The Backpack Adventures

Bicol Road Trip 2021: Day 7 & 8 Day 7: July 23, 2021 Palengke Trip It's another rainy morning here in Casa Nicerio in Camalig, Albay. Thankfully the rain weakened into a drizzle by 7AM. Since my online work commitments are still scheduled at around 10AM, I decided to accompany my dad on his trip to the market. Camalig Public Market We drove to Camalig Public Market at around 7:30AM to buy fish, meat, and some veggies for the week. We didn't stay long enough though as I need to prepare for my seminars and meetings.  My dad bought some " kakanin " Some kakanin that you should try in Albay Going inside Camalig Public Market checking out what to buy next Camalig Public Market - Meat section When I got home, I rested a bit and joined the meetings. There were no power outages today so things went out well. My wife and mom cooked a sumptuous meal so lunch was something I looked forward to while working.  After lunch, my work took up my whole afternoon. That night,

Bicol Road Trip 2021: Day 5 & 6 Day 5: July 21, 2021 Aya goes back home Good morning guys!  My long summer vacation is officially over. Today marks the first day of my work from home Advisers' Training Program. It's a full-day program so I was not able to go out and visit any new destinations today.  Just to share, I experienced short power outages thrice today. This of course had me worried for my 2nd day of orientation.  Time to work! Day 1: PAREF Southridge Advisers' Training Program Here's the agenda for today Sadly, today is also my sister's flight back home. Since I'm loaded with school "work" and meetings, it was my parents who brought her to the airport.  It rained the whole afternoon so we decided to just stay at home instead.  Overall, aside from the full-day orientation and power outages, today was quite uneventful. Because of that, I'll make sure to do something worthwhile tomorrow so that I could share something exciting with you g

I have visited Camalig Church numerous times already. The most recent was during the 6th day of our 2019 Bicol Road Trip  adventure.  Camalig Church Revisited 2021 This time, I got to revisit Camalig Church during the 4th day of our 2021 Bicol Road Trip . There has not been much of a change inside the church but it is evident that the COVID 19 pandemic did affect the town as the then lively church grounds are now visited by only a handful of its faithful. Regardless, Camalig Church remains to be one of Albay's most beautiful religious structures. For those who are unfamiliar with the history of the church, let me share with you some of its details again. Please read on... Camalig Church details Camalig Church - Camalig, Albay For those who are not familiar with Camalig Church , it's located on B. Buena Street near the Maharlika Highway in the heart of the town of Camalig, Albay. The church is formally called Saint John the Baptist Church and was built sometime in 1605 u

Legazpi Cathedral , located on Rizal Street in the Old Albay District of Legazpi City in the province of Albay, is one of the region's Spanish-colonial cathedrals. Legazpi Cathedral Legazpi Cathedral details Legazpi Cathedral is formally called St. Gregory the Great Cathedral and is also referred to as Albay Cathedral . It was founded by the Franciscans sometime in 1587 as a Visita of Cagsaua. Legazpi Cathedral - Legazpi City, Albay Like most Spanish-colonial churches, the first church was built using materials that are easily accessible and abundant in the area like nipa and lumber. It was then placed under the patronage of St. Gregory the Great . He was a pope who is known for instigating the first recorded large-scale mission from Rome known as the Gregorian Mission . The goal of this mission was to convert the then-pagan Anglo-Saxons in England to Christianity. He is regarded as the patron saint of teachers, students, and musicians. Legazpi Cathedral facade Cathedral of San