourth cathedral was constructed in 1654 to 1671 under Archbishop Miguel Poblete. It was severely damaged in 1863 by a very strong earthquake that even toppled the Palace of the Governor General of the Philippines. In 1880, another earthquake toppled its bell tower and since then until in 1959, the cathedral remained towerless.

The fifth cathedral was constructed in 1870-1879. It was solemnly blessed in December of 1879. The center cross of the dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. The magnificent cathedral was toppled into ruins by the bombs of World War 2 in 1945.

The present cathedral was constructed in 1954 to 1958 under Archbishop Rufino Santos of Manila and under the supervision of National Artist for Architecture Awardee, Architect Fernando Ocampo. It was elevated into the rank Basilica Minore in 1981 by Pope John Paul II.

The cathedral is also the resting place for former prelates who served the Archdiocese of Manila. Among those interred in the cathedral crypts (similar in style to that of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City) are Michael J. O'Doherty, the last American and foreigner Archbishop of Manila, Rufino Cardinal Santos, the first Filipino cardinal, Gabriel Reyes, the first Filipino archbishop of Manila and Jaime Cardinal Sin, the prelate who is considered to be one of the leaders of the EDSA Revolution in the Philippines that ended the 20-year regime of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Cathedral"

JANINE FRANCHESCA'S 2nd BIRTHDAY !!!

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10.15.2006

JANINE's 2nd Birthday !!!

It's your second birthday, Janine,
Two candle on your cake;
Proud parents stare in wonder
At each new move you make.

We join in celebration,
As this special date arrives,
For Janine has brought pleasure
Into all our lives.

We look forward now to seeing
How you progress and grow,
From the cute and tiny infant
You were two year ago.

So dig into your icing;
Enjoy your presents, too.
The reason for this day
Is a special person--you

A BABY CHANGES THINGS

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Cyrah Aerin Ebina Cirineo  Born: October 05, 2006

Conn & Ahren,

A baby changes things;
They'll never be the same;
Your life is filled with wonder,
Since your little miracle came.

There's lots of things to do now,
But with the new tasks you face,
Your family gains more love,
And bonds time will never erase.

It's time for a change!
Hope you enjoy every moment of it. . .
You have been blessed with li'l miracle . . .

Congratulations on your new addition!



- Ninong Mards

PONTE FINO, BATANGAS CITY

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Hotel PonteFino, the newest leisure boutique hotel in Batangas City,
comes fully equipped with state-of the-art amenities to suit the needs
of every guest. Recently opened December 2003, Hotel Pontefino
redefines luxury, comfort and graciousness in service, elegance and
style. Reflects all facets of a fine Filipino home. Come home to Hotel PonteFino.

Has been created for the various personal interests of Hotel
PonteFino's guests, including: Visita Iglesia Pilgrimage to the
beautiful and historic churches of Batangas Basilika Menor ng
Inmaculada Conception, the Taal Heritage Tour depicts some of the
oldest stone structures, ancestral homes and historical landmarks in
the country, an ecology-centric River Trek to Nagtuon Falls, the 4x4
Mt. Banoy Exploration Climb and the Calumpang Riverboat Tour. Come home to Hotel PonteFino.


Tara na, pasyal tayo sa BATANGAS !