Naga and Iriga Cities, and Camarines Sur Province

[bobbymay74]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

how sad for one of Bicol's pride in the field of restaurant business...

good evening, since they already had one in SM ( just near), they decided to close it.

[hakz2007]

I see. for practical reasons naman pala

[bobbymay74]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

I see. for practical reasons naman pala

Good evening Hakz, been a long time. are you in Nabua? Yeah for practical reasons.

[hakz2007]

Good evening too, Bobby. Yes I am. Any new updates of the Puregold Supermarket?

[bobbymay74]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

Good evening too, Bobby. Yes I am. Any new updates of the Puregold Supermarket?

As i know, Pure Gold Supermarket will start renovating the ALDP building in the 1st quarter next year- 2011. I saw bulldozers near Cucina Conchita, I presume Bangko Central ng Pilipinas ( BSP ) is starting to prepare the land area.

[Matanglawin]

Originally Posted by bobbymay74

As i know, Pure Gold Supermarket will start renovating the ALDP building in the 1st quarter next year- 2011. I saw bulldozers near Cucina Conchita, I presume Bangko Central ng Pilipinas ( BSP ) is starting to prepare the land area.

........................................................................................................
nice to be back here guys! i left europe and am now based in paranaque...
glad that the BSP building is starting soon. how about the proposed LTO Regional Office and Regional Vehicle Inspetion Center in Almeda Highway? Bakong nag donar na po ning lote ang ciudad ning Naga?

[sonofignatius]

Originally Posted by Naga City Deck

an inspiring editorial by a fellow Josephian. a younger sister of my batchmate

Memories of father
By Sasha Lim Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:05:00 10/05/2010

good writing style. heartwarming essay. her characteristic description of details speak to the heart. i can hear the child's voice (that of the child in her) speaking clearly :-)

Originally Posted by aidz

saw a piece of scratch paper earlier in the gym about Caramoan. I saw a link and visited it.

http://www.caramoantravel.com/

thanks, aidz. nice photos. i'm scouting for a place in caramoan for a summer group tour.

a friend also recommended this contact on FB: http://www.facebook.com/NormZkY#!/pa...s/273298285368

he and his friends have tried it and are satisfied with the service.

[sonofignatius]

Nation’s judges sked national convention in Naga, CamSur

NAGA CITY --- Over 800 judges from the Regional Trial Courts in the country will be in this city and the Capitol Convention Center of Camarines Sur in nearby Pili, Camarines Sur for the Philippine Judges Association’s mid-term national convention on October 13-15, this year.

Chief Justice Renato C. Corona and Shiela Phillips of the US Department of Justice are among the guests of honor and speakers during the largest gathering of judges ever to be held in this city and province with Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte and Naga City Mayor John Bongat on hand to welcome them.

Registration of all convention delegates will be held at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in this city on Wednesday, Oct. 13 while the convention proper formally opens the next day, Oct. 14, at the CWC/Capitol Convention Center where Corona and Phillips will be the most important speakers. PJA President Judge Antonio M. Eugenio, Jr. will give the welcome remarks.

On Oct. 13, during the masquerade night, PJA Senior VP Judge Freddie D. Balonzo of Camarines Sur will give the opening remarks as host while Camarines Sur RTC Judge Marvel C. Clavecilla will introduce Gov. Villafuerte before the latter gives his message.

There will also be a dialogue between the participating judges and Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez.

The third day will be devoted to city tours, sports activities and trips to favored destinations in Albay.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/oct7/xsked.html

[sonofignatius]

SPANISH ENVOY LEADS RITES
Poder 6 launchedBy Rogie A. Simbulan
Regional Technical Officer, AECID Bicol

NAGA CITY --- Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Arias Romero and DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman last Sept. 23 spearheaded the launching of Phase 6 of “Poder Y Prosperidad de la Communidad Project (Poder 6) at Naga Regent Hotel here.

The Spanish ambassador said, “Spain is committed to support the Government of the Philippines’ efforts/initiatives to attain faster growth and economic development and to improve the capability and access of disadvantaged and vulnerable people to fulfill the realization of the Philippines’ commitment to the Millenium Development Goals (MDS).”

Soliman, on the other hand, expressed her appreciation to the Spanish government for its significant contribution and participation in the country’s journey towards poverty alleviation.

The DSWD secretary said the PODER project is in complementation with the priority programs of the DSWD under the P-Noy administration. She challenged everyone (Donors, LGU, NGOs, Community-based organizations, private citizens, public servants) to walk (or even run) with the the P-Noy administration in its journey to reduce poverty. In closing she declared that “citizens power and participation will bring about changes and prosperity” and in P-Noy’s administration we can begin to dream and hope again.”

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. who was also in attendance also thanked the Spanish government for its continuous help to the province through the Spanish NGOs (Spanish Red Cross, ACF, etc.), specially in times of typhoons and calamities as he pledged support to the PODER 6 project by providing the required LGU counterpart for the two participating municipalities of Camarines Sur, which are Presentacion and Minalabac.

PODER 6 which focuses on improving access to basic social services in Regions 3, 5, and 8 aims to 1) contribute to poverty alleviation through the improvement of the basic social services of the poor and vulnerable groups; 2) improve local governance by the LGU; and, 3) empower poor communities.

For the Bicol region, the following municipalities were selected as LGU partners and participants in PODER 6; Presentacion and Minalabac in Camarines Sur and Paracale and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte. These municipalities were seriously hit by previous typhoons and are covered by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a DSWD priority poverty alleviation program. Overall, PODER 6 will establish 89 community infrastructure projects (eg. day care centers, health stations, classrooms) in the four participating municipalities, viz: Paracale-27, Sta. Elena- 19, Presentacion-18, and Minalabac-25), with a total grant from the Governnent of Spain amounting to P35 million (or 600,000 Euros), for the community infrastructures alone. Participating LGUs are expected to allot 30% as counterpart contribution.

Poder Y Prosperidad de la Comunidad (Empowerment and Development of Communities) is a special project realized through partnership between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID).

It started in 2005 and strongly advocated the community-driven development (CDD) processes and principles through adapting the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) process. Total grant contribution of the Government of Spain for the implementation of PODER Projects (PODER 1 – 6) so far reached 8 million euros, for both Bicol and CARAGA regions.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/oct7/xpoder.html

[sonofignatius]

UP studes, Marikina execs sked Naga City study tour

NAGA CITY --- Some thirty students from the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines will be in town for their 4-day immersion and study of this city’s governance model, October 7-10, this year.

Crissy Cobrador of UP-NCPAG in her letter to City Mayor John G. Bongat wrote: “We want to witness and experience what the people of Naga have been enjoying in order for us to share it here in Manila.”

Specifically, they want to learn about the dynamics of the people’s council, how it worked and how it was done. They also want to know how the people are involved in running the government and the use of IT in governance and transparency.

Meanwhile, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Marikina led by its presiding officer, Vice Mayor Jose Fabian I. Cadiz, M.D. will be in the city on Friday, Oct. 8, for their Lakbay Aral to learn from the city’s promotion of people’s participation and efficiency in revenue generation.

Marikina Vice Mayor Cadiz is a younger brother of Solicitor-General Jose Anselmo Cadiz who are both natives of this city and Baao, Camarines Sur (from the Imperial clan on their mother side). He said they would be interacting with their local counterparts in the city council to learn and be able to apply more good practices and strategies for improved governance and legislative work in Marikina City. Marikina is hailed as one of the most progressive and disciplined urban centers in Metro Manila.

www.bicolmail.com

[sonofignatius]

CSC editors dominate journalism summit

FIVE senior editors of the CSC Statesman, the official tertiary student publication of the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) were proclaimed top winners in the 13th Intercollegiate Summit on Campus Journalism conducted by the Society of Junior Fellows and the Office of the RP President – National Youth Commission at Casa Ofelia, Carolina, Naga City on September 24-26, 2010.

The lean but mean five-member team who all bagged six of the eight top awards in the individual competitions were John Elmar B. Templonuevo, editor in chief, (4th year BS in Education) - Second Place, Editorial Writing and Second Place, Cover Page Design; Jonathan V. Tulod, associate editor (4th year BS in Civil Engineering) - First Place, Sports Writing;

Elvin Randolph R. Jubay, managing editor (5th year BS in Accountancy) - First Place, Copyreading and Headline Writing; Jann Marvin Posada, news editor (4th year BS in Nursing) - First Place, news writing and Bren Garette Z. Rivera, art editor (1st year BS in Biology) – First Place, Editorial Cartooning. They were coached by Gerry S. Rubio.

The journalism summit, with the theme “Mobilizing Campus Journalists toward Imperative Social Transformation,” was endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education as one avenue to further advance the skills of student writers.

Aside from the eight journalistic contests with corresponding lectures, the Summit featured high level discussions on the following topics: The Digital Future of Journalism, Dummy Making: The Backbone of Newspaper, and New Media, New Careers: How Social Media is Transforming Communication Landscape.

Campus writers and publication advisers in government and private universities and colleges in the region took part in the 3-day event.

The CSC Statesman newsmagazine was also adjudged 2010 Campus Paper of the Year in the group competition. The publication received a three-feet high championship trophy from President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino, Jr.

It can be recalled that the CSC Statesman was also proclaimed Campus Paper of the Year, as well as Best in Editorial Page, Best in Layout and Best in Sports Page in the 11th edition of the Summit in 2006; . Campus Paper of the Year, Best in Layout, and Best in Features Page in 2001; Best in Editorial Page in 2003, and Best in Investigative Report in 2004.

www.bicolmail.com

[sonofignatius]

J. EMMANUEL PASTRIES
A local entrepreneur’s success story

J. EMMANUEL PASTRIES’ climb to the top is a classic example of a small-town entrepreneur who starts at the bottom and tries to learn many things every step of the way.

It all began in 1993 when Lydia P. Lomibao (nee Perez) as an ordinary office girl in Makati offered homemade pili tarts to her officemates as a gesture of friendship and congeniality. When she started receiving orders, she realized she was baking one too many.

A year later, Joseph came to her life and soon they got married. An industrious Ilocano from Pangasinan, Joseph urged her to continue with her tart-making with the P500 left in his pocket after the wedding. While settling in Naga City, they collected their equipment: 100 pieces of molds, 5 trays, and a small portable oven. They made a deal with the pilinut stores in Naga City: The stores to supply the pili nut while they deliver to them their baked pilinut pastries. Daily production was only averaging 50 packs, delivered to six stores in the city.

Today, J. Emmanuel is a leading pili nut processor in Bicol with gross domestic and foreign sales reaching over P20 million in 2009. The recent weeklong Peñafrancia fiesta made the couple and their workers work double time.

Joining trade fairs

Believing in partnership as a potent weapon to multiply individual capacity and resources, Lydia went to the Department of Agriculture (DA) which linked her to pili farmers and paid her participation fees in agricultural fairs; to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which offered her P500,000 worth of loan for machine and equipment under the DOST Set-Up program; and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which gave her various assistance, such as skills and managerial trainings, benchmarking and selling missions, business consultancy and market linkaging, aside from inviting her to join local, national, and eventually, international trade fairs.

Beating the competition

The growing popularity of pilinut as an indigenous nutritious food in the 90s made the competition tougher than ever. Over a hundred Bicolano entrepreneurs are engaged in pilinut processing whose products are peddled at the airport, at the railway station, and by the doors of local hotels. There was also the flooding in the local market of pastry products from Manila, Cebu, and Davao to contend with.

Unfazed, the couple faced the competition head on. Lydia dished out, quite generously, product sampling or “patikim” in all exhibits and trade fairs she joined. She also offered native baskets as give-aways for every set of pilinut products purchased from them, apart from doling out color-printed brochures that enlighten buyers and consumers on the nutritious values of pilinut at affordable price.

Taking advantage of the growing number of domestic and foreign visitors in Camarines Sur, she put up three pasalubong centers: one in downtown Naga City, considered as the trade and financial center of Bicol; another at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex, home of world-renowned wakeboarding extreme sports; and the third one at the SM City Naga situated at the city’s Central Business District 2, where the Naga Integrated transport terminal and the newly-completed Naga City Coliseum are also located. As if those were not enough, she asked several hotels in Naga City to display her products on their shelves and reception counters for every guest to see and be curious about. Her products are now available for sale in selected SM supermarkets, particularly in Metro Manila.

Good manufacturing practices (GMP) are being strictly observed in the working area to ensure cleanliness, safety, freshness and quality of the products. The company applies the same handling processes for products intended for both local and international markets being required by a Japanese buyer. The company is completing its Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan that will officially certify the plant’s overall observance of systems that guarantee sanitation, hygiene, and safety within the workplace. Their 3-storey building attached to their home in Canaman, Camarines Sur to serve as the company’s modern production plant, is expected to be completed this month.

Export market

Having passed the Food and Drugs testing in Japan and the US, J. Emmanuel Pastries was chosen one of two, among ten nominees, by the Asean Japan Centre as Official Philippine Representative to the 2006 Asean Food and Beverage Exhibition (AFBE).

Shorty after the company’s participation in the AFBE, the Bicol region was ravaged by three strong typhoons in 2006 and 2007, destroying various agricultural products, including pili. Resourceful by nature, Lydia and her husband Joseph were determined to deliver their promised US$19,000.00, or P800,000.00 worth of pili products to a Japanese buyer. She augmented the scarce supply of pili in Bicol by sourcing out from plantations in the Visayas and Mindanao with the help of DA and DTI. Her first successful international shipment was finally made in April 2008.

Her participation in the International Food Exhibit or IFEX, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has opened doors to other international markets, such as the United States of America, Canada, and China.

Receiving feelers from the Middle East and Filipino Muslim consumers and dealers, J. Emmanuel Pastries applied for Halal Product Certification for its pili products. Upon due review, analysis and physical audit of its plant and raw materials, ingredients and components used, the Islamic Da’Wah Council of the Philippines, Inc. issued on August 2, 2010 its certification/accreditation declaring J. Emmanuel Pastries products as “halal” or lawful for the consumption of Muslims worldwide.

Social responsibility

The welfare of her employees is always a major concern. Starting with seven workers in 1997, she now has a regular workforce of 67 men and women. These workers do not only enjoy her guidance and care but also fair and just wages, SSS coverage, bonuses and other fringe benefits. Sharpening the worker’s capacity and determination to excel in work is a vital component in enhancing product quality, Lydia would say.

Lydia shares her knowledge and expertise to others as regular resource person in colleges and universities in the city and province offering entrepreneurial courses. She is also a newsmaker. She was and is being sought for interviews in various local and national media networks, such as ABS-CBN, ANC, GMA 7, NBN, RPN 9. Her success story landed in the pages of business magazines and national broadsheets such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and Philippine Star, and local newspapers Bicol Mail and Bikol Reporter.

Like a “big brother to a small brother,” Lydia is always ready to help and exchange ideas with fellow micro-entrepreneurs, especially those in the OTOP projects of the province. As such, their products are displayed in and marketed through her pasalubong shops.

Through her membership in organizations, she advocates the development and promotion of small and medium enterprises and joins in their social missions and activities. These organizations include the Producers and Manufacturers Association of Camarines Sur, the Isarog Chamber of Agribusiness, and the Naga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Technology helps

From its home kitchen and single product (pili tart) in 1997, J. Emmanuel has diversified into fifteen product lines that include, among others, coco jam, sesame seed balls, and honey. Its latest ‘babies’ are the Doubledecker Pili-flavored Cookies and Butterscotch whose ingredients include the nut’s testa, the thin brownish protective layer of pili nut which used to be thrown away as waste but now proves to be nutritious and environment-friendly.

For its initiatives at green technology, J. Emmanuel Pastries was chosen to join the study tour in Japan on Nov. 3-8, 2008 as it availed of DOST technology transfer regarding the re-use of pili waste (pili shell and testa) as fuel. For using the shell and testa as fuel instead of gas in the production of its pili nut delicacies, the company’s fuel bill has been reduced by 40 percent.

The use of modern machines and equipment, such as industrial ovens, roasting machine, evaporator machine, juice extractor, and vacuum sealers helped improve the products’ taste, freshness, and texture, and prolong their shelf life.

The company’s IT-related initiatives like the use of the POS system, inventories, and similar systems undoubtedly enhanced its production and management efficiency.

Awards/citations received

As an affirmation of its dynamic management style and innovative entrepreneurship and the excellent quality of its products, J. Emmanuel Pastries so far earned the following citations and awards:

• The first pili nut processor in the Bicol region to participate in the Asean Food Beverage Exposition in Japan in 2006;

• The first pili nut processor to qualify to the export market through the International Food Exposition 2006 by Citem;

• Chosen as Official Philippine Representative to China Asean Expo in 2007;

• Proclaimed as one of the Top 50 Men/Women of Science by the DOST, in celebration of the Technology Week where Mr. Joseph Lomibao, Lydia’s better half, received the prestigious award from the President of the Republic last June 10, 2007;

• Received the Gawad Saka Presidential Citation and P100,000 cash prize from Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 12, 2007 during ceremonies in Malacañang Palace;

• Selected as one the five (5) regional pili nut exhibitors during the Hongkong Food Expo in 2008;

• Cited as Pilot SME Producing Greener Production Technologies of the DOST and International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) – Ministry of Trade Industry of Japan.

• Received the Presidential Award for Outstanding MSME on July 8, 2009 from the Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 2009 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Week held at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

• The only Philippine Representative to APEC workshop/training on developing trading house for the strengthening of MSE’s global market network, October 19-22, 2009, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

• Selected member of the Philippine trade mission to the US this month of October 2010 along with her husband Joseph.

Looking forward

The couple Lydia and Joseph believes that greater opportunities lie ahead. Thus, they hope to avail of the latest technology to make their products globally competitive in the next five years, with the Japanese food preparation and packaging technique as their company’s benchmark.

Research and development always form part of her action plan, paving the way for more innovations and creative ideas to sustain her leadership in the industry and create more jobs and opportunities for those who most need them.

Her success today is a product of future challenges that she says will always be there to hurdle come what may. Indeed, her P500 seed capital has turned into a multi-million giant (pili) tree.


www.bicolmail.com

[aidz]

Originally Posted by victorlachica

any info about camsur? thanks

Good day sir and welcome!

info? what sort of info? if it's about facts and figures of CamSur, here's a link to the province's official website... http://www.camarinessur.gov.ph/home

if there's anything specific you wish to know, you may post it here and perhaps one of us may be able to give you an answer.

[sonofignatius]

UPLB alumni CamSur to hold loyalty lunch

THE UPLB Alumni Association Camarines Sur (UPLBAACS) Chapter will celebrate its annual Alumni Loyalty Day with “A Once-in-a-Lifetime LOYALTY LUNCH on 10/10/10”, this coming Sunday, October 10, 2010 at Bob Marlin, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.

UPLBAACS Chapter President Nicolas Beda Priela (BSA ’75 & MPS ‘85) is inviting all the alumni of University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) to this momentous celebration as it will be on a rare triple 10 date. A sumptuous loyalty lunch and get-together with surprises await everyone who will be in attendance.

Registration starts at 10:00 o’clock in the morning and at an affordable fee of Two Hundred pesos per person.

www.bicolmail.com

[aidz]

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2008...rail-1966.html

Natandaan ko lugod si Tukad tang dai natuloy! pag-urulayan na niyo oh!

[aidz]

Mt. Isarog/Panicuason Trail (1,966+)

MT. ISAROG (VIA PANICUASON TRAIL)
Naga City, Camarines Sur
Major jump-off: Brgy. Panicuason, Naga City
LLA: 13°40' N, 123°21' E, 1966 MASL
Days requires / Hours to summit: 2 days / 8-10 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 3

BACKGROUND
A paradise at the heart of Camarines Sur is lotfy Mt. Isarog, rising to 1966 MASL. This mountain has a rich biodiversity and beautiful views: its very own mossy forests and verdant crater, an overview of Bicol Peninsula, and a glimpse of majestic Mt. Mayon. It abundance of water is refreshing, with streams and waterfalls encountered along the trails, and sulfuric springs beckon to relax weary mountaineers and other visitors. Its dubbing as "Vulcan de Agua" lives up to expectations: Isarog has 16 major rivers that provide potable water to 15 of the 35 towns of Camarines Sur and irrigate some 67,400 hectares of rice lands at its foot.

There is a cornucopia of species in Mt. Isarog, and most distinguished in the list are the endemic ones: the Mt. Isarog Shrew Mouse, Isarog Striped Shrew Rat, the Isarog Shrew Rat and the Isolated Forest Frog. In all, there are 143 species of birds. Mammals found in the area include, among others, the Philippine deer, monkeys, bats, wildcat and wild pig. There is also a snake that is endemic to Mt. Isarog, but don't worry, it's blind! (Typhlops jagorii). These animal species find refuge in a forest that has more than 1300 species of plants including hardwood trees, mosses, ferns and orchids. Rafflesia, the largest flower genus in the world, have also been sighted in this mountain. You would also encounter mushrooms and a number of colorful insects.

Three trails in Mt. Isarog lead to two different destinations. The commonly used trail, leading to the summit, is the Panicuason trail, which starts at DENR station in Brgy. Panicuason, Naga City. A second trail is the Patag-Patag trail (said to be a misnomer because the trail is far from 'patag' (flat) but steep and challenging, will be discussed on a separate itinerary. Finally, there's the trail from Goa, Camarines Sur, which takes four days.

The initial highlight of a climb in the Panicuason trail are the waterfalls: Malabsay Falls, with its large catchbasin and Nabuntalan Falls which will be visited before reaching Camp 1, around 2 hours away from the jump-off. A series of campsites ensue until the summit, for a total of 8-10 hours trekking time from jump-off. However, usually the trek is interrupted before sundown in what is simply known as 'Campsite', from which the assault to the summit is done the next day. Throughout the trails, you will be surrounded by the mossy forest of Isarog. The trails are described as moderate in difficulty, with ample cover from the trees, an abundance of water sources, and reasonable slopes. Campsites are available as rest stations.

From the Campsite, it takes 90-100 minutes to reach the summit. It is usually started very early morning. At this point, beyond 1500 MASL, the trees become stunted and covered with mosses and liverworts, characteristic of the mossy forest. At the summit viewdeck, a distant Mt. Mayon with its perfect cone shape rises south, and the verdant crater of Isarog can be seen- a vast expanse of land. You can see the waters bounding the Bicol peninsula, as well as the towns of Camarines Sur. It is a rewarding array of sights after a thoroughly challenging trek.

After descent, to make the trip to Bicol worthwhile, favorite sidetrips include a stay at the Camsur Wakeboarding Complex, and the nearby Mt. Asog (Iriga). You may also stay at Consocep Mountain Resort but this is more accessible through the Patag-Patag itinerary since it's in Tigaon. Take time also to visit Lake Buhi, another famous feature of the province.

ITINERARY

Day 0
0800 Take bus to Naga City

Day 1
0500 ETA CBD Bus Terminal, Naga City
0600 Breakfast at Naga City
0700 Take jeep to Brgy. Panicuason jump-off
0800 ETA jump-off, proceed to DENR forestry
0830 Registration / secure guides
0900 Start trek
1000 Visit Malabsay, Nabuntalan, and other waterfalls
1130 ETA Camp 1 / Lunch
1300 Resume trek
1700 ETA Campsite. Set up camp.
1800 Dinner / socials

Day 2
0400 Wake-up call / Breakfast
0600 Commence summit assult
0730 At summit, take pictures
0800 Back to Campsite
0900 Campsite, breakcamp, prepare lunch.etc.
1000 Start Descent
1200 Lunch at trail
0400 Back at jump-off / Tidy up
0500 Head back to Naga City
0600 At Naga City, take return bus to Manila or proceed to sidetrip.

SPECIAL CONCERNS
More trek time may be transferred to Day 2 of the above itinerary to give more time for exploration of the waterfalls on Day 1. For such, a lower campsite (i.e. Camp 1) may be employed.

An entrance fee of Php 75 for students and Php 100 for professionals is required by the DENR Protected Area Office. This office may be reached at +63544728018, with resource persons as follows: Mr. Oscar Dominguez, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer and Ms. Yolda Abante with cp# 09104824615. In this office, which is also the jump-off, guides may readily be secured at P300/day.

For mountain guides and gears, one may also contact Kadlagan Outdoor Shop with address at Dimasalang St., Naga City, telephone no. (63)(54) 472-3305 or e-mail at kadlagan@yahoo.com. Jojo Villareal of Kadlagan may also be reached at 09198006299. KADLAGAN also organizes regular climbs to Mt. Isarog, in cooperation with the local government. Their package tours are highly recommended for groups and individuals alike.

Limatik (blood leeches) are present in this trail especially in the rainy season so prepare accordingly.

A concern is security in the area, particularly NPA presence (insurgency). However, as of Dec. 2007 the trails used to climb Mt. Isarog are considered safe from these threats, and locals have taken steps to protect the mountain.

TRIVIA
Mt. Isarog is Bicol Region's second highest mountain. On Aug. 17, 1935, the national government issued Proclamation 840 that established the Mt. Isarog Forest Reserve. Proclamation 923 declared on July 20, 1938 its 10,112 ha of land as the Mt. Isarog National Park.

Its last eruption was said to be 1641 but Pinoy Mountaineer is still researching on the volcanism of this dormant volcano.

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2008...rail-1966.html

this was as of 2008...
update natin guys! hehe!

[hakz2007]

3-PEAT CHAMP

UAAP Finals MVP Ryan Buenafe (second from right) of the Ateneo Blue Eagles is flanked by fellow Ateneans from the Ateneo de Naga University (left to right) Rudy Calandria, Manuel Resuena and Atty. Luis Ruben General (partly hidden at the back of Buenafe) shortly after the highly-charged second game of the ADEMU- FEU finals at the Araneta Coliseum. Ateneans all over the country and abroad rejoiced when the Blue Eagles capped the UAAP Championship games for the third time in a row last Sept. 30, 2010. At extreme right is Tom Ramos, owner of Kambingan Restaurant in Naga City, an FEU alumnus who can’t help but congratulate the victors.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/...ps&events.html

[hakz2007]

Isaprivado o dugang na 157% arkila sa mercado

Pigpako na kan Naga City Public Market Study Committee na dapat sa Deciembre 2010 makahaman na sinda nin ordenanza kun kinakaipuhan isaprivado o kun dai man mag-imponer nin 157 por cientong dugang na tarifa sa mercado publico.

Ngonian na Viernes, Octubre 8 an Naga City Market Stall Federation (NAMASFED) na pinamamayohan ni Claro Alfonso nakatalaan na magsumiter kan saindang position paper sa mga propuesto kan study committee nganing maka-andam na kan propuestong ordenanza an Sanggunian Panlungsod.

Si Consejal Esteban Abonal, chairman kan study committee nagsabi na nagtalaan liwat nin miting an comite nganing mafinalisar na an saindang pag-aadal asin aramon man an panindugan kan NAMASFED.

Si Wilfredo Prilles, Jr. City Planning Officer asin miembro kan comite nagsabi na an saindang propuesto dapat magka-igwa nin return on assets na pueding pagpilian si cost recovery na minimal sana, magka-igwa nin full economic enterprises asin magpalangkaw nin arkila sagcod sa 157 por ciento.

Sa ngonian an ocupantes igwang average rental na P99.00 cada metro cuadrado kun sa propuestong paglangkaw magiging P240.00. An ibang miembros kan NAMASFED nagpapabor na sa pag-imponer nin dugang na tarifa envez kan propuesto na isa privado.

Napag-araman sa pag-aadal kan comite na grabe an subsidia kan local na gobierno sa operacion kan mercado huli ta hababaon an arkila kun icocomparar sa mga nakapalibot kaining establisimiento na pighalimbawa na P1.00 sa mercado publico contra sa P13.00 asta P17.00. Ini nangyayari huli ta mayo nin provicion nin return on assets boot sabihon nagpapalugi pa an gobierno local bakong prioridad an ingreso, sabi man ni Prilles.

Pigrerecomendar pa nganing magka-igwa nin dugang na ingreso kaipuhan magcrear nin paid parking business asin an mga lugar na pueding bukasan iyo an Philamlife property na may hiwas na 4,810 metros cuadrado, Tabuco area sa may NCPM na may 2,000 metros cuadrado asin an Plaza Rizal na sadiri na kan ciudad base sa pinakahuring decicion kan Corte Suprema. An plano sa plaza ilangkaw sa tinampo asin an irarum gibohon na parking area.

Nasukit na kan comite na poon kan 1993 asta 2004 na lugi nin P7,871.000.12 cada taon, alagad kan taon 2006 asta 2009 antes nasulo an mercado nagdelencia nin P3,043,486.16 mayo digdi kan provicion nin return on assets.

Nag-gastos nin P157 milyones sa rehabilitacion matapos masulo asin an P107 milyones digdi gikan sa fondo kan LGU mientras na si P50 milyones gikan sa asistencia financial kan gobierno nacional.

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/oct7/xdugang.html

[fil07]

Originally Posted by sonofignatius

J. EMMANUEL PASTRIES
A local entrepreneur’s success story

J. EMMANUEL PASTRIES’ climb to the top is a classic example of a small-town entrepreneur who starts at the bottom and tries to learn many things every step of the way.

It all began in 1993 when Lydia P. Lomibao (nee Perez) as an ordinary office girl in Makati offered homemade pili tarts to her officemates as a gesture of friendship and congeniality. When she started receiving orders, she realized she was baking one too many.

A year later, Joseph came to her life and soon they got married. An industrious Ilocano from Pangasinan, Joseph urged her to continue with her tart-making with the P500 left in his pocket after the wedding. While settling in Naga City, they collected their equipment: 100 pieces of molds, 5 trays, and a small portable oven. They made a deal with the pilinut stores in Naga City: The stores to supply the pili nut while they deliver to them their baked pilinut pastries. Daily production was only averaging 50 packs, delivered to six stores in the city.

Today, J. Emmanuel is a leading pili nut processor in Bicol with gross domestic and foreign sales reaching over P20 million in 2009. The recent weeklong Peñafrancia fiesta made the couple and their workers work double time.

Joining trade fairs

Believing in partnership as a potent weapon to multiply individual capacity and resources, Lydia went to the Department of Agriculture (DA) which linked her to pili farmers and paid her participation fees in agricultural fairs; to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which offered her P500,000 worth of loan for machine and equipment under the DOST Set-Up program; and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which gave her various assistance, such as skills and managerial trainings, benchmarking and selling missions, business consultancy and market linkaging, aside from inviting her to join local, national, and eventually, international trade fairs.

Beating the competition

The growing popularity of pilinut as an indigenous nutritious food in the 90s made the competition tougher than ever. Over a hundred Bicolano entrepreneurs are engaged in pilinut processing whose products are peddled at the airport, at the railway station, and by the doors of local hotels. There was also the flooding in the local market of pastry products from Manila, Cebu, and Davao to contend with.

Unfazed, the couple faced the competition head on. Lydia dished out, quite generously, product sampling or “patikim” in all exhibits and trade fairs she joined. She also offered native baskets as give-aways for every set of pilinut products purchased from them, apart from doling out color-printed brochures that enlighten buyers and consumers on the nutritious values of pilinut at affordable price.

Taking advantage of the growing number of domestic and foreign visitors in Camarines Sur, she put up three pasalubong centers: one in downtown Naga City, considered as the trade and financial center of Bicol; another at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex, home of world-renowned wakeboarding extreme sports; and the third one at the SM City Naga situated at the city’s Central Business District 2, where the Naga Integrated transport terminal and the newly-completed Naga City Coliseum are also located. As if those were not enough, she asked several hotels in Naga City to display her products on their shelves and reception counters for every guest to see and be curious about. Her products are now available for sale in selected SM supermarkets, particularly in Metro Manila.

Good manufacturing practices (GMP) are being strictly observed in the working area to ensure cleanliness, safety, freshness and quality of the products. The company applies the same handling processes for products intended for both local and international markets being required by a Japanese buyer. The company is completing its Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan that will officially certify the plant’s overall observance of systems that guarantee sanitation, hygiene, and safety within the workplace. Their 3-storey building attached to their home in Canaman, Camarines Sur to serve as the company’s modern production plant, is expected to be completed this month.

Export market

Having passed the Food and Drugs testing in Japan and the US, J. Emmanuel Pastries was chosen one of two, among ten nominees, by the Asean Japan Centre as Official Philippine Representative to the 2006 Asean Food and Beverage Exhibition (AFBE).

Shorty after the company’s participation in the AFBE, the Bicol region was ravaged by three strong typhoons in 2006 and 2007, destroying various agricultural products, including pili. Resourceful by nature, Lydia and her husband Joseph were determined to deliver their promised US$19,000.00, or P800,000.00 worth of pili products to a Japanese buyer. She augmented the scarce supply of pili in Bicol by sourcing out from plantations in the Visayas and Mindanao with the help of DA and DTI. Her first successful international shipment was finally made in April 2008.

Her participation in the International Food Exhibit or IFEX, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has opened doors to other international markets, such as the United States of America, Canada, and China.

Receiving feelers from the Middle East and Filipino Muslim consumers and dealers, J. Emmanuel Pastries applied for Halal Product Certification for its pili products. Upon due review, analysis and physical audit of its plant and raw materials, ingredients and components used, the Islamic Da’Wah Council of the Philippines, Inc. issued on August 2, 2010 its certification/accreditation declaring J. Emmanuel Pastries products as “halal” or lawful for the consumption of Muslims worldwide.

Social responsibility

The welfare of her employees is always a major concern. Starting with seven workers in 1997, she now has a regular workforce of 67 men and women. These workers do not only enjoy her guidance and care but also fair and just wages, SSS coverage, bonuses and other fringe benefits. Sharpening the worker’s capacity and determination to excel in work is a vital component in enhancing product quality, Lydia would say.

Lydia shares her knowledge and expertise to others as regular resource person in colleges and universities in the city and province offering entrepreneurial courses. She is also a newsmaker. She was and is being sought for interviews in various local and national media networks, such as ABS-CBN, ANC, GMA 7, NBN, RPN 9. Her success story landed in the pages of business magazines and national broadsheets such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and Philippine Star, and local newspapers Bicol Mail and Bikol Reporter.

Like a “big brother to a small brother,” Lydia is always ready to help and exchange ideas with fellow micro-entrepreneurs, especially those in the OTOP projects of the province. As such, their products are displayed in and marketed through her pasalubong shops.

Through her membership in organizations, she advocates the development and promotion of small and medium enterprises and joins in their social missions and activities. These organizations include the Producers and Manufacturers Association of Camarines Sur, the Isarog Chamber of Agribusiness, and the Naga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Technology helps

From its home kitchen and single product (pili tart) in 1997, J. Emmanuel has diversified into fifteen product lines that include, among others, coco jam, sesame seed balls, and honey. Its latest ‘babies’ are the Doubledecker Pili-flavored Cookies and Butterscotch whose ingredients include the nut’s testa, the thin brownish protective layer of pili nut which used to be thrown away as waste but now proves to be nutritious and environment-friendly.

For its initiatives at green technology, J. Emmanuel Pastries was chosen to join the study tour in Japan on Nov. 3-8, 2008 as it availed of DOST technology transfer regarding the re-use of pili waste (pili shell and testa) as fuel. For using the shell and testa as fuel instead of gas in the production of its pili nut delicacies, the company’s fuel bill has been reduced by 40 percent.

The use of modern machines and equipment, such as industrial ovens, roasting machine, evaporator machine, juice extractor, and vacuum sealers helped improve the products’ taste, freshness, and texture, and prolong their shelf life.

The company’s IT-related initiatives like the use of the POS system, inventories, and similar systems undoubtedly enhanced its production and management efficiency.

Awards/citations received

As an affirmation of its dynamic management style and innovative entrepreneurship and the excellent quality of its products, J. Emmanuel Pastries so far earned the following citations and awards:

• The first pili nut processor in the Bicol region to participate in the Asean Food Beverage Exposition in Japan in 2006;

• The first pili nut processor to qualify to the export market through the International Food Exposition 2006 by Citem;

• Chosen as Official Philippine Representative to China Asean Expo in 2007;

• Proclaimed as one of the Top 50 Men/Women of Science by the DOST, in celebration of the Technology Week where Mr. Joseph Lomibao, Lydia’s better half, received the prestigious award from the President of the Republic last June 10, 2007;

• Received the Gawad Saka Presidential Citation and P100,000 cash prize from Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 12, 2007 during ceremonies in Malacañang Palace;

• Selected as one the five (5) regional pili nut exhibitors during the Hongkong Food Expo in 2008;

• Cited as Pilot SME Producing Greener Production Technologies of the DOST and International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) – Ministry of Trade Industry of Japan.

• Received the Presidential Award for Outstanding MSME on July 8, 2009 from the Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 2009 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Week held at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

• The only Philippine Representative to APEC workshop/training on developing trading house for the strengthening of MSE’s global market network, October 19-22, 2009, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

• Selected member of the Philippine trade mission to the US this month of October 2010 along with her husband Joseph.

Looking forward

The couple Lydia and Joseph believes that greater opportunities lie ahead. Thus, they hope to avail of the latest technology to make their products globally competitive in the next five years, with the Japanese food preparation and packaging technique as their company’s benchmark.

Research and development always form part of her action plan, paving the way for more innovations and creative ideas to sustain her leadership in the industry and create more jobs and opportunities for those who most need them.

Her success today is a product of future challenges that she says will always be there to hurdle come what may. Indeed, her P500 seed capital has turned into a multi-million giant (pili) tree.


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we'll share this in lgu-canaman website (temporary location is canaman.tk)

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Naga City and Cam Sur Tours

University of the Philippines - National College of Public Administration and Governance.

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