Naga and Iriga Cities, and Camarines Sur Province [Archive] - Page 15

aries6210

April 24th, 2008, 04:02 PM

‘Survivor’ filming, Hollywood buzz in Bicol town’s beachesTouted as next Boracay

CARAMOAN, CAMARINES SUR—What’s the buzz in this remote, fourth-class municipality?

Rumors of Hollywood stars being filmed on the peninsula’s beaches of powdery white sand are told by word of mouth and in entertainment teasers, blind items, blogs and online discussion boards.

“It’s ‘Survivor,’” the locals say quickly, even if many of them might not have seen a single episode of this famous reality game show.

“Survivor,” which isolates its contestants in the wilderness to compete for cash and prizes, and is known to choose exotic environments as its location, has been taping its French version’s next season here for 28 days now.

Tourism and provincial government officials are tight-lipped about the taping of “Survivor-France” in Caramoan because of a confidentiality agreement signed with its producers.

And the location shoot has been closed off to keep kibitzers away.

Gota beach in Caramoan’s northeastern coast is the jump-off point to islets of limestone, granite and volcanic rocks scattered by the bay near the Philippine sea.

It is an easy 30-minute tricycle ride from the poblacion (town proper), and it used to be a public place.

But since the onset of summer, a billboard announcing that the area is “temporarily closed” has been prominently displayed at the entrance to the beach in Barangay Ilawod, at least four kilometers away from the town proper.

The billboard says the “massive developments” accompanying the Camarines Sur government’s construction of resort facilities and amenities are underway, and that the closure is for the “safety and security of everybody.”

Hired for exclusive use

Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. said Gota beach was off-limits for three months because it was being rented for exclusive use for filming and to make way for the construction activities.

He said the target reopening date was in June, and that the media would be sent invitations to visit in May.

“How can you open it to the public now when there is filming and construction? Paano kung may makaapak ng pako (What if somebody steps on a nail)?” Villafuerte said in exasperation.

According to the governor, the amenities provided for the production team at the beach are to ensure that they will have a pleasant experience during their stay, “para bumalik (so they will return).”

He said the Caramoan government would benefit much from the development projects in terms of investors and jobs.

“What we’re trying to show here is that with such limited funds, we can earn much through ecotourism,” he said.

2 Hollywood films

Villafuerte confirmed that two Hollywood films are in the works for possible shooting on Caramoan’s picturesque beaches. (The rumor is that one of these stars is California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but Villafuerte neither confirmed nor denied this.)

Sneak peek

Early this month, an 18-year-old in a yellow shirt who was about to report for housekeeping duties at 7 a.m. managed to give kibitzers a peek of what’s happening in Gota.

According to the teenager, who begged not to be named for fear of losing her job, French guests are occupying 73 newly built cabanas on the beach.

She said she was hired from Naga City and was part of a 30-member housekeeping staff hired as contractual employees by the provincial government to serve the guests.

“I have been working there for more than two months now and my contract will end in a week’s time (or on April 15). But there will be a housekeeping staff here until the ‘Survivor’ taping is over,” she said.

A printed schedule—shown to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) by an employee of the municipal government of Caramoan on condition of anonymity—states that the duration of the shoot is from March 26 to May 3.

Edwin Remodo, administrator of the municipal government, said a memorandum of agreement (MOA) justifying the building of tourism-related infrastructure in Gota was signed between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Area Management Board and Camarines Sur during the term of then Caramoan Mayor Francis Benimerito.

The provincial government gained the right to manage and administer the Caramoan National Park, specifically Gota beach, which covers around 298 hectares, at the signing of the MOA on March 16, 2005, according to a copy of the agreement furnished the Inquirer.

The signatories were then Environment Secretary Michael Defensor (for the DENR-PAMB) and Villafuerte Jr. (for Camarines Sur).

Mum’s the word

Caramoan Mayor Constantino Cordial was on an official trip when the Inquirer visited his office to seek his comments on the closure of Gota beach.

He refused to issue a statement even on his mobile phone, saying he would rather speak with reporters personally.

In the poblacion, no one could describe the magnitude of the purported “massive developments” at Gota beach.

There is a gag imposed on anyone privy to the activities in the closed-off area, starting with the civilian security men at the outpost near the billboard.

A youthful guard, who said he had come from Naga for the job, expressed the hope that visitors would understand that he was under instructions to disclose nothing, particularly to media people.

A tall man in a red shirt living in one of the huts near the security outpost said some of the residents were opposed to the closure of what used to be a public space.

But the man, who was hired as an occasional laborer for the construction work inside, said he was cooperating because he was optimistic that the developments would benefit the townsfolk themselves.

Vincent Balmaceda, a graduating accountancy student of Ateneo de Naga University who spends each summer vacation in Caramoan with his family, is annoyed that the beach is suddenly off-limits.

But like most other poblacion folk, the 21-year-old knows that the closure is meant to ensure the unhampered filming of “Survivor.”

Reopening in June

Apparently aware of the brickbats generated by the closure of Gota beach, Villafuerte said the beaches in Caramoan were there even before he became governor and that the town had been known as one of the poorer places in the Philippines.

“The problem is now that there are developments ongoing, marami nang nagsusulsol (many tongues are wagging),” he said on the phone.

The model for development in Caramoan is the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), which is enjoyed by rich and poor, Villafuerte said, adding that it should be “maganda (beautiful), accessible and affordable.”

In mid-2006, the provincial government put up the CWC, an extreme-sports facility in a six-ha cable park complex with a 4.5-ha oval artificial lake around a mounted island.

Located in the 118-ha provincial capitol complex, the cable park is second in the country but the first one owned by a local government unit.

P200-M development plan

Villafuerte said the provincial government was “implementing a P200-million development plan” in Caramoan.

“We are working to make the place more accessible by land, air and sea so that it can become a tourist destination,” he said.

He pointed out that Caramoan could be the next Boracay, with the difference that development projects were being carefully planned so it would not become like the latter—“overloaded” and plagued with sewage problems.

He said that in the future, he intends to address the road network and airport facility to make travel easy for visitors.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 24th, 2008, 06:34 PM

caramoan is a paradise,ngayon ko lamang narinig ang lugar na ito i opened the links at talagang napakaganda nito.

fil07

April 24th, 2008, 09:10 PM

2nd part of Bubble Gang in CamSur tonight! Watch 1st part here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rnF1ikVM7nY

garzland

April 25th, 2008, 05:19 AM

^^Wow, pinaggagastusan talaga ngayon ang Caramoan ng provincial government...Few years ago, ala sa radar ng tourism ang Caramoan and now it's all over the news! ::cheers:

aries6210

April 25th, 2008, 06:34 AM

Garz, how can i visit that place when it is closed to the public pala? Are there other places in camsur where i can go and enjoy? Sort of resorts, kc i love nature.

garzland

April 25th, 2008, 06:38 AM

^^You can still visit other areas of Caramoan (just look at the picture that I have posted here). It's only Gota Beach which has been closed.

garzland

April 25th, 2008, 01:51 PM

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9289/04132008328jl3.jpg

-TC-

April 26th, 2008, 05:33 PM

http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/04/20080424.jpg

Here is the full article:

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=132334

‘Survivor’ filming, Hollywood buzz in Bicol town’s beaches
Touted as next Boracay

By Gina Rodriguez, Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
04/24/2008

CARAMOAN, CAMARINES SUR—What’s the buzz in this remote, fourth-class municipality?

Rumors of Hollywood stars being filmed on the peninsula’s beaches of powdery white sand are told by word of mouth and in entertainment teasers, blind items, blogs and online discussion boards.

“It’s ‘Survivor,’” the locals say quickly, even if many of them might not have seen a single episode of this famous reality game show.

“Survivor,” which isolates its contestants in the wilderness to compete for cash and prizes, and is known to choose exotic environments as its location, has been taping its French version’s next season here for 28 days now.

Tourism and provincial government officials are tight-lipped about the taping of “Survivor-France” in Caramoan because of a confidentiality agreement signed with its producers.

And the location shoot has been closed off to keep kibitzers away.

Gota beach in Caramoan’s northeastern coast is the jump-off point to islets of limestone, granite and volcanic rocks scattered by the bay near the Philippine sea.

It is an easy 30-minute tricycle ride from the poblacion (town proper), and it used to be a public place.

But since the onset of summer, a billboard announcing that the area is “temporarily closed” has been prominently displayed at the entrance to the beach in Barangay Ilawod, at least four kilometers away from the town proper.

The billboard says the “massive developments” accompanying the Camarines Sur government’s construction of resort facilities and amenities are underway, and that the closure is for the “safety and security of everybody.”

Hired for exclusive use

Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. said Gota beach was off-limits for three months because it was being rented for exclusive use for filming and to make way for the construction activities.

He said the target reopening date was in June, and that the media would be sent invitations to visit in May.

“How can you open it to the public now when there is filming and construction? Paano kung may makaapak ng pako (What if somebody steps on a nail)?” Villafuerte said in exasperation.

According to the governor, the amenities provided for the production team at the beach are to ensure that they will have a pleasant experience during their stay, “para bumalik (so they will return).”

He said the Caramoan government would benefit much from the development projects in terms of investors and jobs.

“What we’re trying to show here is that with such limited funds, we can earn much through ecotourism,” he said.

2 Hollywood films

Villafuerte confirmed that two Hollywood films are in the works for possible shooting on Caramoan’s picturesque beaches. (The rumor is that one of these stars is California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but Villafuerte neither confirmed nor denied this.)

Sneak peek

Early this month, an 18-year-old in a yellow shirt who was about to report for housekeeping duties at 7 a.m. managed to give kibitzers a peek of what’s happening in Gota.

According to the teenager, who begged not to be named for fear of losing her job, French guests are occupying 73 newly built cabanas on the beach.

She said she was hired from Naga City and was part of a 30-member housekeeping staff hired as contractual employees by the provincial government to serve the guests.

“I have been working there for more than two months now and my contract will end in a week’s time (or on April 15). But there will be a housekeeping staff here until the ‘Survivor’ taping is over,” she said.

A printed schedule—shown to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) by an employee of the municipal government of Caramoan on condition of anonymity—states that the duration of the shoot is from March 26 to May 3.

Edwin Remodo, administrator of the municipal government, said a memorandum of agreement (MOA) justifying the building of tourism-related infrastructure in Gota was signed between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Area Management Board and Camarines Sur during the term of then Caramoan Mayor Francis Benimerito.

The provincial government gained the right to manage and administer the Caramoan National Park, specifically Gota beach, which covers around 298 hectares, at the signing of the MOA on March 16, 2005, according to a copy of the agreement furnished the Inquirer.

The signatories were then Environment Secretary Michael Defensor (for the DENR-PAMB) and Villafuerte Jr. (for Camarines Sur).

Mum’s the word

Caramoan Mayor Constantino Cordial was on an official trip when the Inquirer visited his office to seek his comments on the closure of Gota beach.

He refused to issue a statement even on his mobile phone, saying he would rather speak with reporters personally.

In the poblacion, no one could describe the magnitude of the purported “massive developments” at Gota beach.

There is a gag imposed on anyone privy to the activities in the closed-off area, starting with the civilian security men at the outpost near the billboard.

A youthful guard, who said he had come from Naga for the job, expressed the hope that visitors would understand that he was under instructions to disclose nothing, particularly to media people.

A tall man in a red shirt living in one of the huts near the security outpost said some of the residents were opposed to the closure of what used to be a public space.

But the man, who was hired as an occasional laborer for the construction work inside, said he was cooperating because he was optimistic that the developments would benefit the townsfolk themselves.

Vincent Balmaceda, a graduating accountancy student of Ateneo de Naga University who spends each summer vacation in Caramoan with his family, is annoyed that the beach is suddenly off-limits.

But like most other poblacion folk, the 21-year-old knows that the closure is meant to ensure the unhampered filming of “Survivor.”

Reopening in June

Apparently aware of the brickbats generated by the closure of Gota beach, Villafuerte said the beaches in Caramoan were there even before he became governor and that the town had been known as one of the poorer places in the Philippines.

“The problem is now that there are developments ongoing, marami nang nagsusulsol (many tongues are wagging),” he said on the phone.

The model for development in Caramoan is the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), which is enjoyed by rich and poor, Villafuerte said, adding that it should be “maganda (beautiful), accessible and affordable.”

In mid-2006, the provincial government put up the CWC, an extreme-sports facility in a six-ha cable park complex with a 4.5-ha oval artificial lake around a mounted island.

Located in the 118-ha provincial capitol complex, the cable park is second in the country but the first one owned by a local government unit.

P200-M development plan

Villafuerte said the provincial government was “implementing a P200-million development plan” in Caramoan.

“We are working to make the place more accessible by land, air and sea so that it can become a tourist destination,” he said.

He pointed out that Caramoan could be the next Boracay, with the difference that development projects were being carefully planned so it would not become like the latter—“overloaded” and plagued with sewage problems.

He said that in the future, he intends to address the road network and airport facility to make travel easy for visitors.

-TC-

April 26th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Where Survivor - french version is currently filming..
http://caramoan-paradise.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for this link!

I was at CWC earlier this year and I'm planning to go to Caramoan next time I get the chance to. :)

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 08:18 AM

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

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 08:30 AM

Sustainable economic growth

Side by side, we will speed up growth of the local economy looking outside our
boundaries and creating new opportunities for job and wealth-creation.

Strengthen Naga’s leadership role in Bicol. We will continue to set trends ininvestments and development by leveraging our comparative advantages in good governance. We will create a policy environment that will enable the business sector to pursue and implement innovative ideas for growth. And we will work with other local government units and national government agencies – especially our neighboring towns in Metro Naga and in the region – in pushing Bicol at the top of the country’s tourism destinations.

Improve infrastructure support for the local economy. To secure our role as regional center of trade and commerce, education and culture, we will invest on facilities that will position Naga City as a convention city, anchored on the Coliseum that will finally be completed next year, complimenting private sector investments in the tourism subsector.

Along this line, we will promote the establishment of new lifestyle centers similar to the Avenue Square development, in the process setting new standards in accommodations and other tourism services and facilities to meet international standards. Side by side, we will also develop the full potential of the few tourist attractions we have. For instance, we will invest in the development of Malabsay Falls by providing all weather access to the site.

At the same time, we will support and encourage our education sector to develop new courses, colleges and schools that will meet demands of the national and global economy, and mobilize resources for scholarships to that will grow our “intellectual” and “creative” capital. We will also work with our existing universities and colleges in finding ways of further enhancing our reputation as a University City and regional center of education, especially in terms of improving input, outputs and outcomes.

This shall also be matched with efforts to improve the quality and utilization of our telecommunications facilities that provide the backbone of today’s information superhighway, as well as our transportation connectivity – especially by air – to the country’s top ports of entry.

Promote investments that maximize local labor potentials. Our well-educated people remains our biggest strength and we need to create opportunities that will put their talents to productive use. In this regard, we will prioritize investment promotion in areas where we have the edge, like 2-D and 3-D digital animation where already made inroads, thanks to the Ateneo de Naga University, the University of Nueva Caceres, Philippine Computer Foundation Colleges, WRI and the Animation Council of the Philippines; the challenge is to translate these gains into concrete investments.

We will continue to find other niches in ICT and develop these by promoting
university-based cyberparks/cyberzones that optimize business-academe partnerships. Side by side, we will pursue the development of world-class health and wellness facilities again capitalizing on our human resource, unique cultural heritage, strategic location and the biodiversity of Metro Naga and the Bicol region.

Develop Naga’s investment brand. Finally, we will develop and implement an investment branding program that will complement our solid reputation at the governance side. This effort will leverage on our strengths – as a knowledge and creativity capital, lifestyle center, a livable and green city with a unique urban vitality, and a world-class governance system – to position Naga, set it apart from other areas in the country, build loyalty within the investing community, and build civic pride among Nagueños.

These initiatives are on top of, and will capitalize on, the basics in sustainable urban development: a more livable urban community built around a vibrant city center.

A more livable urban district

Our urban district, particularly our city center, is the face of Naga. But the rapid growth in population and urbanization over the last 15 years has put a lot of strain on its built capacity to the point of saturation. We will therefore manage its development and redevelopment both from the demand and supply side by focusing our capital investments on key infrastructure requirements.

Closing the loop. The original development plan of the city calls for a radialcircumferential pattern of growth. But what we currently have is only half of the city’s circumferential road, where the Centro-Magsaysay jeepneys run in both directions.

We will finally complete our C-1 inner loop by building and concreting a road link between the Jolly Neighbors community in Bayawas to Abella, near the old ice plant. This short link will enable motorists to bypass the city center via Queborac all the way to LCC, exiting to the Maharlika Highway through the underutilized Sabang-Mabulo bridge.

Once this road link is constructed, we can now open a new jeepney route that would ply the Centro-Abella-Queborac-Bagumbayan loop. Once this is in place, a common jeepney terminal for the Camaligan, Canaman and Magarao routes is in order – preferably at the Abella junction of that road link – to promote development of theAbella-Sta. Cruz area and ease up traffic congestion at the major Bagumbayan-Elias Angeles artery.

Two other priority infrastructure projects will complement this move, involving (1) widening of the Liboton section of Magsaysay Avenue, from the corner of
Penafrancia up to Bagumbayan into a three-lane road, and (2) widening of the road section from the national highway up to the Sabang-Mabulo bridge.

Joining up outer radial artery. We will also link up road sections comprising the outer radial artery or R-1 that, once completed, will decongest the traffic-heavy Bagumbayan-Liboton-Penafrancia triangle, especially during peak hours. This involves constructing three key road links:
(1) the Calauag-San Felipe section connecting Villa Karangahan to the Almeda
Street near Maryville Subdivision,
(2) the Balatas-Leon Aureus Street road link connecting Gimenez Subdivision
near the Naga City Science High School campus to the Naga-Cararayan road,
and
(3) the Balatas-Concepcion road link connecting the Naga-Cararayan road to the Maharlika Highway, near the Coca-Cola bottling plant.

Similar to the Centro-Abella-Queborac-Bagumbayan loop to the west, this eastern radial artery will enable motorists from the Tinambac-Calabanga-Magarao area to bypass the city center or even the urban district by way of Kapilihan in Calauag. This will also improve connectivity between CBD 1; CBD 2 anchored on the Central Bus Terminal, the Coliseum and the SM Mall; and the proposed development at the Concepcion Grande area along Almeda Highway southwest of the city.

Urban redevelopment of CBD 1. To provide impetus to the redevelopment of CBD 1, we will adopt the Business Improvement Area (BIA) concept proposed by the UBC graduate students in their planning report to cover the entire area as defined under our laws.

We will authorize the proposed organization of CBD 1 occupants to collect an
additional real property tax levy that can be renewed annually, whose proceeds will accrue exclusively to its coffers. This levy can fund whatever priority redevelopment projects they will identify, to complement the P5 million that the city government will allocate annual for the purpose.

Improvement of CBD 1 sidewalks and walkways. We will also invest part of the P5 million city government counterpart in improving existing sidewalks and walkways within CBD 1, following a uniform design that will give our city center a unique character, thereby promoting its livability.

Dinaga-Lerma bridge. To connect CBD1 to CBD 2, we build a new bridge across Naga River, connecting the PNR Naga station to barangay Dinaga. Fueled by momentum brought about by the SM mall development several blocks away, this will open up the area for redevelopment, probably in partnership with the Philippine National Railways. We will request the national government to realign its budgetaryoutlay for a proposed flyover at the Magsaysay-Panganiban junction towards this priority project.

The Green Naga River walkway. Perhaps the most difficult of all, but something that unifies all sectors we consulted in the effort to update our local plans, is the development of a Naga River walkway spanning the whole stretch of Naga River – from Magsaysay Bridge in Dayangdang to the Tabuco bridge at CBD 1.

Under the original plan prepared by ARD-GOLD consultants, around P120 million is required for this initiative. We will revisit these costs and their assumptions, with the end view of scaling them down to realistic levels. I will also take this opportunity to challenge our local engineering and architectural schools and professional organizations to come up with better, more cost-effective designs for this proposed riverwalk that will enable us to do more with less.

What I envision is a one-lane green river walk on both banks which will enable
pilgrims and devotees of the Virgin of Penafrancia to have a better view of her annual (now semi-annual) procession, along a Naga river that we can all be proud of. We can even organize another BIA around this section of the city to generate additional resources which can help fund this multimillion-peso initiative, primarily as our local counterpart.

This will require the relocation of some settlers and families who have encroached on the riverfront. But guided by our experience with the Kaantabay program, we will sit down with all stakeholders in fashioning a mutually acceptable solution, which we will implement by phase.

We may not be able to complete it within the next three years, but as if often said, a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. What is clear is that we will take that critical first step and do something about Naga River NOW!

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 08:43 AM

^^ I can definitely tell you that you'll enjoy it there. :okay:

People in Caramoan are against the airstrip..

Why so? It's Caramoan's chance to be developed and they're against it?

Where Survivor - french version is currently filming..
http://caramoan-paradise.blogspot.com/

Wow! Thanks for this site! :cheers:

http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/04/20080424.jpg

I've read this article before and I had goosebumps! Caramoan is famous in one flick of a finger!

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 08:55 AM

Czech Republic, Naga City mull new sanitary landfill (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april24/czech.html)

By Jason B. Neola

A MULTIMILLION-PESO garbage facility that operates in accordance with the mandate of Republic Act 9003 is what the City Government of Naga is putting up under the International Development Cooperation Program (IDCP) with the Czech Republic.

RA 9003 provides for an ecological solid waste management program which ensures the protection of the public health and environment.

The same law also ensures the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding incineration.

The Czech Republic, a member-country of democratic and economically developed nations that recognize and accept their share of responsibility in finding solutions to global problems, has tapped the services of the Czech-based consultancy firm Enviros SRO to implement the project.

IDCP is an integral part of the Czech foreign policy that facilitate the materialization of the nation’s global advocacies and principles on international development undertaken based on mutual solidarity and partnership with recipient-countries.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) entered into and by and between the Enviros SRO and the city government, both parties manifested their commitment to:

• Improve the current landfill site performance and reduction of its environmental impact;

• Make and implement feasibility study on landfill gas use;

• Extend support to the finalization of the 10-year Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan including assessment of the new sanitary landfill site and waste water from both old dumpsite and the new sanitary landfill site;

• Make and implement feasibility study on environmentally friendly processing of solid waste including waste-to-energy project; and,

• Capacity/capability-building. Ensuring that the technical, legal and financial issues are properly met, City ENRO chief Oscar Orozco said, the local government is requesting the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic to allocate additional funds approximately $200,000 (P8.4M) to cover the expenses on:

• Technical expertise and feasibility study preparation for the new sanitary landfill including hydrological, geological and topographical survey of the site;

• Social marketing activities, equipments, and trainings;

• Technical equipments of dumpsite; and,

• Feasibility study for the anaerobic digestion plant.

By 2010, with the completion of the Czech Republic-Naga City sanitary landfill project, the present dumpsite in Barangay Balatas, described as hazardous to health, is expected to finally be closed.

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 09:03 AM

9 young Bicol studes in Math boot camp (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april24/studes.html)

FIVE elementary school students and four high school students from Naga City and Legazpi City recently completed the highly competitive and grueling 2008 Young Mathematicians’ Intensive In-house Training Program, or Math Boot Camp, held March 23-28 and March 31-April 3 in Tagaytay City and Cebu City, respectively.

The five high school qualifiers from Bicol are:
Angela Gabrielle Tuason of Aquinas University Science High School, First Year qualifier;

Bennyvic Joyce Esguerra of Camarines Sur National High School, Third Year qualifier;

Kim Araya of Ateneo de Naga University, Fourth Year qualifier;

Aimee Masalunga of Naga Hope Christian School, Fourth Year qualifier; and

Francis Paolo Adoremos of St. Agnes Academy (Legazpi City), Fourth Year alternate.

The 4 elementary school qualifiers are:

Danica Mae Berunio of Blessed Light International Christian School of Naga City, Grade 4 qualifier;

Jeremy Charles Zantua of Naga Parochial School, Grade 4 alternate;

Richard Milante of Legazpi Hope Christian School, Grade 6 qualifier; and

Yvonne Gaile Molina of Blessed Light International Christian School of Naga City, Grade 6 alternate.

The 4-day Math Boot Camp is a gathering of the brightest young mathematical minds from all over the country. It is being conducted under the auspices of the Mathematical Trainers’ Guild, (MTG) Philippines, an organization committed to promoting advanced math education in the Philippines through competitions.

The MTG makes a pool of students that will represent the country in future international math competitions.

At the in-house training program, the participants were whisked into a summer camp-like atmosphere filled with challenging math activities. They underwent marathon sessions on advanced math topics, dissect Olympiad-caliber problems and answer mind-wrecking examinations.

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 09:28 AM

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5996/04202008492wu4.jpg

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 09:30 AM

NCF places 11th in Nursing exams (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april24/ncf.html)

NERI Grace R. Zapata of the Naga College Foundation placed 11th in the Nursing Licensure Examination given by the Professional Regulations Commission last June 2007.

NCF’s nursing education is one of the most in-demand programs in the province. It takes pride in its outstanding performance in the nursing licensure exams since its College of Nursing was established over a decade ago.

NCF is committed in providing affordable yet quality education especially in the field of health care.

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 09:30 AM

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/welcome_03.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/welcome_04.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/welcome_05.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/welcome_06.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/welcome_07.jpghttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/welcome_08.jpg

Wala lang. Ano news about Haciendas de Naga?

kevinb

April 27th, 2008, 09:35 AM

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/kevinb_3410/USIFACADE1.jpg

The very first normal school for girls in the Far East

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 09:43 AM

^^Ala akong news tungkol diyan.. Pero on-going na siguro ang project na iyan kasi matagal na kaso lang wala sa news.. Siguro pagnaginaguration na...

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 10:22 AM

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5223/153437821e93628815booe1.jpg

Taken by: JoeyBaby (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeyboy/153437821/)

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 10:27 AM

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8785/855564145fdc0b2a038ozo5.jpg

Taken by:jerrylimlee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerrylimlee/855564145/)

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 10:34 AM

Local artists liven up plaza with music, poetry (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/april24/artists.html)
By Kabulig-Writers Bureaus

BEFORE the advent of malls and fast food chains, the plazas held greater importance to the public life of the people. And it is on this note that the local government of Naga through its Committee for Culture and Arts chaired by Councilor Badette Roco organized a three month-long program aptly called ‘Arts in the Heart of Bicol’. It ushered to the center stage different cultural groups in the city and nearby towns.

The program aims to highlight the cultural vibrancy of the city and bring to the larger populace the local artists who keep alive and strong the artistic traditions in Bicol through their music, thespian talents, and creative writings.

Last April 17, 2008, another cultural show was held at the plaza which topbilled Kaiba Ka, Ateneo de Naga Chorale, Pili Dramatics Guild, the Bikol Express (a group that produces documentary films on Bicol) and the members of the Kabulig-Writers Group.

Composed of award winning writers Carlos Arejola, Vic Nierva, Rizaldy Manrique, Estelito Jacob, Boboy Aguay, Judith Salamat, Jo Bisuña, Aida Cirujales, Issa Casillan and Kristian Cordero, the writers read aloud their rawitdawit (poetry) and engaged in tigsik (an indigenous folk poetry) to the delight of the audience and plaza habitués.

Dubbed Kantaramon 2, the cultural show was the second activity sponsored by Kabulig which is celebrating its 15th founding anniversary this year. Among the first members of Kabulig are Frank Peñones, Naga City Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado and Honesto Pesimo Jr. They continue to write and support the activities of the literary group. Other active members of the group are based in Albay, Manila and abroad like Abdon Balde Jr., Marne Kilates, Merlinda Bobis, Paz Verdades Santos, Luis Cabalquinto and Gode Calleja.

UP Professor-Emeritus Maria Lilia F. Realubit, one of pioneering scholars on Bicol studies also graced the occasion together with students,faculty members and representatives from the business sector and the local government of Naga.

After the poetry reading and the musical numbers performed by Kaiba Ka, the Bikol Express ran on the giant screen their documentary feature on the Albay island town of Rapu-Rapu.

The cultural presentation was aired live on SkyCable.

fil07

April 27th, 2008, 01:51 PM

^^^
What's next after CWC and Caramoan? Buhi!

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 02:41 PM

^^Probably, but I guess infrastructure needs to be addressed first in that place... It's different from Caramoan...

garzland

April 27th, 2008, 04:16 PM

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7135/2122381084c49e8ec3b7orh1.jpg

This noodle dish is similar to the everyday mami except for a topping of what looked like a Pansit Palabok sauce, and the meaty dark soup made from boiling a cow or a pig’s head until the flesh fell off. Hence, the name kinalas.

Taken by: My Visita Iglesia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigberto/2122381084/)

fil07

April 27th, 2008, 05:44 PM

CWC is in 2nd District, Caramoan is in Partido while Buhi is in Rinconda. What is the project of LRay for 1st District?

tracymack

April 28th, 2008, 05:13 AM

^^Wow! Nakakagutom naman yan.. :drool:

Mond87

April 28th, 2008, 10:16 AM

1st district is the worst district of CamSur I've been to as far as roads are concerned. I hope it's a lot better now...

kevinb

April 28th, 2008, 10:27 AM

^^ Na-miss kolugod ang kinalas. :(

garzland

April 28th, 2008, 10:35 AM

^^Ang sarap talaga niyan kaya lang risky sa health hehehe

kevinb

April 28th, 2008, 10:39 AM

^^ High blood!!:lol:

garzland

April 28th, 2008, 10:41 AM

^^Ano pa man. Kaya kahit masarap bihra me niyan kumain

kevinb

April 28th, 2008, 11:18 AM

NAGA CITY 160,516
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 Pequeño 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 (Pob.) 953
San Isidro 2,053
Santa Cruz 6,879
Tabuco 4,034
Tinago 3,521
Triangulo 7,658

Population as of August 1, 2007

garzland

April 29th, 2008, 01:55 PM

^^From 135,000 to 160,000. Grabe rin pala ang increase..

fil07

April 29th, 2008, 04:27 PM

Kabali na dyan si mga Taiwanese? :D

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 05:55 AM

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7710/04132008347di4.jpg

aries6210

April 30th, 2008, 06:42 AM

What is that building? It looks like the upper floor is a semi-condo type units or an office building. But, does it have an occupants on the 1st floor?

tracymack

April 30th, 2008, 06:58 AM

^^Ang sarap talaga niyan kaya lang risky sa health hehehe
Sad. Pag masarap usually hindi healthy. :(

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 07:01 AM

^^Yes, it has. I took that picture early morning that's why the first floor is still closed. It is a solely an office building I think. I find the tree beautiful. It's like autumn there hehehe

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 07:03 AM

Sad. Pag masarap usually hindi healthy. :(

Yun nga hehehe. Kaya nga bihira na ako talaga niyan kumain siguro once every 2 months.... Noon, palagi ako kumakain niyan , ngayon na lang ako nagkontrol :) Pero masarap talaga, itry ninyo pagpumunta kayo ng Naga.

tracymack

April 30th, 2008, 07:07 AM

^^Wala bang resto sa metro manila na nagse-serve nyan? :)

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 09:38 AM

^^Wala... Talagang dito lang sa Naga 'yan makikita. Siguro pagmagtayo na ako ng restaurant ko jan, joke lang po. :lol:

tracymack

April 30th, 2008, 10:05 AM

^^Ayos! Hihintayin ko yan. :lol:

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 10:07 AM

^^Cge, ang unang branch diyan sa lugar mo tracymack, Urdaneta. Garzland's Special Kinalas :lol:

tracymack

April 30th, 2008, 10:20 AM

^^Sakto! Wala kang magiging problem sa ingredients mo. Urdaneta has the biggest cattle market in the north. :lol:

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 10:35 AM

^^Tama pala, kahit di na ako magfeasibility study. And besides your city is fast developing That means it can support my business :lol: kala mo totoo.

garzland

April 30th, 2008, 10:36 AM

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7055/04132008386lo1.jpg

It's used to be occupied by Roberto's Food Express and now it's LBC....

kevinb

May 1st, 2008, 08:50 AM

^^ When it was being redeveloped, it doesn't look like it's gonna be a bank. It was more of another kind of resto. Next to it is DigiPrint. What would be on the other side of LBC Bank?

Kabali na dyan si mga Taiwanese? :D

Dai ta sure. :lol:

What is that building? It looks like the upper floor is a semi-condo type units or an office building. But, does it have an occupants on the 1st floor?

That's a commercial building. It's Quedancor, Quezon Development and Credit Corp. :)

NightDog

May 1st, 2008, 01:00 PM

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7135/2122381084c49e8ec3b7orh1.jpg

@garzland, naglaway ako dito a. ang tagal ko na pabalik balik dyan sa camarines sur hindi man lang ako pinatikim nito ni esmi. parang batchoy din sya ng mga ilonggo kaso medyo malapot lang ang sabaw nitong kinalas at malalaki ang pancit.

garzland

May 1st, 2008, 03:22 PM

^^Yup, malapot lang nga ang sabaw niyan. Pano mo nalaman na malapot pala e di mo pa natikman, nightdog?

Wi, kita nga pala yung sauce hehehe

garzland

May 1st, 2008, 03:23 PM

^^ When it was being redeveloped, it doesn't look like it's gonna be a bank. It was more of another kind of resto. Next to it is DigiPrint. What would be on the other side of LBC Bank?

I think wala.

axel(08)brixx

May 1st, 2008, 06:30 PM

tracymack

May 1st, 2008, 07:51 PM

^^Tama pala, kahit di na ako magfeasibility study. And besides your city is fast developing That means it can support my business :lol: kala mo totoo.
Hindi ba? :lol: :jk:

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 01:29 AM

hamag an ta garu pagkasiram - siram kaang KINALAS na an...^8^V

ta hilinga iyo pigo ming hiling pag mina kakan aq ...wahahahhaha

-----Sana maging famous din yan gaya ng ibang noodle soup-----

Umuwi pala mom q sa Lagonoy last April 19,,,,Hmmmm ganda na daw sa Naga City kahit gabi na...!!

sana may kumuha rin ng Night Shot ng Downtown Naga jusk like what they always did in Legazpi ...Hmmm i wonder saan naman kaya ang pwesto nila,,,, sa Mt. Isarog ...wahahahhaha ^8^

Naga City Rock :banana::banana::banana:

Hali pa lang ako duman sa Lagonoy kansuodman, namyesta man ako duman. Mayo pa talgang aerial shot ang Naga masakit kaya ta mayo ning bulod na pwedeng mapwestohan unlike sa Legaspi igwang Ligñon Hill na pweden pwestohan kaya igwa pirming aerial shot. Nuarin ka man mabalik nin Naga? Pagdigdi mo magkakan ka ning Kinalas hehehe Igwa palan ako ning pic nin Lagonoy ipost ko atyan. hehehe

Hindi ba? :lol: :jk:

Hindi po :lol:

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 02:23 AM

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7312/05012008571yf3.jpg

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 02:24 AM

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6329/05012008576kz1.jpg

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 02:27 AM

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8652/05012008572gf4.jpg

It's a bit messy because of the concert held there last night with 6cyclemind and Katya Santos.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 02:41 AM

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/7461/05012008561xl8.jpg

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9501/05012008560wk3.jpg

NightDog

May 2nd, 2008, 02:47 AM

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/8646/22941273a41ec60633owc4.jpg

to pinangat natikman ko na to, di ba ito yung nakabalot sa dahon ng kamoteng kahoy?

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 02:50 AM

^^Gabi leaves ata ang nakabalot diyan hindi kamoteng kahoy. Masarap din yan lalo na kung mga puro lang ang sangkap...

tracymack

May 2nd, 2008, 03:59 AM

@garzland

Kelan ang target date para sa opening ng SM Naga?

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 04:06 AM

^^First quarter of next year fully operational na sila, tracymack.

tracymack

May 2nd, 2008, 04:26 AM

Wow, congrats!

fil07

May 2nd, 2008, 04:46 AM

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7312/05012008571yf3.jpg

Huwaaaaaat?

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 05:37 AM

^^:lol: Nashock ka ata!

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:03 AM

^^Thanks, wish you're here during opening hehehe

tracymack

May 2nd, 2008, 06:15 AM

^^Pwede rin pero mas ok kung umpisahan na yung SM Urdaneta. :) Haaayyy... Nakakainip.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:24 AM

^^There will be an SM Urdaneta? Then in that case there will be 2 SM Malls in Pangasinan wherein 1 is already in progress in Rosales. Congrats then!

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:28 AM

WELCOME

TO

CAMARINES NORTE
(Bicolandia's Goldmine)

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9195/33375386qs8.png

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2168/camnortemh1.png

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The province of Camarines Norte is found in the northern coast of the Bicol peninsula, which forms the southeastern section of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago.

One of the six provinces that make up Region V, it is bounded on the north by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by San Miguel Bay, on the west by Lamon Bay, and on the south by Quezon province and the adjoining province of Camarines Sur.

It is characterized by rolling hills and mountains in the interior, and the fertile plains and valleys along the coast. The land of the province is largely within the 0-8% slope, with 72,483 hectares or 32.95% of the total land area.

GEOGRAPHY
The province is bounded on the north by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by San Miguel Bay, on the west by Lamon Bay, and on the south by Quezon province and the adjoining province of Camarines Sur. It has a total land area of 220,012 hectares or 2,200 square kilometers, which is 12.4 % of the total Bicol area and 0.73% of the total Philippine area.
spacer spacerPOLITICAL SUBDIVISION
Camarines Norte is composed of twelve municipalities, namely: Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Sta. Elena, Talisay, and Vinzons. It has a total of 282 barangays. Labo has the biggest land area and the most number of barangays; Talisay is the smallest town; and San Vicente has the least number of barangays.

POPULATION
The population of the province in 2000 was 458,840, roughly 10% of the region’s population.

LANGUAGE
Bicol is the major dialect spoken, along with Tagalog and English.
spacer spacerCLIMATE
Camarines Norte belongs to the second type of climate with no dry season and with a very pronounced maximum rain period from November to January. Average annual rainfall in 2000 was 389.58 millimeters. Average temperature is 27.3 oC. The coolest months are January and February and the warmest is May.

Major Industries
There are four major manufacturing and processing industries in the province, which are given priority in terms of promotion and development. These are jewelry craft, gifts/toys/housewares, pineapple and coconut industry.

tracymack

May 2nd, 2008, 06:29 AM

^^Depende kung di nila ini-scrap yung plan for SM City Urdaneta. Nauna nilang binili yung 15+ hectare na property sa Urdaneta pero nagkaproblema. I'm not sure kung sa land title or sa "SOP". 2004 pa dapat nag-open ang SM Urdaneta (see article below). Nainip siguro ang SM kaya bumili sila ng 8 hectare property sa Rosales which is already under construction. Meron din silang 14 hectare property sa Dagupan.

Anyway, Off Topic na tayo. We can discuss this in the Pangasinan thread if you want.

It appears that mall developers are now setting their sights on provincial growth areas as Metro Manila is increasingly saturated with retail space. Retail projects bared by major developers during the quarter would include:

• Ayala Land Inc. is reportedly looking at areas to build a commercial center in the Angeles City area in Pampanga.
• Robinsons Land Corp. has allocated P3-billion for six malls to be constructed this year including sites in Lipa, Batangas; Cainta, Rizal and Dasmariñas, Cavite.
• SM Prime Holdings will open three new malls before year-end in Baguio City, Marilao, Bulacan and Lucena City, Quezon. In 2004, three more malls will be opened in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Batangas City.

Source: http://www.colliers.com/Content/Repositories/Base/Markets/Philippines/English/Market_Report/PDFs/knwldgapr03.pdf

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:30 AM

History

From 1573 to 1829, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte formed only one political unit known as Ambos Camarines. They were separated in 1829 but reunited in 1854. They again separated; to be reunited again in 1893. This union continued until 1919. On March 3, 1919, Camarines Norte was finally segregated from Ambos Camarines by the Philippine Legislature in Act 2809.

When Camarines Norte was separated from Ambos Camarines in 1829, it was assigned the towns of Daet (capital), Talisay, Indan (now Vinzons), Labo, Paracale, Mambulao (now Jose Panganiban), Capalonga, Ragay, Lupi, and Sipocot. Seventeen years later, it lost Sipocot, Lupi, and Ragay to Camarines Sur in exchange for the town of Siruma.

Juan de Salcedo, dispatched by Legaspi to explore the island in 1571, influenced the existence of Camarines Norte. After subduing Taytay and Cainta, he marched further across Laguna and Tayabas. He visited the gold-laden towns of Mambulao and Paracale, obsessed by what he heard from natives of there existing gold mines in these towns.

When Francisco de Sande took over from Legaspi as Governor-General, Spanish influence started to be felt in the region. He established a permanent garrison in Naga to control the region and defend it from Chinese and Muslim pirates. Captain Pedro de Chavez was assigned to head this force.

There were already native settlements in the province when the Spaniards arrived. The flourishing towns of Mambulao and Paracale were two of them. Indan and Daet were the other settlements, besides Capalonga and others. But Paracale remained the most sought after, the most prosperous, because of its gold mines.

The towns were chiefly inhabited by Tagalogs; the rest were of Visayan strain. However, most of the immigrants were from Mauban, Quezon. The Spanish missionaries did not falter in their mission to christianize the natives.

By virtue of Act 2809 of March 3, 1919 Governor General F.B. Harisson separated Camarines Norte from Camarines Sur, later appointing Don Miguel R. Lukban as its first Governor. At present it has 12 towns: Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Sta. Elena, Talisay, and Vinzons. Daet remained as its capital town.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:32 AM

Famous For...

Pineapple
The Camarines Norte Queen, pineapple is a fruit extensively cultivated in Camarines Norte. Of the top ten pinapple producing provinces, Camarines Norte ranked 4th in terms of area plated. The “Queen” variety is highly adopted to the soil and climatic condition of the province. It is grown largely as a coconut intercrop with an average planting density of 30,000.00 plants per hectare. Of the 98,000 hectares coconut areas of the province, 50% is available for pineapple production. In open areas, planting density is 35,000 per hectare.
The fruit has a tapering shape, deep eyes, yellow rind to deep yellow flesh color. It has a small core compared to other varieties and it has a crisp texture, rich flavor, and distinct sweetness.
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Coconut
The area devoted to coconut in the province in 1999 had been about 97,787.85 hectares. Total number of coconut trees is accounted to about 8,326,206 (7,303.362 bearing and 1,022,844 non-bearing) with an average production of 30 nuts per tree per year while coconut farmers totalled to 24,220.

Fishing
Nine municipalities of the province consisting of about 84 coastal barangays are located along Lamon and San Miguel Bays and the Pacific Ocean, considered major fishing grounds in the country. Municipal fishing accounts for 7,516.5 metric tons of produce, about 10,698 fishermen, and about 10,254.25 MT. for 79 commercial fishing vessels registered. There are two major fishing ports located in Mercedes and Jose Panganiban and seven minor ports. Five cold storage facilities are operating in Mercedes, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, and Labo.

First Rizal Monument
The first Philippine monument to the National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, can be found in Daet. This historical landmark stands on the corner of Magallanes and Justo Lukban Streets, facing the Daet Municipal Hall. It is a three-tiered stone pylon with its square base supporting a triangle in two stages, the last one tapering off to a point. Built in 1898, the First Monument of Rizal in the Philippines is located across the Old Daet Municipal Hall. Its foundation, it is believed, is made of mortars and boulders from the demolished Old Spanish Jail in Daet where many patriots died, making it historically and culturally significant.

Provincial Capitol
Camarines Norte has one of the most beautiful Provincial Capitols in the entire country. Reconstructed from 1986 -1995, it provides a permanent seat for the Provincial Government. It has 12 big front columns or posts representing the 12 municipalities of the province.

Bagasbas Beach
The most popular beach resort in the province is in Barangay Bagasbas, Daet. You reach it after a five-minute ride on any type of motor vehicle from Daet poblacion. The beach has a long and wide expanse of fine gray sand. During clear but windy days, the big waves that roll in from the Pacific Ocean make it a paradise for surfing beginners and afficionados. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Mercedes Group of Islands
The islands can be reached in an about 30 to 45 minute motorboat ride from Mercedes town proper. The major attractions in these islands are its clean white beaches, corrals, underwater sceneries, rock formations, and fish sanctuary. Additional come-ons are scenic landscapes and seascapes, the attractive lighthouse in Canimog island, unexplored Canton cave, and the different types of seashells and tropical fishes that abound. The place is good for island hopping, swimming, bird watching, boating, snorkeling, trekking, scuba diving, golf in Apuao Grande Resort, jet skiing, spear fishing, and other related activities.

Mangcamagong Beach
This is a clean gray beach facing San Miguel Bay with clear water suitable for swimming and outings. Its scenic and peaceful ambience provides excursionists and tourists a nice place for relaxation. Cottages, restrooms, roadside eateries, and sheds are available to tourists at reasonable prices. Here, you can broil capiz shells – a delicacy.

Mampurog River
This river is wide with clear and deep cold water, a nice place to wade in and explore. It is a very popular choice for swimming, excursions, and picnics during summer.
Palay. Rice areas in the province are composed of 6,412.38 hectares of irrigated farms and 3,162 hectares of rain-fed land. The major rice growing areas are Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, Labo, and Basud. In 2000, the province harvested 53,644.12 metric tons of rice grains in two croppings.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:42 AM

Things to Do and see in Camarines Norte...

Historical

Town of Vinzons
The town of Indan was renamed Vinzons in honor of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, a hero during the Japanese War. His residence has been converted into a shrine and public library containing his memorabilia.

Jose Panganiban’s Monument
Located right in front of the Municipal Hall of Jose Panganiban, it is where the remains of the martyr have been interred.

Laniton Park
It is the site of the first guerilla encounters against the Japanese Imperial Army. It is located in Basud, some 15 to 20 minutes from Daet.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 06:49 AM

Natural

Mananap Falls
Located in San Vicente, roughly 18 kilometers west of the capital. To reach it, one has to hike uphill for two kilometers but the deep cool waters of the falls are worth the climb.

Imee-Irene Twin Falls
Located in Sta. Elena, it is still virtually unexplored because of its great distance from Daet.

Colasi Falls
Located in Colasi Mercedes, it is an aesthetic falls in the midst of the forest which could be reached through hiking. The falls has an approximate height of 70 ft. offering a good place for swimmers and nature lovers because of its flashing blue cool water. It can be reached in about one hour by jeepney from Daet to Baronage Colasi plus a 3-hour hike from Colasi to the falls.

Bagasbas Beach
The most popular beach in the province can be found 5 km. from downtown Daet or about 10 minutes by land. A wide white sand beach, it is ideal for swimming, beachcombing, and summer outings and picnics.

Lanot Beach
Fascinating for its spring; 30 km. south of Daet. Barangay Lanot of Mercedes can be reached by banca or motorboat through Barangay Hinipaan, 15 km. from Daet.

Pag-asa Beach
Located 46 km. northwest of Daet and 3 km. from Jose Panganiban. Popular among swimmers, picknickers, and promenaders.

Itok Falls
Located about 79 km. northwest of Daet, 4 km. west of Capalonga. Fresh and lush foliage and vegetation make it more romantic; its scenic vista soothes tired souls and heavy hearts.

Canton Cave
It can be reached in 45 minutes by motorboat from Mercedes town; inviting to the adventurous; exploring it is timed with the tide’s ebb and flow.

San Jose Beach
Wide beach with fine sand; a 15-minute ride from Daet and Talisay; ideal for picnics and swimming.

Pulang Daga Beach
It can be reached in two hours by bus from Daet and Paracale; frequented by picknickers and swimmers; made a setting for a film; clean white sands and swimming-safe cove; with cottages for rent.

Mampurog River
A 15 minute ride by jeepney, southwest of Daet along the San Lorenzo Ruiz-Daet road; ideal for bathers, swimmers, picknickers and campers.

Apuao Grande Island Resort
It can be reached in 15 to 30 minutes by motorboat from Mercedes; complete with hotel/cottages, swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and a golf course; caters mostly to foreign tourists.

Bulalakao Beach
Crystal clear water and white sandy shores; located at Luklukan Sur, about 9 km. from Jose Panganiban town proper; inviting to swimmers and picknickers.

Calalanay Island Beach
Located in Calaguas Island, Vinzons.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 07:02 AM

Religious

Black Nazarene
The Capalonga Fiesta in honor of the Black Nazarene draws devotees from all over the country. The image is said to be miraculous and its feast is particularly celebrated by Chinese businessmen from all over the country, who pay annual homage and ask for long life and good fortune.

Senakulo
The observance of the lenten season is also done through a Senakulo, a re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ every Good Friday in the municipality of Paracale.

Huli White
Fluvial procession in Vinzons in honor of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia in Daet, which takes place a week after the Peñafrancia celebration in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Vinzons Catholic Church
One of the oldest churches in the Philippines; located at Vinzons town proper, which celebrated its 400th year anniversary in 1981.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 07:05 AM

Man-Made

Bitukang Manok
The DPWH rest house in the Bicol Natural Park. Located about 21 km. from Daet; 35 minutes by bus or jeepney; features winding road, lush vegetation; ideal for camping and picknicking.

tracymack

May 2nd, 2008, 07:07 AM

Wow! Brand spankin' new thread! Hello Camarines Norte! :wave:

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 07:08 AM

Festivals

Pineapple Festival (June 15-22)
It showcases the famous and sweetest queen pineapple of the “Formosa” variety abundantly growing in the different municipalities of the province. It also highlights the unique and interesting features of the place and its people.

Foundation Day of Camarines Norte (April 15)
A week-long celebration of the foundation anniversary of the province. Highlighted by a commemorative mass, civic military parade, agro-industrial fair, exhibits, sports festivals.

Vinzons Day (September 28)
Commemorative of the birth anniversary of hero Wenceslao “Bintao” Q. Vinzons, Sr., native of Vinzons (formerly Indan). Highlights consist of a commemorative mass and program, lecture-forum on the life of the hero, DBC/LYRE competition, parade.

Pabirik Festival (January 26 – February 2)
A festival showcasing the rich mining industry in the town of Paracale. The festival is a presentation of its distinct culture and people’s way of life through street presentation, exhibits, and competitions. It also puts into focus their town fiesta on February 2.

Palong Festival (May 10-13)
Highlighted by streetdancing and agro-industrial fair which expresses the local folks’ gratitude for their town’s name’s etymology, and signifies the abundant presence of roosters available in the locality. Held also in celebration of the Black Nazarene’s Feast Day on May 13 at the town of Capalonga.

Sea Foods Festival (October 24)
A celebration featuring the distinct variety of fish available in the town of Basud. The presentation includes food fair, exhibits, and sea-related competitions such as bancathon and fishing.

Busig-On Festival (September 8)
A festival based on the epic of Busig-On of Labo town, which exemplifies heroism and Bikolano values. The festival features the town’s distinct historical values and sentiments through talent and skills competitions featuring the town’s places of interest.

Animal Festival (October 4)
A celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, considered to be the patron of livestock raisers, which highlights the local history and culture. The festivity includes street dancing, beauty search, and skills competitions.

Kadagatan Festival (August 18)
A festival conducted in the town of Mercedes featuring various dishes from the bounty of the sea. Highlights are presentation of boat racing, street dancing in colorful attire, beauty search, exhibits and other competitions.

Boyoboy Festival (November 8)
A week-long celebration aimed to promote agricultural products, especially the Queen pineapple and tourism as a whole. “Boyoboy,” which literally means ”pagkaborogkos” in the vernacular, depicts the unique post harvest activity locally practiced by the people. Highlights are the industrial fair, beauty tilt, cultural presentation, investment program, and different sports events. San Lorenzo Ruiz is the origin and home of the Queen pineapple which has made Camarines Norte famous.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 07:11 AM

Economic

Mercedes Fishing Village/Community
Quaint for its original way of bidding fish catch by whisper; virtually the hub of the fishing industry of the province; interesting to sociologists, social scientists, sociology buffs because of quaint customs related with the fishing industry; also features fluvial procession during its town fiesta every June 13 called “Caracol”; at the height of the fishing season, its bay fills with fishing vessels.

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 07:25 AM

Provincial Capitol of Camarines Norte

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8831/camnorteprovincialcapitpf4.png

Taken by: islandboyinthecity3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/islandboyinthecity3/521938249/
)

Vinzon's Church

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/663/vinzonschurchzm9.png

Taken by: volkanoboy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/volkanoboy/47872413/)

axel(08)brixx

May 2nd, 2008, 11:29 AM

^^There will be an SM Urdaneta? Then in that case there will be 2 SM Malls in Pangasinan wherein 1 is already in progress in Rosales. Congrats then!

wew ... so parang it shows only that the province is progressive ..Hmmm i think malaki ang population ng Pangasinan that means maraming mamimili ideal para sa mga Mall business...^8^

At least we have one in Naga City ... ^8^

papz auz ba ang piyesta sa Town namin sain ka man nag dagos? Do u have relatives there? Taga Bgry. Himagtocon palan kami ...uncle q kapitan don ..when you see Hills and Mountain at far, sa harap ng Municipal Hall place namin un ...^8^

Naga City Rock :banana::banana::banana:

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 12:20 PM

^^May relative kami sa Dahat, nakifiesta kami sa mga friends ko na taga doon. Ang Brgy. Dahat pigaagihan paHimagtocon.

axel(08)brixx

May 2nd, 2008, 02:47 PM

^^May relative kami sa Dahat, nakifiesta kami sa mga friends ko na taga doon. Ang Brgy. Dahat pigaagihan paHimagtocon.

Cool naman Papz ^8^

aw we're very close naman pala pag dating sa Place...like any other place in any provinces..people here knew each other especially the oldies ...Hmmmm gabos baga bistado kang mga tawo maski taga Maynila ka pa basta banggitin mo lang ang surname mo tyak aram na...^8^

I think relative q rin ang kapitan jan kasi NAVEA surname nya?...there's lot of relatives living in DAHAT ... yeah derecho lang sa way na un ang Himagtocon, try mo papz malinis ang river dun...kasi dun ang start ng river..galing sa Sulpo Falls....!!

how i miss that place naman talaga very rural pa & the beautiful view of Mt. Isarog from it ...Hmmmm

Naga City Rock :banana::banana::banana:

garzland

May 2nd, 2008, 02:51 PM

^^Actually, nakaparigos na ako duman sa river sa Himagtocon kaso aki pa ako pero natatandaan ko pa man itong lugar na ito.

garzland

May 3rd, 2008, 04:07 AM

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6052/259526739ee7b47ca76ouz8.jpg

Taken by: mystical selzki (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mystical_selzki/259526739/)

garzland

May 3rd, 2008, 07:04 AM

Daet's Modern Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4208/2119609114482fb41a3aohv0.jpg

The Cathedral's main altar

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/2276/2118830305c593b4036bobw6.jpg

Photos taken by: My Visita Iglesia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigberto/2119609114/in/photostream/)

garzland

May 3rd, 2008, 07:15 AM

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7626/gabibr2.png

Taken by: nikita2471 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikita2471/2447885989/in/photostream/)

garzland

May 3rd, 2008, 08:38 AM

CamSur prepares for Kaogma fest (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may1/prepares.html)
By Ivy Joy L. Pelonia and Vanessa Tañamor

THE events for the hottest summer festival, Kaogma of Camarines Sur are all set.

Celebrating the 429th Foundation Anniversary of the province, the provincial government through the provincial tourism office has laid out all preparations for the upcoming festival.

Marife Maralit, Supervising Tourism Operation Officer, said the provincial government is more than ready to give Camarinenses the fun and thrill of the most colorful summer festival in Bicol.

“We have enough budget for all the events and have prepared well for the big event,” Maralit said.

The weeklong parade of activities will showcase the strength, beauty, skills and talents of Bicolanos and the greatness of Camarines Sur.

Activities include Kaogma extreme kick-off, Hot-buys trade fair, Dalan sa Kalangitan singing contest, Hot kids, Miss Kaogma, Buruntolan, Mountain bike championship, CWC party, Dance hotta competition, Hot Banda Jam, Click Cam. Sur and Cam. Sur birit.

Maralit added that the trade fair will be participated in by local suppliers to promote Bicol products.

garzland

May 3rd, 2008, 08:42 AM

Naga Animation fest reels off May 9 (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may1/animation.html)

Setting the stage for Naga-based 2D/3D animators and investors looking for bright prospects in cutting-edge animation technology, Nag-aAnim8 2008 is scheduled May 9 and 10 at the city’s strategic venues.

Partnering with the Canadian International Development Agency-Pearl2, Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Ateneo de Naga University and Avenue Square, the City Government of Naga through the Naga City Investment Board (NCIB) envisions the animation festival to bring to fore the Naga City advantage in the booming animation industry. “The focus of this year’s event is mainly on the vast potentials of the city’s human resource in the field of animation and how we can strengthen small and medium enterprises engaged in animation works,” quips Reuel Oliver, NCIB Executive Director.

The inauguration of the Creative Media Center, a 100 square meter production facility housed at the ground floor of the Raul S. Roco Library, which boasts of state-of-the-art equipment and tools, coincides with the culminating activity of the first batch of trainors that the city’s human resource capability program has so far produced since its inception six months ago.

Exhibits featuring sample works from different academic institutions with animation courses and SMEs engaged in animation services opens at the Avenue Square al fresco area beginning May 9, from 6 to 10 in the evening.

A cocktail party caps the event highlighted by a MOA signing, preview of the animated short Danaw nin Kaogmahan (Lake Happiness)-- an original Naga City animated production-- and a convergence of key players of the city’s animation industry in the relaxing and forward-looking ambience of Naga’s nightlife at Lolo’s Bar 7 p.m. of the same day.

The series of activities marks the culmination of projects undertaken by the NCIB with its project partners to develop human resource for animation and strengthen the sector.

kevinb

May 3rd, 2008, 09:00 AM

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/7461/05012008561xl8.jpg

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9501/05012008560wk3.jpg

Ang tagal naman ng construction. Sana bukas opening na ng SM. :nuts: :lol:

^^Thanks, wish you're here during opening hehehe

Hmmmm... I smell love in the air... :lol:

kevinb

May 3rd, 2008, 09:02 AM

Naga City leads way in e-governance (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=116790)

By DAVID DIZON
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Local government units have much to learn from Naga City's program to use information technology tools to improve governance.

Reuel Oliver, representative of Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, said use of the Internet and mobile technology to improve service delivery to Naga's constituents started as early as 1997 when the city's Web site was first launched.

"In 1997, Naga City was one of the first LGUs in the country to go on the Internet through its own Web site. After the launch, it took three years before we would finally update the site. We realized that we had to use the Web as a tool to empower the people," Oliver said during an ICT forum in Makati City.

Another reason for tapping technology to promote people empowerment came after Robredo realized that not all of his constituents were being given a chance to air their opinions on the city government's programs. This, despite regular forums where nongovernment organizations and other groups were asked to help in the policy-making process of the local government.

Oliver said active civil society participation still had its limitations because "85 percent of [Naga's] population do not belong in any group."

The solution came when Robredo decided to use the Internet and mobile phone technology to spread information about Naga City's programs, receive complaints and even deliver services.

Naga's i-governance initiative has both online and offline features. Online, Naga residents can browse the city's Web site (www.naga.gov.ph (http://www.naga.gov.ph)) and find information about the city's tourist spots as well as Naga's various awards and governance initiatives. The Web site also promotes community through news features, fora and live Webcasts of important events.

One unique feature of the site is the Serve Naga component, which is a tool for pinpointing accountability in service delivery. After sending comments and complaints online or through the TXTNaga service, residents can then follow-up if the complaint has been acted on by monitoring forum threads on the Web.

Another feature of the Naga Web site is its Share Naga component, which posts ordinances and executive orders, procurement and outcomes as well as budget and finances.

"We are the probably the only local government brave enough to show our proposed budget and what we plan to do with the budget every quarter," Oliver said. He added that posting procurement projects has led to a decrease in procurement costs for the city government.

Offline, residents can turn to the Naga City Citizens Charter, which is a guidebook on the local government's key services. The guidebook offers step-by-step instructions on how to use each service, the standard response time for its delivery, and the city hall officers and staff responsible for its operation.

Naga's ICT initiatives have led it to receive various awards. In 2006, it won the "Most Business Friendly City" award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which elevated it to the Hall of Fame after winning the award for three consecutive years. Naga is also a Hall of Famer of the Asian Institute of Management-Ford Foundation Galing Pook (Innovations Program) Award and the Presidential Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Oliver said any innovative practice for e-governance should be grounded on sound government objectives. "ICT is a tool but focus should be on governance objectives," he said.

garzland

May 3rd, 2008, 09:06 AM

Ang tagal naman ng construction. Sana bukas opening na ng SM. :nuts: :lol:

Sana lang para makapamasyal at napakainit sa bahay. hehehe

Hmmmm... I smell love in the air... :lol:

:lol:

kevinb

May 3rd, 2008, 09:28 AM

^^ The façade looks neat!

tracymack

May 6th, 2008, 04:31 AM

^^:lol:

kevinb

May 6th, 2008, 06:39 AM

^^ Bakit kayong dalawa kinikilig? Ha? :D

Mond87

May 6th, 2008, 12:11 PM

What's happening here? heheh...

btw, in what part of the city pala ang SM?

garzland

May 6th, 2008, 01:57 PM

^^ Bakit kayong dalawa kinikilig? Ha? :D

Ala lang :lol:

What's happening here? heheh...

btw, in what part of the city pala ang SM?

Just beside the central bus terminal. This can be seen in Diversion Road.

garzland

May 6th, 2008, 02:58 PM

1st district is the worst district of CamSur I've been to as far as roads are concerned. I hope it's a lot better now...

I just hope so since it's the president's son who's seating there as Congressman of the first district.

axel(08)brixx

May 7th, 2008, 04:18 AM

Huwaaaaaat?

Wow ..anlaking Walis ... wahikhik may diit pa bagang ati jan? kulang pa ata ang size nyan papz..!! ^8^V

saya saya naman jan...Fiesta jan last May 1 aw

Lagonoy Rock:banana::banana::banana:

Teka....^8^

Ei any update naman jan papz sa Naga City Coliseum..!!

garzland

May 7th, 2008, 07:34 AM

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2697/hotspringpoolmu2.png

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/430/hotspringcd0.png

It has a 37-degree celsius pool and some cold pools, too

Taken by: nikita2471 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikita2471/2401422678/)

le Reine

May 7th, 2008, 02:57 PM

^^nakapunta na ako sa place na iyan. I hope maregulate nila yung pagpasok ng mga tao. It's too crowded. Sayang ang beauty ng place.

garzland

May 7th, 2008, 04:15 PM

^^Hello there, Marieantoinette! Welcome and thanks for visiting this thread....

Yup, it's beautiful but crowded. I just went there once and that was last year. When did you go there?

fil07

May 7th, 2008, 09:21 PM

http://images.inquirer.net/img/thumbnails/new/hea/pag/img/2008/05/20080508.jpg

le Reine

May 8th, 2008, 12:43 AM

^^Hello there, Marieantoinette! Welcome and thanks for visiting this thread....

Yup, it's beautiful but crowded. I just went there once and that was last year. When did you go there?Garz, I'm XP, remember??? Went there on may last year.

garzland

May 8th, 2008, 02:09 AM

^^Ooops! Sorry. I thought it's X_MD, XP pla.

garzland

May 8th, 2008, 06:26 AM

4th-class town well on the way to celeb status (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080508-135285/4th-class-town-well-on-the-way-to-celeb-status)

By Ephraim Aguilar
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:58:00 05/08/2008

CARAMOAN, CAMARINES SUR—It was not too long ago that only backpackers and the locals knew of this remote peninsula’s pristine beaches.

But the fourth-class municipality is expected to achieve celebrity status soon enough, with foreign productions completing filming and development projects in place. Even now it is being touted as the next Boracay.

About 10 million TV viewers in Europe and Canada are expected to watch the French edition of “Survivor,” which was shot entirely on Caramoan’s white-sand beaches.

The eighth season of “Survivor-France” will be aired in France and other French-speaking nations like Switzerland, Belgium and Canada from July to September, their summer season.

“Survivor,” a popular reality game show that isolates its contestants in the wilderness to compete for cash and prizes, is known to choose locations in exotic environments.

Gota beach, the gateway to Caramoan’s other beaches and islets, was rented for exclusive use by the French production outfit starting late February until early this month.

According to “Survivor-France” TV director Corinne Vaillant, the powdery sand, the coconuts on Gota beach and the neighboring islets are a “dream” for the French people.

“We chose Caramoan because it’s really wide. It’s necessary that contestants don’t see anything other than nature for them to believe that they’re really lost in the wilds,” Vaillant told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

With the filming completed, members of the production crew prepared to leave Gota beach Wednesday.

Overnight stay

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, some Cabinet officials and congressmen visited Caramoan on Monday and stayed overnight at Gota beach.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, who was in Ms Arroyo’s party, said the wide viewership of “Survivor” would surely boost tourism in Caramoan.

Durano said it was the first time in the TV show’s history that two seasons were consecutively shot in one country.

2 Hollywood films?

He said the seventh season of “Survivor-France” was filmed in Palawan last year, and that after it was aired, the number of tourists arriving in the province from France alone was up by 23 percent.

While the Department of Tourism, which brought “Survivor-France” to Caramoan, shouldered the fuel cost to keep the location powered with electricity, the provincial government took care of the development of the site.

There are now 73 foldaway cabanas at Gota beach, imported from China and worth P60,000 each, said a source who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak to the media.

A total of 20 regular-sized cabanas can be assembled by two teams in a day.

Ms Arroyo stayed in one of the largest cabanas during her overnight stay, the source said.

Filipinos in crew

One of 10 Filipinos hired as production assistants in “Survivor-France” told the Inquirer that the work was a demanding and challenging experience.

“We also had to hop with the whole production team from one beach or islet to another,” said the man, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was bound by a confidentiality agreement.

He said Gota beach was tightly guarded to keep kibitzers away, and that the production assistants were among the few who were able to see the contestants being filmed.

“Survivor-France” also hired more than 120 laborers and visual artists, the source said.

He said the laborers were paid P250 a day; the visual artists, as much as P800 a day; and the production assistants, at least P1,000 a day.

P20M to prov’l gov’t

A source close to Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. said “Survivor-France” reportedly paid the provincial government P20 million for the exclusive use of Caramoan’s beaches.

The memorandum of agreement to develop and manage Gota beach was signed between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the provincial government, and the municipal government apparently does not have a share in the revenue.

The provincial government gained the right to manage and administer the Caramoan National Park, specifically Gota beach, which covers about 298 hectares, at the signing of the MOA on March 16, 2005, according to a copy of the agreement furnished the Inquirer.

The signatories were then Environment Secretary Michael Defensor (for the DENR-Protected Area Management Board) and Villafuerte (for Camarines Sur).

Durano thinks there is nothing wrong with the agreement.

“Well, the municipality is under the province, right? So the local leaders here and the provincial government would just have to talk about it.”

In a phone interview late last month, Villafuerte said Caramoan residents stood to benefit from the development of Gota beach in terms of employment opportunities and infrastructure.

He said the provincial government was implementing a P200-million development plan in Caramoan, which included road networking and the construction of an airport.

The governor also said “two Hollywood films were in the works for possible shooting” on Caramoan’s beaches.

With no filming contracts in the meantime, he said Gota beach would be reopened to the public in June.

Rumors

There’s a chance that the American edition of “Survivor” will be filmed next in Caramoan, according to an employee of the provincial government who was at Gota beach preparing for Ms Arroyo’s visit on Monday.

But the employee, who refused to give her name, said nothing had been finalized.

As for talk of Hollywood stars, reportedly including California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, coming to shoot, a ranking officer of Gota beach could only flash a noncommittal smile.

Villafuerte had earlier said that Caramoan could be the next Boracay, with a difference: Development projects would be carefully planned so it would not become like the now world-famous resort—“overloaded” and plagued with sewage problems.

Don’t overdevelop

But Durano said it would not do justice to Caramoan if it would be viewed only from the Boracay perspective.

“We should always improve on what we have based on what we’ve learned from [tourist] destinations. Maybe we should say that this will be better than Boracay,” he said.

Durano also said it was important that development be done slowly.

“Since nature is the main asset and attraction here, it must be preserved. Everyone must be careful not to overdevelop the place.”

kevinb

May 8th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Garz, sabi ng BF ni Ate, mabilis daw construction ng SM ah. Halos buo na daw ung skeleton ng mall tapos may part daw na nilalagyan na ng dingding. Request naman Garz. Pakuha naman ng photos.Sige na. Please. :D

garzland

May 8th, 2008, 03:43 PM

^^As you wish...Tomorrow, I'm gonna take a picture of it...

garzland

May 9th, 2008, 06:35 PM

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1580/05092008674dv0.jpg

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:06 AM

CSur posts nationwide corn production record (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/corn.html)

CADLAN, Pili. Camarines Sur --- The much-improved corn production by the province of Camarines Sur last year has carried the Bicol region to bag the second place ranking nationwide in terms of growth in the production of corn.

The remarkable accomplishment came from the 2007 yearend report of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Camarines Sur has remained a consistent number one producer of this prime commodity throughout the Bicol region. Last year, the province posted a remarkable 66.9% growth in corn production compared with the year 2006, a major factor in the region’s second place ranking in terms of growth rate among corn producing regions throughout the country.

Governor LRay Villafuerte’s support to the agricultural sector has never wavered since the time he assumed as provincial chief executive of the province. The continuing and unrelenting efforts of the governor to spur agricultural productivity in areas like corn and rice have now borne fruit.

It was also last year that Camarines Sur scored a major success in rice production garnering 7th place as one of the top palay producers nationwide.

Bicol region posted an overall growth rate of 37.64 % in the comparison made with its year 2006 performance. The Caraga region had 49.01% growth performance taking first place ranking. But in terms of volume, Bicol’s corn production totaled 195, 826 metric tons in 2007, broken down by province, as follows: Camarines Sur 106,037 MT, Albay 50,217 MT and Masbate 35,834 MT. Top winner Caraga’s 2007 corn output was 128,800 MT.

Some of the interventions undertaken by the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) headed by Josefa Panambo, included hybrid corn seed subsidy wherein corn growers were able to avail of a discount of P1,000.00 per bag of corn seeds which was worth P3,600.00 at the commercial market. About 1,000 corn growers benefited from this program.

OPA also offered high yielding OPV (Open Polinated Variety) seeds for free that benefited some 500 traditional corn growers.

Aside from these, OPA had been active in providing the farmers the much needed training and technical assistance to improve production and how to control pests like the corn borer which affect the normal growth of the crop.

There is a shortfall in corn as livestock feeds and human food worldwide because of the decision of some corn producing countries like the U.S. not to export the crop but instead to convert it into bio-ethanol as an alternative fuel in view of the spiraling cost of energy fuel in the world market.

Governor Villafuerte is urging corn producers to take advantage of this opportunity to intensify production of this prime commodity as livestock feeds and human food that will provide additional income to farmers and generate jobs. SNIEVES

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:07 AM

Lights on for ‘dark’ villages in Caramoan (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/lights.html)

LAHUY Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur --- After decades of waiting, the remote barangays of this island can now turn on their lights after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spearheaded the ceremonial power switching in Brgy.Oring, initially energizing five barangays here in Monday’s (May 5) presidential visit.

The completion of the P87 million Missionary Electrification Project in Partido District after four years of preparation was not just a historical phase for the Caramoanons but also a significant portal that will open investment and employment opportunities for the local community.

President Arroyo said that energizing barangays, even those in the remotest area of the country, is part of her administration’s priority programs and is up for completion before her term ends in 2010.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Noli Fuentebella of the 3rd District of Camarines Sur, main proponent of the project, said that 20 barangays will also benefit under the Missionary Electrification Project. This includes 8 barangays from Kinalasag Island and 7 other barangays of the northern part of Lagonoy town.

Dubbed as the next Boracay, President Arroyo believes that Caramoan will undoubtedly be one of the best tourist destinations in the country.

She cited that the island is blessed with rich, virgin islands, limestones, amazing rock formations and white, fine sands that local and foreign tourists would love to explore.

The project, she said, is a very good doorway for the improvement of the ecology tourism in this part of the country. “The supply of electricity will undoubtedly help boost the whole of Caramoan group of islands in further pushing its tourism potential.”

The development of the Caramoan Island is embodied in Republic Act 9445 declaring the islands of Lahuy, Cotivas, Guinahuan, Luksuhin, Malibagon and Masay located in the northern coast of the Caramoan town as national tourism zones.

The said act also directs the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies and the Partido Development Authority (PDA) to come up with a tourism development plan for the Caramoan group of islands. (LSMacatangay, PIA Camarines Sur)

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:10 AM

Sutherland assures call
center employment raise (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/sutherland.html)

Prospects for more jobs have become brighter for the constituents of Camarines Sur as Sutherland’s top honcho Dilip Vellodi assured the increase of local employment from the present 400 to 1000 employees during the inaugurals of Sutherland’s facilities at Camarines Sur IT Park with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as guest of honor last May 5, 2008 at Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili.

Caption: BPO IN BICOL -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the Sutherland Global Service, a New York based business process outsourcing firm, hub in the municipality of Pili, Camarines Sur last Monday, May 5, 2008. Others in photo (from L to R) National Info. Technology Chairman Rey Chua, Department of Trade and Industry Sec. Peter Favila, Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, Chairman/CEO Dilip Villadi, EVP head for Global operation, KS Kumar, and VP & Country Manager, Craig Bauwens. Alex Cal/PIA-V

Vellodi, Chairman and President of Sutherland, made his commitment to Gov. LRay Villafuerte Jr. as he expounded on the wonderful partnership of the province with his company that has allowed their company to progress in a seamless manner.

The president graced the occasion and led in the ribbon cutting ceremonies. She was accompanied in this trip by cabinet secretaries Peter Favila of DTI, Ace Durano of DOT, and Rolando Andaya Jr. of DBM. The group also inspected the on going developments currently being undertaken in the islands of Caramoan Peninsula which are part of massive tourism initiatives of Gov. Villafuerte in pursuit of his thrust to place Camarines Sur in the world tourism map.

It will be recalled that Sutherland’s operation in Camarines Sur was recently cited by Pres. Arroyo as among the unique development initiatives in the province under the dynamic leadership of Gov. Villafuerte that was not even thought of some ten years ago that was mentioned during the chief executive’s visit to the province where she delivered her keynote address to the 2nd General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) hosted by the young governor and the Camarines Sur government last February 13, 2008.

Sutherland, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Camarines Sur, started its operations last November 2007 is now maintaining 300 workstations on double shifts on a 500-seat capability with each workstation equipped with state-of-the art computers and other electronic communication equipment.

Shridnar Aiyer, Support Services Head of Sutherland Global Services, disclosed that negotiations are well under way for the construction of another building adjacent to the one already occupied that will be capable of accommodating at least 500 workstations more thus sufficing CEO Vellodi’s promise and commitment to the governor. CRFERNANDEZ/ MMEC

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:19 AM

Cebu Pacific Air to start flight
over Naga/CamSur on June 24 (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/flight.html)
By Jason B. Neola

PILI, Camarines Sur --- Regarded to be the newest hub of Cebu Pacific Air, Naga Airport located in this capital town is expected to draw a crowd of important personalities coming from government, business and tourism sectors on June 24, this year, as the Philippines’ leading domestic carrier kicks off its most-awaited inaugural flight here.

Caption: FLY HIGH. Due to vibrant economy and increasing tourist arrivals in Naga City and Camarines Sur, Cebu Pacific Air, whose ATR 72-500 model is shown above, will touch base here to meet passenger demand.

Cebu Pacific Air is currently the country’s leading domestic carrier, servicing the most domestic destinations with the largest number of flights and routes, and equipped with the youngest fleet where the average is less than 20 months old as of March 2008 because of the newly delivered ATR 72.

ATR 72-500 is the latest development of the ATR 72. Tagged as a high standard regional aircraft, the airbus draws from the in-service experience of more than 700 ATR aircrafts flying worldwide, with a proven average dispatch reliability of more than 99 percent.

Caption: AIR SAFETY AND COMFORT. The pilot cabin and the passenger seats of Cebu Pacific Air 72-500 are shown in the above photos. Cebu Pacific Air is the newest fleet to fly the Manila-Naga-Manila route.

Cebu Pacific Air VP for Sales Gary Cruz said the aircraft fully meets the customer requirements in a rapidly evolving market and is playing a major role in the growth of regional carriers as it offers the lowest seat-mile costs in its class and great efficiency and reliability, a key to satisfactory regional operation.

Cruz and other key figures of Cebu Pacific Air are expected to arrive here today, May 8, to meet with Naga Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, and Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte and Mayor Alexis San Luis of theis town to hold briefings on the planned inaugural flight next month.

Right now, Cebu Pacific Air is planning to maintain at least one flight per day to and from Manila, but Cruz said the schedule may be changed into two flights everyday if the number of passengers so warrant.

Cebu Pacific Air is a wholly –owned subsidiary of JG Summit Holdings controlled by the Gokongwei family – one of the richest Filipino-Chinese families based in the Philippines. It is currently headed by Lance Gokongwei, apparent heir of John Gokongwei, chairman emeritus of JG Summit. As of March last year, the firm has on its roster 1,182 workers and employees.

New routes opened by the airline company other than the Manila to Naga Airport include: Davao to Iloilo and Davao to Singapore that will begin today, May 8, 2008 and Davao to Hong Kong that will begin on May 9, 2008, Manila to Kaohsiung, Taiwan on June 7, 2008, and Manila to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia that will begin on July 13, 2008.

According to Golden Ace Resources, the official sales agent of Cebu Pacific Air, transportation fare from Naga to Manila and vice versa is more or less P1,200/person.

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:21 AM

Naga opens animation festival,
exhibits a walk-through in full 3D (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/animation.html)

NAGA CITY --- A first in Bicol, the city government here will formally open its first mini-animation festival dubbed Naga-Anim8 with the blessing and inauguration of its Naga Creative Center and trainor’s a training culminating activity at 9 a.m., May 9, at Roco Library lobby, City Hall complex, this city.

The festival, which will be held at Lolo’s Bar and Restaurant at the Avenue Square will give focus to the city’s growing animation sector, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said.

The animation festival will highlight the culmination of a project that the city government, through the Naga City Investment Board (NCIB), has undertaken with the Canadian International Development Agency-Pearl2 Project and the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI).

Reuel Oliver, executive director of the NCIB, said “the project focuses on the development of a pool of 2D animation trainors as well as artists who will be able to respond to the needs of the local industry while also strengthening the capabilities of small start-up firms in both 3D and 2D.”

For the purpose, the city government has partnered with local technical schools and universities which have opened animation-related courses. Participating institutions are Mobius, Ray Trace, Ateneo de Naga University, FCFC, WRI, and Naga City Animation Studio.

The Naga City Creative Media Center has been established as an incubation/production facility, which houses both 3D and 2D capabilities.

Industry players from Manila and Naga have been invited to grace the event. Local firms and training institutions will also be holding a mini-exhibit at the lobby of Avenue Square where visitors and habitués can explore the many possibilities offered by animation, 3D visualization and multimedia.

Virtual walkthroughs in full 3D will show how one can make effective presentations to sell an idea or a product.

The city’s prioneering venture will also show visitors how they can benefit from the combination of artistry and state of the art technology that animation can offer.

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:22 AM

NPS boys shine in CMLI nat’l tilt (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/nps.html)

Naga City --- Four young boys from the Naga Parochial School did their school and their city proud when they clinched top honors in the recently concluded 30th Children’s Museum Library Inc. Annual Summer Conference and Workshop held at the Regional Educational Learning Center in Boracay, Aklan.

Joseph Emmanuel Perez Lomibao topped the national spelling bee contest after a close match with student from General Santos City.

Lomibao also bagged the top prize as Best in Couple Photography with a fellow Parochialite John Noble A. Bobis.

Two more talented boys from the NPS showed their prize-winning mettles: Don Matthew P. Santy as Best in Wacky Photography and Lawrence Bernard B. Perez, Best in Speech Technique.

Mentor Ms. Jasmine O. San Vicente and Ms. Grace R. Ronquillo served as their able coaches.

Both Joseph Emmanuel and Lawrence are nephews of Bicol Mail Editor Joe Perez

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:23 AM

CamSur dragon boat paddlers rule
Boracay int’l race competition (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/paddlers.html)

The Camarines Sur dragon boat team sponsored by Governor LRay Villafuerte put up an invigorated performance to bag the championship in the men’s and mixed 300 meter events and place first runner-up in the men’s and mixed 500 meters to emerge as the winningest crew during the International Dragon Boat Festival held May 1 to 3 at Boracay, Aklan.

The festival which featured visiting teams from the US, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Leichtensten, Australia as well as other elite teams from all over the country was also a golden opportunity for the local paddlers to get back at its archrival, Philippine National Police Patriots, who gave them a humbling drubbing at the Summer Sea Sports races, the last major national dragon boat outing held at Baywalk in Manila Bay last March.

Camarines Sur had very easy rides, in fact on top of their respective heats, from the elimination rounds up to the semi-finals, before decisively clinching the first places in the two 300-meter events.

The men’s team negotiated the distance in 1 minute and 12.16 seconds, over three seconds ahead of first runner-up Wansee Dragon of Germany who clocked in at 1:15.41, closely followed by Bugsay Boracay with 1:16.03.

The mixed team was clocked 1:13.91 for the same distance, nosing out the PNP Patriots with a time of 1:14.44 with the Bugsay team placing third with a time of 1:15.20.

The superbly fit and well-trained German paddlers of the Wansee Dragons teams, however, cowed the locals in the men’s 500 meters with a time of 2:07.60, almost two seconds ahead of Camarines Sur who came in second with 2:09.44, followed by the home pride Bugsay clocked 2:10.16 at third place.

Some women component of the Camarines Sur team lost steam in the final stretches of the mixed 500 meters to surrender an early lead to the PNP Patriots who broke the tape with a time of 2:03.50, less than a second ahead of Camarines Sur with 2:04.42. The hardy Bugsay paddlers was third with 2:06.82.

The Boracay international race was nevertheless a very successful tune-up outing for Camarines Sur dragon boat team which is one of the five official entries of the Philippines in the coming 6th Club Crew World Championships scheduled this coming August in Penang, Malaysia. (GBClaveria)

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 03:28 AM

P7M new lifeline facilities for urban poor
Model of Naga-NGO partnership (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/model.html)
By Jason B. Neola

NAGA CITY --- Pursuing a common goal to build a viable cooperation among the civil society, local government, and the community, the Naga City Government, in Partnership with Philippine Support Service Agencies, Inc. (PHILSSA), and the Community Organization of the Philippines Enterprise Foundation (COPE) are jointly working on the proposed construction of P7M lifeline facilities at one of the city’s urban poor sites.

The triumvirate of the city government, PHILSSA and COPE spearheads the construction of approximately P7M-worth of 330-meter-road, storm drainage, and drainage outfall along Balatas road here near the Gawad Kalinga (GK) housing project and the Balatas Urban Poor site.

Once completed, the storm drainage is expected to address the constant flooding of low-lying areas along Magsaysay Avenue. The project is required to be completed by October 15, this year.

In 2005, PHILSSA, a network of development non-government organizations, together with COPE, also a development NGO that engages in community organizing and capability-building for urban poor, and the city government of Naga completed a P20.4M lifeline facility package which enabled the stakeholder sector to demonstrate experiential learning processes and multi-stakeholder approach in upgrading urban poor areas.

The rundown of the lifeline facility package completed in 2005: a micro-drainage system, construction of multi-purpose learning center and day-care and materials recovery facility, preliminary survey of the proposed micro-drainage system, concreting of road networks and the supply of tools and equipment for the materials recovery facility in Barangay Triangulo this city.

The funds for the construction of road and storm drainage under the Urban Partnerships for Sustainable Upliftment, Renewal, Governance and Empowerment (UPSURGE) projects was secured by the PHILSSA from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) and will be released through the World Bank (WB). The drainage outfall, on the other hand, will be financed by the City Government of Naga.

The UPSURGE projects which are implemented also in other selected cities are aimed at improving the living conditions of the urban poor communities to achieve socio-economic advancement such as shelter needs, improved physical/environmental conditions, better social well-being, and enhanced economic opportunities.

Contained in one of the pre-construction components of the project is the establishment of City Renewal Implementation Committee (CRIC) which is tasked with carrying out oversight and coordination work.

Under the memorandum of agreement entered into by and between the involved parties last November 5, 2007, the city government will facilitate the work in the areas of sub-project site selection and provision of land; assist in the preparation of sub-project proposals and engineering designs; provide technical inputs and logistical support to the NGO implementing agency to ensure efficient flow of the project; provide counterpart fund for sub-project; establish the formation of CRIC; participate in the sub-project monitoring/implementation and strengthen the Local Housing Board and other parallel structure to lead LGU efforts in slum upgrading activities.

The project has 6 major components: design and organization, community planning, mobilization and subproject implementation, training and capacity building institutionalization, learning and dissemination and support to project implementation.

aries6210

May 10th, 2008, 07:56 AM

Garz it shows that the construction is quite fast. Can anybody see SM when passing by the diversion road. Is it big? coz from the way it looks from the picture, seems not that big? Is that bldg. a part of other building to be constructed or is that all that makes SM Mall?

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 08:41 AM

^^What you're seeing is just the right portion of the mall that's why it looks small. But if you notice, there are other 2 cranes working on each side. Actually, that's the only portion where fast construction can be noticed.

axel(08)brixx

May 10th, 2008, 10:53 AM

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1580/05092008674dv0.jpg

aw ...ambilis ng construction..Hmmm d2 sa place namin malapit na rin matapos
ang SM City, Marikina along Riverbank Area..!!

Naga City Rock:banana::banana::banana:

garzland

May 10th, 2008, 11:10 AM

^^Medyo mabilis naman kasi nagsimula lang yan ngayong January...

kevinb

May 11th, 2008, 02:41 AM

Cebu Pacific Air to start flight
over Naga/CamSur on June 24 (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may08/flight.html)

This is a good sign that the air transportation is being reved up again! I hope people will patronize this so it won't slow down again.

Garz it shows that the construction is quite fast. Can anybody see SM when passing by the diversion road. Is it big? coz from the way it looks from the picture, seems not that big? Is that bldg. a part of other building to be constructed or is that all that makes SM Mall?

The one that you see is the façade of the main mall. The mall will probably protrude from there to the back, as what I've seen when I went there two months ago. I just don't know if the car park building will be placed at the back of the main mall, making the lot longer. The parking building could be placed beside it as well, I'm just not so sure though.

kevinb

May 11th, 2008, 03:08 AM

garzland

May 12th, 2008, 05:21 AM

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/111/geewanaz3.png

It serves typical Filipino dishes and Bicol dishes

Taken by: nikita2471 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikita2471/2409788758/in/photostream/)

kevinb

May 12th, 2008, 10:01 AM

^^ I forgot to thank you for posting a photo of SM! Thanks! :D

garzland

May 12th, 2008, 10:55 AM

^^ I forgot to thank you for posting a photo of SM! Thanks! :D

Welcome! :)

This is a good sign that the air transportation is being reved up again! I hope people will patronize this so it won't slow down again.

I think it will now continue since the province is now more popular than ever, thus, the province is now capable of supporting that airline.

kevinb

May 12th, 2008, 11:00 AM

^^ I hope they do something with the airport's runway. It's so short! The runway is actually one of the things that makes airline companies think twice when trying to negotiate in seats with this airport. Delikado pag maikli eh.

garzland

May 12th, 2008, 11:05 AM

^^Di ba maliliit lang naman na airline ang gumagamit niyan kagaya ata ng Asian Spirit...

kevinb

May 12th, 2008, 11:11 AM

^^ Asian Spirit has pulled out long time ago. The only airline that's operating there is Air Philippines, a sister company of PAL. And then Cebu Pacific will come. It needs to be upgraded for it to be used by bigger airplanes, like the new Airbus planes. The reason why PAL pulled out from the Naga airport is because it upgraded its fleet to the new Airbus planes, making it unsafe for the planes to land and take-off from the Naga airport with its short runway. Eh pano pala kung lahat na lang ng airline company mag-upgrade? Eh di wala nang natira ni isang plane na gumagamit ng airport natin di ba? The upgrade should be looked into both by the provincial and city government since the airport is in CamSur but it's named after Naga City.

kevinb

May 12th, 2008, 11:20 AM

QUESTION!!!

There are already four car companies in the city. Right? Mitsubishi and Hyundai being held by Caleb Motor Corp. Nissan and Suzuki under Lisam. I recently read that Kia has opened its outlet in the city which is also under Lisam. How true is this? Can anyone post photos of it? :D

garzland

May 12th, 2008, 11:44 AM

^^I'm not sure about Kia...Are Nissan and Suzuki located in Concepcion Grande?

garzland

May 12th, 2008, 11:46 AM

fil07

May 12th, 2008, 12:05 PM

NightDog

May 12th, 2008, 02:07 PM

^^Gabi leaves ata ang nakabalot diyan hindi kamoteng kahoy. Masarap din yan lalo na kung mga puro lang ang sangkap...

oo nga pala gabi leaves pala ang nakabalot sa pinangat. yung sinasabi ko pala na dahon ng kamoteng kahoy ay yung tulingan na niluto sa gata at suka saka nilagyan ng talbos ng dahon ng kamoteng kahoy.

ito akala ko la-ing tawag dito..Natong pala?

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7626/gabibr2.png

garzland

May 12th, 2008, 02:42 PM

^^Ano ba 'yung la-ing? (sorry hehehe) Palagi ko yan naririnig kaso igno pa ako niyan hehehe

NightDog

May 12th, 2008, 04:41 PM

^^pagkaing bicol yan a. nakikita ko kay misis, binibilad nya ang dahon ng gabi sa araw, tapos pag tuyot na gugulayin nya sa gata at sili ata. saka may sahog na maliliit na hiwa ng baboy. yan ata yun, di ko sigurado.:)

garzland

May 13th, 2008, 05:19 AM

^^E di natong yan kagaya ng nasa picture... La-ing pala yan sa Tagalog?

fil07

May 13th, 2008, 11:25 AM

Why do they have a Tagalog name for natong which is a Bicolano dish?

aries6210

May 13th, 2008, 04:49 PM

Hey guys, a portion of Naga city is already hi-res, see it sa google earth

Matteo

May 13th, 2008, 06:22 PM

oo nga. daming news sa mga bicol/bicol cities threads.
yung iba duplicates na.
pwedeng headline nalang saka links ang i-post? :D
nasa bicolmail.com naman lahat e

fil07

May 13th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Top 10 civil engineers (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080513-136364/Top-10-civil-engineers)

1. Jency Borromeo Lim, University Of San Carlos -- 97.00

2. Richard Grumez Naragas, University Of Mindanao-Davao City -- 95.25

3. Jaypee Abellanosa Lapiz, Central Mindanao University -- 94.20
Francis Ortanez Macatingrao, University Of Nueva Caceres -- 94.20

4. Melvin Gutierrez Singayan, Polytechnic University Of The Philippines-Main-Sta. Mesa, Manila -- 93.15

5. Bernard Zerna Duran, Negros Oriental State University (CVPC)-Dumaguete -- 93.00

6. Jennyl Resuello Estil, University of the Philippines-Los Baños -- 92.95

7. Andra Charis Sehob Mijares, University of the Philippines-Diliman -- 92.25

8. Daniel Bernardo Bangit, FEU-East Asia College -- 92.10
Erick Christian Villanueva Cruz, University Of The Philippines-Diliman -- 92.10

9. Ailyn Marcial Abrea, La Salle University–Ozamiz City -- 91.95
Romeo Jr Juanite Mata, Father Saturnino Urios University (Urios Coll) -- 91.95

10. Carlos Alfonso Ventura Fabie, De La Salle University-Manila -- 91.75

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 02:53 AM

^^Congratz to Macatingrao... You make Naga CIty proud! Sunod-sunod ata ang placer ng UNC ngayon ah...

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 03:29 AM

I am also hoping that Naga City needs an international airport and an expressway in the future.

Maybe, that proposed international airport in Libmanan might be named as "Raul Roco International Airport" instead of "Bicol International Airport."

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the info... Outdated na pala ako :lol:. In that case, our airport really badly needs the upgrading...Or better if it would be replaced by a new one to be built in Libmanan.

Naga needs an International Airport....

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Name it after the late-senator Roco.

The proposed international airport in Libmanan that will serve Naga City should be named as Raul Roco International Airport instead of Southern Luzon/Bicol International Airport. Same as Manila International Airport renamed as Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport renamed as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 10:12 AM

Hey guys, a portion of Naga city is already hi-res, see it sa google earth

I see the high-res image of Naga but it's moderately cloudy and southernmost portion cannot be seen.

Thanks for informing us...

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 10:23 AM

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1580/05092008674dv0.jpg

WOW! SM City Naga construction works is quite fast....

Mond87

May 14th, 2008, 11:53 AM

^^nakapunta na ako sa place na iyan. I hope maregulate nila yung pagpasok ng mga tao. It's too crowded. Sayang ang beauty ng place.

I could feel na maganda nga yang lugar na yan. maganda ba views? nakakarelax? malinis? hot spring ba? im curious...

Mond87

May 14th, 2008, 11:59 AM

oo nga. daming news sa mga bicol/bicol cities threads.
yung iba duplicates na.
pwedeng headline nalang saka links ang i-post? :D
nasa bicolmail.com naman lahat e

maybe there should be a single person per thread who should post the news para hindi doble2x.

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 12:05 PM

Naga needs an International Airport....

Hi there Goku:hi: Welcome to the thread... Are you in Naga now?

Naga really needs an international airport since it is now becoming a tourist haven...

could feel na maganda nga yang lugar na yan. maganda ba views? nakakarelax? malinis? hot spring ba? im curious..

It's relaxing... I think it's because of the temperature of 37 degrees. Relatively clean and with beautiful views... Hope you can visit the place, Mond.

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 12:09 PM

I see the high-res image of Naga but it's moderately cloudy and southernmost portion cannot be seen.

Thanks for informing us...

Hey guys, a portion of Naga city is already hi-res, see it sa google earth

Can you please give me the link. Tamad kasi ako maghanap. :lol:

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 12:10 PM

^^Ako na lang mavolunteer hehehe

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Mond87

May 14th, 2008, 12:16 PM

^^mag-usap pa rin kau nina kevinb (the other guy who posts news). One of you should be posting about naga and the other bout cam sur. And what about ung sa bicol thread? Dapat lahat mapag-usapan. Sa Legazpi thread, I dunno kung may prob parang wla naman. Ganun din sa ibang threads. Yun lang ang alam ko...

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 12:48 PM

I think expressway is possible in the future... That will be connected to SLEX.

Maybe, South Luzon Expressway could be extended all the way to Naga. The only obstacle is lack of funds and mountainous areas of Camarines Norte. It is possible to extend it to Naga City through tunneling and putting it on coastlines of southeastern Quezon and Northwestern Camarines Sur (not through entire coastlines of Bondoc Peninsula.)

SLEX Naga Extension in the future could be parallel to Maharlika highway and Andaya Highway so its less expensive than extending it through Camarines Norte.

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Hi there Goku:hi: Welcome to the thread... Are you in Naga now?

Naga really needs an international airport since it is now becoming a tourist haven...

It's relaxing... I think it's because of the temperature of 37 degrees. Relatively clean and with beautiful views... Hope you can visit the place, Mond.

Yes, it needs an international airport. The international airport in Libmanan that will serve Naga City, once completed, it could be accessible without the necessity of going through either NAIA or future DMIA in order to visit CWC and Caramoan beach. And also, the old airport in Pili should be converted into a business park.

Goku_25

May 14th, 2008, 01:04 PM

aries6210

May 14th, 2008, 03:06 PM

You will appreciate it if you will download google earth coz u can see every city w/ hi-res around the world

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 03:11 PM

^^Thanks aries! I'm downloading it now.

fil07

May 14th, 2008, 04:12 PM

Spoiler: cloudy an centro kan naga and my hometown :ohno:

I have located my residence :banana:
Before typhoon Reming gayod kinuanan

garzland

May 14th, 2008, 04:28 PM

^^Yup, cloudy di ko makita talaga ang centro ng Naga so as my residence. I'll try tomorrow.

garzland

May 15th, 2008, 09:08 AM

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9701/04102008311mx6.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/435/04102008312tb3.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9785/04102008314kz6.jpg

kevinb

May 16th, 2008, 09:33 AM

^^I'm not sure about Kia...Are Nissan and Suzuki located in Concepcion Grande?

Yes. They are the ones being handled by Lisam Naga. I asked 'coz I saw a Kia ad in a broadsheet saying that apart from the one in Legazpi, there's also one in Naga.

oo nga pala gabi leaves pala ang nakabalot sa pinangat. yung sinasabi ko pala na dahon ng kamoteng kahoy ay yung tulingan na niluto sa gata at suka saka nilagyan ng talbos ng dahon ng kamoteng kahoy.

ito akala ko la-ing tawag dito..Natong pala?

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7626/gabibr2.png

It's called natong in Bicol, but as stipulated, it's called laing by the Tagalogs. I'm actually unsure whether this dish really originated from Bicol, but it has been a long time since the Tagalogs called this laing. Kahit ano name, mas masarap ung lutong-Bicol. :D

Top 10 civil engineers (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080513-136364/Top-10-civil-engineers)

1. Jency Borromeo Lim, University Of San Carlos -- 97.00

2. Richard Grumez Naragas, University Of Mindanao-Davao City -- 95.25

3. Jaypee Abellanosa Lapiz, Central Mindanao University -- 94.20
Francis Ortanez Macatingrao, University Of Nueva Caceres -- 94.20

4. Melvin Gutierrez Singayan, Polytechnic University Of The Philippines-Main-Sta. Mesa, Manila -- 93.15

5. Bernard Zerna Duran, Negros Oriental State University (CVPC)-Dumaguete -- 93.00

6. Jennyl Resuello Estil, University of the Philippines-Los Baños -- 92.95

7. Andra Charis Sehob Mijares, University of the Philippines-Diliman -- 92.25

8. Daniel Bernardo Bangit, FEU-East Asia College -- 92.10
Erick Christian Villanueva Cruz, University Of The Philippines-Diliman -- 92.10

9. Ailyn Marcial Abrea, La Salle University–Ozamiz City -- 91.95
Romeo Jr Juanite Mata, Father Saturnino Urios University (Urios Coll) -- 91.95

10. Carlos Alfonso Ventura Fabie, De La Salle University-Manila -- 91.75

Congrats!!

The proposed international airport in Libmanan that will serve Naga City should be named as Raul Roco International Airport instead of Southern Luzon/Bicol International Airport. Same as Manila International Airport renamed as Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport renamed as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

I agree. Raul Roco International Airport. But would officials of Libmanan agree to this one?

BTW, the Southern Luzon Int'l Airport is the one in Daraga, not the one to be built in Libmanan. :)

kevinb

May 16th, 2008, 09:37 AM

oo nga. daming news sa mga bicol/bicol cities threads.
yung iba duplicates na.
pwedeng headline nalang saka links ang i-post? :D
nasa bicolmail.com naman lahat e

I duplicated the other news in this thread 'coz it's not just news for Naga since the airport is actually located in Pili. If not necessary, I'm not duplicating any news naman eh. Regarding Legazpi and Albay, of course there's no duplicate posts of news since they're just in a single thread.

kevinb

May 16th, 2008, 10:20 AM

BTW, I'm trying to add some pieces of information in Naga's page in wiki. Can you add some pics too?:D

garzland

May 16th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Yes. They are the ones being handled by Lisam Naga. I asked 'coz I saw a Kia ad in a broadsheet saying that apart from the one in Legazpi, there's also one in Naga.

Ok, thanks.

It's called natong in Bicol, but as stipulated, it's called laing by the Tagalogs. I'm actually unsure whether this dish really originated from Bicol, but it has been a long time since the Tagalogs called this laing. Kahit ano name, mas masarap ung lutong-Bicol. :D

Now I Know... I've heard the word la-ing many times but every time I hear that name of that food I am puzzled. You've just cleared that up! Thanks!

garzland

May 16th, 2008, 11:45 AM

BTW, I'm trying to add some pieces of information in Naga's page in wiki. Can you add some pics too?:D

I'll try if I can. Just let me know the pictures needed.

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 02:10 PM

CamNorte to have two congressional districts (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may15/camnorte.html)

DAET, Camarines Norte --- The House Committee on Local Government has endorsed the approval of a bill creating a second congressional district for the province of Camarines Norte.

Rep. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, author of House Bill No. 2449, said that the legislative measure will divide the erstwhile lone district of the province into two owing to its increased population of 600,000 as of latest count by the National Statistics Office. The law provides that a congressional district should have at least a population of 250,000 residents who are collectively settled in towns or cities contiguously situated.

The lady lawmaker said that with the province’s current population, it is very difficult to keep track of and provide for the needs of the constituents, aside from having limited budget.

Having two congressional districts would mean doubling the province’s congressional budget allocation for infrastructure, countryside development, and other public services.

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 02:12 PM

Max’s Naga marks 2nd anniversary (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may15/max.html)

MAX’S Restaurant Naga celebrated its second anniversary last Friday, May 12, 2008, with a family day festivity for children at Concepcion Grande Elementary School.

The whole-afternoon affair was for the benefit of over 100 selected children from various barangays of Naga, in line with the long established corporate citizenship and pro-people advocacy of Max’s Restaurant and the cherished tradition of sharing that the Cu family, the restaurant’s franchisee, is known for.

“Gratitude for blessing received is best shown by sharing the same,” Gwendolyn Cu, managing director of the franchise says.

The celebration which included games, prizes, a magic show, and snacks and loot bags from Max’s Naga, was turnover highlighted with the formal turn-over of proceeds from the Take 2 on 2! fund raising project.

Max’s Naga, from April 19, the actual date of the anniversary, to May 11, this year, raised funds where the amount P5.00 from every order of Max’s whole fried chicken was matched with another P5.00 by Max’s Naga, the total amount collected to be donated to Bantay Bata, an NGO dedicated for the care of marginalized and abused children, represented here by Mae Camposano for its children-related projects.

City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, who made a surprise visit at the peak of the celebrations, lauded the exemplary commitment of Max’s Restaurant and the Cu family, citing that the business sector has been an important partner in the city’s growth and development through job generation, tax payments and the delivery of social and other community services.

In attendance during the affair were personnel from the Naga City Bantay Familia, Inc., local officials of Barangay Concepcion Grande headed by Bgy. Chairman Elmer Baldemoro, barangay health workers, and a contingent from Bantay Bata 163 who assisted in the successful conduct of the children’s party and other activities. Max’s Restaurant head office was represented by franchise operations consultant Arnie P. Demerin, assistant marketing manager Eric A. Go and marketing service officer Jessa C. Bien. (GBC/Doming Ranera)

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 02:20 PM

350.2 M asphalt overlay of Andaya
highway 62.3 km stretch to start this June (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may15/asphalt.html)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, along with some of her cabinet members went on a two day visit in and around Camarines Sur. One of the priorities of the president’s visit is the project presentation of the Php 350.2M asphalt overlay of 62.3 km stretch of highway from the junction of Tara, Sipocot to the length of Maharlika Highway within Camarines Sur, inclusive of which is the 1.7 km along the Tabongan Stretch in Sta. Elena.

Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane and Dir. Orlando Roces of DPWH presented the project in a ceremony led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and attended by First District Congressman Dato Arroyo, Governor L-Ray Villafuerte and Department of Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.

The asphalt overlay project will be up for bidding on May 16, 2008 and construction is planned to start around June 2, 2008.

Aside from the asphalt over lay project to be started this year, the Php300M reblocking project that was started last 2007 is almost finished with its 90% completion status. Delays on construction were mainly due to the erratic weather conditions of the past months.

Representative Arroyo has requested from the DPWH to speed up the construction of the project. Road signs and added personnel also has been requested to lessen road accidents and provide more safety to commuters.

Representative Arroyo, appaled by the growing number of road tragedies along Bicol’s main highway, is pushing for a more intensified road rehabilitation campaign particularly along the area covering this provinces First District.

Arroyo, together with Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, conducted earlier an ocular inspection covering the “Andaya stretch” of the Quirino Highway particularly along the area of Barangay Agropacion in Ragay Town where the road mishap in August 28, 2007 left 4 people dead. The said incident, on which a “Raymond Bus” slammed head-on into a passenger van, happened in an area were an on-going road-reconstruction operation had no “motorist warning signs” in place, thereby causing both vehicles’ drivers to be unaware of the road’s single active lane.

Arroyo hopes to finish DPWH’s asphalt over lay project within a period of 300 days.

After the project presentation, the president headed for the residence of Cong. Dato for lunch, where the dialogue and consultation with the president was held between local government officials including the mayors of the First District, Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, Sec. Rolando Andaya and Congressman Dato Arroyo.

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 02:24 PM

Naga coliseum: to be or not to be (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may15/coliseum.html)

NAGA CITY --- City Councilor DC Nathan Sergio’s reservation on the proposed “full development” of the Naga City Coliseum was evident when he commented in the presence of City Mayor Jesse Robredo during a development council meeting here that the city government would do more good in allocating funds for the rehabilitation of the “leaky” city hall building than in giving P115 million for the finishing of the coliseum through bank loan.

Sergio is one of the two city councilors who vehemently opposed the city government’s proposal to borrow P115.6 million from a government bank to be allocated to the “transformation” of the partially complete coliseum into a “fully-developed” 10,000-seater structure complete with needed facilities.

But he was quick to say that he was not against the completion of the coliseum, which is yet to see finishing point after seven years. The councilor said he was just reluctant to give his approval on the proposal, thinking that it involved a multimillion-peso deal which the city has to pay in ten years.

Apparently peeved by Sergio’s comment, Robredo said he would rather prioritize the completion of the coliseum over the rehabilitation of the city hall building because the former would have return of investment which the city mayor said would do well for the city.

Robredo ribbed that he had reluctance to prioritize the restoration of the city hall due to the pending case between the city government and the Mariano heirs, who earlier sought the claim the land where the important city government buildings stand.

Meanwhile, it was clear during the meeting that the proposal to borrow funds from either the Development Bank of the Philippines or the Land Bank of the Philippine (LBP) was being considered seriously by the city government.

The proposed financing scheme, with LBP specifically, would have zero equity and payable in ten-year term, with six percent annual interest and no grace period on the principal amount loaned.

In a loan payment plan presented by City Planning and Development Officer Willy Prilles, it was clear that the city government would pay for the loan through the income that would be generated in return by the coliseum, and the expected whooping revenues to be contributed by adjoining Shoemart mall expected to operate in the first quarter of the following year.

The delayed completion of the Naga City Coliseum has dented the Robredo administration.

But Robredo said during the development council meeting that he was pursuing the completion of the coliseum, whose construction he said was halted by the string of typhoons that battered the city in 2006, and depleted support from the national government.

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 02:54 PM

People would have been informed well if this was published prior to the show.

==============================================================

On Mother’s Day
Jon Santos: A hilarious show
sizzles at Avenue Square (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may15/jon.html)

A quaintly different yet refreshingly entertaining show was the special treat for Mother’s Day jointly presented by the Avenue Square and the Avenue Plaza Hotel at the Avenue Convention Plaza last May 9, 2008.

Lasting almost two hours, the one-man vaudeville was performed in three segments by master comedian Jon Santos whose repertoire included a mélange of hilarious acts not only as a very adequate singer but also as an accomplished impersonator, mimic and raconteur that invariably hit the funny bones of the capacity crowd.

The show was part of a program designed by spouses Allan and Gwendolyn Cu, the son and daughter-in-law of local business magnate Fidel “Totoy” Cu who orchestrate the operations and activities of the various Avenue Square enterprises, to provide wholesome entertainment for the local milieu on special occasions.

More than just a comedy skit, the show that was basically intended as a tribute to motherhood did have cultural undertones, albeit in parody and ironical genres especially in the aspect of music and other literary heritage, changing values as well as political undertones in the form of well-aimed barbed diatribes at selected prominent personalities, adroitly delivered with finesse and spontaneity as only an innate entertainer like Jon Santos possibly.

In fact, the audience which was expectedly mostly women approaching or right at the matronly range, some accompanied by spouses and even a scattering of children who tagged along to make the evening a family celebration of Mother’s Day, were so mesmerized by the show on stage, when not rocking with laughter. Collectively, however, they seemed to feel a bit shortchanged as they lost track of time and suddenly find out the show was over and it was time to leave.

Many have not even started on the popcorn that was thrown in with their P350, P500 or P600 tickets.

After a short intro of a string of popular music rendered by in-house singers Orange Stripes, who raised the curtains and took over the intermissions, Jon Santos came onstage as the venerable Armida Siguion Reyna, resplendent in a silver gown complete with the make-up and silver hair, talking, singing and telling anecdotes that even those of her set and time could scarcely believe they were not looking at and listening to the one-time queen of vaudeville.

The next part saw Jon Santos as Vilma Santos, looking and talking like both the screen superstar and the governor of Batangas, and even singing like her, not excluding unleashing a few barbs at any Noranians who may have been in the audience.

In the final act Jon Santos portrayed his own witty and funny self and many others, with the former president Erap and PGMA clearly the favorite targets.

All in all, although it may not have brought the Avenue Convention Plaza down, the show was an exhilarating experience likes of which the people of Naga may not have again. That is, unless Jon Santos passes this way once more. (GBClaveria)

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 05:03 PM

CSur sports academy athletes
shine in Palarong Pambansa (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/may15/sports.html)

PILI, CAMSUR –-- Just on its second school year after Governor LRay Villafuerte established the school, athletes of the Camarines Sur Sports Academy are increasingly making their presence felt not only in local amateur games but also in national competitions.

This was clearly demonstrated this school year with the performance of the “Academians” in the amateur games under the aegis of the Department of Education called the Palaro, which starts from the grassroots as inter-school games in each congressional district, followed by the inter-district division games, advancing to the regional meet and culminating with the Palarong Pambansa played in Puerto Princesa, Palawan this year.

Camarines Sur has four congressional districts, but with the special advantage of the Academians who are in fact part of the second or Central Bay district as the school is located in San Jose, Pili, other districts protested, so it was decided that the Academy, even with its limited number of students, be considered as a separate district.

Nonetheless, even with only a total of 115 students in the elementary grades and secondary level specializing in only five sports – swimming, athletics, archery and boxing – the CSSA playing as a separate district emerged champion in this year’s division meet.

A total of 52 Academians qualified to form part of Camarines Sur’s delegation to the Bicol Meet, and 30 of them displayed admirable performances in their respective fields and also chosen to form part of the contingent of Bicol Region, or Region 5, to the recent Palarong Pambansa held last April 20 to 26.

In short, Academians powered the Bicol Region and accounted for most of the medals won by Bicol Region, including a gold medal for setting a new national record.

The record breaking feat was courtesy of Juan T. Pantila, Jr., a member of the secondary level 4 x 50 meter relay team together with 2 other swimmers from Naga City and another from Albay.

Pantila also contributed two silver medals, one in 4 x100 meter relay and another in 100 meter freestyle.

Other Academian medallists are Noralyn S. Picaso, who also brought home the silver in 200 and 400 meter dashes in the secondary level; Melber A. Diones for another silver in the secondary long jump; Jhonix A. Aquino who earned a silver as member of the 4 x 50 meter relay in elementary level swimming and a bronze medal in 50 meter butterfly; King Alber S. San Jose and Ronie U. Café contributing another bronze in the secondary archery team event.

Creditable performances were also displayed by Academians who placed fourth places in the respective events: Janeth Romagosa in 100 meter hurdle, Jowena Oropesa in archery, Noralyn Picaso, Janeth Romagosa, Shiela Mae Fraginal in 4 x 400 meter relay and Melber Diones in triple jump.

The Bicol region did not fare as well in the overall standings notably because of non-competitiveness in most team sports, especially in ball games, which are now being considered for addition in the coming school year curricula, CSSA director Dr. Lucita L. Año said. (GBClaveria)

garzland

May 17th, 2008, 05:32 PM

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/566/04132008346kl7.jpg

Mond87

May 18th, 2008, 11:09 AM

I duplicated the other news in this thread 'coz it's not just news for Naga since the airport is actually located in Pili. If not necessary, I'm not duplicating any news naman eh. Regarding Legazpi and Albay, of course there's no duplicate posts of news since they're just in a single thread.

If I'm not mistaken, there are really some news articles that were duplicated in the same thread (not sure if it's Naga, Cam Sur, or Bicol). I guess we have to be either more careful in posting articles or maybe we need to have a "designated" article poster per thread. I'm thinking: Naga - kevinb, Cam Sur - garzland, fil07 - articles relating to board exam results and the like. Well, I'm not sure if you will concur w/ me but that's how I think it should be right now.

fil07

May 18th, 2008, 11:45 AM

i'd rather see duplicate news (from diff sources) than OT posts :bash:

Mond87

May 18th, 2008, 12:35 PM

Yeah but sometimes it's also a waste of spot... heheh...

kevinb

May 19th, 2008, 09:12 AM

I'll try if I can. Just let me know the pictures needed.

I'll just get some photos here. :D

garzland

May 19th, 2008, 10:47 AM

^^Ok, please inform me if you're done.

garzland

May 19th, 2008, 11:17 AM

Just a little messy on the right side

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/9152/04132008338rw1.jpg

garzland

May 19th, 2008, 11:29 AM

This is yummmmmyyy. Try it! You won't regret!

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4191/05112008688yh5.jpg

axel(08)brixx

May 19th, 2008, 02:00 PM

So many foodz..!!

O.T tau papz ^8^

I remember last 2004 when i had my vacation in Lagonoy, Cam. Sur..!!

nanguryente kami ng sira sa kasalogan kan Himagtocon, Lagonoy..!! Ang masiram na sira para sa kuya ay KASILI "fresh water eel"..i really love it lalo na kapag fried or ginunawan..!!

i love eating exotic foodz like for some...!! Goto..."bayawak"...irago "sawa" i dunno sa sarili q..but i love eating thiz kinds of foodz..^8^V bahala kau..!!

sa province,,, lalo sa atin sa Lagonoy,,uso dba ang mga may air gun..parang panghanap na nila ng pagkain or pang - ulam " sa mga kan -nyogan" jan madalas namamaril ng mga common gamebirdz ^8^

------------------------------------------------------------------- ^8^

Naga City Rock:banana::banana::banana:

http://www.naga.gov.ph/gallery/photos/4/4_20060627145501.jpg

Aw...!! Dapat summer nila ginagawa ang construction ng Coliseum bakong Tag - Uran..Tsk tsk tsk..sayang kapag 2magal pa yan pati pundasyon nyan hihina...^8^V sayang lang ang nasirang frame roof tsk tsk ..un ginastos dun..!!

garzland

May 19th, 2008, 02:18 PM

^^I hate exotic foods especially what you've just mentioned, sorry. I just hate it! Hehehe.

Nope, the construction of the coliseum is on hold simula ng masira ng bagyo yung roofing ng coliseum. The city government is still looking for funds to finance this huge unending project, remember that this project commenced last 1997 pa so just imagine after a decade still not finished.

garzland

May 19th, 2008, 02:46 PM

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5635/04202008500ap3.jpg

BYAHILO

May 20th, 2008, 12:18 PM

Cebu Pacific's Piso fare for new routes Naga, Tuguegarao and San Jose!

http://philippine-airlines.info/2008/05/19/new-short-term-economy-roundtrip-promotional-fares-from-manila-to-asia-via-philippine-airlines-pal/

allan_dude

May 20th, 2008, 02:53 PM

http://cebupacificair.com/banners/seatsale_banner052008.gif

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will start daily flights from Manila to Tuguegarao and Naga on June 17 and 24 respectively, and to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on July 1, 2008 using brand new ATR 72-500 aircraft.

The P1 one-way fare seat sale runs from May 21 to 27, 2008 and is valid for travel until August 31, 2008. After the seat sale, the year-round Go fare for Manila-Tuguegarao starts at P288, while the Manila-Naga and Manila-San Jose routes start at P88. Fares are exclusive of surcharges and government tax.

Lance Y. Gokongwei, Cebu PAcific president and chief executive officer, said, “We hope that the opening of these new routes will spur travel and business growth in these areas as we have done in other parts of the country where we currently operate. The new services will also increase convenience for tourists who can now enjoy the attractions offered in these areas.”

With these new addition to the airline’s network, Cebu Pacific has the most domestic destinations than any other airline in the country.

The Manila-Tuguegarao flight departs at 5:55am and arrives in Tuguegarao at 7:05am. The return flight departs at 7:25am and lands in Manila at 8:35am.

The flight from Manila to Naga leaves at 1:15pm and arrives in Naga at 2:10pm. The return flight departs from Naga at 2:30pm and arrives in Manila at 3:25pm.

The Manila-San Jose flight departs at 4:00pm and arrives in San Jose at 4:50pm. The return flight takes off at 5:10pm and lands in Manila at 6:00pm.

“With our brand new ATR aircraft, we are now able to serve developing markets such as Tuguegarao, Naga and Mindoro. We expect to open more routes as soon as we take delivery of four more ATR aircraft this year,” Gokongwei said.

Gokongwei added that the best way to book flights is though www.cebupacificair.com.

Cebu Pacific flew 5.5 million passengers in 2007. It has a fleet of ten A319s, eight A320s, and two ATR 72-500 aircraft. The airline flies to 14, soon to be 16 international destinations with the addition of Kaohsiung in June and Kota Kinabalu on July. It will also fly to 24 domestic destinations with the addition of these new routes in the coming months.

http://www.cebupacificairlines.ph/cebu-pacific-offers-p1-fare-to-tuguegarao-naga-and-san-jose-mindoro/

garzland

May 20th, 2008, 03:12 PM

garzland

May 20th, 2008, 04:47 PM

Robredo has been one of the very few commendable local government unit chairs. The country needs more of his like. If all leaders were like him, it would have been a very progressive Philippines. Does anyone know if he is eying another post when his term expires? I hope he runs--for congressman maybe--so we'll get rid of the braggarts at the House. Haha!

Anyway, I never expected fate would bring me to Geewan, as I am fond of eating at McDonald's or Biggs when I am in Naga. I CERTAINLY LOVED what I ordered at Geewan that I asked for another cup of rice.

I ate there only twice and has never repeated until now. I like the food since it's local dishes but, unlike you, fate has never brought me back there again. I guess my last visit there was 2 years ago...

garzland

May 20th, 2008, 04:58 PM

Keri na kung may comparison. That's not avoidable. A website article says "Albay-Camarines Sur rivalry is back," when it was just about whom GMA was to appoint Regional Development Council head.

And we have to admit SM was the first one in the business and has made waves in that concern.

Amid all that, I am looking forward to SM Naga. I need not go home in Daraga for anything else on weekends. When does construction start, Naga peeps?

Do you always visit Naga, sir Jerry? :)

garzland

May 20th, 2008, 06:24 PM

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/2354/naga6lf5.jpg

The encircled portion I think is Karangahan Village.. How about those rectangled portion? But I think those are still subdivisions. I just don't know the name.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/5655/naga2rm7.jpg

Is the encircled lot a memorial park? It's not far from Basilica (the rectangle portion).

garzland

May 20th, 2008, 06:28 PM

I just found out that Google Earth is not updated. Avenue Plaza Hotel and Olivan Home Depot are not yet there. This was taken last 2006 pa pala.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7747/naga7fi9.jpg

fil07

May 20th, 2008, 11:05 PM

Eternal Garden?

Matteo

May 21st, 2008, 01:12 AM

garzland

May 21st, 2008, 06:46 AM

^ that last screen shot, the thing in the cirlce, is that Avenue Square?
thanks for the screenshots by the way garzland
i was gonna ask someone if they can provide us some here cause i dont have google earth hehee :D

Welcome, Matt! Yup, that's the Avenue Square.

Eternal Garden?
Yeah, I guess that's the Eternal Gardens.

kevinb

May 21st, 2008, 11:45 AM

I just found out that Google Earth is not updated. Avenue Plaza Hotel and Olivan Home Depot are not yet there. This was taken last 2006 pa pala.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7747/naga7fi9.jpg

Oo nga no? They should update it na! Hehe. :D

kevinb

May 21st, 2008, 11:46 AM

P1M worth of property up in smoke in Naga fire (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/96228/P1M-worth-of-property-up-in-smoke-in-Naga-fire)

MANILA, Philippines - Some P1 million in property went up in smoke after fire believed caused by an overheated exhaust fan destroyed a hotel in Naga City in Bicol Monday afternoon.

Bombo Radyo Naga reported early Tuesday that the Moraville Hotel owned by Andrew Morano was almost totally razed by the time firefighters got to the scene.

Pili Fire Station deputy fire marshal Rogelio Cortez said the fire started at about 2:40 p.m.

Initial investigation showed the fire started at the second floor when an exhaust fan overheated.

Cortez said the fire quickly consumed the fiberglass roof of the hotel. No one was reported killed or injured in the fire. - GMANews.TV

-----

Could this be the Moraville Hotel near NCF?

kevinb

May 21st, 2008, 11:50 AM

New BIR regulations to impact BSP’s gold buying operations (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/96227/New-BIR-regulations-to-impact-BSPs-gold-buying-operations)

MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said forcing small miners to pay excise taxes on every sale of gold may affect its gold-buying operations.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has issued Revenue Regulations 7-2008 that taps the central bank as collector of the 2% excise tax, as well as a 10% creditable withholding tax, that small miners need to pay with every sale of gold.

Republic Act 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 specifies that all gold produced by small-scale miners be sold to the central bank at competitive prices.

The gold bought forms part of the central bank’s reserves.

Diwa C. Guinigundo, central bank deputy governor, said: "We are not against the regulation. We are just questioning its legality and its possible impact on our gold-buying operations."

He added that the collection of taxes is not a "core function" of the central bank.

BusinessWorld tried to reach tax bureau officials Monday but they were not available as of press time.

While most small-scale miners sell their gold to the central bank, Mr. Guinigundo said they are supposed to settle their tax obligations with the tax bureau.

"If they don’t sell to us, they will put (their gold) in the black market," he said.

"If you are talking of thousands of small-scale gold producers, the administrative procedures involved should just be to simplify and streamline matters."

The central bank has five buying stations: at its Mint and Refinery Operations Department in Quezon City, and at its regional offices in Baguio City, Davao City, Zamboanga City, and Naga City.

Mr. Guinigundo noted that anonymity among small-scale miners is very important. First time sellers have to accomplish a specimen signature card with picture and name/s of authorized representative/s.

"This involves buying and selling of gold, which is a very precious metal. It can put risks to their lives," he said.

BIR tapped the central bank as collection agent to address the low excise tax compliance of small miners. - Ruby Anne M. Rubio, BusinessWorld

-----

Is the BSP-Naga a gold-buying station for the government? Ngayon ko lang 'to nalaman, in fairness....