Palarong Bikol 2015 Opening Program

SPLASH OF VIBRANT COLORS

By Kookai Sabareza

Pili, Camarines Sur -Six provinces (Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes) and seven cities (Naga, Iriga, Ligao, Legazpi, Tabaco, Sorsogon, and Masbate) in their colorful uniforms gathered at the Freedom Sports Complex, San Jose, Pili to formally start the week long PALARONG BIKOL 2015 whereas Camarines Sur is the host province.

CLICK HERE for Medal Tallies Updates

Delegates include elementary and high school athletes, coaches, chaperons, teachers and parents. High ranking officials from the different provinces and from the DepEd Regional and Provincial Offices were also present during the said event.

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Selected schools from Cam Sur represented each delegate city or province by showcasing their unique festivals.

 Penafrancia Festival of Naga City

Sunflower Festival of Ligao City

Ibalon Festival of Legazpi City

Tabak Festival of Tabaco City

Kasanggayahan Festival of Sorsogon City.

Rodeo Festival of Masbate

And Kaogma Festival of Camarines Sur.

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Honorable Miguel Luis Villafuerte, the Governor of Camarines Sur was also present during the program.

This Gigantic Philippine Flag was a highlight during the program.

Around 2,000 teachers from Camarines Sur ended the opening program with a mass demonstration. Even though it was already noon and the heat of the sun is scorching hot, the energy and the wit of these teachers remained until the very end. Good job and well done!

Goodluck and Congratulations in advance.

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How To Go To Caramoan?

Quick Caramoan Trip Guide (Backpackers Style)
Update: Via VAN Straight from Naga to Caramaon
As of April 2019

CAVSUR Vans
Terminal at Robinsons Place Naga (Almeda Highway side parking)
Naga - Caramoan
Fare: 270
First trip: 4am
Last trip: 4pm

Continuous ang pila, pagka ma puno or ma reach ang minimum number of passengers, mahali na.

Unit of Vans: Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter and Nissan NV350

Caramoan Terminal:
Caramoan Market Place
4am First trip
4pm Last trip

Vans can also be chartered for special trips.

VIA ROAD & SEA (Approx 4 hours travel time)

• Van Naga-Sabang P100
• Boat Sabang - Guijalo Port P120 (Schedule: 6AM, 9AM, 11AM)
• Guijalo Port - Pay Environmental Fee P30
• Guijalo Port going to town via tricycle - P20/head, Habal-Habal P40

*All rates are subject to change without prior notice.

VIA ROAD TRIP (Approx 5 hours travel time)

• Raymond Trans Bus from Naga (Bicol Central Station) to Caramoan Php 250

Accommodation:  Homestay is as low as  P250 to P300 per night/head
WHERE TO STAY in Caramoan (Back in 2012, we stayed in West Pen Villas, you make check the link for our review)

Island Hopping: From Bical, Caramoan - Lantsa/Boat Rental ranges from P1.2k-2.5k depending on the islands to be visited.

GOING BACK TO NAGA
11AM - Last trip from Guijalo Port Caramoan to Sabang port
P5 port fee
Guijalo Port to Sabang Port by boat - P120
Van Sabang - Naga P100

From the archives... Here's a detailed guide that may still come in handy for you:

Guide to Caramoan: Getting There

WHERE TO STAY in Caramoan

Guide to Caramoan: Town Proper 

Guide to Caramoan: Island Hopping

Guide to Caramoan: Mt. Caglago, Tabgon

Guide to Caramoan: Souvenir Shops

Photos and travel tips provided by: Marion Bandin

All photos by Marion Bandin. Please do not use without permission.

All photos by Marion Bandin. Please do not use without permission.

All photos by Marion Bandin. Please do not use without permission.

All photos by Marion Bandin. Please do not use without permission.

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Art Event: Adrift

"ADRIFT" 
by Angelo Malanyaon Gretchen Alarkon
in Watercolor, etc

Opening on March 25, 2015 with live performances by Nardong Tutpik, Kalye Dose, Van Navarro (Centerfold), Victor Andrada, 199X, John Pharr Away, Ras Ita & many more.

A benefit exhibit for the indigent children's art workshop.
(In cooperation with CEPPIO-LGU Naga City)

Anthosia Café presents "Adrift: A Watercolor Exhibit" by Gretchen Alarkon and Angelo Malanyaon. Exhibit opens on March 25, 2015 at 8 PM. There will be live performances by various local artists.
Posted by Anthosia Café on Tuesday, 24 March 2015

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Jesse M. Robredo Museum

On this page you will see the JMR Museum (located within Naga City Civic Center) construction update.

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MySpa Naga City

Naga City - There are so many ways on how one can feel pampered while in this small city. At the second floor of the corner building of MT Villanueva Avenue & Penafrancia Avenue, stands one of the first spas in Naga. We go to spas because basically we want to relax and physical relaxation comes first in order for our minds to achieve total relaxation. 

My Spa is a type of spa that will engage all our 5 senses + 1 to achieve total relaxation. Let me tell you why.

Sight - The warm lights inside My Spa will calm you down. Once you're inside it's as if time has slowed down and you can own the time all you want. 

Smell - The aroma of the scented candles is just light enough to tickle your consciousness. This is always a basic in every spa that you'll find.

Hearing - Soft, classic and nature music to relax your thoughts, because sometimes we have to stay away from songs full of emotional lyrics.

Touch - Ever wonder why a simple hug or tap on your shoulders can lessen our burdens? In our hands lies the great power to do work and at the same time to help us ease away stress, anxiety and pain if and only if you know how and where to apply those "magic touch". Since not all us are equipped to do this, we go to spas who have expert therapists like in My Spa where they have eight. Eight trained and courteous therapists. My Spa has comfy chairs for your foot spa sessions that will make you feel like to lounge in it the whole day and the beds are just right for your whole body massage

Taste - At the end of your spa session, you will be offered a hot chocolate (tablea) or tea. This will complete your spa experience.  

The 6th sense would be your consciousness to maintain that relaxation you just received from My Spa. As you go on with your personal lives, your body is now energized to do your daily routine. 

Comfy chairs for the foot spa

Foot Spa

Fellow Bicol Bloggers just about to start the Foot Spa session

The bed for massages with curtains for your privacy. Under the bed is a box for your things. 

The 2nd day of the #SSSstaycation was the Naga X Challenge, bloggers were divided into two teams and were tasked to go to different spots in the city. After an hour of roaming around via the Taxicles, the bloggers were treated to My Spa. Bicol Blogger Mommy Sam's experience with the body scrub with dead sea salt of My Spa described it as "Best body scrub ever!", you have to read about her experience HERE. Didi of Frances and Flair availed the combination of full body massage and she said "I absolutely love my massage session. All my stress points were loosened up and I really felt like a fully charged person after the session". Read more about her experience HERE.

The following are the services being offered by My Spa:

Body Scrub (80mins) - P600

My Happy Feet (80mins) - P400

Foot Spa (80mins) - P250

Express Massage (30mins) - P175

Aromatherapy (60mins / 90mins) - P450 / P600

Swedish Massage (60mins / 90mins) - P350 / P520

Combination (60mins / 90mins) - P350 / P520

Dry / Shiatsu (60mins / 90mins) - P350 / P520

*Prices are subject to change without prior notice

They also have a sauna.

Sauna and shower rooms

Bicol Bloggers

Welcome to MySpa!

MySpa Contact Numbers

(054) 4737828 and +639984333251
Spa Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Weekends: 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm

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NcDEcoBlog: Adopt-Linis Estero Program

Pili, Camarines Sur - February 28, 2015, second Activity of the Adopt-Linis Estero Program spearheaded by the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-University Environmental Management Office (CBSUA-UEMO), CBSUA-League of Ecologist (LOE), Barangay Local Government Unit of San Jose, Pili and the 51st Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army along CBSUA and Camp Weenee Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Let us take you back to where it all started.

A Memorandum of Agreement between the Environmental Management Bureau V (EMB) and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) was signed last April 22, 2014 and aims to rehabilitate/clean the CBSUA-Martillana Estero, prevent waterborne diseases, improve the living condition of estero communities and improve the quality of the flowing water and also a collaborative endeavor of the Philippine Army, BLGU San Jose, and the estero community.

Sampling of estero water is done quarterly a week after clean up whereas the CBSUA is in charge of the collection and analysis by the EMB. The submission of report is on the 12th day of the following quarter.

The first estero clean up was done last November 29, 2014 participated by 125 stakeholders consisting of LOE members, the community and the Philippine Army. ~ By Kookai Sabareza

An Opening Program was initiated by CBSUA-UEMO Joyce V. de la Trinidad to give an overview of the program.

The group was divided into four; Headquarters and the Alpha Company together with some LOE members were designated in front of the camp where the adopted creek starts.

 Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanoides) were planted alongside the bank for slope stabilization and as well as pollution control.

Bravo and Charlie company were designated along the estero community which has a 500 meter stretch.

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Three hours later and you can see the big difference.

All rights reserved. Please do not use or copy the photo without the author's permission.

Photo Credits to Phil. Army

A total of 39 bags of wastes were collected during the 3 hour activity.

The group after the clean up activity.

The people behind the success of this activity: (from left to right) Gloria Q. Camposano, Ph. D., UEMO Joyce V. de la Trinidad,  Sir Lecaros of the Phil. Army, Brgy. Captain Eunice Eleda, and Brgy. Kgwd. Ferdinand Alamo.

Photo Credits to Phil. Army

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