Like their other neighbouring regions, Bicolanas are also expected to lend a hand in household work.

They are even anticipated to offer assistance after being married. On the other hand, Bicolano men are
expected to assume the role of becoming the primary source of income and financial support of his
family. Close family ties and religiosity are important traits for survival in the typhoon-prone physical
environment. Some persisting traditional practices are the pamalay, pantomina and tigsikan. Beliefs on
god, the soul and life after death are strongly held by the people. Related to these, there are annual
rituals like the pabasa, tanggal, fiestas and flores de mayo. Side by side with these are held beliefs on
spiritual beings as the tawo sa lipod, duwende, onglo, tambaluslos, kalag, katambay, aswang and
mangkukulam.

On the whole, the value system of the Bicolanos shows the influence of Spanish religious doctrines and
American materialism merged with traditional animistic beliefs. Consequently it is a multi-cultural
system which evolved through the years to accommodate the realities of the erratic regional climatic
conditions in a varied geographical setting. Such traits can be gleaned from numerous folk tales and folk
songs that abound, the most known of which is the Sarung Banggi. The heroic stories reflect such traits
as kindness, a determination to conquer evil forces, resourcefulness and courage. The folk song come in
the form of awit, sinamlampati, panayokyok, panambitan, hatol, pag-omaw, rawit-dawit and children’s
song and chants.

To suit the tropical climate, Bicolanos use light material for their houses; others now have bungalows to
withstand the impact of strong typhoons. Light, western styled clothes are predominantly used now.
The typical Bicolano wears light, western styled clothes similar to the Filipinos in urban centres. Seldom,
if ever, are there Bicolanos weaving sinamy or piña for clothing as in the past; sinamy is reserved now
for pillow cases, mosquito nets, fishing nets, bags and other decorative items.[3]

Bicolanos celebrating the Magayon Festival. The festival is held in Albay, where the Mayon Volcano is
located, every April.

Bicolanos observe an annual festival in honour of the Virgin of Peñafrancia every third Sunday of
September. The towns of Naga comes alive. During the celebration, a jostling crowd of all-male devotees
carries the image of the Virgin on their shoulders to the cathedral, while shouting Viva La Virgin! For the
next seven days people, mostly Bicolanos, come for an annual visit light candles and kisses the image of
the Virgin. To the Bicolanos, this affair is religious and cultural, as well. Every night, shows are held at the
plaza the year's biggest cockfights take place, bicycle races are held and the river, a lively boat race
precedes the fluvial procession. At noon of the third Saturday of the month, the devotees carry the
Image on their shoulders preceded to the packed waterfront. The image is boarded onto the barge and
the procession begins. With much splashing back to the old chapel until next year's celebration.[4]

Indigenous religion Edit