A Rich Harvest for 10th Ateneo National Writers Workshop

source: Gerry S. Rubio | voxbikol.com

If poets, as Ann Lauterbach forwards, protect language from serving any master, then this year’s Ateneo National Writers Workshop (ANWW) more that proved this truism, considering the dynamism and sovereignty of its literary genres, as well as its fellows and panelists.

It was indeed a rich harvest of 24 literary pieces from 12 writing fellows in three session days in the 10th Ateneo National Writers Workshop held on October 25-27, 2010 at Instructional Media Center, Ateneo de Naga University. The workshop received a generous endowment from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and from the Office of the President, Ateneo de Naga University.

An exhaustive critiquing of the writer’s outputs was done by 13-member panel comprised of Dr. Benilda S. Santos, Dr. Michael Coroza, Dr. Alvin Yapan, Prof. D.M. Reyes, Dr. Jazmin Llana, Kristian Cordero, Carlo Arejola, Mikael Co, Allain Derain, Jayson Jacobo, Alwynn Javier, Marco Lopez, Frank Peñones Jr. and Vic Nierva.

This year’s fellows were Rodel Añosa (Masbate), poetry in Bikol; Jimple Borlagdan (Tabaco, Albay), fiction in Bikol; Maureen Gaddi dela Cruz (San Pedro, Laguna), poetry in Filipino; Glenn Diaz (Manila City), fiction in English; Noel Fortun (Las Piñas City), Poetry in Filipino; Adrian, Remodo (Naga City), Poetry in Bikol; Gerry S. Rubio (Virac, Catanduanes), Poetry in Bikol; Alyza Mae Timbol Taguilaso (Quezon City), Poetry in English; Michele Abigail Tiu Tan (Quezon City), fiction in English; Eduardo Uy (Gubat, Sorsogon), Poetry in Bikol, and Arnold Matencio Valledor (Panganiban, Catanduanes), fiction in Filipino.

The inclusion of Bikol literature in the annual workshop is in line with the development and promotion of regional creative writing across the country being cornerstones in Philippine literature.

Kristian Cordero and Yolando Jamendang served as the workshop directors, with Mitch Cerda and Mark Benedict Lim as workshop coordinators.

Dr. Danny Gerona, Director of the Institute of Bikol Culture and History and professor of Ateneo de Naga University delivered the keynote address during the opening program. The region’s acknowledged historian cited Bikol’s rich history in culture and the arts, where literature had already started to flourish even before Spanish times.

The annual fellowship in creative writing, which is organized by the Ateneo Institute for Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP), Ateneo de Manila University, is bestowed upon emerging writers across the nation.  It immerses the fellows in the “fundamentals of writing as a craft, art, and philosophical engagement so that they can enter the mainstream of Philippine Literature with a sense of responsibility that adds depth and direction to national cultural practices.”

Meanwhile, Naga City Mayor John Bongat feted the workshop fellows and panelists at Bob Marlin at Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.  The night illuminated with the literary-musical performances of selected fellows and panelists, including its special guest, Mrs. Sonia Roco who sang the classic Tagalog love song ‘Saan ka Man Naroon.’

Another significant activity of the workshop was the Bikol Night mounted by the Ateneo de Naga University.  The workshop panelists, fellows, and guests were treated to an evening of poetry readings by Kabulig members, a Bicol literary group and selected fellows, and were serenaded by the AdNU Chorale and the city-based standup comedians and singing trio Pork Barrel. Poets Benilda Santos and DM Reyes were also honored during the Kabanggihan.

A tree planting activity by the panelists, fellows and workshop organizers at Pacol, Naga City served as a fitting kick off for the 10th ANWW’s graduation ceremonies held at Panicuason Resort in Barangay Panicuason, Naga City. (Gerry S. Rubio, Virac, Catanduanes)

Buhi Fish Kill Caused by Highly Polluted Waters –BFAR

source: RA Canabe |voxbikol.com

Lake Buhi in Camarines, Philippines

Legazpi City (12 November) — The massive fish kill that hit Lake Buhi on October 29, 2010 was caused by highly polluted waters according to the water quality monitoring conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office No. 5.

Water quality survey was conducted with the physical and chemical parameters tests such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide. The first sampling was done in five stations on November 2, 2010 while the second test was conducted in eleven stations two days later.

Based on the results obtained, Lake Buhi has very low dissolved oxygen content and very high ammonia nitrogen concentration as compared to the optimum ranges set by the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Moreover, very high traces of hydrogen sulfide was detected in five sampling stations during the water quality monitoring conducted on November 4. This critical water condition of the lake probably led to the massive fish kill in Lake Buhi.

Low dissolved oxygen (or low volumes of oxygen in the water) occurs when water temperature rise and stratification occurs during respiration of plants and fish and during aerobic decomposition of organic matter. Under low dissolved oxygen, fishes will have poor growth, be prone to diseases or even die.

It was also observed that about one-fourth of the lake is covered by water hyacinth which contributed to the depletion of dissolved oxygen by blocking the sources of oxygen such as photosynthetic activity by phytoplankton and wind aeration.

Meanwhile, ammonia (NH3) is the major end product of protein catabolism excreted by fish. Its unionized form called UIA is highly toxic. It is caused by decomposed organic matters like unconsumed feeds and fertilizers, industrial and domestic wastes and decomposition of phytoplankton.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a poisonous gas which arises from a by-product of decaying and decomposed organic matters like unconsumed feeds, plant debris, dead phytoplankton and fish feces. Too much of this will cause mass mortality due to suffocation and hemorrhages in gills of fish.

These results were presented by Irmi Mora, BFAR Regional Fish Health Officer to municipal officials of Buhi on November 6, 2010 during a meeting held at the town’s session hall. Also present in this activity was a team from the Environment Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office of the Province of Camarines Sur headed by Luzena Bermeo; Caridad Roxas, Fishery Division Chief of the Provincial Agriculture Office and Central Bicol State University for Agriculture Environment Science Professor Joyce de la Trinidad.

The 2007 data of the local government of Buhi showed that there were 15,597 registered fish cages that occupy 226 hectares of the 1,707 hectare lake. However, Lake Development Officer Ronilo Leal said that there are more to this figure with the growing number of unregistered fish cages.

Fish cages in the lake produce 9 to 10 tons of tilapia daily. About 100 tons of tilapia and other fish stocks was lost due to the recent fish kill with an economic value of P80 million.

Section 51 of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code limits aquaculture activities such as fish cages and fish pens in lakes to only 10% of the lake’s surface area. Ideally, the allowable percentage specified by law for fish cage culture in Lake Buhi should not exceed 170 hectares. However, the registered fish cages in Buhi Lake alone exceeded the allowable percentage.

Municipal Councilor Zaldy Arcilla commented that the implementation of this national law can have more teeth once the municipal fishery ordinance (which is now on its second reading) is approved. He admitted that up to ninety percent of the lake has been occupied by fish cages contrary to the prescribed ten percent. He added though that the other lake resource users such as the National Power Corporation‘s Hydro Electric Plant and the National Irrigation Administration’s controlled structure in Tabao River complicates the problem of increasing siltation of the lake by blocking the lake’s outlet in washing out sediment and water hyacinth.

Municipal Administrator Beethoven Nachor presided over the meeting representing Mayor Rey Lacoste who was on official travel. He proposed a stakeholders conference to be attended by fish cage operators and marginal fisherfolk with BFAR officials and other researchers as resource speakers.

BFAR-Bicol Regional Director Dennis del Socorro for his part said that regular water quality surveys will be done by his office at least once a week and support remedial measures in coordination with the Local Government Unit such as capacity building trainings, provision of alternative livelihood to displaced fisherfolk and fish stock enhancement in Lake Buhi.

Phl women rowers rule Camsur tilts

source: philstar.com

The Philippine women’s team dominateds the 400-meter Mixed Division and Women’s Division in the CamSur dragonboat finale with clockings of 1:44:44 and 3:35:90, respectively.

MANILA, Philippines – The national women’s team stamped its class in the Cobra Camsur International Dragonboat Festival, ruling the 400m finals and the 400m mixed finals at the Lago del Rey, Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Camarines Sur recently.

The Phl ladies squad churned out a 3:35.90 clocking to beat Camarines Sur, the Philippine National Police and the Fleet Marine teams in the 400m finals of the event hosted by Camsur Gov. Lray Villafuerte.

The national team then bested Fleet Marine and Camarines Sur Teams A and B for the mixed crown with a 1:44:44 clocking in the event which drew a total of 63 dragonboat teams and which staked a total prize money of $18,000.

The Philippine Army, on the other hand, captured the men’s 400m division crown in 1:37:38, beating Fleet Marine, Camarines Sur, and newcomer Team Buhi-Iraya, a team composed of fisher folks from Buhi Lake.

Overall, the national women’s team won four gold medals and a $7,000 purse for winning the 400m, 250m, mixed 250m and the mixed 400m while the Philippine Army copped the men’s 400m and 250m titles and took home $3,500.

Camsur has hosted some of the biggest world-class sports events, including the Cobra Ironman 70.3, Camsur Marathon, the only race in the country that has an IAAF certified race course and the only qualifier to the IAAF 2011 World Championships to be held in Korea, and the World Wakeboard Championships.

For other sports events at Camsur, log on to www.camsur.com and www.camarinessur.gov.ph.

There’s more in CamSur than watersports

Caramoan Peninsula, which was known to only to backpackers before it was used as a location for Survivor France, boasts powdery white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, rock formations and rich flora and fauna.

There are hot springs, waterfalls, rock-climbing on limestone wall on Gota Beach; spelunking, bird-watching at Caramoan National Park; dolphin-watching for Indo-Pacific bottlenose and spotted dolphins.

Caramoan gives ‘island hopping’ a new meaning. Enjoy its beauty in many ways. Great ocean adventures for kayakers, snorkle and scuba dive to experience the diverse marine life, trek and search for the enigmatic lagoon, rock climb the limestone cliffs, explore the caves or just star gaze at night.

Source:  caramoanislands.com

Images from: http://www.pbase.com/pinoyexplorer03

It’s fun to visit the CamSur Water Sports Complex

Ever heard or read about the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC)?  It is the biggest tourist’s attraction of the province and made Camarines Sur the No. 1 destination in Bicol. CWC helped CamSur leapfrogged to be the 10^th richest province in the country from 39^th in 2004.

The CWC is a six-hectare complex located within the Provincial Capitol Complex in Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. It first opened to the public in 2006. CWC is just a mere 20-minute ride from the Naga City domestic airport after a 35 minute flight from Manila to Naga, or an eight-hour bus ride from Manila.

CWC is the world’s most modern, six-point cable ski system designed for wakeboarding, wakeskating and waterskiing. Lago del Rey, a giant, manmade lake offers a lot of family watersports entertainment that includes a giant water slides, aqua wall climbing, water polo, water volleyball, kayaking, aqua obstacle course, paddle surfing, boat-towed wakeboarding and skiing, dragon boating and, pure and simple swimming.

Hosting international competitions for tourism development

Since it was established in 2006, CWC has hosted prestigious international sporting events. Last month (Sept 2010), CWC sponsored the 1^st CamSur Marathon participated by local and foreign runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Singapore, Ukraine and Russia. The route was accredited by the IAAF.

In August, it hosted the second edition of the prestigious Ironman Triathlon, an endurance sport that involves swimming, running and biking and considered as the premiere triathlon event worldwide. The first Philippine edition was held August of last year. The triathlon was hosted for the second time “to bolster the province’s rank as the extreme sports capital in this part of the world.”

In 2008, it hosted the World Wakeboarding Championship, the first ever for an Asian country to host a championship that is held only every three years.

CWC likewise launches extreme sports every year in celebration of the week-long Kaogma Festival (May 21-27) which marks the foundation day of Camarines Sur. This is in line with the objective to promote CamSur as the sports adventure destination in Asia.

This year, CWC held competitions in wakeboarding, motocross, cycling, mountain-biking, and zoom trucking in a 4×4 obstacle race. Next year, they plan to hold the Tour of CamSur, a race from Manila to CamSur.

Accommodation and Facilities

For tourists, accommodation is not a problem as it is readily available through the Ecovillage, Mansion Suites, and luxury villas and suites located within the complex.

The complex has a Pro Shop complete with the latest technology in gear; a clubhouse with live entertainment, billiards, and darts; spa pavilions for massage; beach volleyball area and swimming pool; a restaurant that boasts of laing pizza, a popular fare among vegetarians; Wi-Fi capabilities; an elevated spectator area.

So, when in the Philippines, “come to CamSur”!

Quick Poll: What is your favorite festival in Bikol?

Tourist Spots in Bicol 3

Itbog Falls – Located in Sta. Cruz Buhi, Cam. Sur. It has a twin waterfalls cascading amidst verdant vegetation. It could be reached by means of a banca ride from the town proper of Buhi, then a 30 minute trek.

La Roca Encantada – This is an enchanting island within the scenic lake of Buhi. It could be reached by means of a banca ride from the town proper of Buhi.

Calapnitan Cave – Found in Libmanan, it contains imnumerable stalactites and pillars ranging from massive size to extremely delicate.  Thousands of bats are housed in this cave.  It presents a very extraordinary spectacle.  Their presence provides a very good source of guano supply and phosphate.

Atulayan Island – Located in Sangay, Cam Sur,  you can easily pull your heart down and complete your collection of rare shells and stones in this cinema-like paradise of an island.  It is once the site of the French-Italian movie “Mutiny in the South Seas.”  Its ivory-colored beaches provide the beast setting for the movie.

Omang Cave – Situated in barrio Paniman, Caramaon, Cam Sur, its entrance is about 30 feet above sea level and the interior is architecturally designed.  The air is very cool inside.  It is dark and if it will be lighted, it shows grandiose beauty.

Lake Buhi – At the eastern side of Mt. Iriga picturesque Lake Buhi is about 105 m above sea level surrounded on all sides by hills more than 300 m high.
Sinarapan, the smallest commercial fish in the world, is found in the lake.  It measures about three to four millimeters long and one spoonful would hold a thousand on them.

Leaning Tower of Bombon – It is Camarines Sur’s counterpart or exactly a replica of the very famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Rome.  A 15 minute drive from the City of Naga to Bombon.

Consocep Resthouse – Located in Tigaon, it is at the midway of Mt. Isarog at an elevation of 1, 800 feet above sea level.  The breeze at this point is hautingly cool among the every luxurious sorrounding that abounds in the place.

Mt. Iriga – This distinct volcano has an elevation of about 4,823 feet.  It is a very noticeable landmark.  The eruption in 1611 had caused the existence of Lake Buhi in the province.

Naga declared Bicol region’s pilgrimage capital

From CBCP News (http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13110)

The city of Naga and the province of Camarines Sur have been declared pilgrimage capitals of the Bicol region and recognized top tourist destinations in the country in a presidential proclamation by President Benigno Aquino III.

Aquino, in Presidential Proclamation No. 33 released on Sept. 10, said Bicol’s Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia “is the only regional feast in the country [and] for the past three centuries has become an epic historical event that has become part of our cultural heritage.”

Aquino noted the contribution of the Peñafrancia celebrations to the local economy, and the sense of unity and religious fervor that bond all devotees who come from all over the world.

He said the festivities also “provide an environment conducive to tourism, a venue for appreciation of Bicol arts and culture, its indigenous and culinary arts, natural wonders and archaeological treasures.”

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to Naga and Camarines Sur every year from September until middle of October to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia whom Bicolanos endearingly call “Ina”.

This year’s festivities also feature the tercentenary celebration of the Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia highlighted by an International Pilgrims’ Congress (IPC) held yesterday until today at the Peñafrancia Basilica in Naga City.

The presidential proclamation stresses the government’s participation by providing assistance to maintain peace and order and preserve the solemnity of the occasion.

“The government shall ensure that the conduct of the observances essential to the feast, which include but are not limited to the Traslacion, the Fluvial and Dawn Processions and other cultural and historical remembrance activities, shall be respected, and that commercial exploitation during the pilgrimage period such as street parties that may become rambunctious, drinking sprees in plazas, street vending that obstruct passages towards the pilgrimage sites, and other similar activities, shall be discouraged,” part of the proclamation read.

The proclamation also mandates the local government units to partner with other government agencies and the Archdiocese of Caceres to put together “their technical and financial resources and participate in the conduct of trade fairs, job fairs, skills training and seminars on agriculture, aquaculture and crafts during the months of September and October.”

The decree likewise underscores the role of the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order and provide security to all pilgrims during the celebrations.

The annual Penafrancia festival begins every second Friday of September with the traslacion, a procession from the Basilica Minore to the Metropolitan Cathedral where the nine-day novena is held.

Tomorrow, Sept. 18, the venerated image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the icon of Divino Rostro will be carried in fluvial procession to the Bicol River with thousands of voyadores in small boats amid chants of Viva La Virgen. The procession will be capped with a 6 p.m. Pontifical Mass at the Basilica Minore led by Papal nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

Peñafrancia viva la virgen festival

Source: http://mgaakiniina.com

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, BicolPhilippines. All roads and routes will lead to Naga City in Camarines Sur where six million Bicolanos from here and abroad will flock to that progressive city to pay honor to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, miraculous patroness of the Bicol Region. Bicolanos from all walks of life will be in Naga City to meet their relatives and partidarios, share food, drinks, and prayers with them, and most of all, to pay homage and make thanksgiving to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, whom the Bicolanos fondly call Ina. Viva la Virgen, they will shout to high heavens. The feast day is headed by a novena, nine days of prayer, in honor of the Virgin. On the first day, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. On the last day, the image is returned to her shrine following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles from followers in boats escorting the image. When the flatboat reaches its destination, the devotees shout “Viva la Virgen” (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is carried back in a procession to the cathedral.

Millions of Bicolanos will once again show to the whole Christian world their strong faith and loyalty to their Heavenly Mother. amongst triumphant sounding shouts of Viva la Virgen , Bicolanos and pilgrims, with lighted candles in their hands, will kneel on the ground and bow their heads in prayer as the colorful fluvial procession carrying the Virgin plows through the Bicol River in downtown Naga.

A multicolored pagoda carrying the images/icons of the Virgin of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro will pass through the Bicol River. Male, sunburned devotees of the Virgin will adhere to the huge pagoda in a heartwarming display of faith and devotion. Actually, the fluvial procession marks the return of the Virgin from the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to her home shrine at the Basilica. Upon its arrival, the Virgin will be received in formal religious rites byRoman Catholic dignitaries of the Bicol Region.

Considered the biggest and most popular religious event in the Philippines, the Peñafrancia fiesta is in fact a one-week affair that starts on the second Friday of September when the miraculous Ina is transferred from her shrine to the centuries-old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral where a nine-day novena and prayers are held in her honor. Ranking government officials, Cabinet members, ambassadors, governors, mayors, senators, diputados , business/industry leaders, landlords, etc., vie for the distinct honor of sponsoring a nightly novena and prayers at the Naga Cathedral.

A procession, locally called traslacion (is the transferring of the miraculous Image of the Virgin, Our Lady of Peñafrancia and of the Divino Rostro to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City for a Novena and Holy Masses. This begun in 1885.), ushers in the weeklong festivities which include civic and military parades, sports competitions, agro-industrial fairs, cultural shows, and the coronation of Miss Bicolandia beauties.

During the traslacion, which passes through the main streets of Naga, the miraculous Ina of the Bicolanos is borne on the rugged, muscular shoulders of barefooted voyadores who form a human barricade to protect the Virgin from the unruly crowd. Call it absolute coincidence or plain superstition, but any Bicolano will swear to high heavens that the presence of a woman, Filipina or foreigner, aboard the merrily decorated pagoda will surely spell disaster. Whether this belief is true or not, only the Bicolanos know. But past events and experiences support their claim.

HISTORY

A Spanish government official from Peñafrancia, Spain, a native of San Martin de Castanar, the Covarrubias family, settled with his family in Cavite in 1712, according to locals. One day, A son, Miguel Robles de Covarrubias, a seminarian studying in the Universidad de Santo Tomas, Manila got very ill. He and his family prayed to Our Iady of Penafrancia whose picture he was clutching to his breast for his recovery and to spare his life. He also made a vow that if cured, he would construct a chapel by the bank of Pasig river in Manila, in gratitude to Her. Miraculously cured, he eventually was ordained a priest not in Manila but in the Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (now known as Naga City) by Bishop Andres Gonzalez. To fulfill his vow, Padre Miguel, the ftrst diocesan priest to be ordained in Naga, did two things: one, he mobilized the natives along the slopes of Mt. Isarog to construct a chapel made of local materials, nipa and bamboo this time by the bank of the Bikol river in Naga, not by the Pasig river as earlier envisioned; two, he ordered a local artisan to carve an image patterned after the picture of Our lady he always had with him. Miracles happened then and there. Among them was the story of a dog killed, its neck slashed in order to take out the poor animal’s blood that was used to coat/paint the newly carved image. Dumped into the river, the dead dog began to swim once again alive with hundreds of people witnessing this prodigy. News of many other miracles spread like wildfire so was the devotion toNuestra Senora de Penafrancia. The letter of Padre Miguel to the Dominican Fathers of Salamanca, Spain in 1712 reported many miracles through the intercession of Our Lady. In the meantime, the devotees grew in number as the devotion spread fast far and wide, even outside the Diocese of Nueva Caceres which before comprised not only the Bikol region but including Tayabas (now Quezon), Marinduque, Laguna up to Palanan, Isabela along the cordillera ranges. Like the biblical “mustard seed” the Penafrancia devotion today is like a “giant tree” whose branches extend to other parts of the world like America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The love story between our lady of Penafrancla we lovingly call “Ina” and us, her children is never ending.

The famous Madonna is said to have miraculous powers. On her feast day, pilgrims gather at her shrine to pay her homage for favors received.

Tourist Spots in Bicol 2

Puraran Beach (Catanduanes): For surfers and adventurers, Puraran Beach, just off Luzon, will be just right for you. The island beach is actually in the Pacific Ocean, and this location provides for some fantastic waves, walls of water that can present a challenge even to the most skilled surfer.

Calabidongan Caves: The grotto-like formation inside is so enchanting in which it amazes visitors and tourist. The cave is also known as the “Caves of the Bats”. The cave is good for trekking inside. 2-km from Hoyop-Hoyopan, these caves feature an underground stream and a population of bats. Pottery, human bones, beadwork and other artifacts believed to be 4,000 years old have been found and can be seen at Camalig Church.

Daraga Catholic Church: It is an 18th century church in which was built by Franciscan missionaries in 1773. The church is highly regarded by art enthusiast and considered above standard because of it’s rich baroque architecture and the structure is huge.

Camalig  Catholic Church: A missionary church which was built out of volcanic rocks. Tourist and visitors come here to see the relics from the Hoyop-hoyopan caves. The archeological findings amazes the visitors and tourist because it depicts the historical origins of the people. The relic shows the early Malaysian influence through the burial jars excavated. One of the famous tourist attractions.

Barcelona Church: Bicol’s oldest church built by a Spanish friars of the Franciscan Order and is dedicated to St. Joseph as its patron saint. The church used coral reefs to form the walls. The enchanting carvings on the coral reef façade makes the church a priceless relic. The church was built in 1874.

San Juan Bautista Church, Tabaco City: Declared by the National Museum as one of the National Cultural Treasures, this church was built by the secular clergy in 19th century. Its belltower features rocaille elements dated from an earlier time. The church has an unusual floor plan, with compartments that are inexplicable as of now. The stones on the walls bear masons’ marks, rarely seen elsewhere in this country.

Bulusan Lake: Also known as the “Switzerland of the Orient” Located at the center of the Bulusan National Park.

Mt. Isarog: 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.

Mount Iriga: Also known as Mt. Asog, it is an old volcano in the Bicol Region. Although it is outshined by the world-famous Mt. Mayon to the south and the higher, grander Mt. Isarog to the north, it possesses its own charms. For one, the views at the peaks are breathtaking, offering a view of Mt. Mayon, Mt. Malinao, and Mt. Masaraga on the south; and even a distant Catanduanes southeast. Knife-edged slopes characterize the contour of this mountain, especially in the Buhi side.Mt. Asog has a colorful history. It was named after a ancient datu (chieftain) of the Agtas named Asog, who reigned over the region. Sometimes it is also called Mt. Sumagang, which means “Mountain of the Rising Sun”. In some lowland areas, the sun seemingly rises from the mountain itself. Being on the eastern side of Luzon, the sun rises majestically from the Pacific Ocean when viewed from its summit.

Mt. Bulusan: Bulusan is an active stratovolcano and makes the extreme southeast part  island of Luzon peninsula (bottom right of photo). The summit crater is 1,000  feet (300 m) in diameter and there are numerous lava flows on the flanks. There  are three craters on the southeast flank; the lower two are crater lakes. The  islands of Masbate and Ticao are to the southwest (top of photo). Bulusan has erupted at least 13 times since 1886, most recently in 1988

Malabsay Falls: This 40 foot high wonder is located on the slope of Mt. Isarog in Panicuason. The Malabsay Falls Ecology Park features swimming areas beneath the waterfalls, concrete winding stairs, foot bridges and pathways, cottages, and a plant nursery and camping ground.