LECTURE # 3 TOUR 3 REGION V BICOL REGION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Albay Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Catanduanes Masbate Sorsogon

Regions political and administrative center: Legazpi City Regions religious and cultural center: Naga City ALBAY Capital: Legaspi City 1. Cagsawa Ruins: only the belfry of Cagsawa church is visible now above the volcanic mudflow that buried the town and 1,200 of its inhabitants when Mayon Volcano erupted on February 1, 1814 2. Daraga Catholic Church: Built in 1773 by Franciscan missionaries atop a massive hill top; rich baroque architecture; has collection of priceless religious relics and seals carved on volcanis rocks. 3. Hoyop-hoyopan Cave: formerly used by the primitive people as abode. 4. Ibalong: most celebrated festivity in the Bicol Region; the whole Legazpi City comes out in full revelry; depicts Bicols early beginnings as in an epic called Ibalong. Held on the third week of October 5. Mayon Volcano: The only one volcano in the world that has an almost perfect cone CAMARINES NORTE Capital: Daet 1. Daet Pineapple Festival: Showcases the main agricultural products of the capital town, especially the famous golden Formosa pineapple, said to be the sweetest pineapple of all the pineapple varieties. 2. Feast of the Black Nazarene: two-day religious festivity is held in honor of the Black Nazarene. Devotees from nearby provinces make pilgrimage to Capalonga every May. 3. First Rizal Monument: The town of Daet made the distinction of being the first town in the Philippines to erect a monument in honor of the countrys national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The effort was initiated by Lt. Col. Antonio Saez of the Philippine Revolutionary Army.

CAMARINES SUR Capital: Pili 1. Boa-boahan Festival: May 1. The festival is based on the legend that tells of how the early town folks survived the big floods before the coming of the Spaniards. In Thanksgiving, they held a big celebration with festivities recounting the event as the Nabua Chieftain prays continuously to their gods of how, without food and water, they survived by feeding on young coconuts. The coconuts, especially its embryos, made the town folks fertile so the legend goes. Boa-boahan relives the legend. 2. Lake Buhi: where tabius, the smallest fish in the world is found. 3. Our Lady of Penafrancia Festival: fluvial parade in which religious and civic dignitaries, together with the towns folks, accompany the image of the Penafrancia, patroness of the Bicol Region, from the Naga Cathedral to a waiting barge; held every 3rd week of September. 4. Mt. Isarog: Towering 1,976 meters above sea level and covering 10, 112 hectares, it is the haven of indigenous flora and fauna. Most of the rare exotic of orchids, medicinal and flowering plants, wild boars, deers, squirrels, monkeys and untamed rodents are found on the base of the slopes of the mountain. It is now the last Rainforest Mountain in Southern Luzon. Hundreds of waterfalls both known unknown, an unforgettable sigh to behold. The Protected Area Management Board has identified Malabay Falls (Naga City), Curry (Pili) Consocep (Tigaon), Hiwacloy (Goa|) as tourism areas within the mountain. CATANDUANES Capital: Virac 1. Balongbong Falls: one of the most popular natural attractions in the province. The falls feeds the main Bato River with clear and sparkling water cascading from the slopes of the Boctot Mountain Chain 2. Bato Church: One of the earliest churches built by the Spaniards. It stands at the mouth of a wide river. 3. Puraran Beach: Internationally know as Majestic, this is the site for the softboard surfing. MASBATE Capital: Masbate City 1. Villa Bayot: This house was constructed in 1880. In its dining room, Spanish authorities enjoyed the best wines from Manila and Acapulco and the largest lobsters from Masbate Bay. During the Commonwealth period, President Manuel L. Quezon is said to have danced the tango in its halls and slept in its finest bedroom. The Japanese used it as their garrison. In 1944, the American liberators shelled and bombed the capital but the big house was spared. It came under guerrilla siege to dislodge the Japanese, but it remained unscathed. In 1946, President Roxas visited Masbate and stayed in this house briefly

to dance the waltz. His hosts were Don Francisco Bayot and his granddaughter, 1937 Miss Philippines Chita Zaldarriaga. 2. Underwater Cave, Claveria: located within the jurisdiction of Barangay Boca Engao, the entrance of which is undersea. During high tide, it will take even an unskilled diver only a few seconds to enter the cave; it is neck-deep during low tide. Inside the cave are well-sealed human caskets carved out of solid wood believed to be 500 years old that still contain human remains.