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Human Events Stories

Senate Poster Exhibit in Support of Breastfeeding Might Draw Mixed Views

It will not take long before above photo, among the poster exhibits on breastfeeding at the senate, will take some attention and comment, negative or otherwise. Published by the Manila Standard, today September 4, 2012, as photographed by Lino Santos. Captioned “Senator Pia Cayetano, chairwoman of the Senate committee on […]

An Inspirational View of the Lunar Surface

With Introduction by David A. Kring “From the Earth to the Moon” is a brief, but vivid video and audio recording that provides an inspirational view of the lunar surface, which humans have not visited since 1972, despite being the best and most accessible place in the solar system to […]

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 […]

ISS Time-lapse Photography of Illuminated Earth

From high above the Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) provides a unique vantage point to view our home planet. Stunning time-lapse photography of cities, aurora, lightning and other sights are seen from orbit. Famed astronomer Galileo imagined these views from space and now through the technological marvel of the […]

Astonishing One Half Million Mile Solar Filament

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captures a very long, whip-like solar filament extending over half a million miles in a long arc above the sun’s surface. Filaments are cooler clouds of solar material that are tethered above the sun’s surface by unstable magnetic forces. The image and video, which covers […]

The Amazing Quest of Curiosity Bound for Planet Mars

We are posting here several video clips courtesy of NASA following the incredible journey of a rover designed to gather more scientific information about Mars and can withstand the hostile Martian environment. Enjoy and be informed. It must be recalled that a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space […]

Mobile Devices With Internet Connectivity Call for Security

(NewsUSA) – With the wealth of internet activity and connected communications offered by smartphones and tablets, our laptops and desktop computers are practically becoming passé. This means your “cell phone” isn’t just a phone anymore, your tablet isn’t just for reading the latest romance novels, and it’s giving software and […]

Children in Developing Countries Aspire to be Teachers, Doctors

(NewsUSA) – Ask an average group of 10- to 12-year-olds in the United States what they want to be when they grow up, and more than one in four will say famous athlete or singer/actor. Pose the same question to their counterparts in the developing world and professions requiring a […]

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 […]

Focus on Qualities of A Good Teacher

One week after the grand school opening hereabout, we expect students and teachers will have started slowly settling into their comfort zones. I should know. I am a classroom teacher for more than two decades in different private schools in Legazpi city and Rizal province. At one time and for […]

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

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

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

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

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

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 […]

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 […]

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?

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

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

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

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?

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Bicol Charity Foundations Loses Financial Assistance From PCSO

Seven charitable foundations and institutions in the Bicol region had been cut-off of their monthly and quarterly funding by the numbers gaming agency Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Many more similar institutions around the country suffered the same funding stoppage. This was revealed by chairwoman Margarita Juico who said the […]

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 […]

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!!”

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!!!

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.

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.

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. […]

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?

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.

Cobra Iron Man 70.3 Philippines Reels Off At CamSur Today

Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines reels off with a big bang early this morning, August 14, at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) of the Provincial Capitol Complex here from over 1,100 triathletes from 28 countries around the world.

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 […]

What's Recommended

Veteran Albay solon questions Poe’s abandonment and repudiation of loyalty to country

A former Albay solon and veteran politician expressed that Bagong Umaga presidential hopeful Senator Grace Poe does not deserve the presidential post. Former representative Edcel C. Lagman of the first district of Albay, said Poe does not deserve the presidency after she deliberately cut off allegiance to the Republic of […]

Permanent Court of Arbitration rules in favor of Philippines VS China

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines was highly favored as the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) under the United Nations ruled in its arbitration case against China over the South China Sea dispute. The international tribunal set aside China’s nine-dash line claim over the disputed waters by ruling its invalidity. By […]

September 2 is Non-working Holiday in Albay for Gen. Simeon Ola

September 2 is non-working holiday in the province of Albay. The Malacanang declaration was due to the commemoration of the 148th birth anniversary of the late Gen. Simeon A. Ola, the Bicolano hero during the Philippine-American War. Born on September 2, 1865 in Guinobatan, Albay, to ordinary citizens Vicente Ola […]

Caceres Archbishop Launches Voters’ Education Program

Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona called on the faithful to participate in the coming elections enlightened by the teachings of the Church. He said Catholic citizens should take part in the country’s electoral exercise and cast a Catholic vote that is free, informed, and evangelized. On Palm Sunday, the archdiocese […]

The Osmenas Endorse Leni-Kiko Tropang Angat

Former Mayor Tomas Osmena and his team endorse the candidacies of Tropang Angat Team of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. Osmena spells that the Dutertes and Marcos are ‘over’ to the applause of the audience. The event in Southwestern University Phinma was the last leg of the […]

This is your quick guide on filing claim for PH SSS retirement benefits

This is how concerned individuals would file their Philippine Social Security System retirement paperworks for flawless and prompt processing of benefits. With 11% of our readers and browsers in the age bracket of age 55 and up, we are sharing the informative video produced by the system for general information. […]

The spring blossoms of Jacaranda

The Jacaranda shrub/tree spring blossoms this time of year in some parts of the world. The sight of its purple blue flowers in big bunches hung in branches is quite overwhelming. Streets are lined on both sides of these trees in full bloom get transformation of some sort. But usually, […]

Colder days lay ahead for areas in Luzon

MANILA, Jan. 7 -– People in Luzon are in for colder weather as the temperature is expected to dip further in coming days brought about by the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan. The northeast monsoon is known to be at peak in January and February which now already prevails in […]

Senate OK’s resolution calling for its nod on treaty ratified by President

15 Senators agree EDCA a ‘prohibited treaty?’ The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution expressing that it should concur any treaty ratified by the President of the Philippines. Voting 15-1-3, the senators adopted Senate Resolution No. 1414, authored by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, which stated that the absence of their […]

What's Throwback

Cash is better, Salceda proposes rather than in-kind assistance for ‘Yolanda’ victims

Albay Governor Joey S. Salceda, concurrently Bicol Regional Development Council chairman, is proposing to give cash transfers to the internally displaced families in Samar and Leyte provinces rather than in-kind assistance. Salceda explained that cash transfer is much better than providing in-kind assistance to the surviving victims of calamities since […]

Bicol PDEA offers P50K for capture of barangay captain suspected of drug trafficking

CAMP GEN. SIMEON A. OLA, Legazpi City — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has offered a reward of P50,000 for the capture of the barangay captain of Sabang in this city now hunted by authorities for alleged illegal drugs trafficking. Regional director Archie Grande identified the fugitive barangay official […]

CASURECO II jacks up power rate

A local electric cooperative serving one of the largest coverage areas in terms of consumers in the province of Camarines Sur gears for a whopping increase in power rate charges. The Camarines Sur II electric cooperative will arbitrarily increase its rates from P11.50 per kilowatt hour in November to P15.30/kwh […]

Shift of school opening from June to September under study

MANILA, Jan. 4 — The proposal to move the opening of classes from June to either August or September has gained the attention of Malacanang. On Saturday, a palace spokesperson said that the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education are now studying the proposals. Deputy presidential spokesperson […]

CamSur earns another Seal of Good Housekeeping

The province of Camarines Sur is a recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping for the year 2012 from the Department of Interior and Local Government. The first time the provincial local government unit received the award was for the year 2011. The recognition was more like a positive approval […]

Albayanos pay homage to Pope John Paul II’s relics in Cathedral

LEGAZPI CITY, April 27 — A big crowd of parishioners of the Saint Gregory the Great Parish here is expected to gather at the Albay Cathedral to join the procession at 3:00 p.m. Sunday and the Pontifical Mass led by Bishop Joey “Bong” Baylon at 4:00 p.m. for the canonization […]

Gov. Villafuerte bats for an Express tollway in Camarines Sur

A proposed 15.2 kilometer road project traversing communities in the municipalities of San Fernando, Minalabac and Pili is being eyed by governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte as a possible priority public-private partnership (PPP) project in the province of Camarines Sur. Envisioned as the Camarines Sur Express Tollway project, the new road […]

Typhoon Glenda out but new potential cyclone seen

Typhoon “Glenda” is expected to exit the country this morning while another weather disturbance has been monitored east of northern Mindanao which may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the day, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday. PAGASA weather forecasts as of […]