LEGAZPI: Gateway to Bicol

LEGAZPI, Albay – Legazpi, the gateway to Bicol, is radiant under the rays of the sun as it rises in the vast Pacific, receiving the bounty of the sea and the commerce of the world.

Its physical beauty is dominated by the most popular volcano in the world – Mount Mayon, derived from the Bicol word "magayon," which means beautiful.

Facing Polique Bay, which opens into Albay Gulf, Legazpi is the political and economic center at the southeastern tip of Luzon.

Legazpi has a rare distinction of becoming a city three times. First was when Sawangan was officially given the name Legazpi by virtue of a Spanish Royal Decree in 1856 in memory of the conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

But during the American occupation in 1892, under the Becerra Law, it was dissolved into a municipality in 1948. It became a city but again downgraded into a municipality. For the third time, it was declared a city on June 12, 1959 by virtue of Republic Act 2234, authored by Senator Pedro Subido and Rep. Jusfio Nuyda and signed by then President Carlos Garcia.

Legazpi City is recognized as the gateway to Bicol because of its relative proximity to all the provinces in other regions. It also serves as a transit point to the island provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes.

Recently, members of the media, together with project officer Maritess Ballester, took an almost 12-hour drive from Manila to Legazpi to attend the Ibalong Festival, which is inspired by the 18th century epic about life in the Bicol peninsula long before the Spanish colonizers came to the province’s shore.

The most prominent guests who attended the festival were President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who arrived just in time for the closing and Vice President Noli de Castro, who opened the festival.

Mayor Noel Rosal, said the festival, a much-awaited week-long celebration held every month of October, aims to instill among Bicolanos a sense of pride and identity in the rich cultural heritage of Bicol.

The festival, which started in 1992, was derived from Ibalong, a book on the 18th century Spanish era. Written by Dr. Merito Espinas, the book tells of the exploits of three mythical Aryan heroes – Baltog, Handyog, and Bantog who came to a rich land called Ibalon. The legendary trio fought several ferocious monsters and wild beasts, safeguarded the mountain crops, brought joy to the villagers and transformed the land into what is now the bustling civilization.

Region 5 Tourism Director Nini Ravanilla said the highlight of the festival was the street presentations which started from Quezon Avenue to the Penaranda Park Stage.

There were about 21 contingents from different schools that participated in the street dancing.

Other events that were lined up during the festival include food fests featuring famous hot and spicy Bicolano food like pinangat (taro boiled in coconut milk), Bicol express (a hot dish of pork) and Bicolano’s own version of dinuguan as well as its delectable pili nut desserts, among others.

Meanwhile, Ravanilla said the province is coming up with other projects like the Virtual Mayon Observatory, costing R4 million. It is a joint undertaking with the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). "But with the rehabilitation of Mayon view deck and the water system it will cost R10 million in all," she noted.

The DoT-local government unit has also came up with the Victory Village Boulevard. "The DoT has committed R500,000 for the playground, restrooom and benches," Ravanilla said.

Not far from the Victory Village Boulevard, the province is mulling to construct a multi-million shopping mall with the "Sleeping Lion" as background. Tapped to make the mall is Sunvest Corp. owned by Zaldy Co.

The group of mediamen also went to the Albay Pili Nut Candy factory where they were met by Audrey Batung, the owner. The factory started operations in 1936 and now has 16 varieties of pili nuts.

At the Small Talk restaurant, run by Bernadette Peralta, mediamen tasted their specialty – pasta pinangat. The restaurant also serves pork spare ribs (which is their top seller), ox tongue with mushrooms, grilled Marlin belly, Bicol express pasta. For drinks they have the buko pandan smoothie and mango smoothie which are top drawers.

When in Bicol, it is a must to shop for indigenous souvenirs such as abaca products creatively woven into infinite creations like bags, slippers, decorative items, pili nuts, among others.