INSPIRING JOURNEY: Naga City: Journey to the Heart of Bicol

The best and most rewarding trip is the JOURNEY way back home...

NAGA CITY has a very special SPOT in my HEART...

It was the PLACE that opened AMAZING LIFE OPPORTUNITIES for me...

NAGA CITY is called "QUEEN CITY OF BICOL" and also as "THE HEART OF BICOL". There are many reasons for that. Aside from it is the CENTER of COMMERCIAL transactions in BICOL as shown by the presence of HUGE MALLS, TRANSPORTATION HUBS and other big establishments, it is also the heart and soul of SPIRITUAL activities in BICOL REGION being the venue of the annual PENAFRANCIA FIESTA and the location of numerous churches like the BASILICA MINORE. NAGA CITY is also the location of highly competitive schools such as ATENEO DE NAGA UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES, COLEGIO DE STA. ISABEL COLLEGE among others. Although LEGAZPI CITY is the BICOL REGIONAL CENTER because majority of GOVERNMENT offices in BICOL are situated there.

NAGA CITY is an independent component city and has 27 Barangays.

"KINALAS" is just one of the best reasons to always come back and visit NAGA CITY. If BATANGAS has LOMI, LAGUNA has BUKO PIE, QUEZON PROVINCE has PANSIT HABHAB, BICOL REGION especially NAGA CITY has "KINALAS". You can taste the best JUMBO "KINALAS" in Barangay DAYANGYANG along CORREGIDOR St.

A taste that will perfectly welcome you to THE HEART OF BICOL REGION.

NAGA CITY is one of the 2 cities in CAMARINES SUR. The place is accessible by LAND and AIR TRAVEL. By PUBLIC LAND TRANSPORT, there are a number of either air-conditioned or ordinary buses bound directly for NAGA CITY. By AIR, there are daily trips to NAGA AIRPORT. The AIRPORT is located in the town of PILI, the capital of CAMARINES SUR. The land travel time from MANILA to NAGA CITY is 9 to 10 hours. The fare ranges from P400 (ordinary bus) to P600 (air-conditioned bus) and up to P800 pesos (FIRST CLASS BUSES).

"MAOGMA" means HAPPY or "MASAYA"

NAGA CITY is also dubbed as "ANG MAOGMANG LUGAR" or "THE HAPPY PLACE."

This monument is situated infront of the NAGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET.

The description of the MONUMENT.

The JESSE ROBREDO COLISEUM is located near the BICOL CENTRAL STATION (PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL).

SM CITY NAGA is located near the JESSE ROBREDO COLISEUM and BICOL CENTRAL STATION.

The BICOL CENTRAL STATION. There are buses bound for the different parts of BICOL REGION and going to MANILA.

The SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH is the first CATHOLIC CHURCH in NAGA CITY and one of the oldest churches in BICOL REGION. This church was my usual place of worship for me during Sundays when I was still taking up an ENGINEERING Course at the UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES...

Inside the SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH, I again prayed and thanked the LORD for another SAFE JOURNEY...

The marker with description of the SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH...

Right infront of the SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH is this familiar monument for the residence of NAGA CITY, "LABINLIMANG MARTIR NG BICOL"

The MARKER and the names of the 15 BICOLANO MARTYRS...

Then I visited my former SCHOOL, the UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES (UNC) for 2 years when I took up an ENGINEERING COURSE from 1989 to 1991. The school was also the venue where I took up the ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS for CADETSHIP for the PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY. I also first saw HONORABLE JESSE ROBREDO inside this campus during his first term as MAYOR of NAGA CITY. He was also an INSTRUCTOR of the said school.

I have an information that the school is already under new management.

Displayed at the heart of the city is this tarpaulin adding another achievement for the highly successful and progressive city...

Congratulations NAGA CITY...

While STROLLING at the city proper, I noticed this backdrop at a stage. Understandably because my visit was just 3 days after the CEREMONY ACCORDED for him in the celebration of his 3rd DEATH ANNIVERSARY. Unlike other politicians or public figures, the ADJECTIVES written at the TARP are PERFECT DESCRIPTIONS of him.

Just across the street is the PLAZA RIZAL, the place allotted for the monument of our NATIONAL HERO. Two personalities with great contributions for our country.

Then I headed towards the NAGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET, the "NAGA CITY PEOPLE'S MART". Probably this is the BIGGEST PUBLIC MARKET in the whole country. I already visited almost all the PUBLIC MARKETS in the country but I haven't seen as BIG as the NAGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET.

The entrance of the gigantic NAGA CITY PUBLIC MARKET. The gateway to numerous products of BICOL REGION from consumer goods to other items.

Inside the PUBLIC MARKET are various products from different parts of BICOL REGION including "PASALUBONG"

Some of the local products being sold at the PUBLIC MARKET...

The special "KINALAS" of Barangay DAYANGDANG in NAGA CITY only at 35 pesos. KINALAS is the BICOL version of MAMI.

After satisfying my cravings for KINALAS, I visited the famous BASILICA MINORE...

NAGA CITY is also famous for the PENAFRANCIA FIESTA which that happens every 3rd week of SEPTEMBER to honor "INA"...

Just few meters away from BASILICA is the ETERNAL GARDENS where you can found the JESSE ROBREDO burial marker. August 18 is recently proclaimed as WORKING HOLIDAY in the PHILIPPINES to HONOR the great contributions of JESSE ROBREDO to our country especially as the SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG).