If you have a red passport

You are lucky in many ways.

You get to travel in many countries without securing first a visa in Manila. I’ve been to China and South Korea on a red passport. I’m looking forward to travel in the Schengen area, and guess what, except for Amsterdam and France as ports of entry, I don’t need to secure a visa first. A few thousand pesos were saved, not to mention a lot of effort and time going to the appropriate embassy and perhaps do interviews. Some countries like Japan require a visa but the fees are waived and the procedures are simple. If you use a red passport, most likely you don’t need to secure appointment with the embassies first. And most of the time, there is no need for a personal appearance because things will be done through your liaison officer.

Bohol churches

I was born from a province up north where old churches are within arm’s length and huge centuries-old altar was a weekly sight. Yet I still found churches in Bohol artistically enticing and welcoming. And so my camera feasted on its beautiful interiors. I take you back centuries ago with these photographs I took of Bohol’s historic churches. 

The Baclayon Church (1st, 2nd and 3rd photo) was our first destination when we got to Bohol. While for me the altar lacks the grandiosity of Cebu’s Basilica de Sto. Nino, its interior is nonetheless charmingly old. I really love the chandeliers looming against the faded blue ceiling of the church. I remember our church in Magsingal, a town located north of Vigan, what it used to be when I was a child. It had majestic chandeliers, in vivid red colors. Sadly, these have been taken down. Even the interior walls made of bricks which used to exude that old Spanish era feeling have now been covered with newer wall finishing. And so I envy Bohol for it has preserved its churches quite well.