Happy New Year Ka-Roamers!

A year of roaming, exploring and trivia has passed.

May the dawn of this new year will be a reminder to everyone to don't stop to ask questions, never stop exploring and always be part of sonething that will impact other lives.

An optimistic and free spirited 2014 to everyone!

From your friendly "roamer", history and story chaser -Roaming Rome

Surfing • Photography • Fashion

Surfing • Photography • Fashion

Where will you find these 3 in one place? 

Only at Coast Thru Life, a surfers hideout, photograph gallery and fashion haven located at Marikina Shoe Expo Cubao, Quezon City.

Seasoned surfers Buji Libarnes and Nikki Dela Paz opened this specialty shop aiming to spread the love of surfing with style. Actor Jericho Rosales has a big contribution to this idea while the famous US surfboard shaper Ian Zamora share his masterpiece for the Filipino surfing community thru this establishment.

The shop offers in style surfing attires, accessories and surfboards, the custom hoodies and tees are hot like pancakes.

Must try:

The "all is swell t-shirt" designed by Carla will give the total proceed to Yolanda victims.

Hangout with fellow surfers and share a beer with Buji himself when you visit at night and not surf season.

Get an Ian Zamora custom long boards, these are the most sought boards in Pinoy surfing world now.

"Christmas Day Pilgrimage"

"Christmas Day Pilgrimage"

For 13 years since I came out of this world, our parents introduce to us the tradition of Christ Day Pilgrimage at Baclaran Redemptorist church, a devotion that brings folks as far as Ilocos gathers to this shrine to get blessings and say their prayers to child Jesus. Believed to be a source of life changing miracles which me personally experienced. T'was 1989 when me a young kid dreams to have a better life, bet his fortune on collecting Gold Eagle beer crowns (predescessor of Red Horse) and ask his mom to join a raffle in Eat Bulaga noon time show. During the draw, I prayed faithfully on the Our Lady of perpetual help, as I finish my wish, Sen Tito Sotto called my mom's name and that's it, We won! The prize car help us bought some properties and our life was never the same again.

Today, we revisited the Redemptorist church to continue our devotion and remembers our good childhood memories at our "sanctuary of faith"

The church is located along Roxas boulevard in Paranaque.

Must Try:

Tiangge hopping at the best tiangge hub in Manila

Eat crispy lechon at Mila's Lechon restaurant

Know the humble beginnings of Max's Fried chicken at their first resto branch across the OLPH shrine

#XmasPilgrimage
#BaclaranDevotion
#RedemptoristChurch
#Sanctuaryoffaith
#RoamingRome

Merry Surf Xmas

Its a whole year of wipeout from crisis and life challenges.

We never get tired of paddling again and able to return to line up. 

We got an awesome wave ride at the end.

Merry Christmas ride to all surfers, adventure lovers and roaming rome followers!

Winter Solstice

Today is the shortest day in the northern hemisphere and the longest in southern hemisphere. 

Happy Winter Solstice and Merry Yuletide Season!

Photo courtesy of Biyaherong Barat (www.biyaherongbarat.com) shot at Gubat Bay Sorsogon during a December dust.

#wintersolstice #winterlights #yuletideseason #ExploreAlmasor #SoSorsogon#BiyaherongBarat 
#RoamingRome

"The hunter catches the moon"

"The hunter catches the moon"

A spectacular moon and stars formation last night (and will also be seen tonight) whereas the The great hunter Orion holds the moon while the twins(Gemini), big dog(canis major) and Jupiter watches.

Look up the sky and appreciate the stars!

Location: Almost 60 degrees altitude Eastern Horizon Malilipot, Albay Philippines

#uniquestarformation #SimpleAstronomy #IStargaze#Astronomywithoutborders
#roamingrome

Ms.Earth 2013 in Sorsogon

Roaming Rome was fascinated with culture and experience shared with the Beauty Queens of Ms. Earth 2013 aside from the breathtaking elegance of the ladies.

He will surely miss The Surfer Beauty Queen Katia Wagner, the doll like Aleksandra Czczesna of Poland, "Nita Loca" Sofiani of Indonesia, the articulate Natalia of Chile and bubbly Diana of Columbia and the sweet Maria of Crimea.

Meeting people from around the world is like exploring new frontier you will learn and somehow touch people lives.

#RoamingRome #KatiaWagner #NitaSofiani #AleksandraSzczesna#MissEarth2013

Stargazing Session at TNHS Yes-O Camp 2013.

Stargazing Session at TNHS Yes-O Camp 2013.

Inspiring young brilliant kids of Tabaco National High School is a dream come true, a prestigious institution I always look up since High School years.

Sharing the beauty of the sky and the magnificent celestial bodies is an advocacy I always do and will continue until my later years.

Aside from putting up an Observatory, I will be spearheading the Project JCI R.O.A.M. that aims to spread around Bicol the Science and Astronomy education.

For Science Camp and Stargazing Session Please contact us:
Rome: 09186069326/09225327780

A short talk on Green Entrepreneurship and Climate Change, right in time at Tabaco National High School.

I was delighted to see how many young and bright students cares and know about the devastating effect of Global warming, tackling the entrepreneurial potential of used and resources that may reduce Carbon footprints is a great opportunity on influencing the youth to prepare for the future and lessen the effects of global change in climate.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my former mentor Myrna Gonzales, the Yes O camp coordinator Mrs. GM Bo and Mrs. Gilene Belen for the opportunity to be your resource person.

#RoamingRome #TNHS #ClimateChange #GreenEntrepreneurship

Formerly waste materials converted to useful and profitable products.

Libon, known convenor of Green Entrepreneurship offers local products for travelers as part of localism program.

Proudly made in Libon!

#Localism #LibonRuralTourism #RoamingRome #WarmAlbay

Roaming Rome was invited to do a speaking session for Green Entrepreneurship and lessening the carbon foot prints at Yes-O Camp of Tabaco National High School.

An Astronomy camp will also be held this Friday, Nov. 15 at TNHS Lagman Gym.

Clear Skies! See you Guys!
#RoamingRome #ResponsibleTraveler #Astronomywithoutborders

Roaming Rome will now share his stories and adventures with the adventure seekers.

Its your chance to Stargaze, Explore and Educate!

Choose your adventure:

S.E.E. Sorsogon (Surf - Eat - Explore)
Buhay Probinsya Experience
Roaming Albay Tour
Cagraray Island Escape
Mayon 360 Ride with Roaming Rome himself

For slot reservations, please contact 09186069326/09225327780
email us at romcanz08@yahoo.com
Message us here

Photo Credit to Biyaherong Barat

The awesome traveler will invade the land of hot and spices...

Will try the hottest food and drinks
Will circumnavigate Mayon Volcano
Will touch the clouds
Will survive the towering falls
Will brave the creepy "Campo Santos"
Will be like Flavio of "Panday"
Will live like an Albayano for a day.

Watch out for the Biyaheng Albay of Biyaherong Barat!

JCI Legazpi and Daraga Marker and Mama Mary statue deployment at Coral genesis site.

One of the proudest community and environment service I made so far, helping the propagation of corals for marine life, helping the community on developing a tourist destination and be part of a young visionary leaders.

JCI Legazpi and Daraga never fails to show their passion on changing the world and be an example to the future leaders.

Hit Gubat straight from the moon then Surf to Sawa!

My 4 days Haloween break spent with the town of brotherly love, Gubat, Sorsogon. Toasted but done the next best move for a surfer novice.

Chill, Cheers, Waves and Stars.

"No one will ever beat an Astronaut"

Piamont Science Oriented School for Kids share their concern about Climate Change.

Every kid wear their best costume to symbolize the importance of awareness and preparedness against global warming. A brainchild of their brilliant Directress Madam Bey Averilla who also the mind behind the letters to the kids of Zamboanga. Thank you for inviting me as your competition judge and be part of the celebration and advocacy.

Its worth scaring the Global Warming Away!

Can't get over of Bulusan! the town of heritage and Adventure.

Bulusan (means flowing of water) is not quite known aside from its lake and active volcano. 

The mystic beauty of the town is a must to explore for travelers and tourists alike. The enchanted hills housed the riches artifacts and treasures hid by the Spaniards and the Japanese during their occupation, the heritage church and pueblo where the typical Spanish town flourished, the variety of fresh, hot and ice cold springs, the collection of unique flora and fauna to its luscious forest, the surging waves serve as fantasy to surfers, valuable black magnetic sands, Interesting caves and falls and the unequaled hospitality and culinary genius of the locals.

Get ready to have an overflowing excitement and satisfaction, Pack your bags and spend the best moments of your life in Bulusan.

Must Try:

Food:

Espasol
Binutong

Activity:

Surfing
Hiking
Camping
Falls and Spring Hopping
Heritage Tour

For Tours and Adventure in Bulusan please contact Roaming Rome Knows Travel at 09186069326/09225327780

Roam - Surf - Conserve!

Our Travelers Creed is explore, educate and preserve, a creed every explorer and every human should have.

Pass the message and be part of the wave of travelers that will change the world.

Albay, The Spicy Capital of the Philippines.

Do you know that:

Albay is one of the choice for food trippers, the province has a wide range of food to offer such us spicy main dish, appetizers, delectable desserts and even unique flavoreddrinks.

The travelers with a purpose compose of travel guru James Betia of Journeying James, Arvin David Quilloy, Elvie Manlulu and Meg Abaño, tried the best resto in town and their pride menus.

To their ratings:
Balay Cena Una lead the way for affordability and vintage ambiance of the restaurant.
Next is 1st Colonial Grill with their unique and cool range of Ice Creams
Last but not the least is Red Labuyo who offers the spectacular view of Mayon Volcano while enjoying your shakes and appetizer.

Bottom Line: They promise to go back to this land of Spices and Savory dishes and will share the worthy mentioning experience in WARM Albay.

Dont forget to visit Albay this November for the month long Karangahan Albay Green Christmas and food expo and satisfy your cravings for Spice and Sweets.

The travelers who will change the world.

New set of Heroic friends in their own way and capacity, creating change slowly but effectively.

The team where passion meets with advocacy.

Artes asin Kulturang San Miguelnon

The first festival of Isla de San Miguel celebration old heritage, rich culture and colorful activities.

Face to face with the National Geographic Archaeologist

National Geographic delegates and Archaeologist Dr. John Peterson of University of Guam and Dr. P. Bion Griffin of University of Hawaii together with Albay Academe representatives and Albay History and Poet Laureate Abdon M. Balde Jr.

They plan to undergo series of survey and research about the prehistoric and pre-hispanic dig sites, one noted place is Cagraray Island and Pantao old astillero (shipyard).

Its a dream come true to meet them and be a contributor to their discoveries of Ancient Albay artifacts (My dream when I was child is to be an Archaeologist due to the movie Indiana Jones). 

Sun rises at Libon

Do you know that:
The feast of Senor Santiago De Libon is started by a waking band called Diana to alert locals to go to church to commemorate the town's patron saint feast.

Rizal overseeing the youth of the Libon.

Drum and Bugle parade @ Paroy Fest 2013

Azucarera de Bacacay

"Minakinahan" located at the boundary of Brgy. Basud and Brgy. San Pedro Bacacay, Albay might be the oldest sugar factory of Albay. A Spanish time sugar factory and plantation owned by an unknown Senor who owned the Hacienda from the shores up to the uplands of Bacacay. Two big round structures each measuring around 70 meters in diameter was located near the river, a big complex of 300 to 400 meters where as per the locals the "makina" or big gears for milling sugar canes.The site is like a small version of Fort Santiago's sentries where human size canals stretch between the two cauldron like structures. The place has an established water system and road towards the Haciendero's house on top of the hill less than a kilometer away. Terra cota bricks also covered the stairs and walkway of the facilities, unfortunately they are also scavenged for oven use. The place was also a victim of treasure hunters were sporadic excavation can be traced believing there are treasures under it. The local government of Bacacay is now planning to do clean up and provision of markings to the site, this move will get a boost on promoting local history. Soon a historical tour will be launched to this treasures of antiquity of Bacacay.

Center platform (warehouse)

Left Circular Chambers

Right circular chamber

Tourism officer Richard Bejer measure how big the cauldrons are

Super Moon of 2013

Do you know that:
Super moon is reaching the nearest part of its orbit to the Earth called Perigee, it is also the coincidence of a Full Moon and New Moon. There are "lunatic fears" that this event will trigger big waves and tsunami but there are no scientific basis to adverse effect of this yearly natural phenomenon.

In Bicol myths, the big moon purports to its goddess, Haliya, the adversary of the dragon Bakunawa. The Bicolanos had a dance to drive the dragon away from Haliya, and the ritual was named after the goddess. Other tribes purport to stomping and shouting loudly, banging pots and pans, stick needles and pointed sticks on walls in the direction of the creature, or rub their thumbnails together furiously.

Watch the big moon tomorrow 7:30 in the evening at the eastern horizon, be fascinated of its beauty will be best enjoyed with a special some one 

Libon's Seed of Christianity Monument

Do you know that:
The first christian community in Bicol was in Libon, Albay. The year 1573, Juan De Salcedo put up the great cross of christianity in his new baptized settlement known as Santiago De Libon, since then catholicism spread like wildfire through out Bicol peninsula.

Throwback Thursday: My first telescope

The Fisher and Price Skyscope is my first ever gadget for Astronomy, amazed of the March 18, 1988 Total Solar Eclipse where we watched the solar phoenomenon on a "batya" filled with water, my Dad then bought me this awesome toy. It includes glass slides of pictures of the moons and astronauts, I was attached to Stargazing since then.

Do you know that:

Fisher-Price is an American company that produces toys for infants and children, founded in 1930's who was surprisingly bought by Quaker Oats Company in 1969.

The companies fundamental toy-making principles centered on intrinsic play value, ingenuity, strong construction, good value for the money, and action. That is why it become famous toy brand and a choice for cognitive development training tool for kids.

Inspire your kids today with cognitive toys and see what they become in the future