The Bicol Region, or the Region V of the Philippines, comprises six provinces. And in this article, the Scene Zone Squad will feature the top 5 picks of must-try things and places in each area of Bicol.
First stop, Albay, the Land of the World’s Perfect Cone, Mt. Mayon! Since the beauty of Mayon Volcano is incomparable, we ought to exclude it from our list of top 5 things to do in Albay. So here it is:
1. Attend the Magayon Festival. Mayon Volcano’s origin is relived through this festival, which takes place in May. It includes a variety of sporting and cultural events as well as trade shows. Daragang Magayon and Panganoron’s sad love tale, which ended in death, is the centerpiece of this month-long celebration. According to folklore, Magayon’s burial became Mayon, and the clouds that kissed her became Panganoron.
2. Take home quality products of Albay. When you visit Tiwi, be indulged in the finely crafted jars and pottery. Also, note the fine-quality hand-made paper products from the municipality of Sto. Domingo. Your travel isn’t complete if you didn’t bring home the crunchy and yummy Pili nuts that are available in different flavors. Souvenirs are also abundant in Daraga and Tabaco because they take pride in the world’s strongest fiber, abaca! With world-class quality crafted from abaca fibers, choose among their products that can be used to decorate your office, your home, or even your personal belongings.
3. Learn more about the Salt Making Project in Tiwi. Geothermal steam is the primary element in a new Tiwi experimental industrial project. It was established as part of the Tiwi Geothermal Plant’s construction and to help the people in the vicinity. It is another excellent educational offering apart from the geothermal power plant that is designed to generate more than 333 megawatts of power.
4. Take one of a kind adventure and thrill from Pototan Cave. A four-hour spelunking experience venue located about ten feet above the beach. Its cave entrance is around 30 feet high and 20 feet wide, formed like a yawning mouth. Once inside, a 12-foot-high underground river flows peacefully into the various chambers and corridors. Stalactites and stalagmites of diverse shapes, sizes, and curves are sculpted on rugged walls.
5. Visit the Philippine National Museum near Cagsawa Ruins. The National Museum is in charge of its upkeep and management. The museum exhibits the region’s cultural past through notable archeological findings discovered in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Masbate. The geological history of the province is included in the Cagsawa museum exhibits for the appreciation and enrichment of the observing local and foreign tourists. Meanwhile, Cagsawa Ruins is a magnificent and lavish church during the Spanish era but was buried during the worst Mayon eruption on February 1, 1814. The word was derived from Kagsawa (Kag means owner and sawa means phyton), which implied a snake charmer. Only the belfry is a silent witness to Mayon’s unpredictable fury and deadly strength today, and the Cagsawa Ruins Park provides travelers with an unobstructed view of the Mayon Volcano.
The second stop in the province of Bicol is Camarines Norte, the Bicolandia’s Gold Mine! With literally many places that mine for gold, there are also activities, good food, and other places in Camarines Norte also seemed to shine!
1. Attend the Pineapple Festival and taste delicacies cooked with pineapple. It features the “Formosa” queen pineapple, which is found in abundance across the province’s municipalities. It also focuses on the distinctive and fascinating aspects of the location and its residents. I also remember eating pineapple as a side dish for inihaw, whereas, in other places I’ve been to, mangoes are the common pair.
2. Visit the beautiful beaches in Camarines Norte. To name some, Mangcamagong Beach, Lanot Beach, Pag-asa Beach, San Jose Beach, Pulang Daga Beach, Bulalakao Beach, and the Calalanay Island Beach in Calaguas Island. Beach hopping it is!
3. Take a selfie at the First Rizal Monument. In Daet, there is the country’s first memorial to Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a National Hero. On the corner of Magallanes and Justo Lukban Streets, in front of the Daet Municipal Hall, is this historical site. It is a three-tiered stone pylon with a square base supporting two triangles that meet at a point in the middle. The Old Daet Municipal Hall sits directly opposite the First Rizal Monument in the Philippines, which was built in 1898. Its foundation is thought to be built of mortar and boulders from the Old Spanish Jail in Daet, which was dismantled and saw the deaths of many patriots.
4. Fall in love with Camarines Norte’s Falls. Imee-Irene Twin Falls in Sta. Elena, Mananap Falls in San Vicente, Colasi Falls in Mercedes, and Itok Falls.
5. Visit Vinzons Catholic Church, which is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.
The third stop is Camarines Sur, the home of the World’s Smallest Fish. Be enchanted with the following activities:
1.Mountain Biking in Naga City. Naga City has long been renowned as a fantastic mountain biking destination, and it is home to one of the Philippines’ oldest mountain biking organizations, the Naga All-Terrain Bikers Association (NATBA). Local two-wheel enthusiast Frederick Eleazar’s Racer & Mechanic Bike Shop, where NATBA members assemble, is a good site to start any mountain biking journey in Bicol. The store hires bicycles and sells basic spares and parts. Eleazar also sells decent gear, and if you’re searching for a guide or biking buddy, trail updates, or ideas and details on new routes, this is the place to go.
2. Trek in Mt. Isarog. Located just outside Naga rises to 1976m and provides views of San Miguel Bay, Lagonoy Gulf, the mountainous Caramoan Peninsula, and the agricultural plains surrounding Naga. This is a dormant volcano, with the last big eruption being in 1641. Mt. Isarog is the second-highest mountain in Bicol and boasts one of the highest concentrations of virgin rainforest in the area, as well as a diverse range of unique plant and animal species. It is not a tough climb unless you rush, and it is an excellent introduction to the volcanoes of the Bicol region.
3. Take a look at Naga City Museum. An IMA-accredited museum, the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) museum is one of the country’s oldest institutions outside of Manila. In it, ancient Bicol artifacts, peoples, and cultures are preserved.
4. Snap an epic photo at the Leaning Tower Of Bombon. No need to travel with your passport to see the very famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Rome. In just a 15-minute drive from the City of Naga to Bombon, see Camarines Sur’s counterpart, or perhaps an exact replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
5. Be enchanted with the beauty of its falls and beaches. La Roca Encantada is a must-visit enchanting island within the scenic lake of Buhi. You may also choose to visit Gota Beach in Caramoan, go kayaking in the Caramoan Sea, or swim in Itbog Falls or Sabang Beach.
At the fourth stop, an eco-adventure paradise trip in Catanduanes, the “Land of the Howling Winds.”
1. Witness a perfect view of the sunrise. Puraran boasts a magnificent view of mountains and coves aside from being a haven for surfers. The “Majestic” waves, with their mesmerizing long-barrel surf, call this place home. From August to September, the offshore waves are at their best.
2. Join a surfing competition. Flex your talent in the week-long invitational surfing competition featuring local and foreign surfing enthusiasts. It is part of an amateur surfing circuit held every October at Puraran, a promising surfing spot in the town of Baras.
3. Take a luxurious vacation. Emmalyn Paradise Resort screams luxury and comfort with its truly high-end accommodation facilities. With its world-class styled cottages, orchidarium, a spring-fed swimming pool, and a complete line of scuba diving equipment, this resort makes it stands out from the rest. You may also choose the accommodation in Kosta Alcantara, where lovely white sand and stunning azure waters never fail to entice tourists. Also, the Mayon Volcano may be seen in its entirety from the island of Bicol.
4. Have a level-up picnics in these falls. Solong Falls will take you on a challenging adventure because it is secluded and unexplored. It beckons trekkers for a refreshing dip. There are also minimal fees for cottages that are available for picnic goers and adventurers. Another option is the Maribina Falls. The cascading falls are surrounded by rustic scenery and rich greenery, gushing with breathtaking rapids of crystal-clear water.
5. Groove in Padadyaw sa Tinampo during Catandungan Festival. Street dancing and festivity to the beat of music on main streets, with orchestrated theatrics highlighting the festivities. Every October 24, in honor of the province’s anniversary of its founding, this event is held. Catandungan Festival honors the province’s founder to remind Catanduanes residents that the province is no longer part of Albay province. Street dance – Pantomina, beauty pageant, agro-trade fair, sports activities, guided tours, photo exhibits, and more are some of the main attractions.
For the fourth stop, we have Masbate, the Roseo Country of Bicol! Yieeeeeha! Here are the squad’s top 5 things to do in Masbate:
1. Join Rodeo Filipino. The province’s trademark and primary source of income are both cattle ranching. As part of Masbate Livestock Week’s festivities, the Rodeo showcases a variety of sporting events such as bull riding and steer wrestling competitions, as well as traditional Filipino pastimes like carabao racing. The event is held every March.
2. Take a swim and sun-bathing on its astonishing beaches. One is Aroroy Beach, and its natural beauty is becoming a popular spot. The other is Talisay Beach, which iswell-known for its rocks, which swimmers use as natural diving boards. More of it are Cambatang and Cangcayat Beaches, with white sands and crystal-clear waters. And Cadulou Beach for serenity and unbelievably clear waters.
3. Have a remarkable photo of these lighthouses: Bugui Point Lighthouse and Colorado Lighthouse are both in Aroroy, and Jintotolo Lighthouse in Balud.
4. Visit different caves. Mata Cave in Aroroy, Bat-ongan Caves in Mandaon, and Underwater Cave in Claveria.
5. Explore and love the view of these falls. Catandayagan Falls in Tical Island, Kalanay Falls in Palanas, and Alta Vista Falls in Ticao Island.
And the fifth and last stop, Sorsogon, Bicol’s Whaleshark Paradise, is also a melting pot of cultures and influences! You’ll never run out of folk events to participate, things to do, places to explore, and sites to see in Sorsogon. Here in Sorsogon, the Land of Kasaggayahan, you’ll find a tranquil atmosphere and a friendly population. The squad had a hard time trimming the top 5 things to do in Sorsogon, but here it is:
1. Watch Bulusan nang si Agingay. It is aplay that features the legend of the famous Mt. Bulusan.
2. Swim with a Donsol Butanding or Whaleshark Interaction. Donsol’s whale sharks, or butandings, are the largest fish in the world.
3. Celebrate the Kasanggayahan Festival. The festival marks the province’s foundation anniversary. The ancient Bicolano dance Pantomina, also known as Sinalampati, which depicts love and courting by replicating the flight of doves, was a standout feature of the celebration.
4. Take time to visit these churches. Barcelona Church, where coral reefs were utilized to construct the church’s walls when it was constructed in 1874. The church’s coral reef facade is a treasured relic because of the sculptures. And Irosin Church, The settlement of Irosin is dwarfed by its imposing hilltop location. The town and Bulusan Volcano, which rises majestically in the distance, can both be seen from high atop the church’s steeple.
5. Island hopping in Matnog. In Matnog, island hopping is a requirement because of the picturesque islands’ beautiful white, black, and even rose-colored sand beaches. Scuba diving and deep-sea fishing can be done from the islands.
With these amazing places to visit in Bicol, you should also explore the food and delicacies in the area while you are at it. We all have in mind the Bicol express, laing, and kinunot, but when you travel here, there’s a lot more!
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