Mariano Ponce Museum, Baliuag Bulacan

Last February 1, 2024, the fourth museum we visited in the Bulacan area was the Mariano Ponce Museum. From Bulakan City, we drove for over an hour through well paved by-pass provincial roads, and narrow streets to reach Baliuag. The museum is a replica of the original house where he was born.

Entrance is free. 

Mariano Ponce (March 22, 1863 - May 23, 1918) was a Filipino physician, writer, nationalist. He was a prominent member of the Propaganda Movement and one of the founders of La Solidaridad newspaper. A friend and mentor to Jose Rizal, Naning (Mariano Ponce's nickname) used Kalipulako and Tigbalang as his pseudonyms and wrote intensively about history, travel and politics. He was married to Okiyo Udangawa, a Japanese national and they had four children.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine, Bulakan Bulacan

A quick lunch at a fast food chain then we were off to the Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine in Bulakan, Bulacan.  Travel time from the Malolos Cathedral to the Museum was roughly 25 minutes on small provincial roads. 

The museum located at the site of his birth is a declared National Shrine by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Marcelo H. Del Pilar also known as Plaridel was a Filipino lawyer, poet, and a profilic journalist. Hw was also one of the editors of La Solidaridad, the mouthpiece of the propaganda movement that advocated for reforms for Filipinos. He, along with Jose Rizal and Graciano Lopez Jaena were the main proponents of the Reform Movement in Spain and the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

This modern, interactive museum is located along a main street and on sprawling ground with ample parking slots. Entrance is free.

Blogging in the New Year

I forgot how much time it took to compose just one post in the blogging world. LOL

The whole process of sorting though tons of pictures to choose the appropriate ones, doing some research/background information on the places we visited. Captioning the pictures, resizing them so it would fit within the post. Constant previewing, editing the text before finally hitting the publish button.

The whole gamut is exhausting.

My 50 something brain is no longer wired as it was before when I was very active in posting, daily. Now after a few minutes (let's say about 20 - 25 minutes of sorting through pictures), I tend to slack off and move on to other things like reading, watching Netflix (don't get me started on how many movies, TV shows I've started and never finished. LOL) cooking, washing the dishes, doing laundrty ... you get the idea.

One thing, I'm glad I have not lost interest in is maintaining my exercise routine. I alternately walk in the mornings then the next day I do aerobics at home. Walk for about 10 -15 minutes around the neighborhood. Amidst tall skyscrapers, there is a small patch of greenery where other like minded people jog, walk, do stretching exercises. While my aerobics regime varies on the time of day - if it is before lunch, I do 30 minutes of cardio and during afternoons, I do 45 minutes of aerobics.

After my TAHBSO surgery in March 2023, I was advised by my OB-GYN to resume exercising by June 2023. But I still was not up to it so I postponed it to October, then kept postponing because of various reasons like we had to move residence, sheer laziness, numerous check up for my hyperthyroidism condition.

December 2023, I could not keep it off any longer becauseI couldn't find anything to wear as most of my clothes didn't fit me LOL. I didn't feel comfortable wearing any of my clothes. I resorted to wearing really loose tops and gartered shorts/pants. I had constant lower back pain, joints were swollen but all my doctors said the same thing - lose weight, get more vitamin D (sunlight) and exercise, exercise and exercise.

Okay fine.

January 2024 after we had more or less settled in our new place. The Yuletide season was over, I overindulged as usual so I forced myself to get out of bed early and start moving. A month or so later, I am still a huge work in progress. It is really difficult. But at least, a FEW of my clothes are starting to fit again. My main motivation is to fit in my previous clothes so I NEVER bought new ones. 

As the Wood Dragon ushered in the Lunar New Year (February 10, 2024) and even though I am not Chinese, the start of anything new (be it a new year, a new residence or new love) is always a good start for us to hope for the best. Here's to new beginnings, new hopes and new aspirations!!! =]

P.S.

Yesterday, February 11, 2024 there was an impromptu renewal of vows after the 12 noon Mass at the Padre Pio Chapel in Edsa Shangri-la Mall. Well, I say impromptu because we had no idea but Father Anton called for all married couples to face each other and reaffirm our wedding vows. It was solemn, totally unexpected but glad we were able to take part in such a sacred ritual. 💖

Casa Real Shrine: The Museum of Philippine Political History, Malolos Bulacan

Just a few minutes away from the Barasoain Church is the Casa Real Shrine. During the Spanish period, it served as the residence and office of the Gobernadorcillo. It was also the Imprenta Nacional or the Printing Press which printed copies of the 1896 Constitution and several newspapers during the Philippine Revolution.

Now, it is the Museum of Philippine Political History that showcases several memorabilia of our nation's past presidents. Since it is located along the main street, we parked at the nearby Malolos Cathedral and walked about 2 minutes to the Casa Real Shrine.

Parking fee is 25 pesos while entrance to the museum is free.

Whenever I go to museums, I am always in awe and really impressed that we are able to preserve remnants/items/relics from our past. Museums are important because it makes us appreciate not only our heroes but also the ordinary people who sacrificed and endured various challenges so that the present and future generation can experience freedom and democracy. Sometimes, we take for granted our civil, social, spiritual and even political liberties. Sad truth, unfortunately.

Malolos Cathedral 

Immaculate Conception Parish Cathedral and Minor Basilica