REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
REGION V- BIKOL
Bicol Region lies at 122° to 124° east longitude and 12° to 14° latitude or generally at the midsection of the country. Occupying the southern stretch of Luzon, the Bicol Peninsula is surrounded by natural barrier. Actually, seas that can by highways for contact with other people. The area is bounded on the north by Lamon Bay and Pacific Ocean on the East, the Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf on the west. It has land access to the rest of Luzon through its neighbor on the north, Quezon Province.
The Bicol Region stretches towards the Pacific Ocean for more than 160 miles from the province of Camarines Norte in the northwest, to Sorsogon in the southwest. The underbelly of Bicol is composed of the provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate which stand guard on the northern and southern approaches.
The Bicol region is composed of four contiguous provinces: ALBAY, CAMARINES SUR, CAMARINES NORTE, and SORSOGON; two island provinces of CATANDUANES and MASBATE and seven cities namely Legazpi City, Naga City, Iriga City, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Sorsogon City and Masbate City.
LAND AREA
It has a total land area of 1,763,249 hectares of approximately 17,632,400 square kilometers. Cmarines Sur is the biggest with 526,682 (naga City and Iriga City included) and Catanduanes, the smallest with 151,148 hectares. The other provinces have the following areas: Albay-Legazpi, 255,257 has.; Camarines Norte, 211,249 has.; Masbate, 404,769 has. Of this land area, 1,250,460 hectares are alienable and disposable while 359,789 hectares are public forest areas.
CLIMATE
The western and southern parts of the Bicol Region along Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte and Albay do not have pronounced dry and wet seasons. Rainfall in this areas are evenly distributed the year round, which make them suited to agriculture. The eastern and northern portion of the region are characterized by a definite absence of dry season with a very pronounced maximum rain period from November to January.9
POPULATION
As of 2000, the Bicol Region registered a population of about, 4,755,076 which represented 8 percent of the country's total population.
IIn terms of the distribution of the region's population, Albay has the biggest population followed by Camarines Sur. Catanduanes has the smallest population.
TOPOGRAPHY
The region is generally hilly and mountainous except for a few stretches of plains extending from Camarines Sur to the southwestern part of Albay and several smaller coastal and inland plains in other parts of the peninsula. It has many rivers, lakes, bays, mountains, volcanoes, and waterfalls, caves and springs. The beautiful and interesting spots are well distributed in the area. The region is dotted with volcanoes with the imposing and majestic Mayon Volcano as the most domiant.
INVESTMENT CLIMATE
IInvestors looking for a favorable busiess environment will find Bicol an ideal place. Currently, the region is identified in the national map as a tourism and maritime zone due to its accessibility to Manila and Visayan Provinces.
The region manifests a mixture of dynamic culture, resilient and religious people, and literate workforce.
Bicol is accessible to Manila and the rest of Luzon through air, land, rail and sea. Manila is about 9 hours away fro those taking the south road of the Manila - Bicol route and about 45 minutes by air transportation.
The region is a major supplier of geothermal energy with its Tiwi and Bacon-Manito Geothermal Plants. A wide selection of places for conferences, conventions and training are available. The region also prides itself of having a literacy rate of 96% with schools and universities at par with those in Manila.
The region's economy is based on light industry and agriculture. Its main products consists of rice, coconut, corn, cement, abaca products, cutlery, and ceramics. The region also plays host to varied types of large companies belonging to local and multinational investors.
SIX PROVINCE OF REGION V
Camarines Norte
Camarines Norte is one of the six provinces that make up the Bicol Region. The province is found in the northern coast of the Bicol Peninsula, which forms the southeastern section of Luzon. It is composed of 12 towns with the municipality of Daet as the provincial capital. Camarines Norte is bounded on the north by the Pacific Ocean, in the east by San Miguel Bay, in the west by Lamon Bay and in the south by Quezon province and the adjoining province of Camarines Sur.
Camarines Norte derives its name from the Spanish word “camarin”, meaning rice granary or warehouse. Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur formed only one political unit known as Ambos Camarines until March 3, 1919 when Camarines Norte was created by the Philippine Legislature through Republic Act 2809.
The province has no dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rain period from November to January. This climate particularly falls in the eastern and northern part of Camarines Norte. The Bicol region lies within the so-called typhoon belt; hence the province is seriously affected by frequent visits of typhoons. The province is mostly affected by typhoons in the months of April, June, July, October, November and December.
Two principal dialects are spoken in the province; Tagalog which is spoken by about 60.0% of the whole population and Bikol which is spoken by 38.17%. The remaining 1.83% is the dialect spoken by Cebuano, Ilocano, Ibanag, Pangasinan, Waray, Maguindanao, Maranao, Binisaya, Binukid, Chinese and English.
Camarines Norte is a rich mining area. There are abundant reserves of gold, iron, copper, uranium, lead and zinc. The province is, however, predominantly agricultural. Coconut and abaca are the major products. There is a thriving fishing industry along the coast of the province. The municipality of Mercedes is a major supplier of fish and shrimp to Manila. The more important cottage industries of Camarines Norte are hammock-making and buri-weaving into hats, bags and mats.
Camarines Norte is virtually underrated and rarely visited by most travelers. The province hides its spectacular secrets of undiscovered caves, exquisite and unspoiled postcard-perfect beaches and rich coral gardens. The province is also home to promising dive sites and world-class surfing, elegant looking bays that open into the Pacific, misty mountains and charming towns throbbing with Bicolano warmth and hospitality.
The province has no dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rain period from November to January. This climate particularly falls in the eastern and northern part of Camarines Norte. The Bicol region lies within the so-called typhoon belt; hence the province is seriously affected by frequent visits of typhoons. The province is mostly affected by typhoons in the months of April, June, July, October, November and December.
Two principal dialects are spoken in the province; Tagalog which is spoken by about 60.0% of the whole population and Bikol which is spoken by 38.17%. The remaining 1.83% is the dialect spoken by Cebuano, Ilocano, Ibanag, Pangasinan, Waray, Maguindanao, Maranao, Binisaya, Binukid, Chinese and English.
Camarines Norte is a rich mining area. There are abundant reserves of gold, iron, copper, uranium, lead and zinc. The province is, however, predominantly agricultural. Coconut and abaca are the major products. There is a thriving fishing industry along the coast of the province. The municipality of Mercedes is a major supplier of fish and shrimp to Manila. The more important cottage industries of Camarines Norte are hammock-making and buri-weaving into hats, bags and mats.
Camarines Norte is virtually underrated and rarely visited by most travelers. The province hides its spectacular secrets of undiscovered caves, exquisite and unspoiled postcard-perfect beaches and rich coral gardens. The province is also home to promising dive sites and world-class surfing, elegant looking bays that open into the Pacific, misty mountains and charming towns throbbing with Bicolano warmth and hospitality.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Camarines Norte are:
| City/Municipality | City class | Area in km² | Income class | Urbanisation | Population | |
| Total | Density/km² | |||||
| Daet | Municipality | 46.00 | 0 | urban | 94,184 | 2,047.48 |
| Labo | Municipality | 589.36 | 1 | partly urban | 88,087 | 149.46 |
| Jose Panganiban | Municipality | 214.44 | 2 | partly urban | 49,028 | 228.63 |
| Paracale | Municipality | 197.90 | 3 | partly urban | 46,856 | 236.77 |
| Mercedes | Municipality | 173.69 | 2 | partly urban | 44,375 | 255.48 |
| Santa Elena | Municipality | 199.35 | 3 | partly urban | 40,300 | 202.16 |
| Vinzons | Municipality | 141.43 | 3 | partly urban | 39,653 | 280.37 |
| Basud | Municipality | 260.28 | 3 | partly urban | 36,763 | 141.24 |
| Capalonga | Municipality | 290.00 | 3 | partly urban | 29,683 | 102.36 |
| Talisay | Municipality | 30.76 | 4 | partly urban | 22,942 | 745.84 |
Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur or also called CamSur is the largest among the six provinces in the Bicol region in Luzon both in terms of population and land area. The province is subdivided into 2 cities and 35 municipalities. Although the town of Pili is the provincial capital, Naga City is the commercial, educational, financial and cultural center of the province.
The province's name has been derived from "camaronchones" or "camarines", a Spanish word for “kamalig” referring to small nipa or bamboo-made huts by the natives.
Being in the Bicol Region, the main languages spoken in Camarines Sur is Bicol which has 3 types. The Bicol Central, also known as Bikol Naga, is the standard Bicol easily understood by all Bicolanos and is spoken in the area around Naga City. The Bicol Albay or Buhi-non is spoken in the southern part of the province around Lake Buhi and the Rinconada Bicol, also known as Bikol Nabua, which is used in the area around Nabua. Most inhabitants understand Tagalog and English.
The climate in Camarines Sur, like most of the rest of the country, is very tropical. It is dry from March to May and wet for the rest of the year. The province has an average temperature of 27.0 °C and a relative humidity of 25.8%.
The economy of Camarines Sur is agriculture based, producing rice, corn, feed meal, freshwater fish and livestock. Entrepreneurs engage in trading, often branching out towards neighboring provinces in the south.
In downtown Naga City, it is easy to roam around just by foot but if you don’t prefer to walk, other means of transportation are available such as tricycles, trisikad or manpowered tricycles and jeepneys. Taxis are also available since 2010 when SM City, a big chain of shopping malls in the country, opened in the city.
Camarines Sur is becoming a very famous tourist destination in the Philippines. There are a lot of things to do and sights to visit in this place which makes it popular to both local and foreign tourists. One of the destinations that probably made CamSur very popular is the Camsur Water Sports Complex. The park is located in the Provincial Capitol Complex of Cadlan and Pili. This is designed for wakeboarding and water skiing. If you enjoy this kind of extreme water sports, then you should not miss visiting this place. International and local wakeboarding competitions have been held here several times including the 2008 World Wakeboard Championship. The park also has BMX trail, motor cross and skateboarding.
Many would probably agree that the most beautiful place in CamSur is the Caramoan National Park. This place offers picturesque landscape and seascape with numerous islands and islets that are just a boat ride away. The place offers a totally untouched environment so do not expect hotels or restaurants. But one can enjoy a salt water lake and a stretch of sugary fine white beach comparable to that of Boracay. The area is usually hit by typhoons so plan your expedition between the quiet months of December and June.
If you want a religious experience, you may visit the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore in Naga. The church is home to the miraculous Virgin of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of the Bicol Region. The feast is celebrated during September of every year. You may also visit the biggest church in Bicol region, the Cathedral of Naga also known as Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John. The church was built in 1843 by the Franciscans.
Other interesting places to visit in CamSur are the Kalupnitan and Adiangao Caves. You’ll be amazed with its natural carved pillars and stalactites and stalagmites formations that are very magnificent in its interiors. The Mt. Isarog National Park is also a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature. There are a lot of waterfalls in the park and one of them is the Malabsay Waterfalls. It’s a spectacular waterfall with crystal clear waters.
The Concocep Falls can be found in Hanawan, Ocampo and the municipality of Libmanan has the Malinaw Nature Resort. In Del Gallego, in the Northwestern part of the province, there is the Kilbay Park. It is where President Manuel L. Quezon hammered the golden nail into a big rock, symbolizing the connection and link of the Philippine National Railways going to Manila in the year 1937.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Camarines Sur are:
| City/Municipality | City class | Area in km² | Income class | Urbanisation | Population | |
| Total | Density/km² | |||||
| Naga City | Independant City | 84.48 | 2 | urban | 160,516 | 1,900.05 |
| Iriga City | Component City | 137.35 | 4 | partly urban | 97,983 | 713.38 |
| Libmanan | Municipality | 342.82 | 1 | partly urban | 92,839 | 270.81 |
| Pili | Municipality | 126.25 | 1 | partly urban | 76,496 | 605.91 |
| Nabua | Municipality | 96.20 | 1 | partly urban | 75,422 | 784.01 |
| Calabanga | Municipality | 163.80 | 1 | partly urban | 73,333 | 447.70 |
| Buhi | Municipality | 246.65 | 1 | partly urban | 70,756 | 286.87 |
| Bula | Municipality | 167.64 | 2 | partly urban | 62,024 | 369.98 |
| Tinambac | Municipality | 351.62 | 1 | partly urban | 59,125 | 168.15 |
| Sipocot | Municipality | 243.43 | 1 | partly urban | 57,861 | 237.69 |
Albay
Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Located at the southern tip of Luzon Island, it is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the northeast by the Lagonoy gulf, and on the west and southwest by the Burias Pass. The province is subdivided into 3 congressional districts, 15 municipalities and 3 cities with Legazpi City as the capital. Bicol is the local dialect but majority of the inhabitants of the province also understand and speak Tagalog and English.
Albay, generally mountainous with scattered fertile plains and valleys, has 3 types of climate. The eastern areas experience no dry season with very pronounced maximum rain period from December to January. The western areas have more or less heavily distributed rainfall throughout the year and the central areas have no pronounced maximum rain period with a short dry season from November to January.
Agriculture is the main industry in Albay, which produces crops such as coconut, rice, sugar and abaca. Its forests are sources of timber, rattan, pili nuts and gum resin. There are also vast grasslands for pasturing horses, cattle, carabaos, goats and sheep. The manufacture of abaca products such as Manila hemp, hats, bags, mats, and slippers is one of the main sources of income in the rural areas.
Legazpi City is the capital of the province. So when visiting Albay, you may consider making Legazpi City as your transit base. Going around the city is easy plus getting an inexpensive but comfortable place to stay is easy, too. If you opt to commute, Legazpi would also be a good jump-off point because jeepneys going to different tourist destinations are easy to find on the road or at their terminals.
When one mentions Albay, the first thing that may come to a tourist’s mind is the Mayon Volcano. Standing at 2460 meters with its nearly perfect cone shape, this volcano is the most famous landform in Albay and even in the whole Bicol region. It is one of the places you must never miss when visiting Albay or the region. The best time to visit the place according to the locals is when it is not cloudy because the volcano may hide in the clouds and you won’t get to see its spectacular beauty.
Mayon Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It is difficult to imagine how such beauty can create destruction. During the day it looks very calm with only scattered smoke across its slopes. But at night, you can see the extent of its fury as red lava flows from its mouth. Its most destructive eruption in history was in 1814. It recently erupted last May 2013. So it is important to follow advisories from local authorities whenever you visit the place.
But Albay is not only home to the spectacular Mayon Volcano; it is also filled with many natural wonders like waterfalls, caves, natural springs, beaches and marine life. Only one hour away is the natural habitat of the fascinating Whale Sharks in Donsol, an amazing interactive eco-experience for the whole family. The local cuisines are delectable and the people are friendly and hospitable.
Another interesting place to visit in Albay is the Cagsawa Ruins. Cagsawa is a small town in Albay. During the Spanish colonial period, a baroque church was built in the town in 1724. When the Mayon Volcano violently erupted in 1814, the church being 11 kilometers away from the volcano was destroyed and only the belfry remained standing.
Today, the Cagsawa Ruins Park is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Albay. If you love photography, you’ll enjoy a few hours in visiting the place as you can get a perfect view of the Mayon Volcano. Entrance ticket to the park is only Php 10.00. Souvenir shops and food stalls are everywhere and you can try the local foods for a different experience. There are also tour packages available in the park. This includes Mayon Lava Trail, Cagsawa Trail, Hoyop Hoyopan Cave Tour and Cagsawa to Lava Front Tour.
If you want to find solemnity, you can try to visit the Daraga Church. The church has baroque architecture and was built during the Spanish era. It is situated on top of a hill and what you’ll love most about the place is that you have the Mayon Volcano as your background. Upon standing in front of the church overlooking the magnificent view of the Mayon Volcano, one can instantly feel relaxed and peaceful.
You can also visit the Lignon Hill View Deck. It offers an exhilarating climb to its top. Vehicles are only allowed until 6 pm so if you’re an adventurous type of tourist, you can go there by foot. It’s a steep climb so your endurance may be tested. Upon reaching the top, you can have a great view of the Mayon Volcano as well as the city of Legazpi. You can also buy food and drinks in the many kiosks located in the area.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Albay are:
| City/Municipality | City class | Area in km² | Income class | Urbanisation | Population | |
| Total | Density/km² | |||||
| Legazpi City | Component City | 153.70 | 2 | urban | 179,481 | 1,167.74 |
| City Of Tabaco | Component City | 117.14 | 4 | partly urban | 123,513 | 1,054.40 |
| Daraga (Locsin) | Municipality | 118.64 | 1 | partly urban | 110,625 | 932.44 |
| City Of Ligao | Component City | 246.75 | 4 | partly urban | 101,179 | 410.05 |
| Polangui | Municipality | 145.30 | 1 | partly urban | 77,122 | 530.78 |
| Guinobatan | Municipality | 244.43 | 1 | partly urban | 74,386 | 304.32 |
| Libon | Municipality | 222.76 | 1 | partly urban | 68,846 | 309.06 |
| Oas | Municipality | 263.61 | 1 | partly urban | 63,888 | 242.36 |
| Bacacay | Municipality | 122.13 | 2 | partly urban | 61,574 | 504.17 |
| Camalig | Municipality | 130.90 | 1 | partly urban | 60,319 | 460.80 |
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region. It is the southernmost province in Luzon and is at the tip of Bicol Peninsula. The province is subdivided into 14 municipalities and 1 city with Sorsogon City as the provincial capital. Sorsogon is bounded in the north by the province of Albay, in the south by the San Bernardino Strait, and in the west and northwest by the Ticao and Burias Passes.
Sorsogon is characterized by an irregular topography and, except for the landlocked municipality of Irosin, all towns lie along the coast. They are all connected by concrete and asphalt roads. Mountains sprawl over the northeast, southeast and west portions. Mt. Bulusan, the tallest peak, rises 1,560 meters above sea level. The province is the gateway of Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao through its Roll-on/Roll-off ferry terminal facilities located in the municipalities of Matnog, Pilar and Bulan.
Most of the inhabitants of the province belong to the ethnolinguistic Bicolano and Bisakol groups. The people of Sorsogon call themselves as Sorsogueños and are very religious and fun-loving people. The local languages spoken by Sorsogueños vary in some districts and municipalities. Among these languages include Bisakol, also called as Waray Sorsogon; Bikol and a form of Bikol called Minaraya. English is also understood by most educated people and is used in all government documents, schools and business.
Being mostly Roman Catholics, Sorsogueños are active in every festivity celebrated throughout the year. Like any other Filipino ethnolinguistic groups, each town honors their Patron Saint with celebration on its Feast Day. The Kasanggayahan Festival is celebrated in the whole province in the last week of October. It commemorates the founding of Sorsogon as a province. Pili Festival in Sorsogon City honors the Pili nut and tree which is indigenous to the province.
The entire province is one big ecotourism tour package. Ecotourism destinations within the province include the exciting and high adventure Whale Shark or Butanding Interaction activity off the waters of Donsol; the exotic flora and fauna at Mt. Bulusan Natural Park with its mystical Bulusan Mountain Lake Resort; mysterious caves with interesting folk legends to explore; colorful dive sites and marine sanctuaries; hot springs and healing mineral water spas to soak in, relax and unwind; and picturesque little islands offering fine white sand beaches.
In Sorsogon, you will never run out of things to do, sights to see, places to go to, folk celebrations to join and enjoy. It is a land of peace, serenity, lush scenery all around, and happy and hospitable people.
Most of the inhabitants of the province belong to the ethnolinguistic Bicolano and Bisakol groups. The people of Sorsogon call themselves as Sorsogueños and are very religious and fun-loving people. The local languages spoken by Sorsogueños vary in some districts and municipalities. Among these languages include Bisakol, also called as Waray Sorsogon; Bikol and a form of Bikol called Minaraya. English is also understood by most educated people and is used in all government documents, schools and business.
Being mostly Roman Catholics, Sorsogueños are active in every festivity celebrated throughout the year. Like any other Filipino ethnolinguistic groups, each town honors their Patron Saint with celebration on its Feast Day. The Kasanggayahan Festival is celebrated in the whole province in the last week of October. It commemorates the founding of Sorsogon as a province. Pili Festival in Sorsogon City honors the Pili nut and tree which is indigenous to the province.
The entire province is one big ecotourism tour package. Ecotourism destinations within the province include the exciting and high adventure Whale Shark or Butanding Interaction activity off the waters of Donsol; the exotic flora and fauna at Mt. Bulusan Natural Park with its mystical Bulusan Mountain Lake Resort; mysterious caves with interesting folk legends to explore; colorful dive sites and marine sanctuaries; hot springs and healing mineral water spas to soak in, relax and unwind; and picturesque little islands offering fine white sand beaches.
In Sorsogon, you will never run out of things to do, sights to see, places to go to, folk celebrations to join and enjoy. It is a land of peace, serenity, lush scenery all around, and happy and hospitable people.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Sorsogon are:
| City/Municipality | City class | Area in km² | Income class | Urbanisation | Population | |
| Total | Density/km² | |||||
| City Of Sorsogon | Component City | 276.11 | 3 | partly urban | 151,454 | 548.53 |
| Bulan | Municipality | 196.96 | 1 | partly urban | 91,730 | 465.73 |
| Pilar | Municipality | 248.00 | 1 | partly urban | 63,539 | 256.21 |
| Gubat | Municipality | 134.51 | 2 | partly urban | 55,501 | 412.62 |
| Irosin | Municipality | 149.87 | 2 | partly urban | 49,968 | 333.41 |
| Castilla | Municipality | 186.20 | 3 | partly urban | 49,407 | 265.34 |
| Donsol | Municipality | 156.20 | 3 | partly urban | 43,996 | 281.66 |
| Matnog | Municipality | 162.40 | 3 | partly urban | 34,517 | 212.54 |
| Magallanes | Municipality | 150.09 | 3 | partly urban | 34,418 | 229.32 |
| Casiguran | Municipality | 87.13 | 4 | partly urban | 30,165 | 346.21 |
Masbate
Masbate is an island province located in the Bicol Region and lies at the center of the Philippine archipelago. It consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias. The province is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 1 city which is Masbate City, the provincial capital. Masbate is bounded on the north by Burias and Ticao Pass, on the east by San Bernardino Strait, on the south by the Visayan Sea and on the west by the Sibuyan Sea.
The people of Masbate predominantly speak Bisakol and Masbateño or Minasbate, a dialect unique to the province. Some Visayan languages with a unique mixture of Tagalog and some shades of Hiligaynon are also spoken in the province. In Burias Island, the people speak Bicol similar to that of the people of Camarines Sur, due to the island’s proximity to Bicol mainland. The people generally speak fluent English and Filipino.
About 85% of Masbate’s populations are Catholics. Devotional practices such as the rosary, novenas to saints, and other religious manifestations such as processions, the misa de gallo and Holy Week traditional activities are still very much part of the way of life of most parishioners of the province.
Masbate is classified as a first class province. It is endowed with rich natural resources. In line with its agriculture are industries such as large farming, livestock and poultry raising. Fishing predominates along its coastal areas where all kinds of commercial species of fish swarm in great abundance. Copra is the leading product, followed by rice, corn and rootcrops. Cottage industry, such as furniture and cabinet making, ceramics, garments, handicrafts and metalcrafts, is likewise another source of livelihood for the people.
The province is one of the richest in the country in terms of mineral resources. It is described by geologists as a province sitting on a “pot of gold.” Mineral resources found in the area include copper, silver, iron, manganese, chromite, limestone, guano and carbon.
Masbate is one of the hidden treasures of the Philippines with its undisturbed natural reefs and resorts. Many tourists visit the province and experience the hidden beauty of the natural white sand beaches and clear blue water. There are many beach resorts near Masbate City and Ticao Island. It is truly a tropical paradise for tourist looking for scenic sunsets and tropical gardens and waterfalls.
About 85% of Masbate’s populations are Catholics. Devotional practices such as the rosary, novenas to saints, and other religious manifestations such as processions, the misa de gallo and Holy Week traditional activities are still very much part of the way of life of most parishioners of the province.
Masbate is classified as a first class province. It is endowed with rich natural resources. In line with its agriculture are industries such as large farming, livestock and poultry raising. Fishing predominates along its coastal areas where all kinds of commercial species of fish swarm in great abundance. Copra is the leading product, followed by rice, corn and rootcrops. Cottage industry, such as furniture and cabinet making, ceramics, garments, handicrafts and metalcrafts, is likewise another source of livelihood for the people.
The province is one of the richest in the country in terms of mineral resources. It is described by geologists as a province sitting on a “pot of gold.” Mineral resources found in the area include copper, silver, iron, manganese, chromite, limestone, guano and carbon.
Masbate is one of the hidden treasures of the Philippines with its undisturbed natural reefs and resorts. Many tourists visit the province and experience the hidden beauty of the natural white sand beaches and clear blue water. There are many beach resorts near Masbate City and Ticao Island. It is truly a tropical paradise for tourist looking for scenic sunsets and tropical gardens and waterfalls.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Masbate are:
| City/Municipality | City class | Area in km² | Income class | Urbanisation | Population | |
| Total | Density/km² | |||||
| City Of Masbate | Component City | 188.00 | 4 | partly urban | 81,585 | 433.96 |
| Aroroy | Municipality | 440.30 | 1 | partly urban | 62,635 | 142.26 |
| Cawayan | Municipality | 260.19 | 2 | partly urban | 59,658 | 229.29 |
| Uson | Municipality | 163.20 | 3 | partly urban | 50,404 | 308.85 |
| Cataingan | Municipality | 191.64 | 2 | partly urban | 48,827 | 254.79 |
| Placer | Municipality | 193.03 | 2 | partly urban | 48,469 | 251.10 |
| Milagros | Municipality | 565.30 | 1 | partly urban | 48,185 | 85.24 |
| San Pascual | Municipality | 246.65 | 3 | partly urban | 41,736 | 169.21 |
| Claveria | Municipality | 182.98 | 3 | partly urban | 40,336 | 220.44 |
| Mandaon | Municipality | 280.80 | 3 | partly urban | 34,401 | 122.51 |
Catanduanes
Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. It is subdivided into 11 municipalities and Virac is the provincial capital. Several islands composed the province, but majority of these are physically small to be of relative significance. The province is bounded in the west by the Maqueda Channel, in the south by Lagonoy Gulf, and in the north and east by the Philippine Sea.
The topography of Catanduanes is rugged and mountainous, becoming more pronounced towards the central portion of the island. The highest mountain peak is in Boctot, located between the municipalities of Virac and San Miguel with an elevation of 803 meters above sea level.
“Isla de Cobos” was Catanduanes’ first adopted name because Spanish conquistadores came upon several tribes living in thatched huts called cobos. Catanduanes is a hispanized term derived from the word tandu, a native beetle and the samdong tree, which were both found in abundance throughout the island. Common reference to "katanduan" or "kasamdongan", meaning a place where the tandu or the samdong tree thrives in abundance, led to the coining of the word Catanduanes.
Without a pronounced dry season, rain is distributed fairly well throughout the year becoming wetter in the last quarter and the early months of the first quarter, when tropical disturbances and monsoon wind bring in heavy rains. Other months are characterized by short periods of dryer days and fine weather except in July and August, when the dry and gusty northwest monsoon winds intensify.
The conventional Bicol dialect is widely used in the province. Tagalong is the second most common dialect and the most easily understood by people from all walks of life. English is the medium of instruction in school and primary communications.
Catanduanes is home to many folk festivals which are celebrated as part of the local religious rituals. The Kalbaryo or Calvary, which is commonly staged during Holy Week, is a re-enactment of Christ’s way of the cross. The Kagharong is a native depiction of the nativity scene and is held every year during the yuletide season. Pantomina is purely a dance interpretation of a rooster courting a hen and is mostly practice in rural areas. The Padadyao sa Tinampo is a native cultural presentation of street dancing held every 24th of October to commemorate the province’s founding anniversary. The recent addition to Catanduanes’ festivals is the Sugbo Festival. It is celebrated by 7 barangays of Hitoma in Caramoan that produces sugbo or tiger grass – a bamboo like perennial grass used to make brooms.
“Isla de Cobos” was Catanduanes’ first adopted name because Spanish conquistadores came upon several tribes living in thatched huts called cobos. Catanduanes is a hispanized term derived from the word tandu, a native beetle and the samdong tree, which were both found in abundance throughout the island. Common reference to "katanduan" or "kasamdongan", meaning a place where the tandu or the samdong tree thrives in abundance, led to the coining of the word Catanduanes.
Without a pronounced dry season, rain is distributed fairly well throughout the year becoming wetter in the last quarter and the early months of the first quarter, when tropical disturbances and monsoon wind bring in heavy rains. Other months are characterized by short periods of dryer days and fine weather except in July and August, when the dry and gusty northwest monsoon winds intensify.
The conventional Bicol dialect is widely used in the province. Tagalong is the second most common dialect and the most easily understood by people from all walks of life. English is the medium of instruction in school and primary communications.
Catanduanes is home to many folk festivals which are celebrated as part of the local religious rituals. The Kalbaryo or Calvary, which is commonly staged during Holy Week, is a re-enactment of Christ’s way of the cross. The Kagharong is a native depiction of the nativity scene and is held every year during the yuletide season. Pantomina is purely a dance interpretation of a rooster courting a hen and is mostly practice in rural areas. The Padadyao sa Tinampo is a native cultural presentation of street dancing held every 24th of October to commemorate the province’s founding anniversary. The recent addition to Catanduanes’ festivals is the Sugbo Festival. It is celebrated by 7 barangays of Hitoma in Caramoan that produces sugbo or tiger grass – a bamboo like perennial grass used to make brooms.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Catanduanes are:
| City/Municipality | City class | Area in km² | Income class | Urbanisation | Population | |
| Total | Density/km² | |||||
| Virac | Municipality | 152.40 | 1 | partly urban | 64,554 | 423.58 |
| San Andres (Calolbon) | Municipality | 167.31 | 3 | partly urban | 33,781 | 201.91 |
| Caramoran | Municipality | 263.74 | 3 | partly urban | 25,618 | 97.13 |
| Viga | Municipality | 158.23 | 4 | partly urban | 19,266 | 121.76 |
| Pandan | Municipality | 119.90 | 4 | partly urban | 19,005 | 158.51 |
| Bato | Municipality | 48.62 | 5 | partly urban | 18,738 | 385.40 |
| San Miguel | Municipality | 129.94 | 5 | partly urban | 12,966 | 99.78 |
| Baras | Municipality | 109.50 | 5 | partly urban | 11,787 | 107.64 |
| Bagamanoc | Municipality | 80.74 | 5 | partly urban | 10,183 | 126.12 |
| Panganiban (Payo) | Municipality | 79.96 | 5 | partly urban | 9,290 | 116.18 |
IT'S MORE FUN IN BICOL
The glorious spread of the Bicol peninsula stretches and dominates the southeastern tip of Luzon Island, Philippines, its strategic location reachable by land, air and sea.
The Bicol region is composed of four contiguous provinces: ALBAY, CAMARINES SUR, CAMARINES NORTE, and SORSOGON; two island provinces of CATANDUANES and MASBATE and seven cities: Legazpi City, Naga City, Iriga City, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Sorsogon City and Masbate City.
Mountainous and hilly, Bicol is endowed with fantastic gulfs, bays and active volcanoes, the most prominent and the most active among them, Mayon Volcano.
Mountainous and hilly, Bicol is endowed with fantastic gulfs, bays and active volcanoes, the most prominent and the most active among them, Mayon Volcano.
Rich in history and natural resources, the Bicol Peninsula offers itself to exciting exploration for business, adventure, historical research, and a joyful voyage into incredible food trips.
FUNTASTIC BICOL
Camarines Norte
Camarines Norte holds the distinction as the first province in the Philippines to erect a monument in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero. The province forms a half circle above a protrusion of the Bicol Peninsula into the Pacific Ocean. Lamon Bay forms an inlet of the Pacific to the west of Camarines Norte and San Miguel Bay forms another indention towards the province’s east. Quezon and Camarines Sur bound the province to the south. The coastal lowlands give way to rolling hills and mountains towards the interior. There are no distinct seasons in the province although rain falls at its maximum from October to January. Camarines Norte lies along the main typhoon belt and howlers visit the province between the months of August and October.
History
In 1572, Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo visited Camarines Norte on his way to reduce Bicol and found thriving settlements around gold mines in Paracale and Mambulao (Jose Panganiban) as well as in Daet and Indan. The existence of gold mines in the region encouraged the Spaniards to colonize and Christianize the inhabitants. The region was placed under the jurisdiction of a province of Camarines in 1573. In 1829, the province of Camarines was divided in the first of a series of attempts to separate Camarines Norte from Camarines Sur. The province of Camarines Norte covered the towns of Daet, Talisay, Indan, Labo, Paracale, Mambulao, Capalonga, Ragay, Lupi and Sipocot. In 1846, the towns of Sipocot, Lupi and Ragay were returned to Camarines Sur. In 1854 the two provinces were formed into the province of Ambos Camarines and were once more separated three years later. In 1893, the two provinces were again united into Ambos Camarines and they remained united until March 1919 when the American Governor General approved an act dividing Ambos Camarines into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
People, Culture and the Arts
Although Camarines Norte is part of Bicol, a slight majority of the people are Tagalogs. The Bicolanos comprise the rest of the population and are concentrated in the east. They speak a form of Bicol that is different in tone and vocabulary from standard Bicol. Proximity to the Tagalog province of Quezon has allowed the mixing of the two languages in Camarines Norte. Agriculture and fishing are the main preoccupation of the people of Camarines Norte. The main products of farms in the provinces are coconuts, banana, corn, rice abaca and root crops. Fishing is a major industry along the coast. The town of Mercedes is a major fishing center that exports fish and shrimp to Manila. It is also noted for an assortment of dried fish. Paracale is gold country in Camarines Norte. Since the pre-Spanish period, local residents have worked the mines and goldsmiths have turned the metal into finely crafted pieces. The town is a center of the jewelry-making industry and although the art has declined in importance, the town is still regarded as a good place to get fine gold jewelry. Antique styles, like the “agrimon” (also known as the “alakdan”) or the flat necklace chain of the 19th century, continue to be made in Paracale. Camarines Norte residents are also involved in small-scale industries such as handicrafts, furniture-making, metal craft, ceramics manufacture and food processing. The province attracts pilgrims and tourists to the shrine of the Black Nazarene in Capalonga. A festival celebrating the feast day of the Black Nazarene on My 11 and 12 draws people of Chinese descent to this small town to seek favors for a propitious business climate. A series of processions are held around the main streets of the town during the day.
Albay
The province is a showcase of Bicol, drawing the attention of tourists and visitors. Albay is bounded on the north by Camarines Sur, and on the south by Sorsogon. The Lagonoy and Albay Gulfs form the coastal regions of the northeast, while the Burias Pass separates the province from the island of Burias. The province is less mountainous than other provinces in Bicol. Fertile plains and flat lands, for the most part an extension of the Bicol River basin, form between two mountain ranges. In the west lie low and rolling mountains while in the east rise the high, volcanic Mounts Mayon, Malinao and Masaraga. Albay has two climatic regions. In the east, there is no dry season but there is pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. On the western side rain is evenly distributed throughout the year.
History
Ancient burial jars unearthed in Albay indicate early settlement and flourishing trade relations between the people of the province and China. It is believed that Albay was settled more than 2,000 years ago. Indeed, the Spaniards came across flourishing communities in the region when they first landed in the area in the mid-16th century. In 1569, Luis Enrique de Guzman, a member of an expedition led by “Maestro de Campo” Mateo de Saz and Captain Martin de Goiti, led a group who crossed from Burias and Ticao islands and landed on a coastal settlement called Ibalon in what is presently the province of Sorsogon. From this point another expedition was sent to explore the interior and founded the town of Camalig. In 1573, Juan de Salcedo penetrated the Bicol Peninsula from the north as far south as Libon and established the settlement of Santiago de Libon. The entire Bicol peninsula was organized as one province with two divisions, Camarines in the northwest, and Ibalon in the southeast. In 1636, the two “partidos” were separated, and Ibalon became a separate province with Sorsogon as capital. In the 17th the Moro slave raiders ravaged the coastal areas of the province of Albay. As a result of the continued raids, the capital was moved to the town of Albay on the northeastern coast. In 1663, the province was renamed Albay. Slave raiders continued to threaten the settlements of Albay until the early 19th century. Mayon Volcano, in one of its most violent eruptions, destroyed five towns surrounding its base in 1814. This eruption forced the town of Cagsaua to relocate to its present site and was renamed Legaspi. In the 19th century, the increase in demand for abaca proved an impetus for the development of a cash crop industry in Albay. By 1872, Legaspi was opened to foreign trade and became the premiere port from where abaca fiber, known internationally as Manila hemp, was exported. The province of Albay lost the Caramoan Peninsula and the towns of Lagonoy, Caramoan and Sagnay to Camarines Sur and gained the towns of the Iraya district (Camalig, Guinobatan, Maoraro, Ligas, Oas, Polangui, Libon, Donsol and Quipia) in 1846. In the same year, the islands of Masbate, Ticao and Burias were separated from Albay and established as a separate “comandancia”. In 1894, Sorsogon was taken out of Albay and established as a separate province. Finally, in 1945, Catanduanes was established as a separate province from Albay, reducing the province to its present size.
People, Culture and the Arts
Almost all the people of Albay are Bicolanos and speak Bicol, the local language. However, the language varies greatly among the different municipalities and sometimes even among barangays of the province. The vocabulary and the terminology is sometimes puzzling to the visitor but the Bicol dialect spoken in Legaspi is generally understood by a majority of the people in Albay. Filipino and English are also widely spoken and understood. Agriculture accounts for the largest share in the total production and source of employment. Products such as coconuts, rice, abaca and corn are Albay’s major crops. Abaca was once the largest export of the province and existing plantations supply the needs of a handicraft industry that manufactures an assortment of wares from hemp. Legaspi is noted for the manufacture of hemp slippers that are prized for their softness. Sinamayand pinolpog, fabrics woven from abaca hemp, are also important home industries of the Albaynons. Mats made from pandan are also made in the province. In the town of Tiwi, earthen water jars are still manufactured using old pottery techniques like a simple wheel and open firing. In the town of Tabaco, blacksmithing has been an established art since olden times. Bolos and knives manufactured in the town are highly esteemed for their good tempering and balance. Making products from pili nuts is also a popular industry through out the province. Bicolano cuisine is markedly distinct from other Philippine regional cuisines because of the general use of coconut milk, or gata and spiced with siling labuyo, a variety of chili found in the Philippines that is known to be very hot. The Bicolano dish known as ‘bicol express’ is perhaps the most challenging specialty, being made almost exclusively from green chili peppers and coconut milk. Other known Bicolano dishes include “pinangat”, or fish or shrimp wrapped in gabi (yam) leaves and cooked in coconut milk, laing, or finely chopped gabi leaves and stalks boiled into a stew with ginger, chili and coconut milk and ginataang langka or young jackfruit stewed with bagoong (shrimp paste) in coconut milk. The province of Albay is also rich in history and a number of museums and living relics exist to proclaim the proud past. The old Camalig Church, which was hewn from volcanic rock, holds the relics of ancient burial jars, beadwork and Chinese porcelains excavated from the Hoyop-hoyopan Caves. Daraga Church, built in 1773 is a richly decorated baroque edifice that is highly esteemed by art experts. Cut also from lava blocks, the massive church stands on a hill overlooking the town. Near Daraga are the ruins of Cagsaua Church, which was destroyed in the eruption of 1814.
Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur is Bicol’s heart. More than a third of all Bicolanos live in this province steeped in tradition and culture. It is bounded on the northwest by the provinces of Quezon and Camarines Norte and on the southeast by the province of Albay. The entire province tilts at an angle from the northwest to the southeast, and forms two coastal regions. The northern coast skirts the San Miguel Bay, Pacific Ocean and Lagonoy Gulf. The southern coast is bathed by the Ragay Gulf. The land is generally flat especially along the central plains cut by the Bikol and Libmanan Rivers. A low range of mountains rises in the south, called the Tankong Baka as well as in the Caramoan Peninsula. Mounts Isarog and Iriga (Asog) dominate the horizons near the cities of Naga and Iriga respectively. The climate is characterized by an absence of pronounced seasons. The northern and eastern sections of the province experience maximum rainfall from November to January. Typhoons pass through Camarines Sur from August to November.
History
Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman and Fray Alfonzo Gimenez first explored the province in 1569. As they went deeper they encountered many rice granaries, which in Spanish were called “Camarines”. In 1571, the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo came to the Bicol Region from the north and two years later, penetrated the peninsula as far south as Santiago de Libon. A little later, the city of Nueva Caceres was erected and became the ecclesiastical and administrative center of the province of Bicol or Ibalon. Nueva Caceres became the seat of a diocese in 1595, which covered the entire Bicol Region as well as the province of Tayabas (Quezon). The northern areas around the Bicol river plains became a “partido” or division known as Camarines, which in 1636, through a royal decree, was separated from the southern portion of Bicol and made into a separate province of Camarines. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the coastal regions of Camarines were raided by the Moro slavers from Mindanao and Sulu. The most disruptive raids occurred between 1750 and 1800 during which time the southern coast was almost completely depopulated. The province became an important center of Revolutionary activity in 1896. Fifteen Bicolano Martyrs were executed by the Spanish authorities in Naga (Nueva Caceres) after being accused of complicity in the Katipunanuprising. In 1829, Camarines Norte was taken out of the province of Camarines and the remaining portions became Camarines Sur. Between 1829 and 1919, the two provinces were divided and fused several times until, in 1919, under the American colonial government, the final separation was effected.
People, Culture and the Arts
The province of Camarines Sur is considered the center of Bicolano culture. The language spoken in the province is Bicol, a language that has many variations and dialects. The variation spoken in the vicinity of Naga, called “Bikol sa Naga” is widely considered by linguists as standard Bicol in comparison with the other dialects with similar shades of diction and word usages. The Camarines Sur Bicolanos are mostly farmers, who produce crops like rice, coconuts and abaca, and fishermen, who catch fish in the rich fishing grounds of San Miguel Bay and Lagonoy Gulf. Coupled with these, they also engage in an assortment of home industries like pili nut processing, bamboo craft, embroidery, sinamay weaving and fiber craft as well as wine distilling. Naga is the commercial center that draws these products together and from where it is sold or exported to other regions. Camarines Sur is the center of religious observances that are shared by all Bicolanos who are, by far, the most staunchly Roman Catholic people in the country. Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga is considered the patron of all Bicolanos. The image’s crown of diamonds and precious stones, which adorns its head was a donation of thousands of Bicolanos lovingly devoted to their beloved “Ina” or mother. Every September, the Bicolanos celebrate the feast of Penafrañcia with a festival that begins with a “traslacion”, a procession of the barefooted male devotees of Our Lady, followed by a Mass, and a fluvial parade where the image of the Virgin is carried on a barge on the Bikol River. The annual festival draws thousands of Bicolanos and tourists to Naga. Iriga City holds the annual harvest-offering Tinagba Festival on the occasion of the feast of our Lady of Lourdes held every 11th of February. It is based on an old indigenous Bicolano tradition where the first bountiful harvest is offered in thanksgiving. In doing so, God will make succeeding harvests more bountiful. During the festival, the different barrios join in the celebration by making a well-decorated cart drawn by a carabao and laden with all the products harvested from their farms. The town of Nabua celebrates its fiesta with the Boa-Boahan Festival every May 2. The highlight of the festival is the reenactment of the traditional “Boa Feast”, a 13th century rite where ancient Bicolanos offered chains of coconut embryos called “boa” to their deities, in the belief that this would make their life more prosperous throughout the year. The feast is enlivened with a display of colorful costumes. Other towns celebrate rituals in honor of their patron saints or in remembrance of an important Catholic feast such as Lent or Christmas. The Camarines Sur Bicolanos have incorporated many of their indigenous songs and dances into these celebrations that make these festivals unique. In Minalabac, the devotees of San Felipe and Santiago perform the “tumatarok” a prayer offering and oratory accompanied by song and dance. Tambo in Buhi is well known for its interpretation of the “tanggal”, a three-day passion play performed during Holy Week. Another unique tradition is called the “Aurora”, a tradition of prayer and singing to implore the Almighty’s aid in times of calamity.
Catanduanes
The “Land of the Howling Wind”, Catanduanes is an island province thrust into the Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Luzon by Maqueda Channel, across which lie the Caramoan Peninsula of Camarines Sur. Catanduanes is chiefly mountainous with few coastal plains. There is rain throughout most of the year which fall heaviest from November to January. There are no pronounced seasons but it is regularly visited by typhoons during the months between June and October.
History
Juan de Salcedo visited Catanduanes in 1573 after exploring Camarines. He landed at a point near Virac and was welcomed by Datu Lumibao. It was believed that Lumibao was a descendant one of the mythic ten datus from Borneo, and the people of the island related to the Visayans. Despite early efforts to Christianize the people of Catanduanes, the island was known as a haunt of pirates. In 1576, ten Augustinian missionaries perished in the treacherous seas off the island after their ship was wrecked in the vicinity of Bato. Catanduanes was known as an early center of shipbuilding during the early Spanish and it is believed that its name is derived from the Catandungan River, along whose banks tando trees used extensively for shipbuilding were found. Being largely isolated from the rest of Bicol, Catanduanes was particularly vulnerable to Moro attacks. In 1755, Catanduanes was overran by the raiders who pillaged and burned the towns of Virac and Calolbon. Loyang Cave, in San Antonio, is the mass grave of islanders who were massacred in that raid. The island continued to be vulnerable to raiding until the mid-19th century. Catanduanes was placed under the jurisdiction of Albay after Bicol was divided into two in the 17th century. It remained part of the province until 1945. On October 26 through Commonwealth Act No. 687, Catanduanes was separated from Albay and became an independent province.
People, Culture and the Arts
The people of Catanduanes are Bicolanos whose dialect indicates a strong Visayan influence. The early Spanish chroniclers noted that the people on Catanduanes, not unlike the Visayans, also adorned their bodies with tattoos. Oral traditions also reveal folk legends that trace the earliest Catanduanons to the same group of settlers who allegedly peopled the Visayas. As a result of geographical seclusion and vulnerability to storms, the Catanduanons have remained isolated from the rest of the Bicol region and the Philippines. This isolation in part accounts for the strength of religious institutions in the island. Nearly all the people belong to the Roman Catholic Church and religious fervor remains high. However, despite their isolation, the people of Catanduanes are also noted for their genial mien and hospitality. Among the most notable religious observances in Catanduanes is the Kaghorong. This is a reenactment of the Saint Joseph’s and the Virgin Mary’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem held from the 16th to the 25th of December. A troupe goes from house to house and sings before the door asking for shelter. When they are refused, they move to another house. The owner of the house then shakes the hands of the leader and hands over some donation in form of money.
Masbate
The mixing of Luzon and Visayan culture goes on freely in the province of Masbate. The province lies south of the Bicol Peninsula. It is an archipelago composed of three major islands of Masbate, Burias and Ticao set in the inland sea of the Philippines. It is separated from Luzon by the Burias and Ticao Passes in the north, from Samar by the Samar Sea in the east, from Cebu and Panay by the Visayan Sea in the south and from Romblon by the Sibuyan Sea in the west. The topography of Masbate ranges from plains to rolling hills to mountains. There two climatic regions in Masbate. Ticao and Burias have no pronounced seasons while Masbate, the main island, is relatively dry from January to June and rainy the rest of the year.
History
Archeological diggings around the gold mines of Aroroy give evidence of flourishing settlements on the island of Masbate from the 14th up to 16th century. The existence of these settlements encouraged the Spaniards to explore the island, then called Masbad, under the direction of Mateo de Saz and Martin de Goiti, to gather supplies for the Spanish settlements in Cebu and Panay. The Spaniards found flourishing settlements on the island and in the neighboring islands of Ticao and Burias. It was from Masbate that the Spaniards eventually landed on Luzon. Masbate became part of the province of Ibalon, which later became the province of Albay. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the islands of Masbate, Ticao and Burias were heavily raided by Moro slavers. During the late 18th century, these islands formed way stations for slave raiders who gathered captured slaves in various points before transporting them to Mindanao and Sulu. The Moros were forced to abandon these stations at the turn of the 19th century. In 1837, thousands of settlers, many of them from surrounding provinces of Bicol, Samar, Cebu and Capiz migrated to Masbate lured by the news of gold in Aroroy. Masbate became a separate politico-military comandancia in 1846. In 1905, it was annexed to Sorsogon under Act No. 1413. However, on December 15, 1920, the island regained its status as a separate province through Act No. 2934.
People, Culture and the Arts
More than half of the people of Masbate speak Masbateño a language that is closely related to Hiligaynon and Capiznon. However, in various municipalities of the island, various other languages are spoken. In the vicinity of the towns of Cataingan, Palanas, and Dimasalang, most residents speak Waray or Sinamarleyte. In Pio Corpuz the people speak Cebuano while in Placer and in the west coast along coast of Mandaon, Hiligaynon is spoken. On Ticao and Burias, Bicol is spoken by the residents. The province of Masbate is known as cattle country. The cattle breed found on the island was taken from herds in India that have flourished in the benign climate of the island. The province is the second largest supplier of cattle that is brought to Manila for slaughter. This industry has inspired the establishment of a ‘Rodeo Filipino’ on the third week of April. This festival features a week-long tournament of bull riding, cattle wrestling, lassoing, calf casting, post driving, carabao racing and a host of other rodeo games. This unique observance is also accompanied by cattle raising contests, a trade fair and parades, much like the rodeos in the American West.
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is the southernmost province on the island of Luzon and from the port of Matnog one can see Samar in the Visayas. The province forms two arms that wrap around the almost landlocked inlet of the Sorsogon Bay. Albay province lies to the north. The open Pacific Ocean lies east of the province while the narrow Ticao Pass in the west separates it from Ticao Island. The San Bernardino Strait lies southeast. The land is generally hilly with plains along the rivers and the coast. Rain falls throughout the year but is heaviest in September and October.
History
Neolithic artifacts like stone tools, burial jars, beads and shell implements excavated from sites within the province indicate that the area of Sorsogon was settled as early as 2200 years ago. In 1569, the Spanish explorer Luis Enrique de Guzman landed in the vicinity of a village called Gibalong or Ibalon in what is now the province of Sorsogon. A year later, two Augustinian priests established the first Christian settlement in Luzon and named the area Ibalon, which later referred to the entire Bicol Peninsula. The early missionaries established missions in Casiguran, Sorsogon and Bacon. A Spanish shipyard was established in Bagatao Island at the mouth of Sorsogon Bay, which built galleons and different types of ships used in the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. The island was an important way-station along the route. In 1636, when the “partidos” of Ibalon and Camarines were separated into different provinces, Sorsogon became the capital of Ibalon. However, due to the continued raids of the Moros in the mid-17th century, both Bagatao and Sorsogon were abandoned by the Spaniards and the capital of Ibalon was transferred to Albay. During much of the 17th and 18th centuries, the area of Sorsogon was sparsely settled. The continued Moro raids ravaged the coastal town. In 1754, the towns of Bacon and Bulan were destroyed and their townspeople brought into captivity. Raiding continued until the beginning of the 19th century and forced the Sorsogon residents to build watchtowers and palisades to protect themselves from Moro slave-raiders. In the 19th century, the region of Sorsogon greatly benefited from the increased demand for abaca. A locally developed technology, the hemp stripping machine credited to a 17th century Franciscan missionary named Fr. Pedro Espellargas of Bacon, became an important implement in the industry. The area of Sorsogon became an important hemp producer and the cultivation of abaca became the leading industry. In 1894, Sorsogon was separated from the province of Albay. The Americans annexed Masbate to Sorsogon when civil government was reestablished. In 1920, Masbate was separated to constitute a distinct province.
People, Culture and the Arts
The people of Sorsogon are Bicolanos and generally speak the Bicol language. However, close proximity to the Visayan island of Samar has given the dialects spoken in the province a peculiarly Visayan tone and vocabulary, which probably indicates a mixture of the Waray and Bicol languages. Most Sorsogon Bicols can speak English and Filipino fluently. Sorsogon’s people are mostly farmers and fishermen engaged in the cultivation of coconut, abaca and rice. The seas around the province sustain subsistence fishing. The province reputedly produces the best abaca hemp in the entire region, a matter of great importance in a province that supports a number of abaca based industries. Sinamay cloth weaving and abaca fiber slippers are chief household industries. The Sorsogueños, as do all Bicolano peoples, celebrate Ibalon, the old name of Bicol and the earliest settlement visited by the Spaniards, in epic form. The tale speaks of a time when great men called Lipod from a mythic place called Botavara settled in Ibalon. Led by Handiong, a warrior hero who slew the monsters that plagued the land of Ibalon. Handiong was instrumental in introducing laws, the culture of rice and the making of the boat. Under his reign, the boat rudder and sail, the plow, bolo, weaving, pottery and writing were introduced. Thus, under the mythical reign of Handiong, all of the necessities of Bicolano culture were introduced. Handiong was still alive when the last great monster, Rabot, was slain by a younger warrior hero named Bantong and thus ended the legendary period of Ibalon’s tale. The epic, though incredible, gives evidence of a long period of settlement of Sorsogon and the rest of Bicol.
BY:BAGASBAS, REYNALDO J JR
BSED THIRD YEAR
EDTECH 2
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