The Changes through Time

Because of my parents, we decided to reside in Naga -- at 954 West Poblacion, City of Naga, Cebu to be exact. Since childhood, I was already in the place. It is located at the southern part of Cebu already, after Minglanilla and before San Fernando. For someone to travel, it will take an hour from the city t be able to get there in the place. He/She can possibly ride a jeepney, a van or even a bus for more comfort.

Naga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 95,163 people with 28 barangays.

The town is home to a large power station, situated on a 30-hectare site, the Cemex cement factory at Tinaan, recently a Small Medium Enterprise (SME) industrial park was opened in barangay Cantao-an. The Industrial park is managed by Planters Development Bank.

Naga is part of a metropolitan area informally called as Metro Cebu.

THE MAP OF THE OLD NAGA, CEBU

This is an old satellite image of the town of Naga, Cebu. As you can see, Tthe famous 'Baywalk' is not yet there, the new 'City Hall' is not also there, and the paint of the roof of the church is still blue (cross shaped roof near the center of this image). Also, in this map, the construction of Naga Public Market (near the large empty lot at the upper left of this image) has just started. Because of this map, I noticed that Naga Central Elementary School (the empty lot with oval at the upper left of this image) takes a very large space in the Municipality of Naga.

NAGA, CEBU MUNICIPALITY 

Amongst the landmarks of Naga, Cebu is the structure of the old Municipal Hall. This building has been renovated and extended several times in the past. The Municipal Hall has served a lot of purposes to the community. It will continuously serve its purpose in the future. The initial plan is transform the municipality building into a community museum and library.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING (May 16, 2009)

A new Municipal building is currently under construction. It is being built in the back of the existing Municipal hall. Once fully operational the work will begin on refurbishing the old  Municipal hall. The initial plan is to transform the existing municipality into a community museum and library. We will keep you posted with the progress of the construction and the layout of the building. 

The three hectares fully operational port at the back of the municipality will be expanded to six hectares to be able to facilitate the incoming and outgoing cargo (coal and cement) and to further accomodate a passenger terminal for inter island ferries.

SAINT FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Another landmark is the Saint Francis Catholic Church that dates back to the 17^th century. Remarkably a lot of people living in Naga,Cebu still go to church every day for a moment of solitude. Naga, Cebu community are united with faith. On Sundays the church is filled to capacity with churchgoers.

NAGA, CEBU FIESTA CELEBRATION

Fiesta is a nationwide all year celebration all-throughout the Philippines. Patron saints celebrations designated in certain date of the month each year, wherein major cities, towns and small villages, celebrate their own fiesta. You will experience diverse folk festivals of dance, rooted from the country’s history. Traditional dance retained for decades are brought to public. The awareness of preserving customs, cultures and traditions, has been handed for generations.  

Fiesta is a significant occasion in our beloved Naga, Cebu. Residents honor and dedicate the celebration with faith and devotion to the patron saint, Saint Francis De Assisi. Fiesta, a festive celebration, residents are overwhelmed with enthusiasm render recognition of this vital day, through the essence of family and friends getting together. Residents fully blast with energy to celebrate. A week prior to the two days of fiesta celebration, of October 9 and 10, residents in festive spirits are all out in the plaza by the bay-walk, some are out on the streets day and night.

Continuous celebrations take place from the first to the tenth of October. The essential feature is the ten day events of fun and entertainment shows. The daytime varying events of motor-cross race, kayaking and boxing competitions. The night-time indoor (held in Naga, Cebu multi-cultural purpose complex building) and outdoor open-air entertainment of singing contest, best time for Naganians/Naganhons to show their hidden talent to the public. Bursting with pulse-quickening energy are the youth groups, showcase moves of hard-rock, hip-hop, pop-rock with tidbits of jazz, reggae and folk. Competitions are there for the taking. Thrill to watch! Also one of the highlight, the day of October 9, an open-air dance demonstrations in the plaza/park of all participating schools, dressed-up in fancy attires of various colors and styles fitted for the dance. They performed in large audience. Amazing to see groups of students performed synchronized moves. Definitely fun to watch and a ‘’must’’ to see worthy of your time.

The pre-day preparation of fiesta celebration on the 9^th of October (desperas) Finally, the awaited moment, final day of October 10 (kahugan) the high point of celebration. Overwhelmed with joy, residents are all nicely dressed from head to toe for this special occasion. A hearty-party day of partying, eat-all-you-can food laid or spread-out in the festive table, to enlighten your taste buds. Be prepared though, usually a long-lost-distant family member or long-lost-friend will appear on your door-step, claiming to be your family or friend in-order to get a meal (mamista) why not? Residents are invaded with the magical word “FIESTA’’, large number of people from nearby cities, towns and small villages have grown accustomed coming to Naga, to take part and be a part of the in-crowd celebration. Make sure not to miss the spectacular fireworks displays on the eve of the 10^th of October.

Naga, Cebu Fiesta Celebration will continually shine. It will prevail and keeps getting better and better each year. One more thing though, do not forget to grace your gracious smile on this unforgettable occasion.  Viva! Saint Francis De Assisi!!

RECREATIONAL PARK

Cherished by the community, we Naganians take great pride of is the Naga, Cebu plaza by the Baywalk . Community plaza holds milestones of events over the years. A venue of open air entertainment events such as:  Fiesta, Christmas, New Year, Naga-Sinulog and Historical events. 

The community is fortunate to have a majestic setting of the plaza by the Baywalk, along the shorelines overlooking the bay. Adjacent within the plaza is the municipality and the multi recreational complex building (venue for indoor special events) in the vicinity nearby just across the main road, is the Saint Francis Catholic Church and Sienna School of Naga. Within the plaza, only footsteps apart from each other are the internet cafes, snack bar, pizza place. Stones-throw away from it, food and refreshment kiosks and fresh home-cooked-style barbecue stalls of your choice are available. Not forgetting meters away across the plaza on the main road is the Orange Brutus, if you fancy a quick meal of burger, pasta, spaghetti and the list goes on.  The reclaimed land at the back of the municipality transformed the plaza into a much larger area. An idyllic place for fitness fanatic, depending on a day, between 5:30 and 6:30 early morning numbers of people jog, stroll, walkathon or walk at slow pace. The place is quite popular amongst couples, family and friends who are all set to start their day the healthy way. 

A meeting point of social and recreational activities is the park by the baywalk, where people come together. If your line of sports is tennis and badminton to challenge an opponent, a tennis court and a badminton court is available right at the heart of the plaza. You can even enjoy the magnificent sunrise and sunset from the sea by the baywalk. A great ideal place to sit back, relax and have a good time. A perfect setting for a get-together picnics with family, friends and acquaintances. Best time is dinnertime, it is nice and cool.

Naga, Cebu  plaza is a significant place for the community. Usually busy on weekends. During the most anticipated event of the year which is Fiesta along with Christmas and New Year celebration,  the plaza is clogged with the coming and going of people. However, normalcy is observed amongst the crowd of people. Fiesta’s non-stop daily nine day events of fun & entertainment right up to 9^th and 10^th of October (desperas and kahugan celebrations) One particular highlight is the  daytime water sports competition of kayaking and power boat competition, along the shorelines by the baywalk.  We were there Christmas 2008/New Year 2009, a spectacular nine day event of night-time entertainment. Variety shows in performances live on stage. Prior to the dawn mass (misa de gallo) there was this particular night that stood out for me, “the rap night competition”,  an event organized by youth clubs. Participating competitors came from San Fernando,  Carcar, Minglanilla, Pardo, Tabunok, Talisay and last but not least the youth rap group of our very own home city. Some of these places I mentioned, have two teams competing. As to why I consider it the best event of the night? For a reason competition like this require precise teamwork of synchronicity and fluidity, in order to perfectly in-sync as a team. Therefore, to present a perfect performance requires a lot of energy, time, effort and many hours of repeated practice rehearsals. 

Each year displays of Christmas decorations are everywhere all over the plaza. It is definitely the season of lights. The Christmas Season is an occasion you don’t want to miss. The illuminated plaza dazzles with colorful series of lights at night. In the mood and groove of creativity packed with ideas, companies, business establishments and schools that are housed in our home city are required to show their masterpiece creation and set-it-up for a public display in the plaza. A vibrant Christmas showcase (decorations) can be made in any type of raw materials imaginable that you can think of, making and creating it into a unique appealing showcase. Naga, Cebu residents are definitely in the yuletide spirits. The plaza has come a long way. The well-kept-well-landscaped park full of various trees, shrubs and plants adds beauty to the place. The recreational plaza comes alive and vibrant at night when lights illuminate the baywalk. 

In melancholy thoughts, the minute I sit at baywalk benches enjoying the cool sea breeze of wind and sun, palm trees swaying and seeing happy people passing by, while watching the rhythmic spiral waves hitting the concrete wall. The sound of the waves is like a music lingering in my ears, has a lullaby effect on me as my eyes drift the bay, an embodiment of perfection. 

*** It is truly far from the city for one to access his/her needs, but it is undeniably far also from extensive danger. The place may not be too modernized, when we compare to others, yet it is there where one can relax his/herself after a long day stress. We can also breathe the freshest air ever which is too different when we are staying in the city. And most uniquely, it is inevitable that one can get the chance to love and be close to nature. ***