Dateline Ibalon

09/01/2026

Devotees celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene on 9 January. In this fascinating article, Filipino-Chinese relations advocate Teresita “Tessy” Ang See explores the unique "Chinese way" of worshiping the Jesus Nazareno of Capalonga. It’s a powerful look at how faith and culture blend in the Philippines. The Black Nazarene of Capalonga holds a special place in the hearts of Bicolanos and the Filipino-Chinese community alike. Faith knows no boundaries.

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(Reprinted with permission; first published in Tulay, Monthly Chinese-Filipino Digest, December 11, 1988) Entering the church, one is immediately taken aback seeing the burning incense on the golde…

07/01/2026

Nagueños, did you know the story behind the founder of Naga College Foundation?

From working as a barber in Manila and a farmhand in a Malabon fish pond to founding one of Naga City’s most enduring educational institutions—the life of Dr. Melchor T. Villanueva (b. January 6, 1907 - d. June 13, 2000) is a true testament to the power of perseverance.

Discover the incredible journey of a man who served as a guerrilla intelligence officer during the war and later dedicated his life to making quality education accessible to Bicolanos.

His commitment to service and education continues to shape the lives of thousands of Bicolanos today.

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Dr. Melchor T. Villanueva (b. January 6, 1907 – d. June 13, 2000) was the eldest child of Leon de la Cruz Villanueva and Maria Isabel Trinidad of Malabon. He graduated from Malabon Elementary…

06/01/2026

"Refuse Single-Use Day," celebrated annually on January 6th, is a global awareness day encouraging individuals and communities to reduce waste by refusing single-use items (like plastic bags, bottles, straws, packaging) in favor of reusable alternatives, marking the start of International Zero Waste Month. In the Philippines, the Zero Waste initiative is spearheaded by Mother Earth Foundation PH, a civic organization led by Sonia Sales Mendoza from Naga City.

Learn more about this remarkable advocate for Zero Waste... https://dateline-ibalon.com/2023/06/sonia-sales-mendoza-mother-earths-tireless-advocate/

05/01/2026

For over eight decades, the iconic wooden building stood as a silent witness to generations of Ateneans. It was more than just classrooms and hallways; it was where we learned life lessons from our Jesuit disciplinarian teachers (occasionally through "Jug and Post"), where we hurriedly exchanged study notes on the staircases, and where we caught fish under the floorboards during Naga City’s seasonal floods.

In this touching tribute, Greg S. Castilla bids farewell to the structure that served as a steadfast guardian to thousands of young Bikolanos.

Read the full reflection here:

For more than eight decades, the wooden two-story right and left wings of the Ateneo de Naga University Main Building stood as a steadfast guardian of teen-aged Bikolanos who wanted to be educated …

04/01/2026

In the vast tapestry of the Philippine Revolution, the stories of provincial heroism often provide the most poignant examples of sacrifice. Raul F. Borjal’s article, "The Quince Martires of Bicol: Heroes of the Philippine Revolution," shines a light on one such pivotal moment: the tragic ex*****on of fifteen Bicolano patriots on January 4, 1897.

Set against the backdrop of growing discontent with Spanish colonial rule, Borjal provides a detailed historical account of how the revolutionary fervor of the Katipunan took root in Camarines Sur. The article chronicles the lives of these fifteen men—ranging from wealthy merchants and priests to humble artisans—who were betrayed, imprisoned, and subjected to a sham military trial.

Borjal goes beyond the ex*****on itself, exploring the lasting impact of their martyrdom on the Bicolano spirit. He details how their deaths did not extinguish the rebellion but rather ignited a fiercer resistance, one that was kept alive through secret codes and traditional poetry like Rawit-dawit and Tigsik. This piece serves as both a historical record and a tribute to the resilience of a people who, even in the face of death, refused to surrender their dream of independence.

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In the annals of Philippine history, few stories embody the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism as powerfully as that of the Quince Martires (Fifteen Martyrs) of Bicol. These brave souls, who met th…

03/01/2026

Learn about the volcanic centers in the Bicol Region from the National Museum of the Philippines - Bicol.

30/12/2025

Few works in Philippine literature resonate with as much historical gravity and emotional power as Dr. José Rizal’s final masterpiece, "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell). Composed in the shadow of his impending ex*****on and ingeniously smuggled out of his prison cell inside a small alcohol stove, this untitled, unsigned poem remains the ultimate expression of Rizal’s patriotism and profound intellect.

As the nation commemorates the martyrdom of its national hero, this article revisits the enduring legacy of his final verses—from their dramatic discovery to their translation into languages across the globe, including a featured Bicol translation.

The Bicol translation of “Mi último adiós” is one of the poems contained in the book titled “Mga Rawitdawit ni Jose Rizal.” The collection of poems was published by the Commission on the Jose Rizal Centennial in 1962.

We thank Irvin Parco Sto. Tomas, President of Parasurat Bikolnon, for providing us a digital copy of this book, courtesy of the Knights of Rizal, Naga City Chapter, Rizalian Library. He is also an organizer at the PhilWiki Community, whose aim is to feature the works of Jose Rizal in digitized form on the WikiSource platform for easy access to the public.

Join us in exploring how Rizal’s "Mi Ultimo Adios" continues to inspire generations, transcending time and language to remind us of the cost of freedom and the depth of love for one's country...

Dr. José Rizal, our national hero whose death anniversary is commemorated on December 30, is honored for his reformist writings and revolutionary ideas, as exemplified in his masterpieces Noli Me T…

30/12/2025

"Football nations are not built on passion alone. They are built on pitches, programs, and patience."

Dateline Ibalon co-founder Raul F. Borjal dives deep into why the Philippines struggles to maintain momentum in football despite the brilliance of our national teams. It turns out, the problem isn't our instinct—it's our infrastructure.

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The Philippines’ struggle in football is often explained away as a cultural mismatch. Basketball, we are told, is simply “in our DNA,” while football belongs elsewhere. This narrative is comforting…

28/12/2025

Every month, millions of Filipino workers see a portion of their hard-earned salaries deducted for PhilHealth, trusting that this investment will secure their healthcare needs. However, as controversies surrounding the agency’s 'excess funds' and their potential transfer to unrelated government projects come to light, a critical question arises: Why were the contributors themselves never asked?

In this incisive opinion piece, educator and volunteerism advocate Evita Jimenez-Tuazon argues that the management of national health insurance funds is not merely a technical or bureaucratic matter, but a democratic one. She contends that by bypassing meaningful consultation with the people—the true stakeholders and owners of the fund—the government violates the spirit of the Universal Health Care Act and further erodes public trust.

Read on to understand why the author believes that when it comes to PhilHealth, transparency and contributor participation should be non-negotiable...

Every month, workers like Jose watch a small but significant portion of their salary go to PhilHealth. They do not complain; they understand that these mandatory contributions form the bedrock of t…

27/12/2025

Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are not the ones we unwrap quickly, but the ones we have to wait for. In this moving piece, Hansel Arroyo, retired engineering and IT executive and now creative writer, whose family roots are from Baao, CamSur, and Labo, CamSur, takes us back to a Christmas that taught a different kind of lesson—one of patience, faith, and the beauty found in the pause. A beautiful read for anyone who needs a reminder to slow down this Christmas season...

The Christmas lights in our town were never bright. They were made of stars instead—quiet ones that hung patiently above coconut trees and narrow dirt paths, blinking only when the night breeze bru…

23/12/2025

In the rush of the Christmas season, it’s easy to overlook the quietest details of the Nativity. We often picture the manger, the star, and the shepherds, but what about the simple strips of cloth that held the Savior?

In his latest piece for Dateline Ibalon, Abel C. Icatlo peels back the layers of history and theology woven into this humble garment. From a practical ancient custom to a profound symbol of the Resurrection, Icatlo reveals how these swaddling clothes do more than just keep a newborn warm—they foreshadow the entirety of Christ’s mission, from the wood of the manger to the stone of the tomb.

This is a beautiful reflection on how the ordinary becomes sacred and how God meets us in our most vulnerable moments. Read more...

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night, he gave them a specific sign by which they would know the promised Savior: “You will find a baby wrapp…

21/12/2025

From a humble traveling fabric trade in the 1950s to the fashion shops of today—this is the story of Modern Clara by Society Enterprises, a thriving 3rd generation family business with origins in Nabua, now located in Iriga and Pili and supporting weavers in Buhi.

It started with a grandfather peddling rolled fabrics from the back of a jeepney and a grandmother who taught herself to sew by unpicking old garments. Today, the third generation is carrying that legacy forward, blending traditional Bicolano inabel (inabëģ) from Buhi with modern fashion for the contemporary Bicolana.

Read about how heritage and fashion are being woven together in this beautiful feature

Their story began long before Society Enterprises became a dress shop. It started in the 1950s with their grandfather, Pantaleon Peña Sr. who sold rolls of fabric loaded in the back of a jeepney, t…