The City of Legazpi (Bikol: Ciudad nin Legazpi; Filipino: Lungsod ng Legazpi) is a first classcity and capital of the

province of Albay, Philippines. With 179,481 inhabitants according to the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the Bicol Region in terms of population, though not in land area. It is also the regional center of the Bicol Region. Located in the geographical center of the peninsula and between the two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate, Legazpi is the southernmost terminus of the Philippine National Railways Main Line South, though it will be extended up to Matnog in Sorsogon. It also services seagoing vessels through its port. The city is the ecclesiastical seat of the Diocese of Legazpi, and most of its inhabitants are Roman Catholics. History Legazpi was named after Miguel Lpez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Philippine islands in 1565, and whose family name came from Legazpi, a town in Guipuzcoa, Spain. Legazpi was founded by the ancient settlers of the old barangay of Sawangan in the domain of Gat Ibal, a chief who ruled Albay. Spread in small groups of huts made of nipa and rattan, the small settlement occupied a conscription of low and swampy land known as Banuang-gurang or Binanuahan, which means old town or place in which a town was built. The indigenous name Sawangan was a corruption of Sabang, signifying natural wharf formed by the waters of the sea. It was built on mangrove swamps, which once bordered its magnificent deep water port. In 1587, Franciscan friars of the Doctrina of Cagsawa began to convert the settlement of Christianity; in 1616, they transformed it into a separate town and parish called Albay. Its first parish priest built a small chapel and established the "Mission de San Gregorio Magno de Sawangan". The eruption of Mayon Volcano on February 1, 1814 left a wide swath of destruction on two centuries of progress. It also forced inhabitants of the town to evacuate to Taysan (then known as Makalaya). They finally settled in Taytay (now Bagumbayan) as a result of the decree of the Gobierno Superior issued on October 1, 1829 prohibiting the founding of another town. In 1818, Sawangan, then already known as the town of Albay was separated from Cagsawa and was made the Capital of the Partido de Ibalon (the old name of Albay Province). Some of the people, however, remained in the old town and began anew as a barrio. In lieu of their former patron saint, St. Gregory the Great, which had also been transferred to Albay, they adopted St. Raphael the Archangel and transformed the ermita into a church. They finally regained their old status but never changed the name of the place as Albay Viejo or Banwang Daan. Even after their autonomy in 1856, they called it "Binanwahan" meaning the former site of a town. In their fight for autonomy which took 21 years, they sought the support of the Spaniards living in the town and as a sign of gratitude for their help, they readily accepted the name Legazpi for the town proposed by the Spaniards upon the fulfillment of their efforts to perpetuate the memory of the Adelantado Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. A royal decree dated September 22, 1856 officially gave the name of Legazpi to Old Albay, and with the

visitas of Lamba, Rawis, and Bigaa made it into an independent town. It was inaugurated on October 23, 1856 with Lorenzo Hac as the first elective gobernadorcillo and the Rev. Camilo Abainza as acting parish priest. Now autonomous and mixed with the progress and prosperity it attained, Legazpi was declared by Royal Cedula on May 18, 1872 open to world trade. Legazpi first became a city under the Becerra Law of 1892. It constituted the municipalities of Legazpi, Albay Nuevo, and Daraga into the Ayuntamiento de Albay. The first set of officials Alcalde, Teniente de Alcalde, Sindico, Secretario and Regidores (councilor) took office in 1898. With the American occupation in 1900, the city was dissolved. Upon restoration of peace, the three towns were reestablished and in 1908 became the municipality of Albay, the provincial capital of Albay. In 1922, the town of Daraga was separated from the capital. Legazpi became a city for the second time on July 18, 1948 when Daraga and Legazpi were combined to constitute its territory under Republic Act No. 306.[1] But on June 8, 1954, R.A. No. 993 was approved, which recreated the two towns (Daraga and Legazpi) were reconstituted.[2] With the re-creation of the two municipalities, the city was dissolved on June 8, 1954. Finally, on June 12, 1959, Legazpi became a city for the third time under R.A. 2234. Amendments were introduced under R.A. 5525. Presidential Decree 125 issued on February 23, 1973 declared the town of Daraga as part of the territorial jurisdiction of the city. This decree, however, was not implemented with the onset of the Integrated Reorganization Plan, which involved the restructuring of local governments. The city went through raids by Dutch and Muslim pirates before the arrival of the Spanish and was a horrifying sight of a much bloody battle during the Fil-Am war and World War II. The monument at the intersection of Quezon and Rizal Streets were built to commemorate the defeat of Filipino fighters by American forces in 1900. In 1941 and 1942, Japanese troops landed and occupied Legazpi City, Albay. In 1945, American and Filipino liberation forces supported by Bicolano guerrillas liberated Legazpi City from Japanese Imperial forces during the Second World War. [edit]Culture The Ibalong Festival is among the renowned non-religious festivals in Bicol. The epic story of the ancient heroes is the theme of the Ibalong Festival. Starting this year the festival will be celebrated on the month of August. People involved in this clamorous merriment parade in the streets wearing masks and costumes to imitate the appearances of the heroes and the villains, portraying the classic battle that made its way to the history of Bicol. Continuing the joyful event up to the present, the Ibalong Festival aims to express warmth and goodwill to all people, and visitors and tourists are always encouraged to celebrate with the Bicolanos. Legazpi is also home to the annual Magayon Festival of Albay which is held throughout the month of April.

[edit]Tourism

Air Philippines

Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific ATR

Facade of the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral in Albay District, Legazpi City

Inside the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral

Inside of Our Lady of Fatima Church located along Tahao Road, Legazpi City

St. Agnes' Academy (Academia de Sta. Ins) Legazpi City, Albay is one of the Bicol Region's top tourist destinations. It is where the Mayon Volcano, one of the Philippines' most famous volcanoes is located. Mayon Volcano is the Philippines' most active volcano and is considered to be the world's most perfectly formed volcano for its symmetrical cone. It is also a convenient embarkation point to other tourist destinations in the region such as the Cagsawa Ruins, the upscale resort of Misibis, Donsol, the site of one of the world's largest annual migration of whale sharks and the white sand beaches of Sorsogon and Catanduanes. The city is served by Legazpi Airport which accommodates Airbus A320, Boeing 737-400, and Boeing 727 and has the Mayon Volcano as its scenic backdrop. Plans are underway to construct a new airport that has the capacity to serve international flights which the government sees as an opportunity to boost tourism in the region. Other places to go to and sights to visit include:


The Albay Park and Wildlife - This is a picnic grove and a park combined. It also serves as the home to 347 animals of 75 species. Liberty Bell - Installed in 1945 by the American liberation forces at the Penaranda park, in front of Albay Provincial Capitol. It is made from bronze. Japanese Tunnel - Used as an arsenal during the second World War, it measures 40 meters long and around 7 feet deep. Magayon Art Gallery - Found at the lobby of the Albay Provincial Capitol and serves as the avenue for artists to show off their visual creations Legazpi City Museum - Showcases the heritage and culture of the city. It is currently the only public museum in the Bicol Region. Bicol Heritage Park - Located inside the Camp General Simeon Ola Headquarters. This is where you can find the statue of General Simeon A. Ola. Ligon Hill - Located behind Albay Park and Wildlife. One of the best places to view Mayon Volcano and Legazpi City is the Lignon Hill (also spelled as Ligon Hill and pronounced as /li-

NYON/). This 143-meter high cinder-cone hill located 11 kilometers southeast of the volcano s summit is the highest location in the city s downtown area and towers over the adjacent Legazpi Airport. A long and winding road crawls up the sides of Lignon Hill where there is an observation station constructed on top. This is where the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has a permanent station to observe Mayon.


Kapuntukan Hill (also known as the Sleeping Lion Hill) This is the place to visit if you wish to have a view of the Legazpi Port District and the Albay Gulf. Embarcadero - A major waterfront development in Legazpi that will become a destination for both local and international tourists alike. The masterplan maximizes the uniqueness of the location the site fronts the main harbour of Legazpi with views to the Mount Mayon Volcano. Embarcadero comprises retail, restaurants, markets, a major civic space and landmark lighthouse, with a future waterfront hotel and spa. Embarcadero will activate the waterfront creating an attractive and vibrant focus for the city s leisure and lifestyle activities. Embarcadero will function as a waterfront promenade, with theatrical lighting and performance spaces creating a lively, family friendly environment during the day and at night. Regional Government Offices in Rawis - PPA (Philippine Ports Authority), DepEd (Department of Education), DOT (Department of Tourism), RTC (Regional Trial Court), DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform), DOST (Department of Science and Technology), and LTO (Land Transportation Office), COA (Commission on Audit), DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highway), TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), DBM (Department of Budget and Management), PRC (Professional Regulation Commission), COMELEC (Commission on Elections). Legazpi Airport, with a runway of 2,280 meters, is capable of handling international aircraft. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific has 3 flights each daily from Manila. Cebu Pacific's third flight route is Manila-Legazpi-Cebu. Both Cebu Pacific and PAL use Airbus A319s and A320s. Zest Air and AirPhil Express also has a daily flight. Two (2) airlines with about five (6) flights a day to and from Manila make Legazpi the real gateway city of Southern Luzon.

Cagsawa Ruins,you can see here the damage of mayon volcano when it exploded in 1814.But you can still see the church's bell tower and a fine resort, the cagsawa resort and pool. Plans have been approved for the construction of a new international airport to be located on a plateau in Barangay Alobo in neighboring Daraga town. It is hoped that the proposed airport, named Bicol International Airport, will boost tourism in the Bicol Region. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo affirmed her commitment to fast-track the airport's construction in her State-of-the-Nation-Address in 2007. Legazpi can be reached through land transport (by bus) from Manila in about 10 hours, two hours less if the new Andaya Highway route is taken. More than 10 bus companies operate daily transport to and from Manila to Legazpi which makes the city very accessible to commuters and tourists alike. [edit]Economy

In 2006, Legazpi City was recognized as one of the most competitive cities in the Philippines by the Asian Institute of Management. Also, it was recently cited as the most business-friendly city for the whole South Luzon by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). To further boost the development of its economy, the city is focusing its efforts for the development of the Bicol Regional Agro Industrial Center (BRAIC) and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The construction of Legazpi City International Airport is just right in time for the transformation of Legazpi City into a world-class city with an expected influx of investments and tourism-related developments such as the now on full-swing development "Embarcadero", Misibis Resorts, Estates & Spa, windmills and mini-hydroelectric plants and the Cagraray Waterworld Park in the Sula Channel. Pacific Mall Legazpi serves as the centerpiece of Landco Business Park Legazpi. Recently, Pacific Mall has expanded its floor area to accommodate more tenants. Headquartered in nearby Tabaco City, and with its LCC Central Mall in Naga City, Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) Legazpi remains the city's original mall. Modernistic Bichara Silverscreen and Entertainment Center is a multi-story haven of shops, bistros, and cinemas. The city hall and several provincial offices are located in what promises to be another progressive new downtown area known as Albay District (also Old Albay or simply Albay as this place was originally the capital town of Albay Province before it was merged with Legazpi) which has bistros that remain open till late at night. Some shops also are also open 24/7. Legazpi has its share of popular fast-food restaurants such as Jollibee, McDonald's, Max's, Shakey's, Chowking, Greenwich, Mang Inasal, Gerry's Grill, Kitaro, Tapa King and Binalot. In 2009, a Marina-inspired project dubbed as "Embarcadero" is scheduled to open in the Legazpi Port Area. It will be a 24-hour, IT and Commercial Complex that is truly world-class and first of its kind in the Bicol Region. The new Legazpi City Central Bus Terminal/LKY MetroHub and Lifestyle Center is now open to serve the Bicolanos with shops selling souvenire items, restobar and the first store of SM SAVEMORE in the Bicol Region. Legazpi City is connected nationwide and to the rest of the world through up-to-date communication facilities. It has two cable TV operators, DCTV (Digital Cable Television) and ESTV, and cellular and landline phone operators, Digitel/Sun Cellular, Globe Telecom, Smart/PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telecommunication); and local MATELCO (Mayon Telephone Company), offering mobilephone, fax, data, and DSL Internet services. A number of AM, FM, and TV stations such as Manila Broadcasting Company's 99.5 LOVE RADIO, GMA (TV 12 and Campus Radio 96.3), 89.9 FOX FM, 91.5 Magik Radio, 92.3 Home Radio, 95.5 DWRC, 97.1 OK FM, 98.7 WOW Legazpi, 106.7 CA-FM, ABC through its affiliate station TV 6 (ABC/PBN), ABS-CBN TV 4 and M.O.R.93.9 FM broadcast local, national, and international news and shows. Other TV stations are SBN TALK TV 21, GMA News TV 27, Studio23, NBN 8 and IBC TV-7 Is Temporary Legazpi City Station. A number of mobile phone shops have also available in the city, country shoppe cellphone and accessories is one of them. Legazpi City has two air-conditioned arenas, the Albay Astrodome and the newly renovated Ibalong Centrum for Recreation. These arenas served as venues of PBA games in the past. Apart from these,

other sports stadiums are present at the city which are owned by private schools and universities namely in Aquinas University, Divine Word College of Legazpi and St. Agnes Academy. US Auto Parts, one of the largest online retailers of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories in the U.S., has established its development arm, MBS Tek Corporation, in the city. MBS Tek provides back office support including software development, content development, Internet marketing, research and customer care services. New York-based Innodata tapped the city's young population and put up a data conversion center that operates three shifts. The city also boasts of a modern eye center, Legazpi Eye Center (LEC) which serves as a referral center for ophthalmologic care. The center has board certified ophthalmologists with subspecialty training in various fields. LEC is reportedly comparable to major eye centers in Metro Manila in terms of services, expertise, and equipment. Legazpi has around 40 bank branches that offer products and services such as deposits, loans, and automated teller machines (ATM). Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay recently announced plans to develop the highland plateau of Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig and Guinobatan as a relocation site for residents made homeless by Typhoon Reming and as a new investment area. There is also an ongoing road project that will connect Legazpi to Donsol, Sorsogon, where the whale sharks, locally known as "Butanding" are tourist attractions. The said route would take shorter travel time than the current one. Legazpi has hosted important events in the past such as Miss Asia-Pacific pageant in 2001. In 2002, it hosted an international convention of the Free Masons. In 2003, about 4,000 members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) conducted their 57th annual national convention in the city. [edit]Education Legazpi is the academic center of the province of Albay as well as of the region . The city has two universities: Catholic institution such as Aquinas University of Legazpi (AUL),sister school of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, and the state-run Bicol University (BU), one of the country's biggest universities that is acknowledged as an accountancy and engineering powerhouse and also renowned for its agricultural and fisheries research. Aquinas University is the first university in Bicol to offer College of Pharmacy. Mariners' Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF), the only maritime institute in Legazpi City,has a sister school in Naga City, and Canaman, Camarines Sur. maba Divine Word College is also based in the city. Manila-based institutions have also established branches:AMA Computer University along Rizal Street, while STI College is nearby. The Ago Medical Educational Center-Bicol Christian College of Medicine in Albay District is the first and only school of medicine in the Bicol Region.Computer Arts and Technological College Formerly CATS located at Balintawak St., Albay District, Legazpi City - at the back of Albay Astrodome. Singapore-based Informatics is located at the second floor of GTS Building, Rizal Street. SL Technological College Foundation Inc. along Quezon Avenue is the first in the city to offer business process outsourcing (BPO) services and support.

The city's renowned private co-educational institution; St Agnes Academy, founded in 1912 and considered as the oldest Catholic school in Albay, is a sister school of Manila's St. Scholastica's College. Another school that offers primary and secondary education is Legazpi Hope Christian School, located at St. Vincent Village, Cabangan, Legazpi City. LHCS is a Chinese Christian School that seeks to provide quality education to form well-rounded, God-fearing leaders of the future. Saint Raphael Academy,founded in 1949 by Monsgr. Nicanor B. Belleza, formerly Saint Raphael Parochial School but it was turned over in 1956 to the Augustinian Recollect Sisters. It celebrated its 60th year of existence in the city in 2009. There are Filipino-Chinese Schools like Legazpi Hope Christian School,Legazpi Chung-Hwa School and Saint Jude Catholic School. The Legazpi City Science High School is the only public science school in the Legazpi City that has an ESEP Curriculum which means it is a Science school. It is located in Bitano, Legazpi City near the Legazpi Grand Terminal and the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation (ICR). Last 2010, Ms. Michelle M. Daniel, a Chemistry teacher has been awarded as Albay's Most Outstanding Teacher. In television, one student of this school has successfully auditioned in the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 named Justin Mae Aguilar who presented a talent of acting and singing portraying a part in the Miss Saigon. In Contests, a student of the school named Cris Gino T. Mesias won the 7th National Science Quest. The Legazpi City Science High School Drum and Lyre Corps won the Legazpi Port Fiesta Drum and Bugle Competition (2008) and won again the Legazpi Port Fiesta Drum and Bugle Competition (2009) and Parada Bicolandia (2009). During the comeback of the schoool's Drum and Lyre Corps (2011), with the perseverance to bring again the school's pride and won again during the Magayon Festival Drum and Lyre Corps Competition (April 3, 2011) In Sports,Frances Katreen S. Razon is the Gold Medalist of this year's Paralong Bikol in the Taekwondo Girls Division. [edit]Health care
       

Ago Medical Center Ibalong Medical Plaza Aquinas University Hospital Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) Estevez General Hospital Dr. Esteban Ante Memorial Hospital Albay Doctors Hospital Tanchuling Hospital

[edit]Barangays

Legazpi City is politically subdivided into 70 barangays.

               

Bgy. 1 - Em's Barrio Bgy. 2 - Em's Barrio South Bgy. 3 - Em's Barrio East Bgy. 4 Sagpon Bgy. 5 Sagmin Bgy. 6 Baadero Bgy. 7 Bao Bgy. 8 Bagumbayan Bgy. 9 Pinaric Bgy. 10 Cabugao Bgy. 11 Maoyod Bgy. 12 - Tula-tula Bgy. 13 - Ilawod West Bgy. 14 Ilawod

   

Bgy. 24 Rizal Bgy. 25 - Lapu-lapu Bgy. 26 Dinagaan Bgy. 27 - Victory Village South Bgy. 28 - Victory Village North Bgy. 29 Sabang

 

Bgy. 47 Arimbay Bgy. 48 - Bagong Abre Bgy. 49 Bigaa Bgy. 50 Padang Bgy. 51 Buyuan Bgy. 52 Matanag Bgy. 53 Bonga Bgy. 54 Mabinit Bgy. 55 Estanza Bgy. 56 Taysan Bgy. 57 - Dap-dap Bgy. 58 Buragwis Bgy. 59 Puro Bgy. 60 Lamba Bgy. 61 Maslog Bgy. 62 Homapon Bgy. 63 Mariawa Bgy. 64 Bagacay Bgy. 65 Imalnod Bgy. 66 Banquerohan Bgy. 67 Bariis Bgy. 68 - San Francisco

   

    

Bgy. 30 Pigcale


Bgy. 31 - Centro-Baybay


Bgy. 32 - San Roque



Bgy. 33 - PNR-Pearanda St.-Iraya Bgy. 34 - Oro SiteMagallanes St. Bgy. 35 Tinago Bgy. 36 Kapantawan Bgy. 37 Bitano Bgy. 38 Gogon Bgy. 39 Bonot Bgy. 40 Cruzada Bgy. 41 Bogtong Bgy. 42 Rawis Bgy. 43 Tamaoyan Bgy. 44 Pawa

         

Bgy. 15 - Ilawod East



Bgy. 16 - Kawit-East Washington Drive Bgy. 17 - Rizal Sreet., Ilawod Bgy. 18 - Cabagan West Bgy. 19 Cabagan Bgy. 20 - Cabagan East Bgy. 21 - Binanuahan West Bgy. 22 - Binanuahan East Bgy. 23 - Imperial Court Subd.

       

      

 

 

Bgy. 45 Dita Bgy. 46 - San Joaquin

 

Bgy. 69 Buenavista Bgy. 70 - Cagbacong

[edit]Climate Legazpi features a tropical rainforest climate (Kppen Af), with copious amount of rainfall throughout the course of the year. Legazpi has noticeably wetter and drier periods of the year. However, the city s driest month, March still sees on average over 150 mm of precipitation per year. Similar to many other cities with this climate, temperatures are relatively constant throughout the course of the year, averaging roughly 27 degrees Celsius. Legazpi Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D

293 189 158 153 168 255 266 281 271 341 480 475

29 29 30 31 32 32 32 32 32 31 30 29 22 22 23 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 Average max. and min. temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mm Source: [1] [show]Imperial conversion