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Current Human Events & Stories

Forty Passengers Rescued, 2 Die off Masbate RORO Sea Mishap

Legazpi city, June 14 (PNA) – At least 40 survivors and two dead persons who were aboard a passenger-cargo vessel that sank in the waters of Burias Pass early morning today have been retrieved by search and rescue operatives starting at about 7 a.m. today, according to a report of […]

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 […]

The Tiny Island off Cawayan Town has Similarities with Liouciou

In the midst of excitement and confusion attendant to the just concluded political exercise was the incident that happened in the vicinities below Batanes islands, but more specifically in the Balintang channel involving foreign fishermen and the Philippine coastguard personnel. We will not delve into the details and legalities of […]

After Election, Now What? It is Payback Time in Bicol!

The day after the mid-term elections, expect things will be back to same old same old. (Tulad ng dati.) The poor remains poor. Some neighbors at the back house had an appointed chance of getting “dole-out moneys” from candidates’ crisp peso notes with the smiley face of a Ninoy are […]

Masbate Province And City Winners and Losers May 13, 2013 Elections

PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR of MASBATE LANETE, DAYAN (NPC) 127,173 KHO, TONY (LAKAS) 105,973 CASAS, PADRE LEO (LP) 24,078 ALBURO, ROMEO JR. (KBL) 3,334 PROVINCIAL VICE-GOVERNOR of MASBATE REVIL, VINCE (NPC) 132,179 TUASON, BOY (LP) 58,601 LEGASPI, DOK NONOY (AKSYON) 22,310 MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN of MASBATE – SECOND PROVDIST REVIL, KAYE (NPC) […]

Pili CamSur Capital Winners and Losers May 13, 2013 Elections

MAYOR of PILI SAN LUIS, ALEXIS II (LP) 17,285 BONGALONTA, TOM (NP) 12,506 VICE-MAYOR of PILI REGONDOLA, ROGELIO RAYMUND(LP) 17,143 BOCLOT, RONALDO (NP) 11,404 MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of PILI – LONE DIST DIVINAGRACIA, RAUL DELFIN (NP) 16,953 BELEN, FRANCIS (NP) 14,307 BOLANOS, JOEL (LP) 13,126 MALATE, ADAM (LP) 12,087 SALAZAR, […]

Calabanga Winners and Losers of May 13, 2013 Elections

Mayor SEVERO, EDUARDO (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 14,335 DUMALASA, PHILIP (LP) LIBERAL PARTY 13,508 CALISURA, CARDING (PDP) PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 3,697 Vice Mayor ROBLES, RAMONCITO (LP) LIBERAL PARTY 16,527 GONZALES, DANNY (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 10,690 MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of CAMARINES SUR – CALABANGA – LONE DIST […]

Watch a PAL Plane Takes Off from Legazpi Airport

Just uploaded an extended video of a Philippine Airlines plane taking off from Legazpi airport as viewed from the upper side of Ligñon hill. The unobstructed view was a welcome opportunity but somehow dampened by a cloudy sky. Still it was worth it. While the native sound was toned down […]

Living by the Hillside Provides a Healthful Respite

“The real reason for physical fitness goes beyond the benefits one accrues from a healthy lifestyle,” is a famous line by Richard H. Utt. I personally believe it could be the dogma of every person who believes that Life is the most precious gift given by GOD. Therefore, it is […]

Many Bicol Families Live Dirt Poor and Always Hungry

Darnel (not his real name) lives with his family in an informal satellite community in the municipality of Calabanga. His parents and grandparents are neighbors in makeshift nipa huts which barely can be considered decent living structures on lands owned by the government, particularly by the National Irrigation Administration, as […]

Sorsogon highly dependent Bicol province on IRA share for fiscal year 2009

The short discussion here will delve on the “External Sources” of income by the provincial local governments. That is specifically referring to the LGU share in (1) Internal Revenue Allotment, (2) other shares from the National Tax collections, (3) inter-local transfer, (4) and extraordinary receipts, grants donations and aids. The […]

CamSur Ranks 22nd in the 2009 Tax Revenue of PH Provinces

Here is the unofficial financial data about the Philippine provinces on tax revenue for fiscal year 2009.  Tax revenue include real property, tax on business and other taxes. Of the 80 provinces, 11 collected property tax over P155M. The list is topped by Pangasinan with collection of P437,984,080; followed by […]

Why Are All These Candidates Running in the Election?

Calabanga, April 12 — In the local scene, one wonders why so many candidates are running in the May elections? Twenty three individuals jockey for seats less than a third of the number in the sangguniang bayan and yet they hang on the campaign trail. “As if the incumbents have […]

Catanduanes, Church, Renews Stand VS Coal Mining

From the glory hole, the provincial government of Catanduanes has retrieved a resolution it used to repel a coal mining in the province four years ago, this time for use against a similar venture that an Australian firm is pressing on. The provincial legislative board recently passed a measure that […]

Albay to Stage 50-Mile Run Around Mt. Mayon

Albay province will stage a 50-mile run during the celebration of Daragang Magayon Festival on April 6. The marathon will test the endurance and speed of runners who will compete in the Mayon 360º, a run around the circumference of Mt. Mayon. The race is one of the sports highlight […]

Albay Marks World Water Day with Scubasura

(PNA) – A group of Bicolano divers did their share of cleaning Albay’s marine environment with a seabed clean-up activity off the coastline of Legazpi city. The event was tagged as scubasura which marked the recent observance of the World Water Day. The drive was spearheaded by the regional office […]

Juban, Irosin Towns Get Flood Warning System from Germany

Juban, Sorsogon (PNA) — A German agency is providing a flood warning system along a major river that serves as flood path of rain water coming from the slope of Mt. Bulusan. To be put up along Cadac-an River, which stretches from the lower slope of the volcano and traverses […]

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 […]

CamNorte Gets Big Allocation for Hiring Teachers

Legazpi city, (PNA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) will be hiring about 3,000 new public school teachers for the next school year in Bicol. But the region’s smallest province of Camarines Norte is getting the biggest share. The DepEd regional office based at the Regional Government Center in barangay […]

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

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

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 […]

Aquino: Robredo Deadly Plane Crash Caused by Pilot Error

(PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III bared on Tuesday the results of the investigation of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on the ill-fated Piper Seneca that killed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, saying it was mainly due to pilot error. The President said three […]

CCTV Footage Could Help Solve Lupi Mayor Slay Case

LEGAZPI CITY, (PNA) Update — The police authorities would utilize the video footage of a close circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the electronics repair shop where the shooting of Lupi mayor Raul Matamorosa took place last Saturday afternoon (October 27). The other day, a witness came forward to tell […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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?

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

From YouTube: Horrible Roadtrip to Siruma

As if the information posted in here on several instances about the town of Siruma may not be enough, yet, here comes a graphic understanding on what to expect on the road to the forsaken and almost forbidden frontier. Thanks to the abundance of resources at self publishing anything from […]

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?

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

DENR: Bicol Rivers and Lakes Hyacinth-Free

There is no fear that hyacinths or water lilies would clog rivers and lakes in Bicol to cause floods and pollution resulting in fish kills, the environmental management bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office in Legaspi said.

Fiesta Days Are Here Again in Calabanga

“Oh, Calabanga, gem of the province, We will stand with pride and dignity, We will watch your fragile beauty, With much love and care . . . ” The song goes on a never ending refrain as it brings in a hundred and one memories; some happy and some sad. […]

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.

Rehabilitation of Camaligan Regional Fish Port Loses JICA Funding

The proposed rehabilitation of Camsur’s Camaligan fish port met a stumbling block with the withdrawal by its funding source. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has withdrawn as it rechannels funding at home in the aftermath of overwhelming devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami last March.

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

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.

Futuristic: Burias and Ticao Islands Want to Secede from Masbate Province

Do not get surprised when in the next few decades from now another mind-boggling political gerrymandering stirs anew the Bicol region. This time it will emanate from the land of the cowboys, the province of Masbate. We will be reading an unfolding development on these, hence: Burias and Ticao islands […]

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.

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. 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 […]

Tilapia frys from Bicol Regional Fisheries Center washed by Bebeng

The recent typhoon (Bebeng) hit the streets of Calabanga and poured enormous flood water on our living rooms. The storm also drained out about one thousand tilapia fingerlings me and my kumpadre seeded on the portion of the creek at the back of our house.

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.

What's Recommended

Phivolcs repairs 15 monitoring stations disabled by “Glenda”

LEGAZPI CITY — Two teams from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Manila repaired nine of the 10 monitoring stations around Mount Mayon including six of the seven similar equipments around Bulusan volcano disabled by typhoon “Glenda” on July 15. Headed by Dr. Maria Antonia V. Bornas, Phivolcs […]

Rehabilitation of Camaligan Regional Fish Port Loses JICA Funding

The proposed rehabilitation of Camsur’s Camaligan fish port met a stumbling block with the withdrawal by its funding source. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has withdrawn as it rechannels funding at home in the aftermath of overwhelming devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami last March.

Road Tour CamSur: Sta. Teresita Baao to San Jose Pili

This is the second part spotlighting Road Tour Camarines Sur. This second update covers the short distance starting from Barangay Sta. Teresita of Baao municipality ending at a portion of Barangay San Jose of capital town Pili. It also covers a short distance of the Pan Philippine Highway passing thru […]

Calabanga Proposed as Commercial Growth Corridor

For a robust exchange of trade and commerce to prosper, the physical infrastructure obtaining in the area will play a vital role. Libmanan has access to several mode of transport facility, Calabanga has the one lane provincial road that leads either to Tinambac/Siruma or Naga and beyond.

Always The Humble and Resilient Nipa

The nipa (pronounced neepa, as in long e) palm or nypa fruticans is an unusual tree that thrives abundantly on the creek at the back of our house. Obviously it is the perfect and natural breeding area which is muddy and wet ground.

Magical things that happen to tourists upon sight of Mayon Volcano

Have you seen Mt. Mayon or Mayon volcano almost upclose? With its towering height of 8,077 feet (2,462 meters), the almost perfect-coned mountain is the main tourist attraction of the province of Albay and one of Bicol regions’ natural wonder. If you have not been to the province all your […]

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.

Naga City rolls on real property tax collection online service

This is one good news for real propery owners in Naga City. The local government last January 14th opened an online service for payment of real property tax which definitely exempt people from the hazzle of physically going to payment centers just to pay the bill. The new facility augurs […]

DPWH begins construction of P240-M Legazpi boulevard extension, wall

The presence of earth movers, heavy engineering equipments, signals the start of construction of the Legazpi boulevard extension along the northern coastline of the city that will serve also as a sea wall. The P240 million project of the national government is under the auspices of the Department of Public […]

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.

P171-B south line of North South Railway Project has 5 bidders

Big money projects under the government’s Public Private Partnership program is a crowd drawer among investors. The P171-billion South Line of the North South Railway Project (NSRP) under the public-private partnership (PPP) program has attracted five firms already. Leading the pack of parties interested include Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Investments […]

What's Throwback

The Last and Final Words About Krill

Where in some advanced countries Krill fishing is so elaborate, modern, organized and well-funded to fill the appetite of factories that churn the tiny, minuscule organism into pet food, or extract its oil content for commercial purposes, our town fishers do it simple and still environmentally friendly, and most of all not saturating its population.

Peñafrancia Fluvial Unfolds this Afternoon

It’s all systems go for the Penafrancia fluvial and procession this afternoon. The event rolls on at 2:30 P.M. with the recitation of the novena at the cathedral. Tentative schedule here- Procession starts at 3:00 P.M. At 4:00 P.M. arrival at the embarcation point- the place where the images are destined to be transferred to the barge. It will happen at the foot of the Tabuco bridge.

CCTV Footage Could Help Solve Lupi Mayor Slay Case

LEGAZPI CITY, (PNA) Update — The police authorities would utilize the video footage of a close circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the electronics repair shop where the shooting of Lupi mayor Raul Matamorosa took place last Saturday afternoon (October 27). The other day, a witness came forward to tell […]

Proposed boulevard in north Legazpi city will boost tourism

LEGAZPI CITY -– The booming tourism industry here will get a boost as the city locates a new boulevard to be constructed in its northern part anytime next year after the completion of all the necessary requirements, permits and clearances, Mayor Noel E. Rosal said in an interview. The proposed […]

Bicol police chiefs sacked undergo refresher course

LEGAZPI CITY, June 23 (PNA) -– So, what has been done on the city and municipal police chiefs removed from their respective posts earlier reported here: PNP Bicol sacks police chiefs? The 22 chiefs of police sacked last week from their posts after failing the target policy output being implemented […]

Fire burns Jose Panganiban public market during Typhoon Ruby

Daet, Camarines Norte — Fire burns Jose Panganiban public market at the height of Typhoon Ruby. An estimated P10-million worth of goods and materials at the grocery section of the public market of the Jose Panganiban town of Camarines Norte went up in smoke early Monday morning while the town […]

Alleged irregularities surround a mall construction in Legazpi city

LEGAZPI CITY, March 2 — Almost halfway through its construction phase, only then that a commercial building rising in the city center here is getting its building permit processed by the city engineering office. For months, works on the construction of structure attributed to as the Yashano Mall has been […]