Ina Away From Home

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. This isn’t a wondrous case of a long distance relationship between lovers or so, but a case of faith for the almighty away from home. For Filipinos working abroad, one source of strength to stay longer in a foreign land is his or her own faith. Faith in the supreme being regardless of one’s religion. In Floyd Bola Francisco’s case (now based in New Zealand), like any another Nagueno, Ina, Our Lady of Penafrancia has a big role in strenthening our faith in God.






Floyd, using his skillful hands, made a backdraft of an altar. Made from cloth, spray painted with a pattern of Ina’s outlined image is now Floyd’s own version of Basilica’s altar. There is nothing more rewarding in expressing one’s faith by using your own gifts and talents. A simple gesture of faith and  yet fulfilling as it is.

Our source of strength will always come from home, and rebuilding a new home away from home is always a challenge. Faith in God thru Ina can be expressed in so many ways not only in Maogmang Lugar but in a person’s happy heart wherever and whenever he may be.

Penafrancia de Mayo is nearly approaching... CLICK HERE for the schedule of activities. 

All images are from Floyd Bola Francisco

Kudos to you Floyd! Kudos to fellow Naguenos, Bicolanos and devotees for keeping the faith! 

Remember our posted image on Facebook of Ina using chips?

Art work by Jessy Florendo

Penafrancia Festival around the world in pictures... read more HERE

Do you have a similar story? Feel free to message us on Facebook , email us at nagacitydeck@yahoo.com or via our Contact Form. 

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Penafrancia de Mayo 2014

Penafrancia de Mayo 2014
May 19-23, 2014
Schedule of Activities

Mass before the Fluvial Procession

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Dash to Rebuild

DASH to REBUILD: Sta.Maria Josefa Hospital Foundation, Inc. 
23KM UPHILL CHALLENGE
@ Iriga City Ceremonial Grandstand
May 17, 2014

Registration Site: SMJHF, Inc. Main Building (Info Office), or MCM Boutique, San Roque, Iriga City

23KM Competing 500 pesos
Non-competing 400 pesos
( Inclusive of Singlet, Race bib and Finisher's Trophy )
15KM Competing 450 pesos
Non-competing 350 pesos
( Inclusive of Singlet, Race bib and Finisher's Trophy )
3KM and 5KM 300 pesos.
( Inclusive of Singlet, Race bib and Token )

For more info call at:

(054)299-3101 / 299-3333
(054)456-1097 / 456-1345
or Text at 0921-675-9375 / 0909-350-5996

Source

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King Long Naga

Soon to open!!

King Long Naga
by Focus Ventures Inc.

Roxas Avenue, Naga City

Photo by 김볼존

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One Kapamilya Run

One Kapamilya Run
April 5, 2014

Registration Fee: P200 for 3K and P250 for 5K inclusive of Singlet and Racebib
Registration Sites: ABS-CBN Naga, Panganiban Drive Naga City
ABS-CBN Legazpi, Vel-Amor Legazpi City

Cash prizes await top 3 finishers in the gender and distance categories.

Source: ABS-CBN RNG Naga

Image Source: TV Patrol Pampanga FB Page

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Public Exposition and Veneration of Holy Relics

A public exposition and veneration of Holy Relics
March 25, 2014
@ The Our Lady of Fatima Church
Tabuco, Naga City

The Arma Christi Reliquary contains rare relics associated with the passion of our Lord together with 56 other Saints for the Lenten season.

Image sent by JM de la Rosa

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Kalinga Run

KALINGA RUN 
March 23, 2014
SM City Naga Grounds
3km, 5km, and 10km Run

Join the run and help Gawad Kalinga communities!!

Registration Site: Avenue Square, SM City Naga

Image Source: Ms. Tammy Azana / Avenue Square

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Happy Finds in Naga: Mami at Toasted Siopao

Naga Garden is a Chinese owned establishment and one of the all time favorite restaurants of Naguenos. During my childhood years, I can still remember myself looking at the big aquarium with colorful and beautiful fishes where Naga Garden was also iconic for. I wonder why they didn't bring it back the last time they did a renovation. Still remember Cafe Candice and Naga Restaurant (Now a Jollibee Store) along Gen. Luna Street? They have the same taste of mami, if I'm not mistaken they are "sister-restaurants" if there's such a word. I might be wrong so please comment away if you have the correct info about them. Care to share about the history of the three restaurants? Just leave a comment perhaps. 

As of March 9, 2014, Asado Mami costs Php 72.00 already. A bit pricey as of the moment but it still gives you the same classic taste. I can still remember that it was around 35 pesos or even less during my childhood years. Mami is usually partnered with toasted siopao or sometimes egg pie which is also known for Naga Garden.

Other Naga Garden favorites are Pancit Guisado, Chopsuey Rice and other rice topping meals. Naga Garden is like an upscaled Kinalasan but offers the basic mami instead in asado, chicken, and beef and of course the ever Naga original, the toasted siopao.

Do not expect  fine dining features in this restaurant because you really don't need that anyway. Service is quick. Just sit down and a waiter will approach you to take your order. They come back with a glass of water or your preferred drinks. Then after a while viola, your mami is served hot. If it doesn't seem hot enough for you, you can always give it back to them and let them reheat the soup. hehe

Asado Sauce. The sauce is what makes the mami uniquely Naga Garden. Unlike before, I think they charge now for your extra sauce. You know what they say nowadays, everything comes with a price. Just the same with the sauce for your Kinalas.

So roughly your Php 100.00 will be enough for a snack at Naga Garden. Still cheaper than other restaurants right? Now who wants to take a snack break at Naga Garden? Let's go!!

'Till our next happy finds in Naga!

Other Happy Finds in Naga

Bulastog

Putong Bagas

Biniribid
Ice Cream sa Arana
Bamboombayan Diner
Tsokolate at Panlegaspi sa Quality

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Oscars 2014 List of Winners

OSCARS 2014 WINNERS
March 2, 2014 (US Time)
Source: http://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/oscar-2014--complete-winners--list-010718755.html

Best Picture - "12 Years A Slave"
Best Actor - Matthew McConaughey ("Dallas Buyers Club")
Best Actress - Cate Blanchett ("Blue Jasmine")
Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron ("Gravity")
Best Supporting Actor - Jared Leto ("Dallas Buyers Club")
Best Supporting Actress - Lupita Nyong'o ("12 Years a Slave")
Best Foreign Language Film - “The Great Beauty"
Best Costume Design - "The Great Gatsby"
Best Make-up and Hairstyling: Adruitha Lee and Robin Matthews ("Dallas Buyers Club")
Best Animated Feature Film - "Frozen"
Best Animated Short Film - “Mr. Hublot”
Best Visual Effects - "Gravity"
Best Live Action Short Film - "Helium"
Best Documentatry Short - The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Best Documentary Feature - “20 Feet From Stardom”
Best Sound Mixing - "Gravity"
Best in Sound Editing - "Gravity"
Best Cinematography - "Gravity"
Best Editing - "Gravity"
Best Production Design - "The Great Gatsby"
Best Original Score - "Gravity"
Best Original Song - "Let It Go" ("Frozen")
Best Adapted Screenplay - "12 Years A Slave"
Best Original Screnplay - Spike Jones ("Her")

SPECIAL AWARDS WINNERS
Humanitarian Award - Angelina Jolie
Governor's Award - Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Piero Tosi

Great job for Ellen as the host, she's really good at it! As in realllllly good! Their selfie was epic!

Post by The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

On our end here in Naga City, most Oscar nominated movies are rarely (or never) shown at our local cinemas. Truth be told we resort to "downloading" the movies or buying pirated dvd's, indi moves included. Last Saturday (March 1), SM Cinema Naga showed the Wolf of Wall Street but ONLY ONCE and that's it, that's it?! Yeah, sadly it's always like that. This year, I can say that I have watched most of the Oscar nominated films compared to previous years. I'm happy that most of the ones I have watched during the past months received an award or two or even more.

I am no movie critic, but I really love watching movies. We all know that two of the most awarded films namely Frozen and Gravity reached our cinemas here in Naga. The admiration to Olaf and the song Let It Go captured the hearts of many including me. The other films were just not really for everyone and requires maturity in dealing with the context. The other films that I've watched were Dallas Buyers Club, Her, Blue Jasmine and 12 Years A Slave.

Source: http://oscar.go.com/photos/2014-oscars-program

Dallas Buyers Club - My first reaction to this film was, "Ang payat ni Mathhew!". Both Jared and Matthew were really exceptional in their roles in this very strong film. No offense to Leonardo DiCaprio who went home empty handed, I cannot say if he did not deserve to receive an award because I haven't watched The Wolf of Wall Street. But given his reputation as an actor of various blockbuster films? He did fought a good fight for the Best Actor award.

Her - This is all about a man who fell in love with an Operating System voiced by Scarlett Johansson. The color of the film looks old but the setting is futuristic. I believe this is a different kind of love story but still achievable in the future, who knows. Amy Adams is also in this movie by the way.

Blue Jasmine - Gosh!! Cate was really perfect in portraying her role as a socialite who lost her everything and her attempt to "moving on" just went rocky. It was in Jasmine's moving on that she was unable to handle her nervous breakdown, anxiety and her sort of under a psyhotic trance as she was frequently seen talking to herself in public. This movie is very psychological that's why it captured my interest.

12 Years A Slave - This film I believe is very significant in America's history. Looking at how the black people were treated before was painfully (but awesomely) portrayed well by Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o).

Other Oscar Films that I still intend to watch are... (Just because they are Oscar nominated, I believe it is worth the time to watch)

• American Hustle - I only started watching it a few days ago and I have only watched half of it. Amy Adams has a seductive, witty and sophisticated role in this movie. 
• The Wolf of Wall Street - Looking at the running time of 3 hours made me uneasy to watch it. Lol
• Captain Philips - I already have a copy though, I just find it hard to set my mood to watch war drama films. 

How about you guys? What Oscar film have you watched and which is your favorite?

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