Showing posts with label Albay. Show all posts

🇵🇭 DARAGA • Tourist Spots, Attractions and Things to Do in Town

Some netizens liked, commented, and shared this. Share your comment. Mag-reply ako once mabasa ko.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Saturday, December 08, 2012 17

Stories of town explorations.

Maximize your time in Daraga, Albay. The bustling town is more than just the Cagsawa Ruins. I have made this simple travel guide to give all types of travelers an idea what to do in the town of Daraga.

So whether you are a solo backpacker, glamorized backpacker, traveling in group, budget-packer, spend-all-you-can-packer, BFF-packers, family packers or simply just a mother packer, you can absolutely do this given that there is no typhoon, volcanic eruption and flood happening the day of your visit.

So you want a town-specific tour for Daraga in Albay and you have this style for slow travel covering 1 town at a time? Here are suggested things to do in town without the need to wear a red bikini. It is very D-I-Y and it won't cost you an overnight stay to a lodging house or a 5-star hotel. Get ready to rumble #TownExplorers!

Start Your Day at Cagsawa Ruins

Daraga, Albay Tourist Spots and Things to Do

Yes, you gotta start your Town Tour Itinerary at the Cagsawa Ruins. If you would ask the locals, they would tell you to go here at morning. The reason? To see the Mayon Volcano without thick clouds covering it.

Ok, that is the theory of these #TownFolks and I bet there are no political and scientific conspiracies over those theories. The volcano's showgirl side peaks at the morning. Ready for the show?

Explore the Ruins

Don't just get satisfied of photographing Bicol's most famous man-made landmark seen in HEKASI Books back then in Elementary and High School. Go and explore the ruins! Examine the ruins. Go around the ruins. If you were able to do that, you'll be smart enough to recognize how volcanic stones look like.

This is your chance to touch and feel the famous Cagsawa Ruins and you'll come to realize that there are some more things to know not discussed by your school teacher only if you will observe keenly and examine the ruins with curiosity.

See what's inside the ruined belfry

Tourist spots and things to do in Daraga, Albay

Another suggestion is to go inside the belfry if you are lucky enough. I said if you are lucky enough because I wasn't lucky enough to go inside. However I was able to take a snap shot. There are wooden fences. The reason I can see to this is to ensure the safety of the tourists. There could still be debris you know.

But of course, have you ever wondered what to see inside the belfry? 'Cause you know, we always see the exterior in books but not what inside the belfry right? This is your chance to prove that there is no dragon inside the belfry.

I was really curious, and now, I was able to see that inside the belfry are volcanic stones stuck together. It is massive you know. The holes inside (that used to be the windows of the belfry) were great source of light inside. But during the night, they become non-useful, of course.

Shop for souvenir (optional)

This option is highly recommended for shoppaholics but not for shoplifters.

Inside the Cagsawa Ruins premises are plenty of local products to choose from. But one inviting commodity that I don't suggest shoppers to buy is the Wild Orchid from Mayon. I am afraid these orchids will run out due to high demand.

Just buy other orchids but not this beautiful wild orchids growing at the slopes of Mayon Volcano.

Travel Back in time at Balay Suanoy

Check out the Balay Suanoy Ancestral Home. It is a restaurant-museum. It is a very elegant house that contains a lot of vintage stuff. It feels like you are not in Albay because of the Intramuros-ish and Vigan-ish ambiance.

Located across the street is the Gazebo, it is recommended for group travelers who want to experience dining in this high-end restaurant.

Food Trip: Recommended Foods to Eat at Balay Suanoy

Yes I know, you are in Bicol and you have to try the Bicol express food. But I just want to make a detour to the Pacific Ocean because the Crispy Pata and Apple + Banana crepes in Balay Suanoy are must-try foods.

I am confident enough to say that it won't disappoint :)

Visit the Daraga Church

Daraga Church is a National Historical Treasure painted with white which actually contains chemicals to preserve the deteriorating facade.

You need to climb the hill where this church is located. If you don't have an idea how this church looks like before it was painted with white, check out the belfry and you'll know how old it looks.

Get inside the Daraga Church

Don't get satisfied just seeing the facade, get inside and check out what to see.

Inside the church was empty when I went here. The facade looks older than what is seen inside based on how I see it.

Dine (again) with the Mayon View

End you Daraga town tour with another food trip at JZOR Restaurant. North of the Daraga Church is a simple, non-touristy yet must-try restaurant because of the experience it brings you dining on an azotea-like setting while viewing the Mayon volcano.

It gives you an outdoor-dining experience because of the vastness of the plains you see below that gradually meet together at the top in unison that is the peak of the almost-perfect cone Mayon Volcano.

I hope this one helps. Go! Explore the town of Daraga!

Do you want to explore more the town of Daraga? Hint: Click the map. Happy #TownExploring!

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

[Ligao] Albay All Bicol (Region 5) Ligao Luzon Mountains Philippines Posts by Edmar Serious Post SUNSETS

🇵🇭 LIGAO • Lovely Sunset Over Mt. Masaraga

Some netizens liked, commented, and shared this. Share your comment. Mag-reply ako once mabasa ko.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Sunday, July 01, 2012 3

Stories of town explorations.

"The clouds were trying to veil the sunset but their capability was just limited to conceal the glorious beauty of the orange sky."

Enjoying some chilly zephyr and the orange heaven, it looks like a painting colored on a huge canvass called the sky. It was undoubtedly a magnificent view that truly awakens the senses... the soul.

I thought it was a bad idea going to this place at a time where we can chase the dark. It was already 6 pm on my wrist watch. Thinking it was a bad idea, it turned out to be a surprise.

The sunset, it didn't pop out in my mind that the time was just perfect to enjoy the sunset -- not over the beach, but over the mountain called Mt. Masaraga under the jurisdiction of the city of Ligao.

Yes I know, it was not easy to travel on a zigzag road at night where street lights are not present because just after chasing this sunset over Mt. Masaraga, we have to face the night.

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

I think chasing the sunset over certain mountains is an idea as good as chasing sunset over certain beaches and being able to capture the sunset over Mt. Masaraga was a golden opportunity.

The clouds were trying to veil the sunset but their capability was just limited to conceal the glorious beauty of the orange sky. Instead, the clouds just blended with the sunset with beauty and magic!

I will never forget this moment and it was more than memorable. Mt. Masaraga is one of the 3 peaks of Albay and I'm glad I have captured this 3 mountains in sunset. Watch out for the next mountain sunset!

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

[Albay] 112 on 2012 Albay All Bicol (Region 5) Luzon NATURAL WONDERS Philippines Tabaco

🇵🇭 ALBAY • Enjoying Albay from Above the Clouds: Plains, Highlands, Sea

Some netizens liked, commented, and shared this. Share your comment. Mag-reply ako once mabasa ko.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Monday, February 20, 2012 38

Stories of town explorations.

"...they are the stratus clouds, the low lying pieces of clouds and hurray!!!!!!! - I am above them!"

Visiting the province of Albay for the first time, what I only knew is to be mesmerized by the view of the stunning and lovely Mayon Volcano as being seen from below, or from the plains. But oh yeah, I did a different thing like some other travelers have done - I captured the beauty of Albay and guess where I am? I was on a high altitude at the slope of Mayon Volcano while viewing the beautiful scene of Albay from the sky!

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

At the location where I was standing, I was lucky enough to see the highlands of Albay (and that is the Mt. Malinao), the Lagonoy Gulf and of course the plains below.

At the photo above, you can see the plains (or can I call it valley since it is in between two mountains?) of Tabaco City, the municipality of Malilipot and Malinao - still in Albay and how I wish I can also see the island of Catanduanes here but just never mind.

The view is an instant refreshment to my soul as I see the view with the clouds on an elevation leveled to where I was standing.

I was in fact at the Mayon Resthouse Park in Tabaco City, Albay where I reached halfway the peak of Mayon Volcano (almost). From this park, you can afford to see the view of this 3 dimensions I am referring, the highlands (Mt. Malinao), the sea (Lagonoy Gulf) and the plains below.

Who would expect that from this part of the slope of Mayon, there exists a park considering that Mayon is very active. If Mayon has washed out the Cagsawa church, what about this park which is even closer to the crater?

Well, well, well, don't underestimate. People who are already familiar with the activity of Mayon tell that this spot at the slope of this volcano is a safe zone.

The lava that flows from the crater of this potentially angry volcano does not pass through here that's why the park still exists and it is where I am standing now.

The two photos above show the view of the Lagonoy Gulf (to the Pacific Ocean) and the "whitish" aggregates at the center of the photo is the central business district of the city of Tabaco.

With our accidental tour guide (because he was not actually a tour guide, we just picked him up somewhere), he told me that Tabaco City is the take off point for people who are going to the island province of Catanduanes. You gotta ride a ferry from Tabaco City and I hope you can spot the "super tiny" ferries at my photos above, uh! (Hint: Focus at the right side)

So that is the Lagonoy gulf as seen from the point where I am standing now, and yes, I am still on a high elevation at the slope of Mt. Mayon.

And from here, I was actually above the clouds! Notice my photos especially the first one. You will be able to see the smoke-like thing floating in the air.

Those aren't smoke, it is hardly possible to have a thick smoke build up with that elevation. Now you know, they are the stratus clouds (correct me if I'm wrong), the low lying pieces of clouds and hurray!!!!!!! - I am above them!
-------

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

Albay All Bicol (Region 5) FOOD TRIP Legazpi Luzon Philippines

🇵🇭 LEGAZPI • (Albay) Mass Dinner at Embarcadero de Legazpi

Some netizens liked, commented, and shared this. Share your comment. Mag-reply ako once mabasa ko.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Saturday, December 03, 2011

Stories of town explorations.

"It was such an unexplainable feeling joining a public dinner of thousand people wherein everybody is a stranger..."

The city government of Legazpi prepared a great and a hospitable welcome for the thousand of engineers in the Philippines who joined the annual national convention for civil engineers. I am not an engineer and I am not supposed to be here but I was with the Ilocos delegation. Well, this convention doesn't fit my profession. But for the sake of traveling, I hitched with them wherein 99 percent of the delegation are strangers and I don't know them I just traveled with them.

The huge shopping center became a dinner destination for a night where thousand of people joined. At the photo is the Ilocos delegation I was with.

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

As a grand welcome for us, "we" were given a huge dinner at the Embarcadero de Legazpi, a shopping center born out from the sea because the soil where it is standing was reclaimed.

I was eating with civil engineers and everybody talks about their own field of expertise. As of me, I just stopped talking being unable to relate with what they were talking about.

I deal with blood, flesh, internal organs, etc (although I am not a vampire) and everyone deals with concretes and buildings on which it is very intimidating to hear knowing that I do not know what they are talking about.

As I said, I was here for the sake of traveling and now I am in the middle of the civil engineering community that I have to deal with just to be able to continue a hitch ride.

It was my second night mingling with civil engineers all around the Philippines and gladly through this dinner party at the Embarcadero, I gained many friends.

It was such an unexplainable feeling joining a public dinner wherein everybody is a stranger except for one (my cousin who is an engineer).

I was at the land of siling labuyo so I was expecting a mouth-challenging spicy Bicol express and my expectation did not dismay me - there you have a lot of them!

This dinner activity showed me how industrious and persevered the city government of Legazpi is in promoting tourism in their city and they actually bid to host this national convention.

And to think of it, they fed us all for free. Aside from the dinner the city government of Legazpi gave us, they also entertained us with cultural presentations and a very funny comedy band.

Congratulations to the city government of Legazpi for a job well done. Although I wasn't a engineer, I was benefited still, somehow.

I enjoyed the show, the dinner and the experience of dining with total strangers.

I never felt so alone because of the warm welcome, I felt like I was already a part of the huge community of civil engineers and a family as one :-)

Tags: Embarcadero de Legaspi | Embarcadero de Legazpi | Dinner at Embarcadero de Legazpi

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

Albay All Bicol (Region 5) Luzon NATURAL WONDERS Philippines Tabaco TRAVEL

🇵🇭 TABACO • Mayon Rest House: Climbing Halfway the Volcano's Crater

Some netizens liked, commented, and shared this. Share your comment. Mag-reply ako once mabasa ko.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Sunday, November 20, 2011

Stories of town explorations.

"Wow! The scene I used to see in my history textbooks is now before me face to face, bold and intimate and for a bonus, I reached halfway the peak of the mischievous active volcano."

The beauty and the majesty of the almost perfect cone Mayon Volcano of Albay never stops amusing me. Yes, I know, I have posted two versions of the Mayon Volcano in this blog, one in Daraga and other in Ligao City, but I believe that in every town and city located in the slopes of the Mayon, a single story is worth another single article. I may be overdoing it or making a redundant post about Mayon but every town and city located at the volcano's slope has its own story to tell and another version of the Mayon worthy to be given another post.

Mt. Mayon stands majestically and I will climb halfway to its crater, Yey!

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

Tabaco City in Albay also has its own version of the Mayon.

Remember, villages and communities surround the volcano 360 degrees.

Unlike the Legazpi City side, the Mayon's cone shape is more perfect at Tabaco City side because at the peak, you can still see the pointed part unlike at the Legazpi City side where the peak is cracked.

One thing more, Tabaco City has its own offering of the Mayon that other towns and cities don't have. The volcano is also a like the famous food Bicol Express on which it has a lot of versions and every version is worth a try - although collectively, it is just the Bicol express.

As to Mayon, it is a single natural wonder with different offerings, perceptions of beauty and stories by different communities that is also worthy to tell.

Mayon Rest house is a park located at the slopes of the Mayon Volcano at Tabaco City side and this park is located halfway the tip of the volcano.

The rest house was built initially by the Americans with seismological instrument that then used by the Philippines Astronomical, Geological and Seismological Agency. I understand that there is also a planetarium here but during my visit, those structures were abandoned and looked dilapidated.

Mayon Rest house is also the starting point for mountaineers who want to climb all the way to the peak, as of me, I can only manage to go halfway for the meantime.

In fact, if you think I hiked going to this elevation, you're wrong because there is actually a well-paved highway that will lead you to the Mayon rest house park. If you want to go all the way to the top, then you need to hike.

Look! I am now very close to the tip!

I was in a point where I know I am now very close to the crater of the volcano and I can see the dark peak caused by lava flows coming from the angry and burning crater with sulfur.

At the Mayon rest house park, the air is not that usual countryside air. It was so special and to note, it has some extra romance.

The air is fresh and that is inherent there because there is no mechanical civilization happening so there are no carbon monoxide and green house gases except from the smoke of your vehicle should you wish to bring it here. Very unexpectedly, the air is too chilly that as the sun went down the horizon, I have to wear a jacket because I can not take the cold air penetrating my bones.

So what could I ask for? It was my first time to see the Mayon Volcano and the bonus here is the fact that I was also able to come to it more intimate and closer face to face.

Wow! The scene I used to see in my history textbooks is now before me face to face, bold and intimate and for a bonus, I reached halfway the peak of the mischievous active volcano. It was a very fulfilling trip that I was able to see the different versions of Mayon Volcano at different towns and cities.

This was in fact the chosen location of the Mayon rest house park because according to observations and studies, the lava flow doesn't go through here so the park is left untouched, safe and secured.

The Mayon rest house is just a very nice place for leisure and to relax and it is very close to nature. Mayon rest house is also the home for the Bonsai Kids. They are the children who sell bonsai plants for a living helping their parents for their daily basic needs.

At the park, there are also some cottages for picnicking but as I said, the air is cold so consume the food fast, it might get frozen, lol!

While at the park, you can also afford to view the beauty of the province of Albay from this elevation.

Take note, at this elevation halfway at the Mayon's tip, you can already be in an elevation where you could look down to some smaller mountains around.

So, I must say, Mayon has endless stories to be told and to tell you, this isn't the last post for my Mayon encounter, more to come. As I said, every single story is worth to have a separate post.

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

[Daraga] Albay All Bicol (Region 5) CHURCHES Daraga HERITAGE Luzon Philippines

🇵🇭 DARAGA • Daraga Church: Heritage Hidden by a White Paint

Some netizens liked, commented, and shared this. Share your comment. Mag-reply ako once mabasa ko.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Stories of town explorations.

"...it would be a better way to just hide the real face of the church's history than to lose it forever."

In contrast with the adjacent belfry, the distinction is really that clear from old to new. But this structure is in fact 238 years old. Obliterating the Old World feel, tourists and visitors might be wondering why the church's façade has turned so white. Well this time, I must say, don't judge a church by it's paint.

The secret travelers' pose in front of the white Daraga Church

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

At first, as I climb the hill called the Santa Maria Hill where the church is situated plus a bonus view of the slopes of the majestic Mayon volcano, my first reaction was WOW!

What a wonderful church atop a hill but later on my mind transfigured and I suddenly reacted with WHY? Why it was in white?

What the heck they have done in here? Well, those were the questions of an ignorant person who happened to see the church for the first time.

It was in fact a major makeover for the Daraga Church. Trying to explore more about it, you'll have to see that even at the side, the purity of white is glowing. Although it has been painted with white, the architectural details are still visible and the sculptures at the façade is evident.

The new look or makeover of the church looks elegant however. But for a conservationist who happens to visit the church for the first time without any knowledge what is going on might be disappointed.

But that should not be the case because the makeover is for the good of the church. The 17th century historical landmark needed to undergo a major makeover and this makeover is to paint the façade with white.

According to the architects of the National Museum, it has to undergo a real makeover and that is because the church's present condition is deteriorating. So in what way? The solution is to paint it with white.

Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, Daraga Church's full name, has been exposed to natural elements such as rain and the sun which contributed to the deterioration of the structure thus eroding the façade and even the architectural design.

To note, the white paint is in fact a lime coating with chemical ingredients that has turned white. This method was in fact done in other countries as a manner of preserving their heritage structures too.

The restoration of the church was actually not an instant process that it has to undergo consultations and a lot of referrals from government agencies, the mayor, the parishioners and others.

Painted with all the purity of white, the façade is glowing with a touch of modernity but the real identity is situated beneath the superficial painting which was hidden for a good reason.

Since the church is situated atop a hill, you have to take several stairs that will lead you to this massive structure of our history.

The church has been declared in 2007 by the National Museum as a national cultural treasure. The impressively rich Baroque architectural design of the church is carved carefully through volcanic rocks which makes the church earn a unique distinction from any other churches in the Philippines.

Experts and historians strongly believe that the church must be preserved and protected as an important cultural property of our country and with this, there is a need to apply the protective coating under the approval of several agencies and organizations.

For those who haven't seen the original facade of the church like me, don't you regret and be disappointed because it would be a better way to just hide the real face of the church's history than to lose it forever. It is a treasure that we can not afford to lose.

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.