The Date: November 30, 2006

This story happened almost three (3) years ago, but i decided to post this to remind people of how something so magnificent, so beautiful, like Mayon Volcano, can cause damage to this extent. Also, this can serve as a reminder on how nature can get back at us due to our own negligence.

Last November 30, 2006, Typhoon Reming (international code name: Durian), packing sustained winds of 265 km per hour, hit the Bicol region. The wind was so strong. I think the strongest I experienced so far. It seems the earth was moving and our house was shaking! Good thing it happened at daytime. People are awake. It was the most destructive typhoon in recent history of Bicol. Our city was also greatly affected. But the worst hit was the province of Albay where more than a thousand lives were lost. Several neighboring towns were covered with ashfalls and other volcanic debris, while a number of barangays at the foot of Mt. Mayon were totally buried in lahar.

I had a first hand account on how vast the destruction was. Weeks after the tragedy, my boss from my previous job, together with her family, decided to extend help to the victims of the calamity. I was their contact person. We went to the town of Guinobatan, particularly in Barangay Tandarora and Maipon, where most number of casualties were found.

These photos were taken during our relief operation.

-----This is what's left of a two-storey house ---------------- another submerged structure ---------------

-------------------------- an elementary school and a classroom where most evacuees -------------------------- ------------------------------ sought shelter, but were never able to get out... ever... -----------------------------

-------------- entrance to Brgy. Tandarora ----------------------- volcanic debris from Mayon --------------

---------------------------------------------------------- residential areas ---------------------------------------------------------

--------------- coconut plantation in Albay ------------------------------------- Lahar path -----------------------------

It was such an experience. Hearing the stories about the disaster from the townsfolk, gave me goosebumps... up to this day. The images of the enormous destruction still lingers in my mind from time to time. The smell was... whew! I don't wanna remember. There was an instance while were walking on one of the areas badly buried in lahar, a local told us that just a day ago, a cadaver was found on the exact spot where we are standing that very moment. It was a grim scenario.

The photos below were just along the national highway.





Let us all hope and pray that nothing close to this will happen again. Along with prayers, let us act on preventing these sort of events from happening.

NOTE: Please excuse some of the shots because those were taken on board a moving car.

Majestic MAYON

Mayon Volcano is one if not the Philippines' most active volcano. It is said to be part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

It is also the main landmark of albay province in the Bicol Region.

Mayon Volcano was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. And for me, it still is. It will always be one of our greatest natural treasures.

Mount Mayon is known for its perfect cone shape. If we will look at the old photos of the volcano, it indeed appears to be "perfect". But if we will have a closer look at the present state of this landform, we can see that the recent eruptions somehow damaged this distinctive quality.

Nevertheless, Mayon Volcano is still the world famous Mayon Volcano. That is the case and no change.

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Do you happen to notice that lone edifice in front of the Mayon Volcano? That is a church belfry. The Cagsawa town's church before February 1, 1814. On that date, the most devastating eruption happened. Lava buried the entire town and only the bell tower of their church remained visible. It is now known as the Cagsawa Ruins and became one of the most visited tourist spots in the province.

TINAGBA Festival

This post may seem outdated. I just thought of blogging about it. Have you heard of Tinagba?

Tinagba is an annual festival held in Iriga City every 11th of February. It is an activity which reenacts the offering of first harvest. It also coincides with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This ancient Bicolano festival features a parade of bullcarts filled with fruits, vegetables, crops and other farm products. It also showcases streetdancers in colorful costumes.

In the past, the parade always ends at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto atop the so-called Calvario Hill, where the harvests will be offered. In the recent years, i learned that it was no longer that. They made use of the parish grounds or the city park to culminate the event.

After almost six years of not witnessing the said festival, I finally got the chance last 2007. The photos on this post were taken last Tinagba 2007 since I was not able to watch the festival these past two years (again).

I hope to catch the event next year and get better pictures... and stories, as well.

FYI | For Your Information |

It is official. This site is reactivated.

Watch out for new posts.

Have a Good Time

I can no longer remember how I came across this particular site. But I am thankful I did. GTM got me!

If you are a frequent visitor or at least had a taste of deejay's "sensational news"... then you know what I'm talking about.

If you're feeling blue... has nothing to do... just wanna vent... or wanna be entertained... go to this site -- GOODTIMESMANILA.

this site is awesomely funny! well, some may be "brutally" mean... but still, it's funny... and that's about it. Fun.

Word of caution... DON'T TAKE ANYTHING YOU READ SERIOUSLY!... because it isn't.

I suggest you read the disclaimer and the About GTM before any other posts. That will save you from any possible feelings of shock, hatred and disbelief. It can also save your face from possible embarrassment... if you got yourself commenting on impulse without reading the disclaimer. Don't fall into the trap!

This is mean... okay, soooo mean, I know. This is actually against my principle... (laughing at the expense of another...) *sigh* But... but I was BORED and DEPRESSED when I chanced upon this site... and it just hit me! It is something intended to cheer up bored souls. I was helpless... *merciful*

Anyway, I think the site's owner/writer/moderator, in short, deejay... won't bring us with him to jail, if ever he'll be found guilty of libel!... hahaha!...

Click that link now. Make sure to back read. Give me feedback. Happy reading!