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.
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.
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 […]
As the new dawn opens up in Geneva, Philippine senator Peter Alan Cayetano may have gotten a good night sleep already and has freshen up for his appearance at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) Universal Periodic review today. Cayetano co-leads the country’s delegation with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary […]
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 2 – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on New Year’s day called on the international community to strive for peace in 2017. January 1st this year is his first day as UN chief. Guterres noted that millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars […]
MOSCOW, Aug. 17– The US Pentagon employees have been issued a ban on playing the global phenomenon game, Pokemon Go, on their work phones. amid fears of espionage. It follows reports that suggest the game could be used to pinpoint the locations of secure facilities. It has been revealed that […]
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 […]
Posting and sharing photos on one’s Facebook page is so OK. But be careful in adding a description or comment, more specially when it can offend other people. Take this case when an immigrant worker Michael McFeat from Abernethy, Perthshire, Scotland (Great Britain) posted on December 31st a New Year […]
Join us in this unboxing event of the newest Macbook Pro 13-inch system in the market. (That is new, up until Apple releases an update on this model, but mostly seen as a bigger system by one inch in size.) This Mac is the latest so far, using the first […]
The six vice-presidential candidates will gather today for their one and only debate at the Quadricentennial Pavillion of the University of Santo Tomas from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event can be watched live on TV as hopeful candidates Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Chiz […]
US drone was used in PNP-SAF Mamasapano assault? Drone or no drone, were Americans involved in the Mamasapano assault and debacle of Philippine National Police Special Action Force which resulted in deaths of 44 commando troopers? Sharing here the previous video reports courtesy of GMA7 on the alleged drone(s) used […]
Former Miss Universe Catriona Gray inirampa ang suporta para sa Tropang Angat sa miting de avance sa Makati. Ang bidyo po ay halaw sa kampanya ng buong Tropang Angat na nagdadala ng pag-asa ng Gobyernong Tapat para maging angat ang buhay ng mamamayan.
Farmers of Bato town of Camarines Sur province cluster their farms into a vast area for corn plantation as the municipality gears toward top production of the crop in the entire Bicol region. The DA’s regional field unit in Pili, Camarines Sur, recently held a two-day consultation, planning workshop and […]
We checked the tweets of Pinoy politicians for their thought(s) and wish(es) during the Christmas 2015 season. Here are some of them: President Beningo S. Aquino, III: Isang maligayang Pasko po sa ating lahat. https://t.co/r5Rwg7q0eY — Noynoy Aquino (@noynoyaquino) December 24, 2015 Senator Gregorio Honasan: Ang tanging hangad ko para […]
Internet service for everyone anywhere, anyplace through Google balloons update. Remember when Google huggged technology news during its launching of a limited number of balloons down under, in New Zealand? That was its project launch in 2013 which now the search giant claim have flown already millions of test miles […]
Red Monkey Talks presents Presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo shows her fighting and campaign form at her best. The jampacked People’s Rally at Iloilo City was so heartwarming and inspiring. Almost all candidates of the Tropang Angat of Leni Robredo -Kiko Tandem were present. Enough enntertainment from Kakampink […]
Calabanga — Putting out forest fire is an emerging challenge for local governments and communities which has no equipment nor dedicated personnel for the task. Take the current case of the huge fire that gutted about 100 to 150 hectares of second forest growth in the shoulders of Mount Isarog […]
Facebook CEO pledges to give away 99% of shares to charity? Facebook Inc. co-founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg said on Tuesday he and his wife would give 99 percent of their Facebook shares to charitable purposes. Proceeds of the holdings by the couple, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, […]
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has cemented her position as the president of choice in Philippine campuses, as she won by an overwhelming majority a survey at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the third student poll she has won since candidates filed certificates of candidacy (CoC). Two out of three […]
Are you keeping tract of the big winners in the current 41st Metro Manila Film Festival? The night of awards (Gabi ng Parangal) was held at the Kia Theater in Quezon City. Below is a list of the big winners: Best Actress: Jennylyn Mercado (“Walang Forever”) Best Actor: Jericho Rosales […]
According to the Press Emblem Campaign, below are the ten most dangerous countries for journalists in the world: 1 Syria – 88 2 Pakistan – 55 3 Iraq – 46 4 Mexico – 46. 5 Somalia – 42 6 Brazil – 36 7 Philippines – 34 8 Honduras – 26 […]
The International Space Station has another living thing on board. Not an alien or extraterrestial. In fact it came from the earth in the first place. We are referring to the familiar garden plant of zinnia, to be more particular, the orange zinnia. It is US Astronaut Scott Kelly posting […]
Is shark fin one of your favorite? Shark fin soup, also shark’s fin soup, is a soup preparation with the main ingredient of shark fin, among others. It as a traditional soup or stewed item usually in Chinese cuisine served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets. Shark fins […]
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 […]