Luzon-Visayas-Luzon Roadtrip: Bacolod City to San Carlos City Part 1

Mandalagan Range

The shortest highway connecting the cities of Bacolod and San Carlos on both sides of north Negros Island is via the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.

The Mandalagan Range lording the north of Negros Island is just one of the exhilarating views to be had when passing the Murcia - Don Salvador Benedicto route.

Stunning mountain ranges, cool weather and the scent of pine trees make this a trip to remember.

Murcia Church

Luzon-Visayas-Luzon Roadtrip: Bacolod City to San Carlos City Part 2

LKY Metro Transport and Lifestyle Hub Updates (July 23)

Calle Crisologo in Vigan City

Kamestizoan District in Vigan is replete with ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles. Calle Crisologo brings back the old Spanish atmosphere starting with the cobblestone streets, the gorgeous backdrop of the old houses against the shadows of each houses, and of course the the clacking noise of horse driven carriage, kalesa.

This is the most photographed site in the city. They say, you have never been to Vigan, unless you walked through this street and posed for all the world to see.

Polangui, Albay

LCC Mall and BDO




Public Market

Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

Santa Maria is a 3rd class partially urban municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

The Municipality of Santa Maria was called a “Purok” in early history. Others called it “Bukang” although “Purok” could be more likely the name given to the place since this means village in Iluko while “Bukang” does not refer to anything in this dialect.

There are conflicting dates regarding the establishment of this town as an independent parish. Sources available at the Rare Books and Manuscript Section. Filipiniana Division of the National Library and national Archives shows that the first Agustinian mission was established in Santa Maria in 1760 which was at that time a “Visita” of Parish since 1587. Others reveal 1765 and 1769 as the town’s foundation dates although it celebrated the 200th year of its christianization in 1767 on the strength of a “Libro de Bautismos” for 1766 still preserved in its parish archives. Santa Maria however, was officially recognized as a ministry in 1765, but later it became once more a visita of Narvacan for lack of priest. It finally became an independent parish in 1769 under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption in whose honor the name of the town was changed from Purok to Santa Maria.

Casablanca Suites in Legazpi City

Casablanca Suites
Alternate Road, Legazpi City

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines is one of seven operating units of the Bureau of Corrections under the Department of Justice.





History

The Spanish regime had earlier designated Puerto Princesa, Palawan as a place where offenders sentenced to banishment were exiled, but the facility was established only during the American occupation. Governor Luke Wright authorized the establishment of a penal colony in the province of Palawan on November 16, 1904. This penal settlement, which originally comprised an area of 22 acres, served as a depository for prisoners who could not be accommodated at the Bilibid Prison in Manila. A prison facility was created by the American military in the rain forest of Puerto Princesa. Lieutenant George Wolfe, a member of the U.S. expeditionary force was the prison's first Director.

The Department of Commerce and Police moved the institution to the center of the colony. The Philippine Commission of the United States government passed Act No. 1723 in 1907, classifying the settlement as a penal institution.

Escape attempts was the first problem that the colony experienced but because of the efforts of Col. John R. White of the Philippine Constabulary, the settlement became a successful colony. White became the superintendent of Iwahig in 1906. Vocational activities were available which includes farming, fishing, forestry, and carpentry. Prisoners were free to choose the vocational activities they wanted.

In 1955, President Ramon Magsaysay promulgated Administrative Order No. 20 which allowed the distribution of colony lands for cultivation by deserving colonists. This was implemented by the Secretary of Justice Pedro T. Tuazon. and Agriculture and Natural Resources Secretary Juan G. Rodriguez. Granting qualified colonist six hectares of land.

President Carlos P. Romulo created a committee on August 16, 1959 to study the state of national prisons. The prisoners in Iwahig were divided into two groups, settlers and colonists. The settlers are prisoners whose applications for land to cultivate have been approved. Tools, dwellings and beasts of burden were furnished by the government. Expenditures incurred for their maintenance and for their families were reimbursed from the products of their farms. Settlers receive any amount of money they have loaned after the government deducts their obligations.

During that time, Iwahig was subdivided into four zones or districts: Central sub-colony with an area of 14,700 hectares; Sta. Lucia with 9,685 hectares; Montible with 8,000 hectares and Inagawan with 13,000 hectares.

Source: Wikipedia