MISS BICOLANDIA 2007. Tabetha Jo Frick, a 17-year old mestiza beauty from the sunny port town of Pasacao, CamSur who stands 5’10” romped away with the region’s most prestigious and colorful beauty title before a sell-out crowd at the UNC sports palace Wednesday evening, Sept. 12. Princess Armillos, 18, of Nabua, CamSur was first runner-up. Other winning members of her court: Maria Venus Raj, 19, of Bato, CamSur, second runner-up; Shecill Bhertie Bagaporo, 17, of Iriga City, third runner-up, and; Windena Zaragoza, 20, of Naga City, fourth runner-up

Footwork exteme. Players from different schools in the Bicol Region showcase their talent in the art of taekwondo, the Korean martial arts of self-defense at the University of Nueva Caceres, Sports Palace in the First InterSchool Invitational Tournament last September 9, 2007, one of the Peñafrancia activities sponsored by PE Department of UNC.

VOYADORES FESTIVAL. Peñafrancia festival’s most colorful street dance competition, the Voyadores Festival being jointly staged by the Naga City Government and the Development Institute of Bicolano artists (DIBA), continue to draw awe and admiration from fiesta visitors and guests. RIC PEREZ

VIP VISITOR. Senate President Manny Villar was in Naga City just a couple of hours before the start of the Traslacion last Friday, September 7, 2007. He had an informal breakfast meeting with Mayor Jesse Robredo, Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado Jr. and his brother Genaro Gabriel, the regional director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – National Capital Region.

PBB Season 1 alumni. Showbiz celebrities Sam Milby and Say Alonzo seem to be rekindling their love team when they visited the world-famous Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) for a show during the Peñafrancia festivities. Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte’s tourism thrusts, like the CWC, have been attracting local celebrities who hie off to the province for some much-needed R & R. JMTS

FIL-AUSSIE BEAUTIES. Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo welcomes Miss Bicolandia Australia Aprille Lim and Geraldine Ivankovic, Miss Peñafrancia Australia, who are in town as official guests of the city and of the 2007 Miss Bicolandia Beauty Pageant at extreme right is Vicky Isaac, chairperson of Bicol League Committees based in New South Wales, Australia. RANDY VILLAFLOR

WHEELCHAIR DONATIONS. The Rotary Club of Manila San Miguel, brother club of the Rotary Club of Naga, recently donated two wheelchairs for the Tinambac District Hospital and Cabusao District Hospital, last August 26, 2007. The hand-over ceremonies were done by RCMSM Sharing President John Ang, and wife DGE Josie, RC Naga President Francis Dabu, Mayor Velarde and RCMSM delegations during the Medical-Surgical-Dental Health Caravan in Tinambac District Hospital.

HEALTH CARAVAN. The Camarines Sur Medical Society, the Rotary Club of Naga, the Rotary Club of Manila San Miguel, the Filipino Health and Education Foundation, recently held a Medical-Surgical-Dental mission in Tinambac District Hospital, last August 26, 2007. Around 2,000 plus patients were treated by 34 medical and surgical specialist, led by its team leaders Dr. Eden Fernando, president of the Camarines Sur Medical Society; Dr. Francis A. Dabu, president Rotary Club of Naga; John Ang president Rotary Club of Manila San Miguel; Camarines Sur Dental Association, past presidents: Dr. Anton Ortega, Dr. Edgar Zantua, Dr. Japs Bombita, Dr. Anthony Ortega.

SPECTACULAR. At its culmination of last week’s ‘Traslacion’, thousands of devotees witness the fireworks display during the launching of the 3-year preparation plan for the 300th year celebration of the Bicolanos’ undying devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia in 2010. RIC PEREZ

Rinibong manga devoto ni Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia igwang hali pa sa manlaen-laen na rehiyon an nag-atendir sa tradicional na traslacion procesion asin nagsunod si paglansar kan ceremonia sa ika-300 na taon na devocion ki Ina na ginibo sa laguerta kan Naga Metropolitan Cathedral kan Septiembre 7.