Daraga Church: History and the view of Mayon Volcano

The Daraga Church, also known as Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church or the church of Nuestra Senora de la Porteria is situated on the top of the Sta. Maria hill Daraga, Albay. It is one of the most visited churches in the Philippines and serves as one of the major churches in the province of Albay. It was built in March 1773 by Franciscan Priest. The church was made of volcanic stones and the structure of it is based on Baroque-Rococo structure because it has a belfry on the side and a convent on the other side.

After Mayon volcano erupted in 1814, the residents of Cagsawa transferred to Daraga  after their houses and properties in Cagsawa, Albay and the nearby towns were destroyed including the Cagsawa Church.

During the Second World War in 1945, Japanese soldiers used the church as their headquarters and it was heavily damaged by joint American and Filipino military bombers but it was reconstructed in 1971 – 1973. 

In October 29, 2007, the Eastern and Western façade, Bell Tower and Baptistery of the Church was declared by the National Museum as National Cultural Treasure.

With the help of government agencies like the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the church undergo in rehabilitation to protect and prevent the façade from rapid deterioration and to preserve the church's cultural and historical significance it was covered by lime coating/protective covering (white color).

How To Get There:

If you are in Legazpi City, Take a Daraga-Legazpi jeepney route and ask the driver to bring you to Daraga municipal hall. From the Daraga Municipal Hall, take the stairs that will lead you up to the church.It may cost you Php 10.00 per person. Aside from jepneey,  you can also ride tricycle but the cost may vary depending on your location. 

Kawa Kawa Hill and Nature Park in Ligao City

Kawa-kawa Hill and Natural Park is one of Bicol's tourist spot and it is located at California Village, Barangay Tuburan, Ligao City. It is 25 hectare and owned by Fernando Gonzales.

On your journey to the top of the hill you will see life-size images of the Station of the Cross which makes it a perfect place for reflection especially during Lenten season. Aside from that,  Divine Mercy Shrine and Carmelite Monastery is situated at the foot of the hill.

Luckily, during my trip I had a chance to see nuns praying on the right wing of the church.

The admission is free and there are a lot of refreshments available on your way up. There are also available restaurant and food stalls. 

(Pictures of the statues)

Once you reach the top of the hill, you will see a breath taking view of Ligao City. There is also sunflower garden, which I honestly enjoyed since it's my favorite flower. This place is definitely breath of fresh air for those who wanted to be away from the city.

How to get there

To get to Kawa-kawa Hills, you may take a jeepney from Legazpi City to Ligao City and it may cost around Php 40 per person. You may also take a jeepney that goes to Polangui. Just tell the driver to drop you off to Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tuburan or just tell him your going to Kawa-Kawa Hill, from there, take a tricycle that will take you to the base point of kawa kawa hill, fare is at Php 8 per person.

To Mr. E.V

I never expect na makikita ko siya ulit after so many years. To be honest, he is one of the few people na hindi ko gusto kong makita o maka salubong man lang. But even I feel a bit awkward seeing him still I managed to compose and carry myself. Due to the fact that he is older than me I smile at him out of respect. Since I really don’t want to be in the same room with him kinausap ko na kaagad yung dapat kong kausapin. But he keeps on talking to me na pinilit ko namang sagutin in best way I can. Since we are not the only person inside the room he keeps on mentioning yung connection naming dalawa. I was his student and he used to me my teacher. I don’t want to assume and since I do not completely pay attention sa kung ano man ang sinasabi niya pero ramdam ko sa boses niya nung sinabi niyang estudyante there is a sense of pride on it. Sino ba naman ang mag aakala na kukuha ako ng Master’s Degree?

I did not bother to interfere kung ano man ang pinag uusapan nila dahil wala naman akong pakialam. Ni hindi nga ako nakaramdaman ng kahit katiting na saya nung pangalandakan na estudyante niya ako. Kahit obvious na wala akong interest sa kung anong sinasabi niya ay panay pa din ang tanong niya sa akin. Asking me to organize a reunion, about friend’s life and he even asked me to get married. But I simply dismissed the topic.  

And since hindi naman siya ang dahilan ng pinunta ko nag focus na lang akong kausapin yung secretary ng Grad School. Pero nakuha niya yung atensyon ko when I heard him say something hindi ko siya pinapansin. I honestly want to smirk at him that exact moment. Kung alam lang niya, ni sa panaginip hindi ko siya gustong makita.

Bigla kong na aalala yung sinabi sa akin noon ng kaibigan ko. That I should not hold grudges towards him and I should learn to forgive and forget. Pero tulad ng sinabi ko sa kaibigan ko I already forgive him for what he did but I will never forget what he made me felt.

Tuwing na aalala ko yung ginawa niya kasabay din nung bumabalik lahat ng naramdaman ko. Kung paano niya ako hinatak sa kwelyo at kinaladkad sa lobby.  I was terrified. Wala akong magawa kung hindi umiyak.

I can say he was a good teacher. He taught me that I have to be strong in order to survive. He made me realized na kung ipapakita mo ang emosyon at kung ipapakita mo na mahina ka kakayankayanin ka ng mga tao. It made me realized that I should never put my guard down, that I have to be smart and to be a big thing so that no one will belittle me. He was good for teaching me that lesson, too good that I despise him. He filled my heart with so much hatred that took me months abolish.

Pero tapos na yun, it has been more than 10 years since it happened.  Even though it is still clear in my mind I know one day I will forget about it and I know one day makakalimutan ko din kung yung panliliit na naramdaman ko sa sarili ko noon.

But there is one thing for sure, wala akong sasabihin at wala akong gagawin and he will forever wonder why I am acting this way towards him and that would be my sweetest revenge.