Daet, Camarines Norte

Daet is a first class municipality on Luzon island in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It is the provincial capital. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 95,572 people.

The current mayor of Daet is Tito Sarte Sarion. The first monument in honor of the first Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, can also be found here in Daet. Its foundation was made of mortars and boulders from the demolished old Spanish jail in Daet. Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz and Lt. Col. Ildefonso Alegre of Philippine Revolutionary Army initiated the construction of the monument which was unveiled on December 20, 1898.

The municipality is a popular surfing spot among surfers worldwide. It is also home to the annual Daet International Aerosports Show, first held in 2013.

History

In 1571, Juan de Salcedo and party came to Bicol Region in quest for gold found in Camarines Norte and discovered that Daet was already a thriving settlement and noted that the houses were clustered together for reason of safety and protection. The name of Daet was derived from the Bikol word "dai-daitan" which mean, "close to each other". Daet also originated from ancient Bicol term "daet" which according to the first Bicol Spanish Dictionary "Vocabulario dela Lengua Vicol" authored by Fray Marcos de Lisboa would mean "to make friend" or "to be reconciled". On June 1583, through a Franciscan Order confirmed the founding of Doctrinas including Daet.

Barangays

Daet is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.

Alawihao
Awitan
Bagasbas
Barangay I (Ilaod)
Brgy II (Pasig)
Brgy III (Iraya)
Brgy IV (Mantagbac)
Brgy V (Pandan)
Brgy VI (Centro)
Brgy VII (Diego Liñan)
Brgy VIII (Salcedo)
Bibirao
Borabod
Calasgasan
Lag-on
Magang
Mambalite
Pamorangon
Mancruz
San Isidro

-Daet is the home of the first monument for Jose Rizal.

Places of interest Churches

:

• Most Holy Trinity Cathedral, it was built and was inaugurated in 1984. It is also the cathedral of the Diocese of Daet
• Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, established in 1611, it is one of the first church in Camarines Norte in the region built by the Franciscan Friars.
• Saint Joseph, Husband Of Mary Parish in Lag-on
• Our Lady Of Peñafrancia Parish in Moreno Dist., Gubat
• Divine Mercy Parish in Alawihao

Historical landmarks:

• 1st Rizal Monument
• Provincial Capitol
• Old Daet Municipal Building
• Daet Elevated Town Plaza
• Daet Municipal Building
• Pineapple Fountain

Elementary/High School/College/Vocational School Public and Private

Elementary School

• A. Pabico Abordo Elementary School
• Alawihao Elementary School
• Anita V. Romero Elementary School
• Awitan Elementary School
• Bagasbas Elementary School
• Calasgasan Elementary School
• Cobangbang Elementary School
• Daet Elementary School
• Dogongan Elementary School
• Don Emeliano Elementary School
• Don S. Carranceja Memorial School
• F. Baldovino Elementary School
• Gioto Pimentel Elementary School
• Gregorio Pimentel Elementary School
• Julia Abilgos Elementary School
• Mancruz Elementary School
• Mantagbac Elementary School
• Paciano Magana Elementary School
• San Luis Elementary School
• Teacher Villages Elementary School
• Urban Poor Resettlement Elementary School
• Zurbano Elementary School

High School

• Camarines Norte National High School
• Moreno Integrated School
• Porfirio Ponayo High School
• Vicente L. Basit Memorial School

• AMA Computer Learning Center College of Daet (Private)
• Camarines Norte Chung Hua High School (Private)
• * Camarines Norte State College (State College – SUC)
• Camarines Norte State College – Abaño Laboratory Elementary and High School (Part of the CNSC)
• Databyte Computer College
• Dioneda's Special School Of Daet
• ICL School (Private)
• La Consolacion College of Daet (Private)
• Mabini Colleges (Private)
• Model Center for Excellence Academy (an English School) (Private)
• Microsytem College Foundation (Private)
• Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation (Private)
• Peña de Francia College
• Vineyard Asia Technological College
• Zion Christian Academy Foundation
• NorthHills College Of Asia
• San Vicente Parochial School (private)

PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL

Daet has its annual Pineapple Festival every 15th-24th of June officially but its basically on for the whole month with several smaller associated festivities. The importance of this festival is the unique pineapple its self, named the “Queen of Formosa” pineapple well known for its sweet flavour and is only produced in this region.

The “Pinyasan” as the Daetenos call it is known as one of the most colourful parades in the Philippines. Since its start in 1992 knowledge of the queen of formosa has spread even to out side of the Philippines.

The main part of the celebration lies with the highly decorated floats and costumes all well rehearsed and choreographed in there own rights. With brass bands and schools and many different groups and associations being involved marching and dancing through the streets of Daet.

The most important and significant part to this spectactular celebration is the whole agriculture industry that this province holds. As well as the arts and culture it brings with it.

Other places have festivals and events to promote there products which is good for the producers , the people and the city’s themselves. Here we simply want to salute the farmers of Daet.

The Pinyasan Festival (June 15-24)coincided with Daet's 428th foundation anniversary and the quadricentennial of its St. John the Baptist parish.  Daet Mayor Tito Sarion, who was a town councilor in 1993, started the town’s Pinyasan Festival. Back in the1990s, while attending a Philippine Travel Mart Convention, Tito conceived of the idea of promoting a local festival in honor of the Formosa pineapple, the sweetest variety among home-grown pineapples in Camarines Norte and a major fruit product. The festival has significantly boosted the popularity of the pineapple (its other potentials then only known by local farmers and traders) and fortified industries related to it.   

Today, foreign firm Sunzu Agri-Development, Inc. has a pineapple processing plant at Brgy Caayunan in Basud while another newly-established agro-industrial firm (Flora Farms Integrated, Inc.) in Brgy. Pamorangon in Daet has ventured into the production of food and other products derived from pineapple. There is also a Pineapple Island Resort-Hotel (Calasgasan, Daet), a new bus firm (Pineapple Gold Express) and countless newly created food recipes that include pineapple as ingredient.  Neighboring Basud town and local cooperatives, with the help of the local government and national agencies, have created new fiber products and the popular pineapple pie,  a contribution to the One Town One Product (OTOP) program, harnessing local creativity in to exploring product possibilities extracted from the fruit and sustaining a now major industry. 

Street Dancing and Best Marching Band Competition was held too.

BAGASBAS BEACH

Bagasbas Beach or simply Bagasbas is Daet’s main attraction and is the most favorite beach in Camarines Norte Province . With its wide and long 2km stretching fine Grey sand and promenade that spans the best part of it.

Locals and visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views of the activities on and off the beach and to the various islands close by . Getting to the beach is easy with one long road from JolliBee in the city centre direct to to the beach.

As nearly all the places to stay except those at the beach are close to the city centre (centro) , it would take you less than 50 peso and no more than 10 minutes to cool down in the sea or fresh breeze.

The best thing about Bagasbas Beach is that its free , easy and clean. And not ruined by mass tourism and people hassling you for something.  Even the peanut sellers don’t come to you , you must call them.

If the day comes when there are hoards of tourists , it wouldn’t matter so much because there is more than enough room for every one to enjoy

There is a bit of a rip tide at times that have caught people out in the past, the lifeguards keep watch over you and make sure your not in a danger zone, but be aware of this though.

• There's a very famous beach in Daet called Bagasbas and the only standing resort is Bagasbas Lighthouse where you can had your breakfast after you arrive in Daet, Camarines Norte.

Calaguas Island

Calaguas Islands is increasingly becoming a popular backpacker destination. Located in the northernmost tip of Bicol, this beautiful beach is probably one of the best for Barkada destination in this part of Luzon.

Calaguas is a group of islands that includes Tinaga Island and Guintinua Island, there are minor islands like Maculabo Island and other minor islands. In Tinaga Island, you can find the famous Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach) or Halabang Baybay in Bicolano. If you are looking for a perfect camp site or a perfect white sand beach, you will surely enjoy Mahabang Buhangin.

If you are planning a trip to Calaguas Islands and you are looking for travel tips, sample itinerary, transportation guide and hotel recommendation then you just found the right page. This post aims to provide the most detailed Calaguas Islands Travel Guide to help you prepare for your future visit in this beautiful group of islands.

There are no hotels in Calaguas except Cottages. If you are more adventurous, you can choose to camp out. If you do not have a tent, you can ask the locals or your boatmen where you can rent a tent. Each tent is normally good for up to 5 individuals and it is usually rented at 300 – 400 pesos per night plus a camping fee of 100 pesos per person.

Where to eat?

There are Sari-sari stores in some parts of the island but they dont sell hot meals. There are houses where you can ask to cook your meals but I guess its more exciting if you will cook your own meals so make sure to bring enough drinking water, food and booze. You will find some fishermen selling their fresh catch every morning or in the afternoon. There is also a small talipapa (market) in Brgy. Mangcawayan where you can buy fish. If you dont have cooking utensils, ask your boatmen, some of them will you borrow their cooking pan, plates etc.

Sample Calaguas 3 days 2 nights Itinerary

Day 0
9:00PM – ETD daet

Day 1
07:00AM – ETA Daet/ Breakfast
08:00AM – ETD for Calaguas Island
10:00AM – ETA Calaguas Island/ set camp explore
12:00 NN- Lunch
01:00PM – Siesta/ swimming/ explore/ picture happy campers
06:00PM – Dinner
07:00PM – Socials
10:00PM – Lights out

Day 2
06:00AM – Wakeup call
07:00AM – Breakfast
09:00AM – Prepare for Island Hopping (own pax Acct)
12:00NN – Back to camp site
01:00pm – Late lunch
04:00pm – Explore the beach
05:00 PM – Rest
06:00 PM – Dinner

Day 3
06:00AM – Wakeup call
07:00AM – Breakfast
09:00AM – Break Camp
10:00AM – ETD Calaguas – Daet
12:00NN – ETD Daet
01:00PM – Late Lunch
02:00PM – Surfing Bgasbas
05:00 PM – Rest
06:00 PM – Dinner
09:00 PM – ETD Daet – Manila

Things to do in Calaguas

• Playing Frisbee, Volleyball
• Diving and Snorkeling
• Camping
• Skimboarding
• Nighlife via Mobile Bars
• Island Hopping
• Visit Pulang Daga Beach in Paracale
• Take a short hike to get a nice birds eyeview of the island

Travel Tips

• Bring insect repellants
• Bring enough food and drinking water
• Bring Rice
• Learn Surfing in Bagasbas
• Bring first aid kit
• Bring Dry Bags
• Bring Power Banks for your Mobile Phones
• Bring FlashLight
• Bring Extra Battery for your Camera
• Get the 9pm Bus trip for you to arrive in Calaguas before lunch time

How To Get There

Getting to Daet from Manila

BY LAND:

Take Bus to Daet Camarines Sur or Paracale if you want to use that route. Transport Terminals to Daet are available in Cubao and Pasay. Travel time is approximately 6 to 8 hours depending on the traffic.

Take a Philtranco bus from Pasay/EDSA or Cubao/EDSA. There are non-aircon bus if you want to save more on transportation. There are regular Airconditioned bus and deluxe airconditioned Bus with Restroom inside this bus.

DLTB, Isarog Bus Lines, Penafrancia Travel and Tours and Superlines are also offering trips from Cubao/Pasay to Daet. SuperLines in Cubao offers a direct trip to Paracale (Contact Number: +632 414-3321 / +632 414-3319)

PHILTRANCO Pasay Central Office: (02) 851-8077-79 Cubao Terminal: (02) 722-7567

Provincial Capitol:

Parroquia de San Juan Bautista

The St. John the Baptist Church, also known as the Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Bautista is a Roman Catholic church located in Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines. It was built by the Franciscan friars in 1611. It is one of the oldest churches in Camarines Norte. The current parish priest is Rev. Msgr. Cezar M. Echano, Jr., current Vicar General of the Diocese of Daet, appointed in 2010.

DAET MUNICIPAL HALL

DAET PUBLIC MARKET

Conversion to Cityhood

A P30-million government center, a P30-million transport terminal and an improved airport are among the large-scale face-lift projects that Camarines Norte’s capital town plans to embark on as it aggressively vies for cityhood.

The projects, including a new face of the town plaza, were presented by Mayor Tito Sarion in an executive report last month. “The enhancement of the elevated plaza is necessary to decongest the downtown in an attempt to rebuild the center of the commercial district,” he said.

Sarion said the United Architects of the Philippines had agreed to design the new plaza through a P3-million grant provided by the party-list group Bayan Muna. A telephone company would build “an attractive landmark” at the fountain area, he said.

The funds for the government center and transport facility will be borrowed from the Land Bank of the Philippines, while the revitalized Bagasbas airport project will be funded by the Air Transportation Office (ATO).

Sarion said the proposed government center would make transactions with provincial and national government agencies more convenient while the new legislative hall would “create a breathing space and a better working environment at the municipal hall, where offices are crowded.”

But problems arose to the municipality's conversion to cityhood because it can't meet the standard land area.