The Ruins and the Love Story

The Taj Mahal of the Philippines. That's why 'The Ruins' of Negros is known not only in the country but also has gained prestige and recognition globally.

Half a decade ago, in 2015, I finally appreciated the Italian-inspired mansion that was the talk of the town and is gaining popularity among tourists locally and from different parts of the world.

Seeing it for the first time from a distance was a nostalgic experience about its glorious past and the story behind the mansion built with tremendous and profound love.

That's one of the finest architectural masterpieces shared with the world. And the ruins stand out to last over the following centuries if the legacy is preserved for the love story to be relayed to the next generations. 

What makes the ruins of Negros so special is a sad yet beautiful story with a heartfelt dedication of a mourning man to his lost wife. Just like The Taj Mahal of India, when a mourning emperor built the structure in memory of his missing wife.

That's quite a similar story about immortalizing the memory of a loved one that was lost. And so the Philippines has its own version of the great Taj Mahal of India— the Ruins of Negros.

That's the greatest love. Building a lasting memory and legacy for something that is lost yet remains forever in one's heart.

Not everyone could do that, and so that piece of a historical masterpiece is to remind us of our greatness in our own ways.

We may not be as great as the builders of the Taj Mahal of India and the Ruins of Negros, but one thing that we can learn is that we can build great things out of the greatest love when we are crushed in spirit and in the deepest pain.

On this heart's month, we celebrate people's love stories and our own. We look forward to building a significant and lasting memory to share with our loved ones and even the world.

Love can be challenging, but it moves people. It forces us mysteriously. We are reminded that when we are brokenhearted, we can always pick up the pieces to make it whole again. We must be complete to experience and live the greatest love we deserve.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Heart's Desire and The Purple Sky

A purple sky and the purple rain. That signifies our roller coaster of emotions. When we experience the 'purple sky,' we are the happiest and on a cloud nine. And when we are bluer than blue, we feel the 'purple rain' pouring in.

That's life! We feel the roller coaster of emotions that brings out our best. The purple sky can be so rare that it makes it mystical and naturally beautiful. And that's the color that I have found. The color symbolizes my love.

Not long ago, I discovered some spirituality acquired from a Master of Life and revered Spiritual teacher who unifies Eastern wisdom and Western practicality. That was a higher level of Spiritual love for service to humanity through charity work.

Not known to many that the purple color symbolizes spiritual awakening. It calms the mind, enhances our creativity, and uplifts our spirit. And when we achieve such a level of enlightenment, the spiritual color reveals to us in unexpected places and moments.

As we live our purpose, we continue to experience giving and receiving love. It's the most essential spiritual gift and the most crucial emotion to carry within.

As we celebrate Valentine's day, we are experiencing the color of love that is revealed to us. It may be the fierce energy of red to some, the calming effect of blue to others, or a combination of red and blue, and that's purple - - a highly significant spiritual color.

Love will always be more than and beyond ourselves. When we have found love, it gives the Purple color, a romantic, lovely, and royalty color in our life that our hearts desire.

© 2020 Del Cusay

The Sacred Heart on a Hilltop

Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, is so huge and tall; a famous symbol of faith among Christians in that part of the world and is also known to most Christians worldwide as a pilgrimage destination worth visiting.

That's a thousand miles away from the Philippines, my home country and home to millions of the Catholic faithful. I may not be able to visit Brazil and see the famous statue, but in my hometown, we have a similar figure known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The uphill road to the summit may be rough, but it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Roxas City in the Western Visayas region. On the top of the mountain is the 132 ft statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, constructed at the beginning of the decade in 2010 and finished in 2015.

Since then, the statue visible on the lowland highway of the newly constructed business district has become a famous pilgrimage site and is considered the tallest statue of Christ in the Philippines.

I haven't been to the summit to see the statue for quite a long time since it was opened to the public, and we just glimpse it from afar whenever we pass by the vicinity. But in my heart, I would love to see it closer and appreciate the holiness of the place on top of the mountain.

At last! I was able to see it at the beginning of the decade 2020 in January, and for the second time, I was able to bring my parents back to the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue in February. That was a soulful journey on the summit and the best way to celebrate the month of love.

The physical structure of the statue symbolizes our most profound faith in the Christ who watches over us and protects us. When we feel abandoned and uncared for, one powerful Divine is a being who embraces and loves us for who we are.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of the holiness of our hearts no matter how unlawful and wicked we may have become. We are born to be good in nature, and our own sacred heart is our guide to touch the lives of others as inspired by the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the way, the truth, and the life. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 The Captivating Mantalinga Island