The Bicol Region (Filipino: Kabikulan; Spanish: Bicolandia) -Bicol (also spelled Bikol) is composed of four provinces in the

Bicol Peninsula, the southeastern end of Luzon Island, and two island-provinces adjacent to the peninsula. The -Regional centre is considered to be in Legazpi City, Albay while the religious center is Naga City which is also colloquially known as the Queen City of Bicol. -The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, andSibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west. The northernmost province, Camarines Norte, is bordered to the north by the province of Quezon, thereby connecting the region to the rest of Luzon. -The first Spanish contact was in 1565, when a treasuregalleon returning to Cebu from Acapulco, Mexico, was swept off course and the captain recorded his awe at the sight of Mt. Mayon erupting. -The people of the Bicol region, called Bicolanos -Two Visayan languages, Sorsoganon and Masbateo or Minasbate, are spoken in Masbate and Sorsogon; they are collectively referred to as Bisakol. -The region is composed of six provinces: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,Sorsogon and the island-provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate. It has one independent, Naga City, and six component cities Iriga, Legazpi,Ligao, Masbate City, Sorsogon City, and Tabaco City. Masbate City and Sorsogon City are cities in their namesake provinces.

Bicol region is volcanic in origin and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known as the Bicol Volcanic Arc or Chain, the volcanoes are the results of the Philippine Sea Plate subducting under the Philippine Mobile Belt, along thePhilippine Trench. Volcanism is evident by the number of hot springs, crater lakes, and volcanoes that dot the region starting from Mount Labo in Camarines Norte to the Gate Mountains in Matnog, Sorsogon.[14] Mayon Volcano is the most prominent of the volcanoes in the region, famous for its almost perfect conical shape and for being the most active in the Philippines. Its eruptions have repeatedly inflicted disasters on the region, but during lulls in activity, it is a particularly beautiful mountain. The southernmost tip of the peninsula is dominated by Bulusan Volcano, the otheractive volcano in the region. Tiwi in Albay and the Bacon-Manito area between Sorsogon and Albay are the sites of two major geothermal fields that contribute substantially to the Luzon Power Grid Mount Isarog Mount Malinao Mayon Volcano Mount Iriga Mount Masaraga Bulusan Volcano Albay The capital of the province is Legazpi City, Founded 1636 History Long before the Spaniards arrived, Albay had a thriving civilization. Formerly called Ibat, and then Libog, Albay was once ruled by Gat Ibal, an old chief who also founded the old barangay of Sawangan, now the district of Albay and part of the city of Legazpi. Pocdol Mountains

BICOL FESTIVALS
Feb 11 Apr. 6-8 Apr. 26-28 Apr. 28-30 May 1 May 1-31 May 20-24 May 21-27 June 16-21 June 20-29 August Oct. 15-25 Oct. 22-24 Dec. Tinagba Festival | Iriga City Rodeo Festival | Masbate Baybayon Festival | Sagay, Cam. Sur Butanding Festival | Donsol, Sorsogon Boa-Boahan Festival | Nabua, Cam. Sur Magayon Festival | Albay Padayaw Festival | Virac, Catanduanes Kaogma Festival | Pili, Cam. Sur Tabak Festival | Tabaco City Pili Festival | Sorsogon City Ibalong Festival | Legazpi City Kasanggayahan Festival | Sorsogon City Catandungan Festival | Virac Kamundagan Festival | Naga City

Albay as created as a province under Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

A decree was issued by Governor-General Narciso Claveria in 1846 separating Masbate, Ticao and Burias from Albay to form the comandancia of Masbate. Albay was then divided into four districts: Iraya, Cordillera or Tabaco, Sorsogon and Catanduanes. Geography Albay has a total land area of 2,554.06 square kilometres (986.13 sq mi),[1] which makes it the 26th smallest province. The province is bordered by the provinces ofCamarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. To the northeast, the province lies along Lagonoy Gulf, which

3rd wk of Sept. Peafrancia Festival | Naga City

separates it from the province of Catanduanes. To the southwest of the province, is Burias Pass with the island of Burias, Masbate located about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) offshore. Topography The province is generally mountainous with scattered fertile plains and valleys. On the eastern part of the province is a line of volcanic mountains starting with the northernmost Malinao in Tiwi, followed by Masaraga and Mayon Volcano. Separated by Poliqui Bay is the Pocdol Mountains in the town of Manito. Mount Mayon, standing at around 2,462 metres (8,077 ft), is the highest elevation in the province. It is the most famous landform in Albay and in the whole Bicol Region. This active volcano falls under the jurisdiction of eight municipalities and cities of Albay, namely Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, and Tabaco City. The western coast of the province is mountainous but not as prominent as the eastern range with the highest elevation at around 490 metres (1,610 ft).[11] Among these mountains are Mount Catburawan in Ligao and Mount Pantao in Oas. Political subdivision Albay is subdivided into 18 municipalities and three component cities namely Legazpi,Ligao, Tabaco. Legazpi, Albay The City of Legazpi (Bikol: Ciudad nin

Places of interest The Albay Park and Wildlife, located along Binitayan Road, is a picnic grove and a zoological park combined. Camp Simeon A. Ola is the seat of the Police Regional Office 5 for the Bicol Region. Named after the General Simeon Ola, a hero during the Philippine Revolution, the camp is open to the public as a culture and a heritage park.[17] The Embarcadero is a major waterfront development in Legazpi fronting the main harbor of Legazpi with views towards Mayon Volcano. It consists of retail spaces, restaurants, markets, a major civic space and landmark lighthouse. The Japanese Tunnel is an L-shaped tunnel used as an arsenal by the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II. It measures 40 metres (130 ft) long and around 7 feet (2.1 m) deep below the ground. The tunnel is located in Brgy. EM's Barrio South in the Albay District.[18] Kapuntukan Hill (also known as the Sleeping Lion Hill) is located at the point south of the Port of Legazpi. A scenic view of the Embarcadero, the Legazpi Port District, Albay Gulf with Mayon in the backdrop can be viewed from the top of the hill.[19] The Legazpi City Museum showcases the heritage and culture of the city. It is currently the only public museum in the Bicol Region. Liberty Bell is a bronze bell installed in 1945 by the American liberation forces at the Pearanda Park, in front of Albay Provincial Capitol. It is enclosed with a dome-shaped concrete structure with this inscription, Whenever oppression knocks at your door, feel free to ring this bell.[18] Ligon Hill Nature Park (pron. /li-NYON/), located off Binitayan Road behind Albay Park and Wildlife, is one of the best places to view Mayon Volcano and Legazpi City. This 143-metre (469 ft) high volcanic hill located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi)southeast of the volcanos summit is the highest location in the downtown area and towers over the adjacent Legazpi Airport. A winding road takes visitors to the observation station on top. The park includes nature trails, ziplines, view

Legazpi; Spanish: Ciudad de Legazpi)

Nickname(s): Gateway City of Bicol City of Fun and Adventure Regional Administrative Center of Bicol Founded Cityhood 1616 June 12, 1959

Legazpi was named after Miguel Lpez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who officially annexed the Philippine Islands to the Spanish Empire in 1565, and whose surname came from a town in Guipuzcoa, Spain. Legazpi was originally a fishing settlement called Sawangan that occupied what is now the Legazpi Port, whose inhabitants were mostly fishermen and farmers.

decks On the southwestern slope, located is the monitoring station of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) station where any activities of Mayon are monitored. The Magayon Art Gallery at the lobby of the Albay Provincial Capitol serves as the avenue for artists to show off their visual creations Rizal Park is located in front of Saint Raphael Church on Pearanda Street Its dominating features are the fountain located at the center of the park, and the monument of Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, sculpted by National Artist Napoleon Abueva in 1966. The Legazpi Boulevard is one of the newest attractions in the city and is poised to become the new industrial commercial strip of the city as well as the site of the new urban district. The Legazpi Boulevard is the Camarines Norte Camarines Norte (Filipino:Hilagang Kamarines) is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Daet and the province bordersQuezon to the west and Camarines Sur to the south. Its capital town, Daet Founded 1829 Bicol province was founded in 1573. The province of Camarines was created from Bicol in 1636. That province was divided in 1829, creating Camarines Norte andCamarines Sur. They were briefly merged from 1854 to 1857 to make Ambos Camarines (ambos is Spanish for "both"). They were merged into Ambos Camarines once again in 1893. The province was divided into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur once again in 1917. Camarines Norte is subdivided into 12 municipalities. "Mother Tree" is considered as the oldest and largest tree in the Bikol region. It has a height of 27 meters with a diameter (at breast height) of 220 centimeters. The tree is estimated to be 440 years old. It is located within the Bicol National Park at Sitio Nalisan, Barangay Tuaca in Basud, Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Founded 1637

second longest boulevard in the country, after Roxas Boulevard in Metro Manila. Festivals -The Ibalong Festival is among the renowned non-religious festivals in Bicol, and is celebrated in the month of August. The epic story of Ibalong, a Bicolano legendary hero and other ancient heroes is the theme of the Ibalong Festival. People involved in this clamorous merriment, parade in the streets wearing masks and costumes to imitate the appearances of the heroes and the villains, portraying the classic battles that made its way into the history of Bicol. Continuing the joyful event up to the present time, the Ibalong Festival aims to express warmth and goodwill to all people; visitors and tourists are always encouraged to celebrate with the Bicolanos. -Legazpi is also home to the annual Magayon Festival of Albay which is held throughout the month of April. Capital Pili Camarines Sur (Tagalog: Timog Camarines) is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south. To the east lies the island province of Catanduanes across Maqueda Channel. -Camarines Sur is the largest among the six provinces in the Bicol Region both in terms of population and land area. Its territory includes two cities: Naga City, the lone chartered city, is the province's and the region's religious, cultural, financial, commercial, industrial, and business center, while Iriga City, a component city, is the center of the Rinconada area and Rikonda Language. Lake Buhi is where the smallest commercially harvested fish can be found, the Sinarapan or tabyos -The entire Bicol Peninsula was organized as one province with two divisions, Camarines in the northwest and Ibalon in the southeast. In 1636, the two partidos were separated. Known centuries ago as the Tierra de Camarines, the province is distinctly Spanish-founded settlement. Its name having been derived from "camaronchones" or "camarines", a Spanish word for "kamalig" referring to small nipa or bamboo-made huts by the natives.

Naga, Camarines Sur City of Naga (Bikol: Ciudad

province as a "Typhoon Capital of the Philippines" with a

nin

Naga, Maogmang

tagline "The Land of the Howling Winds". Its Pacific coastlines are havens for surfers. Known as the home to the "Majestic Waves,"

Naga; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Naga)

Founded by Capt. Pedro de Chavez on 1575 The town was established in 1575 on order of Spanish Governor-General Francisco de Sande, the city, then named Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (New Caceres City), earned its status as the third Spanish royal city in the Philippine islands, after Cebu andManila. Residents of the city are called Nagueos. The City is also known as: the Queen City of Bicol;as the Heart of Bicol due to its central location in the Bicol peninsula; and as the Pilgrim City because Naga is also home to the largest Marian pilgrimage in Asia, the Our Lady of Penafrancia. Naga is also the place of massive industries, and large international companies due to its high rate of progression through the years that pass. Naga City is also the cultural center of Bicol because of large convention centers, and most cultural food, festivals, and poetry are located in the city. Naga is the home of the second largest coliseum in the Philippines, the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum or Naga City Coliseum. Catanduanes Catanduanes (Bikol: Probinsya nin Catanduanes), (Filipino: Lalawigan ng Catanduanes) Its capital is Virac Founded September 26, 1945

Virac, Catanduanes It has been said that Virac is a derivation of the word Vidak while others claim it is a contraction of the Spanish version of the word burac, meaning flower. A priest is on a quest for more information about the natives. Pointing to a tree, he asked what it was called and the natives replied, Burac. Thereupon, the priest made his first notation on his book of information burac. Virac's position in the middle of the typhoon belt means that it is heavily affected bytyphoons from July to October. Masbate (Tagalog pronunciation: [masbate]) (Bikol: Probinsya nin Masbate), (Tagalog:Lalawigan ng

Masbate), is an island province of the Philippines located

in the BicolRegion. Its capital is Masbate City and consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticaoand Burias. Founded March 10, 1917 The City of Masbate (Bikol: Syudad nin

Masbate; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Masbate;Hiligaynon: Dakbanwa sang Masbate; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Masbate) Rodeo Masbateo
-It is the only rodeo show in Asia. It is celebrated annually in April and showcase 10 competitive rodeo events. Highlighting this event is the difficult "figure of eight" competition where the cowboy crisscrosses around a group of barrels. Women participate in heart stopping events like calf wrestling, calf lassoing and carambola. -Masbate ranks second only to Bukidnon in raising cattle. About 70% of these are sold to Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon. -Rich minerals are found in the province. Masbate is described by geologists as a province sitting on a "pot of gold". Other minerals found in the area are

"Isla de Cobos" was Catanduanes' first name, given by Spanish conquistadores during the early part of 1573 when came upon several tribes living in the thatched huts called cobos. Catanduanes, is a hispanized term derived from the word tandu, a native beetle and the samdong tree, which were both found in abundance throughout the island. Common reference to "katanduan" or "kasamdongan", meaning a place where the tandu or the samdong tree thrives in abundance, led to the coining of the word Catanduanes Tourism Industry in the province is relatively growing despite of almost year round typhoon, naming the

manganese, copper, silver, iron, chromite, limestone, gu ano, and carbon. Sorsogon (Bikol: Probinsya nin Sorsogon), (Tagalog: Lalawigan

The Province of Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005 by Executive Order 429

ng Sorsogon)
Founded October 17, 1894 Bulusan Volcano, Bulusan and Bulusan Volcano National Park Donsol for its whale shark watching Sorsogon City and Sorsogon has greatly contributed to the eco-tourism of the region. The areas known to have been most popular in the place which offer beaches are the Subic Beach in Matnog, Dancalan Beach in Bulusan and the Paguriran Island in Sorsogon City. Also, in Donsol, Sorsogon, it has been a center for the Butanding or Whale Sharkexposure tours. The province also produces mass numbers of Pili, a native fruit to have brought many functions.

Aklan Kalibo -Capital of Aklan Republic Act 1414 - Separation of Aklan Province from Capiz Site of the Ati-atihan Festival. The "Queen of Philippine Festivals". Aklan is the biggest producer of Pia Cloth, "The Queen of Philippine Fabrics".

Western Visayas
(Filipino: Kanlurang Kabisayaan; Katundanan

Bisays (Hiligaynon);Kasadpangang Bisays (Cebuano)) is one of the regions of the

Philippines, designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz,Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities.Iloilo City is the regional center Languages The languages native to the inhabitants of Western Visayas are: Hiligaynon (Illongo), spoken in Iloilo, Negros

Occidental, Guimaras, Capiz, and Aklan. Capiznon, spoken in Capiz Kinaray-a, spoken in Antique and parts of Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan. Akeanon, spoken in Aklan. Malaynon, spoken in Aklan. Cebuano, spoken in the northern parts of Negros Occidental and the municipalities and cities that face Taon