PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

Business School
Department of Tourism Management ITM0002–Philippine Tourism, Geography and Culture

Topic 5.Bicol Region (Region V)

Map Location

I. Region V A. Area and Location

The Bicol Region is located at the midsection of the country, at the southern tip of Luzon. It has a land area of roughly
Bicol Region 1,763 square kilometer. It is bounded on the northwest by Quezon province, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the
southeast by the Samar Sea, and on the southwest by the Sibuyan Sea.
B. Geographical Profile
The Region has generally rugged terrain. The soil is a mixture of loam and clay suitable for agriculture, the main
industry of the region. The major crops are coconut, palay, corn, abaca, root crops, fruit trees, and sugarcane.
C. People
The bicolanos are the most economically underpriviledge people in the country, yet they are also among the most
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 hospitable. They number about 5,109,798 million (2007) and predominant speak Bicolano, although English is generally
used by understood regionwide.
D. Political Profile
The region is composed of six provinces, namely; Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and
Masbate. Two of these, Catanduanes and Masbate are island provinces.
E. How to get there
The Bicol Region can be reached by land from Manila by bus companies offering trips to the different provinces of the
region. These include Philtranco, JB Lines, Superlines, and Sunshine Tours. Domestic Airlines also have regular flights to
Daet, Naga, Legaspi City, Masbate and VIrac.
II. Province/s A. Capital
Legazpi City
1. Albay B. Area and Location
Albay is bounded on the north by Camarines Sur, on the northeast by Catanduanes on the west by marinduque, and on
the south by Masbate. It has total land area of 2,553.6 square kilometers.
C. Geographic Profile
albay lies at the southern tip of mainland Luzon. It is located at the center of the Bicol Region and is surrounded by
bodies of water: in the east the Pacific Ocean, in the west and southeast the Burias Pass, and in the northeast the
Laguna Bay.
D. How to get there
Bus companies like Philtranco service the Manila-Legazpi route. Travel time is about 12 hours via Daet or nine hours via
Quirino Highway. By air, Legazpi is about an hour away from Manila.
E. Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

1. Cagsawa Ruins Only the belfry of Cagsawa Church is visible now above the
Cagsawa, Daraga volcanic mudflow that buried the town and 1,200 of its
inhabitants when Mayon Volcano erupted of February 1, 1814.

2. Daraga Catholic Church Built in 1733 by Franciscan missionaries atop a massive hill top,
Daraga this church is celebrated not only for its rich baroque architecture
but also for its collection of priceless religious relics and seals
carved on volcanic rocks.
3.Hayop-hayopan Hayop-hayopan is a bicolano word meaning “blow-blow”,
Cotmon, Camalig referring here to the sound of the wind rushing through the cave.
This popular site was formerly used by the primitive people as an
abode.

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 4. Ibalong The Ibalong is one of the most celebrated festivities in the Bicol
Legazpi City Region, during which time the whole of Legazpi City comes out in
full revelry. The festival depicts Bicol’s early begunnungs as in an
epic called Ibalong. It is usually held on the third week of October.
5. Malinao Falls The pool at the base of the falls is deal for swimming.
Malinao

6. Mataginting Falls This broad waterfall cascades into a river surrounded by lush
Jovellar greenery.

7. Mayon Volcano Of all the volcanoes in the world, mayon is the only one that has
Albay an almost perfect cone. Its name in derived from the BIcolano
word magayan, which means beautiful. It stands 2,462 meters
high (2,451 meters above sea level) with a radius of 100
kilometers from the broad base and a diameter of 0.5 kilometer.
Mountaineers enjoy climbing the beautiful slope of Mount
Mayon, anyone who wants to attempt the ascent though should
first get the go-signal of the Philippine Commision on Volcanology
and Seismology (Philvolcs) to be sure that it is safe to climb.
8. St. Gregory the Great Cathedral The church together with several houses was burden in 1754
Legazpi CIty because of the eruption of the Mayon Volcano in February 1,
1814.
9. Tabaco Church This church is built largely of volcanic materials that abound in the
Tabaco area.

2. Catanduanes A. Capital
Virac
B. Area and Location
Catanduanes is an island province in the Bicol Region southeast of Luzon. It is separated from the mainland by the
Maquenda Channel on the west, and by the Lagonoy Gulf on the south. The north and east sides are open to the Pacific
Ocean.
C. Geographic Profile
Other than the main island, there are a number of smallesr island off the northeast and northwest coast.
D. How to get there
There are regular flights from Manila tiVirac. By sea, one can take ferry fron the town of Tabaco in Albay to Virac.
E. Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

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 1. Annual Surfing Competition This competition is held during the months of September and
Puraran October and is participated in by local and foreign tourists. The
date of the competition is movable.
2.Balongbong Falls This is one of the most popular natural attractions in the
Bato, along the National Highway province. The falls feeds the main Bato River with clear and
sparkling water cascading from the slopes of the Boctot
Mountain Chain.
3.Bato Church One of the earliest churches built by the Spaniards. It stands at
Bato the mount of a wide river.

4.Bonot Resort This place is ideal for swimming and picnicking.

Bonot, San Andres

5.Buyo Cave The cave has beautiful stalacties and stalagmites and is
Brgy. Buyo, Virac surrounded by small rolling hills.

6.Catanduanes Festival A celebration of the province’s anniversary and a tribute to its

Virac founders. It is held every October 24.

7.Dinahit Festival A celebration commemorating the arrival of the first migrants

Virac in the province who came via a dinahit, a type of sea craft. The
event is held every October 24 to 25.
8.Igang Beach A haven for surfers, this beach also offers number of caves for
Igang exploration and several coral formations ideal for spear fishing.
Only some parts of the beach are ideal for swimming though.
9.Layung Caves These are grotto-like structures made of limestone.
Lictin, San Andres

10.Mamagangal and Balite Beaches These beaches boast creamy white sand and blue waters that
Balite are ideal for snorkeling and spear-fishing because of the
presence of well-developed costal formations.
11.Puraran Beach Internationally known as “Majestic”, this is the site for
Baras softboard surfing.

12. Vargas Cave The cave has a narrow opening hidden behind thickets, making
Balite, Virac entry difficult.

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3. Camarines Norte A. Capital
Daet
A. Area and Location
Camarines Norte occupies the northwestern portion of the Bicol Peninsula that forms the southeastern portion of
Luzon. It is bounded on the Pacific Ocean, and in the south Camarines Sur and a portion of the elongated province of
Quezon. It has land area of 2,200 square kilometers.
B. Geographic Profile
The province’s rugged terrain is characterized by rolling hills giving way to fertile coastal plains and valleys. Its crescent-
shapes coastline links Lamon Bay, San Miguel Bay, and several offshore islands.
C. How to get there
Since the opening of the Quirino Highway, buses bound to Legaspi City do not pass through Daet anymore. Instead, bus
companies like Philtranco make a direct route from Manila to Daet.
D. Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

1. Bagasbas Beach This beach is the popular in the province. It has gray sand, with
Daet a gently sloping sea floor and tall waves, making it deal for
swimming, body boarding and surfing.
2. Daet Pineapple Festival The festival showcases the main agricultural and products of
Daet the capital town, especially the famous golden Formosa
pineapple, said to be the sweetest of all the pineapple
varieties. The date of the festival varies each year.
3. Feast of the Black Nazarene This two-day religious festivity is held in honor of the
Capalonga miraculous Black Nazarene. Devotes from nearby provinces
make the pilgrimage to Capalonga every May.
4. First Rizal Monument The town of Daet holds the distinction of being the first town in
Corner Magellanes and J. LukbanSts. Daet the Philippines to erect a monument in honor of the country’s
national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The effort was initiated by Lt. Col.
Antonio Saez of the Philippine Revolutionary Army.
5. Mercedes Islands The municipality of Mercedes is the site of the most beautiful
Mercedes and easily accessible island in the province. One of these has a
resort with complete amenities; the rest have not yet been
developed for tourism and fishing communities.
6. San Jose Beach San Jose Beach is one of the finest beach areas in the province.
Talisay It is a very long stretch of light-colored sand offering an almost
uninterrupted view of the horizon.

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4. Camarines Sur A. Capital
Pili
B. Area and Location
Camarines Sue is in the central part of the Bicol Peninsula and the southern tip of Luzon Island. It is bounded in the
north by Camarines Norte, San Miguel Bay, and the Pacific Ocean; in the east by the Lagonoy Gulf; in the west by Ragay
Gulf and in the south by Albay.
C. Geographic Profile
The province embraces the fertile valleys of the Bicol River and its contribution tributaries as well as the volcanic
regions of Mt. Isarog and Mt. Iriga. It is traversed by the long, wide and meandering side of the Pasacoa-San Fernando-
Libmanan Mountain Range and from the northwestern side of Mt. Isarog
D. How to get there
There are regular hour-long flights to Pili from Manila. By car or bus, it takes seven to eight hours. A number of bus
companies offer daily trips from Manila to Naga, Iriga, and other towns in the province.

E. Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

1. Boa-boahan Festival This festival is held every May 2 coinciding with the town fiesta of
Nabua Nabua. Its highlight is the reenactment of 12th-century pagan
rites, particularly the tradition boa feast of the pre-Spanish era.
2. Caramoan National Park Caramoan National Park is one of the largest virtually untouched
Caramoan Peninsula natural attractions in the Philippines. The site features a number
of coves and white-sand beaches, as well as numerous limestone
island and promontories.
3. Kamundagan Festival Highlights of this festivity are the Kiri-Kiti, the pastoras beauty
Naga City search, an agro-industrial fair, a cultural preservation, and a civil
parade. The event is usually held in December.
4. Lake Buhi This picturesque lake rises 105 meters above sea level and is
Located at the eastern side of Mt. Iriga surrounded on all sides by hills more than 300 meter high. It is
where tabius, the smallest commercial fish in the world, is found.
Tabius is only about 3 millimeters long; a thousand of these
extremely small fishes could fit in a spoon.
5. Mt. Iriga Lake Buhi was created by the eruption of this 4,823-foot volcano,
Near Iraga City whose expansive forest contain a wide variety of plant and
animal life. Many of the trees in these forests are hugged by
dense moss that make their trunks appear bigger that they are.
6. Our Lady of Penafrancia Festival The main attraction of this festival is fluvial parade in which
Naga City religious and civic dignitaries, together with thousands of towns
folk, accompany the image of the Virgin of Penafrancia, patroness
of the Bicol Region, from the Naga Cathedral to a waiting barge.

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 The event is held on the third week of September.
7. Tinagba Festival During this festival, which is held every February 11 on the feast
Iriga City of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bicolanos from different barrios come to
Iriga to offer their first bountiful harvest to God as a way of
thanksgiving.
5. Masbate A. Capital
Masbate
B. Area and location
The province of Masbate is one of two island
provinces in the Bicol Region. It is made up of
three major island and 14 small islands with a land
area of totaling 4,047.7 square kilometers. It is
bounded on the north by Ticao Pass, in the east by
the Visayan Sea.
C. Geographic Profile
Masbate Island, TIciao Island, and Burias Island
along with 14 islets make up the province of
Masbate. The northwestern tip of Masbate Island
consist of limestone cliff that rise almost straight
up from the coastline, while its interior is covered
with low rolling hills
D. How to get there
Masbate, the province’s of capital, is accessible by
air from Manila Domestic Airport. Ships from the
ports of Manila also Dock here, as well as ferries
from Ticao Island from Bulan in Sorsogon. The
island of Ticao also connected to Bulan by ferries
docking at the ports of San Jacinto, San Fernando,
and Batuan. Burias Island is Accessible by ferries
from Donsol town in Sorsogon.
E. Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

1. Batongan Cave This large cave has three chambers, one on top of the other.
A kilometer and a half away from the National Inside the base chamber are two stones shaped like an altar and
Highway pulpit, creating a religious ambiance. The topmost chamber is
home to numerous bats, which provide the people with guano, a
kind of fertilizer.
2. Cagpating Island This island is noted for its crystal-clear waters and beautiful
Near Togoron, Monreal beaches, which offer a panoramic view of the Masbate mainland.

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3. Catandayagan Falls This tall single-tiered waterfalls is home to various wild animals
Monreal and exotic flowering plants.

4. Isla de Paraiso The beaches of this mangrove-covered islet are famous for their
Across the shoreline of Masbate Town powdery white sands and breathtaking view of the sunset.

5. Manta Bowl Ticao Pass This is one exceptional area where scuba divers can see (with a
Monreal very high chance) huge mant rays

6. Matangtubig Springs The three springs of matangtubig are surrounded by giant trees
A kilometer away from Masbate and lush vegetation.

7. Putting Baybay Beach This wide white-sand beach is ideal for surfing because of the
Claveria strong waves coming from the Sibuyan Sea.

8. Rodeo Masbateno The first and only rodeo show in Asia, Rodeo Masbateno is the
Rodeo Masbateno Sports Complex highlights of the Masbate Agri-Aqua Country Fair held after Easter
Sunday.

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6. Sorsogon A. Capital
Sorsogon
B. Area and Location
Sorsogon is situated at the southeastern part of the Bicol Peninsula, about 600 kilometers from Metro Manila. It is
bounded on the north by the province of Albay and Albay Gulf, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by
the San Bernardino Strait, and on the west by the Ticao and Burias Passes.
C. Geographic Profile
Sorsogon is dominated by active volcanoes foremost of which is Mt. Bulusan. Most of the municipalities are located
along coastal areas. Several smallisland dot the southern part of the province.
D. How to get there
The province could be reached by bus from Manila in 14 hours. By air, one can take a flight from Metro Manila to
Legazpi City, then from there take the one and half hour trip to the town of Sorsogon
E. Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

1. Barcelona Church The coral reef walls and carving of the façade make this
Barcelona church a priceless relic.

2. Bulus Spring of Irosin The water from this spring is cool and clear, and emits a thin
Irosin smoke. It forms a small pool (about 7 by 10 meters) that is
used for bathing.
3. Bulusan Lake Bulusan Lake lies at the hearth of a 3,672-hectare national
Bulusan park. It has a circumference of 2,0006 meters and a
maximum capacity of 3,472 cubic meters.
4. Bulusan Volcano This extinct volcano towers 5,077 feet above sea level, a
Sorsogon crawling giant in the middle of a protected forest. The
volcano’s one kilometer wide crater is now often used as a
campsites.
5. Irosin Church Built on top of a hill, this church dominates other structures
Irosin in the town of Irosin.

6. Kasanggayahan Festival The kasanggayahan Festival in Sorsogon commemorates the

Sorsogon establishment of Sorsogon as a separate province from
Albay. This two week-long series of activities include an
argo-industrial and trade fair, cultural presentations and
sports activities. The event is held in the month of October.
7. Masacrot Spring A man-made pool with cool and natural bubbling soda
Bulusan water.

8. Fireflies The rivers of Dansol are lighted by large number of fireflies

Dansol which make them high quality attractions.

9. Rizal Beach This long and sandy beach is ideal for boating, swimming,

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 Gubat and beach combing. Vacationist can stay at a rest house or
at any of a line cottages set amidst a fruit orchard.
10. Whale Sharks Dansol is probably the only place in the world where one
Dansol can see rate of whale sharks in large numbers. The whale
sharks (Rhincodon Typus) can grow to a length of 60feet,
and is considered the world’s largest fish. It comes to Dansol
in considerable numbers between December and May each
year.

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