Travel PH | Camarines Norte Day One - Unspoiled Splendor

Even with Typhoon Jolina in the offing, we left Manila Thursday Evening and woke up in Camarines Norte 10 hours after. This writer had been to Jose Panganiban and this is his second time in the province. What's different with this visit, we were invited by the province to sample its unspoiled splendor.

JOCELLE GARDEN AND TOURIST INN

Daet

We arrived early at our hotel, the Jocelle Garden and Tourist Inn at the heart of Daet around 4am. We were able to catch a few hours sleep prior to having our first breakfast.

The facade of Jocelle's

Having our first breakfast in Daet.

CAMARINES NORTE PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE
Daet

After breakfast we made a courtesy call to the Camarines Norte Tourism Office, headed by Mr. Bong Palma, the Tourism Officer. Prior to our trip, we had an itinerary already planned out, but Typhoon Jolina made this useless. Thanks to Mr. Palma's expertise, he created a new itinerary for us.

You are welcome to dropby their office.

Mr. Bong Palma, Tourism Officer explained to us our new itinerary.

MUSEO BULAWAN
Daet

First up was the Museo Bulawan, bulawan meaning gold, this museum is just walking distance from the tourism office. This museum shows the rich culture of the early settlers. This is a great first destination due to its location, and lots to see here. Unfortunately you can't have pictures inside, so better take lots of pictures outside while one of the guides is explaining the history of Camarines Norte.

Our guide told us a lot about Camarines Norte history.

One of our team member, Allan, met a distant relative working in the Museum.

FIRST RIZAL MONUMENT / LUKLUKAN NG MGA BAYANI
Daet

Next up, rains not letting up, we went to the first Rizal Monument ever. Although Rizal never visited Camarines Norte, his novels inspired the people to revolt and became one of the areas to rise up against the spaniards. Two years after Rizal's death, it was just befitting that Daet erected the frist Rizal Monument. The site on which the monument stands shares its glory with other revolutionaries in the area. The site also serves as a camp for katipuneros whereas the spaniards were at the other side of the river. So going to the Rizal Monument, you will also see the Luklukan ng mga Bayani.

The very first Rizal Monument (photo www.kennethsurat.com)

A marker as a reminder of the brave katipuneros in the area.

The full list of Katipuneros.

The Luklukan ng mga Bayani.

After reading the bravery of the katipuneros we headed off to Jose Panganiban.

For more details regarding the places shown in Daet, send a private message to their facebook page here.

S & R FARM - COURTESY CALL TO MAYOR DONG PADILLA
Municipality of Jose Panganiban

Its an hour travel from Daet and we made a courtesy call to Mayor Dong Padilla.

The group with Mayor Dong Padilla. (photo by www.larizagarcia.com)

This writer with Mayor Dong Padilla.

MUNICIPAL HALL BUILDING
Municipality of Jose Panganiban

After the courtesy call, we proceeded to the municipal hall, where they had prepared a hearty lunch for us.

The hearty hearty lunch at the Municipal Office. Thanks so much.

Nothing beats chicken pork adobo for lunch.

Pansit is always on the menu.....

While waiting for our trip to other parts of Jose Panganiban, we visited their church. Church of Our lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
Municipality of Jose Panganiban

This church has a long history as old as Mambulao (From the word Mambulawan - bountiful in gold) until it was renamed Jose Panganiban in December 1, 1934..

JSM YELLOW GREEN ORGANIC FARM

Municipality of Jose Panganiban

After we went awe with the old church, we went to the JSM Yellow Green Farm. They established a sustainable ecofarm organic system.

They raised wild pigs in this farm. See these huge pigs in their pens.

They are mating the regular carabao with the tamaraws hoping to generate Carabao Milk producing females.

They also grow these sugar canes, and they had us eat raw sugar canes. Since most of us were not partaking in biting into the sugar canes, they gave us a demo of using a sugar cane crushing machine to squeeze out the natural juices from them. Boy do they tasted sweet.

After taking that sweet drink, we proceeded to Turayog View Deck, but due to the inclement weather, this place closed. So we proceeded straight to Bulalacao Beach.

BULALACAO BEACH
Municipality of Jose Panganiban

They called this beach as such because this place was where there was a meteor shower that happened. Meteors are known as bulalakaw in the native dialect. This place is a long stretch of virgin unspoiled beach, great for picnics and for camping. They said they only charge Php50 as entrance, you can stay overnight already.

We also went to Pag-Asa Beach but it was too late in the evening so we didn't get any pictures from there.

The half day spent in Jose Panganiban was great and we will be back for sure. Please see Day Three of our Camarines Norte Adventure.

For more details on Jose Panganiban, contact Ms. Ruth Forteza of the Municipal Tourism Office of Jose Panganiban, mobile number 0910-827-3547.

ALVINOS ROAST GRILL AND FRY
Daet

After a hectic first day we went back to Daet. We had dinner at the Alvinos Roast Grill and Fry. A very diverse and expanded menu, a truly bicolano fastfood treat.