Dateline Ibalon

Dateline Ibalon Learning & Education | Curated stories about Bicol and Its people

This is 4th in a series of four articles about the 2025 Camino De Peñafrancia. In this installment, the author Dennis T....
27/09/2025

This is 4th in a series of four articles about the 2025 Camino De Peñafrancia. In this installment, the author Dennis T. Marpuri recalls how he with friends and family from Ocampo and Tigaon organized the first Camino in 2022, amid the uncertainty arising from the slow global recovery from the pandemic. He himself wasn’t sure how many of his friends really wanted to join this pilgrimage. However, guided by faith and devotion to INA, the group decided to push on.

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In June of 2017, the author made a pilgrimage to the Santiago de Compostela with his wife Elizabeth and their grandson Gian. They chose the Camino Frances, the most popular route, which begins in S…

In a time when the soul of our nation yearns for integrity, courage, and vision, the legacy of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons (b. ...
26/09/2025

In a time when the soul of our nation yearns for integrity, courage, and vision, the legacy of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons (b. September 28, 1910 – d. July 15, 1942) blazes like a torch in the dark. This tribute by Museo Bulawan curator Abel C. Icatlo is more than a historical reflection—it is a call to conscience, a paean to a patriot whose life embodied the noblest ideals of Filipino statesmanship.
Born in Camarines Norte and martyred in the crucible of World War II, Vinzons was a scholar, orator, guerrilla leader, and moral compass for a generation. His fearless resistance against foreign occupation and his advocacy for clean governance and social justice remain profoundly relevant today. In revisiting his story, we are reminded that true leadership is rooted not in power, but in principle.

Let us honor Vinzons not only with remembrance, but with action. May his example inspire us to defend our sovereignty, uplift the marginalized, and rekindle the flame of patriotism in our communities.

Read the full article here:

Wenceslao Q. Vinzons stands as a towering figure in Philippine history, an exemplar of statesmanship, intellectual prowess, and unwavering patriotism. His life, cut short by the brutality of World …

On September 24, 1762, the British invaded the Philippines during the Seven Years' War between Britain and France agains...
25/09/2025

On September 24, 1762, the British invaded the Philippines during the Seven Years' War between Britain and France against Spain. The British captured Manila and Cavite after a brief, intense bombardment and sack, but the Spanish colonial government and allied Kapampangan warriors resisted, limiting British control to Manila and its surroundings. The occupation lasted about 18 months until the Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the war and required the British to return the city in 1764.

Columnist and movie critic Nick Tayag conjectures, "What if the British had stayed?" Read more...

On September 24, 1762, a British fleet carrying a force of 6,839 men, largely composed of Indian sepoys but with some regular British sailors and marines, sailed into Manila Bay from Madras. The ex…

Author and historian Raffi Banzuela’s gripping memoir “Neutralized, Neutered: Radio Broadcasting in Albay During Martial...
24/09/2025

Author and historian Raffi Banzuela’s gripping memoir “Neutralized, Neutered: Radio Broadcasting in Albay During Martial Law” which now appears in the recently published book 𝗠𝗴𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗼̂: 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗸𝗼𝗹 (University of the Philippines Press, 2025), is more than a chronicle of censorship—it is a testament to the courage of provincial broadcasters who dared to speak, even as the airwaves were seized and the shadows grew long. From the crackling signal of Radio Australia to the haunting silence that followed the military’s arrival at DZRC, Banzuela captures the visceral fear, quiet resistance, and enduring hope of a community caught in the crosshairs of dictatorship.

This piece reminds us that freedom of speech is not merely a constitutional right—it is a lifeline of democracy. In Albay, as in many corners of the archipelago, broadcasters became both witnesses and warriors, navigating curfews, surveillance, and the chilling stamp of “Fit for Broadcast.” Their stories, once gagged, now echo with renewed urgency.

Let us honor their memory by reading, remembering, and recommitting to truth. READ MORE...

“If the press is not free; if speech is not independent and untrammeled; if the mind is shackled or made impotent through fear, it makes no difference under what form of government you live, you ar…

Tens of thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to protest against government corrupti...
21/09/2025

Tens of thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to protest against government corruption after it was alleged that taxpayers have lost billions of pesos to bogus flood relief projects. Students, church groups, celebrities, and citizens from different political camps filled the streets in Manila and other cities.

Hanging on to the memories of many is the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972. We return to a haunting personal account from Greg S. Castilla, “Martial Law: Darkest Hour I’ve Ever Experienced.” It offers a reminder of the cost of silence, the courage of resistance, and the enduring scars of dictatorship.

From the eerie silence of dead radio stations to the underground networks of community organizers, Greg’s story traces the journey of a young Jesuit whose conscience led him from the classroom to the frontlines of social struggle. It’s a chronicle of fear, faith, and the fight for justice—where names like Ishmael Quimpo Jr., Manny Yap, and Billy Begg are not statistics, but lives cut short by tyranny.

Greg's story is not tsismis. It is lived history. And remembering is an act of resistance. Read more…

As we, Filipinos, commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law this September, I have a story to share; call it my martial law story. The story is mine alone. It’s unique to m…

As the country observes National Teachers Month this September, we are reminded that behind every confident leader is a ...
21/09/2025

As the country observes National Teachers Month this September, we are reminded that behind every confident leader is a teacher who once believed in them.
In this moving piece, Coach Noli Ayo honors Ms. Evelyn Florece—his high school English teacher who saw the leader in him long before he did. Her simple act of encouragement, a rare A+ for a story titled The X-Knights, became a lifelong spark that shaped his journey in sports, education, and leadership.

From Ateneo de Naga to Lyceum of the Philippines University Davao, from sports coaching to founding the Mindanao Peace Games and publishing Winning Still, Noli’s story is a powerful reminder: the magnificence of a moment can echo across decades.
Let’s celebrate the Ma’am Blens in our lives—the mentors who uplift, guide, and transform.

Be inspired...

As the nation celebrates National Teachers Month this September 2025, the author shares this inspirational talk in which he honors his former teacher, Ms. Evelyn Florece. This was originally publis…

As Bicolanos across the globe gather in spirit and celebration for the Fiesta of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, we return to t...
20/09/2025

As Bicolanos across the globe gather in spirit and celebration for the Fiesta of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, we return to the heart of our devotion—not just in ritual, but in story. This Dateline Ibalon article traces the miraculous journey of Simón Vela, whose unwavering faith led him to the hidden image of the Virgin Mary in the rocky heights of Peña de Francia. From medieval Spain to the banks of the Bicol River, the devotion traveled, transformed, and took root in the soul of a people.

This is more than history—it is a testament to perseverance, divine calling, and the enduring grace that binds generations of Bicolanos, whether in Naga or New York City, Los Angeles or San Francisco. As we honor Ina, let us also honor the stories that shaped her presence in our lives. May this reflection deepen our faith, renew our hope, and remind us that wherever we are, we are never far from home.

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May, the Month of Mary For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honor Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, and Mother of the Church – not just a day but the entire month…

The liturgical songs composed and arranged by Maestro Ronaldo S. Dolor and Rev. Fr. Noel Emmanuel P. Alforte offer a sou...
19/09/2025

The liturgical songs composed and arranged by Maestro Ronaldo S. Dolor and Rev. Fr. Noel Emmanuel P. Alforte offer a soul-stirring reminder of our enduring devotion to Ina Our Lady of Peñafrancia through sacred music. Their compositions—like “Kun Yaon Saimo” and “Uya an Oripon kan Kagurangnan”—blend poetic Bikol lyrics with masterful arrangements, performed by soprano Prof. Ena Maria Aldecoa and male vocalists Tomas Virtucio Jr. and Cristoval Tan.

These songs, part of the Gikan sa Dios album commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Peñafrancia devotion, revive the spiritual and cultural heartbeat of Bicolano tradition. More than music, they are prayers in motion—echoes of devotion, resilience, and the sacred bond between God and community.

Read the full reflection by Marco Ragragio Valenciano. Lyrics and video links in the article.

Maestro Ronaldo S. Dolor, Prof. Ena Maria Aldecoa, and Fr. Noel Emmanuel P, Alforte In today’s increasingly secular world, these esoteric chants seem to arrive from a primordial past no longe…

Columnist, volunteerism advocate and academician Evita Jimenez-Tuazon bewails the ongoing Congressional hearings about c...
18/09/2025

Columnist, volunteerism advocate and academician Evita Jimenez-Tuazon bewails the ongoing Congressional hearings about corruption in the government, "Bicol has become a constant reference point, not for resilience but for receiving some of the country’s largest slices of the public works budget. These are not millions but hundreds of billions of pesos, carved up by bureaucrat-capitalists and their contractor allies. Testimonies reveal a sickening litany of unimplemented, delayed, defective, or ghost projects. The deception is as visible as the cracks and potholes that scar DPWH roads. Every mention of Bicol in these hearings makes me squirm—disaster-prone, corruption-ridden, betrayed by the very institutions meant to protect it."

This isn’t just about potholes or unfinished dikes. It’s about the dignity of communities left stranded, the farms submerged year after year, and the trust eroded by those sworn to serve. Evita’s voice—grounded in advocacy, memory, and moral clarity—reminds us that accountability is not vengeance; it’s justice. And justice begins with truth.

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We, the six million people of Bicol, are no strangers to storms. Typhoons lash the region up to 20 times a year, leaving broken homes, flooded fields, and scarred lives. But today, Bicol is battere…

Greg S. Castilla’s latest article in Dateline Ibalon is a searing indictment of the systemic corruption that continues t...
17/09/2025

Greg S. Castilla’s latest article in Dateline Ibalon is a searing indictment of the systemic corruption that continues to plague the Philippines—from ghost flood control projects to decades of political betrayal.

Drawing from the wisdom of Jose Rizal, the raw honesty of Carlos Bulosan, and the painful lessons of martial law, Greg reminds us that corruption isn’t just a political issue—it’s a moral crisis. When cheating becomes a virtue and lying a norm, what remains of our shared values?

With the Philippines ranking 114th in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index, the call for accountability has never been louder. The Trillion Peso March on September 21 is more than a protest—it’s a reckoning.

This is not just about politics. It’s about reclaiming dignity, restoring trust, and refusing to be complicit in silence.

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I am enraged, but I am not surprised. The degree of corruption in flood control projects that President Bongbong Marcos Jr. exposed in his fourth State of the Nation Address last July is not new. W…

The collapse of the Colgante Bridge on September 16, 1972, during the Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession claimed the lives o...
17/09/2025

The collapse of the Colgante Bridge on September 16, 1972, during the Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession claimed the lives of 138 devotees and unfolded just days before the imposition of Martial Law which resulted in the closure of local radio stations and media outlets, including the Naga Times on September 24, 1972. Learn more about these devastating historical events of September 1972 which have now been hauntingly portrayed in a movie titled Padamlágan (Night Light).

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The third week of September 1972 was a tragic and tumultuous period for the people of Naga City, Camarines Sur. The Collapse of Colgante Bridge On September 16, 1972, Saturday, during the fluvial p…

BeCoolism 2 presents a new chapter in the creative journey of Maestro Pancho Piano, one of the Philippines’ most respect...
16/09/2025

BeCoolism 2 presents a new chapter in the creative journey of Maestro Pancho Piano, one of the Philippines’ most respected visual artists. This exhibition by one of Bikol's best brings together a fresh collection of paintings that reflect his continued exploration of form, emotion, and cultural memory. Known for his ability to move between realism and abstraction, Mr. Piano creates works that are both technically refined and deeply expressive.

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The Bicolano Maestro Pancho M. Piano participates in three major art exhibit during this month of September 2025: BeCoolism 2 and BISWAL8, with 8 Bicol Artists, at the NAMI Gallery White Plains, Ka…

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