THC002: PHILIPPINE CULTURE AND TOURISM GEOGRAPHY

Chapter 8

Region 5 – Bicol Region

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify the different major attractions, activities, accommodations, and

cultural highlights in the provinces within the Bicol Region;
2. Create different tour packages that carry different types of tourism
activities within the region; and
3. Assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the region in
terms of the 4 As of tourism.

This chapter presents the major tourist destination areas of Bicol Region. The major
discussions will be on access, health and safety issues, geographical characteristics,
major attractions, gastronomy, and distinctive cultural attributes of the region related
to the development and promotion of tourism in the Philippines.

The Bicol Region has become an attractive destination For domestic and tourists, with
its pristine white sand beaches, old churches, Mayon Volcano, good-natured
hospitality. Acknowledging the economic contribution of provinces have developed
tourism sites that have become famous for its unique regional capital is Legazpi City.
The provinces in the Bicol Region include:
• Albay
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Masbate and
• Sorsogon

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No. of Towns
Land Area (in No. of
Capital Major Industries and
hectares) Cities
Municipalities
Agriculture, Fishing,
Cement Production,
Albay Legazpi City 257,577 3 15
Manufacturing
Tourism
Camarines Agriculture, Fishing,
Daet 232,007 - 12
Norte Mining
Agriculture, Trade,
Camarines Manufacturing,
Naga City 549,703 2 35
Sur Construction,
Tourism
Agriculture, Abaca,
Catanduanes Virac 149,216 - 11
Trade
Agriculture, Fishing,
Masbate Masbate City 415,178 Livestock, Copra, 1 20
Manufacturing
Agriculture, Fishing,
Sorsogon Sorsogon City 211,901 1 14
Abaca, Copra

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A. Ports of Access

Legazpi Airport, Pili Airport, Virac Airport,

Masbate Airport

Matnog, Pilar and Bulan Ports (Sorsogon),

Masbate Port (Masbate), Virac Port
(Catanduanes), Tabaco Port (Albay

via Pan-Philippine Highway, via Philippine

National Railways (Manila-Albay)

Within the region, the provinces of Masbate and Sorsogon are islands
and are accessible by boat while all the other provinces are accessible by land
transport such as bus and car. A road trip from Manila to Camarines Norte,
Camarines Sur, and Albay are possible and recommended for tourists who
want to experience what the countryside has to offer.

By Air: Legazpi Airport is the main entry point to the province of Albay
with regular flights to and from Manila and Cebu. Pili Airport in Camarines Sur
has daily flights offered by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Cebu Pacific
services flights from Manila to Virac Airport in Catanduanes. On the other hand,
a flight from Manila to Masbate Airport is only being serviced by Philippine
Airlines. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes.

By Sea: There are multiple fast crafts available from Pilar Port in
Sorsogon to Masbate Porte Similarly. Masbate is accessible through fast craft
ferries from Cebu, Leyte, and Samar. Sorsogon also has ferry terminals in
Matnog, Pilar, and Bulan that serve as gateways to and from Visayas and
Mindanao. Catanduanes, on the other hand, is accessible from Tabaco City
Port in Albay going to Virac Seaport.

By Land: Philippine National Railways have resumed its Manila to Albay

operations and vice versa, making the province more accessible. Several bus
companies offer regular trips from Manila to Naga. Alternatively, the provinces
of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon are accessible
through the Pan-Philippine Highway System.

Getting Around: Several bus companies provide regular trips among the
provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. The
provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes, on the other hand, are only accessible
by riding a Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO) or fastcraft ferries.

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B. Attractions and Activities

Historical, Cultural and
Natural Attractions Built Attractions
Heritage Attractions
Cagsawa Ruins Mayon Volcano Roca Baluarte
Daraga Church Lignon Hill Nature Cagraray Eco Park
Albay Cathedral Park Calabidongan
Joroan Church Caves Hoyop-
Albay
Japanese Tunnels Hoyopan Cave Vera
Spanish Galleon Wreck Falls
Site
Lake Danao
Putsan Beach
Calaguas Group Of
Rizal Monument Museo Bulawan
Islands
Nuestra Senora De Mercedes Group Of
Pineapple Island Resort
Candelaria Church Islands
Camarines St. Peter Apostle Church Bagasbas Beach
Norte
Capalonga Shrine Of
Mampurog River
The Black Nazarene
Colasi Waterfalls
Cadig Cave
Camsur Watersports
Naga Cathedral Mt. Isarog National Park
Complex
Basilica Minore De
Haciendas De Naga
Nuestra Senora De Kalupnitan Cave
Adventure Park
Penafrancia
Camarines Bombon Parish Adiangao Cave
Sur Museo Conciliar De
Seminario De Nueva Sabang Beach
Caceres
Caramoan Islands
Itbog Twin Falls
Lake Bato

Virac Cathedral Twin Rocks Museo De Catanduanes

Bato Church Binurong Point Radar Station
Our Lady Of Sorrows
Balacay Point
Catanduanes Shrine
Maribina Falls
Puraran Beach
Luyang Cave
Amenia Beach

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San Pascual Church Porta Vega Beach Balud Lighthouse

Catandayahan Falls
Burubancaso Rock
Masbate Formation
Underwater Cave
Buntod Reef
Sandbar
Bat-Ongan Cave
Lake Bulusan National
Punta Diamante
Park
Coral Church
Mt. Bulusan
Of Barcelona
Juban’s Old Houses Mt. Pulog
Sorsogon
Mapaso Hot Spring
Panumbagan Sandbar
Rizal Beach
Casiguran
Donsol

Mayon Volcano, Albay Spanish Galleon Wreck Site, Albay

Caramoan Islands, Camarines Sur Mercedes Islands, Camarines Norte

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Bato Church, Catanduanes PAG-ASA Radar Station, Catanduanes

Under Water Cave, Masbate Balud Lighthouse, Masbate

Buntod Reef Sandbar, Masbate Lake Bulusan National Park, Sorsogon

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C. Range of Accommodations
Budget (less than P1,500 per
Mid-Range (P1,500 to P3,000 High-End (at least P3,000
night)
per night) per night)
Pinehurst Suites
Hotel St. Ellis The Oriental Hotel
Hotel Villa Angelina
La Piazza Legazpi Hotel Venezia
Mayon Backpackers Hotel
Hotel Misibis Bay Hotel
Villa Amada Hotel
Albay Legazpi Airport Hotel Tyche Boutique Hotel
Legazpi Tourist Inn The Apple Peach House
Alicia Hotel
Casablanca Suites
Dolor Hotel Pineapple Island Resort
Nathaniel Hotel Casa Lilia
Bagasbas Lighthouse Hotel Calaguas Gateway Hotel
Camarines Norte
Hebris Penthaus Prime Suite Hotel
Villa Mila Garden Resort Hotel Formosa
Francesco’s Inn
CBD Plaza Hotel Panicuason Hot Spring Resort Avenue Plaza Hotel
Naga Land Hotel Carmen Hotel Villa Caceres Hotel
Camarines Sur Naga Regent Hotel Crown Hotel
Flamingo Hotel Fishcove Garden Hotel
Starmark Hotel Domer Residencies
Pururan Surf Beach Resort Twin Rock Beach Resort
Marem Pension House Ardci Corporate Inn
Catanduanes
Terrazas De Ponti Mansion Catanduanes Midtown Inn
Amenia Beach Resort
Sampaguita Tourist Inn Paraiso De Palani
Ticao Island Resort Bituon Resort
Masbate Francjoreen Beach Resort Altamar Beach Resort
GV Hotel Masbate
Chona & Christophe
Guesthouse Mercedes Country Bantigui Beach Resort Siama Hotel
Lodge Villa Isabel Hotel
Fritz Homestay
Sorsogon Fernandos Hotel
Selvinas Hotel
Ingko Hotel
Tentyard Hotel The Oriental Hotel

Legazpi, Albay Hotel Formosa, Camarines Norte

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Villa Caceres Hotel Naga City, ARDCI Corporate Inn, Catanduanes
Camarines Sur

Paraiso De Palani Beach Villas, Siama Hotel,

Sorsogon Masbate

D. Food and Delicacies

Albay Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Catanduanes Masbate Sorsogon

Sili Ice Sinantol Kinalas Dor( Reemas Ensaladang Lato
Cream Kinunot Toasted Siopao Putan Kinunot Na Pagi
Sinarapan Pinangat Pan De Naga Sutukil Kinagang
Pinangat Tinuktok Abu Pinangat
Pili Nuts
Laing Bicol Express Timitim
Guinobatan
Longganisa Ginataang Bilo Bilo Pinangat Binutong
Bicol Express Hinagom
E. Recommended Pasalubong
 Pili Nuts
 Pili Candies and Tarts
 Bottled Laing
 Bottled Bicol Express
 Honey
 Shirts
 Bukad Handicrafts
 Abaca Products (Slippers,Bags,Hats,Etc.)
 Keychains and Magnets

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F. Festivals and Special Events

Albay

 Magayon Festival — (May) a

showcase of the cultural heritage, trade, and
tourist attractions of Albay beyond the majestic
Mt. Mayon.
 Ibalong Festival — (October) a
festival depicting the stories and legends on the
early beginning of the Bicol Region.
 Tabak Festival — (June 16-21) in
celebration of the Tabaco city's founding anniversary.
 Sarung Banggi Festival — (May 18-
25) a showcase of cultural and religious activities
to pay tribute to its composer, Potenciano
Gregorio.
 Kadagatan Festival — (Black
Saturday) a boat race and a showcase of colorful
sails in the Albay Gulf.
 Pilgrimage to Joroan — (3rd
Saturday of August) to pay homage to the
miraculous image of Our Lady of Salvation, the Patroness of Albay.

Camarines Norte

 Pabirik Festival — (February 1-2)

depicts the gold mining industry in the province.
 Palong Festival -- (May 10-13) to
showcase gratitude on the abundant presence of
roosters in the locality of Capalonga.
 Mercedes Fish-tival — (August 6-
11) a thanksgiving festival of the fishers for
bountiful fishing endeavors.
Camarines Sur

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 Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia --
- (3rd Saturday of September) a religious festival
in honor of Our Lady of Peniafrancia, the
Patroness of Bicol Region.
 Karanowan Fish-tival — (February
15) A celebration to promote the rich marine
resources of Lake Bato.

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 Partido Baybayon Festival —

(April 26-28) showcase of different tourism
areas in the municipality of Sagnay.
 Boa-Boahan Alinsangan
Festival — (May 1) a festival of fertility and
thanksgiving.
 Kaogma Festival (May 21-27) in
celebration of the founding anniversary of the
province of Camarines Sur.

Catanduanes

 Catanduanes Padayaw Festival

— (May 20-24) a showcase of the pride and
dignity of each town through its costume and
dance.
 Catandungan Festival —
(October 22-24) a celebration of the founding
anniversary of the province of Catanduanes.
Masbate

 Himag-ulaw Festival—
(February 17) a thanksgiving festival for
bountiful harvest and good catch in fishing.
 Rodeo Masbatenio — (April 6-
8) a showcase of local cowboys in the
western style rodeo events.
 Dayaw Dalan Festival — (May
1-3) in honor of patron saint Santo Cristo de
Burgos.

Sorsogon

 Pastores Festival —
(December) an interpretative folk-festival that
reenacts the rejoicing of shepherds during
the birth of Jesus.
 Butanding Festival — (April 28-
30) a thanksgiving festival for the blessings
that Butanding give to the people of Donsol.
 Padaraw Festival — (May 30) a
showcase of colorful costumes made from
abaca fiber.
 Pili Festival — (June 20-29) a festival to showcase pili as the primary
indigenous crop of Sorsogon.

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 Kasanggayahan Festival — (October 15-25) a festival of prosperity to

commemorate the foundation anniversary of Sorsogon.

G. Major Cultural Groups

There are no indigenous groups in Bicol. The major cultural group in Bicol
are the Bicolanos. The Bicolano is highly differentiated though Bicol-Naga is the
lingua franca in the general area with Naga and Albay as its urban centers. The
economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Rice is the dominant crop while
coconut and abaca are the leading cash crops. Fishing and forest industries are
flourishing. Religiosity is high in the region with centuries old churches and their
long time devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia whom they lovingly call Ina
(mother).

H. Major Industries

The largest component of the region's economy is agriculture. It is known

for its pili nuts, coconut, abaca, banana, coffee, and jackfruit, as well as for rice
and corn. Other industries include commercial fishing, mining, handicrafts, jewelry
manufacturing, among others.

I. Languages and Dialects

Major dialects include Bikolanon, Masbatenio, Sorsoganon, Rinconada,

Bisakol, Tagalog, Cebuano, and Hiligaynon. Major languages include Filipino and
English.

Lake Buhi, located at the eastern side of Mt. Iriga in the town of Buhi,
Camarines Sur, is home to the smallest freshwater fish in the world called Sinarapan.

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Badilla, M.G. & Oreta, M.L. (2017). Service... Manila: Rex Book Store,lnc.

Peralta, J. T. (2000). Glimpses: Peoples of the Philippines. National Commission for

Culture and the Arts.

1. www.choosephilippines.com
2. www.agoda.com
3. www.tripadvisor.com.ph
4. www.pinoyadventurista.com
5. www.tourism.gov.ph
6. www.vigattintounsm.com
7. www.wowlegazpi.com
8. www.camarinesnorte.gov.ph
9. www.camarinessur.gov.ph
10. www.visitmyphilippines.com
11. www.philippinetravelforum.com

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