The Majesty of the East: Where Fire Meets the Sea

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In the heart of the Bicol Peninsula lies a land forged by fire and cradled by the Pacific—Albay. This isn’t just a destination on a map; it is a living, breathing masterpiece where nature’s raw power and human warmth collide in a spectacular display of culture and landscape. To step into Albay is to step into a story that has been centuries in the making.

The Crown Jewel: Mayon, the Beautiful

Towering over the province like a silent, watchful deity is Mayon Volcano. Renowned globally for its "perfect cone," Mayon is more than a geographical marvel—it is the soul of the region. Local legend says its name comes from Magayon, meaning "beautiful," and she lives up to the title with an awe-inspiring symmetry that remains breathtaking from every angle.

Whether you are witnessing the ethereal glow of a sunrise hitting its peak or exploring the historic Cagsawa Ruins—where a lone belfry stands as a haunting testament to the volcano’s 1814 fury—Mayon commands your respect and your heart.

A Map of Wonders: From Peaks to Pacific Depths

Albay is a playground for the soul, offering a diverse geography that caters to every type of traveler:

The Coastal Frontiers: Head to Bacacay for pristine white beaches or dive into the crystal-clear waters of Rapu-Rapu to witness vibrant marine life and stunning rock formations.

The Inland Escapes: Discover the lush greens of Malinao, home to the refreshing Vera Falls, or visit Libon, the "Rice Granary of Albay," where the fields stretch out in a golden patchwork under the sun.

The Heights of Adventure: For the thrill-seekers, the rugged terrain of Camalig and Guinobatan offers world-class ATV trails that take you right to the lava walls of Mayon.

The Taste of Fire: A Culinary Odyssey

You cannot say you have experienced Albay without surrendering to its cuisine. Bicolano food is a daring dance of creamy coconut milk and the sharp sting of siling labuyo (chili).

Pinangat: A masterpiece of shredded taro leaves and meat simmered in coconut milk.

Longganisa de Guinobatan: Small but mighty sausages packed with distinct local spices.

Sili Ice Cream: The ultimate Albay paradox—a dessert that is simultaneously freezing cold and strikingly spicy.

The Heart of the People: "Dios Mabalos!"

What truly sets Albay apart is the spirit of its people. The local greeting, "Dagos tabi sa Albay!" (Welcome to Albay!), is more than a formality; it is a genuine invitation into their homes and history.

From the intricate Abaca products hand-woven by local artisans to the rhythmic beauty of the Bikol language, there is a deep sense of pride here. Albay is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, a title earned through a commitment to preserving the delicate balance between a growing civilization and the magnificent environment they call home.

Your Journey Awaits

Whether you are seeking the adrenaline of an ATV trek, the serenity of a hidden waterfall, or the spiritual quiet of an old stone church in Tiwi, Albay delivers. It is a place where the earth is restless, the food is fiery, and the welcome is as warm as the tropical sun.

PBBM admin promotes 2,900 NCR educators under fast-tracked career reforms

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

MAKATI CITY, 6 February 2026 — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the recognition of public school educators as he witnessed the oath-taking of 2,915 newly promoted teachers and school leaders from the National Capital Region (NCR), highlighting the administration’s push to fast-track long-delayed career progression in the education sector. 

“As you take your oath today, you are renewing the promise that you have made to our children and to our nation because you carry a big responsibility every single day inside the classrooms and always extending way beyond school hours,” President Marcos said. “As your public servant, I believe that our fight to build a better government begins through education and through the people who mold the minds of our youth.”

Held on February 6, the ceremony formally marked the promotion of educators to higher career stages, covering Teacher III to VII, Master Teacher II to V, and Principal II to IV positions. Education Secretary Sonny Angara administered the oath, with the President personally witnessing the pledge of service, alongside Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay and senior officials of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, inuuna natin ang guro—hindi lang sa salita, kundi sa malinaw na reporma na nagbibigay ng dignidad, pag-angat, at kinabukasan sa propesyon ng pagtuturo,” Angara said.  

The promotions were carried out through a fast-tracked process that combined appointments to natural vacancies and position reclassification under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) framework, allowing the Department to immediately address long-standing promotion backlogs across NCR divisions.

Of the 2,915 promoted personnel, 2,186 advanced through natural vacancies, while 729 were promoted through ECP reclassification, reflecting a dual-track approach that enabled qualified educators to move up based on merit and readiness, without being constrained solely by vacant plantilla positions.

The promotions are anchored on Republic Act No. 12288, or the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act of 2025, a landmark reform signed under the Marcos administration. The law establishes a structured, competency-based career system with parallel tracks for classroom teaching and school administration, providing equivalent salaries and benefits while ensuring that no educator suffers a reduction in existing compensation.

DepEd noted that the use of both natural vacancy appointments and ECP reclassification allowed divisions to respond to differing staffing conditions and readiness levels, while maintaining the integrity of the government’s personnel system.

The Department emphasized that promotions are anchored on the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers, ensuring that advancement is tied to competence, performance, and professional growth. By allowing educators to progress while remaining in the classroom, DepEd said the reform helps retain expert teachers, raise morale, and strengthen learning outcomes for students.

The NCR oath-taking follows a similar ceremony held in Ilocos Region last January, where 789 teachers took their oath for promotion, underscoring the nationwide scale and momentum of the reform.

Held under DepEd NCR’s guiding principle of RISE—Resilience, Integrity, Service, and Excellence, the ceremony reaffirmed the expanded responsibility of teachers and school heads as frontline leaders of education reform, with the President himself standing witness to their renewed commitment to learners and the nation.

Betrayal in the Shadow of the Mountain: R-II Builders Defies Congress with Brutal Smokey Mountain Demolitions

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

TONDO, MANILA — The ink on a congressional commitment was barely dry when the sound of splintering wood and shattering dreams returned to Smokey Mountain. In a move that the Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance (MAIA) has branded a "vehement" betrayal, R-II Builders, Inc. (R-II) allegedly unleashed armed personnel to forcibly dismantle the homes of the urban poor—violating a direct promise made to the Philippine House of Representatives just days prior.

A Broken Promise on the Record

The conflict reached a boiling point on January 28, 2026, during a high-stakes hearing of the HOR Subcommittee on the Presidential Proclamations. Amidst mounting evidence of illegal displacement, R-II’s legal representative, Attorney Jerome Canlas, stood before lawmakers and pledged to maintain the status quo.

"Para po matahimik tayong lahat... wala na po muna. Status quo... Itutuloy lang namin yung wala kami na ginagawa na pag-demolition," Canlas stated on the record.

Lawmakers, including Chairperson Roy M. Gonzales and Representative Ernesto M. Dionisio Jr., welcomed this assurance, believing the families of Tondo were safe until a Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) could formally convene to ensure humane, legal processes.

The Reality on the Ground: Armed Personnel and Ruined Lives

The "peace" lasted less than a week. By February 3, disturbing footage captured armed units invading the community. Among the casualties of this defiance was 60-year-old Sonia Rebadulla. A solo parent who had left her home for a routine dental checkup, Rebadulla returned to find her sanctuary reduced to rubble—a stark violation of the very "status quo" promised in the halls of power.

"We can no longer sleep," lamented Anora Madrid of the local residents' association. "They circle us at night... R-II Builders are in cahoots with the barangay. They promised to stop until consultations were held, but they are wiping us out before we can even speak".

The Hidden Agenda: Waste-to-Energy and Land Disputes

At the heart of this aggression lies a deeper, more lucrative motive: a proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator. Residents and advocates allege that R-II and its sister companies, PhilEco and MIEC, are clearing the land to make way for this facility—a project they claim has undergone zero public consultation.

The community further argues that R-II has no legal right to the land. Under Presidential Proclamation 39, Smokey Mountain is designated for low-cost housing for the urban poor. Elena Plaza of the organization NANAMOR points out a critical missing link: R-II has failed to produce a Deed of Conveyance to back their ownership claims, which are currently being questioned by the Commission on Audit and former lawmakers.

A Call for Justice

MAIA and its allies are not backing down. They are demanding an immediate end to the "illegal and violent" evictions and are calling for the government to uphold the national ban on incineration as mandated by the Clean Air Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

"There should be no place for forced demolition to make way for dirty, fake solutions like incineration," said Chinito Reel Casicas of RebootPH. "This is an indication of the government's crooked direction regarding climate and nature".

As the smoke clears over the latest ruins in Tondo, the residents of Smokey Mountain are left asking: If a promise made in Congress isn’t enough to protect a home, what is?