• St. Andrew Residences

  • Nissan Navara and Nissan Livina Up Close

    Calagaus Island Escapade

  • Travel Guide to Calaguas Islands

.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Alternative Route to Bicol: Quezon Eco-Tourism Road


As a frequent traveler going to and fro Metro Manila, the usual route has been pain in the neck, legs and arms of drivers especially when you reach Southern Tagalog roads. While others have the luxury to travel by air, our family tradition going on a south road has been a luxury of time for us.

For decades, from being a passenger during my childhood years to earning my driver's license, I have seen different road conditions that you can ever imagine which can be tantamount to imperfection. But, it is in this sense of imperfection that we get to see the reality of our government and even politics. Beyond all these, we have the chance to enjoy the scenic view of southern Luzon. Exploring alternative routes and recently taking bypass roads like in Candelaria and Tiaong has been in the past years due to recent developments.

Please don't use image without permission. 
Most of our roadtrips are motivated by family gatherings and since we have relatives all over Luzon, it's a good excuse to travel every year. I first heard of Quezon Eco-Tourism road from Inquirer's post HERE. With a trip in queue back in April 2016, we never had second thoughts of taking this alternative route mainly because, first, we love seeing new places and secondly, easing a little bit of traffic just to get in time to our destination is a must.

Below is my recorded dashcam video, southbound. Recorded by a Transcend DrivePro DP 220 at 720p. 



Alternative route going to Bicol staying away from San Pablo, Alaminos, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya. (Video taken last May 1 when we were homebound to Naga). This route is different from the exsiting bypass roads in Candelaria and Tiaong.

From SLEX, go straight to Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star) Tollway and exit to Ibaan. Take San Juan then Rosario, Batangas road then turn right to the new Quezon Ecotourism Road. (Just put "Quezon Ecotourism Road" on Waze and everything is fairly easy, yup its accurate, don't worry.) Traverse through coconut plantations (my favorite part), farmlands of vegetables with signages of numerous resorts in Sariaya. Traffic here in Batangas towns are tolerable rather than Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya and even adding up San Pablo.

Please don't use image without permission. 


If you are northbound: After Lucena, turn left to Quezon Ecotourism Road, you will see a signage anyway. Then left to Rosario, San Juan, exit to Ibaan Star Tollway, then SLEX. The route is actually longer in a few kilometers, but considering the traffic in Sariaya, Candelaria, Tiaong and San Pablo, I'd take this route instead. We have experienced for so many times being stuck in San Pablo for more than an hour at around 2 in the afternoon, imagine the heat. Remember, it's not always traffic-free like in town centers for Rosario and San Juan, but again, I'll reiterate that it's tolerableCheck out the comments thread on that video on Facebook from fellow motorists for feedback and other suggestions.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Father's Day Specials in Naga 2016


On this page you will see offers for Father's Day this June 18, 2016 in Naga City.




It's time to reward our hardworking Dads! Celebrate a feast on ocean fresh succulent Lobsters and high-grade Steaks meticulously prepared just to your liking. A culinary haven for your family to delight in this Father's Day. Treat him to a one-of-a-kind buffet spread in Naga City that's fit for a King!

Reserve your tickets for Avenue Plaza Hotel's SUPER DAD LOBSTER AND STEAK Buffet Dinner! Call 473 9999 for ticket reservations.















The Healing Bread in Naga City


Naga City - It's almost one year since The Healing Bread (THB) opened here in our city. Offering healthy bread, buns, wine, cakes, burgers, pasta, pizza but with all organic ingredients. It's only yesterday that I had the chance to stop by THB. Even though Panganiban Drive is a daily route where THB is located, the idea that it's just there made me delay my visit, which I now regret haha.

Probably the only organic garden bakery in Bicol Region to date and Naga City is indeed blessed and lucky to have this kind of place. THB offers artisan breads meaning, distinctively made in small quantities traditionally by hand, making sure that the bread is of high quality and guaranteed fresh. 

This is one place that is totally guilt-free but not sacrificing good taste and flavor. 


They have this Blue Ternate Veggie Pizza which I want to try the next time I visit. The crust is made from the goodness of moringa, oat whole wheat course and watered with guyabano tea. Sounds really really healthy. They have lots of cake too.


Since it was early in the morning, I ordered for take out, Pandesal (3 pcs for P10) and currently my favorite the Moringa Basil Wheat Bread which is perfect for sharing for only P50.

Hoping to come back sooner next time. The mushroom burger, veggie pizza and cakes are on my list!
Let's live healthier, patronize local bakeshops like The Healing Bread. 

Door 8 Duplex 3 Panganiban Drive, Naga City
(Near Naga City Subdivision entrance)
Email: thehealingbread@yahoo.com
Contact No.0917-807-5004 or 0918-663-0534


Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Peñafrancia Festival 2016 Schedule of Activities



On this page you will see the schedule of activities for the Peñafrancia Festival 2016. Bookmark this page now for updates!

HIGHLIGHTS
September 7 (Wednesday) - Miss Bicolandia 2016 Winners

September 9 (Friday) - Traslacion Procession
September 10 (Saturday) - Regional Band, Majorette and Fancy Drill Competition
September 10 (Saturday) - PXC Laban MMA at 7PM, Avenue Tent
September 11 (Sunday) - Run for Wellness 7 at 4:30 am Plaza Quezon
September 14 (Wednesday) - BSP/GSP Parade and Inter-school DXMC Competition
September 15 (Thursday) - Civic Parade and Float Competition
September 16 (Friday) - Regional Military Parade
September 16 (Friday) - Bicolandia Music and Arts Festival @ SM City Naga Parking 9PM
September 17 (Saturday) - Fluvial Procession
September 18 - Feast Day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia

Image Source: Naga Smiles to the World FB




The 134th Divino Rostro and the 306th Peñafrancia Annual Festivities GENERAL SCHEDULE FOR 2016

General Theme: Jesus Christ, the face of God’s mercy, nourishes the family in the Eucharist (Si Jesu Cristo, an lawog kan pagkaherak kan Dios, nagpapakakan kan familia sa Eucaristia)

August 30 (Tuesday) 
5:00 pm: Mass & Procession of the Divino Rostro from Basilica to Penafrancia Parish Church with Caceres Clergy (All Divino Rostro Novena Masses will be held at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish Church)

August 31 (Wednesday) - DAY FOR THE FAMILIES AND THE LAITY Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Mater Salutis, Cararayan; Mt. Carmel, Carolina) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
8:30 am: Harubay (c/o Our Lady of Peñafrancia Association) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (Naga Parochial School; PCFC)

September 1 (Thursday) – DAY FOR THE YOUTH Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Tabuco; Gainza: Fil-Chinese Community –Fatima) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (Naga College Foundation; Aeronautical Academy of the Philippines) 
8:30 pm: Perdon Penitential Procession

September 2 (Friday) – DAY FOR EDUCATORS, TEACHERS, AND MEDIA PRACTITIONERS Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: St. Jude Thaddeus; Immaculate Conception) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (CSNHS; STI; AMA Computer College) 
8:00 pm: Alay ki Ina (Basilica c/o Oremos)

September 3 (Saturday) - DAY FOR THE CHILDREN Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Our Lady of the Assumption, Canaman, CS) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
7:00 am: Pontifical Mass & Installation of new OLPA members: Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona (Basilica) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (MPC; WRI) 
7:00 pm: Cofradía de San José Vigil (Basilica) 
8:30 pm: Perdon Penitential Procession

September 4 (Sunday) – DAY FOR THE RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN OF CACERES Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Religious Men & Women of Caceres) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (UNEP Iriga City)

September 5 (Monday) – DAY FOR THE SICK, THE ELDERLY AND HEALTH WORKERS Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Cathedral & Lorenzo Ruiz, Abella) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (USANT Iriga City; Computer Communications Institute) 
8:30 pm: Perdon Penitential Procession

September 6 (Tuesday) – DAY FOR THE POOR AND PRISONERS Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: San Francisco Parish, Naga City) 5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (UNC; BISCAST)

September 7 (Wednesday) – DAY FOR PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Haring, Canaman, CS) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (USI; NCSHS)

September 8 (Thursday) – DAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND WORKERS Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession and Pilgrimage (Pilgrims: St. Anthony of Padua, Camaligan, CS) 
5:00 am: Novena Mass (Bikol) 
4:00 pm: Confessions 
4:00 pm: Formal Opening, Bishop Gainza Trade Fair (Elias Angeles Street) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) (AdeNU; Brentwood College of Asia International School)

September 9 (Friday) – FEAST OF THE DIVINO ROSTRO Theme: 
4:00 am: Penitential Procession of the Image of INA from Basilica to Penafrancia Parish Church 
5:30 am: Pontifical Mass: Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 
6:30 am: Community Mass (and every hour and a half thereafter)

NOVENA MASSES IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA Theme: The Eucharist: the source of Christian marriage and family life (FC 57) 
12:00 nn: Start of Traslacion Procession of Delegates from schools, institutions, and organizations 
1 – 5 pm: Masses (Cathedral) and Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
2:00 pm: Community Mass at Plaza de Covarrubias 
3:30 pm: TRASLACION PROCESSION 
5:30 pm: Pontifical Mass (Quadricentennial Arch) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 
7:00 pm: Community Mass (Cathedral)

September 10 (Saturday) – DAY FOR THE YOUTH Theme: Heralds of God’s love and mercy in the family through the Eucharist 
3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) Quadricentennial Arch, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona

September 11 (Sunday) – DAY FOR THE RELIGIOUS Theme: Eucharist: Strengthening consecrated life for ministry to the family 
3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 
9:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)

September 12 (Monday) – DAY FOR THE CHILDREN Theme: Eucharist, a family sacred banquet nurturing Christ’s mercy 
3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 
8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 
10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City

September 13 (Tuesday) – DAY FOR EDUCATORS, TEACHERS AND MEDIA PRACTITIONERS Theme: Eucharist: Teaching the Christian way of thinking, acting and living 6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Virac, Bishop Manolo de los Santos 8:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Libmanan, Bishop Jose R. Rojas 3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 3:00 pm: Union of Bicol Clergy (Holy Rosary Minor Seminary) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 
10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City

September 14 (Wednesday) – DAY FOR THE SICK, THE ELDERLY AND HEALTH WORKERS Theme: Eucharist: Radiating God’s tenderness and mercy even in the midst of pain and poverty 
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Daet, Bishop Gilbert Garcera 
3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 
8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 
10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City

September 15 (Thursday) – DAY FOR THE POOR & PRISONERS Theme: Christ’s sacrifice in the Eucharist, wellspring of hope and comfort in life’s difficulties 
3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA and Divino Rostro 
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Sorsogon, Bishop Arturo Bastes 
3-6 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 
6:00 pm: Union of Bikol Clergy Mass (Cathedral) Bishop Gilbert Garcera 
7:30 pm: Confessions (Cathedral) 
8:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds)

September 16 (Friday) – DAY FOR PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS Theme: Priestly devotion to the Eucharist, the heartbeat of God’s mercy in every family 
3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA and Divino Rostro 
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Masbate, Bishop Jose Bantolo 
10:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Military Ordinariate, Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak 
3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 
5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 
8:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 
9:00 pm: Vigilia de Espigas, Adoracion Nocturna Filipina

September 17 (Saturday) – DAY FOR GOVERNMENT LEADERS & WORKERS Theme: Devotion to the Eucharist: Committed safeguarding of the life and dignity of God’s families 
3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA and Divino Rostro 
6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Archdiocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 
10:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Legazpi, Bishop Joel Baylon 
12:000 nn: Ringing of Bells 
2:00 pm: Community Mass (Quadricentennial Arch) Community Mass (Tabuco Bridge Landing) 
4:00 pm: FLUVIAL PROCESSION 
4-6 pm: Confessions (Basilica Grounds) 6:30 pm: Pontifical Mass (Basilica Grounds) Archbishop Socrates Villegas

September 18 (Sunday)SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA Theme: Jesus Christ, the face of God’s mercy, nourishes the family in the Eucharist 
6:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Gilbert Garcera 
8:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 
9:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Jose Rojas 
11:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica)Bishop Lucilo Quiambao 
6:00 pm: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Manolo de los Santos


Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Pedal Power Bike Tour 2.0


Pedal Power 2.0 Bike Tour Event
June 12, 2016 Sunday 6AM @ Plaza Rizal

Last pre-registration is on June 10 &11 1pm to 5pm @ Plaza 
Rizal Naga City! Get a Chance to Win Fixie bike & many more prizes! Registration: Php 100(with minor raffle ticket),  Php 200(major raffle ticket).
Come & join our epic journey!
for more info: 09056434562