Naga, Camarines Sur

Naga, officially the City of Naga (Bikol: Ciudad nin Naga; Filipino: Lungsod ng Naga; Spanish:Ciudad de Naga) and often referred to as Naga City, is an independent component city in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. The town was established in 1575 on order of Spanish Governor-General Francisco de Sande, the city, then named Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (New Caceres City), earned its status as the third Spanish Royal City in the Spanish East Indies, after Cebu and Manila. It has a population of 174,931 people, and has 77,784 registered voters. It has a labor force of 60,772 people, with 57,278 employed, and 3,494 are unemployed. Majority of Naga City's population are people 15 years and below.

Naga City is Bicol Region's trade, business, religious, cultural, industrial and financial center.

People from or in Naga City are known as Nagueños.

Naga City is known as the Queen City of Bicol, and as the Heart of Bicol due to its central location in the Bicol Peninsula; and as the Pilgrim City because Naga City is also home to the largest Marian pilgrimage in Asia, the Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Naga City is also known as One of the Seven Golden Cities of the Sun as stated by Nick Joaquin.

The city is the seat of the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres, which makes the city Bicol's religious center, whose jurisdiction includes all the suffragan sees of Bicol, the Dioceses of Daet, Legazpi, Libmanan, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Virac.

Moreover, the city is also the seat of the widely venerated Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicol. The image is one of the most popular objects of devotion in the country.

Naga is the core of Metro Naga, an official designation given the city and 14 municipalities in the area administered by the Metro Naga Development Council.

Naga City per se generally refers to Naga City, Camarines Sur, as it became quite confusing especially for Cebuanos and nearby towns, since there is also a city in Cebu named Naga City, which is dubbed as the industrial city of Naga.

Naga
Independent Component City
City of Naga
(From top,left to right) Holy Rosary Seminary,Universidad de Santa Isabel, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Ateneo de Naga University, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine, Malabsay Falls, Naga City Hall, Carmelite Monastery, Peñafrancia Festival
Seal
Nickname(s): The Heart of Bicol; Queen City of Bicol; An Maogmang Lugar (The Happy Place);
Motto: Uswag, Naga! (Progress, Naga!)
Map of Camarines Sur showing the location of Naga City

Geography

The city of Naga is located within the province of Camarines Sur in the southeastern tip of Luzon at the near the center of the Bicol Region, surrounded on all sides by rich agricultural, forest and fishing areas. It covers a land area of 8,448 hectares (20,880 acres) and is located around the serpentine and historic Naga River, at the confluence of the Naga and Bikol Rivers. Thus, it has always been an ideal place for trade and as center for schools, church and government offices. Included in its territory is Mount Isarog, a declared protected area in Region V known as Mount Isarog Natural Park.

Naga City is located 377 kilometres (234 mi) southeast of Manila, the nation's cap
ital, 45 km north of Iriga City and about 380 kilometres (240 mi) northeast of Cebu City, the largest city in the Visayas.

History

Spanish colonial period

In 1573, on his second expedition to this region, the conquistador Juan de Salcedo landed in a village and named it "Naga" because of the abundance of Narra trees ("Naga" in Bikol).
 

In 1575, Captain Pedro de Chávez, the commander of the garrison left behind by Salcedo, founded on the site of the present business centre (across the river from the original Naga) a Spanish city which he named La Ciudad de Cáceres, in honor of Francisco de Sande, the governor-general and a native of the city of Cáceres in Spain. It was still by this name that it was identified in the papal bull of August 14, 1595 that erected the See of Cáceres, together with those of Cebú and Nueva Segovia, and made it the seat of the new bishopric under the Archdiocese of Manila.
 

In time, the Spanish city and the native village merged into one community and became popularly known as Nueva Cáceres, to distinguish it from its namesake in Spain. It had a city government as prescribed by Spanish law, with an ayuntamiento and cabildo of its own. At the beginning of the 17th century, there were only five other ciudades in the Philippines. Nueva Cáceres remained the capital of the Ambos Camarines provinces and later of the Camarines Sur province until the formal creation of the independent chartered city of Naga under the Philippine Republic.
 

Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres
 

The bishops of Cáceres occupied a unique place in the Philippine Catholic hierarchy during most of the Spanish regime. By virtue of the papal bull of Gregory XIII, ecclesiastical cases originating in the Spanish East Indies, which ordinarily were appealable to the Pope, were ordered to be terminated there and no longer elevated to Rome. Decisions of bishops were made appealable to the archbishop and those of the latter to the bishop of the nearest see. Thus, in the Philippines, the decisions of the Archbishop of Manilawere subject to review by the Bishop of Cáceres whose jurisdiction then extended from the whole Bicol region, the island-province of Marinduque and the present-day Aurora, which was once part of the formerTayabas province, which is now the province of Quezon. In this sense, bishops of Bikol were delegates of the Pope and could be considered primates of the Church of the Philippines.
 

This was the reason why bishops of Cáceres and archbishops of Manila were sometimes engaged in interesting controversies in the sensational Naga case and in such issues as canonical visitation and the secularization of the parishes. As papal delegate, Bishop Francisco Gaínza, then concurrent bishop of Cáceres, sat in the special ecclesiastical tribunal which passed upon the civil authorities' petition to divest Fathers Burgos, Gómez, and Zamora of their priestly dignity. Gaínza did not only refuse the petition but also urged their pardon.
 

For hundreds of years during the Spanish colonial era, Naga grew to become the center of trade, education and culture, and the seat of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Bicol.

American colonial period

 
With the advent of the American rule, the city was reduced to a municipality. In 1919, it lost its Spanish name and became officially known as Naga. It acquired its present city charter in 1948, and its city government was inaugurated on December 15 of the same year by virtue of Republic Act No. 305.^[34] Rep. Juan Q. Miranda sponsored this legislative act which put flesh into the city's bid to become among the only few independent component cities in the country. 

World War II and Japanese Occupation
 

Japanese fighter and bomber planes attacked the town municipality of Naga in December 1941 and it was occupied by the Imperial Japanese troops in 1942. The military garrison of the Japanese Imperial Army was located in Naga during Japanese Occupation.
 

On 1945, combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth troops liberated the town municipality of Naga and aided by the Bicolano resistance groups and defeated Imperial Japanese troops and ended in the Second World War.

Independent Philippines

After Naga was liberated from the Japanese, Naga began on rebuilding the town. With only a few casualties, Naga City was able to rebuild quickly after the war. After many petitions, Naga became a city in June 18, 1948.



 

Religion

Roman Catholicism

The city is the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres which oversees the Catholic population in the Bicol Region. The city is also the seat of the Primate of the Bicol region. This dominant faith is supported by the presence of old and influential Catholic institutions, from universities to churches run by differentreligious institutes, notably the Ateneo de Naga University by the Jesuits; the Universidad de Sta. Isabel by the Daughters of Charity; the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral; which is the oldest cathedral that is still standing in Luzon outside Metro Manila, Peñafrancia Basilica Minore, which is the largest Catholic structure inSouthern Luzon in terms of size and land area; Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine; the historic San Francisco Church; and Peñafrancia Museum.

http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/?what=Roman+Catholicism

Evangelicalism
 

Other Christian organizations are represented by Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) whose imposing church is a landmark along Panganiban Drive, Also having considerable number of members are Members Church of God International popularly known as Ang Dating Daan, Seventh-day Adventist and Bible Baptist whose churches are located along Magsaysay Avenue; while other Christians go to the Methodist Church which is among the old structures along Peñafrancia Avenue. There is also a medium concentration of Jesus Miracle Crusade in the City.

Islam, Buddhism and other faiths

One of the other major religions that are represented in Naga City is Islam where a mosque is located at Greenland in Brgy. Concepcion Pequeña. Followers of Hinduism has a temple along Basilica Road in Brgy. Balatas. A shrine for the followers of Taoism is located along Lerma Street in Brgy. Triangulo.

Language

One of the other major religions that are represented in Naga City is Islam where a mosque is located at Greenland in Brgy. Concepcion Pequeña. Followers of Hinduism has a temple along Basilica Road in Brgy. Balatas. A shrine for the followers of Taoism is located along Lerma Street in Brgy. Triangulo. 

The Metropolitan Naga Cathedral

 

Peñafrancia Parish. The old home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia

 

Shopping Malls

http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/?what=Shopping+Malls

Avenue Square

SM City Naga

World of Fun - LCC Central Mall


Puregold Naga

Avenue Square

http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/?what=+Avenue+Square



Places of interest

 

The rotunda in front of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.


Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine and Parish


Peñafrancia Basilica Minore


San Francisco Church

 
St. Jude Thaddeus Parish (Archdiocese of Caceres)

Carmelite Church and Monastery

Museo Conciliar de Nueva Caceres

Holy Rosary Major Seminary and Church

http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/gplisting/ChIJkbw2b77roTMRBfVKMTL9GM8/13.6591666/123.37333330000001/Mt%20Isarog.htm



Malabsay Falls

Malabsay Falls


Nabontolan Falls 

rests within the protected area of Mt. Isarog National Park and accessible through the Panicuason trail, this waterfall offers a breathtaking refuge from the busy city life and allows one to commune with nature. It is seldom visited by mountain climbers, hikers and picnic-goers because of its rough trail.

http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/?what=Panicuason+Hot+Springs+Resort+




Resorts

http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/?what=Resorts

Spring Valley Resort

Penafrancia Resort, Inc.


Stonehouse Gardens Resort


The Village @ San Bernardino

Casa Ofelia Resort


http://ph.wowcity.com/camarinessur/naga/?what=Casa+Ofelia+Resort+

Historical landmarks

Nine sites and landmarks in the city with historical value^[60]

• Calle Via Gainza, now Peñafrancia Avenue, was first known as Via Gainza in honor of Bishop Francisco Gainza, O.P. (1863–1879), the 25th and considered as the greatest Spanish bishop of the See of Caceres.
   
• Calle Real, now Elias Angeles Street, was one of the earliest streets in Spanish Nueva Caceres laid out at the close of the 16th century. The street figured as a historic backdrop to the events of September 1898, which established the Filipino revolutionary government headed by Elias Angeles.
   
• Calle de Legaspi at the western portion of Panganiban Drive, was established in 1839 after the Naga River was straightened as a short cut from Calle Real to the new western bank of the river.
• 
  
• Casa Real site on General Luna Street. The Casa Real, the government building of Nueva Caceres, was established at this location in 1588
• 
  
• Casa Tribunal site on Elias Angeles Street was the original site of the Casa Tribunal or “common house” which provided free rooms to travelers until 1839.
   
• Casino Español site at the corner Elias Angeles and Arana Street, was the location of Casino Español, a spacious building of piedra china and wood that served as the social and recreational center of the male Spanish population of Nueva Caceres and neighboring towns.
   
• House of Tomas Prieto site at the corner Panganiban Drive and Peñafrancia Avenue was the home of the Bicolano martyr, Tomas Prieto, who was executed on January 4, 1897 at the Bagumbayan Field in Manila together with ten others, collectively known as the "Bicol Martyrs."
   
• The Naga City Police Station on Barlin Street was the site of the Cuartel General of the Guardia Civil in Camarines that was constructed in 1870, but was razed by fire caused by faulty electrical wiring.
   
• Puente de Naga, now Lt. Delfin Rosales Bridge, the massively designed concrete bridge was constructed in 1847 and was known as Puente de Naga, and until the 1920s when the bridge was renamed in honor of Bicolano Jose Maria Panganiban. It was renamed again in 1989, to honor Lt. Delfin C. Rosales in World War II, during the battle for Naga in April 1945.

Monuments
 

• Plaza Miguel Robles de Covarrubias is a monument in the plaza of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine, the old home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It was constructed, along with the stage, to commemorate the 300 Years of love and devotion to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the patroness of Bicolandia. It also depicts of how Fr. Miguel Robles de Covarrubias brought Ina to the Bicolanos.
   
• Plaza de Nueva Caceres, also known as the Oragon Monument, is a monument constructed by the local government of Naga City to commemorate Naga City's long history, and its charter anniversaries. The monument depicts Nueva Caceres during the Spanish Period. The yearly foundation day of Nueva Caceres is held in the monument.^[61]
   
• Plaza Rizal is the oldest plaza and monument in Naga City. It is the centerpiece of the Rizal Park which was the former park of the old Camarines Sur Provincial Capitol. It has José Rizal and some angels in the monument. Majority of trade fairs held in the city are sometimes done in the plaza. The plaza is also adjacent to the Plaza Quezon.
   
• Plaza Quezon is the largest plaza in Naga City. It is where the Regional Civic Parade, Voyadores Festival, Military Parade are done in September during the festivities of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It is also where international artists and showbiz caravans are held when visiting the city.^[62]
   
• Plaza Barlin is the only monument constructed to commemorate Bishop Jorge Barlin, the first Filipino bishop, which was from Baao, Camarines Sur.^[62]
   
• Plaza Quince Martires is the monument located at the very heart of Naga's Central Business District I. It commemorates the martyrdom of 15 people from Naga who oppose Spanish Regime. It was on January 4, 1897 or barely 5 days after the National Hero –Dr. Jose P. Rizal – was executed when the 11 prisoners from Bicol were also executed on the same field in Bagumabayan (now Luneta). The four others had either died in prison as a result of torture or while in exile in the island of Fernando Poo (or Fernando Pó), off the coast of Africa. The monument was built on November 29, 1926 during the American occupancy.^[63]
   
• Jose Maria Panganiban Monument in Naga Central School I is a monument dedicated to the Bicolano hero Jose Maria Panganiban, who was an active member of the La Solidaridad Propaganda movement during the waning days of Spanish Colonial Rule.
   
• Jesse Robredo Monument in his burial site at Eternal Gardens Naga City located at Balatas Road where the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore is located and near to the monument. It is a commemorative monument to honor the late Jesse Robredo who was Naga City Mayor from 1988 to 2009. He was a great example of good governance in the country.
   
• Infantil de la Milagrosa Monument in front of the Universidad de Santa Isabel is a historic monument built by the Daughters of Charity that is the management of the Universidad de Santa Isabel and is a major component of Catholic life. The monument commemorates the thanksgiving of the nuns after World War II in which that they were saved from the impending danger.
   
• Sto. Niño Monument is a monument located inside the Parish of the Immaculate Conception. It is a monument unveiled by the Archdiocese of Caceres to commemorate the patronage of Santo Niño in the Archdiocese, being centered in the parish.

Plaza de Nueva Caceres

 

The Plaza Quince Martires Monument

Museums

• The Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum showcases Bicol's ancient relics and artifacts like burial jars, ancient china wares,rare stones and ritual objects. The museum also features local church history where old Church vestiges and sacred objects are displayed.
   
• The Penafrañcia Museum contains sacred vestiges related to Marian devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
   
• The University of Nueva Caceres Museum is one of the oldest museums outside Manila and recognized by the International Association of Museum. It houses historical artifacts of the ancient Bikol, its people and culture.
   
• Bicol Science and Technology Centrum is a science museum established in 1993 in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology to cater to the science and technology education for the young, professionals, teachers andenthusiasts alike. It features an exhibit of interactive gadgets, a skywatch gallery, a sci-cubby hole for the kids, an audio-visual room and a cybercafé for internet users.
• 
  
• The Naga City Art Gallery, established by the Salingoy Art Group in partnership with the Naga City government, houses traditional and contemporary art works of Bicolano artists.
  
  
   
  
  Bicol Science Centrum
   
  
  

Culture 

Festivals

Fluvial Procession for Our Lady of Peñafrancia

The Peñafrancia Festival 

The city celebrates the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of the Bicol Region starting second Friday of September each year. The start of the 10-day feast, the largestMarian devotions in the country, is signalled by a procession (called Traslacion) which transfers the centuries-old image of the Blessed Virgin Mary from its shrine at the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore to the 400-year old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. Coinciding with nine days of novena prayer at the cathedral, the city celebrates with parades, pageants, street parties, singing contests, exhibits, concerts, and other activities. Finally, on the third Saturday of September, the image is returned shoulder-borne by so-called voyadores to the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia via the historic Naga River. The next day, marks the feast day of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Pontifical High Masses are celebrated in the Basilica Minore, attended by hundreds of thousands of faithful devotees.

Kamundagan Festival

Naga City celebrates the Kamundagan Festival every Christmas time. It begins with the lighting of the Christmas Village in the Plaza Quezon Grandstand. After the lighting of the Christmas Village, six locally handmaid stars, known locally as parols are lighted with different meanings. Love, progress, peace, happiness, prosperity, and joy symbolize the stars. The giant Christmas tree is lighted 2 weeks before Christmas. Every night, different fantasy-themed Christmas shows are held in the Plaza Quezon. A Grand Christmas Bazaar is also held near the Cathedral, exhibiting different talents in Magic, Trickery, Beauty, and Brains. The Bazaar also has some stores that sell locally made Christmas themed products for visitors.

Kinalas Festival
 

Naga City celebrates Kinalas Festival during its yearly anniversary of Chartership or Cityhood. It honors the most famous local delicacies, the Kinalas, and Siling Labuyo, with it having a food contest. Also known as Charter Day Festival, different organizations and schools, compete in Sports and Academics, as sponsored by the local government.

Food and delicacies
 

Naga is known to have some native foods and delicacies:

• Kinalas - Kinalas and log-log are noodle soup dishes served Bicol style, similar to mami except for a topping of what looked like a Pansit Palabok sauce, and the meaty dark soup made from boiling a cow or a pig’s head until the flesh fell off. Kinalas/luglog, from the Tagalog word "kalas", refers to the "fall off the bone" meat that is placed on top of the noodles. The soup is the broth of beef bone and bone marrow (sometimes skull and brain included) or what Manileños call "bulalo".^[64] The soup is topped with

Classifieds in Naga