The Truth About Naga City, Bicol, Camarines Sur

[RonHenk]

OK. It has appeared to me from some of the comments to my previous post about Naga City, that some folks took my review to heart. So, in the interests of the true meaning of this forum. Which is to provide true and factual information so that current and future expats can make informed decisions. I will provide the following review:

 

Naga City, Bicol, located in the heart of Bicolandia, is a beautiful city of approx 200k people. The city is extremely clean, by Philippine standards There are trash cans everywhere. Three of them in fact. 1 for paper recycle, 1 for cans and bottles and 1 for normal trash. You'll be hard pressed to even find a cigarette butt in the streets.

 

The locals here are very nice and hospitable. Sometimes going out of their way to help. Probably do to their strict religious up bringing and strong family values. This is a very religious city hosting one of the largest celebrations in the country during the month of September for Our Lady of Penafrancia, the patroness of Bicol. There are two 15th century churches here in Naga (that I know of) and many more in the surrounding provinces. Some are just old relics, but others are truly beautiful. The Penafrancia Basilica, in Naga, is down right awe inspiring.

 

The traffic here is negligible but can get a little dicey in Centro (the center of town) during the evening. Most any place in town is 10 min or less away. By jeepney, trike, car or motorcycle, doesn't matter. The jeepney routes are well thought out and easy to learn. The streets as well. You'll know your way around in no time.

 

Hospitals. There are 3 large hospitals here. All less than 10 min away from anywhere in town. I can't comment on how good they are. Since I thankfully have not needed them. I hear the best one is Mother Seton Hospital. A private Catholic run facility staffed by nuns. As a side note, the traffic here actually pulls over to the side to allow an ambulance to pass!

 

Shopping. There are 3 malls here. SM City, LCC and the E-Mall in Centro. The SM City mall is small by SM City standards but adequate. The other two are smaller. But between the 3 you can find pretty much anything your looking for. Within reason. This is still the Philippines. They are also constructing a new, much larger Robinsons Place mall right near my house. There is a butcher shop on Magsaysay Ave, owned by a foreigner, where you can get some fairly decent meats and sausages. There is a pretty large Peoples Market in Centro where you can get fresh veggies, local meats and fresh seafood brought in by the fisherman along San Miguel Bay. Seafood is abundant here and fresh. Some of the fish are still flopping when you buy them. Crabs and shrimp are plentiful.

 

Beaches. Although Naga City itself is land locked. You are less than 45 min away from the ocean along San Miguel Bay. It's a scenic drive to the bay where there are many fishing villages with so-so beaches. Continue on the same highway another 15 or 20 min for some pristine white sands. This area used to be all province and small fishing villages but as the highway gets improved it is starting to get developed with a couple/few resorts.

 

Sights/Things to do. There are many attractions here. There is a Water Sports Complex less than 10 min outside of town. You can swim, water ski and rent a cabana for the day. A lot of expats visit this facility. Entrance is free. P250 to enjoy the water. P500 for a cabana for the day. There is a hot springs near there. Again, 15-20 min from town. I haven't been there so I can't comment. Mount Isarog which is 30 min from town, hosts a national park with beautiful waterfalls and hiking and biking trails.

 

Expat community. There are a surprising number of expats here. I see them pretty much everywhere I go. Most are very friendly. But some keep to themselves. Which is OK with me as I tend to do the same. I hear there is a expat social club here but I haven't looked into it.

 

Restaurants/Nightlife. Magsaysay Ave is the hub of restaurants and clubs in Naga. I don't go clubbing so I have no experience there, but I'm told that several of the clubs host decent live bands and can draw quite the crowd. My nephew told me that there are establishments of ill repute as well,  but if there are, there not obvious and again, not my cup of tea. So can't comment. The restaurants I've tried have been decent but I've yet to find one I really like.

 

So folks there's my honest and true opinion on Naga City. I apologize if I mislead any of you with my previous post. Moderators feel free to delete that entire post on the grounds that it is totally untrue.

 

You can't fault a guy for trying to keep his own little slice of paradise an unknown.

 

p.s. Don't tell anyone! OK?

 

Ron 

[robert k]

Ron, I think everyone could read between the lines.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Ron

I must remind you of the forum rules.

 

 

You agree:

 

1/Through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, racist remarks or otherwise a violation of any law.

 

First offence

Choice of castration using the two house brick method or a weekend with Jake in the reactor room.

Second offence

I doubt if there ever would be one

 

:mocking:   :)

[OnMyWay]

Ron, I think everyone could read between the lines.

 

Hmmm, I won't name names, but it appears that a couple of people fell for it hook, line and sinker!   :rolleyes:

[OnMyWay]

Ron

I must remind you of the forum rules.

 

 

You agree:

 

1/Through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, racist remarks or otherwise a violation of any law.

 

First offence

Choice of castration using the two house brick method or a weekend with Jake in the reactor room.

Second offence

I doubt if there ever would be one

 

:mocking:   :)

 

I think I posted a similar yarn about Subic once.  Before I make my choice, can you describe the reactor room in detail?   :no:

[Dave Hounddriver]

it appears that a couple of people fell for it hook, line and sinker!  

 

I think it depends on the reader's nationality, there are some reader's like Chris49 who have no problem calling 

total bullsh&t on that

 

And yet some of us where brought up to say:  "Oh, That's nice", when we really mean what Chris said.  :hystery:

[RonHenk]

First offence Choice of castration using the two house brick method or a weekend with Jake in the reactor room.

 

I truly apologize JGF. I'll take the first option as Asawa Ko  took possession of my bayag years ago. Please don't sentence me to the reactor room with Jake. I don't think my backside can take it.

[Hey Steve]

Thanks for the update, Ron. I have notified some of my friends and have a video here of them heading your way. Thumbs up-a beer for each of them....https://youtu.be/mM5vxe5HYg4

[Hey Steve]

At about 4:30 in this video, Ron..you will see my friends heading your way-thanks for the recommendation!!

 

[mogo51]

Hi Ron,

I read your original post, did not take any offence.  But this post is a cracker and you seem to  live in a great spot.  Great insight into

life there, thank you.