Dateline Ibalon is more than just an online magazine—it’s a living compilation of curated stories about Bicol that span history, culture, art, and the everyday triumphs of its people. The platform has become a vibrant space for celebration, reflection, and critique.

Origins Rooted in Cultural Advocacy

The idea to create this online magazine sprung from a conversation early in August 2022 between Greg Castilla, Jojo De Jesus and Rolly Borjal. Seeing the opportunity for a digital space that could amplify and preserve the voices of Bicolanos, the three friends began publishing Dateline Ibalon in September 2022. The choice to begin publication in September was symbolic. For Bicolanos worldwide, the month of September is special – this is when we celebrate our devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Fittingly, the maiden edition of Dateline Ibalon featured stories about Our Ina. September 2022 also marked the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, a dark period in Philippine history.

The first edition set the tone and direction of discourse for Dateline Ibalon. Manny Aureus wrote about the Voyadores of Peñafrancia – as devotees Bicolanos carry our Lady on our shoulders and in our hearts. Included was Dennis Marpuri’s recollection of his 40-day pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain with this wife and grandson. This transformative experience inspired him to spearhead the Camino de Peñafrancia which now in 2025 has evolved into an 11-day walk originating from Daraga, Albay, and ending in Naga during Traslacion. Greg Castilla recalled his life as a young man during the turbulent 1970s when he tragically lost dear colleagues due to the violence of martial law. These were personal and events which he hoped would resonate with the younger generation.  US-based Alenn Nidea contended how the deteriorating social conditions in the homeland personally affected him. He dared to challenge the readers to conquer fear and ignorance.

According to its About Us page, the magazine was envisioned to feature blog articles, literature, history, visual arts, music, book reviews, travel narratives, and advocacy projects. It offers fresh perspectives on topical events and issues that resonate with Bicolanos, whether lived or imagined. The magazine’s mission is clear: to preserve and promote Bicolano heritage while enhancing the region’s cultural literacy.

Connections and Guidance

Dateline Ibalon acknowledges with deep gratitude Paz Verdades “Doods” M. Santos, book editor, advocate of Bikol literature and arts, chronicler of local lore and community stories, for her invaluable help in connecting us with a roster of contributors—historians, cultural advocates, and authors whose works lend depth and credibility to the platform: Danny Gerona – a respected historian whose work on Magellan and Bicol’s past is widely cited; Raffi Banzuela – historian, essayist, fictionist, poet, translator, and author of the book Bikol in the Galleon Times which was featured in serial form in the early editions; Abdon Balde Jr. – award winning contemporary Bicolano writer in Bikol, Filipino, and English, whose FB posts on the search for Ibalon was featured in 2023; historian Leo Paulo Imperial – articles on Alatco and the American colonial rule in Bicol were widely read; Dennis Gonzaga – Naga City Arts and Culture Commission OIC, heritage and culture advocate; Lorena Merlita Tariman – a poet in three languages; Javier Leonardo Rugeria – cofounder of Saysay Bikol and history professor; Evita Jimenez-Tuazon – educator and volunteerism advocate; Victor Dennis T. Nierva – author, poet, culture advocate, co-editor of UNC’s Readings in Bikol Culture, founder and editor of Magbikol Kita; and, Soliman Santos Jr. – legal scholar, peace and heritage advocate with a historical lens and also her dearest husband.

Dateline Ibalon is the registered trademark of the online magazine published by Ibalon Heritage Association Inc., a non-profit corporation registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. Its co-founders have assembled friends from diverse disciplines to serve as their advisory board: Manny Aureus, Telly Hidalgo How, MD, Vic Magdaraog (who passed on in 2023 and is now replaced by his brother Yoyong Magdaraog), Dennis Marpuri, Manny Occiano, Vicente Ramirez, Alenn Nidea, and Doods Santos, some of whom also serve at Ibalon Heritage Association Inc. as officers.

Dateline Ibalon thanks Manny Aureus for his contributions: the Voyadores of Peñafrancia, Ma’am Tels of Bombon, Aklatan sa Kostal, Guerillas of Tangcong Vaca, plus many more from his book “A Circuitous Journey & Other Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love.” With his help, the re-posting of the major works by Carlos Aureus, his dear brother, author of the iconic book Nagueños (a collection of short stories) and Monasterio sa Kadlagan (Bicol essays on Buddhism) were made possible. Telly Hidalgo How, MD generously shared her treasure trove of columns and articles written by her mother Soledad “Choleng” Hidalgo which she collected through the years and now assembled into a series titled “In Retrospect” for Dateline Ibalon. Vic Ramirez and his brother, Fr. Fruto Ramirez, SJ, co-founders of Baao Historical Society introduced us to historical materials on the town, including Philippine Saga, the book by Thomasite, Marius John. The late Pepe Umali, founder of Libmanan Historico Society, penned the commentary on the Epic of Ibalon.

Voices That Shape the Narrative

Bicolanos celebrate their faith and devotion through music. It is no surprise therefore that Bicol is rich in musical talent, bringing to life our love and fervor in songs that evoke the kundiman or harana of yesteryears and heartfelt hymns that soar beyond our churches and cathedrals. Early on, classical pianist Marco Ragragio Valenciano wrote about the devotional songs and liturgical hymns sung by soprano Ena Marie Aldecoa, with music composed and arranged by Fr. Noel Alforte and Ronaldo Dolor, plus others by the late Joseph Ruberiano. Historian Raffi Banzuela reminisced about Lolo Poten, composer of Sarong Banggi, the song synonymous with Bikol culture. Ruben Federizon, vocalist, choral music arranger, educator and advocate, wrote about Salampati, a 125-page collection of choral arrangements of Bicol Folk Songs. Dateline Ibalon also featured the works of Karl Ramirez, multi-awarded Bicolano activist singer, song writer, music arranger and producer, and frontman of the alternative pop-rock band Pordalab; Bicol folk pop and indie rock music personalities featured in the Uragon Night live performance series, including the music of dwta (Jasmine Villanueva), popular recording artist from Tiwi, Albay, and Mei Teves, storyteller from Catanduanes; and Bicol music in the 2024 Fête de la Musique.

Furthermore, Dateline Ibalon showcased the works of the visual art collectives and selected artists from Bicol: Salingoy Art Group, Kintab Artists Group, Kugos Bikol Artists, Kurit Lagting, Bikol Republik, Bicol Artist Tribe, AMA Art Group, Fair Weather Art Catalogue, and FEMME Bikol Women in Art. The individual artists featured were Roger San Miguel, Pancho Piano, Jonahmar Salvosa, Gus Albor, Melchor Sabariza, Dennis Gonzaga, Edgar Doctor, Lito Barcelona, Dr. Alvin De Jesus, Hermes Alegre, Alfonso Baleda, Ed Arcilla, the late Cesar Gueta, Dario Buan Encinas, the late Robi Rayala, Nitz Penera, Melissa Yeung-Yap, Boyet Abrenica, sculptor the late Jo Barcena Jr., Rommel Perez, Cesar Sario. seminarian Jerome Era. MariA Magdamit, and Police Executive Master Sergeant Ryan Morales.

A Wide-Ranging Editorial Compass

The magazine’s editorial scope is broad. It has now published 475 articles as of August 2025 which explore these topics:

• History: From pre-colonial narratives to historical accounts and current events
• Culture, Art and Music: Showcasing local artists, traditions, and festivals
• Education and Community Development: Highlighting academic programs, social development initiatives, and school anniversaries
• Faith and Family: Stories about our devotions and religious practices and the role of families in social development
• Literature, Poetry and Folklore: Retelling myths and legends like those of Ibalong
• Livelihood, Entrepreneurship and Tourism: Highlighting the agricultural, commercial and technological lifelines of the region
• Hometown Heroes: Profiling individuals who have uplifted their communities and made a difference
• Opinion and Commentary: Offering critical takes on social and political issues

The articles are broadly classified into categories which allow the readers to explore Bicolano life from various angles—whether through the lens of ancestral traditions, grassroots initiatives, or contemporary reflections. This diversity of content reflects the complexity and richness of Bicolano identity.

Stories That Resonate

The most widely viewed and read articles blend historical insight and social commentary with compelling storytelling:

• Volcanoes of Bicol by National Museum Bicol
• Understanding the Flood Waters in Bicol by Jojo De Jesus
• CLAYGO (Clean as You Go) as a Way of Life by Business World columnist Nick Tayag
• Footnotes to the History of Gubat Sorsogon by historian Luis Camara Dery
• Jose Maria Panganiban the Reformist Hero by Javier Leonardo Rugeria
• Mother Eagle (Emelina Gagalac Regis) by Doods Santos
• Gen. Vicente Lukban Bicol National Hero by college professor Gene Kevin Borja II
• Magellan: The World of the Visayas by Danilo Gerona
• The Weavers of Buhi: Tradition of Craftmanship and Sustainability by Jojo De Jesus
• Hinulid Santo Entierro: Holy Week Traditions of Calabanga and Gainza
• The Search for Ibalong by Abdon Balde Jr.
• Fr. Danilo Isidro SJ: Animation School Pioneer by educator Mark Montealegre
• The Pioneering Alatco Bus Company by Leo Paulo Imperial
• Biggs Diner at 40 by Jojo De Jesus
• The Enduring Poetry of Jose Rizal
• Pili Nut: The Chosen Pasalubong of Bicol by Jojo De Jesus
• Bikol in the Galleon Times by Raffi Banzuela
• Life Lessons from a Basketball Coach by Mindanao Games convenor Noli Ayo

The above articles which have different publication dates, some posted earlier while others more recent, reflect the magazine’s commitment to depth, diversity, and regional pride. Not included above but worth mentioning are the serial articles: Bicol farms –  Carmel by Santi and Mely Cervantes in Pili, Pasto Iriola by Jun and Ludy Iriola in Ocampo, and the giant bamboo plantation of Sam and Reign Dignadice in Bula; the seaports of Pasacao, Bulan, Tabaco, San Andres – Virac, and Matnog; the Naga City 360 series by Dennis Gonzaga; the Pamibi series about old churches originally published by Saysay Bikol; the retelling of  town histories which now include Gubat, Sorsogon; Paracale, Camarines Norte; Camalig, Albay; and Libmanan, Camarines Sur; Pansit Transit, Camaligan River Cruise, and Aurora’s Tsokolate de Camalig family entrepreneurship articles by Doods Santos; and Sarimaw of Quitinday, Romancing Tondol, Amang Dayaday, Datu Dumaraug, Radio Broadcasting during Martial Law in Albay, Don Pedro Estevan, and Everardo Napay by Raffi Banzuela.

A Community of Storytellers

The magazine has featured a wide array of voices—from historians and cultural advocates to poets and educators. In addition to the notable contributors mentioned earlier are: Nestor Felix – poet and retired international NGO technocrat, Abel Icatlo – Museo Bulawan curator, Jerome Hipolito – educator, artist, and co-founder of Parasurat Bikolnon, Eilyn Nidea – regional theater advocate, Gene Matthew Carretero – community development worker and multi-disciplinary artist, Angelo Ojasto III – law professor and legal consultant, Jason Tabinas – poet and publisher, Ruben Jeffrey Asuncion – historian and college professor, Jun Ragragio – cultural and political activist, Kent de Lima – Rinconda advocate and high school professor, Kerwin Orville Tate – writer and diplomat, Dr. Paulino Lim Jr. – retired California-based professor, and the late Conrado de Quiros – columnist.

Balancing the Narrative

The editorial team strives to maintain geographic and institutional balance, ensuring representation across Bicol’s six provinces and major colleges and universities. Current feature series include explorations of historical churches, maritime ports, eco-tourism farms, livelihood initiatives, entrepreneurship, and technology—underscoring the region’s evolving identity.

A Platform for the Present and Future

In a region where oral tradition and community memory are vital, Dateline Ibalon serves as a bridge between generations. It’s a place where the past is not just remembered but reinterpreted, where art and advocacy meet, and where Bicolanos—whether at home or abroad—can find stories that speak to their roots.

We Welcome Content Submissions

DATELINE IBALON welcomes content submissions and contributions from our readers on wide ranging topics about Bicol and Bicolanos, such as articles, literary work, research papers, photographs/paintings/illustrations, videos, and music. Content can be in Pilipino, Bikol or English. Click link to learn more about our SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.

The header image is a collage of photos featured in past Dateline Ibalon articles (clockwise from top left): the town of Camalig, Albay with Mayon Volcano in the background, a weaver in Buhi, Camarines Sur, a flooded Camarines Sur town after Typhoon Kristine, fishermen pushing out to sea at San Miguel Bay, and the Alice bridge in Gubat, Sorsogon during the American colonial period.

About the author

JOSE VICTOR (Jojo) S. DE JESUS is nne of the content curators and co-founders of Dateline Ibalon,. He was born in Cebu City and grew up in Labo, Camarines Norte where he completed his elementary education. He attended Ateneo de Naga High School and graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a bachelor’s degree in management engineering. He held key management positions in Philippine and Northeast USA companies.