MUSIKA AT BUHAY DAGUPAN!

CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2016 - Pangasinan Rankings

2017-05-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

Provinces - 70 Entries

Rank Rank Score Town Classification Province
2016 2015

1 6 35.67 Rizal
2 9 31.80 Cavite
3 4 30.86 S. Cotabato
4 16 29.77 Laguna
5 11 29.50 N. Cotabato
6 21 29.32 Sultan Kudarat
7 13 28.31 Bataan
8 - 27.89 Aklan
9 20 27.84 Batangas
10 12 27.42 La Union
11 36 27.32 Ilocos Sur
12 14 26.98 Ilocos Norte
13 46 26.82 Misamis Oc.
14 2 26.61 Misamis Or.
15 22 26.59 Davao del Norte
16 32 26.54 Bukidnon
17 68 26.41 Samar
18 25 26.13 Camarines Sur
19 30 26.10 Albay
20 33 26.07 Marinduque
28 34 25.26 Pangasinan

(Independent) Component Cities - 110 Entries
Rank Rank Score City Classification Province
2016 2015

1 1 55.18 Naga ICC Camarines Sur
2 2 48.33 San Fernando CC Pampanga
3 15 47.77 Legazpi CC Albay
4 5 46.37 Bacoor CC    Cavite
5 4 45.83 Cotabato ICC Cotabato
6 6 45.50 Antipolo CC Rizal
7 51 45.28 Ilagan CC Isabela
8 3 44.93 Imus CC    Cavite
9 8 44.19 Tagum CC Davao del Norte
10 48 42.73 San Pedro CC    Laguna
11 12 41.86 Koronadal CC S. Cotabato
12 10 41.69 Batangas CC Batangas
13 11 41.41 Calamba CC Laguna
14 42 41.27 Cabuyao CC Laguna
15 19 41.20 Dagupan ICC Pangasinan
16 14 41.02 Kidapawan CC N. Cotabato
17 9 40.97 San Fernando CC La Union
18 61 40.77 Santiago ICC   Isabela
19    13 40.49 Lipa CC Batangas
20 47 40.48 Sorsogon CC Sorsogon
43 31 34.34 Urdaneta CC Pangasinan
55 45 32.59 Alaminos CC Pangasinan
104 96 25.60 San Carlos    CC Pangasinan

1st and 2nd Class Municipalities - 490 Entries

Rank Rank Score City Classification Province
2016 2015

1 19 45.03 Cainta First Class Rizal
2 3 43.06 Taytay First Class Rizal
3 1 41.79 Gen. Trias First Class Cavite
4 15 40.58 Malay First Class Aklan
5 9 38.08 Midsayap First Class N. Cotabato
6 6 37.63 Angono First Class Rizal
7 2 36.82 Sta. Maria First Class Bulacan
8 10 36.51 Polomolok First Class S. Cotabato
9 102 36.07 Rodriguez First Class Rizal
10 12 36.04 Isulan First Class Sultan Kudarat
11 45 35.72 Binangonan First Class Rizal
12 28 34.04 San Mateo First Class Rizal
13 11 33.45 Carmona First Class Cavite
14 26 33.43 La Trinidad First Class Benguet
15 83 33.30 Marilao First Class Bulacan
16 34 33.01 Silang First Class Cavite
17 14 32.91 Daet First Class Cam. Norte
18 57 32.75 Candelaria First Class Quezon
19 36 32.34 Tanay First Class Rizal
20 24 32.33 Agoo First Class La Union
26 48 31.42 Calasiao First Class Pangasinan
38 35 30.22 Mangaldan First Class Pangasinan
44 109 29.70 Rosales First Class Pangasinan
61 110 28.87 Binalonan First Class Pangasinan
71 367 28.46 Lingayen First Class Pangasinan
102 154 27.19 Villasis First Class Pangasinan
116 239 26.80 Pozorrubio First Class Pangasinan
124 395 26.59 Bayambang First Class Pangasinan
141 200 26.26 San Fabian First Class Pangasinan
156 172 25.82 San Nicolas First Class Pangasinan
168 155 25.49 Santa Barbara First Class Pangasinan
183 121 25.13 Umingan First Class Pangasinan
234 347 23.81 Bani Second Class Pangasinan
291 201 22.36 Binmaley First Class Pangasinan
325 312 21.40 Malasiqui First Class Pangasinan
329 361 21.31 Mangatarem First Class Pangasinan
373 266 19.76 Bugallon Second Class Pangasinan
374 288 19.75 Bolinao First Class Pangasinan
375 - 19.45 Asingan Second Class Pangasinan
395 360 18.72 San Manuel First Class Pangasinan
398 353 18.61 Sual First Class Pangasinan
405 410 18.38 Manaoag First Class Pangasinan

520 Entries - 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities

Rank Rank Score City Classification Province
2016 2015

1 3 36.97 Infanta Third Class Quezon
2 2 35.98 Baler Third Class Aurora
3 48 35.94 Calamba Fourth Class Misamis Oc.
4 7 35.11 Pagsanjan Third Class Laguna
5 6 35.04 Jimenez Third Class Misamis Oc.
6 1 34.47 Mambajao Third Class Camiguin
7 58 34.42 Tayug Third Class Pangasinan
8 12 33.85 Cabatuan    Third Class Isabela
9 31 33.76 Bacarra Third Class Ilocos Norte
10 13 33.61 Cordova Third Class Cebu
11 10 33.30 Tigaon Third Class Cam. Sur
12 5 33.17 Abucay Third Class Bataan
13 30 33.16 San Simon Third Class Pampanga
14 23 32.62 Kolambugan Fourth Class Lanao D. N.
15 20 32.44 Pasuquin Third Class Ilocos Norte
16 90 32.28 Sinait Third Class Ilocos Sur
17 388 32.24 Alaminos Third Class Laguna
18 14 32.21 Paoay Fourth Class Ilocos Norte
19 329 32.20 Calape Third Class Bohol
20 95 32.05 Tublay Fifth Class Benguet
43 38 29.40 Dasol Third Class Pangasinan
55 79 28.99 Sta. Maria Fourth Class Pangasinan
60 42 28.75 Laoac Fourth Class Pangasinan
195 180 25.60 Basista Fourth Class Pangasinan
204 130 25.43 Natividad Fourth Class Pangasinan
281 - 23.95 Santo Tomas Fourth Class Pangasinan
306 395 23.52 Bautista Fourth Class Pangasinan
417 - 21.39 Aguilar Third Class Pangasinan
429 - 21.07 Sison   Third Class Pangasinan

Source: http://www.competitive.org.ph/cmcindex/pages/rankings/index.php

Chris Cornell at the End of the Highway

2017-05-18T17:32:00.003-07:00

Christopher John Boyle, July 20, 1964 - May 17, 2017

Chris Cornell (born Christopher John Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 17, 2017) was an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter and rhythm guitarist for Seattle rock band Soundgarden and as lead vocalist and songwriter for the group Audioslave. He was also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1991, and as founder and frontman for Temple of the Dog, the one-off tribute band dedicated to his late friend Andrew Wood.

Cornell was known for his role as one of the architects of the 1990s grunge movement, for his extensive catalog as a songwriter and for his near four octave vocal range as well as his powerful vocal belting technique. He released four solo studio albums, Euphoria Morning (1999), Carry On (2007), Scream (2009), Higher Truth (2015) and the live album Songbook (2011). Cornell received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his song "The Keeper" which appeared in the film Machine Gun Preacher and co-wrote and performed the theme song to the James Bond film Casino Royale (2006), "You Know My Name". The last solo release prior to his death was the charity single "The Promise", written for the ending credits for the film of the same name. He was voted "Rock's Greatest Singer" by readers of Guitar World, ranked 4th in the list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists" by Hit Parader, 9th in the list of "Best Lead Singers of All Time" by Rolling Stone, and 12th in MTV's "22 Greatest Voices in Music".

Cornell was born on July 20, 1964 and raised in Seattle, Washington, and attended Christ the King Catholic elementary school, and Shorewood High School. His parents are Ed Boyle (a pharmacist) and Karen Cornell (an accountant). He has five siblings: older brothers Peter and Patrick, and younger sisters Katy, Suzy, and Maggie. Peter, Katy and Suzy all performed in the band Inflatable Soule in the 1990s. Peter was the lead vocalist for the New York-based rock band Black Market Radio and released a new solo album, Champion, in 2014. Katy performs as lead vocalist for the Seattle band Into the Cold.

Cornell spent a two-year period between the ages of nine and eleven solidly listening to The Beatles after finding a large collection of Beatles records abandoned in the basement of a neighbor's house. Cornell was a loner; however, he was able to deal with his anxiety around other people through rock music. During his teenage years, Chris spiralled into severe depression, dropped out of school and almost never left the house during his state of depression. Before becoming a successful musician, he worked at a seafood wholesaler and was a sous-chef at a restaurant named Ray's Boathouse.

In the early 1980s, Cornell was a member of a cover band called The Shemps that performed around Seattle. The Shemps also featured bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Following Yamamoto's departure from The Shemps, the band recruited guitarist Kim Thayil as its new guitarist. Cornell and Yamamoto stayed in contact, and after The Shemps broke up, Cornell and Yamamoto started jamming together, eventually bringing in Thayil to join them.

Cornell's songwriting often features non-standard chord progressions and melodies that do not conform with one diatonic scale. A prominent example is "Black Hole Sun", which not only involves many kinds of open chords and several key changes in short sequences, but also unique melody phrases with large-interval jumps.

A recurrent characteristic is the usage of major-only chord sequences (Sweet Euphoria, Pretty Noose), which also leads to more subtle key changes.

While a most intensive concentration of Cornell's songwriting style can still be found on the Euphoria Morning album, later works, with Audioslave or on the later solo albums, tend to be more conventional, only sometimes containing short but inventive interlude parts (e.g. Like a Stone, Disappearing Act, No Such Thing).

Cornell had a multi-octave range. He was a baritone with an ability to sing extremely high in the tenor range, as well as in the lower register of a baritone voice. He showcased this in various songs, most notably the studio and the demo versions of "Beyond the Wheel", where he can be heard spanning three octaves. He also experimented with various different vocal styles, ranging from light falsetto to brutal screams and chants. In addition to singing rock and metal mainly with Soundgarden and Audioslave, Cornell sang the blues, neo soul and stripped-down acoustic numbers.

Cornell released five solo albums. Soundgarden produced six albums, five EPs and two greatest hits compilations. He released three albums with Audioslave and one album with Temple of the Dog. Despite this large discography he only released one retrospective compilation which was given a limited release. Cornell also produced an album for Screaming Trees and had his music featured on one mixtape.

Cornell was first married to Susan Silver, the manager of Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. They had a daughter, Lillian Jean, born in June 2000. He and Silver divorced in 2004. In December 2008, Cornell reported via his official website that he had finally won back his collection of 15 guitars after a four-year court battle with Silver.

His second marriage was to Vicky Karayiannis, a Paris-based American publicist of Greek heritage. The couple had a daughter together, Toni, born in September 2004, and a son, Christopher Nicholas, born in December 2005. Cornell converted to the Greek Orthodox Church through her influence.

When asked how Cornell beat all his addictions he stated, "It was a long period of coming to the realization that this way (sober) is better. Going through rehab, honestly, did help ... it got me away from just the daily drudgery of depression and either trying to not drink or do drugs or doing them and you know, they give you such a simple message that any idiot can get and it's just over and over, but the bottom line is really, and this is the part that is scary for everyone, the individual kinda has to want it ... not kinda, you have to want it and to not do that crap anymore or you will never stop and it will just kill you."

In a 2011 interview, Cornell said the major change with the reformed Soundgarden is a lack of alcohol: "The biggest difference I noticed ... and we haven't even really talked about it: There are no bottles of Jack Daniel's around or beers. And we never talked about ... it's just not there."

On May 17, 2017, Cornell was found dead in his room at the MGM Grand in Detroit after performing at a show with Soundgarden at the Fox Theatre. The death was determined to be a suicide by hanging. He was 52 years old. Footage of his final concert was posted to YouTube.

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Cornell

Dagupan City Bangus Festival

2017-05-03T19:04:00.003-07:00

BANGUS FESTIVAL

Bangus Festival is an annual festivity in Dagupan City, Pangasinan that kicks off every month of April. It celebrates the province's Bonuan bangus, which is renowned for its unique taste.

Bangus Festival, first celebrated in 2002, was the brainchild of former mayor Benjamin S. Lim, who wished to emphasize the local bangus industry and promote Dagupan as the Bangus Capital of the World. Initially a part of the thanksgiving festival Pista'y Dayat, Bangus Festival developed into a two-week socio-economic program of activities that highlights the city's top produce.

The festival commences with the lighting of 1,000 barbecue grills lined up to cook thousands of bangus, which stretches up to two kilometers. This also serves as a competition for hundreds of cooks, whose dishes are not only judged by the grilling but through whipping up the tastiest and most creative way of serving bangus. The contest was eventually called “'101 Ways to Cook Bangus” and won for the city a recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest barbecue in 2003.

Aside from the grilling challenge, the festivity showcases a bangus eating contest, a search for the biggest and heaviest bangus, the Gilon-gilon dancing festival, the Pigar-pigar festival, the Halo-halo festival, and the Bangusan street party, where several local and Manila-based bands perform along Jose R. De Venecia Expressway Extension.

Copied from: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Bangus_Festival

Proposed Tax Schedule from the Department of Finance, Philippines

2017-05-03T18:51:00.001-07:00

Simplifying the tax system in the Philippines to increase the net home pay of individuals.

The Biggest Street Party in the Philippines!

2017-05-02T01:27:00.002-07:00

Dagupan City's Bangus Festival 2017 was a big success! Bangusan Street Party was held on April 30, 2017 at the De Venecia Extension Highway.

Photo Credit: Dagupan City Tourism Office

Windmills in Pililla, Rizal

2017-04-26T18:58:00.004-07:00

PILILLA WIND FARM

The "Pililla, Rizal" Wind Energy Service Contract granted to Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation (APHC) covers an area of 4,515 hectares under Department of Energy WESC NO. 2009-09-018. This Wind Energy Service Contract (WESC) has two phases, Pililla Wind Power Project under WESC NO. 2009-09-018-AF1 and the Mt. Sembrano Wind Power Project under WESC NO. 2009-09-018-AP2.

In December 2008, Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation (APHC) was awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) the exclusive right to develop wind power projects in 3 locations: Pililla in Rizal, Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, and Kalayaan, Laguna. These locations were among those identified under the Philippine Wind Atlas as potential sites for wind farms due to good to excellent wind resources. APHC was subsequently awarded additional wind energy service contracts in 3 other locations in 2009. APHC is committed to implement the wind projects if the wind measurements and site specific studies demonstrate that the power plants are commercially viable.

Phase 1 of this project is a wind farm in Barangay Halayhayin in Pililla, Rizal, Philippines. The wind farm is being undertaken by Alternergy Wind One Corporation.[4] The total cost for the construction of the wind farm is US$177.9 million.

The project consists of 27 wind turbine generators grouped into three clusters with aggregate capacity of 54 megawatts (MW). The said project, after completion will interconnect to Meralco’s Malaya-Teresa 115 kilovolts (kV) transmission line located just 10 kilometers from the project site.

Phase 2 located in Pililla, Rizal and Mabitac, Laguna was not initially included by Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation (APHC) in the Technical Assistance (TA) from the Asian Development Bank. A minor change in the ADB TA implementation was approved in February 2013 to prioritize the development of the Pililla, Rizal wind farm site and expand the study to Pililla Stage 2, which covers the southern portion of the area, as initial findings showed certain limitations in wind resource and constructability in the Laguna and Occidental Mindoro sites. Construction of a wind power project in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, in particular, is not feasible until either the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines or the Philippine government has installed a submarine cable connecting Mindoro and Luzon. Based on the initial findings, further studies on the Laguna and Mindoro sites were discontinued; unutilized TA budget for these sites were reallocated instead to fund the study for Pililla Stage 2. The projected cost for Phase 2 is Php 7.056 Billion and its planned output is 72 megawatts (MW).

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pililla_Wind_Farm

Gumi, Lubao, Pampanga

2017-04-26T18:54:00.001-07:00

A beautiful morning at a fish pond.

SAN JOSE GUMI, LUBAO, PAMPANGA

San Jose Gumi is one of the 44 Barangays of Lubao, Pampanga.

Lubao is a first class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 160,838 people. It is bounded by the municipalities of Guagua on the north, Sasmuan on the east, Floridablanca on the west and Orani, Bataan on the south.

Located at the south-western part of Pampanga, it is noted for rice, sugar cane, fish, and sampaguita.

The name Lubao was derived from the indigenous word “lubo” which means low. “Lubo” is characteristically muddy and flooded; later, the term evolved into “lubao,” which is the town’s present name. The Austronesian word is associated with the low or depressed elevation of the town. Hence, Lubao is synonymous to its ancient name Baba.

The Parish of Saint Augustine celebrated its 440th Founding Anniversary on May 5, 2012 with the launching of the 1st Sampaguita Festival; participated by the six parishes of Lubao. Parish of St. Augustine de Hippo bagged the Over-All Champion trophy.

2nd Sampaguita Festival was held on May 5, 2013 participated by the 10 secondary public schools of Lubao. San Vicente National High School emerged as the Over-All Champion of the festival.

The 3rd Sampaguita Festival was celebrated on May 4, 2014 and participated by the 7 clustered barangays of Lubao. Cluster 6 (Cluster Malagu - Barangay Sto. Domingo, San Miguel, Concepcion, San Francisco, San Vicente, San Antonio and San Jose Apunan) was the Over-All Champion of the festival.

The 4th Sampaguita Festival was celebrated on May 4-5, 2015 and participated by the 7 clustered barangays of Lubao. Cluster 6 (Cluster Malagu - Barangay Sto. Domingo, San Miguel, Concepcion, San Francisco, San Vicente, San Antonio and San Jose Apunan) emerged again as the Over-All Champion of the festival. Festival King and Queen Pageant and Cong Dadong Awards were launched on the 5th day of May.

For the 5th edition of Sampaguita Festival, Cluster 6 (Cluster Malagu - Barangay Sto. Domingo, San Miguel, Concepcion, San Francisco, San Vicente, San Antonio and San Jose Apunan) was declared as the Over-All Champion for 3 consecutive years. The Streetdancing, Float Parade and Free Interpretation were held on May 4, 2016 and the Cong Dadong Awards (Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Awards for Outstanding Lubenians) and the Festival King and Queen were held on May 5, 2016.

The 6th Sampaguita Festival will be held on May 1-5, 2017 with the theme "Lubao, Maslag ka king Bayung Leguan, Gelingan at Kasalpantayanan" featuring the 7 faces of Lubao (Farming, Lubao International Ballon Festival, Fishing, Lubao Bamboo Hub, Holy Cross, Bale Kubu ng Apung Dadong and Matuang Pisamban ning San Agustin)

The 1st ever Philippine International Balloon Festival was held on April 10–13, 2014 in Barangay Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga. It was organized by Pilipinas International Balloon Festival, Inc. (PIBF) in cooperation with the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTO) with the theme "It's More Than Just Hot Air"

The 2nd Lubao International Balloon Festival was held on March 26 to 29, 2015 in Pradera Verde, Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga. It was organized by Forthinker Inc. Philippines. It was touted as the biggest annual hot air balloon festival in Southeast Asia that featured more than forty (40) colorful hot air balloons from different countries all over the world, fourteen (14) of which are special shaped balloons like Darth Vader, Yoda, Humpty Dumpty and Frog.

The 3rd edition of Lubao International Balloon Festival was held on April 14–17, 2016 in Pradera Verde, Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga.

April 6 to 9 2017 Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival. For the 4th year in a row, 35 balloons showered the skies of Lubao, Pampanga with their magnificent design and beautiful colors while wonderful music from international artists (Alex Aiono and Redfoo) and local artists (Sponge Cola, Gloc 9, Parokya ni Edgar, Moonstar88, Yeng Constantino and Bamboo) graced the event.

The municipal government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary. The executive branch is composed of the mayor and the barangay captains. The legislative branch is composed of the Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly), Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan for the youth sector.

The Lubao Institute is in front of the Diosdado Macapagal Museum and Library which is at the back of his Bahay Kubo birthplace. Some meters from these 2 landmarks is the San Nicolas Lubao residence of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is the first and oldest private school in Lubao established in 1929.

The Escolastica Romero District Hospital located in San Nicolas 1st, Lubao and St. Joseph Hospital of Remedios located in Brgy. Remedios, Lubao are the prime health institutions of the town.

The parish church of San Agustin (considered one of the oldest in Pampanga - 1572) celebrated its 440th Founding Anniversary last May 5, 2012 with the launching of the 1st Sampaguita Festival; participated by the six parishes of Lubao. And the reception of the relics of St. Augustine & St. Monica. The church was declared by the National Historical Commission as Important Cultural Property last August 28, 2013 (441st Founding Anniversary).

Baybay Ilog (Sagip Ilog) is a project of Department of Tourism and Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In the Baybay Ilog, Bye-bye Basura project, officials and volunteers were gathered at the Banqueruan Port in San Nicolas 1st, Lubao where the kick-off the clean-up drive started. After a brief program, the whole contingent coursed the river, checked the preparation of the communities and conducted the river clean-up. The Lubao-Sasmuan River was one of the ecosystems heavily affected when Mount Pinatubo erupted 20 years ago. And with this project coinciding with the anniversary of the said volcanic eruption and our country's independence day celebration, the people from Lubao and Sasmuan are looking at it as a liberation from the dreaded effects of the said natural disaster which, through tourism, will pave the way for the rise to progress of the said communities. Once again, the river is resuming its role, as a driving factor for the growth of a civilization.

The symbolic river clean-up dubbed as “Baybay-Ilog, Bye-bye Basura”, is the first step in preparing the people in 17 identified Barangays that will benefit from the Pampanga bayou river cruise project spearheaded by the local government units of Sasmuan and Lubao in cooperation with the Provincial government of Pampanga and the second district congressional office of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. River Clean-up held last June 12, 2011. This event mobilized more than 700 volunteers from Sasmuan and Lubao for ground and boat contingents. With the support of the Local Government Units of Sasmuan and Lubao, Community Volunteers and Social Preparation Group of Pampanga Bayou Development Project, this was really an astounding success.

The 700 volunteers camer from 13 coastal barangays boarded participating boats at the Banqueruan banca port at the town of San Nicolas, Lubao to participate in the symbolic river cleanup shortly after the sun rose on an otherwise lazy Sunday morning. Armed with cleaning tools, the residents carefully rid the river of wastes in preparation for the formal launch of the town’s newest tourist attraction – the Pampanga river bayou cruise. Prior to the river cleanup, Christian Narito, project leader of the social preparation phase of the Pampanga Wetlands Development Project, said the identified 17 barangay communities located along the cruise route had earlier been educated about the benefits tourism could bring into the communities. “People within and around the area participated in determining how will they react or be affected by any major development planned within their area of residence. We helped them identify their strengths and how they could contribute to the river cruise project,” Narito said.

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubao,_Pampanga

Mariveles, Bataan

2017-04-26T18:49:00.003-07:00

MARIVELES, BATAAN

Mariveles, officially the Municipality of Mariveles (Filipino: Bayan ng Mariveles; Kapampangan: Balen ning Mariveles), is a municipality in the province of Bataan in the Central Luzon (Region III) of the Philippines. The population was 127,536 at the 2015 census. In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 75,890 registered voters.

Founded as a pueblo by a Franciscan Friar in 1578, Mariveles, the "Village of Kamaya" was part of the Corregimiento of Mariveles, including Bagac and Morong, Corregidor and Maragondon, Cavite.

The Superior Decree of July 1754 declared Mariveles' independence from Pampanga.

In the 19th century, the Americans established the first quarantine station in the old Spanish Leprosarium Hospital (now, the Mariveles Mental Ward).

Mariveles is located at 14°26′N 120°29′E in a cove at the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula. It is 164 kilometres (102 mi) from Manila via the North Luzon Expressway, Gapan-Olongapo Road and Roman Highway.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 153.90 square kilometres (59.42 sq mi) constituting 11.21% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan. Of this, about 69% consist of the pastureland, 19% of forestland, 6% agricultural lands and the remaining 6% for residential and industrial use.

In the 2015 census, Mariveles had a population of 127,536. The population density was 830 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,100/sq mi).

In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 75,890 registered voters.

Mariveles is home to an Aeta community speaking a Sambalic language called Mariveleño.

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines", the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo is the Chief Executive who held office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (1898–1946) (History of the Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones held office at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the second floor of the Town Hall and in the adjacent building.

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariveles,_Bataan

Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan

2017-04-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

A view of a mountain in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan

Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan

Doña Remedios Trinidad is a first class partially urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 22,663 people.

It is known as "Bulacan's Last Frontier" because of its natural environment and as it is the least travelled town in the province.

On September 13, 1977, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 1196 creating the municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad. The municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad was named in honor of then mother (Remedios T. Romualdez) of then First Lady, Imelda Romualdez Marcos, who was a Bulakeña from Baliuag.

The municipality covers seven barangays, originally part of Angat, Norzagaray, and San Miguel. These are Pulong Sampaloc and Camachile of Angat; Bayabas and Kabayunan of Norzagaray; Talbac, Camachin and Kalawakan of San Miguel.

Doña Remedios Trinidad is the largest municipality in Bulacan, occupying almost 1/3 of the total land area of the province. It lies on the southern edge of the Sierra Madre mountain range, and partially embraces three major conservation areas: the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve, Biak-na-Bato National Park, and Doña Remedios–General Tinio Watershed Forest Reserve, comprising 327.3 km² of alienable and disposable public land.

In the 2015 census, the population of Doña Remedios Trinidad was 22,663 people, with a density of 24 inhabitants per square kilometre or 62 inhabitants per square mile.

Doña Remedios Trinidad is the least populated of all the municipalities and cities of Bulacan.

On December 12, 2007, Bulacan and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) signed an agreement for the development of an P11-billion bulk water supply project. Ayala-owned Manila Water Co. Inc. will implement the project. MWSS and Manila Water will provide a financial package of an infrastructure grant, a P10-million development assistance and a P10-million royalty fee to the towns of Norzagaray and Doña Remedios Trinidad, which will host the water supply project.

One of the main secondary school in DRT is the Doña Remedios Trinidad High School located in Brgy. Pulong Sampaloc. Most of the students in this school came from the four barangays of DRT (Pulong Sampaloc, Camachile, Sapang Bulak, and Bayabas) and some students from the adjacent barangay of Banaban in Angat. The San Ildefonso-based Bulacan Agricultural State College opened a branch campus as Bulacan Agricultural State College-DRT located in Barangay Sapang Bulak.

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do%C3%B1a_Remedios_Trinidad,_Bulacan

Taal Volcano, Tagaytay City, Philippines

2017-04-26T18:43:00.003-07:00

A view of Taal Volcano at a view deck of a restaurant in Tagaytay City.

TAAL VOLCANO

Taal Volcano (Filipino: Bulkang Taal) is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. All of these eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Taal Lake. The lake partially fills Taal Caldera, which was formed by prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 and 5,380 BP. Viewed from Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines. It is located about 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.

The volcano had several violent eruptions in the past causing loss of life in the island and the populated areas surrounding the lake, with the death toll estimated at around 5,000 to 6,000. Because of its proximity to populated areas and its eruptive history, the volcano was designated a Decade Volcano, worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters. All volcanoes of the Philippines are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Taal Volcano and Lake are wholly located in the province of Batangas. The northern half of Volcano Island falls under the jurisdiction of the lake shore town of Talisay, and the southern half to San Nicolas. The other communities that encircle Taal Lake include the cities of Tanauan and Lipa, and the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Balete and Mataas na Kahoy.

Permanent settlement on the island is prohibited by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS, declaring the whole Volcano Island as a high-risk area and a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Despite the warnings, poor families have settled on the island, risking their lives, earning a living by fishing and farming crops from the rich volcanic soil.

The crater lake on Volcano Island is the largest lake on an island in a lake on an island in the world.[11] Moreover, this lake contains Vulcan Point, a small rocky island that projects from the surface of the crater lake, which was the remnant of the old crater floor that is now surrounded by the 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) wide lake, now referred to as the Main Crater Lake. Vulcan Point is often cited as the largest third-order island (island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island) in the world, though this is also claimed to be an unnamed Canadian island located within Victoria Island.

Therefore, Taal has an island within a lake, that is on an island within a lake, that is on an island: Vulcan Point Island is within Main Crater Lake, which is on Volcano Island, which is within Taal Lake, which is on the main Philippine Island, Luzon.

Although the volcano has been quiet since 1977, it has shown signs of unrest since 1991, with strong seismic activity and ground fracturing events, as well as the formation of small mud pots and mud geysers on parts of the island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) regularly issues notices and warnings about current activity at Taal, including ongoing seismic unrest.

From April 9 to July 5, 2011, alert Level on Taal Volcano was raised from 1 to 2 for eleven weeks because of increased seismicity on Volcano Island. Frequency peaked to about 115 tremors on May 30 with maximum intensity at IV, accompanied by rumbling sounds. Magma was intruding towards the surface, as indicated by continuing high rates of CO2 emissions in the Main Crater Lake and sustained seismic activity. Field measurements on 24 May 2011 showed lake temperatures slightly increased, pH values slightly more acidic and water levels 4 cm higher. A ground deformation survey conducted around the Volcano Island 26 April – 3 May 2011 showed that the volcano edifice inflated slightly relative to the 05-11 April 2011 survey.

Taal Volcano is part of a chain of volcanoes along the western side of the edge of the island of Luzon, which were formed by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate underneath the Philippine Mobile Belt. Taal Lake lies within a 25–30 km (16–19 mi) caldera formed by explosive eruptions between 140,000 and 5,380 BP. Each of these eruptions created extensive ignimbrite deposits, reaching as far away as where Manila stands today.

Since the formation of the caldera, subsequent eruptions have created a volcanic island within the caldera known as Volcano Island. This 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) island covers an area of about 23 square kilometres (8.9 sq mi) with the center of the island occupied by the 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) Main Crater with a single crater lake formed from the 1911 eruption. The island consists of different overlapping cones and craters of which forty-seven have been identified. Twenty six (26) of these are tuff cones, five are cinder cones and four are maars. With its highest elevation at only 311 m (1,020 ft), Taal is one of the lowest volcanoes in the world.

There have been 33 recorded eruptions at Taal since 1572. The first eruption of which there is any record occurred in 1572, the year the Augustinian friars founded the town of Taal on the shores of the lake (on what is now San Nicolas, Batangas). In 1591, another mild eruption took place featured by great masses of smoke issuing forth from the crater. From 1605 to 1611, the volcano displayed such great activity that Father Torna de Abreu had a huge cross of anubing wood erected on the brink of the crater.

Between 1707 and 1731, the center of activity shifted from the Main Crater to other parts of Volcano Island. The eruptions of 1707 and 1715 occurred in Binitiang Malaki crater (the cinder cone visible from Tagaytay City). Minor eruptions also emanated from the Binintiang Munti crater on the westernmost tip of the island in 1709 and 1729. A more violent event happened on September 24, 1716, when the whole southeastern portion of the crater (Calauit), opposite Mount Macolod, was blown out. The 1731 eruption off Pira-Piraso or eastern tip of the island created an island. No studies had been done to determine whether Napayon or Bubuin Island was formed in the eruption, or just a pumice raft.

Activity returned to the Main Crater in 1749, and it was remembered for being particularly violent (VEI = 4). Then came the great 200-day eruption of 1754, the greatest eruption of Taal which is described below.

Taal remained quiet for 54 years except for a minor eruption in 1790. Not until March 1808 did another big eruption occur. While this outbreak was not as violent as the one in 1754, the immediate vicinity was covered with ashes to a depth of 84 centimetres (33 in). It brought great changes in the interior of the crater, according to chroniclers of that time. "Before, the bottom looked very deep and seemed unfathomable, but at the bottom, a liquid mass was seen in continual ebullition. After the eruption, the crater had widened and the pond within it had been reduced to one-third and the rest of the crater floor was higher and dry enough to walk over it. The height of the crater walls has diminished and near the center of the new crater floor, a little hill that continually emitted smoke. On its sides were several wells, one of which was especially remarkable for its size."

On July 19, 1874, an eruption of gases and ashes killed all the livestock on the island. From November 12–15, 1878, ashes ejected by the volcano covered the entire island. Another eruption took place in 1904 as a result of which a new outlet was formed in the southeastern wall of the principal crater. The last eruption from the Main Crater was in 1911 which obliterated the crater floor creating the present lake. In 1965, a huge explosion sliced off a huge part of the island, moving activity to a new eruption center, Mount Tabaro. Eruptions have also been recorded in 1634, 1635, 1641, 1645, 1790, 1825, 1842, 1873, 1885, 1903, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1977.

On May 15, 1754, at about 9 or 10 o'clock in the night, the volcano quite unexpectedly commenced to roar and emit, sky-high, burning flames intermixed with glowing rocks which, falling back upon the island and rolling down the slopes of the mountain, created the impression of a large river of fire. During the following days there appeared in the lake a large quantity of pumice stone which had been ejected by the volcano. Part of these ejecta had also reached the hamlet of Bayuyungan and completely destroyed it.

The volcano continued thus until June 2, during the night of which the eruption reached such proportions that the falling ejecta made the entire island appear to be on fire, and it was even feared that the catastrophe might involve the shores of the lake. From the said 2nd of June until September 25, the volcano never ceased to eject fire and mud of such bad character that the best ink does not cause so black a stain.

During the night of September 25, the fire emitted was quite extraordinary and accompanied by terrifying rumblings. The strangest thing was, that within the black column of smoke issuing from the volcano ever since June 2, there frequently formed thunderstorms, and it happened that the huge tempest cloud would scarcely ever disappear during two months.

At daybreak of September 26 we found ourselves forced to abandon our dwelling for fear lest the roofs come down upon us under the weight of ashes and stones which had fallen upon them during that hapless night. In fact, some weaker buildings collapsed. The depth of the layer of ashes and stones exceeded two "cuartas" (45 centimeters), and the result was that there was neither tree nor other plant which it did not ruin or crush, giving to the whole region an aspect as if a devastating conflagration had swept over it. After this the volcano calmed down considerably, though not sufficiently to offer any prospect of tranquility.

During the night of November 1, Taal resumed its former fury, ejecting fire, rocks, sand, and mud in greater quantities than ever before. On November 15, it vomited enormous boulders which rolling down the slopes of the island, fell into the lake and caused huge waves [note(added by Saderra Maso): The waves mentioned were most probably due to the earthquake rather than to the falling rocks]. The paroxysms were accompanied by swaying motions of the ground which caused all the houses of the town to totter. We had already abandoned our habitation and were living in a tower which appeared to offer greater security; but on this occasion we resolved that the entire population retire to the Sanctuary of Casaysay, only the "Administrator" and myself to remain on the spot.

At 7 in the evening of November 28 occurred a new paroxysm, during which the volcano vomited forth such masses of fire and ejecta that in my opinion, all the material ejected during so many months, if taken together, would not equal the quantity which issued at the time. The columns of fire and smoke ascended higher than ever before, increasing every moment in volume, and setting fire to the whole island, there being not the smallest portion of the latter which was not covered by the smoke and the glowing rocks and ashes. All this was accompanied by terrific lightning and thunder above, and violent shocks of earthquakes underneath. The cloud of ejecta, carried on by the wind, extended itself toward west and south with the result that we saw already some stones fall close to our shore. I, therefore, shouted to all those who were still in the town to take to flight and we all ran off in a hurry; otherwise we would have been engulfed on the spot; as the waves of the angry lake began already to flood the houses nearest to the beach.

We left the town, fleeing this living picture of Sodom, with incessant fear lest the raging waters of the lake overtake us, which were at the moment invading the main part of the town, sweeping away everything they encountered. On the outskirts of the town, I came upon a woman who was so exhausted by her burden of two little children and a bundle of clothing that she could proceed no farther. Moved by pity, I took one of the toddlers from her and carried him, and the little indio who has been wailing while in the arms of his mother, stopped short when I took him into mine and never uttered a sound while I was carrying him a good piece of the way.

Having reached a secure place on elevated ground at a distance of about half a league (2 kilometres or 1.2 miles) from the town, we halted in a hut to rest a little and take some food. From this spot the volcano could be contemplated with a little more serenity of mind. It still continued in full fury, ejecting immense masses of material. Now I also observed that the earth was in continuous, swaying motion, a fact which I had failed to notice during the excitement and fear of the flight.

Shortly afterward the volcano suddenly subsided almost suddenly; its top was clear and apparently calm. We, therefore, returned on the following day, the 29th, to the town with the intention of surveying the havoc wrought during the preceding night.

The 29th had dawned calm, but while we were still trying to persuade ourselves that the tragedy was over and the volcano had exhausted its bowels, at about 8 o'clock, we heard a crash and then I noticed that smoke was rising from the point of the island that looks towards east. The smoke spread very gradually as far as the crater of the volcano, while there were many whiffs issuing from points in the direction of another headland. I realized that the island had opened in these places and fearing that, if a crater should open below the water, an explosion might follow, much more formidable than the preceding ones, I mounted a horse and retired permanently to the Sanctuary of Caysasay.

Between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the said 29th, it began to rain mud and ashes at Caysasay (12 miles or 19 kilometres from the volcano) and this rain lasted three days. The most terrifying circumstance was that the whole sky was shrouded in such darkness that we could not have seen the hand placed before the face, had it not been for the sinister glare of incessant lightnings. Nor could we use artificial light as this was extinguished by the wind and copious ashes which penetrated everywhere. All was horror those three days, which appeared rather like murky nights and we did not occupy ourselves with anything but see to it that the natives swept off the roofs the large quantities of ashes and stones which kept on accumulating upon them and threatened to bring them down upon us, burying us alive beneath their weight. But fearing that even these precautions might prove unavailing, we 3 Europeans – viz. Fr. Prior, the Alcalde, and myself – the only ones who were at the time in the Convento of Caysasay, took refuge on the landing of the stairs; as the safest place, and awaited there whatever God might dispose with regard to us. To all this was added incessant thunder and lightning, and it really looked as if the world was going to pieces and its axis had been displaced.

During the night of the 30th we had not a moment of repose, as every moment we heard the loud crush of houses collapsing under of stones, mud, and ashes piled upon them, and feared that the turn of the convento and the church of Casasay would come in next. Shortly before daybreak of December 1 there was a tremendous crash as if the house were coming down on our heads: the roof of the apse of the church had caved in! Not long afterward, the roof of their kitchen gave away with a thud. Both were tile roofs.

The first of December broke somewhat clear and our eyes contemplated everywhere ruins and destruction. The layer of ashes and mud was more than 5 spans [1.10 m] thick, and it was almost a miracle that the roof of the church and convento sustained so great a weight. We caused the bulk of the material to be removed, while new continued to fall on that day and the following, on which latter the direction of the wind changed, carrying the ejecta toward Balayan. On the 3rd and 4th we had a formidable typhoon, and thereafter the volcano quieted down.

Soon afterward I resolved to visit my town of Taal; nothing was left of it except the walls of the church and convento. All the rest, the government house, the walks of the rope factory, the warehouse, everything was buried beneath a layer of stones, mud, and ashes more than 10 spans [2.20 m] thick; only here and there could be seen an upright post, the only remnant of a comfortable dwelling. I went down to the river and found it completely filled up, with a boat belonging to the alcalde and many of private persons buried in the mud. After incredible efforts I finally succeeded in unearthing in what had once been the church and sacristy, the chests which contained the sacred vestments and vessels. Nearly all of them were demolished by the rocks and beams which had fallen upon them, and filled with foul-smelling mud that had ruined or disfigured their contents. With the aid of some natives of Bauang, I likewise recovered some property from among the ruins of the convento.

Twelve persons are known to have perished – some carried away by the waves of the lake, others crushed beneath their collapsing houses. Thus the beautiful town of Taal remains a deserted wilderness and reduced to the utmost misery, while once it was one of the richest and most flourishing places. In the villages to the west of the lake, which were the greater and better part, all the houses have either collapsed under the load of material which had been piled upon them or have disappeared completely, swept away by the waves which in these places were so violent that they dug three ditches or channels, too wide and deep to be forded, and thus rendered impassable the road which joins the town with Balayan. In other parts of the lake shore have likewise opened many cracks and occurred very extensive slides. The worst of all is, that, the mouth of the river Pansipit having been blocked, the lake is rising and invading the towns of Lipa and Tanauan, both being on the lowest level, and inundating their buildings. All the animals of whatever kind have perished, some by being buried, others by drowning, the rest by starving, as not a green blade remained anywhere.

The same fate as Taal has befallen the towns of Lipa, Tanauan, and so much of Sala as still existed. These towns, together with Taal, lay around the lake, being situated within easy reach of it, and less than one league (12 miles or 19 kilometres) from the volcano. The bulk of the population left this neighborhood and settled in more distant places. Thus out of 1200 taxpayers whom Taal contained formerly, hardly 150 remain in the poorest and least respectable villages, which suffered little from the rain of ashes.

One of the more devastating eruptions occurred in January, 1911. During the night of the 27th of that month, the seismographs at the Manila Observatory commenced to register frequent disturbances, which were at first of insignificant importance, but increased rapidly in frequency and intensity. The total recorded shocks on that day numbered 26. During the 28th there were recorded 217 distinct shocks, of which 135 were microseismic, while 10 were quite severe. The frequent and increasingly strong earthquakes caused much alarm at Manila, but the observatory staff was soon able to locate their epicenter in the region of Taal Volcano and assured the public that Manila was in no danger, as Taal is distant from it some 37 miles (60 km).

In Manila in the early hours of January 30, 1911, people were awakened out of their sleep by what they at first took for loud thunder. The illusion was heightened when great streaks of lightning were seen to illumine the southern sky. Those who investigated further, however, soon learned the truth. A huge, fan-shaped cloud of what looked like black smoke rose to a great height. It was crossed and crisscrossed with a brilliant electrical display, which the people of Manila at first took for lightning. This cloud finally shot up in the air, spread, then dissipated, and this marked the culmination of the eruption, at about 2:30 a. m.

On Volcano island, the destruction was complete. It seems that when the black, fan-shaped cloud spread, it created a blast downward that forced hot steam and gases down the slopes of the crater, accompanied by a shower of hot mud and sand. Many trees had the bark shredded and cut away from the surface by the hot sand and mud blast that accompanied the explosion and contributed so much to the loss of life and destruction of property. The fact that practically all the vegetation was bent downward, away from the crater, proved that there must have been a very strong blast down the outside slopes of the cone. Very little vegetation was actually burned or even scorched. Six hours after the explosion, dust from the crater was noticeable in Manila as it settled on furniture and other polished surfaces. The solid matter ejected had a volume of between seventy million and eighty million cubic metres (2.5×109 and 2.8×109 cubic feet) (VEI = 3.7). Ashes fell over an area of 2,000 square kilometres (770 square miles), although the area in which actual destruction took place measured only 230 square kilometres (89 sq mi). The detonation from the explosion was heard over an area more than 600 miles (970 km) in diameter.

The eruption claimed a reported 1,335 lives and injured 199; although it is known that more perished than the official records show. The seven barangays that existed on the island previous to the eruption were completely wiped out. Post mortem examination of the victims seemed to show that practically all had died of scalding by hot steam or hot mud, or both. The devastating effects of the blast reached the west shore of the lake where a number of villages were also destroyed. Cattle to the number of 702 were killed and 543 nipa houses destroyed. Crops suffered from the deposit of ashes that fell to a depth of almost half an inch in places near the shore of the lake.

Volcano Island sank from three to ten feet as a result of the eruption. It was also found that the southern shore of Lake Taal sank in elevation from the eruption. No evidences of lava could be discovered anywhere, nor have geologists been able to trace any visible records of a lava flow having occurred at any time on the volcano back then. Another peculiarity of the geologic aspects of Taal is the fact that no sulphur has been found on the volcano. The yellow deposits and encrustations noticeable in the crater and its vicinity are iron salts, according to chemical analysis. Slight smell of sulfur was perceptible at the volcano, which came from the gases that escape from the crater.

Great changes took place in the crater after the eruption. Before 1911, the crater floor was higher than Taal lake and had several separate openings in which were lakes of different colors. There was a green lake, a yellow lake, a red lake and some holes filled with hot water from which steam issued. Many places were covered with a shaky crust of volcanic material, full of crevices, which was always hot and on which it was rather dangerous to walk. Immediately after the explosion, the vari-colored lakes had disappeared and in their place was one large lake, about ten feet below the level of the lake surrounding the island. The crater lake gradually rose until it is on a level with the water in Taal Lake. Opinions after the creation of the lake that the presence of the water in the crater has a tendency to cool off the material below and thus lessen the chances of an explosion or make the volcano extinct, but the preponderance of expert opinion was otherwise.

Ten years after the eruption, no changes in the general outline of the island could be discerned at a distance. On the island, however, many changes were noted. The vegetation had increased; great stretches that were formerly barren and covered with white ashes and cinders became covered with vegetation.

The most recent period of activity lasted from 1965 to 1977 with the area of activity concentrated in the vicinity of Mount Tabaro. The 1965 eruption was classified as phreatomagmatic, generated by the interaction of magma with the lake water that produced the violent explosion that cut an embayment on Volcano Island. The eruption generated "cold" base surges which traveled several kilometers across Lake Taal, devastating villages on the lake shore and, killing about a hundred people. That eruption, in particular, led to the recognition of base surge (one of the American geologists who witnessed an atomic bomb explosion as a soldier and visited the volcano shortly after the 1965 eruption, compared it to an atomic base surge) as a process in volcanic eruption, which are now called pyroclastic surges when relating to volcanoes. The population of the island was evacuated only after the onset of the eruption. Precursory signs were not interpreted correctly until after the eruption.

After nine months of repose, Taal reactivated on July 5, 1966 with another phreatomagmatic eruption from Mount Tabaro, followed by another similar eruption on August 16, 1967. The strombolian eruptions which started five months after on January 31, 1968 produced the first historical lava fountaining witnessed from Taal. Another strombolian eruption followed a year later on October 29, 1969. The massive flows from the two eruptions eventually covered the bay created by the 1965 eruption, reaching the shore of Lake Taal. The last major activities on the volcano were the phreatic eruptions of 1976 and 1977

Volcanologists measuring the concentration of radon gas in the soil on Volcano island measured an anomalous increase of the radon concentration by a factor of six in October 1994. This increase was followed 22 days later by the magnitude 7.1 Mindoro earthquake on November 15, centered about 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Taal, off the coast of Luzon.

A typhoon had passed through the area a few days before the radon spike was measured, but when Typhoon Angela, one of the most powerful to strike the area in ten years, crossed Luzon on almost the same track a year later, no radon spike was measured. Therefore, typhoons were ruled out as the cause, and there is strong evidence that the radon originated in the stress accumulation preceding the earthquake.

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano

Barangay Nagsulo, Binangonan, Rizal

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There's a rainbow always after the rain.

Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija

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Temples in Bangkok, Thailand

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Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit, Bangkok, Thailand

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The Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon is a gold statue, with a weight of 5.5 tons (5,500 kilograms)

Gems Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand

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Calle Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

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Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

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PATAPAT VIADUCT

The Patapat Viaduct is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level. It is a concrete coastal bridge 1.3 km long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. The viaduct was constructed by Hanil Development Co. Ltd. under the overall management of DPWH-PMO-PJHK and was completed and opened to traffic in October 1986. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.

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The Windmills! Burgos, Ilocos Norte

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Santa, Ilocos Sur

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Mayon Skyline View Deck, Tabaco City, Albay

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Last Supper at Kawa Kawa Hill and Natural Park in Ligao City, Albay

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Mayon Volcano, Albay

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Agno Beach, Pangasinan

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Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan

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Caliraya Lake

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On top of a hill anong Caliraya Lake, Lumban, Laguna

Lake Caliraya, Lumban, Laguna

Lake Caliraya is a man-made lake situated in the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan in Laguna province, Philippines. Created in 1939, the lake has developed as a popular spot for water sports and outdoor recreation including fishing. Surrounding the lake are a number of resorts catering to tourists and vacation homes abound because of the beautiful scenery and favorable climate.

Lake Caliraya was created after the construction of Caliraya Dam, an embankment dam started in 1939 by US Army Corps of Engineers Chief in the Philippines, Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) Hugh J. Casey, with the approval of Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. The Caliraya River was dammed at its outlet from a large flat plateau area providing a large water reservoir for generating hydroelectric power for Southern Luzon. The dam was over 100 feet (30 m) high from which a diversion canal was constructed several miles to the head of a steep slope about 950 feet above Laguna de Bay. Large penstocks were constructed diverting water down to the powerhouse below, with tailrace to the bay. The high head permitted the use of high-speed turbines and generators at relatively low unit costs. Initial estimate for the project was $5 million, or 10 million pesos, and an output of 40,000 horsepower.

During World War II, the dam was sabotaged by retreating Americans to prevent use by invading Japanese who rebuilt it, then, themselves sabotaged it as their own defeat approached. It was rebuilt and inaugurated in 1953 by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR). For his pioneering endeavors in this area, President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines in 1972 bestowed on Casey the honorary title of “the father of water power development in the Philippines.

Lake Caliraya was rediscovered in the early 60's by the Nieto and DePadua families who then popularized the lake to Manila's elite and expatriate communities. By the acquisition and consolidation of land titles surrounding the lake, they constructed a residential resort subdivision known as Sierra Lakes and the Dos Lagos Club for residents (now known as Lagos del Sol). Property values increased even more so when the main road to the lake was paved courtesy of a grant from the Japanese government and the refurbishing of the hydroelectric plant in 2004. Lake Caliraya eventually became a high-end neighborhood of vacation homes for the rich and famous.

During the 1980s, Lake Caliraya's surroundings were occupied by the local squatters and bandits posing as NPA New People's Army, which affected tourism and development. Nevertheless, since 1985, there has been major real estate developed with the construction of several small resorts and Caliraya Springs, a golf course and country club. Despite the proliferation of squatters on the roadside due to the negligence of government agencies such as the DPWH (Dept of Public Works and Highways) and Napocor (National Power Corporation), Caliraya continues to be a haven for the rich and the elite, with activities including largemouth bass fishing, wind surfing, kite boarding, wake boarding, jet skiing, water skiing, boating, golf, camping, and other sporting and recreational outdoor activities. Property values remain high, and a new generation of developments, both private and commercial, are slowly coming onstream.

Lake Caliraya is situated approximately 1,200 feet above sea level, and is perched high in the Sierra Madre. The lake experiences cool climate all year round. Winds start blowing in Lake Caliraya from the beginning of September up to late May.

Lake Caliraya's bottom, as well as the surrounding hills, are characterized by a reddish clay topsoil. The lake's floor has a very soft clay bottom. Local residents of the lake's surroundings still tell stories about certain areas in the lake that are reputed to have sucked boats down - an unfounded claim typical among superstitious locals.

The lake's surroundings have been compared to various North American resorts, as suggested by the abundance of pine trees which were introduced by some of the early developers to replace many of the coconut trees, as well as year-round cool climate, and verdant hills. Also, numerous islands of various shapes and sizes have been formed during the creation of the dam lake. All are unnamed. The biggest island is approximately as big as Rizal Park, while the smallest is actually a sandbar about 3 square meters often submerged during high water. This tiny island can be viewed from Lagos del Sol Resort.

The early developers (Kalaw, Nieto and the de Padua families) seeded the lake with largemouth bass, and through the years, the lake has remained the most popular bass fishing spot in the country.

Copied from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Caliraya