from Mr. Eli Cinco of the Manila Bulletin

CALBAYOG CITY – This coastal and bubbly city of 180,000 is celebrating the feast day marking the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mother – its patron saint – tomorrow, September 8.

(It is also my annual pilgrimage to dear old hometown.)

Since the religious event falls on a weekend, thousands of visitors from nearby islands and highway towns have started converging here beginning yesterday, the “ante-vesperas” day. (read more)