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CONT
LIGAO CITY
ENTS
YSAYLLE SYDNEY M. BOLANOS
Image: Imgur by jestylemon
History of Ligao City
Churches (St. Stephen The Protomartyr
Parish Church)
Tourist Spots
Sunflower Festival
Restaurant

GUINOBATAN

VERBA CANDICE DELAVIN
RACHEL ANN S. CERILLO
JANELLE B. OCBINA

History of Guinobatan
Longganisa Festival
Church (Our Lady of the Assumption)
Tourist Spots/Resorts

CAMALIG

TRACY ANN D. NIPAS

History of Camalig
Church (St. John the Baptist Church)
Colonial Houses
Pinangat Festival
Pastores Camalig
Delicacies
Tourist Destinations

SORSOGON

RAIN ANDREI P. RACAL

History of Sorsogon City
Church (St. Peter and Paul Cathedral)
Sorsogon's Hidden treasures
Museo Sorsogon
Kasanggayahan Festival
Pili Festival

LIGAO CITY

YSABYLLE SYDNEY M. BOLAÑOS
BSBA MANAGEMENT 1B

Image: Ligao City, Albay Facebook

page 2 Ligao City Exclusive May 2022

LIGAO CITY, ALBAY

HISTORY

The most widely known origin of the word "Ligao" was "licau," which means to take a
long way around or to deviate from the ordinary or usual route. Ligao began in the 16th
century as a little town called as Cavasi.

Cavasi and its adjacent towns, such as Polangui and Oas, were already involved in
trade. Cavasi served as a vital link in the trade network, but the road leading to it is
prone to flooding during the wet season. Merchants, or "viajeros," they were known back
then, had to take a detour, or "licau." People started calling the detour "Likaw" as it
became more progressive than the Cavasi village, and its population rapidly grew.
Likaw soon supplanted Cavasi and eventually became Ligao. Cavasi was occupied by
peace-loving individuals who traded well, inviting locals from surrounding places to
settle in the developing village.

Cavasi was occupied by peace-loving individuals who traded well, inviting locals from
surrounding places to settle in the developing village. A power battle erupted quickly
among the organization's more ambitious and aggressive executives, causing internal
dissension. Hokoman, one of the chieftains or Maginoos, regarded himself as superior to
the others - Pagkilatan, Maaban, Sampogan, Makabongay, and Hokoman. Rivalry and the
desire for power resulted in unrest and fear among the once calm residents. According
to historian Father Felix de Huerta, a Spanish Corporal was able to reach an agreement
among the chieftains, putting an end to the territorial disputes. Chieftain Pagkilatan was
also named the new supreme head of the entire colony. Finally, quiet and tranquility
returned.

The settlement went on to prosper politically, socially, and economically. In 1606, the
settlement was founded as a barrio of Polangui and was later ceded to Oas in 1665.
Meanwhile, Cavasi was increasingly referred to as “Ligao”, which finally became an
independent municipality in 1666.

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May 2022 Ligao City Exclusive page 3

LIGAO CITY HALL | MAP

The Municipality of Ligao was designated as a
Component City of the Province of Albay in the
latter half of 1998 by then-Mayor Fernando V.
Gonzalez. After passing both Houses of Congress,
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed
Republic Act 9008 on February 21, 2001.

Ligao’s conversion into a City was ratified by a
plebiscite on March 24, 2001 with a YES vote of
17,754 as against a NO vote of 1,387.

Ligao was declared a component city by the Commission on Elections on the same
day, making it the Bicol Region's sixth city.

Ligao is a coastal component city in the province of Albay. The city has a land area of
246.75 square kilometers or 95.27 square miles which constitutes 9.58% of Albay's total
area. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 118,096. This represented
8.59% of the total population of Albay province or 1.94% of the overall population of the
Bicol Region. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 479
inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,240 inhabitants per square mile.

BARANGAYS:
(11 URBAN AND 44 RURAL BARANGAYS)

Abella Catburawan Pinit

Allang Cavasi (Poblacion) Ranao-Ranao

Amtic Culliat San Vicente

Bacong Dunao (Poblacion) Santa Cruz

Bagumbayan Francia (Poblacion)

(Poblacion) Guilid (Poblacion) Tagpo (Poblacion)

Country: Philippines Balanac Herrera(Poblacion) Tambo
Region: Bicol Region
Region: Bicol Region Baligang Layon Tandarora
Province: Albay
District: 3rd district Barayong Macalidong Tastas
Barangays: 55 Barangays
Population (2020 census)  Basag Mahaba Tinago

Total - 118,096 Batang Malama (Poblacion)
Density - 480/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Households - 22,491 Bay Maonon Tinampo

Binanowan Nasisi Tiongson

Binatagan (Poblacion) Nabonton Tomolin

Bobonsuran Oma-Oma (Poblacion)

Bonga Palapas Tuburan

Busac Pandan (Poblacion)

Busay Paulba Tula-Tula Grande

Cabarian Paulog Tula-Tula Pequeño

Calzada (Poblacion) Pinamaniquian Tupas

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

page 4 Ligao City Exclusive May 2022

ST. STEPHEN THE
PROTOMARTYR PARISH CHURCH

LIGAO CITY

Located in Ligao City in the province of Albay, LIGAO CHURCH
Ligao Church is one of the 17th-century churches FACADE
in the province. It was one of those constructed
when Christianity was spreading in the region. LIGAO CHURCH
HISTORY
Founded in 1608 under the helm of the MARKER
Franciscan friars, it is a famous landmark in
Ligao City, visited by pilgrims and tourists.
It is a pilgrim church, and its gorgeous century-
old building distinguishes it from other churches
in Albay. During Holy Week and Christmas,

pilgrims visit this church to pray. On regular
days, it attracts its own set of tourists who come
to say a few prayers before returning to town.

Albay is gifted with both natural and
historical riches. Its attractions never fail to
disappoint. It is definitely one of the stops any
adventurer should make. The Parish of St.
Stephen Church in Ligao City is one of the town’s
proudest attractions, the landmark bridging the
past to the present.

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May 2022 Ligao City Exclusive page 5

DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
AND MONASTERY OF
THE CARMELITE NUNS

OF THE HOLY TRINITY

Kawa Kawa Hill Natural Park, Tuburan, Ligao City

KAWA KAWA HILL

Kawa-Kawa Hill is owned by Albay
Representative Fernando Gonzalez who
turned the 25-hectare area into a natural
park aiming to boost it as one of Albay’s
top tourist destinations. Located at the
quiet barangay of Tuburan, Ligao City,
this unique hill that resembles a crater
was called Kawa Kawa because it also
looks like a cauldron or a kawa as we
say it in the local language.

Kawa-Kawa Natural Park, in Ligao City, is one of Albay's most famous tourist
destinations. Many visitors stroll or trek around the six-hectare crater to experience
spectacular views of nature, including the Mayon Volcano. Lush foliage, bamboo
cottages, a sunflower plantation, and life-size statues symbolizing the Stations of the
Cross can all be found there.

During the Lenten season, many devotees flock to the site to pray, fast, and do the 14
Stations of the Cross, which are part of a Christian tradition that depicts Jesus Christ's
journey to his crucifixion.

Aside from the Stations of the Cross, there is also a Carmelite church at the hills for
pilgrims to visit and Bambusetum where you can take lots of photos. This surely is a
great place to learn about the Kawa Kawa Hills history.

BAMBUSETUM PARK

Bambusetum is also known as kawayan
tinik plantation. It is a nature preserve
project where-in they preserve and grow
bamboo trees.

It is one of the landmarks and a
historical place in Ligao City and one of
the most visited tourist spots now.

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

page 6 Ligao City Exclusive May 2022

SUNFLOWERLIFGAEOSCITTYI, AVLBAALY

Name of Festival Dance: Sunflower Festival Street Dance
Origin: City of Ligao
Costumes and Props: Colorful Cultural Tapestry, Sunflower
Music: Chants and accompanied by ethnic, jazz, and modern rhythms
Steps: It is a creative dance telling a story and portrays how Ligao city
evolved from the legendary roots of the five ancient datus who inhabited the
land, to the gifts of the Spanish colonizers—the gift of faith, up to the present
when Ligaoeños take pride in being named Bicol’s Sunflower City

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

May 2022 Ligao City Exclusive page 7

According to one version of this narrative, "Ligao" came from the
Tagalog term "Ligaw," which means "to court or to gain the heart of a
woman." The location was famed for its lovely maidens, attracting
suitable young men from all across the country to try their luck at love.
When one of these men came across Spanish soldiers, they inquired
about the location's name. The young men mistook the strangers for
inquirers and responded with "Manliligaw" (going courting). The
Spaniards began calling the area "Manliligaw," which was abbreviated
to "Ligao," which is simpler to pronounce.
Ligao in Albay province was once a farming town that launched its first
“Sunflower” Festival to commemorate 13 years of cityhood.

Mayor Patricia Gonzales Alsua said in an interview that the
weeklong event depicted the religious, cultural, and economic
transformation of the urban center from a second-class town to a
component city. She also said that Ligao City is proud of its rich
cultural heritage and good social values where truly great things
happen.

Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzales said Ligao had been tagged the
Sunflower City of Bicol because of the abundance of the flowers on
some 20 hectares of land.

Sunflower Festival, held in conjunction with the anniversary of the
cityhood of Ligao City, spotlights the flamboyant flower that abounds in
the area. This flower symbolizes their faith, resiliency, hope, and love.

Image: MapsUs.net
WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

page 8 Ligao City Exclusive May 2022

LEGEND OF SUNFLOWER
FESTIVAL

Ligao was once a verdant forest cradled by huge Ticao trees and is a

habitat of enchanted beings, and led by five noble datus. There were

many versions of the stories told from generation to generation as well

as the reasons why the locality was known to be Ligao. One is the

detour called Licau, used by merchants during the flooding of the main

routes. Another more contemporary version is about Mirasol, one of the

many beautiful maidens in the pueblo attracting suitors or manliligaw

from near and far pueblos alike.

In our present world where ancient truths are now legends. We

continue to thrive, resilient as we are, blooming in adversity.

Mirasol is now the name of a

flower, commonly referred to as

sunflower which blooms in our

locality. This flower is our symbolism

of the more than four hundred years

of faith through the intercession of

Saint Stephen, deacon, and

Protomartyr, for the resiliency amidst

the multitude of calamities, for the

hope that there is a better tomorrow,

and for the love that beats pride in

our hearts.

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

May 2022 Ligao City Exclusive page 9

Dance Costume

Festival queen Dancers

COSTUME OF FESTIVAL QUEEN: COSTUMES: It is usually bright or neon, shades of
yellow colors and has long sleeves and leggings
It stands out from the crowd. until the ankle. They sometimes put a cover-up that
looks like petals of sunflowers around their waist.
The Festival Queen's clothes are Also, they have lots of accessories aside from the
headpiece, for example, a big necklace, bracelets,
made up of a variety of textiles and sometimes a vest as an additional costume.
There are no specific costumes. It usually depends
and materials. It uses a petticoat on how they interpret the story and how it will be
comfortable for the dancers. Another even the props
and a large hose circle to make men and the instrumentals have costumes that make
them noticeable and easy to determine.
it more steady and big. The color
FOOTWEAR: The dancers wear shoes that are
is usually yellow, and other color schemed with their costumes. There are no
specific shoe requirements. However, they must be
details such as diamonds, closed shoes, and they may paint their shoes to
match perfectly.
sunflowers, and other

embellishments can make the

costume dazzle. The headdress,

as well as the props used, are

distinctive to the dancers.

HEADDRESS/PROPS/BACKDROPS: The headdress, props, and backdrops are
handmade by the props men. The colors used are usually yellow, green, and other
bright colors. The headpiece of the dancers is different from the festival queen, and it's
like the petals of the sunflower, while the props that they are wearing on their back are
either a sunflower made in "bilao" or a farmer's hat since there are lots of them in Ligao.

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

page 10 Ligao City Exclusive May 2022

MUSIC AND CHOREOGRAPY

The music is played live during the
street parade and the execution or the
performance proper. It usually uses
percussion instruments played by
beating/hitting/shaking the equipment.
Woodwind instruments are played by
blowing and wrought from wood.
Another is tools used for making music,
like cymbals or xylophones. The music
is usually fast and always has the boom
factor in it.

Sunflower festival is a choreographic
dance with no fixed steps. Every
festival dance has a unique storyline.
They always include a wave-like motion
that represents the flow of gifts and
blessings and movements that
resemble a flower blooming or
growing.

They also chant after these dance

routines, which makes the routine

more interesting to watch and gives the

audience to pay attention. The

choreography usually develop into a

storyline that depicts how Ligao

started, how strong their faith is, and

how the sunflower is highlighted and

presented.

MUSIC AND CHOREOGRAPHY EXAMPLE:
SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL OF LIGAO CITY IN DARAGANG MGAYON

FESTIVAL 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqpxBHVJC3U

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May 2022 Ligao City Exclusive page 11

KUYANG'S BAR & RESTAURANT

Axel's Treat by Kuyang's sells tasty
and freshly baked bread.

AXEL'S TREAT

Mr. Marcel Garcia is the owner of
Kuyang's Bar and Restaurant in Ligao City.
It is one of the popular Filipino Restaurants
located in Dunao Ligao City. It is the go-to
restaurant for families traveling, visiting
kawa-kawa, going to church, or celebrating
an occasion. This restaurant is
recommended for the Filipino cuisine
served. The foods they serve are delicious;
it is like homecooked foods. The ambiance
of the place is homey and aesthetically
pleasing to the eyes.

REFERENCES (LINKS AND IMAGES)

https://ligaocity.albay.gov.ph/brief-history/ https://www.zenrooms.com/blog/kawa-kawa-hills/
https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r05/albay/ligao.html https://ph.placedigger.com/kuyangs-ligao-city235884002.html
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/The-Parish-of-St-Stephen-Church-Ligao-City http://thechroniclesofmariane.blogspot.com/2015/08/kawakawa-hill-albay.html
https://ligaocity.albay.gov.ph/st-stephen-the-protomartyr-parish-church/ https://www.tenthousandstrangers.com/145-cities-philippines/3/
https://ligaocity.albay.gov.ph/sunflower-festival/ http://www.thechroniclesofmariane.com/2015/08/kawakawa-hill-albay.html
https://www.tpb.gov.ph/events/ligao-sunflower-festival/ http://www.thebackpackadventures.com/2013/02/visita-iglesia-st-stephen-protomartyr.html
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/591318/sunflowers-bloom-in-ligao https://www.morefunphilippines.de/reiseziele-auf-den-philippinen/bicol
https://www.coursehero.com/file/138079679/Brief-History-of-Ligao-Citydocx/ https://www.scorpiotravel.com/wp-content/uploads/BICOL_gallery3.jpg

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

GUINOBATAN

VERBA CANDICE DELAVIN
RACHEL ANN S. CERILLO

JANELLE B.OCBINA
BSBA MANAGEMENT 1B

Image: Guinobatan Tambayan

May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 13

GUINOBATAN Guinobatan, with a population of HISTORY OF GUINOBATAN
74,386 people. It is situated in the GUINOBATAN
center of the peninsula, on the
Legazpi-Naga route (also in rail). It ZIP CODE : 4503
is the only town with a road B ARANGAYS : 44
connection to the Jovellar DISTRICT : 3RD DISTRICT
Municipality. The aborigines of P ROVINCE : ALBAY
Guinobatan were thought to have
come from the coastal areas The tenientes absolutes, who had
bordering the Albay Gulf. These the same powers as a
people were compelled to move into Gobernadorcillo, had jurisdiction
the interior parts after being over civil affairs previously held by
harassed by Muslims from the Cabeza de Barangay. In 1688,
Mindanao and Borneo. Some of the province was completely
these people settled in the separated from Camalig, and the
Guinobatan Municipality. Gobernadorcillos, who were
elected by the Cabezas de
According to Rev. Felix Huerta this Barangay every year until 1863,
town was recorded about 1672 as a were in charge of governance.
barrio of Camalig until 1688 when it
sought separate ecclesiastical
jurisdiction. Rev. Fr. Alfonso de
Zafra was the first appointed
minister.

From 1730 to 1818, Guinobatan, GUINOBATAN
or its poblacion, was moved and
Reference : Google Maps retransferred. It was founded in
1730 at what is today known as
Binanuaan. It was later
transported to the Bubulusan,
retransferred to its current site,
and then moved to Mauraro during
the 1814 eruption. Because of the
threat of Mayon and other natural
disasters, all of these areas have
been relocated.

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page 14 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

How this town acquired the name Motivated by greed, the Moros assembled a GUINOBATAN
“Guinobatan” can be drawn from the word
GUINOBATAN “Gubat” which in its substantive form in H I S T O R Y O Fsquad to plunder the bell. When they
Bicol idiom means barren and
uncultivated. Used as a verb, “Gubat” arrived at the village, they pillaged the GUINOBATAN
denotes armed physical encounter. These
encounters emanated from the G U I N O B A T A Ncommunity and torched houses. They
depredations of the moros who frequently
pillaged and plundered the town. The attempted to force the people to tell them
token resistance put up by the natives had where the Golden Bell was. Their attempts
given the name “Guinobatan”. Hence the failed. Many were still able to flee. The
word “Gubat” used in the past participle fleeing townsfolk knew where the bell was,
combined with events of those times, and they hid the bell underneath the roots
together with the actual physical condition of trees. However, an old man was left in
of the settlement gave the name the village. Ashe was the only person left in
“Guinobatan” to this town. the town, Moros tortured him so that he
would tell the raiders where the Golden Bell
Legend was. The old man, however, did not know.
Finding no use for the old man, the Moros
Guinobatan was once upon a time a thick, killed him. They tried to pursue the
forested area. At the edge of the forest townspeople, but they were too far away to
was a small village whose people lived be captured. Instead, they went to the
peacefully and prosperously. This village woods in search of the Golden Bell. They
was known far and wide for its GOLDEN uprooted every tree underneath which they
BELL, which served to warn the villagers of believed the Golden Bell was hidden. Their
plundering Muslims.In a region on Mayon's efforts proved futile. Hence, with empty
slopes lay a village. It was dotted with huts hands the Moros went back to their land,
whose roofs were made of nipa, as well as while the townspeople went back to the
with a number of stone houses. In the village to rebuild their lives, which had
village was a church, and inside the belfry always been under threat from Moro
was a Golden Bell. So great was the bell pillagers and natural calamities; from bad
that when rung, the sound could be heard harvests and oppressive encomienderos.
from miles away. The sound could even When the people returned to the village
reach the land of the Moros. The Moros, and saw that most of the trees were
made curious by the sound of the bell, uprooted, they began to call the village
sent spies so that they would know what “GUINABUTAN”, meaning a place where
kind of bell was producing so loud and something had been uprooted. With the
peculiar a sound. The spies were amazed passing of time, “GUINABUTAN” became
and surprised to find out that the “GUINOBATAN” with twin meaning of either
townspeople rang was made of pure gold. a forested area or a place of armed
They went back to the land of the Moros resistance or combat.
eager to report their findings to their
superiors.

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May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 15

GUINOBATAN GUINOBATAN
LONGGANISA

FESTIVAL

GUINOBATAN Guinobatan hosts an annual festival Guinobatan Longganisa Festival is a
in the celebration of Our Lady of way for the townspeople to celebrate
Assumption, its patron saint. Until the culture and natural heritage of
2013, the town festival was called Guinobatan, Albay. The town boasts
"Arandurugan Festival." In August, its unique and tasty longganisa
2013, Guinobatan celebrated products, with the event’s highlights
Longganisa Festival, named after the to include the Street Dancing in which
local product listed under the every year is a showcase of dance
Department of Trade and Industry's competitions from school levels,
"One Town, One Product" program. colorful costumes, lively music, lavish
parades and of course, the specialty
in Guinobatan’s very own longganisa
and the Culinaria Longganisa
Cooking and Making Contest.

GUINOBATAN

Guinobatan Longganisa Festival is celebrated from
August 1 – 15 every month of August of every year in the
town of Guinobatan, Albay is the Guinobatan Longganisa

Festival. Like many of the fiestas in the country, this
festival is celebrated in honor of the town’s Patroness, the

Our Lady of Assumption Dancing.

Photo reference: DOT-V Exciting Bicol

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page 16 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN

Longganisa is derived from the Spanish term “longaniza” which is a type of GUINOBATAN
Spanish sausage. With the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, the term was
introduced into the language and is now the generic word for most local
sausages in the Philippines.
Longganisa is so popular and integral in many regions of the Philippines. This is
why several places in the country, from Vigan to Guinobatan to Lucban, hold
yearly longganisa festivals to celebrate and promote it.

Photo references: DOT-V Exciting Bicol

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 17

Traditional clothes colorful and GUINOBATAN
bright-colored costumes and/or
costume made of indigenous textile are
being worn by performers. Costumes
are accentuated with the beautiful
headdresses made of indigenous
materials. They are innovative on how
they design their costume as they differ
to other performers. Performers usually
wore abaca slippers. Bilao or weaved
basket are usually used as props to
represent the way of showcasing and
selling of the longganisas.

GUINOBATAN Name of Festival Dance : Longganisa Festival Street
Dancing
Origin : Guinobatan, Albay
Costumes : Traditional Filipino clothes or indigenous
textiles and mostly silky clothes with a bright, or more likely,
neon color
Musics : Chant and lively music using the natural sounds of
instruments.
Steps : It is a creative dance, but the main focus of the
dance is on how the longganisa is being made by dancing
on a street to show how it is being sold, or what we call
"nilalako."

Longganisa Festival doesn't have a Music is important at music GUINOBATAN
fixed dance steps. It is a creative festivals because it forges an instant
dance in which understanding various bond between the people who are
actual and historical facts and attending the festival. The music being
motivations are some of the few used in Longganisa Festival is lively
things to learn to create and and upbeat which makes the festival
choreograph a dance. Performers more festive, enjoyable and fun
dance synchronously to a lively accompanied by intruments usually by
music, dancing gracefully at the big drums, gongs, as well as chants
same time. The movements or the are being uttered.
steps depicts the process of making
the longganisa/s and then which will Photo reference: Ann Gemma Ongjoco
be sold and enjoyed by the people as
shown in the dance presentation by
performers coming from different
barangays of Guinobatan.

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page 18 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

In its long and colorful history, the Guinobatan Church has stood over the GUINOBATAN
town and its inhabitants as a center of faith and home to the Our Lady of the
GUINOBATAN Assumption. Despite the ravages of time, it has been rebuilt and restored by
the townsfolk who hold it dear and close to their hearts as an irreplaceable

legacy. In 1672, the Parish of Guiinobatan has already been mentioned in
books as a “visita” of the Municipality of Camalig. In 1678, Don Francisco
Bamasbad, chief of the “tenientes absolutos”, spearheaded the elevation of a
petition to the Governor-General through the Franciscan Missionaries that the

settlement, then a part of Camalig town, be declared an independent
municipality. After ten years, (1678-1688) the request was granted. By virtue

of Don Francisco Bagamasbad’s initiative, he was appointed
“Gobernadorcillo” and recognized as the first civil administrator of the new
Municipality of Guinobatan. Thus, Don Francisco Bamasbad was considered

as the founder of Guinobatan.

GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN CHURCH: A DEEP AND
SOLID FOUNDATION OF

GUINOBATEÑOS' RELIGION

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May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 19

Rev. Fr. Alfonso de Zafra was assigned as the Rebuilding the Church of Guinobatan GUINOBATAN
first minister of the newly separated Parish of
GUINOBATAN Guinobatan. The town’s Patroness (from 1688 Out of the havoc of war and natural
to the present) is the Our Lady of the calamities, Msgr. Julian O. Ope, was
Assumption, whose Feast falls on the 15th of determined to reconstruct the burned GUINOBATAN
August. Hence, Guinobatan will have its 318th church of Guinobatan. As he viewed one
Fiesta Celebration on August 15, 2006, with morning the vast ruins of the Colegio de
the local parish and religious organizations San Buenaventrua and the church and as
planning for the Guinobatan Church’s far as the ruins of San 9Rafael, Msgr. Ope’s
Centennial Anniversary on December 08, desire to rebuild the church of Guinobatan
2006. then, it was in February, 1814 when the was firmly developed in him. Msgr. Ope
church was entirely destroyed for the first then, religiously and constantly appealed to
time due to the boulders and burning lava his fellow Guinobateños for patience and
from the destructive eruption of Mayon perseverance in the reconstruction work of
Volcano. A temporary church was then built in the church.
Barrio Mauraro, which eventually became the
center of the parish. Due to constant threats The Guinobateños, considering the deep
of the Mayon eruptions, the parish again and solid foundations of the culture and
transferred to the shores of Panganiran (now Catholic religion engrained in their hearts,
a part of Pioduran town by virtue of RA3817 which Spain had left as a legacy to them,
enacted in 1965). unanimously rallied behind Msgr. Ope’s
project of rebuilding the church. It was said
Later, the Guinobateños broke camp and that every member of the families in
returned to Guinobatan to suffer again the Guinobatan, be they children and adults
destructive eruption of the volcano. In 1863, were seen in long lives to the direction of
the church under the advocation of the the church site bringing stones, bricks, sand
Assumption of our lady, was of good structure and other building materials they could
and so likewise was the parochial house. freely contribute for the reconstruction of
There were two “ermitas” both of them the church.
dedicated to Saint Vincesnt. It has royal house
of stone, half-ruined, a school for primary However, all the rest of the materials were
instruction endowed by the funds of the provided by Msgr. Julian O. Ope out of his
community and a school for girls funded by own funds and that of his brothers’ and
the charity of its Parish Priest Rev. Fr. parents’ property, just to bring the
Bernardino Melendreras. The state of the reconstruction of the church to completion.
parish at the time has the pertinent data: a) It was also revealed that most of the Ope
Tributes – 4,067 and b) Souls – 15,566. In family’s property was exhausted for the
1938, the Parish of Guinobatan had a land reconstruction of the Guinobatan Church.
area of 29,564 hectares and a population of
31,048 with a Bicolano Parish Priest, Rev. Fr.
Carlos Badiola.

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page 20 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

Albay Sports Complex GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN The Albay Sports Complex was Oh La La Paradise Spring Resort
constructed in 2003 through the efforts
of Gov. Al Francis C. Bichara at Oh la la Paradise Spring Resort is a GUINOBATAN
Travesia, Guinobatan, Albay. It is an beautiful hidden paradise deep inside
integral part of the community where Guinobatan, Albay, between 4 large
large sport events can bring people spring-water swimming pools with
from neighbouring towns and villages waterpark, clean, beautifully landscaped
by virtue of Republic Act 6847, which grounds and a host of leisure activities,
created the Philippines Sports such as Beach-Volley, 2 tennis courts
Commission that aims to develop and w/lights for playing in the night, ping-
maintain a fully equipped sports facility; pong, billiards, basketball and badminton,
to create a relaxing and easy OH LA LA is a perfect refuge to relax and
atmosphere through architectural is true to its unique name. Located at
expression. Muladbucad Grande, Guinobatan Albay

The said sports complex features an
Olympic standard swimming pool,
volleyball and basketball courts, sepak
takraw and sipa court, jumping fit for
high jump, pole vault and long jump, an
oval track and a spacious grandstand.
There is also a section in the complex
where 16 flagpoles stand distinctly; this
was for the flags of the sixteen regions
which participated in the Palarong
Pambansa.

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May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 21

GUINOBATAN Guinobatan GUINOBATAN
Park is one of
GUINOBATAN PARK
the popular
place listed
under Park in
Guinobatan.

Oh la la Paradise Spring GUINOBATAN
Resort is a beautiful hidden
paradise deep inside OH LA LA PARADISE SPRING RESORT
Guinobatan, Albay, between
4 large spring-water
swimming pools with
waterpark, clean, beautifully
landscaped grounds and a
host of leisure activities,
such as Beach-Volley, 2
tennis courts w/lights for
playing in the night, ping-
pong, billiards, basketball
and badminton, OH LA LA is
a perfect refuge to relax and
is true to its unique name.
Located at Muladbucad
Grande, Guinobatan Albay

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page 22 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

MAYON GUINOBATAN
GARDEN
RESORT &
HOTEL

GUINOBATAN Is a Nature-inspired
Paradise Resort that

lies on the foot of
Glorious Mayon
Volcano in Albay,
Philippines. Located at
Purok 8, Masarawag,
Gunobatan, Albay

LIBAS GARDEN GUINOBATAN
SPRING RESORT

Is a well-known
place listed as
water park in
Guinobatan.

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May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 23

UNCLE TOM'S BLUE SPRING RESORT GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN Located at Barangay Quibongbongan Guinobatan, Albay

KRIS-FAITH NOAH RESORT GUINOBATAN

Located at San Francisco Guinobatan, Albay

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page 24 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN LA HACIENDA SPRING
RESORT

GUINOBATAN

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May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 25

SIMEON OLA GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN The town is the birthplace of General Simeon Ola was born on September 2, 1865
Simeón Ola, the last Filipino general to to Vicente Ola and Apolonia Arboleda, who
surrender to the Americans after the were ordinary citizens with little money. He GUINOBATAN
Philippine–American War. was enrolled in Holy Rosary Minor Seminary
and studied Philosophy, but didn’t finish the
Simeon Ola was born on September 2, course. He joined the local branch of the
1865 to Vicente Ola and Apolonia Katipunan in his hometown province of Albay
Arboleda, who were ordinary citizens with and later became the leader. With the help of
little money. He was enrolled in Holy a parish priest he was able to acquire arms
Rosary Minor Seminary and studied to support his men. He was promoted to the
Philosophy, but didn’t finish the course. rank of captain after the battle of Camalig in
He joined the local branch of the Albay, 1898 andIn Guinobatan, Albay hailed
Katipunan in his hometown province of Simeon Ola, the man who would lead the
Albay and later became the leader. With Bicolanos fight for their freedom. He was
the help of a parish priest he was able to born on September 2, 1865 to Vicente Ola
acquire arms to support his men. He was and Apolonia Arboleda.
promoted to the rank of captain after the
battle of Camalig in Albay, 1898 and again Ola was highly regarded in Guinobatan,
promoted to the rank of major after a being the teniente de cuadrillos and a trusted
daring ambush mission that led to the confidant of Father Carlos Cabido, the parish
capture of three Americans. He was also priest of his town. These positions helped
the leader of the subsequent valiant him carry out his revolutionary works –
attacks on Albay towns namely, Oas, recruiting men and acquiring firearms for the
Ligao and Jovellar. He later surrendered revolutionary army. He connived with the jail
on the condition that his men would be warden in his town, Sergeant Loame, to free
granted amnesty. He was put on trial and about 93 prisoners. The prisoners soon
was proven guilty of sedition and was joined his army. In April 1898, he fought in
sentenced to thirty years in prison. In the battle of Camalig. General Vito
1904, he was given a pardon and returned Belarmino, the Zone Commander of the
to his place of birth and became the Revolutionary Forces in the Bicol Region,
municipal president. The regional police designated him the rank of a Captain. Fully
command in Legazpi City was name after committed to the cause of the revolution, he
him. also raised funds amounting to P42, 000.00,
which he turned over to General Mariano
Trias, Secretary of Finance of the
Revolutionary Government.

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page 26 Guinobatan Exclusive May 2022

SIMEON OLA GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN On January 23, 1900, he was promoted The persistent effort of the peace panel and
Major after he successfully effected an his battle weary men made Ola realized that
ambush and captured three American he could never win the war. He became open GUINOBATAN
soldiers: Dubose, Fred Hunter and Russel. In to the agreement set by Colonel Harry H.
February that same year, his troops fought Bandholtz, the Assistant Commander of the
against the Americans in Arimbay, Legaspi. Constabulary in Lucena, Tayabas, for his
His cousin Jose Arboleda perished in the surrender.The agreement included general
bloody battle. American soldiers’ mighty amnesty, fair treatment and justice to his
firepower and combat training did not comrades in arms. On September 25, 1903
dampen his spirit; he continued to fight so the negotiating panel composed of Ramon
that his men were encouraged and more Santos, Eligio Arboleda, Epifanio Orozco,
men joined his army. With the army of Frank L. Pyle, John Paegelow, J.B. Allison
Colonel Engracio Orence, he fought valiantly and Joseph Rogers went to his camp in
in the battle of Binogsacan in Guinobatan, Malagnaton, Mapaco, Guinobatan. Eventually,
Albay. His army rested for over a month in Ola surrendered to Governor Bette and
July 1901 when he accompanied General Colonel Bandholtz. Charged with sedition,
Belarmino to Manila. He resumed his Judges Adam Carson and James Blount
campaign in August by raiding the town of presided over his case. He was sentenced of
Oas, Albay. On August 12, 1902, he 30 years imprisonment on November 10.
ambushed the American detachment at 1903. Fortunately, he was granted executive
Macabugos, Ligao. Ola became a marked clemency so he was released from prison on
man to the Americans. Although his troops October 8, 1904. In 1910, he entered politics
were easily repulsed during battles, the and won as town mayor of Guinobatan, which
Americans took him seriously. From March he served until 1913. He was again elected to
to October 1903, the Americans set up the the same position in 1916. He served the term
reconcentration system as a means to stop until 1919. Simeon Ola died on February 14,
Ola’s activities. Because of the damage it 1952 and was interred at the Roman Catholic
caused even to the innocent civilians, they Cemetery of Guinobatan. again promoted to
turned into negotiations. the rank of major after a daring ambush
mission that led to the capture of three
They sent Ramon Santos and Major Jesse Americans. He was also the leader of the
S. Garwood of the Constabulary as subsequent valiant attacks on Albay towns
emissaries to negotiate for his surrender, namely, Oas, Ligao and Jovellar. He later
which he politely refused. Instead, he carried surrendered on the condition that his men
on his battle. On July 15, 1903, he would be granted amnesty. He was put on
ambushed the 31st Philippine Scout trial and was proven guilty of sedition and was
Garrison under the command of Sergeant sentenced to thirty years in prison. In 1904,
Nicolas Napoli in Joveliar, Albay. he was given a pardon and returned to his
place of birth and became the municipal
president. The regional police command in
Legazpi City was name after him.

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May 2022 Guinobatan Exclusive page 27

GENERAL SIMEON OLA SHRINE GUINOBATAN
AND MUSEO DE GUINOBATAN

GUINOBATAN

Gen. Simeon Arboleda Ola is Albay’s revolutionary leader and hero of GUINOBATAN
Philippine Revolution. He is the last Filipino General to surrender to the
American forces in 1903. His remains are said to be laid in the shrine built
in his honor for his gallantry and heroism. Furthermore, the Museo de
Guinobatan houses memorabilias, artifacts and other collections from Gen.
Ola and his comrades.

References:
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Guinobatan-Church-A-
Deep-and-Solid-Foundation-of-Guinobateos-Religion
http://www.thebackpackadventures.com/2013/01/visita-iglesia-parish-
church-of.html?m=1
https://albay.gov.ph/albay-provincial-sports-complex/
https://guinobatan.gov.ph/
http://rsso05.psa.gov.ph/Albay-Tourism/guinobatan/guinobatan.html
https://placeandsee.com/wiki/guinobatan
http://ohlalaparadise.ph/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/kynaswhereabouts.tumblr.com/post/644836
588567904256/general-simeon-ola-shrine-and-museo-de-guinobatan/amp
https://guinobatan.gov.ph/?page_id=74711

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CAMALIG

TRACY ANN D. NIPAS
BSBA MANAGEMENT 1B

Image: JN Photography 2012

May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 29

HISTORY
OF

CAMALIG

Once called kinamaligan, a name derived from an old Bicol word which means “a place
where small sheds called camalig abounded”. Kamalig or camalig, the equivalent of the
Spanish camarin is an indigenous structure which has been an integral part of their riverine
culture. This indigenous structure was not only a waiting shed, but also a dockyard and a
granary, where boats and palay where kept.

Lisboa (Capital and largest city and economic and cultural center of Portugal) provided
various forms of its expression, cuinacamalig, quinacamaligan. Obviously, the town Camalig,
in Albay, also derived its name from this word. Hence, the camalig was the iconic
representation of the productive life of the residents of Camaligan, farming and fishing.

Recent archaeological findings within the municipality show that Camalig had been
inhabited by people with developed social attributes of cultural and religious, socio-political
and economic relationship and organizations as early as the years 200 BC to 900 AD, the
period referred to as the early Iron Age in the Philippines. According to Father Cayetano
Sanchez, an OFM who made researches on Bicol History at Franciscan archives in Pastrana,
Spain, in 1569, a Spanish fleet led by Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman came to Bicol Region
accidentally as they were scouting the neighboring island in search for food supplies badly
needed and went as far as Camalig where they came upon a thinning and prosperous
agricultural settlement (rancheria) whose inhabitants kept their farm products in little hut
with grass roofs and without walls called KINAMALIG, in local language.

After a brief rest in Camalig, de Guzman and his men went back to Panay. So it is easy
to deduce then that Camalig got its name from these native huts used for storing harvests or
crops. The settlement or rancheria found by Captain de Guzman in 1569 was evangelized first
by the Augustinian friars and later by the Franciscans who came to Bicol Region in 1578.
Camalig was founded as town in 1579 by the Franciscan missionaries, Father Pablo de Jesus
and Father Bartolome Ruiz, who continued the work started by the Augustinian chaplains of
the early Spanish expeditions to the region. It is the earliest town to be founded in the
Province of Albay.

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page 30 Camalig Exclusive May 2022

The Municipality of Camalig is located at the ZIP code: 4502
Southern part of Mayon Volcano bounded by the Barangays: 50 (see Barangays)
towns of Daraga on the East; Guinobatan on the
West; and Jovellar on the South. The town has fifty Region: Bicol Region
barangays with seven classified as urban and forty Province: Albay
three are rural. Camalig is a landlocked
municipality in the coastal province of Albay. The
municipality has a land area of 130.90 square
kilometers or 50.54 square miles which constitutes
5.08% of Albay's total area. Its population as
determined by the 2020 Census was 72,042. This
represented 5.24% of the total population of Albay
province, or 1.18% of the overall population of the
Bicol Region. Based on these figures, the
population density is computed at 550 inhabitants
per square kilometer or 1,425 inhabitants per
square mile.

The municipal center of Camalig is situated at
approximately 13° 11' North, 123° 39' East, in the island
of Luzon. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at
129.9 meters or 426.0 feet above mean sea level.

Based on the great-circle distance (the shortest distance between two points over the
surface of the Earth), the cities closest to Camalig are Legazpi, Albay, Ligao, Albay, Tabaco,
Albay, Iriga, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, and Naga, Camarines Sur. The
nearest municipalities are Guinobatan, Albay, Daraga, Albay, Jovellar, Albay, Santo
Domingo, Albay, Malilipot, Albay, and Oas, Albay. Its distance from the national capital is
328.51 kilometers (204.12 miles). The following list delineates such distance
measurements.

As of 2007, Camalig has a total population of 60, 319 with 12, 766. Locals widely
speak Camalignon, a Bicol sub-dialect. They can also ably speak the Bicol dialect, Tagalog
and English.

The town’s major industries include: agriculture, handicraft (gifts and housewares,
home furnishings), processed food with the famous “pinangat”, cement manufacturing,
agribusiness – coco coir processing, dairy and garments.

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May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 31

CAMALIG HERITAGE
STRUCTURES

CAM
ALIG
CHURCH

NHCP ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH

MARKER Evangelization of Camalig began with the
Agustin Fray Alonso de Jimenez in 1569 but it
The National was 10 years later that it was founded as a
Historical Franciscan Parish. A stone church was built
Commission of the from 1605 but was buried in the 1814 Mayon
Philippines through eruption. After transferring to Tondol,
NHCP Board of Quiliaponte and Baligang, the residents
Directors approved returned to the old townsite in 1837 and
Board Resolution rebuilt their church. This present church was
Number, 0039-2014 finished in 1848. The design of St. John the
declaring Camalig Church (St. John the Baptist Baptist church is a hybrid of Renaissance and
Gothic with a little touch of Romanesque.
Church) as heritage structure recognizing
the church historical significance and FRANCISCAN FRIARS
cultural value, in December 2016, the
National Museum declared Camalig Church AND SAINT
as one significant structures of the
Philippines under the category of Important The church has produced, in its exemplary
Cultural Property Franciscan mission, saintly and pious
missionaries as well as scholars, who
included historical personages such as Frey
Francisco dela Parilla canonized as Saint by
Pope Poius IX, Fray Francisco dela Trinidad
as writer/infirmarian and Fray Pedro de
Avilla for their outstanding Franciscan
homilies.

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page 32 Camalig Exclusive May 2022

BELL TOWER RETABLO
The bell tower varying
in heights of 25 The Retablo features the
meters, was built Risen Christ image and
adjacent to the façade, still keep its designed
located at the left side intricately which florid
of the church, embellishments of the old
octagonal in plan and retablo which is richly
made purely of ornamented with good

volcanic stone blocks. THE MOTHER BELL red brown paints dominating the entire area
Just like other The mother bell was together with the century old design, Circular
churches constructed donated by the columns of timber, and gold planted mouldings
at that time, the St. Franciscan Order, where used as remembrance of what Spanish
John the Baptist which existed for colonization contributed to the community.
Church’s old baptistery more than 209
was at the ground level years. MASON MARKS
of the bell tower. It is
crowned by a small One unusual characteristics of the church is the
domed chaplet and presence of the mason’s marks on the stones used
with a decorative for the construction of the church building, a rare
device, a wrought iron feature in the Philippines.
across and wind vane Mason’s marks provide
on it. evidence for the working
practices of the highly-
FRANK BORIN skilled and able men who
constructed the magnificent
PAINTINGS stone churches. Each mason
had his own registered mark
which he scratched or
chiselled onto every stone he
carved.

TOMBS INSIDE The congregation
THE CHURCH
space is being

Frank Borin was the artist who surrounded
painted the image ceilings. The
paintings on the right side of the (both sides) by
ceiling shows the seven sacrament
and at the left side is the history of tombs of the
Salvation.
prominent
https://www.yodisphere.com/2021/09/Albay-Heritage.html

people of

Camalig back

then.

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May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 33

THE COL
ONIAL

HOUSES OF CAMALIG
1800S-1900S

NAVERA’S NOLASCO’S
ANCESTRAL HOUSE ANCESTRAL HOUSE

Built in 1897, the Navera House was Built in early 19th century, the Nolasco House
located at the zone of aerial was owned by former mayor Diego Nolasco and
bombings during the Japanese once used as the town’s temporary munisipiyo
period and was thus damaged at the or municipality hall. Ruins of the old house or
course of World War II. It has since “bahay na bato” can be seen at the back area of
been repaired and restored by the the existing structure believed to be the original
subsequent owners, its present place of the municipal hall and judicial building
caretaker is Nilo Navera. One of its earlier in 18th century.
notable architectural features is a The house features a wrap-around awning over
unique window treatment that its window. Also notable is the use of checker
combines the classic awning board capiz shell panel for its transom, a
windows of the traditional “bahay typology common in Albay’s bahay na bato.
kubo” and the capiz shell windows Among the highlights of the interior is the upper
of the “bahay na bato.” wall fretwork, a simple wooden structure yet
varied in design

MOYO’S
ANCESTRAL HOUSE

The Jaime Moyo House was originally
owned by Heron Moyo brother of Teodoro
Moyo whose descendants own the Melba
Moyo House. It is presently owned by Jeron
Moyo’s son Jaime. According to him, the
house was once used by high-ranking
Japanese officials before the arrival of the
American liberation forces.

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page 34 Camalig Exclusive May 2022

BALAY SAMSON NUYDA’S
ANCESTRAL HOUSE
The Balay Samson was built by
the couple Petronillo Samson The Nuyda House was built in the 19th century by
and Dolores Marquez. It was
damaged during the early Doroteo Iglesia Moya Jr., who was mayor of Camalig
stages of World War II and was
repaired in 1984. In 2011, the form 1877 to 1878. The family affiliated through
house was restores among with
its antique furnitures and Moya’s nephew Marcos Obligacion, who took a Nuyda
adapted as a cozy “hometel.”
However, some of the interior wife.
features such as decorative
upper wall fretwork or calado The house is built in
were lost in the restoration.
the Geometric style

of bahay na bato

and can be entered

through a uniquely

designed stone

porch that

corresponds to the It is also an exemplary
traditional Filipino showcase of the diamond-
pile houses of bahay patterned concha (shell-
kubo. painted sliding windows) a

design said to originate from

Bicol. The Nuyda House was

the former resident of Albay

Second District’s first

Congressman Justino Nuyda,

a renowned politician.

ANSON’S

ANCESTRAL HOUSE

The Anson House is a bahay na bato
originally owned by Toribia Iglesia Moya,
sister of the former Camalig mayor. Her son,
Anacleto Moyo 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. The house is
distinguished by its outdoor main staircase
leading to the living room and azotea. Parts
of the house were onced used as quarters for
the guardia civil during the Spanish period.

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May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 35

GONZALE’S Designed in the Floral Style of bahay na
ANCESTRAL HOUSE bato, the Gonzales house presently owned
by Ninibeth Gonzales. It was built in 1920.
Its exterior features include a wrap-
around transom of capiz-shell panels
alternating with louvered panels, a wrap-
around awning supported by ornate iron
braces, and decorative panels flanking its
windows.

The continuous application of transom is
a feature it shares with the Manalang-
Gloria House in Tabaco and bahay na bato
houses of Ermita and San Miguel in
Manila. Compared with the Spanish
period houses in Albay, it has a narrower
window opening.

MELBA MOYO’S
HOUSE

VILLA NOBLEZA

Villa Nobleza is an old Spanish-Filipino house Built in 1932, the Melba Moyo’s house
built by the Nobleza family in the early 1900s. was first owned by Barbara Nieves Moyo
It is still remains its late Geometric style form and bequeathed to her son, Teodoro
with some unique modifications, particularly Moyo. After the latter’s death, the house
the use of the ornate iron grillwork instead of was managed by his wife, Melba Grageda
the usual wooden balustrade for its Moyo. It is said to have been used as a
ventanilla. True to its original use, the second shelter for high-ranking Japanese officials
floor is presently used as living space or sala during the Japanese period in Camalig. Its
while the first floor or zaguan is used as a exterior is marked by decorated wooden
commercial establishments. It is currently panels which surround its capiz-shelled
owned by Domingo Peñaflor. windows.

http://benjielayug.com/2015/04/the-ancestral-houses-of-camalig-albay.html

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page 36 Camalig Exclusive May 2022

CAMALIG
PINANGAT
FESTIVAL

Camalig, Albay, [06.06.19] – The pursuit of its According to Jed Villanueva, the Camalig
cultural history of this municipality as the Municipal Tourism head – the highlight of
“Heritage Town of Albay” took a center stage the Pinangat Festival 2019 celebration is the
this forthcoming annual Pinangat Festival quatercentenary anniversary arrival of the
2019 commemorating the 450th arrival of western colonizers in the thriving farming
Spain’s colonial troops on the foot of Mayon settlement of Albay.
Volcano – and probably the first town in “The title of the celebration is based on
Albay was established. historical documents discovered in the
office and based on research was approved
The unveiling of the historical marker was by the National Historical Commission to
made possible through a Sangguniang Bayan celebrate in commemoration of the
resolution and was approved by the National significant historical event that took place
Historical Institute. This to also to inform the in 1569,” Villanueva told The Philippine
younger generations of Camaligueños in Examiner.
particular that this year we celebrate the Led by Mayor Maria Ahrdail Baldo and Vice
450th year commemoration of the Spanish Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr., the highlight
arrival as we are leading to the celebration of of the celebration was the unveiling of the
the 500 years in the years to come the historical marker in the Municipal Hall as
Tourism officer added. part of a yearlong observance.
Camalig is a 1st class municipality has a total
land area of 13,088 hectares composed of 50 https://philexaminer.com/?p=12460
barangays or villages with its major https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/08/04/camaligs-450-years-of-culture-and-cuisine/
industries like: agriculture, handicraft
making, candy making, pinangat making,
cement production, coco-coir processing, food
processing, and garments industry.

WWW.HISTORICALPLACES.COM

May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 37

PASTORES
CAM
ALIG

Pastores is a Spanish word for shepherd, While there were accounts the lyrics were
it usually refers to a group of individuals written by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the
who, in a way go carolling through the most he could have done was edit them
streets of the town. and come up with a rebooted version as
WITH the onset of the Advent Season, Pastores was already widely practiced
signalling the start of Christmas in the then.
Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, local Doña Metring Reniva of Oas town, one of
governments will be busy lighting up the very first organizers of the Bicol
Christmas trees and Belen tableaus to Pastores, made some revisions to the hymn
observe the birth of the Christ Child. during the post-Spanish era.
In the Bicol region folks are doing more The lyrics go this way:
than the ceremonial lighting as they Pastores a Belén, vamos con alegría
relive an age-old tradition depicting the a ver a nuestro bien, al Hijo de Maria.
first Christmas night. Allí, allí, nos espera Jesús.
Known as “Pastores” (Shepherds), the Pastores entrad, entrad zagales también.
tradition was introduced by Spanish Vamos a ver al recién nacido,
priests in the late-1800s, and spread vamos a ver al Niño Emmanuel.
across the region and become part of the (Shepherds to Bethlehem We are going
Yuletide celebration in Bicolandia. It with happiness, to see, to our good, the Son
depicts the shepherds’ jubilation on the of Mary. There, Jesus waits for us.
birth of Jesus, and features musical Shepherds enter, lads also. Let us go to see
groups interpreting “Pastores a Belen” the newborn, Let us go to see the Boy, God
(“Shepherds to Bethlehem”), a traditional with us)
Spanish song whose composer is largely
unknown.




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page 38 Camalig Exclusive May 2022


The late National Artist for Dance Ramon
Obusan, founder of the award-winning Ramon

Obusan Folkloric Group and a native of
Camarines Norte, created choreography for
The traditional dramatic representation of the song that is suited to the Bicolanos’ jovial
the shepherds’ adoration—singing and nature.
dancing from one house to another—is Later on the Department of Tourism in Region
usually part of the ritual. The actors playing 5, the Albay provincial government and the
the shepherds are usually children or youth, Legazpi City government joined efforts to
wearing colorful costumes. preserve the tradition through the conduct of
Most of them are female and wear full skirts, the Bicol Pastores annual musical competition.
round-necked blouses with puffed sleeves Contingents from far-flung villages in
and wide-brimmed hats. The males wear Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon,
long-sleeved shirts, breast and waist bands Catanduanes and Masbate troop to the
and decorated hats. The dancers bring their Peñaranda Park in Legazpi City every year to
elaborately designed arko (arch of flowers) vie for cash prizes and the honor of being
and sing carols from house to house, adjudged the year’s best.
accompanied by string and percussion The tilt is usually synchronized with other
musicians. Just like the usual carolers, they events, such as Christmas-tree lighting and the
are given money by homeowners as a token Karangahan sa Pasko Green Christmas Festival
for their musical rendition. of Albay under then Gov. Joey S. Salceda.
There are variations in the Bicol Pastores In 2012 a category for elementary students,
across the region because of diverse cultural called the “Bulilit Pastores” was included in
influences, indigenous traditions and the competition to teach the cultural value of
ethnolinguistic differences. In some versions, the tradition among children.
carols sung in the vernacular are integrated, This year’s edition will serve as the
thus providing a fusion of Spanish and Bicol culminating event of a daylong festivity on
motifs. December 12 by the Department of Tourism
But somewhere along the way, the tradition that will launch its Exciting Bicol and the Bring
lost its luster because of modern living and Home A Friend Part 2 tourism campaign.
the lack of interest by the locals due to the But beyond the limelight, cheering crowd and
intricacies in performing it. enticing financial rewards, Bicol Pastores will
In the 1970s Legazpi City-based radio station be here to stay and never fade again as a
People’s Broadcasting Network revived a testament of the Bicolanos’ musicality and
dying tradition by launching a contest among their resilience in the face of life’s vicissitudes,
students and the youth. Its role was pivotal as just like the faith of the shepherds they
it saturated the airwaves with the Christmas portray.
melody, and it became common to see
dancers doing the Pastores serenade in https://businessmirror.com.ph/2017/12/03/bicol-pastores-reliving-the-song-of-the-shepherds/
households and business establishments.

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May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 39

DELICACIES

PINANGAT INULUKAN

Pinangat is a This
aromatic
famous native dish is also
another
chili-hot version of
laing and
delicacy of the almost the same pinangat but with slight

town of recipes. Inulukan is made from the
shredded meat of river crabs (ulok) then
Camalig, wrapped in several layers of taro leaves
(gabi) cooked with line and coconut milk.
a vegetable dish cooked in coconut milk with
select spices and it’s most important You can also
ingredient, the TARO leaves.
Local gourmets easily agreed that none can check out the
equal the quality of pinangat in Camalig.
Whenever visitors come to Bicol, the first
thing they invariably look for is their favourite
pinangat.

Even stores along the
balikbayans
do not fail to street of Camalig
take home
long with that offer
them to their host country a box or two or
individually
pinangat as pasalubong. That’s how popular
and special Camalig pinangat is as a food dish. packed frozen
Pinangat is a nutritious vegetable dish whose
main ingredient includes shredded gabi Inulukan
leaves, a bit of red ginger, tiny shrimps or a
slice of salted fish or pork. Crushed red available for
pepper is added to the mixture to make the
pinangat hot and spicy. The entire recipe is taking out or
then wrapped in gabi leaves and tied in small
bundles. These are placed in a palayok and pasalubong to
cooked in coconut milk.
your loved ones.

PUTO LANSON

Native

steamed rice

cakes in

different

colors cooked

in small cups.

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page 40 Camalig Exclusive May 2022

TOURIST'S DESTINATION

QUITUINAN HILLS AND WWII JAPANESE

TUNNEL

Located at Barangay Tinago, Camalig in the province of Albay,
Quituinan Hills is one of the most beautiful yet least known
tourist destinations of the town. Located strategically between
the province of Albay and Sorsogon, the hill is an excellent
fortress and exit to the shores of Sorsogon. Intelligence
reports from American forces manifested that prior to the
return of the Americans, the Japanese were undertaking
secret constructions in various areas of the mountain. With

expertise in engineering, they constructed secured
passageway and quarters, by blasting the hillsides, digging
trenches and tunnels while destroying hundreds of hectares
of abacca and coconut plantation. When the American
warships started attacking the shores of Albay gulf, the
Japanese in various municipalities of Albay scampered to the
hills prepared to make their last stand.

QUITINDAY GREEN HILLS

Located in Barangay Quitinday, Camalig, Albay
approximately 15 kilometers from the
Poblacion.

Fondly called Green Hills, the conical

formations look like mini-versions of Mayon
Volcano, especially when viewed from a lofty
vantage point.
Most visitors likes trekking going to the hill-top
consorted with the panoramic view of the
Mayon Volcano.


Quitinday Falls and Underground River

Located in the town of Jovellar of Albay Province, Quitinday
Falls and Underground River recently gained attention via
social media and instantly became a tourism hotspot since
then. Originally called as Naglaus Underground River, it
features a cave with a freely flowing cold water that falls into
a gorge.

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May 2022 Camalig Exclusive page 41

HOYOP HOYOPAN CAVE


Hoyop-hoyopan comes from Bikol word “hoyop” which
means ‘to blow’ aptly describes the cool, soft, murmuring
winds that blow thorough its labyrinthine passageways
inside. Hoyop-Hoyopan is situated 15 km from Legazpi City
and can be reached by land. Pottery, human bones,
beadwork and artifacts believed to be 4,000 years old have
been unearthed from these caves.

SOLONG ECO PARK

Newly opened attraction few minutes away from the Hoyop-


hoyopan Cave. Solong Eco-park features eco-tourism activities
such as picnic, spelunking at Solong Cave, trekking on top of a

hill to view the adjoining hill formation and Mt. Mayon. The

area is a habitat of some flaura and fauna species good for

education tourism and scientific research studies.

EL MIRO DE SHEI

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Mayon is a sprawling
seven-hectare farm that is creating a buzz among local
tourists even if many-a tourist sites have closed or stop
operating since COVID19 hit the country and continue to
prevail
Located at Barangay Salugan, Camalig, Albay, the El Miro
De Shei or “The Look of Shei” Integrated Farm is
considered “the only positive thing that happened to us
caused by the COVID19 crisis,” Barangay Captain and
owner Shiela Dino said.

SUMLANG LAKE


Sumlang Lake was once an ugly duckling filled with filthy
waters and covered by water lilies. It was there for decades,
https://www.camalig.gov.ph/camalig-tourist-spots/ competing with Mayon for attention. For years it was ignored.
Then one day, in 2014, a “bayanihan” was held and the
residents decided to clean and clear the lake of debris.

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SORSOGON

RAIN ANDREI RACAL
BSBA MANAGEMENT 1B

Image:Sorsogon Province

SORSOGON CITY

HISTORY

SORSOGON CITY WAS FORMED BY REPUBLIC ACT 8806, WHICH WAS
SIGNED INTO LAW ON AUGUST 16, 2000 AND RATIFIED IN A
PLEBISCITE ON DECEMBER 16, 2000. THE CITYHOOD LAW, OR
REPUBLIC ACT 8806, SUGGESTED UNITING SORSOGON AND BACON
MUNICIPALITIES INTO A COMPONENT CITY OF THE PROVINCE OF
SORSOGON. THERE ARE SEVERAL IDEAS ON HOW SORSOGON GOT
ITS NAME. THE MOST LIKELY NAME IS "SOSOGON," WHICH MEANS
"TO FOLLOW A TRAIL, A RIVER, OR A ROAD." ACCORDING TO
LEGEND, WHEN THE SPANIARDS ARRIVED IN THIS UNKNOWN
SECTION OF THE BICOL PENINSULA IN THE LATE 16TH CENTURY,
THEY CAME UPON A RIVER AND ASKED A NATIVE ABOUT THE NAME
OF THE LOCATION. BECAUSE HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND CASTILIAN
AND ASSUMED THEY WERE ASKING FOR THE LOCATION OF THE
VILLAGE, THE NATIVE REPLIED "SOSOGON," POINTING UPRIVER.
STRANGERS DISTORTED THE TERM AND SCRIBBLED "SORSOGON,"
ALLUDING TO THE REGION THAT WAS ONCE KNOWN AS DOMANOG,
NOW BINANUAHAN, AND WAS LOCATED BETWEEN WHAT ARE NOW
THE BARANGAYS OF CAPUY AND BULABOG. ON OCTOBER 17, 1894,
THE PROVINCE WAS DIVIDED FROM ALBAY, AND THE TOWN WAS
CHOSEN AS ITS CAPITAL; IT WAS GIVEN THE NAME SORSOGON. THE
CITY OF SORSOGON WAS CHOSEN AS THE CAPITAL AS WELL.
BACON AND SORSOGON UNITED MUNICIPALITIES FOLLOWED A
SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENT TREND, WITH BACON TAKING THE LEAD.
THE CURRENT VILLAGES AROSE THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF
SPANISH MISSIONARIES IN THE 1600S. BOTH BEGAN AS MISSIONS
THAT EVOLVED INTO PARISHES BEFORE BEING DESIGNATED AS
CIVILIAN GOVERNMENTAL SUBDIVISIONS. WHEN THE SPANISH
MISSIONARIES ARRIVED IN THE 1600S, BOTH LOCATIONS WERE
ALREADY POPULATED. THE 3,000-YEAR-OLD BONES IN A CAVE
NEAR BACON AND ANCIENT BURIAL SITES UNCOVERED UPSTREAM
OF RIVERS IN SORSOGON WERE AMONG THE PREHISTORIC ITEMS
DISCOVERED TESTIFYING TO HUMAN EXISTENCE.

HTTPS://PHILIPPINESCITIES.COM/SORSOGON-CITY-SORSOGON/

SORSOGON CITY

GEOGRAPHY

SORSOGON IS A PROVINCE IN THE
PHILIPPINES SITUATED IN THE
BICOL REGION OCCUPYING THE
SOUTHEASTERN PENINSULA OF
LUZON AND THE OUTLYING ISLAND
PROVINCES OF MASBATE AND
CATANDUANES.. ITS CAPITAL IS
THE CITY OF SORSOGON.
SORSOGON HAS 14 COUNTED
MUNICIPALITIES AND A TOTAL OF
64 BARANGGAYS

BARANGGAYS

BACON DISTRICT WEST DISTRICT EAST DISTRICT

BALETE BARAYONG ABUYOG
BALOGO BASUD ALMEDRAS COGON
BATO BITAN-O BALOGO
BON-OT BUCALBUCALAN BIBINCAHAN
BOGNA BUENAVISTA BUHATAN
BUENAVISTA BULABOG BURABOD
CABARBUHAN CAMBULAGA CABID-AN
CARICARAN CAPUY MARINAS
DEL ROSARIO GIMALOTO POLVORISTA
GATBO GUINLAJON SALOG
JAMISLAGAN MACABOG SAMPALOC
MARICRUM MARINAS SAN JUAN (RORO)
OSIAO PAMURAYAN SIRANGAN
POBLACION SULUCAN
RAWIS PANGPANG
SALVACION PANLAYAAN MUNICIPALITIES
SAN ISIDRO PENAFRANCIA
SAN JUAN PIOT JUBAN BARCELONA
SAN PASCUAL RIZAL MAGALLANES BULAN
SAN RAMON SALOG MATNOG CASIGURAN
SAN ROQUE SALVACION PILAR CASTILLA
SAN VICENTE SAN ISIDRO PRIETO DIAZ DONSOL
SANTA CRUZ TALISAY SANTA MAGDALENA GUBAT
SANTA LUCIA TICOL SORSOGON CITY IROSIN
SANTO DOMINGO TUGOS
SANTO NINO SAN JUAN RORO
SAWANGA
SUGOD

SORSOGON CITY

ST.PETER

AND PAUL

CATHEDRAL

SORSOGON CATHEDRAL OFFICIALLY KNOWN BY ITS ECCLESIASTICAL
NAME, THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL PARISH CATHEDRAL IS A ROMAN
CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL IN SORSOGON CITY, CAPITAL OF SORSOGON
PROVINCE, THE PHILIPPINES. THE CATHEDRAL IS FACING THE SORSOGON
BAY AND IS SITUATED IN THE CITY CENTER OF SORSOGON CITY. IT IS THE
SEAT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SORSOGON WITH SAINTS
PETER AND PAUL AS PRIMARY PATRON SAINTS.

THE FRANCISCANS BEGAN SPREADING CATHOLICISM IN THE PROVINCE OF
SORSOGON IN 1583. THE PARISH MISSION OF BACON, WHICH IS NOW A
SORSOGON DISTRICT ON THE CITY'S NORTHERN SHORE, WAS FOUNDED IN
1617 WITH THE VISITAS OF SORSOGON AND DUMANAOG. IN 1628, SAINT
ANTHONY OF PADUA DESIGNATED SORSOGON, THE CURRENT TERRITORY
ON THE CITY'S SOUTHERN SHORE, AS AN AUTONOMOUS PARISH. FRAY
FRANCISCO SAN DIEGO WAS THE FIRST PARISH PRIEST OF SORSOGON,
WHICH HAD A NIPA AND BAMBOO CHURCH AT THE TIME. SORSOGON THEN
ESTABLISHED DUMANAOG AS A VISITA, WHICH BECAME ITS OWN PARISH IN
1641.

THE FIRST STONE CHURCH IN SORSOGON WAS BUILT AROUND 1660. IN AUGUST
1754, SORSOGON WAS ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES ALONG THE SHORE OF
SORSOGON BAY THAT FELL VICTIM TO MORO INVASIONS IN THE BICOL AREA.
BEFORE BISHOP ANDRES GONZALES' MANDATE ENDED IN 1680, SECULAR
PRIESTS FROM THE DIOCESE OF NUEVA CACERES TOOK OVER THE PARISH
ADMINISTRATION OF SORSOGON. IN 1768, THE FRANCISCAN RECOLLECTS TOOK
OVER THE PARISH, AND FR. ITS PARISH PRIEST IS GINEZ ANTONIO FERNANDEZ.
SAINTS PETER AND PAUL REPLACED SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA AS THE PARISH'S
TITULAR IN 1792. AFTER 26 YEARS, THE RECOLLECTS HANDED OVER THE PARISH
MANAGEMENT TO THE NATIVE CLERGY IN 1794. ON MARCH 21, 1840, AN
EARTHQUAKE LEVELED THE CHURCH, KILLING 165 PEOPLE, 15 OF WHOM WERE
TRAPPED ALIVE IN THE RUBBLE. THE EARTHQUAKE WREAKED HAVOC ON THE
TOWN OF SORSOGON, CAUSING 35 DAYS OF TREMORS. SORSOGON BECAME AN
AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPALITY UNDER ALBAY PROVINCE IN 1864. IN 1894, THE
PROVINCE OF SORSOGON WAS SEPARATED FROM ALBAY AND GIVEN THE NAME
SORSOGON, THE DESIGNATED CAPITAL CITY.

FR. FROM 1887 TO 1903, JORGE BARLIN WAS THE PARISH PRIEST AND VICAR
FORANE OF SORSOGON, BEFORE BEING NAMED BISHOP OF NUEVA CACERES
AND THE FIRST FILIPINO BISHOP OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. WHEN IT WAS
CANONICALLY CREATED ON JUNE 29, 1951, FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL,
THE CATHEDRAL OF SORSOGON WAS PROCLAIMED THE CATHEDRAL OF THE
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SORSOGON. THE DIOCESE'S FIRST BISHOP WAS
TEOPISTO ALBERTO. THE CATHEDRAL'S BELL TOWER WAS DEMOLISHED IN A
MAGNITUDE 6.6 EARTHQUAKE ON JULY 2, 1954. BECAUSE OF THE DEVASTATION,
BISHOP ALBERTO DECIDED TO REBUILD THE CATHEDRAL IN THE NEO-GOTHIC
STYLE THE NEXT YEAR. THE CATHEDRAL'S TRANSEPT WAS BUILT IN 1972 UNDER
BISHOP ARNULFO ARCILLA'S DIRECTION.

TYPHOONS MILENYO AND REMING WREAKED HAVOC ON THE CHURCH IN 2006,
PROMPTING THEN-BISHOP ARTURO BASTES TO REBUILD IT IN THE CURRENT
DESIGN. ON THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIOCESE OF SORSOGON, THE
COMPLETED CATHEDRAL WAS OPENED IN 2011.

SORSOGON CITY

SORSOGON'S
TREASURES

(TOURIST SPOTS)

There are many beautiful places in Sorsogon that tourists visit.
Various tourists spots are located in the different municipalities of
Sorsogon. Sorsogon City, the province capital, is a regional trade
and business hub. Sorsogon is a lesser-known tourist attraction
than other provinces and tourist destinations in Luzon. People
that visit there, however, are wowed by its beautiful sights, natural
scenery, and laid-back atmosphere. Sorsogon treats these tourist
spots as the treasure of the city that lays all over the province
within the 14 municipalities.

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SORSOGON CITY

LOLA SAYONG SURF CAMP IS SUPPORTED BY LOLA SAYONG SURF CAMP
PEOPLE WHO VALUE THE CULTURE OF
RESPONSIBLE SURFERS, ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES, GUBAT, SORSOGON
AND GENUINE GUBATNON ATTITUDES (RESIDENTS
IN GUBAT, SORSOGON). LOLA SAYONG WISHES FOR
YOU TO ENJOY THE BEST OF GUBAT AND ITS
SURROUNDING TOWNS. ENJOY THE PEACE OF THE
COUNTRYSIDE, TAKE DEEP BREATHS OF FRESH AIR,
AND SEE THE GREATEST DAWN THAT ONLY
NATURAL WORLD CAN PROVIDE. LOCAL
COMMUNITY-RUN CO-SURFING SPOT WITH
ACCOMMODATION AND RESTAURANT. BEGINNERS
AND ADVANCED SURFERS WILL ENJOY IT EQUALLY.
THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPSITE FOR KIDS.
PLANTING WITH SURFING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS. LOLA SAYONG IS THE PERFECT PLACE
IF YOU WANT TO ESCAPE THE NOISES FROM THE
CITY. IT IS THE BEST PLACE TO UNWIND, RELAX AND
ENJOY THE NATURE WITHOUT SPENDING MUCH. AT
LOLA SAYONG YOU CAN DEFINITELY FIND PEACE
THROUGH THE CRASHING WAVES AND THE BREEZE
BRUSHING OFF YOUR FACE.

SIAMA SURF THE SIAMA HOTEL IN SORSOGON IS NOTED FOR
ITS EXQUISITELY BUILT GUEST SUITES,
GUBAT, SORSOGON MAGNIFICENT POOL, AND LUSH, TROPICAL
SURROUNDINGS. MILO NAVAL, AN INDUSTRIAL
DESIGNER, AND HIS WIFE KAT WERE
INSTRUMENTAL IN TURNING NEARLY HALF OF
THE 10-HECTARE COPRA FARM INTO A DISPLAY
OF THEIR DESIGN ETHOS. IT'S IDEAL FOR
FAMILIES THAT WANT TO SPEND THEIR TIME
RELAXING IN STYLE. GUBAT, SORSOGON IS
HOME TO SIAMA SURF. BECAUSE IT IS LOCATED
ON THE SAME BEACH AS LOLA SAYON, YOU
MAY ENJOY AND IMPROVE YOUR SURFING
EXPERIENCE AT SIAMA SURF. ISIAMA ALSO
SHOWCASE LUXURY STYLE RELAXATION THAT
GIVES AESTHETIC FEELS. IT IS PERFECT FOR
INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES THAT LIKES TO
SPEND THEIR RELAXATION IN A LUXURY WAY.

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