CALAGUAS ISLANDS

       The Calaguas islands is a group of islands located in the province of Camarines Norte. It includes the major islands of Tinaga and Guintinua which belong to the town of Vinzons and the minor island of Maculabo which is part of Paracale. There are still several other small islands within the area.  But the well-known beach is on Tinaga Island called Mahabang Buhangin.  Undoubtedly, the crystal waters and the powdery white sand of Mahabang Buhangin can be classified as world class.  Because of its distance it is only fairly recent that a good number of resorts have started springing up on the island.  The travel time by boat is two hours from Paracale which is the usual port of departure. When we toured around the towns of Camarines Norte we made sure that we included Calaguas in the itinerary. We were able to rent a native cottage which was very much cheap compared to the other resorts for our overnight stay in the island.

 

My companions from the office during the trip. 

CHURCHES OF CAMARINES NORTE

The province of Camarines Norte which ecclesiastically comprises also the Diocese of Daet is composed of twelve municipalities: Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Santa Elena, Talisay and Vinzons. Last weekend together with some office workers we visited the province. We were able to visit ten of the towns and also had an overnight stay at the Calaguas Island. We left Manila very early from Manila that before seven in the morning we were already in Daet which is where we started our exploration of the province. Many of the parishes dates back to the 1500s and the 1600s that is why several churches still have the old structure of thick walls usually made of coral stones. Many churches have beautiful altar retablos but they were already of recent built.  I will be featuring the parish churches of the towns in the order that we visited them.

CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST HOLY TRINTIY

Gahonon, Daet, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1981

The Installation of Bp. Rex Alarcon as Bishop of Daet, March 20, 2019. 

PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Daet, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1581

SHRINE AND PARISH OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

Mercedes, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1954

PARISH OF ST. RAPHEL THE ARCHANGEL

Basud, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1894

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel

PARISH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Talisay, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1654

PARISH OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE

Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1581

PARISH OF ST.  JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

Labo Camarines Norte

Founded: 1656

SHRINE AND APRISH OF OUR LADY OF CANDELARIA

Paracale, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1611

They were placing a new roofing over the Church when we visited.

PARISH OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1666

PARISH OF ST. LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Capalonga, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1634

PARISH OF ST. HELENA THE EMPRESS

Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1961