SM City Naga Grand Opening

The much awaited SM City Naga which is the 34th supermall branch of SM Prime Holdings, the leading department store chain in the country opens on Labor Day, 01 May 2009 and expects to draw clients not only in Camarines Sur but also from its neighboring provinces of Camarines Norte, Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon as well.

I personally witnessed its Grand Opening and despite heavy rains brought by two tropical depressions spotted within the Philippines area of responsibility, I had to brave the bad weather and it didn't stop me to take part in SM's first mall launching in Bicol.

As it coincides on Labor Day, SM City Naga was part of SM Supermalls' National Job Fair in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment. Many applicants lined-up at the mall's atrium to seek employment and be part of the hiring companies.

I got amused and overjoyed when SM City Naga staff showed off their dancing talent and enticed the shoppers during its grand opening. Please take a peep and enjoy watching.



It's surprising to know that with the adverse effects of the global economic crunch that hits the country, large crowd of shoppers still witnessed and took part in the said launching.

Strategically located on a 46,000 square meter property at Brgy. Triangulo along Roxas Avenue (Diversion Road) in Naga City, across the city's central business district, customers will have easy access to the mall as it is situated just across the Naga Transport Exchange consisting of the Naga Integrated Bus Terminal and two jeepney terminals servicing almost all the inter-municipality transportation. The mall is also 400 meters from the city center, very near the national highway and right beside the PNR railway.

The 87,959.38 sq.m. two-story mall has the SM Department Store and the SM Supermarket as its main anchors. It has an exciting retail mix, including SM mainstays like SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware and Watsons, as well as the best local and international brands in fashion, home furnishings, health and personal care, and electronics. Eating-out options include the SM Food Court, as well as known local and international foods chains, specialty restaurants and well-loved homegrown food outlets. Familiar mall tenants seen in the SM City Naga are Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Goldilocks, Max's, Red Ribbon, KFC, and Pizza Hut to name a few. You may inquire at tel. nos. (054) 472-0330 to 34 for leasing inquiries. Amenities also include four state-of-the-art cinemas with a total seating capacity of 1,400. For customer's convenience, there are 694 covered parking slots in a four-level parking building, 113 open parking spaces, and allotted parking for 253 motorcycles.

"Naga City, an ideal and suitable location for an SM mall, may be considered as the nerve center of the Bicol region. It is home to large business establishments, universities, hotels, and regional government offices. Its tourism industry is highlighted by the presence of the world-class CamSur Watersports Complex, one of the top tourist destinations in the country which played host to the 2008 world wakeboarding championship," Mr. Hans Sy, President of SM Prime Holdings said.

SM City Naga's design team includes Design Associates, mall designer; Manolith Construction Development Corp., general contractor; Jose Siao Ling & Associates, architect and D.A. Abcede & Associates, project manager.

Let's get inside and take a look what SM City Naga has to offer and in store for us.

Ground Floor
Astroplus
Axa Insurance
Bench
Bibingkinitan
Bigg's diner
Celine
Chowking
Crocs
Crown Park Restaurant
Digital Imaging
Encyclopedia Britannica
Evegate Salon
Executive Optical
Flip Flops
Folded & Hung
Forme
Gerry's Grill
Goldilocks
Graceland
Greenwich
Ideal Vision
Jollibee
Kamiseta
KFC
Kiddie Bike Rental
L Times Studio
Let's Face It
Makiyaki Japanese Restaurant
Mang Inasal
Maldita
Max's
Mister Donut
Molino Grill
Odyssey
Penshoppe
Pizza Hut
Plains & Prints
Red Ribbon
Reyes Barbeque
Shakey's
SM Department Store
SM Supermarket

• Fresh Baked
• Watsons' Pharmacy
  

The Caramel Bakeshop
Unisilver
Watsons

2nd Floor
Ace Hardware
Aim Reach Travel & Tours
Aksesoriz
Aspe Crown Jewel
Basilica The Big Shop
Bayantel
Bean Bag Coffee
Bicolandia Republic
Booksale
cd-r King
Circuit City
Com Works
Cyberzone
Davids for Rever
Derm Care
Enjoy Realty
Food Court

• 1st Colonial Grill
• Aling Lucing Sisig
• Ching Kit
• Corn King (*)
  
• Fontana's Senor Porky
• Fruitas (*)
• Geewan
• Guby's Chicharon Espesyal (*)
• Iceblink
• Oi Hongkong Style Noodle
• Potato Corner (*)
• Snowpy Ice Cream (*)
• Weiner Weiner
• Western Plate
• Zagu (*)

* kiosk

Fresh Up Hands & Feet Salon
Fruit Box
Gameplace
Games & Gadgets
Genevieve Gozum
Globe
Gold n' Diamond
Graphic Works
Great Image
iTech Solution
J & B Sunrise Optical
J Emmanuel Pastries
LBC
M.H. Burton Watch Service Center
M. Lhuillier Jewelle
Mitsubishi Digital
Muzic Mart
Naga Optical
National Bookstore
Netopia
Occasions
Octagon
Oro Derma Facial Spa
P. Aldana Cellphones
PC Chain
Photoline
Prima Donna
Silicon Valley
Silver Works
SM Appliance Center
SM Business Center
SM Cinemas 1 to 4
Sports House
Sun Cellular Shop
Time Depot
Watch Central
World of Fun
X-Quisite
Y.R.Y.S.

SM City Naga really got it all for us Bicolanos. Indeed!

A Concert for a Great Cause from a World Class Performer

As an avid supporter of Gawad Kalinga (to give care in the English language), Stephanie Reese, a California based Filipino-American world class diva and actress brought delight to the Bicolanos when she gave a powerful rendition of her breathtaking performance and belted out a wonderful repertoire of her favorite classic operas, Bicol song, Broadway and OPM hits at Ashley's Function Hall, Mark Nancy Bldg. in Iriga City, Philippines last night, 20 April 2009 (Monday). The proceeds from her concert will go to Gawad Kalinga-Fulger's Village in Buhi, Camarines Sur, Philippines as she pledged for 30 units/homes in the said Gawad Kalinga site and will name after her, Stephanie Reese's Village.

Stephanie (middle) with Dra. Gina & Bro. Dennis Ampongan

Stephanie (3rd from right) with some of Iriga City GK Caretaker Team

I was fortunate enough to watch the show of this petite but beautiful lady with huge and powerful voice. In the middle of her show, she shared and narrated how she got involved with Gawad Kalinga and she hoped that her story will bring inspiration to the work in GK. Stephanie came to know GK after she had a wonderful and amazing European singing and acting careers and came back to the US where she wrote a one-woman-show and decided to be a solo performer. She recounted that her life was so blessed and even more than that, she was madly and deeply in love with her boyfriend named John until a tragic car accident took her boyfriend's life.

She was grief-stricken so badly that she decided to stop singing and acting because she couldn't get out of bed. "I didn't believe in God anymore because I couldn't understand how God could be so cruel that He took away the person I love so much," she said in tears.

After John's untimely demise, she received a call from an aunt in Seattle (where her parents are now residing) and asked her to sing for a Filipino event. At first, she said no because she already given up singing but as a good Filipina daughter, she succumbed to the request of her parents. From LA, she travelled to Seattle to sing for Gawad Kalinga event. As she sat through the event, there was a video of a woman who has lost everything in a typhoon - her home, her child and her husband. She said that there was something in her heart shifted that all she wanted to do was to hold and hug the woman because somebody across the world has understood her pain. The video has changed something inside of her and she felt that God has touched her heart and also put something in proper perspective. "There's this woman who lost everything, her husband, her child and her home than my one loss (John)," she shared.

As soon as she saw the video, she immediately approached Mr. Tony Meloto (Gawad Kalinga Community Foundation and Executve Director) and asked about GK but he couldn't listen to her and all he said was come to the Philippines.

"My broken heart was searching, I bought a ticket and I came here. I traveled from Mindanao to Cebu to Bicol singing for Gawad kalinga Villages, singing after I had given it up. God shown me this trip to the Philippines through Gawad Kalinga, that I am a singer and He gave me a higher purpose for this gift of singing to give back to my country, the Philippines. I know in my heart that I have found my healing here. I found my healing because I learned that through giving, my heart could finally heal. Here, I saw the poorest of the poor who don't have envy and depression and yet they are happy. Wh? Because they don't focus on the things they don't have but on the things they do have - love each other, family and spirituality. I've learned that through Gawad Kalinga and my home country, the Philippines. And for that I will be forever grateful and I'm proud to stand here and say that I'm truly a Filipino," she declared.

As her closing son, she sang "Ako ay Pilipino" making us your kababayans be proud of you.

Mabuhay ka Stephanie!

Who is Stephanie Reese
Originally from Seattle, Stephanie wrote, directed and starred in the autobiographical one-woman-show "The Journey" which she also performed this show in San Jose, Los Angeles and San Francisco to rave reviews. Stephanie also starred in two productions of the Terrance Md Nally play Master Class as Sophie and Sharon in Los Angeles, where she resides. She was named Artist & Performer of the Year at the Las Vegas 2nd Annual Trade Show and was awarded at the 19th Annual Reflections Award for Arts and Entertainment.

Stephanie has made her mark in the musical world with her stellar performances as Miss Saigon in Berlin Germany; played Esmeralda in Disney's world premier of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in Berlin; and the Princess Tuptim in "The King and I" in London at the West End's Palladium Theater.

She now travels around the world doing solo concerts in Paris, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and has performed all over Canada and the United States and in the Philippines performing for different organizations for a great cause - to help build Gawad Kalinga homes.

Her father is a Japanese-American and her mother, a Filipino-Chinese was born in Camalig, Albay, Philippines.

Isn't it inspiring to share one's talent for the good of her countrymen? Your views, comments and opinions are very much welcome. Thank you.

Gawad Kalinga Sibol School Inauguration and Blessing

The ribbon cutting, inauguration and blessing of Gawad Kalinga Sibol School in Perpetual Help, Iriga City, Philippines officially took place on March 5, 2009. It was witnessed and graced by Iriga City’s Honorable Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen; Fr. Juan B. Jaria III, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church; Mr. Benito Ngo, President of Rinconada Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Representative of the National Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Metro Manila; Brgy Capt. Elpedio V. Dimaiwat of Perpetual Help, Iriga City; Mr. Edwin Tantiado; the GK Caretaker Team; GK Kapitbahayan officers & members; Sibol beneficiaries; Parent-Teachers Association and Mrs. Vivian Lopez, Teacher-InCharge, GK Sibol School.

Sibol which means “to grow” in the Filipino language is one of the programs of Gawad Kalinga (to give care). Gawad Kalinga is more than about building houses for the poorest of the poor. Providing a decent home is just the beginning of the transformation of the people and the community. Sibol caters to early childhood education and it is a value-based education program for pre-school children ages 3 to 6 years old. GK Sibol in Iriga City is headed by Mrs. Linda C. Contreras being the Child & Youth Development Manager.

The blessing was officiated by Fr. Juan B. Jarcia III, Parish Priest at Our Lady of Fatima Church

The school was made possible and came into realization through the unselfish and generous donation from its benefactors, the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry represented by Mr. & Mrs. Antonio How, Mr. Benito S. Ngo and Engr. Allan L. Tan and in partnership with LGU Iriga City.

(from left) Honorable Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, Mr. Benito S. Ngo, Mr. Edwin Tantiado and Mr. Benjie Gonzales, Gawad Kalinga Iriga City Project Director

Sibol's pre-schoolers rendered their intermission number during the inauguration

Mayor Gazmen led the official ceremonial ribbon cutting with Mr. Benito Ngo (above left), Brgy. Capt. Elpedio Dimaiwat (above right) and Mr. Edwin Tandiado (right)

GK-Iriga City's Child and Youth Development (CYD) Choir showcases their singing talent during the inauguration of Sibol school building

Our Own Frontier - The Fountain Spring Resort

Fountain Spring Resort is our family-owned-managed business established on February 12, 2004 and located at Masoso, San, Isidro, Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is the brainchild of my husband and our turning point in our respective careers shift from being plain employees for several years to entrepreneurs.

From a bare fishpond, he took full advantage and utilized the crystal clear flowing spring water (which Iriga City is abundant for) coming up from the surface and converted it to a small recreational establishment. Produced from our own blood, sweat and tears, this is how our humble Fountain Spring Resort was born and came into existence.

It is a family-friendly haven within the city that offers cool, fresh and profusely clean free flowing water complemented by a gushing water often emit on trickle that will definitely de-stress, calm your senses and will soothe to both your body and soul after a hard day’s work.

An escape, away from the frantic pace of city life perfect for family/friends’ gatherings and get together. If you are in town, please come, relax and enjoy your bonding experience with your family in our place.

The venue is best for birthdays, baptisms, weddings, small group seminars, reunion, and other get together parties.

For inquiries, please contact mobile no. +(63) 92155432 or tel. no.+(63) 054 2994682 with address at Opal St., Masoso, San Isidro, Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

One of our dreams is to have it undergone a complete make-over and be it known to be a high-end resort if not within the Bicol Region, but at least here in Iriga City to be able to provide jobs and help our fellow Irigueños. But due to budget constraints, we are restricted not to push through with the total overhaul project at the moment. We are positve, struggling very hard and continuously praying to God that He will grant our request. Meanwhile, we will leave it to that and we'll keep it that way.

After a refreshing plunge into the pool, take advantage of Iriga's best that has to offer. You may also want to experience indulging your family for a nature tripping, slight adventure and stay at Gawad Kalinga's (English translation: to give care) Bed and Breakfast situated at Perpetual Help, Iriga City.

Bed and Breakfast offers a hotel-type accommodation for tourists and it is GK's one of its kind sustainable development project where units are being offered not only to promote tourism but also, can gain access to employment opportunities for the residents within the GK community. Oh, by the way, my husband and I are members of the Couples for Christ and volunteers serving GK-Iriga City. The former is the Productivity Program Manager assigned at GK-Iriga City.

My hometown - the beautiful City of Iriga

Come on in to my hometown Iriga City!

Beautiful City of Iriga Video by Noel Cabangon

Iriga City known as the Conscience of Bicol, the Character City, and the City of Crystal Springs with more than 30 natural springs providing a rich source of drinking and irrigation waters is nestled at the foot of fabled Mount Iriga (4,823 ft.) and located 491 kilometers South of Manila and can be reached by air (45 minutes from Manila) or by land (8 hour ride).

The 425 year old settlement established by the Spanish conquistadors in the heart of Bicol is among the few booming urban centers in the Bicol Peninsula. Considered as 3^rd class city in the province of Camarines Sur, it has 36 barangays with a population of 100,649. The city's climate is tropical, with two spelled seasons: wet, from June to December; and dry, from January to May.

Iriga's topography varies from flat to rolling terrain with elevation ranging from 10 to 60 meters with Mount Iriga reaching 1,149 meters above sea level and land area of 17,400 hectares (78% is agricultural, 16% built-up and 6% forest area).

Take a glimpse of some of Iriga City's attractions and destinations:

Mount Iriga

Rising some 4,823 feet above see level (1,196), Mt. Iriga or Mt. Asog or also known as Mt. Sumagang which means "Mountain of the Rising Sun" is a challenging climb and offers a panoramic view of the entire Bicol river basin area. A crater and gully was formed during the mountain’s last eruption on January 4, 1614.

The trek to the mountain is not that strenuous and can be made in one day. Regular mountain climbing activities are held yearly with participants coming from local mountaineers, its neighboring towns and from as many parts of the country. Its cold surrounding makes it a perfect habitat for wild berries, local specie of pine called agoho, which abundantly grow in the area.

It is also an abode to Iriga’s own Rafflesia Irigaense, one of the smallest species of Rafflesia, a rarest flower in the world known to be parasitic including its crackling sound and foul smell.

Emerald Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes

This grotto is built on top of Calvario Hill. The grotto faces Mt. Iriga and offers a bird's eye view of the city's central business district. This is where the Tinagba Festival culminates with the offering of the first and freshest harvest. During lent season, the grotto is also the set for the Crucifixion scene of the street play on the Passion and Death of Christ.