It’s Sunday again, another day of bonding with the family. Hubby, daughter and I heard mass at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish at 9am. Son was left home still asleep, he just said he will attend an afternoon mass later. I love today’s gospel. “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30) Jesus did not promise us a life without problems and burdens but He would always be there to offer an easy way for us in overcoming them. Have enough trust and faith in the Lord – that’s what He taught us to do. Trials and tribulations would always be part and parcel of our existence but it is through these same things that our strength and courage come to the fore. We are not alone in our sufferings, He will always be there to guide us.
I am reminded of the words written in the beautiful poem, Footprints in the Sand, a part of which goes like this,
“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”
Isn’t it beautiful that we are always assured of God’s love in everything we do? We just have to keep the faith alive in our hearts.
A few minutes after the mass, we proceeded to find the place called Pan de Amerikana in Marikina City. Armed with a small written note on how to get there, we reached the place in thirty minutes. My daughter is eyeing it as one of the venues for their pre-nuptial pictorial. It’s located in the heart of Marikina, a new tourist landmark that consists of a bakeshop, a garden restaurant and a corner called Chess Plaza where you could find a colonnade backdrop patterned after the ruins of Italy. I took lots of pictures but the laptop I am using does not read my camera settings. I googled some images though to let you see how it looks.
It’s 1950’s Pan de Sal. First thing I asked was “Where’s the bakeshop?”
It’s tucked in a little corner at the right side of the entrance. I was awed by the ambience of the place – definitely antique if you ask me. In front of the counter is a wooden sala set which is almost similar to the one my aunt have in the province and having the pride of place at the center table is an old transistor radio (circa 1960’s probably). I won’t be surprised if I’ll see an old TV set in one corner of the garden. Everything is old but they blend well with the place. There is a waterfall enclosed in glass, a tree house which at first I was afraid to climb (my knees wobble at the thought of climbing the metal stairs), a rope bridge, Koi pond, lots of antique wooden tables and wrought iron chairs, tropical rainforest plants, a wishing well, old irons similar to the ones we had in the province when electricity was still unheard of, old ice shavers (I think), an antique sewing machine, rattan hammocks and framed pictures of actors and actresses from the 60’s.
Their wheat ensaymada was good, and it’s mega-sized at P12 each. Their pan de sal is large at P6 each. My daughter bought a loaf of Pan Americano, I have yet to taste it if it is okay though. It was a fun adventure, a few hours spent remembering the days of old in an urban setting.
We tried some of their menu and the price is reasonable enough. There is an old calesa (a horse-drawn carriage) in one corner and I was visualizing how my daughter would look if they finally decide to choose the place in their pre-nuptial pictorial. They probably would need period costumes to make it truly authentic. They would be having another pictorial in a different place anyway using the color they have chosen for the wedding.
Next stop was a visit to Nissa’s godparents. They agreed to be included as principal sponsors for the wedding – an hour spent catching up on each other’s lives, an hour of fun and laughter.
Didn’t I tell you that going out and exploring the metropolis would not be enough without a trip to a National Book Store? I found a small hard-bound volume of reflections by a local author. They are like blogs compiled in one book called Afterthoughts. Hmm…another nice find, another book to read.
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It was the first thing I noticed when we reached the place, the windmill.
Look at this lovely lantern. It is very conducive for windy and rainy weather. And that sungka board on top of it. We used to play sungka games when we were kids.
And look at this lovely table and the carved bust on top of it. And that lovely water jug made of wood.
This is where my daughter had her prenuptial pics taken. There is an area near here where the tables are all made of chessboard where you can really play if you know how.
My daughter Nissa!
The place is really one big area where you can enjoy reminiscing…your childhood perhaps?
No smoking…definitely. I also love those wrought iron chairs and tables that remind me my grandmother’s house in the province.
This is the entrance, at the right is their bakeshop. Look at the twigs used to decorate the ceiling. It is simply unique.
Dreams And Escapes 
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