Andrew E.

, born in Naga City, Camarines Sur, on July 30, 1957, in real life name is
Andrew Espiritu. He is one of the most popular Filipino rappers in the Philippines. Also
a record producer and actor, he made his debut hit single “Humanap ka ng Panget”
(1990), a bestseller rapping throughout the country. In effect then, he received the award
of the PMPC Star Awards for Music (2010) for his album Clubzilla, thus, winning for
him the “Rap Album of the Year.”

Gary Valenciano, born in Camalig, Albay on August 6, 1964, known in real life name as
Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. Also known as Mr. Pure
Energy because of his unique dynamism and style in dancing and length of show. He had
produced 26 albums. He became UNICEF Philippines first National Ambassador in
1998. Gary won the Awit Awards for “Best Male Performer” eleven times. He received
the ASAP Elite Platinum Circle Award for 2008 for his extraordinary
contributions/achievements in the local music industry.

Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Caramoan brings into reality every person’s imagined beach paradise – deep blue waters teeming with
marine ecosystem perfect for snorkeling and swimming and backdropped by lush green mountains.
What makes the place more perfect? Finding not one but 10 perfect destinations in the island where
you can equally enjoy this kind of beauty while getting unique, once in a lifetime vacation experience.

Subic Beach in Matnog, Sorsogon

This beach gives “hidden treasure” the best face. As you travel from the port of Matnog and nearing
Subic Beach, its beautiful pinkish sand will leave you awestruck. And the best part is that as you marvel
at the diverse and almost untouched coral formation perfectly visible above water you will realize that
the beach has more than its aesthetic beauty to offer.

The Ibalong Festival comes from the Ibalong epic, a tale of three heroes who all fought to keep the
peace for the town of Ibalong: Baltog, Handyong, and, Bantong. They fought mythical creatures such as
the tandayag (giant boar), dambuhala (one-eyed monster), oryol (half-woman, half-serpent), and a giant
called Rabot.

These tales of bravery and strength in character are embodied in the festival’s activities, most notably in
the Mutya ng Ibalong pageant, where women are chosen based on how they embody these traits.
There’s also the carnival/Mardi Gras Parade that kicks off the festivities every year, ushering in the
revelry to take place for the two-week event.

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City,
Bicol. The feast day is preceded by a novena , nine days of prayer, in honor of the Virgin. On the first
day, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to
the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. On the last day, the image is returned to her shrine
following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles from
devotees in boats escorting the image. When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees shout
"Viva la Virgen" (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is brought back in a procession to the cathedral.

Coron Festival

A showcase of events highlighted by a street presentation participated in by the town’s different public
and private schools and sectors gives a week of fun and merriment to visitors and locals. Held every
third week of August in Tiwi, the religious package of devotion and prayer in honor of Albay’s patroness,
Nuestra Señora de Salvacion (Our Lady of Salvation), is the peak event of the festival, colorfully drawing
thousands of devotees and religious groups through a long maritime procession of different local sea
vessels on the sea spray of the serene Pacific Ocean going to the quiet barangay of Joroan, the home of
the miraculous image.

Laing is considered to be a staple in most Bicolano homes. This laing recipe is simple-to-follow and uses
readily-available ingredients from the grocery. Making it at home is easy and fuss-free! You could adjust
the taste accordingly by adding more shrimp paste or chili peppers. Substituting the pork slices with
dried fish is also a healthy alternative to this dish.

Laing is primarily made up of dried taro (gabi) leaves simmered slowly in coconut milk.

Kinunot or Kinunot na is a Filipino dish from the Bicol province made with flaked stingray, moringa
leaves and chillies cooked in a spiced coconut cream sauce. Kinunot na Pagi means flaked in Bicolano
and pagi means stingray.