Archive for September, 2007

Sorsogon Road Riders - 1ST KASANGAYAHAN DRAG-RACE

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

SORSOGON ROAD RIDERS HELD

1ST KASANGAYAHAN DRAG RACE
DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2007
VENUE: DIVERSION ROAD - BIBINCAHAN SORSOGON CITY

CATEGORY:

OPEN
MODIFIED
STOCK (open pipe allowed)
4 VALVES (raider/ sniper)

For more information please contact:

ROMANO OLIQUIANO - 09052975033
LOUTON BAYTO - 09177440549
KIM MASIP - 09217962509
JETT - 09153348862

Cagsawa Ruins Of Mayon Volcano

Friday, September 14th, 2007

In 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted, with lava cascading down its slopes. The townspeople fled to the Cagsawa church, in hopes that they would be out of harm’s way.

At that time lava flows buried the town of Cagsawa and 1,200 people perished. Only the bell tower of the town’s church remained above the new surface and now stands as a memorial.

Cagsawa Ruins Of Mayon Volcano

Tiwi Geothermal Electric Power Plant

Friday, September 14th, 2007

 Tiwi Geothermal Electric Power

An electric generation project with geothermal energy as source. It is designed to generate more than 227 megawatts, operated jointly by NPC/NEA and Union Oil (USA).

Located in Tiwi, Albay mostly visited for its high educational values.

Albay Spanish Galleon Wreck Site

Friday, September 14th, 2007

Albay Spanish Galleon Wreck Site

A site which serves as a strong reminder of the rich Manila to Acapulco (Mexico) trade routes during the Spanish era. Found along the shores of Buhatan beach at Sto. Domingo, Albay, this galleon relic was wrought by a strong typhoon on its way to Acapulco and crushed on the reefs of Albay Gulf.

This historical remains lie at five fathoms under the sea with green transparent water. It is an ideal place for scuba diving, fishing or boating.

Mayon Skyline

Friday, September 14th, 2007

 Mayon Skyline

It nestles on the eastern slopes of Mt. Mayon at an altitude of 2,700 ft. An excellent summer resort with almost similar temperature with Baguio at 28 degrees Celsius. It is popularly known as “heaven on earth” because of the hanging clouds and the pleasant climate where cool and invigorating air could be experienced.

From this height, visitors, see the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the different towns, lakes, villages, fields and other mountains. Accessible through Tabaco, motor vehicles of any type could be used to reach it.

Catanduanes Island

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

Catanduanes Island

Catanduanes is known to many as an island paradise. Its clean white sand is very inviting but the sea can get rough sometimes. Puraran Beach is known for its large waves. The surfing season at Puraran Beach, Catanduanes is October.

It has a long string of palm-fringed beaches and deep blue waters against a backdrop of luxuriant grassy mountains, and a totally laid-back rural charm and crowned with jewel-like island. The whole strip of this pearly island of the Pacific is almost untouched, unblemished, and unexplored.

How to get to Catanduanes Island By Air

Travel time from Manila to Catanduanes is one hour and 15 minutes with domestic route By Asian Spirit with direct flights daily. The airport on Catanduanes is in the capital Virac.

How to get to Catanduanes Island By Land And Water

Take the bus in Cubao or Pasay, Metro Manila terminals and jump off at Tabaco Port. Philtranco Bus covers the 580 kms from Manila to Tabaco Port. The trip is a long one; it will take you all of twelve (12) hours. Once in Tabaco Point you have three ferries to choose from to get yourself to Catanduanes. Ride either MV Eugenia, Star Ferry, or MV Regina Shipping Lines. Travel time is 3 to 3 ½ hours for MV Eugenia or Star Ferry, which dock straight at Virac Seaport. MV Regina takes only 2 ½ hours to reach San Andres Seaport on catanduanes from Tobacco Port. From San Andres to Virac you can either jump on a Jeepney or take a trike, whatever your fancy.

Bicol American Society

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

We are Americans and the families of Americans living in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. The Society is open to anyone who is genuinely interested in participating in such a group, who is interested in the mutual assistance we can give to each other, in socializing with other people with American connections, in sharing the special concerns and problems we have or may face, in helping newcomers to find their way in a foreign country and its culture. There is and will be no test of how American one needs to be, Filipino-Americans, “Green Card” holders, and family members are as welcome as native born Americans. Canadians, Australians, British and other expatriots are also welcome.

We are no longer meeting as most of our active members are presently outside Bicol. We will resume meeting when there are enough people and interest. Do join our Yahoo group (below) and send a message if you want to meet others.

Please contact us for more info by e-mail at bicolamericans@yahoo.com

Please see our Yahoo Discussion Group, Bicol Americans Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bicolamericans, and join it if you wish to be informed of our activities and concerns.

Differences of Bicol Dialects

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Found this great article here on how the dialects of Bicol region are way different from each municipalities though regardless of different words and tongues, Bicolanos still pretty much understand each other :) IMO

RNC - Rinconada Bikol. NAG - Naga Bikol. TAG - Tagalog. ENG - English.

-UM- verbs
note 1: Naga Bikol doesn’t make use of the -UM- prefix.
note 2: -UM- and MAG- prefixes are interchangeable and thus don’t
affect meaning in Rinconada Bikol unlike in Tagalog.

RNC: Kumaon
NAG: Magkakan
TAG: Kumain
ENG: To eat (infinitive)

RNC: Kinnaon ya.
NAG: Nagkakan siya.
TAG: Kumain siya.
ENG: He ate.

RNC: Kinnakaon ya.
NAG: Nagkakakan siya.
TAG: Kumakain siya.
ENG: He is eating.

RNC: Kumkaon ya OR Kumakaon ya. (Note loss of vowel after -UM-)
NAG: Mákakan siya.
TAG: Kakain siya.
ENG: He will eat.

MAG- verbs

RNC: Magtutturo
NAG: Magtukdo
TAG: Magturo
Eng: To teach.

RNC: Nagtutturo sira.
NAG: Nagtukdo sinda.
TAG: Nagturo sila.
ENG: They taught.

RNC: Nagtututturo sira.
NAG: Nagtutukdo sinda.
TAG: Nagtuturo sila.
ENG: They are teaching.

RNC: Migtutturo sira.
NAG: Mátukdo sinda.
TAG: Magtuturo sila.
ENG: They will teach.

And some miscellany…

RNC: Isadto ya sa baloy namo.
NAG: Yaon siya duman sa harong mi.
TAG: Nandoon siya sa bahay namin.
ENG: He’s there at our house.

RNC: Ono ‘di?
NAG: Ano ini?
TAG: Ano ito?
ENG: What’s this?

RNC: Agko ka igin?
NAG: Igwa kang aki?
TAG: Mayroon ka bang anak?
ENG: Do you have any kids?

RNC: Migtrabawo a agom ko sa Maynila udma.
NAG: Mátrabaho an agom ko sa Maynila saaga.
TAG: Magtatrabaho ang asawa ko sa Maynila bukas.
ENG: My husband will work in Manila tomorrow.

Join the “Filipina” Writing Project

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

seo-filipina-badge.jpg

The theme for this writing project is the Filipina. Through this, we hope we can share in the ongoing efforts to bring relevant results to search engine and topple those that exploits the Filipina.

Join the cause and be proud of our Filipina.

More information here Filipina Writing Project

Mayon Volcano also Known as the “Heaven on Earth”

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Another breathtaking scenic beauty the Philippines could offer its tourists is the Mayon Volcano. It is an active volcano and popularly called as the world’s most perfect cone located in Legaspi, Albay, Philippines. Mayon Volcano never failed to attract visitors as it measures 8,189 feet with a base of 10 kilometers with its perfect cone whether seen from a distance or up close. When the volcano erupted, it left wonderful sceneries around it such as natural springs, caves, hills and lakes that have access to the panoramic view of the famous volcano.

mayon volcano

Photos from SXC.HU, by DxPsycho

Known as the “Heaven on Earth”, Mayon Skyline nestles at the eastern slopes of the volcano with the altitude of 2,700 feet. Every visitor enjoys the hanging cloud and the pleasant climate as they view the Pacific Ocean and different places around Mayon Volcano National Park where the Mayon Volcano is located. There is also the Cagsawa Ruins, which is a lavish church during the Spanish era and was buried when the volcano erupted on February 1, 1814. The remains of the church serve as a mute testimony of the volcano’s destructive strength and volatile fury. The Cagsawa Ruins Park always gives tourists an unhampered view of Mayon Volcano.

WowParadisePhilippines 

Nagsurok Cave & Pinanaan Cave In Prieto-Diaz Sorsogon

Monday, September 10th, 2007

Nagsurok Cave

nagsurok.jpg

Pinanaan Cave

pinanaan.jpg

BIKOL WRITERS ANTHOLOGIZED IN ANI 33

Monday, September 10th, 2007

The Literary Arts Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines recently released the list of contributors for the 20th Anniversary issue of Ani, the CCP Literary Yearbook. Now on its 33rd issue, the volume once again explores Nature and Environment as metaphors of the human condition. Edited by prize-winning writer Herminio S.Beltran, it will be launched on September 14, 6:30 pm, at the CCP Ramp.

The volume features poems, short stories, essays, translations and a play by 77 contributors including Bikol writers Carlos A. Arejola, Abdon M. Balde Jr., Jose Jason L. Chancoco, Kristian S. Cordero, Marne L. Kilates, Niño Manaog, and Victor Dennis Tino Nierva.

Other writers of note are Merlie M. Alunan, Genevieve L. Asenjo, Herminio S. Beltran Jr., Dexter Bomediano Cayanes, Genaro R. Gojo Cruz, Jeneen R. Garcia, Luis P. Gatmaitan, Gelacio Y. Guillermo Jr., Sid Gomez Hildawa, Elyrah Loyola Salanga, Beverly Siy, John Iremil E. Teodoro, Enrico C. Torralba, Santiago B. Villafania and Camilo M. Villanueva Jr.

Rommel Manto did the book design and lay-out. He also used a photograph of a Junye Installation and a print by Neil Neil Doloricon for the cover.

For more information please contact: Mr. Arnel F. Tabaranza, CCP Literary Arts Division, tel. no. 832-1125 locals 1706, 1707; mobile 0917-8379922.

From Hagbayon

 

Bikol Wiki “conditionally approved” na!

Monday, September 10th, 2007

Maraming salamat sa mga nag-argyu para sa Bikol Wikipedia. Na-conditionally approve na ang proposal. Kailangan lang na i-meet ang ilang rikwayrment para sa final approval ng proyekto.

Narito ang mga kinakailangan:

1. There is an active test project on the Incubator wiki.

A project should start on the Incubator wiki. This will demonstrate that there is sufficient community to build the project. If there is no valid ISO 639 or BCP 47 code, the test project will provide some of the material to present to the World Language Documentation Center. This is also a good occasion to translate the MediaWiki software if there is no version in that language.

2. There are localization files available in that language.

The MediaWiki interface is created from localization files for each language. If there are no files for this language yet, the language subcommittee will contact the community to arrange for translation before the wiki can be created.

Meron na tayong test project, 3ng interesado (sa ngayon) na magkontribyut at/o mag-edit ng mga artikel, at ISO 639-3 na “bcl“ para sa Central Bicolano.

Kapag saksesful ang test project, iaapruwv ng language subcommittee ang rikwest at inonotifay ang Board of Trustees. Kung hindi mag-object ang board makalipas ang apat na araw, magkrikrieyt na ng wiki para sa atin. Hindi na mahalaga ang bilang ng users na nag-support o nag-oppose sa project

Users are strongly encouraged to continue developing the test project while they are waiting for the wiki to be opened. This may accelerate the process. For Wikipedia proposals, the List of articles every Wikipedia should have may be useful. All pages developed as part of a test wiki can be transferred to the actual wiki when it is opened.

Pwede na kitang poroprobar na maggibo asin mag-edit nin artikulo sa http://incubator.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wp/bcl tangarig bukasan na an http://bcl.wikipedia.org!

Article from Filipinayzd

Bicol Mail

Monday, September 10th, 2007

bicolmail.jpg

The Bicol Mail, a pioneering and crusading 52-year old weekly that eventually became a regional publication, is a must read newspaper then as now because of its readability, credibility and responsibility.

Founded in 1953 by a journalist - guerilla leader - public servant in the person of Leon Sa. Aureus (the first mayor of Naga City), the Bicol Mail earned nationwide respect for outstanding journalistic craftmanship. And in recognition of its achievement it was awarded in 1960 as “the best edited provincial newspaper of the Philippines”. It flourished in influence until abruptly cut by martial law in 1972.

This year, as it celebrates its golden anniversary, nephews and other close relatives of the founding publisher led by civic-business leader Nilo P. Aureus, owner and general manager of the GoldPrint Publishing House, decided to rise and face a historic challenge by reviving, without fear or favor, the venerable Bicol Mail, on the very occasion of the 55th charter anniversary of Naga City last June 18, 2003.

It is expected not just to stand out as a new model in the field of newspapering but as a well-managed business enterprise.

www.bicolmail.com 

PREMIO TOMAS AREJOLA SEASON

Monday, September 10th, 2007

Multi-awarded Writer, Pioneering Cultural Worker
to be Honored in Premio Arejola

Writer Abdon M. Balde, Jr. and culural advocate
Leonor Dy-Liaco are this year’s
recipients of the Premio Tomas Arejola Lifetime Achievement Award.

Balde, a native of Busac, Oas, Albay, has won prestigious national literary awards, including the Palanca, Gintong Aklat and the National Book Award. Although written in Tagalog, Balde’s tales are set in the region and distinguished for their celebratory Bikol sensibility. Dy-Liaco, on the other hand, is a Naga city resident and a long-time president of the Kabikolan Foundation Inc. and is a pioneering figure in Bikol cultural promotion and research. They will be presented the Lifetime Achievement medallion and a testimonial plaque at the awards rites of the 4th Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon on Sept. 19, this year at the St. Vincent de Paul Auditorium of the historic Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City.

Balde and Dy-liaco were chosen by a committee chaired by Judge Ramon A. Arejola of the Arejola Foundation for Social Responsibility, the body running the annual literary prize. Judge Arejola is the presiding judge of the Daet Municipal Trial Court. The other members of the selection committee include Carlos Arejola, Kristian S. Cordero, Fabiana A. Arejola and Mrs. Amelita Zaens.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was first conferred to Prof. Ma. Lilia F. Realubit, Ph.D in 2004. Dr. Realubit is widely regarded as Bicol’s foremost critic and cultural researcher. It has since been awarded to celebrated poets Luis Cabalquinto and Gode Calleja in 2005, noted Bikolista Levy Aureus and posthumously to Luis G. Dato last year.

Also expected to grace the occasion are the honorees in the Osipon (fiction), Rawitdawit (poetry) and the Salaysay (essay) categories, namely Judith Balares-Salamat, Adrian V. Remodo, Marissa Reorizo-Casillan, Irene L. Taniegra, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan, Ryan B. de los Reyes, Aida B. Cirujales, Eurely P. Arroyo, Jerico Rebadeo, Jhonald A. Caballero, Christine P. Cordez, Victor Dennis T. Nierva. They will be presented the Premio Arejola Diploma of Merit and are eligible to win medallions, the category prize of P2,500 and, ultimately, the Parasurat kan Taon title and P10,000 cash prize. Excerpts of the winning entries will be read during the awards rites by Janet Fabay, Evangeline Pontejos and Merlie Arnante. The public is cordially invited.

Sorsogon Overdrive

Monday, September 10th, 2007

Sorsogon Overdrive

It was a cold sunday. The plan was to meet at chowking muñoz at 3am. The establishment which is usually open 24 hours was closed that morning, for the holidays i think, so i texted everyone that mercury drug is the new meeting place. i got there some 20 minutes before 3. after 5 or 10 minutes angela showed up. daren, bryan and macky arrived some 30 minutes later. we took the extra time of waiting for mark to buy some stuff like lighter fluids and chips. he arrived with his pops trailing on another car. We had some chit-chats with his dad and after a few fatherly reminders and a tank full of gas, we were on our way to bicol.

i was thinking that it’ll be one hell of a long trip… i was sure i heard mark’s honda odessey saying the same thing. hehe.

we picked up alex and his gf, grace, in the corner of quezon ave and edsa. They were sitting beside ronald mcdonald in a darkened mcdo store. it was already 4:30 and they were already there some 2 hours ago. well the early bird catches the porn, thats what they say. And then we continue on our way. We had an early breakfast at a shell station along the south express way.

After long hours of playing rugby with giant trucks and buses (and having some close calls, whew!) we got to our first pitstop, Naga City. It was around 12 in the afternoon. We were all very ready for a bicol food fest by that time, so we looked for a place called Robertsons, Naga’s version of Robinsons, and got our bellies full with tinolmok and the best of the bicolandia cuisine. After we bought a box of sanmig lights, we were on the road again.

Next stop was the Cagsawa Ruins. It was around 3pm, it rained so after just a couple of photos, we decided to resume our trip to matnog which was our destination that day. I think Mark was already starving that he was driving like we were a friggin ambulance. We were halfway to matnog in less than an hour. We knew we found the X spot when we saw the huge words “You Are Now Leaving The Island Of Luzon”. After a very nice diner, we geared up for Subic Island.

Rommels place is situated just some 30 yards from the beach. Two small bancas were waiting for us, both were still off shore and all of us helped to push ‘em out to sea. That shit was not an easy thing to do, with those huge waves, its like crazy, man. Even boarding the outriggers proved to be a challenge. I remember some locals even warned us that the waves are already dangerous and getting stronger and bigger by the minute. They were right. The pacific ocean waves is really something to be reckoned with. There were no life jackets available and had our banca flipped or something, it could have been one hell of a fight for life. It was “the ride” im telling you. Pretty scary and very thrilling at the same time. We even had a banca race hehe. After some 25 minutes, we got to Subic Island, a secluded speck of land between Sorsogon and Samar. After dinner, cans of beer, bottles of brandy and manong telling us stories about aswangs and stuff, we all dozed off under the bicolana moon.

It was now monday. We spent the morning swimming and riding the huge waves, exploring the island and frustratingly climbing a rock wall for pictures. After tons of photos, we set off for matnog again. The waves were still strong so the ride was still a thriller. We took quick showers and after a nice breakfast courtesy of Rommel’s wonderful grandma, we packed our things up. We said thanks and goodbye to Rommels granny and pretty cousins and we were off. Next, Mt. Bulusan!

We hired a van to take us to Mt. Bulusan jump-off point. When we got there, locals, even the kagawad, advised us not to continue with the planned climb since the weather is really bad and limatiks with surely eat us alive (as how one local had exaggeratedly put it). We all agreed to listen to the local peeps and decided that we will just do a day hike the next morning. But the plan was changed when four mountaineers which have just came down from the mountain arrived. We talked to them and asked them about the situation up there. They suggested we go on with the climb but warned us that its raining very hard and showed us some fresh limatik bites. They said they didnt went to the summit because its really foggy and its raining, no view will ever be seen in that condition. So we changed our game plan.

We’ll go on with the climb and set camp on angingay. And if in the following morning the weather is good, we’ll trek up to the summit. We reached angingay campsite at about 5pm. It was still raining the following day (Tuesday) so we decided to descend rather than to continue up. We took a different route on the way down, leading to Bulusan Lake. We rested a lil in bulusan lake, picture takings, snack and had a chitchat with a french mountaineer. Had our lunch in the town of irosin and the we headed back to rommels place in matnog.

After packing our things and thanking Rommels grandma, we left matnog. We were in the mood for some ice cold beer and a couple of microphones so Rommel took us to New Port beach resort and busted our pipes with cheezy videoke songs haha. Our body needed some rejuvenating from the climb so after the videoke raid and snorkeling in New Port Beach, we blazed the road again and went to San Binon Hot Spring. Bodies were healed but bellies were still aching so after a couple of hours in the hot spring, we were back on the road.

Next stop, Daren’s place in Prieto Diaz for the seafood galore! We arrived there around 9pm. His parents were very warm and generous. We were treated with giant crabs and prawns, laing and octopus dinuguan. God i think we spent almost an hour over the dinner table. hehe. at 12 midnight, we left for Rizal beach, carrying 8 grandes and more giant crabs and prawns. We arrived at Gubat town after some 20 minutes later. Now i understand why rizal beach is one of the most famous beaches of bicol, its fine white sand and very wide shoreline. We coundnt find a nice place to stay at so after some hours we decided to head back to Daren’s place and finish our drinking spree there. And then there was darkness. A lot of snoring.

The next day. We all got up early for there are still lots of adventures to do. We went to Sto. Domingo for the Nagsurok and Pinanaan caves exploration. We explored Nagsurok first. Its entrace was a lil narrow but its one huge cave, man. And it has hundreds of bats living inside along with huge scorpions and spiders. Then it was the Pinanaan cave, a very large cave, its like standing inside a cathedral. On our way back to Darens house, we took a detour and went to one of the largest mangrove forest in the country, the Prieto Diaz Mangrove Forest & Coastal Management. Then we went back to Darens, had a great lunch and packed our stuff.

On our way home, we stopped by Cagsawa Ruins again, to take photos and shop for some pasalubongs. Good thing it wasnt raining anymore. The next stop over was in Naga City, we had a quick dinner at Bryans place. And thats it, we got back here at manila the following morning.

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