september 15-21, 2013

bikol reporter2 september 15-21, 2013

bikol reporter 3september 15-21, 2013

bikol reporter4 september 15-21, 2013etcetera

inner chessby j. henry danican

Tours and Travel – in Focus

dr. marilissa j. ampuanPresident, Bicol Association of Tourism

and Hospitality Educators (BATHE)

Naga City being one of the most progressive city of the country is now emerging as a top tourists distinction. The City of Smiles for which it is popularly known for the present offers a very unique combination of natural attractions which can only be found in this southern most part of Luzon. This is aside from the fact that the city is more often than not known as a Pilgrim City in view of the thousand devotees flocking to the place during the Peñafrancia Fiesta celebration every 3rd week of September each year. This fervent faith based experiences and enriching heritage and culture thrives in the hearts and minds of Nagueños who are proud of their Christian faith handed out to them by their forefathers. From the time it was a native settlement up to what it is now today a bustling city which is the center of education, trade and commerce in Bicol and with tourism playing an important role to make the place the envy of other cities nationwide, no one can question the fact that Naga City is recognized as a model in local governance. Even Asia Week cited Naga City as one of the Most Improved City in Asia. More than any other tourists site and distination in Bicol the strategic location of Naga City puts it at par if not better than any other place that cater to the taste of intrepid tourists.

As a fast developing metropolis , Naga City provides an alluring history of heritage and culture it being one of the four cities considered as the oldest in the country. It is the center of more than 300 years old devotion to the Patroness of Bicolandia known far and wide as the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia. This devotion to “Ina” was the very reason why Naga City was declared as a Pilgrim City by way of a Presidential Proclamation, the only city in the country accorded with such a name. it can be said that during the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia every September of each year millions of devotees would come to Naga City paying tribute to our “Ina”. It is said that it is only by way of a soleman journey to Metro-Naga Marian churches can one experience, understand

and celebrate the bond that connect our Lady of Peñafrancia to each and every well-meaning pilgrim. Aside from the devotees that pay homage to our “Ina” every September of the year tourists had been visiting Naga City. They are treated with the warmth and hospitality for which Bicolanos are known throughout every nook and corner of the City of Smiles.

Historical landmarks for tourists and visitors are must see places to understand the rich heritage and culture of Bicolanos. The following are regarded as highlights of the place religious and historical significance, to wit:

1. Plaza Quince Martires-this was built to honor Bicol’s 15 Martyrs, four of whom where tortured to death while the remaining eleven were imprisoned, exiled and executed at Bagumbayan now the Luneta Park barely five days after our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal was executed in the same place. This monument to the fifteen Bicolano Martyrs was erected during the American period serving as a testament to Bicolanos love and bravery for their country.

2. Plaza de Nueva Caceres – this was built in commemoration of the 62nd foundation anniversary of the City of Naga known before as Ciudad de Nueva Caceres. The unique tapestry of the

monument depicts on one of its sides the coming of the Spaniard while on the other side the Spaniards surrender to Bicol revolutionaries.

3. Plaza Quezon – This is adjacent to Rizal Park. It was named in honor of the late President Manuel L. Quezon Parades, concerts and other public events are held in this plaza.

4. People’s Mall-when this was constructed way back in 1970’s this mall is a 3,500 sq. meter edifice with 3 floors housing 2000 stalls more or less. It is the largest single roof structure in Asia. Souvenir items and local products coming from other Bicol provinces could be bought in this mall at reasonable prices. It should be noted that this People’s Mall was the original site of the first Naga. Cathedral but due to an earthquake in the 18th century the cathedral was transferred to its present site today.

5. Plaza Rizal-this was constructed in honor of our National Hero and Martyr Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The monument was designed by Carlos Nicoli, an Italian artist who also created the design for the Rizal monument at Luneta Park.

6. Archaeological Museum-this is found inside the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary where visitors could see for themselves pre-colonial artifacts like Chinese porcelain with burial jars as well as pre-historical metals as pre-historic metals and stone tools, jewelry and tooth fillings made of gold used by Pre-Hispanic Bicolanos.

7. Holy Rosary Minor Seminary-this was declared as a national landmark formerly known as the Casa de Clerigos. Erected in 1785 for the purpose of serving as a vocation house. 370 priests and four bishops have passed through the portals of this seminary. This was the alma mater of the first Filipino bishop Jorge Barlin and our famous national hero and propagandist, Jose Maria Panganiban. During the Japanese occupation this seminary

Marisse Tria san Felipe

A pieceof Wit

“jUan”“I chose to live my life unafraid even during times I was

afraid. I discovered that opportunities don’t find you, you find your opportunities.” Words from a great man who sold peanuts at his young age, who lost his father at 13 years old. Being the eldest in 5 siblings, he supported his mother by selling candles and soap other than peanuts using his bicycle. Taking his goods to neighboring places of Cebu, his daily income was twenty pesos. It was in 1940 to mean that twenty pesos is roughly equivalent today to two thousand pesos. This person with an independent spirit would not wallow in misery after the death of his father. He would wake up as early as 5 o’clock in the morning, pedaled his bike towards Mandaue and Liloan to sell his products. In his early teens his goal was to survive, while other kids his age just wanted to play. But he said it was a story he loves to share. That peddling soap and candles was one of the best ages of his life. The bicycle era was the year when they had nothing; lost a father, a movie house and a house.

After almost 74 years this man now…is one of the top tycoons in the Philippines. John L. Gokongwei, owner of Cebu Pacific, Robinson Galleria, Universal Robina Corporation, Jack & Jill, C2 product and other leading companies today. C2 beverage alone have marked up in the Phil market to 3 or 4 billion sales per year. He is the 1st Chinese-Filipino taipan who have the same rags-to-riches story with Henry Sy and Lucio Tan. Gokongwei’s life is a beautiful story to explore and to learn from his healthy attitude; an inspiration to us Filipinos especially to our youth.

An eye view on John’s life, I realized, some of the top secrets that shaped his entrepreneur leadership: 1st is the Confusian values on filial piety. This is the respect and gratitude to parents and elders. That I also learned when I happened to work in a chinese country 10 years ago. Confusian values also includes perseverance, humility and hardwork. 2nd is, the personality traits has more to do with his business success. Like other chinese tycoons in the country, they inherit genes of interpreneurial spirit from their parents and ancestors. Kaya pag sinabi mong chinese, inborn yan na masipag sa business. I don’t wonder kung bakit madaming Chinese na mayayaman sa Pinas. By blood really they are hardworking people. They wake up early in the morning. Pero pag pinoy..tanghali na tulog pa, pag gising lasing pa yan. Hehe! 3rd, John doesn’t stop reading. He starts it before going to his office to continue until night when he gets home. It doesn’t matter he is old, he reads history, science and all newspaper publications local and foreign.

Who do we think from our Filipino youth today, would become one of the tycoons in our country to compete with Henry Sy, Lucio Tan and Gokongwei? Ang problema sa atin, napakadaming “JUAN” sa Pilipinas, na nag hihintay sa pagbagsak ng bayabas. Can’t this “juans” one day become “john” to instill in themselves the healthy attitude and values of John Gokongwei?

It’s a wonderful experience knowing John’s life. Now a billionaire, Gokongwei at 87, he still use to look back to that boy who turned adversity to opportunity. A peddler who who traveled towns in Cebu selling soap and candles. Today he owns billions of businesses through many years of hard work. John, the peanut vendor who rode his bicycle towards SUCCESS.

(Turn to page 18)

A question of privilege . . .


LEGAZPI CITY -- The National Food Author-ity (NFA) has assured the public that Bicol region has more than enough buffer stock of rice that can even last for four months in the wake of reported sudden increase of prices on rice varieties and scarcity of supply in the market.

“We have a total rice in-ventory of 650,952 bags to last for 120 days,” NFA Bi-col regional information of-ficer Nelsie Alcantara said in an interview during “Aramon Ta Daw (Let us Know)” radio program of the Philippine In-formation Agency (PIA) Bi-col early this week.

Alcantara also assured the public that there is no rice hoarding in the region as a result of NFA’s regular meet-ing with the local rice traders to ensure that the retail price of rice in the normal level which is P27 per kilo and P33.50 to P36.50 for regular milled rice.

According to the latest NFA inventory of stocks, the buffer stock is derived from 214, 440 actual bags of rice including the 670,026 bags of palay based on 65% mill-ing recovery.

“Camarines Sur, consid-ered as Bicol’s rice granary, has a total stock of 198, 811bags,” Alcantara said. Al-bay follows with its 189,432 bags, Sorsogon with 103,309 bags, Masbate with 70,104, Camarines Norte with 49,453 and Catanduanes with 39,843 bags, NFA told the PIA.

“A buffer stock of 120,000 bags is also allocated in case of calamities,” Alcantara said. These stocks are allo-cated to Camarines Norte and Sorsogon with 15,000 bags each, Catanduanes and Mas-bate with 12,000 bags each. Albay has the most stocks pegged at 66,000 bags which are composed of imported rice from Vietnam. “There is no allocation for Camarines Sur since it is the highest rice producing province in the re-gion,” Alcantara added.

In the latest NFA report, Bicol’s daily rice consump-tion requirement is 39,037 bags and the daily average sales regionwide is 5,412 bags. There are 2,350 NFA-accredited rice outlets scat-tered in the region, of which 314 are located in Albay, 157 in Camarines Norte, 429 in Camarines Sur, 742 in Cat-anduanes, 459 in Masbate and 249 in Sorsogon, the report says. “Outlets are al-lowed to implement a maxi-mum P2 per kilo increase based on regular price,” Al-cantara said.

The report also stated that NFA has 23 warehouses in the region most of these are located in Camarines Sur with 9, Sorsogon with 5, Albay with 4, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes with

2 each and Masbate has 1 NFA warehouse.”Our lone milling facility is located in

Camarines Sur but we are augmented by our contracted millers,” Alcantara told the

PIA.NFA have 25 mechanical

dryers in Bicol, again most of

which are located in Cama-rines Sur with 9, Albay and Sorsogon have 5 each, Cama-

rines Norte has 4 and Mas-bate has 2 mechanical dryers, the NFA report stated.


september 13 / Friday – FeasT OF The diVinO rOsTrO 4:00 am: Penitential Procession of the Image of INA from Basilica to Penafrancia Parish Church Penitential Procession (Pilgrims from Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Canaman) 5:30 am: Pontifical Mass & Installation of new DIVOSTRA members: Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 6:30 am: Community Mass 8:00 am: Pontifical Mass: Bishop Jose R. Rojas Novena Masses in Honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Theme: Mary’s lowliness draws to herself the power ofGod 12:00 nn: Start of Traslacion Procession of Delegates from schools, institutions, and organizations 1 – 5 pm: Masses (Cathedral) and Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 2:00 pm: Community Mass at Plaza de Covarrubias: Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P. 3:30 pm: TraslaciOn prOcessiOn 5:30 pm: Pontifical Mass (Quadricentennial Arch) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 7:00 pm: Community Mass (Cathedral) september 14 / saturday – day FOr The yOUTh Theme: Mary is blessed by all generations as the humble servant of the Lord 3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English), Quadricentennial Arch, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona Marian youth congress september 15 / sunday – day FOr The reliGiOUs & seMinarians Theme: Mary praises a God who is concerned with the poor and raises up the lowly 3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 9:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) september 16 / Monday – day FOr The children Theme: Mary proclaims a God who does not have a preference for the proud or rich 3 – 7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City september 17 / Tuesday – day FOr edUcaTOrs, Teachers and Media pracTiTiOners Theme: Mary rejoices in a God who does not focus on the power of the mighty 6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Virac, Bishop Manolo de los Santos 8:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Libmanan, Bishop Jose R. Rojas 9:00 am: Visit to Charitable Institutions (c/o I-Share) 3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 3:00 pm: Union of Bicol Clergy (Holy Rosary Minor Seminary) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City september 18 / Wednesday – day FOr The sicK, The elderly and healTh WOrKers Theme: Mary centers herself in a God who focuses on mercy and compassion

6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Cathedral, Diocese of Daet, Bishop Gilbert Garcera 9:00 am: Visit to Charitable Institutions (c/o I-Share) 3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 8:00 pm Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 10:00 pm: Perdon Procession along the major streets of Naga City september 19 / Thursday – DAY FOR THE POOR & PRISONERS Theme: Mary looks forward to God’s poor and lowly who hope for liberation and salvation 3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA & Divino Rostro 6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Sorsogon, Bishop Arturo Bastes 9:00 am: Visit to Charitable Institutions (c/o I-Share) 3-6 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 6:00 pm: Union of Bikol Clergy Mass (Cathedral) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 7:30 pm: Confessions (Cathedral) 8:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) september 20 / Friday – day FOr priesTs Theme: Mary is a Model of Unconditional Discipleship and Faithful Service 3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA & Divino Rostro 6:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Diocese of Masbate, Bishop Jose Bantolo, 10:00 am: Pontifical Mass, Military Ordinariate 3-7 pm: Confessions (Minor Seminary Arches) 5:00 pm: Novena Mass (English) 8:00 pm: Marian Procession (Cathedral Grounds) 9:00 pm: Vigilia de Espigas, Adoracion Nocturna Filipina september 21 / saturday – day FOr GOVernMenT leaders & WOrKers Theme: Mary looks forward to God’s justice and righteousness 3:00 am: Penitential Procession of INA & Divino Rostro 6:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Cathedral), Archdiocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 10:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Cathedral), Diocese of Legazpi, Bishop Joel Baylon 12:000 nn: Ringing of Bells 4:00 pm: FlUVial prOcessiOn 4-6 pm: Confessions (Basilica Grounds) 6:30 pm: Pontifical Mass (Basilica Grounds), Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona september 22 / sunday – sOleMniTy OF OUr lady OF peÑaFrancia Theme: Growing in Catholic Faith in Jesus Christ with Mary at the Service of Social Transformation 6:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Lucilo Quiambao 8:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Archdiocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona 9:30 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Jose Sorra 11:00 am: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi 6:00 pm: Pontifical Mass (Basilica) Bishop Manolo de los SantosTheme: Growing in Catholic Faith in Jesus Christ with Mary at the Service of Social Transformation

Taken from Peñafrancia Basilica Minore facebook page

brief history of Ourlady of peñafrancia

history of the divino rostro (holy Face)

The popular and in-tense devotion to this im-age is said to have started with a seminarian from the University of Sto. Tomas, named Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who, when he was invited by the 17th century Bishop of Nueva Caceres City, experienced and received many bless-ings and miracles from the Lady of Peñafrancia. Covarrubias was ordained priest, he was assigned to Nueva Caceres and was appointed Vicar General of the Bishopric of Nueva Caceres. In gratitude may-be for his fortune with the Lady of Peñafrancia and at the same time, since he was then an official of Di-ocesan Chancery of Nueva Caceres, Covarrubias pro-moted and propagated the devotion to our Lady of Pe-ñafrancia, himself becom-ing involved personally in the celebrations. His efforts and those priests after him paid off for the yearly tradi-tional feastday of the Lady of Peñafrancia which usual-ly falls on the third Saturday and Sunday of September, galvanized the collective piety of the Bicolanos into one united annual celebra-tion which was highlighted by a water or fluvial proces-sion by various groups of able-bodied men and devo-tees around the circuitous streets of Naga City, and

Osa dela VeGa’sIn the town of Osa de la

Vega, Spain there lived once Gregorio de la Torre and Isa-bel Corral, a very religious couple who inherited from Father Juan Montilla, a pic-ture of Jesus Face (Divino Rostro).

To the amazement of many who bear witness of its veracity, the miraculous image of Our Lord began to sweat blood. Fast as a prai-rie fire, the news reached ev-ery corner of the town and in no time throng after throng of people fought hard to have a glance of the holy picture. The house became too small for a huge crowd, so the cou-ple decided to request for its transfer to the church. There it easily stole the show, so to say becoming in a becoming in a short lapse of time the object of a very special de-votion of the inhabitants.

In the year 1834, 1855 and 1865 the “cholera mor-bo” broke in Spain. Many of its towns suffered from the rueful effects of the dreadful malady. Thru a special flux of Divine Providence, however, attributed only to a special devotion of the people to the Divino Rostro, Osa de la Vega did not witness of demise of even one of its inhabitants. From them, the already popular devotion to the Divino Rostro soared to its heights and Osa de la Ve-ga’s confidence in its power

then along the major route of Naga River, back to her shrine.

The Bicolanos, lofty fore-bears of the Ivatans, were ob-served and recorded through the centuries of Spanish pe-riod to have become one of the most devoted and pious Filipinos among its numer-ous regions. The evangeliza-tion of the provinces seemed perfectly matched with the number of conversions to the Catholic fold, for statistics at the turn of the twentieth cen-tury showed the Bicolanos’ total profession of the Catho-lic Faith. In Catanduanes, the gem pure-province at the tip of the Bicol peninsula regis-tered an almost 99% Catholic population as recent as the l980’s.

The seat of the Archdio-cese of Caceres is located in Naga City, she is the initiator of significant religious fes-tivities that evolved from the

simple devotional activity set by Fr. Covarrubias to a regional major religious fiesta. On 2010, the arch-diocese celebrates the 300th year of devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia as she continues to be the Queen and Mother of the Bicolanos. This is attested through the countless testi-monies of people, devotees and ordinary churchgoers, of having been recipients of the miracles of Our Lady of Peñafrancia which has greatly impressed the de-votion upon the people year after year.

The yearly “Feast of feasts” begins with a “Traslacion”, i.e. the trans-ferring of the miraculous Images of the Virgin, Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divine Rostro to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City for a Novena of

(Turn to page 19) (Turn to page 19)

knew no bounds.OUr OWn, The diVinO rOsTrO in The bicOl re-GiOn

When Father Pedro de la Torre, recently named Provi-sor and Vicar General of the Diocese of Nueva Ceceres came to Naga, he brought with him to this place a picture of the Divino Rostro, a carbon copy of the one found in Osa de la Vega. The picture was exposed to the piety of the in-habitants of the town and after a lapse of years, it became very popular.

In the year 1882 a “cholera morbo” broke out in Manila. A cure for the disease was not yet discovered so many died of the disease rapidly the dread-ful disease reached Naga and according to Fr. Jose Ma. Lesa, who was then the Chap-lain of the Shrine of the Virgin of Peñafrancia many people died during the epidemic. The bishop, Msgr. Casimiro Her-

erra had the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia brought to the Cathedral imploring her natural and maternal protection and help for the townspeople from the dread-ful disease.

As if inspired by the im-pending danger, Fr. Pedro de la Torre remembered a simi-lar catastrophe in Osa de la Vega and the miraculous in-tervention of the Divino Ros-tro. Fr. De la Torre made this miracle known to the people in Naga. A carbon copy of the Divino Rostro was brought to the Cathedral for special prayers and devotion, im-ploring for the same prayers and mercy that was long ago shown. For the first time the two images were together. However the epidemic con-tinued taking more lives. Undaunted Bishop Casimiro Herrera with his priests then made a promise . . . should


by MarlOn a. lOTerTe

LEGAZPI CITY – Bicol is more than just the world-renowned Mayon Volcano in Albay, whale sharks in Sorsogon, and marine trea-sures of Masbate as the re-gion has a lot more to offer tourists and visitors with several attractions and des-tination options in these sis-ter provinces.

One get to know more about them in the recent Phil-ippine Travel Mart last Sep-tember 6-8, this year at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia with the stag-ing of Almasor (Albay, Mas-bate and Sorsogon) showcase booth and the launch of a cof-fee table book featuring the bests of the three provinces in the fields of tourism and investment prospects

Almasor’s tourism booth even notched the People’s Choice Award for provincial category as it had drawn the most number of visitors, most voted and most photographed display booth during the three-day trade and tourism fair.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, chair of the Bicol Regional Development Council, has initiated and pursued the branding Almasor for the “Soul of the South” as a new marketing strategy and pack-aging of the tourism industry and prospects for the three southernmost provinces of the region.

With the Regional De-velopment Council (RDC) of Bicol pursuing the Albay Masbate Sorsogon Tourism Alliance (AlMaSorTA), the tourism roadmap for the en-tire region is seen to achieve development not only in mainland provinces of Albay and Sorsogon but also in the island province of Masbate a more integrated and compre-hensive promotion strategy to market the potentials of tourism industry eyeing some 650,000 foreign tourist arriv-als in the area annually within five years.

The RDC chair believed that the realignment of tour-ism activities in all provinces in the region will enable the Bicol peninsula to have a more coherent market posi-tioning and promotion.

On Sunday, Salceda along with Sorsogon and Masbate provincial officials launched the Almasor ‘Soul of the South’ coffee table book, a glossy 102-page 11 x 8 publication showing color-ful photographs of the sister provinces’ scenic, pristine and enchanting tourism des-tinations.

Salceda said the alliance is more timely and appropriate, for indeed Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon are sister prov-inces as they once constituted together the original province of Albay during the Spanish colonial period.

In his message, Salceda stated that tourists travelling

within these provinces would not notice their boundaries as the lands are seamlessly wo-ven by contiguous roads and rivers. Common mountains and forests straddle towns and communities of these provinces. The same sea and ocean waves rush and caress their shores and beaches.

“The people are of the same ethnic origin and are bound by similar culture, tra-ditions and similar beliefs,”

he added.This book, according to

the governor, is a compendi-um of the aesthetics found in the wilds and environs of Al-masor as it gives an ecological foretaste far exceeding what any grouping of provinces in the Philippines and at par with the best the rest of the world has to offer. It gathers a unique experience that pro-motes culture attached to the environs and its beauty.

The book is a virtual tour of Almasor, depicting the foremost tourism wealth in-cluding Albay’s iconic Mayon Volcano and the Cagsawa Ru-ins; and Donsol, Sorsogon’s Butanding Interaction experi-ence and the “virgin” beaches of Masbate.

It also includes other at-tractions like ATV adventure along the lava walls of Mayon and the Lingyon Hill Nature’s Park; the country’s first mon-

ument to Andres Bonifacio in Santo Domingo; the boiling lakes in Manito town; the ten kilometers pinkish-white and crystal-clear waters of the San Isidro Beach in Masbate; the blue lagoon of Paguriran Island, and the Balading Beach in Magdalena, both in the province of Sorsogon.

The coffee table book, Salceda said, showcases vast tourism wealth of the three provinces, presenting their

historical and cultural back-grounds and past alliances from way back to their pre-colonial times.

The book also put into spotlight the luxury island hideaway Misibis Bay Resort in Bacacay, Albay.

Almasor ‘Soul of the South’ coffee table book has been commissioned by Albay as convenor of the Almasor tourism alliance of Luzon’s southernmost provinces.


P3.4 MILLION WORTH OF LEARNING Gbc/abearcilla/MMec

close to a thousand young student-scholars from all over camsur whose education is presently being subsidized by the provincial Government under an expanded education assistance program of Governor Migz Villafuerte trooped to the convention center of the provincial capitol in cadlan, pili Tuesday, september 10 to witness the distribution by Governor Villafuerte of checks in the total amount of p3,407,415.05 to underwrite tuition and other school fees of scholars in various courses enrolled in 52 high schools, colleges, and universities.

roof of peñafranciashrine needs urgent repair

naga lass places 4thin geodetic exams

Parish priestappeals for donations

Fr. recepciOn

MacaraiG

by sOnny sales

NAGA CITY – A priest yesterday appealed for do-nors to help in the repair of the old Peñafrancia Shrine, the oldest church in Cama-rines Sur.

Peñafrancia Shrine parish priest Rev. Andrew Recep-cion said the church is now in urgent need of repairs with the original wooden beams of the church’ roof in a state of decay.

Fr. Recepcion said some P20-million in funds will be needed to replace the beams and roofings of the Shrine to

permanent steel structures.Built in 1750, the stone

structure of the Shrine was spared from Japanese soldiers invasion and was not hit by bombs during World War II.

The wooden structures of the church were partly repaired in the last century while wooden supports were installed to avoid a total col-lapse of the roofings.

In recent years, fun-runs were held to raise funds for the repair of the Shrine, while pilgrims and devotees, par-ticulary the Bicolanos abroad, have sent donations to the Pe-ñafrancia Parish.

The Peñafrancia Shrine is considered a historical land-mark in Bicolandia after Naga was declared a “Pilgrim City” by President Benigno S. Aqui-no. III.

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the Shrine this month of September for the annual Peñafrancia reli-gious festivity.

A Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)-Na-ga City Chapter member, Engr. Maricel Chua Macar-aig, landed on the Top 10 of the Geodetic Engineer Li-censure Examination given by the Professional Regu-lations Commission (PRC)

wherein only 144 out of 384 examinees passed the said board exams this month.

Garnering a rating of 85.00, Maricel – a graduate of Ateneo de Naga Univer-sity for her civil engineering course and of Naga College Foundation for her geodetic

engineering course – earned the Top 4 spot on the Top 10 along with other top notch examinees from other schools like UP-Diliman, Feati University, Visayas State University-Baybay, Caraga State University-Bu-tuan City, University of Saint

Louis-Tuguegarao, and John Paul II College.

A diligent student, Maricel spent her elementary educa-tion at Colegio (now Univer-sidad) de Sta. Isabel and her high school at University of Nueva Caceres, both in Naga City. She currently works for her father’s company, MCRG Engineering Services and Technical Consultancy as of-fice administrator, thus, prob-

ably gaining her a decided edge at the geodetic licensure examinations.

Her proud parents are Engr. Asisclo Macaraig and the late Rosita Samosa Chua. She also has siblings who are likewise accomplished pro-fessionals: Atty. Allan Reiz C. Macaraig, Ms. Anna Liza C. Macaraig, and Mr. Mi-chael Ace C. Macaraig, RN. -jorechIII/PICE

Sa ngaran kan samong pamilya, kami nakikisumaro sa ika-303 na anibersaryo kan kafiestahan ni Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia....

From: Mr. & Mrs. JUAN “sultan” P. BADURIA MR. EDUARDO “cong” BADURIA

VIVA LA VIRGEN!!!

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472-85-75


sM naGa 472-1339

MY CITY, MY SM, MY CRAFT CAMPAIGN ribboncutting: From left: Mall Manager Wesley Villanueva,sM Vp for Marketing communications Millie dizon, dTi director edna Tejada, congresswoman leni robredo and naga city councilor nene de asis during the launching of My city, My sM, My crafts campaign held recently at sM city naga. My city, My sM, My crafts is a celebration of traditional arts and modern philippine designs showcasing the best of the best crafts of every region where sM has malls. it is in partnership with dTi, ciTeM, philippine star and various lGUs. local manufacturers from albay, camarines norte, camarines sur and naga city had the opportunity to sell their crafts for free last august 31 to september 7. bicol products made of ingenuous materials were displayed inside a crafts house installed at the sM event center.

by rOsaliTa b. ManlanGiT

DAET, Camarines Norte – The municipal govern-ment here and the Calata Corporation signed and en-tered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that provides for programs on livelihood assistance and scholarship of the children of farmers in this town.

Mayor Tito Sarion and Calata Corporation chair-man and chief executive of-fi cer Joseph Calata inked the MOA during the “2013 Daet Business Forum” held here Saturday, Aug. 31.

Sarion said that the forum was conducted to strengthen businesses in the town based on the theme “Sustaining In-clusive Growth in Business Environment”.

Calata Corporation is one of the biggest distributor of feeds for animals in the coun-try who started as a small business and now has stocks of P2B in the country.

Sarion added the corpo-ration, aside from the liveli-hood assistance and schol-arships for the children of farmers, will also provide free seminars for budding en-trepreneurs and businessmen of this town.

He said that this pro-grams and prospects for the town added on to the gov-

ernment’s efforts that made Daet the fourth among most competitive municipalities in the country named by the Na-tional Competitive Council (NCC).

We all wished and contin-ued to excel in the same en-deavor.

Bro. Michael Lobrin of the Go Negosyo and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Programs and Projects mean-while said that we should not create more employees but rather create more business-es and should teach people to have an entrepreneurial

mind.He said that we need to be

have a “sipag, tiyaga at dis-karte” and trainings for our employees for the success of the business.

He said that the triumph of a business also should be based on a lifestyle and good corporate social responsibil-ity.

Another business forum is set on September 13 for those would be investors for Daet which will be held at the Asian Institute of Manage-ment at Bienavidez, Makati City.

Unep hails Mr. andMs. intrams 2013

Gorgeous UNEPians showcased their combined beauty and talents up stage during the recently con-cluded 2013 Search for Mr. and Ms. Intrams held at the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) over the weekend. The event was one of the highlights of UNEP College Intramu-rals 2013 with the theme “ Empowering UNEPians Through Excellence in Sports Towards Holistic Development”.

The 4-day university event successfully wrapped

up on Saturday.Receiving warm cheers

from her colleagues at the College of Arts and Scienc-es (CAS) Department, Gil-lian M. Gumba, this year’s crowned 2013 Ms. Intrams, thanked all the people who supported her during the competition. She was joined on stage by the newly hailed Mr. Intrams, Kristoffer A. Cabañes, also from the Col-lege of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

Occupying the remaining slots as runners up were Jay

(Turn to page 18)

VIVA LA VIRGEN!VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO!

Greetings from:

ANTONIO GENIO CORTEZ and Family

Tabouk, Al Jawf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

We join the whole

Bicolandia in the celebration of the Feast of

ina.


2nd batch of training on veggieproduction for soldiers held in albay

CAMP SIMEON OLA, LEGAZPI CITY -- Six-ty (60) policemen and women from the Regional Public Safety Battalion; city/municipal police sta-tions; women and chil-dren’s protection desk; Reg’l Police Community Relations Division; and Police Provincial Offices of Albay, Cam. Norte, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Masbate underwent a three-day training on Vegetable Production at Camp Simeon Ola here on September 10-12, 2013.

Atty. Clarence Villan-ueva Guinto, Police Chief Superintendent and Acting Regional Director of Bicol Philippine National Police said the topics maybe new to the policemen but they will surely love it because growing and eating veg-etables does not only make people fit and healthy, it also gives an added income. He added that “in garden-ing there is greener life and glittering gold.” He added that the Gulayan sa Kampo is one way of supporting the Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agri-Pinoy, which is the over-all strategic framework of the Department of Agri-culture that guides the vari-ous services and programs of the DA from 2011-2016 and beyond.

Topics discussed during the training proper include: Opportunities in Vegetable Production by Dr. Gloria Salazar, Vegetable Program Focal Person; Cultural Management of Vegetables by Susan Joven, Agricultur-ist II; Weed Management by Vincent Paz, Baao Mu-nicipal HVCDP Coordina-

tor; Vegetable Seed Produc-tion by Joven; and Organic Fertilizer Production and Application by Paz.

Aside from the seed-lings, the DA also provided garden tools and production guides to the participants.

During the training, the po-licemen and women were able establish their gardens planted with eggplant, to-matoes and pepper.

Salazar said these crops are good as starter crops since they require very little

inputs, they are very easy to grow and will bear fruits in less than three months.

This is the second batch of training in the region un-der the DA-DND Agricul-tural Livelihood Program which was launched at Fort

Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija on May 2, 2013 by Agri-culture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of DA and De-fense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin. The first was held at Cam. Sur Police Provin-cial Office in Naga City on

August 28-30, 2013This five-year nation-

wide project of the DA and DND aims to turn idle lands in military camps into pro-ductive vegetable farms and a viable source of food. -Lovella P. Guarin

Maritime Group.Department of Educa-

tion, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways,City Health Office, Bicol Medical Cen-ter, Naga City Hospital.

Bureau of Fire Protec-tion, Philippine Red Cross, Casureco II, Metro Naga Water District, and Kapisan-an ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas-Camarines Sur Chapter

“The JOC is a testament to our advocacy to involve all the sectors in securing peace and order in the city. We thank all the groups, es-pecially the Archdiocese of Caceres, headed by Arch-bishop Rolando Tria-Tiro-na, for actively cooperating in our efforts to celebrate the Peñafrancia Festival in the most meaningful and or-derly manner possible,” said Mayor John G. Bongat.

nAgA . . .


We join the pilgrims, guests and devotees in honoring the celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on its 303rd year of devotion.

VIVA LA VIRGEN!

Engr. FLORIDA P. NUÑEZ and FamilyRamaida Village, Concepcion Grande, Naga City

Welcome devotees, pilgrims and guests to the annual feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

VIVA LA VIRGEN!

From: Engr. NESTOR L. ORASA and FamilyDivina Pastora, Bato, Camarines Sur

Padanayon asin ipadagos an pagtalubo kan debosyon ki ‘INA’ NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PEÑAFRANCIA.

VIVA LA VIRGEN!

Hale ki: Engr. JOY AGNES N. SABIO NACHORasin PAMILYA

Sta. Justina West, Buhi, Camarines Sur

Malugod po namin kayong inaanyayahan sa kapistahan ng Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO!

Mula sa:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & HIGHWAYS 2nd Engineering District Offi ce engr. simplicio ‘Totoy’ Gonzales & staff

sabaton niato an mga bisita nin masiram na handa, magbakal nin malinig, tama sa kilo, may tatak abatwa, karne asin manok.

AMY & OKB MEAT SHOP2nd level, naga city peoples Mall

VIVA LA VIRGEN!

VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO!Fiesta greetings from:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & HIGHWAYS QUaliTy assUrance UniT engr. edUardO s. Uy, chief & staff Caraycayon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur

An samuyang pakikisumaro sa kafi estahan ni Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.

VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO!

BESCOM TRADINGTimson ‘aboy’ chua – Manager

Dealer: All kinds of construction materials Panganiban cor Misericordia Sts., Naga City

Mabuhay an Patrona kan Bicolandia!VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO! VIVA LA VIRGEN!

Fiesta Greetings from:

PARTIDO CONSTRUCTION & SUPPLYCertifi cate-ISO-9001-2008-No. AJA-130709

engr. & Mrs. abner Ferrer & Family Matacla,Goa, CamSur

tB


Maogmang kapistahan kan Patrona kan Bicolandia

VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO!Engr. & Mrs. ANTONIO C. MENDEZ

Nee: Corazon N. NievaChidren: dann anthony, Tony jr., Maiden joy, anthony louis

Grandchild: lourde Zane

An samuyang pagpapaabot nin maogmang kapistahan ni Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.


JONNA MARIE V. ARAÑANaga City Science High School, Batch 2003

‘INA’-Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, an mamomoton na INA kan Kagurangnan tang

HESUKRISTO! VIVA LA VIRGEN!Fiesta greetings:

Ms. Grace b. de leOnProprietor/Manager

Enrile Subdivision, Concepcion Grande, Naga City

Welcome guests, devotees and pilgrims to the annual fiesta of Our Lady of Peñafrancia!


From: VICTOR BICHARA & SONS, INC.Bichara Cinema, Emily Arcade, Bichara Mall

VicTOr ‘jUn’ bichara - General ManagerNaga City


J-MARBELA CONSTRUCTIONengr. jerry luz

ProprietorMagsaysay Avenue, Naga City

Mabuhay si ‘INA’ Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia

FRANCIS C. CHAVEZManager

naga city

VIVA LA VIRGEN!


naMe OF deceased daTe OF inTerMenT1. pablO V. belenO sr. august 2, 20132. Fidel a. yU august 4, 20133. elFeriO O. Orendain sr. august 5, 20134. rOMeO e. TUaZOn august 4, 20135. priMO b. belbes august 3, 20136. FlOra r. aparil august 11, 20137. aniTa l. ManUbay august 10, 20138. laila eliZabeTh anGeline august 9, 2013 b. hOlMan 9. lUis r. pOrTillO august 18, 201310. liseriO M. de jesUs august 19, 201311. carlOs c. abelardO august 20, 201312. henry sl. resUrrecciOn august 20, 201313. FernandO s. inOpia august 20, 201314. WilhelM a. san andres august 21, 2013

republic of the philippineslOcal ciVil reGisTry OFFice

province: camarines surcity/Municipality: Goa

nOTice TO The pUblic

cce-0043-2013 r.a. 10172 In Compliance with the publication requirement and

pursuant to OcrG Memorandum circular no. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative , Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that adela c. Madis has filed with this office a Petition for correction of entry in sex from “FEMALE” to “Male” in the certificate of live birth of ALOYSIUS CANO MADIS born at Goa, Camarines Sur and whose parents are MENARDO G. MADIS and ADELIA A. CANO.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than september 21, 2013.

(sgd.) lina b. GrejalVO Municipal Civil RegistrarbiKOl repOrTerpublished: september 8 and 15, 2013

MAAGANG PAMASKO jOrechiii-picenaGa

a joint gift-giving activity initiated by the philippine institute of civil engineers (pice)-naga city chapter led by its president, engr. andrew Opena and the rotary club of naga headed by dr. diosdado Uy, president, was held september 9 at san rafael elementary school, cararayan, naga city where 150 Grade 1 pupils - including these 2 special children - were treated to school bags full of school supplies and personal hygiene kits. also present and assisted in the distribution of gifts were pice members engr. emeterio “boy” aman of haciendas de naga and engr. dennis caramoan. The rotarians gave away assorted school and reference books to the grateful recipients.

served as a garrison and detention facility for Fil-Am soldiers and guerillas.

8. Naga Metropolitan Cathedral – One of the grandest and biggest cathedral in South Luzon and is considered as the mother of all churches in Bicol. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of caceres. Its structure is of Roman Baroque architecture. This cathedral was erected with the use of Spanish Royal money, the reason why the Royal Seal is emblazoned above its door.

9. Basilica Minore-As the house of the original image of our Lady of Peñafrancia this boasts of large stained glass windows depicting the highlights of the Bicolanos more than 300 years devotion to the patroness of Bicolandia. Its stained, glass window façade is considered as the largest nationwide. It is even larger than the North Rose window of he Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

10. Peñafrancia Shrine-during the Spanish Era this was made of nipa and local materials under the auspices and supervision of Fr. Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who first brought to Bicol the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. This was the original home of “Ina” whose original image was stolen in 1981 but after more than a year was returned to the delight and joy of Bicolanos. Its present structure was completed in the year 1745 and is considered as the oldest existing structure left untouched by the ravages of the last World War.

11. Naga Metropolitan Cathedral –This old structure is the largest in South Luzon and is referred to as the mother of all churches in Bicol. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres the structure of which is of Ramon-Baroque architecture. This was built and financed using Spanish Royal money and is the main reason why the Spanish Royal Seal is emblazoned above its door.

Other places of interest awaits tourists and visitors who would come to the City of Naga popularly known for the present as the City of Smiles living up to the tourism campaign slogan that really “Its more fun in the Philippines”.

tours And trAvel. . .

Oliver (CBED) and Nikki Charmaine B. Alfelor (BSN)- First runner up; John Rodolf Mortega (CAS) and Daphne Marie Catolico (CBED)- 2nd Runner up; Roberto Baga-poro Jr. (Maritime) and Ma. Angelica Lagatao (CBED) -3rd Runner up and Kevin Kier Colarina and Christian-na Erica M. Capalos (CEA)- 4th Runner up.

Comprising this year’s Board of jurors from the ros-ter of beauty queens, ramp models and television per-sonalities were Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Official Candidate An-gel Villafuerte who served as the Chairman of the Board of Jurors, ABS CBN Issa Bor-romeo, Mutya ng Taal 2007 Crystal Alday , ABS CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edi-

tion 4 third Big Placer Roy Requejo, and 2013 Bench Jeans Revolution Model Dominic Paolo Llaga.

Villafuerte is currently en-joying her stint as a freelance ramp, TV and print ad Mod-el. She was also crowned Ms. Camarines Norte Tour-ism in 2007 and Ms. Rincon-ada in 2012. Aside from be-ing a lady DJ of MOR 93.5 Naga, Borromeo also hosts ABS-CBN’s Marhay na Aga Kapamilya. Alday, the 3rd female judge was also ad-judged as 2007 Outstanding Model of Asia.

Invited male judges Re-quejo was also a former member of STARMAGIC pool of talents. Requejo also appeared in several episodes of ABS CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya while Llaga, aside from his modeling stint was also a former member of De La Salle University Basketball varsity, played for Filipino American Basketball League in California USA and a tal-ent of 2013 ABS CBN’s Ka-pamilya Summer Station ID.

Meanwhile, the Crimi-nology Department was ad-judged as Over-all Cham-pion for this year’s College

unep hAils mr. And ms. intrAms 2013 . . .

Supports PeñafranciaFestival 2013

Intramurals; College of Busi-ness Education (CBED)- 2nd Runner up ; College of Edu-cation- 3rd Runner up; Col-lege of Engineering and Ar-chitecture, Travel/ Tourism/ Hotel and Restaurant Man-agement- 4th Runner up and College of Arts and Sciences for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th and 5th place respectively.

bFp execs, personnel train onnews writing, media relations

NAGA CITY --- As part of its continuing advocacy to promote the effective use of communication, particu-larly in strengthening the capacity of other informa-tion and advocacy work-ers in the government, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) provincial of-fice here spearheaded the Communication Seminar Worskhop for officers and personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BP) in Ca-marines Sur.

The seminar workshop pursued the role of the bu-reau in achieving the goal in the fields of disaster risk reduction and mitigation,

emergency response and community preparedness in the context of the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 pursued by the present administration.

Forty-five officers and personnel of the BFP Cama-rines Sur from two cities and 35 towns and of Camarines Sur took part on the one-day activity focused on learning the basic in news writing, public and media relations to communicate to the pro-grams, projects and activities of the bureau to the public and get in return the later’s support and cooperation in achieving the former’s goals.

PIA Camarines Sur man-

ager Lizel Macatangay said that the deliberation and in-terfacing on public and me-dia relationsproved to be e very helpful with the office section and the participants themselve are into dealing with the media sector and community.

She added that the princi-ples and technicques in basic news writing provided them added knowledge and skills in preparing documents, press statements or news ar-ticles, which are essentials in their information and ad-vocasy campaigns.

She also said that the ac-tivity helped the bureau pur-sued initiatives that will help achieve the Philippine De-

velopment Plan 2011-2016 in terms of sustainable de-velopment through disaster risk reduction and mitigation as well as community pre-paredness wherein men and women of tBFP are in the forefront.

Macatangay said that proper and timely dissemi-nation of news and pertinent informations are also in line with the promotion of good governance, particularly in being transparent with their programs and services.

Economic Development Specialist II Gieya R. Es-parraguerra of the National Economic and Develop-ment Authority (NEDA) Bicol meanwhile presented the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016, re-iterating among others, the government agencies’ role in achieving inclusive growth.

Esparraguerra said that one of the best strategies is by making the government closer to the people – and one way of attaining it is by communicating the govern-ment programs to the con-stituents.

Esparraguerra also em-phasized the BFP’s role in preparing the community, particularly the most vuner-able sectors, inclding the marginalized communities, elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and the children in the face of ad-versities.

These vulnerable sectors, who are least resilient to natural catastrophes, should be given utmost prioriteis in the wake of threats of disas-

(Turn to page 19)


Prayers and Holy Masses.The “Traslacion” which

begun in 1885, is considered to be a very important part of the celebration, not to say festive and colourful. The “andas” of the Lady is borne on the on the shoulders of her male devotees, called the voyadores, all along the route of the procession.

In the afternoon of the 9th day of the Novena, a fluvial procession in the Naga River caps the feast. The image of Our Lady is returned to her sanctuary via the Naga River, on board a pagoda decorated with fresh flowers and colour-ful papers, accompanied by musicians, the religious, priests and seminarians, as the pagoda maneuvers, other bancas manned by

boatmen and male devo-tees sail along with it until the landing site, where by tradi-tion, the Archbishop of Nueva Caceres meets the Images and leads them to the Basil-ica Minore of Our Lady of Pe-ñafrancia for a solemn con-celebrated Pontificial Mass.

To the unexposed and than religious, the sight of the Pagoda, being escorted by hundreds of men and thousand more following its ascent while both sides of the Nagel River are filled with devotees waving their handkerchiefs and shouting “Viva la Virgen!”, may seem strange, and the veneration fever, seemingly too emo-tional, almost pagan.

Nobody can explain the intensity of feelings for Our Lady of Peñafrancia during the week of her feast day, except to accept, and accept obediently that it is pure love of the Blessed Virgin Mother, in the Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia which has made her devotees keep up their yearly “panata”, people like to believe with little explana-tion that certainly, a devotee returns because almost al-ways, Our Lady returns the favour of the petitioner.

Today, the Peñafrancia Basilica and National Shrine at Balatas, Naga City, is the “Home” and permanent residence of the venerable original Image of the Lady of Peñafrancia, and the Divino Rostro, which were previ-ously kept in the Shrine of Peñafrancia, located at Pe-ñafrancia Avenue, Naga City. This original Shrine of Our is now a parish dedicated to Our Lady of Peñafrancia and has the replica of the original Image of Ina.

brief history of our lAdy . . .the dreadful disease spare

Naga, the Divino Rostro will be pompously venerated with special festivities together with the Virgin of Peñafrancia. There were many people who died on that day, while on the second day only two died. On the third day the dreadful dis-ease disappeared. The people saw the hand of God in this miraculous saving of the town and made good their promise. When the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia was to be tak-en to the Cathedral from the shrine on September of that year (1883), the Divino Rostro was also carried along in the procession with the priests themselves carrying it on their shoulders.

The people from all parts of the Bicol Region who came to attend the fiesta heard of the miracles of the Divino Rostro when they went back, they talked about it to their own folks. Thus unknowingly the devotion to the Divino Rostro became regional.

To make it easier for the devotees to give vent it their special devotion to the Divino Rostro, Fr. Pedro de la Torre decided to donate it to the Sanctuario of Peñafrancia.

The Chaplain of the shrine Fr. Jose Ma. Lesa with the ap-proval of Bishop Herrera ac-cepted the replica of the Divi-no Rostro and placed it on the altar constructed at the gospel

history of the divino . . .

SupportsPeñafrancia

Festival2013

side, the very place where it was until recently.

When the wings of the Pe-ñafrancia Church was finished it was transferred to the left wing.

When the wooden frame of the miraculous image be-came so old and deteriorated Doña Fabiana Arejola Vda. De Reyes, the president of the Association of Peñafrancia donated a silver frame ordered from the famous Zamora Bros. She also donated the “andas” on which it is placed during the procession.

The Philippines Bicol Di-vino Rostro measures 61 cm. long and 47 cm wide. On the top of the silver frame is an art work depecting the instru-ments of the passion and suf-ferings of Our Lord, the crown of thorns, the nails, the lanc-es and the cross. The Divine Face of Jesus is imprinted on the white veil of St. Veronica, the wounded bleeding, sor-rowful face of Jesus looks at anyone who looks over Him with soul searching eyes. What could He be telling you and me?

Under the initiative of Rev. Fr. Concordio Sarte, Auxillary Bishop of Caceres, then Rec-tor of the Parish of Peñafran-cia Shrine started a perpetual novena in honor of the Divino Rostro, this novena takes place before or after the first mass of Friday at the shrine.

ters. The bureau should see to it that the highest standard of capability and prepared-ness against natural calami-ties and disasters are carried out. This can be mirrored in the increase of buildings and establishments that are com-pliant with the Fire Code, among others.

PIA 5 officer in charge Aida Naz tackled basic news writing, focusing on prepar-ing narrative reports, press statements and news releas-es, among others.

Following assessment, some displayed skills as po-tential writers based on the result of the writeshop exer-cises.

Public relations ffficer Ed-uardo Yu of the National Irri-gation Administration (NIA) imparted tips on the effective media relations tools, includ-ing the do’s and don’ts when dealing with them to get the message get through tem for the community

YU also emphasized the importance of good media relations and the mainte-nance of media contact.

“It is very important that you keep a directory of your friends in the media, and en-suring that you keep the good ones by updating them with the latest information about your agency. In that way, you can be assured that your agency will get the mileage that it needs,” Yu added.

Fire Insp. Josephine Jea-nette C. Barandon of the BFP Camarines Sur said that the knowledge and skills they acquired after the seminar workshop will serve as one of their tools in harnessing their communication skills.

This, she said will also foster participation, ensure

bfp execs, . . .

from my WindoW . . .

transparency, demand ac-countability, and will pro-mote efficiency among the men and women in uniform.

“We are planning to re-echo the inputs from the seminar to our field per-sonnel so that they too will be equipped with the basic

know how on writing for ef-fective reporting of fire in-cidents and other pertinent programs of BFP. We wish to invite PIA again, enhance our writing prowess and per-haps come up with our own news bureau,” Barandon added. -MAL/LSM

This text is an excerpt of the Introduction that can be found in the booklet “NO-VENA to the VIRGIN OF PE-ÑAFRANCIA”. The booklet is freely distributed during the processions.


Naga ensures orderly, peacefulPeñafrancia Fiesta

MS. BICOLANDIA 2013Winners (from left to right) 4th runner-up Kathleen Mae j. lausingco (polangui, albay), 2nd runner-up shecill bherte s. bagapro ( naga city ), Ms. bicolandia angelica Mae corbe ( legazpi city), 1st runner-up janne c. reis (naga city), and 3rd runner-up Febelin G. peña ( daet, cam. norte)

bOnGaTTirOna

by paUl jOhn F. barrOsa

Naga City ---Various law enforcement agen-cies and other mem-bers of the Joint Op-eration Center (JOC) conducted a three-day seminar last Septem-ber 9 to 11 at the Metro Peso Conference Room to discuss a focused and coordinated system in securing the peaceful and orderly celebra-tion of the Peñafran-cia Festival, the largest celebration of Marian devotion in Asia.

The first day of the seminar was devoted to the discussion of peace and security mechanisms to en-sure immediate actions on incidents that may hamper the peaceful and orderly celebration of the festival. Naga City Police Director Jose Capinpin reported that a total of 1,058 members of the JOC will be deployed all over Naga City.

On the second day, the JOC ironed out the details regarding its emergency response system. Weng De Castro, head nurse of Bicol Medical Center, said that 600 volunteer nurses and doctors will man the advanced medical posts of the JOC. De Castro also re-vealed that 18 ambulances will be deployed in strategic locations across the city.

During the third day, the JOC conducted a final briefing to ensure that all members of the JOC are fully-aware of their specific functions and tasks.

“As host to the biggest celebration of Marian devo-tion in Asia, we expect to receive hundreds of thou-sands of devotees locally and worldwide. Ensuring peace and order during the celebration is, therefore, an imperative concern that the city government and the whole locality should prudently and judiciously address,” said Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion.

The JOC was constituted through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the city government, other government agencies, sec-toral groups and the church.

The signing of the MOA, led by Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat and Archdiocese of Caceres Archbishop Ro-lando Tria-Tirona, was con-ducted last September 4 at the Archbishop’s Palace.

Serving as a one-stop shop that will provide an

effective and efficient com-mand, control, coordination, collaboration, and commu-nication system in ensuring peaceful and orderly cel-ebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta, the JOC is composed of the following:

City Government of Naga, Naga City Police Of-fice, Public Safety Office, Office of the Civil Defense, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, PNP Regional Command, Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Highway Office, PNP

(Turn to page 15)

september 15-21, 2013

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