Tourism

What's Behind The Joroan Shrine?

We’re on our way to Joroan, Albay to visit Nuestra Senora De Salvacion Church until I saw her image along the highway. Its not normal seeing an image in a highway, I’ve told my brother to pull over. I don’t know why but there’s something in me that I want to take a better look at her. I got out of the SUV and climb up the stairs. After I took a closer look and offered her a short prayer… I climbed again reaching for the top of the stairs, thinking what can be seen at the back of the wall of the shrine. And this was what I saw… let the pictures speak for themselves.


I thought I was only dreaming seeing this beautiful view with my own two eyes. The week long Bicol vacation was indeed a good idea and seeing such a wonderful place made it worthwhile. I’m thankful that I brought along my children to made them see the beauty of the Philippines. I don’t want them to become strangers on our own country.

Where's Cagsawa Ruins Park?

In February 1, 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted and sent lava flows cascading down its sides. The townspeople of Cagsawa fled to the church where they perished when it was engulfed in the fiery flows. Only the church tower remains as a memorial. Cagsawa Park Ruins is the number one tourist attraction in Bicol while viewing the famous Mayon Volcano. I’ve seen the beauty of the park thrice, visiting Bicol without seeing the Cagsawa Park make your vacation incomplete. I make it a point to visit Cagsawa after every vacation I made. Souveneirs and gift items were available at the entrance, there was even a resort inside the park. This image shows how it used to be.

After mudflow caused by typhoon Reming last December of 2006… the Cagsawa Ruins Park was nothing to visit anymore as of this writing. The park was full of black sands, bulldozers and backhoe around to sweep off the sands. It’s hard to drive to get near the church. It’s like a motorcross track! I almost want to walk to get a better shot of the Cagsawa, but its almost impossible since there are dead ends of the sand trail. I just hope that the local Government rehabilitate first the major destination in Bicol. The picture below shows the Cagsawa Church now.

Technorati tags: pinoy travel

Mayon Volcano Now After Reming

I felt tired until now, we had a week long vacation to Albay, Bicol with my kids. Semestral break, the opportunity for vacation we’ve been waiting for a long time. It took us 5 years to come back again to Daraga, Albay, my mom’s hometown. Actually, I had visited Bicol 3 years ago with my 2nd son. My youngest son, Allen wants to see Mayon Volcano again since he hardly remember the perfect cone of Mayon, he’s 2 years old when I first brought him there.

We supposed to have this vacation last year but we had problems with our schedules. And I want to see with my own eyes the damage typoon Reming brought to Legaspi and surrounding areas of Mayon last year. There are many changes since I’ve last visited Bicol, there are parts of the highway that still have black sands, stones and big boulders that came from the volcano, let the pictures speak for themselves.

It was almost a year since Reming did this but until now, the rehabilitation of the area is not finish. There are still backhoes, bulldozers and other construction equipments in some parts of the highway especially in Legaspi area.

The first thing I did when I woke up on our first day (we arrived at 9pm), I went to the rooftop of my Mom’s house, I thanked God that HE spared my Mom’s house. But, analyzing the area, I thought its not safe anymore if something like this happen again in the future. The river at the back of the house was gone already, what was left was black sands and stones. Actually, my mom is planning to relocate to a much higher place. My mom’s house is near Cagsawa ruins, since Cagsawa Church survived the Mayon eruption in 1814, she thought that this is the highest location already. Not anymore.

Technorati tags: pinoy life travel

A View From Lignon Hill

One of the best places to view Daraga and Legaspi City is the Lignon Hill (pronounced as /li-NYON/). This 143-meter high cinder-cone hill located 11 kilometers southeast of the volcano’s summit is the highest location in the city’s downtown area and towers over the adjacent Legaspi Airport.

A long and uphill road crawls up the sides of Lignon Hill, I’m not afraid to heights but the road is very steep. This is where the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has a permanent station to observe Mayon Volcano and surrounding areas.

I’ve been to Bicol many times but I hardly notice Lignon Hill, I thought it was just an ordinary hill. If only I knew that this is the best place to take pictures, I supposed I’ve been here long time ago. It was a good idea that my brother insisted to go up there on our way home from Tiwi, Albay. I admit, I was mesmerized to see the beauty of Legaspi when I was up there. I saw the Legaspi Airport’s runway from end to another end, the Kapuntukan Hill also known as “The Sleeping Lion”, Gaisano Mall among others. You could watch the video clip I took.

Baclaran, my place

Barangay Baclaran is noted for the Wednesday Novenas at the shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help National Shrine of the Redemptorist Church. Every Wednesday more or less 10,000 people from all walks of life converge at the church to attend the novena. It is without argument the most attended church in Asia. Many known celebrities who are devotees to Our Lady of Perpetual Help do come at Tuesdays nights to avoid people. Many people mistaken Baclaran as part of Pasay, it is actually part of Paranaque.

Traffic is normal on Wednesdays especially on first Wednesdays of the month. Baclaran is a major transportation hub, with many buses and jeepneys terminating here. Light Rail Transit (LRT) ends in Baclaran while its a ride away from Metro Rail Transit (MRT). There are also a lot of pedicabs around. Shuttle ride to SM Mall Of Asia is just a stone away from the Church, the terminal is at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Redemptorist Road.

Baclaran is also known as a bargain center throughout the world due to the amazing discounts shoppers enjoy at its dry goods markets. Its imposible that you cannot find the goods you’re looking for. Before I forget, “Pakyawan Sa Wilmart” will be having their sale on October 15, Monday. They’ll be selling all items at wholesale price. Their goods are incredibly cheap, some vendors bought items here and resell them. It is located in front of Iglesia ni Cristo.

There are a lot of known fast food chains in Baclaran especially around the church. Bibingka and puto bumbong is possible every Wednesdays all year round, you can find them along the street at the back of Berma Shopping Center. Don’t forget to ask for your free hot tea for every order of puto bumbong. Since MMDA is always around, you can also find the best buys in this street.

I grew up here, should you have anything to find here, let me know.