Bicol Region Characteristics PDF

CHARACTERISTICSOFT  HE BICOLREGION ACCORDINGTOITSFEAT URES ECONOMY  Geography definestheregion’straditional occupation, agricultureandfishing.  Bicol is currentlythelargestproducerof sweet potatoandthethirdlargestproducer of cassavaandcalamansi. ...

CHARACTERISTICSOFT  HE BICOLREGION ACCORDINGTOITSFEAT URES ECONOMY  Geography definestheregion’straditional occupation, agricultureandfishing.  Bicol is currentlythelargestproducerof sweet potatoandthethirdlargestproducer of cassavaandcalamansi.  Camarines Sur has thebiggestlivestockand poultry productionandistheregion’smain source of carabao, duckandchicken.  ost ironreserves,comp rising57%ofthenat ionaltotal. Most communities engage in abaca craft, machine or handmade novelties like wall décor, mats, rugs, hat, slippers, made from strands of plaited abaca material. Tiwi’s clay, especially fromthehill areasisused for  decorative items, likeflowerpotsand water jugs, andconstruction materials such as clayandbricks. Large deposits of red and whiteclaygaveriseto a ceramic industry whichtargetsthe domestic market. Tabaco, Albay’scutlerywhic h includesscissors,boloa  ndknives,razorsandchi selsis theregion’ssecondlarg est cottageindustry. Camarines Norte, the gold rich Paracale-Labo Panganiban, is the center of Bicol’s gold jewelry making industry. mixing the mercury withthemudonher wooden pan to extract thegoldfromallthe impurities In 2019, the Masbate Gold Project of Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corporation produced 6,291 kilograms of gold, 1.34 percent more than in 2018. To promote sustainable and responsible mining, the Minahang Bayan, or People’s Small Scale Mining Area, was established in the provinces of Camarines Norte and Masbate in 2018 (PH-EITI 2017) through the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act (Republic Act [RA] 7076). This program drove some large-scale mines to close shop and resulted in the “transfer of technology” from the mine employees to small-scale miners. However, from 2017 to 2019, the number of small- scale mining sites in Camarines Norte and Masbate declined. The lasa grass of Catanduanes is used for brooms and dusters. Bikol’s tourismindustry is anothersourceofincome. Tourism serves as a major growthdriverintheregion. Based on partial data fromtheDepartmentof Tourism, tourist arrivals reached1.28million in 2019, mostly domestictourists(86percent). Legazpi City hadthehighestnumber of tourists duringtheyearat 576,600, accounting for 51percent oftotaltourist arrivals. The holding of festivals, national events, activities,and improvements to regional touristdestinations created opportunities forincreasingtourist arrivals and investments andpotentialavenues for employment. Thetourismindustryhas created jobs for more Bicolanosasmoretourism-related establishments operate(hotelsand restaurants, resorts, wellness, andeco-parks). But because of the pandemic, thishasaffected at least 7 milliondirect andindirectemployees in the region’s tourismindustry,including workers andownersof micro,small, and mediumenterprises(Mier Manjares 2020). SUMLANG LAKE in Camalig, Albay BULUSAN VOLCANO NATURAL PARK in Bulusan Sorsogon  The first farm tourism site l o c a t e d i n B r g y. P a w a , Masbate City, Masbate! UmaKoinoniainPawa, MasbateCity ORMOSA PINEAPPLES ("QueenPineapples") from CAMARINES NORTE POLITICAL SYSTEM  Some national executiveofficesandconstitutionally mandatedbodieshaveregional  branches inLegazpi. In Congress, Bikol is representedby18members (2022). 1.Albay, 1st District Lagman,EdcelC.2.Albay, 2nd District Salceda,JoeySarte 3.Albay, 3rd District Cabredo,Fernando T.  4.Camarines Norte, 1st DistrictTallado, Josie 5. Camarines Norte, 2ndDistrictPanotes, Toots 6. Camarines Sur, 1st District Horibata, Hori 7.Camarines Sur, 2ndDistrict Villafuerte, Luis RaymundJr."LRay"F. 8. Camarines Sur, 3rdDistrict Bordado, Gabriel Jr. 9. Camarines Sur, 4thDistrict Fuentebella, Arnie 10.Camarines Sur, 5thDistrict Villafuerte, Migz 11.Catanduanes, LoneDistrict Rodriguez, Leo 12.Masbate, 1st District Kho, Richard 13.Masbate, 2nd District Kho, Ara 14.Masbate, 3rd District Kho,Wilton "Tonton"Tan15.Sorsogon, 1st District Escudero, Dette 16.Sorsogon, 2nd District Fortes,Wowo Among the currently notablepoliticalnames in the region areDynasticpoliticscontinue to color the local scene, andthe region is affectedby communistinsurgency.  SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Naming childrenaccordingtotheir attributesorthe conditions markingtheirbirthwas a regional custom. Hence names such as Makusog (strong) andMagayon(beautiful). The practice may still exist insomeruralgroups. Lagpitao/ palakaw-lakaw–theinitial acquaintancethroughanintermedi ary. Pasonco – theexaminationofthe prospectivematchbybothparties. Pag-agad/ Paninilbihan–therendering of servicebythegroom to the bride’s familySinakat – gift tothebridefromarelative attendingthewedding.Ilinakad – extrafineifthebridewas not the eldest inthefamily. Sayod – drawingof themarriagecovenant. Tronco – a genealogical tracingtoprevent incestuousalliancesPagcaya – the weddingfeastPurukan or hurulungan–thebestowing of gifts. Extravagant weddings  werepracticedduringthe colonial period, althoughtheyhavealwaysbeen smaller and simpler for thepoorerfolk. The pamalaye is observedtodaywithgreatersimplicity, stripped of manyof itsoldformalities. In modern times, Bikol weddingsare no longer arranged as familial alliances.  The solemnity of Bikol deathrites,however, has never beendeterminedbyclass, even if this has tendedtobemoreelaborate for higher rankingindividuals. Hagol – (palmtree) coffin.Pasaca – indigenousfuneralrites Basbas – cleansingofcorpsesDool - dutiful reverenceofthedeceased Yokod – the recountingofthedeceased life. Mourning consisted of thedeceasedfamily’sabstinence , display grief inchantingandwailing and dancing withthetolodan.  Before the actual burial, thedeceasednearestkin recited (Tarry no longer ; proceedtoyourjourney) Tolodan –a bigclaypalatecontaining a dressedchickenwithout its innards. “da-y na maolang, padagosonmoan simong lacao. ” RELIGIOUSBELIEFS ANDPRACTICES Bikol religiosity is deeply rooted. Sometimes Christianfaith is expressed through indigenous forms, andindigenous beliefs may assume a Christian face. Special powers are supposedly yielded by theancientwitch  Lumay –lovepotion craft such as; Hinaw–thief detector Anting-anting–amuletsa.kibal –whichmakes invulnerabletosharpobjects Some superstition have become part of folk religion. The common expression in Tabi tabi po/ makiagi po, acknowledgesthe invisible world. Parabulong/arbulario–fait hhealer Hilo – poison Night birds likekorokoroandkikik or tiktikconveyillomens. Thus religion pervades daily life and become ceremonial  duringoccasions. In Iriga City, Agricultural ritesliketamoy, talagbanhi androgativacombineindigenous andHispanicinfluences. Tinagba – celebratedaftertheharvest  duringthefeastofCorpusChristi. Tumatarok –aprayerofferingand oratory withsonganddance, sanctifiesadevotiontoSan Felipe  andSanSantiagoinMinalabac, th CamarinesSuronthe 11 day of May, The most popular anddistinct manifestationof Bikol faith is the special devotionto Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia, PatronessofBicol who is eanderinglyaddressedas‘ina’. Her feast is commemorated with the procession of the traslacion (transfer) to the NagaCathedralon the second Friday of September and a huge fluvial parade on the third Saturday of Septemberback to the Basilica.  ARCHITECTUREAND COMMUNITYPLANNING  In precolonial times, many Bikol houses were perched on trees for protection from the sun and insects. Towns later grewfrom settlements established near rice plantations, which were scattered throughout the valley and coastal plains. In Sorsogon, townsemergedfor many various reasons: Castilla – repopulationof thecoastafterthe19th century Musliminvasions  Magallanes – the establishmentofastillerosor shipyards which generatedemploymentand assured protection. Barcelona – the conflict of economicinterest Irosin – the conflict of political interest. In Naga, the old Caceres, a hugestonecathedrallooms before the large square. Churches were erected within20yearsfollowingthe arrival of the Franciscans inthe1578. 1. On one side of the cathedral stands the region’s oldest seminary building, Seminario Concillar de Caceres, with its graceful archedportico. Built in the late 1700s, the Seminario, the only one of its kind remaining in the country today, was one of the fewschoolsofhigher learning open to Filipinos in the 19th century.  Daraga’s present church,  overlookingtheruins of the lava-coveredtownofCagsawaexemplifies baroque architecture. The styleof Naga Cathedral’sfaçademaybe characterizedas “earthquakebaroque.”  Tabaco’s cemeteryisdominatedbyanoldarchanddo med cemeterychapelwhich is oneof themostbeautiful intheregion.  Camalig, Albay is  distinguishedbyitscapillas posas or outdoor patiopillars. The 125year oldNuydahouse inCamaligAlbayhasunusually largeCapizpanesmeasuring7.5x7.5cm. Several ancestral Bicol houses have preserved the architectural features peculiar to the region. The Nuyda House was built in the 19th century by Doroteo Iglesia Moya Jr., who was mayor (capitanmunicipal)of Camalig from 1877 to 1878. The Nuydas are a family affiliated through Moya’s nephewMarcos Obligacion,who took a Nuyda wife. The house is built in the Geometric Style of bahay na bato and can be enteredthrougha uniquely designed stone porch that corresponds to the gililan of traditional Filipino pile houses or bahaykubo.It is also an exemplary showcase of the diamond-patterned concha(shell-paned sliding windows), adesignsaidto originate from Bicol.  The Buenaventura-Pardinas house inGuinobatanhasits Reinassancestylemolave balustrade.  The Buenaventura family, together withtheOlaguer and Pardinas families were the royaltyof Guinobatan during the Spanish Colonial period. The Buenaventuras and the Olaguers areconsidered the truly Illustrado families, bequeathednumerous legacies to the community. The PabicohouseinDaet, Camarines Nortepresentsan interestingstudyininterior design. As in many old Bicol and Southern Tagalog homes, its ceiling is painted with cobwebs to attract insects. In the same city standstheValdeo(Pimentel house) another Bikol architectural classic. The windowsarethemost practical assetsof theJaucian house inLigao, Albay. One could look out from behind old-fashioned windows with persianas, capiz windows, and balusters—without being seen from the outside.  The Fuentebella houseinSangay,Camarines Sur, burnedinthe1950’swas a large stone andbrickstructurelinked to a smaller buildingatthebackby a long woodenbridge.  The Almedaresidenceisalandmark alongAbellastreet. Designed in the Floral Style of Bahay na bato, the Gonzales Housepresentlyowned by Ninibeth Gonzales was built in 1920.Its exterior featuresincludeawrap-around transom (espejo) of capiz-shell panels (concha) alternatingwithlouvered panels (persiana), a wrap-around awning (media-agua) supportedbyornate iron braces, and decorative panels (bandejado) flankingitswindows. Built in 1932, the Melba Moyo House was first owned by Barbara NievesMoyoandbequeathed to her son, Teodoro Moyo. After the latter’s death, thehousewasmanaged by his wife, Melba Grageda Moyo. It is said to have beenusedasashelterfor high-ranking Japanese officials during the Japanese period in Camalig. vItsexterioris marked by decorated wooden panels (bandejo) which surroundits capiz-shellwidows. Built in early 19th century it was owned by Former Mayor DiegoNolasco(1929-1934) an once used as the town’s temporary Municipal Hall. vThehousefeatures a wrap-around awning (media agua) over its windows. Alsonotableisthe use of checkerboard capizshell panel (concha) for its transom(espejo),atypology common in Albay’s bahay na bato. Among the highlights of theinterioris the upper wall fretwork (calado), a simple wooden structureyet variedindesigns. The Anson House is a bahay na bato originally owned by Toribia Iglesia Moya, sister of former Camalig mayor (Capitan Municipal) Doroteo Iglesia Moya, Jr. her son, Anacleto Moya Solano, was the last capitan municipal of Camalig (1897-1900) and also its first president municipal (1901-1902) under the American period. His descendants are the Anson and Valenciano clans. It was bought by the Ansons during the early American period, transferred to the Valencianos in 1920 and returned to the Ansons in 1980. The house is distinguished by its outdoor main staircase leading to the living room and azotea. Parts of the house were onced used a s a quarters for the guardia civil during the Spanish period.  Other notable bahay na batoinBicol aretheancestral houses of the Imperial, Hernandez,Macandog, Abella and Arejola. In the contemporary period, the relatively well-off may live in American-type one-story bungalows or two-story houses with the sala, kitchen, and toilet below, and the sleeping quarters on the second floor. These houses are made of hollow blocks and cement. Wood is used for the second floor of two-story houses. Roofs are of galvanized iron; windows either slide or are of the louvre or vertical-flap types. VISUALARTS ANDCRAFTS  VISUALARTS ANDCRAFTS Gold panning in Paracale, Camarines Norte, 1990 (CCP Collections) Paracale, “the goldencountry”in Camarines Norte, has grown to be the center of jewelry-making tradition. Although the art has declined since colonial times, some antiquestyles have survived the centuries like: Agrimon (alsoknownasthealpajorand alakdan) – flat necklacechainof the 18th century. Tamborin – theintricategoldenbead necklaceof the19thcentury. Ely Arcilla,  “Manlilikha ng Bayan” Awardee for 1990, continues this Bikol legacy using old tools and methods and the finishing process called sinasapo, which produces a reddish patina. Today, this tradition of earthenware making is preserved mainly by women in Bigajo Norte in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, and in Bolo and Baybay in Tiwi, Albay. The Kalanay pottery specimens dug up inMasbate have 15 different patterns combining triangles  and scallops among other designs. Gayangan – pivotedturntable. Hurnahan – a cylindrical tinmoldused in formingslabsforjarbodies. Pambikal – thepaddles Gapu – the anvil stone Hapin – the toppart of abrokenjarwrapped in a mat or sack. Baybay, tiwi albay specializes in…. Kawatan – novelties andtoys Koron – cooking pot Gripo – unit faucet water jars Kaldero – kettlelike pots Golgoreta – pitchers Pugon sa uling – charcoal burningstoves Masetera – flower pots