How do I spend my lunch break? My lunch break starts at 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. but instead of taking a nap or eating my lunch, I make it a habit to attend Daily (Novus ordo) mass at this Chapel - the Good Shepherd chapel located beside the Cathedral. Sometimes doing this on a daily basis gives me strength. I am inspired to know too that every day i see same faces all earnest and sincerely working out our salvation with fear and trembling as the Scriptures said.
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The Chapel of the Good Sheperd at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Great. Daily Mass for a small gorup is done on this chapel.
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The Courtyard of the cathedral
The more than a life size image of St.Paul one of the founders of the Church
6 comments:
Hi Dr. Herbert,
I recently tried to reach Caramoan from Sabang.
We had hostile time the whole way from Sabang to that port which leads to Caramoan.
The boat hire asked for 7 000 pesos to get to the port, from which we go on another 'hired' jeep costing 2500 pesos. The other option was 15 000 pesos for the boat taking us there (the Kota, they say) direct.
At the port there was, it seemed, a hired gun man (perhaps belonging to 'NPA').
There was, it seemed, prior secret agreements by the boat men with the road transport at the port. Our attempts to hire another car driving past was met by violence from the driver in cahoots with the boat men.
I really like what I see in Caramoan. I just don't feel so safe there.
Dear Che:
I am sorry to hear about your experience. I am not sure if that is so common in Caramoan. I've been there twice. We had some little problems but it was not that much. If it is your first time to get there perhaps you should first learn abut the local culture. That was what I did. I learn how to bargain and I learn how to assert my rights. But the best thing for tourists to do I think is to first seek information from the local tourism office. they can give you some clear instructions and even referrals. I think that Caramoan is safe in a way. But I am really sorry to hear about your experience. Are you from the States?
We are all from Tabaco. We just had not an idea of the prices there.
One of us has a foreigner friend who also reports paying 18 000 pesos for the same boat hire to the Kota.
We payed the 7000 and hired the boat but it was so limited that we couldn't see the Kota because the boat men were saying that "survivor" was filming and so they can't take us there (they should have told us this before leaving port not when we reach the next port).
From the photos you've posted it is the same boat company. I believe they are the sole operator.
When we were there last May we were told that Gota Beach is closed to the public because there were some improvements being made. But if you stayed in caramoan you will need to go to Bikal. from Bikal you can hire outrigger boats. Official prices are posted there. for 1,500 they will take you to the eastern islands. For 2,500.00 they will take you to the eastern islands plus they will take you to the grotto at Tabgun. In our case we also requested to be taken to Bag-ing island that is one of the most beautiful island there with the finest beach. The eastern islands was also beautiful. There is a lagoon on one of the islet. I would opine that those who plan of visiting caramoan should do some reseaerch first on where to go and what to visit because there are a few unscrupulous individuals who would want to take advantage. Better hire the services of boat operators who are officially registered with the Tourism office, in that case you will be safe. I am sorry to hear about your experience.
Dear Dr. Herbert,
I appreciate your valued advice.
If only I could ask one other thing: how would one get to Caramoan so that he can get to Bikal?
Is the port from Sabang still the better way?
I must also say the the boat company (the same one in photos found here) was, I believe, to be registered with the tourism office.
Regards
che
I think that Sabang is the only conventional gateway to Caramoan. The owner of the Boat/outrigger that took us to Guijalo, Caramoan lives there right near the shore or port. I think he is one of the wealthy resident of Sabang since he owns several boats named MV Harry. He is a fair minded man and he gave us a very reasonable price for the rent of the Boat. He was very kind to us. When we left some of our belongings in Caramoan, he offered to get them back for free. Next time you should try looking for him.
Bikal is a barangay. It is where those little boats are located that will take you on tour. If you are in the Town proper of Caramoan, you need only to find a tricycle or a jeep and the fare is 20 pesos per person. I think you have been there. You may not have just notice it. Or you were perhaps not taking notes of the places.
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