La Vie En Rose---The Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel

I remember I was nine years old when I became part of our church's kids choir and I actively participated in the "Flores De Mayo" activities. It was also the perfect chance for me to spend time with friends during summer vacation. After that though, I couldn't remember being religious anymore. Sporadically spiritual, yes! :-D I went to a catholic school for my first year in high school, but sad to say, I really had a horrible experience with some of the nuns running the academy. Not going into details anymore, but when @ColeySilva suggested we go to this chapel administered by nuns, I honestly thought twice! Hahaha Let bygones be bygones! So I agreed!

Choosing the Pink Sisters was the best choice I think as surely the cathedral would be filled with people given it was a Sunday. Crowd just dreads me when I'm on vacation unless I go to a club to party. ;-) When we arrived, there was a choir rehearsing in preparation for the mass that we hoped to hear. While waiting, tourists and devotees also started to swarm the place so we nestled ourselves at the corner and took the chance to do our Baguio #potd's #ootd's having the pink wall as backdrop. Quite religious, isn't it? Hahaha It isn't just about travel now, I guess. It's traveling in style too! And what better way to come up with Instagram-able fashion photos, but with a nice "minimalist" background!

Cat eye sunglasses from Faye Balogo's collection @FayeBalogo Check her out on Instagram for more fashion inspos! Photos by Nicole Silva

JUST A VINTAGE SOUL!

Or maybe for the lack of budget to go for the conventional shopping. Hahaha I have been obsessed with vintage finds since I moved in Manila. Though I have done this in Cebu, it's just now that I make sure to get at least a piece or two from my favorite "ukay-ukay" stores in Makati Cinema Square. I must say though that Baguio has the best "ukay-ukay" shops in the country. All options are available and they are honestly cheap. And then you can haggle, making the items even cheaper. 

The black top with net shoulders extending down to the sleeves is one of my recent finds, which I took with me to Baguio. I debated between a pair of shoes and few tops, but I guess you know what the winner is, or are, 'cause I got two tops, which I will blog about soon also. Right, too many things to share from my recent holiday! Hahaha It wasn't very cold so I thought wearing a loose top with net details for more cooling (was so hungry for the cold), a pair of shorts, and my signature Ranroe mandals would be safe! I really wanted the my new top and the shades to standout, hence, I kept the other parts plain and simple! 

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The place is located in a posh neighborhood called The Brent Residences. A bit misty when we arrived so that might be the reason why I didn't notice the beautiful houses nearby. Or maybe my eyes were too excited and eventually focused on the pink structure I was going to witness. It was literally pink, pastel-ey pink! It looks like an indulging dessert from afar that I could devour on at lunch time! Hahaha :-D We took a cab from our place, but as we walked along and checked out the next door properties, we saw jeepneys passing by that go all the way to the city central. The fare of Php 8.50-10.00 per ride isn't bad at all, is it? If you don't have lactose intolerance hounding you then just take the jeepney ride. Hahaha :-D

DRESS CODE

So I was like "very high school?" Though I was allowed entry to the chapel, the woman at the front door warned me that I should step out as soon as the mass starts because I didn't wear a pair of long pants and shoes. Otherwise, the guard would have reprimanded me or worse, escorted me out. Hahaha It was a real bummer, but understandable. The inside feels very solemn though and seems like a perfect venue to meditate, reflect, and pray! 

NO CAMERAS, NO PHONES ON

Cameras and phones on are prohibited inside so I wasn't able to take a photo, but I got this one from this link http://www.baguio-city.net/2005_08_01_archive.html via Google images just so you'll have a view of what the chapel is like inside. As you can see, there is a wrought iron wall that divides the area where the nuns would settle themselves in during the mass and the spot for devotees and tourist who want to hear the mass. 

LA VIE EN ROSE

"La vie en rose literally translates to life in pink. However, it would be better translated to life through rosy (pink) glasses. The idea is to depict a state where everything appears rosy and cheerful to you. It's about a state of bliss when everything around you is a source of joy. This is the kind of state you are usually in when you are deeply in love." (Source: https://www.quora.com/French-language-What-is-the-best-English-translation-for-la-vie-en-rose)

Not really in love in my case especially in the romantic sense. I just struggled deciding, which title would be best for this blogtry. Hahaha Going back to my experience in first year high school though, it wasn't life in pink at all. I got humiliated for reasons I wasn't so sure about. The kind of discipline they tried to instill made me feel like the worst of all sinners and a criminal or a mentally sick asshole at some point. But through the years I've learned to slowly by slowly let go. 'Cause if I hadn't, I would've not been talking about this without being affected. It was an experience I could talk and laugh about with old and new friends. It must be really true that time heals all wounds even those that are unheard of! Hahaha And now, I guess this is what we call Life in Pink. Don't you think so? 

XoXo,

Red Eye ;-)