Sunday's Best

Where did we get the term "Sunday's Best".  Many times whenever there are occasions and our host wanting to emphasize a dress code would say that we are expected to be in Sunday's best.  Upon searching I found out that in year's gone by when people were still observant of Sunday as a holiday would always dress up in their best clothes.  In the Christian tradition Sunday is referred to as the Lord's day.  Everyone is expected to be in Church to hear Mass and they are expected to be in their best clothes since it is the day of the Lord.

Below are the photos of my home church in Tabaco City.  I just took this snap shot this morning after the early morning mass.

The Patio of San Bautista Church, Tabaco City Early Sunday Morning

MISIBIS BAY: A YEAR ROUND SUMMER GET A WAY

From the fish port of Bacacay one can have a breathtaking view of Mt. Mayon

Sitio Bahi, as seen from on top of a Hill.  There are sand bars along the way ideal for holding picnics.  Some fisher folks can take you on a boat ride to these sand bars for a minimal fee

A cool and serene place to be

I have said this many times that I am extremely proud to live in one of the most beautiful places here in the Philippines.  There are many beautiful places in Albay province that has never been so much explored.  I have been to different places abroad.  Yet I always say that there are places in my home country more beautiful than the ones I see abroad.  Let me share with you one of my summer escapades.  This is actually a work related travel which I took the opportunity to mix it with fun.  I think sometimes work and fun can mix together. This summer I thought two classes on field research. Misibis, a coastal village located in Cagraray Island was the venue of our research.  Cagraray is one of the several off-shore islands of Albay province.  The place is really beautiful.  The local folks live simple lives. The means of livelihood consists of fishing and farming.  Life is unhurried and there is plenty of time to just sit down and relax.  Incidentally, Misibis is also home to a famed high end resort.  On May 16, 2011 together with my 32 students we embarked for Misibis for their field research practicum.  The village is accessible by sea either from Legazpi Port, or in Sto. Domingo or in Bacacay.  There is also a barge that carries cargo and people from Sula.  However this barge is private.  So we decided to take the route from Bacacay.  Our decision to take the Bacacay port was motivated by the following reasons: (1) With good haggling skill one can get the lowest rent for a motor boat, (2) The route from Bacacay will pass through Sula Channel that will give us a wonderful view of Cagraray and Mainland, and (3) safety considerations.  One literally gets the feeling of crossing into paradise once you see the enthralling beauty of these islands.  Biologists considered these islands as bio-diverse.  The tropical heat and the inconvenience of travel is nothing compared to the experience.  Our skin became darker as a result of exposure to sun light.  It is advisable to wear protective gear or  a sunblock lotion.

The Locals live along the coast, houses are made up of Cogon Grass, the sun provides a natural drier for the laundry

The heat of the noonday sun was too much for me so I took off my
shoes, rest my HTC handset and took my nap

Like anywhere you go in the Philippine Islands, people are friendly and accommodating. They are also extremely helpful.  We experience first hand the friendliness and hospitality of the local folks.  Perhaps some of them are poor but you can always see in them the simplicity and how quietly life moves on quietly.  Some of the locals are fisher folks and one can easily rent out a motorboat.  But you must have the haggling skills in order to get the best price.  There are no fixed price though. At lunch time while my students were busy interviewing their respective key informants, I decided to take a nap under the talisay tree.  I removed my rubber shoes and without much problem I laid my back on the sandy beach. Isn't it that God designed human life to be simple and problem free? We urbanites seem to have missed this provision from the Lord.  But here in these islands I feel that returning to the basics is sometimes a blessing to experience.  

A Chapel was built on the Hill top of the Eco-Park.

The Amphitheater at the Cagraray Eco-Energy Park is reminiscent
of the Forums of Ancient Greece

On the Hill Top one can see the sun set with Mt. Mayon on the Background giving a feeling that one is on a Martian planet

From Sitio Bahi we went to the Cagraray Eco-Energy park.  The park is located on top of a hill that gives a commanding view of the surrounding islands and the ever dominant Mt. Mayon Volcano in the mainland.  I would commend the architect who designed the park.  The amphitheater reminded me of Greece.  The design and location of the amphitheater resemble the environs of ancient Greece except for the greenery which is very much tropical.  I tried to test the acoustics and indeed it is marvelous. One would not need a microphone.  I don't know what the pillars represent but I would opine that it has something to do with Greek dramas or visual and performing arts.  I think that this amphitheater could sit around five-hundred to one-thousand persons. On top of the hill there is the inter-denominational chapel.

The Beach at Sitio Bahi

Rented Motor Boat on Island Hopping

Camp Fire at Punta in Sitio Bahi

Fun and drinks at the camp site

The Boat Ride from Misibis to Bacacay is a feast for the eyes and for ocean lovers

The early morning sun

Calm and Silvery waters at Sula Channels one of the safest harbors in Albay

Villages along the Sula Channels

An ever ominous and dominating land mark

San Juan Bautista Church of Tabaco City: Simbahan ko Padangat ko!

Most of my years were spent in this town.  I am a traveler by nature, and I love to  visit places.  But in the end I always come home to this beautiful town.  In the vernacular we have saying which goes this way - no matter how long the procession is, it always end up in church.  This means that wherever I go, no matter how far, I will always come home to this town.

Today is Good Friday and after visiting the church for the Sacrament of Penance I decided to take pictures of the San Juan Bautista Church in Tabaco City.  This church was named by the National Commission on the Culture and the Arts (NCAA) as a national treasure.  The structure contains various peculiar markings of masons.  The church is made up of lime and volcanic stone.  This church has been the subject of various blog on the internet.  I used my HTC Wildfire mobile phone camera to take these snapshots. 

The Cherubim, angels standing before the throne of God ready to serve.

Church authorities have done the right thing to cordon this outdoor altar.  Unscrupulous lovers often use these area as dating place and ignorantly would sit on top of the altar!!! With these rails vandals and daters were prevented from desecrating this holy shrine.

The Main altar covered with purple curtain is all set for the Good Friday Liturgy.

The altar of repose, where the Eucharistic Christ is adored by the faithful.

The patio

Truly a jewel, a work of art and a master piece!

Kawa-kawa Hill: Fun, Adventure and Religiousity Remix

Albay Province in the Philippines boasts not only of its beautiful beaches, mountains and resorts but in an interesting way, fun and adventure mix together with the natural religiosity of the people. The Kawa-Kawa Hill in Tuburan, Ligao City is a classic example.  The name Kawakawa is the native word for wok because the hill top is crater like a sort of a mini-plateau that resembles a wok.  The crater is surrounded by hilly elevation.  Surrounding these hills are more-than life-size dioramas of the stations of the cross.  One has to climb the 236 meter high hill to reach the top.   As you go around the hill-top you get to relive the passion of Christ as you visit all those dioramas.  Those who intend to visit this shrine or hill, Ligao is just an hour's drive from Legazpi City.  There are buses, vans and taxis that serves commuters.   To those who conceptualize this, congratulations for coming up with a very interesting and meaningful tourism spot in Ligao.  May your tribe increase!!!

Votive Candles at the first station.  You can bring your own candle or buy from the religious store near by.

The Last Supper

"Can you not stay awake with me for an hour?"  The disciples overtaken by sleep as Christ prayed in Gethsemani

The Agony in the Garden

Christ stands trial before Pontius Pilate with the Jewish High Pries Annanias accusing Him.

Christ was mocked and reviled by the soldiers and crowned Him with thorns and hailed Him as King of the Jews

Christ is made to carry His cross to Mt. Golgotha

Under the wight of the Cross Christ falls for the first time

Simon a Cyrenean is made to carry the Cross of Christ

"Cry not for me, but cry for yourselves and for your children..."  Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Christ is crucified.  The whole sky was covered with darkenss as the Son of God offered Himself to God the Father.

Son Behold your mother, woman behold your son, Mary becomes the Mother of the Church at the foot of the Cross

At evening, Christ died on the Cross

Joseph of Arimatea boldly claimed for the Body of the Lord

Since I live you too shall live.  Christ is Risen Alleluia!

From Cagsawa to Daraga

It's Holy Week again and in the liturgical calendar of the Church we celebrate in a whole  year the life and mystery of Jesus Christ.  One of the fondest devotions among Filipinos is the Visita Iglesia where one is promised a plenary indulgence if one would visit seven churches on holy week and pray for the intention of the Pope.  One who intends to do this must be in a state of grace in order to receive the plenary indulgence.  

To those who are fond doing visita iglesia, and if you are somewhere near, don't miss to see the Church of Daraga in Albay.  Built by the Franciscan Missionaries in the 16th Century and today stands as a living witness to the faith of a people despite disaster are able to survive.

Daraga Church atop on a Hill overlooking the entire City. 

The Church is set up on a hill overlooking the city of Legazpi and the entire environs of Daraga, Albay. The municipality of Daraga borders the hilly portions of the Albay and Sorsogon provinces while on the east are the valleys and coasts facing the Albay Gulf and Pacific ocean.  Strategically the church was built on top of a hill as a precaution against volcanic eruption and mud flows.  The sad experience of the old church of Cagsawa on the plain has taught the succeeding builders to relocate the church on top of the hill.  The location is also symbolic in a way because it portrays the missionary role of the church to evangelize the native people and to show everyone the light of Christ.  On top of a hill she (the church) proclaims the message of salvation.  Inviting everyone to embrace her faith in the Son of God.

The facade of the Daraga Church

The face of the church, recently painted with white. Here is a link that will help you understand the history of this parish church. Parish Church of Nuestra Senora de la Porteria.

Majestically nestled on top of a hill with Mt. Mayon Volcano on the Background

The Convent, colonial style of architecture

Historical Marker

The Image of our Lady of the Gate

CARAMOAN CAMARINES SUR, THE PRIDE OF BICOL: REVISITED

 Looking at my old digital photo chest, I was reminded of our trip to Caramoan way back in the summer of 2009.  Then Caramoan was still new in the tourism landscape and the islands were pristine and new to tourism.  I would like to share with you some of my photos [there are hundreds of them, but I for lack of space I will only share a few, if to give my readers a bird's eye view].  

These little boats ferry passengers to the bigger ones in Guijalo

Caramoan is a municipality in the eastern part of the Partido Area, a district in the province of Camarines Sur.  It is locked by mountain ranges and by the pacific ocean.  It is accessible by road from Naga City passing through Tinambac but the road is not as good as it should be and it proves to be the long route, and may not be acessible during rainy season.  So most travellers gpoing to Caramaoan prefer the sea route.  From Naga City one can take the van or jeepney or bus going to San Jose.  From San Jose one can take another jeepney going to the Sabang port. The ride from Naga City to Sabang could take an hour or so.  Once in Sabang one can take one of several boats plying the route of Sabang to Guijalo port in Caramoan.  These are fishing ports and thus the facilities may not be as perfect as one would expect.  But that imperfection is actually one its main attraction especially for the spirited and adventorous.  One has to  be prepared to embark and disembark in a manner like the one  you see in the photo below.  During low tide the boat annot dock the on the ramp so it has to stay a little distance away from the shore.  Be prerared to let someone carry you in their shoulders.  There are porters who can assist you for a minimal fee.

These is one of several motorized boats plying the route from Sabang to Guijalo ports.

Once you reach Guijalo, a fishing port there are jeepneys or trimobile that could bring you to the town of Caramoan.  There are some hotels, hometels, or home stays where you can stay.  It is advisable to get your bookings in advance. 

Guijalo Port in Caramoan.  This is the entry those going to the town of Caramoan.  Guijalo is a fishing village.

Map of Caramoan

The Parish Church of St. Michael

 There are interesting places to visit while in Caramoan.  To do those  interested in history and culture one cannot fail but appreciate this huge structure in the town center.  The Parish Church of St. Michael.  The people of Caramoan are Roman Catholics and one would wonder how this huge church was built in a remote town as Caramoan.  But the story goes back several hundred years, when the Franciscan Friar, Fray Francisco de la Cruz y Oropesa penetrated the vast forests of Caramoan peninsula in an attempt to establish a Catholic mission among the natives of this remote peninsula.  As history would tell us the mission prospered and this huge brick church is a testimony both to the enduring Catholic faith embraced by the natives and also a testimony to the influence of Spain during her glorious years.  This church was built through forced labor.  During the Spanish occupation all males of legal aged were required to render free labor for ten days every year as a form of taxation.  The wealthy who wish not to endure the labor could hire a substitute.  I visited this church while we were in Caramoan.  I climb the tower and also took the opportunity to visit the parish priest, who seem to be very amiable and industrious.  I also attended Holy Mass.  As I look at the people in church both young and old I suddenly felt some sense of awe at the thought that succeeding generations worshiped in this Church.  Many were baptized in this church some were married in this church and some had their requiem masses  held in this church. 

 Island hopping is the main attraction of Caramoan.  There are several groups of islets that offer many wonders for swimmers and divers.  There are boats that can take you to these islets.  They provide life jackets to ensure that everyone is safe.  You can visit the different islets.  But I would suggest that before you embark on island hopping you should first read some literature [there re plenty of them on the internet] about the places you can visit.  Do not just rely on what the boat driver would tell you, but rather you should be the one to tell the boat driver about places you want to visit.  I believe that majority of them are honest but as safeguard to avoid being short changed you should know the different islets. 

The several hundred steps to the Grotto of Our Lady of Peace

From the grotto one could have a commanding view of the valleys

The Grotto

The Islets of Caramoan as seen from the grotto

The Coral Islets

 I hope that with this short blog entry I have given you a birds eye view of what Caramoan is.  To see is to believe.  Visit Bicol and visit Caramoan this summer.  Padabaon ta ang Bicol iyo ini ang satuyang orgolyo.