Sweet Getaway: PANAGAN, CAMARINES SUR – MY MOTHER’S HOMETOWN

Most of us usually have our hometown, a place where we were born or grew up. In my case, I was born in the city of Manila but growing up we lived in other cities because my family has to move to a different place near to our father’s work location. However, living in the city makes us want to escape from the noise and buzz of city life once in a while, Isn't it? Thank God! My mom has her hometown in the province of Camarines Sur, which is in Panagan.

Overlooking view of the town

Scenic view of Panagan shore

Panagan is one of the towns in the municipality of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. You may get there with these choices of transportation, an approximately 10 to 12 hours bus ride from Pasay Buendia, Cubao, or Alabang bus terminals going to Naga or Goa, Lagonoy then a tricycle ride going to the township of Panagan. Another choice is through a 45 minutes flight by an airplane going to Pili Airport terminal, from Pili 1 hour travel by van going to Goa and then a tricycle ride to Panagan.

Naga Bus Terminal

Panagan is situated with nearby beautiful and green mountains where the people's resources came from, like different kinds of root crops and coconut trees which eventually use for making "Copra", a process of utilizing dried kernel of coconut for the extraction of its oil. The town is a simple community, many of the people who reside there are skilled in making durable "Walis Tambo" (Sweep Reed) which lasts for a long time, they can make creative decorations out of recycled materials that are useful in their everyday life. Not just that, Panagan is also located beside a peaceful ocean with a cool breeze where you can relax and feel the tranquility from waves in the bayside. In addition to this, a broad but shallow river of freshwater flowing from the mountains combining the saltwater from the sea made that town even more attractive to the tourists. Across the river is the Luyang Beach Resort, which is known for the extensive black sand shore that can be seen during low tides. The rock formations in the surroundings allow you to connect with nature and experience the wonderful creation of God, especially when waiting for the sunset scene.

More photos of Panagan

The Panagan Bridge going to Barangay San Sebastian

"Koprahan at Ilawud"

Tatay Juaning's House

The Luyang Beach Resort

We used to go there during the school break to enjoy our summer days. It also happens that the town’s fiesta is every 8th of May, but sometimes the celebration and events start a week before the exact day of the occasion, it depends on the town's council plans. That's why most of the time we planned our vacation near the fiesta's date to maximize the time we will spend in the place. I love fiesta in the province; of course, the foods are extra special, haha! Seriously, the main reason is to get along with our Tatay Juaning (my mother's father, sadly he already passed away), with our aunts, uncles, and some cousins living there or in other parts of Bicol. It became our mini-reunion when they come together to celebrate the yearly fiesta.

Our Dear Tatay Juaning

Every hometown has a unique story to tell, it may be good or bad reminiscence. Memories that we can keep as we grow older. One's hometown has always been part of our childhood even though life leads us to many places in the world. It brings us back to where we all started reminding us that God has the perfect plan for all of His creation. By the way, my parents met in Panagan, my father also spent his vacation with his relatives there and the rest is history! Until our next GETAWAY.