2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify the location
of the provinces where
tourist attractions are
located on the
Philippine map.
• Identify the major
gateways or entry
points into different
provinces.
• Understand the
political structures,
cultural, historical,
4. ALBAY HISTORY AND CULTURE
Albay is a province of the
Philippines located in the
Bicol Region in
Southeastern Luzon Island.
The name Bicol first came
to be known as the name of
the biggest and longest
river in the region. The
river comes from the
outflow of lakes and
springs from the provinces
of Albay, Camarines Sur and
Camarines Norte and form a
large stream that exits in
the San Miguel Bay, off the
5. ALBAY HISTORY AND CULTURE
The citizens of Albay
are called Albayanos.
Albay is a province
composed of 15
municipalities and 3
cities. The capital of
the province is Legazpi
City. It was named
after Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi, the Spanish
conquistador who came
to the Philippines in
1565 and started the
6. ALBAY HISTORY AND CULTURE
The symbol most
associated with Albay is
the Mayon Volcano, a near
perfectly-shaped active
volcano, 2,462 meters
(8,077 ft.) high, which
could be seen throughout
its 15 municipalities and
3 cities as well as in
the surrounding provinces
of Sorsogon, Masbate and
Catanduanes.
8. Vera Falls
Located in a
secluded nook
at the
southern base
of Mt.
Malinao. A
paradise of
forest and
clear
cascading
water, a
little over
9. Cagsawa Ruins
Cagsawa Ruins is
one of the most
iconic tourist
spots in Albay
province. The
church was built
in 1587 then
destroyed by
Dutch pirates in
1636. A priest
had it rebuilt in
1587 but in 1814,
the historic
10. Daraga Church
The 18th-century
baroque church
with its
volcanic stone
walls has
witnessed
several historic
events,
including the
1814 eruption of
Mayon Volcano
that left 2,000
people killed.
11. Japanese Tunnels at Ligñon Hills
Located in Ligñon Hill
Nature Park, this 40-
meter long L-shaped
tunnels date back to
World War II in 1941
when Filipino and
American soldiers fought
against the Japanese
army.
Back then, the tunnels
go all the way to the
Legazpi City Hall.
Today, visitors can
crawl inside and explore
13. CAMARINES NORTE & SUR HISTORY
From 1573 to 1829, Camarines
Sur and Camarines Norte
formed only one political
unit known as Ambos
Camarines. In 1829, they
were separated but reunited
again in1854. They again
separated, to be reunited
again in 1893. This union
continued until 1919. On
March 3, 1919, Camarines
Norte was created by the
Philippine Legislature in
Act 2809. When Camarines
Norte was separated from
Ambos Camarines in 1829, it
14. CAMARINES NORTE & SUR HISTORY
Seventeen years late, it
lost Sipocot, Lupi and
Ragay to Camarines Sur in
exchange for the town of
Siruma. Juan de Salcedo,
dispatched by Legazpi to
explore the island in 1571,
influence the existence of
Camarines Norte. After
subduing Taytay and Cainta,
he marched further across
Laguna and Tayabas. He
visited the rich gold-laden
town of Mambulao and
Paracale obsessed by them
about which he heard from
native's there of existing
gold mines. When Francisco
15. CAMARINES NORTE & SUR HISTORY
He established a permanent
spanish garison in Naga to
control the region and defend
it from Chinese and Muslim
pirates. Capt. Pedro de Chavez
was assigned to head this
force. There were already
native settlements here when
the Spaniards arrived. The
flourishing town of Mambulao
and Paracale were two of them.
Indan and Daet were the other
settlements besides Capalonga
and others. But Paracale
remained the most sought after
and the most prosperous
16. CAMARINES NORTE & SUR HISTORY
The Spanish missionaries
did not falter in their
mission to Christianized
the natives. By virtue of
RA Act 2809 of March 3,
1919, General F. B.
Harrison separated
Camarines Norte from
Camariens Sur with Don
Miguel R. Lukban as its
first governor. At present
it has twelve towns:
Basud, Capalonga, Daet,
19. Vinsons Church
One of the oldest churches in the Philippines
celebrated its 400 years anniversary in 1981.
20. Mahabang Buhangin
Mahabang Buhangin is
one of the best
tourists spots in
Camarines Norte very
known to beach lovers
and backpackers. The
kilometers long
stretch of powdery
white sand beach and
crystal clear waters
add up serenity and
simplicity gained its
reputation as one of
21. Colasi Falls
Colasi Fall is
one of the
exciting tourist
spots in
Camarines Norte,
a 70-foot tall
waterfalls
tucked in the
forestland of
the province.
The majestic
waterfalls is
being surrounded
22. First Jose Rizal Monument
This 121-year old
monument was first
built in 1899 in a
place known today as
Rizal Park in Daet,
Camarines Norte. The
monument’s three
faces have been
engraved with
excerpts from two of
Rizal’s most famous
works, El
Filibusterismo and
Noli Me Tangere. It
23. Museo Bulawan
The museum was
previously known as
the Provincial
Community Museum of
Camarines Norte. It
has since been
adopting its current
name, which also means
“golden museum”.
As with many dedicated
museums in the
Philippines, Museo
Bulawan is a window to
the flourishing
cultural and
historical traditions
of Camarines Norte. It
26. CamSur Watersports Complex
CamSur Watersports Complex
is one of the best tourist
spots in Camarines Sur for
water sports enthusiasts.
Considered as the first
world-class water sports
complex in the
Philippines, it takes
pride in its excellent
facilities primarily
designed for wakeboarding,
wakeskating and
waterskiing. The 6-hectare
property has 6-point cable
ski system which pulls the
skiers on a clockwise
direction around the lake.
The complex is known to
27. Caramoan Islands
Caramoan Islands are the
main destinations for
island hopping activities
in Camarines Sur. These
group of islands which
lies on the lower eastern
part of province gained
its reputation of having
the best secluded white
sand beaches and coves.
Aside from swimming, the
best things to do in the
islands are to snorkel
down the diverse marine
life, explore the caves
and lagoons, hike the
hilltops or climb up the
limestone rocks for
28. Mount Isarog
Mount Isarog is one of
the renowned tourist
spots in Camarines Sur,
a potentially active
volcano standing 1,976
meters above sea level.
The mountain and its
surroundings is a
protected area composed
of grasslands, thick and
mossy forests which
serves as a habitat of
some endemic animals.
The summit of the
29. Lake Buhi
Lake Buhi is a
freshwater lake in
the province
situated in a
valley between
Mount Asog and
Mount Malinao. The
1,600-hectare lake
is known as
breeding ground of
sinarapan, the
world’s smallest
fish that can be
30. Malabsay Falls
Malabsay Falls
is one of the
renowned
waterfalls in
the province
of Camarines
Sur, a 40-feet
falls amid
verdant
foliage. It is
surrounded by
mossy cliffs
and boulders
32. Sorsogon History
In 1570 two
Augustinian
friars, Alonzon
Jiménez and Juan
Orta, accompanied
by a certain
captain, Enrique
de Guzmán,
reached Hibalong,
a small fishing
village near the
mouth of Ginangra
River, and
33. Sorsogon History
It was from this
village that Ibalong,
referring to the
whole region, came to
be. Moving inland
with a northwesterly
direction they passed
by the territory now
known as Pilar,
before they reached
Camalig, Albay. The
province was
eventually separated
35. Donsol (Whale sharks)
Donsol is Sorsogon’s
most popular
destination as it is
world-famous for whale
shark viewing. Several
whale sharks (locally
called butanding)
naturally congregate
around Donsol waters
from December to May.
Donsol practices
responsible eco-
tourism that does not
alter the behavior of
36. Bulusan Volcano Natural Park
Bulusan Volcano
Natural Park is a
treasured natural
wonder and one of
the most
recognized Bicol
tourist spots.
This protected
natural park
covers
rainforests,
grassland, hot
springs gardens,
and farmland. The
park is also home
37. Tikling Island
Tikling Island is
located off the
coast of the town
of Matnog,
Sorsogon. It is
named after a
bird species that
frequent the
area. The
privately-owned
island exudes a
serene ambiance
as it does not
38. Ogod River (Firefly Watching)
Ogod River is
one of the
natural
attractions
found in
Donsol,
Sorsogon.
Tourists make
their way to
Ogod for a
special type of
river cruising.
This cruising
40. Catanduanes History
In the early part of the 13th century, people
believed to have come from Borneo, Malaysia
and China first reached this island. They
were mostly traders and seafarers engaged in
barter and trade within the region and in
search of new lands for settlement. These
groups of traders plus a few settlers gave a
semblance of population activity during the
later period of the century. The uneventful
migration pattern of trading and settlement
during the succeeding centuries was
characterized by relative stability as
commercial activities confined mostly within
41. Catanduanes History
During the early part of
1573, a group of Spanish
conquistadors led by Juan
de Salcedo set foot on
the island, while in
pursuit of pirates plying
their trade along the
coastal villages of
southern Luzon. They came
upon several tribes
living in the thatched
huts called cobo by the
natives. Hence, Isla de
42. Catanduanes History
The actual evangelization of the island
started some twenty years later, when the
soldiers of Spain, after subjugating the
Bicol mainland, came back with Franciscan
missionaries. The missionaries armed with the
cross and backed by the sword of the
conquistadors evangelized the entire
population without much resistance, after
initially converting the southern tribes.
Near the turn of the 19th century, the
struggle for independence from the Spanish
colonizers was effectively stifled by
American interference. With superior arms and
43. Catanduanes History
From then, a civil government has replaced
the military government. Catanduanes was made
a sub-province of Ambos Camarines with Felipe
Usero as its first Lieutenant Governor. It
was during his term that the island was
annexed to the province of Albay. The
American occupation ended in 1934, followed
by the birth of the Philippine Commonwealth.
In the 19th century, the sub-province of
Catanduanes was already governed by a
permanent delegate commissioner from the
province of Albay, appointed by the central
government in Manila.
45. Binurong Point
Binurong Point in Baras
town is a place that
offers equally jaw-
dropping views of the open
ocean crashing against
rocks.
Be prepared for a bit of a
hike as you will be
passing forest trails,
hiking up former
pasturelands, skipping
through boulders, and
walking on narrow paths.
But the view from the top
of the cliff. especially
during sunrise, will be
worth the hike.
46. Jesus’ Face Rock at Talisoy Beach
Located in a
small cove a
few minutes
from Virac town
proper is the
clean and well-
kept Talisoy
Beach, also
known to locals
as Jesus’ Face
Beach because
of the unique
rock formation
47. Marilima Beach
Marilima Beach,
another beautiful
stretch of creamy
white sand beach in
Virac, is lined with
coconut trees and
surrounded by clear
blue waters.
Its simple beauty
will seduce you into
taking a dip in the
water or lie down on
the sand to get the
perfect tan. On a
49. ALINAO FESTIVAL – MALINAO, ALBAY
(July 20 – 26)
Alinao Festival is
an annual tribute
to the lost tree
of Alinao on the
mountains of
Malinao, It is
also said that the
word “Alinao” came
from the word
“malinaw” which
means clear waters
where one of the
best falls is
50. PINANGAT FESTIVAL – CAMALIG, ALBAY
(June 10 – 24)
An annual festival
celebrated every
month of June 10-
24 to coincide
with the town
fiesta in honor
of its Patron
Saint, St. John
the Baptist. The
festival’s name is
acquired through
the world famous
native food
51. IBALONG FESTIVAL – LEGAZPI, ALBAY
(Aug. 10 – 19)
A celebration in
recognition of the
socio-historic-
cultural heritage
of Bicolanos as
based on the
Ibalong Epic
showcasing the
bravery and
strength in
character of three
heroes Baltog,
Handyong, and
Bantong as they
fought against the
52.
53. REFERENCES
Department of Tourism. (2018). Tourism Guidebook and
Manual.
Retrieved from
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Guidebook_Manual/TourismGuideboo
k.pdf
So, P. L. (2018). Philippine Tourist Destinations. Manila,
Philippines: Accumicro I.T. Solutions.
Domingo, B. B. (2017). Philippine Tourism. Foreign Service
Institute.
Libosada, C. M. (2017). Domestic Tourism. Pasig City,
