Earth Day 2012 in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

Yesterday, while I was making my blog entry for Calabanga, I suddenly stumbled upon on these group of pictures that was taken by me a few months ago.  I was organizing the photos in my folder and I saw the Earth Day event pictures and I wondered whether or not I already did a blog entry about that event and only to find out that I haven’t uploaded and did a story about the said Earth Day 2012 event.

Barangay Cagsao, Calabanga

Anyway, the pictures show the mangrove tree planting activity that was conducted last April during the Earth Day 2012 celebration. The tree planting activity was conducted in Barangay Cagsao, Municipality of Calabanga in Camarines Sur. The activity was sponsored by an NGO which was also participated by different community and school organization. Weeks before the said activity, a friend of mine invited me to join her organization for the tree planting activity. I always want to join activities that benefits the environment so when my friend invited me, I didn’t hesitated to say yes.

The mangrove reforestation site in Calabanga

the volunteers in action

The mangrove plantation in Barangay Cagsao, Calabanga is probably the largest mangrove plantation site in the province. The barangay has been managing the mangrove site for several years now and most of the mangroves that have been planted a few years ago are now about a few meters in height. The mangrove has a lot of benefits to the community. The mangroves help to prevent coastal erosion by stabilizing soil and sediment and it also helps in protecting the coastal community from the waves during storm surge. The mangroves also serves as a spawning ground for many marine animals and this could mean, the community will benefit from the increase numbers of fishes near the mangrove ecosystem.

During the Earth Day event, hundreds of people planted more than a thousand propagules or mangrove seedlings. I know a few years from now, those mangroves that we’ve planted will soon became the home for thousands of marine creatures and this will not only benefit the community in Barangay Cagsao but it will also benefit everyone of us.

Wandering in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

It’s been more than a month since the last time I travelled to a place far from home, so yesterday, I got out of our house and ventured out for a town hopping. I really don’t have a plan for that day. All I really wanted was to travel somewhere or away from the four corners of our house. So after I ate my brunch, I took a bath, nagbihis at nagprepare na ng gamit para magdaytour sa kung saan man na lugar. I thought of going somewhere in Albay but I don’t know where, and I felt a little bit lazy to research for a destination so I just then headed to Naga City and then from Naga City I decided to town hopped to the nearby town. I visited a total of 3 towns yesterday but I’ll just focus my story on the town of Calabanga.

Barangay Cagsao

The town of Calabanga is a big town located north of Naga City. It is about a 30 minute jeepney ride from Naga City Northbound Terminal. Calabanga has a lot to offer for visiting tourist. There are a lot of things to do in this beautiful town.  There are several resorts in the area and there are also several beaches. The town doesn’t boast a white sand beach but there are really some nice beaches in Calabanga.

Every year, during the Holy Week, hundreds of thousands of people flocks to Calabanga to visit the miraculous Amang Hinulid. Devotees walk for several kilometers to show their devotion and then kiss the image of Christ. Amang Hinulid is an image of the Lord Jesus in repose in his tomb. Last year, an estimated of half a million devotees visited Amang Hinulid.

Calabanga is located near the mouth of Bicol River so there’s an abundance of fish supply in the area. One of the famous products in Calabanga is “abo”. It is a kind of dried fish that is commonly sold in Calabanga and nearby municipalities. There are also old churches in Calabanga. Being one of the earliest settlements in Bicol, Calabanga is full of history.

Quipayo Church

Quipayo Church

Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Church or Calabanga Church

Another destination in Calabanga is The Village @ San Bernardino located at Barangay San Bernardino, Calabanga. This resort is also called as LRV Agri-Science Farm. It is a resort with an organic farm. You can go to the resort and pick and buy fresh vegetables and you can even catch a fish at their fishing lagoon.  The resort also offers big rooms and cottages for an overnight stay and they also have a big function hall for different events.

Municipal Hall of Calabanga

One of the cottages at  The Village @ San Bernardino

The Village @ San Bernardino

The Village @ San Bernardino

The Village @ San Bernardino

I only stayed for several hours in Calabanga. I’ve been to this place for so many times since my college years but it was only yesterday that I had that moment to capture a lot of photos of this beautiful town called Calabanga. It was almost about late in the afternoon when I decided to go back to Naga City. Ayoko kasi magpagabi baka maubusan na ng byahe pabalik ng Naga City. I wasn’t been able to visit the other resorts in town but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to visit them someday. In order for you to get to Calabanga, from Naga City Bus Terminal, ride a tricycle to Naga Northbound Terminal. The travel time is 10 minutes. And then from Northbound Terminal, ride a jeepney bound for Calabanga. The travel time is 30 minutes. Fare is 20 to 25 pesos. So that’s for now! Kagaya nga ng laging sinasabi ng mga Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, COWABUNGA Dudes!!!!!  Sounds like Calabanga Dudes!!!! Hehehehe!