A time to build, a time to heal—a poignant account of the fire damage in Naga

by Acela Badiola-Bretan

“From Leni Robredo, here are the pictures from the Naga City Fire. According to Leni, the city’s priority is to assist the stallholders so they could start selling their goods again ASAP. But most of the stallholders were small-time entrepreneurs and none of them had their goods insured.”—Melyn Lucido, CSI’81

“When I asked the vendors how long they will be back, nobody can give a definite answer. Looking at their faces, I experienced a surge of emotions. I was happy to know that they are still able to sell and earn a living for their children and family. At the same time I felt sad because they have to endure harsh conditions and nobody’s sure for how long this will last.”—Dusktildawn (UP Ibalon Blog, 11/17/08)

“It’s no wonder why Naga sorely misses the market that has been razed by fire. Many ask how long it will take the government to restore the place to its original ambience. As one can imagine, the supermarket is truly the heart of a vibrant city where businesses flourish and the soul of the people dwells.”—Pitoy Moreno (UP Ibalon Blog, 11/15/08)

“Iyo baga…Alms. Si Sherry Guerrero may Botica Lexar. Ang tugang ni Melyn igwa man 24 K pawnshop sa first floor. Napa-ngiturugan ko ngani ang supermarket several weeks ago ta dati akong alalay ni mama pag nagsasaod. Ang price ko kan pagbitbit kang sinaudan kadto iyo an mag snack duman sa kanto kan saodan na igwa nin mga turu-turo na loglog.”—Bingbing Badiola, CSI’81.

“The first floor of the supermarket was spared, dai man nasulo. Si 2nd and 3rd floors ang nasulo… Nakasalvar si botica ni Sherry and pawn shop ni Tita Belits. Ang aram ko si Felo may meat store sa 3rd floor… Mapungaw, ta crisis na ngani, nangyari pa ining sulo na ini..” –Nenette Abrigo, CSI’81

“Aram na baga what started the fire? Was the entire 2nd and 3rd floor razed down? Sinabihan ako kan sobrino ko kan Friday mismo na state of calamity ngani daa kamo dyan. Hope everything would turn out okay ta harani na baga ang holidays, herak man ang mga na-displace…”—Aleta Gehrke. CSI’81. (Photo Credits: Leni Robredo)

NOTE: The fire that gutted the Naga Supermarket happened on Thursday, November 7, 2008 after a province-wide black-out. It was theorized that an unattended candle ignited the blaze. =0=

RELATED BLOGS: “Naga Public Market (Supermarket) Burns Down” Posted by myty555 at 11/07/2008; “Huge Loss in Naga Supermarket Fire” Posted by mesiamd at 11/09/2008;”Fire brings woes to Naga City market vendors” Posted by mesiamd at 11/07/2008; “Feeling the loss of Maogmang Lugar’s market fire”
Posted by mesiamd at 11/15/2008.

Feeling the loss of Maogmang Lugar’s market fire

by Pitoy Moreno

The big fire that gutted Naga City Supermarket has been quickly extinguished but the magnitude of the loss is incalculable. Those who shop in the market now find the vendors displaced, selling their goods in Igualdad and General Luna Streets. There is confusion— something that’s expected when a calamity gets into the lives of the people. For having a “super” market, Naga suffers a “super” loss.

Fondly referred to as “Satuyang Sa’od,” the Naga Supermarket was at one point the largest public market in Asia. It had been a source of pride of the Bicolanos. During its construction in the early 1970’s, the impressive concrete edifice rose with two large covered floors and an open roof deck, occupying two city blocks. The supermarket was one of its kind until the mega Malls became popular.

Two underpasses cross the belly of the building assuring easy mobility of pedestrians and tricyles. At the center, a spiral ramp was designed to allow wooden carts and vehicles to bring merchandise directly to the top. Huge stairways service the commercial edifice for the convenience of sellers and shoppers alike. Natural breeze aerates the sturdy building.

The supermarket is a major hub of activity in Naga City. At the break of dawn people flock to the place to start the busy day. Early “birds” in search for the proverbial “fat worm” are drawn in the commercial paradise where an eclectic mix of merchandise and service thrive. Off-school children and teenagers eager to earn cash help moms and pops tend their store. The market isn’t just a place to buy and sell, it’s also an interesting place where people congregate and socialize in Maogmang Lugar.

In specified sections of the supermarket, fresh fruits, organic vegetables, choice meat, and an array of farm harvests are sold hand-in-hand with locally made home furnishings and native products. There are carenderias, flower stores, beauty shops, and bakeries that keep business at fever pitch all throughout the seasons.

Known for its plebeian openness and domesticity, the supermarket is never short of exciting activity. Seafood are hauled from places like Calabanga, Pasacao, and Cabusao and sold in the market at mark down prices. Farmers from Pacol and Carolina bring baskets of balatong harvested from their gardens. Those from Panicuason and neighboring towns bring sacks of freshly harvested corn, talong, coconuts, and edible greens to the delight of shoppers. As far as Tinangis at the foot of Mount Isarog, they come with their fresh produce to sell. That’s why as a matter of habit, store-owners in the city and neighboring towns rely on the supermarket to keep their trade going.

Shoppers love the market for the tuyo, badi, tocino and longaniza they buy for their families, but it is also a place where they meet their friends and relatives. Pili sweets are mainstay favorites enjoyed by their visitors. Young and old, they enjoy the ukay-ukay and the ready-to-wear clothes stalls which sell copies of big name brands of fashionable apparels at low prices.

Newpapers and magazines are sold in the first floor. In the market’s upper levels, vendors offer familiar Bicolano foodstuffs— red hot sili, bawang, kangkong, petchay, sibulyas, laya, and kamatis. The tempting aroma of Bicol cuisine fills the air. Rows of eateries serve ice-cold fruit juices and halo-halo to banish the tropical heat of summer. Native calamay sweets, balisoso, dila-dila, and ibos are available for hungry shoppers. Puto, bokayo, latik, pinuyos and baduya never frustrate the taste of those who seek them in the market.

It’s no wonder why Naga sorely misses the market that has been razed by fire. Many ask how long it will take the government to restore the place to its original ambience. As one can imagine, the supermarket is the truly the heart of a vibrant city where businesses flourish and the soul of the people dwells. (Photo Credits: bingbing; hellochris; hellochris) =0=

Mayor Jess Robredo Meets Naga Fire Victims

In a gathering at the site of the fire that gutted the Naga Supermarket, Mayor Jesse Robredo explains to his constituents the measures he will take to tackle the problems that follow the displacement of vendors and shoppers of the market. According to Bicol Mail, an estimated P70 million worth of goods and property were lost. (Photo Credit: Bicol Mail, Movember 13, 2008)

RELATED BLOGS: “Naga Public Market (Supermarket) Burns Down” Posted by myty555 at 11/07/2008; “Huge Loss in Naga Supermarket Fire” Posted by mesiamd at 11/09/2008;”Fire brings woes to Naga City market vendors” Posted by mesiamd at 11/07/2008

UPDATE: Inquirer (11/17/08, Escandor J.) Announced by Sen. Joker Arroyo and Budget Sec. Rolando Andaya, the national government will release P70 million to finance the reconstruction of the city’s three-story public market. Fire damage assessment was upped to P100 million from the earlier reported P70 million reported.

Huge Loss in Naga Supermarket Fire

by Fatima Edna Balaquiao

Last Friday evening, the Naga City supermarket was razed by fire particularly the 2nd and 3rd floors. Ninety-nine (99%) of the stores on the upper 2 floors were devastated. Rows of ukay-ukay stores (second-hand clothes sellers,) vegetables stalls, chicheria wholesalers, dried fish stalls, meat stalls were gobbled up by flames.

It’s almost December and market sellers are already on their way to stock-up for the Christmas holiday. It’s really sad seeing them now. They ply their trade on the side streets – sa gilid kan tinampo – specially the small-time vendors.

The local government has declared a state of calamity in Naga city. I don’t know when things will get back to normal, but probably it will take time. Haloy pa ini!. (Photo Credits: by kaveh; ToNo’World’s) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: “Fire brings woes to Naga City market vendors”
Posted by mesiamd at 11/07/2008; “Naga Public Market (Supermarket) Burns Down” Posted by myty555 at 11/07/2008

Fire brings woes to Naga City market vendors

“The immediate question after the incident is where market vendors will ply their trade and where people can buy their daily needs. This morning the market vendors used Igualdad and Gen. Luna Streets as their makeshift market. But this is a problem that must be resolved very soon.”— UP Ibalon Bicol Blog (11/07/08, Myty)

It’s enlightening to read MyTy’s behind-the-scene account of the fire which destroyed Naga Supermaket, an iconic landmark at the center of city. The fire is believed to have been ignited by an unattended candle on Thursday evening, November 7, 2008 following a province-wide electrical power outage. Inquirer (11/07/08 Escandor, J)

Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo said the conflagration started at about 11:30 PM in the fish section of the building and spread to the third floor. With the help of firemen from the city, neighboring towns, and some coming from as far as Tabaco, Albay, the fire was put under control at about 5 AM.

The total damage to property had so far not yet been ascertained, but it could run in the millions. This augurs badly for the small vendors who rely on their livelihood now by selling on the streets of Gen. Luna and Igualdad. (Photo Credit: uberdoog; richiejoe2) =0=

Naga Public Market (Supermarket) Burns Down

The Naga City public market burned down last night while there was a black-out.  According to a friend, it started on the 2nd floor along the fish section.  As of this morning, firefighters still can’t enter the fiery structure but it is thought that even the 3rd floor will be unserviceable.  Doubts are even entertained if the first floor will be serviceable.  Fire-hose water run-off marred the ground floor.

True to our grim nature, the scuttlebutt is that Mayor Jesse Robredo had it burned down.  But it is a story few level-headed minds will entertain.  The city mayor was in a tug of war with the stall owners over the demolition and renovation of the said structure.  Current occupiers fear that with a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) type of construction they will lose their rights and that rent will go up.  The mayor has long been complaining of the low rental coupled with a high level of delinquency.  He also points out that the public market is no longer in step with the growing city.

The immediate question after the incident is where market vendors will ply their trade and where people can buy their daily needs.  This morning the market vendors used Igualdad and Gen. Luna Streets as their makeshift market. But this is a problem that must be resolved very soon. Of course, that is the forte of the current mayor of the city.

(Photo credit:bp2.blogger.com)