FOOD TRIP│ Bigg's Diner: Largest Food Chain in Bicol

In the heart of Naga, you'll find the oldest and one of the largest food chain in Bicol, the Bigg's Diner. Since 1983, it has been famous for it's cooked to order meals. It's not hard to find their restaurant, it's at Panganiban drive near St. Francis church and Naga Park.

This is their blue lighted counter.

BIGG'S INTERIOR

Diner's costumers can easily say that 50's inspired ambiance is quite interesting from other food chains.

 

Look at those vintage stuffs and how they posted it on their bricked wall.

FOOD

 

We ordered Pork chop with laing, well it took about 30-45mins. We're so hungry and they took a lot of time before they served it. Hmm but it I can say the food is good but when we ordered again and this time it's just an extra rice and halo-halo, it took again for the same minutes. Before we tasted the extras we're hungry again! haha.

W

Over-all I enjoyed Bigg's diner, maybe next time I'll try their pizzas. :)

DATE: JULY 30,2011

HAPPY GALA!

---felicitousgalaera :)

NAGA│Saint Francis Church

San Francisco Church

San Francisco Church is one of the oldest churches in Bicol and the oldest in Naga City. I noticed that it is surrounded by so many establishments like mall, market, hotel, restaurants and park,  "Naga Park".

In front left side of the church, you'll see the Statue of Saint Francis then just beside of it, a tablet of church's history is situated. Now, upon entering we'll see its beautiful interior.

Upon entering, you'll see how beautiful the church is.

See their ceiling? I so much love it! t's like there's a pool of water above the Altar. It adds to the solemnity of the place. So unique.

July 30,2011

HAPPY GALA!

---felicitousgalaera :)

NAGA│Metropolitan Naga Cathedral

Facade of Metropolitan Naga Cathedral

This is our first historical spot to visit in Naga City, 'Metro Naga'. Naga Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Philippines built in 1595 and was established during Nueva Caceres Diocese. The church gone so many nature challenges and able to restore for three times. The present structure was destroyed by fire in 1768 and was restored by 1843. Then it was damaged by a typhoon in 1856 and by an earthquake in 1887.

Every month of September, the Feast of  Peñafrancia, the largest and most famous feast in Bicol Region is celebrated. Our Lady of Peñafrancia Image is transferred inside the Cathedral coming from the Basilica Minore . This process is known for “Traslacion”. Countless devotees are present to the nine-day novena as a celebration of Virgin Mary’s annual festivities. 

This is the pavilion in front of the Cathedral. It serves as shelter for the image of the Our Lady of Penafrancia after the major processions: Traslacion (First Friday of September along the streets of Naga City from the Basilica to the Cathedral) and the Fluvial procession (8th day of the devotion, from the Cathedral to Basilica through the Bicol River).

The Holy Rosary Minor Seminary just beside the Cathedral.

Sad to say, I wasn't able to take plenty of pictures inside because of wedding mass going on, see that cute bridal car on my left? It was like everybody's looking at me  and wanted to ask "who are you?  why you're in shorts?" haha. 
July 30,2011


HAPPY GALA!
---felicitousgalara :)

NAGA│Peñafrancia Basilica: House of Ina

Facade of Peñafrancia Basilica 
Peñafrancia Basilica is one of the oldest church in Naga City, Bicol which houses an image of the virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. It was made 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. The image was housed in a small chapel until the Basilica Minore was built constructed

The Altar

According to our tour guide, this altar is already renovated/changed and just finished  last February 2011. So basically it's not the original altar like before. Upon looking it and INA's image, I noticed that there are hands moving her manteau. I'll tell you later why.



The Ceiling

The Church's facade window (Left) and other window designs

After seeing the beautiful altar of basilica and Our Lady of Peñafrancia image, Can we touch her? In able to touch INA, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, we have to pass through the altar and go to the staircase behind.Then after you'll see a small opening on your left.

You'll see this beautiful figure once you peep into the hole, moreover, you can touch this gold plated stand and her miraculous pure gold mantaeau (from the original image). Our tour guide said that it wasn't the original, it's just a replica because several years ago, some people stole it and luckily found because of its ivory face and hand and gold mantaeu (worn in the replica). Now, the original one is kept in secret place inside the Basilica however it is shown during the feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

Outside the Basilica, you will see the dome. Here, the mass is celebrated during Our Lady of Penafrancia feast.

I was amazed by the ceiling design. I think this describes how Our Lady of Peñafrancia influence so many people and how they celebrate it.

Note: This visit was last July 30, 2011. Hope you'll see this great home of INA too.

HAPPY GALA!
---felicitousgalaera :)

NAGA│CamSur WC Knee boarding: Perfect Start For Wakeboard Aspirants

After our Naga City tour, we went to CWC to experience the ever famous wakeboarding in the country.

After turning right from the main road coming from Naga city, you'll see a sign board going to the CWC. According to our tour guide, the whole area was property of group of farmers before and was bought to commercialize and transform it to what is known for now. Along the way, you'll notice that the land field was totally transformed and more accommodations were added built by the farmers. Basically, they shift their job.

Knee boarding is perfect for wakeboarding aspirants because it'll help yourself to be comfortable with the board and the mechanical pull. It'll serve as your pre-wakeboarding expi. Upon entering the complex, we went to the registration area to decide what offers we want and also choose helmet and vest that'll fit.. (Rates as of July 30, 2011.)

After your registration, you have to go to the board area where you'll be instructed about proper positioning,techniques and precautions. Then, get your knee board; it has standard size so don't worry you'll be fit on it no matter how big or small you are (hehe). Next, fall in line. It is not just for knee boarding, it's for wakeboarding as well so you have to wait until you're next, well it's not that long wait though. Tip: according to our guide, peak is during weekdays because of tourist and pros practicing there so better decide to go on weekends.

Positioning myself. Kneel..check, straps around my knees..check, grab handle firmly..check! Haha I was so nervous to try this but I really wanted to experience it. That was my first time and I just pretended to be brave hehe.

Tips: You have to bend your body forward to lower your base of support to control the board efficiently and avoid counteracting too much wind force (in erect sitting) .Do not pull the bar, just bend your elbows and hold it firmly. You're like riding a motorcycle in kneeling position (hehe). Once you're off, you can relax your biceps a little but be sure to maintain the bent position. Also remember that there are areas that will pull you harder, so be sure to mark those points.

Operators of the mechanical pull are nice they'll surely check your safety before starting., one of them is the guy in yellow (their uniform). Anyway, When you went out of balance or unable to hold the bar effectively, you have to swim back to the starting point and start falling in line again, hehe.


The wakeboards in different colors and design. Unfortunately , I don't have the time (we just took 2 hour session) and guts to try this one heheh, maybe next time.

The Lagoon. Notice that great background, the Mt. Isarog.

After the activity, you can wash and change your clothes their restrooms. This is like their receiving area together with our tour guide Kuya Mark (wearing violet).

The Knee Boarders: Raymond Rotairo and Me :))(7/30/11)

Tip: After the activity you'll feel muscle soreness especially beginners, as a PT, I advice you to gently stretch it for 30seconds and put an ice on the area afterwards 10mins.

HAPPY GALA!

---feliciotusgalaera :)