Naga City: Penafrancia Festival

One of the participants of the parade showing her skill

  The feast of Penafrancia in Naga  started with a whole day parade prominent in the main streets of the city. Most of the hotels could no longer accommodate guests, and as the price has gone up since its festivity, the rooms are still taken by the arriving tourists. The Bicolanos love fiesta as shown how proactive they are by merely going out to witness the annual festivity.

 A whole day parades at the main streets of the city

Penafrancia festival is one of the most exciting and fun-filled celebration among the Philippine Fiestas. It's a nine-day festivities in honor of Our Lady of Penafrancia, the patroness of Bicol. It is celebrated every third Saturday of September where it is considered as the biggest Marian celebration. The festivity is lined up with a beauty pageant, sports fest, the civic and military parades, exhibits, cultural shows and other colorful competitions.

parade stop over waiting for a signal to step forward

Front area of Sampaguita Tourist Inn

A room with ventillated fan inside Sampaguita Tourist Inn

From day one, I had barely found an inn with a vacant room so I could take a rest for awhile before going out to witness the event. I have one bag in black where my laptop and camera are kept inside, aside from the shirts packed inside my bag. But thanks, it took me an hour to find inn with a vacant room after cruising around the place and I found one just beside a river. Sampaguita Tourist Inn was affordable,though its price has doubled since its festivity took place. A small room with a toilet, a cable television, but there was no air-con, just an electric fan as most of the air-conditioned rooms have been occupied by the tourists few days ago; but I was lucky enough to get a vacant one - a non air-conditioned room. The room wasn't bad at all as the price is at an affordable rate. I supposedly wanted to extend my stay but I had to leave the following day as there's another guest coming in to take my place. The staffs did not apologize in spite of their error, who made a reservation to another guest without waiting for my check out time yet. They should have reserved the room to another guest only after I have checked out the room. This upsets me as it left me in a hanging state.I had no choice but leave the place as soon as possible. Sampaguita's regular rate is 300 pesos a day for non-airconditioned room.

Reception Area of Sampaguita Tourist Inn

It took me about an hour to get a room from another hotel and price of Aristocrat Hotel is a bit higher but what sets them apart from their competitors, they did not take advantage of the event to overprice the paying guests. The room was quite nice and bigger and the staffs are more accommodating and friendly to please their guests. No catches in paying additional fees prior to check in time. Aristocrat Hotel's daily rate is 900 pesos, not bad for an air-conditioned room as it  is quite large for one guest.

One of the rooms of Aristocrat Hotel

As part of the event taking place in the city, I had a free massage at the overcrowded main plaza of the city. It is one of the livelihood projects organized by a non-profit group where tips and donations are given to the therapists.

Free massage at the plaza

route to Balogo beach where daruanak is located

Meanwhile, I had my next stop to Pasacao, Camarines Sur a 30-45 minute ride from LCC mall where the jeepney and van terminal is situated. It's been almost two years the last time I was in Balogo and see Daruanak Island.

road trip to Daruanak Is

One of the beach resorts in Balogo

And by 4 p.m. I had to go back to Naga City to take some rests. But one few good things that I had missed - is some of the food hubs in the city where best cuisines are found, just like when I visited Chef Doy's early this year. Aside from Penafrancia festival, it is advisable to stay few more days in order to explore some getaways in the nearby towns.

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To Naga City via Bicol Express Train

The Philippine National Railway (PNR) had its soft opening for Bicol Express train two months ago.  After the operation was revived, the maiden voyage failed to reach its destination on time, as the train was derailed while on its way to Naga City, Camarines Sur. This lets my plan to visit Naga City by train being disrupted and causing me to postpone my trip, for riding a train is my preference instead of commuting with a bus. Some follow ups have been made via the internet and phone to keep me updated about its resumption. It was 11 years ago the last time I had a train ride with PNR to Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Passengers from Tutuban Station ready to be on board

Hallway

4 Beds in each group at Sleeper Coach

Being a backpacker, I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of riding a train because I love to watch places and just like the bus, it’s the best glimpse how the people live as you can see them by the window pane. It’s so good to hear the sound of an engine and a loud honk of a train as it’s like a music to my ear. I stayed at the sleeper area where the beds are large and comfortable as you’ll have your own privacy by closing the curtain of your berth and each have their own lamp. You need to bring your jacket as the temperature is cold due to the train's aircon is cooling the entire coach. Since the train has 4 coaches , you can walk to a hallway once you get bored sitting for couple of hours. This reminds me about my 3-day trip via Amtrak train from New Orleans, Louisiana to Anaheim, California, which they have a two-storey coach. They have rooms and reclining chairs, observation area, and bar and restaurants. Coffee is available where you can get it for free.

Regular aircon

Meanwhile its operation has resumed a week ago, and I never had my second thought going to Naga via Bicol Express train so I decided to call and made my reservation in advance because I knew it was going to be fully booked as Penafrancia Festivity is currently taking place in the city.

Naga City Station

From Tutuban station, the train leaves at 6:30 p.m and arrives at 4:30 a.m. The train had 4 coaches where passengers can choose between the Sleeper Coach and Reclining Chair. Sleeper Coach had 4 beds of each bank, two at the top and two at the bottom. Between these beds is a window and a small table you can use for eating or drinking. Each bed has its own lamp for personal use while the rest of the lights are lowed. According to the staffs, the Executive Coach, wherein passengers will have their own room will be available this month. The rest room is quite clean as there’s a staff cleaning the toilet from time to time. There’s no food available and passengers are advised to buy foods from the point of departure as the train only stops shortly at some of the stations. They said canteen will be available soon. You can charge your cellphone as there is an available outlet in the train's hallway. But it's better to bring an extra battery as the outlet are in used by other passengers most of the time.

Bicol Express train carries a whiff of nostalgia to many as we also used this mode of transportation when we were just kids from Manila to Bicol and vice versa. And I'd be happy to ride again instead of commuting through a bus. It's affordable and you'll feel comfortable on the entire trip where you can relax especially when you are on a sleeper coach, and reclining chairs are big enough so you can move freely.

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Exploring Quiapo

Quiapo is a merging Filipino religiosity and commerce. An "Old Downtown" where culture of devotion and traditions are well preserved throughout the decades. It is the home of the Quiapo Church where the Feast of Nazarene is held annually. In the heart of Quiapo was also the Plaza Miranda, a site of political rallies and "miting de avances". As an alternative place to buy cheap goods being sold at a bottom price, surrounding the church is a hodge-podge and over crowded outdoor market where items are displayed including religious icons, herbal products used for healing, toys, apparels, office supplies, fruits and vegetables, and more. In the corner lies some fortune tellers and massage therapists sitting and waiting for clients who would come to seek help and avail their services. Outside the vicinity of Quiapo is the university belt where some of the colleges and universities are a walking distance away from the place.

Here are some of photos I've taken from my recent visit at Quiapo:

Quiapo Church throughout the decades

Sellers beside the church selling religious icons  

Hodge-podge in the market place

Manghihilot

Fruit vendor

  Fortune teller for over 20 years of performing her craft

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Let's Go to Greece

Tzatziki

A friend from abroad who just went home treated me a lunch, at CYMA Greek Taverna. Located in Shangri-La Mall, this Greek-inspired restaurant is said to be one of the richest and healthiest cuisine in the world. I love the food and the ambiance, and the waiters are shouting "OPA!!" as soon as they serve something flaming. First we had a Mezedes and the word is translated as appetizer, which means "something small and delicate". Tzatziki is a cucumber, garlic and greek yogurt dip, and this Mezedes is served with warm pita bread.

Paidakia, a char-grilled lamb

Following shortly, the main course was served and this time we had Paidakia, the most popular delicacy is a char-grilled lamb ribs serve with a choice of rice-stuffed peppers or Greek roasted potatoes. But in our case, we chose the roasted potatoes. The overall fine dining experience was absolutely excellent, for the staffs exemplify amiability and great customer service, its ambiance shows Greek heritage and the foods are superb and it's worth your cash in.

I've been in Shangri-La Mall often times as always come to pass CYMA Greek Tavern at Level 6 of the Mall where some of the favorite restaurants are located. At first it was a wishful thinking but never thought I would be in this restaurant one of these days. Who knows, that my next destination is Greece! Ahh..it's one of the places I would love to literally see!

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Cafe Agnes

One of my favorite past times during dead hours is to go to the mall and coffee shops are my usual hang out. I love coffee, and to keep me more relax from my ennui, I make sure that I order some brewed coffee. The more intense the aroma is, the more alive I am, especially when I get weak and in need of some energies to keep me awake. Most of the coffee shops have wi-fi internet so it's always best to bring along your laptop or your cell phone so you can check your email or social networking site like facebook.

In Sta Lucia Grand East Mall, it's great to have a place like Cafe Agnes. Located at level 2, the coffee shop has been in the business for seven years. They have loyal customers who keep coming back in the shop. It has a smoking lounge outside where you can see the scenic view of Ortigas Center. Coffees need not to be expensive. The price of their coffee can be justified with great customer service. Unlike some coffee shops which the staffs are not allowed to have some chit chat with their customers, Cafe Agnes stands out in this department. That's one thing that you can find in this shop aside from its location, you can expect great customer service, amiable staff and that's one of the reasons why they have more loyal customers who keep coming back as soon as they are in the mall. Check out one of their staffs, Gina, who's been with the shop since its opening seven years ago. Customers love her because she exemplifies friendliness and she delivers an excellent interpersonal skill. Just try to drop by at Cafe Agnes when you are at Sta Lucia mall. I've been hanging out in this cafe for more than three years now.

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My Excruciating Ordeal in Brooklyn, New York

Staying in New York is expensive, especially when you have no friends or relatives to support you in your accommodation. The standard of living is high and if you do not know someone in the Big Apple, you must find ways to have some Filipino friends so that in time when you need help, someone will let you lend a helping hand. And to keep you going, you need to stretch out your budget and that should be good enough to finance your needs while you are in the city. And you must also know where to find a good food hub to justify your means of necessity, like the Filipino, Chinese, Thai restaurants which the foods they serve have to be paid at a fraction of your cost.

I've been in New York three times and was back in 2010 for a business trip requiring attention to facilitate necessary documents for our client’s order coming from China. From then, it was also a good idea to initiate visit to some clients, whose office is located in the heart of Manhattan.

I came from an extended flight with Emirates en route Dubai since this was the only flight available in conjunction with the date of my planned departure from Manila. I had over 10 hours stay in Dubai before boarding the plane bound for New York. From JFK Airport I went to the main city taking the air train and the subway in Howard Beach. I have two bags, the first one is the laptop bag that I carry on my shoulder and the other one is my luggage with a trolley and both I could barely carry with my hands which made me quite uncomfortable in time of my arrival in New York. Stretching between the 7th Avenue and 42nd St that I walk, I met three Filipinos in their mid-life hanging around while sitting at the seats in the side walk. They tried to advice me where to stay safe and they brought me to Burger King to have some meals. I just forgot their names but I still have their numbers on my cellphone using a sim card with a New York number, though in time I would need to travel back, then I would have someone to hang out with. I walked around and inquired some hostels because the Manhattan Inn that I have checked in the last travel that I had in New York was already closed. Chelsea Star, which was just in front of Manhattan Inn hostel, was full so I had to find another place that will keep me safe. It took me time to find a place which lets me stay the entire night in Broadway Avenue. Tourists in the city are welcomed with bright lights as soon as the sun start to disappear. I’ve walked all night long in Broadway so it was a good idea to hang around in Times Square till the night is over. It’s safe because there are police roaming around to ensure the safety of people all over the place.

So I spent overnight in Times Square and when the sun began to rise, From Penn Station via subway I went to Broadway Junction station and ride a J-M-Z train in Brooklyn, New York to see the hostel which I’ve searched through the internet with instructions how to get to Williamburgh. It’s a 20 minute ride through the subway from Times Square or Penn Station. Glenwood Hostel is located just across the river line connecting to the Brooklyn Bridge, at the Broadway in Williamburgh, Brooklyn. Just a 5 minute walk to the station and you can hear trains are passing once you get into that hostel. Well, I guess I have no choice ‘cause it’s been two nights I haven’t sleep well. I took the risk

 and got my room, so small and hot, about 5-7 square meters and a bit larger than a single bed. The rest room was common; it stinks and not clean enough if you set your own standard when it comes to bathrooms. Think about a cubicle that your arms could not extend when you stretch it between the two walls. No toilet papers and no running water inside the cubicle but just a flash to wash that “something”, haha..If you are unfortunate enough, the pooh is your host welcoming you the moment you enter the cubicle. The ceiling of each room is covered with a net used for catching fish which lets you see the main ceiling as the rooms are just partitioned and wall off with a ply wood. No fan in the ceiling at all and you can feel the hotness as it happened to be summer and I was sweating a lot the entire time in the hostel, as I can feel the agony towards my body. You can hear the trains passing by which lets you unable to sleep well at day or at night. You can hear some people fight in the premise yelling indecent words as most of the guests in the hostel are dominated with colors. I slept for a couple of hours. I never trust anyone there so I guess I had to leave before the darkness come. My intention was to have an overnight stay in Times Square because I would say it’s much safe there than staying in the hostel. I could no longer procrastinate leaving the hostel as the thought of looking for a good place to stay has been planted already.

I've been to an agency in Spanish Harlem who gets to recommend a client with a nice room for a minimal fee. They directed me towards an apartment in Elmhurst where you can see most Filipinos who live there. But their recommendation did not materialize which few days later I had to reimburse the money that I paid for.

In time I was looking for an apartment that the agency directed me to go to, I met Tita Julie  in Elmhurst who I asked for a decent place to live in time it was Philippine Independence Day where she invited me to watch the festivity in Madison Avenue which the parade is taking place. She recommended me to a Filipino couple who own a condo unit and I got a very nice and clean bed room for $500 a month. It was Tita Glo Soriano and I forgot the name of her husband who we spoke first to berth at their place. I was well taken cared off and they showed me around to their condo unit. Immediately after taking the room, I went back to Brooklyn to check out in the hostel and pulled my bags off to Elmhurst.My excruciating experience lasted about more than a week and thanks to Tita Julie who became an instrument so I would be able to find a better place to stay in New York

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Pushing Through with the Plans

We are now in the month of August and nearing the "ber" months. And as soon as we reach next month, we hear Christmas songs again played in the radio. I have a mixed feeling about it. But I am quite excited about the imminent event as each year when Christmas season comes, we get to connect this festivity with reunion with friends and families. And we know how important the upcoming holiday to the Filipinos as the celebration has been part of our culture. We can say that this is the most celebrated event of the year because as soon as the month of September takes place, some people already start to put a Christmas decoration, start to jot down things to be bought and ultimately expecting the 13th month day to be released as early as possible. As the season is just around the corner, it makes me wonder about each passing year as it's a wonderful feeling to reminisce about those good old days. And we know how kids love the Christmas season.

Okay, what's my next plan just before the holiday season comes? And speaking of travel, I would have to say to minimize it in the meantime  since we are in the months when typhoons are more active. I really love to go out places and yet, I was thinking about the rains as this would only stale my time to enjoy the place, just like what happened to my past trip in Baguio.

This year for me promises with lots of local travel as I started the year with a bang, from Bicol to Baguio. But I have never reach the peak of my plan yet as far as traveling is concerned. My greatest obsession for this year is to visit Batanes Islands. Let's see if it pushes through, I believe though, that it would come to materialize.

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Singapore's Char Kway Teo Noodles

It's been a while since the last time I wrote about foods and today, I went to Robinson's Galleria mall in Ortigas Center. And just like any usual, when I am hungry either I go to food court or I would walk around to find a fine dining restaurant. A restaurant which had always caught my attention each time I pass by is Nasi Lemak Singapore Food Republic where they serve Singaporean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian foods. The restaurant had always been a lot of customers compared to its competing neighbors, that's why out of curiosity about its food, I dined in to satiate my cravings.

I got the hot and sour soup first as part of my traditional taste when I go to authentic restaurant but their servings did not really meet my expectation because it wasn't the taste that came out I expected to be like other Chinese restaurants had. The taste is not really bad at all, but comparing to other restaurants which serve the same soup, I have my lists which you have to go with in terms of serving an authentic soup.

I also got the appetizer, a crispy baby squid but the taste is good and is quite reasonable for the price, but it's not the usual appetizer that I'd love to eat. I don't have any idea how they cook it, but it seems like it was over fried.

The main entree was served and I got Char Kway Teo Noodles with crunchy bean sprouts, peanuts, scrambled eggs and chinese sausages. It's one of their best selling delicacies served to their customers. But to my surprise, it wasn't the noodle that I really wanted to eat at all. It might be the noodle that some people would like to eat, but honestly it's not what I really like to eat in terms of eating a noodle.

Well as for the price, it's quite reasonable but better try some of their best selling delicacies instead of this noodle.

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Spotlight: Meet Miguel Vera

He is the pride of PSBA Quezon City’s Business Chorale, where he was club president in 1987. As a mentor of the organization, he continued to help members by conducting singing and acting workshops even after he graduated from PSBA.
Romeo Arca, known as “Boyet” to his close friends, is gifted with a powerful baritone-tenor voice. It was pure talent that launched his career as a successful recording artist in 1991 where he became known as the Miguel Vera. He was also a member of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit or OPM. Prior to recording, he appeared in the Cosmos commercial, “Bagong Tunog”.
It was also in 1991 when he launched his album under Viva Records, “Nais Ko” where songs “Nais Ko” and “Narito Ang Puso Ko”, became instant hits. Narito ang Puso Ko became theme song of the movie by the same title, which starred Lorna Tolentino and Gabby Concepcion.
Miguel Vera is now based in the U.S. and currently doing shows here and abroad.
Below is the interview made with Miguel Vera via Facebook:
JM: Paano ka nagsimula as a member of Business Chorale? Do you still recall the song you had audition with? Or you had an exemption dahil as expected maganda talaga ang boses mo?
Miguel Vera: No audition for me..hand pick ha ha and nag start yan ng puro lalaki lang kami..
JM: Who was your greatest influence that inspired you to become an artist?
Miguel Vera: My dad..
JM: Ah ok,for sure maganda din boses ng dad mo...• How were you discovered? Did you ever have a chance to join some singing contests before?
Miguel Vera: Di kumakanta dad ko pero magaling siya sa sax and harmonica..yes,when I was a kid sali ako mga singing contest..but my biggest break is when i won the Fe Panlilio scholarshiip na project ng OPM..after
that dami na offers na dumating.
JM: OK I presume you have become an OPM artist? What was your first TV appearance? If I remember, una kita kaseng nakita sa Ryan, Ryan Musikahan with Ogie Alcasid.
Miguel Vera: Yes that was the first and yup I'm an OPM member.
JM: Pero sino favorite mong singer here and abroad?
Miguel Vera: Local Basil Valdez, foreign Lou Rawls and Luther Van Ross.
JM: And just to share with current BC members, paano mo hinuhugot angkin mong galling sa pag-awit?
Miguel Vera: Ang paghugot ng galing nangagaling sa puso..di sa teknik..ang talent ini ensayo..there should always a room for improvement..pag pumasok sa utak mo na magaling ka na at wala ka ng kailangan matutunan..dun nagtatapos ang lahat at dika na aabante.
JM: What is your message to current BC members?
Miguel Vera: Sa BC members eto lang masasabi ko..abutin niyo ang kung ano man ang gusto niyong marating,be ready sa madaming trials,walang short cut sa lahat ng gusto niyong puntahan,be fair sa kapwa niyo at huli sa lahat..keep practicing your craft at lahat ng natutunan sa puso ilagay,wag sa utak baka magka hangin.

To listen to his songs, please click the link below:
Miguel Vera' songs

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Heading Up to Global City

It happened to be Independence Day in The US as I head up to Global City and I was surprised to see the big development that went through as far as the real estate is concerned. A lot of buildings have been built as it continues as the place has become more progressive and that was pretty fast to see how it is being developed. Shopping centers have a wide array and I was too quick to remind me the last time I visited Sta. Monica in California about more than two years ago. What comes in to my mind, is we have some beautiful cities in the island, not considering the southern part of the country yet. The other side of me tells me how ironical it is that Philippines is a poor country that dozens of buildings are built including high rise condominiums which an average wage earner could not even afford to buy a piece of land taking more than 10 years of savings before a person could buy one and that is if he or she have a saving around 3k a month. Huhh....that was pretty tough. What about your daily expenses a day such as foods, utility and transportation cost.

I went to the mall at the same spot where different classes of people spend time shopping, strolling and dining. Unlike in the outside part where you can see few people walking and to my impression are those who belong to either A and B class in Serrendra. Global City is more developed and something new to a person who quite to seldom see or visit the place. So in the mall, I had a dinner in an inevitable resto at Mann Hann which I forgot to write down what I have ordered, hahah...it's something like a mixed seafoods with veggies.

So it's time for me to go home by 7pm but was caught in the traffic as it happened to be in a rush hour. Then I came to a stop to the Shang mall for a bit of rest.

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A Year Ago

It seems hard to believe that we are in the month of July and fast approaching that "ber" month which means Christmas season once again will just be around the corner. We just had our New Year recently and summer had just ended over a month ago. As soon as the summer was gone, we had the month of June as start of rainy season. The flood came about a week ago, it rained hard that caused the first flood in the year happened to be my birthday!! haha...And shortly after it subsided, then came another flood the following day.

I usually start to reminisce things in the past, and the greatest moment that happened in our lives are things in the past. This is the time when we realize that our pasts aren't quite bad at all but something that we can always cherish as these days gone by.

First thing I want to recall is the month I stayed in New York City last year. I love New York that I really wanted to go back as soon as possible. But few things have changed as the plan has temporarily put to shelf. But there's a big, big possibility for me to go back there this year and will try before the winter comes.

It was also in the month of July when I stayed in the Big Apple, and I was renting a room from a Filipino couple who own a house in Elmhurst, about 15 minutes to Manhattan by the subway. It was Independence Day of the U.S. when Best Buy had its sale. Mitch, a physical therapist was my buddy and we both watch the fireworks seen at the Hudson River.

Quite alone there, but I had so much fun as everyday I had to go to NYC and walk in Broadway, drink coffee and surf internet using my Acer laptop in Cosi Cafe, or go to Madison Square to spend another day in the university belt.

I should be ready when I go back there, bring my camera and laptop, and find a good place to stay. But a big NO to Brooklyn that recalls me about that dirty hostel I stayed for about a week before I met Tita Julie during the Philippine Independence Day in New York.

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