Daet Clubhouse, A Travel Guide in Camarines Norte's Finest in 2005

In 2005, I worked for one of the country's major manufacturing and distributing company, the Procter & Gamble Philippines. I was employed under the distributor in Bicol and was assigned as branch supervisor with the work that coincides that of the general manager - overseeing the entire operation of the branch. There, I had to work with mostly men of age higher than mine. They were all great people. Some days, we would go on an adventure to just reinforce our team and some days, we just go on a ride to places we wanted to see and venture.

 One of the places we ventured and see first - before others had the chance to discover it - was Daet Clubhouse, at least that was what it was dubbed in those days. It was in its finishing phase when we came to the place. We just frolic in the place and had talked about ourselves and not our work. 

There was a lounge, a big mezzanine or function hall and a nice pool. We didn't swim on the pool, and I still can't understand why.

Overall, it was a great cost-effective adventure for us. We grew closer and we loved our team a little bit more than we already did.

Black Nazarene or Santo Intiero of Capalonga, Camarines Norte

The Philippines is one of the most religious countries in the world. It has embraced Christianity since the invasion of the Spaniards, whom taught the locals to follow the teachings of the Holy Bible. This explains the similarities of the belief of Spaniards and Filipinos. One of the most criticized practices of Catholic believers is their loyalty to wooden idols. To us, these are symbols of our belief and we are paying respect not to the idols but to what they symbolize. This practice is even observed in provinces, like ours.

 In my younger years, I had the fortune to work for Procter &  Gamble's Bicol distributor, Accelerated Distribution Inc. (ADI). This job allowed me to travel the entire administrative area of Bicol region. One of the destinations I loved so much to visit was Camarines Norte. It is the last province of Region V bordering Region IV's Quezon province. The province was known for its gold and silver mines, beautiful white and black beaches, and alluring islands. Aside those natural resources, the province is also known to have a miraculous replica of the Santo Intiero or the Black Nazarene.  

 Curiosity got the best of me so I braved the verdant and still uber underdeveloped town of Capalonga, one of Camarines Norte's farthest towns. many believed that this town is infested with rebels but young that I was, the intrigue got the better of me. I do not know if it was loyalty to my job or curiosity or just for the fun of another adventure that I jumped in one of our company's branch vans to work with the team that visits the town once a month.

Above is a picture of our team lighting candles, asking for miracles and praying for safety. At the right is a picture of the cross with Jesus Christ already pinned on it. Below is a picture of me and the nearby beach that is more used as a port to fishermen than swimming or frolicking the beach.

Boracay Island in Summer of 2000

My first Boracay experience was way back in 2000, when cameras are all point and shoot and require films. I hope that pardons my blurry and not so nicely taken photos, which I still posted although they are not flattering. I did that just to give you guys something to compare to if you happen to see this top attraction now. Back in the days, the beach feeling was more real because there was powdery white sand everywhere, most hotels have cottages that are made of local natural materials and the foods and drinks were all sourced from the island. When you eat, you'll have the pleasure to select your raw seafood and watch the islanders to cook your pick right before your eyes.

Left is a picture of then Boracay Plaza. The entrance was made of wood, the raw kind which adds to the allure of island feel. Above is the old entrance to The Mall which is a far cry to how this establishment looks these days.

Here is a photo taken at the LeSoleil de Boracay, one of the posh hotels in the island in those days. If you stay in this hotel at the time, you are a celebrity. In the photo is then leading actor Michael DeMesa.

At the right is how station 1 looks like in those early days of Boracay. There was already a high influx of tourists but nothing compared to the number it receives these days.

Below is a photo of our group taken on an island where tourists are taken to have a sip of young coconut's juice, enjoy snorkeling, and all those things that the island offers in those days.