Peñafrancia Festival 2014

Every September, the Peñafrancia Festival is being celebrated in Naga City, Camarines Sur. So here's the schedule for the 2014 Peñafrancia Festival.

Major Events Schedule

September 11, 2014

7pm - Miss Bicolandia 2014

Venue: Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum

September 11-21, 2014

All day - Bishop Gainza Trade Fair

Venue: Elias Angeles Street. In front of Veterans Bank

September 13, 2014

7am - Regional Band-Majorette-Fancy Drill Competition

Venue: Plaza Quezon

8am - Marian Youth Congress

Venue: Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum

September 14, 2014

5am - 4th Naga City Highland Triathlon

Venue: Metro Naga Sports Complex

3pm - 2nd Regional Cheer and Dance Competition

Venue: Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum

September 17, 2014

7am - Regional BSP-GSP Parade and DXM Competition

September 17-21, 2014

All day - Bicol Travel and Food Expo

Venue: Avenue Hotel Parking Area (Avenue Tent)

September 18, 2014

7am - Civic Parade and Float Competition

Venue: Plaza Quezon

3pm - Peñafrancia Voyadores Festival 2014

Venue: Plaza Quezon

September 19, 2014

6am - Aldaw nin Katalingkasan sa Espanya

Venue: Plaza de Nueva Caceres

7am - Regional Military Parade

Venue: Plaza Quezon

September 20, 2014

6am - Regatta sa Salog

Venue: Reina del Bicol Landing (Dahogan ni Ina)

12pm - Fluvial Procession

Venue: Reina del Bicol Landing (Dahogan ni Ina)

September 21, 2014

All day - Solemnity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia

September 22, 2014

5pm - 2nd Peñafrancia Short Film Festival Awards Night

Venue: Universidad de Sta. Isabel Auditorium

Source: Naga Smiles to the World Facebook page

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/

My Top 10 Philippine Roman Catholic Churches

I am a great admirer of different beautiful architecture, and the Philippine churches are one of the few architecture that I admire. Whenever I go to different municipalities and cities around the country, I find ways to visit its town church and make some photo shoot. Aside from the different tourist destination on a certain municipality or city, I also visit its city/town hall, park and its town church.

So here are my top 10 favorites:

1. Calbayog Cathedral, Calbayog City, Samar Province
2. Holy Cross Church, Nabua, Camarines Sur
3. Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral. Naga City, Camarines Sur
4. St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Tabaco City, Albay
5. Taal Cathedral de San Sebastian, Taal, Batangas
6. Basilica Minore. Naga City, Camarines Sur
7. Caleruega Church, Nasugbu, Batangas
8. Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
9. St. Williams Cathedral, Laoag, Ilocos Norte
10. Vigan Cathedral, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Calbayog Cathedral, Calbayog City, Samar Province

Holy Cross Church, Nabua, Camarines Sur

Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral. Naga City, Camarines Sur

St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Tabaco City, Albay

Taal Cathedral de San Sebastian, Taal, Batangas

Basilica Minore. Naga City, Camarines Sur

Caleruega Church, Nasugbu, Batangas

Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

St. Williams Cathedral, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Vigan Cathedral, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Affordable Food Destinations in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

So you’re in Naga City for a vacation, and you’re on a tight budget, or maybe you just want to make a food trip, and you’re looking for an affordable place to eat in Naga City, and you’ve search Google for information regarding Naga City, and you’ve landed on my website, THEN, good for you because I just have the information that can sort of help you. Pero kung ayaw mo sa webpage na to eh di ano…eh… please....’wag mong iclose…basahin mo naman muna oh! Hehehe! Nagmakaawa talaga..hehehe!

Anyway, I have listed here several locations in Naga City where you can find affordable restaurants, karinderia, turo-turo and famous streets for affordable foods in Naga City.

1. Naga Garden Restaurant

This restaurant is located at Panganiban Drive, near Plaza Rizal. The restaurant is famous for toasted siopao and the yummy lomi. They also serve some bicolano dishes at an affordable price.

Naga Garden Restaurant

2. Mama Eñga Restaurant

If you’re looking for authentic bicolano dishes, then go to this restaurant located at Peñafrancia Avenue, in front of Emily Theater. The restaurant is just a small restaurant near the famous The Park restaurant of Crown Hotel. Mama Eñga serves affordable and delicious bicolano dishes such as pinangat, laing and bicol express.

Mama Eñga

3. Geewan Restaurant

Now, if you want a little bit of classy but affordable restaurant offering bicolano dishes, then proceed to Geewan Restaurant located at P.Burgos Street, near Plaza Quezon (at the back of the grandstand) This restaurant offers different dishes including bicolano dishes. Turo turo style ang restaurant na to pero medjo may pagkakonting sosyal but affordable still to people on a tight budget.

Geewan Restaurant

4. Ateneo Avenue

This street is full of karinderia and affordable places to eat. Most of the people eating in this area are students, given the fact that this is near the two big universities in Naga City. You’ll find affordable budget meals here, mga pang student price, but don’t expect too much here. Mga simpleng kainan lang ang andito. Meron din medjo classy na karinderia and still mura pa din ang presyo.

Ateneo Avenue

5. Cely’s Eatery

Ahhh, the famous Aling Cely’s. This eatery is famous for kinalas, a flavorful noodle soup with slice of beef and thick sauce. Madalas akong pumupunta dito nung college pa ako kasi dito ang takbuhan ko kapag limited ang budget ko bilang studyante. This place is always full of customers during late in the afternoon. Aside from kinalas, they also offer goto, maruya, puto and other snacks. This is located in Barlin Street corner Dimasalang Street. This eatery is near the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.

Cely's Eatery

6. Dayangdang Street

Just mention this street to the tricycle driver and tell them to bring you to Kinalasan and I’m pretty sure they know where to bring you. This street is famous for Kinalas, a flavorful noodle soup with slice of beef and thick sauce. There are few eateries here offering kinalas and one of them is Kinalas Twin.

Dayangdang Street

7. Naga City Plaza Rizal Skating Rink

The skating rink was converted into a place for street food stalls. There are plenty of stalls here offering kwek kwek, fishballs, and other street foods. During late in the afternoon, this place is full of students and other people who want to eat some quick foods.

Naga city street food

8. Paksiwan at Kainan. Infront of SM Naga City

There are a lot of paksiwan and karinderia infront of SM Naga City. There are also several karinderia around SM Naga City. You have several dining option inside SM and outside SM Naga so if you have a tight budget, you can find a lot of eateries in this area.

Paksiwan near SM Naga City

9. San Francisco

This is the most famous food location in Naga City when it comes to cheap foods. There are a lot of stalls here that offers affordable foods. Turo turo style ang pagkain dito. You can have a meal here for as low as 15 pesos and if you have a 100 pesos budget, I’m pretty sure it will go a long way, to the extent that you can even treat your friends for a lunch or dinner with that kind of budget. Sobrang mura ang mga meal dito but don’t expect much kasi open air ang lugar na to and medjo madami ang tao dito specially during lunch time. This place is located at Peñafrancia Avenue, infront of EMall, and near the San Francisco Church.

San Francisco

8. Magsaysay Avenue

This is the famous avenue in Naga City. This is where you’re going to find lots of restaurants, hotels, bars and other businesses. This is the nightlife center of Naga City. You can find here restaurants that offer different cuisine. There are also a lot of affordable restaurants here and several expensive restaurants too.

Magsaysay Avenue

Cereza, Magsaysay Avenue

So there you have, those are the locations that you can check for an affordable places to eat in Naga City. I hope you'll enjoy your stay in Naga City.

Why I hate the local buses in the Bicol Region.

I’ve been riding buses in the Bicol Region ever since I was a child and I have to say that how they operate is just getting worst each passing year. There are several kinds of provincial buses in the Bicol Region. You have the airconditioned and non-airconditioned buses plying the Manila to Bicol route, the airconditioned buses plying the Naga City to Legazpi City route and the ordinary buses or non-airconditioned buses connecting the different provinces in Bicol. What I hate most is riding the non-airconditioned buses plying the Naga City to Legazpi City route.

Naga-Lagonoy bound buses

During my elementary and high school years, our family would go to Naga City once in a while para mamasyal at pumunta sa mga pinsan namin and travelling by ordinary bus would take about 1 hour of travel. It was fast then to travel to Naga from our house in Iriga City, which is about more or less 40 kilometers  of travel. During the late 80’s and the 90’s there were only few bus companies operating that route. With too little competition, hindi gaanong naguunahan na makakuha ng pasahero ang mga bus.

When I was in college, I also ride the ordinary bus very often since every week I have to go home to Iriga City but during my college years, nauso na din ang mga passenger van so I also have that option to ride a van. I usually don’t ride a van back then because it takes a while for a van to be in its full seating capacity since the van leaves the terminal only if it is on its full capacity. Another reason I don’t ride the van during my college years is that it is a little bit pricey for a student. I think it was 10 or 20 pesos much expensive than the fare in the ordinary bus. The ordinary bus travel time back in my college years was about an hour sometimes less than an hour or an hour and few minutes more. I also have the option to ride an airconditioned bus bound for Legazpi but it is out of way going to our house since all airconditioned bus plying the Naga-Legazpi route always use the diversion road and it doesn’t pass by Iriga City.

Naga-Legazpi bound buses

After college, I stayed in Manila for more than 5 years and then I decided to go back to Bicol for good since I am now working online. I am now more disappointed than ever when riding a bus kasi lalo na silang lumala to the point na maiinis ka na sa kabagalan ng patakbo nila at sobrang masasayang ang oras mo kung sasakay ka ng ordinary bus plying the Naga-Legazpi route.

Naga City to Legazpi City is, I think, less than 100 kilometers in distance and if you’ll travel by private car, it would only take you 1.5 to 2 hours of travel. If you’ll be travelling by passenger van, it would take you about 2 to 2.5 hours of travel. And if you’ll be travelling by airconditioned bus, it would take you 2.5 to 3.5 hours of travel. But if you’ll be travelling by the non-airconditioned/ordinary bus, it would take you a lifetime and eons maybe!! Hehehe! No, kidding aside, travelling to Legazpi City from Naga City via ordinary/non-airconditioned bus would take you about 3.5 to 5 hours of travel. Just imagine the time you will be wasting by riding these kinds of buses. So if you’re in a hurry and you don’t want to waste your precious time, NEVER EVER EVER EVER RIDE THE ORDINARY BUSES OR EVEN THE AIRCONDITIONED BUSES in Bicol, specifically those buses plying the Naga City to Legazpi City.

Iriga City Bus Terminal

Naga City Bus Terminal

Naga City Central Bus Terminal

I still ride the ordinary bus today because the people living in Iriga only have 2 options. It’s either to ride a van or the ordinary bus. I am not really a passenger van fanatic since most of the time, passengers were cramped inside the van. Medjo naiipit kasi ang tuhod ko sa van kasi medjo matangkad ako. So what I usually do is to ride an ordinary bus to the next town, and then from Baao town, I’ll ride again an airconditioned bus which is a BIT faster compared to the ordinary bus. If I ride an ordinary bus to Naga City from Iriga, it would take me 1.5 hours to 2 hours of travel. By transferring to an airconditioned bus in the neighboring town of Iriga, which is Baao town, I cut my travel time to just 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, therefore I don’t have to waste extra 15 or 30 minutes. Wala kasing aircon bus na dumadaan sa Iriga kasi sa diversion road dumadaan lahat ng aircon bus.

In Metro Manila, naguunahan at nagkakarera ang mga bus para makakuha ng pasahero but in Bicol, it is the opposite. Binabagalan nila ang patakbo nila para makakuha daw ng mas maraming pasahero. The word “bagal” here is equivalent to a travelling speed of 10 to 30 kilometers per hour. Kasing bagal yan ng tricycle at minsan mas mabilis pa ang bicycle. Yung Iriga City to Baao town nga na 7 to 8 kilometers lang ang layo ay inaabot na ng 20 minutes na travel. These buses don’t care much about their passengers. They are more concerned about the income na kikitain nila at wala silang pakiaalam kung nagrereklamo na ang mga pasahero or ma-late sa office ang mga pasahero nila. They just don’t care. And once na nagreklamo ka sa driver or sa bus conductor, sasabihin pa nila sayo na kung gusto mo daw ng mabilis na byahe, bumili ka na lang daw ng sarili mong sasakyan or sumakay ka na lang ng van or sisisihin ka pa nila na alam mo naman daw na mabagal ang bus bakit daw sumakay ka pa sa kanila.

provincial buses in Bicol

Another reason it takes them longer time to reach their destination is the longer waiting time in bus stops. The Iriga City to Naga City route will pass by 3 towns and there are about 4 bus stops, and that doesn’t include the stops being made to pick up every passenger na nakikita nila sa kalsada and yung mga stops every time na may bumababa na pasahero. In every bus stop, the bus waits for about 5 to 15 minutes, and usually ang nangyayari ay hihintayin muna nila na dumating yung isa pang bus na sumusunod sa kanila bago sila umalis sa bus stop and it really doesn’t matter kahit 10 to 15 minutes pa ang layo ng next bus na sumusunod sa kanila. By computing 4 bus stops multiplied by an average of 10 minutes, that means 40 minutes na agad ang nasayang mo sa loob ng bus.

Marami pang mga bad practices ang mga bus companies sa Bicol and I’ve been to some provinces na din sa Pilipinas at masasabi ko na talagang nakakainis din ang service na ibinibigay ng mga bus companies dito sa Bicol lalong lalo na ang mga ordinary/non-airconditioned buses. Okay lang sumakay sa ordinary bus kung short distance lang ang pupuntahan nyo, mga 5 kilometers or less but if you’re travelling for a long distance, NEVER EVER EVER RIDE the local provincial bus kung ayaw nyo masayang ang oras nyo. Better ride a passenger van na lang or kausapin nyo na lang ang mga Manila-bound buses na kung pwede pasakayin kayo para mas mabilis ang byahe nyo.

Naga City, Camarines Sur. The Heart of Bicol.

The Heart of Bicol, this is what Naga City is. It is a vibrant city located in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. I lived in this city for several years and Naga City was my home during my college years. I enjoy staying at this city and this is sort of my second home. This is where most of my friends live and this where I always go when I feel a little bit bored. You know, in Naga City there’s a lot of things to do. You’ll never run out of things to do while you’re in the city. I love this city because it’s a lively city. Most of the things that I want and need are available in this city. There are a lot of shops, malls, restaurants and other business establishments in the city.

Malabsay Falls, Brgy. Panicuason

Malabsay Falls, Brgy. Panicuason

Naga City is one of the oldest cities in the Philippines. In fact, it is one of the earliest Spanish settlements in the Philippines just like Cebu and Manila. Naga City is the third Spanish royal city in the Philippine islands, after Cebu and Manila. There are 3 Naga in the Philippines. One is in Cebu Province and the other one is in Zamboanga Sibugay province. Naga City in Camarines Sur province is considered as the Heart of the Bicolandia since it is strategically located in the center of the Bicol Region. Naga City is also the economic center of the Bicol Region. There are a lot of businesses and economic activities in Naga.

Naga City Public Market

Naga City PNR Station

Naga City is also the educational center of Bicol due to fact that there are a lot of universities and colleges located in Naga. Some of these schools are Ateneo De Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres and Universidad de Sta. Isabel. As a trivia, Universidad de Sta. Isabel is the first normal school for girls in the Philippines. This school was established in 1867.

The city has a lot of tourist destination and one them is the majestic Mt. Isarog, which is also shared amongst several other municipalities in Camarines Sur. One of the destinations in the city is the Malabsay Falls located in Barangay Panicuason, Naga City. A waterfall tucked in the lush forest of Mt. Isarog. An hour hike from Malabsay Falls is another waterfalls called Nabontolan Falls. There’s also a beautiful resort near Malabsay Falls, the Stonehouse Resort. If you don’t want the cold waters of the waterfalls, then you have that option to go to the nearby hotspring called Panicuason Hot Spring Resort. The last time that I got there, the entrance fee was 200 pesos per person and that was a year ago. Barangay Panicuason can be reached from the city proper by riding a jeepney bound for Panicuason. The travel time is about 30 minutes. And then in order to reach Malabsay falls, you’ll need to hike for at least 30 minutes.

Panicuason Hot Spring

There are also several resorts in Naga City. And if you go to the mountain barangays of Naga City, you’ll have several resorts to choose from. A new adventure park in Naga City is now operational. It is the Haciendas de Naga Adventure Park located in Barangay Carolina, Naga City. It is just a 20 minutes jeepney ride from downtown Naga City. The adventure has its pili tree plantation, a zipline, and a 9-hole golf course.

Peñafrancia Shrine

In downtown Naga City, you’ll have plenty of sites to visit and most of them are historical sites. Visit the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica Minore, the San Francisco Church and the Penafrancia Shrine. Every third week of September, Naga City celebrates the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, popularly known as the Peñafrancia Festival in honor of Our Lady of Lady of Peñafrancia. This is one of largest religious festival in the Philippines. Hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists flocks to the city from different parts of the world to witness and experience the fiesta. Most of the devotees flock to Naga City to visit Our Lady of Lady of Peñafrancia.

  

Plaza de Nueva Caceres

Basilica Minore

Basilica Minore

There are also a lot of restaurants and malls in the city. You can hop from one restaurant to another to satisfy your food cravings. The Magsaysay Avenue is one of the places where you can indulge on a food trip. There are a lot of restaurant to choose from. There are bicol cuisine, Filipino and international cuisine.  There are also lot of hotels in this city, and the hotel boom started when Camarines Sur, the CWC and Caramoan started gaining popularity in the tourism sector. And since Naga City is the nearest city from the airport, most tourists will drop by and stay at Naga City upon arrival at CamSur or before going out of Camarines Sur.

Surely, this city won’t disappoint you. And I can say that this city is also the busiest city in the Bicol Region. This is my second home and I love Naga City. So guys, if you’re planning for your next vacation, how about considering Naga City as your next destination.  You’ll surely love Naga City. As what Nagueños always say, “Dagos po kamo sa Maogmang Lugar.” Oh, by the way, dagos means welcome and maogma means happy.hehehehe!

Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

Plaza Quince Martires

Porta Mariae, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

How to get to Naga City:

By Plane:

Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines have several daily flights to Naga Airport. From Naga Airport, located in the town of Pili, you can ride a bus, jeepney or a taxi bound for Naga City. The airport is about 15 to 30 minutes ride to Naga City. If you’ll be commuting to Naga City from the airport, then ride a pedicab going to the national highway, that’s about 5 to 10 minutes ride, the fare is 10 pesos. From the highway, there are a lot of jeepneys and buses bound for Naga City and you can choose what mode of transportation you want. For buses, the travel time is 20 to 30 minutes and the fare is 10 pesos.

By Bus:

From Manila, there are several buses bound to Bicol region. Ride a bus going to Naga City. There are a number of bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, that have buses bound for Naga City. There are also bus terminals in Pasay City, near Pasay Rotonda. The usual travel time from Metro Manila to Naga City is 8 to 10 hours. The fare ranges from 500 to 1200 pesos for air-conditioned buses and 350 to 500 pesos for non-airconditioned buses.

By Train:

The PNR has a daily train schedule for the Manila-Naga City route. The train departs at Tutuban Station in Manila every 6pm and 8:30pm and arrives at Naga City at around 4am the next day. The usual travel time is 10 to 12 hours. In Naga City, the train departs for Manila at around 6pm and 8:30pm also. 

The Vinzons and Mercedes, Camarines Norte Travel

Few months ago, a friend of mine invited me to join them on their Calaguas Island trip for the summer, and since Calaguas is one of my favourite islands, I never hesitate to say yes. Even though I’ve been to Calaguas twice already, I’m still excited to go to that island. So last April, the last weekend of April, we were set for a beach bumming in Calaguas. At first, I thought the original plan was whole day Saturday to Monday, but only to found out that we will only be at Calaguas on Sunday and Monday morning.

the beautiful sea of Calaguas

Weeks before the said beach bumming, I already cleared all my schedules for the weekend until Monday. But since my friend informed me that we will be leaving on a Saturday afternoon, I then have the whole morning as a free time. Well, I don’t want to waste the entire morning sitting in our house so I then texted my friend that I will be leaving earlier than the group’s original schedule. Sabi ko sa kanila mauuna na lang akong pupunta ng Camarines Norte, kasi gusto ko din magikot ikot sa Daet and nearby towns.

So on that Saturday morning, at 8am, I left our house and travelled all the way to Naga City. And then at Naga City, since I am on a budget trip, I just decided to take the ordinary bus going to Daet town instead of riding a passenger van to Daet. The fare for the bus is 110 pesos while the fare for the van is 188 pesos. It’s a huge savings. Even though it would take me longer to reach Daet by riding a bus, it doesn’t really matter since I am not in a hurry. The meeting time of the group in Naga City was 2pm. And for me, I will just be meeting them when they arrived in Daet by around 4pm or 5pm.  The travel time for the bus from Naga City to Daet is 3 hours, while for the van, the travel time is 2 hours.

I just slept on the bus for most of the entire 3 hour travel. I was so sleepy because I wasn’t been able to get a good sleep the night before. Upon arrival at Daet, I asked for directions on how to go to Vinzons. Our group has two options on how to go to Calaguas. The first option is via Paracale and the second option is via Vinzons. For the past 2 Calaguas travels that I did, I always took the Paracale route due to the fact that it is much nearer to Calaguas and boats in Paracale are much cheaper than in Vinzons.

Central Terminal, Daet, Camarines Norte

Anyway, I was then directed by locals that I should take a tricycle going to central terminal and from there, I could catch a jeepney bound for Vinzons. The tricycle fare from Daet van and bus terminal to central terminal is 8 pesos. When I arrived at the central terminal, the jeepney bound for Vinzons was about to leave so it was already full. Kesa naman magantay na naman ako, sumakay na lang ako sa jeep kahit na sumabit na lang ako. The jeepney ride from Daet to Vinzons is just about 15 minutes and the fare is 15 pesos. From the Vinzons poblacion, I then rode a tricycle bound for Minaogan. This is where the port of Vinzons is located. From there, I asked for the price of boats that we could rent going to Calaguas island. And since it was summer and it was also a weekend, most of the boats have already been rented by other groups and there are only few options left for me. The cheapest that I got was 6000 pesos pero natawad ko na lang ng 5000. We were 14 in the group and we need a bigger boat. I relayed the info to my group and we all agreed that it would be much cheaper for the group if sa Vinzons na lang kami sasakay because if we will travel all the way to Paracale, it would cost us another 1400 for the fare from Daet to Paracale.

Vinzons Port, Minaogan

Jeepney terminal in Vinzons, Camarines Norte

After kong makapagnegotiate sa bangka, umalis na din ako sa port and proceeded to downtown Vinzons, nagwalking tour lang ako kasi maaga pa naman and my friends are still in Naga City. I took some pictures of Vinzons landmarks:  the Vinzon’s town hall, plaza, and its old town church, the Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Vinzons which is the oldest church in Camarines Norte. And then after taking some pictures umalis na din ako pabalik ng Daet. From Daet, I then decided to go to another neighbouring town which is Mercedes.

Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Vinzons

Vinzons Municipal Hall

The town of Mercedes is just a 15 minute jeepney ride from Daet. The fare is 10 pesos. The town also has its own tourist destination. There are 7 beautiful islands off the coast of Mercedes. I don’t have plans of island hopping on that day since I know it would be expensive to island hop alone, and besides, in a few hours I’ll be meeting my friends in Daet who’ll be arriving from Naga City. So what I did in Mercedes was just some information gathering and a walking tour. I took some pictures of their known landmarks; their fish port, church, the Baybay Beach and the town hall. I also had the chance to talk to the town secretary and he shared to me the information regarding the tourist destinations in their town. After chit chatting for a few minutes, I then decided to go back to Daet to meet my friends. It was also beginning to get dark so I rode a jeepney back to Daet.

Mercedes Municipal Hall

Mercedes Fish Port

the church in Mercedes

Baybay Beach, Mercedes

At around 6 pm, my friends arrived in Daet and we then buy some stuff and foods at the market na lulutuin namin kinabukasan as our breakfast and lunch and also foods that we would be bringing to Calaguas. Nakitulog kami sa bahay ng isa sa mga kaibigan ng kaibigan ko and uminom kami buong gabi. Actually I got drunk kaya kinabukasan hilong hilo ako, uminom kasi ng uminom eh! hehehe! We woke up early in the morning so that we could travel early to Calaguas. We rented a tricycle in Daet that could bring us to Vinzons port. We paid the driver 20 pesos per person for the Daet to Vinzons trip. When we arrived at the port, the boat was already waiting for us so we then boarded the boat immediately. So ayun, dahil lasing pa ako, natulog na lang ako sa buong byahe. Sa sobrang tulog ko di ko na nga namalayan na nakatulog ako sa part ng boat na walang bubong kaya ang resulta ay nasunog agad ang balat ko.hahaha!

Mt. Labo, Camarines Norte

Anyway, after 3 hours of travel, we finally arrived at Calaguas. Ahhhhh, ohhhhh, finally, nakita ko na naman ang magandang Calaguas. I don’t know what it is in this island that always makes me want to visit it again. The island is so beautiful and so unique. Even though there are a lot of people in the island compared to my previous visits in which I and some of my friends are the only people in the beach, the island is still beautiful to my eyes.

Calaguas beach

So after setting foot at the beach, we then pitched our tent. We didn’t bother to get a cottage since most of the cottages are occupied. There is a 100 pesos entrance fee in the resort plus another 20 pesos environmental fee that is being collected by the barangay. The Mahabang Buhangin is part of Barangay Mangkawayan of Tinaga Island and Tinaga Island is just one of the islands of the Calaguas Group of Islands of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.

Naglunch na agad kami and some of my friends started walking along the beach and some just slept at the beach. At siempre ako ay natulog lang din ng ilang oras. So most of our stay in Calaguas we just sleep, swim and eat and then repeat again, sleep, swim and eat. Nagpakabum lang talaga kami.hehehe!

Calaguas, Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Sunset at Calaguas

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas, Vinzons, CamNorte

Nagikot ikot din kami sa isla and I toured some of my friends to the other cove and to the community in the island since kabisado ko na din ang mga trail kasi pang 3^rd time ko na sa isla. So by Monday morning, we left the island na and travelled back to Vinzons. At the Vinzons port, the van that my friends have contracted was already waiting for us. We boarded the van and kahit medjo siksikan kami it doesn’t really matter. And since it was already 12 noon when we arrived at Vinzons, we instructed the driver to have a stopover at Daet so that we could take our lunch. Dumaan na lang kami sa isang fastfood chain and then after eating lunch, we travelled na to Naga City. After 2 hours of travel, we finally arrived at Naga City and then umuwi na din kami sa kanya kanyang destination. Actually, hindi naman pala ako agad umuwi because 2 of my friends wants to have some drinking session. May natira pa kasing 1 bottle of brandy kaya inubos na lang namin yun.hehehe! So far, our Calaguas adventure was fun. Even though it was already my 3^rd time to visit that island, nagenjoy pa din ako kasi iba din yung mga taong kasama ko and it was also my first time to travel via Vinzons route.

Sunrise at Calaguas

Calaguas beach

the other cove in Calaguas

There were a lot of changes na nangyari sa Calaguas. Mas marami na ang tao na nakakaalam ng lugar and mas madami na din ang pumupunta dun compared 2 years ago na konti pa lang ang mga pumupunta dun. Dumami na din ang mga basura na nakita ko sa beach and I hope the Barangay Council should do something to address this problem. And I also hope that people that are going in Calaguas should also be a responsible tourist para mapanatili pa din ang kagandahan ng isla. I hope the island will remain undeveloped and not end up being like Boracay, Puerto Galera or even like the Anawangin in Zambales.