A Two Day Visit to Legazpi City

Just back from a week long trip from Bicol and Cebu, after a week-long search online for Bicol products, we managed to dropped by a visit in some selected areas in Albay and took some photos along the way.

One of the interesting sights in Legazpi city now is, the presence of new taxi cabs (four units operating right now and according to them, there will be more coming), a new terminal building and a new showroom for Bicol products at Landco Business Park.

One I took note in our two day trip was the outdated online information for Bicol products - some shops and factories were already closed. And that abaca can be crafted in many interesting forms like bags, rugs and fabrics to name a few. And last, there is a growing interest in developed countries not only in Asia to go for organic products because of the global awareness on climate change.

For our enterprising locals, this is an untapped opportunity since we have the raw materials (abaca, nito, nipa, rattan, bamboo etc) in our midst and available idle hands that needs to be trained.

RELATED LINKS:

• 09 Catandungan Trade Fair Earns Good Sale - The three-day Catandungan Agro-Industrial and Technology Fair held at the Virac Youth Center on October 22-24 was a huge success.
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• World-Class Transport Terminal Up and Running in Bicol - The Metro Integrated Transport Terminal (MITT) here has started operations providing commuters between the city and all destinations within Albay.

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NPA Rebels Attack Army Troopers in Panganiban - CT

Communist guerillas attacked troopers of the 83rd Infantry Battalion in Panganiban, Catanduanes last week, one of two separate skirmishes that transpired between soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division and CPP-NPA-NDF members on Nov. 17.

Maj. Harold M. Cabunoc, spokesman of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army said that the government forces gallantly repulsed the harassment initiated by the communist rebels on the CAFGU detachment of CAFGU Company, 22nd IB, in barangay Dalupaon, Pasacao, Camarines Sur at around 7:15 A.M. He said that the detachment was fired upon by more or less 10 rebels positioned at about 300 meters northwest of said detachment.

The Army troopers and CAFGUs, who were trained as snipers, returned fire and engaged the enemy with highly accurate shots from their defensive positions. The firefight lasted for about 5 minutes after which the enemies withdrew towards the direction of BarangayTilnac and Barangay San Antonio of the same municipality. No casualty was reported on the government side and an undetermined number were wounded on the enemy side.

In an unrelated incident, at 1:30 P.M. of the same day, another encounter was reported between the troops of the Bravo Company of 83rd IB led by 2nd Lieutenant Rodel Balatbat and the CPP-NPA rebels in Alinawan, Panganiban, Catanduanes. The 15-minute engagement resulted to the wounding of Corporal Dela Torre who was hit in his left arm while there were undetermined casualties on the enemy side. Recovered from the scene of encounter were two backpacks containing subversive documents of high intelligence value, the report said.

Maj. Cabunoc emphasized that that the Army in the Bicol Region have been trained to respond appropriately during enemy attacks. "The surrenderees in Catanduanes are now working closely with 83IB to hunt down the remnants of the rebel group in the island," said Cabunoc.

"These harassments are desperate attempts by the CPP-NPA-NDF rebels to counter the successive combat accomplishments attained by the troops of the 9th Infantry Division," he added.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 29 November 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• 6 Soldiers, Militiamen Hurt in Catanduanes Ambush - Six soldiers and a militiaman were injured when New People's Army guerrillas ambushed members of the 83rd Infantry Battalion in Caramoran town.
• Tips Lead Army to 3 NPA Camps in Caramoran - Civilians led Army troops to three encampments of the New People’s Army within Caramoran’s forests.
• Rebellion, Child Abuse Raps to be Filed vs NPA - The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army will file rebellion and child abuse charges against 20 members of the New People’s Army.

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"Message in a Bottle" Found in Catanduanes 40 Years Ago

In the past, a pen pal letter is the only way to connect with the outside world, so many at that time were scanning the pages of pen pal columns in mags and newspapers. But a local named, David, found a friend in a note stuffed inside a bottle washed along the shores of Catanduanes.

Note in a Bottle Brings Response

San Diego Calif (AP)- Jeff Howell, 13, was puzzled over receiving Christmas and New Year's greetings from a Filipino - especially since he never had friends in the Philippines.

Then he remembered stuffing a note inside a soda bottle two years ago, corking the bottle and throwing it in the ocean near Point Loma.

His new pen pal is David Mauricio of the Province of Catanduanes, who said in his letter postmarked Dec. 29 that he found the bottle floating in the ocean while walking on the beach after Christmas mass.

Source: Eugene Register-Guard 17 January 1970

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6 Soldiers, Militiaman Hurt in Catanduanes Ambush - INQ

Six soldiers and a militiaman were injured when New People's Army guerrillas ambushed members of the 83rd Infantry Battalion in Caramoran town, some 50 kilometers from this capital town, on Sunday afternoon, an Army official said Monday morning.

Army troopers led by Corporal Felix Reodique were conducting combat operations at Barangay (Village) Guiamlong when they encountered around 20 communist rebels at 3:30 p.m., said Major Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the 9th Infantry Division.

He said the guerrillas, who occupied high ground in the mountainous terrain overlooking the position of the Army squad, triggered a 30-minute firefight.

The wounded soldiers and militiaman, who sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of the body, were brought to the provincial hospital at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in Virac.

They were identified as squad leader Reodique, Private First Class Victor Rubianes, Private First Class Lope Abanil, Private Juvy Cerdon, 24, Private Ryan Toledanes, 21, a soldier identified only as Archie Mendoza, and Juanito Lucero, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit.

By Fernan Gianan
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 11:54:00 11/23/2009

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• Army: 400 Soldiers Purely for Anti-Rebel Campaign - The Philippine Army has denied reports that its 400-strong contingent in Catanduanes is intended to serve as a security force to safeguard the planned coal mining operation by Monte Oro Resources & Energy, Inc.
• Red Scare - In less than a month this year, 5 casualties have been recorded as insurgency related deaths.

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Reflections on Life

I’ve never had more time to spare for as long as I can remember except lately… For a very long time my life has revolved around a very structured existence. Not mainly by choice but by circumstances. Talk about “when the rubber meets the road”. I’ve long believed we exist for a reason or reasons… Reasons sometimes we can’t hardly fathom or very superficial that we tend to ignore them.

We are drawing close to the year’s end already… I can’t imagine how quick time has fly. I can’t barely catch up… Looking back, I know I’ve lost some treasured moments but as the famous saying goes, time is something you can never recover.

My life has been a roller coaster ride… I had peaks and valleys… Probably more valleys than peaks that at some point I get so numb about my existence. Don’t get me wrong- I guess I just remember more the pains and the heartaches than the triumphs and victories. That’s my water loo- blinded by the pains that goes with the trials. I shed a lot of tears, had sleepless nights, lots of down moments and feelings of hopelessness that I had a lot doubts if I ever would come out of it. I know we all have our own trials and burdens and cross to carry. I know they come in all forms and sizes and most often unannounced. I know behind these dark days, there is a silver lining… I hope I would be patient enough and persevere to the end.

A priest-friend of mine texted me few days ago, as if by coincidence, reminding me that there are no mistakes in life, just lessons to be learned. I don’t know if he took my silence as a sign of something not right going on with me, but the message just hit me. Needless to say, I am going through a lot these days… I know, God has made His presence known to me one more time.He sensed my weakening faith; my faith must have been as tiny as a grain of sand! I promised not to question His wisdom but my faltering will gave way. I once asked Him to show me the sign to which direction I should go. I guess He gave me the sign immediately- He told me: “Slow down!” I know He knows what I was going through. My life was compounded by things as a consequence of both my actions and in-actions. I was attempting to tackle them left and right. It was pretty overwhelming I lost every confidence I could muster everytime I face trials like these. His message made sense! I’ve been caught in a rat race without me knowing I fell into the trap. When all things around me were crumbling down, falling apart, He gave me some time to rearrange my priorities, focus on the most urgent things and at the same time have time for myself. I was not used to it! Work has been my refuge, swallowed by fast paced existence I don’t bother to look around me. I took every opportunity to be busy at work so I don’t have any time to digest other issues on the periphery. I realized it was a pathetic way to live. I was consumed by the desire to get away from a maze-like life; my way of running away….

There’s no point in running away - or I should say there’s no running away in life. One way or another, life will usher us in a direction where we have to face whatever life throw at us. My present life brought me to my knees - both figuratively and literally. It’s a very humbling experience…. When you are up there, the only way to go is DOWN! On my way down, though, I’ve met a lot of people who cared about me despite of and in spite of everything. They were the very people who were in my peripheral life but hang on to me… They willingly listened to me, keep my spirits up even though my heart says otherwise. I have given myself time to heal both physically and emotionally. I used to ignore my body when it was screaming for some reprieve. I gave myself time to relax at home; to just reacquaint myself to the things I love to do as well. I can now work on my hobbies… I have time for my friends and peers - I learned to ease down my nerves at work and spend some playful moments with my peers. I let myself be heard and learned to let go of my feelings instead of locking them in. I learned to listen to myself and let my feelings flow even if it meant showing my vulnerability. I appreciate more each day that I’ve been given the chance to savor life…

Learning takes time but as the saying goes, mistakes also makes one journey fun. Someday, I may laugh at myself for the dumb things that I did or realizing how stupid I was for going my way even though I knew they were not meant to be. Huh! I still have a long way to go. I wish I can finally let go of the hurt that’s consuming me right now. I wish I can openly say to God it’s all over; that I don’t have anymore reservations about extending my hand to the very people who brought me down. I guess along the way, God will show me when the fork of life divides and the path I will have to follow…It may be the road less traveled but who knows….

by Ginaha

RELATED LINKS:

• Manny Pacquiao: Sa Bawat Laban - Ikaw, ang tunay na bayaning bayan walang sinumang tatalo sa iyo saan man dako ng mundo.
• Our Life Stories and Memoirs: Gaudioso Galicia - I was born on October 5, 1926 in Panganiban, Catanduanes to parents, who were poor and illiterate.

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Sa Bawat Laban

Ikaw, ang tunay na bayaning bayan walang sinumang tatalo sa iyo saan man dako ng mundo. Simula blow by blow pinanonood na kita, pagdating sa Asia sinundan kita,ang unang kaba ko lang nang makasagupa mo si Choi Chai sasiakol na animo kitikiti sa bilis akalain ko bang parehas ang bilis nyo.

Pero madalas ikaw ay nagogroogy ang akala ko matatalo tayo, isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu, labing-isa panalo ka, sadsad ang kalaban sa kanto ng ring, ako’y nakahinga. Markado kita idol pag ang dalawang kamao mo pinagtagpo mo sigurado ako na babanat ka, at talagang bumabagyo na. Sumisigaw na ako pati mga katabi ko naglalayuan na kasi sila tinatamaan ko na, ang laban mo kay Barrera maganda pero alam kong mananalo ka, ang kay Marquez, malaki siya, pero wala akong kaba, ang kay Morales para bang na hometown tayo, at naulit muli panalong sigurado tayo naniwala na sila na ikaw ang champion.

Pagdating kay Golden Boy alam ko na hindi aabot sayo si Golden Boy, pagdating kay Hatton, mayabang, alam ko yon na pag mayabang tinutumba mo agad. Tulad ng kay Larios mayabang pati ama, kaya ginulpi mo agad pati yong ama pinatutulong ko na ng binabagyo ng suntok.

Ayon kay Cotto alam ko na titirisin mo talaga koto lang yon eh, yon nga ang nangyari, alam ko mabait si Cotto medya lang ang binigay mo. Inaabangan ko ang laban ninyo ni Floyd pero siguradong susuntok ito ng hangin tulad ng iba, basta lahat na labanan mo naroon ako sa TV. Umaabsent ako sa trabaho, ang sabi ko magkikita tayo.

Mananatili kang kampeon sa panahon mo. Di pa sinisilang ang tatalo sa iyo. Magparami ka ng lahi, tulungan mo ang mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, ikaw ang bayani, bayaning dapat tularan. Ako alam mo na puwede mo rin akong balatuhan, para naman makahawak ng produkto ng kampeyonato sa buong mundo. Madalas ko pang sabihin sa mga kaibigan ko papakyawin yan ni Pacquiao. Di ako nagkamali, hihintayin ko na lang ang darating sa akin, lubos na humahanga ikaw ang hari ng lona, labis ipinagmamalaki ng sambayanan, ikaw ang nagpapatahimik ng buong mundo bawat laban mo nagkakasundo ang lahat na Pilipino, pati na ang buong mundo dala mo ang laban ng sambayanang Pilipino. Mabuhay ka Pacman! Mabuhay!

Lubos na humahanga,

Rene

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Catanduanes Pursues Aggressive Tourism Development Approach

Catanduanes is pursuing an aggressive approach towards the development of its tourism industry capitalizing on its rich eco-tourism potentials and the genial mien and hospitality of its people.

“We can play host not only to unwelcomed visitors like typhoons that frequently visit our place but also to tourists who are seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences with nature that our rich ecological resources offer,” Lilian Alcantara, the provincial tourism council chairperson, said here on Tuesday.

The province holds a great potential as a tourist destination that provides the ambient of an atmosphere that is so close to nature.

It has thickly forested mountains and coastlines lined with magnificent cliffs interspersed with pockets of white sand beaches, Alcantara said.

Its eastern coast is a growing destination for surfers while the cool springs and waterfalls located not only in mountainous areas but even in vicinities of major population areas are exciting places to visit and stay at, she said.

“Our tourism is still in its infancy and tourist-based ventures are still few but the industry can absorb more investments in establishing accommodations, resorts, diving and other recreational facilities as well as restaurants and tourist souvenir shops,” Alcantara added.

Part of the province’s campaign to develop its tourism potentials is the promotion of investment opportunities opened by the need for these facilities.

Marilyn Alberto, the provincial tourism officer, said “we are moving heaven and earth to infuse blood, sweat and stamina to the once neglected tourism industry in Catanduanes that is known as the Land of the Howling Wind”.

The island province thrust into the Pacific Ocean and separated from Luzon by Maqueda Channel which across, lies the Caramoan Peninsula of Camarines Sur.

It is chiefly mountainous with few coastal plains and also known as an early center of shipbuilding during the early Spanish era.

It is believed that the province’s name is derived from the Catandungan River, whose banks, tando trees used extensively for shipbuilding were found, Alberto said.

“Our determination for our tourism industry to move forward is unfazed by prevailing natural circumstances because of the commitment given by the provincial government, the academe, operators of local tourism facilities and other stakeholders to pursue the province’ key positioning platform with the resolve “experience nature’s extreme challenges only in Catanduanes,” she said.

Support from well-known advertising firms and top-notch account executives from Metro-Manila had also been assured, she added.

Fully supported by Gov. Joseph C. Cua and the provincial legislative board, Alcantara said the tourism program has set at work the mechanism for a spirited campaign to motivate local municipal executives to create their own local tourism councils, submit proposals and plans to develop domestic potentials.

These proposals that would serve as guide to local government units (LGUs) on the intricacies of tourism promotions will be evaluated and validated by the provincial tourism council, she said.

Aside from motivating local officials, “come on” letters were also sent to prospective investors, inviting them to visit Catanduanes and explore business opportunities that, according to Alcantara, “many have been missed because they never paid the island a visit”.

Private groups and some business concerns were also called upon and invited to spearhead the sponsorship of the Catandungan festival, which may be boosted by domestic arts and cultural organizations, including those from the academe whose talents and potentials can be harnessed to their fullest splendor, she said.

Catanduanes’ business community shall also be tapped and encouraged to adapt or create activities to suit the province’s new positioning in establishing its distinct identity and character as a Bicolano, Alcantara added.

For his part, Cua said, tourism would only be among Catanduanes' approach to development which is focused on making full use of its natural resources.

“The rich waters of the Pacific Ocean that surround the island province offer fishing grounds teeming with high-value fishes such as herring, tuna, blue marlin, grouper, squid, lobster and mackerel are among these resources,” he said.

The province also provides large quantities of forest products, specifically tropical hardwoods like almon, apitong, narra, tanguile, and red and white lauan.

But although the island is mostly forested, it also produces coconuts, abaca, palay and root crops, and livestock makes up a big portion of its exports to the mainland, Cua said.

Significant quantities of copper, gold, iron, manganese, clay, coal, guano, phosphate, limestone, magnetite, shale and marble can be found in the island, he said.

Catanduanes is accessible from the Luzon mainland by air and by land-sea combination.

The Virac airport serves as air link from Manila and Legaspi City, the Bicol regional government center.

The ports of Virac and San Andres provide the sea link with Tabaco City in Albay.

A system of concrete, asphalt and gravel roads encircles the main island and connects all the municipalities. Communications links with the rest of the country and abroad are also not a problem as it is served by all the modern telecommunication networks in the country, the governor added. (PNA) LDV/LQ/DOC/cbd

Source: Balita-dot-ph - 17 November 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• Catanduanes Online Eco-Tour Map - Interactive map of explored and unexplored  tourist attraction Catanduanes.
• Catanduanes Tourist Spots - Partial tourist attractions in Catanduanes.
• ADB Announces Asia-Pacific Climate Change Video Contest - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new video competition – My View: The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Video Contest

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DOTC Fast-Tracks Construction of SLIA in Albay - PIA

Daraga, Albay (16 November) -- The implementation of the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) is in full swing as the construction of road components has already commenced following the acquisition of some 200 hectares of land, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in Bicol.

SLIA is a major project of the DOTC under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's super region program with a total of P3.4 billion funding to finance the construction of the international airport in the Bicol peninsula expected to be completed by 2012.

DOTC said it has already processed payment claims of over 200 landowners whose properties were affected by the construction of the international airport at barangay Alobo, this municipality.

The construction of the SLIA will cover 200 hectares, which 187 hectares cover airport terminal and runway, 1.5 kilometers will be used for access roads and another 10 hectares are being negotiated for resettlement area for residents who lost their property and have no other home to live.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the project has already spent some P800-million for land acquisition component of the project, and the pre-construction and other structural requirements including the feasibility study.

Salceda expressed optimism that as soon as the land acquisition is completed the airport construction at the 200-hectare plateau in barangay Alobo would push through as scheduled.

He said that the present site is the most ideal and strategic because the location is accessible to other provinces of Bicol such as, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes including the Visayan provinces through Matnog port in Sorsogon.

At the same time, investors from other countries who visited Albay province expressed their willingness to set up businesses following the construction of international airport, Salceda said.

SLIA is just one of the big infrastructure projects in the region now being fast track under the super region concept designed by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Bicol is now under the Central Philippines cluster, composed of the three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.

Currently, Legazpi Airport served as the airline's hub in Bicol, serving not only local clients in Albay but also transient passengers from southern Camarines Sur and the province of Sorsogon. (PNA Bicol/PIA)

by MS Arguelles
Source: Philippine Information Agency
RELATED LINKS:

• Gov't Pins Hopes on Domestic Tourists - The Tourism Department is keen on developing more sites that can lure local travelers especially, Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano said in a recent phone interview.
• Virac Airport Expansion - The national government has reportedly secured a US$3 million grant for the expansion of Virac airport as a key component of the tourism development program of the Camarines Sur provincial government.
• ITU Council 2009: Interview with Mr. Rodolfo Salalima - An interview with Mr. Rodolfo Salalima, Senior Vice President for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of Globe Telecom at the 2009 Session of ITU Council, talks about the construction of a typhoon early warning system pilot project in Catanduanes.

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