Six things to do while in Albay

ALBAY province rests in the heart of the Bicol region and has a fair share of the country's Pacific coastline, and is blessed with mountains and lush terrain making it an ideal tourist destination during summer for local and foreign tourists.

A visit to this beautiful province is ideally done on day tours. A well-planned trip would surely make your visit to this place a memorable experience. Here are top six things to do while you are in this majestic province.

Getting lost in the seaside town of Sto. Domingo

IT’S EASY to get lost in thought in the quaint sleepy town of Sto. Domingo, for it boasts of black sand beaches, rustic views of the sea and an old town square reminiscent of its Spanish colonial heritage.

I visited the town on my way to Bacacay town, for more black sand beaches, in the early part of the morning from Legaspi City. The trip was less than 30 minutes on those ordinary buses plying the route to Tabaco City.

Tazza De Le’ Brew: The Home of Healthy Coffee

A NEW taste for coffee lovers, but this one is healthier than coffee. Why? Because it is made with herbs and not coffee beans; no caffeine added too.

Tazza De Le’ Brew offers you something you had never tasted before. The special herb that they use is Ganoderma Lucidum, a medicine that they used in China 5,000 years ago. It is known as the “magic herb,” “mabuting gamot” and “gamot ng buhay.” Ganoderma Lucidum is also called “panacea,” and it is now called the “supernatural eastern mushroom” from the east.

6 years of CLTV 36: ‘It’s all about the people’

“IT’S all the people, really. The people we serve and the people who serve.”

These are the words of journalist cum TV host Tonette Orejas, recollecting on the six years of CLTV 36 -- the first and only regional television network founded by Laus Group of Companies chairman and chief executive officer Levy P. Laus.

PAMAWD hosts induction of new officers for 2013-2014

THE Pampanga Association of Water Districts (PAMAWD) marked the start of another year in its history as it ushered in a new set of officers for this year during the 13th Induction of Officers at the Widus Casino and Resort Hotel over the weekend.

Kapampangan master painter wows Manila students

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Master portrait artist Rafael Maniago wowed dozens of students of the Art Discovery and Learning Foundation Inc. during a weekend showcase of artistic skills at Tropical hut in Quezon City.

The artist exhibition was organized by fellow artist Fernando Sena which also featured Master landscape artist Delfin Garcia. The event aimed at giving students of the foundation who come mostly from schools and universities in Manila a chance to learn skills from one of the top portrait artists today.

Apu Ceto at 76 shares views on Church, Papacy, Politics, RH

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Pro-life Archbishop Paciano Aniceto or “Apu Ceto” shared on Saturday, during his 76th birthday, his thoughts about the advocacies of the Catholic Church, conclave, and politics, among others.

Apu Ceto celebrated his birthday in the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary in this city.

Teatro Ima at Arti to stage the 'Greatest Story Ever Told,' with a twist

WHOEVER said that the life story of Jesus Christ could not be told in a comic and even melodramatic twist? Imagine Jesus Christ cracking a joke, or Saint Peter singing a boastful song with a wacky cast that could surely tickle your funny bones and bring you to tears, all the while relaying the greatest story ever told in what could be a witty way of evangelization.

Teatro Ima at Arti brings its newest musicale presentation this Lenten Season dubbed "Tilauk ning Manuk," a fresh presentation of the life of Jesus Christ from the point of view of the Apostle Peter.

Sun.Star Pampanga inks pact with The New Party Place

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Sun.Star Pampanga inked an agreement on Thursday with the management of The New Party Place of the popular Partyland along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Dolores.

Mother of Good Counsel Seminary stages 'Susmaryosep!'

KUDOS to the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary Philosophy Department for coming up this year with another endearing theatre production that shows a satirical, comic, heartwarming and enlightening look in Filipino faith and religiosity.

Bertaphil's Meaningful Christmas Party

THE largest and leading real estate developer inside Clark Freeport Zone, Berthaphil Inc., recently hosted their very first Christmas event entitled "Celebrate Christmas with Berthaphil."

RW 95.1 FM holds ‘Caroling Part 2’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Regional radio station DWRW 95.1 FM of the Laus Group of Companies trimedia held on Saturday the grand finals of “Caroling sa Paskong Darating Part 2” at the Activity Center of Robinsons Starmills in this city.

SSP’s Science and Environment Award: A challenge to protect Mother Earth

BEING named Best in Science and Environmental Reporting in the 2012 Philippine Press Institute's (PPI) Annual Community Press Awards for Excellence has proven Sun.Star Pampanga’s advocacy to put into print and let people know of its coming up to challenge to protect and save Mother Earth, as well weave into good use scientific innovations.

The delicate art of Reynaldo Gatmaitan

IT STARTED more as a hobby for Reynaldo Gatmaitan. Having finished Architecture, he started his first art works initially by copying from originals and making duplicates, and his art medium of choice then was watercolor.

His artworks, then and even now have very good attention to structure, detail and color. Since watercolor dries incredibly fast, Rey had to pre-set his ideas to make sure that he places on canvas his exact views and thoughts.

Helping flood victims the Quota way

THE recent province-wide flooding has displaced thousands of families from their homes and left hundreds more in evacuation centers. The seemingly disheartening situation of most of the Kapampangans was only made bearable by prompt government support and the help of organizations and volunteers.

Pampanga's newest city is born!

MABALACAT -- It’s official: Pampanga has its 3rd city.

By a total of 14,078 “yes” votes in the plebiscite, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed late Saturday night Mabalacat to be a component city of Pampanga. The plebiscite was the last among legal requirements in the conversion of a town into a city.

Funnside Ningnangan: Famed grill landmark finds home in Angeles City

THE BEST of Sto. Tomas town’s grilled food delights has finally invaded Angeles City with the upcoming opening of the Funnside Ningnangan in Barangay Pulung Maragul a few blocks away from Marquee Mall on July 27.

A joyful 40/41 celebration

“CHEERS! And more cheers!”

It was the buzzword repeated over and over the evening of June 26th, as family, close friends and associates gathered at the Pampanga Premier Cars BMW center for a joyful “40/41” double celebration.

CSF’s Independence Day Banquet at the Heroes Hall

THE City Government of San Fernando held its annual Independence Day Banquet at the Heroes Hall on Tuesday, with the usual crème ala crème of the city’s high society and sectoral leaders, and government officials, making a strong attendance in a night of nationalistic fervor.

Soto takes helm as new QI Pampanga prexy

THE 18th Induction of Officers and Members of Quota International (QI) of Pampanga at the City Heights Hotel on Friday night saw to the club’s turnover of leadership to the charming and amiable Zelinda B. Soto, who took the presidency from immediate past president Jennifer Bonifacio who ended her term this July.

By his Body and Blood

THE gospel reading in Mark 14:22-26 contains one of the great milestones of salvation history and the Christian faith - the institution of the Last Supper. So profound is its meaning and significance that it appears in two other gospels, that is, in Matthew 26:26-30 and in Luke 22:14-20. It was also revealed to St. Paul as he wrote his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

Pampanga's famed crushed ice coolers

IF YOU are looking for a gastronomic way to beat the heat, a food trip on Pampanga's best halo-halo can very well beat the summer fever and provide a delectable way to experience the best crushed ice concoctions in different parts of the province.

A sculptor’s journey through art, spirituality

PREMIER ecclesiastical artist Wilfredo “Willy” Layug has it made for himself early on in his colorful career as a sculptor.

Proclaimed by most religious and contemporary art enthusiasts as one of the most accomplished and celebrated sculptor of his time, Willy is the recipient of the Presidential Merit Award for Ecclesiastical Art. He received the Most

Viola de Gamba player holds successful concert in Angeles

ANGELES CITY -- A world renowned “Viola de Gamba” player and professor of classical music in Rome, Italy recently wrapped up a successful show at the Hotel EuroAsia in Don Juico Avenue, Malabanias Road, this city.

CCWF, CDC to hold free Lenten concert on April 3

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Christian Workers’ Fellowship (CCWF), in collaboration with Clark Development Corporation (CDC), will be holding a Lent Evangelistic Concert entitled “The Gift”, featuring Kuh Ledesma on April 3, at 6 to 8 p.m., at the Clark Expo here.

Joining Ledesma are Christian Bautista, Kitchie Nadal, Isabella, Nanette Inventor and a local Men’s Band called “Pescadores”.

‘Spoil Me’ S&R Members’ Treat shopping starts March 28

ONCE again, doors spread wide open to welcome S&R Members from March 28 to April 1 for that exclusive brand of “Spoil Me” Members’ Treat shopping spree at all S&R branches: Alabang, Aseana-Baclaran, Bonifacio Global City, Congressional Quezon City, and the newest fast-growing provincial branches – S&R Pampanga and Cebu.

Kapampangan ladies take center stage in photo exhibit

TRAILBLAZER photographer and artist Ruston Banal has done it again -- this time he has taken the cause of women empowerment through his new genre of “impressiography”, highlighting notable and influential ladies in today’s Kapampangan society.

Held at the SM City Pampanga Building 4, the Monday noon exhibit was fully packed by supporters, photography enthusiasts, socialites and local artists who came to marvel at Banal’s newfound passion in reinventing his photography.

Apu Ceto at 75: Living the Saintly Life

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --“Ano man ang mangyari, mabuti man o hindi maganda, we must never forget the Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives should be dedicated to Him.” 

This was shared Archbishop Paciano Aniceto on Friday, as he celebrated his 75th birthday with a concelebrated Holy Mass at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary.

Lakeshore now a haven for production shoots

GUESS who’s trooping to the upscale and scenic The Lakeshore in Mexico, Pampanga?

Lately, with its wonders like the man-made lake, lighthouse, island pool and many more spots including its lush greenery, national TV networks and production firms have made The Lakeshore a haven for location shoots, which makes Kapampangans proud.

Nabuclod: The Upland Eco-Tourism Adventure

TUCKED high in the hills of Floridablanca is a blooming haven of nature and man-made structures in a domain preserved and nurtured by Aetas, an upland blend of ecological and tourism adventure that is Nabuclod.