Region V

Bicol
Land Areas, Destinations and
Regional Center
Lovelyjoy Toque
 Lesson
AtObjectives:
the end of the this lesson, the
students are expected to
• Be able to state the
geographic profile of each
region - its provinces,
boundaries and land area.
• Discuss the Provincial
destinations, its brief
synthesis, characteristics,
 How familiar are you
with the specialties of of
BICOL Region? See if
you know any of them.
Sinanto
Ginataang
Lai
 Bicol
The Bicol Region or
Region V, also known as
Bicolandia, is one of the
17 regions of the
Philippines. Bicol (also
spelled Bikol) is composed
of four provinces in Bicol,
Peninsula, the southeastern
end of Luzon Island, and
two island-provinces
adjacent to the Peninsula.
 Bicol
Though described by the Spanish
missionaries as the friendliest race
in the Philippines, gentle, temperate
and religious, the Bicolanos
fiercely resisted the first attempts to
subdue them in 1573. Fr. Martin de
Rada reported how they refused to
surrender unless forced into by
superior arms. Their chiefs bravely
opposed the Spanish forces led by
Salcedo's officer, Captain Pedro
Chavez, who established the
 Geography
The Bicol Region is located in the
southernmost tip of Luzon Island, the
largest island in the Philippine
archipelago. The total land area of the
region is 18,054.3 km2 (6,790.8 sq
mi), or 5.9% of the total land area of
the country. Around 69.3% of the
total land area is alienable and
disposable while the remaining
30.7% is public forest areas.
The region is bounded by Lamon Bay
to the north,the Pacilic Ocean to the
east, and Sibuyan Sea and Ragay
Gulf to the west.The northernmost
province, Camarines Norte, is
 Geology
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 the Philippine
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. Mayon
Volcano is the most prominent
of the volcanoes in the region,
 Geology
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 Mount
Bulusan Volcano, the other Mayon
active volcano in the region. Mount
Tiwi in Albay and the Bacon- Tiwi
Manito area between Sorsogon
 Tourism
The municipality of Daet and
Catanduanes province have long
been destinations for surfers.The
opening of the Southern Luzon
International Airport in Legazpi
City, is hoped to further boost
tourism in the region.
The province of Masbate, which
lies exactly at the center of the
Philippine Archipelago, is known
for its mining and cattle industry
while Sorsogon, the province
known for its historic and
panoramic places, shelters the
world's largest fish-the whale
Volcanoes of the Region

Mt. Isarog Mt. Iriga Mt.

the closest to volcano with a volcano with a large
Naga City large horseshoe-
shaped collapsed
Malinao
crater where the
geothermal fields of
crater Tiwi are located
Volcanoes of the Region

Mt. Pocdol
Masaraga
sharp-topped
Holocene volcano Mayon Mountains
fumarolic group of
volcanoes situated Bulusan
between Albay and
NW of Mayon Volcano
most popular for its
beautifully Sorsogon provinces Volcano
protected area and
centerpiece of the
symmetrical cone and Bulusan Volcano
also the most active Natural Park
Gastronomy
Known for dishes that owe its texture and creaminess to coconut milk (gata)
and its spicy kick to chilis, Bicol food culture has much excitement to offer.

Laing Ginataang Sinantolan

Labong
Gastronomy

Kinunot Nilupak Bicol

Express
Where to go in
Bicol?
 Albay
Albay and its surrounding areas
were known as Ibalon when
Juan Salcedo and 120 soldiers
explored itin 1573. Sawangan, a
small settlement by a mangrove
swamp, became a town called
Albaybay (meaning "by the
bay") in 1616. The town was
first renamed Albay, then
Legaspi, as Albay went on to
refer to the province.
See and Do in Albay
The town of Camalig, Albay's heritage town has been dubbed as "The
Birthplace of Pinangat", a savory and distinctly Bicolano dish composed
of coconut milk, meat or fish, chili, and taro leaves. Not to be sidelined
are the Pili delicacies that will surely stimulate one's taste buds. Dubbed
as the "world's most perfect volcano", the best way to experience Mayon
Volcano in Albay is to get up close rather than have a glimpse from afar.
For tourists, Mayon ATV tours provide a more personal way of
appreciating this beautiful volcano. The Mayon Volcano derives its name
from magayon, meaning "beautiful". The ruins of Cagsawa Church are a
mute testimony of Mayon's destructive fury. All that remains of the
townburied in the 1814 eruption are a blackened church tower and some
walls of the priest's house and themunicipal building.
Calabiding Caves, "caves of the bats" in Camalig, have an underground
stream.
 Catanduanes
The whole island is virtually one
single mountain mass, with low
mountains rising almost directly
from the western shore. There is a
narrow depression in the
midsection of the island and
limited plains along the coast
facing the Pacific. Catanduanes'
geographical position exposes it to
frequent typhoons.It has no dry
season asrain falls throughout the
Catanduanes
The province was formerly
known as Catanduan, or
"where tando trees abound."

The inhabitants speak the

Bicolano dialect with a
distinct accent. They are also
known for their religious
fervor,which many attribute to
their constant exposure to
typhoons.
See and Do in
Catanduanes
Aside from the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, Catanduanes is
well-known as an established surfing destination. Facing the Pacific
Ocean, Puraran surfing in the town of Baras is home to the so-called
"majestic" waves producing perfect barrels suitable for professional
surfers.
The Kagbarong Festival, which is held from December 16 to 25, is a
folk religious activity that re-enacts the search of St. Joseph and the
Virgin Mary for a place to stay in Bethlehem. As the singers stop at a
house, the owner, or kagbarong, hands over money to their leader, then
they move on.
 Camarines
Norte
Camarines derives its name
from the Spanish word
camarin, meaning rice
granary or warehouse. It
wasdivided into Camarines
Norte and Camarines Sur in
1829. The people speak
Bikolano.
See and Do in Camarines
A gem of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Calaguas Islands boasts of powdery
Norte
white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and unspoiled natural resources.
Located in Tinaga Island,the Mahabang Buhangin is more popular among
backpackers and sun seekers and has been described as a "mini Boracay
sans the commercialization". The town of Capalonga in the province of
Camarines Norte has the shrine of the miraculous image of the Black
Nazarene. Safely tucked in its shrine, the image is known throughout the
region and is flocked by worshippers and devotees seeking guidance and
intercession most especially during its feast day on the 13th of May.
Mercedes town also has the underwater Canton Cave which is visible only
at low tide.
Penafrancia Festival in barangay Salcedo is held a week after the more
popular celebration in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Camarines Sur
The largest of Bicol's six provinces.
Camarines Sur
Festivals and Events
Penafrancia Festival is held in
Naga in September. It features
a novena of nine days of
devotions at the Naga
Cathedral. The actual feast day
starts with penitential
procession a t dawn and
morning boat races on the
river. At around noon, the
virgin's image is carried aboard
a gaily-decorated casco or
barge for a fluvialprocession.
Camarines Sur
Festivals and Events
Tinagba Festival
held in lriga every
February 11 as a harvest
offering festival to Our
Lady of Lourdes. Farmers
parade in carabao-drawn
carts filled with the best
local produce,while Agtas
come down from the
mountains to dance.
Camarines Sur
Festivals and Events
Boa-Boahan Festival
in the town of Nabua is
held every May 2. This
re-enactment of the 13th
century pagan rite of
offering chains of
coconut embryos called
boa to their deities as
meant to ensure a
prosperous year.
See and Do in Camarines
A pioneer in the Philippines and in Asia, the CamSur Watersports Complex or
Sur
CWC in the municipality of Pili is a world-class complex considered as one
of the top wakeparks in the world. Its top-of-the-line facilities have attracted
watersports enthusiast both local and foreign, bringing cable skiing to a whole
new level. Located on the outskirts of Naga City, the Penafrancia Basilica
enshrines the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia--an 18th century sculpture of
the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Patroness of Bicol. It is one of the largest
Marian Pilgrimage Sites in Asia.
Naga City is in the shadow of Mt. Isarog, Naga Cathedral, built in 1843, is
one of the largest churches in the country; it contains a Black Nazarene statue.
Lake Buhi in Iriga, is known for tabios or its local name sinarapan, the
world's smallest fish at three to four millimeters long. A spoonful contains a
thousand of them, the famous dish made from it is called "Thousand Fish
Omelet".
 Masbate
The province consists of three major islands - Masbate, Ticao and
Burias -and 14 small islands. Ticao Island lies in the center of the
Philippine Fault but Masbate and Burias are safely out of it. The entire
province, however, is in the direct path of typhoons.

It is said that a simple misunderstanding gave the province its name.

When the Spanish came to the island in 1569, they found a couple
mixing chocolate from cacao. When the visitors asked them the name of
the place, the couple though the former wanted to know what they were
doing and answered. 'Mas bati' meaning to mix vigorously. The
chroniclers in the expedition recorded “Masbate" as the name of the
island.
 Masbate
The province is a melting pot of dialects and cultures. The people of the capital
town speak Masbateno with a mixture of Bicolano; in the southeastern towns
they speak Waray or Cebuano; in the west, llonggo or Capiceno. Bicolano is the
dominant dialect in Burias.
See and Do in Masbate
Ticao Island boasts of two scenic waterfalls in Monreal
town: The Tagoron Falls cascade down cliffs from a
height of 18m into the sea and Catandayagan Falls is
considered one of the most beautiful in the province; its
high single tier is surrounded by lush vegetation, wild
animals, and flowers.
Burias Island has cliffs and broad promontories on its
east coast.
 Sorsogon

Sorsogon in the Bicol Peninsula is at the southeastern tip of Luzon Island. Its
capital town lies on the slender rock of land that joins the province's two parts
separated by Sorsogon Bay. Except for the landlocked Iron, all the towns lie
along the coast. Sorsogon lies at the heart of the typhoon belt.
Sorsogon
It was once called as Gibalong by its residents. When the
Spaniards had settled in Gibalong, they set out to further
explore inland. Ipon reaching a small river emptying into
what is now Sorsogon Bay, they asked a native they met
for the name of the place. The native, not understanding
Spanish and thinking they were asking for directions,
answered, "Solsogon" meaning "trace the river by going
upstream", through constant use Solsogon became
Sorsogon.
See and Do in Sorsogon
Irosin has a hilltop church and is situated in an ancient sunken
crater.
Bulusan Volcano is a landmark especially to sailors approaching
the San Bernardino Strait. It has two summits: the eastern one is the
remains of a circular crater; the western, the still active peak. Its
slopes forma 37-sq-km national park.
Bulusan Lake is at the heart of the national park. It is a small,
round Crater Lake surrounded by lush forest teeming with orchids,
wildflowers and ferns.
Matnog, the southernmost town,i s where the buses linking Manila
with the Visayas and Mindanao make the ferry crossing to Samar.
Bulan,on the west coast, is the ferry port for Masbate. Donsol is
famous for its whale shark watching.
 End of
Presentatio
n
Thank
you!