ArchitectureSightings#4: BICOL │ Our Lady of Penafrancia Church

Our Lady of Penafrancia Church

Our Lady of Penafrancia Church was also visted in our Naga city tour last July 2011 that made me more realize how people there love their religious heritage. We've been to Metropolitan Cathedral and headed to this particular church where temperature then was totally hot.

Our city tour guide said that  hand painted ceilings and fine architectural design are well preserved for Ina's devotees and tourists. It was built by Rev. Miguel Covarrubias in 1711 in fullfillment of his vow that housed the original image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia first which is now situated at Basilica Minore.

Church isle and it's ceiling.

The Virgin of Penafrancia was so miraculous and cured a lot of people from the time Her image was brought in this church during 1710. Honestly, because I'm not into news and current and historical events, I was clueless about INA's abouts.

The Altar.

It was then I knew that there's a fluvial procession and translacion what they called before her feast day. Translacion which means transfer of Our Lady of Penafrancia image transfer from one church to another.

Altar's ceiling

Right wing's ceiling.

Actually I was amazed because there was such religious celebration here in the Philippines, not to mention I'm helpless unupdated person about PH, even it's map. It made me realize how people are really devoted to Her from preparations of 9-day novena, fluvial procession and translacion which are not usual on other feast here
.

Miraculous icon of the holy face on left. Tombstone planted I found inside the church (right).

Once you entered the church you will also feel the oldy feeling from it's structure from walls, ceilings and floor. Even it was late regular day morning, where no church goers usually present, it was still open to everyone unlike here in Cavite which is usually seldom. Upon checking the area, I accidentally saw this tombstone planted on the the church's floorings and promptly asked it to our guide. He said that there were a total of 4 tombs inside the church which were priests' and I just said...ahh but when I looked closer on my pics, they weren't. Well I just noticed that some of his answers were not justifiable, tsk..tsk..

Outside the church, Mysteries placed on walls.

Upon exiting the church we went to the candle area and alley to cemetery that actually surprised me. It's unusual to see this kind of setting that made me ask the tour guide again, he just said that it was there prior to church construction and previous priests were buried there, then I just said...ahh. Because of lack of time, we didn't entered the cemetery, we had to go to next house of Ina, Basilica Minore.

Candles for Ina and our loveones.

There were lots of vendors outside the church offering candles and a copy of Our Lady of Penafrancia mini Prayer and they kept on following potential customers, tourists. As we went to the candle area, we bought  candles to lit and refused to buy the prayer which I can just take a photo of it situated just beside the church.

Cementery at the back of the church.

Our Lady of Penafrancia Parayer Tablet.

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ArchitectureSightings#5: BICOL │ Naga Plaza

Naga city plaza.

From Naga city airport, we were fetched by on-time hotel accommodation staffs , unfortunately plane arrival was the other way around, we noticed this plaza right away in the center of the busy streets, surrounded by different establishments, St. Francis de Assisi church and in front our hotel, 'New Crown'.

Tablet below the statues for the fifteen Martyrs of Bicol.

The place was good, no beggars and little children around like in Manila. It was like a piece of nature surrounded by urbanized blocks of cement, hehe.



The middle of plaza is a monument with three female statues above and a dead man carried one of them at the center  and tablet that is seen below which commemorates fifteen martyrs in Bicol.

Viewed  near from St. Francis de Assisi Church.

Like what I said, the greeniest part of the city serves as the balance for the whole area because of  the ample piece of nature that gives tourist and locals a place to rest and relax for awhile.



After we got back fromour city tour, we ask our guide to just drop us off in the nearest area where we could buy some food which wasn't quite far from our hotel, then we landed on this spot, in front of the plaza.

Waited for the sun to set.

We look for a better place to eat, but then we just decided to buy and take it to hotel because of so much tiredness got from CWC boarding. I planned to wait for the sunset but my muscles started to sore and just took my best subject for the Naga city plaza, the blue Volkswagen Beatle MT.

July 31, 2011

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PostcardPosts#1: BICOL │ "Ina" Our Lady Of Penafrancia

Our Lady of Penafrancia when you peep into the whole.

Because of so many miracles of "Ina", Our Lady Of Penafrancia documented, feast done every year were huge and special due to her devotees.



Luckily, we were able to touch her gold plated stand and her miraculous pure gold mantaeu (original). They say that it wasn't the original image, a replica. Stories tell that because of its ivory hand and face and gold mantaeu (worn in the replica), several years ago, some people tried to stole it but luckily found. However the original one is kept in secret place inside the Basilica and only shown to people during the feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

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VacationBlahs#9: CARAMOAN│BIKAL PORT

Bikal port

Bikal port is one of the ports in Caramoan which is main way to outrigger boats for hire that bring tourists to different islands and cave destinations.

We started our journey to our Caramoan Island hopping upon arriving this port . We spent a several minutes because our tour guide, Kuya Joseph, was  fixing something. First we went to a sari-sari store near the port and he had conversation with a man who's the owner of the banka we were going to use, he said. But there was a little problem, it was low tide. Because of this advantageous phenomenon for our Island hopping, our guide had to look for a smaller boat to get into a bigger one parked not quite far; bigger boats tend to be grounded on rocks under so borrowing small boats are really necessary, like we did in Guijalo port upon Sabang boat arrival.

Outrigger boats parking area..:)

Our guide hand held us the towels he was holding, our towels which were free of charge so no need to bring one, left for more couple of minutes, he was gone again then returned asked if we would like to rent 2 pairs of goggles for our snorkeling activity later on. Of course we said yes coz we don't have any, it was for P150, if my memory served me right.

Elevated nipa houses at the port

Temperature at the waiting nipa shed area was totally hot, maybe heightened due to much liquids evaporated from the water; was like sauna bath feeling, hehe., but was ok enjoyed taking pictures of us at the area. Well taking advantage of time kuya was still not present, the humid temperature reminds me of too much skin darkening nightmare I might have, it was my time to apply my sunblock spray, woohoo! I forgot to apply one after we enjoyed our lunch. Actually our sched was late, we arrived at Guijalo 12:30, ate lunch, rest a little and rushed ourselves off to Bikal, in tagalog "di pa natutunawan".

While waiting, I notice a nipa house elevated from the ground with some wooden cuttings to lift it, mangroove-like house for me. I asked kuya Joseph why it's like that? Then my guess was right, there's a time of high tide that houses should be couple of inches higher from the ground. But I was surprised when he said that sometimes level reach up to upper thigh level.



Then after waiting several minutes on a very hot shed, we then off to our island hoping adventure. Finally I felt the wind blows as the boat moves.

Bikal after our Island hopping.

Of course after the island tour, we returned at this particular port. We noticed that it was already high. Waters got into the cemented path, where slopes were not already visible as to compare to first photo above. All in all, island hopping was amazing and this thoroughfare port opened it's gates to every tourists to experience it.

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VacationBlahs#7: CARAMOAN │LAMPIKAW TABLET ROCK

Lampikaw Tablet Rock

After that interesting Island hopping experience, we went back to Bikal port and saw this interesting rock form from afar. Lampikaw Tablet Rock might be familiar to those foreign survivor fans not just beacause of nice location but because of memorable challenge happened here.

The solo rock, Lampikaw.

It's like an isolated rock, sprouted far from the rock formation beside it.

The challenge spot.

July 31, 2011
Like what I mentioned on my previous blog post, this was one of the location of foreign Survivor TV show, but unfortunately, that wooden structure is just a remnant due to a typhoon struck Caramoan and casted it away to another island, the Minalahus Island. Because of it's incompleteness, we weren't able to experience the survivor excitement contestants had before.

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VacationBlahs#8: TIPS│Getting to Beautiful Peninsula of Caramoan

Matukad Island, Caramoan.

When we had trip to Caramoan, we had direct flight to Naga and outrigger boat to the said Peninsula.

Plane tickets to Naga.

Book any of domestic flights to Naga City (377 km South of Manila) and enjoy the 8 hour ride from your favorite plane to Pili Airport, Naga.

Naga Airport.

From Naga City Central Terminal, you can rent a van or cab that take you to Sabang port (2hr ride). There are two ports in Sabang so remind your cab driver to take you to port going to Caramoan.

However if you have accommodation and city tour at Naga, they have free transport from airport to hotel. Same as to your Caramoan accomodation who'll take care all of your Naga-Caramoan-Naga Airport transports.

Ferry boat from Guijalo port Caramoan docked already at Sabang port, 10:00AM.

We left the New Crown Hotel at Naga around 6AM and came 9 AM at Sabang Port where we took commercial boats (bangka) that ferry passengers to the Guijalo, Caramoan Port. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the first trip which was 6AM and just waited for the next one, 10Am. Hotel Roa owner in Caramoan, Dr. Ramon Roa who accompanied us said that locals (wearing black shirt in the above photo) used to carry passengers and luggages on their backs to keep them dry from and to the boat. But because of gender difference among lifters and passengers, especially among females, they made this wooden bridge to help them cross safely. Schedule varies depends how long a boat takes to fill up passengers and luggages, but usually hourly boat departure starts at 5 AM with travel time of 2-3 hours.

1030AM and we're off to Caramoan. A boat with capacity of almost 50-60 person started to sail. I think this boat was powered by a car engine because of its sound, moreover it has an exhaust same with a vehicle.

Guijalo port, 1230PM.

For a two hour ride, the seat for me was uncomfortable. It is wooden (made my gluteus max ache) and has a narrow seat distance from one seat to another which was basically not comfortable especially for tall people, you tend to side sit because your knees might bumped to back of the front seat. On the other hand, if you want to have a nice view of Islands and beaches during your sea travel to Caramoan, you sit on right side facing the sea. If you were late you have no choice but to sit on the left side where minimal view is unappreciated.

Our ferry boat.

Boat reached Guijalo at 12:15PM. We were almost near the port then, but I was puzzled why this commercialized ferry boat stopped quite distant from it. Then after seconds, several small boats came fetching passengers. We're like being attacked by pirates! haha. We'll it was low tide that's why. All the passengers' things that time were located on a certain area so we can't get it at once, they just asked us to ride the boat first and waited for our baggages at the port. Of course I was nervous about our things, but nothing to worry, all of the locals and lifters were honest, just keep an eye on other passengers, they might carry away yours.

Leaving the port.

When we reached the port, we noticed unusual bigger tricycles offering ride and hotel accommodations. So if you haven't took any tour packages, don't worry, Hotels will make it easier for you and will arrange everything in a very cheap price!

Remember: Boat ride from Guijalo Caramoan port back to Sabang Naga is until 11 AM only.


Land Travel From Naga City to Caramoan:

There are five Naga-Caramoan-NAga jeepney that carries maximum of 25 passengers which is only available during months of March, April and May. Jeepney Caramoan-Naga terminal is located at San Francisco Church Naga City. Schedule of departure is at 12 midnight till 1AM. 

July 31, 2011

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VacationBlahs#6: CARAMOAN │HUNONGAN BEACH RESORT

Hunongan Beach

Another mesmerizing private beach in Caramoan group of islands is Hunongan beach resort which is also near famous private resort, Gota beach. From afar, while passing here from Cagbalinad Island, we really saw its white, clean beach front adorn with cute hut accommodations and turquoise waters.

The beach on our background on our snorkeling activity.

This photo was taken during our snorkeling activity near Cagbalinad Island bounderies with Hunongan Island hills from afar as bachground. As you can see Hunongan Beach is quite near our Island.

Standing on a huge rock from Cagbalinad Island with backdrop of Hunongan Beach.

This great beach sighting happened last 30th of July 2011 upon passing by from Cagbalinad Island to our next Island destination. We weren't able to experience this Beach it's private and just available only for it's own guests, but still I'm contented to appreciate it's beautiful beach front afar.

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VacationBlahs#5: STORIES │BANGUS: Matukad's Mystical Creature

Matukad Lagoon

Caramoan has so many hidden beautiful beaches and Islands but there's a mystery behind one of it.

The most beautiful and the first Island we visited was Matukad Island. This Island has the finest sand among the Islands. You'll be mesmerized by its beautiful limestone formation as well, but behind these rocks lies a huge mystery.

We did rock climb just to see the Bangus.

Unveiling the mystery isn't that easy, you should climb these rocks and reach the top to see the lagoon that houses it. Ok let's get it on!

We have to pass this challenge to know the mysterious thing that made people amazed and elude at the same time. It's not that hard to climb these beautiful limestone formation. It's not that sharp and there are plenty of branches that you can hold on to. Actually it's an advantage for rock climbers and mountaineers, but if you have the guts, muscle strength and endurance you'll definitely reach the top!

Place where you see the lagoon, shredded-like limestone of my location.

The Lagoon

Finally we're at the site where we can see the mystical creature. The area was full of rock wedges with trees around. Actually, we weren't able to get really closer to the lake because it's really hard to be there, "buwis-buhay" event, so we just waited and enjoy from afar.

Bangus in the middle, out from it's shelter, looking for food.

The Mystical creature.

According to our tour guide, the story behind this 6 kilos mysterious fish happened  about 20 years ago, where 2 Bangus "milk fish" with unknown origin lived in this lagoon. During that time a man with his son went out to search for food for their family, unexpectedly, they found the said lagoon hidden behind the limestone rocks. They saw the 2 milk fishes, caught 1, brought it home and ate it. The day after, the family died. Since then, no one ever tried to catch the Bangus that's left anymore. No one also know what's the gender of the said fish.

 I ask our tour guide, why shouldn't they put a couple of Bangus there so it will have some friends hehe, plus they can breed that bangus to other bangus and it will live happily ever after!lol. Well, They just prefer to leave it like that and to share the story to the tourists.

August 1,2011: I really enjoyed this rock climb adventure and the story of mystical bangus. Even though I had some leg scratches and showered in too much sweat, I still enjoyed it, besides, there's the whole sea for you to dip in!

Hope you can see and experience the same challenge as well!

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VacationBlahs#4: CARAMOAN │ LAHOS ISLAND or "BICHARA ISLAND"

Approaching Lajos Island.

After Matukad Island visit, we went to another Island named Lajos or Lahos which means "overflow" because the sea can wash over a part of this narrow island from one side to the other. Vewing from a far, you'll see a beautiful Island, it's like two separated rocks situated on a flat white sand paper and can be appreciated only during low tide.



This Island also has beautiful rock formations like in Matukad's, but in comparison with the sand consistency and color, Lajos has less finer and kinda yellowish one.

Beach front with our boat docked in.

his Island is unique for it's appearance because of two prominent rocks act like two towers and passing through the middle will take you to the other side of the Island

Bluish waters viewed from the beach front.

This is the one side of the Island's beach front where we docked our boat. Kuya Joseph, our tour guide said that this is Island is owned by Bichara family and they let able people to rent it like the survivor show. Sometimes, people just camp there for their accomodation and just hire tour guides for the Island hoping and other possible activities in Caramoan 

Rock forms at the Island's left side, facing the waters.

I love this rock formation, Isn't that beautiful? For me it's like a huge coral reef. :) These rocks are not as high as those in Matukad but there are more bushes here

Other rock formations.

Islands view above.

 Here's the two sides of the Island separated by a space of white sand. During High tide, this part of the Island is unseen, where the term Lajos or "Laho", Island's name came from.

While swimming, I saw a small jumping creature that looks like a tadpole (a little larger version) under holes of  rocks with 2 arms in front! Upon searching the internet, I discovered its name. It's a mud skipper, source: wikipedia(left). Actually I didn't saw it on mud, under a huge rock, (behind me on the picture) instead hiding on it's holes. I tried to catch it but it's hard, it skips so fast! Well It's my first time to see this one, I just thought that maybe it is the one mentioned on science books where evolution on animals came in..haha just linking to my high school lessons before.

After several attempts to catch the mud skippers, I gave up. I know I can't catch them with just bare hands, maybe next time i'll bring paraphernalias!haha. After several minutes staying on this beautiful Island, we're then off to next one!  

July 31, 2011: 

This visit was fun coz I met tiny creatures under the rocks/sands, and that was interesting. By the way we're planning to have camping here next time, to add excitement on our vacation/adventure and to reduce expenses as well! We could arrange that kind of setting sith our tour guide next time. haha.

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