(UPDATE) GMA-7 income grows by 19% to P2.33-B (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080310-123881/UPDATE-GMA-7-income-grows-by-19-to-P233-B)

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:48:00 03/10/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Net income of listed broadcast company GMA Network Inc. grew by 19 percent to P2.33 billion in 2007 from P1.96 billion in 2006.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Monday, GMA-7 said its consolidated gross revenue grew 9.0 percent to P12 billion from P11 billion in 2006. Production costs grew 2.0 percent to P3.8 billion, while consolidated general and administrative expenses grew 15 percent to P3 billion.

Consolidated revenue grew 9.0 percent to P12 billion, outpacing the 2.0 percent increase in production costs.

The company, which operates television and radio stations and is also in the movie and music businesses, said independent surveys showed its TV programs took the lion's share of overall audience in urban areas including Metropolitan Manila in 2007.

GMA said it maintained its Mega Manila TV ratings lead in 2007. "Based on Mega Manila TV ratings data from AGB-Nielsen for 2007, GMA posted an average total day rating of 17.7 percent against ABS-CBN's 14.3 percent .... Twenty-one out of the top 25 overall TV programs for 2007 were from GMA, with the top 15 programs all coming from GMA Network," the company said.

In February, GMA chairperson Felipe Gozon said the company's 2008 topline and bottomline were expected to exceed 2007 figures by 20 percent.

"Our revenue in January and in February was up 20 percent each month. We will likely grow by at least 20 percent this year. I cannot say exactly ... it could be more. (As for) QTV, we hope it will break even this year. There was still income loss for last year, but we managed to cut it in half. Free TV is still our biggest growth driver, of course," Gozon said.

"Traditionally, in our business, one bad year is followed by a good year. There has been two bad years, so this year should prove to be very good. Even our airtime numbers are up."

Gozon also noted that the TV ratings war with rival ABS-CBN did not dampen its business, and may have even contributed to its stronger performance, though he declined to say for sure.

GMA, the main rival of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., expects to expand its net profit and revenue by 20 percent this year. To support growth in 2008, Gozon said the company programmed a budget for capital expenditures of "at least P665 million."

The company announced in January that it earmarked P665 million for an infrastructure expansion program to improve its signal in the countryside.

"The expansion program, which started in 2003, covers TV transmitter upgrades and facilities for live coverage," vice-president for Engineering Engr. Lito Remulla said in an interview.

Scheduled for completion this month are transmitter upgrades in General Santos (P23 million), Naga City (P56 million), and Batangas (P25 million).

Within the first quarter of 2008, GMA Network will finish upgrades to a transmitter in Cebu City (P70 million), and new studio facilities in Dagupan City (P41 million) and Davao City (P32 million).

The rest of 2008 will see new facilities rise in Naga City (P41 million) and Iloilo City (P15 million).

Already completed from 2003 to 2007 are transmitter upgrades in Legazpi (P25 million), Cagayan de Oro (P21 million), Benguet (P45 million), Bacolod (P28 million), Tandang Sora (P197 million), and Davao City (P44 million).

Executive vice president and chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit Jr. said the network hoped that the resulting boost in reception would improve its viewership ratings nationwide.

The network is also prepared to launch digital TV programming with an initial investment of P200 million but will earmark the amount only when the National Telecommunications Commission finalizes its much-delayed guidelines on digital TV. With a report by Enrico dela Cruz of Thomson Financial

My mom said UNC still approved the sell-out. Lemme ask her again.



Why would SM buy a university? :?

UNC quadrangle is like the Spratlys, vast and strategic.

^^ So, you mean, if ever SM were able to buy UNC, they'd demolish everything and make something out of that quadrangle? Like a commercial area?

UNC quadrangle is like the Spratlys, vast and strategic.

...and below sea level.

Possible.

I heard, Phinma will convert the school buildings into commercial spaces.

She was robbed, indeed. Tabetha should have won. Pero I kind of like Janina despite her funny interview. I think the judges saw in her the naturalness.

...and below sea level.

:lol:

I heard, Phinma will convert the school buildings into commercial spaces.

They wouldn't do that. From the official news, Phinma wants to create an academic system with about 5 universities. If I'm not mistaken, UNC is their third or fourth purchased university.

I heard, Phinma will convert the school buildings into commercial spaces.

can you post some pictures of the school buldings? :)

They wouldn't do that. From the official news, Phinma wants to create an academic system with about 5 universities. If I'm not mistaken, UNC is their third or fourth purchased university.

Yeah, it's third after Araullo University in Cabanatuan and Cagayan de Oro College.

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^^ thanks! :okay: Huge lawn!

^^ And that's just a third or half of the whole lawn area. It's really big.

http://www.weather-forecast.com/weatherobjects/Naga.vectors.jpg

THE SEARCH FOR Bb. PILIPINAS LAST SATURDAY NIGHT WAS UNfair?

NANOOD BA KAYO GUYS NG PAGEANT?ANG TANGA NG CANDIDATE NO. 15 bakit nanalo? nakakahiya?
mali- mali ang grammar pagdating sa Q&A?
walang naisagot?
BOOOOHHHH? ang sigawan ng mga tao?
pero she won the title Bb. Pilipinas WORLD
LUTO BA? hheehehheheh
pero guys Take Note:Kala q ung taga CAM. SUR (tga NAGA COLLEGE FOUNDATION) na ang panalo na nakasali sa TOP-10?
CANDIDATE NO. 13...grave galing sumagot PERFECT? tangkad pa?

what happen dun sa taga DARAGA ne-Top-10 or awards wala? so sad....

asan na ang CREDIBILIDAD ng PAGEANT????
pati ba d2 my anomalya na?

^^it's just a pageant... don't be a sour-grape...

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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1083/529382518_5f0649ff25_o.jpg

biggest university in naga? i heard USANT in iriga is bigger than BU main campus...

Biggest university in Bicol in terms of number of enrolment I suppose. I believe UNC Graduate School is the biggest in the region. This year, it boasts "30 strong" graduates.

^^it's just a pageant... don't be a sour-grape...

He's speaking about the pageant's credibility. How would the winners properly represent our country in the world's top three beauty pageant if the local pageant is not very credible? Credibility in this country is such an issue. Pati na lang ganitong bagay... :ohno:

biggest university in naga? i heard USANT in iriga is bigger than BU main campus...

Yes, it is the biggest university in Naga both in enrolment and land area. Take note, in Naga.

He's speaking about the pageant's credibility. How would the winners properly represent our country in the world's top three beauty pageant if the local pageant is not very credible? Credibility in this country is such an issue. Pati na lang ganitong bagay... :ohno:


Actually, for me, it's not really a big issue as long as the thought is there. Just look at Ms. Melanie Marquez, despite her flaws she still won the crown as Ms. International.

Strong institutions and innovations
will secure further Naga’s growth (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/march13/strong.html)

NAGA CITY -- Strong local institutions will secure Naga’s sustained development while the city continues to be a leader in governance innovations nationwide.

This is will be City Mayor Jesse Robredo’s central message as he renders his state of the city report at 1:30 p.m. this Friday, March 14, at the Naga City Youth Center during the ensuing consultation/discussion with stakeholders and members of the City Development Council.

The city made significant headways in key result areas, Robredo said, pointing out that in passing the Local Sectoral Representation ordinance last year, the city is poised to become the first local government unit to elect sectoral representatives to the city Sanggunian in the entire country.

Election for LSRs in the city is expected to be held by midyear after complying with certain procedural requirements, he added.

During the year, the city government maintained its record of receiving accolades from local, national and international entities. These include the Housing Rights Protector Award from the Geneva, Switzerland-based Center on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) for Kaantabay sa Kauswagan, the city’s flagship program for the urban poor sector.

Naga’s City Youth Officials (CYO) program also made it among the Top 10 Most Outstanding Local Programs awarded by the Galing Pook Foundation, the only awardee coming from the Bicol region, and the latest award it received after it has been installed as a Galing Pook Hall of Famer and conferred with an Award for Continuing Excellence (ACE).

Dating back to 1988, Robredo’s first year as mayor, the CYO has become a unique annual government internship program that enabled close to 700 youth leaders in the city to secure a first-hand experience in public service. So far, it has produced four of City Hall’s incumbent department heads and a city councilor, former urban poor affairs office head Nathan Sergio.

During the year, Naga’s website, which is being maintained by its Electronic Data Processing unit, made it to the eLGU Hall of Fame after winning as the most outstanding city government website for the last three years. Content for the full-featured, information rich portal is being generated and updated by key city government departments.

The planning department also made use the Naga’s participative governance strategies in building up an urban renewal program for the city’s Central Business District, attracting the active participation of various sectors concerned with CBD I’s continuing vitality.

With procurement of materials underway, the administration’s initial investments in sprucing up the old centro, in the form of improved streetlights and sidewalks, will be implemented by midyear.

The decision of the SM Group to upgrade its planned mall in Naga from a smaller hypermart to a full-blown two-storey mall – officially christened as SM Naga City Mall – capped the city’s impressive economic gains, particularly in the property development and tourism sectors, just one year after Super Typhoon Reming devastated Bicolandia.

Work on the project is already in earnest to meet its planned opening by the 1st quarter of 2009, it was learned.

Meanwhile, five new hotels have also opened up shop, led by the FLC Group’s high-end Avenue Square Hotel that has catalyzed the dramatic growth of the so-called “Magsaysay Strip,” adding around 200 new rooms to Naga’s existing capacity currently placed at 590 rooms. Other hotels have also expanded their convention halls and function rooms in anticipation of increasing regional and national conferences being hosted by the city.

These gains are in line with a rapidly growing tourism sector that has seen the Naga-Camarines Sur combine registering hefty triple-digit annual growth rates for the last two years, buoyed by a strong influx of domestic visitors, dislodging perennial leader Legazpi-Albay in the process.

Robredo will present these, and other details of what has become a traditional semestral state of the city report during the first meeting of the full City Development Council that will also tackle other important concerns such as the annual investment plan and the status of the proposed Metro Naga Coliseum whose construction timetable has been altered by the damages wrought by the last typhoons.

Actually, for me, it's not really a big issue as long as the thought is there. Just look at Ms. Melanie Marquez, despite her flaws she still won the crown as Ms. International.

and Miss Teen Montana 2006 (or 2007) won the Miss Teen USA contest despite the fact that... she did not have a good answer at the final round... in fact, the way she spoke it was really bad...

http://photos.geni.com/p2/3722/6513/4becd7fb267160a4/qem49tex_large.jpg
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Commencement Speaker: Hon. Jesse Robredo

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Robredo sums up 12 milestones (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/march20/milestones.html)
By Rhaydz B. Barcia

NAGA CITY -- Anchoring on its “Maogmang Lugar” vision, this city which is internationally renowned as a model city for good governance has summarized 12 milestones that speak well of effective and efficient public service it has demonstrated during the year just past.

Delivering his State of the City report during the City Development Council meeting and consultation with stakeholders Friday last week, City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said the city’s local institutions are becoming stronger and that the city’s culture and tradition for innovations remain vibrant. “These are two essential requirements for maintaining competitiveness in the global 21st century --- that is, a globalized world of vibrant local communities,” the mayor pointed out.

The city mayor summarized the “12 milestones” the city achieved in 2007 as:

1. Cleaner Naga. After diligent study and evaluation began last year, along with technical assistance from the Czech Republic, the city’s ENRO, City Planning Office, EDP and DENR, the city is now narrowing down on a 21-hectare property with adjoining town of Magarao, Camarines Sur for a modern sanitary landfill as it prepares for the eventual closure of the existing Balatas controlled site which has become too small for the city’s mounting volume of waste and garbage.

2. Good schools. The city’s best public schools are becoming as good as the best private schools in the city, with the city maintaining its leadership in the Regional Unified Achievement Test, topping the RUAT for the second consecutive year among public schools in Bicol.

3. A decent house to live in. Through its award-winning “Kaantabay sa Kauswagan” program, the city has done a massive job of ensuring security of tenure -- among erstwhile landless settlers -- in a scale unmatched by any other Philippine locality. The next step is to look at the bigger picture and build self-contained, vibrant and clean communities that one will be proud to live in. During the period, the city in partnership with local property developers, has operationalized the Socialized Housing Counterparting (SHC) scheme that initially yielded almost P5 million in additional resources for area upgrading.

4. A city of trees. The city planted 10,145 seedlings, 80 percent of which took place in Mt. Isarog in partnership with the Metro Naga Water District. The remaining 20% consisted of fruit and shade trees planted in 18 public schools in the city. With its greening program, the city’s urban vitality is being matched by teeming spaces with trees and landscaped corridors.

5. Three meals a day. The nutritional status of pre-school children is unparalleled in Bicol. The bigger challenge is to ensure there is sufficient food on the table of every Nagueno household.

6. Gainful jobs. The city’s investment figures have been consistently increasing over the years indicating solid confidence by the private sector on the city’s strengths and comparative advantages. Despite the typhoons’ aftermath, the city remained bullish with the sprouting up of new hotels and the rapidly growing tourism sector. The ongoing construction of SM City Naga is expected to infuse P1 billion in the economy and create 3,500 new jobs during construction phase alone.

7. Well-paved roads, working drainage and orderly streets. Naga remains to have the highest road ratios in Bicol and one of the largest drainage networks in the region. No serious flooding was recorded in the past years when many parts of Bicol had gone underwater. With the WB-funded UPSURGE project, the city has laid down the groundwork for the completion of the Balatas-Gimenez subdivision roadlink within 2008. There is a separate work aimed at eliminating unseemly site of dangling wires.

8. Being able to walk the street at night unafraid. Public safety numbers notwithstanding, the city grappled with a serious institutional problem during most of the year owing to differences with the PNP Regional Command and their political benefactors. But later in the year, the impasse was broken as the city secured local autonomy for the new Naga PNP district, independent of the province. The challenge is to translate this institutional gain into concrete results, both in numbers and popular perception of rising incidence of petty crimes.

9. Available health service every time it is needed. The city’s health indicators are the best in Bicol. But the MDG report aired some concerns, especially in regard to immunization coverage. The city has raised to 85% (from 81%) its immunization coverage, making the city health office among those cited by DOH for its accomplishments.

10. Vibrant city of history, music, culture and arts. The planning department made use of Naga’s participative governance strategies in building up an urban renewal program. The city always believes that urban livability requires taking good care of its economic vitality, as well as its social fabric and soul through promotion of history, the arts, and culture.

11. Clean and honest government. Modesty aside, the city already has the best governed city in the country. But the city should always find a better way like continually updating its so-called Performance Pledges and come up with individualized commitments towards public service.

12. A place where one can realize his full potentials. The bottomline is building a city that allows its citizens to develop their full potential in the full range of human pursuits. At the institutional level, Naga has demonstrated that it can hold its own and be among the best. The continuing challenge is to do the same for every citizen.

New diversion road won’t
harm Naga, says Andaya (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/march20/diversion.html)
New district for CSur being cooked up?

NAGA CITY -- Budget Secretary Rolando ‘Nonoy’ Andaya Jr. allayed fears that once the San Fernando-Oas diversion road is completed, this city will suffer the economic slowdown then experienced by Camarines Norte and Daet after the northernmost Bicol province and its capital town had been bypassed by Quirino, now Andaya, Highway.

Andaya told Bicol Mail that unlike Camarines Norte province and Daet town, this city is a regional center of commerce and education that people will still come here and consequently buoy up local businesses despite the presence of a bypass road that diverts National Highway traffic from this city.

He said the slump experienced by Camarines Norte was in part a result of its being too dependent on pineapple production, which has been the province’s sole claim to fame over the years, as its main source of income.

This city, he said, can sustain its upbeat economy notwithstanding diversion of traffic because it already has established itself as an important city, unlike Daet town’s situation then.

The proposed San Fernado-Oas bypass road is scheduled to be carried out sooner as its P500 million-peso construction budget already has been approved.

The bypass road would reduce travel time from Manila to Legazpi City by almost an hour and would traverse the flood-prone towns of Camarines Sur and Albay provinces.

Andaya also told Bicol Mail that political rumors claiming that a proposal to create an additional congressional district in Camarines Sur province is being cooked up in Congress to accommodate his running for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2010 was not true.

He said while it is true that two new congressional districts can be created out of Camarines Sur province’s almost two million population count, the thought of running for a congressional position is furthest from his mind as of now. Jonas Cabiles Soltes

how true was the news that the whole beach area of caramoan and its beautiful islands had been closed for tourists because of the ongoing shooting of the reality show "survivor"?

if it's true that survivor is now in the phil. wen will we be able to watch it on tv?

^^ It's true that a Survivor season will be shot in Caramoan but I don't know when that will be. Maybe what you heard is true.

Tourist arrivals in Bicol up 41% in 2007 (http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20080323-126016/Tourist-arrivals-in-Bicol-up-41-in-2007)


By Joanna Los Baños, Juan Escandor Jr.
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 23:26:00 03/23/2008


LEGAZPI CITY--Tourism in the Bicol region continued to be upbeat in 2007 as the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals.

The latest DOT report showed there were 897,680 tourist arrivals in the region last year, or an increase of 41 percent from 2006's record of 637,127.

Of the total number of arrivals, 792,072 were local tourists and 105,608 were foreigners.

At least 40,672 were travelers from the US.

According to the report, among the six Bicol provinces, Camarines Sur continued to lure most of the foreign tourists at 45,626 arrivals and domestic tourists at 411,285 arrivals.

Albay followed with 36,608 foreign tourist arrivals and 105,247 domestic tourist arrivals.

On a year-on-year basis, 2006-2007, Camarines Sur posted a phenomenal growth rate of 77 percent in tourist arrivals.

It also contributed P219.2 million to the P443.5 million regional gross receipts earned from tourist arrivals.

Bicol tourism director Maria Ong Ravanilla explains that Camarines Sur, especially Naga City, has year-round activities like conferences, meetings, conventions and exhibits.

She also cites the CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili town as a big contributor in tourist arrivals.

The island-province of Catanduanes emerged second, achieving 76-percent growth rate.

Some 10,390 foreigners have been lured to visit Catanduanes, in the northeast of Bicol peninsula, with as many as 40,665 visiting local tourists.

Tourist arrivals in Catanduanes increased to 51,055 this year from last year's 29,026.

Ravanilla said the increase could be attributed to the tourists going to Puraran in Baras town, one of the fast-becoming promising surfing sites in the country.

Another island-province in Bicol, Masbate, is catching up in the number of tourist arrivals as it posted a growth rate of 39 percent, making it in the third rank as tourist destination in the region.

Opening the access of sea travels from the province going to Visayas, Mindanao and Manila was one of the reasons of the increase, Ravanilla says.

But unlike Catanduanes, Masbate's tourist arrivals is composed mostly of locals with 104,363 on the record while the number of foreign tourists at 2,645 is the lowest in the region.

Sorsogon province continued its record decline to negative 8 percent last year.

From 2006's 65,384, tourist arrivals went down to 59,915, domestic and foreign tourists combined.

Ravanilla says the reason for the decrease was the lack of conventions, conferences and meetings held in the province.

Although Donsol town remains to be the third tourist destination in the country for its whale shark interaction, it is only good for six months since whale sharks can be seen only between the months of December to May.

The province of Camarines Norte had a ten-percent growth rate from last year's total tourist arrivals of 80,936.

Ravanilla expresses optimism that the tourist arrivals would reach their target of one million by 2009.

"If this happens, Bicol will formally be enlisted as an emerging choice tourist destination in the country, as it joins the elite club of tourist drawers of one million and over on a year-round basis," Ravanilla says.

Hey guys, any new pics of the development of SM? So what'z up with Naga Coliseum? Is the construction on going? Post naman kayo ng pics regarding the said projects

Hey guys, any new pics of the development of SM? So what'z up with Naga Coliseum? Is the construction on going? Post naman kayo ng pics regarding the said projects

I "HEARD" that the whole building of the Coliseum will be demolished due to weak foundation already.

^^ Really now? So when will the coliseum be really finished? Or when will the 'real' construction of it begin? It's so confusing na huh?!

Landco shelves IPO plans amid volatile market conditions
03/26/2008 | 03:03 PM

MANILA, Philippines- Landco Pacific Corp., the real estate arm of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. has shelved its plan of going public sometime this year, saying the currently volatile market conditions will not be beneficial to the company.

“Investors are still on a wait-and-see attitude, we still don't know how this US crisis plays out," Francis Ceballos, Landco executive vice president and chief operating officer, told reporters Wednesday.

The company announced last year that it is looking at the possibility of going public in 2008.

Landco also announced on Wednesday that it will be spending some P3.5 billion for the development of new and existing projects.

Landco's new projects that would be launched include the Playa Laiya in San Juan , Batangas; the Playa Azalea in Samal Island in Davao; Woodridge Garden Village in Zamboanga City; WoodGrove Park in San Fernando, Pampanga; Playa Calatagan resorts and hotel; and Hacienda Escudero Agritainment Park.

The company also reported that it posted a net income of P261.2 million in 2007, a turnaround from the P12.9-million loss it experienced in 2006.

Revenues grew P1.923 billion, a 151-percent jump from the P629 million in 2006. - Cheryl Arcibal, GMANews

It really seems that Landco has shelved its projects, Landco Business Park and Pacific Mall, in the city. It didn't even mention if construction will be started anytime next year or in the following years. :ohno:

I "HEARD" that the whole building of the Coliseum will be demolished due to weak foundation already.

Lugi niyan ang contractor...

Tourist arrivals in Bicol up 41% in 2007 (http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20080323-126016/Tourist-arrivals-in-Bicol-up-41-in-2007)


By Joanna Los Baños, Juan Escandor Jr.
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 23:26:00 03/23/2008


LEGAZPI CITY--Tourism in the Bicol region continued to be upbeat in 2007 as the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals.

The latest DOT report showed there were 897,680 tourist arrivals in the region last year, or an increase of 41 percent from 2006's record of 637,127.

Of the total number of arrivals, 792,072 were local tourists and 105,608 were foreigners.

At least 40,672 were travelers from the US.

According to the report, among the six Bicol provinces, Camarines Sur continued to lure most of the foreign tourists at 45,626 arrivals and domestic tourists at 411,285 arrivals.

Albay followed with 36,608 foreign tourist arrivals and 105,247 domestic tourist arrivals.

On a year-on-year basis, 2006-2007, Camarines Sur posted a phenomenal growth rate of 77 percent in tourist arrivals.

It also contributed P219.2 million to the P443.5 million regional gross receipts earned from tourist arrivals.

Bicol tourism director Maria Ong Ravanilla explains that Camarines Sur, especially Naga City, has year-round activities like conferences, meetings, conventions and exhibits.

She also cites the CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili town as a big contributor in tourist arrivals.

The island-province of Catanduanes emerged second, achieving 76-percent growth rate.

Some 10,390 foreigners have been lured to visit Catanduanes, in the northeast of Bicol peninsula, with as many as 40,665 visiting local tourists.

Tourist arrivals in Catanduanes increased to 51,055 this year from last year's 29,026.

Ravanilla said the increase could be attributed to the tourists going to Puraran in Baras town, one of the fast-becoming promising surfing sites in the country.

Another island-province in Bicol, Masbate, is catching up in the number of tourist arrivals as it posted a growth rate of 39 percent, making it in the third rank as tourist destination in the region.

Opening the access of sea travels from the province going to Visayas, Mindanao and Manila was one of the reasons of the increase, Ravanilla says.

But unlike Catanduanes, Masbate's tourist arrivals is composed mostly of locals with 104,363 on the record while the number of foreign tourists at 2,645 is the lowest in the region.

Sorsogon province continued its record decline to negative 8 percent last year.

From 2006's 65,384, tourist arrivals went down to 59,915, domestic and foreign tourists combined.

Ravanilla says the reason for the decrease was the lack of conventions, conferences and meetings held in the province.

Although Donsol town remains to be the third tourist destination in the country for its whale shark interaction, it is only good for six months since whale sharks can be seen only between the months of December to May.

The province of Camarines Norte had a ten-percent growth rate from last year's total tourist arrivals of 80,936.

Ravanilla expresses optimism that the tourist arrivals would reach their target of one million by 2009.

"If this happens, Bicol will formally be enlisted as an emerging choice tourist destination in the country, as it joins the elite club of tourist drawers of one million and over on a year-round basis," Ravanilla says.

Nanguna na pala ang Naga and Camarines Sur sa foreign tourists arrival...

^^ Really now? So when will the coliseum be really finished? Or when will the 'real' construction of it begin? It's so confusing na huh?!

Really no idea when it will be re-construct but definitely the whole building was affected for the damage brought the poor construction of th dome.

Bar topnotchers are mostly from Ateneo, UP
03/29/2008 | 04:29 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Saturday said out of the 5,626 law graduates who took the Bar examinations last year only 1,289 or 22.91 percent passed. Four of the 10 bar topnotchers are from the Ateneo University, while three are from the University of the Philippines.

Mercedita L. Ona, a graduate of the Ateneo topped the exam with a rating of 83.55 percent, followed by Jennifer T. Ong of UP with 83.35 percent.

Another Atenean, Yvanna DL Maalat placed third (82.75%). Fourth was Jennie C. Aclan of of University of San Carlos (82.10%), while fifth was John Michael S. Galauran of University of Nueva Caceres (81.60%).

Sixth to the 10th place are: Karen S. Canullas of the San Sebastian College (81.40%); Cecille L. Mejia of Ateneo and Sheryl Ann D. Tizon of UP who tied in the seventh place (81.35%); Marforth T. Fua of San Beda College (81.20%); Ruby M. Luy of Ateneo de Davao University (81.15%); and Christian B. Llido of the University of Cebu and Vivian Tan of UP who tied in the 10th place (80.90%).

According to data from the high court's Office of the Bar Confidant, 5,626 out of 5,799 law graduates from 109 law schools nationwide completed the four-Saturday examination at the De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila.

The 22.91 percent of passage in the 2007 bar exam was the fourth lowest result in the last eight years. The lowest percentage for the said period was in 2002, where only 19.68 percent of examinees passed the bar. The second lowest was in 2003 with 20.17 percent, while the third was in 2000 with 20.84 percent.

The 2003 bar exam was marred by controversy when the Court ordered a retake of the Mercantile law due to alleged questionnaire leakage.

The first bar exam was held in 1901, with 13 examinees, while the 2007 bar examination held last September was the 107th. The 2001 bar exam had the highest number of passers - 1,266 out of 3,849 examinees, or 32.89%, while the 2006 exam had the highest examinees - 6,187. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/86812/Bar-topnotchers-are-mostly-from-Ateneo-UP

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1,289 pass bar exams; 4 from Ateneo, 3 from UP are on top
03/29/2008 | 03:51 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Saturday announced that out of the 5,626 law graduates who took the Bar examinations last year only 1,289 or 22.91 percent passed. Four of the 10 topnotchers are from the Ateneo de Manila University, while three are from the University of the Philippines.

The complete list of the successful examinees are available here.

Mercedita L. Ona, a graduate of the Ateneo topped the exam with a rating of 83.55 percent, followed by Jennifer T. Ong of UP with 83.35 percent.

Another Atenean, Yvanna DL Maalat placed third (82.75%). Fourth was Jennie C. Aclan of of University of San Carlos (82.10%), while fifth was John Michael S. Galauran of University of Nueva Caceres (81.60%).

Sixth to the 10th placers are: Karen S. Canullas of the San Sebastian College (81.40%); Cecille L. Mejia of Ateneo and Sheryl Ann D. Tizon of UP who tied in the seventh place (81.35%); Marforth T. Fua of San Beda College (81.20%); Ruby M. Luy of Ateneo de Davao University (81.15%); and Christian B. Llido of the University of Cebu and Vivian Tan of UP who tied in the 10th place (80.90%).

According to data from the high court's Office of the Bar Confidant, 5,626 out of 5,799 law graduates from 109 law schools nationwide completed the four-Saturday examination at the De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila.

The 22.91 percent of passage in the 2007 bar exam was the fourth lowest result in the last eight years. The lowest percentage for the said period was in 2002, where only 19.68 percent of examinees passed the bar. The second lowest was in 2003 with 20.17 percent, while the third was in 2000 with 20.84 percent.

The 2003 bar exam was marred by controversy when the Court ordered a retake of the Mercantile law due to alleged questionnaire leakage.

The first bar exam was held in 1901, with 13 examinees, while the 2007 bar examination held last September was the 107th. The 2001 bar exam had the highest number of passers - 1,266 out of 3,849 examinees, or 32.89%, while the 2006 exam had the highest examinees - 6,187.

Just want to pass

Ona, who now works as a legal associate at the Sycip Law office, told GMANews.TV she just wanted to pass the Bar.

“Basta gusto ko lang pumasa. Sobrang hirap yung six months preparation. Mahirap 'yong buong bar experience," she said.

She said she will now become an associate in her office after successfully passing the examinations.

She earlier said that she would not go the Supreme Court to check the result.

“Nakakakaba kasi e. Baka yung family ko pumunta," she said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.

A bar candidate must meet the following academic qualifications to take the exam:

* Holder of a professional degree in law from a recognized law school in the Philippines

* Holder of a bachelor's degree with academic credits in certain required subjects from a recognized college or university in the Philippines or abroad

* He should also meet certain non-academic requisites:

* A Filipino citizen
* At least 21 years of age
* A resident of the Philippines
* Satisfactory evidence of good moral character
* No charges involving moral turpitude have been filed against the candidate or are pending in any court in the Philippines

Candidates who meet all the admission requirements usually enroll in special review classes after graduating from law school. These programs are held from April to September in law schools, colleges, universities, and review centers.

Program schedule, content, and delivery differ from one review program to another. Lecturers in these programs are called bar reviewers. They are usually full-time professors and part-time professorial lecturers in law schools and universities. Most review programs invite incumbent and retired justices and high ranking public officials both as a marketing tool and as a program innovation.

The examinations are held during the four Sundays of September of every year in the campus of De La Salle University-Manila in Taft Avenue, Manila.

The Supreme Court appoints members in the Committee of Bar Examiners, the official task force for formulating bar exam questions, instituting policy directives, executing procedures, grading bar examination papers, and releasing the results of the annual bar examination.

The committee is chaired by an incumbent Justice of the Supreme Court, who is designated by the Supreme Court to serve for a term of one year. The members of the committee includes eight members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, who also hold office for a term of one year.

While the Justice who shall act as chairman is immediately known, committee members must exert every effort to conceal their identities until the oath-taking of the successful bar examinees, approximately six months after the bar exam. - AR Sabangan, Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV with additional data from wikipedia

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/86808/1289-pass-bar-exams-4-from-Ateneo-3-from-UP-are-on-top


Make it 5...

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History

The College of Law is one of the original colleges established upon the foundation of the then Nueva Caceres Colleges in 1948. It opened with a total enrolment of only 28. It had for its first Dean former Camarines Sur Congressman and CFI Judge Jaime M. Reyes.

In April 1951, the College of Law graduated its first class of three - Luis General, Jr., Valentin Usigan and Dr. Pedro Villafuerte. All three took the Bar examinations that year and passed, thus registering the first 100% passing record for the college.

In 1984 through the efforts of then Dean Perfecto O. Palma, the UNC Bar Review Center was established.

Bar Topnotchers

Benjamin A. Claveria, Class Valedictorian, 10th place
David C. Naval, Class 1960, Cum Laude, 5th place
Ricardo S. Gonzales, Class 1966, Cum Laude, 14th place
Rosario B. Torrecampo, Class 1967, 11th place
Politico Corporal, Class 1976, 20th place
Amador L. Simando, Class 1980, Cum Laude, 11th place
Soliman S. Santos. Class 1982, 19th place
Adan Marcelo B. Botor, Class 1985, 20th place
JOHN MICHAEL S. GALAURAN, (2007 Bar) 5TH PLACE

Outstanding Alumni

RTC Judge David C. Naval, Cum Laude (1960)
RTC Judge Corazon Aguilar Tordilla, Cum Laude (1962)
Dean Fred P. Cledera, Cum Laude (1964)
Herminia O. Yuching, Cum Laude (1965)
Ricardo S. Gonzales, Cum Laude (1966)
RTC Judge Rosario B. Torrecampo, Cum Laude (1967)
Marina V. Garza, Cum Laude (1968)
Juanito B. Ilao, now deceased, Magna Cum Laude (1969)
Editha S. Aldama, Cum Laude (1967)
Amador L. Simando, Cum Laude (1980)

http://www.unc.edu.ph/depts/law/index.html

Congratulations to Mr. Galauran!!!

-------------

BTW, when I went home this month, I saw some differences in the City. The big Equitable PCI Bank beside PNB is now BDO Naga-Plaza Rizal. There will be a new commercial establishment in front of the Coliseum. SM started digging the foundation for their mall. The establishment in front of Avenue Square turned out to be the Olivan Home Depot, with the fourth BDO in the city, BDO Naga-Magsaysay. I wasn't able to check out West Park, but I've heard stores continue to open in the lifestyle center. In the old CBD, still business is booming. The recent opening of the Starview Hotel is very neat. The entrance looks like a shop somewhere in the Makati CBD. So there. :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25279538@N03/2384749736/
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Ongoing Construction sa SM
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Westpark
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Olivan Home Depot
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KopiRoti, Coldshack, n Chicken Bacolod
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Starview HOtel
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2383919081_048b025ec3_m.jpg
Dating Pizza Hut

weeee.. ^8^ nice Photo's

Thanxz guyz 4 uploading...!! sana laging may mag - upload ng images ng ating beautiful City..!!

Asian Survivor franchise gayod

How's Partido Baybayon Festival?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/2384749786_7d1ac1796f_m.jpg
KopiRoti, Coldshack, n Chicken Bacolod

Where is this located? I guess along Magsaysay. Am I right guys? So how's West Parc? Are the tenants coming in? I don't like the streamers hanging on the facade of West Parc. It looks so cheap already. :ohno:

BTW, what's the news about Pizza Hut? Will it be moving to another location or will it just wait for SM to open?

WB studies Naga City's valuation system, officials arrive today (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1306966/)

NAGA CITY, Apr 03, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- -- A policy that will institute reforms in the country's real property valuation system is being pushed to establish standards and guidelines in land administration.

The policy is under the consensus building and advocacy program for Valuation Reform Act, through the leadership of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the National Tax Research Center (NTRC).

Naga City has been chosen, along with Iloilo City, as pilot cities for the program.

The program is a 20-year commitment of the Philippine government to alleviate poverty and to sustain economic growth by improving the security of land tenure.

It is an inter-agency project with funding support from the World Bank (WB) and technical assistance from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The 'reform' program will address four major snags in government's valuation system on real properties that are present in its policies and instructions.

These are: land taxation and valuation, capacity on land administration and management and land tenure security and land registration system that hamper the mobilization and investments to the private sector and the government.

Key officials coming from the WB, Department of Finance, Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the National Tax Research Center are expected to arrive today to see how the program works in Naga as pilot city.

A data on the concept of the Valuation Reform Act, a proposed legislation seeking to reform the real property valuation system, stated these major issues constrained the country's economic development, reduced the opportunities for the poor, and discouraged sustainable management of land.

One of the major problems of real property valuation/appraisal in the country is the multiple valuation system and standards.

At least 23 different government agencies undertake real property valuation for various purposes, e.g. the DENR for the acquisition, disposition and rental of public lands, the Department of Public Works and Highways and National Power Corporation (NPC) for expropriation of private property and acquisition of land for right-of-way.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has also its own for compensation of land covered by CARP, the COA for review of government real property transactions and the LGUs for the assessment of real property tax, etc.

City Assessor Ramon Albeus said since valuation is a highly technical function, it requires the application of various disciplines like law, economics, finance, marketing, engineering, environment, etc. which should be performed by valuers who are highly trained in the valuation discipline and who do their jobs objectively and professionally.

He said the job is distinct and separate from assessment and tax administration - which are purely political functions and are in the realm of decisions by the elected local officials and policymakers.

If enacted into law, the Valuation Reform Act shall pave the way for the creation of National Valuation Authority (NVA) to institutionalize and sustain the planned reforms.

The Authority will be a regulatory organization with highly-trained specialist bearing core competence in real property valuation. Its primary responsibility will be setting of valuation standards and policy planning and implementation, technical assistance, compliance monitoring, training and development.

SM Construction 24 hours..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2386405849_32a1784c81.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2384749736_e9673ba17e.jpg?v=0

Where is this located? I guess along Magsaysay. Am I right guys? So how's West Parc? Are the tenants coming in? I don't like the streamers hanging on the facade of West Parc. It looks so cheap already. :ohno:

BTW, what's the news about Pizza Hut? Will it be moving to another location or will it just wait for SM to open?

yap sa may magsaysay po yan.. OK naman ang westpark, d kana magtataka sa mga streamers nun kc sa CBS yun.. may dance showdown nga dun every sunday eh..

^^ CBS? As in Cabral Bicolandia Supermart? Duman na si Dance Showdown bako na sa Plaza Rizal? Sometimes! :ohno:

^^ CBS? As in Cabral Bicolandia Supermart? Duman na si Dance Showdown bako na sa Plaza Rizal? Sometimes! :ohno:

dun na nga po..

here's the list of this year's aliwan contingents.


1. Pakalog sa pasig
2. pangisdaan - navotas
3. panagbenga - baguio
4. Lang-ay - bontoc
5. Pamulinawen - laoag ****
6. Gakit - Angadanan, isabela
7. Desposorio - hagonoy bulacan
8. boling boling - catanauan quezon
9. Peñafrancia voyadores and pilgrims festival - naga
10. pintaflores - san carlos ****
11. saad - Leganes
12 Dinagyang - iloilo ****
13. Halad - midsayap ****
14. Sinulog - cebu city ****
15. Sinulog sa Carmen - Carmen, cebu ****
16. Alikaraw - hilongos Leyte ****
17 Buyogan - Abuyog Leyte ****
18 Bakhawan - Zamboanga Sibugay
19. Shariff Kabunsuan festival - Cotabato City
20. Meguyaya - Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan ****
21. Kang'Gelal - Sultan Kudarat
22. Buklod - Parang Maguindanao
23. Kalilintad - Mamasapano, Maguindanao
24. Lami Lamihan - Lamitan Basilan


**** -- my bets to land in the top 10.
For the latest Aliwan Fiesta news go to http://www.AliwanFiesta.info

SM Construction 24 hours..
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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2384749736_e9673ba17e.jpg?v=0

24 hours?!!! They're really hitting the deadline...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25279538@N03/2384749736/
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/2383919213_52e4f9c679_m.jpg
Olivan Home Depot
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/2384749786_7d1ac1796f_m.jpg
KopiRoti, Coldshack, n Chicken Bacolod
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2383919081_048b025ec3_m.jpg
Dating Pizza Hut

Wow, Olivan Home Depot is already open...What happened to Pizza Hut? Which store will it occupy now?

^^^ for me its not as lively and fun compared to last year's!

since partido baybayon festival is district-wide festival, sana iba-iba an venue like caramoan, garchi. siguro pag may access road na or airstrip.

Sain nakaface ang SM: Saint Joseph? Panganiban? CBD? Van terminal?

I think Van terminal, but I'm not sure. I can't figure it out yet....

Wow at last the construction of the SM City is on going. That's a great! Hopefully it will open soon. Why is it that Pizza Hut stop its operation in Naga? Is it renovating or relocating its store somewhere?

^^Nalugi siguro... It's not popular for Nagueños. I myself would choose Greenwich over Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut is not affordable.

DepEd admits tally error
Naga second, not third, in Palarong Bikol 2008 (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april03/second.html)

PILI, Camarines Sur -- Naga City placed second, not third, in this year’s Palarong Bikol held last March 13-17 at the Freedom Sports Complex located in this capital town.

Correcting an error made on the totalling of championship points at the culmination of the regional sports competition, chief clerk- of-course Lucio H. Laynesa said “the error was on the totalling of points for Naga City because the results for secondary division only was reflected, which was 211.5 and the points for elementary division which was 179 was not counted.”

Summing up the points for both secondary and elementary divisions, Naga City therefore earned a total of 390.5 instead of just 211.5 as earlier announced and published in this paper.

With the corrected points, Naga City placed 1st runner up, or second to champion Camarines Sur which posted a total of 747.5 points.

Camarines Norte which was earlier announced to have placed 1st runner-up (or second place) went down to 2nd runner-up or third place behind Naga City with 254 points.

“The rest of the participating divisions hold the same rank as reflected in the results [earlier announced],” Laynesa stated.

Laynesa apologized for the error committed.

CamSur is 7th RP top palay producer (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april03/b-story.html)

PILI, Camarines Sur -- This province was ranked number 7 among the field of 84 rice producing areas countrywide in terms of average palay production that further boosted its stature as a surplus rice producer.

This came out from the report of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through its Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program (GMA) covering the year 2007.

Governor LRay Villafuerte has always placed a high premium on agricultural productivity particularly in rice production because of his firm belief that it is crucial to the economic growth and prosperity of the province as well as in improving the quality of life of the rural folks.

The province of Camarines Sur posted an average palay production of 560,809 metric tons or the equivalent of 11,216,180 cavans last year eclipsing such touted rice producing areas as Tarlac with 557,943 metric tons, North Cotabato with 449,202 metric tons and Maguindanao with 433,766 metric tons.

Josefa Panambo, OIC-Provincial Agriculturist pointed out that the province has always been a surplus rice producer except in the year 2006 when two super typhoons, Milenyo and Reming visited Bicol region particularly Camarines Sur that resulted in heavy devastation on the province’s agriculture.

Governor Villafuerte has relentlessly been encouraging farmers to utilize the hybrid rice seed because of its proven high yield and more profits accruing to farmers.

Every year, the provincial government sponsors the Search for Outstanding Hybrid Rice Farmers of Camarines Sur and cash incentives are given to winning farmers who posted the higher yields in an l-hectare farmland.

This year, 2008, the governor is launching another incentive program for hybrid rice farmers. Under this innovative project, sets of hand tractors with trailers will be awarded to any farmers’ cooperative or irrigators association who will plant hybrid rice seeds on a contiguous 100-hectare irrigated ricelands. SNIEVES

^^Nalugi siguro... It's not popular for Nagueños. I myself would choose Greenwich over Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut is not affordable.

malay ta pag bukas kang SM yaon na ulit ang pizza hut ahehehe..
mahal nga lang talaga jan kaya dai tinatao..

Gatbo Ocampo Cam. Sur
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Pabilog na Sili
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Pahaba na Sili iba kulay..
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Paanan ng Mt. Isarog part na ng Ocampo
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Ito ang View mula sa gatbo ocampo.. medyo may kataasan na..
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From Mt. Isarog kita na ang Mt. Iriga..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2388688223_d9b138cb12.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2388688241_f67c94aa77.jpg?v=0
sunset

FEU honors Robredo with honorary degree (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april03/feu.html)

MANILA -- Far Eastern University will confer on Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, for his exemplary achievements in local governance and public administration during its 80th Commencement Exercises and Conferment Ceremony on Friday, April 4, this year, at the plenary hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Before the conferment rites, Robredo will address the graduating students of FEU’s Institute of Nursing as its commencement speaker.

FEU Chair of the Board of Trustees Dr. Lourdes R. Montinola and FEU President Lydia B. Echauz will confer the honorary degree.

Robredo, who holds masteral degrees from Harvard and the University of the Philippines, in public administration and business administration, respectively, will be the first provincial local chief executive to be conferred with such an honorary doctoral degree by the university.

The Naga City mayor will then join the roster of distinguished men and women who earned the same honor in various fields since 1951. These include Presidents Quirino, Quezon, Magsaysay, Marcos, and Aquino, Indonesian President Sukarno, poets Nick Joaquin, Jose Garcia Villa and F. Sionil Jose, Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Chief Justice Ricardo Paras, Comelec Commissioner Haydee Yorac, Fr. James Reuter, columnist Teodoro F. Valencia, Secretary Blas Ople, and Singapore Minister of Culture Jek Yeun Thong.

Founded as the Institute of Accountancy in 1928 by a group of eminent educators led by the late Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr., who was then the head of the Department of Economics of the University of the Philippines, FEU earned its university status in 1934. No less than then President Manuel L. Quezon hailed FEU as “the best non-sectarian institution in the country.”

On its 80th year today, the University is celebrating a legacy of excellence. It has consistently produced many of the country’s great men and women, professionals and academicians, who excel in the fields of law, government, medicine, accountancy, sports, nursing, and other professions.

Its College of Nursing was established in 1955, or some 53 years ago which coincided with the inauguration of the FEU Hospital, now known as the Nicanor C. Reyes Memorial Hospital.

As commencement speaker, the Naga City mayor will implore the young graduates not just to hope for easy lives but strive to become stronger men and women so that others may have better lives.

About three years ago, Robredo addressed the graduating students of the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University where he spoke about ordinary people making invaluable contribution to the community. Last month, he was commencement speaker at the University of Nueva Caceres where he articulated the values of pride and humility and the determination to succeed not only for oneself but for the majority.

malay ta pag bukas kang SM yaon na ulit ang pizza hut ahehehe..
mahal nga lang talaga jan kaya dai tinatao..

Sana. I hope National Book Store will put a store at SM. I love books even if I don't read books a lot hehehe. For display only!:lol:

Beautiful place indeed! I love the first and second pictures. I thought those were plastics.

Really? Yeah it's quite expensive to eat at Pizza Hut but i hope that when SM opens, it will branch out there. It's good to see that some if not all popular fastfood chains in Manila have branched out in Naga city

^^ finally nagsimula na ang SM City Naga...this could be big for NC! Congrats...So many developments ah...Musta na mga tol?

^^I'm good bro. Thanks. How are you, too?

Rendering of the new commercial building

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8964/04082008263vi7.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/7889/04082008264yg7.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5528/04102008301du2.jpg

thanks for the updates..it is very much appreciated..

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6046/04102008310zq9.jpg

It's great to see Naga city is in bloom. Hope that when SM city opens, more shops will follow. Is Emall garzland considered a mall? Is it also big? Does it have theaters or foodcourts sort of? Sorry i was not able to visit Naga when i got home last holy week. I knew you have no time to accompany me if ever i did visit Naga. Anyway hope to see Naga soon

^^Yup, Emall is a mall it's just that it's small. It's 4 level mall. It doesn't have theaters but it has foodcourts. Yeah, I really did not have much time on those days. Sorry for that.

Any news about the 4th Business Week[?]?

^^None yet. I'm gonna take pictures of that next week It will begin on April 13.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9316/04102008307nf7.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3886/04102008308vi4.jpg

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PEP: GMA-7 gets Philippine franchise of Survivor04/11/2008 | 05:20 PM

Survivor is now in the Philippines.

Rumors have been going on that the popular reality game show will finally have a franchise in the Philippines. It was also rumored that the US version is shooting its next season in an island in Camarines Sur.

Although it is not yet confirmed if the next season of Survivor (US version) is really shooting in CamSur, it has been announced that Survivor will have its own franchise here in the Philippines.

And the Philippine network that got the franchise rights is GMA-7.

In fact, GMA Network has already announced audition dates to search the first batch of 16 castaways in Survivor Philippines.

The audition is open to males and females, 18 to 60 years old. They must be physically fit and willing to become castaways and endure intense physical and mental challenges in an unfamiliar territory for 39 days.

The audition dates are as follows:

DAVAO (SM Davao) - May 1 and 2
CEBU (SM Cebu) - May 5 and 6
ILOILO (SM Iloilo) - May 8 and 9
BAGUIO (SM Baguio) - May 17 and 18
MANILA (SM North Edsa) - May 21 and 22
MANILA (SM Manila) - May 23

It has not yet been announced who will host Survivor Philippines, but many are hoping that Paolo Bediones would get the job since he already have an experience hosting this kind of format in Extra Challenge, also in GMA-7.

Survivor was created in 1992 by Charlie Parsons, and the first production to use this format was the Swedish show Expedition: Robinson in 1997.

Soon after, in 2000, other countries developed their own series based on this format: Belgium, Brazil, the Netherlands, and, of course, the United States. Aside from these countries, Survivor has also been franchised in Australia, Bulgaria, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

And now, add to that list the Philippines, which has so many breathtaking islands ideal for Survivor locations. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/88899/PEP-GMA-7-gets-Philippine-franchise-of-Survivor

US or Asian version an pigshoshoot sa Caramoan? Kung US version, dai pa nagpopoon ang actual shooting. Ano kaya ang title, Survivor: Philippines o Caramoan?

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_17

Survivor 17 is the upcoming seventeenth season of CBS reality television series Survivor.[1] Applications were due on January 24, 2008. Around March 2008, 800 applicants will be selected for an interview by CBS. Out of these 800, about 48 semi-finalists will be selected to go to Los Angeles sometime during April 2008. From these semi-finalists, approximately 16 contestants are selected to participate in the show between late June and mid-August 2008. [2]

References
1 Andreeva, Nellie (2008-01-28). CBS sticks with Survivor; Probst re-ups as host. Reuters/The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
2 Survivor Application (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-12-15.

Im really would like to visit naga city. As i have seen all those pictures you had taken, well i can say that Naga is indeed on the go. I hope you will have time garzland to accompany me next time i ask u a favor. Does Naga city have Spa & wellness centers? How much does it cost there for a package like massage w/ body scrub, something like that? Whenever i go to a place, i do visit spa once in a while for body relaxation.

^^Nalugi siguro... It's not popular for Nagueños. I myself would choose Greenwich over Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut is not affordable.

I can't say Pizza Hut went bankrupt because it's not being patronized by Nagueños. I say the location is not that good. People in that area, I think, belongs to Class C and below. Look at Avenue Square. The location is good, that's why it blooms although the stores that have setup in the area are high-end ones. 'Di ba?

Rendering of the new commercial building

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8964/04082008263vi7.jpg

I've seen that when I went home. I think it won't click, unless the whole CBD grounds would be developed properly.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5528/04102008301du2.jpg

Are they gonna re-develop the Plaza?

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6046/04102008310zq9.jpg

Pinag-iwalan baga ni dati. Nadagos man palan guiraray.

Law schools outside Manila vying for top ranking (http://http://us.f300.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?MsgId=7617_147905_2825_2465_994_0_14633_2424_3111002630&Idx=0&YY=93154&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&inc=25&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&box=Inbox)

April 10, 2008 00:29:00
Belinda Olivares-Cunanan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

I was quite elated over the recent bar exams for a number of reasons. One is that third-placer Yvanna de Leon Maalat of the Ateneo de Manila University’s College of Law is the granddaughter of a good friend of ours from Bacolod City, Nena de Leon, a cousin of Gina de Venecia’s mother, Mama Nene Vera Perez. I also note that it was not just the usual top schools like Ateneo, University of the Philippines and San Beda College that produced examinees in the top 10, but also a number of law schools outside Metro Manila. These included San Carlos University and the University of Cebu, the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City and the Ateneo de Davao as well as San Sebastian College in Manila. This means that law colleges outside Manila are good and producing top quality graduates.

Moreover, I note that of the 12 topnotchers (two tied for seventh place and two for the 10th place), nine are women. This proves what various school deans have been saying: that women students are topping their classes since they’re disciplined and highly focused on their studies—sure elements of success.

Pinag-iwalan baga ni dati. Nadagos man palan guiraray.

Mala yan ta nadagos man giraray kaso dikit ang tawo sabagay aga man kaya ako nagduman kaya dikit pa lang. Siguro pagSabado sagkod Dominggo dakol tawo jan.

Law schools outside Manila vying for top ranking (http://http://us.f300.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?MsgId=7617_147905_2825_2465_994_0_14633_2424_3111002630&Idx=0&YY=93154&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&inc=25&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&box=Inbox)

April 10, 2008 00:29:00
Belinda Olivares-Cunanan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

I was quite elated over the recent bar exams for a number of reasons. One is that third-placer Yvanna de Leon Maalat of the Ateneo de Manila University’s College of Law is the granddaughter of a good friend of ours from Bacolod City, Nena de Leon, a cousin of Gina de Venecia’s mother, Mama Nene Vera Perez. I also note that it was not just the usual top schools like Ateneo, University of the Philippines and San Beda College that produced examinees in the top 10, but also a number of law schools outside Metro Manila. These included San Carlos University and the University of Cebu, the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City and the Ateneo de Davao as well as San Sebastian College in Manila. This means that law colleges outside Manila are good and producing top quality graduates.

Moreover, I note that of the 12 topnotchers (two tied for seventh place and two for the 10th place), nine are women. This proves what various school deans have been saying: that women students are topping their classes since they’re disciplined and highly focused on their studies—sure elements of success.

This proves once again that UNC is one of the top performing law schools in the country.

I can't say Pizza Hut went bankrupt because it's not being patronized by Nagueños. I say the location is not that good. People in that area, I think, belongs to Class C and below. Look at Avenue Square. The location is good, that's why it blooms although the stores that have setup in the area are high-end ones. 'Di ba?

Agree, it could be the location. They should have branched out in Avenue Square instead. Maybe they have plans of trasferring there that's why they closed their present store.


I've seen that when I went home. I think it won't click, unless the whole CBD grounds would be developed properly.

Aside from that, a stiff competition with SM, of course.


Are they gonna re-develop the Plaza?


I just don't know. Maybe not this time. The plaza still looks good.

Im really would like to visit naga city. As i have seen all those pictures you had taken, well i can say that Naga is indeed on the go. I hope you will have time garzland to accompany me next time i ask u a favor. Does Naga city have Spa & wellness centers? How much does it cost there for a package like massage w/ body scrub, something like that? Whenever i go to a place, i do visit spa once in a while for body relaxation.

I think there are some spa and wellness centers around the city. I'm not just particular where but I've seen some... Somebody help regarding this matter, please! :)

Some stalls are being installed now in preparation for the 4th Bicol Business Week this coming week.

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Lahat Gabi ahahaha
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^^The first and second pictures are Olivan Home Depot am I right? It's a good one!!!

Nuarin kaya ipapapakarhay ang raot sa parteng itaas na iyan? Naraot pa yan kan Reming.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5011/04102008315eb0.jpg

nurture spa is operating in cam sur water sports complex.visit their website for reference..hope this helps..


I think there are some spa and wellness centers around the city. I'm not just particular where but I've seen some... Somebody help regarding this matter, please! :)

Thanks for the help, psyche!!!

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Naga to host 2009 national PRISAA games (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april10/prisaa.html)

ZAMBOANGA CITY --- Voting unanimously, the 23-member Board of Trustees of the prestigious Private Schools Athletic Association formally approved Naga City’s bid to host the next National PRISAA Games in April 2009.

The voting came after the presentations made by City Councilor Nelson Legacion and Joe Perez of the Naga City Visitors Center who were sent to represent Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo during the PRISAA Board of Trustees meeting to decide on the next host of the games.

At the meeting held at Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel here in the morning of April 8, 2008 before the formal opening of the 38th edition of the national PRISAA Games here, PRISAA Bicol President Dr. Carlo P.Villanueva read Mayor Robredo’s formal intent to host the 2009 National PRISAA Games.

Public Safety Office Executive Director Lito del Rosario was also on hand to answer queries on security and traffic plans, as well as the peace and order condition obtaining in the city.

Three-time host of the Palarong Pambansa and other national and international events, Naga City is strategically located in the middle portion of the archipelago which makes it conveniently accessible to all delegates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the mayor’s bid book stressed. Delegates, therefore, would be unburdened half the time and resources, transportation wise, presenter Legacion told the top PRISAA officers who admitted they were impressed by the city’s track record in hosting big-time sports events and heard about its well-known efficient city leadership, which makes it one of the fastest-growing local economies in the country today.

Pangasinan had earlier forwarded its intent to host next year’s games as 2009 but finally gave way to Naga as in fact it was Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque, PRISAA Region 1 president and national PRISAA co-chair who moved to acclaim Naga’s bid.

Pampanga and Marikina were reported to be interested, too, but backed out in the last minute.

This year’s national PRISAA games opened here with a colourful program and parade, showcasing the city’s rich Christina-Islam heritage. Close to 4,000 athletes, coaches and officials from the country’s 17 regions converged for the various sports competitions among the best collegiate athletes from the country’s private schools.

Zamboanga Mayor Celso Lobregat hosted the ceremonies who disclosed that this was the third time that Zamboanga City hosted the annual sports competition – the first time in 1993 and the second in 2005.

“We are very pleased that our city has been chosen to host (the games) this year, particularly because the number of delegates has almost doubled compared to the last time Zamboanga hosted the national games,” said Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Sixteen private schools including Ateneo de Zamboanga, Universidad de Zamboanga, and Claret Colleges are hosting the regional delegations, and with the increased number of participants, the mayor has requested the public school sector to provide additional billeting venues for student athletes.

Lobregat said the city government has allotted a budget of P2 million for operational expenses and the repair and improvement of some facilities of the competition’s venue, the Joaquin Enriquez Jr. Memorial Sports Complex. Total operational cost of the PRISAA national games is between P11 and P12 million.

The sports events up for competition are basketball, baseball, sepak takraw, softball, football, volleyball, swimming, lawn tennis, table tennis, chess, taekwondo, karatedo, judo, badminton, dancesport and vocal solo.

Last year, the PRISAA National Games was hosted by Iloilo City with the Western Visayas region as the overall winner, followed by Northern Mindanao and Southern Tagalog.

PRISAA is an organization of private schools all over the country with a vision to serve as a venue for sports, academic, and cultural development of the Filipino youth. It developed several outstanding athletes who represented the country in international competitions, which included renowned sprinter Mona Soliman from Mindanao and shot put and discus throw athlete Josephine dela Viña from the Visayas.

The Private Schools Athletic Association is gearing up for bigger things next year as the organization plans to broaden the participation of the private school-based, multi-event meet.

Duque disclosed the PRISAA board has agreed to include athletes in the secondary and elementary levels next year.

CamSur Kaogma extreme
happenings on May 24-31 (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april10/kaogma.html)

CAPITOL COMPLEX, Cadlan, Pili, CSur -- In a meeting with the Camarines Sur Tourism Office on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, the line-up of events and activities for Kaogma Festival 2008 was formally unveiled.

Sporting a new logo and an edgier feel with its new tagline, Kaogma Extreme, the annual festival that is traditionally held to commemorate the foundation anniversary of the province – its 429th year – will be the perfect primer to the upcoming WWA Wake Park World Championships, an international extreme sports event that will be hosted by Governor LRay Villafuerte and the provincial government of Camarines Sur scheduled on July 01-06, 2008 at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC), Cadlan, Pili where hundreds of foreign wakeboard riders and their fans are expected to come and stay for the duration of the popular sports event.

This year, Kaogma Extreme will officially kick off on May 24 with a festive opening parade and street dancing where celebrity guests will grace the affair and popular bands will hold concerts amid awesome fireworks display. The extreme component will be in the form of the sports events like Motocross Challenge, Mt. Isarog 4 x 4 Rainforest Challenge, and the debut of the Asian Riders Cup, a dragonboat competition.

On May 25 & 26 will be the start of Buruntolan, a two-day boxing event, and the Tour of CamSur, a 3-day, 3-lap mountain bike event on its 11th year run. There will also be assorted bands from Metro Manila for nightly concerts and corporate events hosted by corporate sponsors.

On May 27, the exact date of the province’s foundation, is reserved for the finals of the Dalan sa Kalangitan where singing sensations from all over Camarines Sur hope to transform into overnight stars with their pop star idols as honored guest performers and judges.

May 28 will be the awarding for the Tour of CamSur and the pageant night for Ms. Kaogma, a region-wide beauty pageant in search of the beauteous babes of Bicolandia.

The Asian Wakepark Championship and the National Skateboard Competition will start on May 29 as well as the awarding for the photo contest and the final pageant of the Hot Kids Star Quest with famous child stars as invited guests and performers.

A musicfest and a game show are scheduled on May 30 wherein the best bands in the country will converge in an all-night rock concert party ala Woodstock.

The 8-day festival will officially conclude on May 31 with a concert by an international band and a pyro musical exhibition that will surely impress the provincial constituents and the thousands of visitors and tourists who will come here to celebrate with the locals.

Other activities during the weeklong festivities are the Hot Buys, Hot Foods trade fair, a Hip Hop Night, a Bikini Fashion Show Night, and a Percussion Night.

This early, Kaogma Extreme is shaping up to top all other festivals in the Bicol Region and will further solidify Camarines Sur’s hold on the Number One spot as the top tourist draw in Bicolandia in recent years. JMTSantelices

City leads filing of class suit vs KFC (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april10/kfc.html)
By Jonas Cabiles Soltes

NAGA CITY --- In addition to the criminal case earlier filed by senior citizen lawyer Nelson Paraiso against fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), a petition for injunction against KFC’s national policy not to give senior citizens 20 percent discount on takeout orders has been filed by the city government through the city legal officer last week.

Caption: FASTFOOD. A test case for consumer rights.

City Legal Officer Angel Ojastro III told Bicol Mail that the move could be deemed a class suit against the fast food giant’s operation in the country as it would benefit all senior citizens in the country in case it would be decided in favor of the petitioners.

Ojastro said the petition was filed upon instruction of City Mayor Jesse Robredo “in line with the city’s program of strengthening the rights of senior citizens” and to make this city a “friendly” place for senior citizens.

The issue started when KFC’s branch in this city refused to give 20 percent discount on a takeout meal purchased by Paraiso supposedly pursuant to the fast food chain’s national policy of not giving discount to takeout meal buys.

KFC through counsel argued that the policy was to assure that the 20 percent discount given to senior citizens would not be abused through takeout purchases—whose end-consumers may not actually be the senior citizen who bought the goods.

But Ojastro countered that takeout meal purchases should be given price discounts, citing a legal principle that says a law’s direct beneficiary, senior citizens in this case, is favored when it has no specific provision for a particular situation.

He further said that the class suit led by the city government would not be counterproductive to Naga’s earned title as a business friendly city, adding that the move would even create a more business friendly atmosphere because it could encourage other businesses in this city to give more importance to consumer rights, which could boost the purchasing power of their customers in the process.

TOP GRADUATE IS 5th PLACER
UNC’s 18 successful bar passers (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april10/unc-bar.html)

NAGA CITY --- The University of Nueva Caceres College of Law whose top graduate placed 5th in the 2007 national bar exams is proud to announce its other successful passers which affirmed the institution’s superior quality of education.

The bar exams, considered to be among the toughest in recent years, found another UNC bar topnotcher in the person of John Michael S. Galauran who placed 5th nationwide.

Galauran took his secondary education at the Ateneo de Naga University and his elementary grades at the Naga Parochial School.

The other 18 successful bar passers from UNC are: Imee M. Abardo-Estrada, Rhys Michael M. Abundabar, Ismael A. Albao, Francis Rael C. Bitara, Jo Aileen A. Cabiles, Marwin M. Cortezano, Amando M. Cura, Emilio D. Escueta III, Joycery V. Fabay, Armeen Alain B. Gomez, Mary Ann C. Legarto, Rene Cornelio R. Morano IV, Paulino H. Moreno Jr., Janis Mahalia A. Orbita, Alex Albert Popanes, Art R. Teoxon, Gerard N. Turiano, and Carlo C. Villanueva Jr.

The UNC College of Law was established in 1951. Since then, it has produced a total of nine bar topnotchers, namely: Atty. Benjamin Claveria, 10th place, 1958; Atty. David Naval, 5th place, 1960; Atty. Ricardo Gonzales, 14th place, 1966; Atty. Rosario Ocampo, 11th place, 1967; Atty. Politico Corporal, 20th place, 1976; Atty. Amador Simando, 12th place, 1980; Atty. Soliman Santos, 19th place, 1982; Atty. Adan Botor, 20th place, 1985. Another alumnus, Atty. Tomas Reyes, received a bronze medal for Outstanding Performance Award in the 1986 Bar Examinations.

Many of the successful law graduates are now presiding judges in the municipal and regional trial courts in the Bicol Region. Many are likewise successful private law practitioners in the region and elsewhere in the country.

The latest bar topnotcher came as the university celebrates its diamond jubilee this year.

The biggest summer cycling event is back (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april10/cycling.html)

PILI, Camarines Sur -- Gov. LRay Villafuerte is once again at the forefront of the 11th year consecutive staging of the Tour of CamSur ’08 that is part of the line-up of sports events in the Kaogma Extreme ’08 this coming May.

Caption:LRay Villafuerte is bringing back the biggest summer cycling race as part of Kaogma Extreme ‘08 wherein cyclists from all over the country will again vie for the title as the best cyclists in the land. JMTS/MMEC

Organizers will also introduce innovations in the hope of improving the annual mountain bike race that is quite popular to local cyclists and even to nationally ranked cyclists especially because the Tour Pilipinas, a national cycling competition, is officially shelved this year.

The 3-day, 3-lap cycling race will start at the Capitol Complex grounds on May 26 and will run until May 28 where simple awards rites will be held at the Kaogma stage.

The official registration of cyclists will commence on April 14 and end on April 25, 2008 in order to accommodate applicants from other parts of the country although local cyclists have already signified their interest in joining the said race.

The innovation this year is in the form of circuit run where cyclists will start at a predetermined point of origin, will race the selected route for a particular lap, and will end the lap by going back to the jump off spot which is the Freedom Stadium at San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.

This change is injected in order to give cyclists - especially those coming from other provinces in other regions – the chance to watch and enjoy the other Kaogma events after each race day as they will all be billeted at the Freedom Stadium for the duration of the 3-day race.

Lap 1 will start at the Capitol Complex and will traverse the towns of Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon, Goa, Tinambac, Calabanga, Bombon, Magarao, portion of Canaman, Naga City, and proceed back to the Freedom Stadium in San Jose, Pili.

Lap 2 will start at the Freedom Stadium and will traverse Pili, Bula, Nabua, Iriga City, Buhi, Hanawan in Ocampo, go back to the Freedom Stadium.

Lap 3, the final lap, will kick off at the Freedom Stadium and will proceed to San Ramon in Bula, Minalabac, San Fernando, Pamplona, Libmanan, Cabusao, Sipocot, Maharlika Highway, portion of Milaor on the way back to the Capitol Complex in Cadlan, Pili.

With the shelving of the national race for this year, the organizers expect that no less than 250 cyclists including the best players in the country today will again sign up for the premiere bike race in Bicolandia. JMTSantelices

What happened to Camarin Parade?

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nice pics!!!

I think there are some spa and wellness centers around the city. I'm not just particular where but I've seen some... Somebody help regarding this matter, please! :)

there are also Spa blips and my spa along penafrancia ave.

nice photos garzland!

Set 1

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The University Church
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Bahay Kubos
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Dolan Building
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Covered Court
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A new building (I forgot the name)
:)
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ang ganda pala ng naga. di pa ako nakagala dyan kahit parati ako sa camarines sur. palagi lang ako bus terminal o kaya pili airport diretso na lagonoy. next time.:)

Tennis Court
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ang ganda pala ng naga. di pa ako nakagala dyan kahit parati ako sa camarines sur. palagi lang ako bus terminal o kaya pili airport diretso na lagonoy. next time.:)

Thanks for the compliment Nightdog! Welcome to the thread!

ok ba yung hospital na Mother Sitton? sorry kung mali ang spelling. dyan kasi manganganak si misis.

^^Yup, that's the best hospital in the city and probably in the region but it's quite expensive. Sometimes the locals would joke it as Money Seton :lol:... It's Mother Seton.

^^a ok. di bale basta maganda ang facilities saka ang serbisyo. saka safe. ngayon alam ko na, sa SSC forumer ko talaga nalaman na the best yang ospital na yan. kaya go ahead na ang isisignal ko kay misis.:)

^^ Right! Money is just money what is important is the safety...Goodluck to your wife, Nightdog. I wish she would have an easy labor.

Center for Pop Music now on its 2nd year (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april10/pop.html)
By Sheila M. Basbas

The Center for Pop Music, now on its second year in Naga City, aims to continue developing the talents of budding performers here with its unique training techniques.

Following the successful holding of a series of voice and stage performance classes at the third floor of Paseo de Caceres, the Center for Pop Music is scheduled to accommodate Nagueños who wish to develop their talents in voice and stage performance.

The modules of Center for Pop Music are designed to teach students to confidently present themselves on stage, effectively conquering stage fright, a major stumbling block to an otherwise excellent performance. Training covers a wide range of skills including basic but essential techniques such as stage deportment, finding and developing vocal range and many others. Utilizing an unconventional way of coaching or training called “student buddies” technique, the training sessions are made enjoyable and fun.

Last year, following the first batches of trainings, two successful recitals were held followed by a mini-concert last December. In line with their mission to develop talents in singing, the Center for Pop has produced several local talents like Fianne Villanueva, Level 2 student of Center for Pop, and now the Grand Champion during the 2007 Peñafrancia Bicol Pop Star, EJ Aman, Danielle Lim, Paula Guevara, Tere Ipo, Timmy Lim, Allyssa Gilera, Angelica Lee, Ara Martinez, Denise Tan, Kiara Pastoral, Maryrose Veras, V.I Condat, Dein Abrenica and Inah Manaog to name a few, who shine during school performances, competitions and other local guestings.

Center for Pop Music students of Naga City are also becoming popular – they were recently featured in ABS-CBN’s morning show, Marhay na Aga Kapamilya and often asked to sing in various events in Naga City. These local talents will also have another opportunity to show off their talents in a major concert at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel Auditorium on April 26, 2008.

For those who wish to see for themselves the kind of training available at the Center for Pop Music, there will be free training on voice and stage performance lessons on April 12 and 13, 2008 at the third floor of Paseo de Caceres. For more details, please contact Ms. Sheila at 475-7377 or 0916-7986335 or visit www.paseodecaceres.multiply.com

Enrollment for Level 1, 2 and 3 is also ongoing. Bring out the Star in You! Join Center for Pop Music Summer Class!

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^^ Right! Money is just money what is important is the safety...Goodluck to your wife, Nightdog. I wish she would have an easy labor.

thanks......

It seems that Naga Central Business District is bigger than that of Legaspi City. Although i have travelled to Naga a couple of times yet i haven't visited some areas of the CBD. Looking at some of the pictures, i can say that Naga city is much bigger than Legaspi's business district. Am i right garzland?

Xavier Hall
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It seems that Naga Central Business District is bigger than that of Legaspi City. Although i have travelled to Naga a couple of times yet i haven't visited some areas of the CBD. Looking at some of the pictures, i can say that Naga city is much bigger than Legaspi's business district. Am i right garzland?

I couldn't compare Naga's CBD to Legazpi's since I haven't strolled that much around the Legazpi CBD.

thanks......

Welcome, taga-Lagonoy ba misis mo?(If you won't mind hehehe) Ang layo naman ikaw sa Negros siguro and your wife is from Bicol...

Is this still operational or already closed?
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http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/04/20080415.jpg

What happened to Camarin Parade?

I don't know.

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ano gamit ng mga deer na 'to? sa research ba?

just wishing that the pavement will extend from Avenue Sq to the end of Magsayasay Ave for the purpose of beautification of Magsaysay strip..plus it makes it uniform and less chaotic to the eyes..:)

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7346/04152008449ly0.jpg

^^I guess it will. Let's see, they might continue it all the way to the end of Magsaysay Ave. If that happens, I'll be the happiest person in the world. :cheers:

45 mayors visit Bicol cities (www.naga.gov.ph)
First stop is Naga City on April 16

NAGA CITY --- The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on a caravan took its first stop in this city last Wednesday, April 16 with a warm reception by city officials led by Acting City Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado on behalf of Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo who is on official travel in the US.

Upon checking in at the posh Avenue Plaza Hotel, some 45 city mayors from all over the country took a brief tour of Naga and the Penafrancia Basilica before proceeding to the CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur. In the evening, the mayors went back to the Capitol complex for fellowship upon the invitation of CamSur Gov. LRay Villafuerte who is also chairman of the Governors League of the Philippines.

On the following day Thursday, the group will motor to Bgy. Calauag for outreach program at the CLUPA resettlement area, in coordination with the Naga City government and the barangay officials of Calauag. LCP members will distribute support food and medicines, free eyeglasses, wheelchairs, scholarships, and livelihood packages to some family-beneficiaries. They will be back at the hotel for the Luzon Island Cluster Meeting at The Boardroom of Avenue Plaza Hotel.

In the afternoon, the LCP will hold its National Executive Board Meeting at the same hotel. The meeting will highlight discussions on policies, issues and concerns affecting their cities.

In the evening, a dinner and socials will be tendered in their honor at the hotel’s poolside with the city officials as hosts. Entertainment will be provided by artists from the Developmental Institute for Bicolano Artists and Lolo’s Bar.
The Bicol caravan took off from the LCP’s initial success when it toured Northern Mindanao cities Nov. 28-Dec. 3, last year.

Slated April 17-20, 2008, the 2nd island caravan across Bicol cities is spearheaded by LCP President Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos of Mandaluyong City. It is aimed at bringing development services to the countryside and make people feel their cities are working for them, an LCP press release stressed.
The island caravan will engage national agencies, the private sector, and NGOs in a festive affair of convergence so that well-coordinated interventions to their constituents are maximized.

From Naga City, the touring mayors will proceed to Iriga City on Friday morning to join in the inauguration of its new city hall at Bgy. Sta. Cruz. Iriga City Mayor Madeleine Alfelor-Gazmen, also the LCP public relations officer, will welcome the caravan participants before a similar outreach program.

The LCP caravan will then proceed to Ligao and Legazpi cities in Albay on Friday for similar activities. A fellowship dinner will be tendered by Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal.
In Sorsogon City on Saturday, during their last leg of the caravan in Bicol, LCP will also conduct an outreach program similar to Naga Ciy City on April 19.

Sorsogon Gov. Sally Lee will treat them to whaleshark watching in Donsol, Sorsogon before proceeding to Sorsogon City where they will be welcomed to lunch by City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda.

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The University Chapel
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3918/04152008445fk4.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3023/04152008444mq9.jpg

PLM students in Naga for learning tour, visit (www.naga.gov.ph)

NAGA CITY --- Some 18 students completing their Masters in Government Management – Executive Special Program in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila will be in this city for their learning process on April 18-19.

Arsenia Aloma T. Estayo, a member of the visiting students said they have specifically chosen this city because it makes an interesting copy for case study on local governance.

The visit, which is being coordinated by the Naga City Visitors Center, is relevant to the students’ subject on “Urban and Metropolitan Administration and Development”.
Thus, the visiting students will be briefed on the city government‘s various best projects and practices in good governance.

The group will be headed by their professor, Gilbert G. Lozada, for a two-day study tour here. They will be billeted in one of the city’s downtown hotels.

Naga City receives 2007 Housing Rights Protector Award from Geneva rights group (www.naga.gov.ph)

NAGA CITY – The Philippines’ reputation as a notorious housing rights violator has been avenged somehow when this small and yet dynamic city some 400 kilometers south of Manila was named recipient of the “2007 Housing Rights Protector Award” during fitting ceremonies held in Geneva, Switzerland last December 5.

Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo personally received the award from the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), “for the City Government of Naga’s exceptional commitment to the protection and fulfillment of housing rights.”

The award was last given to Sao-Paulo, Brazil in 2005, as there was no recipient of the award in 2006 because COHRE during that year “could not identify a local government or institution worthy of the recognition.”

The honor for Naga came a year later when the Philippines, together with Nigeria and Greece, was named recipient of the “2006 Housing Rights Violator Awards” by the same housing rights group “for their systematic violations of housing rights and continued failure to abide by their international obligations.” Specifically, the Philippines was taken to task for its eviction since 2005 of more than 145,000 people, or 29,000 families, from their homes in Metro Manila and Bulacan province due to the rehabilitation of the NorthRail Transport System. According to COHRE’s Deputy Director Jean du Plessis, research revealed that most of the evictees were moved to relocation sites where living conditions were appalling due to lack of basic services and unsanitary conditions. At the relocation site in Southville, Cabuyao, a dengue outbreak in 2006 claimed the lives of 12 infants and children. Other shanties were also demolished and occupants forcibly evicted in preparation for the 12th ASEAN summit that the Philippines hosted during that same year.

For this year’s Housing Rights Protector Award, which was presented during ceremonies in Geneva, Switzerland, COHRE commended the City Government of Naga “for its Kaantabay sa Kauswagan (Partners in Development) Program, an initiative providing security of tenure and improved living conditions for thousands of its residents.”

On the award, Du Plessis said, “COHRE commends the Government of Naga City for assisting over 6,000 families to obtain legal title to their land, thereby safeguarding them from threat of forced eviction, and for improving the living conditions of 27 urban poor communities by providing and upgrading infrastructure. The Naga City Government’s consultation with civil society and urban poor associations in the development and implementation of housing policies has produced effective remedies for thousands of inadequately housed people.”

He added that the Naga City initiative “clearly demonstrates that the human right to adequate housing can indeed be made a reality if the political will exists.”

Naga City is a vibrant city with its 140,000 population. It serves as a trading hub of the Bicol region, in the southernmost portion of Luzon. The city in the late 1980s was grappling with serious urban housing problems, with 25 percent of its population living as squatters. Most of the urban poor living in slums did not have legal title to their land.

When Robredo came, he instituted the Kaantabay program whose mandate includes: providing low-cost homelots for the urban poor; facilitating the transfer of land ownership from government and private landowners to those who are currently occupying the land; providing legal assistance and support for the titling or regularization of informal land allotments; and improving living conditions in informal land allotments through the provision of basic amenities, such as clean drinking water, adequate sanitation, and other essential necessities like schools and health centers.

A total of 30 on-site and off-site development projects under the program have assisted 6,046 households (20 percent of Naga’s population) to obtain legal title thereby providing them with security of tenure. Negotiations are ongoing to provide another 2,717 households with security of tenure.

This year’s “Housing Rights Defender Award”, went to Baseer Naveed, a housing rights activist from Karachi, Pakistan. He played a key role in negotiating a resettlement plan for some 300,000 people who were affected by the construction of the Lyari Expressway in Karachi, and thereby created a precedent in Pakistan concerning forced evictions.

This year’s violators

This year’s Housing Rights Violator Awards, on the other hand, went to Burma, Slovakia, and jointly, to the Beijing and the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) “for their abysmal disregard for this basic human right.”

It said Beijing and BOCOG have violated the housing rights of over 1.25 million residents in pursuit of relentless economic growth, including the hosting of showpieces such as the 2008 Olympic Games. “The mass displacements and evictions implemented in Beijing are a clear case of the illegitimate use of evictions as a tool of development, in a bid to transform the city into a world-class metropolis “fit to host the best Olympic Games ever”.

The right to housing is one of the most widely violated human rights. Over one billion people are inadequately housed. The United Nations estimates that 100 million more people worldwide are without a place to live.

Moreover, about one- third of the world’s population (or more than two billion) live without security of tenure, adequate legal safeguards against forced eviction and without access to clean and affordable drinking water in the home.

Welcome, taga-Lagonoy ba misis mo?(If you won't mind hehehe) Ang layo naman ikaw sa Negros siguro and your wife is from Bicol...

:lol: oo. malayo nga. hinde nga kami nagkakaintindihan ng dialect e. kaya tagalog ang gamit namin. matinding bumihag pala ang mga bicolana.:lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QbxT92ub0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1P6VaXV9Mk

good news parin naman to..hehehe...try nyo lng...:banana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QbxT92ub0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1P6VaXV9Mk

good news parin naman to..hehehe...try nyo lng...:banana:

:lol: oo. malayo nga. hinde nga kami nagkakaintindihan ng dialect e. kaya tagalog ang gamit namin. matinding bumihag pala ang mga bicolana.:lol:

Nasampulan ka pala :lol:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1809/04162008454nl3.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5637/04132008371mf6.jpg

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When will it be constructed Garzland? From the way it looks, it seems that the ambiance inside the structure is indeed conducive to the early recovery of patients who will or might be confined in that hospital. Is it a hospital? Somewhat exclusive, high-tech, and expensive health center. However, the center is superb

^^It's actually under-construction now located at Saint Joseph. It's like Saint Lukes Hospital in Makati where the medical equipment and the facilities are superb and that would make this hospital the most expensive in Bicol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QbxT92ub0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1P6VaXV9Mk

good news parin naman to..hehehe...try nyo lng...:banana:

She's gonna guest at Oprah this May...

kelan b an epctd completion nyang bicol accesshealth centrum??

san b exactly mttgpuan yn? d ko nmn kc nkikita pgdumadaan ako ng st joseph..

basing on the pix..its really nice and looks epensive..

^^According to the person I had talked to, it's located in St. Joseph but I don't know where it exactly located, but I haven't visited the site yet. By 2009 yung completion siguro kasi the operation will be in 2009.

Abella.........................5,150
Bagumbayan Norte........2,193
Bagumbayan Sur...........5,265
Balatas.......................6,964
Calauag......................10,529
Cararayan...................9,108
Carolina......................3,347
Concepcion Grande.......10,725
Concepcion Pequenia.....20,555
Dayangdang................4,026
Del Rosario..................7,046
Dinaga ......................371
Igualdad Interior..........3,345
Lerma........................2,150
Liboton .....................3,119
Mabolo.......................6,529
Pacol.........................7,996
Panicuason.................2,246
Peñafrancia................5,563
Sabang......................5,953
San Felipe..................13,238
San Francisco.............953
San Isidro..................2,053
Sta. Cruz...................6,879
Tabuco.....................4,034
Tinago......................3,521
Triangulo...................7,658

TOTAL.....................160,516

source (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/2007/region%205.pdf)

Short pa giraray dawa ibali an Gainza and Camaligan :nuts:

(1) Naga-center, Camaligan, Gainza, Canaman, Magarao and Bombon can have a separate district. As well as (2) Libmanan-center and towns up north; (3) Rinconada minus Baao and Bula, Iriga as the center; (4) remainder of River and Rinconada districts plus Pili-center; (5) Calabanga-center, Tinambac, Siruma, Gachitorena and Goa; (6) Partido, Tigaon-center.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8644/04152008437yh9.jpg

I like this. Will this be built just in between SM and St. Joseph?

Short pa giraray dawa ibali an Gainza and Camaligan :nuts:

Naga, Camaligan, Gainza, Canaman, Magarao and Bombon can have a separate district.

Short on what grounds? In being the region's most populous city?

-----

EDIT: Now I realize that you were thinking of Naga merging with Camaligan and Gainza to create a separate district. Yes, I agree na kulang pa rin. Short pa sila ng about 50, 000 inhabitants.

Is this still operational or already closed?
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/750/04132008345ik0.jpg

Pabukas-bukas naman 'to eh. I just don't know when it will be REALLY closed. Hehe.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3173/04102008302jo4.jpg

Naga looks such a bustling city in this photo, which it is. Hehe. Soooo love the pic!

A new building (I forgot the name)
:)
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/8484/04142008408yh2.jpg

This is the Madrigal Center for Business, Garz. :)

Aside from that, a stiff competition with SM, of course.

I don't see this commercial building competing with SM. I see it as an SME who will be using SM to lure in buyers. But as I can further see it, people will stick with SM. Ikaw ba naman, pupunta ka pa ba dun knowing that much of your needs are in SM? Hindi na 'di ba? And thinking that you will be going out in the scorching sun will still hiner them from going there. And BTW, I'm not being pessimistic of their business, but this is what I see. :D

^^The first and second pictures are Olivan Home Depot am I right? It's a good one!!!

I so agree. :)

BTW, love the pics, Garz! :cheers:

Wow! A Nagueño is currently the Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan. Read here (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080415-130569/Filipino-bishop-is-apostolic-nuncio-to-Korea----DFA).

US or Asian version an pigshoshoot sa Caramoan? Kung US version, dai pa nagpopoon ang actual shooting. Ano kaya ang title, Survivor: Philippines o Caramoan?

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_17

Survivor 17 is the upcoming seventeenth season of CBS reality television series Survivor.[1] Applications were due on January 24, 2008. Around March 2008, 800 applicants will be selected for an interview by CBS. Out of these 800, about 48 semi-finalists will be selected to go to Los Angeles sometime during April 2008. From these semi-finalists, approximately 16 contestants are selected to participate in the show between late June and mid-August 2008. [2]

References
1 Andreeva, Nellie (2008-01-28). CBS sticks with Survivor; Probst re-ups as host. Reuters/The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
2 Survivor Application (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-12-15.

It's the Philippine version. If it were the Asian version, GMA could have held auditions across Asia for Asians to participate 'di ba?

BTW, love the pics, Garz! :cheers:

Thanks kev!

Short pa giraray dawa ibali an Gainza and Camaligan :nuts:

(1) Naga-center, Camaligan, Gainza, Canaman, Magarao and Bombon can have a separate district. As well as (2) Libmanan-center and towns up north; (3) Rinconada minus Baao and Bula, Iriga as the center; (4) remainder of River and Rinconada districts plus Pili-center; (5) Calabanga-center, Tinambac, Siruma, Gachitorena and Goa; (6) Partido, Tigaon-center.

Tinambac, Siruma, Garchitorena, and Goa are all part of Partido and actually, presently, the center is Goa.

I like this. Will this be built just in between SM and St. Joseph?

I don't know the exact location, kev. Maybe.


Short on what grounds? In being the region's most populous city?

-----

EDIT: Now I realize that you were thinking of Naga merging with Camaligan and Gainza to create a separate district. Yes, I agree na kulang pa rin. Short pa sila ng about 50, 000 inhabitants.

I guess merging is still good even it will not reach that number just for the betterment of Gainza and Camaligan.



Pabukas-bukas naman 'to eh. I just don't know when it will be REALLY closed. Hehe.
Dae pa ngani ako diyan nakakalaog, maclose na tulos hehehe



Naga looks such a bustling city in this photo, which it is. Hehe. Soooo love the pic! It is really! :cheers:



This is the Madrigal Center for Business, Garz. :)
Thanks!



I don't see this commercial building competing with SM. I see it as an SME who will be using SM to lure in buyers. But as I can further see it, people will stick with SM. Ikaw ba naman, pupunta ka pa ba dun knowing that much of your needs are in SM? Hindi na 'di ba? And thinking that you will be going out in the scorching sun will still hiner them from going there. And BTW, I'm not being pessimistic of their business, but this is what I see. :D

Agree!

I don't know the exact location, kev. Maybe.

Okay. Keep us posted Garz. :)

I guess merging is still good even it will not reach that number just for the betterment of Gainza and Camaligan.

I agree. I really hope they merge! Hehe

Tinambac, Siruma, Garchitorena, and Goa are all part of Partido and actually, presently, the center is Goa.

I guess guess he's talking about the probable congressional districts that CamSur may have since the province is already eligible for two more.

Wow! A Nagueño is currently the Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan. Read here (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080415-130569/Filipino-bishop-is-apostolic-nuncio-to-Korea----DFA).

Wow, that's great! :cheers:

Okay. Keep us posted Garz. :)

Ok, I will as much as possible :)



I agree. I really hope they merge! Hehe
Yup, it will really mean a lot for these two small municpalities



I guess guess he's talking about the probable congressional districts that CamSur may have since the province is already eligible for two more.

But I don't think Goa should be under Calabanga. It should be the center of the future congressional district replacing Tigaon. I think it should be Siruma, Garchitorena, and Tinambac that should be under Calabanga while the Main Partido should be Goa is the center.

^^ I don't actually have furthere knowledge regarding the the first and Partido districts. All I know is that Libmanan is currently the first district's center and Goa could be Partido's center in the future.

^^Which is still could be. Libmanan is in the 1st District, Calabanga is in the 2nd District, and Goa is in the Third District. Actually, all of these three are already considered the center in each district with the exception of Naga City.

Albay is eligible of 4 districts also
Ligao, Daraga, Legazpi and Tabaco as centers

^^Daraga cannot be the center because of its proximity to Legazpi I guess. Are they in the same district?

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/777/04152008435eh4.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4656/04152008434ly1.jpg

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Legazpi and Daraga are in the same district, I think

Legazpi's, Sto. Domingo's and Manito's (neighbors of the city on its north and east) plus another town (Rapu-Rapu's, gayod) population is at least 250,000. It's good for 1 district separate from 3rd (?) district.

^^Well, you can add Daraga. It's very near to Legazpi so Daraga can be considered again as part of that future district.

Wow Caramoan! Just wondering why Gayon Bicol was not held in Albay during the Magayon festival.

^^Well, you can add Daraga. It's very near to Legazpi so Daraga can be considered again as part of that future district.

or joint as to (some of) taguig-pateros district. but manito will be isolated.

^^That I don't know.

Wow Caramoan! Just wondering why Gayon Bicol was not held in Albay during the Magayon festival.

I thought Gayon Bicol is held here during Peñafrancia.

^^ Not exactly. The last Gayon Bicol wasn't held in Naga. I forgot where basta it's not in Naga.

*sigh*

I wish I was there during the Business Week.

*sigh*

^^Where are you today?

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/657/04132008353fy0.jpg

http://images.tonielicious.multiply.com/image/4/photos/upload/600x600/R9Vc@woKCCMAAD2wN5w1/DSC01259.JPG?et=Qg8Eq0Utu8nSJWL7m4K3dA&nmid=

Pati digdi eyesore ang wires? :lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2231644137_a8dd7ce8d2.jpg?v=0

^^Where is that place?

Caramoan

^^Gawad kalinga yata yan.

Hehe. Sosyal na GK site. Sa government gayod yan. Notice, the design similar to those in CWC.

^^Sorry, di ko pa nakita yung mga bagong tayo sa CWC. I thought it was GK :lol:

http://www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FCabanas%2F_SHP7247.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

http://www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Accomodations%2FCabanas%2F_SHP7251.jpg&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

^^Thanks for the pix. I've just watched in TV Patrol that CWC is now second after Boracay . Even yung sakayang kawayan na ginagamit sa riles ng tren eh patok na patok sa kanila... Wow, Good job Gov. L-Ray.

BTW, how do you call those rectangular blocks in the left portion of the pic. Are those hotel-like vans?

Rooms made of container vans. It's the cheapest in CWC.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6537/904103250789a8d20f1odg3.jpg

Taken by:jerrylimlee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerrylimlee/904103250/)

I miss the American gothic look of the old San Francisco church.

^^Well, I love the new one than before.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/605/296209191d62b928d0fbve2.jpg

Taken by: kool.angot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ails/296209191/)

I was looking for the Vatican emblem on top of the stained window, it was in the front side palan.

^^Di ko yan napansin. Next time, I'm gonna find it out.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9572/2962092008b1ad09c7ablw4.jpg

Taken by: kool.angot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ails/296209200/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikita2471/2401419310/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikita2471/2400595007/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikita2471/2400589095/

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Taken by: clip bong (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliff2/1776343265/)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4179/11467247389e85e135d6bay8.jpg

This is the poolside of casa Ofelia Resort which is located at bgy. Carolina, Naga City. The proximity of this place from the City proper is around 15 kms. The pool is not too deep (around 4ft) which is ideal bathing/swimming ground for children.

Photo by:moliboks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11667137@N08/1146724738/)

Garz, wow great pictures of that place. I salute u for that. Is there such a hotel or an inn where you can stay if u want to go to Caramoan? I wish i could go there. Hope to see Caramoan soon, especially those islands. Wonderful. I think this is much better than Misibis Resort in Albay. Such a virgin place.

Bubble Gang went to CWC. First episode was shown last night and part two will be shown next week.

http://images.karlos80.multiply.com/image/4/photos/95/600x600/1/IMG_4746.jpg?et=b4%2C3t3HryOtFilEoJlqn5Q&nmid=89339133
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http://images.karlos80.multiply.com/image/2/photos/95/600x600/14/IMG_4741.jpg?et=yaKE7numeZMlLhtj0E%2BDiw&nmid=89339133

BTW, how do you call those rectangular blocks in the left portion of the pic. Are those hotel-like vans?

Those are cabins. :)

^^ So you like virgins huh? :lol: :nocrook:

^^Where are you today?

Manila. :)/:(

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/657/04132008353fy0.jpg

Are they expanding in their parking lot just at the back of the old building? I see that they're trying to copy old European-style hotel. With the rendering that I see above, I'd just say good luck to the finished product. Hehe. But always the optimist, I'm happy that they're expanding operations. Tourism in Naga is really upbeat nowadays! What happened with the Avenue Plaza Hotel, BTW? Does it still rake in high-end tourists?

^^Well, I love the new one than before.

I agree. :)

caramoan looks really good.
i have to agree with aries. i think caramoan looks better than misibis :D
anyway thanks for all the photos garzland.
keep em comin! :D

^^Thanks Matteo!!!

^^ So you like virgins huh? :lol: :nocrook:
I do like vergins, too.:nuts:


Manila. :)/:(
I wish I 'm in Manila having a vacation there hehehe, Baliktad tayo


Are they expanding in their parking lot just at the back of the old building? I see that they're trying to copy old European-style hotel. With the rendering that I see above, I'd just say good luck to the finished product. Hehe. But always the optimist, I'm happy that they're expanding operations. Tourism in Naga is really upbeat nowadays! What happened with the Avenue Plaza Hotel, BTW? Does it still rake in high-end tourists?
Yup. they're expanding in their parking lot at the right side of the hotel. Naga's tourism upbeat can also be attributed to CWC's popularity aside from the Peñafrancia Fiesta.Regarding Avenue Plaza Hotel, I just don't know if they still rake those kinds of tourists.

Garz, wow great pictures of that place. I salute u for that. Is there such a hotel or an inn where you can stay if u want to go to Caramoan? I wish i could go there. Hope to see Caramoan soon, especially those islands. Wonderful. I think this is much better than Misibis Resort in Albay. Such a virgin place.

I went there last 2002 pa. So I just don't know much about hotels or inns nowadays but there are nnow since the place is now getting much attention from tourists. I guess the provincial government has started to construct tourist-related facilities .

^^Cabins nga pala... Hehehhe Nawala sa vocabulary ko iyan uh.

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/1218/04132008352en2.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2200/04162008450je3.jpg

Garz, wow great pictures of that place. I salute u for that. Is there such a hotel or an inn where you can stay if u want to go to Caramoan? I wish i could go there. Hope to see Caramoan soon, especially those islands. Wonderful. I think this is much better than Misibis Resort in Albay. Such a virgin place.

BTW, How soon do you plan to visit Caramoan, aries?:)

Nasampulan ka pala :lol:

kaya nga e.:)

last time i was in camarines sur i saw one sugar central & sugarcane plantations & trucks carrying sugarcane. what place is that? i feel that time i was in negros.:)

^^Probably that's in Pili. The Sugar Mill kasi is also located there -- Pensumil is the name if I'm not mistaken.

Before, I think it was called BISUDECO, Bicol Sugar Development Corporation, my father used to work there when he was detailed at BISUDECO. Actually my father worked at Philippine Sugar Commission. Philsucom had a satellite office at BISUDECO where my father was assigned. It's located between the Capital town of Pili and Ocampo. Probably by May, i hope to visit Caramoan. Pls garz if u have time, can u accompany and tour me there.

^^I can accompany you siguro pagnagkroon ako ng budget hehehe and one more thing is that I'm not very familiar with that place kasi it will be just my second time.

Really! Hope you can go with me. It's indeed a wonderful place. It's nice to go there particularly if you have not been into that place, it's kind of an adventure. Anything goes.

^^I wish I really could. Who doesn't want to enjoy those nice spots, of course I want to? Actually, I haven't explored Caramoan so much because I've just been o Gota Beach, nothing else. Kaya sana lang, I'm really hoping...

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1332/1436211055a48007d346buo2.jpg

Photo by: titotich (http://www.flickr.com/photos/13808051@N07/1436211055/sizes/l/)

Million peso Naga coliseum needs
another P166M to see completion (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/coliseum.html)
By Jonas Cabiles Soltes

NAGA CITY --- Still on the fourth phase of its construction which began in 1997, the yet to be completed Naga City Coliseum requires approximately another hundred million for the 8 000-seater structure to be ready for use.

The cost of building the coliseum, one of the most expensive projects ever undertaken by this city, already has reached P100 million, including the P20 million damages it had sustained from the onslaught of destructive typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” in 2006.

The project was divided into five phases. Phase 1, undertaken by the city, cost P25 million. Phase 2 and Phase 3 funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) cost P25 million and P10 million respectively.

On its Phase 4 when it was damaged by typhoons, the project roughly needs another P30 million now for the phase to be restarted.

Phase 5 of the project, which is expected to be carried out once the roofing is finished, already has an allocated budget of P71 million, but a calculation from the City Engineers Office put the total amount needed to complete the coliseum at P115,706 189.74.

The needed P116 million would be from the P71 million allocated budget and what was left from the fund used for the Phase 4 of the construction.

Aside from the coliseum building, included among the structural plan of the Naga City Coliseum are modern sport facilities, generator systems, circumferential roads, and parking areas.

City Engineer Leon Palmiano IV, meanwhile, confirmed that the present contractor of the project would be terminated by the city government through the City Legal Office if it would not reconcile its P63 million roof framing budget with the city government- preferred P31 million roof framing budget proposed by Engr. Restituto Abad, who designed the coliseum.

Palmiano also told Bicol Mail that the vacant land next to the coliseum previously intended for a housing project for this city’s urban poor would be used now as the parking area for the coliseum, in compliance with the country’s building code.

The project, now on its eleventh year, has been criticized for its delay. In comparison, the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, one of the largest coliseums in Asia was completed in only two years.

“Earth Day 2008 @ Naga City” declared (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/earthday.html)

THE Naga City Government has declared April 22, 2008 as “Earth Day @ Naga City” with the unanimous approval of a resolution submitted April 15, 2008 by Sanggunian Panlungsod Environment Committee Chair, City Councilor Badette F. Roco,.

The Universidad de Sta. Isabel-Save Me (USI-SAVE ME) Movement and the City Government of Naga, through its ENRO and SP Environment Committee, with partners Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce, Avenue Square, Ladies in Green, USI-ROTARACT CLUB, and USI-CSG will mark on April 22, 2008, the 38th anniversary of this modern EARTH DAY environmental movement which started in 1970. This worldwide event is annually observed with the objective of shaking up business and political entities for environmental protection and to force the issue of environmental deterioration onto the national agenda.

With the project launching on April 15, 2008 at Plaza Quezon, the Earth Day proponents cordially invite business establishments to join the quest for environmental care and protection, through their participation in the Earth Day Promotional Drive Contest. This is open to business establishments located within the Naga City limits/downtown Naga (Zone 1 Penafrancia and Magsaysay; Zone 2 Panganiban, Lerma CBD-2, Diversion; Zone 3 Elias Angeles, P. Diaz, General Luna, Igualdad and Barlin). It has two major competitions; one is the “Earth Day Business Establishment Design Contest” and the other is the “Earth Day Scrap Masterpiece Contest”. These contests will run from April 16-22. The contest guidelines will be disseminated by Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and SAVE ME members.

Spearheading the campaign from the youth sector are USI-SAVE ME members led by President Reynaldo de Guzman, Jr., Lea Faurillo, Olga France Blas and USI-CSG Moderator Randy Iniego.

Taking the lead from LGU Naga is Acting City Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado, with City Environment Officer Oscar Orozco, and lady environmentalist councilor Badette F. Roco.

The awarding will be held at Avenue Square during the “Kantakalikasan” or the Earth Day Concert on April 22, 2008 at 6 pm. The same event will launch the activities in preparation for the 2008 Environment Month in June.

The printing of t-shirts with the Earth day logo will be for free starting on April 16, 2008. Everyone is enjoined to bring their shirts for printing to the Universidad de Sta. Isabel and wear them on April 22.

Queries may be directed to: Hon. Bernadette Roco (475-4259); Albert Bercasio of MNCCI, (09184971002); or Rey de Guzman (09216930784).

Bicol’s leading developer
launches 3rd subdivision project (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/developer.html)

After having been granted by HLURB the License to Sell (No. 18469), Enjoy Realty and Development Corporation has recently launched another revolutionary real estate project in Naga City – the Parkview Executive Townhomes.

“This vibrant packet development is designed for people with active lifestyle such as Executives, Entrepreneurs, OFWs, Balikbayans and Professionals. Our buyers have the choice to buy a Townshoppe, a Townhome or a Residence,” said Engr. Emeterio L. Aman, the President of Enjoy Realty and Development Corporation.

Townshoppes are for entrepreneurs who want to set-up a business in the subdivision. They are given an option to use the second floor as their residence and the ground floor as a commercial space. Entrepreneurs can choose from among the following businesses: a restaurant and coffee shop, an internet café, a laundry service, a janitorial and home maintenance service, and a convenience store.

The Townhomes introduce new concepts in real estate development. Clients can avail of the following options: Buy a unit and have it financed through Pag-Ibig, a commercial bank, or the company’s very flexible In-House financing scheme, Rent a fully furnished residence, avail of the Rent-to-Own scheme or the Buy-for-Rent scheme.

The Buy-for-Rent scheme is designed for Balikbayans, OFWs, and investors. The clients can have their Townhomes rented for a day, a week, a month, or a year through the ERDC property management office. Through this active investment, they will see their money working for them.

For those who simply want to enjoy the comfort of urban living, they can buy one of the Residences with a choice of various modern designs.

“Aside from the revolutionary concepts, we are also introducing the newest and the strongest innovation in construction technology by the Research and Development Unit of Aman Engineering, the contractor of Enjoy Realty. We build houses that are at least three times stronger than the conventional method of house construction. Instead of using concrete hollow blocks, our houses are all “buhos” which make them typhoon and earthquake resistant. More so, we do not use coco lumber and plywood in construction thus, making our procedure environment-friendly. This is our company’s answer to the call of Civil Society to Fight Global warming,” explained by Engr. Aman.

Enjoy Realty is also the developer of Parkview Village and Haciendas de Naga-a 105 hectare Retirement and Leisure subdivision with a 9-Hole Golf Course. Last year, the company has been awarded by HLURB as the 2007 Leading Developer in the Bicol Region and the 2007 Best Development Design in the Philippines.

The Parkview Executive Townhomes is now Naga City’s most accessible subdivision; located at Zone 6 San Felipe Naga City, a mere stone’s throw away from downtown Naga City – definitely a place where one can start a business and enjoy the good life.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/2112/04142008414te2.jpg

What's the name of this building? It's found in Peñafrancia Avenue.

Wake board world championship
now accepts registration (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/wake.html)

The World Wakeboard Association (WWA) announced registration is now open for all wakeboard enthusiasts who wish to join the 2008 Wake Park World Champion-ships scheduled first week of July at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) of the Provincial Capitol at Cadlan, Pili.

Composed of three segments – the 2008 Wake Park World Championship, the CamSur Rider’s Cup (WWA Wakeboard World Series) and the CWC Winch Contest - the competitions are open to all WWA members and offer a total purse of over $50,000 in cash prizes.

The WWA wakeboard championships is the second stop of the inaugural 2008 World Park World Series for 17 divisions of wakeboard and wakeskate riders, as follows:

Jr. Boys (ages 9 and under), Boys (10-13), Jr. Men (14-17), Mens I (18-24), Mens II (25-30), Masters Men (31-39), Veterans (40 and up), Amateur Wakeskate (no age limit), Pro Men (no age limit), Girls (13 and under), Jr. Women (14-17), Amateur Women (18-30), Master Women (31-39), Women’s Wakeskate (no age limit), Pro Women (no age limit), Obstacles Only (no age limit), and Pro Wakeskate (no age limit).

Cash prizes range from $1,000 to as much as $5,000 for first placers and a minimum of $500 for consolation prizes.

The CamSur Rider’s Cup which will be the second stop of the WWA World Series will be an open competition with a hefty $7,000 purse for the winner, $4,000, $3000, and $2,000 for second to fourth places and $1,000 each for the fifth to eighth places.

Added attractions will be the Winch Park Wakeboard and Wakeskate Contests which will run through a course of obstacles designed by rail builder Pat Panakos of the world famous Projects Camp in Florida, who was in Camarines Sur late last month to serve as one of the judges of the 3rd Philippine Wakeboarding Nationals.

First placers of both winch park wakeboard and wakeskate contests stand to pocket $1,000 each, with $750 and $500 going to the second and third placers, respectively.

Interested parties may check out www.cwcwake.com for additional information and video updates, including the new obstacles Pat Panakos will be adding to the CWC cable facility for Winch Park contests. GBClaveria

4th BBW highlights investment updates (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/bbw.html)
By Jason B. Neola

NAGA CITY --- A P300-million state-of-the-art medical facility that can match the services of world-class hospitals and other wellness centers abroad will soon be put up here.

Its blueprint and other documents project a 4-storey building rising over 6,000 square meters of land in the city’s Central Business District 2. It will be equipped with advanced medical instruments and apparatus and manned by highly-trained doctors, paramedics, and technical men ever-ready to perform high-end medical tourism services in the Bicol region.

The establishment of this lifeline facility is contained in the updates on new investments and opportunities showcased along with other new product exhibits and trade fair in the weeklong 4th Bicol Business Week (BBW) which was formally opened last Sunday, April 13, at Plaza Rizal and Plaza Quezon and will end on April 20, this year.

BBW is spearheaded by the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MNCCI) and the City Government of Naga in partnership with national government agencies and private entities working in synergy to promote Bicol products and other merchandise from other regions, tourism sites and destinations, and advocacy on environment and other public awareness program.

The activity has effectively served as “converging zone” for a manifold of linkages and networking among entrepreneurs and clients, manufacturers and consumers, investors and customers, stakeholders and other players with respective business undertakings.

MNCCI President Albert R. Bercasio said BBW still carries the advocacy drive on environment as it did last year. A forum on Mt. Isarog protection program will be held on Saturday, April 19, 8:00 a.m. at the Naga Regent Hotel to open public discussions on the following action areas: public awareness, alternative livelihood for residents near the protected areas, reforestation, forest protection and law enforcement, experiential environment education and capability building for stakeholders.

BBW also showcases “Orgullo kan Bicol” products of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and major tourism sites and destinations featured in “Gayon Bikol” of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

BBW Chairman Jorge T. Palma said apart from new products and investment opportunities, the activity has also become an effective facility for providing employment here and abroad. Job applicants are accommodated in a jobs fair that which will be held on April 18-19 at t Plaza Quezon.

One of the activity highlights is the Halyao Awards Night or the naming of the Bicolano Businessman of the Year, which will be held on April 19, 2008, 6:30 PM, at the Avenue Plaza Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City. Palma said BBW will choose six Halyao awardees from 6 Bicol provinces.

I guess this is the one being referred by the highlighted portion of the above news...

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4th Bicol Business Week

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^^Thanks for taking those pictures jhomssss. Tamang-tama iyan ang di ko napipicturan pa.

What is the name of this street?

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6218/04132008380xp8.jpg

Hain na si mga lapida sa wall?

^^Arin na lapida? Itong mga pangaran kan USI passers? Hinarali na baga ito, may nakatuyaw gayod.

hi

Nadaanan ko lang hehehe.. Seems this is your first post. I haven't welcomed you in this thread pa pala :lol:. Welcome, kahit late.:lol:

^^I wish I really could. Who doesn't want to enjoy those nice spots, of course I want to? Actually, I haven't explored Caramoan so much because I've just been o Gota Beach, nothing else. Kaya sana lang, I'm really hoping...


Garz, basta sama ka. Treat kita coz im the one inviting you. My problem would be that when i get to Naga in May, i hope that it is not yet rainy season in Bicol.

^^May is not rainy season in Bicol especially in Naga. This is the time to tour around here.

That's great. So you will accompany me na. Cge na. Have you read from previous news in bicolmail about the construction of a new highway from Oas, Albay traversing the flooded towns of Camsur up to San Fernando, Camarines Sur? Does this mean that buses coming from the provinces of Albay & Sorsogon going to Manila will no longer pass by the Cities of Iriga, Naga & Pili town? So would this not affect the economy of Naga city just like what happened to Daet when Quirino Highway was opened? Although it will certainly benefit the travellers because of the decrease in travel time to Manila.

^^That's good news but I haven't heard that news yet.. I guess it won't affect Naga City because the city is considered as a major one where everybody does business here. In the case of Daet, that town solely depends on that particular aspect to support the economy while Naga it's not. I can go with you if the time permits me. I'll just PM you the number for the update.

New travel and tour office opens (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/travel.html)

NAGA CITY --- Riding on the wave of a booming tourism industry here in the city and province, a new travel and tour office recently opened for business after its formal blassing and launching last April 5, 2008.

Owned and managed by Teresita P. Beluang, the new travel and tours office is located at JP II Atrium ground floor, at the corner of Ateneo Avenue and Bagumbayan Street, Naga City.

The office offers international and domestic ticketing, rebooking and confirmation of tickets, international and domestic tour packages, hotel reservations, transportation rentals and passporting.

Rice production intensification
solution to crisis --- Gov. LRay (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april17/production.html)
By Stephen Nieves

CADLAN, PILI, Camarines Sur --- constituents need not worry about the artificial rice shortfall affecting other areas of the country particularly in Metro Manila because the province has sufficient rice supply.

This is Governor LRay Villafuerte’s firm belief backed by the strength of a recent report by the Department of Agriculture wherein the province placed 7th as top palay producer nationwide based on the published ranking made by the DA’s Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program or GMA Program covering the year 2007, a marked improvement from year 2006 when the province was ranked 12th overall.

The palay production of the province also showed remarkable increase of 20.79% from 464,277 metric tons in 2006 to 560,809 metric tons in 2007 or an increase of 96,532 metric tons. The province’s improvement in ranking was achieved despite lesser national government intervention.

Gov. LRay Villafuerte, however, is not leaving any stone unturned by continuously urging the farmers in the countryside to intensify and raise their level of production of this staple food which is a prime commodity in the country.

The provincial chief executive has not wavered in his relentless support to the local farmers because of his conviction that agricultural productivity is vital to the economic acceleration of the province.

The provincial government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, has consistently offered several innovative undertakings that redound to the benefits of most farmers here.

The Plant Now Pay Later Scheme was launched in 2006 where farmers were able to avail of hybrid rice seeds payable after harvest under very liberal repayment terms.

The Modified Rapid Composting (MRC) technology was introduced that taught farmers how to convert rice straws into fertilizer, a procedure which was cheaper to produce resulting in more income to the provincial farmers. The province also conducts the Annual Search for Outstanding Hybrid Rice Farmers of Camarines Sur to encourage them to utilize the hybrid seed variety because of its proven high yield and profitability.

Last year, the province also launched the Techno Demo Project which aims to orient and encourage farmers to avail of the package of technology relative the hybrid rice seed variety showcasing the best practices employed by farmer Aida Badong of Baao, the top winner in the 2005 Search for Outstanding Hybrid Rice Farmer who posted a record of 344 cavans per hectare, the highest yield in hybrid rice production countrywide.

In 2006, under the Palay Marketing Assistance for Legislators and Local Government Units (PALLGU) Program, the provincial government supported the NFA buying price for palay by a provision of an additional P1.00 per kilogram on top of the basic support price of P10.00 per kilogram paid out by the agency. A total of 3,388 farmers benefited from the program.

Moreover, the provincial government is undertaking this planting season the distribution of certified seeds to support farmers whose farms were badly hit by the onslaught of continuous heavy rains and flooding. Initially, some 1,500 farmers of the province will benefit from this project.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8374/213193129747419bd60abne7.jpg

Taken by:Will Arcilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/w_arcilla/2131931297/)

4th Bicol Business Week

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How much ba ang isa niyan? They're beautiful. Mukhang mahal yata kasi baka gawa sa Narra iyan.

4th Bicol Business Week

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what type of roof cladding is that?

Skyway project in Camarines Sur town readied

Mike A. Aguilar

NAGA CITY — A skyway project will soon rise in Libmanan town, Camarines Sur in preparation for the implementation of a plan by the national government to build a new International airport in the province.

Observers said that the place is ideal because people coming from Samar and Leyte in the south, and Quezon province in the north would have easy access to the airport.

Negotiation for the skyway project is now on-going, and the work is expected to start this year.

Sources said the skyway, which is almost a kilometer long, will pass through Bungad island alongside the Bicol River and extend to San Miguel Bay and the municipality of Canaman which is a few kilometers from this city.

Many Bicolanos are in favor of having the new airport constructed in Camarines Sur because of the danger posed by volcanic ashfalls in Albay when eruption occurs.

The ash falls of Mayon Volcanao is a threat to aircraft and air travelers during take-off and landing.

The flagship projects of Congressman Dato Macapagal Arroyo (1st district, Camarines Sur) include the rehabilitation with asphalt overlay of Andaya Highway with total length of more or less 97 kilometers starting from the Quezon-Tagkawayan boundary to Tara in Sipocot this province. An amount of R500 million for the repair work has already been set for release, according to the central office of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

All the infrastructure facilities here, when finished, will greatly boost the development of Camarines Sur and the region. It will also help create employment.

Likewise, air travel to other places in Asia will be much easier.

At present, several new first-class hotels, rural and commercial banks are already cropping up in this city.

The development of first-class subdivisions is complemented by the opening of new shopping centers, like the E Mall, Avenue Square, Olivan Home Depot, LCC, and SM.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080421122402.html

^^I'm confused with the news. According to the other news, millions of pesos has already been released for the construction of the international airport in Daraga and now here's another one saying about the readying of having an international airport in Libmanan. Which is correct or most probably we're gonna have two international airports? I love the skyway project, though it's only kilometer long, I will have the feel of a real metro hehehe

We don't need an international airport, better airport lang than Naga's.

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If you'll notice, naglikaw an national highway sa parteng Pamplona hanggang Milaor kaya halawig an byahe.

I guess, Bungad Island is the inland island shared by Canaman and Magarao (or Libmanan).

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Guys, no news na ba about PM?

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What's the name of this building? It's found in Peñafrancia Avenue.

If there's The Store With No Name, this will be The Building With No Name. :lol:

I guess this is the one being referred by the highlighted portion of the above news...

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I agree. :yes:

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Taken by:Will Arcilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/w_arcilla/2131931297/)

This is the Navidad de Naga Chapel on top of Paseo de Caceres.

what type of roof cladding is that?

No idea. :lol:

^^I'm confused with the news. According to the other news, millions of pesos has already been released for the construction of the international airport in Daraga and now here's another one saying about the readying of having an international airport in Libmanan. Which is correct or most probably we're gonna have two international airports? I love the skyway project, though it's only kilometer long, I will have the feel of a real metro hehehe

If this will come to fruition, Bicol then will have two international airports. The one in Albay has been approved already and, hopefully, this one will get approved as well. But I'm more interested in the airstrip that will be constructed in Caramoan. Caramoan badly needs an airport. If one will be constrcuted there, tourism in the town will further improve.

Where did you get this news? Is it reliable? Why do they have to construct an skyway? What for? Anyway, this is good news if in preparation for the construction of an international airport.

Guys, no news na ba about PM?


Unfortunately, none yet. I guess, it won't be pushed thru anymore. Naenotan sinda kan SM. Kung kaito pa kaya sinda nagbugtak igdi baka SM man ang nagduwa-duwa.

This is the Navidad de Naga Chapel on top of Paseo de Caceres.


Dae pa ako nakasakat diyan. Ano ang pag-diyan libre? hehehe

If this will come to fruition, Bicol then will have two international airports. The one in Albay has been approved already and, hopefully, this one will get approved as well. But I'm more interested in the airstrip that will be constructed in Caramoan. Caramoan badly needs an airport. If one will be constrcuted there, tourism in the town will further improve.

People in Caramoan are against the airstrip..

Hello I'm new and just visiting your site. I'm a good friend of David Michael Padua, the city's "local hero" dubbed "Mr. Typhoon". :banana:

Hope to visit your city in the near future :cheers: