Rey Anthony Ostria

Jan 14, 2025 | bicoldotph.com | Rey Anthony Ostria

LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur—Allan Abanto, 52, traversed a cemetery in Puro-Batia village in this town, making his way to a parcel of land, which will be converted into government property in just a few months. He had to make careful, deliberate steps, avoiding the puddles that formed after four days of heavy rain in this part of the Bicol Region.

Jan 7, 2025 | coverstory.ph | Rey Anthony Ostria

DONSOL, Sorsogon—On his day off from his two jobs last November, after two strong typhoons battered the Bicol region including this coastal town popular among tourists eager for an “encounter” with whale sharks, Antolin Cuelana queued for relief goods at the basketball court in Barangay Ogod. The queue in Ogod, the largest barangay in Donsol, is now such a common sight that the distribution of relief goods had become highly efficient and systematic. “There’s a list of who should get relief goods.

Oct 28, 2024 | newsinfo.inquirer.net | Rey Anthony Ostria

NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR, Philippines — Bicol’s only independent bookstore, Savage Mind, has suffered extensive damage, estimated at P20 million, after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) triggered severe flooding in Naga City in Camarines Sur. The owner, Kristian Sendon Cordero, decided to temporarily close the bookstore on Oct. 24 due to the loss.

Oct 25, 2024 | coverstory.ph | Rey Anthony Ostria

LIBON, Albay—Delia Sario Elcano, 68, plodded through mud and past fallen power lines, barbed wires, slippery stones, and streams that were not there before. She had to take an unfamiliar path in temporarily abandoned residential lots because the usual route was covered with soil and rubble from a landslide. It was noon of Oct. 24 in Burabod village, the site of the landslide that buried at least 20 homes the previous day.

Oct 24, 2024 | newsinfo.inquirer.net | Rey Anthony Ostria

LIBON, Albay — The family of Mary Jane Nabia remains hopeful that she is still alive beneath the soil and debris that buried at least 20 houses in Burabod village last Wednesday, October 23. Corazon Nabia Araya, 56, said her 54-year-old sister was fleeing during the landslide, but took a wrong turn and was unable to reach safety. Article continues after this advertisement“We didn’t see it coming. It happened so suddenly,” Araya sobbed while speaking to the Inquirer.