Region 5 - Bicol Region PDF

# Region 5 - Bicol Region ## Chapter 7 - Bicol Region ### Objectives - Know the area and location of Bicol Region. - Know the geographical characteristics of the provinces of Region V. - Know the different tourist destinations, gastronomic features, geographic profile of each provinces in Region...

# Region 5 - Bicol Region ## Chapter 7 - Bicol Region ### Objectives - Know the area and location of Bicol Region. - Know the geographical characteristics of the provinces of Region V. - Know the different tourist destinations, gastronomic features, geographic profile of each provinces in Region V. ### Area and Location - The Bicol region comprises the southern part of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago. - The total land area is 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. ### Geographic Profile - The Bicol region has a total land area of 1,763,249 hectares approximately 31% of which is forestland, and 69% is alienable and disposable lands. ### Profile - Based on 2015 National Census, Bicol Region has a population of 5,796,989 which is accounted for about 5.7% of the Philippine population. ### Political Profile - The region comprises six provinces: - Albay - Camarines Sur - Camarines Norte - Sorsogon - Masbate - Catanduanes - It has 7 cites, 107 municipalities, and 3,471 barangays. - It also has 16 congressional districts. ## Camarines Norte ### Capital Daet ### Area and Location - Camarines Norte occupies the northwestern portion of the Bicol Peninsula that forms the southwestern portion of Luzon. - It is bounded on the north, east, and west by the Pacific Ocean, and in the south Camarines Sur and a portion of the elongated province of Quezon. - It has a land area of 2,200 square kilometers. ### Geographic Profile - The province's rugged terrain is characterised by rolling hills giving way to fertile coastal plains and valleys. - Its crescent-shaped coastline links Lamon Bay, San Miguel Bay, and several offshore islands. ### Gastronomy - **Pinangat or Tinuktok.** A native dish of Bicol region in which round shrimp or crab is wrapped in gabi leaves and cooked in coconut milk and spiced up with chili. - **Sinantol.** A spicy dish of ground santol meat cooked in coconut milk. ### Tourist Attractions | Name and Location | Description | |:---|:---| | Bagasbas Beach, Daet | This beach is the most popular in the province. It has gray sand, with a gently sloping seafloor, and tall waves, making it a deal for swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing. | | Daet Pineapple Festival, Daet | The festival showcases the main agricultural products of the capital town, especially the famous golden famous pineapple varieties. The date of the festival varies each year. | | Feast of the Black Nazarene, Capalonga | The two-day religious festivity is held in honor of the miraculous Black Nazarene. Devotees from nearby provinces make the pilgrimage to Capalonga every May. | | First Rizal Monument, Corner Magallanes and J. Lukban Sts, Daet | The town of Daet holds the distinction of being the first town in the Philippines to erect a monument in honor of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The effort was initiated by Lt. Col. Antonio Saez of the Philippine Revolutionary Army. | | Mercedes Island, Mercedes | The municipality of Mercedes is the site of the most beautiful and easily accessible islands in the province. One of these has a resort with complete amenities; the rest have not yet been developed for tourism and fishing communities. | | San Jose Beach, Talisay | San Jose Beach is one of the finest beach areas in the province. It is a very long stretch of light-colored sand offering an almost uninterrupted view of the horizon. | ## Camarines Sur ### Capital Pili ### Area and Location - Camarines Sur is in the central part of the Bicol Peninsula at the southern tip of Luzon Island. - It is bounded in the north by Camarines Norte, San Miguel Bay, and the Pacific Ocean; in the east by the Lagonoy Gulf; in the west by Ragay Gulf, and the south by Albay. ### Geographic Profile - The province embraces the fertile valleys of the Bicol River and its contributing tributaries as well as the volcanic regions of Mt. Isarog and Mt. Iriga. - It is traversed by the long, wide, and meandering Bicol River and other streams that descend from the southwestern side of the Pasacao-San Fernando-Libmanan Mountain Range and the northwestern side of Mt. Isarog. ## Catanduanes ### Capital Virac ### Area and Location - Catanduanes is an island province of the Bicol region southeast of Luzon. - It is separated from the mainland by the Maqueda Channel on the west, and by the Lagonoy Gulf on the south. - The north and east sides are open to the Pacific Ocean. ### Geographic Profile - Other than the mainland island, there are several smaller islands off the northeast and northwest coast. ### Political Profile - Catanduanes is a part of Albay before but gained its autonomy after Congressman Francisco Perfecto filed House Bill No. 301 officially considering it as an island province. - The appointed person to be its first governor was Remegio Socito. - Eventually, elections were held and Alfonso Usero became its first elected governor of Catanduanes. ### Foods and Delicacies - **Garyang.** It is a special kind of kamoteng kahoy which is best harvested after 15-20 years. It is cooked in coconut milk. - **Ugob.** A unique dish in Catanduanes that belongs to the same family of jackfruits, but is smaller and with fewer seeds. It tastes like tuna meat. ### Tourist Attractions | Name and Location | Description | |:---|:---| | Annual Surfing Competition, Puraran| This competition is held during September and October and is participated in by local and foreign tourists. The date of the competition is movable. | | Balongbong Falls, Bato, along the National Highway | This is one of the most popular natural attractions in the province. The falls feeds the main Bato River with clear and sparkling water cascading from the slopes of the Boctot Mountain Chain | | Bato Church, Bato | One of the earliest churches built by the Spaniards. It stands at the mouth of a wide river. | | Bonot Resort, Bonot, San Andres | The place is ideal for swimming and picnicking. | | Buyo Cave, Brgy. Buyo, Virac | The cave has beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and is surrounded by small rolling hills. | | Catandungan Festival, Virac | A celebration of the province's anniversary and a tribute to its founders. It is held every October 24. | | Dinahit Festival, Virac | A celebration commemorating the arrival of the first migrants in the province who came via a dibahit, a type of sea craft. The event is held every October from 24 to 25. | | Igang Beach, Igang | A haven for surfers, this beach also offers several caves for exploration and several coral formations ideal for spearfishing. Only some parts of the beach are ideal for swimming though. | | Luyang Caves, Lictin, San Andres | These are grotto-like structures made of limestone. | | Mamangal and Balite Beaches, Balite | These beaches boast creamy white sand and blue waters that are ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing because of the presence of well-developed coral formations. | | Puraran Beach, Baras | Internationally known as "Majestic," this is the site for soft board surfing. | | Vargas Cave, Balite, Virac | The cave has a narrow opening hidden behind thickets, making entry difficult. | ## Masbate ### Capital Masbate ### Area and Location - The province of Masbate is one of two island provinces in the Bicol region. - It is made up of three major islands and 14 small islets with a land area totaling 4,047.7 square kilometers. - It is bounded on the north by Ticao Pass, in the east by the Samar Sea, in the west by the Sibuyan Sea, and in the south by the Visayan Sea. ### Geographic Profile - Masbate Island, Ticao Island, and Burias Island along with 14 islets make up the province of Masbate. - The northwestern tip of Masbate Island consists of limestone cliffs that rise almost straight up from the coastline, while its interior is covered with low rolling hills. ### Political Profile - Masbate is consisting of 1 component city, 20 municipalities, and a total of 550 barangays. ### Gastronomy - There are two delicacies: - **Carmelado.** A sweet delicacy from carabao milk and sugar. - **Molido.** A dessert made from sweet potato and/or pili nuts. Some variations include molido sprinkled with coconut bits and pili nuts. ### Tourist Attractions | Name and Location | Description | |:---|:---| | Batongan Cave | This large cave has three chambers, one on top of the other. Inside the base chamber are two stones shaped like an altar and pulpit, creating a religious ambiance. The topmost chamber is home to numerous bats, which provide the people with guano, a kind of fertilizer | | Cagpating Island, Near Togonon, Monreal | This island is noted for its crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches, which offer a panoramic view of the Masbate mainland. | | Catandayagan Falls, Monreal | This tall single-tiered waterfalls is home to various wild animals and exotic flowering plants | | Isla de Paraiso, Across the shoreline of Masbate Town | The beaches of this mangrove-covered islet are famous for their powdery white sands and breathtaking view of the sunset. | | Manta Bowl Ticao Pass, Monreal | This is one exceptional area where scuba divers can see (with a very high chance) huge manta rays. | | Matangtubig Springs, A kilometre away from Masbate| The three springs of Matangtubig are surrounded by giant trees and lush vegetation | | Puting Baybay Beach, Claveria | This wide white-sand beach is ideal for surfing because of the strong waves coming from the Sibuyan Sea. | | Rodeo Masbateño, Rodeo Masbateño Sports Complex | The first and only rodeo show in Asia, Rodeo Masbateño is the highlight of the Masbate Agri-Aqua Country Fair held after Easter Sunday. | ## Sorsogon ### Capital Sorsogon ### Area and Location - Sorsogon is situated at the southeastern part of the Bicol Peninsula, about 600 kilometers from Metro Manila. - It is bounded on the north by the province of Albay and Albay Gulf, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the San Bernardino Strait, and on the west by Ticao and Burias Passes. ### Geographic Profile - Sorsogon is dominated by active volcanoes foremost of which is Mt. Bulusan. - Most of the municipalities are located along with coastal areas. - Several small islands dot the southern part of the province. ### Political Profile - Sorsogon is currently governed by Governor Francis Joseph G. Escudero and Vice-Governor Manuel Fortes Jr. - The province is consisting of 1 component city, 14 municipalities, and a total of 514 barangays. ### Gastronomy - There are two delicacies: - **Kinunot.** A dish made from shark or manta ray, which is then sautéed in onions, garlic and malunggay leaves and of course, coconut cream. - **Sikad-sikad.** A dish made from edible meat of seashells cooked in coconut milk with fresh malunggay leaves. ### Tourist Attractions | Name and Location | Description | |:---|:---| | Barcelona Church, Barcelona | The coral reef walls and carvings of the façade make this church a priceless relic. | | Bulus Spring of Irosin, Irosin | The water from this spring is cool and clear and emits a thin smoke. It forms a small pool (about 7 by 10 meters) that is used for bathing. | | Bulusan Lake, Bulusan | Bulusan Lake lies at the heart of a 3,672-hectare national park. It has a circumference of 2,006 meters and a maximum capacity of 3,472 cubic meters. | | Bulusan Volcano, Sorsogon | This extinct volcano towers 5,077 feet above sea level, a crawling giant in the middle of a protected forest. The volcano's one-kilometer wide crater is now often used as a campsite. | | Irosin Church, Irosin | Built on top of a hill, this church dominates other structures in the town of Irosin. | | Kasanggayahan Festival, Sorsogon | The Kasanggyahan Festival in Sorsogon commemorates the establishment of Sorsogon as a separate province from Albay. This two-week-long series of activities include an agro-industrial and trade fair, cultural presentations, and sports activities. The event is held in October. | | Masacrot Spring, Bulusan | A man-made pool with cool and natural bubbling soda water | | Fireflies, Donsol | The rivers of Donsol are lighted by large numbers of fireflies which make them high-quality attractions. | | Rizal Beach, Gubat | This long and sandy beach is ideal for boating, swimming, and beachcombing. Vacationists can stay at a resthouse or any of a line of cottages set amidst a fruit orchard. | | Whale Sharks, Donsol | Donsol is probably the only place in the world where one can see rare whale sharks in large numbers. The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) can grow to a length of 60 feet and is considered the world's largest fish. It comes to Donsol in considerable numbers between December and May each year. |