CAMARINES NORTE: Calaguas Island

By the Pacific Ocean in the Southern Luzon region is a stretch of fine sand partly submerged in clear waters – the Mahabang Buhangin of Calaguas.

Calaguas is a group of islands located in Vinzons, Camarines Norte composed of Maculabo Island (Paracale, Camarines Norte), Guintinua Island and Tinaga Island where Mahabang Buhagin is located.

Our group visited the island last holy week from March 28-29, 2013. From Legazpi City, we drove to the municipality of Paracale in Camarines Norte. Our almost 5-hour drive was concluded with rain showers in Paracale that made the 2-hour boat ride to Tinaga a bit bumpy.

In Paracale, we bought fish and squids, all fresh catch. There are stores on every corner from the sea wall where provisions for an overnight camp are available. If you are travelling from far places, I recommend you just do the “shopping” in Paracale.

My first sight of Calaguas

Sleepy and hungry, we loaded our things aboard Mang Elises’ outrigger boat. The rain has stopped when we started to sail. Our groggy selves were awakened by the glorious beauty of the island as we approach. We saw blue waters fade to green as it meets the fine white sand where sun-kissed nipa huts stand.

Finally, meters away, we jumped to the powdery shore and our feet were dipped in the cold waters. We unloaded our things and occupied the rightmost nipa hut. We had a spacious camp site, trees that blew soft winds and provided shades, a table outside the hut that served as our dirty kitchen and fine sands where we rested our tired bodies.

It was full moon and the sky was filled with glittering stars. This is the good part in choosing a campsite away from fluorescent lamps.

Although the island is known for its unspoiled splendour, it is slowly being developed. In the leftmost side of the long beach are privately-owned sturdy cottages. There are lights and sounds too in the evening. Personally, I would rather not have those in the island. Calaguas is beautiful as it is. I am afraid that soon, “unspoiled” will become an adjective moot for Calaguas.

***

Mang Elises is our bangkero. He was referred to us by a friend. His house is by the sea wall, near the market. For a group of 6, we were charged Php3,500.00 as roundtrip fare. He also lent us his “pugon” and an ice chest where we placed the fish and squids. We also rinsed at his house after 2 days of dipping in the waters of Calaguas. He is helped by his wife, Nanay Aida, in accommodating guests. You may reach them through mobile number 0916-430-2038.

For those who will commute, Paracale can be reached by van from Daet, Camarines Norte. Fare is Php60.00/pax/way.

Our expenses (exclusive of food and transportation):

3,500.00 – boat rental

300.00 – nipa hut

75.00 – entrance fee

20.00 – environmental fee

Photos at: https://www.facebook.com/KinsysPage?ref=tn_tnmn

BULACAN: Verdivia Falls

Aside from old churches, Bulacan also holds pieces of nature's treasure. In Brgy. Talbak, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, a piece of it exists- the Verdivia Falls.

My officemates and I scheduled a day-off with Mother Nature.  To some of them, this trip is a first and it is a pleasure to take them away from the bustles of the big city.

We stayed at Guia’s residence in Brgy. Binagbag, Angat, Bulacan. Her warm and welcoming family sheltered us for two nights.

Brgy. Talbak is more than an hour ride from Brgy. Binagbag. There are no means of public transportation to Brgy. Talbak so we rented a van to take us there. We registered with the Barangay Secretary and were given two guides who were also the Tanod on duty that day.

A panoramic view of Verdivia ♥

Verdivia is a hidden beauty. We hiked and crossed rivers for an hour an a half before we were rewarded with its serene splendour. The drizzle was a blessing. It made the hot hike tolerable. Raindrops on our face and cold waters on our feet, oh that was refreshing!

By the falls, the rest of the day was spent on cooking , eating on banana leaves, climbing the falls, swimming and picture taking.

At 4:00 in the afternoon, we headed back. We took a different trail. It was steep but short. It took us only 45 minutes to go back to where the van was parked.

Other matters:

·         The baranggay does not impose a fixed rate for guide fee.

·         For more information/ coordination, contact the DRT Tourism Officer, Ms. Nitz Aday at 0927-236-3714
-    Van rental cost is Php5,000.00. We were fetched in Quezon City on Friday night, brought to Verdivia Falls on Saturday then Puning Cave on Sunday. Then we were sent-off at Del Carmen Bus Terminal. Contact Ms. Vely Villarama at 0920-906-3917 for reservation.

Go Negosyo 2013: Empowered Women

March is Women’s month.

More than 10 staff of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, including myself, went to the World Trade Center today, March 1, 2013, to join Go Negosyo’s  5^th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit. Unlike the past years, there are lesser stalls and more seats for everyone to witness and participate in the program.

My Officemates: Gie, Mich, Joy, Peter, Love, Mercy, Chie, Du, Ema, Sandi

The keynote speaker was the ever aggressive and assertive Sen. Mirriam Defensor-Santiago. She talked about gender gap and political dynasty. On gender gap, she said that women are not properly represented when in fact in terms of supremacy, women are more dignified; while women were taken out of a man’s rib, men, she said as quoted in the bible, were from mud. There was of course laughter all over the place. Even I, was shocked at the logic. Then she said, “that is Theology”. Clever. What a smart line for debate!

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago after her talk

On political dynasty, she said that the Constitution has been disobeyed by law makers who refuse to enact a law against political dynasty. The Constitution explicitly prohibits political dynasty. The provision, however, is not self-executing. It needs a law to put it in force. Hence, families in the senate and in the house. In between her speech were of course, as always, jokes and attacks (or counter-attacks) against political enemies and an endorsement of a candidate, Cynthia Villar who is also present. Although they are funny (because they really are), they are, to me, unnecessary statements or rather inappropriate for the event.

In the afternoon, was the awarding of Best Women Entrepreneurs. They were Corazon Dayro-Ong (CDO Foodsphere, Inc.), Maria Fe Agudo (Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.), Charita Puentespina  (Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Inc), Amb. Preciosa Soliven (OB Montessori, Inc.), Siu Ping Par (PR Gaz Holdings, Inc.), Tina Maristela-Ocampo (Celestina), Glenda Barretto (Via Mare), Dr. Eleanor Tan (Healthway Medical), Bambi Verzo (Concertus Manila), Dr. Vivian Sarabia (Vivian Sarabia Optical), Cynthia Villar (The Villar Foundation), and Heny Sison (Heny Sison Culinary School). Other guests were: Dr. Helena Benitez (Philippine Women’s University), Socorro Ramos (National Book Store), and Esther Vibal (Vibal Publishing House, Inc.). The following are the inputs I noted during their interview:

·         Take the risk. Start small. – Vivian Sarabia, Sarabia Optical

·         No one else will help you but yourself. – Maria Fe Agudo, Hyundai

·     You have to study. Travel if you must. Think how you can improve your business. – Glenda Barretto, Via Mare

***

I personally believe that most working individuals are misplaced. Only a few have passion on what they do. Most work because they need to feed a family and survive.

Karen Davila spoke on the importance of loving and continuously learning your job as well as the importance of entrepreneurship or a small start. Her mother put up a small business in order to send them to school. According to her, had it not been for her mother’s small start, she will not be able to finish school. At age 23, she started working for ABS-CBN. Her take home pay then was only Php4,500, Php3,000 of which is handed to her mother. She said that one thing her mom taught her is to save, however little, for the future. She said “Lahat ng bagay ay nagsisimula sa habit. You have to set aside for rainy days.”

ABS-CBN Anchor Karen Davila

Success is what each of us aims. Everyone is in search for its key. “Ang susi sa pag-unlad ay kayo. Ang negosyo ko ay ang sarili ko. Ang reputasyon ko.”, she said. Health, sane mind and a functioning body are what we basically need in order to carry out everyday tasks. Without which, we will not be able to prosper.

In this fast-paced world, it is necessary to keep up or else, we will fall behind. With the present system, the world of work reveals that we cannot survive with intellect alone. For Karen Davila, Emotional Quotient (EQ) is more important that IQ. “Marunong ka bang makipagkapwa tao?” she asked. EQ involves our attitude towards others be it under ordinary circumstances or at work. More than a high EQ, we need to have also high Adversity Quotient (AQ). “Matatag ba kayo pag may crisis sa buhay nyo” she asked again. Indeed, courage and determination must be innate in us if we want to soar higher. The world is wrapped in deception. Weak hearts might falter worst, fail.

Passion is the fuel of our dreams. It turns dreams to reality and gives our work a higher value. During the open forum, a student asked what makes Karen Davila unique. In reply, she said: “Walang nakukuha kundi sa araw araw na pagtya-tyaga. Walang utang ang mundo sa akin. I never felt entitled. I was always known as a working journalist. Nagsusulat ako. Nagko-cover ako. Ginagawa ko ang sarili ko na tunay na mamamahayag. Kailan man hindi ako tumanggap ng lagay. That makes Karen Davila unique. Malinis syang mamamahayag.”

A teacher, the last to ask, posed a beautiful and relevant question. She asked Karen on how she managed to balance the role of a mother, a wife and a journalist. “You can’t have everything all at the same time. Meron talagang magsa-suffer.” Karen honestly replied.

I was inspired.