virgen

happy birthday, mama mary!

i'm not religious in any way. at least not, nowadays. but mama mary's birthday always reminds me of the days when we'd say rosary everyday, go to mass every sundays and visit new churches... you see, mama and lola were marian and black nazarene devotees. we also had (that is, coz tita & papa converted the living room to a quasi-barangay hall) a huge altar in our living room that contained a crucifix, several sto. ninos, as well as images of mama mary (perpetual help, lourdes). this altar was the centerpiece of the living room, the first thing you'll see when you enter the house's main door.

mama's marian devotion (and through ate joy's writing) even led us to the patroness of cavite city, la virgen de la soledad de porta vaga. this icon is said to be the oldest depiction of mama mary, dating back to april 12, 1692, a priceless treasure which is encrusted with gold and fine jewels.

with mama mary's birthday, i hope that cathy's (ang virgen) operation turns out fine and she recovers fast enough to go back to her usual self (monday sickness and all!) after all, she treated me to an authentic persian cuisine at greenbelt 3 last night. (",)