3. NAGA CITY HISTORY Before the coming of Spanish conquerors, Naga was already a flourishing village along the banks of the Naga River. It was an important village with comparatively sophisticated weaponry and surprisingly advanced culture. 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 the place, although some local historians now believe the term naga came from a similar word found in the languages of the Bataks of Sumatra and the Dayaks of Borneo, meaning "serpent/dragon". The same word is found in other Philippine languages and according to local historian Danilo Gerona, the ancient Tagalogs and Pampangos used a decorative figurehead on the prows of their sea crafts in the shape of the head of a dragon or snake which they called naga. THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA
4. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA EDUCATION Naga City is the center of education in Bicol due to the presence of numerous academic institutions including three universities, namely: the Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC), and the Universidad de Santa Isabel (USI). The Holy Rosary Seminary served as a National Historical Landmark.
5. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA COMMERCE In addition, it has three shopping malls, three lifestyle centers, plus a number of strip malls scattered at the heart of CBD-I, popularly known as Centro. SM City Naga located in CBD II, Brgy. Triangulo, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is the first SM Supermall in the Bicol Region. Avenue Square along Magsaysay Avenue is Bicol's first and premier lifestyle center. LCC Central Mall - Naga and Nagaland eMall, housing Robinsons Supermarket are the city's other major shopping malls. Bichara Theater Mall; Emily Arcade; Divisoria Mall; and Paseo de Caceres, which has a Chinese-themed Roman Catholic chapel - Navidad de Naga Chapel - are just some of the city's strip malls. A number of restaurants, bars and bistros are found along Magsaysay Avenue, dubbed as Naga City's "Malate District"
6. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA More popularly called by locals as “centro”, CBD I is the traditional commercial hub. The Naga River, Hernandez Avenue and Arana Street bound this 30-hectare area. Being the location of most businesses engaged in services and wholesale and retail trade, CBD-I teems with people-- which swells to as much as 250,000 at daytime-- from the city and its neighboring municipalities. The Naga City Supermarket, the biggest in Southeast Asia when it was built in 1969, is found at the core of this district.
7. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA CBD-II, inaugurated in 1996, is designed for medium-end commercial development. It is dubbed as Naga's Transport Exchange. This 265-hectare land is bounded by the Philippine National Railway (PNR) tracks and runs through Roxas Avenue (Naga Diversion Road). A 27-hectare property, developed by Ruby Shelter and Development Corporation, serves as the core. This is referred to as CBD-II Central. The surrounding area is called CBD-II Peripheral.
8. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA The area's development is anchored on transport and cargo terminals which bring in a considerable market. The existing terminals, located within CBD-II Central, are the Naga City Integrated Bus Terminal (with 800 bus trips daily) and 2 privately-owned integrated jeepney terminals servicing two-thirds of all inter-municipality public utility vehicles. Warehousing, distribution and transport service companies abound within CBD-II Peripheral. CBD-II is also the location of the 12,000-seat Metro Naga Coliseum.
9. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA TRANSPORTATION Daily rail services to and from Manila were provided by the Philippine National Railways. Naga City is easily accessible by air and land. The city is served by the Naga (WNP) National Airport which is located in the provincial capital of Pili. Flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Pili takes approximately 35–40 minutes. By land, Naga is a 7- to 8-hour ride from Manila via Quirino & Andaya Highways or 10 hours via the Maharlika Highway. Jeepneys and motorbike tricycles are the common means of transporation around the metro.
10. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA SPANISH COLONIAL INFLUENCE 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 feast, which is the largest Marian devotion 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.
11. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE
12. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE The Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the virgin Mary that was carved in 1710. It was accredited by Miguel de Cobarrubias who proceeded to the Philippines from Spain with his family & believed that the virgin Mary had helped him numerous times in his life. The image was housed in a small chapel until the Basilica Minore was established. The Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is enshrined in her sanctuary at the Basilica Minore, Balatas Road Naga City. Archbishop Pedro P. Santos noted that the devotees and pilgrims kept increasing through the years. In 1960 he dreamt building a basilica to give honor to Our Lady. Soon after, through the meditation of the Archbishop Emeritus Teopisto V. Alberto, DD and the Association of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Mr and Mrs. Macario Mariano donated a three hectare lot at barrio Balatas. Bishop Concordio Sarte initiated the ground work of the construction. Blessing and laying of the base was held on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1976 having Church dignitaries led by Cardinal Jaime Sin and prominent Bicolano sponsors.
13. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE
14. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE
15. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE
16. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE
17. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PENAFRANCIA BASILICA MINORE
19. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA CATHEDRAL OF NAGA Established in 1825, the cathedral is among the biggest churches in the region which took 15 years to build. The image of INA is brought here for nine days where the novena is held in her honor.
22. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA SHRINE
23. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA SHRINE
24. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA SHRINE Established in 1750, the shrine is the original home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bikol
25. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA SHRINE
26. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA SHRINE
27. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA SHRINE
29. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PLAZA QUINCE MARTIRES This plaza was built in honor who were executed by the Spanish of the fifteen Bicol martyrs who were executed by the Spanish authorities on January 4,1887 at Bagumbayan (now Luneta).
30. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PLAZA NUEVA DE CACERES A sculptural narrative of the historic bravery of the people of the City of Naga. It is a two-part display that captures the heroism of Nagueños. Crafted by artist Jose Barcena,Jr. grandson of Federico Barcena who carved the monument to the 15 Bicol Martrys at Plaza Qiunce Martirez
31. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA CALLE CACERES One of the oldest thoroughfares in Naga city.
32. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA SOCCORO ABELLA (1929) & MIRABELLA BUILDINGS (1930) Socorro Imperial Abella owned, through inheritance, considerable real estate in Naga City. Astute in business, she leased commercial buildings and developed land into at least three residential subdivisions.
33. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA PLAZA RIZAL This monumental park is located at downtown Naga in honor of the national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This known locally as the center for public debates and discussions
35. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES MUSEUM Located inside the University of Nueva Caceres campus,it is one of the oldest museums outside Manila and recognized by the International Association of Museum. It houses historical artefacts of the ancient Bikol, its people ans its culture.
36. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA BICOL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTRUM & PLANETARIUM
37. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA MONUMENTS AND STREET FURNISHINGS
38. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA WILFREDO B. PRILLES JR. City Planning and Development Coordinator
39. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA An Interview with WILFREDO B. PRILLES JR. City Planning and Development Coordinator Naga City, Camarines Sur How do identify Naga City in terms of City Planning? How does it differ from other cities in Camarines Sur? Our guide is the mandated planning fucntions of our office under the code. We still have a lot of things to. As of now, the government has already issued a rationalized planning system and if we're able to attain our goals, we might even set a good example to other cities especially in Camarines Sur. We need to update our land use plan because it is way too far from what is mandated by the governmnent. Everybody is doing their best. One thing is clear though, we are trying to outdo ourselves.
40. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA An Interview with WILFREDO B. PRILLES JR. City Planning and Development Coordinator Naga City, Camarines Sur What form of city beautification and aesthetics does the government provide for tourists and its residents? The administration is continuing to receive good feedbacks from the people. Like with Plaza Rizal, the main park in the, is now free from barricades and other types of fences making it more accessible to people because the court has finally given its decision that the government should manage the park and not with some type of condensed use ownership. The market became more customer-friendly. We have one upcoming project that already has its feasibility studies which is the Naga River Project. We'd like to place a boardwalk along the river. Unfortunately, some residents have settled along the easement. The project is essentially tries to recover public space by putting riverwalks. We already conducted a survey, 9 out of 10 residents are willing to cooperate with us, thus, relocation will be provided for informal settlers. The design solution is a cantilivered walkway. Technically we are talking about a 3-5 meter wide walkway. We would like to think that if this will be made possibble, property owners will be encouraged to put up business such as boarding houses and some areas will be provided for tourist attraction.
41. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA An Interview with WILFREDO B. PRILLES JR. City Planning and Development Coordinator Naga City, Camarines Sur Does the government prioritize urban beautification? If yes, how and in what forms? Yes, the administration is giving efforts under the development agenda of Naga Smiles to the City and under that is beautification. One project is to revive Mayon Avenue, in order to connect Panganiban Drive to Magsaysay Avenue, the "Nightlife of Naga City" and form a triangle. This will provide economic opportunities. It has beautification components, we are fixing the sidewalks and street lights. Things are looking up for the city although we may have issues with our city center not being able to preserve heritage sites.
42. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA An Interview with WILFREDO B. PRILLES JR. City Planning and Development Coordinator Naga City, Camarines Sur How do you envision Naga City's urbanification in the next 10-20 years? We are trying our best to be a "Compact City", our main concern is that there are settlements going beyond the urban core. We are proposing policies that urban development should conform to what was mandated in the original land use plan which is radial to circumferential plan. There should be a circumferential road that would define the city center. It will encourage walking on our "greenways", for a healthier lifestyle. At the same time less energy consumption since your radius will be the minimum jeepney fare.
43. NAGA CITY THE HEART OF BICOLANDIA Conclusion Naga City is a well-developed city. The city's mayor, city planner, and tourism administrator are making great efforts to improve the city’s surroundings by beautifying and maintaining its urban landscape. Naga City's plazas are beautifully designed with classical and modern lampposts used. The open space and structures of the Naga Cathedral will make anyone fall in love with it because it gives a feeling that a person is in a foreign country. Historical structures found around the city are given importance too. One can perceive that the whole city is kept clean which makes it very presentable. Walking around the city will never be a tiring activity because of the decorative elements and tourist spots it showcases. Though cars and tricycles often pass by its roads, pedestrians need not to be so cautious because sidewalks are provided for them. Also, there are no blind spot in the city where you might feel unsafe. Overall, there is a stimulating sense of belonging and security in the city of Naga.
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