BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA

Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia) is a wooden statue of

the Blessed Virgin Mary originally from Salamanca, Spain. Tens of thousands of pilgrims,
devotees, and tourists come to Naga City every September for a nine-day festivity in honor
of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicol, endearingly addressed by Bicolanos as
"Ina" (mother).

History

Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church was built in 1711 by Rev. Miguel Covarrubias. It houses
the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. He constructed this church in fulfillment of the vow
he made during his youth. The second church was built by Bishop Isidoro de Arevalo in
1750, which was then repaired and improved by Bishop Francisco Gainza in 1876-1877.
The image was solemnly crowned by the Rt. Rev. Guillermo Piano on September 20, 1924.

The concept for the building the Basilica Minore came from Archbishop Pedro P. Santos in
1960. Construction began on April 18, 1976, but was delayed for a number of years due to
finance problems and was not completed until September 1981.

On May 22, 1982, it was dedicated as The Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia
and it wasn't until May 22, 1985 that the church was given the title of "Basilica Minore"
from Rome after a request from the third Archbishop of Caceres, Leonardo Z. Legaspi.

The Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the Virgin Mary that was sculpted in
1710. It was commissioned 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.

Features

The Peñafrancia facade is distinctly neoclassical, decorated as it is with numerous

Christian symbols. The Central doorway is crowned with a glass-enclosed niche in which
stands the statue of the Blessed Virgin. Windows open to each side of the niche, both
accessible from the choir loft. Plain and thick white pilasters rise to the pediment, dividing
the church vertically. A decorative urn sits to the left of the triangular pediment, which is
capped by a belfry.

The Church's hand-painted ceilings and fine architecture has been preserved for the
appreciation of the devotees and visitors.

Location

The Church is located on Peñafrancia Avenue, Naga City, Camarines Sur.

How to Get There

By Air
The province of Camarines Sur can be reached by plane within a flying time of 45 minutes.
Flights are serviced by the Air Philippines (Pal Express), Zest Air, and Cebu Pacific from
Manila to Naga City Airport (the capital of the province). Riding a plane is the quickest way
to go to the province.

By Land

Aircon and non-aircon buses like PhilTranco, Isarog Bus Co., and Peñafrancia Bus Lines ply
daily through the Quirino Highway from Manila to Naga.

Going around

You can roam around Naga City just by foot. If you don't prefer walking, tricycles and
jeepneys are the main transportation. Taxis are also available. Trisikad, padyak, or
manpowered tricycles are also available in areas that mostly aren't included in jeepneys
and tricycles routes.

Buses, vans and jeepneys are mostly used in traveling outside the city and going to other
towns of Camarines Sur. Taxis are available as well, but with double charge or price
depending on your negotiation with the driver.

CAGSAWA RUINS PARK

Situated in Albay, Cagsawa Ruins is a historical landmark that serves as the centerpiece of
the Cagsawa Ruins Park where tourists can enjoy the scenic view of Mayon Volcano. The
ruins also stood as an image of Bicol region’s magnificent landscape for almost two
centuries. It symbolizes Bicol’s rich history together with the strength and flexibility of the
people towards calamities and ravages of Mother Nature.

Cagsawa was derived from the word “Kag” which means owner and “sawa” for python. It
could also mean too much or excesses. The Cagsawa church was built after 1724 by the
Franciscan friars and was administered by Fray Francisco Blanco in the small town of
Cagsawa.

It was originally built to replace a church that was erected in 1636 that had been
destroyed by Dutch pirates.

On February 1, 1814, the greatest tragedy happened in Cagsawa and it was the eruption of
Mayon Volcano. The eruption buried the small town and nearby areas killing an estimated
of 1, 200 people who took refuge in the stone church. It was the strongest eruption
recorded to date.

Sadly, all the people who took refuge were buried under the pyroclastic flows and lahar
that engulfed the church. Only the Cagsawa belfry remained as a grim reminder of the
devastating catastrophe that happened in the place.
Today, the Cagsawa belfry is able to withstand calamities and disasters. Example of this is
when Super Typhoon Durian struck Cagsawa, the belfry remained unharmed even though
the typhoon devastated the surrounding areas with lahar and mudslides that killed 1, 266
people.

Even though of the tragic incident that surrounds the place, Cagsawa Ruins stands as a
historical landmark and it is one of the famous tourist attractions in Albay that coincides
with Mayon Volcano. The ruin is the major highlight of Cagsawa Ruins Park and it’s also
the site of the Cagsawa Branch of the National Museum of the Philippines which is also
known as the Cagsawa National museum.

The Cagsawa Branch of the National Museum of the Philippines was officially inaugurated
on October 30, 1992and it houses a huge gallery of photographs of the volcanic eruptions
of mount Mayon as well as various archeological and geological exhibits.

Last February 1, 2014, Albay province commemorated the 200th anniversary of the 1814
eruption by holding the Cagsawa Festival. “Cagsawa Dos Siglos,” which aims to pay tribute
to the resiliency of the people in Albay. It is the latest addition to the celebrated festivals of
the province of Albay.

A visit to Albay will not be complete without having a stopover at the famous Cagsawa
ruins. The municipality of Daraga is devoted in keeping Cagsawa as the most visited place
in the province. A matter of fact, the local government of Daraga will provide rehabilitation
to the area that surrounds the ruins which were destroyed during the recent calamities.

How to get there

Visitors from Manila who want to see the Cagsawa Ruins can take an air trip going to
Albay (Legazpi airport) which is worth around 1, 500 php to 2, 000 php. One can also
travel through bus bound to Legazpi which will last for around 11 to 12 hours travel time.
The bus terminals are located near the Cultural Center of the Philippines at Araneta Center
in Cubao.

Cagsawa from Legazpi City is approximately eight kilometres away. Tourist can take a
jeepney going to Camalig or other third district towns and ask the driver to drop you off at
the intersection of the highway and the road that leads to Cagsawa in Barangay Busay,
Daraga. You can also see the large Cagsagwa signage on the right side of the road upon
going there.

BLUE LAGOON

The Blue Lagoon is one of Maguindanao's popular tourist attractions. It is located just few
meters from the national highway in Brgy. Margues, Datu Odin Sinsuat town and is a
favorite swimming destination among residents of DOS, Cotabato City and neighboring
places. Include Blue Lagoon in your list of must-visit places especially this summer!
In Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) in Maguindanao, there exists a lagoon with serene waters an
aquamarine color so pure it looks Photoshopped, so crystal-clear that you can see the
waterbed even in the deepest parts.

People often recall that the majestic sight almost always leaves them speechless, even
breathless. That's how many feel when they see the Blue Lagoon.

Discovered a long time ago, "Blue Lagoon" is named after the heavily hued water that
seems to try and fill the brim of the pond. Residents said the water flows into Tamontaka
River and comes from the high lands of Labungan, DOS and North Upi, both located in
Maguindanao. It's about 20 minutes from Cotabato City, in Barangay Margues.

Generally, most swim in the area where the water's shade ranges from aquamarine to blue,
where it is a darker blue, it means the water is already on the deep side, approximately 6
to10 feet.