Balangiga Bells Returned

After all the news, the craze and the fanfare about their return to Balangiga, after a little more than a century, by the Americans, I went to see these 3 bells, uncrowded!
picture of the 3 Balangiga Bells returned from the US

Now what? Hahaha, I don't know!

They are bells, like many other old, historic or historical bells you see everywhere on earth. You and I knew, that upon return, they were not to be kept (again) in a box and forgotten for another century. They were/are to be used again or displayed forever.

So, why was everyone (except for Balangiganons) so crazy about being there during the actual return/arrival of the bells? Because Duterte was there? Wheh! Para saan?

I'm saying what I said above because... days ago, many friends, family, subscribers, colleagues kept asking where I was, why I was not there to see the bells, and so on.

One said "lumipad pa kami galing Cavite, nakita naman namin, but we were not able to take photos w/ the bells, andaming tao, you could have guided us kung andito ka".

Sorry po, it conflicted with a previously booked travel.

Another even said "what a shame you missed seeing one important historical relic".

Aray ha, medyo nasaktan ako dun Ginoong Ambrosio!

Now...
Fast forward to 4 days (as in, apat na araw lang) after that "hullabaloo". I happened to be in the area (parang alam kong mangyayari ang ganito), so I visited the church.
view from the entrnce door of St. Lawrence The Martyr Parish Church of Balangiga
Look to the left side front of the pews. The 3 Bells are there in that velvety red cart.

I guess I don't have to describe to you how empty the church is. Here is the altar...
The altar of St. Lawrence The Martyr Parish Church of Balangiga
I also guess, those who came during that actual delivery day, did not get to see this.

I must say, that you will get to appreciate this church more, if you compare it to this.

And this is my "priest's view" (a view from the altar) of the church...
priest's view (from the altar) of St. Lawrence The Martyr Parish Church of Balangiga
And mind you, those bells were just a few steps away from me as I took these pics!

Mana Maria, as if to add salt and kalamansi to your injury, here they are again...
another picture of the 3 Balangiga Bells returned from the US
You can take photos of them - any angle; take photos with them - any position; have a selfie or groupfie howsoever you like; touch, caress, even kiss them if you like hehe!

Huwag mo lang i-te-take home. Bigatin ang mga yan!

I guess if there is a lesson to be learned here, it would be knowing what you want to see or do, and at what day/date/time would it be most appropriate, if at all possible.

Sino ba kasi ang nagsabi sa inyo na makipagsabayan kayo ke Duterte? Pag wala ba sya, hindi na kakalembang ang mga kampanang yan? Me nagsabi bang itatago ang mga iyan sa baul, at hindi na bubulatlatin pa, hanggang sa magpakailanman? Ever?

Ang masasabi ko lang ay... mirisi! Hehehe Peace Mana Maria Peace

Actually, the important thing is: we know the history and/or story of those bells, why they were taken, where they were kept, and what made America return them to us.

Do you? If so, okay na yan. Just return to Balangiga to see them up close.

And when you do go back, those bells could be waiting for you here...
pedestals outside the church for the 3 Balangiga Bells returned from the US
Yes, on newly made pedestals, in the open, just outside the church, with no crowds!

Happy travels and let's continue learning!
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