CamSur offers scholarship to IT students and professionals

Source: pia.gov.ph

PILI, Camarines Sur, Jan 24 (PIA)— The local government of Camarines Sur, after its pioneering effort to establish an information hub in the province and employing its constituents, now opens its door to qualified IT students and professionals for a five-month intensive training in Makati.

The good news was announced by the Camarines Sur Employment Center (CSEC) after successfully getting the nod of the Advance World Systems (AWS) for a scholarship grant to qualified partakers. Fortunate trainees will be selected thru a recruitment activity which will be conducted on January 26 at the Camarines Sur Trade and Investment Center , BMC Road , Panganiban Drive , Naga City .

The said opportunity is open to all graduating IT students or graduates of a 4 or 5 –year related courses such as CS, CoE, MIS, IT and ECE. Engineering graduates and those who were able to complete their science courses like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and related courses are also encouraged to try their luck.

Applicants who have a basic know how on C/C++ or Java Programming, Open Source Technologies, Web Programming, MS Net, Visual Basic, Assembly or TCP/IP programming will have better edge to pass the screening.

All qualified scholars will have their intensive training at AWS Center for Technology Incubation (ACTION) where general IT Concepts will be discussed by experienced IT instructors, including the latest technologies and innovations in information technology, business basic , including Japanese language.

This opportunity was designed by the provincial government of Camarines Sur to enhance the skills of IT students and Professionals and groom them to become AWS engineers. The training will also balance the IT enthusiast’s learning and help them adapt to the current trend in the information industry.

Interested participants may call the CSEC at telephone numbers (054) 477-5858 or (054) 477-7468. They may personally visit the CSEC office located at the 2nd floor of the Capitol Main Building , Capitol Complex, at Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. (PIA Camarines Sur)

Bicol records 4.0 % annual inflation rate in 2010

Source: pia.gov.ph

…0.6% slower than 2009

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The National Statistics Office (NSO) in Bicol has noted an average annual inflation rate in Bicol Region for the year 2010 was 4.0 percent, slower by 0.6 percentage point than the 4.6 percent average in 2009.

NSO Bicol chief Cynthia Perdiz said that the increment in the annual inflation rate was due to the higher rates recorded in the food, beverages and tobacco (2.5 percent from 2.4 percent); fuel, light and water (11.8 percent from 8.0 percent) and miscellaneous items (2.1 percent from 2.0 percent).

Perdiz said that at the regional level, the year-on-year inflation rate increased to 3.0 percent in December 2010 from 2.7 percent in November 2010, wherein rates were maintained in the indices of clothing (1.3 percent) and housing & repairs (1.7 percent) while the annual price hike was slower in the services index at 2.3 percent from 2.5 percent.

She added that across provinces, annual price movements were slower in Catanduanes at 2.3 percent from 2.8 percent and Masbate at 1.5 percent from 1.9 percent. In contrast, higher annual inflation rates were registered in Albay (3.9 percent from 2.7 percent), Camarines Norte (3.6 percent from 3.4 percent), Camarines Sur (3.1 percent from 2.9 percent) and Sorsogon (3.6 percent from 3.5 percent).

On price situation

NSO Bicol data, meanwhile, show that the consumer price index (CPI) for all income households in the region was registered at 169.3 in December 2010, higher by 1.3 index points from the recorded CPI of 168.0 in November 2010.

“In terms of rate, the all items month-on-month inflation rate was registered at 0.8 percent in December from 0.3 percent growth in November,” Perdiz noted.

The same data also show that the over-all month-on-month rate of food, beverages and tobacco (FBT) index increased to 0.5 percent in December 2010 from 0.1 percent in November 2010.

“This could be attributed to the higher rates observed in the indices of fish (0.2 percent from -0.1 percent), meat (0.1 percent from -0.6 percent), miscellaneous foods (1.5 percent from 0.6 percent), beverages (0.3 percent from 0.0 percent) and tobacco (0.3 percent from 0.1 percent),” she explained.

However, according to the NSO Bicol director, these increases were counterbalanced by the negative rate continuously posted in the cereal and cereal preparations (-0.1 percent from -0.3 percent) due to the enough supply of rice and corn in the markets.

Meanwhile, the data also show that dairy products index and fruits & vegetables index maintained the previous month’s rate of 0.1 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.

In the same report, zero percent growth was still observed in the housing & repairs index while slower price increment was noted in the miscellaneous items index at 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent.

On the other hand, a notable increase was recorded in fuel, light and water index from 3.1 percent in November 2010 to 5.9 percent in December 2010 due to the upward adjustments in the charges for electricity rates and add-ons in the prices of LPG and kerosene. The general price increments in gasoline and diesel nationwide raised the services index in the region by 0.4 percent from 0.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the clothing index maintained its November rate of 0.1 percent. The overall rate of the non-food index was recorded at 1.2 percent from 0.7 percent.

With such prices of the commodities and services, the Bicol Region’s purchasing power of peso (PPP) declined by one centavo from P0.60 to P0.59.

Likewise, PPP declined by one centavo in the provinces of Albay (P0.57 from P0.58) and Sorsogon (P0.58 from P0.59). On the other hand, the November 2010 PPP was maintained in Camarines Norte (P0.58), Camarines Sur (P0.62), Catanduanes (P0.55) and Masbate (P0.60). (MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)

Phivolcs: Magnitude 3.5 quake rocks Camarines Norte

source: gmanews.tv

A magnitude-3.5 quake rocked Camarines Sur province in Bicol on Monday afternoon but state seismologists said no casualty or damage was expected.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) said the quake was recorded at 3:12 p.m. and was tectonic in origin.

In its bulletin, the Phivolcs said the epicenter was traced to 85 kilometers northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte.

Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity III in Naga City.

No aftershock from the quake was expected, state seismologists said. – VVP, GMANews.TV

Moratorium on Buhi Fishing Mulled

source: sonny sales | voxbikol.com

Lake Buhi in Camarines, Philippines viewed in Google Earth

BUHI, CAMARINES SUR (16 Nov 2010) —A THREE YEAR Moratorium which will prohibit the operation of commercial fish cages, and confining fish cage operations to only 10% of the lake area are among the drastic measures being proposed by an inter-agency group now conducting studies on the worsening pollution in Lake Buhi.

These measures, together with the dismantling of illegal fish cages and the non-issuance of new fishing licenses, were proposed by concerned agencies during a joint Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan of Buhi session held in this town the other day to probe the fish kill incident that resulted to some P 80-Million in losses to the Tilapia-raising industry in this lake town.

In a report at the joint session, the provincial government’s Environment Disaster Management Response Office (EDMERO) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office stated that Buhi lake-waters had increasing levels of hydrogen sulphite and ammonia from decaying fish feeds and sediments that have settled in the lake bottom and had resulted to decreased oxygen levels which in turn caused the fish kill.

Experts revealed that acquired soil samples in the lake bottom consist of 70% residue and 30% soil, an alarming condition that is contributing to the warming of temperatures in the lake bottom.

Blame

In his address to the joint session, Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste lamented that only the local government of Buhi seems to get the blame for the worsening environmental degradation of the lake’s eco-system when major government agencies are benefited from its lake resources.

Lacoste noted that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has its control structure in the lake which is the source of irrigation for some 18,000 hectares of rice lands in the Rinconada and 3rd districts of Camarines Sur; while the former National Power Corp. (NPC) controls the Baret Hydro-Electric Plant power generation now managed by the People Energy Service Inc.

The Mayor said that these agencies have control over the lake resources but had not contributed to preserve the lake ecology.

He also said that based on President Marcos’ Presidential Proclamation 873 and Executive Order 224, the NPC still has administrative management control over 8,317 hectares of watershed areas of Buhi, including areas of the lake.

He added that even with the advent of the Local Government Code of 1991, the lake resources are not solely owned by the local government.

During the same joint session, Camarines Sur Board member Angel Naval, Chair of the environment committee, had proposed that stakeholders of the lake including some 600-strong commercial fish-cage operators should establish a maintenance fund for the ecological sustainability of the lake.

Trapped sediments

Meanwhile Buhi councilor Edwin Salvamante revealed that millions of tons of residual siltation were trapped at the bottom of the lake unable to freely flow at the NIA’s control structure due to a coffer dam made from armour rocks blocking the flow of sediments from the lake.

Reportedly, the coffer dam that was built as a barrier during the construction of the NIA control structure at the lake in 1986 has not been removed by the NIA until today.

NPC experts claimed about 9,900,000 cubic meters of sediments were trapped in the lake since 2001; present estimates are at 16,200,000 cubic meters or about five meters thick.

Currently, with more than 20,000 fish cages in the lake operated by about 600 fish cages operators, and more than 400 marginal fishermen, the lake area had also shrunk from 1,800 hectares to about 1,618 hectares according to a recent Global  Positioning System (GPS) survey.

In the meantime, Vice-Gov. Fortunato Peña said during the session that Gov. Luis-Raymund Villafuerte has expressed concern on the thousands that may be displaced once a moratorium on the fish cages is imposed as an extreme necessity to save the lake.

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)

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.

Buhi Declares State of Calamity

source: Sonny Sales | Vox Bikol

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

Lake Buhi

BUHI, Camarines Sur (5 November)-THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of this lake town has passed a resolution during its regular session on Thursday (Nov. 4) declaring a “State of Calamity” in this locality after more than 600 Tilapia fish cage operators and marginal fishermen in Lake Buhi reeled from the economic impact of the recent “fish kill” that devastated 80% of the Tilapia stocks in the lake valued at more than Php 80-Million in losses.

The Bicol Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) estimated that about 100 metric tons of ‘Tilapia’ were found floating dead in Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur.

During the municipal council session on Thursday, Buhi Vice-Mayor Omar Mercurio  had tasked the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Lake Development to identify the marginal Tilapia growers that need assistance, and implement a general plan to cushion the effect of the fish kill on the livelihood of the lake residents.

Meanwhile, Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste during a conference with the directors of BFAR and the Department of Agriculture (DA), urged the national government to intervene in saving the rich resources of Lake Buhi, a traditional irrigation source and fishing grounds now threatened by silt and pollution that is mainly killing the eco-system of the lake.

DA Bicol Director Jose Dayao and BFAR chief Dennis Socorro had recommended drafting a plan for a clean-up of the lake which will entail incurring huge funds and the implementation of an amended municipal fishery ordinance of the lake that would regulate the growing number of fish cages.

At present, statistics show that fish cages now number some 20, 000 in the entirety of the lake.

In a study made by BFAR Fisheries expert Aida S. Andayog, she  recommended a “skip-feeding system” for Tilapia growers to lessen the heavy pollutants now affecting the lake due to excessive feeds used in more than 5,000  Tilapia fish cages now occupying 70% of some 1,700 hectares of Buhi’s lake area.

In the meantime, BFAR and an environmental team sent by Camarines Sur Provincial Government has gathered water samples at the lake villages where the fish kill started  eight days ago, but local experts are still at the dark on the real cause of the massive fish kill affecting fish cages in the 10 lake villages of Buhi.

Buhi municipal administrator Bethoven Nathor said that test conducted by experts revealed that currently oxygen levels in the lake remains low; it was also traced by experts that the fish kill started in Barangay Iraya and spread to adjacent villages Ibayugan, Tambo and Salvacion carried by strong lake currents due to the heavy rains.

With the recent set-back in Tilapia production in Lake Buhi, BFAR experts in Camarines Sur said that Tilapia supply in public markets in Bikol will dwindle.

Tilapia supplies will have to be sourced on undetermined volume of production coming from Lake Bato and other provinces.

Still, it has been reported that Lake Bato’s Tilapia production was similarly affected by the rising siltation in the lake and lowering water levels.

Japan funds P60-M aquaculture center in Cam Sur

Source | GMANews.TV

The food production capability of Bicol will receive a major boost with the establishment of a new P60-million regional aquaculture center in Camarines Sur province.

Philippine and Japanese officials will attend the inauguration of the facility on Thursday, the Japanese Embassy said.

“The project hopes to provide better alternatives and direction for the development of freshwater resources in the Bicol Region, in order to contribute to the upliftment of the economic status of the Bicolanos and ultimately help in attaining food security targets of
the Filipino people,” the Japanese Embasy said in its website.

According to the Japanese Embassy, a mini-laboratory, mini-feedmill building, fish processing plant, and training hall-cum-dormitory were constructed to upgrade the facilities of the Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center (RFFC).

The project, which began in 2007, is a joint project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) of the Department of Agriculture.

Japan has been assisting the RFFC for almost two decades under the KR 2 Program.

Japanese Embassy minister for economic affairs Akio Isomata, Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala will lead the inauguration of the four major facilities under the “RFFC Continuing Capacity Building for Integrated Development of Bicol Freshwater Fisheries Project,” the embassy said.

The facility, located in Bula town, is a component of the Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program (formerly known as 2KR or Japan’s Increased Food Production Program).

Through the years, the Center has been at the forefront of aquaculture production and served as a training hub on the dissemination of aquaculture technologies in the Bicol Region.

“These newly constructed facilities will hopefully address the shortage in aquaculture production, elevate the functions of the RFFC from a mere production based aquaculture service center to a modernized one-stop-shop of freshwater fisheries technologies, thus
boosting the overall aquaculture system in the region,” the Japanese embassy said.

For the past 30 years, the Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program has made a positive impact on the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

Japan remains as the top donor of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines, supporting the government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve food self-sufficiency. –VVP, GMANews.TV

CamSur: Race to the Big Leagues

Source: Jacky Lynne A. Oiga | mb.com.ph

The majestic Mount Isarog provides a scenic backdrop to CamSur’s bustling tourism prospects. (Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

 

In the wake of sports tourism and the staging of the Survivor franchise in Caramoan Island, the once sleepy town of Camarines Sur has escalated from a third class province to one of the country’s most sought after destinations that goes with a trendy nickname – CamSur.

Nowadays, it seems like everyone who’s anyone has been to the hip new destination that has apparently surpassed Boracay’s popularity as the country’s top destination. Last year, CamSur summed up a whopping 1.5 million local and foreign tourist arrivals. And with a slew of international sporting events held in the province such as the World Wakeboarding Championships, Asian Wakeboarding Championships, and the Cobra Ironman 70.3, the numbers are likely to double by the end of 2010.

Recently, CamSur made another milestone with the success of the first Summit Water CamSur Marathon 2010 which obtained certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), an international governing body for athletics that holds and takes charge of the standardization of timekeeping methods and world records. The marathon is the only race in the country that has warranted an IAAF certified race course, sharing the same prominence as the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon.

“This event marks another milestone in CamSur’s race towards a more progressive, pro-active, and prosperous Bicol. Sports tourism is the development thrust of the province. Our main goal is not only to be known as the premiere sports and adventure destination in the Philippines but to transform tourism benefits to expanded basic services that are felt by the Bicolanos,” said Camarines Sur governor Lray Villafuerte.

Noted as the largest international marathon not only in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia, the race gathered more than 17,000 participants from all over the country along with elite runners including Kenya’s Henry Kipkosgei Cherono, John Mutai Kipyator, Bernard Kosgei Kimuigei, Joyce Kandie, and Rael Jepyator Kimaiyo, Ethiopia’s Tariku Abosete Bokan, Radiya Adlo Roba, and Ayelu Lemma Geda, Ukraine’s Ivan Barbaryka, and Russia’s Tatiana Vilosova. Celebrities like Aga Muhlach, Iza Calzado, Donita Rose, Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez, and Reema Chanco also participated in the race.

The race had three starting points for the different divisions: Freedom Stadium (3K, 5K, 10K), Marasigan Compound (21K), and CWC Convention Center (42K). Proceeds of the race will be donated to the Department of Health Organ Donor Card Awareness Drive, K.I.D.S Foundation, and Gawad Kalinga.

Although the race winners all came from the international elite runners’ group, the participation and support of the Bicolanos in the event symbolize how far CamSur had come in promoting sports and where it intends to be in the tourism industry.

“People of all ages, from different walks of life, woke up in the early dawn to run with us. Among the 17, 000 participants, 80 percent were local runners. There were 2,500 runners who flew in from Manila, the remaining 14, 500 all came from the Bicol Region,” shared race director Rio dela Cruz. “I designed the race in such a way that all kinds of runners from first-timers to pros can participate. We had a fast and flat course, adequate water stations in every kilometer, and placed markers to help runners pace themselves.”

But the race not only exemplified the Filipinos’ initiative in promoting sports, it also showcased CamSur’s magnificent scenery of rolling rice fields, mountains, foliage, and the stunning view of the skyline. According to the Department of Tourism Bicol regional director, Maria Ravanilla, sports tourism in CamSur opened up new doors for tourism products and facilities in the whole Bicolandia.

“Several years ago, Camarines Sur was practically an unheard of province in the Bicol Region noted only for its capital city, Naga – home of the region’s patroness, Our Lady of Peñafrancia. But now, with the recent boom of tourism in the province, we are now promoting CamSur and the rest of Bicol as an all around destination. We have beaches, marine sanctuaries, culinary finds, cultural and heritage sites, there’s just so much to do here in Bicol,” said Director Ravanilla.

Summit Water Camsur Marathon 2010 is presented by Summit Water and co-presented by the Department of Tourism, Smart Communications, Timex, 100 Plus, Alaska, Nature Valley, and Dusit Thani. Media partners include ESPN, Star World, and National Geographic Channel.

A Bicol journey

source: Johannes L. Chua | mb.com.ph

April 3, 2009, 2:48pm

As you read this, you only have four days to plan a vacation. The Lenten retreat weekend arrives next week – the time of the year when a mass of urbanites escape the metropolis and the summer heat that leave EDSA and the malls surprisingly empty. And if you’ve entirely forgotten about planning any activity, you can drive to the usual pools in Laguna or Batangas or you can drive farther to Subic or the perennial favorite destination – Baguio. But I’m warning you – those destinations are sure to be packed with people that there’s a big possibility that you may see a colleague at a restaurant or be booked in the same hotel as your boss!  How’s that for a vacation?

This year, I challenge you to awaken the “adventurous kid” inside you. No, this doesn’t mean that you have to try out an extreme sport or eat some exotic food. This is just a long drive that requires you to just have a reliable vehicle, a few thousand pesos, an updated road map, and of course, a great company – whether they are your family, relatives, officemates or friends.

Where to? One of the most scenic and easy long drives to take is a trip to Bicolandia. For those who will take this trip for the first time, Mayon Volcano is not the only attraction in the Bicol Region. There are beautiful churches, exotic resorts, refreshing nature sites – and more! Pasalubong shopping ain’t bad either. Most of all, it’s easy on the pocket and can be done from Thursday to Easter Sunday.

In this region, there are boundless adventures waiting to be explored. And if you don’t have any vehicle with you, Bicol is highly accessible via public transport.

For this trip, I recommend the region’s most popular destinations: Daet in Camarines Norte, Naga City, and Legazpi City in Albay.  For this four-day journey, it’s easy to come up with a “functioning” itinerary to see and experience the most of the region. \

An early departure from Manila is advisable for motorists, since the first stop, Daet, is around eight hours away by land.  For those taking the bus, take the night trip, which will bring you to Daet by sunrise the following morning.  For those bringing a vehicle, leave early morning, and make sure to assign at least two drivers who can alternate during the eight-hour drive.

Various bus companies offer transport to the region, among them Cagsawa Tours, Penafrancia, and Superlines. There is a terminal at the back of Ali Mall Cubao which offers bus trips to various locations including spots around Bicol.  It is always advisable to reserve for your seats in advance – especially next week when the trips almost always get fully booked.

A day in Daet

Daet is a charming small town. Once there, you can take a tricycle along Bagasbas Road and get a breath of fresh air. If you have your vehicle, park somewhere along the Bagasbas shoreline.  The seemingly endless beach stretch is popular among townsfolk and even visitors because of the powder-fine silvery sands and the strong waves that encourage watersports like surfing.

You and your companions can spend the rest of the day on the beach or you can do a rolling tour of Daet and the neighboring towns. Explore the town’s old churches, parks, and other interesting spots.  Daet’s next-door neighbor, the town of Vinzons, is home to the ancestral house of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons – a brave hero who led the resistance against the Japanese during World War II.

For the history buff, Daet is the location of the first Rizal monument – an irregularly-shaped obelisk painted in white, with the name of Rizal highlighted in black.  The monument was built in Dec. 1898, fashioned from mortars and boulders collected from the old Spanish jail in Daet which was later demolished.  The monument, located at the foot of a bridge, can be found across the old Daet municipal hall.

Around Naga

About three hours away from Daet is Naga City.  If you’re done with the tour of Daet, drive on and you will be guided by road signs to reach Naga. Or take the next bus with the “Naga” signboard and ride off to this city which is bustling with activity.

There are various hotels and resorts to choose from.  Check the Internet now for your hotel of choice and book in advance.  If you arrive in Naga by nightfall, you can check in to your hotel then go out again for dinner.  There are a lot of restaurants to choose from.  Also try the local delicacies in native-themed restaurants and be surprised by the legendary spicy Bicolano cuisine.

The following morning can be set for a rolling tour of the city’s famous churches, and there are many of them.  Take time to reflect at the Metropolitan Church (the largest in Bicol), Penafrancia Basilica Minore, and the Our Lady of Penafrancia Church which is popular stop for pilgrims.

Naga City is also known as the gateway to CamSur’s Caramoan – the latest tourist hub in the Bicol Region. Be more adventuros and have some photo ops at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) in the town of Pili which offers wakeboarding facilities.

Caramoan has gained fame among Europeans as the site of the French version of Survivor called “Kohlanta” which was filmed in the islands.  There are at least two boat trips to take before you can reach Caramoan, but upon arrival, you will be amazed to discover a world-class resort called Gota Village which is the jump-off point to an island hopping tour in this part of Bicol.

Legazpi leg

On your third day, drive to Legazpi City in Albay. This is the place where the famous Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga are located.

Don’t forget your cameras. This is a perfect place to take lots of photos since the Mayon Volcano offers a perfect backdrop.  It is also a convenient jump-off point to other tourist destinations in the region such as the Cagsawa Ruins, the upscale resort of Misibis, Donsol – the site of one of the world’s largest annual migration of whale sharks and the white sand beaches of Sorsogon and Catanduanes (if you have more time).

There are a lot of places to visit around Legazpi. You can drop by the Albay Park and Wildlife, the Liberty Bell, the Magayon Art Gallery – found at the lobby of the Albay Provincial Capitol; Legazpi City Museum and the Albay Park and Wildlife, one of the best places to view Mayon Volcano and Legazpi City.

Since this itinerary is very flexible, you also have the option of switching the spots per day.  You can first proceed to Legazpi and from there work your way through Naga and Daet as the days pass.  Just make sure to check the bus schedules and book your hotels in advance.  If you’re driving back to Manila, expect a back-breaking trip. But with great company, the long drive will feel short since you have lots of things – and new memories – to talk about!