ART IN THE GARDEN OF CARMEL VILVOORDE 2015

KUNST IN DE TROOST is a yearly activity of the Zusters Karmelietessen Den Troost. 

The Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Consolation (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ten Troost) is the oldest existing Carmelite Monastery of Nuns in the world is in 2 Trooststraat, Vilvoorde, Belgium and there I met 6 beautiful Filipina Carmelite sisters (zusters in BE)!
The adjoining basilica is also the oldest in Western Europe.

This day, April 24, 2015, the Carmelite sisters open their doors to the public in the form of a Public Art Exhibit by artists from Belgium and displayed in their beautiful Garden of Carmel. 

Part of the proceeds will help support the renovation of the Basilique Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ten Troost. (Our Lady of the Consolation) simply known as Troostkerk.

Interestingly, I came at the right time of the year! 

This one day, the zusters (sisters) come out of their cloisters to join the OPENING EVENT starting at 7:30 pm and attended by the City Mayor and friends! 

Palm Beer s one of the major sponsors for the Art Exhibit

So for the first time, the Karmel sisters had their "groupies" while we go around the garden to view the artworks.

I enjoyed the activity so much that we reached until evening....

With Mayor Hans Bonte of Vilvoorde, Belgium 

Here are the sisters inside the Art Exhibit.

By the way, the Carmelite community in Vilvoorde is the oldest living Carmelite community in the world spanning about 400 years.

But most interesting is that the six younger sisters are Filipinas as shared by Sr. Dilla of the Zamboanga Carmelite community. She told me to look for Sr. Carmela Omandam and Sr. Luisa. They join the four elderly Belgian sisters in this monastery. 

The basilique is already beautiful at this time, with the although, there are still some restorations to be done with some of the art and church organ. One side of the basilique shows the Gothic architecture and part shows baroque architecture.

From Wikipedia" = "Owing to its important role as a pilgrimage destination, the Carmel has a particular significance to the city of Vilvoorde. 

The Troostkermis or annual fair and holiday of the city of Vilvoorde is still celebrated today, starting on the third Sunday after Easter. 

The church was elevated to the status of basilica, on 7 May 2006, and since that date pilgrims have begun visiting from other Belgian provinces."

I felt so blessed during my trip to Belgium as I was able to visit the sisters three times and even joined them in their prayers.

I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity for such a blessed encounter! We had hearty conversations and prayers with these beautiful zusters (sisters) which lightened my mind and my heart!

I definitely can say this is one of my happiest trips!!!

IMAGES OF ZAMBOANGA CITY CIRCA 2011 PART 2

I visited the CARMELITE MONASTERY here in Zamboanga City.

I have lots to thank the Carmelite sisters for... being my intercessors to the Lord several times... and experiencing many great and little miracles in my life! 

This place also has a serene effect on me.

As I stepped out of the Carmelite Monastery, I again saw beautiful Zamboanga, so I couldn't help but click my camera!

This time, not with my Nikon DSLR. I only brought my Sony TSC-300 this time, and almost low-bat at that.

After shots of the Boulevard with the Sony point and shoot (this September 2011), I continued clicking my I phone 4 for shots of the city as I went my way.

Here is another set of Images of Zamboanga City!

First Stop: R.T.LIM BOULEVARD OR CAWA-CAWA BOULEVARD

Some cities in the Philippines are fortunate to have a bayside boulevard just like in Manila and Dumaguete City.
Zamboanga City has the R.T.Lim Boulevard, which reminds us of the old Roxas Boulevard, famous for the Manila Sunset. Our own Boulevard is also known for the beautiful sunset and a favorite place for photographers. 


The R.T Lim Boulevard now has a new look. 
New developments, especially in the roadway sidewalk, have presented the Zamboanga boulevard as cleaner and more conducive for strolling, jogging or just relaxing while admiring the Sta. Cruz Island view as well as the sunrise and sunset.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Zamboanga_City#b
Sta. Cruz Islands - The Great Santa Cruz island is known for it's pink sand beach and sand bar, while the Little sta. cruz island is a typical white beach, with pulverized-like sand. It is also a diving site and is host to a lagoon, a muslim burial site and a badjao/samal community.

new look of the Boulevard with the view of the Little Sta. Cruz Island 

new look of the Boulevard with the view of the Great Sta. Cruz Island 

view of the tips of the Great and Little Sta. Cruz Islands

Just outside the Carmelite Monastery,
we see the Little Sta. Cruz Island in the horizon

students walking by the Boulevard

This is the R.T.Lim Boulevard / Cawa-Cawa Boulevard in 2011 after the new developments are in place.
Here is a bit about Cawa-Cawa Boulevard...

http://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=San_Jose_Cawa_Cawa_Zamboanga_City_Philippines

Barangay San Jose Cawa-Cawa used to have long and sandy beach but narrowed by the road widening along the stretch of RT Lim Boulevard, which was the popular picnic ground of Zamboangueños during sunsets and weekends.

The other half of the name of the barangay got its name from the word "Cawa" which means frying pan in the local dialect. The beach along RT Lim Boulevard was believed to be shaped like frying pan and swimmers repeatedly called the beach Cawa-Cawa to warn the bathers of the perils of the depth of the sea in the area.

Cawa-Cawa Blvd. or R.T. Lim Blvd. is a place to hang out in the evenings for many people and students. Many street vendors are there to provide the much needed snacks from softdrinks to suman to balut. People start packing in as the sun starts to set. The sunset is magnificent.

At night, when some people look for balut (a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten with vinegar and salt), they usually look for it here.

I've heard that the vendors are now placed in a certain area so that the Boulevard would stay clean.

Here are also some "trivia" about R.T.LIM.
R.T.Lim stands for Roseller T. Lim is a Filipino politician who was the first Senator to serve from the City of Zamboanga.

from Wikipedia: Roseller Tarroza Lim (February 9, 1915 – July 5, 1976) was a Filipino politician who served as a member of the Senate and House of Representatives from 1949 to 1963. He also served as Court of Appeals Justice from his appointment in 1973 until his death. Lim was known as the "Great Filibuster," after he filibustered for more than 18 hours^[2] in an attempt to prevent the election of Ferdinand Marcos as President of the Senate.^[3]

PERSONAL LIFE

Roseller Lim was born to Antonio Lim and Mercedes Tarroza. He earned his law degree from Silliman University in 1940, and passed the bar the same year. He married Amy Schuck of Jolo, Sulu and had five children — Rosamy, Mercibel, Victoria, Roseller Jr., and Amy.^[1] Lim was the first Senator to served from the city ofZamboanga.

POLITICAL CAREER

Lim was a member of the Nacionalista Party and was first elected as representative of the Lone District of Zamboanga in 1949. In his first term in office, he authored the law that divided the province of Zamboanga into the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.^[2] He successfully won another term in 1953, this time as representative of the Lone District of Zamboanga del Sur. Halfway through his term, he ran and won as senator in 1955, to complete the unexpired two years ofCarlos P. Garcia's term, who was elected Vice President in 1953. Lim was instrumental in the election of the Philippines into the International Labor Organizationgoverning body in 1957.^[4] He won reelection in 1957 for a full six-year term, but lost in his bid for another term in 1963. Lim also authored the Barrio Charter Law, which served as the basis of the current barangay governments.

LEGACY

Roseller Lim was the first and only politician from Zamboanga to be elected to the Philippine Senate.

In March 16, 1982, President Ferdinand Marcos signed the Republic Act No. 183 creating the municipality of Roseller T. Lim in the province of Zamboanga del Sur (now in Zamboanga Sibugay) in honor of Lim.^[5] A famous boulevard in Zamboanga City was named after the latter which has the view of the beautiful Basilan Strait and the Sulu Sea beginning from the city proper to the industrial complex of the city.

In 2006, the Zamboanga City Council approved Ordinance Number 283 designating February 9 as "Dia de Roseller T. Lim" (Roseller T. Lim Day) and a bronze monument was carved at the rotunda of the Normal Road and the R. T. Lim Boulevard.

With such great accomplishments, what I shared is not trivia after all!
More images of the R.T. Lim Boulevard on the way to the old part of the city...

Second Stop: ZAMBOANGA CITY PORT
We used to visit the Zamboanga City Port and observe the ins and outs of the place. But entrance to the Port has become more strict and activities within the Port more busy... and maybe I am more busy too.

From Wikipedia: The Port of Zamboanga is one of the Philippines busiest ports alongside Manila, Subic Bay and Cebu. It is a centre for sardine exports to the United States, Europe and the Middleand Far East. Twenty-five shipping lines operate via the port, serviced by four shipyards operating withint eh port boundaries and in Zamboanga City.^[1]

The port has nineteen docks, twelve of which are privately owned. The largest dock has capacity for up to 20 vessels, and is operated directly by the Philippine Ports Authority.^[1]

Passenger transport is also a major port industry, with an annual passenger throughput exceeding 5.5 million.^[4]

The total port area is 156,000 sq.^[5

This is the entrance to the Zamboanga City Port.

Third Stop: ZAMBOANGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET
The heart of the City may usually be found in the Public Market where lots of interactions take place.
http://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Zone_I_Zamboanga_City_Philippines
The original Zamboanga City public market is located within zone I. We call this market place "magay". The city has 6 buildings within this market place and they are all rented to the public.

Zamboanga City Public Market

Zamboanga City Public Market

from ZC Public Market to ZC City Hall...
Universidad de Zamboanga City Campus is seen.

From Wikipedia: Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) is a private university in Zamboanga City, Philippines, founded on October 12, 1948 by Arturo Eustaquio, Sr. It was formerly known as Zamboanga A.E. Colleges until it was changed to Universidad de Zamboanga in 2005, the year it was granted university status. UZ holds 25% of all college enrolment in region 9 Western Mindanao. It has 8 campuses spread out in an area of more than 130 hectares in and outside of the city.


Fourth Stop: ZAMBOANGA CITY HALL
We are proud of our century-old Zamboanga City Hall which has retained the Old World charm. This is usually dressed up with lights during the Christmas season.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Zamboanga_City#b
Zamboanga City Hall - The construction of this building started in 1905 and was completed in 1907 by the Federal Government of the United States for the then American Governors of the area which included: Leonard 0. Wood, Tasker H. Bliss, Ralph W. Hoyt, and Gen. John Pershing of World War I fame. Today, this serves as the City Hall of Zamboanga City where the Mayor holds office.

Zamboanga City Hall and the N.S. Valderoza Street

Fifth Stop: OLD COMPANIA MARITIMA BUILDING
This is just across the City Hall. The building is newly renovated but the unique facade of the Old Compania Maritima office is maintained.

newly renovated Compania Maritima Building and the Zamboanga City Hall

Sixth Stop: PLAZA RIZAL, ZAMBOANGA CITY 

Many of the towns and cities in the Philippines has a Plaza Rizal (Rizal Monument). This is just in front of the Zamboanga City Hall.

Plaza Rizal

Seventh Stop: PLAZA PERSHING

Plaza Pershing is a historical park located in the heart of the city.
Plaza Pershing is presently undergoing construction and rehabilitation.
From Wikipedia: Plaza Pershing - Plaza Pershing was established in Zamboanga City, Philippines to honor John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) with his victory over Muslim insurgents.


http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/4031-city-rehabilitates-plaza-pershing.html

City rehabilitates Plaza Pershing

Thursday, 21 April 2011 19:11

The City Engineers Office has commenced the improvement of the PlazaPershing worth P10 Million aimed at booming tourism in this city.


City Engineer Luis Vicente Despalo said the improvement of the PlazaPershing is the idea of Mayor Celso Lobregat. 


City funds will be used according to Despalo to rehabilitate the PlazaPershing and it is being handled by the RCBA Construction. 


The development of the Plaza Pershing started last April 13 and it is expected to be finished before the Fiesta Pilar.


Despalo said, the drainage system will be fixed, site development will be made, the fountain located inside will be improved, and the surroundings will also be beautified. 


Aside from this, the stage inside the Plaza Pershing will also be improved, additional benches will be placed and the gazebo will also be rehabilitated.

By R.G. A A. Go

Eighth Stop: SOUTHWAY MALL
The road leads to the PUEBLO which we call the main commercial area and where we see the Southway Mall and the Gateway Mall.
Southway Mall is a relatively new mall opened in 2007 and located close to Plaza Pershing.
From Wikipedia: Southway Mall - It began its operations in the year 2007. The mall features one of the most modern architectural designs among the city's newest architectural features.

Ninth Stop: SHOPPER'S CENTER THE GATEWAY

This is the newest shopping center as of September 2011 and close to Southway Mall and a few meters from the ZC City Hall and Plaza Pershing.

Tenth Stop: SULTANA BUILDING

This is an old business and shopping center of Zamboanga City and forms a triangle together with the newer buildings, Southway Mall and The Gateway.

These images present another facet of Zamboanga City... 
I do hope I can share more!