Day 4 - A Filipino wedding in Alaminos

St Joseph church - Alaminos

Inside the church...

The beautiful altar

We witnessed a Filipino wedding ceremony!

Some of us wanted to attend church mass, and we remembered having seen a large church - I think it was St. Joseph cathedral. Imagine our surprise when we found a wedding ceremony in full swing. It was a touching expereince! The best boys and girls were all dressed in light green.

I could not help, but  smile when the priest finally said "You may now kiss the bride for the first time.... as husband and wife... for at least five minutes! " In a purely catholic country and a purely catholic church, such informality is rare.

Finally we got to our bus stand. By the way, not just Victory, but also Five star and Dagupan ply their air con buses (and non aircon too), to Alaminos.

During our journey back, we saw many sugarcane fields, scenes of village life, interspersed with some small towns and cities with their Maxs, Starbucks and McDonalds.

I especially liked the McDonalds at Tarlac for it's attractive crib! 

Main street Alaminos - with it's Nepo mart

Alaminos is like any other busy Philippines city

The "Five star" bus terminus at Alaminos

These hawker ladies just waved and smiled at us when they saw us taking photos!

Sights en route from Alaminos to Tarlac

En route Alaminos to Tarlac

Rural Sights and scenes - a trike

I love the crib on Mc Donalds Tarlac. Christmas is celebrated from October to December in the Philippines

Tarlac - Mc Donalds

Enjoying the banana fritters that we picked up at Tarlac

The public park at Tarlac

Jeepney - the trusty Filipino public transport

Max's - a restaurant chain. This one is at Tarlac

Tarlac - steam engine!

An attractive "gated village" en route

Pretty house in the wilderness

Sugarcane fields

... and more sugarcane! No wonder Filipinos are such sweet people (Joke!)

Finally we reached the toll gate - but we had another surprise awaiting us - a FIESTA!