Comelec Junks Muhlach Disqualification Case
Comelec Junks Muhlach Disqualification Case

Erstwhile matinee idol and newbie politician Aga Muhlach must have learned of the good news earlier. We are referring to the decision by the Commission on Elections for dismissal of the disqualification case filed against him. The Comelec ruled Muhlach complied with the one-year residency requirement in San Jose town […]

CamSur Road Widening Will Impact Naga City and Pili
CamSur Road Widening Will Impact Naga City and Pili

Naga city, (PNA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways has allotted P100 million for a road-widening project from Naga city to the capital town of Pili in Camarines Sur. The project will specifically affect real estate properties along the primary highway. Engineer Guilbert Romero of the Camarines Sur […]

A Sweeping Look at a Casureco II Power Bill
A Sweeping Look at a Casureco II Power Bill

Received the other day the Casureco II bill for the household consumption of 159 kilowatts for the period between Jan. 24, 2013 – Feb. 24, 2013 . Not so funny to us each time we get hold of one but just the same we amuse ourselves of the fine prints […]

Porteria Parish Semana Santa Festivities 2013 Part 2
Porteria Parish Semana Santa Festivities 2013 Part 2

This is part two of Semana Santa schedule of activities and programs as released by the parish pastoral council of Our Lady of Porteria in Calabanga together with Rev. Fr. Abenson C. Martinez and Ref. Fr. Danilo V. Arnante. Domingo nin Pagkabuhay-Liwat ni Jesus (Please bring candles for the renewal […]

Cawayan Port, 19 Others, Get Okay for Expansion
Cawayan Port, 19 Others, Get Okay for Expansion

The port of Cawayan in Masbate province is included amomg the twenty identified local ports around the country placed under the direct jurisdiction of a national government agency to ensure support for the growing business and trade in their respective region. In a series of executive orders last December 2012, […]

Calabanga Parish Releases Schedule of Semana Santa Festivities
Calabanga Parish Releases Schedule of Semana Santa Festivities

The Catholic Parish Pastoral Council of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria in Calabanga has released the program and schedule of activities and festivities in the observance of Semana Santa 2013. Schedule of activities: Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) March 24- 6:00 AM Pagbendisyon kan Olivas asin Palmas Hosanna- Pagromdom kan […]

Is it Fun in Bicol Philippines with Murders and Killings Unsolved?
Is it Fun in Bicol Philippines with Murders and Killings Unsolved?

It is more fun in the Philippines. It is really more fun in Bicol, Philippines. But will it stay more fun with all the sporadic but high profile killings in the Bicol provinces, some begging to be solved? This year alone, Bicolanos were summarily executed on separate occasions in Masbate, […]

The Dead Downgrades Politics in the Land and More Concerns
The Dead Downgrades Politics in the Land and More Concerns

All roads lead to the cemeteries today. All thoughts of the living are made busy of reminiscing the departed. People pays tribute not only for two days but many will find more time until Sunday. For truly it is only the dead which can literally disrupt and altogether propel the […]

Calabanga Mangrove Plantation Threatened with Tussock Moths
Calabanga Mangrove Plantation Threatened with Tussock Moths

The young mangrove plantation in the town of Calabanga is being threatened with widespread pest infestation as confirmed by the Legazpi city-based regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Information about the presence of insect defoliators came from the alert sounded off by the municipal government […]

Classes Resume Today As PH Gears for Another Holiday
Classes Resume Today As PH Gears for Another Holiday

It is back to school today in all levels in public elementary and high school. The one week-long semestral break being finally over. According to the Department of Education, the semestral break which started on October 22nd up to the 25th was extended due to the nationally-declared Eid Ul-Udha holiday. […]

New Microsoft Windows 8 OS Release on October 26th
New Microsoft Windows 8 OS Release on October 26th

We are on the look out for the coming release of Windows 8, the next operating system (OS) from Microsoft. Two weeks ago, enthusiasts and avid fans of the OS started placement reservation of packaged DVD of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for estimated retail price of USD69.99 at […]

PCSO Has Endless Resource of Wealth thru Gambling
PCSO Has Endless Resource of Wealth thru Gambling

We get it, legalized gambling in the country is more like a deep well of none-drying, endless resource of wealth. With the government agency Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in the forefront of gambling, can we ask for more? Proof that there is so much imaginable wealth the government agency […]

DTI-PSB Releases List of Erring Forwarders and Consolidators
DTI-PSB Releases List of Erring Forwarders and Consolidators

The Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday (October 12, 2012), released a complete list of blacklisted Philippine agents and freight forwarders doing business in the country and elsewhere. The agency was effectively warning Overseas Foreign Workers and their consignees in the country […]

Mosquito-borne Chikungunya Afflicts Residents of Batan in Rapu-rapu
Mosquito-borne Chikungunya Afflicts Residents of Batan in Rapu-rapu

More than one hundred residents of barangay San Ramon of Rapu-rapu municipality suffers from chikungunya fever. The barangay, located in the almost isolated island of Batan in Albay province, has been reported infected with mosquito-borne disease known to have started to spread in the area in July. The fever brought […]

Villafuertes convert CamSur their political playground
Villafuertes convert CamSur their political playground

Traditional political moro-moro (trapomo) is in full swing in the province of Camarines Sur. Outgoing 3rd district congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, Sr. (extreme left) is gunning (again) for the position of governor of the premier Bicol province for the 2013 May local elections. And more of a confirmation of the […]

Atty. Leni Robredo Files COC for 3rd Congressional District of CamSur
Atty. Leni Robredo Files COC for 3rd Congressional District of CamSur

Saying that she was given only two hours to decide, Atty. Leni Robredo finally filed her COC at the local Comelec office in Naga city, about 3:30 PM on Friday for the congressional seat of the third district of Camarines Sur. She will be the official bet of the Liberal […]

Mrs. Robredo Ascends as Cam Sur Liberal Party Honcho
Mrs. Robredo Ascends as Cam Sur Liberal Party Honcho

We stopped guessing on what Bicol RTC branch the good widow of former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo will be assigned. For the meantime, that will be on hold as Atty. Leni Robredo will soon occupy the chairmanship of the local Liberal Party branch in the province of Camarines Sur, the […]

7 Bicol Island-Towns Has .21M Residents in 2010
7 Bicol Island-Towns Has .21M Residents in 2010

Other than the two “big” island-provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes, there are several islands comprising 7 municipalities in the Bicol region. The island of Burias, west of Albay province and slightly north northwest of Masbate main island, hosts the towns of San Pascual and Claveria. Ticao island, near north of […]

Population of 19 Towns is 4.48% of Bicol’s 5.42M
Population of 19 Towns is 4.48% of Bicol’s 5.42M

As a sharp contrast to the report about 20 Towns and Cities Over One Third of Bicol Population, 19 Bicol towns registered a population with the combined total of 242,965. It is equivalent to 4.48% of Bicol’s 5.42M in the official census conducted last May of 2010. Majority of these […]

20 Towns and Cities Over One Third of Bicol Population
20 Towns and Cities Over One Third of Bicol Population

In the official national census conducted for May of 2010, twenty Bicol cities and towns registered a total count of 2,051,067 equivalent to over one third or 37.84% of the regional total. Eight of these cities and municipalities has population exceeding the 100,000 population mark. The eight cities and municipalties […]

Calabangueños Worldwide Celebrate Happy Fiesta
Calabangueños Worldwide Celebrate Happy Fiesta

For a few days in every year, residents of Calabanga drop their daily toil to pay homage to the feast day of the Lady of the Porter (Nuestra Señora de la Porteria). Today is the 263rd of such commemorative event. Residents, tourists and guests converge on a seemingly endless merrymaking […]

Bishop Gainza Trade Fair Opens September 6 in Naga City
Bishop Gainza Trade Fair Opens September 6 in Naga City

The 3rd Bishop Gainza trade fair opens tomorrow, September 6, in Naga city. According to organizers, the event will offer new twists which include locating the venue at downtown Naga, a few meters from the Metropolitan Cathedral. The site will attract thousands of foot traffic counting on the flock of […]

Widow of Former DILG Secretary Shortlisted for Bicol RTC Post
Widow of Former DILG Secretary Shortlisted for Bicol RTC Post

One lucky Bicol RTC branch will get the full legal eyes and ears of former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo’s widow soon enough. There are four vacant regional trial courts in the region which includes the Ligao-Albay RTC branch 13, Pili-Camarines Sur branch 32, Calabanga-Camarines Sur, branch 63 and Daet-Camarines Norte […]

Former Bicol NBI Chief Receives Scathing Accusations from Columnist
Former Bicol NBI Chief Receives Scathing Accusations from Columnist

We follow the stellar carreer of a Calabangueno who is now the NBI director for region 3, Atty. Ricardo Diaz. So that when we read the scathing accusations from columnist Ramon Tulfo, we cringe in reaction at how liberally he berates government personalities and public servants thru his column. On […]

Have Dog, Will Bite
Have Dog, Will Bite

For the past five years or so, the text messages I usually receive from my sister or brothers in the province are simple updates about the family. Then I would call them on the phone to get more detailed information. And to hear their live and animated voices. I feel […]

Pilar and Rapu-Rapu Tops 2008 Collection of Toll and Business Tax
Pilar and Rapu-Rapu Tops 2008 Collection of Toll and Business Tax

In 2008, 106 Bicol towns collected business tax in the total amount of P45,516,080. Rapu-Rapu of Albay province topped the ranking with an earning of P14,585,151; Daet (CAN) P11,550,642; Pili (CAS) P8,357,679; Virac (CAT) P6,493,543; Aroroy (MAS) P4,009,968; Guinobatan (ALB) P3,382,494; Camalig (ALB) P3,048,655; Nabua (CAS)P2,867,000; Goa (CAS) P2,822,819; Tiwi […]

The PC is on its Way to the Exit Door, Long Live the PC
The PC is on its Way to the Exit Door, Long Live the PC

We read articles by well-informed techno-pundits prognosticate about the era of the personal computer on its way to the exit door, I tell pray that not in the next few years, please. I have just acquired an HP pavilion dm4-3055dx notebook entertainment PC powered with 2nd generation Intel Core i5-2430M […]

Updated classification of Bicol towns based on 2008 earnings
Updated classification of Bicol towns based on 2008 earnings

Based on annual earnings listed here and here, the towns of Libon (ALB), Daraga (ALB), and Daet (CAN) led the top earners of Bicol LGUs for fiscal year 2008. Other towns now classified as first class that earned P55M or more, in order of their income starting from the top […]

18 Bicol Towns Were Less Dependent on IRA in 2008
18 Bicol Towns Were Less Dependent on IRA in 2008

Of the 107 Bicol towns, 18 received an IRA that ranged from the low of 52.32% to 79.24% of their gross annual income. Libon of Albay was the least IRA dependent with 52.32% at P74,015,836. Bear in mind any percentage of share on the national government allocation of internal revenue […]

Bicol Towns Heavily Dependent on IRA in 2008
Bicol Towns Heavily Dependent on IRA in 2008

The Bicol country has a myriad of towns, big and small in terms of land area and population.  These municipal local government units can also be grouped according to their income and total dependence on internal revenue allotment.  Without the allocation, some, if not many, may have gone the way […]

Countries with Approximate Area and Population as Bicol
Countries with Approximate Area and Population as Bicol

It’s fun making comparison. The Bicol territory is a few thousands of square kilometer smaller (2,656) than the middle eastern Jewish nation of Israel but many times bigger than the infant south east Asian republic of East Timor (Timor Leste). Bicol with 18,114 sq km. of land area will rank […]

Mac OS X Fixes New Trojan
Mac OS X Fixes New Trojan

On the first week of February, 2012, we were able to complete installation of the new internet security program on five notebooks and two desktops running the Windows operating system in our network. There is no better way to safeguard the machines but make a sizeable investment. It also gives […]

Are Unemployed Housewives Noynoying Too?
Are Unemployed Housewives Noynoying Too?

It triggers deep interest on this writer each time women present themselves in an ackward manner. Am referring to a situation when they occupy the front stools of small retail (sari-sari or tingi) store, not buying or doing anything of much important but instead chatter and “do” among others- look […]

Nokor Rocket Launch a Dud, even as Bicol Folks were Forewarned
Nokor Rocket Launch a Dud, even as Bicol Folks were Forewarned

The Philippines remained a great bystander before and during the much ballyhoed Unha-3 three stage rocket launch by North Korea that was after all a great dud. Some four hours after the rocket exploded over the Yellow Sea, the North admitted the satellite had failed to enter orbit, and that […]

On Privacy, Google and Trackers While Surfing the Web
On Privacy, Google and Trackers While Surfing the Web

After the freaky February 29, 2012 deadline, the behemoth Google start churning in data gathered from online user’s activity across its different sites 24 hours non-stop. Previous to that, users received or read notifications about the change in its privacy practices. Onward, user’s activity will get a destination bucket for […]

Mangrove Planting and Reforestation Continue in Camarines Sur
Mangrove Planting and Reforestation Continue in Camarines Sur

Small worthy endeavors that unfold in the rural areas usually miss the media radar. Here we checked out the concerted efforts of unified youth organizations in a fresh wave of mass mangrove planting on Saturday, January 28. According to Marian Ramos the volunteers represent members from Skaters-Calabanga, Skaters-Naga, the National […]

Who’s Afraid of the Intellectual Property Rights Anti-piracy Drive?
Who’s Afraid of the Intellectual Property Rights Anti-piracy Drive?

The Philippines is a marketplace of pirated computer software, music CDs, and movie DVDs. Supply is all over the place, it is not that hard to find. Take the case of a Malacañang-appointed secretary Ronald Llamas in connection with his purchase of pirated DVDs. The act of impropriety by the […]

Philippines Trade with ASEAN Countries Result in Deficit
Philippines Trade with ASEAN Countries Result in Deficit

A glimpse on how much trade and commerce is obtained by the Philippines among the member countries of the ASEAN was released recently by the national statistical coordination board (NCSB). The report highlighted the grim fact “for every 100 dolars that we (PH) export to ASEAN, we (Philippines) import back […]

10 Bicol Light Stations Not Operating Despite Over Supply of Spare Parts
10 Bicol Light Stations Not Operating Despite Over Supply of Spare Parts

Special Report Calabanga, CamSur, September 20, 2011- A total of ten light house stations in the six provinces of Region V (five) covered by the Bicol Coast Guard District are not operating, according to the agency’s web site. This is in the heels of a finding disclosed by the Philippine […]

Camarines Sur and Ilocos Norte Inks Sister Province Ties
Camarines Sur and Ilocos Norte Inks Sister Province Ties

Call it reciprocity. One good act in exchange for another. South meets north. Camarines Sur governor L-Ray Villafuerte signed a sister province ties with Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos on September 10, last week.

Happy 2011 Town Fiesta Calabanga!!!
Happy 2011 Town Fiesta Calabanga!!!

Still into the last day of the 2011 feast and festivities that is the Calabanga fiesta here in town. Townsfolk were treated to an array of eye googling parade of sights, sounds, colors, floats, majorettes, cadets, scouts, volunteers, civic organizations and LGU personnel, since the 6th of September.

Talking Heads in Government Agencies as Farmers and Their Families Suffer Hunger
Talking Heads in Government Agencies as Farmers and Their Families Suffer Hunger

The most wonderful thing about our government agencies is that they are full of talking heads. Information, misinformation, half-truths and the blatant attempt to deviate attention out of the prevailing true state of the rice supply, its availability and the predicament of farmers, also become part of the job.

Beautiful Maidens, The 2011 Contestants for Miss Calabanga
Beautiful Maidens, The 2011 Contestants for Miss Calabanga

Fifteen beautiful homegrown young maidens from different barangays of the town vie for the coveted crown of Miss Calabanga 2011. The fairest maiden of all will grace the parade around major streets of the municipality.

DepEd Falls Short on Delivery of Its Mandated Task
DepEd Falls Short on Delivery of Its Mandated Task

Four months into the school year and DepEd announced delivery is underway to fill the backlog of textbooks on five core subjects— Math, Science, English, Filipino and Araling Panlipunan even as there is a shortage of 2.5 million pieces of chairs to accommodate and seat pupils in 45,000 public elementary and secondary schools.

The Unbelievers Extol Camsur Tourism As A Myth?
The Unbelievers Extol Camsur Tourism As A Myth?

When Camsur became a byword as an emerging tourist mecca, any claim to that effect needs tangible and statistical proof. It is not the tourists who come and repeatedly come who are dying and grandstanding to find the proof or will not stop until handed down the proof.

Local Agency Urges Non-Disturbance of Turtles Released by Saipan
Local Agency Urges Non-Disturbance of Turtles Released by Saipan

Somewhere in the vicinity between Catanduanes and Guinahoan and Refugio island just north of Caramoan, Camarines Sur one sea turtle (pawikan) may be feeding or finding refuge or just passing by. The DENR office urges the public and those living in coastal communities not to capture the turtles nor attempt to remove their attached transmitters.

Kawit Island Begs for EcoTourism Development
Kawit Island Begs for EcoTourism Development

The island of Cauit (Kawit) lies off the southeastern portion of the rich fishing waters of San Miguel bay, less than three kilometers from the shores of barangay Sibobo. It has a rugged shoreline with an approximate land area of 14.8 hectares or 36.57 acres. It is about 2 kilometers from tip to tip (west to east) in length and its widest at about 500 feet from north to south. Even with an irregular shoreline the island mimics a tadpole shape. Getting there means a 15 minute trip via a motorized boat from Sibobo.

The New Port of Pio Duran Unlocks Southwestern Bicol
The New Port of Pio Duran Unlocks Southwestern Bicol

The formal opening of the port of Pio Duran town of Albay ushers a new era for people and business to open up or look forward to progress. The modern roll-on, roll-off facilities of the port will serve primarily the southwestern Bicol.

The Move to Partition Camarines Sur Into Two Provinces
The Move to Partition Camarines Sur Into Two Provinces

How much of ground swell is (being) gathered by the proposal to carve out a new province from the current territorial jurisdiction of Camarines Sur? The exact and final answer to that will be known in the days ahead.

Philippine Public Education System Stinks to A Certain Degree
Philippine Public Education System Stinks to A Certain Degree

Something we can say with certain degree of certitude: the Philippine education system stinks when it comes to offering positive learning environment and delivery of standard services to the multitude of youths in their critical stage of impressionistic, yet open minds.

Antigong Simbahan of Albay
Antigong Simbahan of Albay

Antigong Simbahan. Catholic churches constructed in Albay by the Spanish conquestadores and friars. Earlier, we posted the teaser for this award winning film by gifted students of the premier state university in the regional capital of Bicol. A presentation by Cbanga360 Production of the mini-documentary by Bem’s Angel Production in […]

Pan De Sal Continue to Shrink in Size and Increase in Price
Pan De Sal Continue to Shrink in Size and Increase in Price

The staple breakfast bun of Philippine pan de sal we often see on the table courtesy of our friendly baker continue its saga of evolution in price, size and weight. The bakery either diminish the size of the Filipino favorite bread, decreasing its weight, or increase its selling price, two options both of which are not favorable to the consumers at all.

On Time Harvest Saved Crops from Flood
On Time Harvest Saved Crops from Flood

Exactly two weeks before the rain floods of typhoon Bebeng hit the bountiful ricefields of Calabanga, in the quadrant bounded by sitios and barangays of Taculod, San Roque, San Pablo and Ratay, the farmers got busy with their hand-driven rice harvesting tool of sickle (asyab). The farm workers worked fast and quick for the scorching heat of the summer sun has a skin-burning effect.

To All Mothers Everywhere: Happy Mother’s Day!
To All Mothers Everywhere: Happy Mother’s Day!

I still have my mother and I owe her a lot, and the sacrifices that she made for us her children will always be one of our greatest treasures. I salute all our wonderful mothers, then. May God shower our mothers with abundant blessings today and always!

Small Town Lottery Out, PCSO Loterya ng Bayan In
Small Town Lottery Out, PCSO Loterya ng Bayan In

It seems there is no stopping the lottery numbers game in the country any time soon. For while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) sealed the fate of small town lottery in the country, it is also introducing the PCSO Loterya ng Bayan (PLB). The game starts May.

Holy Wednesday Procession of La Porteria Parish
Holy Wednesday Procession of La Porteria Parish

The religious and pious residents and tourists/visitors of Calabanga town move on to observe the Semana Santa now in midweek. This Wednesday will witness a spectacular yet solemn procession of the Santos and devotees. The procession starts when the afternoon mass dismisses attendees toward the parochial grounds. From there the […]

Shout Out to Pinoy Parents and Graduates
Shout Out to Pinoy Parents and Graduates

It is disturbing how many graduates from the numerous schools of the country will get job placement afterwards. It will always remain a question forever. For the multitude of graduates, like in clinical nursing, may end up in call centers and the worst scenario- as sales clerks in mall stores, for there are not too many hospitals can absorb the abundant supply of manpower.

The Humble Church of St. Peregrine Laziosi of Calabanga
The Humble Church of St. Peregrine Laziosi of Calabanga

To a newcomer and the uninitiated the new parish of St. Peregrine of Laziosi has a humbling effect. The building of course represents the glimmer of a dream rather than a concrete reality. It is because the current building was constructed of lumber (some coconut lumber) and bamboo with nipa roofing.

Is PH’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program a Failure?
Is PH’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program a Failure?

The Social Weather Station survey from March 4 to 7, from sample respondents of 1,200, revealed that 20.5 percent of respondents or about 4.1 million families say they went hungry at least once in the past three months.