Albay: Mayon Volcano, Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church, Lignon Hill & Balay Cena Una

Mayon Volcano as seen from Lignon Hill

It was a sunny day in Albay, perfect day to catch a glimpse of Mayon Volcano! It isn't my first time to visit Albay. But seeing Mayon again is something to look forward to.

We took a morning flight to Legazpi and were met at the airport by our guide from Donsol EcoTour for our tour around Legazpi City and neighboring Daraga.

Cagsawa Ruins

We first visited the Cagsawa Ruins. Unfortunately, a bridge going to the former parking area was washed away during a recent typhoon. So we had to cross a makeshift bridge to get there.

This view from the Cagsawa Ruins is probably the most popular shot of the Mayon Volcano, with the ruins of the Cagsawa belfry in the foreground. The Cagsawa Ruins are what remain of the former town that was buried by the 1814 eruption of Mayon.

Daraga Church

From Cagsawa, we proceeded to the Daraga Church. The facades, belfry and baptistry of the Daraga Church are designated as a National Cultural Treasure. I've always wanted to take a photo of the Daraga Church with the Mayon Volcano in the background. But in the many times that I visited, there were lots of vehicles parked in front of the church. I finally was given an opportunity during this trip! It is testament to the harmonious relationship between architecture and nature that made our country the Pearl of the Orient then.

Balay Cena Una

Lunch was at Balay Cena Una in Daraga, a beautiful example of adaptive reuse, reminding us that old architecture can be made economically-viable in the 21st century.

With Alberto Molero and Nellie Huang of WildJunket.com at Lignon Hill

Our last stop before proceeding to Donsol, Sorsogon was Lignon Hill. It was my first time up the hill. And it was definitely a revelation since it provided a really majestic view of the Mayon Volcano towering over verdant rice fields below. It's probably the best view of Mayon!

More photos of Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur in the Ivan About Town FB page.

Thank you to Director Verna Buensuceso and Christie Navarro of the Department of Tourism Team Europe for arranging the trip of Nellie Huang and Alberto Molero of WildJunket.com to Bicol! Thank you also to Director Maria Ravanilla and Amy Detera of Department of Tourism Bicol Region for her valuable assistance and warm hospitality!

Pahiyas Festival 2012: Tour Quezon's San Isidro Labrador festivals

We're visiting the Pahiyas Festival again! And you're most welcome to join us! It may be a weekday, but Ultimate Philippines Tours will be driving down south on May 15, 2012 to bring you to the San Isidro Labrador festivals!



Yes, it's fiesta time this coming May and what better way to drink, eat and be merry as we head south to explore charming Quezon Province. It's the best time of the year as we join in the revelry and celebrate the feast of San Isidro de Labrador!

First stop is Lucban for breakfast and on to the Pahiyas Festival where we'll feast our eyes over a smorgasbord of food, music, artistry and local color in one of country's most spectacular fiestas!


Then it's on to the town of Tayabas where a traditional Tayabense lunch awaits over looking rustic Mount Banahaw. We'll also visit the town jewel, the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, a National Cultural Treasure, and experience the flying suman at the Mayohan Festival.


In the afternoon, we're off to charming Sariaya where our merienda awaits. We'll have an option to join in the town's traditional Agawan Festival or take a stroll down to admire the town's gracious colonial-period homes, a great way to cap-off a our 3-in-1 Quezon festival experience!

The tour departs at 4 a.m. on May 15, 2012 (Tuesday) from Starbucks 6750. We expect to arrive back at 7:30 p.m. Tour fee is Php4,500 per person, inclusive of transportation, sumptuous meals and the best local guides led by Tina Decal. Book a slot now by e-mailing info@ivanhenares.com.

UAP Code of Ethical Conduct tells architects to preserve & restore heritage

Meralco Building along San Marcelino Street (Photo by Ivan Man Dy)

Are you a member of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)? Are you familiar with the UAP Code of Ethical Conduct? The Heritage Conservation Society discovered some points in the Code of Ethical Conduct, particularly The Architect's Responsibilities in Relation to the People in Doc. 200 - Standards of Professional Practice.

It says, "(1a) The Architect shall seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic and urban affairs and to the best of his ability advance the safety, health and well-being of the people and the community as well as the promotion, restoration or preservation of the general amenities and other examples of historic and architectural heritage of the nation."

It adds, "(5f) ...Architects are enjoined to preserve or restore as much as possible especially the few and remaining historic examples of our architectural heritage affecting this phase of practice."

We appeal to all members of the United Architects of the Philippines to uphold and respect their Code of Ethical Conduct. Here is the full text of the Architect's National Code - Code of Ethical Conduct (Doc. 200).

Europe: France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Andorra & Monaco 2011

Before I forget, I'm posting the summary of photo albums from my Europe trip last November 2011. We drove through Europe visiting France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. And I later took a train to Andorra and Monaco. Here are the photos from Eurpoe that have been uploaded to the Ivan About Town FB page.

November 8 - St. Gallen, Switzerland / Vaduz, Liechtenstein / Zürich, Switzerland
November 9 - Bern, Switzerland
November 10-11 - Florence, Italy
November 11 - Pisa, Italy
November 12 - Rome, Italy and Vatican City
November 13 - San Marino / Venice, Italy
November 14 - Ljubljana, Slovenia / Graz, Austria
November 15 - Budapest, Hungary / Bratislava, Slovakia
November 16 - Vienna, Austria
November 17 - Prague, Czech Republic
November 22 - Lourdes, France
November 23 - L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre, France
November 24 - Andorra la Vella, Andorra / Toulouse, France
November 25 - Monte Carlo, Monaco / Nice, France
November 27-December 2 - Paris, France
December 1 - Versailles, France
December 2 - Chantilly, France

Save the Misamis Occidental Capitol in Oroquieta City!

It's Architect Juan Arellano's week unfortunately! Another significant work of Juan Arellano could disappear if we do not put a stop to this nonsense. Architect Dom Galicia received a report early this week that the side wings of the prewar Misamis Occidental Capitol Building in Oroquieta City are being demolished.

The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental is violating Republic Act No. 10066 - National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. Seeing an old photo of the capitol, Architect Toti Villalon notes, "What a beautiful Palladian structure the original was."

Here we go again! This time the local government is the proponent of the demolition! We appeal to Gov. Herminia Ramiro to stop this massacre of great architecture. We call on the people of Misamis Occidental to help us send the message across.

Thank you Gov. Herminia Ramiro!
Here is the recent update from Archt. Dom Galicia: To balance out the terrible news coming from the City of Manila, here is a long-delayed report on the March 28, 2012, meeting at the NCCA with the governor of Misamis Occidental regarding the fate of the Juan Arellano-designed capitolio.

Attendees were: NCCA Executive Director Emelita Almosara; Gov. Herminia Ramiro of Misamis Occidental; Arch. Raj Busmente, NCCA; Arch. Nelson Aquino, National Museum; Arch. Wilkie de Lumen, NHCP; Arch. EM Cuerpo and two members of his architectural team from the design-build firm of EM Cuerpo; Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, NCCA Legal Counsel; Ms. Kat Anuta, NCCA; Arch. Dominic Galicia, NCCA-NCMS.

After a lively yet cordial deliberation, direction was established regarding how best to respect and sustain the exemplary cultural and historical value of the capitolio, which served as the capital of a Free Philippines in the early days of World War 2. Gov. Ramiro instructed the EM Cuerpo design-build team to follow the NCCA recommendation to restore the Juan Arellano capitolio (including restoring the Great Hall, now subdivided into two floors and attic) and to house the expansion in a new separate structure to be built in the back. The new structure will act as a quiet background building, perhaps employing the lightness and transparency of green architecture. The Juan Arellano capitolio could one day house the provincial museum, of which there is none so far. The Great Hall could one day be used as the Session Hall. EM Cuerpo will submit three schemes for Gov. Ramiro's approval, with NCCA consultation.

EM Cuerpo raised concerns about the legal and Commission-on-Audit ramifications of the change in the design and the terms of reference. NCCA Legal Counsel Trixie Cruz Angeles allayed those concerns by explaining the power of the Heritage Law. NCCA would be preparing a letter to Gov. Ramiro which will serve as a document of rationale.

It was a remarkable demonstration of political will, once Gov. Ramiro made the decision to restore the capitolio and build a separate annex in the back. Generations will remember this decision of Gov. Ramiro. Not just Misamis Occidental, not just Mindanao, but the nation as a whole will be grateful.