Our Lady of Lourdes Postcards

Our Lady of Lourdes is a popular apparition and pilgrim site in France. This is one of the most visited Marian sites in the world with millions of people visiting the place every year.

In the Philippines, there are several places and pilgrim sites which are dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

At least 6 million devotees visits the basilica and the site every year.  A lot of Catholic Filipinos would put Lourdes, France in their bucket list after Vatican and Holy Land for pilgrimage.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan was a favorite pilgrim site among local devotees who cannot afford the airfare going to France.

Our Lady of Lourdes Centenary

This is one of the oldest postcard in our personal collection which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the apparition of blessed mother. The postcard was send from Lourdes, France to Quezon City sometime in May 25, 1958 or more than 62 years ago.

Another popular landmark of the Our Lady of Lourdes is in N. S. Amoranto street formerly called as Retiro street in Quezon City.

Apart from religious statues and rosaries, postcard was another favorite souvenir item when one visits the pilgrimage site.

The postcards were send from 1958 to early 1970’s and one of the cherish collection of the author.

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Jolly Go Round Kiddie Toys by Jollibee

Jollibee fast food chain of restaurant had released 5 pieces kiddie meal toys called” Jolly Go Round “- Similar to merry go round. With 5 well-loved characters feature.

This was supposed to be released in the middle part of March 2020 but the Enhanced Community Quarantine “ECQ” had halted the release of the toy set until last week by some branches.

We were fortunate to buy 2 sets of these wonderful kiddie meal toys. Supplies are available until supplies last.

Tomb of Unknown Soldier postcard

I came across a vintage postcard of Arlington National Cemetery few weeks ago while arranging my collection. The postcard was printed and distributed by Silberne Souvenir Sales Inc. around early 1970’s.

This postcard was bought few years ago from a local postcard dealer which had since  closed shop.

Tomb of unknown soldier is located within Arlington National Cemetery. The tomb pays tribute to soldiers who died in service and the remains were not even brought home.

Arlington National Cemetery

The cemetery is quite big at 624 acres (253 hectares). It is the final resting place of heroes since the civil war. This is one of the more popular cemeteries in the United States and frequently featured in postcards.

The cemetery is also listed under National Register of Historic Places in 2014 with at least 400,000 buried in its hallow grounds.

What a timely coincide, that this week also marks memorial day in the United States. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Enchanting Blooms of the Fairy Sanggumay

Fairy Sanggumay is also known as dainty sanggumay, lesser sanggumay, salome, latigo, pink purple rain, hooded orchid and cow lip orchid in the Philippines.

Scientifically called Dendrobium aphyllum, This is one of the most common orchids grown in homes, resorts, farms and used as landscape to accentuate old trees.

There is a faint smell and the small size flowers does not last long under Metro Manila conditions. However when grown en mass, this orchid species can give a spectacular display during its blooming season.

Dendrobium aphyllum grown in a jackfruit tree

Some growers are quite enchanted in growing this orchid species in other parts of Asia like Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, China and are grown en mass.  They believe that it bring good luck to the growers and attracts good chi to their businesses or property.

Origin of the names: Fairy, Dainty or Lesser Sanggumays

Dendrobium aphyllum clump grown in Nueva Viscaya

Ordinary backyard hobbyists would refer this under different common names, fairy sanggumays because they looked like miniature fairies flying or dainty sanggumays orchids since they are pale in color.

Some growers would also call this as “lesser sanggumay”  since their flowers are not that big and not stenchy compared to the larger and more pungent smelling Dendrobium anosmum.

Sanggumays got its root word from two Tagalog words, ” Sangsang” – which means nauseating ,overpowering, stench (smell), putrid and “Umay” or ” Gumay”  meaning tired-some, surfeit , satiety.

Some backyard growers would also refer some pendulous types of orchid species like Dendrobium heterocarpum, Dendrobium rhombeum, Dendrobium bullenianum collectively as sanggumays.

Dendrobium aphyllum mounted on a macopa tree

Dendrobium aphyllum naturalized in a mango tree

In several decades of growing this orchid species, We notice that this prefer host trees with rough bark like duhat, mango, talisay, chico, caimito, jack fruit, lansones, acacia and macopa. This also prefers coconut and manila palm.

Dendrobium aphyllum bigger sepals and petal and roundish lip

Dendrobium aphyllum that was given to the author by Mrs. Adelina Almirol from Marikina few years ago in 2014 with rather large lip, roundish petals and sepals. Which makes this type an outstanding clone.

Dendrobium aphyllum naturalized on to a mahogany tree in Santa Fe, Nueva Viscaya

Fertilization and Care

Try to put a small amount of slow release fertilizer during its growing season sewn into a small cloth then alternating a fertilization program with a doze of water soluble fertilizer 20N-20P-20K diluted into 1/4 of the strength, micro-nutrient, epsom salt and calcium two weeks after blooming until past September or October. We change fertilizer formulation to 10N- 30P-30K during late- September to mid-November to make the pseudobulb/ stems stronger and in preparation for its rest and blooming season.

Another way to grow this orchid species is by mounting them on to an Asplenium nidus or Asplenium musifolium. These fern species can be a perfect symbiotic relationship with these orchid species. the fern’s black roots can hold some moisture for a longer time.

Watering is gradually reduced to a minimum from late December until early February when the cold season or dry season starts.

One can be rewarded with these dainty blooms or the fairy sanggumay in the next blooming season.

Happy Growing !!!

Sources and References:

Kew Garden of Life : Catalog of Life

Personal communication with growers

A Guide to the Dendrobium of the Philippines, Cootes and Tiong 2015

Philippine Native Orchid Species, Cootes, 2009

Mother’s Day Treats from Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel which is known for its five star ambiance and historical nostalgia pulls all the stops to still be able to give her a memorable celebration of  Mother’s Day this sunday May 10, 2020.

In this new normal, one way to celebrate the special day is by placing an order to commemorate such momentous occasion.

Aside from the special day, Manila Hotel also plays a role in the annual Flores de Mayo celebration in Manila.

Mother’s Day Special Treats from Manila Hotel

different kinds of cakes to order

The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day Surprise gives you discounts when you choose to

order the food-and-cake bundle and pay online on or before May 8, 2020 (Friday).

You

may choose items from the A La Carte Menu or Home Buffet sets (Filipino, Italian,

Korean, Japanese, and Chinese favorites , as well as Certified Halal items) and get a

20% discount on your food bill, and a 10% discount on the cake of your choice.

Because mothers deserve the only the best, you can choose from our awesome

selection: our decadent Opera Cake; Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, a Lifestyle Inquirer

Best Dessert Winner; the mouthwatering Trio of Chocolate Mousse, and their amazing

Mango Cheesecake.

To order or for more information, please call 8527 0011 or message 0998-9501912.