Tuny's Day Out: Penitensya Run

Ever wake up in the middle of the night with a uncontrollable urge that made you twist and turn, grumble and mumble? I did, and at 4AM, Biyernes Santo, I opened my eyes and told myself "I'm going to run to 14 churches today."

Nothing holy really, but a result of frustration. Was planning to go to Cape Reinga for the long weekend, but it didn't push through. I didn't want to waste the day, so I slept thinking what I should do Friday.

I thought running was just perfect. I could perform my penitensya, get my excercise, and see parts of Auckland I've never been to. So after getting that out of my system, I slept, woke up at 9AM, took a shower and kumain ang tira-tirang tocino. I went to online to wises.co.nz and typed in "Catholic Churches" under business name.

The reds mark Catholic Churches in Auckland City. After admiring my masterpiece, I was off at 11am.

I decided to start my run at Balmoral and took the bus from the flat. People complain about the bus here, but I love it. It's reliable, clean and inde ka ma-tra-traffic because of bus lanes. Yun nga lang lahat ng suburbs dadaanan (kung from CBD eh 15 mins lang by car to Sylvia Park, sa bus eh 1 hour).

After getting off, my penitensya didn't run as smoothly as I hoped. Spent an hour looking for the first church, asked around, but was pointed to an Anglican, Samoan Church and an Indian temple (They were all in one street). Shows how much tolerant NZ is to religion. Later on in my run that day I even found Tom Cruise's church.

Finally, I found Good Shepherd Church unofficially the bastion of Filipino catholicism in New Zealand. May Filipino Mass (even a pinoy priest) dito every 11am Sunday, and after the mass para kang nasa Divi, kasi me mga nagtitinda kasi ng sisig, laing, igado at bibingka sa parking lot(yu-mmmyyy). No food today, so after my prayers I was off.

It's 3.5Km to St. Francis Friary in Hillborough. Mejo maaraw, so was trying to run under every shade I can find. Good thing I met the Laderas family and they offered me a ride. Formerly from Bulacan, almost 10 years na sila dito. Their daughter can understand Filipino but not speak it. I wonder if the same happens to the girls.


I think this is Assumption Churxh in Onehunga. That's the Laderas family walking in.


Then to Christ the King in Mt. Roskill.


Next was St. Therese Church at Three Kings, and said goodbye to the Laderas. Good people, and I hope to bump into them again.

Naku po, not sure how to get back on track and didn't have a city map. I ran for 20 minutes till I saw the summit of...


... One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park. I could see it in my wises map, and I ran 4.1Km to reach it. Nagbaon ako ng konting tocino at rice, and had lunch under a tree while being serenaded by a Tui. I love Auckland Parks, fresh, cool, clean at pwede ka humilata sa makapal na grass at alang langgam na kakagat sa dragon balls mo, hehe.

Pahinga muna bay, kasi umpisa pa lang ang penitensya. The next leg is a about 8-9K.

Great South Road, Ellerslie Panmure Hway... Nyaks, ang init at parang gusto ko na mag-bus, pero iniisip ko na lang eh "8K na lang... 6k... 4K... 2K..."

Finally, St. Patrick's Church. To find it I had to ask a homeless person. Don't be afraid to ask for directions here in Auckland, mababait naman ang mga tao(halos). Yung tinanong ko nga eh sinamahan pa ako hanggang makita ko ang church. Also saw this nice heritage house.

6 churches down, 8 more to go. The next one should be close, 2.9Km. I felt a sneaking chill rise from my spine while in this leg. Somehow I felt I shouldn't be here. Oh-oh...

Kung me Tundo sa Pinas, me South Auckland naman dito sa NZ. It's a rough urban area with a large Polynesian and Maori community and I was sticking out like a sore thumb. It's known for having large gangs like the Mongrel Mob & Black Power. I asked for directions from a Samoan and all I got is "No!"

Ngeee... After an hour I found the church but it was behind a row of houses and fences. It's a small one at 5 Waddel Avenue, and could only see the cross. Didn't dare go and made a sign of the cross na lang (baka brief na lang suot ko paglabas). I also looked at the clock and it was 5pm. Have run about 20Ks and a bit tired. Really tired.

I tried getting on a bus, but the driver didn't have change, so had to get off and sit on the curb to catch the next one which arrives an hour later. And I didn't feel very safe, with young hoodies driving pass in cars staring, one group shouting and laughing at my direction before racing off. Immature jerk-offs. Happens a lot here.

Should, or rather Can I continue to St. Helier?

(To be continued...)