there is a new road connecting queborac (near northboad terminal) and bayawas st. (unc gate 2)

Church, LGUs to keep Peñafrancia festival safe, solemn


MANILA, Philippines - Following a rock-throwing incident and a rumble, Church and local government officials in Bicol have agreed to take steps to make sure the Peñafrancia festival would be both safe and solemn.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said the Caceres Archdiocese and Naga City government joined hands as they expect more than a million pilgrims to join the festivities.

Earlier, Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi wrote Mayor Jesse Robredo objecting to the planned street parties while the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated.

He said drinking liquor in the streets do not augur well with the optimum respect for the feast and does not give any meaning to the spiritual wellbeing of pilgrims and devotees.

Parties and drinking sprees had led to rumbles, disrupting the otherwise tranquil atmosphere in honoring "Ina," he added.

Also, the Church objected to promotional billboards featuring scantily clad models along the Peñafrancia and Divino Rostro procession route.

In response, Robredo rejected seven applications for street parties except for one where only half of the road will be closed, and had the controversial billboards removed. - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/120844/Church-LGUs-to-keep-Pe&ntildeafrancia-festival-safe-solemn

^^Ok, I will if I have the time. Ford Naga is already open and I have to take pictures of that.

Thanks! Exciting! :D

there is a new road connecting queborac (near northboad terminal) and bayawas st. (unc gate 2)

Where exactly is the new road???

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7363/091420081162yi7.jpg

Waaah! I wanna go home! :cry:

^^Well, you have to. This is Ina's fiesta so you have to be here. Are you in Manila?

^^ Yes, I'm in Manila. Gusto ko talaga umuwi kaso ubos na leave credits ko. I'm saving it for the All Saint's Day. :( I wanna see the city's vibrant colors during the festivities. :cry:

Inquirer Southern Luzon
Church, Naga disagree on Peñafrancia street parties

By Jonas Cabiles Soltes
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 03:03:00 09/18/2008

NAGA CITY – Mayor Jesse Robredo is bent on holding street parties, concerts and a day-long military parade as Naga celebrates the Peñafrancia Festival amid criticisms of “creeping commercialism” from the highest-ranking Catholic Church official in the city.

“All other large religious festivals in the country have civic components. The Sinulog Festival, for instance, allows a street party on a daily basis,” Robredo says, referring to Cebu City’s revelry and main tourist attraction during the Feast of the Santo Niño in January.

But he made it clear that civic activities would only be allowed as long as these do not degrade the religious component of the Peñafrancia Festival that started on Sept. 12 with the Traslacion of the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia and would end Sept. 21.

Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi of the Archdiocese of Caceres has reminded the Catholic faithful that the essence of the event was the renewal of faith and understanding of the devotion to the Ina. The commercialism that had shadowed it in recent years, he said, would tarnish the religiosity of the only regional fiesta in the Philippines.

For instance, he said, a gay beauty pageant was being held and used the name “Miss Gay Peñafrancia.” He said this was not appropriate because it tended to disrespect the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.

“It is not the local church that deals with the civic activities,” Robredo said. “Though we are not encouraging street parties and the like, we cannot prevent them (street parties), especially if they complied with set guidelines and regulations. We cannot just disapprove street parties just because they are not religious in nature.”

Street parties are not rowdy, generally, he said. “There are unruly street parties, and there are those that are not, so it would be unfair if we ban street parties sweepingly.”

The mayor said he had consulted various sectors, including the Naga City People’s Council, the federation of all nongovernment organizations and people’s organizations in the city, before he decided to allow the civic activities alongside the religious celebration.
Only 25 of the 200 sectoral leaders he met had opposed the street parties and other activities, he added.

The Naga City People’s Council said street parties could be allowed as long as these would not clog thoroughfares or are held on secondary roads.

Organizers of “beer plazas” should see to it that no minors would join, it said.

One such drinking event is part of the three-day sports competition that the Union of Bicol Clergy will hold among priests and bishops all over the region. It was expected to take place at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary beside the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral.

Robredo said the military parade to be held tomorrow is widely known in the region because of its length. “Like the Traslacion, the parade is a foot procession, which has become an occasion to look forward to,” he said.

Earlier, Peñafrancia Basilica Minore Rector Msgr. Romulo Vergara said the local church was not totally against civic activities, especially those that were not in any way tainting the religious character of the celebration.

But surprisingly, a Protestant group disapproved the street parties, saying these would deflect the attention from the Catholic celebration.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080918-161318/Church-Naga-disagree-on-Peafrancia-street-parties

Pig-merge na palan ining 2 camarines sa sarong thread lang.

^^ Yes, I'm in Manila. Gusto ko talaga umuwi kaso ubos na leave credits ko. I'm saving it for the All Saint's Day. :( I wanna see the city's vibrant colors during the festivities. :cry:

Sayang naman... Di mag-absent ka na lang hehehe for the sake of our Ina

^^ Waaah! Baka ma-IR ako pag nag-absent ako for a few days. If not, kailangan ko mag-LOA which means I won't get paid during those days. :(

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Champion: Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation, Naga City
First Runner-up: Sorsogon Province
Second Runner-up: Magarao Central School

^^ Nakakauyam daw ang Voyadores. Hapon na ginigibo. Pangit lugod hilingon ta mayong saldang. :(

^^Pero pabor sa mga contestants ta bakong gayong mapagal. Pighiling ko ngani kansubago grabe pa ang mga ganotlalo na gayod kung mainit.

^^ Advantage pero mas magayon pag maliwanag. Hehehe. :) Bakong tapos na ang Military Parade???

^^Ngunyan pa lang na Biyernes ang Military Parade...

^^ Picture! Picture! Picture! Picture! Picture! :banana::banana::banana:

^^Sadly I haven't taken any pic of it. Na-late kasi ako eh hehehe. Pagduman ko ning 3 tapos na palan, awarding na.

Ford Naga finally opens

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/221/091820081175sf1.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1332/091820081176ac6.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc211/GUARDDOG_2007/SMNagaPerspective.jpg
sm naga looks good

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5210/092020081192go7.jpg

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Kapiestahan ni Ina, pigcecelebrar pa sa 40ng ciudades sa USA (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/sept18/bb-story.html)

Maabot na sa 40ng darakulang Ciudades sa Estados Unidos de America (USA) asin iba pang mga naciones nag-cecelebrar na kan kapiestahan ni Nuestra Senora de Peñafrancia na kadakli mga organisacion nin Bicolanos an nag-introducir huli kan saindang devocion ki Ina.

Nagkaka-igwa sinda nin procession sa cada kapiestahan mientras na an mga devoto nagkakanta kan tradicional na Resuene Vibrante asin nasunod man an pagpasalamat na misa.

Sa Ciudad nin Kuwait kan Abril 2006, si Fr. Ruben B. Barrameda, Jr., sarong diocesan priest na hali digdi sa Bicol nag-introducir kan devocion ki Ina sa comunidad nin mga Filipino asin an celebracion kan kapiestahan pigtalaan ngonian na Septiembre 18, 2008.

Sa pinaluwas na bareta kan CBCP news gikan sa Kuwait City, “Ina is helping us do our mission in Kuwait”, sabi ni Fr. Barrameda.

Si Rev. Msgr. Romulo A. Vergara, Rector kan Peñafrancia Basilica and National Shrine nagsabi haros kadakli kan darakulang ciudades sa USA igwang celebracion ki Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia asin igwang ginigibong coordinacion sa simbahan sa Ciudad nin Naga.

Dakulang source an informacion kan website kan Peñafrancia Basilica asin City Hall kan Ciudad nin Naga kaya ngani an devocion ki Ina lakop na sa manlaen-laen na naciones, sabi pa ni Vergara.

Sa partial list kan Peñafrancia Basilica an mga naciones na may kaparejong kapiestahan asin devocion iyo an mga minasunod; Ang Angelenos, USA, Batoenes of California, Bay Area Bicol Association kan Sta. Cruz, California, Bicol Association of Charleston, South Carolina, Bicol Association of Greater Jacon, California, Bicol Club of Guam, Bicol Club of Hawai, Bicol Club of Los Angeles, California, Bicol Club of San Diego County, Bicol Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida Bicolandia, Association of Washington, Bicolandia Association, Inc. sa Spring Valley, New York, Calabanga Association of USA, Calolbon Civic Association of USA, Camarines Norte Association, San Diego, California, Guam Peñafrancia Movement, Iriga Bicol Association of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Irigueños of Southern California, Nabua Association of USA, Nabua Bay Area Club, USA, Nabueños of Southern California, Inc. Naga Metropolitan Cal. Association sa San Francisco, California, Naga Metropolitan Society, USA, Oasnon, USA, Pag-iribang Bikolnon sa San Diego, CA, Peñafrancia Association of New Jersey, Pili Club of California, Polangueños USA, Sorsogon Association of California, Sorsogon Club, USA, Tinambac Association of California, Roma Italia, Bangkok Thailand, Sydney, Australia, Peñafrancia Festival of Bicol USA, Houston Chapter, Bicol Association of Tidewater, Virginia, Austria, asin Bicol Society.

Afuera pa kaini, igwa pang ibang mga banwaan asin ciudades digdi sa Filipinas an regular man na nag-oobservar kan kapiestahan ni Ina.

Devotees seek healing from Bicol patroness

NAGA CITY—On the grassy grounds of the Naga Cathedral while waiting for the Virgin of Peñafrancia to emerge for the fluvial procession in the Naga River on Saturday afternoon, Mateo Magalona, 80, retraces the steps he has been taking for the past 50 years as a devotee of the patroness of Bicol.

His devotion to the Virgin, called “Ina” by the Bicolanos, started after he was healed from an unknown illness that almost shrunk his heart, he says.

After his recovery, Magalona said he dreamed that the Virgin asked him to offer his strength and youth by taking her weight upon his shoulders during the processions held in her honor. The weeklong festival is celebrated on the third week of September.

Since then, Magalona has become one of the “voyadores” of Ina during the “Traslacion,” the first day of the festival where the Virgin is brought out of her home shrine in the Basilica to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Naga for novenas and Masses, and on the last day during the fluvial procession that marks her return to the shrine.

“I ask her to allow me to live until my 90th birthday so I could see my grandchildren’s children and to keep my family safe and healthy,” he says.

Walking from his house in Barangay Cararayan to the basilica or cathedral, wherever his Patroness may be, Magalona says that “with faith, you can do anything.”

It is a belief shared by Flor Asi who, at 60, has been coming all the way from Batangas for the past two years to seek healing for her 18-year-old grandson Jason de Torres, a hydrocephalic. Asi says the devotion will continue in the years to come so “she won’t displease Ina.”

It was two years ago when Asi was told that a miraculous Virgin in Naga City could heal her grandson. “For the past two years, we’ve been visiting the Inang Peñafrancia to ask her to heal this grandson of mine.”

She said her grandson was born with a soft head that wouldn’t harden. “We save up during the entire year to pay for our fare and food. Sometimes, if we have enough to buy candles and fans from Batangas, we sell those here.”

Sally Dalugo, 33, from Quezon province, said, “Selling fans is my own devotion to Ina. Even though I won’t sell any, even though it’s tiring, it’s okay as long as my devotion to Her is fulfilled.”

At P10 per fan, Dalugo admits that her profit is never enough to support her family’s needs. “But, that is what I’m here for. I’m asking Her to alleviate us from poverty.” Shiena Barrameda, contributor

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080922-162118/Devotees-seek-healing-from-Bicol-patroness

Ford Naga finally opens

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/221/091820081175sf1.jpg

It's a bit small, but nonetheless, it's still Ford@Naga! :colgate::banana:

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/sept18/pictures/simba.gif

VIVA LA VIRGEN. The miraculous image of Ina is hailed by devotees, pilgrims and the faithful upon her arrival at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral for the nine-day novena leading to her feast day. RANDY VILLAFLOR

Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/sept18/index.html

Missing areola of Ina found after 21 years
By JUAN ESCANDOR JR.

NAGA CITY --- Less than a month after the image of Nuestra Señora Peñafrancia or Ina, Patroness of Bicol, accidentally fell into to the waters of Naga River on Sept. 19, 1987, this city experienced the biggest fire in the history, gobbling up the whole supermarket on Oct. 3, 1987.

Two months after the incident, Typhoon Sisang ravaged Bicol on Nov. 26, 1987 with howling winds at 220 kph, toppling power lines from Sorsogon to Camarines Norte and killing hundreds in the coastal areas all over the region.

Msgr. Romulo Vergara, rector of the Peñafracia Basilica, said the image of Ina was placed halfway in the plank of the pagoda during the fluvial procession; when the boat started to move from the dalhogan (wharf) in the west side of the city going to the east side to the Basilica, it fell down the river and settled at the bottom.

Vergara said the then rector Msgr. Juan Celso, upon seeing what happened, dived into the waters to recover it but had retrieved only the wooden image of Ina, crown and veil but without the areola, the halo-like ring behind the image made of gold-plated bronze and sparkling glass.

Twenty-one years later, in early August this year, the rector ordered the dredging of the area near the wharf in partnership with the city government to clear the waters where the image of Ina would again crossover from procession along the winding streets of Naga to the pagoda to cruise the snaking Naga River going to the Peñafrancia Basilica, its permanent home, in a fluvial procession on Sept. 20.

He said the dredging crew accidentally recovered the areola near the wharf in the area where the image of Ina fell down into the murky waters of Naga River that he said made them trace when the recovered part of the image was found.

“How the image of Ina sank into the river despite the many voyadores (barefoot male devotees) who gave brawn and breath to keep the Virgin’s andas up an upright throughout the procession has been bereft of explanation. Even Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of the Archdiocese of Caceres could only explain the sinking of the image as a mere incident,” wondered Jose Fernando Obias, local historian, book author and journalist who witnessed the incident 11 years ago.

Obias claimed that “there can be no mistaking that with the twin incidents (referring to the fire that gutted the supermarket and the ravaging Typhoon Sisang) God’s wrath has come.”

He said that the year the image of=2 0Ina went down under water was also the year when the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels bombed three bridges in the towns of Sipocot, Milaor and Del Gallego, all in the province of Camarines Sur.

“The sea of humanity that followed the andas of the Lady exuded smell of sweat and dust while it moved through the streets of Naga at a pace punctuated by the usual sways and dips as arms interlocked to tug the Virgin towards the banks of the Naga River where lying in wait was her pagoda decked with flaglets and flowers which reports said, amounted to about P100,000 that year,” he said, describing the events before the image of Ina accidentally fell down the waters.

Obias said that the image took sometime to board the pagoda when it was brought to the river bank where the water reached up to the chin of the voyadores. “But before the outstretched hands in the pagoda could grasp the Virgin’s andas, the andas slipped into the waters, momentarily staying afloat, then sank, as some voyadores scampered to shore while others struggled to the surface of the water for gasps of air. The pagoda, it seemed, had moved offshore beyond the reach of the voyadores who bore the Virgin,” he further described the moment the incident of the image of Ina in 1987.

He said he was also surprised why the wooden image defied the physical law on buoyancy because it remained submerged even after several minutes of waiting that’s why it had to be fished out of the river piece by piece and loaded on her pagoda.

“The first to be retrieved from the river depths was her crown, followed by her veil or manto, and finally her andas with the image fixed on it, bared of mantle and crown, showing to one and all the silver plates that wrap the Lady and her child,” Obias recounted.

He felt that the incident of the “drowning” of the image of Ina portended that the accident was a sign of God’s wrath for his people and something terrible that had to do with water would happen when God would visit Bi col.

Incidentally, Typhoon Sisang that battered Bicol, two months after the “drowning” incident, claimed hundreds of lives in Sorsogon provinces where tidal wave and storm surge ravaged coastal communities there with bodies found floating in the seas of Sorsogon Bay even after two weeks after the typhoon.

Obias recalled that the months prior to Typhoon Sisang hit the region in 1987 there was drought which brought the water level in this city’s reservoir to its lowest level for the past three years, hitting only 44 centimeter which was 4 centimeters lower than 1986.

“Two weeks before Christmas of 1987, two children of the elementary department of the Colegio de Sta. Isabel were reported to have seen a bearded man who asked them to request the priests in the city to bring the image of Ina in a procession in order to contain the incidences of misfortune in the province. Done a century ago, a procession was able to arrest the spread of cholera in the city,” he said, recalling one more incident on the year the image of Ina “drowned”.

But he said the Catholic Church authorities here did not permit to hold the procession because of the policy to observe a calendar of activities and only on several occasions is the image of the Virgin brought in a procession, specially that that time of the year calls for Advent, the coming of Christ, and bringing out the Image of Ina is not one of that season’s activities, he added.

On August 17, 1981, six years before the “drowning” incident, the 275-year-old image of Ina was stolen from the Naga Basilica Minore. It resurfaced a year later on Sept. 5, 1982 which was said to have been placed inside a sack and dumped at the office of Msgr. Florencio Ylana, liaison officer of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The police authorities had never discovered and identified the people behind its disappearance for one year.

It was reported that Bishop Sofio Balce, auxiliary bishop of Nueva Caceres, asked the mayo rs of Camarines Sur to write then First Lady Imelda Marcos to help hasten the search for the missing image of Ina. Mrs. Marcos was devotee of the Nuestra Señora Peñafrancia, who donated sizable amount for the completion of the stained-glass Naga Basilica Minore.

According to church literature, the devotion to the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia dates back to 1710 which was initiated by certain Fr. Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who made a vow to have the image made for veneration. Since then, the devotion has endured and spread in the city then the entire Bicol region.

On June 10, 1895, Pope Leo XIII declared Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia “Patroness of Nueva Caceres” and then on Sept. 20, 1924 it was declared “Queen of Bicol” by the Edict of Pope Benedict XV under the Pontificate of Pius XI.

The devotion to the image of the Virgen Mary with the name Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia was said to been carved by cimarrones, the=2 0animist natives living at the shoulders of Mt. Isarog, and was painted with the blood of dog that was revived to life after it was thrown into the river. The miracle of the dog had been said to be the first miracle connected to the devotion to the Patroness of Bicol.

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Recovered Areola ---Msgr. Romulo Vergara, rector of the Naga Basilica Minore, shows the areola believed to have been lost 21 years ago when the image of Ina accidentally fell into the river during the fluvial procession.

It's a bit small, but nonetheless, it's still Ford@Naga! :colgate::banana:

Yup, it's a bit small but what's important is its presence in the city.

Lower rent makes provincial cities attractive to call centers09/19/2008 | 04:52 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies that plan to put up new offices remain attracted to locations outside Metro Manila due to lower rental costs, an international property consultant noted recently.

But an official of CB Richard Ellis also noted that these BPOs are also looking to tap the human resource pool in other urban centers.

Speaking at an international services conference recently, CBRE Philippines Vice Chairman Joey Radovan said the outlook for the cities of Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, and Naga are promising.

Prospects for so-called Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in the next two years are also promising.

“BPO companies that have been in the country for three to four years are looking at the provinces to leverage the large labor pools in these areas and to leverage the benefits of lower rates for office space and operating costs," said Radovan.

For this year alone, Radovan said 23 of the 34 projects scheduled for completion by the end of 2008 are located outside the Makati and Ortigas central business districts where many of the BPOs are currently located.

Lease rates in the Makati and Ortigas CBDs range from P850 to P950 per square meter, said Radovan while rates in Cebu range from P330 to P450 per square meter, and Bacolod from P220 to P250 per square meter.

Makati and Ortigas CBDs are what CBRE refers to as Tier 1 cities. These cities are equipped with adequate infrastructure, such as telecommunications, roads, accommodations.

Tier 2 and 3 locations such as Laoag, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tuguegarao, Kalibo, Legaspi, Roxas, Butuan, Puerto Princesa, Dipolog, Cotabato, and General Santos City further south will benefit from expansion of the offshoring and outsourcing (O&O) industry, added Radovan.

Prospects for the O&O industry are not yet dimming totally despite the current financial crisis among top banks in the United States.
Rainerio M. Borja, president of US-headquartered PeopleSupport Philippines, told GMANews on Thursday that while the current US crisis will have an impact on some BPOs in the country, the local industry might also consider the crisis as an opportunity.

A number of US companies may consider offshoring some of their requirements to the Philippines, he explained, owing to the subprime crisis.

Borja said nevertheless that the situation will eventually stabilize.

Karen Batungbacal, president of ICT Group, said in an industry forum on Thursday that it is up to the local BPOs to grab these business opportunities at a time of crisis in the US.

Radovan said these alternate sites are giving BPOs more choices in office spaces. - Veronica C. Silva, GMANews.TV

Villafuerte picked as one of Jaycees International’s top 10 young persons

Mark C. Rodriguez

PILI, Camarines Sur — Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond "L-Ray" F. Villafuerte was awarded as one of the 2008 Jaycees International’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the field of business, economic and entrepreneurial accomplishments.

It was reported that the governor is the only Filipino given this international distinction.

Villafuerte was chosen from many entries around the world. He was cited for his "deep sense of leadership and entrepreneurial drive" in running the province through his effective promotion of tourism, investments, and technology.

Enhancing the people’s skills and making them globally competitive is among his priority concerns, it was noted.

"Through better livelihood opportunities especially for small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, we were able to provide jobs and more income opportunities for our people," Villafuerte said.

The young governor started as a private entrepreneur, and what he had learned in his business, he applied it to public governance.

"I would like to transform Camarines Sur into a profitable enterprise but it should be for the benefit of all people and should be felt by all," he also said.

The transformation of Camarines Sur from a province of the Bicol Region into a tourism, investment and information technology hub was traced to Villafuerte’s effective entrepreneurial skills.

The Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC), a wakeboarding destination for both local and foreign tourists, the development of Caramoan Peninsula, the shooting site of Survivor France (aired all over Europe), and the Sutherland Global Services, the region’s first call center are just a few of the many developments attributed to Villafuerte, the Jaycees noted.

Other TOYP awardees are Mayya Assaad (Syria) for contribution to the welfare of children and world peace; Dr. Angelin Chan (Taiwan) for cultural achievement; Garrette Gravesen (US) for his contribution to the welfare of children, human rights, and world peace; Dr. Lisa Hensey (US) for scientific and technological development; Tania Major (Australia) for governmental affairs; Melissa Moon (New Zealand) for personal improvement; Dr. Sam Prince (Australia) for humanitarian leadership; Paschal Saffache (France) for environmental concerns, and Yan Wai Ku (Hong Kong) for personal improvement.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080923136026.html

Peñafrancia rites impress California bishop

MANILA, Philippines - The celebration of the Peñafrancia festival in Bicol has impressed an auxiliary bishop from California who witnessed the event, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said.

An article on the CBCP website said San Diego, California auxiliary bishop Salvatore Cordileone spent a week in Naga City to see for himself how Bicolanos celebrate the feast.

"I see and feel what is experienced by the devotees who come and join the religious festivities and I noted the deep devotion even of ordinary pilgrims who lined-up the streets just to become part of what goes on in honoring our Mother," the CBCP article quoted Cordileone as saying.

Caceres Commission on Communications Director Fr. Luisito Occiano said Cordileone is a Marian devotee greatly influenced by Filipinos in his diocese, especially by Bicolanos.

Occiano said that in his diocese, the devotees conduct the procession to commemorate the Traslacion and fluvial procession in a "colorful and votive way."

He was the main celebrant in the Traslacion Mass last week, and joined the street processions and boarded the pagoda that brought the icon back to the Basilica Minore from the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.

The CBCP said Cordileone decided to join the Peñafrancia fiesta after he became curious on how the devotees in his diocese showed a different kind of devotion to "Ina."

"The display of passion by the devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is what makes the festival distinct from other religious activities intended to give honor to our Mother," Cordileone said. - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122454/Pe&ntildeafrancia-rites-impress-California-bishop

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc211/GUARDDOG_2007/SMNagaPerspective.jpg
sm naga looks good

I just realized, the portion of SM Naga with the colored blocks looks like the one in SM Marikina. :)

Inquirer Southern Luzon
Peñafrancia fiesta suffers hangover

By Jonas Cabiles Soltes
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 04:40:00 09/25/2008

NAGA CITY – Since the last plastic glass of beer was emptied and the last band music died in a night-long street party on Friday, Magsaysay Avenue has been back to normal as one of Naga City’s busiest thoroughfares.

The Naga River, scene of the traditional fluvial procession in honor of Bicol’s patron saint, the Our Lady of the Peñafrancia, is still brownish-black, abandoned to its murkiness by the one million devotees and tourists who came in record attendance during the week-long festival.

But Bicol’s biggest religious celebration, the Peñafrancia Festival, last week was also its most controversial.

Local priests accused the city government of fomenting “creeping commercialism” for allowing street parties and military parades that, they said, were among the reasons why the event has been losing its religiosity.

Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi expectedly made known his criticisms in his homily during the Mass that was the culmination of the fluvial procession. One priest even hurled his remarks in the presence of beer company executives attending Mass at the Peñafrancia Basilica.

City review

Mayor Jesse Robredo said his administration would review of all the activities during the Peñafrancia fiesta – as what it usually did every year – so it could determine whether these would still be replicated next year.

But he took issue with the local church’s open letter in local newspapers, blaming the city for indiscretion when it allowed the street parties. Addressing the problem could have been done through a proper venue or a dialogue, he said.

“We (the local church and the city government) could meet halfway, but we have to accept that we both have limitations,” Robredo said.

He added: “The local church could focus more on formation of the devotees. Yes, we have civic activities but if the devotees are well-informed, their faith in the Virgin of Peñafrancia would not be affected despite the commercial activities.”

The mayor defended the holding of the military parade every Friday of the Peñafrancia fiesta week as a major crowd-drawer.

The rift between the Church and city government started last year when some street parties reportedly led to “pandemonium” and distracted Catholics from their devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia.

Politicians who are believed to be aspiring for top national positions in 2010 came. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon joined the Translacion foot procession, while Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando, Sen. Bong Revilla and Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon came for the fluvial procession.

Robredo said Fernando was allowed to speak to fill up an unexpected interruption during the military parade.

Senators’ streamers

Streamers of Senate President Manuel Villar, Sen. Mar Roxas and Sen. Richard Gordon were posted in strategic locations to the annoyance of many residents who commented that the religious celebration was being used for political purposes.

Revilla caused quite a stir when he was allowed to board the barge or “pagoda” carrying the image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia although his name was not on the official list. Only select people, including journalists, from the different parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres are allowed to ride the barge.

Other issues brought out included the pollution of the Naga River and the supposed P300-million deposit of the archdiocese in the closed Golden 7 Bank. But Fr. Luisito Occiano, spokesperson of the archdiocese, said the church deposit only amounted to P11 million and was mainly reserved for its social involvement activities.

Criticisms also flew that the local church, not just the city government, had been commercializing the religious activity.

Tarpaulins of telecom companies were spread inside the premises of the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral. Booths from soft drink companies filled the Peñafrancia Basilica and other large churches.

But Msgr. Romulo Vergara, rector of basilica, said the booths were not meant for profit but to cater to the needs of pilgrims. The proceeds will be used for church maintenance, he said.

Minus the controversy, the Peñafrancia fiesta was as colorful as ever. More people joined the fluvial procession. Firework displays after the high Masses lit up the sky for several minutes.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080925-162760/Peafrancia-fiesta-suffers-hangover

Legazpi, Naga join drive for smoke warning

By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 04:34:00 09/25/2008

LEGAZPI CITY – Wearing a native Cuban hat, a now skinny and slouched Paquito Diaz is a far cry from the stalwart villain he used to be in old Filipino movies.

For several decades, Diaz battled onscreen with action superstars like Joseph Estrada and Fernando Poe Jr.

But eventually, his real-life battle was his badly deteriorating health due to smoking.

In 2004, Diaz suffered a stroke and underwent major brain surgery. For his faster recovery, his wife Nena Soler-Diaz transferred him to her hometown in Daraga, Albay, where the actor now lives a healthy lifestyle.

“I brought him here for the fresh air. Here, he could take a walk whenever he wants to. But above all, he has quit smoking,” Soler-Diaz said.

The couple were present in the launching of Project Death Clock, a campaign pushing for the passing of a law requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packs to cut down tens of thousands of deaths and billions of pesos in public health spending caused by smoking-related diseases.

“Had he not quit smoking, he could now be playing cards with FPJ in the afterlife,” Soler-Diaz said in Bicol, eliciting laughs from the audience.

Legazpi and Naga unveiled their own “death clocks” on Wednesday, a campaign which accumulates the number of tobacco-related deaths each day the Graphic Health Bill is not passed in the House of Representatives.

The Albay “death clock” on 16-feet-by-30-feet billboard stated 66,960 tobacco-related deaths since Dec. 20, 2007. The figures will change as 1,680 new deaths are added weekly.

Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Framework Convention on Alliance Philippines said 10 Filipinos were dying every hour due to tobacco use.

She said the tobacco industry only brought P92 billion worth of revenues but the government spent P276 billion in medical services addressing four of the most common smoking-related diseases.

Limpin said around 80 congressmen were now supporting the bill, which was authored by Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza. The bill aims to accurately depict “real-life debilitating diseases caused by tobacco smoking through strong warning messages in pictures.”

Limpin said a study by the Philippine College of Chest Physicians revealed that 96 percent of smokers admitted that picture-based warnings against smoking would most likely make them quit compared with text warnings. Of the 1,307 survey respondents, 41 percent said text health warnings had no effect or were not enough to make people quit smoking.

But what takes it so long for the bill to be passed is that it is still being deliberated upon and strongly opposed by the tobacco firms.

“Tobacco companies are using tactics to kill the bill by influencing members of the House of Representatives,” Limpin said.

“Many tobacco farmers are shifting to other crops because of the low-profitability of tobacco at P30 per kilo,” she said. “What will benefit tobacco farmers most is to impose increased taxation on tobacco products. We are supporting any bill that will push for that.”

Apo Gonzales, 48, of Legazpi, a smoker for 31 years, said graphic warnings might help lessen smoking-related deaths but it might not be enough to make him quit.

“What we need are support systems, like our friends, workmates and families. When we are able to reform basic institutions, like the family, it might be the time when ash trays will just become collector’s items,” Gonzales said.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080925-162758/Legazpi-Naga-join-drive-for-smoke-warning

Naga, Sorsogon champs lead CCL Region 3 finals


Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:52:00 09/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The Region 3 finals of the 2009 Smart-PLDT Collegiate Champions League kick off one of several regional championships of the country’s biggest collegiate tournament, with University of Nueva Caceres leading a six-team battle beginning Friday at the Naga City gymnasium.

The Greyhounds, the Naga city champion, are ranked No. 1 followed by Quezon titlist Manuel S. Enverga University and Sorsogon winner Computer Communications Development Institute.

Ateneo de Naga, Aemillianum College of Sorsogon and Computer Science & Technology College of Sariaya, Quezon are the other Region 3 finalists.

The Region 3 champion, which will take home sporting goods from league sponsors, will advance to the Zone 2 championships slated in November.

Playing in the zonal games are UAAP fourth placer University of the East, the NCAA-South champion and three wild-card squads.

The top two teams in the zonal championships will make it to the FilOil Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge competitions in Manila.

For more details, visit official website, www.collegiatechampionsleague.net. Romina S. Austria

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080925-162731/Naga-Sorsogon-champs-lead-CCL-Region-3-finals

10 Camarines fishermen missing

By Jonas Cabiles Soltes
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 17:33:00 09/25/2008

NAGA CITY, Philippines—Ten fishermen from Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur have remained missing five days after their vessels left the fishing ports in Paracale and Mercedes towns in Camarines Norte, and Siruma town in Camarines Sur, a report from the Kabalikat Civicom-Bicol said Thursday.

The operator of the missing fishing vessels MV Prince Joshua and MV Princess said the fishermen left early morning on Saturday at the height of Typhoon "Nina" (international codename: Hagupit), the report said.

They were believed to have been pushed by rough seas and strong winds into the waters in the vicinity of Butuanan Island in Siruma town.

Authorities have released contact numbers for anyone who might know of the whereabouts of the missing fishermen: 0921-827-7139 for Smart users and 0915-8251775 for Globe users.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080925-162882/10-Camarines-fishermen-missing

THE Philippine Science High School - Bicol recaptured today the PSYSC (Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs) Science Olympiad crown, which it lost to Cebu City National High School last year. This year's team was composed of Nikko Borromeo (Ligao City), Joshua Miguel Lopez (Sorsogon City), both seniors, and Gio Elegado (Goa, Camarines Sur), a junior student. Lopez was the individual highest pointer.

Last year's team failed to snatch the championship, which was won by the school in 2005 (courtesy of Janross Michael Rosero, Chinkee Lim, and Evan Titus Labrador) and in 2006 (courtesy of Elvin John Monroy, Jan Reuel Villacrusis, and Mario Nikko Priela).

The PSYSC Science Olympiad has been staged five times.

This year's team was one of the 20 teams in the high school category which topped the nationwide eliminations three weeks ago.

Yesterday, Pisay-Bicol won its third consecutive championship title at the Philippine Robotics Olympiad. The winning team, consisting of Oliver Fortades (Legazpi City), Joe Christopher Amanse (Naga City), and John Jurassic Gaite (Baao, Camarines Sur) will represent the Philippines in the World Robot Olympiad in Japan late this year. The school also represented the Philippines in the same world finals in China in 2006 and Taiwan last year.

CONGRATULATIONS!

^^ :omg: Wow! Ang galing ng mga Bikolano talaga! Proud to be one! :cheer::cheers:

THE Philippine Science High School - Bicol recaptured today the PSYSC (Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs) Science Olympiad crown, which it lost to Cebu City National High School last year. This year's team was composed of Nikko Borromeo (Ligao City), Joshua Miguel Lopez (Sorsogon City), both seniors, and Gio Elegado (Goa, Camarines Sur), a junior student. Lopez was the individual highest pointer.

Last year's team failed to snatch the championship, which was won by the school in 2005 (courtesy of Janross Michael Rosero, Chinkee Lim, and Evan Titus Labrador) and in 2006 (courtesy of Elvin John Monroy, Jan Reuel Villacrusis, and Mario Nikko Priela).

The PSYSC Science Olympiad has been staged five times.

This year's team was one of the 20 teams in the high school category which topped the nationwide eliminations three weeks ago.

Yesterday, Pisay-Bicol won its third consecutive championship title at the Philippine Robotics Olympiad. The winning team, consisting of Oliver Fortades (Legazpi City), Joe Christopher Amanse (Naga City), and John Jurassic Gaite (Baao, Camarines Sur) will represent the Philippines in the World Robot Olympiad in Japan late this year. The school also represented the Philippines in the same world finals in China in 2006 and Taiwan last year.

CONGRATULATIONS!

congrats po, astig:okay:

^^Congratz!!! But how's the Philippines in the World Olympiad last year?

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/922/091720081173bv1.jpg

^^Congratz!!! But how's the Philippines in the World Olympiad last year?

Our school's team won an Excellence Award. The grade schoolers won a gold medal.

^^Wow, then PSHS Goa is truly a world class school.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/553/091720081174mu7.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/922/091720081173bv1.jpg

Plaza Medica - Naga City's The Medical City

Greyhounds closer to Champs League berth

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:28:00 09/30/2008

MANILA, Philippines—University of Nueva Caceres outlasted Manuel S. Enverga University, 68-60, to capture the Region 3 (Quezon-Bicol) championship and move closer toward a “Sweet 16” slot in the Smart-PLDT Philippine Collegiate Champions League over the weekend at the Naga City gym.

En route to the championship that earned them a slot in the Zonal championships, the UNC Greyhounds, the reigning Bicol champions, crushed Computer Science and Technology College-Sariaya, 69-51, and Aemillianum College, 71-45.

Quezon titlist MSEU earlier disposed of Ateneo de Naga, 56-52, and Computer Communications Development Institute of Sorsogon, 49-42.

UNC thus joins UAAP fourth placer University of the East, the NCAA-South champion, and three wild-card entries in the Zonal finals.

The top two in the zonal championships will join the elite FilOil Flying V Final Challenge slated in Manila late this year.

The UNC Greyhounds received a regional champion’s trophy and certificate of award for athletic items courtesy of Sonak Sports, distributor of official PCCL ball Molten.

For more details about the year’s biggest collegiate basketball event, visit the website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net. Romina S. Austria

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080930-163716/Greyhounds-closer-to-Champs-League-berth

NDCC warns of possible flooding in Bicol areas

10/01/2008 | 10:11 AM


MANILA, Philippines – The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Wednesday warned residents of several areas in the Bicol region against possible flooding that may be caused by the rise in water levels of nearby rivers.

In its 4 a.m. advisory, the NDCC said the watercourses that are likely to be affected by storm “Pablo" are the following:

* Catanduanes – Cabuyan, Bato, and Pajo rivers;

* Camarines Norte – Date-Basud and Labo rivers;

* Camarines Sur – Bicol and Lagonoy rivers;

* Legazpi City – Tambang, Donsol, Ogod, and Puliao rivers;

* Sorsogon – Cadacan, Banuang-Duan, Fabrica, and Matnog rivers; and

* Masbate – Lanang Asid, Malbag, Guiom, and Daraga rivers

The NDCC said flooding is possible due to the slow rise in water levels of rivers near the following low-lying cities and municipalities in Bicol: Libon, Ligao City, Oas, Polangui, Bato, Baao, Bula, Nabua, Iriga city, Bombon, Cabusao, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Gainza, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Naga City, Pamplona, San Fernando, Sipocot, and Libmanan.

Residents in low-lying areas are advised to stay on higher grounds, the NDCC said.

The NDCC also advised residents living near mountain slopes to be on alert for possible flashfloods and landslides.

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, the center of “Pablo" was estimated to be over Pili, Camarines Sur of 240 kilometers Southeast of Metro Manila.

The NDCC forecasts light to moderate rains in the Bicol region, which is under signal No. 1, for the next 24 hours. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/124135/NDCC-warns-of-possible-flooding-in-Bicol-areas

^^Thank God, The typhoon is gone...

^^ Any news of the city?

Groundworks start for BSP reg’l jamborette in Naga (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/oct09/start.html)

NAGA CITY --- Close to 5,000 to 7,000 scouters from all over Bicol and Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Bulacan, and other parts of Luzon will trek their way to their designated sub-campsites within a 21-hectare expanse of pili trees and grassland in Bgy. Carolina here for the 2008 Boy Scouts of the Philippines Regional Jamborette which is slated on November 18-22, 2008.

The camp site is bounded by the Naga-Carolina road on its front side and the long creek dividing this city from nearby Bombon and Magarao towns, both in Camarines Sur, on the opposite side.

This year’s regional jamborette will be hosted jointly by the Naga BSP Council and the Naga City Government.

National BSP executive officers led by BSP National President Jejomar C. Binay, the mayor of Makati City, are expected to attend the jamborette.

The campsite, owned by businessman-farmer Tony Pacia, is located at the back of Penafrancia Resort which is also owned by the Pacias who offered the use of the land upon the request of Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo and the BSP Naga Executive Council headed by Lea Fungo.

Fungo said the 5-day jamborette is anticipated to become the biggest ever to be held in the region in terms of participation and attendance.

Nightly cultural programs at the camp’s grand arena to be presented by local student artists from this city’s major colleges and universities will add color and fund to the event.

Already, the city mayor ordered for the start of site preparations and the setting up of basic infrastructures that would require facilities for subcamps for the participating BSP councils, a grand arena, conference area, and jambo wet and dry market.

The camp site which is adjacent to a spring resort is nestled on the foot of Mt. Isarog which is surrounded by lush greenery and natural mini-forests.

CamSur archers, tankers reap 44 golds, dominate POF-BST Games (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/oct09/tankers.html)

Archers Arjayson A. Esturas and Kim Nelson M. Taugan bagged five gold medals each to lead the small and unassuming 30-athlete delegation from the Camarines Sur Sports Academy (CSSA) to a spectacular performance in the Philippine Olympic Festival Bicol-Southern Tagalog (POF-BST) Qualifying Games held at UP Los Baños, Laguna September 17 to 21.

The first, if not the only, authentic sports academy in the country today, the CSSA founded by Governor LRay Villafuerte two years ago offers specialized sports-oriented elementary and secondary curricula to potential sports talents, presently with five disciplines – athletics, swimming, taekwondo, boxing and archery..

Twenty-two other top-caliber athletes from the CSSA did not have to participate in the POF-BST qualifying games as their records automatically qualify them to join the 3rd POF National Championships slated at Cagayan de Oro City this coming December.

13-year old Taugan clinched the gold in the boys’ cub division 30-meter, 40-meter, 50-meter, FITA and Olypic rounds, duplicated by Esturas, a high school senior, in the junior boys’ category except in the Olympic round which was won by schoolmate King Albert S. San Juan. Esturas, however, captured another gold in boys’ team event.

Esturas also won a silver, San Juan another silver and 3 bronzes and team-mate Noli A. Berja pocketed a gold, 3 silvers and two bronzes.

In the boys’ cub division also, Vincent Panuelos carted off 4 silvers and Marin T. Arma, Jr. a silver and a bronze.

CSSA swimmers also won a total of 31 golds, 21 silvers and 5 bronzes in various individual age levels and in taekwondo 3 more silvers and two bronzes.

With the CSSA now making waves in various sports events like the various public school meets and the Milo Marathon despite its very short existence, Governor Villafuerte envisions gradually expanding the academy until it is capable of fielding a full contingent in all Palarong Pambansa sports disciplines.

CSSA students are all full scholars of the provincial government, provided free books, accommodations, meals, uniforms and other school needs. (GBClaveria/MMEC)

Lake Buhi, Bicol’s hidden jewel (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/philippineexplorer/philippineexplorer/view/20081009-165512/Lake-Buhi-Bicols-hidden-jewel)
By Amadis Ma. Guerrero
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 14:43:00 10/09/2008
NEAR THE PASAY ROTONDA were air-conditioned buses going direct to distant Buhi, Camarines Sur, and to Naga City. But they were leaving in the evening – inconvenient and unacceptable to this traveler. So there I was, sweating it out one late morning in a regular bus, in an unprepossessing bus station.

The lookout, who gets a commission per passenger had lured me in, saying the bus would be leaving soon (“aalis na”). That was a lie, of course, because more passengers were still being awaited. The fare to Naga was P400, just right for this peso-pinching budget tourist spending his own money.

Passengers argued with the jovial conductor and vendors shuffled back and forth, thrusting upon your face everything imaginable under the sun: fruits, towels, shawls, sunglasses, peanuts, comics and obscene CDs, watches, crackers, hamboorjers, etc.

And, for the kids, slithering and screeching toy frogs! I settled for two camouflage shorts, a steal at P50 each.

I had gone on the Naga route in 2005, bound for the entrancing Caramoan Peninsula, also in Cam-Sur: Ahem, yes, I have “discovered” Caramoan for ecotourism purposes; also Pag-Asa Island and Kalayaan, in the disputed Spratlys (in a plane piloted by be-medalled navy Lt. Cmdr. Abet Carlos).

Stops and all, the trip took 10 hours. It rained intermittently that day, and the Quezon National Park was awash in greenery. The sight of Lamon Bay in Atimonan, coming after the mountain zigzag, aroused the passengers. A few more Quezon towns then came an endless ride through the now darkened landscape, with the Bicol National Park straddling the provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

In Naga I checked in at the budget Sampaguita Tourist Inn (P500, air-con) beside Sunny View Hotel. Here at Sampaguita a bath towel costs you P100, refundable upon return. The next leg was a 90-minute journey via van (air-con, P70) to Buhi, which turned out to be a charming town just past Iriga City.

Finally I took a tricycle (P100, good for three) to my destination, the Lake Buhi Resort, 4 km from the poblacion (town center) in Barangay Cabatuan, Buhi.

Lovely resort

The facade of the resort was unpainted and modern in style, therefore not too attractive—at least to me. But the rest of the resort was lovely: 22 elegant rooms, a gazebo, duplex bungalows, the obligatory coconut palm trees and well-manicured lawn, kiddie and adult pools, a mini-golf course, a function room and a presidential suite by the lakeshore.

The poolside is often used for events. When I was there, a wedding reception was under way, a calf was being roasted, and staff released three hot air balloons into the sky as night fell. Part of the resort is a bahay kubo (nipa hut) within the lake itself, where guests can dine, have coffee, even play mahjong or cards.

The two-hectare resort is bracketed by the lush foothills of Mt. Asog (known as Mt. Iriga on the western side) and Lake Buhi with its mountain ranges. It’s owned by a local boy who made good, Cyrus G. Obsuna (0917-325-3118), an entrepreneur who attained success in furniture export and real estate in Cebu, now a part owner of Hilton Mactan.

The resort’s consultant is Juan Victor Ramos, a veteran hotelier and onetime executive of the Manila Hotel, Bayview Hotel, and many other establishments.

Lake Buhi can compare in beauty to Lake Taal in the Batangas-Tagaytay boundary, and Lake Bulusan in Sorsogon. It spans 1,800 hectares, with twin waterfalls at the end. The lake is often described as the home of the world’s smallest edible fish, tabios. They measure 12-mm, smaller than a ten-centavo coin, with hundreds of thousands scooped up in one dip.

The lake also teems with tilapia, carp and mudfish (dalag). Then there’s atas, green and thorny, although this is not too abundant, and the small shells called bugtas.

“The water is clean because there are springs,” said Obsuna. “But the bottom is murky, being mud, and not recommended for amateur divers.” The deepest part of the lake is 65 feet.

Enchanted town

The legend of Buhi (as retold by Damiana Domingo in her book “The Myths”) is that it used to be an enchanted town where people forgot to pray as they became wealthy. So God punished them by sending them to the bowels of the earth, from where a beautiful lake, Buhi, materialized.

It is claimed that on a windless day, when the waters are still, you can see the people of enchanted Buhi town going about their daily tasks.

Another legend about the lake has a familiar ring (pun not intended) about a bell that in olden days warned the people against raids by Muslim buccaneers. One day the Muslims stole the bell and hurled it into the lake. And it has not been found to this day. Other lakes have similar legends.

The lake was even more beautiful in the morning, the waters and the mountain peaks coming into sharper focus. And what a bonus — Mt. Mayon in the distance, in clear outlines despite the clouds rolling by.

Boating, swimming, fishing or whatever could wait. For now, happiness was curling up on the chaise lounge with my book (“Flaubert: A Life”), surrounded by trees, flowers, sculptural rocks, birds, monitor lizards (bayawak), mountain ranges, and the waters of the silvery, serene lake.

Sunday, October 19, 2008


REPORT: GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE LGUS

31 RP cities good governance models

Some local government units are strong reasons for Filipinos not to lose hope the Philippines will rise to First-World status

By Rene Q. Bas Editor in Chief

No less than 31 cities in the Philippines and 55 national institutions are models of good governance, judging by their compliance with the requirements of the Institute of Solidarity in Asia’s Public Government System under which the quality of their governance is assessed.

This should give those Filipinos who are losing hope that we will ever reach “First- World” socioeconomic and developmental status some day.

The good-governance assessment is made by the Institute of Solidarity for Asia, an independent body headed by Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, the Cory Aquino presidency’s Finance Secretary and an internationally respected management and development-strategy.

ISA works with the Asian Institute of Management among more than two dozen institutional partners, including the League of Cities of the Philippines.

ISA also works with sectoral leaders in raising the standards of professional and ethical practice, and social responsibility, in their respective sectors.

When it started 10 years ago, ISA’s focus was on basic good governance methods and introducing best practices to corporations and economic sectors.

In its latest Public Governance Forum, held in August, progress was clearly seen as the work of improving public governance has advanced beyond the fundamental virtues of probity and transparency in city hall and unity with the various sectors of the community.

In the August forum, the focus was on how good governance in the model cities has led banks and investors to see them as ideal locations to put their capital in. (See related article by Dr. Estanislao “Good governance attracts investments.”)

‘Kaya Natin’ new politics

The ISA’s work with its “Dream Cities” partners that are working to achieve their ideal state of development step-by-step, according to a time-bound program, appears to shy away from politics.

A new good-governance promotion movement, started by the Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government, was recently launched. Its good governance aim is to make honest nontraditional politicians become the models throughout the land and create an impact in the 2010 election.

Among the six non-trapo local government executives involved in the “Kaya Natin” movement is Naga City’s Jesse Robredo, one of the key figures and achievers in the ISA’s Public Governance System program. (See related article “Kaya Natin: Ateneo U’s grassroots movement to promote effective, ethical LGU leadership.”)

ISA’s Governance Pathway

The Governance Pathway specifies concrete steps a city or an organization can take towards institutionalizing the Public Governance System.

The highest status of a city is “PGS Institutionalized” which means there the best practices of public governance are totally in place.

A city’s arrival at a status level is verified by monitors and an audit.

The next lower level is the “PGS-Proficient status”. It is granted to a partner that has begun tracking and reporting its strategic performance using the PGS scorecard infrastructure. An Office of Strategy Management in charge of strategy execution is expected to have been set up at this stage.

The cities and institutions that have reached “PGS-Proficient status” are Marikina, San Fernando in Pampanga, Tagbilaran, Iloilo, the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Philippine Military Academy.

Below “Proficient” is “PGS-Compliant.”

PGS-Compliant status is granted to an ISA partner that has formally organized its internal and external stakeholders to be part of the governance process with clear deliverables and accountabilities that are captured in “scorecards” developed to monitor the institution’s journey towards its vision.

The partner has at this stage also begun using its strategy map in planning and budgeting.

The cities graded “PGS Compliant” are Bayawan, Calbayog, Iriga, Naga, San Fernando in La Union, Sorsogon, Tagaytay, and the Accounting profession, the Nursing profession, the National Electrification Administration, the Philippine National Police Academy and the Philex Mining Corporation.

The entry level is “PGS-Initiated.” This is granted to a partner who has crafted a long-term reform agenda anchored on a time-bound vision and a strategy road map. Moreover, the partner has translated its strategy into a set of measurable targets for learning and growth, operational efficiency, financial viability and social impact on the constituency.

PGS-Initiated cities and LGUs are Balanga, Cebu, Dagupan, Dapitan, Escalante, Island Garden City of Samal, Ligao, Panabo, Sagay, Santiago, Sorsogon Province, Tacurong, Tangub, Toledo, Tuguegarao, the Architecture profession, Cebu Leads Foundation, the Dental profession, the Philippine National Police Academy Foundations for People Development, the Medical Profession and the Philippine Navy.

US-based CIPE’s evaluation

One of ISA’s supporters is the US-based Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).

The following are excerpts of CIPE’s April 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 “Final Evaluation Report” of ISA’s public good-governance efforts.

“During this period, 13 out of the 29 [the cities have increased to 31 since this evaluation was written] local government unit [LGU] partners of ISA and 38 out of the 55 sectoral associations/national public institutions complied with the requirements of either aligning resources with strategy or setting up an office for strategy management, enabling them to move up the next stage of the governance pathway.

“LGUs that moved up the pathway have organized their external stakeholders into a coalition that co-owns the Public Governance System with clear deliverables and accountabilities embodied in sectoral scorecards.”

“Four PGS-Proficient partners have created offices charged with strategy execution. These offices are expected to take on the functions of a governance and leadership center with outreach programs intended to influence the governance of neighboring communities.

“The scorecards of the first three PGS-Proficient cities show noteworthy financial metrics: Marikina breached the billion mark by collecting P1.4 billion in taxes in 2007. San Fernando, Pampanga increased its business tax collection from P60 million in 2004 to Php 84 million in 2007. Tagbilaran increased its tax and revenue base by 83 percent.

“Eight PGS cities were recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Competitiveness Council as business-friendly given their streamlined internal processes. These are the cities of Calbayog, Iloilo, Marikina, Naga, San Fernando La Union, San Fernando Pampanga, Sorsogon and Tagbilaran.

Sunday, October 19, 2008


Kaya Natin: Ateneo U’s grassroots movement to promote effective, ethical LGU leadership

By PING BAUZON REPORTER

ARE good governance and ethical leadership compatible? The knee-jerk reply is “Of course.”

For Kaya Natin, an emerging political movement started at the Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government and promotes new non-trapo politics, the question has to be asked.

“Effective leadership doesn’t necessarily mean ethical leadership,” explains Harvey Keh, a professor at the Ateneo School of Government. “Imagine a government official donating books. Sure, he is effective but if he is also getting a P10 kickback from each book he donates, then that’s corruption.”

“In Kaya Natin, we are looking for leaders who are both effective and ethical,” he continued. “And that means good governance and ethical leadership.”

Launched on July 30, Kaya Natin was first conceptualized in talks over coffee between Keh and Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City.

They were encouraged by Ateneo mentors, many of them involved in seminars on how to win elections without cheating, who then facilitated a meeting between Keh, Robredo and Governors Grace Padaca of Isabela and Ed Panlilio of Pampanga.

Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao and Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, later joined the group.

Kaya Natin is calling for change in the way the nation votes for its leaders and change in the way leaders govern. It promotes what seems to be a list of clichés: transparency, social accountability, people empowerment and electoral reforms.

It hopes to escape tired lines and sustain pubic interest by putting up exemplars of the values and principles it stands for. “Despite the fact that we have clear principles and values like good governance, we bring you people who have actually done it,” Keh points out.

“Ang Pilipino naghahanap talaga ng mukha [Filipinos look for faces] . . . of people they can rally to,” he says.

Which is why Kaya Natin chose politicians known for their no-nonsense style of governance—and for what they have achieved against all odds.

Robredo is a multi-awarded, multi-term mayor who was honored with the 2000 Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service. Padaca, who received the same award this year, bested a 40-year dynasty in her province of 1.5 million people, She is now on her second term.

Panlilio, a Catholic priest, was elected in May 2007 with a slim margin over entrenched rivals. Baguilat was a journalist, political activist and environment advocate before he was elected mayor, then governor. Lorenzo is known for her unique way of providing social services in her small town.

In recent weeks, the six have been in the lecture circuit selling good governance and accountability to the youth and the grassroots. They will continue touring campuses and small-town meetings until next year to bring home the message of Kaya Natin in Naga, Legaspi and Sorsogon now until November; Isabela, Tuguegarao and Nueva Ecija in December; and Iloilo and Western Visayas in January.

“Is good governance possible? It’s been demonstrated by us that it can be done. Let’s see what develops, maybe the movement will somewhat influence the 2010 polls,” Robredo said in a briefing he and Padaca gave at The Manila Times.

“My victory is proof that it can be done,” said Padaca, meaning one can get elected with the minimum of expenses and without resorting to vote-buying and violence.

Robredo cited the Pampanga model, arguing that Panlilio won despite his lack of resources but because the constituency believed it was possible. Panlilio is now facing a recall movement from the forces he defeated in his province.

Kaya Natin’s first challenge is to support Panlilio who is faced with having to win against the petition for his removal from office. There are suspicions that the forces against him are being supported by Malacañang.



Voting power

The movement pins much hope on youth voting power during elections. “Young Filipinos should realize that they have so much power, that they should register and make their voice heard in 2010,” Keh reiterated, adding that by 2010, up to 60 percent of eligible voters will be from the youth segment of the population.

“Let us not wait several months before the elections if we want to encourage young people to vote for the right candidates,” Padaca said. “We should not confuse the youth with the older leaders responsible for what’s happening in society, the disparity between the moral values taught in school and the real world of corruption and so on.”

“We are also encouraging young people to run for public office. We are always telling them that we get what we deserve,” said Robredo who, in order to promote transparency and accountability, posts every activity of his local government in the official Naga website, especially an account of every single centavo spent by the city government.

“There are many islands of good governance in the Philippines, but they are just that, separate islands,” he said. “We need an archipelago of good governance.”

What makes Kaya Natin different among other reform groups that have shot up like distant mushrooms through the years is that it focuses primarily on getting a proactive message across rather than simply railing against government leaders and badly managed institutions.

“People are tired of destroying institutions . . . tired of rallies . . . It is time to highlight the best practices in good governance,” Keh said.

http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0623.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD
http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0632.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD
http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0616.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

CWCWake.com (http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2F&var2=)

http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0623.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

I can see Avenue Square, the Avenue Plaza Hotel and the Olivan SeaOil Mega Station! :D

GMA welcomes P100B standby fund (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2008/October/23/topstory5.htm)
BY NANETTE GUADALQUIVER

MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday welcomed a business sector proposal to establish a P100-billion "private-public" standby fund to help low-income Filipinos cope with the global economic crisis.

"That way, we can put our money in human capital formation that will provide direct income and services to the poor during the coming period," Arroyo, who spoke at the closing rites of the 34th Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel, said.

Arroyo said that the private-public sector financing was proposed by Special Envoy for Trade Negotiations Donald Dee, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and that the government will discuss the proposal with the private sector after the President returns from her trip to China.

The plan is for government financial institutions to put up P50 billion while the private banks and financing firms, the other P50 billion, the President said, adding that the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Social Security System have pledged to contribute to the fund.

"We hope the private banks will certainly join this," she said.

Arroyo, who discussed the Philippine contingency plan on the global financial crisis before the country's largest business organization, said that if the US recession happens, the government would need more private financing and Build-Operate-Transfer projects.

"We could realign some of our infrastructure money to strengthen programs to promote human capital formation," she added.

Among these are conditional cash transfers for low-income families, scholarships, palay procurement, and PhilHealth benefits, and initiating measures to maximize opportunities of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.

Arroyo, however, is upbeat on the Philippine economy, saying that it has "shock absorbers," particularly its strong banking system and dollar inflows from Filipino migrant workers.

"This is the time for business groups to take advantage of the strength and financial liquidity of our banking system to expand your growth in your respective markets," she said.

The President also lauded the PCCI leaders, headed by their president Edgardo Lacson, for the 34th PBC&E theme, "Sustaining Growth, Surging Gains."

"I'm glad your going beyond the challenge of sustaining growth and (you are) surging ahead. For indeed, for the fiscally strong the global credit crunch can be an opportunity rather than a crisis," she said.

Arroyo also urged the Philippine business sector to "seize the opportunities provided by the closeness of the Middle East to Mindanao and to our Filipino workers."

AWARDS

Also at the closing program of the 34th PBC&E, Arroyo presented the awards for the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit for the City Category to San Fernando, La Union and Tarlac, Level I, and Balanga, Bataan, Level II; Municipal Level, Tanauan, Leyte; and Province, Leyte.

For the national Most Outstanding Chamber to Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also the South Luzon awardee; North Luzon, Pampanga CCI; National Capital Region, Paranaque CCI; Visayas, Mandaue CCI; and Mindanao, Surigao CCI.

Meanwhile, the PCCI Excellence in Ecology and Economy (E3) awards went to N.A. Systems Inc,; SM Prime Holdings and Subsidiaries; and Toshiba Information and Equipment (Phils.) Inc.*NLG

-----

Great news for MNCCI! :banana::banana::banana:

http://www.naga.gov.ph/gallery/photos/4/4_20081023134356.jpg

http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0623.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD
http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0632.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD
http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=image&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2FIMG_0616.JPG&var2=0_85_cwc_large.png_RD

CWCWake.com (http://cwcwake.com/photo_album/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Guest+Photos%2F2008%2FFluvial+Overhead+Shots-Sept+20%2C+2008%2F&var2=)

Nice pictures!!!

^^oo nga, ang ganda!!!

http://www.naga.gov.ph/gallery/photos/4/4_20081023134356.jpg

Wow! :D

SM is almost there! :banana::banana::banana:

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/oct23/pictures/high.gif

Wow! :D

SM is almost there! :banana::banana::banana:

Wow! Congrats for the upcoming SM...San btw ang location nito jan? Can someone pls use google map and locate its exact location? Maraming salamat po!:)

Here. http://wikimapia.org/#lat=13.6205878&lon=123.1901693&z=15&l=0&m=a&v=2
No high resolution available.

Bilis ng Construction ng SM City Naga..!! Im sure it will give more job opportunity for Nagueños/Bicolanos

Guyz dba bago ka magpatayo ng isang Big stablishment gaya ng SM you will need to build access road for public in partnership with the local government..!!

Gaya ng SM City Marikina they built a Bridge, connecting a road going to the Mall..!! sabagay nasa location din cguro yan..!!

ano naman kaya ang ginawa sa SM City Naga...!?

^^

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/822/05222008709md8.jpg

i miss this one...i live near this place before :)

^^Do you have relatives here? How come you were here before?

^^Do you have relatives here? How come you were here before?

i was assigned there:) I miss naga... Its beautiful:)

i was assigned there:) I miss naga... Its beautiful:)

Thanks for the appreciation!!! Hope you'll come back....:)

Wow! Congrats for the upcoming SM...San btw ang location nito jan? Can someone pls use google map and locate its exact location? Maraming salamat po!:)

It's in the CBD2, just beside the Central Bus Terminal.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/oct23/pictures/high.gif

I see on the lower left that Bigg's motif instead of Pizza Hut's.:D

Ina to be enshrined in Loyola Grand Villas after a ‘miracle’ (www.naga.gov.ph)

OUR Lady of Penafrancia finds a new home in Manila when she is enshrined in the chapel of the Loyola Grand Villas Subdivision on October 26, 2008 in a solemn liturgical reception and Eucharistic celebration to be presided by Rev. Fr. Manny Sarez, Parish Priest of the Our Lady of Santa Maria della Strada Parish, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.

After being touched by Our Lady of Penafrancia during her recent visit (Pagsungko) last September 18, 2008, the homeowners of the Loyola Grand Villas requested from Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP and Msgr. Romulo Vergara, Rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia, to have INA as their village patroness. Both agreed to the proposal after hearing their extraordinary experience on Our Lady.

Mostly unaware about INA, the village welcomed INA for a brief visit in their multi-purpose hall when suddenly her pilgrim image allegedly surprised all those praying before her. The testimony of Ms. Aggie Cabugao in her blog clearly describes the entire incident:

“I wrote about Ina (or mother), the name fondly given by her devotees to Our Lady of Penafrancia, and how she touched our village, the Loyola Grand Villas, with her physical manifestation when she seemed to wriggle out of the clutches of the marshals as they were bringing her out of our multipurpose center.

The male marshals came to take her from the table and bring her out for the recessional. First two men tried to lift her, but they couldn't. I jokingly told my neighbor, Sofie, that she didn't want to leave us. But was thinking what is this statue made of because it couldn't be so heavy since it was probably just two feet high. Then four men tried to lift her, and still they couldn't. And then the statue seemed to take on a life of its own. It sharply tilted to the right and to the left and this went on for several seconds. Mila then announced that this sometimes happened when Ina didn't want to leave a place and so she led the congregation in praying the Hail Mary and the Memorare. I felt goose pimples come over me and knew that Ina was really with us. I fell on my knees in prayer. Suddenly, the statue was still, and finally one marshal lifted her, turned around, knelt in front of the cross for Ina to say goodbye to her Son, and then brought her out. We took turns touching and kissing her.” (http://aggie317.blogspot.com/)

A week after the Penafrancia fiesta, a group of homeowners made a pilgrimage to Naga to personally visit the shrine of Our Lady of Penafrancia and made the formal request that INA will stay with them.

Moreover, as the Archdiocese prepares for the 300 years of the Devotion to INA, all devotees who want to share their experiences with her by sending their testimonies/opinions to ina300th@yahoo.com.

Wow, SM, SM, SM! Haha! Tamang-tama ata opening ng SM-Naga, in time for the National Schools Press Conference in February, para may mapuntahan ang delegates! Last year in Koronadal, we went to his mall called KCC, "Kiberty Commercial Center" (jawk!). At least this time, SM ang pupuntahan. Oh, I hope we make it to the nationals kahit sa Naga lang gaganapin.

Aerial shots: I think those are the first aerial shots I've seen of Naga. Beautiful!

^^Dito pala gaganapin ang National Press Conference, ang dami mo napalang napuntahan Sir Gerry. By that time sana tapos na talaga ang SM.

Naga City bridge useless without a road


By Juan Escandor Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:18:00 10/31/2008


NAGA CITY – The newly constructed multimillion-peso Mabolo bypass bridge here, which is envisioned to be an alternate route to this city and its neighboring towns, has been branded as useless by commuters and residents due to the absence of a road linking it to the Maharlika Highway in Milaor town.

The bridge was envisioned to serve as an alternate route to Naga City to complement the old Mabolo Bridge that collapsed in 1992 due to overload and paralyzed the road transport system from the city to the rest of the Bicol region.

It is also designed to decongest traffic by reducing the number of public transport vehicles in the Naga City business districts, improving the flow of goods and services, and promoting development in the Metro Naga growth area.

To solve the problem, the Department of Public Works and Highways has a plan to construct a 1.6-kilometer diversion road, called the Naga City-Milaor bypass road, from the new Mabolo bypass bridge to the Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Jose, Milaor town.

But until now, the access road has remained a plan, raising a strong clamor among transport sector members, businessmen, local government officials and the general public for its immediate construction.

No less than Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte, of the second district of Camarines Sur, initiated its construction, which was also endorsed by Rep. Dato Arroyo, President Macapagal-Arroyo’s son, to his mother.

In a letter to Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Villafuerte said the proposed road is a vital component of the Mabolo bypass bridge that would maximize the bridge’s use.

In an interview with Orlando Roces, DPWH Bicol regional director, he said although the project had no budget yet, Ebdane had already requested the Department of Budget and Management to release P4 million.

^^ Kuya/Ate, you forgot to paste the link of that article. :D

Anyways, here you are: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20081031-169361/Naga-City-bridge-useless-without-a-road

Good day everyone! :D:D:D

1,514 pass electronics engineering board exam (http://beta.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=411587)
Updated October 31, 2008 12:00 AM

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced yesterday that 36 percent or 1,514 of 4,174 examinees passed the licensure examination for elec-tronics engineers given earlier this month.

Graduates from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)-Sta. Mesa bagged four of the top 10 slots but the topnotcher was Ferdinand Matuto San-chez of the Technological Institute of the Philippines-Quezon City (91.10 percent).

Kristoffer Sy Laiz of Ateneo de Naga took second place (90.30), followed by Roy Andrew Manqueria Garcia of Divine Word College of Calapan and Leda Celica Bautista Samin of Wesleyan University-Philippines-Cabanatuan City (both 90.20); Don Joven Ravoy Agravante of University of San Carlos and Kenneth Aldrin Opis Prudencio of PUP-Sta. Mesa (both 90.00) and Jefril Manongsong Amboy of Batangas State University-Batangas City (89.90).

Other outstanding examinees are Rigor Lancion Cabuñag of PUP-Sta. Mesa (89.80), Jason Marc Almirol Alegado of University of San Carlos (89.60); Mark Joseph Bernabe Pe of University of the East-Caloocan (89.00); Edison Dimaala de Lara of PUP-Sta. Mesa and Eleanor Anne Basa Tiglao (88.90) and Chester de Vera Parayno of Saint Louis University and Ryan de Leon Rivera of PUP-Sta. Mesa (88.70).

The examination was given in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo and Lucena. - Sheila Crisostomo

^^ I'm going home! :D

MaRay na alDaw poh sa GAbUZ...!

new MEmber lang poh ako kang SkYCrApercity..

Ammm..

hapot ko lang kumuzta na poh palan si ConstruCtion kang Sm Naga Sa Cbd

auz na poh?

taz pwdi ma hagad favor kong xai poh igwa latest na pix

kang Sm na tiggigibu sa naga..pakI post man digdi

thnx...

Dai na kia poh ako nakaka uli jan sa bicol o naga

kia dai ko aram maxado latest jan..

thnx poH..

SAna poh my mag RiplY sa HApot ko..

thnx..

Thanks for the appreciation!!! Hope you'll come back....:)

i will!!! :)

hi good pm! kailan daw nagbubukas ang sm naga?

Sabi daw Poh march Or April Daw next year official openning daa poh..!

exited na ngani ako..ahihih..:lol:

PA add

rhyzrockerz@gmail.com
friendster poh yan...ahiih:banana:

thnx poh palan sA nag welcome SaKo...

Sabi daw Poh march Or April Daw next year official openning daa poh..!

exited na ngani ako..ahihih..:lol:

PA add

rhyzrockerz@gmail.com
friendster poh yan...ahiih:banana:

thnx poh palan sA nag welcome SaKo...

mukha pong baka 2nd quarter bukas na ang sm naga sa nakita kong pic...............aabot talaga

cguro nga guys..!! maybe..? they considered the location of Naga City ..!!

it'z lie on a Typhoon Belt ..!! it'z good naman talaga na matapoz yan thiz summer
kasi baka mapurnada yan kapag may malakas na bagyong tumama sa Bicol ..!!

wak sana mga padi ..!!

Just look what happened to the Naga City Coliseum ..!! ^8^v Twisted Arena ..!!

hehehehehe ..!!

^^

mukha pong baka 2nd quarter bukas na ang sm naga sa nakita kong pic...............aabot talaga

hai mdjo matagal tagal pa talaga magbubuaz ung sm naGa....:bash::bash::bash:

pero ahz lang yan kunting tiis nalang hihihihihih......:dj::dj::dj::dj:

PA add..

rhyzrockerz@gmail.com:banana::banana::banana:

hai mdjo matagal tagal pa talaga magbubuaz ung sm naGa....:bash::bash::bash:

pero ahz lang yan kunting tiis nalang hihihihihih......:dj::dj::dj::dj:

PA add..

rhyzrockerz@gmail.com:banana::banana::banana:

pagbubukaz poh yan hindi magbubuaz hihihi..

Wrong spell cnxa na..

Tanung ko lang poh sa mga tiga naga at member ng SkyscRAPercity

kong totoo na nasunod daw poh kaninang madaling araw NOv.7 2008

ung NAGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET..

Xe un poh bAlita sakin ng kaibigan ko..

guzto ko lang poh kacing i conferm kong totoo ung balita...

NEED KO POH RIPLY NINDO...

ThnX..

i read s popouts ng abs cbn nasunog nga daw

^^^^i read s popouts ng abs cbn nasunog nga daw

ahh tlaga poh

Ahmm anu daw poh ung sanhi ng sunog?:ohno::ohno::ohno:

and buong market ba talaga poh ang nasunog?

ahmm pwdi poh kong my pix kayo ng after na masunog ung market pwdi

poh paki uplod nalang..

dito poh ako sa manila eh kia wala ako maxado

alam sa nangyayari jan...

thnx poh

yngatZ

urz trueLy

RhYZrockeRZ"maUraG":):):)

A seven-hour fire caused by an unattended lighted candle gutted the public market of Naga City in Camarines Sur province, Thursday night.

Fire investigators said several witnesses told them a lighted candle at the public market's vegetable section started the fire around 11 p.m.

The whole Camarines Sur province was in total darkness due to a blackout when the fire broke out in the market.

Firemen said the fire from the vegetable section quickly spread to the meat and fish sections, which has stalls made of light materials.

The fire reached the general alarm after consuming the totally razing the second and third floors of the public market. The fire was put out after seven hours. ...

The power outage in Camarines Sur started around 9 p.m. after oil leaked and damaged the 100 mega volt ampere transformer of the National Transmission Corporation's (Transco) sub-station in Naga City.

Nilda Somera, Transco-Bicol corporate spokeswoman, had said that it would take time to fix the damage, which meant the blackout may last overnight. :ohno::ohno:

graBI Yan na po siguro ang pinaka mahabang oraz ng sunod sa NAga city.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/07/08/overnight-fire-guts-naga-city-market

NAGA CITY,Philippines -Authorities on Friday said a candle left unattended caused the fire that hit the Naga City Public Market in Camarines Sur before midnight Thursday and continued to rage until until early Friday morning.

Radio dzBB's Bicol correspondent reported that while no one was reported injured in the fire, Naga City mayor Jesse Robredo estimated the damage to property to reach some P10 million.

Initial investigation showed the fire started at about 11 p.m. Thursday. At the time, vendors had to use candles due to a power failure in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

On the other hand, firefighters and fire volunteers had problems battling the blaze due to lack of water.

The report said that as of 8:40 a.m., the fire was still raging in the second and third floors of the market. However, stall owners at the ground floor were business-as-usual.

Earlier, dzRH radio reported that tenants at the market rushed to save their belongings, placing them in an area near the market and guarding them tightly from looters.

Firefighters from neighboring areas in the province and fire volunteer groups positioned themselves at the front and back of the burning market to fight the blaze.

The Naga City Public Market was once considered one of the biggest commercial establishments in Southeast Asia before the advent of super-malls. ^^^^

Grabi ang laki pala ng sunod na nangyari sa NAga City PUblic market..
7 hourz tagal graBi..
hooo....!!!

Source:http://www.gmanews.tv/story/132008/Candle-blamed-for-Naga-fire-damages-at-P10M

By:rhYzrockeRZ"mauRaG:):):)

NAGA CITY,BICOL-A fire of still undetermined origin hit the Naga City Public Market in Camarines Sur in Bicol before dawn Friday, a radio report said.

Radio dzRH reported that as of 5:30 a.m., firefighters appeared to have confined the fire, which razed mainly the second floor and back portions of the market.

While no one was initially reported injured, tenants at the market rushed to save their belongings, placing them in an area near the market and guarding them tightly from looters.

Firefighters from neighboring areas in the province and fire volunteer groups positioned themselves at the front and back of the burning market to fight the blaze.

The Naga City Public Market was once considered one of the biggest commercial establishments in Southeast Asia before the advent of super-malls.

sOURCE - GMANews.TV

bY RhYZrockERZ

MaRay na alDaw poh sa GAbUZ...!

new MEmber lang poh ako kang SkYCrApercity..

Ammm..

hapot ko lang kumuzta na poh palan si ConstruCtion kang Sm Naga Sa Cbd

auz na poh?

taz pwdi ma hagad favor kong xai poh igwa latest na pix

kang Sm na tiggigibu sa naga..pakI post man digdi

thnx...

Dai na kia poh ako nakaka uli jan sa bicol o naga

kia dai ko aram maxado latest jan..

thnx poH..

SAna poh my mag RiplY sa HApot ko..

thnx..I have photos. I'll upload them later. :)

Sa mga moderators, announce lang po ako para sa mga hindi dumadayo sa Samahan forums, pasensya na po sa abala:

Project: Isang Bayan, Urbanidad! SSC Philippines National T-shirt design contest.


I think its time for the Skyscrapercity Philippines to have our own national t-shirt that would encompass all of the Filipinos of this archipelago, the OFWs, the immigrants, Fil-Ams and those who wish to be part of the Samahan of Skyscrapercity Pilipinas forumers (interested foreigners who want to have also their shirt) showcasing the artistry of the Filipinos in graphic t-shirt design.

Theme: Isang Bayan, Urbanidad!– Encompassing all of the aspects of urbanity of the Philippine cities and localities, as one nation in one t-shirt design. Being Filipino both here and abroad aiming for progress for the motherland.

Colour of Background:The design should be well incorporated in a black t-shirt.

The T-shirt Design
The proposal of the t-shirt design is open to all SSC Philippines forumers. The deadline for passing the t-shirt print design would be on December 05 2008. Have your t-shirt design posted in this thread link at the Samahan Forums entitled: Skyscrapercity Philippines/Pilipinas T-shirt Design Contest. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588)

You may submit print designs either for one side (front or back only) or for two sides (front AND back). Each forumer is entitled to submit a maximum of three designs.

For direct access to the thread, log on to this webpage:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588

So for those creative art designers out there, have your share here! J

The Polls for the T-shirt Design
Voting for the preferred design for the t-shirt would start at December 6, 2008 to January 7, 2009. After the selection, whoever has the highest votes from the forumers for the design shall be the official print design for the SSC Philippines t-shirt. By mid-January to February, we would have our t-shirts available!

To vote, just log on to this webpage to chose the preferred design starting December 6 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588

T-shirt costs...
The t-shirt would cost approximately from PhP150 to PhP500...but I hope we could find an affordable yet quality t-shirt printers. There may be an additional shipping cost for those living outside Manila.

Another proposal is to have contact persons in cities outside of Metro Manila. We will be sending the said t-shirt design to these contact persons and will be the ones who will print it in their locality.*

*There should be a common consensus regarding the logistics of production and delivery by December 2, 2005.

For the winner of the contest…
He or she is entitled for his/her free t-shirt with his/her design printed on it.

For those interested in having a t-shirt:
Have your name listed in this thread starting December 26 and deadline would be January 15, 2009 for the first batch. There would be an announcement for the second batch of orders after January 15. :)




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

For more information, suggestion and comments, please have it posted at the Skyscrapercity Philippines/Pilipinas T-shirt Design Contest thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=27606046#post27606046) or PM me.

Its time that we showcase to the Skyscrapercity world how talented and dedicated the Filipino forumers are for the aim of progress of Pilipinas!!

Salamat po, Mabuhay po Tayong Lahat at Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!!
:):)

MaRay na alDaw poh sa GAbUZ...!

new MEmber lang poh ako kang SkYCrApercity..

Ammm..

hapot ko lang kumuzta na poh palan si ConstruCtion kang Sm Naga Sa Cbd

auz na poh?

taz pwdi ma hagad favor kong xai poh igwa latest na pix

kang Sm na tiggigibu sa naga..pakI post man digdi

thnx...

Dai na kia poh ako nakaka uli jan sa bicol o naga

kia dai ko aram maxado latest jan..

thnx poH..

SAna poh my mag RiplY sa HApot ko..

thnx..

Welcome to SSC Naga...:)

NAGA CITY,BICOL-A fire of still undetermined origin hit the Naga City Public Market in Camarines Sur in Bicol before dawn Friday, a radio report said.

Radio dzRH reported that as of 5:30 a.m., firefighters appeared to have confined the fire, which razed mainly the second floor and back portions of the market.

While no one was initially reported injured, tenants at the market rushed to save their belongings, placing them in an area near the market and guarding them tightly from looters.

Firefighters from neighboring areas in the province and fire volunteer groups positioned themselves at the front and back of the burning market to fight the blaze.

The Naga City Public Market was once considered one of the biggest commercial establishments in Southeast Asia before the advent of super-malls.

sOURCE - GMANews.TV

bY RhYZrockERZ

Grabe pala yung sunog!!! Kawawa naman yung mga nagrerent sa mga stalls na yun.

Tol Garz? makukunan mo ba ng pics yang Naga City Public Market?sana tulungan ng Gobyerno ang mga nasalanta ng sunog...

Grabe pala yung sunog!!! Kawawa naman yung mga nagrerent sa mga stalls na yun.

sabi po sa mga news umaabot na daw sa 100 million ang damages sa naga City public market na nasunog last thursday night..
woow...!!
grabi poh pala ang damages noh..
kawawa tlaga ung mga nasunugan don mag papasko na pati hai hai..
ahmmm sa tingin ko grabi poh talaga magiging epekto nito sa economi
ng naga city...

kong cnu man poh my pix ng market after ng sunog paki upload nalang poh..

100 Million waaaaah ..grabuh na ini ..!!

May insurance naman cguro un Building pewo xempre malaking epekto yan sa kabuhayan ng mga Stall Owner ..!!:ohno::ohno::ohno:

Buti kamo di naman kumalat ang apoy sa ibang stablishment nearby..!!^^

Sa mga moderators, announce lang po ako para sa mga hindi dumadayo sa Samahan forums, pasensya na po sa abala:

Project: Isang Bayan, Urbanidad! SSC Philippines National T-shirt design contest.


I think its time for the Skyscrapercity Philippines to have our own national t-shirt that would encompass all of the Filipinos of this archipelago, the OFWs, the immigrants, Fil-Ams and those who wish to be part of the Samahan of Skyscrapercity Pilipinas forumers (interested foreigners who want to have also their shirt) showcasing the artistry of the Filipinos in graphic t-shirt design.

Theme: Isang Bayan, Urbanidad!– Encompassing all of the aspects of urbanity of the Philippine cities and localities, as one nation in one t-shirt design. Being Filipino both here and abroad aiming for progress for the motherland.

Colour of Background:The design should be well incorporated in a black t-shirt.

The T-shirt Design
The proposal of the t-shirt design is open to all SSC Philippines forumers. The deadline for passing the t-shirt print design would be on December 05 2008. Have your t-shirt design posted in this thread link at the Samahan Forums entitled: Skyscrapercity Philippines/Pilipinas T-shirt Design Contest. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588)

You may submit print designs either for one side (front or back only) or for two sides (front AND back). Each forumer is entitled to submit a maximum of three designs.

For direct access to the thread, log on to this webpage:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588

So for those creative art designers out there, have your share here! J

The Polls for the T-shirt Design
Voting for the preferred design for the t-shirt would start at December 6, 2008 to January 7, 2009. After the selection, whoever has the highest votes from the forumers for the design shall be the official print design for the SSC Philippines t-shirt. By mid-January to February, we would have our t-shirts available!

To vote, just log on to this webpage to chose the preferred design starting December 6 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588

T-shirt costs...
The t-shirt would cost approximately from PhP150 to PhP500...but I hope we could find an affordable yet quality t-shirt printers. There may be an additional shipping cost for those living outside Manila.

Another proposal is to have contact persons in cities outside of Metro Manila. We will be sending the said t-shirt design to these contact persons and will be the ones who will print it in their locality.*

*There should be a common consensus regarding the logistics of production and delivery by December 2, 2005.

For the winner of the contest…
He or she is entitled for his/her free t-shirt with his/her design printed on it.

For those interested in having a t-shirt:
Have your name listed in this thread starting December 26 and deadline would be January 15, 2009 for the first batch. There would be an announcement for the second batch of orders after January 15. :)




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

For more information, suggestion and comments, please have it posted at the Skyscrapercity Philippines/Pilipinas T-shirt Design Contest thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=27606046#post27606046) or PM me.

Its time that we showcase to the Skyscrapercity world how talented and dedicated the Filipino forumers are for the aim of progress of Pilipinas!!

Salamat po, Mabuhay po Tayong Lahat at Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!!
:):)

I want to get a shirt! :D

100 Million waaaaah ..grabuh na ini ..!!

May insurance naman cguro un Building pewo xempre malaking epekto yan sa kabuhayan ng mga Stall Owner ..!!:ohno::ohno::ohno:

Buti kamo di naman kumalat ang apoy sa ibang stablishment nearby..!!^^

Kuya, PhP10M lang naman po ung worth ng damages. But still PhP10M is so much. :(

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/24/DSC00839.JPG?et=ghJxzlrBTxVuWiyaU6q%2BVQ&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/30/DSC00845.JPG?et=07lr3SnkuBfCeGnGaxs3bA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/25/DSC00840.JPG?et=K0HoGdt35QZFPReLqMMwNA&nmid=131763167

I think I have a few more. Lemme check my phone. :)

Plaza Rizal
http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/12/DSC00816.JPG?et=QD5ye8%2BXw0jN9j40h3faYw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/13/DSC00817.JPG?et=WkCUz43dAumdZMiAfU2x8w&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/14/DSC00818.JPG?et=Escaz%2BHkBX1hPJkx9zzxLA&nmid=131763167

Plaza Quince Martires
http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/16/DSC00825.JPG?et=qrU4gw4Yvhh8LvB4K5DlfA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/17/DSC00826.JPG?et=X7juaE4HyK2qNZdcUE0%2C8A&nmid=131763167
Sorry, I forgot to take the pic of the monument itself. :lol: Pero meron naman akong pic nung buong plaza. :D

Camarines Sur National High School

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/18/DSC00829.JPG?et=ZZyf6YMcKQKO%2Cn528oGrNw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/19/DSC00831.JPG?et=pAhZ3Arn%2CczMk7qLY%2B4s9w&nmid=131763167

A soon-to-rise three-story commercial building just in front of the Naga City Coliseum

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/28/DSC00843.JPG?et=%2BEjj%2CSNPz72EzCZUMfLy1A&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/26/DSC00841.JPG?et=6mIJ1%2Cq1wy90qisZjk%2BiCg&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/27/DSC00842.JPG?et=dlpKsj7lt6Q7bVzq%2CLHtHw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/29/DSC00844.JPG?et=3U0FwOM95uIsN5Dyf4BV4A&nmid=131763167

San Antonio de Padua Parish Church
Camaligan, Camarines Sur

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/9/photos/14/500x500/6/DSC00776.JPG?et=%2Bf7nodkmQAPzpM%2BNv5cYKw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/9/photos/14/500x500/7/DSC00777.JPG?et=uyupV1weE8pObr2jMnjx4g&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/9/photos/14/500x500/8/DSC00778.JPG?et=G4BL%2B8cGPEbuYyRLYjU2VA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/9/photos/14/500x500/9/DSC00779.JPG?et=1%2CPom0l%2C0RB1vkfzX1BLcg&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/5/DSC00775.JPG?et=H7z%2CvHVWaGFpHhWRkL7Y8A&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/10/photos/14/500x500/1/DSC00768.JPG?et=w5oi4aifKMoJ4RoN%2CwLFqg&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/2/DSC00769.JPG?et=yXKkT6CJSr2WgNWLmwjmZw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/3/DSC00770.JPG?et=GjxB6ZR1GbAqD0UQpV9ZWA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/8/photos/14/500x500/4/DSC00771.JPG?et=OgGNzkP59LwOusAqyntlEg&nmid=131763167

Kuya, PhP10M lang naman po ung worth ng damages. But still PhP10M is so much. :(

kong babasahon mo poh c mga news sa internet tungkol jan sa nasulong

naga city public market...

ang naka bugtak baga poh na amount kang damages is 100m

talaga..sa website kang Inquirer taz philstar.ph 100m

daa tlaga..

pero cguro mali lang gaud c pag kaka intindi ninda o report sa inda..:ohno::ohno::ohno:

Ahmmm..

hai grabi talaga epekto kiang sa xudad ta halos gabuz jan sa market

ang centro kang ekonomiya kang xudad.. hai huh...

taz saro ang NAga city public market na tigkukunsidirar na pinaka

mahiwas at pina dukulang public market sa southeast asia..:):):):)

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/24/DSC00839.JPG?et=ghJxzlrBTxVuWiyaU6q%2BVQ&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/30/DSC00845.JPG?et=07lr3SnkuBfCeGnGaxs3bA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/25/DSC00840.JPG?et=K0HoGdt35QZFPReLqMMwNA&nmid=131763167

I think I have a few more. Lemme check my phone. :)


WoW,,...!!!:banana::banana::banana:

HANeP..

Gaunon man ang SM NAGA hai..

dai pa talaga yan maxado tapuz pero magaun nang hilingon

lalo na pag tapuz na talaga yan at open na yan

hai wow.. Excited na akong mag bukaz yang Sm NAga..

"Uswag NAGA...Uswag Bicolandia..:banana::banana:

thanks poh palan sa pag upload kang pix MR.kevinb

MAu poh palan ako jan sa naga kia dai ko maxado updated kang mga latest jan..

thnx thnx poh..

^^ Nasa Naga lang ako for my grandfather's burial but I'm here in Manila already. Just took some time to take photos of the city. If you want you can go to my Multiply account. :lol::D

Here's the pic of the burned city market.

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/540/110920081307tf1.jpg

::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:grAbi talaga pala ang sunod hai...
malaki nanaman ang gagastusin ng naga City gov. sa pag papaaUZ ng market..
pero kAYa yan kang NAga..
USwag NAga USwag bicolandia..

alin poh part ng market di maxado naapektuhan?:):)

rhyZrockERZ™

A soon-to-rise three-story commercial building just in front of the Naga City Coliseum

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/28/DSC00843.JPG?et=%2BEjj%2CSNPz72EzCZUMfLy1A&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/26/DSC00841.JPG?et=6mIJ1%2Cq1wy90qisZjk%2BiCg&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/27/DSC00842.JPG?et=dlpKsj7lt6Q7bVzq%2CLHtHw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/29/DSC00844.JPG?et=3U0FwOM95uIsN5Dyf4BV4A&nmid=131763167

Uso na talaga ang mga steel frame sa building construction ..!! mas matibay nga cguro & madali pang gawin ..!!

May ganyan din d2 sa place namin sa Antipolo u/c building besid Cherry Foodarama ^8^

Kuya, PhP10M lang naman po ung worth ng damages. But still PhP10M is so much. :(

P100 million yung sabi sa news...

::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:grAbi talaga pala ang sunod hai...
malaki nanaman ang gagastusin ng naga City gov. sa pag papaaUZ ng market..
pero kAYa yan kang NAga..
USwag NAga USwag bicolandia..

alin poh part ng market di maxado naapektuhan?:):)

rhyZrockERZ™
ground floor lang ang hindi naapektuhan... Almost all parts of the second floor had been affected by the fire.

Construction of Naga City bridge bypass road pushed (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/naga.html)
By Juan Escandor Jr.

NAGA CITY---With the absence of a road linking the newly constructed multimillion-peso Mabulo bypass bridge here, a prelate and town dads had pushed for the construction of a 1.6-kilometer bypass road for the bridge to function as an alternate route to this city and its neighboring towns.

Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi of the Archdiocese of Caceres, in a letter addressed to Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), expressed concern “that the admirable objectives of said Mabulo By-pass Bridge will not be fully achieved if the Milaor Diversion Road component of said bridge will not be implemented.”

In the same spirit, the Sangguniang Bayan of Gainza passed two resolutions asking the DPWH to construct the bypass road starting after the bridge approach at the junction of Mabulo-Gainza provincial road in Sabang, Naga City and ending at San Jose, Milaor, Camarines Sur.

The New Mabulo Bypass Bridge was constructed in 2001 at the tune of P145,833,788.35, however, the purpose of which the bridge was constructed was not attained due to the non-construction of the road component from Milaor-Naga Road crossing the Gainza-Naga Road, according to an audit report of Aristoteles P. Ilarde, supervising auditor of the Commission on Audit.

In the same report, Ilarde pointed out that the bypass bridge will decongest traffic at the New Mabulo Bridge to improve the flow of goods and services and reducing the concentration of transport vehicles along the Naga Central Business District.

“It will pave the way for the socioeconomic development of the other municipalities which are part of the Metro Naga area, specifically Gainza and Camaligan, which will be transformed as expansion areas for Naga City’s land-space requirements,” it added.

Ilarde’s report said that “had the road component was constructed the New Mabulo Bypass Bridge could had been in its full capacity and congestion of traffic in the corners of Gainza-Naga Road could had been avoided.”

Early this year, Ebdane has requested Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya the release of funds in the amount of P4.18 million for the preliminary detailed engineering of the bypass road to be charged against the P338 million allocation for detailed engineering under the so-called “Other Road Projects in the MTPIP”.

The construction of the bypass road has been endorsed by Second District Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte as he requested for the urgent allocation and release of funds needed for the conduct of the detailed engineering design.

Congressman Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, first district representative of Camarines Sur, has also endorsed the project to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in which he reiterated that its construction would help decongest traffic, reduce concentration of transport vehicles along Naga City Central Business District and pave the way for socioeconomic development of other neighboring municipalities.

But Orlando Roces, DPWH Bicol regional director, revealed the project had no budget yet even though he said Ebdane had already requested the Department of Budget and Management to release funds for the construction.

Villa Caceres Hotel to unveil its Mediterranean wing (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/villa.html)
By Juan Escandor Jr.

NAGA CITY---Redefining what a luxury hotel here in the “Heart of Bicol”, the management of Villa Caceres Hotel officially unveils November 12 its 50-room Mediterranean wing in a blessing and inaugural ceremonies with dignitaries in attendance.

“The fifty luxuriously appointed and elegantly furnished rooms and suites give you the gracious lifestyle you expect at the Mediterranean wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel,” said Robert Obiedo, owner-proprietor of the Villa Caceres Hotel.

Obiedo revealed that the cutting of the ribbon would be officiated by a six-pair dignitaries that includes Dr. James Dy, chairman of Philippine Chinese General Hospital and Ms. Dolly Sison, president of University of Nueva Caceres; Fil-Am businesswoman-millionaire Loida Nicolas Lewis and Joey Macadaeg, senior executive vice president of United Coconut Planters Bank; Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua and Regional Director Maria Nini Ravanilla, Department of Tourism; and Chairman of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Ephraim Genuino and Mrs. Rosario Dy-Lo; Mayor Jesse Robredo and wife Atty. Leni Robredo; and Regional Director Maria Celestina Manlangit-Tam, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Commissioner Romulo Fabul of Housing Land and Urban Regulatory Board (HLURB).

Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi will lead the blessing of the Mediterranean wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel after the cutting of the ribbon that will officially usher the opening the hotel for business.

Obiedo said the unveiling of the left wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel responds to the growing demand of affordable luxury hotel here to cater to local and foreign tourists visiting this city as the number of tourist arrivals continues to increase.

He said the opening of the Mediterranean wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel showcases the classic and fine lifestyle the Nagueños are learning to embrace since the boom of tourism industry in Camarines Sur peaked in 2005.

Obiedo said that on the socioeconomic side, the expansion of the hotel operation has increased employment rate in this city with additional workers employed here aside from those employed during the construction phase.

“To make the occasion unforgettable, we are mounting a concert with Rico J. Puno and guest artist Ms. Carmen Soriano on the center stage courtesy of Dr. James Dy and to be hosted by Ms. Eva Poon at the Doña Dolores Convention Center to celebrate the renaissance of the Villa Caceres Hotel,” he enthused.

The newly built Mediterranean wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel is destined to be a unique landmark of this city with the craftsmanship and integrity of the finish unparalleled, providing a sense to an entirely different world that knows nothing but pure comfort. It has a wide array of room choices for guests that range from standard single, first class, executive twin, executive and family to presidential suites.

Obiedo said the hotel’s two elevators and one scenic elevator the first ever installed in Bicol where one could enjoy the lift viewing the sceneries as one goes up and down the building.

To complete the renaissance of the Villa Caceres Hotel, the Bistro Roberto has been fully refurbished and redesigned with electronic lights and sounds to suit the new Mediterranean design that brings total enjoyment to its patrons. Outside the glass wall of Bistro Roberto is the spacious lobby with a coffee bar that complements the needs of guests as they lounge in elegance.

Lyn Palmiano-Santy, general manager of Villa Caceres Hotel, said the Mediterranean wing of the hotel provides the most modern facilities and amenities available like electronic key cards, security cameras, individually controlled air-conditioning system, broadband internet with WIFI capability and LCD television sets and vaults in all its rooms.

Santy said the four-storey Mediterranean wing is built with a 1,500-capacity convention center elegantly decorated with the most classic design which would make conventions, conferences, seminars, private events and weddings memorable experience to guests and participants.

The ground floor has four boardrooms that can be expanded with collapsible walls to accommodate appropriate number of guests and participants of small conferences and meetings.

First of its kind in Naga City, the public rest rooms of the Mediterranean wing are equipped with sensors and their users would not touch anything to wash or dry hands after using.

It has two presidential suites for the most discriminating guests who could enjoy Jacuzzi, living and dining rooms and an executive table aside from the LCD television in the best place of the hotel where one can fully relax overlooking the city.

Obiedo said he saw to it that guests would be provided with the best security so he also constructed a spacious parking area which is the common problem of hotels in downtown Naga City.

He said that the renovation of the Villa Caceres Hotel would continue until he had transformed the old part of the hotel into world-class to show that indeed this city could lead Bicol in the hotel industry.

Villa Caceres Hotel has come a long way in delivering its guests the finest that Bicolandia can offer from its establishment in 1993. From first-class amenities to uncompromising service, it raises the bar higher with the opening of its Mediterranean wing. The 50 rooms and suites, a grand Victorian-inspired lobby, and large Convention Center are unparalleled in both scale and function.

P100 million yung sabi sa news...

Ahh.Talaga? I though PhP10M lang. Hehehe. Sorry. I stand corrected na. I also saw in an article a while ago - 100M nga.:(

ground floor lang ang hindi naapektuhan... Almost all parts of the second floor had been affected by the fire.

And all parts of the third floor too. :(

NHI to help preserve Naga landmarks (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/nhi.html)
By Jonas Cabiles Soltes

THE National Historical Institute (NHI) has agreed to assist the city government of Naga in the rehabilitation and preservation of several historical sites in the city that dates back to the Spanish regime, including the San Francisco Church and its centuries-old belfry.

In October 20, the city government asked for the support from the NHI in the promotion and preservation of the city’s “historical and cultural heritage.”

Recently, the NHI assured the city government that it would spearhead the installation of historical markers honoring the uprising of local heroes that ushered the end of Spanish rule in Bicol at the soon to be completed Plaza Ciudad de Nueva Caceres

Earlier, the city government was assailed by a civic group claiming that the city government had shown lack of sense of history for not initiating efforts to preserve historical sites in the city, especially the old belfry of San Francisco Church, which had been obscured by plant overgrowth.

This group even dared to remove the overgrowth themselves, betraying their “eager-beaverness” and ignorance.

City Mayor Robredo explained that the NHI had discouraged the city government from “touching” any of the historical sites in the city without the close supervision of the concerned government agency.

Removing the plant overgrowth fringing the San Francisco Church belfry, for instance, would require the delicate process of applying systemic herbicide intended to kill the encroaching plants without further deteriorating the bricked structure of the belfry. This process could only be done with supervision from NHI.

Robredo also said the reason why there a seemed to be a delay in the installation of markers in some of the historical sites in Naga was because his administration gave more priority to initiating activities that focus on historical awareness.

Meanwhile, the NHI gave assurance that it would help the city government in the preservation of baptismal records and other documents important to the city’s historical and cultural heritage, “which should be saved from further deterioration.”

The NHI said it would send a researcher and conservator this month.

-----

Where is the Plaza Ciudad de Nueva Caceres being built? :?

^^I don't see any plaza being built... But if ever, it would be in front of the city market going to tabuco...

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/24/DSC00839.JPG?et=ghJxzlrBTxVuWiyaU6q%2BVQ&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/30/DSC00845.JPG?et=07lr3SnkuBfCeGnGaxs3bA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/25/DSC00840.JPG?et=K0HoGdt35QZFPReLqMMwNA&nmid=131763167

I think I have a few more. Lemme check my phone. :)


AhmmmMM..

Mr.kevinb

meron kapa poh pix ng Sm NagA?
xe sabi mo bakamy pix kapa?
meron pa poh ba?PAki upload nalang poh..
thnx..
taz kong cnu poh my pix ng Sm ung harap poh mismo
paki uplod nalang poh..
thnx thnx..:banana::banana::banana:

USwag nAga USwag bicolandia..

rhyZrockERz

Inquirer Southern Luzon
Naga needs P155 million for its coliseum


By Jonas Cabiles Soltes
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:36:00 11/13/2008


NAGA CITY – Naga City needs P155 million for its coliseum, which has remained unfinished for 11 years, city planning and development officer Wilfredo Prilles Jr. said.

The 10,000-seat coliseum is within the central business district, near the soon-to-open SM City Naga, the first in the Bicol region.

Started in 1997, the construction of the coliseum has been halted by Typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming,” which twisted and rendered unusable its roof trusses, and by lack of funds.

The coliseum should be on its last phase of construction, which requires roofing and finishing touches. Other facilities such as sound and electricity generation system and a circumferential road would also be put up, Prilles said.

He said it was time for the city to have its own coliseum to sustain its booming economy.

The Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Naga City People’s Council, and other business and civic organizations are willing to borrow money to complete the construction.

During the May 12 meeting of the Naga City Development Council, hotel and department store owner Roberto Obiedo said completing the coliseum was for the higher interest of the city and its residents.

“I go for it even if it competes with my hotel business,” he said, referring to the ongoing expansion and rehabilitation of his Villa Caceres Hotel that includes a large convention hall that could fit bigger seminars and conferences that the coliseum, once completed, can also handle.

A bank manager said Lucena City in Quezon province has its own coliseum that has made it an ideal venue for conventions and other large events.

Prilles said although it would not automatically produce substantial income within the first years of its completion, the coliseum could earn enough to pay for the cost of its construction, including payment for possible bank loan and interest.

The city government is open to a build-operate-transfer scheme for the project in case private groups are interested in handling its full development.

Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo sought the approval of the city council for him to enter into a loan agreement with a government bank that offered the most agreeable loan conditions to cover the P155 million needed.

Link to original article:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20081113-171875/Naga-needs-P155-million-for-its-coliseum

Sana matapos na rin yan under the term of the present mayor ..!!

pag tumatagal kasi ang construction humihina ang pundasyon nyan dagdagan pa ng other calamity ...!!

Once na matapos yan may world Class Concert Venue na rin ang Naga City aside from sports activity ...!! Good for Provincial Tour Concert yan hehehehehe

Hopefully Matapos din yang Project na yan ..!!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/peescober/boomtown.gif

From the rooftop one sees and feels the frenzied pace attending the construction of SM City Naga (foreground) with giant steel cranes hovering a monolith of hollow blocks and concrete that will soon be dominating the skyline along busy Panganiban Avenue. Further in the foreground is the newly-completed signal tower of the proposed GMA 7 Bicol Regional Broadcast Center that will be formally launched in the first quarter of next year.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/peescober/nagacity.jpg

Mr.aries

Ahmm..

meron ka poh pix ng Gma 7 regional Station buildin jan sa NAga?
kong meron poh paki upload nalang poh.. tnx...
san poh palan jan sa naga nka lagay ung station ng Gma 7?

thnx..

USwag NAGa Uswag Bicolandia.:banana::banana:

rhyZrockerZ

Wow yan ang pighalat q eh ..Panoramic view ng Naga City ..!!

T.Y po sa nagpost ng mga picturez ..!! mas cool sana kung malaki hehehehehe

Sa rooftop lang po yata yan kinuha nuh papz? ..!! Kung aq sana yaon jan matabang man aq sa pag post ng mga new picturez of Naga City ..!!

hehehe puro grabbing lang ang pig - gibo q ^8^v

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/peescober/boomtown.gif

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/peescober/nagacity.jpg

I love those pics.... It seems like our skyline is very colorful.

^^ I indeed love the second photo. A mountain in the backdrop and a colorful and vibrant city in the foreground. Great! :banana:

AhmmmMM..

Mr.kevinb

meron kapa poh pix ng Sm NagA?
xe sabi mo bakamy pix kapa?
meron pa poh ba?PAki upload nalang poh..
thnx..
taz kong cnu poh my pix ng Sm ung harap poh mismo
paki uplod nalang poh..
thnx thnx..:banana::banana::banana:

USwag nAga USwag bicolandia..

rhyZrockERz

I do still have photos of SM but I think those are my chaka takes. :lol: I'll re-check if those photos can be posted here.:D I have other Naga City photos that are yet to be posted until a few more minutes. I'm still uploading them in Multiply. :D:D:D

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/4/photos/14/500x500/57/Plaza-Quince-Martires.JPG?et=LysBoMuktu2dTM%2C%2C2DTbwA&nmid=131763167
Plaza Quince Martires

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/12/photos/14/500x500/16/DSC00825.JPG?et=q4CsFW%2BSY62MQ7UJKe03Jw&nmid=131763167
A National Historical Institute Landmark

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/11/photos/14/500x500/17/DSC00826.JPG?et=z9AZ2dAuct3k24N%2BFurKxg&nmid=131763167
What do you call this thing?

Ay. Tatlo na lang pala photos ko ng SM. :(

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/4/photos/14/500x500/35/DSC00851.JPG?et=FYSLXSO6ODaOtcIYvqRh7w&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/4/photos/14/500x500/34/DSC00850.JPG?et=uYMQ%2BpJTZA9%2C4gdGBBLVCQ&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/5/photos/14/500x500/33/DSC00849.JPG?et=Q6q75RGKAsZMbQ7Fqmbclg&nmid=131763167

The historical Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/5/photos/14/500x500/58/Saint-Francis-of-Assisi-Parish-Church.JPG?et=%2CTPAl2i2LtJMHeJogcIUAw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/51/DSC00871.JPG?et=7mUIR1o3wfX3%2B8t0MYxe6Q&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/50/DSC00870.JPG?et=eyxY8bZIOvC2lYMI7pB9Pw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/49/DSC00869.JPG?et=9%2CdBCwLZe9q2rZWQnr6hPQ&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/5/photos/14/500x500/52/DSC00872.JPG?et=X5x7%2BJhBABZGt8Yu7YzTDw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/7/photos/14/500x500/37/DSC00856.JPG?et=258NsinZCFTl6NLm5BxV8w&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/38/DSC00857.JPG?et=RUcWtuKosVbUXBYmGALoiw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/5/photos/14/500x500/53/DSC00873.JPG?et=N8jZsFllJow9MNy%2BS1kjzw&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/39/DSC00858.JPG?et=i3vESVkGKT9qEPCo3ZT3AA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/41/DSC00860.JPG?et=JidVIPvzm4z%2BsCbccOqNKA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/48/DSC00868.JPG?et=5om%2CAIEl3Xl7fVS%2BZhLRSA&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/40/DSC00859.JPG?et=kmUW7uvyutGeBNaOu3u17Q&nmid=131763167

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/42/DSC00861.JPG?et=9aNfo9tO93TzUjG0a8E9oQ&nmid=131763167

Bayo is in the city! :D

http://images.kevinb3410.multiply.com/image/6/photos/14/500x500/31/Bayo-in-E-Mall.JPG?et=19GV9%2BR2cO9Q9znaIhwmKw&nmid=131763167

And those photos are basically what I got when I went home. I had time- and schedule-constraints. :(

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9421/06132008857pn8.jpg

Is this where the Plaza Ciudad de Nueva Caceres gonna be put up?

Is this where the Plaza Ciudad de Nueva Caceres gonna be put up?

Ahmmmm..

pag kakaaram ko poh jan talaga ikakaag c plaza de nueva caceres..

kia lang garo baga saditon ang lugar
...

san po ba located jan sa baga ang bayo?

ohhh yeaH....nice pix..

hhihihiih

thnx poh sa pag post,,,...

USwag naGA uswag bicolandia..

rhyzrockerz.

Is this where the Plaza Ciudad de Nueva Caceres gonna be put up?

Yeah, I think so...

Ahmmmm..

pag kakaaram ko poh jan talaga ikakaag c plaza de nueva caceres..

kia lang garo baga saditon ang lugar
...

Baduyun man kung sa center isalnd mismo ilaag ang plaza. Saditon man. Kung sa tinampo man ilalaag, magiging mas malala ang traffic dyan. Papanuhon daw ninda yan. Any signs of construction in the area?

san po ba located jan sa baga ang bayo?

ohhh yeaH....nice pix..

hhihihiih

thnx poh sa pag post,,,...

USwag naGA uswag bicolandia..

rhyzrockerz.

Sa E-Mall po ang Bayo. :)

And thanks. :D

Villa Caceres Hotel unveils new edifice, more amenities (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov13/new.html)

NAGA CITY --- New York-based Bicolana businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis, City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, and Philippine Chinese General Hospital President James Dy led the inaugural rites during the unveiling of the classy 50-room Meditarranean wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel here, yesterday, Nov. 12, with hotel owner Roberto Lee Obiedo welcoming the over one thousand invited guests.

Other special guests who led the unveiling rites were UNC President Dolores H. Sison, Senior Executive Vice President Joey Macadaeg of the United Coconut Planters Bank, Bicol Regional Tourism Director Nini Ravanilla, DAR Regional Director Celestina Manlagnit-Tam, and Naga businesswoman Rosario Lo.

A sumptuous lunch at the spacious Dona Dolores Convention Hall immediately followed the ceremonial cutting of ribbon and the blessing rites led by Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

The brand new edifice is the latest addition to the hotel’s growing operation. “The unfolding of the left wing of the hotel is our response to the growing demand for affordable luxury hotel that caters to both local and foreign guests as the number of tourists in the city continues to increase,” Obiedo told his guests who mostly came from the city’s list of prominent government officials, businessmen, and religious and civic leaders.

Lewis, who hails from Sorsogon City and has co-ventured in department store and retailing business in her province with Obiedo said she was amazed by the luxury and elegance of the hotel which she attributed to Obiedo’s creativity and industry, aside from his being an aggressive and trend-setting local businessman.

Obiedo said the fifty luxuriously appointed and elegantly furnished rooms and suites would give clients the gracious lifestyle that is even made more telling by its Mediterranean-inspired warmth and hospitality.

In the evening, Obiedo hosted a dinner concert topbilled by singer-showman Rico J. Puno, with Ms. Carmen Soriano, the ever-radiant diva, as guest artist.

Photos (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/villa.html)

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/pictures/villa1.gif
CLASSIC - The lobby of the Mediterranean wing of Villa Caceres Hotel exudes elegance.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/pictures/villa2.gif
LUXURY - The Mediterranean wing of Villa Caceres is a unique landmark along Magsaysay Avenue in Naga City.

RP urologists slate convention in Naga (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov13/rp.html)

NAGA CITY --- With more national events already lined up for its calendar of activities for the first quarter of next year alone, the Naga City Government formally announces the holding here of the midyear convention of the Philippine Urological Association on April 16-18, 2009.

One of the most prestigious groups of the Philippine Medical Association, the association of the country’s top urologists will be converging for the first time in Bicol after Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo early this year invited the specialized medical group, through Dr. Ronnie Ursua and Dr. Freddie Sy, two of the respected urologists in the city, to hold their next convention in Naga.

The urologists last held their national convention in Cebu City.

Dr. Ursua said the urologist association’s midyear convention is traditionally attended by some 300 to 350 members. “But they [the doctor-delegates] usually take along their wives and children during the 3-day meet,” Ursua said adding that the total number of visitors could swell to as much as 600 to 700, not to mention the representatives of drug companies that usually make their presence felt during similar important medical conventions.

Mayor Robredo has tasked the Naga City Visitors Center to coordinate with the PUA regarding accommodation, convention site, entertainment, and local tours to make the convention truly memorable and successful.

Organizers have chosen Avenue Plaza Hotel as the main venue and billeting hotel, with spill-over guests to be accommodated by the other top hotels in the city, such as Villa Caceres Hotel, Crown Hotel, and Naga Regent Hotel.

The Camarines Sur Watersports Complex has been included as a tourist and pleasure destination for the guests and their families as well as the Butanding interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.

In the month of April 2009, big-ticket events have been slated to be held in Naga, which is dubbed as Bicol’s premier convention hub.

On April 19-26, 2009 the city will be hosting the 2009 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Meet which will draw some 3,500 student-athletes from private schools, colleges and universities throughout the country.

On April 25-May 2, 2009, the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this year’s most outstanding business chamber in the country, will be staging its 5th Bicol Business Week at Plaza Quezon and Plaza Rizal here.

On April 29-30, 2009, the Naga City Government will be hosting the two-day opening ceremonies of the National Heritage Month which will be held in collaboration with the National Council for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Institute, and the Filipino Heritage Foundation, Inc. This event will also mark the formal unveiling of the multi-million peso monument at the soon-to-be restored Plaza de Ciudad de Caceres.

------

Lots of events in the city eh? :D

Flickr finds!

Amrei Dizon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/amreidizon/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/478732464_486ebe17ca.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/478732476_4a11c6038e.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/478732460_fa9aac87f8.jpg?v=0

melvin francis rosales (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscrue/2356254865/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2356254865_336bed2498.jpg?v=0

Flicr finds!

tranzxp1010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26294581@N07/sets/72157604897214223/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2470767306_f6905cf611.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2470766168_9922a70118.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2469946019_9822645e94.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2469948237_6a28bacd95.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/2469947009_236e6c2d22.jpg?v=0

Flickr finds!

doublefault2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8568819@N04/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2500047853_60ff10d320.jpg?v=0
Avenue Square

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2500047139_fab3656401.jpg?v=0
West Park

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2500045937_a746bd581d.jpg?v=0
Cereza

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2500883386_af06a3f17e.jpg?v=0
Plaza Quince Martires

RP urologists slate convention in Naga (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov13/rp.html)

NAGA CITY --- With more national events already lined up for its calendar of activities for the first quarter of next year alone, the Naga City Government formally announces the holding here of the midyear convention of the Philippine Urological Association on April 16-18, 2009.

One of the most prestigious groups of the Philippine Medical Association, the association of the country’s top urologists will be converging for the first time in Bicol after Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo early this year invited the specialized medical group, through Dr. Ronnie Ursua and Dr. Freddie Sy, two of the respected urologists in the city, to hold their next convention in Naga.

The urologists last held their national convention in Cebu City.

Dr. Ursua said the urologist association’s midyear convention is traditionally attended by some 300 to 350 members. “But they [the doctor-delegates] usually take along their wives and children during the 3-day meet,” Ursua said adding that the total number of visitors could swell to as much as 600 to 700, not to mention the representatives of drug companies that usually make their presence felt during similar important medical conventions.

Mayor Robredo has tasked the Naga City Visitors Center to coordinate with the PUA regarding accommodation, convention site, entertainment, and local tours to make the convention truly memorable and successful.

Organizers have chosen Avenue Plaza Hotel as the main venue and billeting hotel, with spill-over guests to be accommodated by the other top hotels in the city, such as Villa Caceres Hotel, Crown Hotel, and Naga Regent Hotel.

The Camarines Sur Watersports Complex has been included as a tourist and pleasure destination for the guests and their families as well as the Butanding interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.

In the month of April 2009, big-ticket events have been slated to be held in Naga, which is dubbed as Bicol’s premier convention hub.

On April 19-26, 2009 the city will be hosting the 2009 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Meet which will draw some 3,500 student-athletes from private schools, colleges and universities throughout the country.

On April 25-May 2, 2009, the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this year’s most outstanding business chamber in the country, will be staging its 5th Bicol Business Week at Plaza Quezon and Plaza Rizal here.

On April 29-30, 2009, the Naga City Government will be hosting the two-day opening ceremonies of the National Heritage Month which will be held in collaboration with the National Council for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Institute, and the Filipino Heritage Foundation, Inc. This event will also mark the formal unveiling of the multi-million peso monument at the soon-to-be restored Plaza de Ciudad de Caceres.

------

Lots of events in the city eh? :D

Anything on the last two weeks of Feb and the first two weeks of Mar? We would like to try the Avenue Plaza Hotel and the new and hopefully improved Villa Caceres (stayed in the old one).:) Nice to know that there are two airlines now serving WNP. Only wish one is in the AM and the other in the PM.

Villa Caceres Hotel unveils new edifice, more amenities (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov13/new.html)

NAGA CITY --- New York-based Bicolana businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis, City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, and Philippine Chinese General Hospital President James Dy led the inaugural rites during the unveiling of the classy 50-room Meditarranean wing of the Villa Caceres Hotel here, yesterday, Nov. 12, with hotel owner Roberto Lee Obiedo welcoming the over one thousand invited guests.

Other special guests who led the unveiling rites were UNC President Dolores H. Sison, Senior Executive Vice President Joey Macadaeg of the United Coconut Planters Bank, Bicol Regional Tourism Director Nini Ravanilla, DAR Regional Director Celestina Manlagnit-Tam, and Naga businesswoman Rosario Lo.

A sumptuous lunch at the spacious Dona Dolores Convention Hall immediately followed the ceremonial cutting of ribbon and the blessing rites led by Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

The brand new edifice is the latest addition to the hotel’s growing operation. “The unfolding of the left wing of the hotel is our response to the growing demand for affordable luxury hotel that caters to both local and foreign guests as the number of tourists in the city continues to increase,” Obiedo told his guests who mostly came from the city’s list of prominent government officials, businessmen, and religious and civic leaders.

Lewis, who hails from Sorsogon City and has co-ventured in department store and retailing business in her province with Obiedo said she was amazed by the luxury and elegance of the hotel which she attributed to Obiedo’s creativity and industry, aside from his being an aggressive and trend-setting local businessman.

Obiedo said the fifty luxuriously appointed and elegantly furnished rooms and suites would give clients the gracious lifestyle that is even made more telling by its Mediterranean-inspired warmth and hospitality.

In the evening, Obiedo hosted a dinner concert topbilled by singer-showman Rico J. Puno, with Ms. Carmen Soriano, the ever-radiant diva, as guest artist.

Photos (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/villa.html)

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/pictures/villa1.gif
CLASSIC - The lobby of the Mediterranean wing of Villa Caceres Hotel exudes elegance.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov06/pictures/villa2.gif
LUXURY - The Mediterranean wing of Villa Caceres is a unique landmark along Magsaysay Avenue in Naga City.

wow world class na rin ang mga Hotel ng Naga City

Naga City Rockz talaga :banana::banana::banana:

May nabasa aq sa isang article di daw pwede sa Naga City ang mga Highrise building waaaaaah..!? Dahil xa uri ng lupa sa syudad ...T_T

Anything on the last two weeks of Feb and the first two weeks of Mar? We would like to try the Avenue Plaza Hotel and the new and hopefully improved Villa Caceres (stayed in the old one).:) Nice to know that there are two airlines now serving WNP. Only wish one is in the AM and the other in the PM.

I don't actually have any ideas regarding the two hotel's availability during your preferred visit.

For the Avenue Plaza Hotel:

Tel. No.: (54) 473-9999
Fax No.: (54) 811-7888
Email: info@theavenueplazahotel.com
Website: www.theavenueplazahotel.com (http://www.theavenueplazahotel.com/hotel.html)

For the Villa Caceres Hotel:

Mobile No. 0918-9342285
Tel. No.: (54) 811-6083 to 89
Fax No.: (54) 473-9327
Toll-Free No.: 250-8118
Email: info@villacacereshotel.com
Website: www.villacacereshotel.com (http://www.villacacereshotel.com/)

If you're asking for major events in the city within February and March, there are none in the city. The Peñafrancia Festival is held every September and another one during May for the Peñafrancia Summer Festival. But you can always visit the city anytime for heritage tours. You may also go to the neighboring Camarines Sur Watersports Complex. :)

wow world class na rin ang mga Hotel ng Naga City

Naga City Rockz talaga :banana::banana::banana:

May nabasa aq sa isang article di daw pwede sa Naga City ang mga Highrise building waaaaaah..!? Dahil xa uri ng lupa sa syudad ...T_T

That's true. It's because the city is located at the center of the Bicol River Basin, which straddles the entire central Camarines Sur and portions of Camarnies Norte and Albay. If I'm not mistaken, the city government doesn't allow buildings of more than 10 floors to be built in the city.

And more Flickr finds!

From melvin francis rosales (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscrue/sets/72157608448416000/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3021655025_3facff8a50.jpg?v=0
Naga Metropolitan Cathedral Patio

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3009618939_e5724f8c84.jpg?v=0
Our Lady of Peñafrancia during the 2008 Traslacion

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/3009551041_8f3d97672f.jpg?v=0
The Divino Rostro during the 2008 Traslacion

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/3010385388_fb67ce58a7.jpg?v=0
Ina at the Quadricentennial dome being readied for the Holy Mass

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2891976594_4cebe9c672.jpg?v=0
I love the shot!

And still more Flickr finds!

From jerrylimlee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerrylimlee/sets/72157600604620773/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1157/855564207_4c402c85d1.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1367/844993979_a030f53949.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1154/972261467_d8fd6bfba1.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1355/618099629_2a18dd1423.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2241616266_631b187a39.jpg?v=0

Love his night shots! Amazing! :cheers:

That's true. It's because the city is located at the center of the Bicol River Basin, which straddles the entire central Camarines Sur and portions of Camarnies Norte and Albay. If I'm not mistaken, the city government doesn't allow buildings of more than 10 floors to be built in the city.

waaaah ganun..!? i'm dreaming pa naman sa near future we can have a wonderful skyscrapercity Naga ..! T_T

it make me sad waaaaah..!! but still awkie parang d2 sa Marikina wula maxadong highrise building but look the city's other infra'z ...very cool & Clean ..!!

I don't actually have any ideas regarding the two hotel's availability during your preferred visit.

For the Avenue Plaza Hotel:

Tel. No.: (54) 473-9999
Fax No.: (54) 811-7888
Email: info@theavenueplazahotel.com
Website: www.theavenueplazahotel.com (http://www.theavenueplazahotel.com/hotel.html)

For the Villa Caceres Hotel:

Mobile No. 0918-9342285
Tel. No.: (54) 811-6083 to 89
Fax No.: (54) 473-9327
Toll-Free No.: 250-8118
Email: info@villacacereshotel.com
Website: www.villacacereshotel.com (http://www.villacacereshotel.com/)

If you're asking for major events in the city within February and March, there are none in the city. The Peñafrancia Festival is held every September and another one during May for the Peñafrancia Summer Festival. But you can always visit the city anytime for heritage tours. You may also go to the neighboring Camarines Sur Watersports Complex. :)

THANKS A BUNCH!

P70M for rehab of burned Naga market



Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:37:00 11/17/2008


NAGA CITY—The national government will release P70 million to finance the immediate reconstruction of the city’s three-story public market whose second and third floors were burned by a fire on Nov. 6-7.

This was announced by Sen. Joker Arroyo and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya who went here immediately after the fire.

Mayor Jess Robredo said the city would allocate P20 million as counterpart fund for the rehabilitation of the market on a 1.4-hectare lot.

Fire damage has been placed at P100 million.

Built in 1963, the public market was then the biggest in Asia.

Arroyo and Andaya said the urgent reconstruction efforts had the support and approval of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who immediately understood its economic impact in Bicol.

Arroyo, a native of Naga, said this would be the fastest rehabilitation undertaking in the country and, more importantly, a “model for nonpartisan efforts for the common good.”

Andaya, who is also a native son, gave assurance that the funds would be immediately made available.

The city council declared a state of calamity following the fire.

This will enable the local government to spend its P40-million calamity fund for the market’s repair and rehabilitation. Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20081117-172628/P70M-for-rehab-of-burned-Naga-market

That's true. It's because the city is located at the center of the Bicol River Basin, which straddles the entire central Camarines Sur and portions of Camarnies Norte and Albay. If I'm not mistaken, the city government doesn't allow buildings of more than 10 floors to be built in the city.

MR.kevinb

Ahmm sain poh nindo nabasa ang article na YAn?:ohno::ohno:

Ahmm..

Mr.kevinB nice pix aztig BAga...!!

asensado na talaga ang Xudad..

UswaG naga USwag bicolandia..:banana::banana::banana:

P70M for rehab of burned Naga market



Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:37:00 11/17/2008


NAGA CITY—The national government will release P70 million to finance the immediate reconstruction of the city’s three-story public market whose second and third floors were burned by a fire on Nov. 6-7.

This was announced by Sen. Joker Arroyo and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya who went here immediately after the fire.

Mayor Jess Robredo said the city would allocate P20 million as counterpart fund for the rehabilitation of the market on a 1.4-hectare lot.

Fire damage has been placed at P100 million.

Built in 1963, the public market was then the biggest in Asia.

Arroyo and Andaya said the urgent reconstruction efforts had the support and approval of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who immediately understood its economic impact in Bicol.

Arroyo, a native of Naga, said this would be the fastest rehabilitation undertaking in the country and, more importantly, a “model for nonpartisan efforts for the common good.”

Andaya, who is also a native son, gave assurance that the funds would be immediately made available.

The city council declared a state of calamity following the fire.

This will enable the local government to spend its P40-million calamity fund for the market’s repair and rehabilitation. Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20081117-172628/P70M-for-rehab-of-burned-Naga-market

AHmm..

nuarin poh SiSImulan ang renuvaxon kang NAGa public MArket?:bash::bash:

PAki grit man poh Ako...:cheers::cheers:

birthday ko kia ngunyan.. ahihih:banana::banana:

AHmm..

nuarin poh SiSImulan ang renuvaxon kang NAGa public MArket?:bash::bash:

PAki grit man poh Ako...:cheers::cheers:

birthday ko kia ngunyan.. ahihih:banana::banana:

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY rhyzrockerz...:cheers::cheers:

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY rhyzrockerz...:cheers::cheers:


Uy..

UDi man sweTon...

hehehehe

tig greT Ako..

Thnx poh PAnksi....
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Lam nyo mga papz xumaya ata ang thread natin dahil kay Sir rhyzrockerz

we became active ...pansin q lang hehehhe ^8^v

^^Oo nga hehehe... Now that our SSC Naga forumers are increasing, we will be more active in the coming days.

:lol::lol:Lam nyo mga papz xumaya ata ang thread natin dahil kay Sir rhyzrockerz

we became active ...pansin q lang hehehhe ^8^v

Ahmmm..

Eh dpat lang masaYA tau sa threaD na to...!!:lol::lol:

XE dahil dito nagkaka bigayan tau mga InFo taz mga balita jan sa NAga,,..

malaki poh kacing tulong itong thread na to sa mga Nagueños na guztong

malaman ang mga latest news,events, taz kong anu anu pang tungkol

sa ating "padangat na xudad na xmpz anu pa ngaBA NAga city..

Ahh thnx nga pala sa lahat ng nagpopost sa thread na ito specialy kina

Mr.garzland,kevinb na buong puso na nangangalap ng balita taz

nangungulikta ng mga pix na pang Upload sa thread na to..!!

AHmmm..

Ahihihihi...

thnx for the Complement Mr.axel(08)brixx mAuRAg ka poh..hihih:):):)




ProUd to be Nagueño..


uSwaG naga UswaG bicolandia

rhyZrockerZ...:banana::banana::banana:

wahehehehe awkie lang un ..!! ^8^v :nuts::nuts::nuts:

aq maurag ...hehehhehe ..!! Baka makaule aq ng Bicol sa Pistang Lagonoy kapag open na ang SM that time gagala aq sa Naga hihihi

wahehehehe awkie lang un ..!! ^8^v :nuts::nuts::nuts:

aq maurag ...hehehhehe ..!! Baka makaule aq ng Bicol sa Pistang Lagonoy kapag open na ang SM that time gagala aq sa Naga hihihi

aHmmm..

eu mAn poh ako nxt month mauli man ako jan sa Naga jan ako ma pasko

taz new year ..ma birthday man c madiriz kia mauli ako..!!

mangungulikta man kong mga pix jan sa Naga PAra upload ko man digdi sa

SCC nAGA..
:banana::banana::banana:
aDVANcE mERRy x-maz aNd haPPy New YEaR pOh SA gaBUz NA NAsa thReaD

na Ini..

"USwaG NAga USwAg BiColanDiA"

RhYZroCkeRZ™
:cheers::cheers:

garu baga Bz bz man daa ang mga tao hai.. mau man lamang pating

nag popost sa thread na ini..

ahihihhihih:nuts::nuts::nuts:

hoi marata kamo..

mau lamang kong ka chika chika sa thread,,ahihi

UswaG nagA UswaG bicolandia..

rhYzrockerZ™ PoH...:):)

SM Prime allots P10B for capex (http://www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1754)
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña, 17 Nov 2008

Amid a global economic downturn, shopping mall giant SM Prime Holdings Inc. will pursue its expansion program, with a capital budget of P10 billion set for next year.

SM Prime president Hans Sy sounded a positive but cautious note on the company’s prospects next year but emphasized that the worldwide economic slowdown would not deter SM Prime’s expansion plans.

“We’re cautiously positive but we’re continuing with our expansion program. We’re not pulling back. We’re not slowing down,” Sy said, noting the big jump in the firm’s October sales despite a slowing economy.

Out of the P10 billion proposed capital budget, P7 billion will go to the construction of new shopping malls and expansion of existing ones, higher than the P6 billion earmarked this year. The balance of P3 billion, on the other hand, will go to expansion in China.

Up for construction next year are SM Naga which will offer 73,000 square meters of leasable space, SM Rosario (50,000), SM Pamplona (40,000), Rosales (17,000), North Edsa Sky Garden (34,000). All these will provide an additional 214,000 square meters, bringing end-2009 gross floor area to 4.5 million square meters from the expected 4.3 million square meters this year.

The company’s malls will also increase to 36 by end-2009 from 33 this year.

Sy said the company is also pursuing its expansion in China with plans to put up one new store a year. Its malls in China are located in highly populated areas in southern and western China, namely, Xiamen, Jinjiang and Chengdu.

Plans are now underway for the establishment of a mall in Chongquing with two more planned in 2010 and 2011 – Suzhou and Zibo in Guangdong province.

SM Prime chief finance officer and executive vice-president Jeffrey Lim said funding for the expansion will come from a combination of debt and internally-generated cash. “There will be some borrowings, probably half of that. We’re looking at various options whether debt or preferred shares. We’re still evaluating whether we should get it in dollars or peso,” Lim said.

For the remainder of the year, SM Prime will open SM Supercenter Rosales in Pangasinan and SM City Baliuag in Bulacan. The new Atrium of SM Megamall is also expected to be open for business in November.

SM City North EDSA, and SM City Fairview are also currently undergoing expansion and due for completion in 2009.

:lol::lol:

Ahmmm..

Eh dpat lang masaYA tau sa threaD na to...!!:lol::lol:

XE dahil dito nagkaka bigayan tau mga InFo taz mga balita jan sa NAga,,..

malaki poh kacing tulong itong thread na to sa mga Nagueños na guztong

malaman ang mga latest news,events, taz kong anu anu pang tungkol

sa ating "padangat na xudad na xmpz anu pa ngaBA NAga city..

Ahh thnx nga pala sa lahat ng nagpopost sa thread na ito specialy kina

Mr.garzland,kevinb na buong puso na nangangalap ng balita taz

nangungulikta ng mga pix na pang Upload sa thread na to..!!

AHmmm..

Ahihihihi...

thnx for the Complement Mr.axel(08)brixx mAuRAg ka poh..hihih:):):)




ProUd to be Nagueño..


uSwaG naga UswaG bicolandia

rhyZrockerZ...:banana::banana::banana:

HAPPY BIRTDAY!!!!!

MR.kevinb

Ahmm sain poh nindo nabasa ang article na YAn?:ohno::ohno:

Ahmm..

Mr.kevinB nice pix aztig BAga...!!

asensado na talaga ang Xudad..

UswaG naga USwag bicolandia..:banana::banana::banana:

That's true. It's because the city is located at the center of the Bicol River Basin, which straddles the entire central Camarines Sur and portions of Camarnies Norte and Albay. If I'm not mistaken, the city government doesn't allow buildings of more than 10 floors to be built in the city.




thats not true. thats a lie :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

COA : CAM SUR, TOP 10 IN PHILS. RICHEST & MOST STABLE
Category: p_release
Source: MMEC
Cam Sur is Bicol’s no. 1 and the Philippines 10th placer in terms of net income, as certified by the Commission on Audit’s (COA) official report on all financial statements for FY 2007 as submitted by 80 provinces, 135 cities and 1450 municipalities all over the country.

Up by almost 20% from 2006, Cam Sur generated no less than Php 1.056 Billion as compared to 2006’s Php 863.173 Million. Ranked no. 13 in comparison to all the provinces, cities and municipalities, it was noted that compared to other revenue of rich provinces, Cam Sur’s expenditures are considerably less.

When asked for his immediate reaction upon hearing this piece of good news, the Governor intimated that “I have always been confident of Cam Sur’s strong and solid financial footing. The figures speak clearly of where we stand, not only in the region but amongst the country’s best and worst. I am proud that in so little a time, we have led Cam Sur to the path of economic development.”

Since he assumed office, Cam Sur has leap frogged from Php 655.56 Million in 2004, Php 725.05 Million in 2005 to Php 863.173 Million in 2006 to Php 1.056 Billion in 2007, a record breaking and unprecedented feat for the province.

According to Governor Villafuerte, “Financial stability rests on knowing how and when to invest properly. I have chosen to embark on projects that yield substantial profits and at the same time, alleviate the image of the province, from poverty stricken to progressive.”

Observers note that breaching the billion peso income level is an accomplishment in itself and it speaks highly of the fiscal management and sound revenue generating policies of the provincial government.

Cam Sur’s total equity has jumped from Php 1.009 Billion in 2006 to a whopping Php 1.993 Billion in 2007. This puts Cam Sur among the country’s richest and most stable provinces.

“The CWC plays an integral role in this remarkable development. The interest that it has and continues to generate has undoubtedly translated to profits which have helped us fund pro-poor projects such as scholarship grants, farmer assistance etc. More importantly, it led to the expansion of other investment-focused projects such as the Sutherland Global Services Call Center, all digital animation, etc. and Cam Sur is fast gaining the reputation for being investment-friendly.”, said Governor Villafuerte.

Recently, Ambassador Kristie Kenney of the United States visited Cam Sur to personally take a look at the recent developments in the province. “We are fortunate to be among the few provinces with a steady flow of serious investors and distinguished observers who recognize our humble efforts to change the economic landscape of the province. This is an affirmation of what the COA just reported. We are among the most stable, and fortunately, among the top LGU’s that have invested wisely.”


Link to article: http://www.camarinessur.gov.ph/?page=6&pid=100&id=715

HAPPY BIRTDAY!!!!!

AHmmm.. Tiga saan ka poh?

sana mag injoy ka poh sa threAD na to...

Scc NAGa AztiG..!!:banana::banana:

USwag Naga UswAg Bicolandia..

:ohno:thats not true. thats a lie :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

PAnu mo naman poh nasabi na hindi ung totoo?

Ahmmm..:ohno::ohno:

UswaG naga USwaG bicolandia..

rhyzrockeRz

SM Prime allots P10B for capex (http://www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1754)
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña, 17 Nov 2008

Amid a global economic downturn, shopping mall giant SM Prime Holdings Inc. will pursue its expansion program, with a capital budget of P10 billion set for next year.

SM Prime president Hans Sy sounded a positive but cautious note on the company’s prospects next year but emphasized that the worldwide economic slowdown would not deter SM Prime’s expansion plans.

“We’re cautiously positive but we’re continuing with our expansion program. We’re not pulling back. We’re not slowing down,” Sy said, noting the big jump in the firm’s October sales despite a slowing economy.

Out of the P10 billion proposed capital budget, P7 billion will go to the construction of new shopping malls and expansion of existing ones, higher than the P6 billion earmarked this year. The balance of P3 billion, on the other hand, will go to expansion in China.

Up for construction next year are SM Naga which will offer 73,000 square meters of leasable space, SM Rosario (50,000), SM Pamplona (40,000), Rosales (17,000), North Edsa Sky Garden (34,000). All these will provide an additional 214,000 square meters, bringing end-2009 gross floor area to 4.5 million square meters from the expected 4.3 million square meters this year.

The company’s malls will also increase to 36 by end-2009 from 33 this year.

Sy said the company is also pursuing its expansion in China with plans to put up one new store a year. Its malls in China are located in highly populated areas in southern and western China, namely, Xiamen, Jinjiang and Chengdu.

Plans are now underway for the establishment of a mall in Chongquing with two more planned in 2010 and 2011 – Suzhou and Zibo in Guangdong province.

SM Prime chief finance officer and executive vice-president Jeffrey Lim said funding for the expansion will come from a combination of debt and internally-generated cash. “There will be some borrowings, probably half of that. We’re looking at various options whether debt or preferred shares. We’re still evaluating whether we should get it in dollars or peso,” Lim said.

For the remainder of the year, SM Prime will open SM Supercenter Rosales in Pangasinan and SM City Baliuag in Bulacan. The new Atrium of SM Megamall is also expected to be open for business in November.

SM City North EDSA, and SM City Fairview are also currently undergoing expansion and due for completion in 2009.

huh?:ohno:
SM Pamplona (40,000),
Saan poh yaN?

Pagkasulo kan mercado
huli kan pagsinutil sa ordenanza
An padagos na pagsinutil kan mga ocupantes kan mercado publico kan Ciudad nin Naga sa dai pagsunod kan ordenanza particularmente sa bawal na pagluto asin turog saro sa mga causa kan mga incidente nin kasulo

Si Fire Chief Inspector Ronald Egwaras, fire marshal kan Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) kan Ciudad nin Naga nagsabi na saro ini si dahilan mala ngani kan mangyari sa pinakadakulang kasulo sa mercado kan Webes na bangui iyo an marikas na paglaila kan kalayo huli kan sunod-sunod na pag-purotokan kan mga tangki nin LPG asin rebentador.

May mga nagtuturog sa ika-duwang escalon mala ngani sa inicial na investigacion pigtutubodan na gikan sa pagsulo nin candila o gasira mientras na kan mag-arab-adab si kalayo mga alas 9:00 nin bangui dai pueding isahot sa corriente huli ta nagka-igwa ngani nin brownout an TransCo. Apat nang veces nangyari an kasulo asin si pinakahuring incidente kan Noviembre 6 nin bangui iyo na an pinakadakula, sabi sa mga pahayag ni Alcalde Jess Robredo.

Pigkakarkulo kan City Hall na maabot sa 100 milliones pesos si danyos sa sinambit na incidente.

Mga 80 por ciento kan mga stall an natumtom nin kalayo kabali na si nasa ika-tulong eskalon, sabi pa ni Egwaras.

Sa pinaka-huring investigacion nakoa na kun sain an origin kan kasulo asin ini nangyari sa stall no. 8l na pigpahayag ocupado kan pigbistong Marisa Nablo kan maritatas section kan ika-duwang escalon.

Alagad sinabi kan jefe kan BFP na sainda man giraray na pig-aadalan kun may arson sa incidente.

Sagcod kasuodma dai pa sinda makapaluwas kan pinakahuring investigacion asin piglalaoman na matatapos sa masunod na semana.

CITY HALL NAGDECLARA
NIN ESTADO NIN
CALAMIDAD

Si Alcalde Robredo an tulos sinugo an Sanggunian Panlungsod na magpasar nin resolucion na nagdedeclara nin estado nin calamidad huli kan sinambit na dakulang kasulo sa mercado.

Na-aprovaran an resolucion sa pinaapod na special session sagcod na magagamit na an 20 milliones pesos sa 40 milliones pesos na calamity fund kan City Hall.

An sinambit na cantidad gagamiton sa paghiraray kan mga puesto asin matabangan an mga ocupantes na matawan nin relocation site na ngonian yaon na sa may Naga river asin sa parte kan pasiring sa kanto kan barangay Sabang asin Igualdad.

MGA SENADOR NAG-ASEGURA TABANG FINANCIAL SA CITY HALL

Sinda Senadores Chix Escudero, Joker Arroyo, Mar Roxas, asin Ramon Revilla an nagpahayag na matao nin asistencia financial sa ciudad nganing gamiton na fondo sa rehabilitacion kan mercado. Dinaagdag pa kan alcalde na kabali sa nag-apod sa saiya iyo si Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr. na matao man nin tabang financial.

SourcE:Bicolmail

UswAg NAgA UswaG bicolandia..

rhyzrockeRZ

"I'm here 2 make thiz Thread ACTIVE ":banana::banana:

YES...ako din..!!dito c rhyzrockerz sa thread na ito para lagi taung active..

asahan nyo mga papz magiging active lagi ang thread na ito..

SkyScrapercity NAGa..roCkz:banana::banana:

hehehehehehe ..!! na sira kasi un phobucket account q may mga picturez sana akong e - aapload eh ..!!

nagloloko pa un pc q waaaaaahhhh ..!! tinatamad pa a qmag re4mat eh nyahaha ..!!

Lam nyo guyz ...!! advantagez talaga nating mga Bicolano na nagkaroon tau ng representative na Presidential son ..!! Dba daming naka line - up na project ni Dato guyz ah..!! Hopefully bago matapoz ang term ng mom nya matupad lahat ng mga project na yan ..!!


:banana::banana::banana:

huh?:ohno:
SM Pamplona (40,000),
Saan poh yaN?

SM Pamplona sa Las Piñas po yun, hindi po sa Cam Sur or Cagayan Province....

SM Pamplona sa Las Piñas po yun, hindi po sa Cam Sur or Cagayan Province....


ahh ganun ba..

ahihihi las piñas pala yan..ahihih:lol::lol:

thnx

uswAg NAga USwaG bicolandia..


RhYzrockerZ

Hello Kevin and Garz, et al. It's been a long time. Now that we are growing. we need to meet someday. Hope everybody will attend just incasei saw from a local news stand in the centro about a very interesting news. Maybe you may find it a discussion


'Cityhood Laws unconstitutional'

Philstar.com - Wednesday, November 19A series of laws passed last year that converted 16 municipalities nationwide into cities was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court yesterday.
The SC ruled that the so-called "Cityhood Laws" violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

Last March 11, the League of Cities of the Philippines asked the SC to declare unconstitutional the conversion into cities of the 16 municipalities, namely Baybay, Leyte; Bogo, Cebu; Naga, Cebu; Catbalogan, Samar; Lamitan, Basilan; Mati, Davao Oriental; Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Tabuk, Kalinga; Tandag, Surigao del Sur; El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; Carcar, Cebu; Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Tayabas, Quezon; and Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.

In its petition, the LCP said the laws creating the new cities are void for violating the provision of Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code, requiring the municipalities to have a generated income of at least P100 million each for the last two consecutive years.

The law also required a municipality to have at least a population of 150,000 and a land area of 100 square kilometers before it can be converted into a city, the petition added.

The LCP said these requirements were not met when the representatives in Congress of these municipalities pushed for their conversion into cities.

"No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected," read the petition, quoting the Constitution.

The 11th Congress (June 1998 to June 2001) enacted into law 33 bills which sought to convert 33 municipalities into cities. Congress, however, did not act on bills converting 24 other municipalities into cities.

During the 12th Congress, Congress passed Republic Act 9009 which took effect on June 30, 2001.

RA 9009 amended the Local Government Code by increasing the annual income requirement for the conversion of a municipality into a city from P20 million to P100 million.

After RA 9009 took effect, the House (June 2004 to June 2007) adopted Joint Resolution No. 29 which sought to exempt from the P100-million income requirement the 24 municipalities whose cityhood bills were not approved in the 11th Congress.

The 12th Congress ended without the Senate approving Joint Resolution No. 29.

In the 13th Congress (June 2007 to June 2010), the House of Representatives re-adopted Joint Resolution No. 29 and forwarded it to the Senate for approval.

But the Senate again failed to approve it.

Later, the 16 municipalities filed their individual cityhood bills, which contained a common provision exempting them from the P100-million income requirement in RA 9009.

On Dec. 22, 2006, the House of Representatives approved the cityhood bills with the Senate approving them in February 2007.

The bills lapsed into law on various dates from March to July 2007 without the President's signature.

The SC decision was written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. - Mike Frialde (Philstar News Service[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT], www.philstar.com)[/SIZE][/FONT]

thats not true. thats a lie :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Paano nyo poh naxabi..!? but if it'z true anxaya nun ..!!

Emagine Skycrapercity Naga

Guyz unofficial lang pala ang tawag sa Metro Naga ..!! parang Makati Business Club lang pala xa..,, Metrp Naga Development Council ..!! Choosing Naga City as the Core being the center of Cam. Sur's Economy & Trade ..!!

napag - usapan na toh before pero na curious pa rin aq, why can't it be..!?
I Mean Creating a Metropolitant Naga w. the helps of Congress ..!! Kasi dba it's needz a legal process from Congress ..!! a Law Creating Metro Naga ..!!

:banana::banana::banana:

Hello Kevin and Garz, et al. It's been a long time. Now that we are growing. we need to meet someday. Hope everybody will attend just incasei saw from a local news stand in the centro about a very interesting news. Maybe you may find it a discussion


'Cityhood Laws unconstitutional'

Philstar.com - Wednesday, November 19A series of laws passed last year that converted 16 municipalities nationwide into cities was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court yesterday.
The SC ruled that the so-called "Cityhood Laws" violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

Last March 11, the League of Cities of the Philippines asked the SC to declare unconstitutional the conversion into cities of the 16 municipalities, namely Baybay, Leyte; Bogo, Cebu; Naga, Cebu; Catbalogan, Samar; Lamitan, Basilan; Mati, Davao Oriental; Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Tabuk, Kalinga; Tandag, Surigao del Sur; El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; Carcar, Cebu; Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Tayabas, Quezon; and Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.

In its petition, the LCP said the laws creating the new cities are void for violating the provision of Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code, requiring the municipalities to have a generated income of at least P100 million each for the last two consecutive years.

The law also required a municipality to have at least a population of 150,000 and a land area of 100 square kilometers before it can be converted into a city, the petition added.

The LCP said these requirements were not met when the representatives in Congress of these municipalities pushed for their conversion into cities.

"No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected," read the petition, quoting the Constitution.

The 11th Congress (June 1998 to June 2001) enacted into law 33 bills which sought to convert 33 municipalities into cities. Congress, however, did not act on bills converting 24 other municipalities into cities.

During the 12th Congress, Congress passed Republic Act 9009 which took effect on June 30, 2001.

RA 9009 amended the Local Government Code by increasing the annual income requirement for the conversion of a municipality into a city from P20 million to P100 million.

After RA 9009 took effect, the House (June 2004 to June 2007) adopted Joint Resolution No. 29 which sought to exempt from the P100-million income requirement the 24 municipalities whose cityhood bills were not approved in the 11th Congress.

The 12th Congress ended without the Senate approving Joint Resolution No. 29.

In the 13th Congress (June 2007 to June 2010), the House of Representatives re-adopted Joint Resolution No. 29 and forwarded it to the Senate for approval.

But the Senate again failed to approve it.

Later, the 16 municipalities filed their individual cityhood bills, which contained a common provision exempting them from the P100-million income requirement in RA 9009.

On Dec. 22, 2006, the House of Representatives approved the cityhood bills with the Senate approving them in February 2007.

The bills lapsed into law on various dates from March to July 2007 without the President's signature.

The SC decision was written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. - Mike Frialde (Philstar News Service[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT], www.philstar.com)[/SIZE][/FONT]



Wow ...Really ..!! Parang kabute lang kasing nagsulputan mga Cities na yan ..!! mejo annoying nga when we had 2 Naga Citiez ..Naga City Cebu & Naga City.. Cam. Sur ..!! :ohno::ohno::ohno:

Mas ok sana if nasusunod nga ang Constitutional Process like what it'z said above .. kelan lang 80+ lang Citiez ng Pinas but now..grabuh na ini ..!!

[QUOTE=axel(08)brixx;28241958]Paano nyo poh naxabi..!? but if it'z true anxaya nun ..!!

Emagine Skycrapercity Naga

Guyz unofficial lang pala ang tawag sa Metro Naga ..!! parang Makati Business Club lang pala xa..,, Metrp Naga Development Council ..!! Choosing Naga City as the Core being the center of Cam. Sur's Economy & Trade ..!!

Yeah, that's right. I totally agree with this na ang Naga will be a core center for Economics and trade rather than copy the concept of Metro Manila.

napag - usapan na toh before pero na curious pa rin aq, why can't it be..!?
I Mean Creating a Metropolitant Naga w. the helps of Congress ..!! Kasi dba it's needz a legal process from Congress ..!! a Law Creating Metro Naga ..!!


Wag na maging Metropolitan Naga as a center of politics. mabuti nalang may limit ang coverage nang Naga city from other towns

http://pic.photobucket.com/spacer.gifhttp://i247
:ohno::ohno:[IMG]http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg137/rhyzrockerz/sulo2.gif?t=1227265273:hm:

YAn poh ung mga pIx ng NAGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET
ng matapos na ung Sunog...!!!
hai graBi talaga ang damages...:shocked::ohno:

Cnxa na kong NgaUn ko lang na upload yaN..
nakakalimutan ko poh kacing i uploaD..

SourCe..BicOlmaIl

UswaG NAgA UswaG bicolAndia...


RhYzrockErZ :) :)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg137/rhyzrockerz/solo1.gif?t=1227265736
:ohno::ohno:


SourCe..BicOlmaIl

UswaG NAgA UswaG bicolAndia...


RhYzrockErZ

Mayor jesse Robredo kaiba c V-mayor bordado nakiki pag ulay sa mga taong nasuluan sa naga city PUblic market..


SourCe..BicOlmaIl

UswaG NAgA UswaG bicolAndia...


RhYzrockErZ

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg137/rhyzrockerz/sinulo.gif?t=1227267581

thats not true. thats a lie :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

I'm not lying. :)

Yeah, that's right. I totally agree with this na ang Naga will be a core center for Economics and trade rather than copy the concept of Metro Manila.

Wag na maging Metropolitan Naga as a center of politics. mabuti nalang may limit ang coverage nang Naga city from other towns

Metro Naga has a legal framework found in the 1987 Constitution, the 1991 Local Government Code and Executive Order 102

Source: http://www.worldbank.org/urban/urbanruralseminar/pres/robredo.pdf

Thanxz sa mga bagong picturez huh ..!! :banana::banana::banana:

yaon xana aq papz ..!! mejo busy nga lang kasi dami kung paperwork recently:

:lol::nuts::nuts::nuts: kabua ang business na net ca'fe garu pirme rugado sa pag assist ...waaaaah

Naga City rockz :banana::banana::banana:

Can anybody post a photo of the construction of the Plaza de Nueva Caceres? Thanks!

I'm not lying. :)



Metro Naga has a legal framework found in the 1987 Constitution, the 1991 Local Government Code and Executive Order 102

Source: http://www.worldbank.org/urban/urbanruralseminar/pres/robredo.pdf

so eversince 1987 pa pala ..!! it iz bcoz,when u say kasi metropolitant here in Phil. you would just think of Davao, Manila & Cebu ...!! ^^

Metro Davao and Metro Cebu are unofficial. Only Metro Manila and Metro Naga are official metro areas in the country.

aw ganun ...!! kaka intriga yan papz huh...!!

nadala cguro dahil sa kasikatan ng 2 cities Davao & Cebu + Media kaya
naging common ang metro.. call sa kanila ..!!

so it iz Metro Naga nga talaga pala dapat ...!! :banana::banana::banana:

uy tanxz sa INFO huh ...!!

You're welcome. :)

=====

My head is effin' aching! :cry:

Bukaz uyet guyz ..!! i have 2 sleep na ....!!:banana::banana::banana:

kevz t.y ...mejo nagpapagabi lang aq kasi nauso ang nakawan d2 sa mall eh..!!

at least kapag mejo l8t na aq mag close ng xhop ...!! dna makapag prepare un mga un ...!! hehe

O.T na aq kasi naman ..!! Naga City Rock talaga

Metro Naga has a legal framework found in the 1987 Constitution, the 1991 Local Government Code and Executive Order 102

Source: http://www.worldbank.org/urban/urbanruralseminar/pres/robredo.pdf[/QUOTE]

Yes Kevin, I totally agree, this is exactly the legal framework of a developmental approach or objectives of the Metropolitan Naga.

I think most common people are asking.Why are other neighbors of Naga City (which is the member of Metropolitan Naga) are not using Metropolitan Naga either by address or other titles? Well it's just simply the framework is limited in the scope of the developmental objectives.

Can anybody post a photo of the construction of the Plaza de Nueva Caceres? Thanks!

No on-going construction yet, kev.

Metro Naga has a legal framework found in the 1987 Constitution, the 1991 Local Government Code and Executive Order 102

Source: http://www.worldbank.org/urban/urbanruralseminar/pres/robredo.pdf

Yes Kevin, I totally agree, this is exactly the legal framework of a developmental approach or objectives of the Metropolitan Naga.

I think most common people are asking.Why are other neighbors of Naga City (which is the member of Metropolitan Naga) are not using Metropolitan Naga either by address or other titles? Well it's just simply the framework is limited in the scope of the developmental objectives.

There's a possibility that municipal mayors are not aware of these or they don't want to be addressed as Metro Naga. Being addressed as Metro Naga is like no feeling at all especially for those farther areas from the city.

No on-going construction yet, kev.

oPoH...wAla pa talagang constraction ng plaza de nueva caceres..

Bidding palang PoH...:bash::bash::bash:

UswaG naGa UswaG bicolandia..

rhyZrockerZ™:cheers::cheers::cheers:

I think most common people are asking.Why are other neighbors of Naga City (which is the member of Metropolitan Naga) are not using Metropolitan Naga either by address or other titles? Well it's just simply the framework is limited in the scope of the developmental objectives.

The municipalities under the MNDC will never use Metro Naga in their address because they are not politically-subjugated by the metro area. Well, cities in Metro Manila use it in their address, not because they are politically controlled by MMDA, but because Metro Manila stands as their province since NCR has no province governing it.

There's a possibility that municipal mayors are not aware of these or they don't want to be addressed as Metro Naga. Being addressed as Metro Naga is like no feeling at all especially for those farther areas from the city.

The idea of mayors not knowing that their municipalities are included in the MNDC is impossible. They are the executive officers of their respective towns and they should know ALL transactions by city hall.

No on-going construction yet, kev.

Aaaaw. :(

REPORT KAN CEO

P152M danyos sa nasulong mercado

Maabot sa Php152 milliones an danyos sa pagkakasulo kan mercado publico kan Ciudad nin Naga dai pa kabali digdi si destroso sa mga ocupantes kan ika-duwa asin ika-tulong escalon. Ini an pinaka-huring report kan City Engineer’s Office (CEO) kan City Hall kan mag-atubang sa regular session kan Sanggunian Panlungsod kan Martes si City Engr. Leon ‘Chito” Palmiano.

An investigacion kan Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), ipinahayag na gikan sa pag-gamit nin candila kan stall no. 81 sa ika-duwang escalon iyo an causa kan ika-apat nang veces na pagkakasulo kan pinakadakulang mercado sa Asia.

Nakatalaan na magcrear nin sarong investigating committee an Sanggunian Panlungsod nganing maaraman kun igwang arson an incidente dawa na ngani sa inicial na report kan BFP na dai tinuyo an kasulo, sabi ni Bise Alcalde Gabriel H, Bordado, Jr.

An Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Camarines Sur Chapter iyo an voluntad na nagcoconducir nin structural test kan nasulong mercado nganing madeterminar an mga lugar na pusog na pueding magamit kan mga stall owner na na-afectaran kan masulo an mercado kan Noviembre 6 nin bangui.

Cantidad sanang l00 mil pesos an pighahagad na fondo kan PICE sa City Hall para sa saindang kagamitan sa pagconducir nin structural test na pigpahayag tataposon sa Deciembre 31, 2008.

Naka-libre na an local na gobierno sa professional fee sa mga engineer na magibo kan structural test na magastos nin maabot sa Php5 milliones.

Si Palmiano, igwa nang mga lugar na pigpasarahan nganing dai magamit kan mga stall owner na pirit pang naglalaog apesar na delicado na sa accidente.

Sinabi ni Alcalde Jess Robredo na kaipuhan kan City Hall an cantidad Php151 milliones nganing totalmenteng matapos an rehabilitacion, alagad sa ngonian cantidad pa sanang Php90 milliones an natipon gikan sa tabang ninda Senador Joker Arroyo asin DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., an Php20 milliones hali sa calamity fund kan ciudad. Kabali pa sa nagpangako nin tabang financial sinda Senadores Chiz Escudero asin Ramon Revilla.

Mientras tanto, si Consejal Willian del Rosario iyo an pigtukahan kan sanggunian na mamayo kan special committee sa paghanap nin relocation site kan mga na-afectaran kan kasulo asin maghaman nin recomendacion sa pag-zona-zona sa laog kan mercado. .

SourCe:biCol maIl..

NAgpoSt ako XmpRE..rHyZrockErZ:):):):)

UswaG naGA UswAG bicolandia...

[QUOTE=kevinb;28394686]The municipalities under the MNDC will never use Metro Naga in their address because they are not politically-subjugated by the metro area. Well, cities in Metro Manila use it in their address, not because they are politically controlled by MMDA, but because Metro Manila stands as their province since NCR has no province governing it.



ON TARGET Kevin, you said it precisely.

:banana: very true ...!! kevz is a good teacher ^8^v

NCR = a region then Metro Manila is actually the province or somewhat parang ganun .... That'z why once it was governed by a Governor like what other other provinces do ..!! Imelda Marcos & Ismael Mathay both were former Governor of Metro Manila ... right..!?

But it'z cool if we addressed likes of Calabanga, Metro Naga or Pili, Metro Naga ..!! dba ok lang ..!! if ever

5,244 scouters at the camp (http://naga.gov.ph/journal2/?module=popup&page=2&id=1460)

As of 4:00 p.m. yesterday (Nov. 23), a total of 5,244 scouts and scouters from all over Bicol and key cities and provinces in Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila have officially registered as participants to the 7th Bicol Regional Jamborette being held at Pacia Estate, Penafrancia Resort, Barangay Carolina, Naga City.

Event Director Ramon Florendo reported to Jambo Balita that the contingents come from the six provinces (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon) and three cities (Naga, Iriga, and Legazpi) in Bicol, as well as Batangas (province and city), Sta. Rosa (Laguna), Tanauan City, Quezon, Laguna, and Pasay City. More scouters are arriving as the regional jamboree entered its second day yesterday.

Also yesterday morning, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, camp chief, along with several barangay captains, took their mountain bikes for the 13-kilometer trek to the camp site, and made the rounds of the sub-camps and other activity centers to look after the condition and other needs of the scouts and scouters and partook a quick breakfast with them.

Ideal Place for any kinds of Event na talaga ang Naga City ...!?

:banana::banana::banana: iT'z rockz

5,244 scouters at the camp (http://naga.gov.ph/journal2/?module=popup&page=2&id=1460)

As of 4:00 p.m. yesterday (Nov. 23), a total of 5,244 scouts and scouters from all over Bicol and key cities and provinces in Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila have officially registered as participants to the 7th Bicol Regional Jamborette being held at Pacia Estate, Penafrancia Resort, Barangay Carolina, Naga City.

Event Director Ramon Florendo reported to Jambo Balita that the contingents come from the six provinces (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon) and three cities (Naga, Iriga, and Legazpi) in Bicol, as well as Batangas (province and city), Sta. Rosa (Laguna), Tanauan City, Quezon, Laguna, and Pasay City. More scouters are arriving as the regional jamboree entered its second day yesterday.

Also yesterday morning, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, camp chief, along with several barangay captains, took their mountain bikes for the 13-kilometer trek to the camp site, and made the rounds of the sub-camps and other activity centers to look after the condition and other needs of the scouts and scouters and partook a quick breakfast with them.

I'm totally overwhelmed...not only for the BICOLANOS but our SOUTHERN TAGALOG neighbors and Manileanos are here for this occasion.

:banana: very true ...!! kevz is a good teacher ^8^v

Nambola ka pa.:lol:

Imelda Marcos & Ismael Mathay both were former Governor of Metro Manila ... right..!?

Imelda Marcos was appointed governor and Ismael Mathay as vice governor by fromer President Ferdinand Marcos when the Metropolitan Manila Commission was newly-created. After their tenure, the following MMC Chairs were already voted among themselves by the MMCs city and municipal mayors. Ismale Mathay became the MMCs third chair, after Jejomar Binay and Ignacio Bunye.

But it'z cool if we addressed likes of Calabanga, Metro Naga or Pili, Metro Naga ..!! dba ok lang ..!! if ever

OK lang siya. But it's still incorrect, unless the whole MNDC splits up with the province of Camarines Sur and creates a new province but this is highly unlikely. Our legislators would not pass any bill regarding that. :D

Opening Ceremony
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/5514/112220081320tu7.jpg

Mayor Robredo, during the Camp Chief's Night
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4494/112220081326dn7.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5843/112220081330lf6.jpg

Aquatics Activity
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4011/112320081335rl1.jpg

^^ Why were you in the event, Garz? Is your school included?

^^Luckily, I was one of the regional staff for Aquatics.

FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2008
Naga City, CamSur repeat top tourism performance (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/b-story.html)
Account for more than half of regional total
By Jose B. Perez, editor

LEGAZPI CITY --- Naga City and Camarines Sur continue to stretch its lead by a mile over the other provinces and cities in Bicol in terms of tourist arrivals during the period January to September this year.

According to the latest report on the regional distribution of travelers in Bicol submitted by the regional office of the Department of Tourism here, Naga and Camarines Sur posted an increase of 56 percent, outpacing the 350,944 tourists they had jointly registered during the same period last year.

Together, Naga and Camarines Sur piled up a total of 547, 194 tourists, both domestic and foreign, which represent more than half of the 993,964 tourist arrivals registered for the whole of Bicol during the period.

Interestingly, the regional total is only 6,036 shy of the one million mark in tourist arrivals that DOT-Bicol targets to hit before the year end.

Such improved performance confirmed the region’s bright prospects for tourism promotion and development, Bicol Regional Tourism Director Maria ‘Nini’ Ravanilla said.

None of the Bicol provinces and cities registered negative performance during the period, the report showed.

Albay

Albay and Legazpi came second with a total of 138,208 tourist arrivals, both foreign and domestic, followed by Masbate with 129,402 to rank third.

Third was Sorsogon, with 72,686, or an impressive improvement of 87 percent compared to the province’s performance during the same period last year. From 38,839 tourists it registered last year, Sorsogon posted 72,686 tourist arrivals for the January-September period this year.

Albay and Legazpi which used to be the leading tourist destination in Bicol until three years ago struggled to see an improvement of only 9 percent compared to its registered number of 126,897 tourists realized during the January to September period last year.

Although the island province of Catanduanes posted the lowest number of tourist arrivals at 44,776, it nevertheless registered a marked improvement of 23 percent from its last year’s 36,503 tourists.

On the other hand, Camarines Norte was only able to drum up an improvement of 5 percent, with its total number of tourist arrivals at 61,698 compared to last year’s 58,890, for the months from January to September.

Convention hub

Elated by the report, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said the city’s strength lies on its heightened campaign to bring in more national and regional conventions and seminars to be held in Naga, aside from its traditional tourist crowd drawer which is the Penafrancia fiesta in September.

Naga is also the favorite venue for study tours on good governance practices where city hall and the city mayor himself have been known as models and resource person for best practices in governance.

During the period, Naga City hosted such big-ticket events as the national convention of the Philippine Councilors League in July 17-20, the League of Cities in February, and the Municipal Engineers Association of the Philippines last August 17-18.

Camarines Sur, on the other hand, is internationally known for its watersports complex and the Caramoan island tours and white beaches. Caramoan was the site for the location shooting of the French version of “Survivor” during the whole summer season this year.

Foreign tourists

Not surprisingly, Camarines Sur and Naga City combined posted the highest number of foreign tourists during that period, which overwhelmingly stood at 159,805, as against the Bicol regional total of 195,735.

Sorsogon, with its world-famous whale-shark interaction, placed second from a far distance with 10,058 foreign tourists.

Catanduanes, best known for its surfing coastline had 9,255 came third, while Albay/Legazpi’s combined take of 7,751 placed them at fourth.

The lowest number of foreign tourists was registered by Masbate at 3,614.

FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2008
Naga City, CamSur repeat top tourism performance (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/b-story.html)
Account for more than half of regional total
By Jose B. Perez, editor

LEGAZPI CITY --- Naga City and Camarines Sur continue to stretch its lead by a mile over the other provinces and cities in Bicol in terms of tourist arrivals during the period January to September this year.

According to the latest report on the regional distribution of travelers in Bicol submitted by the regional office of the Department of Tourism here, Naga and Camarines Sur posted an increase of 56 percent, outpacing the 350,944 tourists they had jointly registered during the same period last year.

Together, Naga and Camarines Sur piled up a total of 547, 194 tourists, both domestic and foreign, which represent more than half of the 993,964 tourist arrivals registered for the whole of Bicol during the period.

Interestingly, the regional total is only 6,036 shy of the one million mark in tourist arrivals that DOT-Bicol targets to hit before the year end.

Such improved performance confirmed the region’s bright prospects for tourism promotion and development, Bicol Regional Tourism Director Maria ‘Nini’ Ravanilla said.

None of the Bicol provinces and cities registered negative performance during the period, the report showed.

Albay

Albay and Legazpi came second with a total of 138,208 tourist arrivals, both foreign and domestic, followed by Masbate with 129,402 to rank third.

Third was Sorsogon, with 72,686, or an impressive improvement of 87 percent compared to the province’s performance during the same period last year. From 38,839 tourists it registered last year, Sorsogon posted 72,686 tourist arrivals for the January-September period this year.

Albay and Legazpi which used to be the leading tourist destination in Bicol until three years ago struggled to see an improvement of only 9 percent compared to its registered number of 126,897 tourists realized during the January to September period last year.

Although the island province of Catanduanes posted the lowest number of tourist arrivals at 44,776, it nevertheless registered a marked improvement of 23 percent from its last year’s 36,503 tourists.

On the other hand, Camarines Norte was only able to drum up an improvement of 5 percent, with its total number of tourist arrivals at 61,698 compared to last year’s 58,890, for the months from January to September.

Convention hub

Elated by the report, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said the city’s strength lies on its heightened campaign to bring in more national and regional conventions and seminars to be held in Naga, aside from its traditional tourist crowd drawer which is the Penafrancia fiesta in September.

Naga is also the favorite venue for study tours on good governance practices where city hall and the city mayor himself have been known as models and resource person for best practices in governance.

During the period, Naga City hosted such big-ticket events as the national convention of the Philippine Councilors League in July 17-20, the League of Cities in February, and the Municipal Engineers Association of the Philippines last August 17-18.

Camarines Sur, on the other hand, is internationally known for its watersports complex and the Caramoan island tours and white beaches. Caramoan was the site for the location shooting of the French version of “Survivor” during the whole summer season this year.

Foreign tourists

Not surprisingly, Camarines Sur and Naga City combined posted the highest number of foreign tourists during that period, which overwhelmingly stood at 159,805, as against the Bicol regional total of 195,735.

Sorsogon, with its world-famous whale-shark interaction, placed second from a far distance with 10,058 foreign tourists.

Catanduanes, best known for its surfing coastline had 9,255 came third, while Albay/Legazpi’s combined take of 7,751 placed them at fourth.

The lowest number of foreign tourists was registered by Masbate at 3,614.

FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2008
Naga City, CamSur repeat top tourism performance (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/b-story.html)
Account for more than half of regional total
By Jose B. Perez, editor

LEGAZPI CITY --- Naga City and Camarines Sur continue to stretch its lead by a mile over the other provinces and cities in Bicol in terms of tourist arrivals during the period January to September this year.

According to the latest report on the regional distribution of travelers in Bicol submitted by the regional office of the Department of Tourism here, Naga and Camarines Sur posted an increase of 56 percent, outpacing the 350,944 tourists they had jointly registered during the same period last year.

Together, Naga and Camarines Sur piled up a total of 547, 194 tourists, both domestic and foreign, which represent more than half of the 993,964 tourist arrivals registered for the whole of Bicol during the period.

Interestingly, the regional total is only 6,036 shy of the one million mark in tourist arrivals that DOT-Bicol targets to hit before the year end.

Such improved performance confirmed the region’s bright prospects for tourism promotion and development, Bicol Regional Tourism Director Maria ‘Nini’ Ravanilla said.

None of the Bicol provinces and cities registered negative performance during the period, the report showed.

Albay

Albay and Legazpi came second with a total of 138,208 tourist arrivals, both foreign and domestic, followed by Masbate with 129,402 to rank third.

Third was Sorsogon, with 72,686, or an impressive improvement of 87 percent compared to the province’s performance during the same period last year. From 38,839 tourists it registered last year, Sorsogon posted 72,686 tourist arrivals for the January-September period this year.

Albay and Legazpi which used to be the leading tourist destination in Bicol until three years ago struggled to see an improvement of only 9 percent compared to its registered number of 126,897 tourists realized during the January to September period last year.

Although the island province of Catanduanes posted the lowest number of tourist arrivals at 44,776, it nevertheless registered a marked improvement of 23 percent from its last year’s 36,503 tourists.

On the other hand, Camarines Norte was only able to drum up an improvement of 5 percent, with its total number of tourist arrivals at 61,698 compared to last year’s 58,890, for the months from January to September.

Convention hub

Elated by the report, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said the city’s strength lies on its heightened campaign to bring in more national and regional conventions and seminars to be held in Naga, aside from its traditional tourist crowd drawer which is the Penafrancia fiesta in September.

Naga is also the favorite venue for study tours on good governance practices where city hall and the city mayor himself have been known as models and resource person for best practices in governance.

During the period, Naga City hosted such big-ticket events as the national convention of the Philippine Councilors League in July 17-20, the League of Cities in February, and the Municipal Engineers Association of the Philippines last August 17-18.

Camarines Sur, on the other hand, is internationally known for its watersports complex and the Caramoan island tours and white beaches. Caramoan was the site for the location shooting of the French version of “Survivor” during the whole summer season this year.

Foreign tourists

Not surprisingly, Camarines Sur and Naga City combined posted the highest number of foreign tourists during that period, which overwhelmingly stood at 159,805, as against the Bicol regional total of 195,735.

Sorsogon, with its world-famous whale-shark interaction, placed second from a far distance with 10,058 foreign tourists.

Catanduanes, best known for its surfing coastline had 9,255 came third, while Albay/Legazpi’s combined take of 7,751 placed them at fourth.

The lowest number of foreign tourists was registered by Masbate at 3,614.


CongraTz..!! MEtro NAga..

MAuraG talaga ang Xudad ning NAga...!!

no MAtch na baga ang LigaZPi..ahihihiih:lol::lol::lol::lol:

SuBA laNg....!!!

Gudluck sa Xudad..

sana Arog kaini pirmi ang xudad..

nAkapa world clAss na talaga taz SikaT PA...

USwaG naGA UswaG bicOlanDia..:banana::banana:


rhYzroCkerZ..:cheers::cheers:

Opening Ceremony
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/5514/112220081320tu7.jpg

Mayor Robredo, during the Camp Chief's Night
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4494/112220081326dn7.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5843/112220081330lf6.jpg

Aquatics Activity
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4011/112320081335rl1.jpg

maNOy garzland..!!

Sain poh tig ganaP yang Aquatics Activity?

thNX ..!!:banana::banana:

wow ..!? Dude iz striking again ..!? hehehehe ..!? he's been gone for many days ah ..!?

Good 2 know na maganda ang pasok ng 2008 sa Bicol Region as a whole ..!?
wish q lang mag2loy yan next years ...& upcoming ...!?

And the last quarter ng 2008 may mga additional events pa like this 7th Bicol Regional Jamborette ..!?

:bash::banana:^^

^^Luckily, I was one of the regional staff for Aquatics.

Wow. Sosyal. :D

FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2008
Naga City, CamSur repeat top tourism performance (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/b-story.html)
Account for more than half of regional total
By Jose B. Perez, editor

I love the news! :banana::banana::banana:

=====

Guys, any new pics of the city's development? Or kahit news? :)

Naga shines in animation ‘08 festival (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/naga.html)

YOUNG animators from Naga City shone in the recently concluded “Animahenasyon 2008”, the prestigious annual Pinoy Animation Festival organized by the Animation Council of the Philippines, I Inc. (ACPI) with three entries winning best animation.

The awards were for best regional entry, another for best short animation, and the third entry receiving special citation.

In the professional division (6-20 minutes, Shorts), “Sa Gabos Na Panahon” (For All Time) garnered Best Animation besting 6 other entries. It was also adjudged Best Regional Entry. The animated presentation was directed by Raul N. Mimay, a free-lance artist currently working with the Naga City Creative Media Center (NCCMC) as animation director and head trainor.

Artists from the Philippine Computer Foundation College (PCFC), WRI, LGU Naga and animation companies being incubated at the NCCMC worked on the project produced by the Naga City Investment Board. “Sa Gabos” was written by Fer Basbas.

Devotion to Ina

“Sa Gabos na Panahon” highlights Naga’s providential role as the home of Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia, the Patroness of Bicolandia, and looks at the Bicolanos’ religious fervor and piety toward the undying devotion to Ina from the point of view of a simple devotee.

On his birthday last Tuesday, Nov. 25, Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi received as gift from the city mayor a copy of the winning animated video. In his covering letter to the archbishop the mayor attributed the young animators’ triumph to the ever-inspiring guidance of Ina.

Two entries from graduating students of Ateneo de Naga University (AdeNU) were likewise cited for Best Animation in the student/amateur division: “Lupang Hinirang” by Rjay B. Morada in Category H (1-5 minutes, Shorts); and “Some Say” by Ruark Vallen S. Tapel in Category J (Music Videos). ”Hermano” by Rhodius N. Daduya received Special Citation in the same division

Announcement of winners and awarding were held in the evening of November 15 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Naga creative media center

The Naga City Creative Media Center is the city government’s animation facility, established by Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, with Unitel Production President Tony Gloria, a fellow Nagueno as guest of honor during its formal blessing and inauguration. It is tasked with training young talents, incubating animation firms, and providing infrastructure and other support services to investors. It is a product of strong partnership between the local government, industry and the academic and technical-vocational community. Its establishment is the result of a lot of efforts geared towards developing and strengthening the local animation industry.

Mayor Robredo said the success of the Ateneo de Naga University in producing 3D animation has sparked a momentum that now manifests itself in a very promising future for the industry in Naga.

He said: “There are now a host of business firms and pledges for animation investment in the city. Three other schools at the university and tech-voc levels offer courses in other fields of animation, such as 2D and multimedia. Four of the city’s public high schools also offer animation training as a means of ensuring a steady flow of talents.”

ACPI is a non-stock and non-profit organization duly recognized and supported by the Philippine government, with 2D and 3D animation companies for its members. Its objectives are to showcase original content in Philippine animation, to recognize the Filipino talent in the field of animation, and to aim for local and international excellence and competitiveness.

Caceres girds for tricentennial in 2010 (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/girds.html)
By Elmer Abad

NAGA CITY --- The Archdiocese of Caceres, in an effort to make the devotion more relevant and meaningful has intensified activities to prepare for the 2010 Tri-Centennial celebration of the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

A general assembly presided by the Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legazpi, O.P., held last week at the Basilica Minore this city, was attended by the different committee members given the task to prepare for the planned elaborate commemoration in 2010.

There are 13 committees: finance; ways and means; liturgy and music; media; publication; documentation; fiesta and procession; civic participation; education/formation; arts, souvenirs and exhibits; cultural events; prayer warriors, and shrine renovation.

Each of the 13 committees were given ample time to expound on their proposals even to the point of putting off their lunch to 2:00 in the afternoon.

Forming part of the preparation for the tri-centennial jubilee, the Archdiocese has undertaken from September 2007 to October 2008 these activities: the launching of the tri-centennial celebration, the Pagsongko ni Ina to the dioceses in Bikol; the publication of the pastoral letter, Principalmente a la Misa; the publication of a booklet on the Peñafrancia devotion, Top 30 Questions; the reorganization of the tri-centennial committees, and the production of the tri-centennial logo and slogan.

The central theme for the festivity is ‘thanksgiving’.

“We remember this gift of devotion with gratitude; we go on and embark with hope in the future as we share it to others and celebrate the three centuries of devotion to our Mother”, said Archbishop Legazpi.

Significant changes on how some activities during the festival are conducted could be implemented as suggested by the committees.

“The Traslacion procession could be done the whole day, instead of just doing it in the afternoon so more devotees can join in the streets. The faithful can bring flowers and white handkerchiefs to the church before the procession is started so they can be blessed by the Archbishop; this way, the unruly act of ‘voyadores’ rushing to come near the image and picking the flowers decorated around the image during the procession can be avoided,” Msgr. Juan Celzo, pastor of St. Claire Parish in Tigaon town, suggested during the assembly.

Historical records show that in 1434, the image of the Nuestra Señora was found in Salamanca, Spain by Simon Vela who took it to a mountainous rocky place called Peña de Francia where it was enshrined in a church.

“In 1710, Father Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who hailed from San Martin de Castañar in Spain brought the devotion to the Philippines and to Nueva Caceres (Naga City now) where a makeshift chapel was built to house the image of ‘Ina’”, declared Father Rex Andrew Alarcon, Caceres archdiocese historian.

The original place where the image stayed was along the Naga River bank which is the same place where the present Peñafrancia Shrine can be found.

Ever since, it became the center of the celebration until the number of devotees became so big that the venue for the nine-day novena prior to the feast day was transferred to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral from the old shrine.

When the Basilica Minore was built, the venue where the Traslacion procession would start was transferred here due to the need for a bigger place to accommodate the ever growing number of pilgrims.

“More innovations are expected to be implemented insofar as how the Peñafrancia Festival as a religious activity will be celebrated; there are challenges which call for change so that the solemnity and meaning of the 300-year devotion to our Mother may be preserved”, Msgr. Celzo concluded.

Robredo guest of honor at Bantayog ng mga Bayani (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/honor.html)

NAGA CITY --- City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo will be the guest of honor and speaker at the “Bantayog 2008” annual celebration honoring this year’s martyrs and heroes identified by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation led by former Sen. Jovito R. Salonga as chairman emeritus.

The celebration will be held at the Bantayog Memorial Center at Quezon Avenue corner EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City on Tuesday next week, Dec. 2, 2008.

This year’s martyrs and heroes are Catalino Blas, Lucio de Guzman, Nimfa del Rosario, Alfredo Jasul, Bayani Lontok, Pastor Mesina, Sedfrey Ordonez, Nemesio Prudente, and Alex Torres.

Bantayog Chairman Alfonso T. Yuchengco said that like Ninoy Aquino, Edgar Jopson, and Manny Yap who were previously honored, the men and women mentioned sacrificed their lives during the oppressive years of Martial Law.

Today, some 132 names on the Wall of Remembrance had been bestowed the honor which include illustrious heroes like Chief Justice Roberto R. Concepcion, Jose W. Diokno, Joaquin ‘Chino’ Roces, and Lorenzo M. Tanada.

Incidentally, on the following day, Dec. 3, the city mayor will also be addressing the 4th Quarter National Executive Board meeting of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines at the Manila Pavilion along UN Avenue, Manila.

As speaker, Mayor Robredo will be deliver his speech on “The Corporate Image of the LGU” being a recognized model local official in the field of local governance.

Reactor will be Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista of Quezon City.

maNOy garzland..!!

Sain poh tig ganaP yang Aquatics Activity?

thNX ..!!:banana::banana:

Peñafrancia Resort, Carolina, Naga City.

Wow. Sosyal. :D

Medyo hehehe



I love the news! :banana::banana::banana:

=====

Guys, any new pics of the city's development? Or kahit news? :)

CWC and Caramoan are the reasons behind these figures.

Plus the Factz that Naga City was chose by the organizer 2 be the HUB of their Convention and gathering ...!? The facilities in the city/cam. sur is fitz for all such meetingz ..!?

^8^v:nuts:

^^ Please don't take this personally. I'm just wondering what all the "?!" are for. :)

it'z the way..of what i am doin,, usually in texting, sending msgs. in Y.M etc..!? di lang naman cguro aq gumagawa nyan papz hehehehe

yeah.... it'z really a wrong way/form of using a proper punctuation mark ...but i find it cool eh wahahhaha :banana::banana::banana:

O.T na pu kita pade ..!?

Naga City Rockz ..!?:banana::banana::banana:

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/pictures/jamboo.gif

JAMBOREE. Young scouts from all over Bicol and Southern Tagalog learn aquatics from their scout master in a creek with its running cool water in Bgy. Carolina as one of the field activities of the Bicol Regional Jamborette being hosted by the Naga City Government.



UswaG naGa UswaG bicolandia..

rhYzrockErz:banana::banana::banana:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg137/rhyzrockerz/jamboo.gif

Yan na poh ung piX..

cnxa na.. nmali ung uplod ko kanina..


rhyzrockerz:banana::banana:

WP

Robredo opens Metro Naga women business and tourism assistance hub (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/business.html)

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2008/nov27/pictures/bikoool.gif
ORGULYO KAN BICOL. Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo and DTI
Regional Director Jocelyn Blanco cut the ceremonial ribbon to
formally open the Metro Naga Business Display Center.


NAGA City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo last Friday, Nov. 21, was assisted by Bicol Trade and Industry Regional Director Jocelyn Blanco and Bicol Regional Tourism Director Nini O. Ravanilla during the formal opening of the Metro Naga Business Display Center at the back of Plaza Quezon in downtown Naga.

The business display center, to be otherwise known as “Orgulyong Metro Nagueno”, will also serve as a pasalubong and tourism assistance office, a joint project of the Metro Naga Development Council, the Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women Project in Metro Naga (GREAT Women), the Women Empowerment for Development Advancement (WEDA), and the Naga City Visitors Center.

It will serve as a one-stop shop for the promotion and marketing of products and/or services being offered by women micro-enterprises. It will also welcome other establishments to utilize the MNBDC to promote their products/services thru product displays or catalogs/flyers at the center.

The pasalubong center, showcasing products under the “One Town, One Product” concept of the DTI, will be mainly run by WEDA under the guidance of GREAT Women which is aimed at fostering gender-responsive good governance that supports the development of sustainable women-led micro-enterprises (WMEs).

Hence, products at the center will include bamboocraft (Bula, Camarines Sur), handicraft and food (Gainza, CamSur), hilot (Magarao, CamSur), Agas crafts (Milaor, CamSur), Pasalubong (Naga), processed fish (Pasacao, CamSur), ragiwdiw (San Fernando, CamSur), and kakanin (Pili, CamSur).

Mayor Robredo said the establishment of the center is a component program of the city’s urban renewal and beautification project.

“We are determined to do everything we can to make alive the business climate in the old business district, given that we need to be prepared with the opening soon of SM City Naga at CBD 2 in March 2009, that should not put in peril the vibrant commercial strength of our local businessmen,” the mayor stressed.

The tourism assistance center, meanwhile, is being geared up to provide tour and travel guidance, an Internet café, landmarks showcase, and visual information technology collaterals to potential visitors and tourists coming to the city. It will still see full completion of its office in the coming days, thru funding assistance by the Department of Tourism regional office.

Regional Trade Director Blanco admitted that she was amazed by the burgeoning trade and commerce in Naga City and it will not be long when its frenzied pace will equal that of other leading trading centers in the country. “I am doubly happy to learn that the women are being empowered to be part of this heightening business climate in this part of the country,” she sad.

For her part, Tourism Regional Director Nini Ravanilla disclosed that her office is more than willing to give its share in the promotion of tourism-related livelihood advancement. She said her office is right now doing the groundworks to provide the city a minibus for use by city travelers and guests for tour-around-the-city packages, aside from making available a funding source for the completion and refurbishing of the city’s tourist assistance center.

=====

Ui. March 2009 pala mag-oopen ang SM. Any new photos of the SM City Naga?

Of the 159,805 foreign tourists that visited this city and the province of Camarines Sur, Balikbayans still account for the biggest number of arrivals during the period from January to September this year, a report on the regional distribution of travelers to Bicol prepared by the regional office of the Department of Tourism based in Legazpi City shows.

During the period, a total of 27,755 returning Filipinos/Bicolanos from abroad visited Naga and Camarines Sur during that nine-month period. They came highest during the third quarter ending in September 2008 when the city was celebrating the Penafrancia fiesta with 12,910, compared to the first and second quarters at 7,805 and 7,040, respectively.

In September alone, Balikbayans registered 5,878. The second stronger month is January which posted 4,588 Balikbayan visitors.

Of the foreign visitors, South Koreans came the strongest, with 18,783 registered for the Jaanuary to September 2008 period. Americans came second with 17,601. Around 4,000 of them came in July 2008, and 3,037 in the following month of August.

Comparatively, Albay/Legazpi registered a total of 7,751 foreign tourists during the same period, of which Balikbayans were on top with 1,306 for the 9-month period, followed closely by Americans with 1,008. South Koreans came next with 974 tourist arrivals.

Curiously, foreign tourists that visited Albay/Legazpi were higher at 36,000 in January-September 2007, topping Camarines Sur/Naga’s 28,851 during the same period.

In terms of gross receipts, Camarines Sur/Naga generated a total of P389.8 million, P234.9 million of which where contributed by foreign tourists, according to the same DOT report.

The total gross receipt, as with the total number of tourist arrivals, represent more than half of the total gross receipts of P607.0 million poured into the Bicol region during the 9-month reporting period. P63.5 million was generated by Albay/Legazpi and P55.6 million by Masbate.

In terms of job generation, tourist arrivals in Bicol churned in 365,087 jobs based on the gross receipts generated. :lol::lol:


uswag Naga UswaG bicolandia..:banana::banana:


rhyzrockerz:cheers::cheers:

^^ Kuya, please don't forget to cite where you took the article. That's plagiarism. :)

P800-M twin bridges over Bicol River to link Camarines Sur towns (http://balita.ph/2008/12/03/p800-m-twin-bridges-over-bicol-river-to-link-camarines-sur-towns/)

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 3 — Funds of over P800 million have been assured by Malacañang for the construction of two bridges over the Bicol River that would open shorter access between the prime town of Libmanan and the commercial district of Naga City.

Rep. Dato Arroyo of Camarines Sur's first district, gave priority to this project to spur economic development in the area.

Engr. Eduardo Talastas of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for Bicol said Wednesday: "We see no problem in so far as funds for this important project is concerned as no other than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had given her assurance to this effect."

Early next year, the construction of these twin bridges linking Libmanan with Canaman and Magarao towns would begin, he said.

Libmanan, a first class municipality and home to the presidential son, belongs to the first district of the province while Canaman and Magarao are parts of the second district that also includes the highly urbanized and booming City of Naga, Bicol’s religious capital.

The proposed Libmanan-Canaman Bridge will be a 400-meter structure crossing over the Bicol River and also link an islet composed of three barangays with the Camarines Sur mainland.

The first structure will be a 100-meter hanging concrete bridge from the Libmanan area into the islet while the second is a 300-meter similar structure from the islet to Canaman.

These bridges will shorten travel time from Libmanan to Naga City by about 45 minutes and virtually put Rep. Arroyo’s town on the contiguity of the city’s metropolitan area.

The project was endorsed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for an amount of P886 million and its funding has been included in the 2009 national budget together with the P4-billion appropriated for the flood control and watershed management components of the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP). (PNA)

-----

Good news for Libmanan, Canaman, Magarao, and Naga, indeed!:banana::banana::banana:

tsk .....!? asset talaga natin yan c Rep. Dato ..!?

mejo naguluhan lang aq dun sa mga project Bridgez ..!?

1. Libmanan-Canaman Bridge will be a 400-meter - E2 un Main Bridge

2. 100-meter bridge - The First Bridge then another 300 - meter bridge --!?

* twin bridgez --- akala q parallel ang concept eh ^8^v

ayun getz q na ..!? na simplify q dahil sa ginawa kung outline hehehehe

^^ may plano ba si Mayor Robredo sa 2010?

^^ may plano ba si Mayor Robredo sa 2010?


Xmpre my plano yan c mayor Robredo sa 2010..

pero di pa sure kong anung position ang lalabanan nya..

xe db lazt tern na nya ito kia baka sa tingin ko

mag coCongressman xa. taz sila ng tiyuhin nya c luis villafuerte makaka laban

nya..sa tingin ko lang poh yan huh..:ohno::ohno::ohno:

tnx..

uSwag NAga uswaG bicolandia..

rhyZrockErz:cheers::cheers::cheers:

aw last term nya na pala ..!? sabagay mejo harayo pa man baga ang eleksyon ..!? dami pang magagawa yan sa Mayor Robredo ..!?

i have no idea d2 guyz huh ..may hidwaan ba si mayor at ang mga Villafuerte ..?!

hehehehe tsismosong axel ..!? Is the Villafuerte Family from Tigaon, Cam. Sur?
may nakapagsabi lang saken eh..!?

Naga City Rockz ..!? :banana::banana::banana:

tsk .....!? asset talaga natin yan c Rep. Dato ..!?

mejo naguluhan lang aq dun sa mga project Bridgez ..!?

1. Libmanan-Canaman Bridge will be a 400-meter - E2 un Main Bridge

2. 100-meter bridge - The First Bridge then another 300 - meter bridge --!?

* twin bridgez --- akala q parallel ang concept eh ^8^v

ayun getz q na ..!? na simplify q dahil sa ginawa kung outline hehehehe

first bridge, bicol river
second bridge, cut off channel

aw...!? un pala na picture out q na xa papz ..!?

nuh kaya magiging design nyang Bridge na yan ..!?

aw last term nya na pala ..!? sabagay mejo harayo pa man baga ang eleksyon ..!? dami pang magagawa yan sa Mayor Robredo ..!?

i have no idea d2 guyz huh ..may hidwaan ba si mayor at ang mga Villafuerte ..?!

hehehehe tsismosong axel ..!? Is the Villafuerte Family from Tigaon, Cam. Sur?
may nakapagsabi lang saken eh..!?

Naga City Rockz ..!? :banana::banana::banana:

oPoh..

matagal nang my hidwaan yan dalawang mag tiyuhin na yan..

silang dalawa dito sa Cam.sur ang mortal na magkalaban sa pulitika lalo na

sa 2nd distriCt anD xmPz metro naGA..

guztong guzto nga ng mga Villafuerte na manalo jan sa nAga xe alam naman

natin maxadong progresibo ang metro NAga kia xmPz mas nag kaka interest

talaga ang villafuerte..Ahihihh:banana::banana:

Aztig talaga c mayor..

From Libmanan cam.sur poh galing ang mga villafuerte pero jan cila

sa metro NAga Pina nganaK..:):)

uswaG naga UswaG biColandiA..


rhyZrockeRZ:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Suportahan poh natin Si

Manny Pacquaio sa Laban nya kay Dela hoya..

Go Manny Go..!!!

hehehehee...

I praY nyo si manny para manalo Xa..

ahihiihihi

aw So from Libmanan, Cam. Sur palan sinda ..!? isay palan so taga Tigaon..?!

it is The Fuentebella's palan which is from Tigaon..!? hehehhehe^^^^

Naga City Rockz :banana::banana::banana:

aw last term nya na pala ..!? sabagay mejo harayo pa man baga ang eleksyon ..!? dami pang magagawa yan sa Mayor Robredo ..!?

i have no idea d2 guyz huh ..may hidwaan ba si mayor at ang mga Villafuerte ..?!

hehehehe tsismosong axel ..!? Is the Villafuerte Family from Tigaon, Cam. Sur?
may nakapagsabi lang saken eh..!?

Naga City Rockz ..!? :banana::banana::banana:

MAYBE YOU ARE ALL INTERESTED IN THIS ARTICLE. Published May 11th, 2007
By Jose B. Perez
Editor-in-Chief Bicol Mail

Luis Villafuerte, Robredo are related by Chinese blood

IF THERE is one thing common between Camarines Sur Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte and Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, it is the blood of Confucius that runs in their veins.

In fact, the two came from the same great grandfather from China who upon residing in the Philippines adopted the Filipino name “Robredo”, a name that both of them have to share, whether they like it or not.

The rest of their character, traits and beliefs, political and otherwise, however, are worlds apart.

Their great grandfather Lim Pay Co, with his son Lim Teng by his first wife, arrived in Manila at the turn of the 19th century. As a young boy, Lim Teng was tutored by the Spanish friars. He and his father were later baptized by a Spanish friar surnamed Robredo.

The friar baptized Lim Pay Co and Lim Teng as Serafin and Juan, respectively, and gave them his surname. Since then, they were known as Serafin Robredo and Juan Lim Robredo.

While it was not clear what happened to Lim Teng’s mother, Serafin while settling in the country took a second wife by the name of Josefa de la Trinidad, a widow. Juan Lim Robredo (Lim Teng), meanwhile, married Luisa Chan, a local Chinese girl.

His stepmother, Josefa, bore four children, Soledad, Jose, Juan II and Serafina, who became Juan’s half-brothers and half-sisters. They were all surnamed Robredo with their original Chinese name Lim Payco sometimes attached to their Filipino name. All of them, including Juan Lim Robredo, were educated by the American school system.

Juan Lim Robredo

Juan Lim Robredo became proficient in four languages, Filipino, Spanish, English and Chinese. While his wife tended to their sari-sari store, Juan was employed as a court interpreter because of his language proficiency. On his free time, he also had a photo studio and worker as a photographer. Later, he and half-sister Soledad became teachers at Anglo Chinese School in Naga City, where Soledad met her future husband, Mariano Villafuerte, a co-teacher at the same Chinese school.

At the age of 21, Juan married Luisa Chan and from their union were born six children, Serafin, Adelina, Juanito, Josefina, Jose and Juanita. Both Serafin and Adelina died at very young age due to illness. Josefina died before the start of the world war, or a few years after the death of their father Juan. Juanito, along with their mother Luisa, died during an attack by the Japanese soldiers while hiding in Sipocot, Camarines Sur. It was also at this time that young Jose was wounded by a bullet that pierced his stomach but survived through the help of friends and foot doctors who came to their aid.

Today, only two of Juan Lim Robredo’s six children are alive, Jose Robredo, Sr. and Juanita Robredo Hao Chin.

The Villafuertes

Mariano Villafuerte, a fine orator and speaker was to become a congressman and later as governor of Camarines Sur when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded the Philippine islands. It was a tragic chapter in the history of the country, as it was in the rest of the free world when people died as a result of the war. Then Gov. Mariano Villafuerte and his wife Soledad, with their eldest son Jose, died in the hands of vengeful guerillas as the Americans were advancing to free the Philippines from the fleeing Japanese soldiers.

The couple left behind six young children: Pura, Fe, Mariano, Jr., Carmen, Luis and Lina. Luis was to become a powerful political leader in Bicol while the rest of his brothers and sisters became successful professionals in their own right.

Jesse and Louie

After the war, Jose married Marcelina Manalastas, a young Filipina from Navotas, Rizal. Together, they built their house in Tabuco, a village across the river town of Naga. They soon bore five children: Jocelyn, Jose Jr., Jesse, Jeanne and Josephine.

In 1986, Jesse was picked by his uncle Luis, then an Assemblyman, to run as mayor of Naga City and won. Four years later, they would part ways and become bitter political rivals, with Luis even denying in public that they were blood relatives.

Luis, the province’s top political kingpin, on at least four elections would field his own mayoral bet to challenge Robredo, including his elder sister Pura Luisa, Jesse’s aunt, but as always Jesse would come out as the runaway winner.

Now congressman, Luis Villafuerte only recently had a falling out with his own blood, his son LRay, the province’s incumbent governor who is running for reelection.

LRay is now being challenged by a man handpicked by his own father, a scandalously unexpected quirk of fate that even the shrewdest of politicians could not imagine to happen.

Meanwhile, Luis is not letting off his disdain for Robredo. He accuses Robredo of being a Chinese citizen, an alien who should not be allowed to hold office reserved for Filipinos unlike Jojo, his other nephew, who ironically also comes from the same great grandfather that found the Philippine islands an ideal place for his forebears to multiply and become good Filipinos.


TO ANSWER OUR QUESTION: THE VILLAFUERTE'S OTHER THAN BEING ORIGINALLY FROM CHINA, THE ANCESTRAL HOUSE( WHEN MARIANO VILLAFUERTE WAS THE GOVERNOR) IS LOCATED AT BARANGAY SABANG, NAGA CITY( JUST A FEW METERS AWAY FROM THE SUPERMARKET AND FEW DISTANCE AWAY FROM LCC), AND JUST ACROSS THE NAGA RIVER IS THE ANCESTRAL RESIDENCE OF JESSE ROBREDO WHICH IS BARANGAY TABUCO.

aw ..!? Mejo malala pala ang hidwaan nila ..!?

Sinisiraan nila ang isa't - isa ...pewo isang angkan lang palan ang pinagmulan nila T_T ..nuh kaya un ..!? ano man daw ta arog kaan si Pay Luis ..!? wahehehe

But i am proud of Bicolano Politicians ... they were all famous in Politics ..!!

anjan ang mga Escudero of Sorsogon, Villafuerte of Cam. Sur which recently reported as the next Speaker of the House The Fuentebella's....& of corz Former Sen. Raul Roco (RIP)..!?

Xmpre my plano yan c mayor Robredo sa 2010..

pero di pa sure kong anung position ang lalabanan nya..

xe db lazt tern na nya ito kia baka sa tingin ko

mag coCongressman xa. taz sila ng tiyuhin nya c luis villafuerte makaka laban

nya..sa tingin ko lang poh yan huh..:ohno::ohno::ohno:

tnx..

uSwag NAga uswaG bicolandia..

rhyZrockErz:cheers::cheers::cheers:

he said before after he retires he's going to work in an NGO. I hope not. the Philippines needs a leader like him who can make democracy institutionalized. That's why I envy Naga, you have a mayor who listens to the people.

I hope he runs for a national position. He's better equipped than all the mayors and ex-mayors who are becoming aspirants for the presidency or senatorship.

he can be a Good Senator just like Roco ..!? mapagbigay talaga xa nag - give way cguro xa ..He can be a Governor, kalabanin nya ang mga Villafuerte peo as you said .....pawang ayaw nya..!!

^^^^^^

Privadong corporacion maarkila kan NCPM



Matapos kan nadiscobreng collection scandal sa Naga City Public Market (NCPM) na envuelto an Php.1.9 milliones, sarong privadong corporacion an nagsurat ki Alcalde Jess Robredo na nag-oopresir para sa rehabilitacion asin pagmanijar kan mercado sa kasundoan na saindang arkilahon.

An surat narecibe oficina kan alcalde kan Noviembre 25, 2008 na pirmado ni Manuel I. Santos, General Manager kan ITHIEL Corporation/Suki Chain of Markets asin ni Wyden R. King, chairman asin CEO kan Armadillo Holdings, Inc. na may oficina sa B-30 Mayon St., cor N. Roxas Sr. Bgy. Sta Teresita, Ciudad nin Quezon.

An intencion kan corporacion pig-indorsar na ni Robredo sa Sanggunian Panlungsod sa committee on market affairs ni Consejal William Del Rosario.

Sinabi ni Florencio Mongoso, Jr. Officer Incharge kan NCPM an bagay na nakatalaan na tukaron sa pigtalaan na City Development Meeting sa Deciembre 12, 2008 mientras na mayo pang panindugan an consejo asin ejecutivo local kun saindang tatakmaon an pig-oopresir rehablitacion na igwang pighahagad na condicion.

An ITHIEL Corporation sa presente iyo an nagmamanijar kan mga mercado sa Dapitan, Ciudad nin Quezon, San Pedro, Laguna asin Alaminos, Pangasinan. Igwa pa sindang ginigibong negosacion sa local na gobierno kan Batangas sa kaparejong katuyohan.

An mercado publico nasulo an ika-duwa asin ika-tulong escalong kan nakaaging Noviembre 6 asin an pinakahuring report kan City Engineer’s Office maabot sa 152 milliones pesos si danyos.

Sa ngonian dawa na ngani an plano kan liderato ni Robredo na matapos an rehabilitacion kan NCPM antes matapos an saiyang termino sa 2010, alagad an problema iyo an dakulang fondo na kaipuhan an sobra sa l50 milliones nganing maponan an rehabilitacion.

An cierto pa sanang fondo iyo an 20 milliones pesos na calamity fund mientras na si mga nag-pangakong senador nin ayuda financial sa rehabilitacion kabali si DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr. dai pa maaraman kun nuarin marerecibe kan local na gobierno kan ciudad.

Mientras tanti, an na-vacanteng market supt.matapos mabadil gadan si Paco Ojeda sa dai mahahaloy mabubugtakan na nin karibay huli ta igwa nang mga aplicante na kinababalihan ninda Rene Comelio Morano IV, Prudencio Rodriguez III asin Nepthali Pabines. Sa puestong assistant market supt. na dating si Frediric Arias na nagdemiter sa puesto huli kan mga nadiscobreng anomalia sa coleccion, igwa nang duwang mga aplicante na sinda Angel Gonzales asiin Nepthali Pabines.

Piglalaoman na sa dai mahahaloy ma-nombra na si Robredo sa mga vacanteng puesto sa NCPM.


SOURCE..BICOL MAIL

uSwag Naga UsWag bicolandia


rhYZrockeRZ:cheers::cheers:

he can be a Good Senator just like Roco ..!? mapagbigay talaga xa nag - give way cguro xa ..He can be a Governor, kalabanin nya ang mga Villafuerte peo as you said .....pawang ayaw nya..!!

^^^^^^

the best prepared seem to be the least with ambition...

but i doubt... the recent caravan on good governance of the celebrated chief executive... gov. panlilio, gov. grace padaca, mayor robredo has shown that people like robredo can still garner support...

If Robredo runs for any position (sana nga presidency) he can count in the youth to support him...

Since nawala si Roco... dapat may pumalit na isang pang R.

I can't understand ..!? maxadong malalim ang mga Bicol hehehehe ..iba talaga when you speak than you are just reading it ..!? Aq kahit anong Bicol mo saken i understand it unlike when i'm reading a Bicol Dialect article hirap aq dun ...!?

Malalim eh ..hehehehehe ..!?

By the way it seemed that the burned Market will be privatized soon or will be control by private sector !? maxado nga namang malaki ang funds for the rehabilitation ...!?

Kagatin kaya ng City Hall yan ..!? :banana::banana::banana:

^^ Of course, it still depends on what the propositions of these two companies are. If city hall thinks it's gonna be best for the city market to be rented by two private companies, I think Mayor Robredo won't feel strongly about it. After all, it's the city's best that he wants. :)

ito naman ung bagong biggs katabi ng mcdo at cabys..
may st. party jan kanina..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2836503975_aa96da504c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2837338538_669c23d675.jpg?v=0[/QUOTE]

Construction under-way besides BIGGS, it will soon be RED RIBBON. Construction will finish next year 2009:banana:

Good day SSCers!

Please do put your name, how many t-shirts would you like to order and sizes (Philippine t-shirt size) and what city would it be delivered. This is just a pre-listing for those who are interested in having the SSC Philippines National T-shirt.

The design will be revealed by New Year's Eve (the majority of the votes). The price per t-shirt will be determined by January as it depends on the number of t-shirts that are to be printed and how many colours will be used in the silk-screen printing process.

It is also agreed upon that printing will be done here in Manila so that it will have the constant quality of the shirts that will be printed. Therefore, for the people outside of Greater Manila Area, you may PM me the details for those who will be the contact representative of your locality.

Exercise your right to vote!

Maraming salamat po at Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

Click on the link below to enlist:
SSC Philippines National T-Shirt Order Pre-List (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=29145688&postcount=30)

ito naman ung bagong biggs katabi ng mcdo at cabys..
may st. party jan kanina..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2836503975_aa96da504c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2837338538_669c23d675.jpg?v=0

Construction under-way besides BIGGS, it will soon be RED RIBBON. Construction will finish next year 2009:banana:[/QUOTE]


ReD ribboN..

Ang saRAp ng mGa CAkE jAn..

YUm YuM...:banana::banana:

UswAg NAga UswaG Bicolandia

rhYzrockerZ

San mo poh nakuha ung Source na mag lalagay ng branch ang

red ribbon sa NAga?

And firSt time poh ba na magkakaroon ng branch ang rid Ribbon sa Bicol region?

thnx...:ohno::ohno::ohno:

^^ I don't know. I think there's already one in Pacific Mall Legazpi but Red Ribbon's Website (http://www.redribbonbakeshop.com.ph/locator/storelocator.asp) shows there's none. But, you know, some Websites aren't that always updated. I really don't know.

ito naman ung bagong biggs katabi ng mcdo at cabys..
may st. party jan kanina..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2836503975_aa96da504c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2837338538_669c23d675.jpg?v=0

Construction under-way besides BIGGS, it will soon be RED RIBBON. Construction will finish next year 2009:banana:

I was here when I went home last Nov. Ganda. Best Bigg's so far! Red Ribbon? Sa left niya? Hindi kaya medyo maliit siya...?

^^Red Ribbon pala ang katabi niyan. Maliit talaga... Pero sabagay mga cakes lang naman siguro yan.

Ngayon ko lang nalaman na popular pala ang red Ribbon outside the city.

^^ It's very popular. Love their cakes! :eat:

SM plans to raise cash for debt refinancing, capital investments (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/138634/SM-plans-to-raise-cash-for-debt-refinancing-capital-investments)

MANILA, Philippines - SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Philippines’ largest mall operator, intends to raise P5 billion next year for its capital investments as well as refinance its maturing obligations.

The company plans to refinance its obligation by seeking to reduce interest rates on a $70 million syndicated loan that will fall due by October next year.

The company may raise cash by the second half of next year, Lim said.

Although the mall operator remains optimistic, SM Prime is still cautious given the current economic challenges. Even though revenues are expected to rise by double-digits next year, 2009 will be “challenging," Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc. executive vice president said.

“While we are optimistic, we are more careful," said Lim. “New projects will take time of at least two years to generate profit."

For next year, the company intends to spend P6 billion for its capital expenditures to sustain plans of increasing its floor area by opening more malls across the country, Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc. executive vice president said.

By the end of next year, the company intends to have a gross floor area of 4.7 million square meters. For 2008, SM Prime currently has 4.3 million square meters.

Approximately three SM malls are set to be opened next year—one in Naga City, Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City, and Pamplona in Las Pinas. Each of these malls will measure between 50,000 to 110,000 square meters, Lim said.

On Friday, the company is set to open its 33rd mall in Baliuag, Bulacan. - GMANews.TV

SM group sees retail sales growth (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3160:sm-group-sees-retail-sales-growth&catid=24:companies&Itemid=59)
Written by Honey Madrilejos-Reyes / Reporter
Wednesday, 10 December 2008 20:08

SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the listed holding conglomerate of tycoon Henry Sy Sr., has a number of reasons to be cheerful these days despite the challenges brought by global financial crisis.

Its retail business, for instance, is strongly weathering a perceived slowing economy as sales of department stores alone grew 7.05 percent in January to December 7, according to SM senior vice president for operations Jorge T. Mendiola.

“The economy never really suffered a decline. Of course in the first and second quarters we saw a slowdown because of the oil and rice supply crises during those periods but things have stabilized now. [The country’s fundamentals are really] very resilient,” he said in an interview Wednesday.

The group, which has four core businesses, lists retail as its top income contributor this year, alongside the shopping malls. At the end of the nine-month period, retail sales and the malls contributed the bulk of SMIC’s reported net income, accounting for 39 percent and 38.1 percent, respectively. The real-estate business, meanwhile, accounted for 9.5 percent, while the banks contributed 13.4 percent.

The retail group posted a net income of P2.2 billion from P1.8 billion a year earlier as sales revenues grew 6 percent to P79.1 billion. For the year, the retail group has opened a total of 10 stores: one department store, two supermarkets, two hypermarkets and five SaveMore stores. In total, the group now has 93 outlets composed of 32 department stores; 35 supermarkets, 12 of which are SaveMore branches; 11 hypermarkets; and 15 Makro outlets. For the rest of the year,it is scheduled to inaugurate seven more stores consisting of two department stores, two supermarkets, a SaveMore branch and two hypermarkets.

While 2009 is expected by some to be a challenging year, SMIC is still seeing growth although the figures may not be as high as what is projected this year.

Tessie Sy-Coson, vice chairman of SMIC, has earlier admitted they are calibrating their growth according to the global situation.

“We are looking at maybe single-digit growth for the group for both topline and bottomline.

“We don’t know what is going to happen in the future. Having said that, we have to tighten our belt next year and study which areas we can reduce costs,” she said.

But all projects will remain on track, she emphasized.

SMIC ended the first nine months with a 14-percent jump in net profit to P9.6 billion as consolidated revenues grew 17 percent to P97.4 billion.

“The second half of 2008 gives us more reason to be optimistic about meeting our targets.

We have since seen drastic cuts in gasoline and food prices, which combine well with a weak peso as they provide a boost to many of our customers, including families of overseas workers who earn in US dollars. As such, we view the fourth quarter of the year with greater optimism. It’s the time when consumer spending heightens owing to the holiday season,” SMIC president Harley T. Sy said.

In a related development, SM Prime Holdings Inc., owner and operator of all the SM shopping malls, is set to open its 33rd mall on Friday in Baliuag, Bulacan.

SM City Baliuag occupies 93,000 square meters (sq.m.) of land and has a gross floor area of 61,554 sq.m. Its total leasable area is 42,171 sq.m. with two of its anchor tenants—SM Department Store and SM Hypermarket—occupying 18,985 sqm and 9,507 sq.m. of floor space, respectively. It is located approximately 40 kilometers from the Edsa-Balintawak interchange of the North Luzon Expressway.

As in all other SM Prime malls, SM Baliuag features several stores and services for shopping, dining, entertainment, health and wellness. Among its facilities are an 824-sq.m. food court, four cinemas with a combined seating capacity of 1,241, and parking for over 500 vehicles. Other mall tenants include Jollibee, KFC, Gerry’s Grill, SM Appliance, Watsons, National Bookstore, Ace Hardware and Worlds of Fun, among others.

Earlier, SM Prime launched SM City Marikina, the SM Megamall Bridgeway and SM City Rosales in Pangasinan. The Annex at SM City North Edsa is also set to open on December 12. All these increase the total gross floor area of SM malls by 9 percent to 4.3 million sq.m.

For next year, the company may borrow P5 billion for continued expansion and refinancing of debts.

It plans to build three new malls in Naga (Bicol), Pamplona (Las Piñas) and Rosario (Cavite) and expand SM Rosales (Pangasinan) and SM North Edsa. By the end of 2009, the company will have a total of 36 malls under its portfolio with a total gross floor area of 4.5 million sq m.

For China operations, it’s plan is to establish one mall a year, including one next year in Chongquing with two more planned in 2010 and 2011 to be located in Suzhou and Zibo in Guangdong province.