By Keren Anne Bernadas LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- Three weeks after Severe Tropical Storm Opong battered Masbate on its second landfall, the spirit of bayanihan remains alive as national and local government teams work hand in hand to bring aid and hope amid the devastation. Earlier this week, Governor Ricardo T. Kho reported that around 600,000 individuals, representing 152,840 families, were affected by Opong. A total of 80,251 houses were partially damaged, while 20,556 were

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 R.(cf. 2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to

By Myrna Bermudo St. Carlo Acutis, the newly canonized Millennial Saint, was chosen as the patron saint and model of holiness by Christ the King Parish Social Communications Ministry (CKP SOCOMM) in Palestina, Pili, with Arjay Recaña as President and Fr. Emil Valeza, Parish Priest. “He is our patron and inspiration in serving God through the media,” the Parish-based social media group said. A triduum mass was celebrated on Oct. 9-11 in preparation for Acutis’ feast on Oct. 12

By CBCP News The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has urged the faithful to wear white every Sunday in October and November and display white ribbons in homes, churches, and public spaces as a prayer for the nation’s renewal amid corruption issues and recent calamities. In a circular issued Oct. 11, CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said the use of white clothing and ribbons represents the people’s plea “for transparency, accountability, and good gov

By Lilette P. Manauis Four seminarians were ordained to the sacred order of Deacons in a solemn ceremony at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City last October 10, 2025. Sem. Mark Christian Estrebello Degracia and Sem. Marx Karl Azur Bergado both of the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Balatan, Camarines Sur, Sem. Mark Kevin Valera Alba of the Parish of St. Rose of Lima, Anayan, Pili, Camarines Sur and Sem. Jesua Folloso Mortega of the Parish of St. R

By Sally Atento-Altea LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Bicol region now have access to more than 200 franchise brands in food, retail, and services. They also receive expert advice to help them find the right fit. Around 30 exhibitors offered franchise opportunities at the “Franchise Negosyo Para sa Region V,” which was organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) in cooperation with partners, including the Department of T

Photos contributed by Judge Soliman M. Santos, Jr.

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- All roads to revelry lead to Sorsogon from October 15 to 18, as the province celebrates this year’s Kasanggayahan Festival. Sorsogon is marking the 51st anniversary of the Kasanggayahan Festival, which coincides with the 131st founding anniversary of the province. ‘Kasanggayahan’ is an old Bikol word that means a life of prosperity. The festival features events that emphasize community participation, cultural pride, and shared heritage. “This celeb

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) honored outstanding government workers and agencies during the regional awards rites of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration Tuesday. CSC Regional Director Daisy Punzalan Bragais lauded the awardees for their dedication, integrity and commitment to public service. “They embody the true spirit of public service competence anchored on compassion. Their efforts strengthen public trust and

By Manuel T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY – At least five government infrastructure projects in the Bicol region remain unfinished, reportedly due to abandonment by a construction firm linked to the controversial Discaya Construction group. Four of the incomplete projects are located in the island province of Catanduanes, while a P700-million flyover project intended to connect to the Bicol International Airport remains idle in the town of Camalig, Albay. The Discaya Construction firm

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY –-- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 5 (Bicol) ordered local government units (LGUs) in the region to update their contingency and disaster response plans amid the series of strong earthquakes and weather disturbances. Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense 5 and RDRRMC-5 chairperson, said the reports to be submitted by the LGUs would be reviewed to identify gaps; corrective actions would be recommended; and a

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The provincial government of Albay ordered the conduct of scenario-based drills simulating various disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, structural failures and fire evacuations, within seven days. In a memorandum issued Tuesday, Governor Noel Rosal, who also chairs the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said the drills are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and enha

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- More than PHP6.19 million worth of illegal drugs was seized during week-long police operations, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported on Monday. PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. said operatives carried out 36 anti-illegal drug operations from Oct. 6-12, resulting in the arrest of 44 suspects that include five high-value individuals and 39 street-level pushers. A total of 910.73 grams of shabu and 5.50 grams of mari

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) arrested a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) most wanted person facing murder charges in a manhunt operation in Rapu-Rapu, Albay over the weekend. PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. identified the suspect as “Batista,” 38, a fisher, native of Malolos City in Bulacan, and a resident of Bacon District, Sorsogon City. The suspect’s capture carries a monetary reward of PH

By Keren Anne Bernadas LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- The Philippine National Police attributes the peace and order situation in the Bicol region to its 5-minute response time, says Police Regional Office 5 Public Information Officer Malu Calubaquib on Thursday. “The stronger and more efficient implementation of the 5-minute response time leads to the resolution of crimes becoming faster, and it becomes easier to track down and apprehend the suspect. Through this, justice can be pro