FEBRUARY 2007Typhoon Reming destroyed parts of this beautiful city and we sent some stuff there. We were also supposed to have an ocular inspection of some sort and some other things on the side. When it was decided that we were to block our entire weekend of Feb. 9-11, I was uncertain. It was a pre-Valentine weekend, and I usually have work. Yet, I knew I really wouldn't miss it for the world.
Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when this wonderful city of Naga. Although I have been to other parts of Bicol, I haven't been here before. Yet, since I already blocked my entire weekend, I knew I had to go.
I was even willing to go alone just in case no one was available to travel with me. I needed a change of scenery and to get away from the hustles and bustles of my life in the metropolis (plus, it's great to put something "current" here in VT---hehehhe).
I'm so grateful that I was able to travel with Pia going there (See transportation tips). Her family is from Naga and she knows how to speak in Bicol (sadly, I don't). Ergo, no one could "fool" us.
Kuya Ricky (one of the elders of
St. Francis de Sales Hearing Impaired Foundation Inc.) fetched us and we rode a tricycle (again, see my tips for transportation later) to Naga Land Hotel.
I was supposed to stay with the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf (their convent can be found in a quaint place near the Basilica Minore, but one of the Naga Board members forgot to confirm that I was indeed welcome to stay with with them, so I ended up bunking with Pia.
I guess it was just right that I did. Besides being able to bond with my "sis", Naga Land hotel is so near so many places and once my travelogues and tips are up, you will see why I enjoyed my stay here.
Although I hardly slept on the bus, I didn't feel like wasting the morning so I went around town alone. I heard mass in Bicolano/English (Feast of St. Scholastica) and learned that some of the words were similar to Cebuano.
After the mass I went around the church (St. Francis of Assisi) then the neighboring establishments. I just walked, walked, walked, took note of the Landmarks, then was able to visit the Archbishop's Palace, the Good Shepherd Convent, The University of Sta. Isabel, The Holy Rosary Seminary, the Freedom Plaza and so much more.
I even tried eating some of the native delicacies (the ones below were the ones served by the St. Francis de Sales Hearing Impaired Foundation Inc. Naga Board) since my sugar was low anyway.
The people in Naga are very helpful (well, there were some goons, but they're everywhere anyway) and sincere.
Guys, the ratio of women to men is 4:1. Hmmm. There were a lot of backpackers there. Do you think that's why? ;p
Before 9 in the morning Pia was already looking for me, so I went back to the hotel. A little while later Gina called us for breakfast then we went to the E-mall across the street to bond with Kuya Ricky.
Later in the afternoon we went to Balatas Road to visit the
Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf. We helped prepare the souvenirs for the mass wedding of three deaf couples that obviously loved each other to high heavens.
Still a little while later, Pia and I went to the Basilica to pray and had a wonderful experience there.
In the evening we had a feast served by the nuns, aspirants and the Naga Board (wasn't able to take pictures of the food). We had a short program afterwards.
On Sunday morning we had breakfast, went to the Market to buy Pili Nut products and some handicrafts. We had lunch(Pia and Bambi went to get our tickets, the three of us: Gina, Kuya Ricky and myself, had lunch at the E-mall---I ate shawarma!), freshened up, then took the jeepney to the Immaculate Concepcion (sic) Parish to attend the beautiful mass wedding of the three couples.
The choir was great and so was the service. We even cried in some parts of the mass...
The reception was help at the formation center. It was simple, but very, very memorable.
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