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Human Events Stories

What’s Up on Kanibag Hill

Viewed by the ricefields at the back of our house, Kanibag hill is a balding mound of soil, a geological anomally, perched on the shoulders of Mount Isarog.

A Street Urchin from Sabang

While the combined local and national election brings a cacophony of promises from candidates addressed to all the voting and non-voting people of the land, I wondered what promises are hollowed ideas and concepts that may just fade in thin air once elected.

Houses on Stilts by the Sea

A boat ride is one way in getting to the city of Masbate and the island province of Masbate from the Bicol peninsula.

The Parish Church of Divine Mercy in Paolbo

What can the alliance of dream, determination, cooperation, faith, hope, charity, hard work, perseverance, community organization and vision accomplish and build?
A parish church and pious Catholic community in the sub-hilly part of Calabanga’s village in Paolbo.

People Watching People At The Bay

People watching people at the bay. Many times I do engage in people watching just for the joy of it. But how do I know I am not the object/ subject of another’s curiosity?

Easter Beer Plaza Fund Raising at the Octagon

The “Octagon” is a squat building that occupies the municipal lot which used to be an open space with a basketball court. It was there we watched various village teams compete for the championship trophy during the summer night games.

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.

Let A Thousand Bikes Vroooom

When bank and store credit was eased even to low income singles and families, the first option was to get one motor bike for ease in mobility. A very affordable monthly, some weekly, financing plan enticed one too many in our region; an effective sales drive that spread like wildfire not only in urban centers but also in suburban areas. Add to that the prospect of more savings on daily gas expense, and there should be no second thoughts but walk into the bike store and grab one.

Into the World of Local Cyclists

Our town offers a distinct opportunity for local cycling enthusiasts to prove their prowess and grit by trekking to the hillsides and the rural country which is literally straddling the broad shoulders of mighty Mt. Isarog.

The Children of a Restive Mayon Volcano

It’s been more than two weeks now (and counting), the evacuees of about forty seven thousand people are huddled in designated safe centers in the province of Albay. The “former” residents who called their home the slopes of restive, almost perfect-coned Mayon volcano, spent their first Christmas and New Year, in cramped and crowded surroundings.

Archdiocese of Caceres Installs New Calabanga Parish

A new Catholic parish was canonically erected last October in the town of Calabanga by the Archdiocese of Caceres. The parish of St. Peregrine of Laziosi with its seat at barangay Sto. Domingo, is the 79th of the archdiocese. The new church is under the vicariate of Our Lady of La Porteria. Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi, OP, DD, himself installed Fr. Joseph Collada Olin as the first parish priest during the mass held at the Union elementary school.

Albay, Our World of Roads in Disrepair

Residents of barangay Salvacion have to walk roads in disrepair, with asphalt washed away by flood and strong rains the past few months, a prevailing situation many times common to areas in the region.

Family Survives Wrath of Nature and Human Error

How “bad events” struck twice in a row is a story so true and experienced by a good religious family in Daraga town, province of Albay. The first was brought about by the wrath of nature, the second by negligence and human error.

The Days of All Saints and Souls Remembered

We were at the town’s only public Catholic cemetery yesterday and visited our dear departed. Here in our place, as in the whole country, November 1st is designated by the church and the government as All Saints day.

Calabanga is now with 3rd Congressional District of CamSur

With the creation of a new congressional district in the province, our town is now in the third, well, the whole old second district was renamed new third district. It took effect when Republic Act 9716 was signed into law October 12th this year which reapportioned the first district of […]

The Bubbling Water of Lake Nag-Aso in Manito

The rural town of Manito is opening up to the influx of tourists brought about by the eco-tourism drive of the government. While it is home to the 160-megawatt Manito-Bacon geothermal plant, the site is being developed to cater to tourists.

A New University in Town

There are arrivals and changes that are welcome but make drastic contrast in memories stored in our mind. Take for example the recent conversion of the Camarines Sur State Agriculltural College (CSSAC) into the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) system last October 12, this year.

Bicol Wikipedia

Less than two years since its launching last November 24, 2007, the
Bicol Wikipidya, an alternative choice and online reference source now has 4.654 articles and increasing.

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.

Krills and the Bicolano Spirit of Tenacity

Much of the krills harvested in San Miguel bay are destined for human consumption. Depending on the volume, a fisherman would either bring his catch home or sell to a middleman.

The Majestic Mayon Volcano in Albay

With its towering height of 8,077 feet (2,462 meters), the almost perfect-coned volcano is the main tourist attraction of the province and the regions’ natural wonder.

But don’t be guiled with its beauty and charm, for it has erupted times too many since its first recorded activity in 1776. The most destructive was in 1814 when the town of Cagsawa was buried under its mudflows and only the church belfry was left standing. The town was later relocated into what is now the bustling trade center of Daraga.

Scouring for Krill in San Miguel Bay

Just a few meters from the rocky shoreline by the breakwater, this Sabang fisherman is making the most out of his early morning hours, scouring the shallow waters catching for the tiny, tiny shrimp-like marine orgnisms which thrives in San Miguel bay.

Mt. Isarog, The Majestic

This is Mt. Isarog, a dead volcano nestled at the heart of Camarines Sur province, the highest forested peak in the southern portion of the island of Luzon with a height of 1,966 meters (6,450.13 feet) above sea level.

By the Ricefield

By the ricefield. The simple joy of living in a rural area.
We tend to our rice farm and look up to the sky for rains to come at times.

The Popular Pedal Trikes

Very popular among the folks on small towns is this means of transport where gas is not required to make it go the distance. It feeds on pedal power, endurance and foot strength of the trike operator. The three wheeled pedal trike’s popularity is all over that from the town […]

Where in the World is Cbanga360

Calabanga is a small speck of dot as seen on the map of the province of Camarines Sur, down the region and peninsula of Bicol in southern Luzon, the Philippines.

The Rain Clouds Are Coming

The once white, thick puffy clouds hovering above turned darker in due time, cool air sweep the area and then tiny droplets of crystal water began to pour from above.

The Ubiquitous Ukay-ukay at the Town Market

One way we can learn about the the town is by wandering at the market. And on this our particular stroll, we came upon this makeshift-stall selling new and second hand clothes.

A Building Only in Barangay San Pablo

San Pablo is a small village of Calabanga town, one of the few that comprises its poblacion or urban center. Actually, it is just a one-street affair with both sides cramped with residential structures of varying designs defined by the financial well-being of the residents.

SPOTLIGHT: About Calabanga

Calabanga marks its 260th year of townhood July 15th since it was created into a municipality in 1749. As a community of over seventy three thousand people, however, the town traces its history from the earliest days of Bicol when natives crossed rivers and seas and climbed mountains to settle in places where the soil looked rich, and nature kind.

What's Recommended

CamSur sustains P187.3-M loss on agri crops due to Amang

CamSur sustains P187.3-M loss on agri crops due to Amang. Tropical Storm Amang left Bicol not without wreaking havoc on agricultural crops in Camarines Sur. The province sustained agricultural losses pegged at P187.3 million according to the regional disaster council. Other provinces registered agricultural damages including Sorsogon at P23.2 milliion, […]

Robredo, BongBong Marcos ties for second in latest SWS survey

Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo ties with Sen. Bongbong Marcos for second place in the latest released result by the Social Weather (SW) survey. [ADMIN] Cong. Leni with the various basic sectors in Mindanao. #LeniInDavao pic.twitter.com/h0oEF0bdCo — Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) December 22, 2015 Robredo gained seven points, from […]

Cagsawa branch of National Museum to reopen after P50-M rehab works

The idle Cagsawa Museum of Daraga gets a needed boost with a P50 million allocation from the National Museum of the Philippines. The funds will be used for rehabilitation that will lead to its eventual reopening to the public as the regional branch of the institution. Once operational, the local […]

Suspect in fatal shooting of Gov. Villafuerte’s cousin surrenders

LEGAZPI CITY, March 9 — The suspect in the killing of a cousin of Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Viilafuerte surrendered to Senior Supt. Marlo S. Meneses, Albay Philippine National Police provincial director, on Sunday morning inside Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola. Meneses identified the suspect as Manny Rey, 40 […]

Jail officers, inmates train in vinegar, nata de coco production

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 26 — Ten regional and provincial officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and 30 resident inmates are now ready to make vinegar and nata de coco either for their families’ use or for business purposes. They learned the process in a recent skills training […]

PEñAFRANCIA: Message of Caceres Archbishop Tirona

It’s almost the Peñafrancia Fiesta and Feastivities again. The devotion to the Our Lady of Peñnafrancia and the Divino Rostro will outpour in the city streets and the Naga river. From the Archdiocese of Caceres, here’s the message of Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona OCD, DD, for this year’s celebration […]

Filipino-Australian model bags Miss Philippines World 2016 crown

A Filipino-Australian model was crowned last night the country’s representative to the upcoming Miss World 2016 beauty tilt in Washington DC in December. Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray, 22 topped the list of winners among the 23 contestants during the pageant held at the Manila Hotel Tent on Sunday night. Gray’s […]

Tourist arrivals in Legazpi city hit .5M in 2013

LEGAZPI CITY – This Bicol city hosted last year more than half a million tourists, an increase of 32.27 percent from the previous year’s number of arrivals. As recorded by the Bicol regional office of the Department of Tourism, the total arrivals of both domestic and foreign tourists here for […]

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 […]

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. […]

What's Throwback

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.

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.

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 […]

Bicol Headline News with Ginger August 17, 2013 Edition

Rush Transcript: Cbanga360 News and Public Affairs’ Bicol Headline News with Ginger, August 17, 2013 edition. Lupi Camarines Sur was listed among the beneficiaries of the P900 million Malampaya fund, supposedly given to farmer-beneficiaries under the Department of Agrarian Reform. The fund is part of the alleged, P10 billion government […]

Miss Int’l 2013 Bea Santiago joins Albay in New Year countdown

LEGAZPI CITY — Fresh from her triumph in the Tokyo pageant, that definitely capped the year’s unprecedented haul of various international beauty titles ever, the newest Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago will be home in the Bicol region before the year ends. Bea Rose will mark her homecoming with […]

Bicol in power blackout after Typhoon Glenda

Officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said in a briefing that Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon in Region 5; and Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite and Rizal in Region 4, Bataan in Region 3 were all cut off from the grid as of 8:00 P.M., […]

Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project

Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project development. City mayor Noel Rosal said on Saturday evening during a social event celebration held at the city motorpool compound that the Ayala Corporation has invested P1-billion for the construction of a mall right at the heart of the city. Ayala took over […]

Catanduanes Friendship-Tourism bridge proposal get endorsement from Bicol RDC

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 20 — Can a bridge connect Catanduanes to the mainland Bicol and facilitate land travel bothways? Cantanduanes governor Araceli Wong made her thoughts ring loud and clear dreaming of the mega infrastructure now called the Friendship-Tourism bridge. Ambitious as it is, the 10.8-kilometer concrete bridge will traverse […]