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;45934499']Camella celebrates 10 years in W. Visayas (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/228711/camella-celebrates-10-years-w-visayassuch)
Massive Savannah development
November 9, 2009, 4:31pm

After 30 years of sheltering the Philippines in masterplanned, space-efficient and secure communities, Camella continues to redefine the standards of property development. A pioneer in the affordable housing segment, it has built over 200,000 homes through 87 projects – maintaining a strong presence in Metro Manila, 17 key provincial destinations, and 36 cities and municipalities.

Attesting to its nationwide reach is the massive Savannah development – a crowning achievement as Camella celebrates 10 successful years in Western Visayas and over 15 years in the Visayas region. This property occupies more than 300 hectares.

Located near the Mandurriao Church and Plaza, SM Iloilo, Jaro Cathedral and the new Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbara, Savannah actually spans the three districts of Pavia, Oton and San Miguel.

Also within its neighborhood is the Georgia International Academy which offers pre-school, grade school and high school education. Envisioned to be a leading provider of quality education, it aims to develop citizens who will later contribute to the nation and the global community as well.

Further complementing this is the Savannah Square – an innovative concept in commercial development designed to reflect the aesthetics of the city. Savannah is known for the 21 squares or parks which express the different aspects of its history and culture.

The Savannah Square creates a unique retail area that includes access to basic needs. It will also include areas for family activities such as cinemas, trade fairs, carnivals, and sporting events.

“Savannah is developed with over 5,000 residents and over 1,000 homes built. This success has been replicated in the property developments of Camella. Within this year, it will also be launched in Canlubang, Baliwag in Bulacan, Tuguegarao, Legaspi City in Albay, and Caloocan, among others,” said Ging Quismundo, Camella head for VisMin area.

Within the Savannah development are four distinct communities – each one created for residents with diverse requirements. All adhere to the architecture of the elegant and charming American city of Savannah. The Savannah Crest, Trails, Glades and Glen respond to a variety of lifestyles designed to provide a cherished haven one would love to come home to.

The Crest has larger lot cuts ranging from 200 to 500 sqm to give owners the flexibility to build their luxury homes. The bigger space affords its residents ample areas to engage in outdoor activities like gardening and playtime for children.

Tree-lined avenues set against a flat terrain make Savannah Trails an enchanting enclave. Occupying a sprawling 50-hectare area, it is reminiscent of countryside living but with the conveniences of modern lifestyle. It features two-story homes with lot cuts varying from 120 to 180 sqm.

Tranquility reigns at The Glades at Savannah. The first development in that line, it offers luxurious houses sitting on 180-sqm lots. The homes are designed to complement the lush landscape, creating a comfortable living environment that larger families can enjoy.

Chic and compact homes make Savannah Glen ideal for starting families. Its fashionable yet space-efficient interiors complement with the bungalows’ cathedral-like ceiling and large windows, giving a feeling of space. Its lot cuts range from 70 to 132 sqm.

Savannah boasts of a complete array of amenities such as Victorian-inspired clubhouses, swimming pools, children’s playgrounds, gazebos, pocket parks and gardens, and the well-paved, and more.

this will be located in Brgy. taysan legazpi city, my friend who is a lawyer told me that Manny villar bought a land in taysan. it will be a start of big developers for southern barangays :banana:

^Yup, I hope this will spark new investments from other developers. :okay:

Entrance exams for PCG cadetship set on Nov. 28 (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=239278&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=legazpi%20city&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0)

MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- As part of the aim to strengthen the manpower of the Philippine Coast Guard, examinations for the pilot cadetship program of the PCG will be held on Nov. 28, 2009 at all Coast Guard District offices nationwide. Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said on Wednesday that prospective applicants will compete for 75 slots that will form the first cadet corps of the PCG.

The successful examinees, after hurling additional numerous tests, will comprise the PCG Cadet Corps Class of 2014 to be integrated to the cadet corps of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Marcelino, Zambales.

Under a recent Memorandum of Agreement with the PCG, the PMMA will train the PCG cadets. They will be taught the same merchant marine curriculum, particularly on shipboard and navigation training but with subjects on coast guard nuances and peculiarity.

On their final year, while the merchant cadets spend their shipboard training on board commercial vessels, PCG cadets will board coast guard vessels instead for deployment in various coast guard stations nationwide. They will automatically form part of rescue, maritime law enforcement or marine environmental protection units.

After graduation, they will be immediately commissioned as ensigns in the regular force of the Coast Guard. With both organizations under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) water cluster sector, the cross-training program will benefit both institutions in the mutual use of their equipment and resources.

PMMA cadets can avail themselves of the summer training programs of the PCG on board Coast Guard Cutters and air assets. They will also have the opportunity to be oriented on the actual functions of the PCG. Apart from the PMMA complex training, PCG personnel can also avail of the master’s degree program offered in its Manila satellite campus.

Admiral Tamayo also disclosed that successful applicants for cadetship will enjoy government scholarship leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Merchant Marine, eligible to take professional licensure examinations.

He expressed optimism that the first cadet corps will become a prelude for the eventual establishment of the Coast Guard Academy, patterned after the United States and Japan Coast Guard academies.

Tamayo thanked DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza for the fruition of the project and the leadership of the PMMA for allowing the Philippine Coast Guard to be part of the partnership. Admiral Tamayo exhorts interested applicants to secure application forms from the nearest Coast Guard units or from the PCG website www.costguard.gov.ph download.

Applicants must be natural born Filipino male or female citizens, who are: physically fit; single with no children out of wedlock; never been accused or convicted of any crime against the law and the State; at least 16 years old or at most 22 years old upon admission by June 2010; at least high school graduates or graduating from high school by April 2010; at least 5 feet and 4 inches in height and 55 kgs in body weight for males, and 5 feet and 2 inches in height and 50 kgs in body weight for females; at least average academic performance, preferably with high school Trigonometry and has never been previously enrolled in PMMA.

Examinations will be held on Nov. 28 at the following Coast Guard Districts:

Coast Guard District National Capital Region-Central Luzon, Muelle Dela Industria, Farola Compound, Binondo, Manila; Coast Guard District Central Eastern Visayas, Arellano Boulevard, Cebu City; Coast Guard District South Western Mindanao, Port Area, Zamboanga City; Coast Guard District Palawan, Barangay Liwanag, Port Area, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, Sta. Clara, Batangas City; Coast Guard District Western Visayas, Bo. Obrero, Iloilo City; Coast Guard District Northern Luzon, Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union; Coast Guard District South Eastern Mindanao, Sasa Wharf, Davao City; Coast Guard District Bicol, Naval Base Rawis, Legazpi City; and Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao, Corrales Extension, Macabalan, Cagayan De Oro City. (PNA)
scs/JES

Escudero proposes construction of regional evacuation centers across the country (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=240498)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) --Senator Francis Chiz Escudero has proposed the construction of regional evacuation centers in the country to avoid crowding in public schools and disrupting classes after a major calamity. Escudero said that the centers would also serve as “regrouping” areas for residents who would be affected by any calamity.

The proposal came after reports from both the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Albay Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) indicated an imminent explosion from Mt. Mayon.

“Local Government Units should think about setting aside a part of their budget for constructing central evacuation facilities. These areas could be placed in one permanent zone where people could gather and look for families,” he said.

Over the week, a resident Philvocs volcanologist in Bicol warned that Mayon may erupt because of the presence of volcanic quakes, sulfur gas, and ash explosions.

Philvocs also maintained Mount Mayon’s alert status at Level 2, putting the volcano at a state of unrest. Escudero said that recent activities in Mount Mayon might also require the residents to be forcibly evacuated from their homes.

He said that government buildings or schools may be used as temporary shelters in case the volcano explodes. “When an explosion happens, people try to scramble in different directions to look for cover. If there is a specific area where a central evacuation center could be located, families can go there and look for each other,” he said.

“Another purpose for the regional evacuation center is to direct all relief efforts in one area. This could also make it easier for rescue officials to pinpoint the people who are missing,” he said. At the height of typhoon Santi in Albay, more than 14 thousand individuals and two thousand families were evacuated.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda directed the stockpiling of food and other relief goods and prepositioning of 35 trucks, 25 rubber boats and nine ambulances in various local disaster councils, as preparation for two complex disasters the Mayon eruption and incoming weather events.(PNA)
RMA/LQ/MSA/cbd

this will be located in Brgy. taysan legazpi city, my friend who is a lawyer told me that Manny villar bought a land in taysan. it will be a start of big developers for southern barangays :banana:

WOOOW!!!! This is good news. Ini an aloy ko nang pig-aanticipate, an pag-laog ki sarong dakulang developer diyan sa may Taysan. Even if there are already a sprinkling of development in the area, we need a bigtime developer to create a bandwagoan. This will really spark the development of the mountain barangays. Sa masunod, yaon na diyan an Filinvest saka Megaworld.

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Ice Plant, Culliat, Daraga, Albay
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Shell Gas Station, Busay
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Busay Garden?
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Provincial Enginneering Office
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Camalig
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Libod, Guinobatan

^Very nice hehe. Ini ang tighahalat ming mga mini-tour ni Sherwin. :okay: :okay:

;45903333']DPWH starts P121-M Japan-assisted road project in Albay (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=239754&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=albay&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0)

MANILA, Nov. 6 (PNA) -- With the apparent cessation of typhoon visits in the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the construction of the Ligao-Pio Duran Road Improvement Project, Contract Package 1 under the Arterial Road Links Development Project Phase V of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

In his report to DPWH Secretary Victor Domingo, DPWH Philippine Japan Highway Loan Project Director Maximo Carvajal, said that the contractor had finished the deployment of heavy equipment and installation of their field office and now starting the actual construction of the vital road project.

"The completion of this arterial road is important especially for the agricultural industry in Pio Duran which has an increasing investment opportunities in aquaculture and coconut,” Carvajal said.

The Ligao-Pio Duran road project involves the construction of 5,240 lineal meters of Portland concrete cement pavement (PCCP), improvement of road shoulders, construction of drainage and slope protection works and installation of road safety devices.

This P121.9 million road improvement project is jointly funded by JBIC and the Government of the Philippines and is scheduled to be completed by July next year. (PNA)
FFC/LBV

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pKpVdn38Do4
:eek::drool:

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Barangay Paulba, Ligao City
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^^Thanks for the update on the Ligao-Pio Duran Road project! It's good to know infrastructure projects are not just concentrated in the second district and Legazpi City area. :okay:

:eek::drool:

Thanks for sharing. Hehe. Ang bilis, may copy kaagad sa Youtube

Here's the complete first episode of the Sports Unlimited series of features on Legazpi City and Albay Adventures.

Yi7tToghdas

jq3dXGjFOpo

pKpVdn38Do4

nyl4PVSGQ8Y

From Sports Unlimited's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sports-Unlimited/137895883571)

More Mayon Volcano Adventures this Saturday! Trek on Mayon's neighbor volcano (Lignon Hill), River Cross the Yawa Riverbed, Ride an ATV to the foot of Mayon, Fly with the world's only zipline attached on fresh lava, Timewarp to WWII! All that happenin' this Saturday! (Nov. 14)

Sneak Peek- Mayon Volcano Adventures

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Legazpi City businessman invests P225M to convert old building into tourist inn

Written by Max V. de Leon / Reporter
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 19:40
A FILIPINO businessman is investing P224.91 million to convert an old building in Legazpi City into a tourist inn.

Elizaldy Co, chairman of Sunwest Group of Companies, is renaming the facility to Hotel St. Ellis, which will cater to both local and foreign guests.

The project involves the total renovation of an old six-story building, including the resizing and refurbishing of the rooms, remodeling and reconstruction of the structure.

The 1,476-square-meter (sq m) tourism accommodation facility will have 40 rooms with floor areas of 23 sq m to 54 sq m.

The project will augment the number of existing tourist lodgings in Legazpi City.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) granted a certification to the project, allowing it to qualify for a host of fiscal and nonfiscal incentives from the Board of Investments (BOI).

The BOI also approved the grant of perks to Highlander Hotel and Resort, a P90-million tourist-accommodation facility in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Highlander Hotel and Resort was endorsed by the DOT as a standard-class hotel with 76 rooms ranging from economy to suite types.

The 2-hectare, two-story facility earned a pioneer status from the BOI—qualifying it to up to eight years of income-tax holidays and other incentives—as it is located in a less-developed area.

40 rooms lang palan ang Hotel St. Ellis. But I think the room sizes are big, right? 54 square meters max

WOOOW!!!! This is good news. Ini an aloy ko nang pig-aanticipate, an pag-laog ki sarong dakulang developer diyan sa may Taysan. Even if there are already a sprinkling of development in the area, we need a bigtime developer to create a bandwagoan. This will really spark the development of the mountain barangays. Sa masunod, yaon na diyan an Filinvest saka Megaworld.

I think it's only a matter of time before we see these developers come in. :okay: I just hope the upcoming developments will be well-planned. For example, underground utilities, good drainage system, roads with provisions for future widening, etc. I hope we start things right with the long term in mind.

Hotel projects get incentives

THE BOARD of Investments (BoI) has granted incentives to two hotel developments totaling P314.91 million, the agency said in a statement yesterday.

Hotel St. Ellis’ P224.91-million investment will be used to renovate a six-storey hotel building in Legazpi City, the BoI said. Upon completion, the 1,476 square-meter accommodation will have 40 rooms.

A Filipino company, unidentified by the BoI, will meanwhile put up a two-storey hotel, dubbed Highlander Hotel and Resort in Nueva Vizcaya, worth P90 million. This hotel will have 76 rooms, a bar and restaurant and a swimming pool.

Both hotels will generate 145 jobs, the statement read.

The Legazpi City hotel was granted up to four years income tax holiday, while the one in Nueva Vizcaya was granted up to six years, since the province is listed as a “less developed area.”

Under the 2009 Investment Priorities Plan, projects for tourism infrastructure are qualified for such incentives.

The BoI also granted up to four years income tax holiday to two mass housing developments and a fish processing plant.

Among these is Federal Land, Inc.’s construction of a P246.73-million condominium in Paco, Manila. The 15-storey building will house 184 units.

Johndorf Ventures Corp. similarly received incentives for its P127.015-million housing development in Butuan City. The firm will be building 196 units on a 30,000-square meter lot.

A fish processing and packing project of Malalag Bay Aquaculture and Processing Corp. for P30.40 million also qualified for incentives. The project actually consists of two facilities - one in Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur and the other in General Santos City. -- JADH

Misibis Bay Raintree
by newsboy419
(http://newsboy419.multiply.com/)
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Send-off party para ki Melody Gersbach, pigpangenotan ni Salceda; mga Albayano, labi-labi an suporta para representante kan Pilipinas (http://bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=117848)
11/10/2009 7:07:06 PM

LEGAZPI CITY - Sarong send-off party na pig-isponsoran ni Governor Joey Salceda para ki Binibining Pilipinas-Intl. Melody Gersbach an ginibo sa Shangrila Hotel kasuogma. Si Gersbach an magigin representante kan Pilipinas sa nagdadangadang na Ms. Intl. beauty pageant na gigibuhon sa Nobyembre 28, sa Chengdu, China.

Katakud kani, pig-engganyar kan Gobernador an mga Albayano na ipangadye si Gersbach para maipuli kani an titulo kan Ms. Intl. arog ni Lara Quigaman na saro man na Albayana gikan sa Ligao City na nagpuli kan korona. Sinabi kan opisyal na an paglaag kan Albay sa national asin global map an makakatabang sa proyekto kan provincia sa mas positibong imahe sa ibong kan eruptions asin kalamidad para makaengganyar nin dakul pang mga turista asin investors na magdigdi sa provincia.

Tinawan-duon man kani na an Albay asin Chengdu sa China an dai nagkakarayo huli ta parehong nakaeksperiencia nin mga linog asin bistado sa mga hot and spicy foods. Dakula an pagtubod kan mga Albayano na magayon an tsansa ni Gersbach huli kan mga nabanggit na pagkakapareho. Labi-labi man na nagpasalamat sinda Melody asin ina kani sa ipinapahiling na suporta kan mga Albayano.

* * *

Taga Ligao palan si Precious Quigaman? :dunno:

Job Vacancies in Embarcadero:

Store Managers, Store Supervisors, Accounting staff, HR Assistant,Business Development Officer Marketing officer, graphic artist, procurement assistant/officer, cook, bartender, service crew/ waiter.

Interested applicants may apply via email @ glhernandez@sunwest.com.ph or you may call (052)820-0473 for inquiries.

BOI grants tax perks to 5 projects (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=522148&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio (The Philippine Star) Updated November 11, 2009 12:00 AM

Excerpt:

MANILA, Philippines - The Board of Investments (BOI) has given tax breaks to five investment projects worth P719.055 million. Hotel St. Ellis applied for its first tourism project classified as a tourist inn. The P224.91 million inn will be located at the Legazpi Port Area Legazpi City. The project involves the total renovation of an old six storey hotel building. Upon completion, the 1,476 square meter tourism accommodation facility will have 40 rooms available for accommodation for local and foreign guests. This project will augment the number of lodging facilities in Legazpi City. The company said 45 new employees will be hired for the project when it starts commercial operations next month.

* * *

So based on this news article, Hotel St. Ellis will start operations in December 09.

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This is a testament to Gov. Salceda's pure intent in spreading the benefits of a Rising economy... bringing excellently paved roads with proper lane markings to this seemingly Politically unimportant sleepy town. This is why Albay has a more even spread of wealth and there is not a very big disparity in buying power between cities an towns. Albay constituents are provided with proper infrastructure so that they can bring their goods to business centers efficiently.

;45958075']http://wowlegazpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/img_1300.jpg

Here's the Legazpi PNR Station - a building with great historical value :okay:
ginagawa na po ba nagyon yan?

buti maganda ang palakad diyan sa Albay ni Gov. Salceda at di napag-iiwanan ng ibang mga probinsya ng Luzon. hope to see more developments in Albay.:)

While we were sleeping: Still alert level II...ash puff reported between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/25/1200x1200/1/DSC01691a.JPG?et=qJ9TjsdTS8rf4ujYjQ9%2Crg&nmid=296622331
^Early this morning...ash fall reported in Masarawag, Guinobatan.

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2571.jpg
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http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2573.jpg
I like this segment of the road with asphalt overlay. Sayang ugaring, kuta at the outset, at least three lanes an roadway to ease up traffic and to anticipate future development. In the long run, gari it's more economical to build roads with extra one or two lanes kaysa magdemolish ki builtup structures to widen them. Bata an mga homeowners na may frontage, ano daw ta kaiindyut, sisagad an kudal buda sisakop an shoulder.

With Mayon acting up every now and then, it behooves political leaders to accelerate development of the western coast of Albay, to quote iMilo, far "from harm's way."

Thanks, Sherwin. While I'm limited to the fringes of Legazpi and Daraga, you practically cover the entire Albay!:)

^^I agree. Even though it's a 'mere' provincial road, there should be provisions for future expansions. :)


Thanks, Sherwin. While I'm limited to the fringes of Legazpi and Daraga, you practically cover the entire Albay!:)

Yup, hat's off to Sherwin. He took us to Manito, now to Ligao - Pio Duran. :applause:

This is a testament to Gov. Salceda's pure intent in spreading the benefits of a Rising economy... bringing excellently paved roads with proper lane markings to this seemingly Politically unimportant sleepy town. This is why Albay has a more even spread of wealth and there is not a very big disparity in buying power between cities an towns. Albay constituents are provided with proper infrastructure so that they can bring their goods to business centers efficiently.

Couldn't have said it better myself :okay:

ginagawa na po ba nagyon yan?

Not yet. But I think this building doesn't need a total overhaul. I hope they preserve this 60 - 70 (or maybe more) year old structure .

buti maganda ang palakad diyan sa Albay ni Gov. Salceda at di napag-iiwanan ng ibang mga probinsya ng Luzon. hope to see more developments in Albay.:)

^^Thanks! Welcome to the thread :)

Pay observation binoculars at Embarcadero (hope to see more of these, especially in Ligñon)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1102.jpg

If this is already operational, I think there will be queues. hehe (especially with our Daragang Magayon acting up again)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1103.jpg

Faux cobwebs for Halloween (a week ago)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1105.jpg

These concrete letters are becoming a hit with visitors taking snapshots of the place
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1106.jpg

MLC identifies 3 missionary routes in Bicol (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/18371-mlc-identifies-3-missionary-routes-in-bicol.html)
Written by Danny O. Calleja / Correspondent
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 19:53

SORSOGON CITY—The Maritime Leasing Corp. (MLC) has identified three “roll-on, roll-off” (Roro) missionary routes in Bicol where the deployment of safe and suitable vessels under financial or operating-lease arrangements between qualified operators and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) have been made available.

This vessel deployment strategy is for the Road Roro Terminal System (RRTS) and Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) program of the government, according to Angelita Villarosa, MLC senior vice president for finance. In meeting with prospective operators held here over the weekend, Villarosa said MLC can pump-prime Roro business that local investors could get into using the marine vessel facilities available. MLC is a 100-percent-owned subsidiary of the DBP, a government-owned and -controlled banking institution.

Among the Bicol linkages that the MLC has identified and prioritized for the Roro missionary routes are the Pilar, Sorsogon-Aroroy, Masbate route with a distance of 30 nautical miles (NM) or three hours’ travel time; Pasacao, Camarines Sur-San Pascual, Burias Island route with a distance of 23 NM or 2.3 hours of travel; and the Pio Duran, Albay-Claveria Burias Island route with a 12-NM distance or 1.2 hours of travel, Villarosa said.

These areas are among the 34 Roro missionary routes in the country identified into the RRTS and SRNH and prioritized for operations under the DBP-MLC financial or lease arrangements. There are 12 other routes called “developed” and currently operational, linking islands from Luzon to Mindanao.

Among the developed routes that link Bicol with other port of destination are Masbate City-Lucena City; Pilar, Sorsogon-Masbate City; Matnog, Sorsogon-Allen, Samar; and Catanduanes-Tabaco City, Albay.

Missionary routes refer to areas that are not deemed commercially viable at first, but are eventually seen to generate sufficient traffic, Villarosa explained. MLC is coordinating with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the development of ports or Roro ramps in these areas for the former to be able to field vessels and open traffic on these routes, Villarosa said. “DBP-MLC targets an additional 20 brand-new and 26 secondhand vessels to its current fleet within the period of 2009-2013 under the government’s SRNH project,” she said.

MLC had leased out its current fleet of seven vessels to operators like Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc., Star Horse Shipping Lines, Romblon-Tablas Sibuyan Lines and Boac Ferries. Star Horse’s vessel, MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II, financed by MLC, was the first vessel to service passengers at the Subuquin Terminal in San Juan, Batangas. Imported from South Korea, the Roro vessel provides vital support to the agricultural, industrial and regional development of Batangas and Marinduque.

Also, it provides efficient, fast and reliable shipping service to residents of San Juan, Batangas and Mogpog, Marinduque, Villarosa said. Villarosa said the proposed new routes identified by the MLC through the PPA would facilitate movements of passengers, consumer goods, construction supplies and agricultural products then provide wider business opportunities among local investors.

There are 48 RRTS connections that have been identified to link the islands from Luzon to Mindanao. Half of these connections are already operational while the rest remain without service and unattractive to private-investment initiatives, she said. “With MLC under the DBP following its acquisition last year, we are able to immediately respond to developmental mandate of providing long-term financing to RRTS projects in missionary routes,” Villarosa said.

The MLC vessel-acquisition program consolidates the national government’s efforts to hasten the development of missionary routes and optimize the benefits of the SRNH program, which aims to bring down costs of interisland shipment of goods and passengers. Villarosa explained that Roro vessel operators under the DBP financing scheme can have a full recovery of investment within 10 to 11 years only, “not too long for a good investment with a very good profit,” she added. “To be sure about this, we provide route assessment and advisory services, as well as technical assistance to the operators,” she added.

Legazpi Grand Central Terminal
by digishooter (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digishooter/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/4092727926_3b4c05cbc1_b.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs022.snc3/10959_175212819572_632689572_2700101_4463044_n.jpg

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http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs022.snc3/10959_175212799572_632689572_2700099_3524858_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs022.snc3/10959_175212804572_632689572_2700100_1947632_n.jpg

^^Hehe, sabi ko ngani sa Facebook nagpulbo gayud si Magayon.

Misibis Bay Raintree
by newsboy419
(http://newsboy419.multiply.com/)
http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/9/Misibis-Raintree-8.jpg?et=r9tySxgxKKQWKbNkPOAopg&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/15/Misibis-Raintree-14.jpg?et=Lus5wtmzGZDXu1TipiNjjw&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/16/Misibis-Raintree-15.jpg?et=n5sHLdFwVTLuyB0G5PUvcA&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/18/Misibis-Raintree-17.jpg?et=Si%2B56qLlDHX4Ub%2CPKR%2CnGQ&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/24/Misibis-Raintree-23.jpg?et=vBZuRiLrx2YNoB9re6nRiQ&nmid=293562891

Ganun talaga programming nila, may time fame esp pag Sunday.
Well watch out for 89.1 GV Broadcasting, parang 0K FM ito. And inform me pag on air na ulit ang 89.1. Busy lang ako dito sa Manila. Wanna go home soon.:) May 24 hours dyan na 106.7 Kiss FM.:).. yung kiss fm napakahina ng signal. sa bonot pa lang wara na sinda asin maski nga sa terminal d na sila nakakapenetrate. mas lalo na sa daraga dai na nadadangog. paging kiss fm. maganda pa naman mga music nyo.:ohno:

Philippines' Mayon volcano spews ash, could erupt (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hAsh86J3QWdxWNEaLHMmNk7dMbiQD9BT20880)
(AP) – 19 minutes ago

MANILA, Philippines — Scientists say the cone-shaped Mayon volcano in the central Philippines has shot an ash plume into the air and are advising nearby residents to be ready to move in case of eruption. Chief state volcanologist Renato Solidum says Mayon's alert level remains the same but if magma continues to rise below the glowing crater it could erupt within weeks.

The country's most active volcano last erupted in 2006. Typhoon-triggered mudslides later that year buried entire villages, killing more than 1,000 people. Two explosions early Wednesday sent ash and rocks more than half a mile (a kilometer) into the air, reaching nearby Camalig town along Mayon's foothills. Authorities say they are ready to evacuate villages once the alert level goes up.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

;46018497']^^Hehe, sabi ko ngani sa Facebook nagpulbo gayud si Magayon.

Iyu ngani... gari baga powder break... pulbo muna ki diit ta medyo nagalana na su pandok. :nuts:

Iyu ngani... gari baga powder break... pulbo muna ki diit ta medyo nagalana na su pandok. :nuts:

^:lol: exactly

Bid Notice for a proposed Pavilion of Natural Resources Museum in Brgy. Homapon

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/8038/printablebidnoticeabstr.png

Source (http://www.philgeps.net/GEPS/Tender/PrintableBidNoticeAbstractUI.aspx?refid=1016507)

400 priests gather in Albay (http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/11159)

BACACAY, Albay, Nov. 10, 2009— At least 400 priests from the Archdiocese of Caceres and the Dioceses Legazpi, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Libmanan and Virac have gathered at the Bethlehem Retreat Center, this town for their regional clergy retreat which began yesterday and will end on Friday. The retreat is centered on the theme “Revisiting the Priesthood in the Light of St. John Mary Vianney’s Life and Example.”

Masbate Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, secretary general of the Union of Bicol Clergy. said the regional clergy retreat is being held because of Pope Benedict XVI’s proclamation of the period from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 as Year of the Priests, as integral part of the spiritual preparation for the 300th anniversary of the Peñafrancia Devotion in 2010 and the Golden Jubilee of the Union of Bikol Clergy.

He said Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi, Virac Bishop Manolo A. Delos Santos, Daet Bishop Gilbert A. Garcera, Libmanan Bishop Jose R. Rojas, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, Legazpi Apostolic Administrator Lucilo B. Quiambao and Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose C. Sorra are in attendance.

“All our speakers are priests from the Bicol region except for Professor Danny Gerona, an expert in the history of the Bikol church,” Bishop Baylon said. The prelate said the expenses for the event has been shouldered by the seven dioceses thru individual donations. “The Diocese of Legazpi also promised to help source funds,” he said.

The Union of Bicol Clergy was organized in the late 50’s. Fr. Teotimo C. Pacis, a Vincentian who became bishop of Palo, Leyte and Legazpi, initiated the organization of the UBC. He was then Rector of the Seminario del Santisimo Rosario. Ever since it was established the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary played host to the UBC every September. During gathering the clergy engage themselves in various sports competitions

In a related development, Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra said the first Regional Clergy Congress was held in 1995 under the auspices the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Clergy then chaired by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal. (Fr. Louie Occiano/Melo M. Acuna)

* * *

^^Back in High School, whenever there was a retreat/seminar/recollection, it was held either in Bethlehem or in Betania hehe. Reminiscin'

Mayon Volcano Advisory (Nov. 11, 2009)

At 1:58 AM today, an ash explosion occurred at the summit crater of Mayon Volcano (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E). This event was recorded by the seismic network as explosion type earthquake which lasted for about three minutes and accompanied by rumbling sounds. Incandescent rock fragments at the upper slope were observed in Brgy. Lidong of Sto. Domingo, Brgys. Tumpa and Anoling of Camalig.

Ash column was not observed due to cloud cover. Field investigation conducted after the event showed ashfall drifted towards the Southwest quadrant of the volcano due to the prevailing Northeast monsoon. Barangays affected by traces of ashfall were brgy. Tumpa of Camalig, Brgys. Travesia, Maipon, Masarawag, Doña Tumasa, Muladbukad Grande, and Pequeño of Guinobatan, Brgys. Nabonton and Nasisi of Ligao. Light ashfall was also noted at Brgy. San Rafael of Guinobatan.

For the past 24 hours, the seismic network recorded twenty (20) volcanic earthquakes.

From Phivolcs (http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/)

The Legazpi City page on Facebook now has 2,500 fans :okay: :okay: Be a fan of Legazpi City on FB (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Legazpi-City/165069192339?ref=search&sid=505907893.1022404287..1). See ya there!

(UPDATE 2) Mayon Volcano erupts (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091111-235515/UPDATE-2-Mayon-Volcano-erupts)
More ash explosions seen
By Rey M. Nasol
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 06:09:00 11/11/2009

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines— The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded an ash explosion in Mayon Volcano early Wednesday, which caused ash fall in Albay towns located southwest and northwest of the volcano. "The explosion, which occurred at around 1:58 a.m., is a clear sign of magma intrusion toward the summit crater of the volcano," said Alex Baloloy, Phivolcs science research analyst.

The explosion, which lasted for about three minutes, was accompanied by rumbling sounds. Residents in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Polangui, Oas, and Ligao City reported experiencing the ash fall. Baloloy said, however, that the height of the ash column was not recorded because clouds covered the view of the volcano and it was still dark when the explosion happened.

He added that because of the prevailing northeast monsoon, the ash fall drifted toward the southwest and northwest towns of the volcano. Another ash emission was recorded at around 7:02 a.m. with ashes as high as 300 meters from the crater drifting in the same direction of the first ash explosion early morning.

Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 2, meaning a state of increasing unrest of magmatic origin which may eventually lead to eruption. "The volcano has exhibited already two ash explosions since early morning today and it is possible that more explosions and even slight to stronger explosions could occur anytime. That is why we are closely monitoring the volcano," Baloloy said.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda immediately alerted the disaster officials through the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office to reiterate the strict observance of the six-kilometer permanent danger zones around the volcano; and the seven-kilometer extended danger zone in the southeast quadrant of the volcano.

The 2,462-meter-tall volcano 300 kilometers southeast of Manila first spewed ash this year in three successive events last September 15. Another smaller single ash explosion was also recorded by the Phivolcs last October 28 and the latest early Wednesday morning which is already characterized by ash fall. The volcano, said to be the most active in the country, has erupted at least 50 times since 1616. Its worst eruption buried Cagsawa town and killed 1,200 people in 1814. An eruption in 1993 killed more than 70 farmers. Mayon erupted again in 2006.

Su bukid (hmm, gari related sa 'bukit' kan Bahasa...) kasubagong aga...
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/25/1200x1200/2/DSC01698a.JPG?et=o4eWAL9rHUX8MkqMHcq9Lg&nmid=296622331
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/25/1200x1200/3/DSC01700a.JPG?et=LleJBM6Tw%2C5iKxwkNi20zA&nmid=296622331
^Pinitik sa Taguntong...

Taguntong...
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/26/1200x1200/1/DSC01701a.JPG?et=ydlDB0DAhqRJXXEsxcGfPA&nmid=296683061
^Yaon na man sana ako sa lugar...

^^Kagayon kang panahon sa Legazpi ngunyan na aldaw. Kaya man nagpulbo muna si Magayon ta hilingonon palan sya ngunyan. Hehe.

@Sir Monsi, tigpost ko po su ibang litrato na napost mo in previous threads sa Facebook hehe. Sayang man kaya, para mas ma appreciate pa ki mas dakol na tawo. :colgate: :okay:

Pope John Paul II in Legazpi City
February 21, 1981

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs115.snc3/16242_175332332339_165069192339_2813110_806704_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs115.snc3/16242_175332337339_165069192339_2813111_197079_n.jpg
^Courtesy of @Monsi

;46022741']http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs115.snc3/16242_175332337339_165069192339_2813111_197079_n.jpg
^Courtesy of @Monsi
^Wow! Boeing 727 tri-jet!
Ano daw kun na post ta na ini sa Legazpi Airport thread...

11/11/2009 2:26:26 PM

LEGAZPI CITY - Pighahandalan na magdagos-dagos na an pagbuga kan abo kan bulkang Mayon.

Ini makalihis na mairehistro an ikatolong ash emission ngonian na aldaw bandang alas-12:20 kasubagong pagkaudto.

Segun sa Phivolcs, nagdurar nin 10 segundo an ashpuff na igwang langkaw na 200-300 metro northwest.

Arog kan nangyaring pagbuga nin abo pasado alas-siyete kasubago sirigman an naeksperienciahan ngonian na udto.

Magigirumduman na enot ng nairehistro an ash explosion bandang ala-1:58 kasubagong mag-umagahon, pigsundan nin alas-7:02 kasubagong pagkaaga asin an pinakahuri ngonian na alas-12:20 nin udto.

;45989023']Send-off party para ki Melody Gersbach, pigpangenotan ni Salceda; mga Albayano, labi-labi an suporta para representante kan Pilipinas (http://bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=117848)
11/10/2009 7:07:06 PM

LEGAZPI CITY - Sarong send-off party na pig-isponsoran ni Governor Joey Salceda para ki Binibining Pilipinas-Intl. Melody Gersbach an ginibo sa Shangrila Hotel kasuogma. Si Gersbach an magigin representante kan Pilipinas sa nagdadangadang na Ms. Intl. beauty pageant na gigibuhon sa Nobyembre 28, sa Chengdu, China.

Katakud kani, pig-engganyar kan Gobernador an mga Albayano na ipangadye si Gersbach para maipuli kani an titulo kan Ms. Intl. arog ni Lara Quigaman na saro man na Albayana gikan sa Ligao City na nagpuli kan korona. Sinabi kan opisyal na an paglaag kan Albay sa national asin global map an makakatabang sa proyekto kan provincia sa mas positibong imahe sa ibong kan eruptions asin kalamidad para makaengganyar nin dakul pang mga turista asin investors na magdigdi sa provincia.

Tinawan-duon man kani na an Albay asin Chengdu sa China an dai nagkakarayo huli ta parehong nakaeksperiencia nin mga linog asin bistado sa mga hot and spicy foods. Dakula an pagtubod kan mga Albayano na magayon an tsansa ni Gersbach huli kan mga nabanggit na pagkakapareho. Labi-labi man na nagpasalamat sinda Melody asin ina kani sa ipinapahiling na suporta kan mga Albayano.

* * *

Taga Ligao palan si Precious Quigaman? :dunno:

Taga-Ligao daa palan ang father ni Ms. Precious Lara Quigaman, according to forumer @range rover. Hehe. Suggestion nya mag contribute kita ki mga prominent people (in whatever field) na may roots sa Albay.

To start off:

Gary Valenciano's father is from Camalig, Albay. :okay:

Mayon volcano puffs kilometer high ash column as restiveness heighten (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=240667)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 11 (PNA) -- Mt. Mayon disgorged at dawn Wednesday a one kilometer high brownish ash column that drifted and fell in several towns in Albay prompting disaster authorities to warn residents of the volcano’s display of heightened unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said at about 1:58 a.m. Wednesday, a minor ash explosions took place at the volcano’s crater summit. These events lasted for about three minutes.

According to Phivolcs volcanologist, the explosion had produced a brownish ash column that rose to a maximum height of about one kilometer above the crater and drifted towards southwest. The agency seismic network recorded the event as an explosion type earthquake and lasted for about three minutes and accompanied by rumbling sounds.

The agency said that Incandescent rock fragments at the upper slope were observed in Barangays Lidong in Sto. Domingo, Tumpa and Anoling of Camalig. Reports have it that some residents in Camalig town who heard the ash explosion and rumbling sounds scampered and move to safer grounds.

Field investigation conducted after the event showed ashfalls drifted towards the Southwest quadrant of the volcano due to the prevailing Northeast monsoon. The inspection team said traces of one millimeter ash fall were noted in villages of Tumpa of Camalig, Travesia, Maipon, Masarawag, Doña Tumasa, Muladbukad Grande, and Pequeño in Guinobatan, Nabonton and Nasisi in Ligao while light ashfall was also noted at Brgy. San Rafael in Guinobatan.

Alex Baloloy, Phivolcs volcanologist, said seismic network recorded 20 volcanic earthquakes signifying that magma intrusion is developing at the volcano’s vent for the past 24 hour period. Baloloy said Mt.Mayon’s recent event displaying an interval of ash explosion since September is an indication that the volcano’s eruptive stage is following the 1999 eruption.

Phivolcs observed that the volcano’s display of fluctuating ground deformation, SO2 (sulfur dioxide) gas emission, quakes, ash puffing, crater glow and evolving lava dome at the volcano’s summit are signs that magma is building up and moving towards the crater vent. Sulfur dioxide gas emitted by the volcano on Tuesday significantly dropped at 50 tons compared to the 364 tons recorded on Saturday.

The heightened abnormality exhibited by Mayon volcano prompted Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chairman, to direct various towns and barangays disaster to be on 24-hours alert for any event that volcano’s restive condition worsens. Farmers, residents, mountain climbers and orchid collectors were advised to avoid the recommended danger zones in the southeast and southwest sectors covering the municipalities of Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and the cities of Ligao and Legazpi.

Residents, motorists and school children in the southwest of Mayon volcano covering the towns Camalig, Guinobatan, Oas, Polangui, Libon and Ligao city were advised to protect themselves for ash inhalation by using damped cloth or handkerchief. He directed town disaster councils in these areas to be ready to evacuate residents to safer grounds in case the volcano’s abnormalities worsens and Phivolcs raise the volcano alert status to a higher level.

The PDCC has distributed megaphones and wireless radio communication equipments, bikes, transistor radios to hundred of villages affected by the impending eruption, and has prepositioned 35 military trucks, nine ambulances in various affected towns for evacuation purposes in case Phivolcs decides to raise the volcano’s alert level to three.

He directed the police and military authorities manning the 12 checkpoints surrounding the volcano’s designated danger zone to make this area as a ”no man's” land. Alert level 2 remains meaning the state of unrest could lead to more ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption.

Phivolcs reiterated that the six-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and the seven-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are to be off limits to the public due to dangers from sudden explosions and rock falls from the upper slope of the volcano.

Phivolcs also warned resident living along river channels to be on constant alert for possible lahar flows and swelling of the river during bad weather condition or during heavy rains. (PNA)
V3/FFC/LQ/MSA/cbd

Mayon Volcano billows a kilometer high ash column from its summit following an explosion Wednesday dawn, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) to raise alert level 2 on areas that surround the now restive volcano.(PNA photo by Connie B. Destura)V3/gsc
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/8566/mayon20volcano.jpg

Roderick Paulate - legazpi city(brgy. taysan)
Dina bonevi - Daraga?(agnesian)
Cindy curleto - legazpi city
Bentong- tabaco hehehe
Elisabeth Oropesa - guinobatan
sexbomb Rociel - tabaco(not sure though)
Ogie diaz - i dont know where particularly in albay
Nicole Ayala(screen name)love radio DJ - guinobatan

^^Thanks Joks! I think CamSur si Dina, although sa SAA sya nagklase
I thought Homapon si Kuya Dick hehe

Miriam Redito Quiambao palan, from Oas, right?

Pwede tabi Mag Contribute..ta bihirahun man sana ako mag post dgdi.
Here are some..
* Liz Alindogan, Sorsogon ~ Model, Actress and Producer
* Ely Buendia, Naga City ~ lead vocalist of Pupil and formerly Eraserheads
* Merlinda Carullo Bobis - contemporary Filipino writer and academic in Australia
* Dina Bonnevie, Legazpi City ~ Actress, Beauty Queen, Model
* Lou Bonnevie~ Singer
* Anna Dizon, Catanduanes ~ Singer, Businesswoman
* Amalia Fuentes, Sorsogon ~ Actress
* Eddie Garcia, Sorsogon, ~ Actor, Commercial Model
* Geraldine Garcia, Albay ~ Commercial model
* Fr. Jessel Gonzales, SJ, Albay ~ Composer, Musician, Catholic Priest
* Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, Starstruck runner-up
* Jaime Garchitorena, Albay ~ Singer, Actor, Model
* Melody Gersbach, Daraga, Albay ~ Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009, Restaurateur

for the Complete List..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicol_region

^^uyan palan dakol, hehe. Thanks dc88

Su from Albay lang nguna hehe

^^i think bacacay or malinao, grand daughter sya ni monsiñor Quiambao

^^wow dakulon palan, Pia arroyo wife of francis magalona is also from legazpi. she visits her grandmother in legazpi once a year with her family including maxim.

^^Ay sorry,palan tabi ta nalibot ko na su buong bicol region. hehe..
are the Arroyo`s from Bicol?

^^Haha, oks lang dc88 :)

^^wow dakulon palan, Pia arroyo wife of francis magalona is also from legazpi. she visits her grandmother in legazpi once a year with her family including maxim.

Yup, she's related to one of my high school batchmates who's the daughter of a former councilor of Legazpi. :)
Cindy Kurleto was 'discovered' in Legazpi. I think she used to do hosting jobs in the city. Pero wara na sya sa limelight ngunyan

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Pwede tabi Mag Contribute..ta bihirahun man sana ako mag post dgdi.
Here are some..
* Liz Alindogan, Sorsogon ~ Model, Actress and Producer
* Ely Buendia, Naga City ~ lead vocalist of Pupil and formerly Eraserheads
* Merlinda Carullo Bobis - contemporary Filipino writer and academic in Australia
* Dina Bonnevie, Legazpi City ~ Actress, Beauty Queen, Model
* Lou Bonnevie~ Singer
* Anna Dizon, Catanduanes ~ Singer, Businesswoman
* Amalia Fuentes, Sorsogon ~ Actress
* Eddie Garcia, Sorsogon, ~ Actor, Commercial Model
* Geraldine Garcia, Albay ~ Commercial model
* Fr. Jessel Gonzales, SJ, Albay ~ Composer, Musician, Catholic Priest
* Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, Starstruck runner-up
* Jaime Garchitorena, Albay ~ Singer, Actor, Model
* Melody Gersbach, Daraga, Albay ~ Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009, Restaurateur

for the Complete List..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicol_region

You forgot the Superstar Nora Aunor! :D She's from Iriga. Jonalyn Viray too, as singer, is from Albay. And also the Yllanas of Naga. About Dina Bonnevie, though, I know her family has a home in CamSur. I forgot where but we normally pass by it during the walk to Hinulid every Holy Week.

One more thing though, Joross Famboa is from Star Circle Quest not Starstruck. :D

^^I think the info is from Wikipedia, hehe. Mali-mali yung editor

More vintage photos

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4095012790_c28b8bd170_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/4094203041_dfc3d7e75f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/4094203387_5da701274c_o.jpg

From ChardRich (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23675773@N04/)

;46034819']^^I think the info is from Wikipedia, hehe. Mali-mali yung editor

Ay oo nga. I missed the foot note. :D

BOI approves incentives for 5 new projects (http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20091110-235470/BOI_approves_incentives_for_5_new_projects)

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:39:00 11/10/2009

THE BOARD OF INVESTMENTS has approved the granting of various fiscal and nonfiscal incentives to P719.1 million worth of projects in the mass housing, hotel, and aquaculture sectors. Entailing the largest investment among the five projects is the Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes of Federal Land Inc., which will cost P246.7 million to complete.

Located in Paco, Manila, the mass housing project involves the development of a 15-storey condominium building that will house 184 units on 1,441 square meters of land. Once the project becomes operational by next month, it will provide employment to 256 individuals.

Another mass housing project, that of Johndorf Ventures Corp. in Butuan City, will also get BOI perks. The P127-million development entails the construction of 196 low-cost housing units to be sold for between P705,000 and P819,000 a unit. The project has generated 75 new jobs in the area.

Apart from mass housing, the BOI also approved the registration of two hotel projects worth a combined P314.9 million: The P224.9-million Hotel St. Ellis in Legazpi City and the P90-million Highlander Hotel and Resort in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Hotel St. Ellis, which has been classified by the Department of Tourism as a tourist inn, will have 40 rooms with floor areas ranging from 23-54 square meters. It is scheduled to start commercial operations next month.
Highlander Hotel and Resort, on the other hand, will have two storeys and 76-rooms, and will cater to foreign and local tourists visiting Nueva Vizcaya.

Set to start commercial operations by January 2010, it will provide jobs to 100 employees. BOI perks were also given to Malalag Bay Aquaculture and Processing Corp. for its P30.4-million aquaculture business in Davao del Sur and General Santos City. The project involves two stages: The growing of milkfish in Davao del Sur and the processing of the fish and other marine products in a leased General Santos facility. The company intends to sell its products both here and abroad. - Abigail L. Ho

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LEGAZPI CITY -- The provincial government of Albay has distributed 1,000 units of voice amplifier to all barangay captains in the province to be used for disaster warning and evacuation of residents during calamities. Photo shows Albay Provincial Board Member Raul Borejon speaking before the barangay captains during the turnover ceremony held at the Provincial Disaster Operation Centers Wednesday (Nov. 11, 2009). (PNA photo by M. dela Rama)scs/eda

Misibis Bay Raintree
by newsboy419
(http://newsboy419.multiply.com/)
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Obstacle Course
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19th Provincial Jamborette
January 2010
Mt. Kawa-kawa, Ligao City

Asian Scout Jamboree 2011?

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Mt. Masaraga
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Ligao City

Very nice recreational facilities in Kawa-Kawa Hill. I hope they add more activities there. This is Ligao's own version of Legazpi's Ligñon :okay:

Mayon erupts, but ashfall is minimal (http://www.malaya.com.ph/11122009/news3.html)
BY ANGELA LOPEZ DE LEON

MAYON Volcano in Bicol exploded before dawn yesterday, emitting light brown smoke with minimal ash content. Jaime Sincioco, officer in charge of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring Division, said the minor ash explosion occurred at the summit crater at 1:58 a.m., producing a brownish ash column that rose to a maximum height of about a kilometer above the crater and drifted towards the southwest.

The agency’s seismic network recorded the event as an explosion-type earthquake and lasted for about three minutes and accompanied by rumbling sounds. Sincioco said incandescent rock fragments at the upper slope were observed in Barangays Lidong in Sto. Domingo, Tumpa and Anoling of Camalig.

He said traces of one-millimeter ashfall were observed in villages of Tumpa of Camalig, Travesia, Maipon, Masarawag, Doña Tumasa, Muladbukad Grande, and Pequeño in Guinobatan, Nabonton and Nasisi in Ligao, while light ashfall was noted in Barangay San Rafael in Guinobatan town.

From Tuesday morning up to yesterday morning, the seismic network recorded 20 volcanic earthquakes. Phivolcs observed that the volcano’s display of fluctuating ground deformation, SO2 (sulfur dioxide) gas emission, quakes, ash puffing, crater glow and evolving lava dome at the volcano’s summit are signs that magma is building up and moving towards the crater vent.

Sincioco said sulfur dioxide gas emitted by the volcano on Tuesday significantly dropped to 50 tons compared to the 364 tons recorded on Saturday. However, he said Mayon Volcano’s alert status remained at Level 2, which was declared in July because of the volcano’s abnormal increase in activity.

Sincioco said alert Level 2 signifies a state of unrest that could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption. He said the minor ash puff is normal to a volcano under alert Level 2. Sincioco said Phivolcs is not yet raising the alert to Level 3.

Under Level 3, there is increased tendency towards eruption, with relatively high unrest. Also, volcanic quakes and tremors may become more frequent; there is further increase in sulfur dioxide flux; occurrence of rockfalls around the summit area and vigorous steaming and/or sustained crater glow; and there is persistent swelling of the edifice.

Phivolcs reiterated that the six-km radius permanent danger zone and the seven-km extended danger zone at the southeast wing of the volcano are off limits to the public. The agency also warned residents along river channels to be on constant alert for possible lahar flows and swelling of the river during bad weather condition or during heavy rains. In case of ashfalls, Phivolcs advised the public to stay indoors or cover their noses with clean wet cloth or dust mask.

Albay prepares for evacuation from Mayon (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091111-235616/Albay-prepares-for-evacuation-from-Mayon)
By Rey M. Nasol
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:17:00 11/11/2009

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines -- The province of Albay started preparing food packs and emergency equipment, including standby vehicles, on Wednesday, for possible evacuation of some 26,178 families from areas near the Mayon volcano due to the increasing probability of an eruption.

Mayon Volcano had two ash explosions early Wednesday and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it could recommend raising the alert status on Mayon Volcano to level 3, because of persistent ash explosions that might lead to a hazardous type of eruption.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda has instructed the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to continue repacking food items for possible preemptive evacuation that could last between one month (as in the case of the August-September 2006 event) to three months (as seen in prior eruptions).

For evacuation are 7,946 families at Alert 3 and 26,178 families at Alert 4. "I have requested the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police Task Force Mayon to continually and strictly enforce checkpoints at strategic areas around the volcano to deter residents, particularly orchid gatherers and vegetable farmers, from entering the danger zones."

Cedric Daep, the department head of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) said the municipal, city and barangay (village) disaster coordinating councils concerned were immediately reactivated and instructed to convene in order to review their contingency plans and master lists of population exposed to risks; conduct sustained social mobilization and community preparedness though barangay assemblies or neighborhood meetings; and to coordinate with the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) through the safety and emergency management office to collect additional early warning and communication equipment."

Daep said he was awaiting word on the preemptive evacuation in Barangay Bañadero in Daraga town, especially those who had been relocated but had returned to the area for their crops.

"The said barangay is about eight kilometers away from the crater but a certain portion of the village is found within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone with around 20 households. The evacuation center in Daraga is ready to accommodate these residents but we are awaiting the report from the Daraga MDCC," Daep said.

The public safety and emergency management office has started distributing 1,000 wireless public address systems for use by barangay (village) officials in mobilizing neighborhoods for evacuation.

A PDCC advisory issued Wednesday noon instructed the residents, motorists and schoolchildren in the ashfall-affected areas (traditionally southwest areas like Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga, Legazpi and Sto. Domingo and the newly affected north-northwest areas--including Ligao, Oas, Polangui and Libon) to protect themselves by covering their noses with damp cloth or handkerchief.

Dr. Luis Mendoza, provincial health officer, told residents to use wet towels as protection from the ash or use masks, especially those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Aside from the ash explosions at 1:58 a.m. and 7:02 a.m. on Wednesday, a visible plume spawned by a sudden ash ejection was reported by motorists traveling along the Malabog-Salvacion Junction in Daraga, Albay at around 12:20 p.m.

RP vies for fourth Miss Int’l title (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/229063/rp-vies-fourth-miss-int-l-title)
By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
November 11, 2009, 6:59pm

http://www.missosology.org/mi09/mph3.jpg

Bb. Pilipinas-International Melody Aldelheid Manuel Gersbach leaves this Thursday for Chengdu, China to compete in the 49th edition of the Miss International beauty pageant later this month. If Gersbach wins the contest, she will be the fourth Filipino to win the title since the pageant started in 1968. The grand coronation night will be held on November 28.

The Miss International beauty contest is one of the prestigious pageants where many Filipino candidates have either placed as runner-up or semifinalist. Last year’s bet, Patricia Fernandez, was named one of 12 semifinalists. Others won the Best in National Costume Award.

At the send-off party held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Gersbach said that she hopes to bring back the title once again to the Philippines. She asked her supporters to pray for her success in the contest.

Gersbach, 23, is half Filipino, half German who stands 5’6’’ tall. She measures 34-24-34. She hails from Albay in Bicol. She is a management graduate of the University of Asia and the Pacific who also keeps herself busy as the OIC and manager of her family’s restaurant business in Legaspi. She keeps an interest on online marketing.

During her spare time, she dabbles in drawing and keeps some of her most precious memories in a scrapbook, a hobby that gives her great pleasure. Other Filipinos who won in the same contest were Aurora Pijuan (1970), Mimilanie “Melanie” Marquez (1979), and Precious Quigaman (2005).

Pwede tabi Mag Contribute..ta bihirahun man sana ako mag post dgdi.
Here are some..
* Liz Alindogan, Sorsogon ~ Model, Actress and Producer
* Ely Buendia, Naga City ~ lead vocalist of Pupil and formerly Eraserheads
* Merlinda Carullo Bobis - contemporary Filipino writer and academic in Australia
* Dina Bonnevie, Legazpi City ~ Actress, Beauty Queen, Model
* Lou Bonnevie~ Singer
* Anna Dizon, Catanduanes ~ Singer, Businesswoman
* Amalia Fuentes, Sorsogon ~ Actress
* Eddie Garcia, Sorsogon, ~ Actor, Commercial Model
* Geraldine Garcia, Albay ~ Commercial model
* Fr. Jessel Gonzales, SJ, Albay ~ Composer, Musician, Catholic Priest
* Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, Starstruck runner-up
* Jaime Garchitorena, Albay ~ Singer, Actor, Model
* Melody Gersbach, Daraga, Albay ~ Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009, Restaurateur

for the Complete List..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicol_region

Don't forget the Pulitzer Prize winner Ms. Cheryl Diaz Meyer (Legazpi City) :cheers:

;46022741']Pope John Paul II in Legazpi City
February 21, 1981

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^Courtesy of @Monsi

HOLY MASS FOR FARMERS IN LEGAZPI CITY
HOMILY OF THE POPE JOHN PAUL II

Legazpi City (Philippines)
Saturday, 21 February 1981

Dear brothers and sisters,

1. The readings of today's liturgy, listened to against the background of your beautiful Mayon, acquire a special meaning and a living clarity. The almost perfect cone of Mayon accentuates the verdict of perfection pronounced by God regarding his creation.

But it is not only the beauty of creation that Mayon reminds us of. Its shape resembles hands in an attitude both of thanksgiving and acceptance : thanksgiving for the gift of the land for all people, and acceptance to put into it the human effort of work.

I have been eagerly waiting to meet you, in order to give you this twin message : the land as God's gift for all men, and the beautiful mystery of work.

2. Why to you, my dear farm-workers? Because you are important and have a special place in God's plan for the world : you provide food for your fellowman. It is a task that deserves the appreciation and grateful esteem of all; it is a task which deserves the recognition of the dignity of those engaged in it. You have every right therefore to expect from the Pope, who is your father and brother and servant in Christ, a word of encouragement and hope, of guidance and support.

But I wanted so very much to meet yοu not only for this reason, but also to proclaim the important values to which your lives bear witness. The rural world truly possesses enviable human and religious riches: a deep-rooted love of the family and of peace, a religious sense, an appreciation of friendship, trust and openness to God, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly in your case under the title of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Do you not extol these values when you sing :

Kung ang hanap mo ay ligaya sa buhay
(If your quest is happiness in life)
Sa libis ng nayon doon manirahan :
(In the farm you reside)
Taga-bukid man ay may gintong kalooban,
(Although farm people, they have a golden heart)
Kayamanan at dangal ng kabukiran.
(Which is the treasure and pride of the farm)?

It is a well-deserved tribute of recognition that the Pope wishes to express to you, for society is indeed indebted to you. Thank yοu, my dear farm-workers, for your precious contribution to the social well-being of mankind ; society owes yοu a great deal.

3. Your distinct contribution to society rests on your deep and living awareness that the land is a gift of God, a gift that he makes to all human beings, whom he wishes to see gathered in a single family and treating one another as brothers and sisters[1]. Is not this gift emphasized in the first chapter of Genesis? "And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed ... and every tree with seed in its fruit : you shall have them for food'"[2]. The land belongs to man because God entrusted it to man, and by his work man subdues it and makes it yield fruit[3].

What follows from this? That it is not the will of God—it is not according to his plan—for this gift to be used in such a way that its benefits are to the advantage of only a few, while others, the vast majority, are excluded. And when this vast majority are in fact excluded from sharing the benefits of the land, and consequently condemned to a state of want, poverty and borderline existence, then it is a very serious matter.

For in this case, the land is not serving the dignity of human persons—human persons called to the fullness of life in Christ Jesus ! But this is what you are and must always remain, in your own eyes and in the eyes of others, in theory and in practice. Consequently, you must be able to realize your human potentialities—potentialities for "being more". You have the right to live and to be treated in accordance with your human dignity ; at the same time you have the corresponding duty to treat others in the same way. You should then be able to draw from your work on the farms the necessary and sufficient means to meet your family and social responsibilities in a worthy human and Christian way.

4. In the Book of Genesis we see that " the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it"[4]. And in our reading today we heard God's command : Fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over creation[5].

What do these texts tell us? The clear language of the Bible is telling us that it is our Creator's will that man should communicate with nature as an intelligent and noble master and guardian, and not as a reckless exploiter. This is what is meant when we are told "to have dominion", "to till" the earth : the principle that dictates the obligatory line of action for all those who are responsible for, and interested in, the problem of the earth : persons invested with public authority, technicians, entrepreneurs, and workers.

Recalling here what I said on another occasion, but adapting it to yοu and your country, let me urge yοu to till the land of your beloved Philippines and to preserve it. Make the most of the goods of nature; ensure that they will yield more in favor of man, the man of today and of tomorrow. As regards the use of God's gift of the land, it is necessary to think a great deal of the future generations, to pay the price of austerity in order not to weaken or reduce—or worse still, to make unbearable—the living conditions of future generations. Justice and humanity require this too[6].

5. Our response to God's gift is made with human effort and work. These characterize man's struggle in time and space to subdue nature ; they are the subject of my special message to yοu, my dear workers, tricycle and jeepney drivers.

I feel deep joy when I meet workers like you, for you remind me of those years in my youth when I too experienced the grandeur and severity, the happy hours and the moments of anxiety, the achievements and the frustrations that a worker's condition entails. Thank you then most especially for giving me this opportunity to meet you.

Let us reflect together on the dignity of work, the nobility of work. Do I have to tell you about it? You know the dignity and the nobility of your work—you who work to live, to improve your life, to provide for your children's sustenance, education and well-being. Your work is noble because it is a service for your families and for the wider community, which is society. Work is a service in which man himself grows to the extent to which he gives himself for others.

6. For this reason, a fundamental concern of one and all—rulers, labor leaders and businessmen—must be this : to give work to everyone. But there is a deeper reason why every man has the right to work ; it is in order to be in a position to fulfill completely his human vocation, that is, to become in Christ a co-creator with God. Man becomes more fully man by means of work freely undertaken and performed. Work is not punishment, but an honor. It has become difficult and burden-some only because of sin : "With sweat on your brow shall you eat bread"[7], but it always retains its uplifting dignity.

Let us not deceive ourselves. Providing employment must not be taken lightly, or considered a secondary aspect of the economic order and of development. It should be a central element in the aims of economic theory and practice.

7. But it is not only employment that justice requires. Justice also requires that workers be paid a wage that is sufficient to maintain their families in a manner consonant with human dignity.

It requires, moreover, that working conditions should be as worthy as possible, and that social security should be perfected sο as to enable everyone, on the basis of growing solidarity, to face up to risks, difficult situations and social burdens ; that wages should be regulated in their various and complementary forms ; that workers should have a real and just share in the wealth that they help to produce in enterprises, in professions and in the national economy.

You can be sure that your Pope is with yοu on this issue and on similar issues, because what is at stake is man and his dignity.

There are many more reflections that I would like to make with yοu, my dear brothers and sisters. But it is time to continue the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Before I do so, however, let me once more make this appeal : never forget the great dignity which, as human beings and as Christians, you should imprint on your work, even the most ordinary work, even the most insignificant tasks.

Never let yourselves be degraded by work, but rather try to live thoroughly your real dignity, according to the word of God and the teaching of the Church. Yes, from the viewpoint of faith, work corresponds to the will of God the Creator. It is part of God's plan for man and for the fulfillment of the human person ; by work man is indeed given a share in God's own work of creation. And from the viewpoint of faith, work is immeasurably ennobled by Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of man. By his work as a carpenter in Nazareth and by his many other labors he sanctified all human work, thus conferring on workers a special solidarity with himself and giving them a share in his own redemptive work of uplifting humanity, transforming society, and leading the world to the praise of his Father in heaven. All of this shows too the need for work to be performed well, and the obligation on the part of workers to fulfill their duties conscientiously and in accordance with the requirements of justice and love.

8. Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ : the Pope invites yοu to pray with him and with the universal Church, so that all the farmers and workers of the world will live their dignity, fulfill their role worthily and make their great contribution to the building up of the Kingdom of Christ, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity.

And may Our Lady of Peñafrancia continue to love you, console yοu, and protect yοu and your families and your country. Amen.

Source (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/1981/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19810221_agricoltori_en.html)

Don't forget the Pulitzer Prize winner Ms. Cheryl Diaz Meyer (Legazpi City) :cheers:

Of course, how can we forget our very own Pulitzer Prize winner! :cheers:

More vintage photographs

Cagsawa
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This one clearly shows how Quezon Avenue used to be a swamp area
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From ChardRich (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23675773@N04/)

Then & Now

Quezon Avenue in 1991

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^^Wara pang center island, street lamps and the Bicol Wei Due Building

From ChardRich (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23675773@N04/)

Quezon Avenue in 2006
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Quezon Avenue in 2009
by Ritche Asagra
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Can't find a recent photo taken by day

;46026609']Mayon Volcano billows a kilometer high ash column from its summit following an explosion Wednesday dawn, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) to raise alert level 2 on areas that surround the now restive volcano.(PNA photo by Connie B. Destura)V3/gsc
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great pic! while those not familiar with Mayon's eruptions shudder at the thought of eathquakes and lava flow, locals worry much less. i remember my family's trooping to our cousins' place in legaspi (is there a place called baryada?) in the 1978 eruption just to watch Mayon's fiery glory.

nature's nightly fireworks were a wonderful treat. and the happy crowd of onlookers didn't spell fear nor worry at all :)

Pwede tabi Mag Contribute..ta bihirahun man sana ako mag post dgdi.
Here are some..
* Liz Alindogan, Sorsogon ~ Model, Actress and Producer
* Ely Buendia, Naga City ~ lead vocalist of Pupil and formerly Eraserheads
* Merlinda Carullo Bobis - contemporary Filipino writer and academic in Australia
* Dina Bonnevie, Legazpi City ~ Actress, Beauty Queen, Model
* Lou Bonnevie~ Singer
* Anna Dizon, Catanduanes ~ Singer, Businesswoman
* Amalia Fuentes, Sorsogon ~ Actress
* Eddie Garcia, Sorsogon, ~ Actor, Commercial Model
* Geraldine Garcia, Albay ~ Commercial model
* Fr. Jessel Gonzales, SJ, Albay ~ Composer, Musician, Catholic Priest
* Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, Starstruck runner-up
* Jaime Garchitorena, Albay ~ Singer, Actor, Model
* Melody Gersbach, Daraga, Albay ~ Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009, Restaurateur

for the Complete List..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicol_region

good to see that you know Fr Jboy Gonzales,SJ. He is from camalig. He studied at St Agnes grade school and Aquinas Science for HS and proceeded to Xavier Univ, Cagayan de Oro for his college studies.

Fr Jboy,SJ composed the song "Panunumpa" (ikaw lamang ang pangakong mahalin/ sa sumpa sa iyo magpakailanpaman..) which has become a favorite wedding song. If one pays careful attention to the lyrics, one will see that it's not a romantic song but one celebrating the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience :)

Fr Jboy is a priest belonging to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He is currently the Director of the Jesuit Music Ministry and is based at Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila, QC.

Until last year he was chaplain at the Univ of the Philippines Diliman, becoming an instant hit there for his beautiful, well-prepared homilies and lively liturgies.

He appears in ABS-CBN's "kape at pandasal" (forgot on which day he appears, 5am garo), along with fellow Bikolano Jesuit priest Fr Nono Alfonso,SJ (wednesdays) who is the director of jesuit communications.

Visit his well-received page on facebook, blogspot and multiply. Fr Jboy,SJ will be home in Camalig for Christmas.

Dios marhay na banggi po sa gabos!

by the way, Dina Bonnevie is from Magarao, CamSur. Their house stands along the main road. She studied at St Agnes. The Garchitorenas are from Goa, CamSur. Jaime's dad, the late Sandiganbayan Justice Francis was my dad's high school classmate at the Ateneo de Naga, along with Jaime Fabregas and Ronald Remy.

;46044961']RP vies for fourth Miss Int’l title (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/229063/rp-vies-fourth-miss-int-l-title)
By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
November 11, 2009, 6:59pm

http://www.missosology.org/mi09/mph3.jpg

Bb. Pilipinas-International Melody Aldelheid Manuel Gersbach leaves this Thursday for Chengdu, China to compete in the 49th edition of the Miss International beauty pageant later this month. If Gersbach wins the contest, she will be the fourth Filipino to win the title since the pageant started in 1968. The grand coronation night will be held on November 28.

The Miss International beauty contest is one of the prestigious pageants where many Filipino candidates have either placed as runner-up or semifinalist. Last year’s bet, Patricia Fernandez, was named one of 12 semifinalists. Others won the Best in National Costume Award.

At the send-off party held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Gersbach said that she hopes to bring back the title once again to the Philippines. She asked her supporters to pray for her success in the contest.

Gersbach, 23, is half Filipino, half German who stands 5’6’’ tall. She measures 34-24-34. She hails from Albay in Bicol. She is a management graduate of the University of Asia and the Pacific who also keeps herself busy as the OIC and manager of her family’s restaurant business in Legaspi. She keeps an interest on online marketing.

During her spare time, she dabbles in drawing and keeps some of her most precious memories in a scrapbook, a hobby that gives her great pleasure. Other Filipinos who won in the same contest were Aurora Pijuan (1970), Mimilanie “Melanie” Marquez (1979), and Precious Quigaman (2005).

Fourth? I thought it's the fifth. If my fact is correct, I think the article forgot Gemma Cruz (1964), the very first Filipina to have won the Miss International title. Should Ms. Gersbach win the title, she would become the fifth Filipina winner of the said contest. If the fact is also true about Ms. Precious Lara Quigaman; that she is of Bicolano parentage, Ms. Melody Gersbach would become the second Bicolana to win the Miss International title if she wins the contest.

Good luck to her:banana::banana:

please give me the list of the regional officess of bicol pls someone can give me the list???

Pwede tabi Mag Contribute..ta bihirahun man sana ako mag post dgdi.
Here are some..
* Liz Alindogan, Sorsogon ~ Model, Actress and Producer
* Ely Buendia, Naga City ~ lead vocalist of Pupil and formerly Eraserheads
* Merlinda Carullo Bobis - contemporary Filipino writer and academic in Australia
* Dina Bonnevie, Legazpi City ~ Actress, Beauty Queen, Model
* Lou Bonnevie~ Singer
* Anna Dizon, Catanduanes ~ Singer, Businesswoman
* Amalia Fuentes, Sorsogon ~ Actress
* Eddie Garcia, Sorsogon, ~ Actor, Commercial Model
* Geraldine Garcia, Albay ~ Commercial model
* Fr. Jessel Gonzales, SJ, Albay ~ Composer, Musician, Catholic Priest
* Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, Starstruck runner-up
* Jaime Garchitorena, Albay ~ Singer, Actor, Model
* Melody Gersbach, Daraga, Albay ~ Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009, Restaurateur

for the Complete List..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicol_region

Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, star circle quest runner-up
Nicole Hyala (Emy Gaite) Love Radio DJ
Precious Lara Quigaman
Anjo Yllana-Naga

DOST develops water purifying technology using malunggay seeds (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=240530&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=albay&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0)
By Mediatrix P Cristobal

MANILA, Nov. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology has developed a simple and easy to set up water purification system (WPS) using the seed of ubiquitous malunggay plant. Researchers at the Industrial Technology Development Institute said seed kernels of malunggay contain significant amounts of water soluble protein that carry a positive charge.

When added to turbid water, it can attract negatively charged particles like contaminants. This results to collection of particles that are easily removed through settling. Purifying stage starts with settling or coagulation. If raw water contains considerable amounts of contaminants like silts, soil, bacteria, and other sediments, raw water is pre-treated with alum or powdered mature malunggay seeds, the ITDI said.

In 2000, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that there were 770,000 cases of water-borne illnesses nationwide. This ranks as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. Malunggay use in purifying water is being used in Kenya, Indonesia and Uganda.

Moringa seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent. The process of treating the water with moringa seeds would take at least one to two hours. After pre-treatment, water is filtered through activated carbon layer and layers of different sizes of pumice, stone, and sand. After filtration, the water is chlorinated to eliminate microorganism. The final step involves the use of locally-developed ceramic filter with 1.0 micron pore size. The WPS was initially tested in Brgy. Tabon-Tabon, Daraga, Albay.

Test results showed that the system could reduce if not eliminate coliform in water from jetmatic pumps. The water is crystal clear with no rusty odor, which meets Philippine National Standards for drinking water. The WPS costs about P15,000 including of labor and materials like plastic containers, sand, activated carbon, and ceramic filters. Overall, it can purify tap and deep well water that’s safe for drinking. It can also dispense 10L of potable water per hour.

It is ideal for rural communities currently without access to safe drinking water, ITDI said. Moringa is said to contain seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A in carrots, three times the potassium in bananas, and two times the protein in milk. In addition to nutritional qualities, it has medicinal uses, external and internal. Its oil can be used for cooking, cosmetics, and lubricants. (PNA)
LOR/MPC

Escudero proposes construction of regional evacuation centers across the country (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=240498&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=albay&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) --Senator Francis Chiz Escudero has proposed the construction of regional evacuation centers in the country to avoid crowding in public schools and disrupting classes after a major calamity. Escudero said that the centers would also serve as “regrouping” areas for residents who would be affected by any calamity.

The proposal came after reports from both the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Albay Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) indicated an imminent explosion from Mt. Mayon. “Local Government Units should think about setting aside a part of their budget for constructing central evacuation facilities. These areas could be placed in one permanent zone where people could gather and look for families,” he said.

Over the week, a resident Philvocs volcanologist in Bicol warned that Mayon may erupt because of the presence of volcanic quakes, sulfur gas, and ash explosions. Philvocs also maintained Mount Mayon’s alert status at Level 2, putting the volcano at a state of unrest. Escudero said that recent activities in Mount Mayon might also require the residents to be forcibly evacuated from their homes.

He said that government buildings or schools may be used as temporary shelters in case the volcano explodes. “When an explosion happens, people try to scramble in different directions to look for cover. If there is a specific area where a central evacuation center could be located, families can go there and look for each other,” he said.

“Another purpose for the regional evacuation center is to direct all relief efforts in one area. This could also make it easier for rescue officials to pinpoint the people who are missing,” he said. At the height of typhoon Santi in Albay, more than 14 thousand individuals and two thousand families were evacuated.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda directed the stockpiling of food and other relief goods and prepositioning of 35 trucks, 25 rubber boats and nine ambulances in various local disaster councils, as preparation for two complex disasters the Mayon eruption and incoming weather events.(PNA)
RMA/LQ/MSA/cbd

Salceda named country’s representative to APEC Asian Green Governors' Roundtable in Singapore (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=240495&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=albay&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) -- Albay Governor Joey Salceda was chosen as the country’s lone representative to the Asian Green Governors Roundtable conference, a sideline event of this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting set on Thursday in Singapore.

David McCauley, Prinicipal Climate Change Specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Dorjee Sun Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Conservation, in their joint letter to Salceda, said they have invited the provincial executive to share some climate change inputs in preparation for the significant event in the run-up to the December climate change conference in Copenhagen.

The exclusive Asian Governors' Roundtable will have a high level discussion that would give opportunity to share information on the prospects for generating billions of dollars of financing for rural development and forest conservation across Asia and the Pacific through the new Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) approach to be negotiated in Copenhagen. The event will be co-hosted by the ADB and Carbon Conservation. The event will be attended by selected governors across the East and Southeast Asia, representing those who have already gained early experience with developing REDD programs.

In attendance are 12 Asian Governors from provinces in Indonesia, Vietnam, People's Republic of China and the Philippines represented by Albay province. Salceda, one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s top economic advisers, is nationally and internationally noted for his expertise in designing and implementing Disaster Prepared Management and Risk Reduction operation.

For this DRR framework, Albay province was bestowed the “Galing Pook” award this year by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for institutionalizing the Albay Provincial Public Safety Emergency and Management Office (APSEMO) in the province. The institutionalization of the APSEMO led to the realization of the “Zero Casualty” goal in times of disasters. Geographically, the province is noted for experiencing disaster events such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons, being in a storm path area.

At the REDD negotiations, the provincial and state entities are likely to play crucial roles as operating geographic entities for national REDD programs. A significant topic for discussion at the meeting will be the relationship between forest conservation incentives provided under the REDD approach and efforts to reduce the risk of forest fires and associated haze pollution.

The Roundtable is expected to conclude with a joint statement by the participants encouraging the APEC member countries and those negotiating a post-2012 climate change agreement in Copenhagen to give full consideration to the high potential offered by development of a robust REDD forest carbon market. Organizers said the meeting is expected to serve as a practical platform for dialogue leading to real action at the national and provincial levels to leverage public and private sector investment. (PNA)
LAP/jmc/LQ/MSA/cbd
<<< Back

Fourth? I thought it's the fifth. If my fact is correct, I think the article forgot Gemma Cruz (1964), the very first Filipina to have won the Miss International title. Should Ms. Gersbach win the title, she would become the fifth Filipina winner of the said contest. If the fact is also true about Ms. Precious Lara Quigaman; that she is of Bicolano parentage, Ms. Melody Gersbach would become the second Bicolana to win the Miss International title if she wins the contest.

Good luck to her:banana::banana:

Yup, you're right. Former DOT Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta was the first Ms. Int'l. How careless of the news writer to forget this very important detail. Yikes.

Legazpi Airport
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/4070660762_ce857f50cc_b.jpg
by everybodycanshoot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/everybodycanshoot/)

Lava Tour via ATV
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4069826893_564e7f1ee3_b.jpg
by everybodycanshoot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/everybodycanshoot/)

2009 Philippine Statistics Quiz Regional Championship Set on November 12 in Legazpi City (http://www.catanduanesforum.com/blog/balita-nov-9)

The 2009 Regional Championship Finals will be held at NEDA V, Arimbay, Legazpi City on November 12, 2009. Ms. Phoebe V. Gonzales of Catanduanes State Colleges, and Ms. Maricor M. Mataya and Ms. Aiza M. Fernandez, both freshmen students of Catanduanes College will represent Catanduanes in the said quiz. Ms. Gonzales garnered first, while Ms. Mataya and Ms. Fernandez got the second and third place respectively in the 2009 PSQ Provincial Elimination with the NSO Provincial Office conducted on October 12, 2009. Mr. Vicente G. Padilla is the coach of the CSC contestant and Ms. Nieva V. Vega of the CC contestants. They will chaperon their contestants in the 2009 PSQ regional Finals.

The regional elimination is designed to determine the 2009 PSQ regional champion who will be the region's representative to the PSQ National Finals which will be held on December 4, 2009 in Metro Manila. the PSQ national contestants and coaches will be given free accommodation and fare. Only the regional champion will compete in the national finals.

The PSQ seeks to assess the competency and skills of students in statistics as acquired from the secondary curriculum, promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of science, statistics in particular, among studentry and generate public awareness on the important uses of statistics and win overall support for all government statistical activities.

LCC Daraga

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5469/nfdaragapm4theshapeofth.jpg

great pic! while those not familiar with Mayon's eruptions shudder at the thought of eathquakes and lava flow, locals worry much less. i remember my family's trooping to our cousins' place in legaspi (is there a place called baryada?) in the 1978 eruption just to watch Mayon's fiery glory.

nature's nightly fireworks were a wonderful treat. and the happy crowd of onlookers didn't spell fear nor worry at all :)



good to see that you know Fr Jboy Gonzales,SJ. He is from camalig. He studied at St Agnes grade school and Aquinas Science for HS and proceeded to Xavier Univ, Cagayan de Oro for his college studies.

Fr Jboy,SJ composed the song "Panunumpa" (ikaw lamang ang pangakong mahalin/ sa sumpa sa iyo magpakailanpaman..) which has become a favorite wedding song. If one pays careful attention to the lyrics, one will see that it's not a romantic song but one celebrating the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience :)

Fr Jboy is a priest belonging to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He is currently the Director of the Jesuit Music Ministry and is based at Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila, QC.

Until last year he was chaplain at the Univ of the Philippines Diliman, becoming an instant hit there for his beautiful, well-prepared homilies and lively liturgies.

He appears in ABS-CBN's "kape at pandasal" (forgot on which day he appears, 5am garo), along with fellow Bikolano Jesuit priest Fr Nono Alfonso,SJ (wednesdays) who is the director of jesuit communications.

Visit his well-received page on facebook, blogspot and multiply. Fr Jboy,SJ will be home in Camalig for Christmas.

Dios marhay na banggi po sa gabos!

by the way, Dina Bonnevie is from Magarao, CamSur. Their house stands along the main road. She studied at St Agnes. The Garchitorenas are from Goa, CamSur. Jaime's dad, the late Sandiganbayan Justice Francis was my dad's high school classmate at the Ateneo de Naga, along with Jaime Fabregas and Ronald Remy.


Maray na Albay tabi saimo Father.

There are two outstanding Aquinas alumni priests:

Fr. Tamerlane Lana, OP
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, OP.

I think they were in the same batch from Aquinas. Both are from Legazpi and both became Rectors of UST. If I am not mistaken, Fr. de la Rosa is back as the current Rector of UST. He also I think became head of CHED for a while.

Another Albayano achiever priest is Fr. Roderick Crisol Salazar, SVD. Longtime president of the University of San Carlos in Cebu. He was also President of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). He finished his elementary in St. Agnes and high school at Liceo de Albay(DWCL).

Other well known Albayanos:

Bogs Adornado - Oro Site, Legazpi. DWC-HS - PBA legend, the very first MVP
Oscar Anson Moreno - actor; - Camalig
Boots Anson Roa - Oscar's daughter
Jun Lozada - Ligao
Atty. Reynaldo Princesa - Jun Lozada's lawyer, Ligao
Sen. Vicente Madrigal - Jamby's grandfather - Ligao
Chito Madrigal-Collantes - Sen. Madrigal's daughter
Sen. Pacita Madrigal-Warns - Sen. Madrigal's other daughter
Sen. Tecla Ziga - first woman bar topnotcher - Tabaco

Mayon ash puff (Nov. 11, 2009)
http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/93/1200x1200/2/Minor-Eruption-2.jpg?et=PiXd8HUQCDv7S%2B75JB518g&nmid=296731833
Photo by Dacel Andes (http://micreations.multiply.com/)

It's the fifth MI title just in case--Gemma Cruz Araneta, Aurora Pijuan, Melanie Marquez, and Precious Lara Quigaman have been our MI winners. Lara is from Ligao.

^^cool, nice shot!

It's the fifth MI title just in case--Gemma Cruz Araneta, Aurora Pijuan, Melanie Marquez, and Precious Lara Quigaman have been our MI winners. Lara is from Ligao.

Thanks for the info, sir Gerry! Dapat dagitan su news writer, hehe, mali mali ang info nya. tsk tsk

^^cool, nice shot!

Yup! pang National Geographic hehe. Click the link for more photos from this great photog

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1119.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1122.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1125.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1126.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1127.jpg

Scale model of Misibis Bay Raintree
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1155.jpg

I miss Bicol....especially Legazpi..Maray na aga sa indu gabos...

I miss Bicol....especially Legazpi..Maray na aga sa indu gabos...

Maray na aga man (or as we love to say here in our thread, Maray na Albay!) hehe
Welcome to the thread!

Taga Davao ako but I stayed in Albay for 9 months....What's new in Albay? I miss Kwao ( i hope I spelled it right)...Pinalitan na ba ung name ng Yawa bridge?

Taga Davao ako but I stayed in Albay for 9 months....What's new in Albay? I miss Kwao ( i hope I spelled it right)...Pinalitan na ba ung name ng Yawa bridge?

I see, I visited Davao for the first time December last year. hehe.

Marami na rin new developments dito sa Albay :okay:

Kwao (or kwaw lols)! Me too. I love daing na kwao, paksiw na kwao, etc hehe

Ganun pa rin name ng Yawa Bridge (although its formal name is De Las Alas Bridge) stuck na yung 'Yawa' hehe (which i know means 'evil')

;46075967']I see, I visited Davao for the first time December last year. hehe. Marami na rin new developments :okay:

Kwao (or kwaw lols)! Me too. I love daing na kwao, paksiw na kwao, etc hehe

Ganun pa rin name ng Yawa Bridge (although its formal name is De Las Alas Bridge) stuck na yung 'Yawa' hehe (which i know means 'evil')

Ganun bah?Ur from Albay too?I remember the time na I jog 4am in the morning from Sta. Mesiricordia ro Sto. Domingo proper waiting for the fishermen, nag aabang ako nuun ng Kwao..Tsarap sa sinigang..And also the weird Hinalo Pancit and dinuguan..hehehe!May family ka d2 sa davao?

Ganun bah?Ur from Albay too?I remember the time na I jog 4am in the morning from Sta. Mesiricordia ro Sto. Domingo proper waiting for the fishermen, nag aabang ako nuun ng Kwao..Tsarap sa sinigang..And also the weird Hinalo Pancit and dinuguan..hehehe!May family ka d2 sa davao?

Wala, bakasyon lang with friends. hehe. Yup, pure Albayano. hehehe. Bisita ka ulit sa Legazpi soon :okay:

;46076835']Wala, bakasyon lang with friends. hehe. Yup, pure Albayano. hehehe. Bisita ka ulit sa Legazpi soon :okay:

dko pa alam..but who knows?dba? I love the air in Bicol..especially in Sto. Domingo, tsarap ng hangin..I heard may LCC legaspi na?Hows the pacific mall?Anong mga bagong infra sa Legaspi?

dko pa alam..but who knows?dba? I love the air in Bicol..especially in Sto. Domingo, tsarap ng hangin..I heard may LCC legaspi na?Hows the pacific mall?Anong mga bagong infra sa Legaspi?

LCC Legaspi? Matagal na po hehe. Kelan ka last nakapunta sa Legazpi?

Lots of new developments/infrastructure in Legazpi and surrounding areas, such as:

Embarcadero (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/07/23/embarcadero-de-legazpi-soft-opens/)
Ligñon Hill Nature Park (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/02/23/lignon-hill-nature-park-sights-thrills/)
LKY Metro Terminal and Lifestyle Hub (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/07/09/lky-metro-transport-and-lifestyle-hub/)
New Legazpi Coastal Road (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/10/06/new-legazpi-boulevard-and-seawall-inaugurated/)
Future Bicol International Airport (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/07/16/bicol-international-airport-to-rise-in-albay/)
New roads leading to southern Barangays - see Bicol Infrastructure thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=639048)

And more...

Scan this thread and previous threads for all the latest updates about Legazpi :)

;46077377']LCC Legaspi? Matagal na po hehe. Kelan ka last nakapunta sa Legazpi?

Lots of new developments/infrastructure in Legazpi and surrounding areas, such as:

Embarcadero (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/07/23/embarcadero-de-legazpi-soft-opens/)
Ligñon Hill Nature Park (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/02/23/lignon-hill-nature-park-sights-thrills/)
LKY Metro Terminal and Lifestyle Hub (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/07/09/lky-metro-transport-and-lifestyle-hub/)
New Legazpi Coastal Road (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/10/06/new-legazpi-boulevard-and-seawall-inaugurated/)
Future Bicol International Airport (http://wowlegazpi.com/2009/07/16/bicol-international-airport-to-rise-in-albay/)
New roads leading to southern Barangays - see Bicol Infrastructure thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=639048)

And more...

Scan this thread and previous threads for all the latest updates about Legazpi :)

hehehe..tagal na...2006 ang last...I miss my friends there...Sarap mgdrive dun..walang trafic, except sa Naga City..Nalibot ko buong Biicol, from Daet to Matnog....

hehehe..tagal na...2006 ang last...I miss my friends there...Sarap mgdrive dun..walang trafic, except sa Naga City..Nalibot ko buong Biicol, from Daet to Matnog....

Buti ka pa nalibot mo na, hehe. Yup, andaming changes since 2006 :okay: I miss Davao too. Sa Talicud Island ko nasubukan ang scuba diving for the first time, hehe.
We had a lot of fun there. Ang bilis, almost one year ago na agad

;46077695']Buti ka pa nalibot mo na, hehe. Yup, andaming changes since 2006 :okay: I miss Davao too. Sa Talicud Island ko nasubukan ang scuba diving for the first time, hehe.
We had a lot of fun there. Ang bilis, almost one year ago na agad

Hehehehe...buti ka pa at nkapag scuba..I saw pix from the thread u gave me, laki nga pla ng changes and its good to see Legaspi growing despite the calamities. I can speak Bicol too...Ndi malayo sa bisaya..

Joross Gamboa, Daet, Camarines Norte ~ Actor, star circle quest runner-up
Nicole Hyala (Emy Gaite) Love Radio DJ
Precious Lara Quigaman
Anjo Yllana-Naga

kaya palan nadangog kong nagbibikol si nicole hyala kang love radio :)

Maray na Albay tabi saimo Father.

There are two outstanding Aquinas alumni priests:

Fr. Tamerlane Lana, OP
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, OP.

I think they were in the same batch from Aquinas. Both are from Legazpi and both became Rectors of UST. If I am not mistaken, Fr. de la Rosa is back as the current Rector of UST. He also I think became head of CHED for a while.

Another Albayano achiever priest is Fr. Roderick Crisol Salazar, SVD. Longtime president of the University of San Carlos in Cebu. He was also President of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). He finished his elementary in St. Agnes and high school at Liceo de Albay(DWCL).

Other well known Albayanos:

Bogs Adornado - Oro Site, Legazpi. DWC-HS - PBA legend, the very first MVP
Oscar Anson Moreno - actor; - Camalig
Boots Anson Roa - Oscar's daughter
Jun Lozada - Ligao
Atty. Reynaldo Princesa - Jun Lozada's lawyer, Ligao
Sen. Vicente Madrigal - Jamby's grandfather - Ligao
Chito Madrigal-Collantes - Sen. Madrigal's daughter
Sen. Pacita Madrigal-Warns - Sen. Madrigal's other daughter
Sen. Tecla Ziga - first woman bar topnotcher - Tabaco

marhay na albay man saimo, son hehe.. our bikol beloved is vocation-rich indeed. i remember meeting an albayano SVD missionary in japan when i was posted there for a summer. fr lorenzo garo ito.

fr salazar,svd is back in USC cebu, i believe. friends from USC highly speak of him. very friendly and approachable man.

SVDs and dominicans continue to inspire a good number of vocations from albay especially through their presence in DWCL and AUL.
albayano jesuits include fr jess fernandez,sj (libon) james gascon,sj (tabaco; director, center for family ministries, ateneo de manila); jose embile,sj (tabaco); hermes binlayo,sj; ernesto caretero,sj (legaspi); nico lariosa,sj (legaspi; SAA grad; entered the Jesuits in Sydney); angel antonio,sj (legaspi); newly ordained deacon roy ragas,sj (oas).

may good vocations keep coming from albay!

Hehehehe...buti ka pa at nkapag scuba..I saw pix from the thread u gave me, laki nga pla ng changes and its good to see Legaspi growing despite the calamities. I can speak Bicol too...Ndi malayo sa bisaya..

Yup, ganyan talaga ang mga Bicolano, resilient. hehe.
Nakakaintindi ako ng ilang Bisaya words/phrases pero di ako nakakapagsalita ng Bisaya hehe

DPWH rushes completion of P20-M Padang Bridge in Albay (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=240987)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 12 (PNA) - Government engineers are rushing up civil works to finish by the end of the year the P20-million Padang Bridge, a concrete girder bridge at the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Padang, this city, an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol told the Philippines News Agency, Thursday.

Danilo Manalang, DPWH Regional Director, said he has directed Engineer Manuel Azurin, DPWH district engineer in Albay, to rush civil works on the completion of the 28 meters, two lane pre-stressed concrete girder bridge in said village five kilometers from this city.

According to Manalang, the Padang road section along the Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco Road here is always rendered impassable due to the flow of water and volcanic debris from Mount Mayon in times of heavy rains.

“We are now rushing the completion of Padang Bridge to totally eradicate this inconvenience to motorists,” said Manalang in his inspection of the said road section with Assistant Regional Director Jaime Martinez, District Engineer Manuel Azurin and Regional Maintenance Engineer and Head Albay 2nd Legislative Task Force, Antonio Saguinsin.

According to Manalang, Padang River used to be a mere creek that discharged irrigation water towards Albay Gulf, hence, only a 3-barrel 3.00 m. x 3.00 m. reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) was constructed in 1980. When Mayon Volcano erupted on September 1984, said river was transformed into a channel downstream of Bonga Gully that discharges rainwater and volcanic materials towards the sea.

“During adverse weather condition the opening of the RCBC cannot contain the flow of volcanic materials causing the spill-over and deposit on the roadway,” Azurin added.

Civil works are ongoing at Padang Bridge, a replacement of the said RCBC. The project is 88 percent completed, with an appropriation of P20 million of Rep. Edcel Lagman’s PDAF in coordination with Rep. Al Francis Bichara and Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal.

“Additional fund of P12 million is being worked out by Rep. Lagman for the completion of Bridge (Railing), approaches and other river control works,” said Manalang.

The bridge project is the forth bridge constructed under the PDAF of Lagman.

Based on the program of work the time frame for the bridge construction work would take six months. November would be the completion date of the project.

The bridge would link the five towns including Tabaco City in the first district of the province to this city and neighboring towns in the second district and third district in Albay.

The 28-meter concrete bridge would open-up traffic at the major highway in said village in times of heavy rains, typhoons and other natural calamities.

The major road component in Barangay Padang is usually closed to traffic once heavy rains and typhoons hit this part of the province thus isolating the towns of Tiwi, Malinao, Malilipot, Bacacay, Sto Domingo and Tabaco City from this city and other towns of the province.

In 2006 when two super typhoons hit Albay, Padang village was heavily devastated by flood waters and mudflows and other volcanic debris that cascaded down the slopes of Mount Mayon destroying government infrastructures, displacing thousands of families including hundreds of lives lost. (PNA)

Diplomats from four ASEAN countries to visit Albay (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=240984)
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 12 (PNA) – Fifteen diplomats and disaster officers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are set to visit the province of Albay on November 20 to 22. Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the purpose of their visit is to look into the Albay Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) and other institutions as well as evacuation centers in the province.

“They intend to learn from our experiences and best practices of the province in managing disaster,” Salceda said. Aside from disaster management, the diplomats intend to learn from the province of Albay the climate change adaptation program and strategies in emergency health management during disaster. Albay is the first provincial government in the country that has established a separate institution dealing with climate change and disaster safety management.

These two separate institutions have been recognized by the national government as well as international communities for their initiatives to implement climate change adaptation program and combination disaster preparedness program.

“Combination in the sense that aside from typhoon, our province is also prepared to respond on the possible eruption of Mayon volcano,” he said. Salceda said the policy of his administration in terms of disaster preparedness is “Zero Casualty”, which can be achieved through a pre-emptive approach. (PNA)
LAP/LQ/MDR/cbd

Taga Davao ako but I stayed in Albay for 9 months....What's new in Albay? I miss Kwao ( i hope I spelled it right)...Pinalitan na ba ung name ng Yawa bridge?


Welcome BarPa. We're opposites. I have had a long association with Davao for so many years. I've been going to Davao almost 4 times a year staying 3 to 4 days every time, so when I'm there I act almost like a native Davaoeno already. Alam ko na lahat ng sulok ng city. :) But I haven't gone back for the last three years. I really missed Davao City, which for some time I considered as my second home. I almost made it my permanent home. :lol:

For me, Davao City is one of the best places to live.

kaya palan nadangog kong nagbibikol si nicole hyala kang love radio :)



marhay na albay man saimo, son hehe.. our bikol beloved is vocation-rich indeed. i remember meeting an albayano SVD missionary in japan when i was posted there for a summer. fr lorenzo garo ito.

fr salazar,svd is back in USC cebu, i believe. friends from USC highly speak of him. very friendly and approachable man.

SVDs and dominicans continue to inspire a good number of vocations from albay especially through their presence in DWCL and AUL.
albayano jesuits include fr jess fernandez,sj (libon) james gascon,sj (tabaco; director, center for family ministries, ateneo de manila); jose embile,sj (tabaco); hermes binlayo,sj; ernesto caretero,sj (legaspi); nico lariosa,sj (legaspi; SAA grad; entered the Jesuits in Sydney); angel antonio,sj (legaspi); newly ordained deacon roy ragas,sj (oas).

may good vocations keep coming from albay!


One priest that Albay is very proud of is Jose Cardinal Sanchez. Although he is not really an Albay native (he is from Catanduanes), he already considered himself an Albayano having been the Parish Priest of St. Gregory the Great Cathedral for a very long time before he was elevated to Auxilliary Bishop of Caceres. He spent his entire early priesthood in Legazpi. Eventually he was assigned as Bishop of Lucena and Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Vigan. His consecration as Bishop was held at the Albay Cathedral. Until today, whenever he is the Philippines, he always go home to Legazpi because many of his friends are here.

^Cardinal Sanchez also served as school chaplain of St. Agnes' :)

;46081567']^Cardinal Sanchez also served as school chaplain of St. Agnes' :)


Correct. Together with Fr. Carullo, Msgr. Cleofe and Bishop Nestor Carino.

Maray na Albay


Atty Rodolfo Salalima- VP of Smart Communications(Polangui)
Atty Harriet Demetriou- former BID commissioner(Tabaco)
Atty Jose Vicente Salazar-former Integrated Bar of the Philippnes national president(LGP)
Gen Angel Atutubo (ret)- Manila International Airport Authority Chairman(Dinagaan, LGP)
Sen Antonio Trillanes- Ligao
Elizabeth Oropesa- Guinobatan
the wife of Alan Peter Cayetano is from Tiwi

Maray na Albay


Atty Rodolfo Salalima- VP of Smart Communications(Polangui)
Atty Harriet Demetriou- former BID commissioner(Tabaco)
Atty Jose Vicente Salazar-former Integrated Bar of the Philippnes national president(LGP)
Gen Angel Atutubo (ret)- Manila International Airport Authority Chairman(Dinagaan, LGP)
Sen Antonio Trillanes- Ligao
Elizabeth Oropesa- Guinobatan
the wife of Alan Peter Cayetano is from Tiwi

Si Angel Atutubo tagaduman iyan sa saudan sa Albay. An mother niya si Tiyang Naty na Atutubo, may tindahan sa saud na pig-aarkilahan ming komiks. :lol: Asensado na talaga iyan si Angel. :okay:

Aya Medel- from Tabaco City :lol: ex kan ex-mayor sa 1st district

Taken yesterday after Mayon spews ash
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2629.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2636.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/Publication1.jpg
photos courtesy of Labrog, nagtagapuon na man magpitik.

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2631.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3628.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3629.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3630.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3652.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3658.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3734.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3699.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3703.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3704.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3705.jpg

^^ Oh my... I though it's Hawaii! nice!:)

Maray na Albay


Atty Rodolfo Salalima- VP of Smart Communications(Polangui)



Atty Salalima is the SVP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of Globe Telecomunications :)

Maray na Albay po!

Taken yesterday after Mayon spews ash
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2629.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/IMG_2636.jpg
http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/Publication1.jpg
photos courtesy of Labrog, nagtagapuon na man magpitik.

Sisay si Labrog? Haha, maligaon man an ngaran
Nice pics, btw! :okay:

Atty Salalima is the SVP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of Globe Telecomunications :)

Maray na Albay po!

Maray na Albay man! Is he related to the former governor?

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/sherwinm27/DSCN3699.jpg


^^ Oh my... I though it's Hawaii! nice!:)

I guess this is near the mouth of the Basud River. Hawaii's volcanic jet black beaches are popular. Sana ma promote din itong nasa Sto. Domingo and Bacacay

Classes to go on during Mayon evacuation – Albay gov (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091112-235813/Classes-to-go-on-during-Mayon-evacuation--Albay-govhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091112-235813/Classes-to-go-on-during-Mayon-evacuation--Albay-gov)
By Rey M. Nasol
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:02:00 11/12/2009

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda assured his constituents on Thursday that preemptive evacuation efforts by various local government units in Albay would not affect the schooling of elementary and high school students.

Salceda, also chairman of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, made the assurance as he said the provincial government has been aiming for zero casualties in case of a full-blown Mayon eruption.

The governor said the province’s infrastructure facilities and contingency mechanisms have been prepared for relief and rescue. He cited the help of the Spanish Government through its technical assistance agency based here, the Agencia Española de Cooperaccion Internacional para el Desarrolo (Aecid).

The Spanish agency, he said, has been completing construction work on permanent evacuation shelters at various school compounds throughout the province of Albay.

Salceda has also instructed Yolanda Guanzon, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), to release relief rations to 3,894 evacuees from the villages of Bañadero and Matnog in Daraga town.

"I have instructed both the PSWDO and the Provincial Health Office to release food rations and the medical requirements for the evacuees who are temporarily housed at the Aecid evacuation center on top of the public market of Daraga as well as those who are awaiting completion of their relocation houses at the Anislag Resettlement Site and to coordinate with Mayor Cicero Triunfante," he said.

Salceda said that the evacuees in Daraga, being the first batch after Mayon spewed harmful ash on Wednesday, will not affect the regular schooling of pupils unless the alert level is raised.

Once the alert level is raised, it could send 7,946 families at Alert 3 and 26,178 families at Alert 4 to various temporary shelters.

"There is no need to suspend classes this time because of the existing evacuation centers that were constructed on top of the Daraga public market and the different elementary schools around the province," Salceda said.

The families from the immediately threatened areas around Mayon Volcano will have to occupy the Aecid buildings in Travesia Elementary School in Barangay San Francisco, Guinobatan town, which is 95 percent complete. Some of them will be house in Camalig East Central School which is 85 percent complete and ready for occupancy by December.

These have complete facilities such as water pumps and tanks, electricity (with standby generator sets), spacious kitchens, modern toilets, separate bathrooms for men and women, and briefing spaces.

Worth P13 million, an Aecid evacuation building is composed of 14 rooms each for the offices, halls, evacuees' quarters and basic facilities.

The Aecid buildings are capable of accommodating 800 to 1,000 persons each but additional occupants may also be allowed to occupy the halls in case of massive evacuation.

Asia governors endorse U.N. forest carbon scheme (http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5AB2Y520091112)
By David Fogarty, Climate Change Correspondent, Asia

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Six provincial governors from Indonesia, Laos and the Philippines on Thursday backed an expanded U.N. scheme aimed at protecting and conserving forests in return for carbon credits. In a joint statement after a meeting on the sidelines of an annual gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders, the governors said the scheme, called REDD+, held the promise of boosting livelihoods for local communities, a key step in curbing deforestation.

But fair distribution of wealth was key. "People in the cities have better education, they are richer but actually they produce carbon poison," said Abang Tambul Hussin, regent of Kapuas Hulu in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province. "The communities in the forest area have to be more prosperous," he told the meeting, convened by the Asian Development Bank and ecosystems service firm Carbon Conservation.

Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) aims to reward developing countries for saving their forests in return for carbon offsets that they can sell to rich nations. The United Nations hopes REDD will be part of a broader global climate pact from 2013, ushering in a potentially multi-billion dollar boost to the global carbon market. REDD+ expands the idea to protection, restoration and sustainable management of forests.

The governors said that the REDD+ "approach offers tremendous promise in creating a new set of incentives for the preservation and sustainable management of forests," and urged world leaders to push the concept at U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen next month.

FIRES, ILLEGAL LOGGING

Four of the governors were from Indonesia, including Central and West Kalimantan on Borneo island, South Sumatra and West Papua. Attapeu province in Laos and Albay province in the Philippines also endorsed the scheme, with some of the provinces already starting pilot REDD+ projects.

Read more (http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5AB2Y520091112)

Fascinating close-up shots of Mayon Volcano
by Dacel Andes (http://micreations.multiply.com/)

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/5/photos/94/1200x1200/1/Mayon.jpg?et=Xa1loZGK0M9pQHgt%2B7gHFQ&nmid=296763221

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/94/1200x1200/4/Mayon-4.jpg?et=k3o8jqYOGRydncM%2BcAyzZg&nmid=296763221

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/94/1200x1200/9/Mayon-9.jpg?et=ldw61aEzTOxi1RfcuTG3aA&nmid=296763221

See more here (http://micreations.multiply.com/photos/album/94/Mayon_Volcano_II)

Albay Churches - Then and Now

St. Stephen Church, Ligao City

Then
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/LigaoAlbay.jpg

Now
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4095452678_29cbedfa28_o.jpg
by theo residilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32654984@N05/)

;46101693']Fascinating close-up shots of Mayon Volcano
by Dacel Andes (http://micreations.multiply.com/)

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/5/photos/94/1200x1200/1/Mayon.jpg?et=Xa1loZGK0M9pQHgt%2B7gHFQ&nmid=296763221

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/94/1200x1200/4/Mayon-4.jpg?et=k3o8jqYOGRydncM%2BcAyzZg&nmid=296763221

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/94/1200x1200/9/Mayon-9.jpg?et=ldw61aEzTOxi1RfcuTG3aA&nmid=296763221

See more here (http://micreations.multiply.com/photos/album/94/Mayon_Volcano_II)

Holy smokes... look at that! illing ang gabos na punggod ni Daragang Magayon. Hehehe... Great shots!

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

Holy smokes... look at that! illing ang gabos na punggod ni Daragang Magayon. Hehehe... Great shots!

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

Hahaha, ata na!

Si Angel Atutubo tagaduman iyan sa saudan sa Albay. An mother niya si Tiyang Naty na Atutubo, may tindahan sa saud na pig-aarkilahan ming komiks. :lol: Asensado na talaga iyan si Angel. :okay:
Tirso Serrano-(or known as TG) head of NAIA from legazpi, they use to live in Vel-amor

Dina Bonnevie's family used to live by washington drive. right after you exit the airport road going to washington. their house is the one with the white concrete fence.

Boots Anson Roa-from camalig
Eddie Garcia-camalig
Gary Valenciano-camalig

;46098901']I guess this is near the mouth of the Basud River. Hawaii's volcanic jet black beaches are popular. Sana ma promote din itong nasa Sto. Domingo and Bacacay

dapat talaga i-promote ang inyong black beach kasi maganda, and it's very rare:cheers: wow, I didn't know that it does exist in the country:banana:

I agree, sa Hawaii, dinudumog talaga ng mga turista ang ganyang beach lalo na ang mga nudists/naturists:)

dapat talaga i-promote ang inyong black beach kasi maganda, and it's very rare:cheers: wow, I didn't know that it does exist in the country:banana:

I agree, sa Hawaii, dinudumog talaga ng mga turista ang ganyang beach lalo na ang mga nudists/naturists:)

Hehe, good morning! Thanks... I think meron din sa ibang volcanic islands dito sa 'Pinas :)

Mayon watch: Residents in 2 Albay villages evacuated (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=522757&publicationSubCategoryId=67)
By Anacito Dematera and Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) Updated November 13, 2009 12:00 AM

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Despite Mayon’s going back to lull condition after exploding ashes at least thrice on Wednesday, some 702 families, or 3,550 persons, residing in two villages at the foot of the volcano, were evacuated yesterday to the Anislag resettlement site and at the newly constructed two-story concrete evacuation building in Daraga, Albay. Cedric Daep, chief of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo), said the evacuation order came directly from Daraga Mayor Ceciro Triunfante, following Mayon’s series of ash explosions at 1:58 a.m., 7:02 a.m. and 12:20 a.m. the other day.

Daep said the evacuees came from Barangays Bañadero and Matnog, two villages located within the six-kilometer radius from the volcano’s crater in Daraga, the adjacent town of this city. “Since the evacuation order came from the mayor, we will immediately provide food and other assistance for the evacuees,” Daep told The STAR. The Apsemo chief said they were merely awaiting advice from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for an immediate evacuation should the present alert level 2 over Mayon is raised to 3.

“Everything is already put on cue once evacuation is recommended by Phivolcs should Mayon’s condition further worsen,” Daep said, adding that they are not going to stop anybody residing at the foot of the volcano to leave voluntarily unless the situation calls for it.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that no school buildings will be occupied this time by the Mayon evacuees after the Spanish-funded concrete evacuation structure was already opened to house the displaced residents. “Due to this, classes will no longer be disrupted since no schools will be utilized as evacuation centers in Daraga, Albay,” Salceda had texted to The STAR yesterday.

At least 26,000 families would be affected in case alert level 3 is hoisted over the country’s most active mountain. Mayon last erupted in 2006 and in 2001. Moreover, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the the agency is closely monitoring activities at Mayon after the volcano erupted Wednesday morning, spewing ashes that reached several villages.

The official said that aside from the volcanologists stationed in Legazpi City, the institute has already sent additional scientists to monitor the activity at the volcano. For the past 24 hours, Solidum said only seven volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Mayon, adding that these were unfelt. He said sulfur dioxide emission rate was measured at 510 tons per day, above the baseline data of 500 tons per day.

Camella unveils Savannah (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=522885&publicationSubCategoryId=76)
(The Philippine Star) Updated November 13, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - After 30 years of sheltering the Philippines in masterplanned, space-efficient and secure communities, Camella continues to redefine the scale of vastness and raise the standard that the industry adheres to. The pioneer in the affordable housing segment, it has built over 200,000 homes through 87 projects - maintaining a strong presence in Mega Manila and 17 other key provincial destinations and 36 cities and municipalities while aggressively expanding to other regions.

Attesting to its nationwidest reach is the massive Savannah development - truly a crowning achievement as Camella celebrates 10 successful years of fruitful presence in the Western Visayas and over 15 years in the entire Visayas region. This immense property occupies more than 300 hectares. Located near the Mandurriao Church and Plaza, SM Iloilo, Jaro Cathedral and the new Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbara, Savannah is so huge it actually spans the three districts of Pavia, Oton and San Miguel.

Also within its neighborhood is the Georgia International Academy which offers pre-school, grade school and high school education. Envisioned to be a leading provider of quality education, it aims to nurture young minds and develop citizens who will later contribute positively not only to the nation but to the global community as well.

Further complementing this is the Savannah Square — an innovative concept in commercial development designed to reflect the aesthetics of the city. The enchanting city of Savannah is known for the 21 squares or parks which express the different aspects of its history and culture. The Savannah Square draws inspiration from this novel idea to create a unique retail area that includes access to basic needs including groceries, banks, salons, a wet market, and filling stations. It will also include areas for family activities such as cinemas, trade fairs, carnivals, and sporting events alongside what is envisioned to be a thriving night spot with restaurants, bars, and concert venues.

“The Savannah development best exemplifies Camella’s commitment to create communities that raise the Filipino’s quality of living. Its success affirms that Camella has secured the widest geographic reach in the industry, serving across various market segments. Savannah is fully developed with over 5,000 residents and over 1,000 homes built. And this astounding success has been replicated in most, if not all, of the property developments of Camella. Within this year, it will also be launched in Canlubang, Baliwag in Bulacan, Tuguegarao, Legaspi City in Albay, and Caloocan, among many others,” said Ging Quismundo, Camella head for VisMin area.

Four themed enclaves

Within the Savannah development are four distinct communities — each one was created to cater to the specific needs of residents with diverse requirements, yet all adhering to the inspiration and architecture of the elegant and charming American city of Savannah. The Savannah Crest, Trails, Glades and Glen respond to a variety of lifestyles designed to provide a cherished haven one would love to come home to.

The Crest has larger lot cuts ranging from 200 to 500 square meters as lot owners are given the flexibility to build their luxury homes. The bigger space affords its residents ample areas to engage in outdoor activities like gardening and playtime for children.

Savannah was developed by Camella Communities, a subsidiary of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., the country’s largest home builder. Communities Iloilo is a testament to the developer’s vision of changing the countryside and housing the nation. For more information on Savannah and other Camella developments, call: 772-1096 for South Manila; 718-1896 for East Manila; 418-0975 for North Manila; (044) 796-0078 for North Luzon; (043) 757-0702, (033) 337 7699 for Visayas and (082) 298-0387 for Mindanao projects, or log on to www.camella.com.ph. Camella communities are present in Mega Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Isabela, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Leyte, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, and will soon open in Tuguegarao and Legaspi City in Albay.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/4095452728_f7b95ce111_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4095452800_9bf1d7f3f0_o.jpg

by theo residilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32654984@N05/)

Tirso Serrano-(or known as TG) head of NAIA from legazpi, they use to live in Vel-amor

Dina Bonnevie's family used to live by washington drive. right after you exit the airport road going to washington. their house is the one with the white concrete fence.

Boots Anson Roa-from camalig
Eddie Garcia-camalig
Gary Valenciano-camalig


Eddie Garcia is from Sorsogon.

TG is Assst Gen Manager of NAIA. His brother Butch (former President fo STI Legazpi, Inc.) is now EVP of Land Bank Leasing Corp.

Cagsawa - Then and Now

Then
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4094203325_4854b4a8bc_o.jpg
from ChardRich
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/23675773@N04/)
Now
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/4097267120_d4e0f76401_b.jpg
by adeguzmanphotos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/adeguzmanphotos/)

Atty Salalima is the SVP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of Globe Telecomunications :)

Maray na Albay po!

ok. sori for the mistake. salamat. polet

Still waiting for photos from this event last night, hehe:

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs091.snc3/15862_214820268568_807803568_3920820_152654_n.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1115.jpg

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Hotel Venezia - http://www.hotelvenezia.com.ph/
Photos by studioworkplus (http://photos.studioworkplus.com/Portfolio/Community-and-Events/Hotel-Venezia-1st-Anniversary/8645523_dtNqR#570552280_MCrHq)

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DPWH readies disaster plan for Mayon impending eruption (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=241277)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 13 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol has put in place a disaster contingency plan in the event Mayon volcano erupts. Danilo Manalang, DPWH regional director, said his agency has prepared the Mayon Volcano Disaster Preparedness Program designed to make available the much needed manpower, machine and resources once the volcano erupts.

He directed his three district engineering offices in Albay to organize a DPWH Disaster Team to coordinate closely with the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for disaster management direction.

He said “we have to make an effort to contribute to a zero casualty in any eventualities that maybe brought by the eruption of Mt. Mayon.” In a meeting with his technical staff, Manalang directed his district engineers to conduct an inventory of available resources to be used during disaster operation.

Manalang said “be sure to pool maintenance equipment and service vehicles with driver and maintenance crews in Albay District Engineering Offices, ready to be dispatched in affected areas or be utilized during evacuation and relief operations.” He said that DPWH had identified alternates routes for the probable national roads that might be affected by volcanic debris. These routes are for Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco Road take Tabaco-Ligao national secondary road; for Daang Maharlika Highway, Camalig Section.

Travel route from Manila to Sorsogon/Legazpi City take Camalig-Comun-Gapo national secondary road; and take Daang Maharlika Highway, Guinobatan Road Section, and to travel from Manila to Sorsogon/Legazpi City take the Ligao-Tabaco Road, then Tabaco-Sto. Domingo-Legazpi City Road.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs seismic monitoring detected nine volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours a low number compared to previous days. Steaming activity varied from weak to moderate, with white steam clouds that drifted to west-southwest and west- northwest. Crater glow Thursday night was observed at Intensity II (visible to the naked eye). While Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate yielded an increasing value of 510 tons per day compared to the 50 tons recorded on Monday.

Mayon Volcano alert status remains at Alert Level 2. This means a state of unrest which could lead to more ash explosion or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption. Phivolcs strongly recommended that the six-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slope.
FFC/LQ/MSA/cbd

Ligñon Hill Pavilion
Source (http://malate.wordpress.com/)

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ei csay po nagiling saindo kang show kang miss earth sa embarcadero? pas post naman nang mga pics. sabi daa mga 10 na nakapuon na na stranded su chopper sa misibis. iu guys ah dai po nindo pagligawan mag post kang mga pics

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Thank you, dex! Pwede kong kopyahon ini ta i-post ko duman sa FB account ko?

Boot ko man palan pasalamatan si sherwim for being so generous with his pics. More photos, please! :)

Thank you, dex! Pwede kong kopyahon ini ta i-post ko duman sa FB account ko?

Boot ko man palan pasalamatan si sherwim for being so generous with his pics. More photos, please! :)

Maray na Albay, Lola Felice! Mag friends na kita sa FB hehe. Basta po siguro ipost mo ining link:

http://micreations.multiply.com/photos/album/94/Mayon_Volcano_II

Ta pagsadiri ni Mr. Andes ang mga magayon na photos na iyan hehe. Tig share ko lang po digdi para ma appreciate kang gabos. :)

http://www.manilatimes.net/images/stories/rokstories/1114/msearth1114.jpg
Miss Earth 2009 candidates pose for the pre-swimsuit competition at the Misibis Bay Raintree, Cagraray Island Bacacay, Albay on Thursday. From left: Alison Capron of Turks and Caicos, Lateesha Ector of Canada, Amy Diaz of USA, Sandra Seifert of the Philippines and Mandy Nandu of Malaysia. The grand coronation night is on Sunday at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center
Photo by RHAYDZ B. BARCIA
Source (http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/component/content/article/42-rokstories/5943-waters-fine)

IT still a bright spot for economic recovery (http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20091114-236127/IT-still-a-bright-spot-for-economic-recovery)
By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 02:03:00 11/14/2009

MISIBIS BAY, Albay – The past year has seen many stories citing IT as a stepping stone for global industries to recover from tumultuous global economic downspin. In the Philippines, the effect is not as bad as in other countries until the export industry took a hit when demand for products declined.

Semiconductor firms were among the worst hit as demand for electronic components worldwide. While there were only a few large companies that either closed down or merged with other partners, the impact of the crisis forced many Philippine industries to rethink their investments especially on their IT investments.

It has been widely reported that IT investments in the Philippines may have declined but these continuous investments were focused on improving operations, at a reduced budget, and the output remaining constant, if not higher than before.

One study by the International Data Corporation (IDC) released in January this year, IT spending would reach 6.3 percent growth in 2009. This is smaller than what was previously expected but due to the relatively lower IT infrastructure penetration, the Philippines remains to be a huge market for IT infrastructure services.

A more recent study by Springboard Research also noted that public IT expenditures (those implemented by government agencies) will reach US$580 million by 2011. Michael Barnes Springboard Research Vice President for Software and Asia Pacific Research said this trend will continue to increase despite concerns of previous IT projects that failed, such as the 2004 poll automation and the controversial ZTE-National Broadband Network.

Realigning investments

At a press conference in Albay, executives from chip giant Intel and technology services firm HP cite trends among local and global industries that are realigning their investments. Just as what IDC and Springboard Research noted, companies are realizing the need to invest on new IT infrastructure mainly for two reasons: cost savings and competitive edge.

Incidentally, the topic of the three-day “Synergy” conference is “Propelling waves of recovery for growth,” which stresses on the ongoing trends of industries to invest in new technologies for economic recovery. Intel Philippines Country Manager Ricky Banaag said some corporations have been looking at refreshing their IT infrastructure. Usually, a lifecycle refresh takes about four to five years before IT equipment is replaced or updated. But Banaag said some companies have shortened this to just three years.

Citing a service by Gartner that there are at least 1.1 billion computers installed worldwide, 35 percent of these are over three years old. As with the majority of computers installed are in enterprises, the IT lifecycle refresh market is potentially huge, offering IT equipment and service providers business opportunities. Banaag noted that while the factors to drive replacement are different for both the enterprise and consumer sectors, the necessity is just the same and that is new and innovative features that make the user experience better. In the case of enterprises, it is the ease-of-use and centralized management of IT infrastructure, including those that have remote workforce.

Home consumers, on the other hand, want to replace their devices to allow for new types of online services, in particular blogs, videos, podcasts, social networking, and the like. Not surprisingly, the recent refresh trend among enterprises is nothing new. In fact, every economic collapse shows companies speeding up their refresh program, again for the same reasons: keeping operational costs down while keeping up with competition.

HP Philippines Technology Services Country Manager Diana Dela Rosa said companies can even take advantage of economic crises as they can increase their business ranking, improving their reputation and building wider client base. Dela Rosa said such industries where IT refresh is being seen are in the telecommunications, finance and business process outsourcing.

But the opportunities offered by economic crises can also have an opposite and negative effect on companies that start their IT infrastructure refresh without proper planning. As it is, Dela Rosa said investments can become a challenge of balancing what is currently needed and what is the long-term potential.

“Companies should modernize without compromising business competitiveness. IT expenditure should have room for optimization without compromising having a competitive edge,” Dela Rosa said.

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by theo residilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32654984@N05/)

been there twice, love it, enjoyed looking at the volcano whilst having arroz caldo with calamansi(?)/ lemon in one of the restaurants in cagsaua ruins, never had arroz caldo with calamansi, only in legazpi.

Watch Sports Unlimited on ABS-CBN later tonight for the second episode featuring Albay (Mayon Adventures). :okay: :okay:

;45987765']From Sports Unlimited's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sports-Unlimited/137895883571)

Sneak Peek- Mayon Volcano Adventures

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;45987633']
Here's the complete first episode of the Sports Unlimited series of features on Legazpi City and Albay Adventures.

Yi7tToghdas

jq3dXGjFOpo

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been there twice, love it, enjoyed looking at the volcano whilst having arroz caldo with calamansi(?)/ lemon in one of the restaurants in cagsaua ruins, never had arroz caldo with calamansi, only in legazpi.

Hi slex! Welcome to the Legazpi thread :)

Airsoft in BU soccer field (Albay Siege II)

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http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs028.snc1/3166_73778888788_520968788_1685481_7580706_n.jpg

Source (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75587&id=520968788&page=3)

Skimboarding in Arimbay, Legazpi

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Source (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90017&id=520968788)

Volcano quiet, but could erupt (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=//2009/november/13/news7.isx&d=/2009/november/13)
Manila Standard (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=//2009/november/13/news7.isx&d=/2009/november/13)

LEGAZPI CITY—Mt. Mayon was quiet on Thursday after spitting ashes into the air three times on Wednesday that covered nine villages in Albay, but disaster officials have been preparing in case it erupts.

The volcano shot up a kilometer-high ash plume on Tuesday, prompting hundreds of nearby residents to evacuate in case it blows again.

Chief state volcanologist Renato Solidum said the alert level remained the same at Mayon, the country’s most active volcano, but that if magma continued to rise below the glowing crater, there could be another eruption within weeks.

In the town of Daraga on the southern slope of the mountain, Mayor Cicero Triunfante ordered the early evacuation of more than 300 residents in the village of Matnog on fears it might be in the path of superheated volcanic debris called pyrocastic flow.

Elsewhere, officials distributed wireless public address systems to more than 700 villages and town officials to help them make emergency evacuation announcements if necessary, said provincial disaster officer Cedric Daep.

He said mass evacuations would be ordered once the Philippine Institute of Volcanology raised the alert level to the next higher level. About 30,000 people were evacuated when Mayon last erupted in 2006.

Mayon’s most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1,200 people and buried a town in mud. A 1993 eruption killed 79 people.

Typhoon-triggered mudslides near the mountain in 2006 buried entire villages, killing more than 1,000 people.

The Philippines is in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common. Mar S. Arguelles

700 families evacuated from Mayon rim area (http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/700-families-evacuated-from-mayon-rim-area-1.527111)
Volcano threatens to erupt in about a week
By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
Published: 00:00 November 14, 2009
Gulf News

Manila: Local officials evacuated some 700 families or 3,550 persons near the plume-spewing mouth of Mayon volcano in Bicol, central Philippines, to prevent fatalities like those in 2001 and 2006, radio reports said.

Residents of Bañadero and Matnog villages in Daraga were brought to the Anislag resettlement site and Daraga, Albay, Daraga Mayor Ceciro Triunfante said in a radio interview Sources said that Matnog and Banadero villages were predicted as the path of Mayon's sizzling volcanic debris called pyroclastic flow.

"We are waiting for Mayon's magma to rise. Mayon's upper slopes were inflated, indicating that a major explosion could occur within a week or two," said Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) chief Renato Solidum.

Seven volcanic earthquakes were also recorded at Mayon. Its sulfur dioxide emission rate was measured at 510 tonnes per day, above the baseline 500 tonnes per day, Solidum said. Additional scientists were sent to monitor Mayon's activity.

Taken awhile ago, after Labrog was interviewed in DZGB.

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Photos courtesy of Labrog, the Administrator of Daraga Human Resource Development Center, Anislag, Daraga. DHRDC, one of the biggest Alternative Learning System Training Center in the Philippines.

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Lignon Hill and Legazpi City Airport
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Kimantong Relocation

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from left, piolo, marian, dingdong and pooh!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

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Lignon Hill and Legazpi City Airport
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Gayon kaining shots! Okay man palan mag plane spotting digdi sa Kimantong :okay:

DPWH readies disaster plan for Mayon impending eruption (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/DPWH_readies_disaster_plan_for_Mayon_impending_eruption.shtml)

By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 14 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol has put in place a disaster contingency plan in the event Mayon volcano erupts.

Danilo Manalang, DPWH regional director, said his agency has prepared the Mayon Volcano Disaster Preparedness Program designed to make available the much needed manpower, machine and resources once the volcano erupts.

He directed his three district engineering offices in Albay to organize a DPWH Disaster Team to coordinate closely with the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for disaster management direction.

He said “we have to make an effort to contribute to a zero casualty in any eventualities that maybe brought by the eruption of Mt. Mayon.”
In a meeting with his technical staff, Manalang directed his district engineers to conduct an inventory of available resources to be used during disaster operation.

Manalang said “be sure to pool maintenance equipment and service vehicles with driver and maintenance crews in Albay District Engineering Offices, ready to be dispatched in affected areas or be utilized during evacuation and relief operations.”

He said that DPWH had identified alternates routes for the probable national roads that might be affected by volcanic debris. These routes are for Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco Road take Tabaco-Ligao national secondary road; for Daang Maharlika Highway, Camalig Section.

Travel route from Manila to Sorsogon/Legazpi City take Camalig-Comun-Gapo national secondary road; and take Daang Maharlika Highway, Guinobatan Road Section, and to travel from Manila to Sorsogon/Legazpi City take the Ligao-Tabaco Road, then Tabaco-Sto. Domingo-Legazpi City Road.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs seismic monitoring detected nine volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours a low number compared to previous days.
Steaming activity varied from weak to moderate, with white steam clouds that drifted to west-southwest and west- northwest.
Crater glow Thursday night was observed at Intensity II (visible to the naked eye).

While Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate yielded an increasing value of 510 tons per day compared to the 50 tons recorded on Monday.
Mayon Volcano alert status remains at Alert Level 2. This means a state of unrest which could lead to more ash explosion or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption.

Phivolcs strongly recommended that the six-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slope.

Misibis Bay Raintree on Mango Magazine (together with El Nido, Shangri-la Boracay and Amanpulo)

* * *

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'Mango' magazine offers more than travel (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=522848&publicationSubCategoryId=84)
(The Philippine Star) Updated November 13, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The award-winning Eastgate Publishing Corporation, the publisher of PAL’s Mabuhay magazine, is launching its first retail travel magazine, Mango, at 6 p.m., today at the Podium Mall in Mandaluyong City with Ryan Agoncillo hosting the event.

Mango magazine will be the first in the Philippines that will combine travel with features on the environment and inspiring people. In its maiden issue, the cover feature is an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the country’s most glamorous resort, Amanpulo in Palawan, modeled by Charo Ronquillo who is the first Asian model chosen by Ralph Lauren and was recently included by Vogue magazine in its list of top ten supermodels in the world. For balance, there are features on how to enjoy Palawan on a budget and the environmental impact on Tubbataha Reef, which is now recognized as a world heritage site.

Mango magazine provides more travel guidance by being the first travel magazine that gives a rating guide for destination in categories such as range of leisure activities, accommodations, ease of getting around, prices, and shopping for local finds. Most travel features of this new magazine also include more practical travel information like suggested itineraries and budgets.

The rest of the travel features of the maiden issue brings readers to the world’s best award winning resorts including Palawan’s El Nido resort and the best Philippine destination spas; a sneak preview of the new Misibis Bay Raintree Resort in Bicol and Shangri-la Boracay; and a look at fresh destinations like Sarangani province and culture-rich Bhutan in the Himalayas. Inspiring people featured include Filipino global achievers like lawyer Antonio Oposa who has received awards from the United Nations and the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation for his environmental work; marine scientist Dr. Jurgenne Primavera who was included as one of the “100 Heroes Of The Environment” by Time magazine in 2008; and engineer Alexis Belonio who won a Rolex award for his stove invention that utilizes waste rice materials.

Mango magazine also pioneers the introduction of a dedicated environmental section, “Green Mango” with inspiring features on UP Diliman’s bicycle project, the waste management program of Barangay Luz in Cebu City, and news bits on global green activities provided with Eastgate’s tie-up with the New York Times news service.

Eastgate Publishing, chaired by publisher Dr. Charles Cante with Luis Quisumbing as vice-chairman, has been publishing PAL’s Mabuhay magazine since 1988 and has won, so far, 15 international and local awards.

Jun Ventura is Eastgate’s president and editor in chief.

Mango is available at major bookstores and newsstands and, at P150 per copy, is one of the cheapest glossy magazines in the country.

New hotels to rise in Nueva Vizcaya and Legaspi City
By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
November 13, 2009, 3:11pm

Even the country’s least developed areas are slowly attracting tourists attention that hotel facilities have to be constructed in Nueva Vizcaya and Legazpi City as shown by the recent project approvals of the Board of Investments.

Approved for tax and fiscal incentives are the Highlander Hotel and Resort to be located in barangay Roxas in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya at a cost of P90 million.

In approving the project, the BoI noted that Nueva Vizcaya is one of the country’s least developed areas and is therefore entitled to pioneer incentives, meaning six years of income tax holiday.

The two-storey new hotel, endorsed by the Department of Tourism as standard class hotel, will have 76 rooms and will employ 100 people when it starts commercial operation in January 2010.

Hotel amenities include a fully equipped function rooms, bar and restaurant, swimming pool, and disco and videoke bar.

The hotel will cater to the foreign and local tourists including balikbayans, businessmen and tourists.

Highlander Hotel and Resort is a sole proprietorship of Arlene Tomas Gregorio.

The other approved tourist accommodation facility is the renovation of the 6-storey Hotel St. Ellis with a project cost of P224.91 million in Legazpi Port Area in Legazpi City.

The BoI has granted non-pioneer status to the project entitling it to a four year income tax holiday. The Department of Tourism has endorsed the project as a tourist inn.

The renovation consists of re-sizing and refurbishing of the rooms and remodeling.

The project will augment the number of Legazpi City’s existing lodging facilities complement to accommodate the projected increase in tourist arrivals.

The hotel is going to employ 45 workers when it resumes commercial operation in December this year.

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She is one of the early faves.

Photos are from www.globalbeauties.com

(just this morning)
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(March 30, 2009 0712H)

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She is one of the early faves.

Photos are from www.globalbeauties.com

She's gorgeous. Good luck! :)

The second installment of the Sports Unlimited series of features on Legazpi City is airing right now :)

DA sets climate change adaptation projects (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=523347&publicationSubCategoryId=77)
(The Philippine Star) Updated November 15, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has teamed up with Spain and the United Nations in an $8 million (roughly P368 million) pilot projects to enable the most vulnerable regions in the country to cope with the destructive impact of climate change.

This was announced by DA Undersecretary for Operations Jess Paras after he presided over the finalization of the demonstration project plan for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) whose fragile ecosystem was seen to be the most vulnerable in the country.

The other showcase areas for coping with climate change were: the Bicol region, vulnerable for volcanic eruptions and typhoons, and Agusan del Norte identified as most vulnerable to climate-change induced drought in Mindanao, Paras said.

Metro Manila was included in the demonstration project for disease surveillance together with the province of Albay also in the Bicol region.

In the Cordilleras, the UN-Spain-RP funded project was meant to enable communities in contiguous fragile ecosystems to be ready to cope with climate change triggered disasters. Villages in that mountainous region have become the center of landslides that have resulted in hundreds of deaths whenever typhoons or strong monsoon rains hit Luzon.

Paras said lessons learned from the demonstration projects were meant to be replicated in the whole of the country as it incorporates climate-change mitigation and adaptation programs in its development planning process.

To be tested are innovative adaptation measures and technologies for agriculture and watershed management including biodiversity conservation.

To do this, the project implementers are organizing regional and local structures for inter-agency participation in making the climate-change adaptation programs sustainable over the long term, Paras explained.

“The back-to-back typhoons that hit Luzon in the past weeks had taught us the bitter lesson that when a region is hit by a major disaster, victims had to depend on themselves and their neighbors in the first day that that calamity hit them,” Paras said.

In the face of this harsh reality, those communities must be well prepared to help each other to prevent heavy tolls on lives, crops and properties, the DA official said.

The DA was chosen by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as lead agency in putting in place the demonstration projects because the food sector was identified as the most vulnerable segment of the Philippine economy to climate changes and the destruction they bring.

Global warming and the sudden changes in climate and weather patterns across the globe have hit hardest tropical countries like the Philippines. The highly developed countries, however, were the chief contributors to the problem.

(just this morning)
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0033-3.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/PICT0041-1.jpg

Thanks for sharing! Dai pa ako nakakasakat sa Ligñon na early morning. Must try next month hehe

Mt. Mayon
by Dacel Andes (http://micreations.multiply.com/)

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/4/photos/87/1200x1200/14/Mt-Mayon-4.jpg?et=sOJX378purlqrHDbmEVexw&nmid=295799103

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/87/1200x1200/15/Mt-Mayon-5.jpg?et=vyR%2CTailXhtT32fnGJZoSg&nmid=295799103

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/2/photos/87/1200x1200/11/Mt-Mayon.jpg?et=nUl1HrS567tA0lgSFk5QPA&nmid=295799103

Mayon Twilight
by Jayson Ballesteros (http://jaysonmktg.multiply.com/)

http://images.jaysonmktg.multiply.com/image/13/photos/158/1200x1200/1/MG-0972.jpg?et=j27bVn4mcEKls1R9%2Ci5U8w&nmid=296066393

Teaser ad for SU - Mayon Adventure
4eZh9CSZtWk

I hope someone posts the entire episode online. :okay:

Peñaranda Park arch and Albay Cathedral at sunset
by digishooter
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/digishooter/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4101562291_3310a65553_b.jpg

Photos by ro_reyes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roreyes/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/4102617064_bf58963309.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/4101859913_5e9388332b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/4101860041_974be1f953.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/4102612060_05110d4863.jpg

;46204419']Teaser ad for SU - Mayon Adventure
4eZh9CSZtWk

I hope someone posts the entire episode online. :okay:

can't wait... we have no TFC at the moment... gave it up until times get better. :lol:

Mt. Masaraga
by C. Ruivivar
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/w3ird0/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3886096447_771237ab02_o.jpg

Legazpi Boulevard
by C. Ruivivar (http://www.flickr.com/photos/w3ird0/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3886118901_228c63f947_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/3886917214_aa6caa0a8c_o.jpg

can't wait... we have no TFC at the moment... gave it up until times get better. :lol:

Hehe, di ko naabutan, I hope may mag upload sa Youtube (paging camaligz lol)

Misibis Bay Raintree

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7487/mmh.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6669/u6ux.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9748/hcg.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9243/9ko.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2796/hjv.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/6753/t94z.jpg

Source (http://www.yfrog.com/froggy.php?username=prettypower)

Demolition Of Legaspi Station

Hi all,
I just recently found out about the proposed demolition of the beautiful Legaspi station as part of the reopening of the South line.
When I last visited it still seemed in great condition and propably could just use a repaint.

This would be a terrible sad loss of Philippine and Legaspi history.

The new Naga/Bicol chapter of my 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' is hoping to raise awareness and save this important station as it is, as well as other local tems of railway historical interest.

Paul is looking for any locals who are interested in this project and wish to see this history saved.

Email Paul at:

alco600 @ yahoo. com (remove the spaces)

Regards
Brad

Demolition Of Legaspi Station

Hi all,
I just recently found out about the proposed demolition of the beautiful Legaspi station as part of the reopening of the South line.
When I last visited it still seemed in great condition and propably could just use a repaint.

This would be a terrible sad loss of Philippine and Legaspi history.

The new Naga/Bicol chapter of my 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' is hoping to raise awareness and save this important station as it is, as well as other local tems of railway historical interest.

Paul is looking for any locals who are interested in this project and wish to see this history saved.

Email Paul at:

alco600 @ yahoo. com (remove the spaces)

Regards
Brad

Oh! No no no no no no no! Why would they demolish it? No please don't. It just needs to be improved and modernized but made sure that to preserve its distinctive and historical value. :ohno::ohno::ohno:

If you ask me, my proposal is that they build a new station at the new Legazpi Grand Central Terminal where the rail passes through and preserving the old station to serve as a Rail Museum and to be used for the turn around.

Demolition Of Legaspi Station

Hi all,
I just recently found out about the proposed demolition of the beautiful Legaspi station as part of the reopening of the South line.
When I last visited it still seemed in great condition and propably could just use a repaint.

This would be a terrible sad loss of Philippine and Legaspi history.

The new Naga/Bicol chapter of my 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' is hoping to raise awareness and save this important station as it is, as well as other local tems of railway historical interest.

Paul is looking for any locals who are interested in this project and wish to see this history saved.

Email Paul at:

alco600 @ yahoo. com (remove the spaces)

Regards
Brad

;45958075']http://wowlegazpi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/img_1300.jpg

Here's the Legazpi PNR Station - a building with great historical value :okay:


Please report this to the the National Historical Institute -- http://www.nhi.gov.ph/ Maybe they can do something to help preserve this structure.

I see no point in demolishing the old terminal other than to fatten the wallets of some unscrupulous people. I think it's still serviceable -- It just needs some refurbishment and probably a well-planned expansion that complements the existing structure. Or better yet, as Neil has suggested, transfer the PNR terminal to the new Legazpi Transport Terminal and preserve the old terminal as a museum showcasing the history of rail transport in the Philippines.

A photo of the Legazpi PNR station during WW2

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4094204257_ca186b18a3_o.jpg

Pacquiao - Cotto Live Online Streaming -- http://azsportz.net/2.html

;46227859']Please report this to the the National Historical Institute -- http://www.nhi.gov.ph/ Maybe they can do something to help preserve this structure.

I see no point in demolishing the old terminal other than to fatten the wallets of some unscrupulous people. I think it's still serviceable -- It just needs some refurbishment and probably a well-planned expansion that complements the existing structure. Or better yet, as Neil has suggested, transfer the PNR terminal to the new Legazpi Transport Terminal and preserve the old terminal as a museum showcasing the history of rail transport in the Philippines.


Salamat dx I shall pass the NHI idea through to Paul.

;46227973']Pacquiao - Cotto Live Online Streaming -- http://azsportz.net/2.html

THE PACMAN WINS!! :cheers::banana: :rock:

Siring kaini ang pagtados ki kuto hehehe

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/306/boxamanny18600.jpg

Source: ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/gallery/enlargePhoto?id=4656505&story=4656198)

i heard Manny, broke his right hand?(metacarpal).I hope this is not true..!

sponsor logos on his shorts. ricoa, pagcor lol

Demolition Of Legaspi Station

Hi all,
I just recently found out about the proposed demolition of the beautiful Legaspi station as part of the reopening of the South line.
When I last visited it still seemed in great condition and propably could just use a repaint.

This would be a terrible sad loss of Philippine and Legaspi history.

The new Naga/Bicol chapter of my 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' is hoping to raise awareness and save this important station as it is, as well as other local tems of railway historical interest.

Paul is looking for any locals who are interested in this project and wish to see this history saved.

Email Paul at:

alco600 @ yahoo. com (remove the spaces)

Regards
Brad


Whose bright idea again conceptualized this? :ohno::ohno::ohno:

Kitang kita mo ang isip ng walang magawang matino! They have already destroyed the PACO Station and now they want also to destroy the Legazpi Station! :ohno::ohno::ohno:

Mayon's crater glow grows more intense (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=523760&publicationSubCategoryId=67)
By Cet Dematera (The Philippine Star) Updated November 16, 2009 12:00 AM

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8619/nat1hires.jpg
Mayon Volcano’s crater glow Saturday night was visible as far as 15 kilometers away. EDD GUMBAN

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – After spewing ash at least thrice last Wednesday, Mayon Volcano emitted a crater glow that grew more intense and was visible as far as 15 kilometers away the other night. Ed Laguerta, resident volcanologist here of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said Mayon’s surface remains inflated despite the series of ash or phreatic explosions.

“This means that magmatic pressure inside the volcano is sustained. But all these activities are still within alert level 2,” Laguerta said in a radio interview.

He dismissed reports that Mayon is now gradually going back to normal due to fewer volcanic quakes detected after the ash explosions. At least eight tremors were recorded in the past 24 hours, while the volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission was measured at 514 tons, way above the normal volume of 500 tons per day.

At least 700 families from Barangays Miisi and Bañadero in Daraga town have been evacuated and provided relief aid. Residents within a radius of six to seven kilometers from Mayon’s crater have been readied for evacuation should the situation worsen.

Mayon Volcano (Infrared Photography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_photography))
by Dacel Andes (http://micreations.multiply.com/)

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/1/photos/96/1200x1200/8/8.jpg?et=0QPocRhZ5vhmIxePbdTRKg&nmid=297618979

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/3/photos/96/1200x1200/2/2.jpg?et=m6NhjqBUhNYhpI1Wav3W8w&nmid=297618979

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/10/photos/96/1200x1200/6/6.jpg?et=g7U4zLkC%2B%2CNZbJuo%2BjYfsg&nmid=297618979

http://images.micreations.multiply.com/image/2/photos/96/1200x1200/7/7.jpg?et=XUfuBTsrnka9BnAquCUzzA&nmid=297618979

Misibis Bay Raintree
by newsboy419 (http://newsboy419.multiply.com/)

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/71/Misibis-Raintree-70.jpg?et=k%2CuzSfKYfachtC6HVphnOA&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/70/Misibis-Raintree-69.jpg?et=uJ%2Bzs6tq0ioBjtsJ9%2B1Y9g&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/91/Misibis-Raintree-90.jpg?et=5mMRxowapSMrxpIcgQB0jA&nmid=293562891

http://images.newsboy419.multiply.com/image/1/photos/89/1200x1200/92/Misibis-Raintree-91.jpg?et=oaMg9FBM3ws2ousELz3YCw&nmid=293562891

5IX-DU5T5cA

Misibis Bay Raintree

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/misibisbayresort1.jpg

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/discoverysuites-misibis.jpg

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/misibis-resort.jpg

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/discovery-suites-misibis.jpg

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/pool-misibis-resort.jpg

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/misibis-bay-resort.jpg

http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/misibis-beach-resort.jpg

Source: Pinoy Travel Blog (http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/travel-destinations/albay/1120/misibis-bay-rain-tree-at-cagraray-island)

;46047287']Then & Now
Quezon Avenue in 1991
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/4095017246_f43afcbeba_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4095017138_a81a952117_o.jpg
^^Wara pang center island, street lamps and the Bicol Wei Due Building

From ChardRich (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23675773@N04/)

Quezon Avenue in 2006
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1685/legazpi175.jpg

Quezon Avenue in 2009
by Ritche Asagra
(http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95589&id=554496443)
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs130.snc1/5576_107268981443_554496443_2267009_2151246_n.jpg

Can't find a recent photo taken by day
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/1200x1200/9/DSC01849a.JPG?et=kKPo7PyQAIVji%2CaiYURIuQ&nmid=287345149
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/1200x1200/8/DSC01852a.JPG?et=pkMRTodeyeyWrtKKjJAD8A&nmid=287345149
^Kasuudmang hapon...

Hotel St. Ellis
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/600x600/11/DSC01845a.JPG?et=Ip7AN8OSYAwP6%2CvtAEsRDQ&nmid=287345149
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/600x600/10/DSC01847a.JPG?et=GEukOyQSDnLFwPsFf7NcIA&nmid=287345149
^Bukas na gayod; iyan na dark Grandia kan hotel gari may pig-atud na guests...

;46047287']Then & Now
Quezon Avenue in 1991
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/4095017246_f43afcbeba_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4095017138_a81a952117_o.jpg
^^Wara pang center island, street lamps and the Bicol Wei Due Building

From ChardRich (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23675773@N04/)

Quezon Avenue in 2006
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1685/legazpi175.jpg

Quezon Avenue in 2009
by Ritche Asagra
(http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95589&id=554496443)
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs130.snc1/5576_107268981443_554496443_2267009_2151246_n.jpg

Can't find a recent photo taken by day
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/1200x1200/9/DSC01849a.JPG?et=kKPo7PyQAIVji%2CaiYURIuQ&nmid=287345149
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/1200x1200/8/DSC01852a.JPG?et=pkMRTodeyeyWrtKKjJAD8A&nmid=287345149
^Kasuudmang hapon...

Thanks for the 'Now' photos!! :)

Kasuudma sa Landco...
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/5/600x600/10/DSC01806a.JPG?et=5GbCNs0NkRNgrVwVkwtD5w&nmid=281020521

Hotel St. Ellis
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/600x600/11/DSC01845a.JPG?et=Ip7AN8OSYAwP6%2CvtAEsRDQ&nmid=287345149
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/600x600/10/DSC01847a.JPG?et=GEukOyQSDnLFwPsFf7NcIA&nmid=287345149
^Bukas na gayod; iyan na dark Grandia kan hotel gari may pig-atud na guests...

Really? Siguro soft opening pa sana gayud. I read in several news articles that the hotel will officially start operations next month. :okay:

Kasuudma sa Embarcadero...
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/4/1200x1200/29/DSC01830a.JPG?et=5rwVcp8H%2BCmNeRpDRpqClA&nmid=279080575
Igwa pa digdi... (http://legazpeep.multiply.com/photos/album/4#)

Kasuudma sa Landco...
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/5/600x600/10/DSC01806a.JPG?et=5GbCNs0NkRNgrVwVkwtD5w&nmid=281020521

I like the design :okay:

Kasuudma sa Landco...
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/5/600x600/10/DSC01806a.JPG?et=5GbCNs0NkRNgrVwVkwtD5w&nmid=281020521

Very nice. They are really following to the letter the uniform design concept of the Landco Business Park. Just like the one in Intramuros where new buildings are required to follow one design concept.

Whose bright idea again conceptualized this? :ohno::ohno::ohno:

Kitang kita mo ang isip ng walang magawang matino! They have already destroyed the PACO Station and now they want also to destroy the Legazpi Station! :ohno::ohno::ohno:


Philippine National Railways I suppose, it must be in their contract tenders.

They can't be allowed to destroy all the history./ The cost of rebuilding this beautiful station couold be better spent on rebuilding closed lines (at least start such a project).

Brad

^sana maidevelope na yung Vacant Lot dyan,sa Quezon Ave. asap..like the one we saw in Los Angeles.. Called "The Grove". for now its just a piece of Vacant Lot. no use at All "an empty lot"..with some free Riders..the street food Vendors..I Hope Companies/Business/Investors..see the real potential in this. So all your Fav.Retailers could settle take spots there..sayang it would be like an Embarcadero Type copy..but Inland..LOL.pwede pa magkaag ki furo Fountain dyan..But LCC own this Lot..i wish Gaisano were There first..atleast sinda pwede makailing ki Potential digdi. diba?hehe..Hope This can be a Reality..!
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1245/dsc01852a.jpg
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9913/wehothegrove.jpg

^sana maidevelope na yung Vacant Lot dyan,sa Quezon Ave. asap..like the one we saw in Los Angeles.. Called "The Grove". for now its just a piece of Vacant Lot. no use at All "an empty lot"..with some free Riders..the street food Vendors..I Hope Companies/Business/Investors..see the real potential in this. So all your Fav.Retailers could settle take spots there..sayang it would be like an Embarcadero Type copy..but Inland..LOL.pwede pa magkaag ki furo Fountain dyan..But LCC own this Lot..i wish Gaisano were There first..atleast sinda pwede makailing ki Potential digdi. diba?hehe..Hope This can be a Reality..!
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1245/dsc01852a.jpg
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9913/wehothegrove.jpg

Nice idea. Yup, mas gusto ko gibuhon ninda ining park with some retail component. And kung pwede, tawan na ki permanente na pwesto ang mga ambulant vendors (lugawan, kwek-kwek, even Tiya Bita hehehe) for a minimal rental fee as long as mamaintain ang kalinigan.

A(H1N1) flu alert up in Albay evacuation centers (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091116-236608/AH1N1-flu-alert-up-in-Albay-evacuation-centers)
By Rey M. Nasol
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:50:00 11/16/2009

Filed Under: Epidemic and Plague, Health, Evacuation(General)

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Albay has intensified the precautionary health measures it has been undertaking since April this year after two people tested positive for the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. The PHO's move came amid the provincial government’s preemptive evacuation, following Mayon Volcano's restive activities, which have caused crowding in certain designated evacuation centers.

Dr. Luis Mendoza, provincial health officer, said they discovered the cases of the A(H1N1) flu virus after three suspected carriers, who earlier met with a vacationing relative from California, underwent tests. "We have taken swabs from three students of the Ligao City National High School (LCNHS) in Ligao City and two of them turned positive, based on the results confirmation from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila," Mendoza said.

This prompted Albay Governor Joey Salceda to immediately order a rapid health assessment of the Mayon evacuees to prevent the spread of the virus. According to Salceda, the two A(H1N1) flu cases are sisters who study at the LCNHS. "The index case for these new patients was a balikbayan (returning Filipinos) from California who visited the house of the victims last week," Salceda said. Mendoza said the PHO has been conducting contact-tracing since Friday and has not found any case of fever in the households checked, as of Monday.

Evacuation centers were also checked.

"We monitored and assessed two evacuation centers--in Anislag, Daraga town and the one at the Daraga public market; no one has gotten ill. This is a result of our preemptive health care activities involving medical missions in all 56 barangays (villages) surrounding Mayon since August this year," Mendoza explained. He added that they had enough water in evacuation centers.

DOTC faststracks construction of SLIA in Albay
(http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=241723)
DARAGA, Albay Nov. 16 (PNA)-- The implementation of the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) is in full swing as the construction of road components began following the acquisition of some 200 hectares of land, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in Bicol.

The SLIA is a major project of the DOTC under the Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s super region program carrying a P3.4 billion funding to finance the construction of the international airport in the Bicol peninsula which is expected to be completed by 2012.

The DOTC said, said it has already processed payment claims of over 200 landowners whose properties were affected by the construction of the international airport at barangay Alobo.

The construction of the SLIA will cover 200 hectares of which 187 hectares for the airport terminal and runway, 1.5 kilometers will be used for access road and another 10 hectares of land is being negotiated to be used as resettlement area for residents who lost their property and have no other home to live.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the project has already spent some P800-million for land acquisition component of the project, and the pre-construction and other structural requirements including the feasibility study.

Salceda expressed optimism that as soon as the land acquisition are completed the airport construction at the 200-hectare plateau in Barangay Alobo would push through as scheduled.

He said that the present site is the most ideal and strategic because the location is accessible to other provinces of Bicol such as, Sorsogon, Masbate, Catanduanes including the Visayan provinces through Matnog port in Sorsogon.

At the same time, investors from other countries who visited Albay province expressed their willingness to set up businesses following the construction of international airport, Salceda said.

The SLIA is just one of the big infrastructure projects in the region now being fast track under the super region concept designed by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Bicol is now under the Central Philippines cluster, composed of the three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.

Currently, Legazpi Airport served as the airline's hub in Bicol, serving not only local clients in Albay but also transient passengers from southern Camarines Sur and the province of Sorsogon.(PNA)
LBV/MSA/cbd

Melody Gersbach in Miss Int'l '09

http://i38.tinypic.com/vd1ton.jpg

Video footage of the Mayon eruption in 2000

YLUZYzGWbOw

PPA reports flat cargo-volume growth in 1st 7 mos. (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/economy/17980-ppa-reports-flat-cargo-volume-growth-in-1st-7-mos.html)
Written by VG Cabuag / Reporter
Thursday, 29 October 2009 22:17

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported a flat cargo-volume growth during the seven-month period ending July after importers increased their shipments during the period.

Total cargo throughput for January to July this year still managed to have a mere half a percentage increase to 85.87 million metric tons from the previous year’s 85.45 million metric tons.

Almost a third of all these volume came from the combined cargoes that were handled at the Manila South Harbor, the country’s second-largest, and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the largest. The rest were handled at the different government-owned ports nationwide.

Total imports grew by 3 percent to 28.59 million metric tons, while exports handled in the seaports decreased by 1.1 percent to 16.12 million metric tons.

Positive performances were recorded at PPA’s Port Management Offices in Surigao, with an increase of 106 percent; Batangas, 32 percent; Puerto Princesa, 31 percent;  Nasipit, 18 percent;  as well as Calapan, Legazpi, Dapitan and Davao.

“This is an indication that the global crisis as manifested in the export industry is still very much felt in the country,” PPA said in its report.

Since early this year, export cargo deteriorated in 15 ports particularly in Dumaguete, which registered a drop of 0.128 million metric tons or 74.86 percent.

Significant drop of cargo volume was seen in South Harbor, which recorded a decrease of 2.03 million metric tons or 30 percent, while MICT decreased by 1.37 million metric tons or by 14 percent.

Ports in Iligan, Limay and San Fernando also posted declines in exports by 0.180 million metric tons, 0.422 million metric tons and 0.527 million metric tons, respectively.

In terms of number of containers handled, PPA said the volume declined by 99,991 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), or about 4.4 percent from last year’s volume. MICT and South Harbor handled almost 60 percent of the container volume, while the rest were from other ports.

Foreign container traffic was at 1.3 million TEUs for the seven-month period, down 8 percent from last year’s 1.41 TEUs, while there was a 2-percent growth seen in the domestic traffic to 883,000 TEUs from the previous 886,049 TEUs.

On a monthly basis, however, PPA said there was a minimal growth in container volume to 341,217 TEUs in July from the previous year’s 340,964 TEUs. For the month MICT handled 123,080 TEUs, while South Harbor had 73,640 TEUs.

After taking the 1st and 7th rank in CPA, and the 3rd and 7th rank in Mechanical Engineering, another BU alumna made it to the top 10 of the recently concluded Licensure Exam for Secondary Teachers:

Congratulations Ms. Rona Despabiladeras, ranked 6th (Secondary)!
Congratulations to Ms Jinky Batalla of AdNU, also ranked 6th (Elementary)!

PRC releases results of Licensure Examination for Teachers (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/exam-results/11/16/09/prc-releases-results-licensure-examination-teachers)

MANILA (11/16/2009 9:13 PM) - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Monday released the results of the 2009 Licensure Examination for Teachers, held in October. The PRC announced that 8,045 elementary teachers out of 43,086 examinees (18.67%), 26 Accelerated Teacher Education Program (A.T.E.P.) graduates out of 146 examinees (17.81%) and 10,792 secondary teachers out of 38,339 examinees (28.15%) successfully passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (L.E.T) given by the Board for Professional Teachers on October 4, 2009 in 23 testing centers all over the Philippines.

The results of examination with respect to two thousand eight hundred sixteen (2,816) examinees were withheld as per Board Resolution Nos. 34 & 35 (A) dated October 30, 2009, No. 38 dated November 5, 2009 and Nos. 42 & 44 dated November 13, 2009, Series of 2009.

R.A. No. 7836 known as the “Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994” States: “Every registrant shall be required to take his professional oath before practicing as a professional teacher” (Sec. 18). Mass oath taking for the LET passers are organized by the Board.

The Board for Professional Teachers is composed of Dr. Brenda B. Corpuz, Officer-In-Charge; Dr. Reynaldo T. Peña and Dr. Faith M. Bachiller, Members.

Oath taking tickets are available at the Office of Professional Teachers, 3rd Floor, PRC Annex Building for NCR and Region IV passers starting November 18, 2009 (Wednesday) and at the PRC regional offices for the passers from the other regions.

The dates and venues of mass oath taking are given below:

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/4436/letoathtaking.jpg

Reports of Rating will be distributed to successful examinees on the day of the oath taking ceremonies, except for N.C.R. and Region IV.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be announced later.

The requirements for the issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card (ID) are the following: 1) duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal; 2) latest Community Tax Certificate (Cedula); 3) 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 4) 2 pieces 2” x 2” picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 5) metered documentary stamp for the Oath Form; and 6) the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2009-2012.

Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places are the following:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2606/top10hs.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2541/top10elem.jpg

PGMA okays P977-M fund for Albay's 4Ps benefeciaries (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=241873)
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) --President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Provincial Government of Albay, to be represented by governor Joey Salceda, are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the full implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on Nov. 24 in Malacanang. Salceda said President Arroyo, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has approved the P977.3-million fund for the implementation for Albay."

From only Libon right now, the 4Ps will be expanded to cover 11 municipalities (Polangui, Daraga, Libon, Jovellar, Pioduran, Rapurapu, Manito, Sto. Domingo, Malilipot, Bacacay, Malinao including the island villages of Cagararay and San Miguel) and three cities (Tabaco, Legazpi and Ligao) in this province where every identified beneficiary family will receive P1,400 monthly financial subsidy for five years through the DSWD.

"Legazpi City is expected to have the biggest number of beneficiaries with 12,000 families," Salceda said. The provincial government of Albay have a target of 180,370 households, however, the magnitude of the poor families is 69,803, this means that only those poor families can qualify the program based from the criteria being followed by the DSWD.

The 4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years old. Salceda said that the P977.3 million is the budgetary requirement per year. “This amount is much higher than the annual budget of the provincial government of Albay.”

The money will be released to the most responsible adult person in the household, usually the mother, through Electronic Card Banking System with Landbank of the Philippines. The beneficiaries of the program will be identified based on a scoring system, utilizing the socio-economic characteristics of the household, such as non-ownership of assets/appliances, type of housing unit, level of educational attainment of household head and non-access to water and sanitation facilities.

Parents or head of the family must see to it that their children will go to school regularly, avail of the necessary health services and to come up with a livelihood will definitely receive regular cash grant, failure to do so, will automatically mean for the suspension of their grant,” Salceda said.

4Ps helps to fulfill the country’s commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals such as eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.

4Ps has dual objectives: Social Assistance - to provide cash assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate need (short term poverty alleviation); and Social Development - to break the intergenerational poverty cycle through investments in human capital. The program is now being implemented in the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate and in one town of Albay- Libon. (PNA)
RMA/MDR/2031

Kalayaan Barangay Program benefits three Bicol provinces (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=2&rid=241724)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) --The government’s program transforming former insurgency influenced villages into peace and development-oriented communities is carried out successfully in the provinces of Albay , Camarines Sur and Sorsogon, according to the Philippine Army (PA) in Bicol region.

The program dubbed as “Kalayaan Barangay Program” (KBP) is a government intervention to accelerate rehabilitation and development in identified former insurgency hotspot villages across the region by providing these communities with various infrastructure projects.

Army Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan, 901st Infantry Brigade spokesman, said that hundreds of villages in three Bicol provinces have been beneficiaries of the infrastructure projects consisting of farm to market roads, school buildings, water system, electrical and medical facilities.

At a project briefing held over the weekend at Guinobatan town, Bansawan said the program carried a total of P345-million worth of KBP-funded projects being implemented in Bicol by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines Concerns on Community Organizing for Development (ACCORD) from the 565th Engineering Construction Battalion and the Army’s 9th Infantry Division.

Of the total amount released some 84 KBP projects worth P86.4 million were successfully pursued in Bicol.The projects include construction of 33 school buildings, 33 water systems, 18 farm to market road projects.

For the construction of school buildings, some 33 projects costing P12 million, were implemented in the towns of Prieto Diaz, Donsol, Castilla in Sorsogon, Guinobatan, Pioduran and Oas in Albay and the cities of Sorsogon and Iriga in Sosrosogn and Camarines Sur respectively.

Some 33 water system projects worth P31 million were successfully accomplished in the same areas with the inclusions of the town of Donsol in Sorsogon, Jovellar in Albay and Buhi in Camarines Sur. For farm to market roads, 18 KBP projects were completed worth P43 million in the three provinces.

Some P59 million funding this year is yet to be spent for 49 ongoing KBP projects, which involve the construction of 13 farm-to-market roads costing P33 million; 10 school building projects worth P7 million; 13 water system project costing P13 million and 13 health center project worth P7 million.

The projects will be implemented in the towns of Jovellar, Guinobatan, and Oas, all in Albay. The turnover of the completed KBP projects is set on Nov. 20 and 21 in Albay and Sorsogon, respectively. Bansawan said the KBP projects initiated by OPAPP and ACCORD is another version of the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).(PNA)
RMA/MSA/cbd

Work on Bicol airport in full swing—Salceda (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/november/16/nation4.isx&d=/2009/november/16)
by Mar S. Arguelles

Work on the Southern Luzon International Airport has gone full blast following the acquisition of some 200 hectares of land on which will be built the runway and airport facilities.

Transportation and Communications Department officials in the Bicol region said the airport was a big-ticket project under President Gloria Arroyo’s super region program. The airport, located in Barangay Alobo in Daraga, Albay, had a P3.4-billion budget to ensure its completion as scheduled in 2012, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said.

The Southern Luzon airport will cover 200 hectares of which 187 hectares will house the airport terminal and runway, another 1.5 hectares for access road and 10 hectares for the resettlement area for residents who will make way for Bicol’s gateway to the world, officials said.

Salceda said some P800 million has been spent for land acquisition and feasibility study. Salceda said the project site was ideal and strategic because it was accessible to other provinces of Bicol such as Masbate, Catanduanes and Sorsogon whose Matnog port offered access to the Visayan provinces. Bicol is now under the Central Philippines cluster, composed of the three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.

;46292519']Work on Bicol airport in full swing—Salceda (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/november/16/nation4.isx&d=/2009/november/16)
by Mar S. Arguelles

Work on the Southern Luzon International Airport has gone full blast following the acquisition of some 200 hectares of land on which will be built the runway and airport facilities.

Transportation and Communications Department officials in the Bicol region said the airport was a big-ticket project under President Gloria Arroyo’s super region program. The airport, located in Barangay Alobo in Daraga, Albay, had a P3.4-billion budget to ensure its completion as scheduled in 2012, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said.

The Southern Luzon airport will cover 200 hectares of which 187 hectares will house the airport terminal and runway, another 1.5 hectares for access road and 10 hectares for the resettlement area for residents who will make way for Bicol’s gateway to the world, officials said.

Salceda said some P800 million has been spent for land acquisition and feasibility study. Salceda said the project site was ideal and strategic because it was accessible to other provinces of Bicol such as Masbate, Catanduanes and Sorsogon whose Matnog port offered access to the Visayan provinces. Bicol is now under the Central Philippines cluster, composed of the three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.

Yahooo! This could be the next blow by blow documented projects in Albay! Can't wait for the deluge of photos for this one in the coming months and years! :cheers::cheers::cheers:

Bicol youth confab held (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=r05&y=&mo=&fi=p091111.htm&no=75)

Legazpi City (11 November) -- 157 officers of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) municipal federations from 12 municipalities and three cities in Bicol took part in the recent Regional Youth Congress, spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol regional office.

The congress was aimed at increasing awareness on the government programs for the youth sector as well as issues and concerns related to the welfare of the youth.

Remia T. Tapispisan, DSWD Bicol regional director, said PYAP is a duly constituted barangay-based organization of the out-of-school youth aged 15 to 24.

Tapispisan explained PYAP has been organized nationwide and federated from the municipal to the national level providing a venue for interfacing on issues and concerns affecting the youth and other related programs, projects and policies

Topics discussed during the two-day congress were Alternative Learning System; Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; and, Drug Abuse Prevention and Control.

The two-day activity was also highlighted by the re-election of the PYAP regional officers and the selection of the Miss and Mr. PYAP of Bicol, to wit:

* President - Monette C. Villanueva of Labo, Camarines Norte
* Vice President - Erwin Gallanosa of Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon
* Secretary - Jhomer Rosal of Iriga City
* Treasurer - Sher Ann Galueg of Castilla, Sorsogon
* Auditor - Jonelle Gepulle of Bulan, Sorsogon
* P.I.O. - Karen Camu of Malinao, Albay

Board of Directors:

* Camarines Norte - Nilo Florete
* Camarines Sur - Mary Mae Bernaldez
* Albay - Jacky John Carral
* Sorsogon - Aiza Nicera

The Miss PYAP is Miss Fatima Adisa of Donsol, Sorsogon and Mr. John Eric Candido of Iriga City is Mr. PYAP. (DSWD V/PIA

DSWD launches "Move In Bicol" (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=r05&y=&mo=&fi=p091111.htm&no=71)
by CL Martinez

Legazpi City (11 November) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field office in Bicol led the launching of Men Opposed to Violence Against Women (MOVE), an organization pursuing advocacy campaigns to prevent and stop incidence of violence against women. Remia T. Tapispisan, DSWD Bicol regional director, said the agency commends its men employees for initiating such campaign and in pursuing measures to eradicate gender violence and discrimination.

"We are encouraging men to join and be a part of this organization to illustrate that Bicol has violence-free environment, especially among women and children" she added. MOVE Bicol is an organization of principled men from various sectors of society whose primary goal is advocating on elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW).

For the past two years, MOVE has spearheaded several related advocacy activities, both local and international, initiated capacity-building undertakings, established its organizational structure and internal mechanisms and formulated its plan of action. Recently, MOVE advocates underwent orientation seminar on RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 as well as elected it new sets of officers.

Elected MOVE Bicol officers include Alfredo Bocato, President; Ranulfo Pasano, Vice-President; Sammy Buenconsejo, Secretary; Renato Millena, Treasurer; Carlos Tolibas, chair on membership committee; Gilberto Logronion on education; Jose Yanto on livelihood; and Antonio Joaquin, Jr. on finance. MOVE officers recently met discussing action plan and formulation of constitution and by-laws. (KCRSMO-CSWD/PIA) [top]

4Ps helps improve economy of Libon (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=r05&y=&mo=&fi=p091106.htm&no=46)
by MZ Villagomez

Libon, Albay (6 November) -- Stall owners in the pubic market and drugstores here are having their share of the benefits from the release of cash grants for 2,796 beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Tesoro Cha, a store owner, related that every time cash assistance is released to beneficiaries in this municipality, an increase of 50% up to 75% in their sales compared to previous days where there is no pay out.

"Upon receipt of their cash grants, beneficiaries usually spent for groceries and other needs of their families," he explained. Other store owners are experiencing the same; this is to include the drug stores. Gina Duka, a drug store owner, shared the same story surprised on the sudden increase on the sales of health supplements, particularly multivitamins and milk formula for children.

Duka also observed 4Ps has also motivated mothers to become more aware and concerned about the health and nutritional status of their children. For 4Ps beneficiaries buying goods form local stores is in response to Libon Mayor Agnes Dycoco's call to improve the local economy.

A total of P5 million has already been released benefiting 27 barangays in the municipality. 4Ps is the government's poverty alleviation program, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aimed at promoting human capital accumulation among the young children to break intergenerational cycle of poverty among poor households. (4Ps IO-DSWD/PIA) [top]

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/649/dsc09528.jpg
by Bo Bregnholt (http://picasaweb.google.com/bobregnholt)

Legazpi City Port
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4108933284_d61eda214f_b.jpg
by digishooter (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digishooter/)

Sto. Domingo Church
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/4048781690_20f8d5108c_b.jpg
by ElJeproks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sungityabang/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4048040507_77b0512a1d_b.jpg
by ElJeproks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sungityabang/)

Misibis Bay Raintree

StAqbA_2HsA

closer look..
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs076.snc3/14355_105950666082436_100000025104431_160185_5659424_n.jpghttp://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs076.snc3/14355_105950669415769_100000025104431_160186_5649700_n.jpghttp://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs076.snc3/14355_105950662749103_100000025104431_160184_899363_n.jpg

operational na po ba palan ang st. ellis? kasubanggi kaya may ilaw na gari led light su interior kang hotel.

Mt. Mayon’s gas shoot up, exhibits intense crater glow (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=2&rid=241995)
By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 17, (PNA) -- Mayon volcano continue to exhibit intense crater glow and emitting fluctuating sulfur dioxide gas signs that magma is developing and moving up to the volcano’s vent. This prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to request and install additional seismic equipments to closely monitor the restive behavior of the volcano.

Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said the newly installed equipments are the two tilt meter equipments installed at the upper slopes of the volcano at barangay Anoling and at the Mayon Resthouse in Tabaco City. Laguerta said they have requested the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) for additional three sets of broadband seismograph equipments to be installed at the volcano’s edifice to back up the existing units.

He said "the tilt meter can send us ground deformation data on an hourly bases." He explained that the broadband seismograph are sensitive instruments that record earthquakes. It can also detect ground motion caused by fracturing or the movement of magma within the volcano, while the Tilt meter instruments are devices used to detect direction of ground deformation.

The Phivolcs scientist said the volcano disgorged 973 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) Monday, a volume that is way above the normal level of 500 tons per day. Laguerta, in explaining the implication of the high and low volume of gas emission rate, said “once the high volume of SO2 emission rate is sustained in days, it is an indication that the volcano’s state of unrest may possibly lead to a full blown eruption.”

“So far the level of gas emitted are not yet indications for an eruptive stage, we are still closely monitoring this parameters,” he said Phivolcs noted that the high volume of SO2 emitted by Mt. Mayon on Monday was the second gas disgorge by the volcano after it spewed a 1,429 tons of gas last October, a record breaking manifestation since the volcano exhibited signs of restlessness in July.

Quakes and high level of sulfur dioxide disgorged by Mayon volcano were signs that volcano continue to be on heightened state of restiveness, the Phivolcs said. Phivolcs bulletin on Tuesday said the volcano disgorged 973 tons of sulfur dioxide for the past 24 hours, was way above the 367 tons on Sunday and 514 tons on Saturday and the 279 tons recorded on Friday.

The agency seismic instruments detected only two volcanic earthquakes, bringing to a total of 65 quakes recorded this month. Phivolcs scientists are continuously observing Mayon volcano's fluctuating seismic precursors such as quakes, gas emission and ground deformation as these are indication that the volcano's seismic activity may possibly lead to an explosive eruption.

For ground deformation survey, the Precise Leveling result indicate the volcano edifice remains inflated at 5.0 mm at the Buang lines while Lidong lines posted a 3.0 mm swelling. The volcano crater glow has intensified further but remained at level II, while steam emission at a moderate level.

Lafuerta said the intensity of the crater glow will depend largely on the “hot gas” and the shallow magma the volcano is emitting. Meanwhile, disaster authorities are strictly enforcing the “no entry” rule in designated danger zone areas surrounding the volcano.

Police and military personnel manning the 12 checkpoints along the danger zone at the volcano’s down slope were directed to enforce the “no human activity” rule inside the designated danger zone areas, covering the towns of Sto. Domingo, Daraga, Camalig, including the cities of Ligao, Tabaco and this city.

Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon volcano, Phivolcs strongly recommending that the six-km Permanent Danger Zone including the seven-km extended danger zones should be off limits to any human activity due to threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes of the volcano. (PNA)
FFC/MSA/cbd

operational na po ba palan ang st. ellis? kasubanggi kaya may ilaw na gari led light su interior kang hotel.

Gari iyo na, nag aaccept na sinda ki guests.

Albay Wildlife Park
by Jonnel H (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakley2681/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4102307044_e0a287bea1.jpg

Bigg's Embarcadero (2nd level interiors)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1124.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1137.jpg

1st level (entrance facing the courtyard)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1141.jpg

Veranda outside the 2nd level (I think Padi's Point will be a neighbor of Bigg's)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1134.jpg

Bigg's Embarcadero (2nd level interiors)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1124.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1137.jpg

1st level (entrance facing the courtyard)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1141.jpg

Veranda outside the 2nd level (I think Padi's Point will be a neighbor of Bigg's)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1134.jpg

Bigg's Embarcadero (2nd level interiors)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1124.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1137.jpg

1st level (entrance facing the courtyard)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1141.jpg

Veranda outside the 2nd level (I think Padi's Point will be a neighbor of Bigg's)
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/dxb_01/DSC_1134.jpg

Hotel St. Ellis
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/600x600/11/DSC01845a.JPG?et=Ip7AN8OSYAwP6%2CvtAEsRDQ&nmid=287345149
http://images.legazpeep.multiply.com/image/1/photos/16/600x600/10/DSC01847a.JPG?et=GEukOyQSDnLFwPsFf7NcIA&nmid=287345149
^Bukas na gayod; iyan na dark Grandia kan hotel gari may pig-atud na guests...


Hey Legazpeeps! Pwede na daw mag check in digdi sa St. Ellis? Will greatly appreciate if somebody from our Legazpi based forumers can confirm.

Mabalos na dakulon tabi.

Maray na Albay saindo gabos.:)

I got from a very reliable source that Zaldy Co or Sunwest? just purchased the old Hyatt Regency Hotel along Roxas Blvd previously owned by the family of Jose Mari Chan. The hotel was closed sometime late last year. They are now renovating it. For sure they will this hotel as a transient point for their Misibis clients.

I got from a very reliable source that Zaldy Co or Sunwest? just purchased the old Hyatt Regency Hotel along Roxas Blvd previously owned by the family of Jose Mari Chan. The hotel was closed sometime late last year. They are now renovating it. For sure they will this hotel as a transient point for their Misibis clients.

Heard this news from Joks. :okay: Kina Jose Mari Chan palan ito dati

PGMA, Albay ink P977.3-M fund for 4Ps to benefit 70,000 poor families (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=242005)

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- Close to 70,000 poor families in Albay would benefit to the full implementation of "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" (4Ps), the Arroyo administration’s flagship poverty reduction program.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) to be represented by Governor Joey Salceda are set to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the full implementation of the 4Ps set on Nov. 24 at Malacanang.

Salceda said Pres. Arroyo, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has approved the P977.3 million fund for 4Ps full implementation in Albay.

The 4Ps currently implemented in the town of Libon this will be expanded to cover 11 municipalities (Polangui, Daraga, Libon, Jovellar Pioduran, Rapurapu, Manito, Sto.Dominngo, Malilipot,Bacacay and Malinao) including the cities of Tabaco, Legazpi and Ligao in this province.

The program would give every identified beneficiary family a P1,400 monthly financial subsidy for five years through the DSWD, Salceda said.

The provincial government of Albay have a target of 180,370 households, however, the magnitude of the poor families is 69,803, this means that only those poor families can qualify the program based from the criteria being followed by the DSWD.

The 4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants top extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years old.

Salceda said that the P977.3 million is the budgetary requirement per year. “This amount is much higher than the annual budget of the provincial government of Albay.”

The money will be released to the most responsible adult person in the household, usually the mother, through Electronic Card Banking System with Landbank of the Philippines.

The beneficiaries of the program will be identified based on a scoring system, utilizing the socio-economic characteristics of the household, such as non-ownership of assets/appliances, type of housing unit, level of educational attainment of household head and non-access to water and sanitation facilities.

Parents or heads of the family must see to it that their children will go to school regularly, avail of the necessary health services and to come up with a livelihood will definitely receive regular cash grant, failure to do so, will automatically mean for the suspension of their grant, Salceda said.

4Ps helps to fulfill the country’s commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals such as eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.

4Ps has dual objectives: Social Assistance - to provide cash assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate need (short term poverty alleviation); and Social Development - to break the inter-generational poverty cycle through investments in human capital.

The program is now being implemented in the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate and in Libon town, Albay. Salceda is optimistic that expanded 4Ps will be implemented by June next year. (PNA)
FFC/MSA/cbd

How to train for trail running (http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/wellness/wellness/view/20091117-236645/How-to-train-for-trail-running)
By Mitch Felipe-Mendoza
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A RECENT TRAIL RUN WAS HELD IN Legazpi City in the vicinity of Mayon Volcano. For the second time, Mayon Trail Run International was organized to draw local and foreign runners. The organizers made it more challenging this time. Of the 250 runners, less than a hundred reached the cut-off time of four hours for the 21-km race. Running on mountains, muddy roads and rivers is a lot more different than the usual road race. Aside from the physical and mental benefits one gets from trail running, you can also enjoy nature and other scenic places.

Don’t rush

At the start of every race, it is common to see participants running as fast as they can. Others can survive a road race by doing this strategy, but it’s different for trail running. One has to hold back a little, especially in the first part, for you will have to climb mountains, cross rivers and run on an uphill course throughout the race. This is how top racers survived the Mayon Trail Run—like Alquin Bolivar, who kept a steady pace throughout the race.

Train for uphill course

Read race materials and attend the briefing for important instructions, which is usually held the night before the race.

Aside from speed training and long runs, do hill training or simply climb the stairs or cross-train with a stepper machine. These activities which simulate hill running, will help improve one’s endurance in running uphill and downhill, river crossing and mountain climbing.

Gear up

According to Ellen Sampson, author of “The Runner’s Sourcebook,” for every 20 minutes of running, one can lose between six and 12 ounces of fluids. So for every race you join, never expect a water station every 15 minutes.

A 21-km trail run is different from the half-kilometer road race, so anticipate the worst things. Organizers might run out of water, or the next water station might be available after 30 to 45 minutes. Bring a hydration pack; don’t worry about the discomfort of carrying extra weight because it will always save your whole run.

Also, buy good quality trail running shoes. Wear a running cap and put on sunblock, since trail running will finish longer than a road race and you will be more exposed to heat.

Finish what you started

Like any runner who crosses the finish line, believe that you can finish a race, unless it’s necessary to quit.

Relax

After finishing the Mayon Train Run International, our group went to Misibis Bay in Caragay Island, Albay, to treat ourselves to Bicol delicacies. We also had a relaxing and pain-relieving massage.

All trail run finishers were given the 900-gram finisher’s medal made from volcanic debris carved by artist Rolando Binaday.

Keeping souvenirs and medals from race organizers is one way to motivate participants. This will always remind one of his toughness as a trail runner.

E-mail the author at mitchfelipe@gmail.com.

Fair empowers students through entrepreneurship
(http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/community/view/20091117-236765/Fair-empowers-students-through-entrepreneurship)
OVER a thousand youths got the chance to hone their entrepreneurial skills through the Globe's entrepreneurship fair for students in the Bicol region. Spearheaded by Globe’s corporate social responsibility arm Globe Bridging Communities (Globe BridgeCom), in partnership with Aquinas University of Legaspi, the Globe BridgeCom youth entrepreneurship fair gave students a chance to gain more knowledge and skills in running a successful business.

During the fair, business management students from Aquinas University, Divine Word College, Bicol University, Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc., Camarines Norte State College and members of the Bicol Business Students Association were treated to a day of learning, networking and exchanging of ideas and inspiration.

There were sessions in financial management, marketing and operations. The student participants also got inspiration to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations from listening to enlightening testimonials of successful youth entrepreneurs. After each session, the resource speakers gave helpful evaluation on the student micro-entrepreneurs’ business and financial management skills and the viability of their small business operations.

In addition, the event presented to students new business ideas from guest resource speakers as they gave demonstrations and shared inspiring stories from successful local entrepreneurs.

“The youth entrep fair is Globe’s response to the call of the provincial government of Albay for partnership on programs for human development and poverty alleviation,” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said. The youth entrep fair is part of Globe’s Enterprise Development Program under Globe BridgeCom. As of this year, over 24,000 micro-entrepreneurs, business management students, coop members, microentrepreneurs and community leaders all over the country have already benefited from Globe BridgeCom’s Enterprise Development Program.

Novelist Bobis takes Pinoy lantern maker’s story to US (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/177203/novelist-bobis-takes-pinoy-lantern-makers-story-to-us)
11/17/2009 | 10:04 PM

http://www.gmanews.tv/webpics/infotech/bobis,-merlinda.jpg
Fil-Aussie writer and performance artist Merlinda Bobis autographs her new novel, "The Solemn Lantern Maker," during a series of book talks in the San Francisco Bay Area. Marconi Calindas


She has been living thousands of miles away from her native land for almost 20 decades now. But multi-awarded Filipina writer Merlinda Carullo Bobis who stays in Australia remains a keen observer of dichotomies in Philippine politics and culture.

Through the eyes of 10-year-old “Noland," the mute Filipino protagonist in her new novel, “The Solemn Lanter Maker," Bobis was able to hollow out contradictions from situations already hackneyed in the eyes of familiar folks.

The story builds up when Noland, a lantern maker, imagines seeing an angel falling from the sky to a slum area in Manila where he lives with his crippled mother, Nena. But the angel, it turns out, is only an American tourist caught in a drive-by shooting of a political journalist.

“Bobbis' … novel is a beguiling mix of polarities: of the holy and the profane, of Third-World Asian poverty and white Western affluence. It tackles child prostitution, government corruption and international politics, which all sound heavy going, but Bobis is also known for her poetry and the book is suffused with gorgeous imagery..." says a review published in Australia’s news site, The Age.

The prolific Bobis, who is also a dancer and a visual artist, has produced a number of novels, short stories, dramas, and poems that were published by Pier 9, Murdoch Books-Australia, Anvil Publishing- Manila, Spinifex Press North Melbourne, and De La Salle University Press-Manila, and Aunt Lute Books-San Francisco.

Random House Publishing released her new novel in the US, where Bobis, a native of Legaspi City in Albay province, recently held a series of book talks and performances in the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Francisco’s Kularts and the Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. organized the weekend book talks and signing at the Bayanihan Community Center in San Francisco.

Bobis also held two-night performances in the same venue where she showcased her theater-arts skills interpreting one of her previous literary works.

Writing and teaching Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia are Bobis’ passion.

During the talk, Bobis said the new book was inspired by the colorful and dazzling lanterns she saw when she was inside a cab caught by traffic jam in the Philippines.

She said that when she saw those lanterns she thought that there must be a story behind these Christmas decorations. Then she saw a boy standing and guarding the lanterns who became the subject of her novel.

UC Berkeley and University of the Philippines Philippine Studies faculty member and poet Joi Barrios with UCLA’s Lucy Burns moderated the event series with Bobis.

Barrios said the Philippines should take pride in Bobis who had received numerous awards including the Philippines’ National Balagtas Award, the Steele Rudd Australian Short Story Award, the Prix Italia, the Australian Writers' Guild Award, and the Pamana Philippine Presidential Award.

Bobis’ plays have also been produced on stage and radio in Australia, the Philippines, France, China, Thailand and the Slovak Republic in the Western Sydney Aurora Festival, Darwin Arts Festival, Sydney Asian Theatre Festival, the Philippine-France Festival-Paris, Cultural Centre of the Philippines- Manila, among many others.

Bobis taught Literature and English in Philippine universities for a decade before immigrating to Australia in 1991. She completed a Doctorate of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong where she now teaches creative writing. - MARCONI CALINDAS, GMANews.TV

;46330531']Albay Wildlife Park
by Jonnel H (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakley2681/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4102307044_e0a287bea1.jpg

I so like this picture! Hindi masyadong photoshopped.

;46292365']PGMA okays P977-M fund for Albay's 4Ps benefeciaries (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=241873)
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) --President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Provincial Government of Albay, to be represented by governor Joey Salceda, are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the full implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on Nov. 24 in Malacanang. Salceda said President Arroyo, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has approved the P977.3-million fund for the implementation for Albay."

From only Libon right now, the 4Ps will be expanded to cover 11 municipalities (Polangui, Daraga, Libon, Jovellar, Pioduran, Rapurapu, Manito, Sto. Domingo, Malilipot, Bacacay, Malinao including the island villages of Cagararay and San Miguel) and three cities (Tabaco, Legazpi and Ligao) in this province where every identified beneficiary family will receive P1,400 monthly financial subsidy for five years through the DSWD.

"Legazpi City is expected to have the biggest number of beneficiaries with 12,000 families," Salceda said. The provincial government of Albay have a target of 180,370 households, however, the magnitude of the poor families is 69,803, this means that only those poor families can qualify the program based from the criteria being followed by the DSWD.

The 4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years old. Salceda said that the P977.3 million is the budgetary requirement per year. “This amount is much higher than the annual budget of the provincial government of Albay.”

The money will be released to the most responsible adult person in the household, usually the mother, through Electronic Card Banking System with Landbank of the Philippines. The beneficiaries of the program will be identified based on a scoring system, utilizing the socio-economic characteristics of the household, such as non-ownership of assets/appliances, type of housing unit, level of educational attainment of household head and non-access to water and sanitation facilities.

Parents or head of the family must see to it that their children will go to school regularly, avail of the necessary health services and to come up with a livelihood will definitely receive regular cash grant, failure to do so, will automatically mean for the suspension of their grant,” Salceda said.

4Ps helps to fulfill the country’s commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals such as eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.

4Ps has dual objectives: Social Assistance - to provide cash assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate need (short term poverty alleviation); and Social Development - to break the intergenerational poverty cycle through investments in human capital. The program is now being implemented in the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate and in one town of Albay- Libon. (PNA)
RMA/MDR/2031

This project is very okay.:D