Sorsogon City. Paguriran Island and the City Tour.

Sorsogon City is the capital of Sorsogon Province and I’ve been to this city for several times already but I never had to chance to really explore and appreciate its beauty.  So on that long weekend vacation last month, after the failed first day attempt to go to Jovellar town in Albay, I then informed my friends that we will be going to Sorsogon City on the first day instead of going to Jovellar. Our initial plan was to go to Jovellar on our first day, but upon learning that the last trip of the jeepney from Jovellar to Guinobatan is at 3pm, ininform ko na lang ang mga kaibigan ko na sa last day na lang kami pupunta ng Jovellar para mas maaga kami makaalis ng Guinobatan town going to Jovellar.

Paguriran island

On our first day, me and my friend arrived in Sorsogon at around 2pm. Our plan was to go to Paguriran Island located in Barangay Sawanga. We are still waiting for one of my friend to arrive in Sorsogon kasi galing pa sya ng Naga City, which is about 3 to 4 hours travel to Sorsogon City. Para naman di kami mabored ng friend ko sa pagantay ng isa pa namin na kaibigan, we then decided to roamed around downtown Sorsogon. We strolled around the city center.

Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Our first stop was the Sorsogon Cathedral. And then after roaming around the church, we then proceeded to the Provincial Capitol of Sorsogon Province. Nagikot ikot kami sa labas. Pumasok din ako sa loob ng building at nagikot ikot. After a few minutes, lumabas na din ako at tiningnan din namin ang public park. A few minutes later, we then walked to the city Baywalk. It’s a 10 to 15 minutes walk from the Provincial Capitol. Okay din yung Baywalk nila. Madami din ang tao but mostly mga students and mga nakatambay sa lugar. There are also several food stalls in the area.

Sorsogon Provincial Capitol

city baywalk

St. Louise De Marillac College of Sorsogon

At around 5pm, dumating na din yung isa ko pang kaibigan and then pumunta na kami sa City Grand Terminal to ride a jeep to Barangay Sawanga. After an hour ride, we then reached Barangay Sawanga. This barangay is located in Bacon district. Just a trivia, Bacon was a former town and it was merged with Sorsogon town para macreate and Sorsogon City. Trivia trivia lang.hehehe! Anyway, after namin bumaba ng jeep, naglakad na kami papunta sa beach at nakita na namin ang Paguriran Island. Did you know that Paguriran Island is just a walking distance from the main beach? Walking distance lang talaga sya kasi pwede mo syang lakarin lang.hehehe! Kapag low tide kasi, mga 1 to 2 feet lang ang lalim ng tubig sa dagat at mga 3 to 4 feet naman kapag high tide. Sobrang lapit lang ng isla from the mainland, siguro mga 10 to 15 minutes na paglalakad lang. Kaya walking distance lang talaga ang isla na to.hehehe!

the view of Paguriran Island from the mainland of Luzon

Barangay Sawanga Beach near Paguriran island

Anyway, nagtanong tanong na kami sa resort owner for their overnight rates and napapayag namin yung resort owner na 500 pesos per night na lang yung small nipa hut nila. 600 pesos sana yun, humingi kami ng 100 pesos discount.hehe! It was really not a big accommodation.  It was just a small nipa hut with a fan and 1 bed. We just requested for an extra mattress para naman may mahigaan kaming lahat. Nagpaluto na din kami ng dinner sa resort owner kasi pwede din magpaluto sa kanila.

lagoon during high tide at Paguriran Island

After maging okay na ang accommodation namin, pumunta na kami sa isla ng isa kong friend. We waded through the sea kasi high tide sya at pumunta na kami sa Paguriran Island. The island is not really a big island. Maliit na isla lang sya na halos lahat matutulis na bato nga lang ang isla. There is also some vegetation in the island and there’s also a lagoon in the middle of the island. It’s actually a nice island lalo na kung gusto mo lang magunwind. We just stayed there for about an hour because it was already getting dark na din.

So after exploring the island for about an hour, bumalik na din kami sa resort and our dinner was already served by the resort owner. Nagpaluto lang kami ng ginataang langka na may kasamang tulingan na isda. Masarap yung pagkaluto nila kaya medjo naparami ang kain ko.hehe! After dinner, nagkwentuhan at naginuman na lang kami ng mga kaibigan ko and then a few hours later natulog na din sila, at ako  naman ay nagtrabaho. Well, one of the cons of working online is that I don’t have a vacation leave or a sick leave kaya naman minsan, kahit nasa bakasyon ako, I still need to work para kumita. So ayun, I worked till the wee hour and then at around 2 am, natulog na din ako.

hermit crab

Duka Resort. Our nipa hut accommodation

We woke up early the next day at nagpaluto na din kami ng breakfast. We weren’t able to witness a beautiful sunrise because it was a cloudy morning. While waiting for our breakfast, we decided na pumunta na muna sa isla. Naglakad na kaming tatlo papunta sa Paguriran Island. Nagswimming kami sa lagoon and then umakyat din sa pinakamataas na bahagi ng isla. After namin magswimming, nakaramdam na din ako ng gutom so I then called my friends para makapagbreakfast na din kami. When we arrived at the resort, prepared na yung ginisang corned beef and fried egg for our breakfast. Kumain na kami and then nagbanlaw na because we still have several destinations to visit on that day. Binayaran na namin yung mga dapat namin na bayaran sa resort at nagpasalamat na din sa mabait na mag-asawa na may-ari ng resort. Umalis na kami sa resort and then we waited for a jeepney at the barangay road, at dahil medyo matagal ang pagdating ng jeep, we just walked for a few minutes and for a few kilometers and then may dumaan ng jeepney. We told the driver that we are bound for Pagol Beach and he said it is just a few kilometers away from Paguriran so siningil lang kami ng 15 pesos na fare para sa amin ng tatlo, that’s 5 pesos each! Sana ganun pa din kacheap ang pamasahe sa lahat ng jeep! Hehe!

Pagol Beach, Barangay Bon-ot

Around 15 minutes later, we arrived at Pagol Beach. Our plan was to just take a picture and take peek of how Pagol Beach looks like, and the driver just waited for us habang pinuntahan namin ang beach. Sinabi kasi namin na saglit lang naman kami and pupunta din kami ng Sorsogon City proper. So after we saw the beach and took some beach pictures, bumalik na kami sa jeepney and we then proceeded to downtown Sorsogon City. From Sorsogon City, we then travelled to Castilla town to visit the Malawmawan Island. So ayan po, dito na po nagtatapos ang aking kwento. By the way, if you need the contact number of the resort owner, here’s the number: +639204223940, that’s for Duka Resort, and the owner name is Mr. Efren Duka. So dito na po nagtatapos ang kwento ko tungkol sa Paguriran Island sa Sorsogon City. Til next time! That’s it, pusit!

The Malawmawan Island Experience. Castilla town, Sorsogon.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been looking the google maps for some islands to visit in the Bicol Region and then I found some islands located in Sorsogon Bay. I searched for information in Google about those islands in Sorsogon Bay but only little information are available. Nevertheless, I found some information about Malawmawan and so I texted my friends if they want to join me for an island adventure in Sorsogon Province and two of my friends are more than willing to have an island adventure.

approaching the long sand bar of Malawmawan Island

It was already past lunch time when we arrived at Barangay Cumadcad in Castilla town, Sorsogon. Kakagaling lang kasi namin sa isa pang isla sa Sorsogon City. Cumadcad is about an hour bus ride from Sorsogon City and Legazpi City. From Cumadcad, we rode a jeepney to Barangay Macalaya which is our jump-off point to Malawmawan Island. It was a 45 minutes ride from Cumadcad. The road was narrow but mostly paved. You’ll pass by farms and few houses. You’ll know that it is already in Macalaya because it is the final stop of the jeepney. There is also a port in Macalaya and parang small town na din sya kasi may mga small stores at may maliit na public market din na malapit sa port.

the view of the island from the tip of the sandbar

From Macalaya port, makikita mo na ang Malawmawan Island. We looked around for boatmen and a few men approached us offering a boat service. Umabot ng 600 pesos yung offer nya for a roundtrip to Malawmawan. Our initial plan was to go Malawmawan and then to Panumbagan Atoll. Sabi namin sa bangkero, titingnan muna  namin ang isla at kapag okay magstay, magoovernight kami pero kapag hindi okay, magpapahatid lang kami pabalik on the same day. We bought some bread sa bakery and then we started our trip to Malawmawan Island.

After 20 to 30 minutes boat ride, we arrived at Malawmawan. The island is one of the least known islands in Sorsogon province. Only few Bicolanos knows about this island. Even those from Sorsogon province don’t know anything about the island. The island is a private island but there is no resort, electricity and a source of fresh water. The island doesn’t have a white sand but it has its own charm. The sand color of the beach is light brown and it is not even a fine sand.  When we arrived at the island, andun yung caretaker at andun din pala yung consultant ng may-ari. They were assessing the island para makita kung ano ano ang pwedeng maimprove sa isla. The caretaker and the boatman were relatives kaya yung boatman na din ang nakipagusap sa caretaker.

Nagustuhan namin yung isla at sinabi namin sa boatman na balikan na lang kami at magdala ng dinner namin pero sabi nung caretaker, bibigyan na lang daw kami ng free dinner. O di ba, astig, may free dinner kami.hehehe! So umalis na yung boatman and he told us na babalikan na lang kami early morning para makapunta kami sa Panumbagan Atoll, which is actually a sandbar lang naman located about an hour boat ride from Malawmawan.

So ayun na, since may diner na din pala kami, we strolled around the island for photo shoot. Naglakad lakad kami sa mahabang sandbar and then we also tried na ikutin ang buong isla pero masyado ata na malaki ang isla na halos mahigit isang oras na kami naglalakad pero hindi pa kami nangangalahati sa pagikot ng isla. We also saw a fishpond in the island, which according to the caretaker’s assistant, mga bangus daw ang pinapalaki nila dun. Wow, isla na may mga bangus. Yun ata ang magiging ulam namin.hehehe!

Napagod na kami sa paglalakad and it’s getting dark already, so we then decided to go back to our cottage. May maliit na cottage na pinagamit sa amin for free. Actually isa lang ang cottage dun at medjo hindi pa masyadong tapos ang pagkagawa. Pero since wala kaming dalang tent, mas ok na din yun kesa naman matulog kami sa damuhan.hehehe! At libre naman ang paggamit ng cottage kaya okay na din. Free dinner na nga, free accommodation pa, sobrang astig di ba?heheh!

So it was already getting dark, and since there is no electricity in the island, sobrang dilim talaga. We only have a flashlight as our source of light but the caretaker provided us with a gas lamp. A few minutes later, they then served us our dinner. Our dinner was a seafood menu. Grilled Bangus and Squid plus sawsawan na toyo at binuksan ko na din yung dala kong pork n’ beans. Okay na okay ang diner namin, however, medjo hirap din kami kumain ng bangus kasi wala ngang kuryente sa isla.hehehe! pero dahil free naman yun at gutom na din kami, pinagtyagaan namin na tanggalan ng tinik ang bangus. But it was an awesome meal. Sobrang pasalamat kami sa caretaker dahil sa free dinner namin.

After our dinner, nagkwentuhan na lang kami since wala naman kami masyadong gagawin sa isla. After a few hours na kwentuhan, we then decided na matulog na para maaga kaming magising. Just when we are about to go to sleep, bigla naman umulan, at dahil sira sira ang cottage, medjo nabasa kami sa ulan so we transferred to the Bantay Dagat guard post at doon kami nakitulog. Buti na lang mababait din yung mga Bantay Dagat personnel kaya ibinigay nila yung mga tulugan nila para sa amin. Ang babait talaga ng mga nasa isla. Feeling tuloy namin mga VIP kami.hahaha!

our accommodation

Morning came and the weather was somewhat cloudy and windy. The sea was also a little bit rough. The boatman arrived early in morning as what he had promised but told us we cannot go to Panumbagan Atoll because of the rough sea. Ayaw na din namin makipagsapalaran sa pagbyahe sa maalon na dagat papunta ng Panumbagan Atoll so we just told the boatman to bring us back to Macalaya. The sea route to Macalaya is a bit calmer compared to the sea route to Panumbagan. Nagpasalamat na kami sa caretaker at sa mga assistant at sa mga Bantay Dagat personnel at sa mga bisita din sa isla, and then umalis na kami ng Malawmawan papunta ng Macalaya. From Macalaya, we then rode a jeepney to Daraga City. Inabot din ng 1.5 hours yung byahe namin sa jeep. In Daraga, we had our breakfast and then after breakfast, pumunta na kami sa next destination namin.

google map screenshot

So far, the Malawmawan Island experience was a great experience. The charm of the island is different from other islands that I’ve visited. And then add to that the kindness and the hospitality of the people in the island. May free stay na nga kami sa isla, tapos free dinner pa, tapos free buko pa pala. At hindi lang tig-iisang buko ang ibinigay sa amin, but they gave us two buko for each one of us. Feeling namin para kaming isang bisita sa bahay na inasikaso ng maybahay.hehehe! It was indeed a very nice island experience, a very nice Malawmawan Island Experience!! Wooooot! Wooooot!!

Naga City Peñafrancia Festival 2012 Schedule

Here's the 2012 Peñafrancia Festival Schedule. I'm sure this would be helpful for those of you who are planning to go to Naga City for the Peñafrancia Festival.


Peñafrancia Festival Highlights
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 (WEDNESDAY)
7PM - MISS BICOLANDIA PAGEANTNIGHT 2012
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 (FRIDAY)
3PM - TRASLACIONProcession
Venue: fromPenafrancia Shrineto Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 (WEDNESDAY)
6AM - RegionalDXLM/BSP/GSP Marching Competition
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City GovernmentandDepEd

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 (THURSDAY)
7AM - CIVIC Paradeand Float Competition
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government
2PM - VOYADORES Festival
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 (FRIDAY)
6AM - Regional MILITARY Street Parade Competition
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 (SATURDAY)
2PM - GRANDFLUVIAL Procession
Venue:Naga River
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

Detailed Schedule:
SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2012 | 2PM
1stJCINaga Funshoot
Venue: CIDG Firing Range
Sponsor:Junior Chamber International-Naga

SEPTEMBER 1, 2012 (SATURDAY)
2PM - 8th Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament (CrossOver)
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government
3PM - Little Miss Bicolandia Talent Competition
Venue: LCC Activity Center
Sponsor:c/o Jose Mariano
9PM - Perdon Penitential Procession (Divino Rostro)
Venue: Penafrancia Parish tomajorstreets
Sponsor:c/o Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012 (SUNDAY)
2PM - Little Miss Philippines-Bicolandia Talent Competition
Venue: LCC Activity Center
Sponsor: Ginoong Bicolandia Foundation
5AM - 2ndNaga City Highland Triathlon
Venue: MetroNaga Sports Complex
Sponsor:Naga City SportsOffice
6PM - 43rd Miss Gay Bicolandia
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:c/o Junn Roa

SEPTEMBER 3-6, 2012
10AM - Imaheramun Photo Exhibit
Venue: SM CityNaga
Sponsor: Twin Pears Advertising

SEPTEMBER 3, 2012 (MONDAY)
6PM - 22nd Little Miss Bicolandia
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:c/o Jose Mariano
9PM - Perdon Penitential Procession (Divino Rostro)
Venue: Penafrancia Parish tomajorstreets
Sponsor:c/o Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 (TUESDAY)
10AM - CharityDay of Miss Bicolandia Candidates
Venue: LCC Activity Center
Sponsor:Naga City Government
6PM - Little Miss Philippines – Bicolandia
Venue; PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: Ginoong Bikolandia Foundation
9PM - 20th Ginoong Bicolandia
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: Ginoong Bikolandia Foundation

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 (WEDNESDAY)
3PM - Pretty Boy Bikolandia Talent Competition
Venue: LCC Activity Center
Sponsor:c/o Jerry Perez
7PM - MISS BICOLANDIA PAGEANTNIGHT 2012
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government
SEPTEMBER 6-16, 2012
10AM - Bishop Francisco Gainza Trade Fair
Venue: Along Elias Angeles St.
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 6 2012 (THURSDAY)
6PM - 20th Pretty Boy Bicolandia
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: Cher-Ami International
9PM - Peñafrancia RegionalDance Showdown
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: Cher-Ami International

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 (FRIDAY)
FEASTOF THEDIVINOROSTRO
4AM - Penitential Procession of theImage of INA
Venue: Basilica Minoreto Peñafrancia Parish Church
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
5:30AM - Pontifical Mass, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi,OPDD
Venue: Peñafrancia Parish Church
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
6:30AM - Community Mass
Venue: Peñafrancia Parish Church
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
8AM - Pontifical Mass, Bishop Gilbert Garcera
Venue: Peñafrancia Parish Church
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
12NN- Start of Traslacion Procession of delegatesfromschools,
institutionsand organizations
Venue: Majorstreets
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
1-5PM - Holy Mass
Venue: MetropolitanNaga Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
2PM - Community Mass
Venue: Plaza de Covarruvias, Peñafrancia Parish
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
3PM - TRASLACIONProcession
Venue: fromPenafrancia Shrineto Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
5PM - Pontifical Mass, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi,OPDD
Venue:Quadricentennial Arch,Naga Metropolitan Catheral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
7PM - Holy Mass
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Catheral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 8 – 9, 2012
8AM - 1stNaga City Mayor’s Cup BadmintonOpen (ABC 7)
Venue:Naga City Gymnasium
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 8 – 14, 2012
5PM - SolemnNovena Massesin honor ofOur Lady of Peñafrancia
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
8PM - Marian Procession (for September 8, Marian YOUTH
Procession)&Healing Prayer with Manto
Venue: Cathedral Grounds
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 8 – 15, 2012
4AM - Bikol Masses
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
5AM - BicolNovenatoOur Lady of Penafrancia
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
5:15AM - Bicol Masses
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
3-7PM - Confessions
Venue: Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Arches
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 (SATURDAY)
2AM - Peñafrancia Marathon
Venue: Majorstreets
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
7AM - Marian Youth Congress
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
8AM -Dog Paradeand Fashion Show
Venue: STI Gymnasium(CBDII)
Sponsor:Naga City VeterinaryOfficeandDept. of Agriculture R5
5PM - Marian Youth Congress Parade
Venue:Naga City ColiseumtoNaga City Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
7PM - Kapamilya Caravan
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: ABS-CBN

SEPTEMBER 9– 14, 2012
7PM - Marian Band Concerts
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral Grounds
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 (SUNDAY)
3PM - That’s My Boy Bicolandia/That’s My BoyNaga City
Venue: LCC Activity Center
Sponsor: Ysabella Productions
6PM - Saludo Concert with KC Concepcion
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor: HEROFoundation, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2012
10PM - Perdon Processions
Venue: Majorstreets
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 (MONDAY)
6PM -Nagueñong Bidang-Bida Rap Contest Finals
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2012
WPPP Goesto Penafrancia 2012 (Seminar-Workshop)
Sponsor:Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the
Philippines

SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 (TUESDAY)
6AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese of Virac,
Bishop Manolo delos Santos
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
8AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese of Libmanan,
Bishop Jose R. Rojas
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
2PM - 8th Inter-Collegiate Basketball
Tournament (CrossOver)
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 (WEDNESDAY)
6AM - RegionalDXLM/BSP/GSP Marching Competition
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City GovernmentandDepEd
6AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese ofDaet,
Bishop Gilbert Garcera
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 13 – 15, 2012
3AM -Dawn Penitential Procession of INA and
Divino Rostro
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to Majorstreets
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 (THURSDAY)
6AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese of Sorsogon,
Bishop Arturo Bastes
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
7AM - CIVIC Paradeand Float Competition
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government
2PM - VOYADORES Festival
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government
6PM -Union of Bicol Clergy,
Bishop Jose Bantolo
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
7PM - RMN-DWNX Concert
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor: RMN-DWNX

SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2012
6AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese of Masbate, Bishop Jose Bantolo
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 (FRIDAY)
6AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese of Masbate, Bishop Jose Bantolo
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
6AM - Regional MILITARY Street Parade Competition
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor:Naga City Government
Assisted by: The Bicol Federation of Activeand Reserve PMT
Commandants&Instructor’s League, Inc., the FraternalOrder of Eagles
&Bicolnon Eagles Association, Inc.
6AM - Pontifical Mass, MilitaryOrdinariate,
Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
2PM - 8th Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament (Finals – Game 1)
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government
6PM - 2012 Penafrancia Fiesta Pa-Raffle parasa Masa
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: Bicolnon Eagles, FraternalOrder of Eagles&BFARCIL
7PM - 24th BicolDance Showdown
Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: RMN-DWNX
9PM - Vigilia de Espigas(Prayer Vigil)
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Sponsor: AdoracionNocturna Filipina
9PM - LCC Midnight Sale
Venue: LCC Mall
Sponsor: LCC Mall

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 (SATURDAY)
6AM - Pontifical Mass, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi,OPDD
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Catheral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
6AM - 26th Regatta Championships
Venue: Penafrancia Landing Arch (Danlugan)
Sponsor: Ginebra San Miguel

SEPTEMBER 16, 2012 (SUNDAY)
SOLEMNITYOFOUR LADYOF PEÑAFRANCIA
6:30AM - Pontifical Mass, Bishop LuciloQuiambao
Venue: Basilica Minore
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
8AM - Pontifical Mass, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi,OPDD
Venue: Basilica Minore
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
9:30AM - Pontifical Mass, Bishop Jose Bantolo
Venue: Basilica Minore
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
11AM - Pontifical Mass, Bishop Jose Sorra
Venue: Basilica Minore
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
3PM - GMA Kapuso Fiesta Mall Show
Venue: SM City –Naga
Sponsor: GMA 7
6PM - Pontifical Mass, Bishop Manolo delos Santos
Venue: Basilica Minore
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres

SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 (MONDAY)
2PM - 8th Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament (Finals-Game 2)
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government

SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 (SATURDAY)
2NDPenafrancia Tatto Arts Festival
Sponsor:Whuatt?! Productions
2PM - 8th Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament (Finals-Game 3)
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor:Naga City Government
10AM - Pontifical Mass,Diocese of Legazpi, Bishop Joel Baylon
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Catheral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
12NN- Ringing of Bells
Venue:Naga Metropolitan Catheral
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
2PM - GRANDFLUVIAL Procession
Venue:Naga River
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
4-6PM - Confessions
Venue: Basilica Minore Grounds
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
6:30PM - Pontifical Mass, Archbishop Luis“Chito” Tagle
Venue: Basilica Minore Grounds
Sponsor: Archdiocese of Caceres
7PM - Handog ng Bombo Radyo at Star FM
sa Peñafrancia| Venue: PlazaQuezon
Sponsor: Bombo Radyo Philippines
7PM - KapusoNight
Venue:Naga City Coliseum
Sponsor: GMA-7

Source: http://naga.gov.ph/news/penafrancia-2012-schedule/

Guinobatan, Albay. The side trip.

Well, my trip to Guinobatan was just a side trip. This was actually not part of my travel itinerary because the main destination for the long weekend trip was Jovellar town in Albay. However, since going to Jovellar, one needs to travel to Guinobatan and from there you ride a jeepney to Jovellar, nagsidetrip na din ako sa Guinobatan. Actually, noong nakaraang long weekend, ang plano namin ng mga kaibigan ko is to go to Jovellar, and then Castilla and then Sorsogon City. Pero nagchange of plan kami when I learned that the last trip of the jeepney from Jovellar to Guinobatan is at 3pm. At dahil 10am na and I’m still waiting for my friend to arrive in Guinobatan from Manila, I just then told her na sa Sorsogon na lang muna kami mauunang pupunta but we’ll just meet first in Guinobatan town.

guinobatan public plaza

municipal hall of guinobatan

So while waiting for her to arrive in Guinobatan, nagikot ikot muna ako sa downtown. I took some pictures of their town plaza, church, town hall and monuments. Nakakaboring din kasi kung wala akong gagawin habang nagaantay. Guinonabatan is actually a simple town. There are no big business establishments there. Pwede mo nga din maikot ang buong downtown in just an hour.  By the way, a famous delicacy in Guinobatan is the rice puto or rice cake. Madami din rice puto or putong bigas sa ibang lugar but in Guinobatan, their putong bigas has a sweet macapuno filling. Marami ang nagtitinda ng delicacy na ito sa may Maharlika Highway malapit sa welcome arch ng Guinobatan. Anyway, that’s my story about Guinobatan. Side trip lang talaga ang town na to kaya wala naman ako masyadong maikwento.hehehe!

Our Lady of Assumption Church

st. benedict academy

Putong Bigas stall

putong bigas with macapuno filling

Searching for the Naglaus Underground River in Jovellar town, Albay.

When I found out a few months ago that there is an underground river in Albay, I got so curious about it. I searched the Internet for information regarding Naglaus Underground River but I only found a handful of information. So a few weeks ago, I invited my friends if they wanted to go with me to Naglaus but only few replied because they already have plans for the long weekend. Kaya ayun, 3 lang kami ng mga kaibigan ko na pumuntaa sa Naglaus, but 3 is a crowd naman di ba?hehehe!

The previous 2 days, we had an adventure in Sorsogon Province. We visited Paguriran Island in Sorsogon City and Malawmawan Island in Castilla. Gagawa na lang ako ng kwento tungkol sa travel ko sa Sorsogon City and Castilla kasi mas excited ako to write this story about Naglaus.hehehe!

entrance to Naglaus Underground River

So on our last day for our Sorsogon and Albay Province adventure, sa Jovellar ang target namin, specifically sa Naglaus Underground River and yung ibang falls. Ayon sa nakuha kong info sa internet, pwede daw pasukin ng banca ang Naglaus and that made me think na baka kagaya nga sya ng sa Palawan.

After namin na magovernight stay sa Malawmawan Island in Castilla, we then travelled to Daraga City to have our breakfast, and then from Daraga we then travelled to Guinobatan town to look for the jeepneys bound for Jovellar.

The town of Jovellar is less than 20 kilometers from Guinobatan town, so after 30 minutes of travel, narating na din namin ang downtown Jovellar. We asked for information from the locals about the tourist destination in Jovellar and they informed us na magkalayo ang Naglaus sa ibang waterfalls and since it was already past 12 when we arrived at Jovellar, we then decided na sa Naglaus na lang pumunta.

After namin bumaba sa jeep, we crossed a river to go to the habal habal or motorcycle terminal bound for Barangay Del Rosario but only to found out na iisa lang yung motor na nakapark at ayaw nila bumyahe dahil maputik daw yung daan at di kakayanin ng motor. They discouraged us not to proceed with our plans because it would take us several hours if we're going to walk to Naglaus, which they said, it is about 8 to 10 kilometers of walk. Sabi nila masyado daw maulan nung gabi bago kami dumating  kaya sobrang maputik ang daan. However, dahil andun na lang din kami, we just then decided to proceed with our plan and go to Naglaus.

We then started walking and true enough, sobrang maputik nga yung daan that we ended up walking barefoot at bitbit ang mga tsinelas namin dahil masyadong madulas at bumabaon sa putik ang aming mga tsinelas. There were some paved roads but most of the roads are unpaved and muddy and some are grassy. You won't even think na may kalsada pala kasi mukha syang palayan or napabayaang lupa lang na puno ng putik at damo. There were also some concrete pathways which are about a meter wide, and I think it is the main road being used by motorcycles since the “actual road” is muddy and non-existent. Sobrang napabayaan nga talaga ng gobyerno ang lugar na yun.

We started walking at around 1 pm and after 2 hours, we reached the forked road going to Naglaus. The road going to the left is the one that we took. That is the road going to Barangay San Isidro and Barangay Del Rosario. The road to the right is for Barangay San Roque and if you go further along that road, you'll be able to reach Donsol, Sorsogon.

From that forked road, we walked for another 45 minutes and then we finally arrived at Barangay San Isidro. We rested for a few minutes and then we walked again for another 15 to 20 minutes before we finally arrived at Barangay Del Rosario. We asked for directions from the barangay and they told us to just continue following the concrete pathways in order for us to reach Naglaus. So we just continued walking until the paved road ended again and we just found ourselves trekking on a dense bush and vegetation. May nakasalubong kaming lalaki na kakatapos lang maglaba and we asked him for direction. Sabi nya ifollow na lang daw namin yung trail at mararating na namin ang Naglaus.

So after walking for almost 20 to 30 minutes from Barangay Del Rosario community area, we finally reached Naglaus. Sobrang layo pala ng lugar. We were exhausted but excited but also disappointed kasi nung dumating kami sa entrance ng Naglaus, wala naman palang banca or guide na pwede na magguide sa amin sa loob. At hindi ko rin mahanap ang flashlight ko kaya we ended up na nagphoto shoot na lang sa harap ng cave. Malaki ang entrance ng cave and I think kasya nga ang mga bangka na katulad ng mga bangka na ginagamit sa Palawan Underground River.

Etrance to Naglaus Underground River

We stayed there for about 15 minutes and then we decided na umuwi na because it was getting late na din and for sure aabutan na kami ng gabi sa paglalakad pauwi. We arrived at Naglaus at around past 4 in the afternoon so that means we walked for more than 3 hours from downtown Jovellar to Naglaus.

Naglakad na kami pabalik  but we dropped by again sa Barangay Del Rosario. We asked some locals if they know someone who owns a motorcycle that we could rent. Pero wala daw at wala daw makakabyahe kasi nga putikan. We were hoping na okay na ang daan kasi uminit na din nung hapon na yun.

After walking back to Barangay San Isidro, we again asked the locals there if they knew someone who owns a motorcycle and luckily, may nagmagandang loob na ihanap kami ng motor. And luckily again, may mga dumating ng motor. Nakakadaan na daw kasi yung mga motor from downtown Jovellar kasi medjo tumigas na daw yung yung putik doon sa mga maputik na daan. We were so happy because it would mean na hindi na kami maglalakad for another 3 hours.

Nagpasalamat kami sa naghanap ng masasakyan namin and then off we go to downtown Jovellar. May mga times na we need to get off sa motorcycle kasi may mga part pa din na maputik but okay lang kasi mas mabilis na yung travel namin pabalik. It only took us 30 minutes of travel from Barangay San Isidro. We paid 75 pesos for each motorcycle kasi 2 motorcycle ang nirentahan namin and 75 pesos naman talaga yung usual fare kaya nagdagdag na din ng tip yung isa kong friend.

Jovellar Public Market

It was already past 5 when we arrived at downtown Jovellar. Pumunta muna kami sa simbahan at nagikot ikot na din ng konti sa Jovellar at nakita na din namin yung park nila at dun na din kami naghanap ng tricycle na marerent namin going back to Guinobatan town. The last trip of jeepneys going back to Guinobatan is 2 pm or sometimes 3 pm kaya ang magrent ng sasakyan na lang ang option namin. We found a tricycle driver who agreed for 220 pesos para ihatid kami sa Guinobatan town. After 30 minutes of travel nakarating na din kami sa Guinobatan and from Guinobatan we rode a jeepney to Ligao City. It was already 7pm when we arrived at Ligao and we decided to go to Ligao City because we have a good chance of catching a bus bound for Manila compared kung sa Guinobatan kami magaabang. Nakasakay agad kami ng bus and me and one of my friend got off at Nabua town and my other friend got off at Naga City. So that's my story about our Jovellar experience. Sobrang nakakapagod but exciting din.

Jovellar Church

Here's a guide on how to go to Naglaus Underground River:

If you're coming from Manila, ride a plane bound for Legazpi City (1hour travel) and from Legazpi City Airport ride a tricycle to central terminal (10minutes travel) and then ride a jeepney bound for Guinobatan town.(30minutes travel)

From Guinobatan, ride a jeepney to Jovellar.(30 minutes travel) The jeepney terminal is located near the Guinobatan public market. From downtown Jovellar, near the public market, cross the river to reach the habal habal or motorcycle terminal bound for Barangay Del Rosario.(5 to 10 minutes’ walk) From there, ride a motorcycle and tell the driver that you're going to Naglaus Underground River so that he will drop you off near the trail going to Naglaus.(30 minutes travel)

If you're coming from Manila, you can also ride a bus to Guinobatan. The travel time is 9 to 12 hours.

You can also ride a plane to Naga Airport, and then from Naga Airport, ride a pedicab going to the highway and then ride a bus bound for Guinobatan.You can also ride a train from Manila to Ligao City. From Ligao City, ride a jeepney or a bus bound for Guinobatan.