Camiguin Island, Philippines

The island-province of Camiguin is a pear-shaped volcanic island in the northern tip of

Mindanao. It is approximately 90 kilometers north of the City of Cagayan de Oro. It is bounded
to the north by Bohol Sea, to the west by Macajalar Bay, to the southeast by Gingoog Bay and to
the east by Butuan Bay.

Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao, with its land area pegged at
29,187 hectares. It is composed of five towns, namely, Mambajao – the capital town, Mahinog,
Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. The island plays host to seven volcanoes, including the still-
active Mount Hibok-Hibok. According to the National Statistics Office, Camiguin has a total
population of 74,232 persons, making the province the second smallest in the Philippines in
terms of population.

Among the Province's major products are coconut, cassava, banana, camote, palay, corn,
fruits, coffee and vegetables. Camiguin's volcanic soil has proved to be a fertile ground for
planting various crops. At present, the Provincial government is looking into an agricultural
program that would increase the cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables in Camiguin. The
Province is also among the best abaca fiber producers in the country. Camiguin is proud of its
natural resources, which include sulfur deposits, geothermal energy, agricultural lands and
fishing grounds.

The Camiguin culture is a mixture of both Boholano and Cebuano culture. It is very
colorful and creative. The people are deeply religious, hospitable and friendly. Cebuano is the
major dialect in the Province. However, in the towns of Sagay and Guinsiliban, where most of
the indigenous tribes reside, the Kinamiguin dialect is still spoken. Kinamiguin is derived from
the Manobo dialect with some mixture of Boholano.
BF Homes Paranaque (Housing Community)

BF Paranaque is the largest subdivision in all of Asia. In the old days, the main gates were
manned by burly security personnel who would not let you in if you disc not have a sticker. Stickers serve
to secure the village, in the sense that at the very least, the village has a record of all vehicles that pass its
roads.

Until the government insisted that the roads be accessible to the general public, and dismantled the
sentries. Actually, it is not without reason. The main roads of the village have become commercial - - -
shops, restaurants, etc and therefore opening the roads will serve both the public and the proprietors
better. Yes, at the expense of the residents.

But security is still ok, and pretty much at the same level as the other gated communities. That is because
sections of the village have become communities unto themselves, with their own security outposts.

Residents are primarily middle class, with a sprinkling of upper class. That is because BF Homes opened
years and years ago as a middle class enclave with rather small lot sizes and modest homes. But with
urban decay, those living in city centres bought out some residents, bought adjoining lots, and built bigger
houses.

The community is very cosmopolitan. Several banks, several varieties of restaurants, beauty salons and
spas, home decor stores, several churches, including churches for its thriving Korean population.

It is indeed a rather nice place to live in. Although it is still considered as a poor cousin of the Alabang
villages (Ayala Alabang, Alabang Hills, and Hillsborough). Thus, on the positive side, the homes there
are cheaper, whether you are buying or renting. And yet, you will be in a rather secure community.

On the other hand, water supply is still a problem. When I passed its roads once, there were streamers
protesting the decision of the village developer/Homeowners Association restraining the installation of
pipes from Maynilad (or is it Manila Water?) which would have provided a steadier water supply. Most
of its residents order water from suppliers, delivered via water tanks. I think though that this has been
resolved and water will soon flow into BF Homes.

Another slight problem is that the access to and from BF gets seriously flooded, and impassable
sometimes. Thsi is true for both gates leading to Sucat Road. And residents can only use the roads leading
to Las Pinas or Muntinlupa after a heavy downpour.
I personally prefer the urban life... more exposure to other cultures which I find fascinating, more
availability of things, and more exposure to the world at large.

Urban Living

Urban areas are equipped with all the modern amenities. The modern-day facilities like the
Internet, telephone, television and satellite communication facilities are widely available in the
urban areas. A majority of the households of the urban areas are blessed with this technological
advancement.

The newly developing shopping complexes, theatres, food malls and restaurants are a
commonplace in urban cities. Huge constructions, large housing complexes, skyscrapers are
found in most of the urban metropolitan cities. Elevators, escalators, storeyed parking areas and
towering constructions add to the magnificence of the urban cities.

Due to a greater availability of all the modern facilities along with an increase in the number of
educational facilities and career opportunities, people of the urban areas lead an economically
more stable and a luxurious life.

The increasing attraction of the people towards the urban parts of the world has resulted in
crowding of urban areas. The increasing population, majority of which prefers settling in urban
cities, has led to an imbalance in the density of human population. Excessive industrialization
has invited environmental problems like pollution.

However, the rise in economic growth that has resulted in self-sufficiency in the common masses
has resulted in a self-centered nature of society. While technological advancement has brought
the world closer, human beings have gone far apart from each other. Buildings that touch the
skies have built walls between people. The rise in prosperity has been eclipsed by the decline in
peace.

Rural Living

Rural areas are not crowded with concrete constructions all over. Houses are rather widely
spaced with ample room for fields and gardens. Rural areas are some of the only areas fortunate
enough to house the greens. People in rural areas live in close proximity of nature. Apart from
people, there is room for pets and grazing animals that help maintain equilibrium in nature.

Due to a relatively lesser number of people inhabiting the rural areas, the rural parts are not
overcrowded by people. These areas are blessed to have least amounts of pollution. Due to
afforestation and ample space for plantations, rural areas have managed to maintain an
environmental balance. Pollution is less also on accounts of very less number of industries in
rural areas.

The stress that results from a fast life in the urban areas is not a part of the peaceful and relatively
slow paced life of the rural regions. The life may not be as lavishly led as that in the urban areas,
but the people there are generous and their hearts have room for emotions. Rural are the ones
where humanity is still alive.

Every coin has two sides to it. While the rural living is deprived of luxury and technology, it is
rich in terms of its relationship with ‘nature’. The urban life is update in terms of technology and
career prospects. However, the falling humane qualities and a disrupted environmental balance
shadow the bright future of urban living.
BF Homes is a gated middle and upper class subdivision. It has a land Area of 765 hectares. Sprawling across not
only a sizable portion of Paranaque City, but also the adjoining cities of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

The subdivision has more than 12,000 households with an estimated 75,000 residents. BF Homes has a larger
population than many municipalities and even some cities in the Philippines e.g. the Municipality of Pateros (pop.
62,000) in Metro Manila and Vigan City (pop. 47,000) in Ilocos Sur.

BF Homes Paranaque is the biggest subdivision in Asia.

There are 76 local associations comprising the United BF Homeowners Association Incorporated (UBFHAI). Each
local association has its own enclave with gate and security guards in addition to the gates and security of the
whole subdivision.

BF Northwest is the biggest local association.

BF Homes Paranaque is the first subdivision to have it's own movie house with a bowling alley. The now closed
Torama Theatre. It was located along President's Ave., at the back of Tropical Hut.

BF got its name from Banco Filipino, the parent company of BFHomes' developer, BF Homes, Inc. Founded by
the late Don Tomas Aguirre. Now headed by son Bobby.

The fortunes of the Aguirres sky rocketed from their Agencia de Empeños de Aguirre that later enabled them to
put up Banco Filipino and numerous other corporations and acquire vast land holdings they still hold today. The
pawnshop chain still exist. There are two branches inside BF Homes Paranaque, one near Caltex gas station at the
end of Elizalde Ave, Phase 1 and the other near the corner of El Grande and Aguirre Ave., Phase III. 

Adelita Chioco Street (one of the longest streets in BF Homes - running the whole stretch of Phase 2, parallel to
Aguirre Ave.), is the name of Don Tomas Aguirre's late wife, Adelita Chioco.

Another street in BF Homes Parañaque is Pilar Banzon St., it is named after Don Tomas Aguirre's late mother.
Pilar Village in Las Pinas (another subdivision of the Aguirres) is also named after her.

El Grande Ave, Tropical Ave & Palace St. were named from the former 4 star hotels located at BF Homes, Phase
3, namely El Grande Hotel (totally burned) and Tropical Palace Hotel (half burned).

BF Homes Paranaque now is a "self contained community". It has private schools from (elementary to college),
numerous restaurants and bars, a wet market, shopping areas, supermarkets, a gas station, car shops, clothes stores,
shoe stores, barbershops, beauty shops and emergency clinics. -contributed by: Rose Anne Balatbat

The subdivision has its own police station, fire station, Barangay hall, a clubhouse with swimming pool, covered
basketball courts, tennis courts, two catholic churches and several other churches of other denominations.

Aside from the amenities and businesses inside BF Homes Parañaque subdivision, malls such as SM Sucat, South
Mall, Festival Mall, Ayala Alabang's Town Center (ATC), Uniwide Mall and other establishments, hospitals,
churches and schools are within a few kilometer radius from the subdivision. Manila's international airport
complex (NAIA) is just a 20 minute drive. Also see Paranaque map & Pictures of BF Homes Parañaque

Barangay BF Homes is the largest barangay in the Philippines. Barangay BF Homes which is a local government
administrative division (distinct from the subdivision), comprises BF Homes Paranaque subdivision, Tahanan
Village, Maywood Village, Jackylou Ville, Goodwill II, Teovile subdivision, Ireneville, portions of Sucat road,
mission areas i.e. Clinic site, Ipil site, Masville, Sampaloc site and other areas.

Note: If you have a "trivia" to contribute, please email us and if we post it, we will credit you at the end of the entry.
 
 1

Evangel Baptist Church at Ramirez St., Phase 2

Korean Church along Aguirre Ave., Phase 3

BF Homes Pque Park and Children's Playground

The subdivision's main gate along Aguirre Avenue

BF Homes Barangay Hall along Gng. Elsie Gatches St.

Fire Department inside the subdivision

BF Homes Police Station

Main street intersection - Aguirre Ave. & Elizalde St.

Shakey's Pizza along Presidents Ave.

KFC Restaurant

Commercial establishments along Presidents Ave.

Pancake House and Starbucks Coffee

Jollibee in BF Homes Parañaque

Baliwag Grill & Restaurant

Tropical Hut Supermarket

Robinsons Department Store & Supermarket

Laiya Bar & Grill and Central Bar

Herencia furniture store

Ann Arbor Montessori along El Grande Avenue

Southville International School

Manresa School, BF Homes Paranaque

Montessori de Manila School

A typical residential street in BF Homes Paranaque

A 2-story house in BF Homes