The COVID years, 2020-2022, were tough years for health issues, tourism, education, and jobs.    2023 was a start toward recovery, and in 2024 it feels almost back to normal  Thank heavens we've had no serious typhoons!

We've recently added a small store and snack bar at the entrance to the forest, a camping area with picnic table and restrooms and, out through the forest, a gazebo and catwalk overlooking the sea and Mayon Volcano.

Stand-down from face-to-face instruction in schools during the pandemic posed particular challenges for those still learning to read.   In our village, the Mirisbiris remedial reading program filled some of the gap, but not all.   Young readers this latest 'summer' were much improved over the previous few years, thanks to return to face-to-face, so the 102 young readers and 45 volunteer tutors from high school and college had more room to work on comprehension, not just phonetics.  

College students fared better through the pandemic, with online classes, and are progressing and graduating on time, 9 in 2023, 11 in 2024, and soon, 13 in 2025.  The number seeking help has increased significantly, and we had to cap at 70 in 2024-25.   We don't solicit for donations, but we welcome them.  

With renewed interest in gardening, we see quite a few "plantitas" and "plantitos."  Gardens and forests are great for destressing.  Music is also great for destressing, and  a talented local, blind musician, Mr. Jun Balinquit is providing live keyboard and guitar music on most weekend afternoons.