Houses on Stilts by the Sea
BicolA boat ride is one way in getting to the city of Masbate and the island province of Masbate from the Bicol peninsula.
A boat ride is one way in getting to the city of Masbate and the island province of Masbate from the Bicol peninsula.
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.
Beside the gate of the public Calabanga central division pilot school is its massive, proud, yet paint-fading marker signage.
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?
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.
The great divide between the poor and the rich in the country is nowhere more clear than when one goes to the rural areas. In the seaside village of Sabang, more than many nipa houses abound and inhospitable for people to live in. Dilapidated. Frail. Not safe for human habitation. Inadequate.
Twenty one year old Bicol lass Maria Venus Raj from the town of Bato here in the province of Camarines Sur, bested twenty three other beauty contestants.
At 6:28 in the evening, stalls at the only public market in the town start turning off lights one by one.
Just noticed this morning older posts (those beyond the home page/first page) with comments from friends and visitors who dropped by are either lost or not counted as it displays “0” (zero) or “1” by merely looking at the bottom of the post. I tested clicking on the comment link and would lead me to the window that displays the comments.
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.
I hate goodbyes. It pricks the innermost recesses of my heart and pour tears on my eyes. It makes me sad and switch to a somber mood. I am very sentimental. I hate goodbyes.
The gate opens up and lead to the Archbishop’s Palace, the official residence of the archbishop of (Nueva) Caceres in Elias Angeles street in the city of Naga.
How many times would I tell myself that if ever I follow one’s blog, it is because the contents strike a strong and compelling interest that make me check it out on a regular basis and not just to reciprocate a friendly gesture.
The parish church of Our Lady of La Porteria, one of the six in the town, gets the much needed roof renovation.
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.
Thankfully enough we have this boat on the foreground. There’s the hint of blue in the sky but so faint and the general mood of the day is drab and dreary. The port at the city of Legazpi is the port of call for cargo and passenger ships that ply […]
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.
Many thanks and photo courtesy of League of Filipino Students and the Arkibong Bayan The great divide, nay, a chasm, between poverty and opulence both obtained in the urban centers like mega Manila and the rural areas is an encouragement for courageous and idealist youths to take up a different […]
The other night, I have to “combat” an infection of my daughter’s notebook. It was an oversight on my part the real antivirus software expired a week ago.
A fresh band of white blooms of orchid from my Aunt’s garden. Thank you for hosting Luiz, Denise, Laerte and Valkyrien. See more flowers here at: Today’s Flowers
This is a sky photo taken during our visit of the village of Balongay here in Calabanga.
The story of the Bicol martys began with the discovery of the Katipunan secret society. And the message sent by then Manila-based Governor-General Blanco to all civil governors precipitated mass arrests throughout the country.
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.
Resident volcanologists declared on Monday Mayon volcano continues its ash explosions which are more becoming stronger despite the evacuees eagerness to return to their homes within the danger zones.
This post should be less wordy. We’re churning one for Cbanga360 on Facebook, which should be online much later. And that would be about Mayon volcano update. Thank you for hosting Luiz, Denise, Laerte and Valkyrien. See more flowers here at: Today’s Flowers
It is Christmastime here in the areas surrounding the perfect-coned volcano of Mt. Mayon. And instead of snow, the towns experience ashfall showers and ground rumblings.
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.
On June 11, 1978 the Philippine national historical commission by virtue of presidential decree 1505 declared the baroque-inspired Quipayo church as a national historical landmark.
Flowers are a source of joy and delight. Even if I am not that familiar of one too many, am posting here a specie gathered from my sister’s frontyard. Could this be the New South Wales Christmas bush flowers (Ceratopetallum gummiferum)? It’s a guess though. Will always stand corrected, maybe […]
Enjoy this short clip of the green and leafy sea dragons. First published in YouTube in widescreen.
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.
Developers and stakeholders of the newest commercial development in the city of Legazpi and in the province of Albay are in the upbeat mood.
The short film “Chicken a la Carte” by Ferdinand Dimadura, was made in 2005, beat some 3,600 entries when it won the 56th Berlin film festival award for short films in 2006.
Colorful “star”-shaped lanterns of varying sizes made by inmates were unveiled in a program Sunday at the Albay provincial jail compound.
Our family, and perhaps much of the folks in our place, have that very close family and extended kinship ties. We still know our cousins up to that we might call “fourth cousins,” fourth degree of consanguinity! (Memory and Tongue twisters: 1st cousins are my parent’s niece and nephews on […]
Last Wednesday (11 November 2009), about 1:50 A.M. Mt. Mayon had a minor explosion lasting for about three minutes which brought ash fall on the towns surrounding the volcano.
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.
Let’s spend an afternoon, and perhaps wait for the sun set, at the Rompeolas of Sorsogon city.
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.
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 […]
With the initial post here of I’m a new blogger, am calling these collective thoughts, insights and learnings, etc., of a nuBLOGGER.
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.
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.
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.
At one time I visited over one hundred fifty blogs which took me hours sitting by myself and staring at the screen, reading-learning and be mesmerized of the amazing photos and typing comments quick and fast.
This is the lock of the Inarihan dam located in barangay (village) Binaliw of Calabanga constructed many decades ago.
The THIRIS covers the watershed areas of Tigman, in the towns of Calabanga and Tinambac, Hinagyanan and Inarihan, both in Calabanga, with a total land service area of 3,542 hectares (8,752.47 acres.)
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.
Lucky for us to still find and appreciate flowers so ordinary and common in our place. But for the people ravaged by the typhoons and floods in metro Manila, and still in the flooded area around Laguna de Bay and outlying provinces, and again in northern and part of central […]
Very moody. The horizon is always adorned with thick clouds this side of the town.
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.
Calabanga is one of the major rice producers in the province. With the looming unwelcome downpour coming, farmers are in deep trouble.
The series of frames here shows the deplorable and severe aftermath of tropical storm Ketsana, local name Ondoy, which caused flooding to a vast area in the national capital region and neighboring provinces due to the unabated torrential rain and wind.
The typhoon entered the eastern side of the big island of Luzon and made landfall between the provinces of Aurora and Quezon, even as rain started pouring earlier on Friday evening.
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.
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.
Bougainvillea I want to share this one specie of bougainvillea flowers fresh from our Mother’s potted greens by the front porch. She still have time to care for these plants very popular in our place. My brother who is also green-thumbed helps in nurturing them. Mother just love the color […]
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.
Courtesy of our next-house neighbor and also Aunt Lolit, these orchids are blooms in her garden, a source of joy and delight even as she worries about the rainy season this time of the year. When asked permission for the frames, she obligingly lead the way. On a sad note, […]
Sometimes can only wish for a good view of the sky clear and far from the electrical post with its tangled wires. We have to sacrifice a little in exchange for some convenience or I won’t be posting this skyview.
Maogmang aldaw! is the Bicol phrase greeting one a good happy day, encompassing every Bicolano’s spirit of hospitality and friendship. Bicol is a distinct, complete language by itself, spoken by the majority of people in the region.
What’s in a name?A flower will still be a flower, though growing wild and uncared for. Dainty and frail, they thrive well and good outside the backyard fence basking at the sunshine, facing the vast, wide expanse of almost endless ricefields. Ano an yaon sa ngaran?An burak fermi nang burak, […]
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.
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 […]
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 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.
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.
Ikinagagalak na ihandog ang kabuuan ng talumpati ni Senador Kiko Pangilinan bilang panauhing pangdangal sa ika-27 anibersaryo ng pagkakatanghal bilang lungsod ng Muntinlupa. Ang butihing senador ay kasam ng pangalawang pangulo Leni Robredo nonong Marso 1, 2022 sa mahalaang pagtitipon. Nagkaroon din siya ng pagkakataon ipaliwanag ang kayang plano sa […]
Today, I temporarily place under my drawer the primary concern of growing more subs. Because today we go Chinese. I mean, I will talk in passing about the Chinese Zodiac as very soon the Chinese New Year will come with a bang on Feb 16, 2018 and end on Feb […]
Watch Stupid Evil Deadly Traditional Politics of the Philippines. The Rodel Batocabe Murder. Many hearts bleed for the lives that are wasted and lost on a daily basis in the country. Some lives are lost by operation of the law as in the continuous drug excursions conducted by police authorities […]
More than one hundred residents of barangay San Ramon of Rapu-rapu municipality suffers from chikungunya fever. The barangay, located in the almost isolated island of Batan in Albay province, has been reported infected with mosquito-borne disease known to have started to spread in the area in July. The fever brought […]
Filipinos who expect to be in Europe and Israel during the thirty day (09 April – 09 May 2016) overseas voting period for the 2016 Presidential elections, on 09 May 2016, who like to take part in the Philippine overseas electoral process, may now go to www.irehistro.com or www.comelec.gov.ph. This […]
Zamboanga City, July 5 — The decapitated remains of two of the remaining five abducted Vienamese sailors stunned residents of a Basilan town early this morning. The bodies were found about 5:40 in the morning first by a resident of a barangay of Sumisip town. The horrifying discovery was disclosed […]
The unabated rain experienced in major parts of the Bicol region has caused danger to lives and property of Bicolanos. In Camarines Sur, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council issued an advisory prompting its municipal counterparts to take appropriate actions in their respective areas.
MANILA, Dec 20 — The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 was passed by congress designed as a boon to the electric power generators and wholesalers but a bane to end users, the consumers. Now, Senate President Franklin Drilon raised the possibility of amending the law regulating the power […]
Yes, strange bedfellows. Members of the new Philippine Senate majority, 16 out of 19 here, pose for posterity. Nineteen senators who vowed to support Senator Koko Pimentel include incumbent Senators. Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Franklin Drilon, Cynthia Villar, Gregorio “Gringo” […]
Very busy vice president Leni Robredo addressed the nation online on Monday using social media platforms discussing her report on the steps against Chinese coronavirus and message of unity. The full Tagalog text below followed by the video. Ulat sa mga Hakbang Laban sa COVID-19 at Mensahe ng Pagtutulungan at […]
PILI, Camarines Sur -– Five local government units in Bicol are among this year’s awardees of the agriculture department’s 2014 Pinoy quality corn achievers award. Named for their performances in implementing the corn program in their localities are Ligao City (Albay), Naga City, and three Camarines Sur municipalities of Baao, […]
Some senators can not hold off their comments on the still unverified US hold order on rifle sale to the Philippine National Police. Even Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson described the decision of the US State Department to halt its planned rifle sale to the PNP as a bully attitude. “The […]
Miss Philippines Megan Young wins the coveted crown and title of Miss World 2013. 2. Miss France 3. Miss Ghana The beauty pageant was held at Bali, Indonesia on Saturday. Top five 1. Miss France 2. Miss Philippines 3. Miss Ghana 4. Miss Brazil 5. Miss Spain 6. Miss Gibraltar […]
She was catapulted to fame from obscurity and now the newest face of climate change activism. Can’t get enough of the newest personality mainstream media, including climate change alarmists, swoon and idolize? Now, watch the coverage below and get that information in full package. The young activist is not the […]
MANILA, March 4 — In the continuing hostilities in conflict-torn areas in Mindanao, government forces suffered yet another set of fatalities. Three soldiers, two of them officers, were killed after the resupply column they were in were mined and ambushed by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Patikul town, […]
On the sixth and final day of Pope Francis in Mexico, he flies in the morning from Mexico City to Ciudad Juarez. It is good to note here that the pope always return to the Mexican capital after the conclusion of his daily public appearances. But not on this final […]
Malacanang was trying to defend the campaign sorty of President Benigno S. Aquino III with Liberal Party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates. President Benigno S. Aquino III believes campaigning for Daang Matuwid Coalition candidates is his duty to the Filipino people, a Malacanang official said on Sunday. “President Aquino is actively […]
For Holy Monday forecast, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Expect to experience warm and humid weather in the next three days in most parts of the country because of the ridge of high pressure area extending […]
Legazpi City, Albay, April 11 — Lost in the din of excitement and expectation for the TV broadcast of the Manny Pacquiao vs Tim Bradley fight in Las Vegas, and the expected brawling noise and cacophony of the vice presidential debates at the University of Santo Tomas later, was the […]
MANILA — As the Philippine elections near the final homestretch, the poll body is set to hold the final testing and sealing of the vote counting machines this week. The focus of activity will be the conduct by the Commission on Elections of a one-day event participated in by designated […]
KORONADAL CITY — Four leaders from the provinces of (North) Cotabato, Maguindanao and South Cotabato were among the favored faces of the new cabinet of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. Foremost among the four was incoming Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol who, after his appointment was made public, immediately embarked on “Biyaheng […]
Inaugural Message of Leni Robredo during the Oath Taking of the Vice President of the Philippines at Quezon City Reception House, June 30, 2016 To my beloved countrymen: There are moments in our lives that shine brighter than others. Like when I met Jesse. Or when I saw my children’s […]
On Monday’s first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, do not expect to see the wives of honorable members of the Senate and House of Representatives, including the lady legislators garbed in pompous terno with matching jewelry. After all, the event is not about the display […]
There is no doubt, the enthusiastic Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is bound to do more positive acts which would benefit the conservation of natural resources and the environment. On the video above, the secretary displayed high energy in front of participants, students, staff, […]