Our only wish: A blessed, productive New Year to all of us!
Our only wish: A blessed, productive New Year to all of us!

These are the New year tweets of national candidates for the New Year 2016. Senator Grace Poe, still her thougths about her candidacy: Happy New Year! Thank you for helping us reach 1M likes on FB https://t.co/ToED0jpLfn RT #POE2016 pic.twitter.com/E4xm1HeUyl — GRACE POE (@SenGracePOE) December 31, 2015 At last, vice-president […]

PDOH totally supports fire cracker ‘ban’ as injury rise on New Year
PDOH totally supports fire cracker ‘ban’ as injury rise on New Year

PDOH totally supports fire cracker ‘ban’ as injury rise on New Year The reported count of fireworks-related injury is seen to rise as we wake up new year’s day. The number of injuries attributed to fireworks on the eve of new year now at 185 and rising, with majority of […]

Rejoinder, which Bicol city is ready to become an HUC?
Rejoinder, which Bicol city is ready to become an HUC?

After posting Legazpi City readies to become the first HUC in Bicol, this writer felt like taken for a ride (‘nakuryente’) by the information. So I reviewed some numbers to compare the remaining cities of the region. First. Bicol cities verified annual regular income from the years 2011 up to […]

Really, candidates do not rest during the Christmas holidays!
Really, candidates do not rest during the Christmas holidays!

Really, candidate do not rest during the Christmas holidays! Or, maybe more proper is that candidates do not let their assistants rest during the holidays(?) Look who sent a message! All candidates for elective national position for the upcoming May 2016 elections do not rest during the christmas holidays. At […]

Wow, Metro Manila can fit into Davao City four times
Wow, Metro Manila can fit into Davao City four times

We know for a fact that the biggest city in the Philippines in terms of land area is Davao, in Davao region down south in Mindanao. It has a land area of 2,443.61 square kilometers with 1,449,296 population. We also know that the biggest, contiguous urban center in the country […]

Stop being part of the Facebook Hoax now!
Stop being part of the Facebook Hoax now!

Stop circulating the Facebook privacy hoax now! I can’t take it anymore. Too many people, educated and otherwise have fallen prey to the hoax circulating in the most popular social media site, the Facebook. Many friends and associates have taken to circulating and multiplying everything of the hoax, all of […]

Run, Robredo, Run
Run, Robredo, Run

In a small gathering, my home buddies were discussing the frenzy in politics hereabout. And one of the topic was Camarines Sur 3rd district representative Atty. Leni Robredo. It is common knowledge that the good congresswoman has no plan to run for a higher elective post, for the moment, other […]

In your dreams: DFA promises to solve passport production backlog
In your dreams: DFA promises to solve passport production backlog

The Department of Foreign Affairs again is making a horrible promise to solve the backlog in passport production from 15 to 20 days. Quite unbelievable. For their “official” pronouncement do not reflect the true situation on the “ground.” An overseas friend of mine just confirmed the opposite. On May 30, […]

Ngonian Sana Ngonian / Now and Only Now  by Jap Adupe
Ngonian Sana Ngonian / Now and Only Now by Jap Adupe

Asin sinda magkaibahan kun kaya mientras an kamotkan relo nagpaypay, dai naheling, aram nindamayo nanggad mangyayari sa saro na dai nangyari sa kaiba,na mayo nanggad na mangyayari sobra pa digde,na ini an gabos asin permi na, ini an nakaaguiasin an ngonian pati ano pa man na maabot. Ini, na dapat […]

Survey says 45% of respondents favor peaceful negotiations with MILF
Survey says 45% of respondents favor peaceful negotiations with MILF

MANILA, May 9 — Surveys says 45% of respondents favor peaceful negotiations with MILF. What can cause a certain lift of joy when it is offered by pollsters? And to whom? For sure, this one does. The recent findings of Social Weather Stations (SWS) put a smile on the face […]

In the know: Cam Sur’s Camaligan most densely populated town in Bicol
In the know: Cam Sur’s Camaligan most densely populated town in Bicol

In the know: Cam Sur’s Camaligan most densely populated town in Bicol. The tiny teeny town of Camaligan in Camarines Sur registers the highest in terms of population density among all the 107 municipalities and 7 cities in the region. It has a total land area of 4.68 square kilometers […]

Sarong Banggi and the dearth of mainstream Bicol songs
Sarong Banggi and the dearth of mainstream Bicol songs

Sarong Banggi and the dearth of mainstream Bicol songs. Now added on the sidebar of the Bicol (House Journal) section only, is the unofficial regional Bicol romantic anthem Sarung Banggi (Sarung Bangui, Sarong Banggi) a reggae version by the band Mudflow from the town of Sto. Domingo in Albay province. […]

Re-introducing the musings of Luis G. Dato
Re-introducing the musings of Luis G. Dato

Reintroducing the musings of Luis G. Dato We are so privileged to present some of the works of one of the early, maybe the right choice of word is pioneering, Bicolano poet and writer as personified by the consumate and dedicated muse-inspired Mr. Luis G. Dato himself. We consider him […]

Multi-million-peso Siruma-Tinambac hi-way project approved, early implementation seen
Multi-million-peso Siruma-Tinambac hi-way project approved, early implementation seen

For the past 100 years, the virtually untouched gravel and muddy Siruma-Tinambac secondary national road on rainy season here, now get the full attention of the national government after a strong representation by 4rth district Congressman Felix William “Wimpy’ Fuentebella, backed by Gov. Miguel Luiz ” Migz” Villafuerte, for concreting.

Kristo, The longest running live street play in Calabanga returns
Kristo, The longest running live street play in Calabanga returns

CALABANGA, Cam.Sur, March 31 — Kristo, the longest running live street play here is being staged during the Catholic observation of the Semana Santa. It is a play given life by hometown actors for the past 22 years. Participants and the people behind says, “and counting,” giving assurance that it […]

Isang tanghaling tapat sa buhay ni Cesar, Rommel at Mark
Isang tanghaling tapat sa buhay ni Cesar, Rommel at Mark

  isang tanghaling tapat sa buhay ni Cesar, Rommel at Mark walang atubili ang hatid ng mga kalatas na balot ng bakal sa inyo dumatal winarak ang utak tumarak sa dibdib mga bisig dinipa sa langit piping labi humalik sa mamad na lupa sige, sa inyong paghimlay isalin ang pag-asa […]

Millions of pesos will change hands  in congress to pass the BBL?
Millions of pesos will change hands in congress to pass the BBL?

MANILA, March 21 — How often do many hear this general observation and commentary that when there is smoke, there is probably a fire causing it. Now we read about the multi-million pesos payoff rumor to lawmakers just to make the passage of the much criticized government endeavor on peace […]

Introducing NOAH, news one and half, The Satire Journal
Introducing NOAH, news one and half, The Satire Journal

Introducing and please welcome NOAH. Newest to debut in our topics and categories is our “NOAH,” news one and half, the satire journal, the comic and satire on politics, events and objects, personalities included, with pun always an intention. In Bicol, we refer to its undertone with “Borobentot, an tamaan […]

Kamera
Kamera

Nagpuli ako sa harong kan magurang, / Dara an kamera maretrato kan ogma, / Pinsan saka partidaryo nagsabat usyoso, / Kun siisay an iba dai ko na bistado. / Tano ta ngonian lang ika uminabot?

Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi
Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi

Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi Bicol netizens on social media sites are so fired up with the news and non-news of mall constructions, etc., in and around the cities of Naga and Legazpi. Hurling each other with verbal abuse, unbecoming of a Bicolano, when […]

Grumpy old men attend P-Noy’s nationwide Mamasapano address
Grumpy old men attend P-Noy’s nationwide Mamasapano address

This post is supposed to see the comic side of the news in pictures and never meant to offend. Hope so. Our artist took a photograb of the video during the second address of President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang, his message to the nation regarding the gruesome Mamasapano […]

PLDT sucks in customer service
PLDT sucks in customer service

PLDT sucks in customer service. Calabanga, CAMSUR — The new year of 2015 is seen to augur inspiration and hope for many of us. But if the new year is epitomized in telecom service like the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), then it doesn’t look good at all. Before […]

Bicol’s version of Pisa tower is the leaning belfry of Bombon
Bicol’s version of Pisa tower is the leaning belfry of Bombon

Bicol’s version of Pisa tower is the leaning belfry of Bombon. If Italy has its leaning tower of Pisa, Bicol can rightfully claim it has got one! It is in Bombon. Less than 10 kilometers from the bustling business center of Naga city in Camarines Sur, the town of Bombon […]

Simeon Ola, last general to surrender during Filipino-American war
Simeon Ola, last general to surrender during Filipino-American war

During the recent commemoration of National Heroes Day, the “historians” in Malacanang had been very selective at naming personalities that figured during the Philippine campaign for independence. Generals Vicente Lukban and Vito Belarmino made it to the cut as the palace announced that a special set of 24 printable trading […]

Testing the waters, adding the taste of satire on posts
Testing the waters, adding the taste of satire on posts

How often do we read news items or watch broadcast news on a daily basis? As for me, I watch the daily news on TV and read the newspaper like a clock work.. How often the news get our attention too much too often and sometimes we can’t help but […]

People swarm on a replica of the Quiapo Black Nazarene procession
People swarm on a replica of the Quiapo Black Nazarene procession

As we were trying to grasp the true apt meaning of people swarm, we were guided by the unfolding events of the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene prominently exemplified in the image enshrined in Quiapo church of Manila. The throng of people of different and varied persuasions […]

The Longest Christmas Season unfolds only in the Philippines
The Longest Christmas Season unfolds only in the Philippines

The longest Christmas Season unfolds only in the Philippines. Long before the traditional midnight mass (simbang gabi / simbang banggi) unfolds, beginning on the 16th of December, christmassy songs are already on the air. Because it is only in the Philippines that the longest Christmas Season is observed up until […]

Once Upon A Flight to Taiwan And Related Memories
Once Upon A Flight to Taiwan And Related Memories

Back during the days when the governments of the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of China in Taiwan were in very good and cordial terms, we had that opportunity of visiting Taipei and surrounding communities. The short plane flight from Manila to Taipei was a respite from the […]

The Convergence of PH Media Ownership Leans Toward Synergy of Monopoly
The Convergence of PH Media Ownership Leans Toward Synergy of Monopoly

However or whatever whatchamacallit, it will always be viewed and perceived as the big capital consolidating ownership of print, broadcast and media as drive towards monopoly, control and discretion on dispersing content and media information. Take a look at the giant PLDT Group which owns TV channel 5 by way […]

Remembering the Silver Era of regional tabloids thru Balalong and Naga Times
Remembering the Silver Era of regional tabloids thru Balalong and Naga Times

Who can recall the era of Bicol newspapers Balalong and Naga Times? They were all published and edited in the city of Naga for regional consumption. During the tumultuous years of the Martial Law era and beyond, the free press in the region was exemplified by the two publications, as […]

We Will Remember the Campaign Promise of the President in Calabanga
We Will Remember the Campaign Promise of the President in Calabanga

During the campaign period for the mid-term elections, President Benigno S. Aquino III. Aquino III, made whirlwind visits of cities and municipalities in the Bicol region. These video coverage courtesy of RTV Malacañang highlights the president’s campaign visit in the municipality of Calabanga at the Octagon multi-purpose hall. President Benigno […]

In Binanuaanan, Women Are from Mars and Men from Venus
In Binanuaanan, Women Are from Mars and Men from Venus

Being the first chance to visit the barangays of Binanuaanan, an eerie feeling there will be less encounter with the general populace of the area was filling us. But some information and direction about the place had to be sourced. Definitely, there will be a conversation between the unwelcomed visitor […]

The Topsy Turvy Road System of Binanuaanans
The Topsy Turvy Road System of Binanuaanans

On the day and time we were supposed to depart for the twin barangays of Binanuaanan in upland Calabanga, rain poured in abundance it was more than enough to give us a good bath. We had to cancel the trip. The next day, the weather was a complete opposite. We […]

Calabanga Marks 20th Year in Passion Play Production
Calabanga Marks 20th Year in Passion Play Production

Calabanga — This lenten tourist town will mark its 20th year of presenting to locals, afficionados and devotees the annual street tableau of “An Pasyon ni Kristo” during the Semana Santa (Holy Week) festivities. The street play is spearheaded by the Calabanga Network for Talent and Arts Development and Advocacy […]

Only in Barangay San Pablo, Too
Only in Barangay San Pablo, Too

San Pablo, Calabanga — The poblacion barangay of San Pablo, this town, is a stone’s throw from the church of Our Lady of La Porteria. Despite a small and limited land area, it is host to the local (municipal) government center. The municipal hall occupies the western portion of the […]

Peñafrancia Fluvial 2012 Live Blogging
Peñafrancia Fluvial 2012 Live Blogging

Naga city, September 15, 2012.–For the third consecutive years, Cbanga360/Bicol Street Journal will cover the Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession via live blogging as our infotechcomm gadgets permit. So keep refreshing the page as we update and post the live events on this page. 3:00 am: A Penitential Procession of INA & […]

Devotion to Peñafrancia is a Barometer of Bicolano’s Catholic Faith
Devotion to Peñafrancia is a Barometer of Bicolano’s Catholic Faith

There is no doubt about it, the Peñafrancia festivities is the acknowledged “Queen” of all in the Bicol region. The religious tableau commences with the Traslacion, the processional transfer of the images of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus and the Divino Rostro from the Basilica Minore in barangay […]

The Jesse Robredo Spell: How Long Will It Last?
The Jesse Robredo Spell: How Long Will It Last?

In a country gnawed with incessant and unperturbed corruption in all levels of the government and public service, the uncommon yet outstanding ideals that the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo represent, stood for, and lived by was as rare as the trace of water or liquid in the solar planet […]

First Jose Rizal Bust Was Installed In the town of Siruma?
First Jose Rizal Bust Was Installed In the town of Siruma?

One school day of 1934, the residents of barrio Vito in the town of Siruma, installed on a pedestal a bust of a national hero at the school grounds of Vito Elementary School. The event was attended by most of the locals including the teachers and pupils of the school. […]

Hernandez Clan bereaved by demise of family members
Hernandez Clan bereaved by demise of family members

For the well entrenched clan of Hernandez in Calabanga, the shadow of death come as a reminder of their being part of one root. Death become the source and cause of uncalled unhappy reunions, repeatedly as in the immediate past. Many family members may have found their way into distant […]

Denial or Whatever, Are We Really Independent?
Denial or Whatever, Are We Really Independent?

On July 4, 1946, the Bicol High School led the celebration of independence day in Calabanga. One of the highlight of the occasion was a parade around the town with adorned floats of young maidens and men of the locality, many of whom were students of the distinguished school. It […]

The Bolaobalite of My Father Recalled
The Bolaobalite of My Father Recalled

Even as I have discussed and recalled memories, stories and current events about Siruma, I kept missing one more place much nearer our residence and of my father’s hometown. In a way, it is my third hometown, though. I am referring to Bolaobalite, which immediately stirred a chord in my […]

La Salud Family Farm School Thrives in Calabanga
La Salud Family Farm School Thrives in Calabanga

Five years after opening its gates to the first batch of students from the surrounding communities in barangay Sta. Salud of the municipality of Calabanga, the co-educational institution still thrives and is thriving well and good. We refer to the La Salud Family Farm School, the only one of its […]

Bicol Teachers College and High School Trained Good Graduates
Bicol Teachers College and High School Trained Good Graduates

There must be rich memories spun and created behind the Bicol Teachers College and Bicol High School that alumni of the defunct twin institutions in Calabanga town keep a semi-active reunion dates. This, despite the graduates are now octogenarians and many are in far off places or gone to their […]

9/17/1972 Live Blogging the Sorrows and Pains of Colgante Tragedy
9/17/1972 Live Blogging the Sorrows and Pains of Colgante Tragedy

Sunday, September 17, 1972. At a distance, yesterday, the Colgante bridge looked beautiful, with colorful buntings and lighted with different colored bulbs. As the day’s sun descended, the bridge’s silhuette on the Naga river provided a lovely backdrop for the still unfolding culmination of the Peñafrancia religious festivities.

9/16/1972 Live Blogging at the Colgante Bridge
9/16/1972 Live Blogging at the Colgante Bridge

Saturday, September 16, 1972. As the “vancuerna” of the images of the Virgin of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro passed under the bridge, the people became more excited and jostled for a good view. Some were praying the rosary, many were chanting “Viva La Virgen!!!” and “Viva El Divino Rostro!!”

Remembering The Bicol High School and Teachers College
Remembering The Bicol High School and Teachers College

Just mention The Bicol High School and The Bicol Teachers College and it will trigger enough interest and talk, and more of an endless poignant memory recall of its surviving and now aging students.

When Goodnight Becomes a Permanent Goodbye
When Goodnight Becomes a Permanent Goodbye

During visits and homecomings, I always want to leave the parting word of goodnight. In that way, I can look forward to the next morning in full hope with a sense of things and environ unchanged.

The May Flower Power Explosion at my Sister’s Garden
The May Flower Power Explosion at my Sister’s Garden

Allow me to splurge in luxury and exaggeration in talking about my sister’s flower plants in her small front yard in Legaspi city. She has appointed enough elbow room and growth space- actually all of the space thereabout- for her source of surprise and delight. She spend good times meticulously […]

Rita Azur, Scion of a Sibobo Clan of Calabanga
Rita Azur, Scion of a Sibobo Clan of Calabanga

Visiting the seaside village of Sibobo brings back some memories of the distant past on this writer. But while our main purpose was only to revisit and take some photos of the place, there was one unintended surprise waiting for us. It was also an unannouced visit to one good and grandlady of the barangay.

Easter Celebration Culminates Semana Santa
Easter Celebration Culminates Semana Santa

Easter Sunday marked the culmination of the eight-day observance of the holy week and the passion of Christ in most Christian and Catholic communities in the country. This morning, before the first streak of sunlight came out from the dark and still sky, the traditional processions of Santos depart from the church ground of La Porteria, as in most of the local parishes of Calabanga.

Calabanga and the Earth Day Movement
Calabanga and the Earth Day Movement

Today, April 22nd is Earth Day. The international advocacy group Earth Day Network has chosen the theme “A Billion Acts of Green,” a people-powered campaign to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio +20. And the local scene is alive with enthusiasm and effort at protecting the environment.

The Sand and Gravel Mining in Calabanga
The Sand and Gravel Mining in Calabanga

Riding a motor bike on a rainy afternoon is a no-no recommendation when the destination is that portion of the national road that traverses the area about barangay Sibobo. Quite a coincidence we were right in the vicinity of the gravel-and-sand mining operation on the mountainous part bordering the area.

This Post is Very Personal Again
This Post is Very Personal Again

There was fun- swimming on the beach, sailing by motorized banca, a picnic under the canopy of coconut trees, and visiting former acquaintances. The group also had a good share of fresh buko (tipong) meat and juice on the sprawl of coco plantations.

Bonot and a Beach Memoire
Bonot and a Beach Memoire

It was one of those summer and Holy week scheduled vacations when we packed our bags for a short respite from the pressures of office work and daily commute from Antipolo to Makati. Days we looked up to as the only opportune time we connect with relatives in the province.

Reminiscing Calabanga
Reminiscing Calabanga

To her native sons and daughters, Calabanga is a beautiful town even if it seems slow in making progress. Many of its sons and daughters have left her to find their fortunes elsewhere or their particular place in the sun, but it is not a final breakaway.

Exposing The Other Side of Siruma
Exposing The Other Side of Siruma

The town of Siruma boasts of white sand beaches almost equal to that of Caramoan’s. But wait, the beaches of Siruma languishes for attention and development. Camarines Sur has invested, time and resources for Caramoan’s development and Siruma is waiting.

Siruma: Faded Photographs and Fresh Memories
Siruma: Faded Photographs and Fresh Memories

During a portion of the war years the governor of Camarines Sur was Mariano Villafuerte. Together with wife, Soledad, eldest son Manuel, Japanese military officer named Kwasima, Villafuerte took a motorboat from Sabang, Calabanga and landed at the barrio of Vito in Siruma. The fleeing governor was looking for an influential leader named Pedro P to seek aid and become his intermediary, but who left with his own family much earlier before their arrival.

Siruma Surprised, Hosts a Distinguished Visitor
Siruma Surprised, Hosts a Distinguished Visitor

After the May 10, 2010 general elections, the local government of Siruma and its town folks received its first ever and most distinguished visitor of the land, and a surprise yet.