Group I (Region V Bicol Region)
The Bicol Region or Region V (Bicolandia) is one of the 17 regions of the
Philippines. Bicol (also spelled Bikol) is composed of four provinces in the
Bicol Peninsula, the south-eastern end of Luzon island, and two island
provinces adjacent to the peninsula.
The Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon island, the
largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The total land area of the
region is 18,054.3km, (6,970.8sq.mi) which is 5.9% of the total land area
of the country. Around 69.3% of the land area is alienable and disposable
while the remaining 30.7% is public forest areas.
The Region is composed of 6 provinces;
Provinces Capital
Albay Legazpi City
Camarines Norte Daet
Camarines Sur Pili
Catanduanes Virac
Masbate Masbate City
Sorsogon Sorsogon City
Famous Tourist Attraction
The province of Albay, which is strategically located in the center of the
region, is home to the world famous Mount Mayon with its perfect cone
shape.
On the northernmost part of the region is the province of Camarines
Norte whose capital is Daet, holds the distinction of being the town to
erect the first monument of the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal.
Naga City in the province of Camarines Sur has the Basilica of our Lady of
Peñafrancia.
The province of Catanduanes boasts of white beaches and resorts is an
island paradise in the Pacific.
The province of Masbate, which lies exactly at the center of the
Philippine archipelago, is known for its mining and cattle industry.
Sorsogon, the province known for its historic and panoramic places,
shelters the world’s largest fish – the whale shark locally known as
Butanding.
Festivals in Bicol Region
Albay
Magayon Festival, May 1-31. The focus of the month-long event is the
stage reenactment of the tragic love story of the legend of Daragang
Magayon and Panganoron whose fatal deaths gave birth to the volcano.
Legend has it that Magayon’s grave became Mayon while the clouds
kissing her is Panganoron.
Ibalong Festival, second week of October; Legazpi
A week-long festivity recounting the brave exploits of the heroes of
Ibalong or prehistoric Bicol. The festival is highlighted by a street parade
recreating the classic battles between heroes and beasts of Ibalong.
Camarines Norte
Bantayog Festival, April 15 – 29. Bantayog Festival is a historical
commemorating festival in Camarines Norte that features the first Rizal
monument which is also the centerpiece of the celebration held
simultaneous with the foundation anniversary of the province.
Pinyasan Festival, June 15 - 24 . Pinyasan Festival of Daet showcases
Camarines Norte’s premier agri-product which is the sweetest pineapple
called Formosa.
Camarines Sur
Kaogma Festival, May 24-31. A week-long celebration of the of the
foundation anniversary of the Province of Camarines Sur. The festival
features numerous activities such as cultural expositions, sports events,
beauty pageant, procession and Grand Parade.
Peñafrancia Festival, Naga City, 3rd week of September
A religious festival honoring the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia,
Patroness of the Bicol Region.Main highlight is the ceremonial fluvial
procession along the Naga River where her centuries old image becomes
an object of a stirring religious event.
Catanduanes
Catandungan Festival, 3rd week of October, provincial festival
This is celebrated every October commemorating the foundation
anniversary of Catanduanes as an independent province from Albay.
Masbate
Rodeo Filipino (Masbate; March 18)
Cattle raising is the trademark of the province as well as the major source
of livelihood. The Rodeo highlights the Masbate Livestock Week and
features various sports activities such as grand rodeo parade, agro-
livestock fair, individual and group competitions in bull riding, steer
wristling, carabao race, and other traditional Filipino games.
Sorsogon
Butanding Festival (Donsol, Sorsogon)
A festival which ushers in the Butanding (Whaleshark) Season as well as a
thanksgiving for the blessings that the butanding’s presence has given the
people of Donsol. The festival is highlighted by a street parade.
Traditional Bicol Cuisine
Quite distinct from the local cuisine found in other parts of the country,
Bicol is famous for its spicy, coconut cream-based dishes. Local folks here
even eat raw "sili" (peppers) dipped in salt to go with their rice. By itself,
it is a meal. Just watch them pop the "sili" into their mouths without
touching their lips and following it up with rice scooped with their hands.
Contemporary Filipino Authors and their Works
Jose Obias, journalist,“ The Our Lady of Peñafrancia”
Potenciano Gregorio Sr.“Sarung Banggi – folksong”
Bienvenido N. Santos“Early Harvest”
Carlos Ojeda Aureus“Cathedra” a landmark in Bicol fiction
Merito B. Espinas“Ibalon” – an epic of bicol
Mariel M. Dela Cruz“The House of a Gambler”
Remigio Laguno“The Carolers”
Teresita E. Erastain“The Legend of Mayon Volcano”
Potenciano Gregorio Sr.
Often referred to as Potenciano Gregorio Sr. (May 19, 1880 February 12,
1939) was a Bicolano musician. He was the composer of "Sarung Banggi"
(One Evening), the most famous song in the Bikol language.
Sarung Banggi
Potenciano Gregorio Sr.
Sarung Banggi
Sarung banggi sa higdaan
Nakadangog ako hinuni nin sarung gamgam;
Sa lubha ko katorogan
Bako kundi simong boses iyo palan..
Dagos ako bangon si sakuyang mata binuklat,
Kadtong kadikloman ako nangalagkalag,
Si sakong pagheling pasiring sa itaas,
Naheling ko simong lauog maliwanag.
Merito B. Espinas
Si Merito B. Espinas sarong Bikolanong parasurat, iskolar, asin edukador.
Siya an kaggibo kan librong Ibalong.
Siya tapos sa kolehiyo, A.B. sa Pilosopiya, M.A. sa Ingles (Meritissimus)
asin Ph.D. Siya an 1965 Bipradas Palchaudhuri fellow kan Unibersidad kan
Calcutta sa India. Nagin man siyang profesor nin pilosopiya, comparative
religion, literatura, speech asin Ingles, sa humanidades asin sa syensya
sosyal.
