STI COLLEGE LEGAZPI

Brgy.20 Cabangan East Rizal Street, Legazpi City

LEGAZPI CITY: LOOKING BACK FROM CENTURIES

(READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY)

SUBMITTED BY: JASMIN R. MARAVILLA

BSBA101A

SUBMITTED TO: MR. SANDY GERMEDIA

  INTRODUCTION

Cities, throughout history, have been mirrors of how

civilization evolved and developed. Industry, Trade, Knowledge,

Science, and Technology, Literature, and Arts, Philosophy,

Medicine, among many other fields of human endeavor have mostly,

if not all, emanated from the cities. A city is one of the

units of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine

cities are chartered cities whose existence as corporate and

administrative entities is governed by their own specific

municipal charters in addition to the Local Government Code of

1991, which specifies their administrative structure and powers.

As of September 7, 2019, there are 146 cities.

Cities and towns first developed in the Philippines as a

product of Spanish rule and Roman Catholic mission activity. In

this context a new three tiered hierarchy of settlements was

established above the preexisting village level. Due to a lack

of economic base, the towns set up to serve as regional centers

soon declined. Substantial provincial urbanism appeared only

with the rise of commerce and commercial agriculture during the

nineteenth century. In our country, there a many places that

people can go to. There are different famous destination, food,

culture, and others that you can explore in each place. But

before we go to extremely far places, let’s investigate first

the place where I reside.

  HISTORY OF LEGAZPI

Legaspi City, also spelled as “Legazpi” chartered city, southeastern

Luzon, Philippines, near an inlet on Albay Gulf. Founded about 1639,

it was named for Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, conquistador and first

Spanish governor-general of the Philippines. The city lies at the

southern base of the active Mayon Volcano, the 1815 eruption of which

killed more than 1,000 people and leveled nearby Cagsawa. The mountain

is the site of a national park.

Historically, the city was named Legazpi, to perpetuate to the

memory of Adelantado Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. This was the

agreement made between the original inhabitants of the place and the

Spaniards during the former’s quest for autonomy. It took them 21

years, in which they sought the help and support of the Spaniards,

then living in the town. As a sign of gratitude, the people readily

accepted the name, which was also then proposed by the Spaniards upon

fulfillment of their efforts. Legazpi was originally a fishing

settlement called Sawangan that occupied the mangrove swamps that is

now the Legazpi Port, inhabited by fisher folk and farmers. In 1569, a

Spanish expedition dispatched by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi led by Luis

Enriquez de Guzman and Agustinian friar Alonso Jimenez first set foot

in Albay. They arrived on the coastal settlement called Ibalon in

present-day Magallanes, Sorsogon after exploring the islands of

Masbate, Ticao and Burias and proceeded inland as far as present-day

Camalig, Albay.

In July 1573, the conquistador Juan de Salcedo, grandson of

Governor-General Legazpi, led another expedition from the north. They

founded Villa Santiago de Libon (present-day Libon, Albay) and reached

the settlement of Albaybay, whose name was subsequently shortened to

'Albay' or Pueblo de Albay. In 1616, Pueblo de Albay served as the

capital of Partido de Ibalon, which included present-day Albay,

Sorsogon, Masbate, parts of Camarines Sur and the islands of

Catanduanes, Ticao and Burias. Having attained economic progress,

autonomy and prosperity, Legazpi was declared open to world trade by

the Cedula real of May 18, 1872.

 THE HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE SITES OF LEGAZPI CITY

With its unique archaeological status, Legazpi City was composed of

different historical and heritage places that have been used for it’s

tourism and economy. The first one was the:

 LIGÑON HILL

This is a place for hiking, climbing, zip

line, rapelling, hanging bridge walking,

Japanese tunnelling and lava watching. It

offers a 360 degree-view of the Mayon Volcano

and a very good view of the city as well,

especially at night. Visitors are encouraged to walk from the foot

to the top of the hill.

 CATHEDRAL PARISH OF SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT

It is located nearby Peñaranda Park, Legazpi City

Hall and provincial Capitol in the province

of Albay. The Cathedral of St. Gregory the Great is

also known locally as the Cathedral of San Gregorio Magno and Albay

Cathedral. It is the Episcopal Seat of the Diocese of Legazpi and it

is one of the massive churches found in the City where one can have a

good view of Mt. Mayon on a clear day.

 OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SHRINE

Located atop the Buraguis Hill overlooking the

city proper, and features life size images of

the characters of the Way of the Cross stations

arranged within the hill slopes. A 20-feet image

of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands at the hilltop. The feast day

celebrated every 12th day of December. A mini museum is also located

within the compound.

 LEGAZPI CITY MUSEUM

It showcases the heritage and culture of the

city. It is currently the only public museum in

the Bicol Region.

 THE NATIVE CUSTOMS OF THE PLACE

Legaspi, also spelled Legazpi, chartered city, southeastern

Luzon, Philippines, near an inlet on Albay Gulf. Founded about

1639, it was named for Miguel López de Legazpi, conquistador and

first Spanish governor-general of the Philippines.

  IBALONG FESTIVAL

A two-week celebration in recognition of the

socio-historic-cultural heritage of

Bicolanos as based on the Ibalong Epic

showcasing the bravery and strength in

character of three heroes: Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong as they

fought against the villains Tandayog, Oryol, Rabot, and other wild

monsters that threatened the place and orderliness of their place.

Various activities are organized and conducted with an Executive

Committee taking the lead.

 PRODUCTS OF LEGAZPI CITY

Handicrafts are the major source of

rural income and comprises a fairly

large share in the small-scale

industries of the province. Forestry,

cement production and paper-making are

other sources of livelihood.

 TOURIST SPOTS OF LEGAZPI CITY

The city is also nicknamed as the “City of Fun and Adventure” because

of its natural scenery and the ever-famous Mount Mayon. The city is

also blessed by landscapes that made the visitors and tourists take

innumerable photos and postcard.

 Hike Along the Base of Mayon Volcano

Get an up-close experience of this iconic

volcano and the structures that surround it

when you visit Mayon Volcano Natural Park. The

park has a total land area of 5,775.70

hectares. The protected area includes 6 towns

and 3 cities in the province of Albay. The Mayon Volcano Natural

Park is home to over 150 floral species and 83 tree species.

Discover the Japanese Tunnels at Ligñon Hills

Located in Ligñon Hill Nature Park, this 40-

meter long L-shaped tunnels date back to World

War II in 1941 when Filipino and American

soldiers fought against the Japanese army.

Back then, the tunnels go all the way to the

Legazpi City Hall. Today, visitors can crawl

inside and explore what was once the hiding place of the Japanese

soldiers during the war. There are even life-size statues inside

the tunnel depicting what life was like for the soldiers back

then. You’d be surprised by how spacious the tunnels are. After

all, these hidden passageways were used as sleeping quarters and

even makeshift hospital for the soldiers during the war.

 Try Bicol Express st 1st Colonial Grill

A food trip in Bicol is one of the most exciting

things to do in the province. If there’s one

local cuisine in the Philippines that could

represent Legazpi City, the locals would probably

say it’s Bicol Express.

Also called sinilihan (spiced with chili), this famous Bicolano

stew is made with coconut milk, long chilies, garlic, and shrimp

paste. There are more than 25 variations of Bicol Express but

you’ll find one of the best ones in 1st Colonial Grill in Legazpi

City.

Have a Fun Day at Embarcadero de Legazpi

If you’re traveling with the whole family to

Legazpi City, you won’t run out of activities

to try at Embarcadero de Legazpi, a lifestyle

hub beside the Legazpi City Port. You can zip

line from the lighthouse and enjoy the views of

Mayon Volcano and the sea. Go-kart racing beside the sea. And if

you’re looking for more adrenaline-pumping activity, you can hop

on a jet ski and navigate the waters with the views of Mayon

Volcano. Embarcadero de Legazpi has several dining options you’ll

love. What’s more interesting is that they offer earth-friendly

rides like the Segway, which is popular among the older kids. You

can hop on a Segway for 15 minutes and navigate the lifestyle hub
 in style. There are also e-jeepneys and e-tricycles that can take

you around nearby areas with rates, and Legazpi trips offering

this tourist spot.

 THE RELIGION OF LEGAZPI CITY AND THEIR CEREMONIES

According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 209,533. Legazpi

is the regional center and largest city of the Bicol Region, in terms

of population. It is the region's center of tourism, education, health

services, commerce and transportation in the Bicol Region. The city is

composed of two districts, Legazpi Port and the Old Albay District.

Mayon Volcano, one of the Philippines' most popular icons and tourist

destinations, is partly within the city's

borders.

In 2018, Legazpi was ranked first in

overall competitiveness among component

cities by the National Competitiveness

Council. The city also ranked first in

infrastructure and second in economic

dynamism. In the same year, Legazpi was

also named "most business-friendly city"

in the component city category by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce

and Industry.

Spanish religious missionaries governed the settlement in the

1580s. In 1587, Franciscan friars of the Doctrina de Cagsawa began to

convert the area's population to Christianity. The village of Sawangan

became more populous and progressive and the first parish priest, Fray
Francisco de Santa Ana, OFM, built a wooden chapel with St. Gregory

the Great as patron. Sawangan then became an independent parish and

was called Misión de San Gregorio Magno de Sawangan.

A bigger and more imposing church replaced the chapel during the

tenure of Fray Martin del Espiritu OFM in 1636 and Sawangan continued

to thrive despite the Moro raids in the 1700s, a super typhoon in

1742, an earthquake in 1811, and other calamities. Sawangan was

created a visita regular in 1605 and elevated as an independent town

in 1616.

 RESEARCH ARGUMENT

As a resident of Legazpi City, there’s a lot of bad incidents

happened around the places in Legazpi. Numerous accidents,

killings, and crime happened in the city are too much to

witness. Including the fake news that happened before were

circulating on social media that several youths in Metro Manila

had been abducted by men in a white van, which caused undue

public alarmed and panic to the netizens.

According to the news, The Legazpi City's Expanded Online

Services, In the first quarter of 2020, the spread of the COVID-

19 pandemic limited social movement of people and discouraged

physical contact in the entire country, thus forcing the

government to look into alternative ways to deliver frontline

services that adhere to safety and health protocols. Relatedly,

the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) issued Memorandum Circular

2020-06 to enforce a zero-contact policy and directed national

government agencies and LGUs to provide avenues for online

applications utilizing available technologies.

 REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legazpi,_Albay

https://www.britannica.com/place/Legaspi#:~:text=Legaspi%2C%20also%20spelled%20Legazpi%2

C%20chartered,governor%2Dgeneral%20of%20the%20Philippines.&text=city%2C%201959.

https://philippinescities.com/legazpi-city/

http://www.geocities.ws/legazpi1959/history.html

http://rsso05.psa.gov.ph/Albay-Tourism/Legazpi%20City/Legaspi%20City.html

http://albay.gov.ph/news-updates/