21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

REGION V BICOL

Provinces Capital

Albay - Legaspi City

Camarines Sur - Pili
Camarines Norte - Daet
Masbate - Masbate City
Catanduanes - Virac
Sorsogon - Sorsogon City

FACTS ABOUT REGION V

1. The Bicol Region is also known as Bicolandia and it can also be spelled as Bikol.

2. Bicol region holds the most number of men entering the seminary for Catholic priesthood, or women
entering the religious life to become Catholic nuns.

3. The people of Bicol Region are called Bicolanos.

4. It is best known for being the home of the world’s largest fish – The Butanding (Whale Shark).

A. ALBAY

1. Albay and its surrounding areas were known as Ibalon when Juan de Salcedo and 120 soldiers explored
it in 1573. Sawangan, a small settlement by a mangrove swamp, became a town called Albaybay (which
means “by the bay”) in 1616. The town was first renamed Albay, then Legazpi, as Albay went on to refer
to the province.

2. The country’s number one producer of squash in the year 2011. They produce 24,720 squash annually.

3. Its capital is Legaspi City.

4. Magayon Festival – a much awaited event because of the sili eating contest at the Peñaranda Park in Old
Albay District, which toasts the Bicolano’s penchant for eating food served with the hot and spicy chili,
popularly known as “sili or lada”

TOURIST SPOTS

1. Mayon Volcano
- Mayon got her name from the famous legend, The Legend of Daragang Magayon which means
“beautiful”

- Local folklore reveals that Magayon was actually an ancient princess who was forced to marry his wicked
suitor, Pagtuga after the latter kidnapped his father. On the day of the wedding, Magayon’s true love,
Panganoron, tried to rescue the princess with the help of several men.The love story ended tragically when
Magayon was hit by an arrow while Panganoron was stabbed to death. As the story goes, a mound grew
from Magayon’s grave and eventually expanded to become the modern-day Mayon Volcano.

- For the longest time, Mount Mayon has been the Philippine counterpart of Japan’s Mt. Fuji. Just like the
latter, it also exudes a panoramic beauty that attracts a myriad of tourists from around the globe.
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- Widely known for its symmetrical, “perfect cone” shape, this 8,077-foot active volcano is the main landmark
of Albay Province and one of the country’s major tourist spots. Mayon Volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of
Fire and is regularly monitored by PHIVOLCS.

- Mayon’s most violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 12,000 people and devastated several towns. The
volcano rises 2,462 meters above the Albay Gulf and has very steep upper slopes averaging 35-40
degrees capped by a small summit crater.

- On June 23, 1897, Mayon Volcano terrorized the whole town with its 7 day-long eruptions. Fire literally
rained over the nearby villages including Bacacay, Libon, and San Roque. The catastrophe killed hundreds
of people who were either trapped by flowing lava or hit by hot rocks and steam.

2. Cagsawa Church
- Situated in Albay, Cagsawa Ruins is a historical landmark that serves as the centerpiece of the Cagsawa
Ruins Park where tourists can enjoy the scenic view of Mayon Volcano. The ruins also stood as an image
of Bicol region’s magnificent landscape for almost two centuries. It symbolizes Bicol’s rich history together
with the strength and flexibility of the people towards calamities and ravages of Mother Nature.

- Cagsawa was derived from the word “Kag” which means owner and “sawa” for python. It could also mean
too much or excesses. The Cagsawa church was built after 1724 by the Franciscan friars and was
administered by Fray Francisco Blanco in the small town of Cagsawa.

3. Saint John the Baptist Church

- This is located in Tabacco City, Albay. What’s specifically beautiful about this church is its dark façade
because it is built out of volcanic stones and sand.

NATIVE DELICACIES

1. Chili Ice Cream

- Bicol’s sili (chili) ice cream started as a novelty dessert, with the aim to promote the region.
- Sweet yet spicy – a weird flavor combo that proved to be a hit with locals and foreigners alike.
- It has spiciness levels ranging from 1 to 10, but there are other flavors that are equally mouthwatering.

2. Cocido
- Sinigang may reign supreme for some, but Albay has a delicious alternative to the sour soup. And it is
cocido. Its sourness comes from calamansi and is made with local vegetables, talbos ng kamote, and buho
is sometimes added.
- The meat in cocido is usually fish and it's perfect for those who want a milder sour soup.

B. CAMARINES SUR

1. Its capital is Pili

2. It is also known as CamSur

3. Sinarapan which is scientifically known as Mistichthys luzonensis is the world's smallest commercially

harvested fish and is found in Lakes Bato and Buhi in Camarines Sur, part of the Philippines' Bicol Region. 

4. Just like most of the cities in the Philippines, Camarines Sur had its foundation set on Spanish culture. In
fact, it was named Tierra de Camarines before.

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5. Camarines Sur is known as the seat of the Roman Catholic Religion when the Philippines is still a colony of
Spain.

TOURIST SPOT

1. Mount Isarog National Park

- Camarines Sur is blessed with this national park that qualifies as a perfect destination for nature lovers and
backpackers.
- It is located in the province's geographic center, Mount Isarog National Park is a cradle of rich diversity of
flora and fauna and serves as a habitat for endemic species like the Isarog Shrew Mouse.
- The adventure in the national park starts with the PanicuasonTrail located in Brgy. Panicuason, Naga City.
It is an 8-10 hour hike leading to the summit that affords a spectacular scenic view of a large portion of
CamSur.

NATIVE DELICACY

1. Crispy Pinangat
- The native Pinangat was coated with dough and fried to crispy perfection, without affecting the texture and
the taste of the laing inside. It was served topped with curdled coconut milk.

C. CAMARINES NORTE

1. Camarines Norte is the northernmost Province in Bicol Region, It is the gateway to Bicolandia. Home of the
First Rizal Monument, century old churches, cascading waterfalls and paradise like islands/beaches.

2. The province is well known for its major produce, namely, pineapple, coconut, and fish
products. Camarines Norte Queen is a pineapple variety that is extensively cultivated in the area.

3. Its capital is Daet.

TOURIST SPOT

1. Colasi Falls
- This natural water feature towers at 70-feet high and is tucked into the natural formation of the land. It is
mostly surrounded by cliffs and greenery. The basin is deep and wide which makes if perfect for swimming.
Part of the excitement is going near the cascading falls via bamboo raft.

NATIVE DELICACY

1. Sinantol
- Bicol is one of the provinces in the Philippines that is known to produce santol or cotton fruit. Santol is a
tropical fruit found in Southeast Asia.  Due to the abundant production of santol in the province, Bikolanos
made a dish out of it and called it Sinantol or Ginataang Santol. 
- Sinantol is made of shredded santol and Bikolano's favorite ingredients, sili and gata along with either
smoked fish or pork. 
- Sinantol has the right blend of saltiness coming from the smoked fish, sourness from santol, creaminess
from gata and spice from sili. You may find the combination weird at first but you will end up loving this
dish.

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D. MASBATE

1. Considered as “The Country’s Ranch Capital”

2. Masbate Island has been known as the site of the greatest gold production in the world.

3. Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival – celebrated annually during the City Anniversary on 30th day of
September. This event highlights the traditional folk dance created by “Lola Felisa” many years ago, when
she imitated the graceful movement of the seagull (locally known as Lapay). The dance has evolved and is
now recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines as one of the official folk dances of the country.
This dance was also recognized during the Spanish Colonization.

4. Rodeo Masbateño Festival – the only rodeo show in Asia. The Rodeo Masbateño Festival is an annual
event which takes place in Masbate City that showcases skills in livestock handling, such as lassoing,
wrestling, and riding cattle. Also included in the event are a fair and exhibitions and trade of cattle and
horses.
- The event has taken place every summer since 1993 in the province of Masbate, which is traditionally
considered the “Cattle Country of the Philippines.”

TOURIST SPOT
1. The Catandayagan Falls in Ticao Island
- Masbate has long been known as a land of many fascinating natural wonders, which include
Catandayagan Falls located in the town of Monreal, Masbate in Ticao Island. Visitors who have come from
all over the Philippines and beyond have been in awe of this breathtaking and amazing falls. It drops from
60 feet to its base into a pool of cool, clear water.  It is a picture of grace and tranquility in the heart of
nature.

NATIVE DELICACY

1. Carmelado 
- it is a milk candy traditionally made of carabao's milk and sugar. It is Masbate's version of pastillas de
leche, but are more solid. Until recently, this delicacy has been recognized as one of the OTOP or One
Town, One Product of the province of Masbate, with majority of its producers based in the town of
Milagros.

E. CATANDUANES

1. It is known as the "Land of the Howling Winds" because most typhoons brewed in the Pacific pass
through this easternmost island province of Luzon. But on better days, pack your bags and explore this
rugged adventure island.

2. Its capital is Virac

TOURIST SPOT

1. Binurong Point
- Binurong Point is one of the newest attractions the island of Catanduanes can offer. Binurong Point is
located in Brgy. Guinsaanan, Baras, Catanduanes. A Batanes/Ireland hills & cliffs look and feel. Trekking to
Binurong Point is easy unlike going to Bote Light House in Bato.

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- From Virac Downtown (Capital Town), It will take you more or less 1 hour to go to Brgy. Guinsaanan
Proper (Baras Town), from the latter you will trek for about 15-20 minutes.
- To better experience it, the best time to go to Binurong Point is at dawn so you can see the sun rising up
while it shines to the grass and sea around the area. You might want to start travel from Virac to Binurong
Point at 4:00 A.M.

NATIVE DELICACY

1. Ensaladang Fresh Pako or Fiddlehead Fern Salad 

- It has a crunchy bite with salted eggs giving it the creamy, savory notes while the sweet-vinegar dressing
gives it a holistic flavor. 

F. SORSOGON

1. A toe of land with a striking volcanic topography and some little-known beaches, lakes, hot springs and
waterfalls, Sorsogon province lies south of Albay and is the easternmost part of mainland Bicol. 
2. The province is best known to tourists for the chance to snorkel with whale sharks off the coast
near Donsol, but it’s also a great area for activities such as hiking and caving. 
3. Sorsogueños is how the people of Sorsogon call themselves.
4. Pili Festival in Sorsogon City honors the pili nut and tree, which is indigenous to the province. The festival
coincides with the town fiesta of Sorsogon City. Celebrations include street dancing by locals donning pili
nut costumes, cooking competitions, fireworks displays, and even a nut cracking session along the road by
the locals.
5. Sorsogon is most famous for the whale sharks in Donsol.

TOURIST SPOT

1. Pagurian Island
- It is actually just a rock islet off the mainland connected by a sandbar. There are a few jump-off points to
the island but the most popular one is that nipa hut-strewn beachline marked by colorful flags on the
sidestreet of Barangay Sawanga.

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