Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, originally uploaded by Enrico_Dee.

One of the most impressive stone churches in Bicol, the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres. Nueva Caceresis the old name of Naga City.

The 400-year old cathedral has an impressive baroque architechure with its two large belfries attached to its sides.

I checked out its interiors and noticed that its ceilings are not as old as its facade. The ceilings of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral was painted using the art technique known as Trompe L’oeil. This art technique makes the ceiling look like a 3 dimensional art peice.

Holy Rosary Minor Seminary

Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, originally uploaded by Enrico_Dee.

Honestly, Naga City was originally not included in my itinerary. I just considered Naga just two days before I actually departed for Legazpi City.

Because it was a rush. I didn’t have much time to reasearch on the places I should go to, or the foods to eat, or where and how to get to the city. Luckily, some friends from the SSC-Naga were there to tour me around the city. Sigh.

So from the Plaza Rizal, Kevin and Bobby brought me to the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary.

Plaza Rizal

Plaza Rizal, originally uploaded by Enrico_Dee.

It seems that every province, town, and city in the Philippines has a monument dedicated to him. And Naga City is not an exemption.

Dr. Jose Rizal was born from an affluent family in Calamba Laguna. He studied Optometry and languages in Europe. His writings have fueled the revolting masses in the Philippines in the 1890′s. The Spaniards find his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo too seditious. And because of these, he was sentenced to death, and was executed by Spanish Guards on December 30, 1898 in Bagumbayan now popularly known as Luneta. Dr. Jose Rizal is the National Hero of the Philippines.

Quince Martires Monument

Quince Martires Monument, originally uploaded by Enrico_Dee.

On the second day of my Bicolandia tour, I travelled by van for two hours heading north to the city of Naga.

Naga was once the capital of the province of Camarines Sur. But soon after it gained the status as a chartered city, the province’s capital was moved to the town of Pili. The city of Naga is, undoubtedly, the most progressive city in the Bicol Region. All regional offices of the Philippine Government used to be housed here. But it was later moved to Legazpi City due to its strategic location.

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