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.

Before Busay Falls, It was Oraz Falls

 I had so much fun in college. I had the pleasure of joining clubs that introduced me to first aid, survival, and mountaineering. I was able to go to destinations that no one ever in my age had. The best thing about it is I was able to use it to introduce other people to these places. It seemed that I loved exploring attractions not only in Albay but others as well. One of these Albay attractions that is now better known as Busay Falls is the Oraz Falls, which is believed to have 7 stages. I only had the luck to venture to the nearest the town of Malinao, Oraz Falls.  

The first time we ventured to Oraz Falls, it was on my 18th birthday. My friends and I were so excited, but expected a long walk that turned out to be just less than a kilometer from the drop off point. It was really not far and at the time, I was thinking of how lucky the people of Malinao, Albay are for having such a wonderful water wonder so near them.

Still, on our way to Oraz Falls, there was a river to cross which luckily has a coconut tree placed over it so people can cross conveniently. That is by far the only thing that separates the falls from the barangay proper. Today, you will wonder how you can reach Oraz Falls aka Busay Falls without crossing a river. Above is the picture of that river and the make-shift bridge.

 At the time, we only had to ask permission from the Barangay Captain and we trekked further to where the falls is and enjoy to our hearts' content. Since we had food brought with us, as well as drinks, we didn't need to spend anything more. Those were the days when every Albay Natural attractions were for free.

That Refreshing Falls in Malinao We Used to Call Palale

Back in the day, when mountaineering was all about passion and environmentalism, we frequent different places to plant trees and pick up garbage. One of the destinations I had the privilege to visit was Palale Falls. It is the second most frequented camping sites in the area of Malinao and in Albay province as a whole, the first being Vera Falls. It was a falls that require moderate trekking and hiking skills because of the long terrain walk, which is half walking and half climbing actually. I can still remember a couple of times we had to cross rivers, which now I believe is one and the same river but we cut through it twice during our trek.  

I can still remember how cautious our leader was in mountaineering. He would always lead us to the barangay captain to ask for permission and have our roster delivered to them to ensure that we can be traced in case of any mishap. Then, he would again lead us to the parish church or chapel to meet the priest on duty to give us his blessing. On the picture above, the man sitting at the far left in moss green stripes is the priest who blessed us before our ascent to Palale Falls.

Our trek to Palale Falls usually takes an hour or two, depending on the size of the group and the members' ability. I can say that is an exhausting adventure because of the slopes and the river crosses but once we are on the camping site, which is just right beside the bed of water where the falls drop, everything feels alright already. Here is a picture of the camping site and how close it is to the water bed, which is very cold so we use it to cool our fruits and drinks.

I apologize for the blurry photos and that there is no single photo I took with the falls itself. I was in for the moments and not the landscape in those days so there is really not much to show how beautiful the small falls was. I also hadn't ventured far so I wasn't able to see if there were bigger falls at the back of the small one that flows on the bed. I remember my friends saying there was a cave like a place underground that they dived into and the other end was that on the water bed we use as a swimming area.

This is by far the only photo I have that shows the small falls of the destination and the bed of water right below.

Our club was composed of Bicol Universitarians(BU or Bicol University), Aquinians (Aquinas University), and Divinians (Divine Word College).  

A Ride Around Albay's Finest, Misibis

One of the best accommodations in the province of Albay is Misibis Hotel, but a lot of tourists may not be able to afford its high price. The good news is that there is definitely a way to enjoy the surrounding without actually arranging an expensive stay with the private resort or a day of tour. Many hotels in the city offers a tour to a nearby eco park, the Misibis Eco Park which is a few meters away from the resort as well as a little port where you can hire a guided island hopping adventure for a meager price. And so, that is what we did.

 

This is taken at the viewing deck on the way to Misibis Eco Park

 This is the entrance to the eco park, and below is the road down the port.

 There is the port if you will continue towards the pavement and not go right to the main entrance of the park.

If you do go right, this is the entrance to the eco park.

This is the famous amphitheater of the park 

 This is the way up to the chapel

 Some snapshots I took while looking around

 Nice of the government to think green with this solar street and park lights

 This is the way up the chapel and some other structures in the park like the hanging bridge and cabins

Scenic View of Mayon and the City at the Oriental Hotel

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 Today's best hotel, not only in Legazpi City but Albay, Oriental Hotel has the best view of the Mayon, the city, old Albay, and Daraga, as well as the gulf of Albay.

Stay in the hotel comes with buffet breakfast and access to a number of amenities like the infinity pool.

The hotel also offers city tours and other attraction tours in and around Albay as well as nearby provinces like Donsol for Butanding watching in Sorsogon and Bacacay for a day of adventure in Misibis.