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Human Events Stories

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.

Yes, Virginia, It’s a Milestone at 85

A very unwelcome of a weather system, this Chedeng, now intensifying into a typhoon in Bicol. It will be affecting many towns of Camarines Sur as well. The local climate disturbance dampens the day in many countless ways, including the very special day of one special person. For today, a […]

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.

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.

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 […]

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.

Francia Falcon Apelo, Educator

Francia Falcon Apelo, one of the pillars of the local educational community will be surely missed soon enough. She last handled the post of school counsellor at the Calabanga Polytechnic college (now the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture). Previous to that, she was well remembered at the Calabanga Central Division Pilot School for the several subjects she ably handled.

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

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.

More Notes on St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish

On the day this writer visited the parish of St. Peregrine of Laziosi in barangay Sto. Domingo of Calabanga, a drizzle was on its way. Anyhow, we were able to take the needed frames for our purpose. Our first stop was the construction and project site of the bell tower structure cum “tontonan” combined.

St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish Constructs Tontonan

The parish of St. Peregrine of Laziosi is currently building its “Tontonan” or that structure we are always familiar with used during the Catholic church’s Easter Sunday ceremony of “Salubungan” or “Domingo sabat.” The parish is located in barangay Sto. Domingo, municipality of Calabanga.

Calabanga Coastline Remained Calm Despite Fukushima Tsunami

The calm, salty sea of San Miguel bay kiss the breakwaters of Sabang, Sibobo and other shoreline villages of Calabanga in a clockwork manner. So much unlike as those that brought a devastating tsunami caused by an earthquake that hit the Japanese prefecture of Fukushima and surrounding areas last Friday.

CBSUA-ACT Students Launch Clean-Up Drive

Students enrolled at the Associate in Computer Technology (ACT) course of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture here in Calabanga are engaged in an immersion project in the community and residents of barangay Belen.

The Children of Sabang

A walk by the breakwaters of Sabang on a Saturday morning is an exercise of inhaling almost seafresh air. What caught the attention of this passerby was the rickety-raggedy nipa structure with kids playing cards. I offered to take a photo of the group as one boy retreated to a corner, and back of the camera.

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.

Two Bicol Provinces Hit by Flash Floods

Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered the reactivation of evacuation plans for landslide and flood prone areas and residents in six towns following the continuous and heavy rains almost all throughout the Bicol region, and most heavily Albay for the past six days.

LGU Libmanan Surpasses the P100M Earnings in 2007

For the fiscal year of 2007, the LGU of Libmanan was the first and only that surpassed the P100M earnings among the 35 municipalities, while capital town Pili had P87M. Rinconada’s Nabua made P73.2M and the third district town of Calabanga earned P72.6M.

Maricel Delen: A Human Rights Worker, a Widow, Now a Victim of Persecution

How can the government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines claim that it respects human rights when human rights defenders themselves are being the target of attack? How can there be claims of “change” when the lives of the majority remain the same, and even getting worse, and those who defend the rights of the poor and the oppressed are still being treated as “enemies of the state”?

Paolbo’s Divine Mercy Parish to Build Pastoral Center

Alas, there is more on the drawing board for the Divine Mercy parish and community. The next project will be the proposed construction of another facility to service the growing religious community around Paolbo. Yes, the parish of Divine Mercy is set to build a new pastoral center building within […]

CBSUA Masteral Students Clean-up Beach

Masteral students enrolled at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Calabanga rolled their sleeves for a day of community service. Mostly teachers from the state schools in the municipality, they went out to the nearby shoreline for a beach clean-up. All are pursuing masteral studies but met together in the environmental governance class for the first semester of 2010-2011.

CASURECO II: The Bane of a Boon

Tomorrow, we go to the polls, for the third time in a row in one year. First was the national election last May, then the Comelec-bungled barangay election last month. But tomorrow will be the selection of board of directors of the Camarines Sur II electric cooperative for resident-consumers of the nine towns of Siruma, Tinambac, Calabanga, Bombon, Canaman, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Pili and Naga city.

A Call to Heal Our Rivers and Creeks

Blog Action Day 2010: WATER– Time is running out for our rivers and creeks. But we have time on our hands to save and salvage them. Let us put an end at dumping refuse and garbage on our rivers. Saving these waterways begin at home, spreading awareness in our communtiy and helping the local government. Let us organize and move. The time is now. Not tomorrow, but today.

CBSUA Staff and Students Clean-up Calabanga

We cannot help but raise two thumbs up for that endearing and commendable efforts shared by the educational community of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Calabanga. On August 26th this year, the Technology Department moved its staff, instructors and students for a fun clean-up drive about the town working hand-in-hand with the local government officials of Calabanga.

Daraga Town Leads in Bicol 2003 Income

Positioned in rank #1 is Albay province’s premiere town of Daraga with annual income of P108,615,847. Daet, the capital town of Camarines Norte earned P79,165,000 and ranked 2nd. Another town of Camarines Norte, Labo, had annual earnings of P78,378,000 and ranked 3rd. Big town Libmanan of Camarines Sur with earnings of P71,331,958 was ranked 4rth.

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.

Winners of 2010 Peñafrancia Regional Military Parade

Here’s the results of the military parade competition during the Peñafrancia festivities regional parade held in Naga city last week. Photo here is the winning form of the corp of cadets of the CBSUA-Calabanga.

Peñafrancia Fluvial on the Naga River

Some 300 military personnel helped in cleaning the river due to unwanted debris and garbage before the actual fluvial procession. The residents and the city government of Naga should take not only one look but also envision a program on how to keep the river clean and alive again before is too late.

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.

Caceres Archdiocese Unveils Porta Mariae

The Archdiocese of Caceres unveils today the Porta Mariae, a commemorative arch of the tercentenary or 300th celebration of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Naga city.

Happy 2010 Fiesta, Calabanga!!!

Happy Fiesta, Calabanga! The town fiesta here seems to be a one week affair now which began a few years back with two separate parades on two days. And there are may more fun attractions and happenings about the town. And don’t forget to check-out the video-report of the civic parade below the text post.

The School Bands Rock the Town Fiesta

With every observance of the town fiesta here in Calabanga, we also look forward to the drum and bugle corps that now has been transformed and adapted to the current trend- a band more apt to the occasion. The cacophony of sound and music more enlivens the festive mood.

Majorettes Amaze Crowd at Calabanga 2010 Parade

Yesterday, during the pre-fiesta parade celebration, many of these institutions fielded representatives showcasing the showmanship, talent and faces of their students. Consider how long the parade went on with the long list of participants. They presented exhibition and action fronting the makeshift review grandstand, right into that commercial area, everybody calls the “Parada”.

Albay Under Threat of Electric Service Disconnection

The province of Albay and the Albay Electric Cooperative braces for a bleak week with the looming disconnect action that dangles from the National Power Grid Corporation of the Philippines. This is due to Aleco’s falure to pay the PHP982M outstanding electric bill with the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation.

Paolbo Parish Observes Peñafrancia Tercentenary

The image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro was routed around the parochial vicinity of the parish of Divine Mercy in Paolbo. Pious volunteer “voyadores” carried the images in a makeshift platform on their shoulder towards the San Miguel bay by the shoreline of barangay Belen.

The Miss Calabanga 2010 Candidates

Candidates for the search for Miss Calabanga 2010 in a location shoot at Barangay San Bernardino. On August 30. candidates don their swimsuit for the competition held at the main lobby of the municpal hall.

Calabanga Celebrates Town Fiesta

On September 6 and 7, the townsfolk of Calabanga will celebrate the feast day of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria. The civil and religious heirarchy in the whole municipality closes ranks to celebrate as one the joyous occasion.

AdeN U Grad Tops Nursing Board

A graduate from the Ateneo de Naga University college of nursing topped the nursing licensure examination given this July 2010, according to the statement released by the professional regulation Commission.

Is it Quo Vadis, Mount Isarog?

With all these exploration and mining actions in the Bicol region initiated by the national government which contradicts itself, and at times awarded to foreign companies that solely enjoy the benefits and fruits of the national patrimony, whom do we ask for relief?

A Bird’s-Eye View of Calabanga

So how do we get a good impression of the vicinity about the poblacion- Parada of Calabanga, other than taking a snap from the window of a plane or helicopter or using the Google satellite-generated image?

A Sperm Whale Dies in Rapu-rapu

The recent discovery of the humongous dead sperm whale is another thorny issue that is being blamed and connected to the current mining operations in the island of Rapu-rapu.

San Miguel Iron Ore Deposit Up for Grabs

With the looming prospect of the San Miguel bay to exploratory mining for iron ore deposit, we surmised the immediate areas that maybe opened. Here we conceptualized that prospective zone of one kilometer from the shore and three kilometers outward. The same area runs in conflict with municipal ordinance that […]

La Porteria Starts Parish Visit

During one of those tempestuous days long, long ago, the Lady of the Gates was said to have saved the areas by the bayside from an impending giant water surge. The Lady was said to have waved Her hand in a gesture like pushing the oncoming water far back from where it came to the relief of the residents.

Bicol Akrho Celebrates Anniversary

The Alpha Kappa Rho (akrho) chapters in Albay celebrate in a parade about the main streets of Legazpi city. Some fraternity and sorority members wear their signature black shirts emblazoned with the organization’s name.

San Miguel Bay Faces Mining Activities

The current environment in the area about San Miguel bay may endure some changes in the very near future with the entry of a new player. Bogo Resources and Mining corporation (BRMC) has been granted by the mines and geosciences bureau (MGB) to explore iron-ore sand in approximately one third of the bay’s offshore area.

State-Run Hospitals Urged to Practice Sanitation

If only administrators and concerned officials can equate a pastel paint job to good service and health care, then many will change their concept about a government-run hospital. Until then, the poor will be in constant want for good health care service delivery with friendly and courteous attitude from the staff.

Crime Rise in Camarines Sur Noted

The volume of recorded crimes committed in the province of CamSur rose to 256 per cent or 294 cases in the first six months of the past year against 1,047 for the same half-year period, this year. Meanwhile, Naga city’s crime index seemed to follow the provincial trend.

Divine Mercy Parish Celebrates Church Completion

The seven-year journey from its foundation and since the time capsule lowered down the ground, the Divine Mercy parish of Paolbo realized a long- sought dream, the final completion of the church edifice. The last phase that hindered the said event was the altar, the focal attraction of the building.

Doppler System Soon to Rise in Bicol

Our folks would always tell us that experience is a good teacher. I beg to disagree in some instances when the subject is like weather, weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in our country. Either people don’t seem to learn or have short and protracted memory.

Indigent residents of Calabanga receive medical assistance

Some 350 residents, including children, from five barangays of Calabanga travelled to the off-site location of West Coast high school in Dominorog, were accorded free consultaton and given appropriate medicine, vitamins and anti-biotics.

Winners Find Strange Bedfellows

Just thinking aloud, did voters opted to elect candidates due to popularity, performance, or otherwise. Voters have a clever way of playing jokes. At times, it hurts.

Rizalina Hernandez Bongat, 63

Just three houses from across ours, she lived a full, frugal and celibate life. She spent her most productive years at the Calabanga Central Division Pilot School in barangay San Francisco, on the other side of the twin roads.

What's Recommended

Bicolanos are too poor to open a savings account – Survey

Many Bicolanos are either living dirt poor, pay check to pay check, do not have money left to put up a bank account, or do not have confidence in the Philippine banking system. Either one of the above could be true. Take a look at the recent finding based on […]

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 […]

Whale shark in Donsol communicates, leaves lasting message to tourists

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It’s Special Non-working Holiday in Iriga City on September 3

Residents of Iriga city will have time to celebrate it’s founding anniversary. President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Sept 3 a special non-working day in the city in celebration of its 45th Founding Anniversary. The Chief Executive issued the declaration to give the people of Iriga the full opportunity […]

Libmanan diocesan priest runs for CamSur 1st congressional district seat

A 43-year-old priest from the Diocese of Libmanan has entered politics to face a well-entrenched traditional politician in the five-town first district of Camarines Sur. Fr. Apolinar Rull Napoles last Friday filed his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) under the Liberal Party to seek the district seat of incumbent Congressman Rolando […]

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 […]

Naga is richest city in Bicol region

Naga City, Bicol’s financial, business, educational and religious capital now has a total net worth of over P4.675 billion, making it the richest local government unit (LGU) in the region, according to the Commission on Audit (COA). The City of Ligao, in Albay province, followed far second, with a total […]

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.

Watch: Penafrancia festivities culminate in fluvial procession

We have covered the Traslacion and the street and Fluvial procession of the venerated images of the Virgin of Penafrancia and the Dvino Rostro for so many times, either live blogging, video live stream courtesy of local TV channels, photos and images thru our Tony Abalayan’s lenses, if you would […]

State-Run Hospitals Urged to Practice Sanitation

If only administrators and concerned officials can equate a pastel paint job to good service and health care, then many will change their concept about a government-run hospital. Until then, the poor will be in constant want for good health care service delivery with friendly and courteous attitude from the staff.

The Final Dress Rehearsal and FAKE COPYRIGHT Claims

A lot of stuff concerning personal matters and some directly related to our making videos and the cross-posting of videos to our social media sites have consumed much of our time and attention for the time longest. I will address one of the concerns on this video and the rest […]

Saving hundred-year old trees prevail on highway projects in Bicol

Saving hundred-year old trees prevail on highway projects in Bicol LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 17 — The strong concerned citizen support and clamor for tree conservation, many over hundred years old, in highways prevail in Bicol road widening projects. The Department of Public Works and Highways here now follows the “tree […]

Camarines Norte’s Cory Aquino boulevard up for completion soon

DAET, Camarines Norte, May 13 — Not done yet naming, renaming places, streets, etc., honoring former President Corazon C. Aquino? On Monday, Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways disclosed that another one is coming up. An 8.7 kilometer stretch of public road that runs from […]

What's Throwback

List: 53 Bicol towns with FY2014 earning range from P50-M and P99.9-M

List: 53 median Bicol towns annual regular income for FY2014 range between P50M and P99-M. For fiscal year ending December 2014, of the 107 Bicol towns, 53 reported an annual regular income between P99.9-million and P50.04-million. The first six local government units which may soon breach the P100-M mark include […]

Two months into the anti-drugs campaign, body count breaches 2,500

The number of drug fatalities, persons killed in the continuing campaign of the government against illegal drugs already passed 2,500 within a period of two months. It is the same period of President Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure at the helm of the government. The Philippine National Police update on Tuesday include […]

SOHOTON: Boat rides and quick beach tour

Visiting a fishing village for the second time in the town of Siruma was worth the effort. An added bonus was like a gift of surprise visit to a secluded area away from the populous village. Here, we share the quick round trip boat rides from rustic Vito to the […]

PWD Mother Sings to Raise Family

This a short feature of a Mother, a Person with Disability (PWD), despite her physical limitations, strive to raise her family headstrong. It was a chance encounter, have to rush back home for the camera. And the partial fruit of effort is what is seen here. Still working to create […]

Super Kids sa Pagbade sa Sabang

Watch this fourth post, a #short about Sabang and the ‘Super Kids sa Pagbade.’ Our simple tribute to these bunch of young souls who sit side by side with their parents and relatives in processing fish for eventual drying, because of their love of family. They were happy sharing helping […]

Divine Mercy Parish Celebrates Church Completion

The seven-year journey from its foundation and since the time capsule lowered down the ground, the Divine Mercy parish of Paolbo realized a long- sought dream, the final completion of the church edifice. The last phase that hindered the said event was the altar, the focal attraction of the building.