TIKLAS

The land of Gingoog City is truly blessed with lot of waterfalls and earned its named also a City of waterfalls like Iligan. Tiklas in Brgy. Lawit is situated at almost 10 kilometers from the City proper, very accessible but public transportation going there are not easy to find, you can reach the area by private vehicle and public transportation or by "pakyawan" (Hired) like "Habal-habal" (A single motorcycle ride) serves also within the area. The City have series of waterfalls that counted 34 at most, that needs to ventures in some forested and remote areas, a fellow photographer said, whom i met along the way.

This beautiful and captivating waterfalls is now developed as a resort, on the upper left side of the cliff has a swimming pool and cottages for the excursionists.  

Tiklas waterfalls has formed a basin like, where the cascading water strikes the water table, others can plunge to its cool water near the falls, but as of the local there, now it is not allowed everyone to swim near the waterfalls for lots of incidence have happened before.

THINGS TO KNOW

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BASILICA MINORE

THE PRESENT STONE CHURCH

No definite data is available with regards to the construction of the present church. All references however point to the belief that it was Bishop Isidro Arevalo who built around the year 1750. His coat of arms engraved in the upper part of the western side of the church, justifies this stand, accepted by Msgr. Gainza himself. The old people say that the Chinese community of the locality donated the façade. They were ardent devotees of the Virgin as proven by the fact that they were the ones shouldering the expenses of the pagoda, the nicest seen in Naga, and all their children were usually baptized in the Peñafrancia church. As a consequence, the façade was entirely of Chinese art with pots, plates, jars, and etc. engraved on it. That was the façade previous to the present. THE HISTORY OF PEÑAFRANCIA by Rev. Dr. FLORENCIO C. YLLANA

THE PRESENT FACADE

Perhaps few Bishops among those who governed the Diocese of Nueva Caceres had more devotion in, and demonstrated more interest for the Virgin of Peñafrancia and her church, as did Msgr. Francisco Gainza, an acknowledged luminary of the Dominican order. Not only did he write the history of Peñafrancia, the first one to be ever published, and edited a novena to the Virgin, but he also tried to make the Peñafrancia church a more worthy abode of the Mother of God. He introduced changes in the church, made it around 5 meters longer on the front and finally he constructed the present imposing thou simple façade. Bicolandia will never forget him and his memory will forever be linked with history of the Peñafrancia church. THE HISTORY OF PEÑAFRANCIA by Rev. Dr. FLORENCIO C. YLLANA

Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church 

was built in 1711 by Rev. Miguel Covarrubias. It houses the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. He constructed this church in fullfillment of the vow he made during his youth. The second church was built in 1750 by Bishop Isidoro de Arevalo, repaired and improved in 1876-1877 by Bishop Francisco Gainza. The image was solemnly crowned by the Rt. Rev. Guillermo Piano on September 20, 1924.

The concept for the building the Basilica Minore came from Archbishop Pedro P. Santos in 1960. Construction began on April 18, 1976, but was delayed for a number of years due to finance problems and was not completed until September, 1981.

On May 22, 1982 it was dedicated as The Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia and it wasn't until May 22, 1985 that the church was given the title of "Basilica Minore" from Rome after a request from the third Archbishop of Caceres, Leonardo Z. Legaspi.

The Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. It was commissioned by Miguel de Cobarrubias who moved to the Philippines from Spain with his family and believed that the virgin Mary had helped him numerous times in his life. By Wikipilipinas

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OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA

It was a short travel from Legazpi City about 2 hours in a van, very much decided and excited to witness the celebration of Penafrancia, it was a long plan before that now happens. Prior to my trip the company sent me for ocular inspection in Legazpi. I really want to go Naga City where we were scheduled exactly same date of the celebration. My jump off is in Legazpi and should be back after the celebration for the next day flight. It was expected that all hotels and lodging houses were already fully booked so i need to go back to Legazpi City for my accommodation, it's totally exhausting but the bottom line is I am happy for this timely opportunity of another travel adventure crossing by land in unfamiliar place.

OUR OWN PEÑAFRANCIA

Way back in the 17th century, a Spanish family from San Martin de Castañar happened to come to, and stay in, Cavite. They had a son called Miguel de Cubarrubias. From the time he began to study grammar in Sto. Tomas, until he finished Theology, Miguel was a victim of frequent illness. Fortunately for him, he possessed a picture of the B. V. of Peñafrancia, as found by Simon in Peñafrancia of San Martin de Castañar. To this he had recourse in moments of great pain, anguish and adversity. He would even place the picture of the Virgin on the part of his body that ailed him most. Thanks to this, according to him, he recovered always from his illness. Here are his own words: "So many are the miracles wrought on me by the Virgin of Peñafrancia, that I have no tongue to relate them, paper where to write them nor numbers to count them. All I could say is that I am the miracle of her miracles." While studying in Sto.Tomas, the Bishop of Nueva Caceres, Msgr. Andres de Gonzales, of the illustrious Dominican order, called him to Nueva Caceres. Obedient to the voice of the authority, he came. During his trip, however, a storm developed, so strong and furious, that the ship found itself at the verge of sinking. Everybody thought the worse had come. Miguel then invoked the help of his Patroness, the Virgin of Peñafrancia, and thanks to his prayer and devotion, the storm subsided and everybody reached the place safe and sound. Some months after his stay in Nueva Caceres, Msgr. Gonzales, O.P. conferred upon him the sacrament of Priesthood, and persuaded to stay, he was subsequently named Parish Priest of Nueva Caceres (now Naga) and Vicar General of the whole Diocese. Sensing perhaps that with his stay here it would be hard to fulfill his promise to build a chapel for the V. of Peñafrancia near the banks of Pasig River, he had the place commuted and decided finally to build it in Nueva Caceres, thou he was still at a loss with regards to the exact place. By fluke of Divine Providence, the cimarrones came to see the Bishop one day and asked for a chapel for their spiritual needs and religious practices, in a place easily accessible to them. This solved the problem. Words by: Rev. Dr. FLORENCIO C. YLLANA

It's my first time here in Naga City, as well as to attend the festivity. Every Filipino is already familiar for this celebration of Penafrancia, I've heard this before during my school days, but never been thought that it came to a time that I truly witnessed it. 

Very near as I shot it, thanks to a new friends that I have opportunity to cover the duration of mass and the entire celebration. Other photographers do need ID Pass to enter the premises, Bicolano photographers are very friendly and accommodating that they grant me to pass without the said ID, of course I do behave and follow the order of the celebration. Thanks also to my newly met friend Andrej a fellow photographer who lives in Naga City, accompany me from different places of his beloved City.

The celebration ends with a  mass honoring the blessed virgin mother Mary and the sky lights up with pyrotechnics.

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FLUVIAL PARADE

Yearly Naga City is celebrating its patroness blessed virgin Mary or known as Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Fluvial parade always the highlight of this event where the Patroness or her Pagoda must have to cross the river to return from Naga Metropolitan Cathedral church to her home shrine at the Basilica where it should be placed. The colorful procession will lit with a candles and prepared with a petals of flower serves as confetti when the flatboat Pagoda passes through the river and the devotees shouts "Viva La Virgen" (Long live the Virgin)(Mabuhay ang Birhen).

The celebration of Our lady of Penafrancia considered as the biggest and popular religious event in Philippines. Devotees from different part of the country flock to come here and celebrate to pay honor for the miraculous patronees of the Bicolandia. 

Devotees and pilgrims lighted candles in their hands, bows down and kneel on the ground as the colorful procession passes to put the patronees to its position and marks to start the mass honoring the blessed virgin mother.

Thousand of pilgrims from different part of the Philippines, other countries as well and different walks of life come to Naga City every third Saturday and Sunday of September. Millions of Bicolanos once again shows to the whole world their strong faith, belief and loyalty to the blessed virgin Mary.

ONLY IN PHILIPPINES

Tricycle of Naga City

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog
• Mostly already in used as their secondary language
• Bicolano
• Bicolano dialect have varies in some provinces
• Here in Naga Greet everyone as
• "Dagos po kamo sa Naga" - Welcome to Naga
• "Maray na Aga" - Good Morning
• "Maray na Udto" - Good Noon
• "Maray na Hapon" - Good Afternoon
• "Maray na Banggi" - Good Evening
• "Padi" or "Madi" - Calls for a friend Boy and Girl
• "Masiram" - Delicious
• "Gurano" - How much
• "Dios Mabalos" - Thank you
• Transportations
• Bus Aircon
• P150.00 Legazpi to Naga Vice Versa
• Bus Ordinary
• P100.00 Legazpi to Naga Vice Versa
• Van
• P180.00 Legazpi to Naga Vice Versa
• Tricycle
• P8.00 within Naga City
• Foods
• It is not hard to find good food here, for a budget travelers you may find lots of Turo-turo in the City. Naga has SM already you can choose lot of restaurants inside.
• Location
• Naga City is a 2 hours drive from Legazpi City, anywhere in Bicolandia has access to this City, Airport also serves a flight from Manila and vice versa.
• Where to stay
• Sunny View Hotel
• Panganiban drive, Naga City
• (63)(54)473-8771, 473-9848
• Avenue Plaza Hotel
• Magsaysay ave, Naga City
• (63)(54)473-9999, 822-7888
• Star View Plaza Hotel
• Elias Angeles St. Naga City
• (63)(54)472-6892, 811-7171
• Villa Caceres Hotel
• Magsaysay ave, Naga City
• (63)(54)473-6530 to 33, 811-6083 to 89
• CBD Plaza Hotel
• Ninoy and Cory Ave. Triangulo, Naga City
• (63)(54)472-0318, 811-2318

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PLACE TO SLEEP

Actually if you are to bound for Legazpi City, a place to sleep isn't that hard to find. Inside the airport terminal you can find right and there a place to stay, a few steps away from arrival area you can see this Hotel. On my first day of travel i stayed on this hotel, you can get the comfortable living you want, but for a budget travelers I may not recommend it, since the area is quite a distance away from the heart of the City.

Beside the hotel they serve a buffet eat all you can for a very affordable price i think it costs P150.00 per person. The advantage of this hotel is no need to rush if you have an urgent flight, right after the doorstep you can reach the departure area for your flight.

Another hotel I've tried is the Ellis Ecotel, located just inside Embarcadero where you can spend your night life anytime. Ellis is a clean living inspired by a ship cabin room, as if you are sailing in a boat. I may recommend this hotel for a budget travelers, for the walk ins they have promotion of P450.00 for a single occupancy room from P1,050.00. It was just a coincident when i was in Legazpi City.

I was assisted by a room attendant and the front desk lady politely, you can feel the warm welcoming of staff. I was in a hurry that i have to catch a ride for Naga City to attend fluvial parade on that day, the attendant offer first to see my room before I sign for my accommodation.

This is my room, quite not spacious but for a typical and minimalist like me this is good, I just want to spend my night comfortable and safe.

On the hall way you may experience the ship cabin theme, or a cruise inspired rooms sailing like in a ship.

Minimal design fixtures, clean and simple. cabinet and other fixtures are well detailed, disregard my stuff hehehe. If you like a simple living? I am sure you may like this hotel, take note TV is already an LCD, and air conditioning unit is a split type to save more space.

Shower room is also designed to get the room save ample space, incorporated with a modern design toilet fixtures. Well, for me as a traveler this is okey, but for the honeymooners maybe this is quite tight and small hehehe. I forgot to tell to the room boy that there's no free soap and toothbrush, I don't know if these are really not included due to promotion.

BUDGETARY

Airport Hotel

  Double or Matrimonial bed - P1,050.00

  Contact numbers

Ellis Ecotel

  Single Bed - P450.00 (Promo)

  Contact numbers

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BICOLANO SPECIALTIES

When you think of foods! Bicolandia has variety of hot and spicy foods that great to offer. Spicy and cooked with coconut milk, sauteed to a native special herbs and added with vegetables, a basic ingredients that they have usually used. One of their dishes is a well known "Bicol Express" a spicy hot viand that we often see in some carenderyas any where in the Philippines, a spicy pork with coconut milk cooked with chili. Another is the "Pinangat" a multiple layered of Dahon ng gabi (Taro leaves- I've been hardly searching the correct term of this vegetable in english LOL...) layered with grated young coconut meat and mixed with coconut milk sauce. "Laing" a grated or sliced taro leaves, well cooked in a coconut milk, mixed with paste of fermented shrimp, chili (Siling labuyo) and pork.

If you are in Legazpi, you don't have to search anywhere along the streets for this authentic foods, inside the malls you can already find some fast foods that also serves great foods of Bicol  specialties. During my stay here first thing in mind is to try special delicacies, it's not my first time to try this foods, we even cooked this in our house occasionally, but the original is still the best... Budget wise? You can get it in just a less price yet satisfied of good taste...

BICOL HALO-HALO

This is their version of halo-halo... My friend ordered a halo-halo for the three of us, i thought it is also spicy (LOL), since i have already seen an ice cream with chili but i forgot to try it, maybe in my next time trip one of must to try is their chili ice cream... 

 FAST FOOD

If you are in Manila, you may find several of fast foods selling, Burgers, Fries, Chicken and etc. Here in legazpi this fast food offers you specialties of Bicol, i don't know where was the origin of this but I'm pretty sure that they are selling authentic foods of Bicolanos. Here you can also buy raw items ready to cook for pasalubong (Present or a token) if you want to bring it, a must to try also are their breads. I remember the time when my office mates were also here in legazpi, before they go home, they buy lots of pasalubong from this store.

TURO-TURO

It means you are to choose viand by pointing finger and order what you want, a Filipino restaurant version of fast food where all viands are already cooked and ready to serve... This kind of dish is a bicolano version of "HUMBA" a well cooked pork thigh part or leg, sometimes referred as like adobo flavor.

 BICOL EXPRESS

An authentic Bicol express...Very hot and spicy courtesy of Mrs.Shirley Bertes and Mrs. Emelinda Limpin of Anchorage food court located in the terminal of Van transportation. A new friends whom i met in the terminal on my way to Naga City to attend festivity of Penafrancia. 

I was on my Itinerary travel to Naga City  it was late in the mid-noon already i felt hungry and i found this food court serving local dishes, we had some short talk with the owner, they are very accommodating... Their cafeteria is just an adjacent to the terminal to Naga City where I am scheduled to ride after my lunch. If you happen to go here look for Anchorage Food Court decent yet affordable, i spent just P80.00 for a complete set of lunch, I really Enjoyed Bicolano hospitality.

HOW MUCH?

From Legazpi going to Naga i prefered to ride a van, a non-stop and direct trip, since I am in a hurry to catch the fluvial parade of Penafrancia. It cost me P180.00. Based on my conversation with the locals ordinary bus fare is just P100.00 and P150.00 for the aircon bus, but as of them it will drop off to "Bayan-Bayan" means every station will have to stop... Runningtime? for the Van i timed it just 2hrs travel time maybe same if you are into a private car if you prefer to bring one.

Must Do! from the hotel be careful to negotiate for the tricycle ride make sure ask first how much will be the fare and it must have to be agreed, others charge you too much, basic fare is just P8.00, others might charge you P50.00 to P100.00. twenty pesos is acceptable to the nearest destinations since there's no taxi available here. From embarcadero to the airport I usually paid P50.00.

RICE CAKE

You know what? i was not able to try it when I was in Legazpi, this is also their version of "Puto" filled with sweetened "Macapuno" (Sticky coconut meat) hahaha, don't know yet the correct term of it... Ask me where  did i get it? Well my new friends seat mate from the airplane gave it to me, a courtesy of Lily Ramos and Mariz Perez i forgot the name of thier other friend, by the way thank you! We had some conversation of thier travel experiences in Bicolandia, They are also a travel mania.

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