ALBAY

In 1850, Luis Enriques de Guzman led an expedition from Panay to the Islands of Masbate and Ticao, and to the region named Ibalon. The Augustinian missionary, Father Alonzo Jimenez, christianized the first inhabitants of Ibalon, Camarines and Burias.

In July 1573, Juan de Salcedo, with 120 soldiers, explored Ibalon and founded the town of Santiago de Libong.

Visit the Hanging Road to Joroan. Steep cliff high along the highway going to Joroan which keeps one's breath hanging as one traverses this road. It overall the wide blue Pacific Ocean and a breathtaking trip over this road brings a memorable experience for visitors and tourists. A stop over on one side of the spot of the highway is a must for travelers.

They have many caves to explore. One is Naglaus Underground River. Another natural formation in Jovellar which is largely unexplored underground river. It is 300 meter long. Abamboo craft is used to negotiate the tunneled river. It looks very mysterious and wiered but an excellent place for a bewildering and strange feeling.

Another place to go is the Mayon Resthouse. It nestles on the eastern slopes of Mt. Mayon at an altitude of 2,700 ft. An excellent summer resort with almost similar temperature with Baguio at 28 degrees celcius. It is popularly known as "heaven on earth" because of the hanging clouds and the pleasant climate where cool and invigorating air could be experienced. From this height, visitors see the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the different towns, lakes, villages, fields and other mountains. Accessible through tabaco, motor vehicles of any type could be used to reach it.

The world's nearly perfect cone is the Mayon volcano . It stands majestically at 7,946 ft. from the broad base about 10 km radius. The crater 2, 451 meters above sea level and with a diameter of .5 kms. It has notched rim where a pool of building hot lava boils and rich coal deposits could be found. Sulfuric streams and gases continually emit from this crater. It derived its name from the world "magayon," meaning beautiful. Its name been regarded as a symbol not only at Albay but also the Philippines within the orient. Since, 1616 , Mt. Mayon was recorded to have erupted 40 times and the worst was on February 1, 1814 which buried the settlements of Cagsawa and Budiao in the town of Daraga. The latest eruption was in June 21, 1999.

Cagsawa Ruins originally, the words was "Kagsawa. " It was derived from Kag,"who does or owner" and Sawa, meaning "a python" which suggested " one who collects snakes" or perhaps " a snake charmer." On its worst it signifies "excesses" from sawa (pronounced in "maragsa" on the last syllable) meaning "too much." Fr. Francisco Aragoneses, OFM, former curate of Kagsawa and Budyaw, seemed to confirm the notable "overindulgence" of people during the time. in fact, he affirmed the 1814 Mayon eruption as "divine justice." The Febuary 1, 1814 Mayon eruption, recorded as the worst which reportedly killed 1,200 people, caused the Kagsawa Church to be submerged in the fast action of mudflow. Only the belfry remains prominent today.

They also celebrate different festivals. These are few of the many festivals they celebrate. One is Karangahan Albay. A grand Albayano celebration. Rooted in tradition, it is an expression of wealth and good leaving brought about good harvest, which is why it is always celebrated in May. Its origin having had religious overtones, it naturally absorbed the Catholic Maytime Santacruzan, Reyna Elena and Dotok as an integral part. It is highlighted by a series of street presentations of the legends and the origins of the names of the different municipalities, each unique unto itself, which lends variety, specially a lot of color to each dispiction. It is declared as a grandiose but elegant spectacle of profuse merry-making befitting a truly grand celebration. It is a total provincial celebration, but the ground shows are held at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Legazpi City, the capital of the Province of Albay.

Another is the Bicol Food Festival. A festival of Bicol cuisine such as Pingat and Laing , Bicol express, the Tinotongan, Inolokan or Tilmok, Pecadillo, and Cocido.

Visit all of these at Albay!!!