By Estrella Torres | Photos by Rommel Natanauan DOT
TRAVELING to Albay’s capital, Legazpi City, invokes a strong yearning among tourists to view the vaunted perfect cone of Mayon Volcano, the province’s strongest tourist draw.
Townsfolk say the active volcano is like a charming young lady who is not at ease to meet strangers. Thus, the town’s annual festival is named after her—Daragang Magayon, a beautiful but reticent young lady.
The province’s annual summer festival highlights new travel destinations, a culinary feast and fun activities in the whole province of Albay.
Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda said government infrastructure projects are under way to give access to locals and tourists to new travel destinations not only in Albay but to the nearby provinces of Masbate and Sorsogon. The three provinces comprise the Bicol region.
He said a world-class international airport in Naga will soon open to give foreign tourists direct access to the unique and exotic travel destinations in the province.
Salceda said the province is urging private investors to establish hotel and resort businesses in Albay to cater to the fast-growing number of tourist arrivals in the province.
Every year there are new tourist attractions in Albay that are being introduced to boost the province’s tourism industry to create jobs and livelihood to the local population.
In the capital town of Legazpi, a weeklong festivity is being held every April. The activities include colorful street dance, beauty pageant and a food festival featuring the most popular dishes in the Bicol region: Laing or taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, Bicol Express or pork slices spiced with hot and small red peppers, and pinangat or fish chunks cooked with taro leaves, hot chili peppers and coconut milk.
Scale the heights
CHINESE revolutionary leader Mao Zedong said in a poem that “Nothing is difficult in this world if we dare to scale the height.” The only way to get a full view of the majestic volcano is through an exhilarating ride on an all-terrain vehicle that will take you to its summit.
The summit of Mount Mayon is 2,461 feet above sea level. Getting to it requires courage, as riders traverse through rugged terrain, rivers and lava wall.
Visitors are always tempted to stop to take photos or simply marvel at the magical scenery on the way to the summit, as Mount Mayon is home to many endemic bird species.
A lake like no other
A NEW tourist attraction in Albay is the Sumlang Lake in Camalig town, which can be reached through bus or jeepney from Legazpi.
The serenity of Sumlang Lake is ideal for picnics or any fun activities such as kite flying.
Tourists can also take a ride on a balsa or bamboo raft to get around the lake with the majestic Mount Mayon as the backdrop.
The local government of Camalig manages the tourist activities in Sumlang Lake. It also maintains the cleanliness and safety of the lake.
The picture-perfect Sumlang Lake is an ideal place for artists to compose a new song, write a poem or paint his next masterpiece.
Corangon Shoal: A hidden gem in Tiwi
THE Corangon (meaning corals) Shoal in the town of Tiwi is another hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Nestled in the middle of a marine sanctuary, the Corangon Shoal is ideal for sun worshippers and those who want to frolic in its crystal-blue waters.
Standing in the middle of the shoal gives a visitor a 360-degree view of the three mountains—known in Bicolano legend as the three sisters—Mount Mayon, Mount Masaraga and Mount Malinao. Like Mount Mayon, Masaraga and Malinao are ideal hiking destinations.
The Corangon Shoal can be reached through a 30-minute boat ride from the town proper of Tiwi.
World-class ceramics
TIWI is also host to a world-class decorative ceramics center run by the Philippine Ceramics Arts and Crafts Center. The intricately designed ceramics are made of terra-cotta, red clay and employ glazing technology.
Tourists can buy souvenirs for their friends, such as small mugs and pots for plants, since the items are reasonably priced and not another tourist trap.
Visitors also come here to buy pots and other ceramics products in bulk for their houses, as well as resort and hotel businesses.
The ceramics industry is a big employer in the area since it continues to attract both tourists and businessmen.
Bicol is about mouthwatering dishes
GIVING in to eating is a traveler’s weakness. Bicol’s most popular meals are laing and pinangat.
Dad’s Restaurant in Camalig town serves the best pinangat. Visitors can choose between regular and spicy pinangat at an affordable price of P40 per serving. For some daring tourists, a must try is its spicy pinangat since the chili peppers are thinly chopped and served generously.
For desserts, tasting DJC halo-halo in Tiwi and Legazpi City is a must.
Its unique ingredients such as sweetened corn, banana, gelatin and ube (purple yam) plus the generous grated cheese cover on top makes DJC halo-halo incomparable.
Visitors have also been trying out Italian dishes, such as pizza and pasta, with Bicolano twist. Taro leaves are used as basil replacement for white-pasta sauce and pizza.
Salceda said the local government is taking tourism as a serious business since it is a proven source of jobs and revenues. He said that for every tourist visiting Albay, two jobs are created.
Image credits: Rommel Natanauan DOT
1 comment
International Airport is in Daraga, not Naga.