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Bicolandia.

Bicol Region is the southeastern peninsula of Luzon, 
the largest island of the Philippines. It is comprised 
of six provinces, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, 
Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon. 

Mt.Mayon. The commanding and dramatic Mayon Volcano is located near Legaspi City. “Mayon” came from local Bicolano word magayon which means “beauty”.

DaragaChurch, Daraga. The legendary account gives meaning to the name DARAGA which refers to the more popular meaning of a Maiden. It is the local term for unmarried woman not only in the municipality of DARAGA but also in the entire Bicol Region. The early beginnings of Daraga dates back to 12th century where the settlement underwent several changes in location due to the constant threats posed by Mayon Volcano, adopting names from Budiao to Cagsawa and finally Daraga.

Cagsawa Ruins. The baroque church of Cagsawa was destroyed during the most destructive eruption of the nearby Mayon Volcano in February 1, 1814. Hundreds of inhabitants of the town of Cagsawa purportedly sought refuge in the church but were killed by flowing lava. Only the belfry and some parts of the convent can be seen today.

Just last March 10 to 13, our group Travelere Internationale went to Bicolandia to visit Mt.Mayon (Legaspi City,Albay), to swim with the Butandings (Donsol, Sorsogon) and to have this Buhis-Buhay experience in this Secret Paradise (Caramoan, Camarines Sur). God is really amazing! And Bicol region is very blessed! 

-credits to Wikipedia and other sources for the history of Mt.Mayon, Daraga, and Cagsawa. :)

My many Firsts. 1st plane ride. 1st trip outside Cebu&Leyte. 1st International trip. 1st ride on a train. (Taken with instagram)

Bantayan ohh Bantayan!!

Bantayan Island..the shining tropical paradise. Two of the main attractions of the island are its crystal-clear waters and it’s long stretch of powdery white sand. 

May 2011 with Khen Rose and my new LP1 friends.

The worth of your travels lies not just in WHERE you come to be, but in WHO you become along the way.

We’re not close in our college days, not even this close when we started working in one company. It was in this first trip together that we became close. Our first local trip was to Ilocos region last August 2011. The experiences that we had in this trip, from the 20hrs bus ride, to the 1hr trekking, to the flying motorcycle ride, watching our expenses coz we dont have enough money anymore, to the breath taking places that we’ve visited, made us realize that it’s not only about the places that you’re going to visit that matters. It’s about the friendship that you develop along the way with your companions. It’s about the WHO that you become after everything that you’ve encounter. It’s about the deeper relationship with God that you develop as you thank Him for all miracles that He have shown you.

Travelere Internationale—I’m looking forward to our next trip, to our next Buhis-Buhay experience, to the future life lessons that we are going to learn!