Bikolandia

Region V

as Region V is more popularly known, is situated at the southernmost tip of the Luzon landmass. It is straddled between 11 - 30' to 14 - 20' North latitude and 122 - 20' to 124 - 30' East longitude.

The Region has a total land area of roughly 17,632.5 square kilometers, 5.9 percent of the country's total land area.

It is politically subdivided into six provinces, one chartered city, six component cities, 107 municipalities, and 3,471 barangays. At present, it has 14 congressional districts.

The population of the Bicol Region reached 5,109,798 as of August 1, 2007. A region rich in history and natural resources, Bicol is inhabited by hospitable, smiling and fun-loving people.

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. Legazpi City, also in Albay and is called the Gateway City of Bicol, is the regional center.On the northernmost part of the region is the province of Camarines Norte whose capital, 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 is host to Colegio de Sta. Isabel, the first known normal school for girls in the Orient. 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 while Sorsogon, the province known for its historic and panoramic places, shelters the world's largest fish - the whale shark locally known as Butanding.


With its strategic location in the Philippine archipelago, the region is accessible by land, air and sea transportation facilities.

The region's economy is basically agricultural with close to 50 percent of its workforce dependent on the industry. Owing to its location, Region V is known for its natural resorts and white beaches and has thirteen major fishing grounds supplying fish markets in places as far as Metro Manila. Mining is also one of the contributors to the region's economy. It is also the site of two major geothermal fields which contribute substantially to the Luzon Power Grid.

DISTANCE FROM MANILA (RIZAL MONUMENT, 0 KM.) TO MAJOR POINTS IN BIKOL
DESTINATIONS/KMS

Daet, Camarines Norte - 350
Naga City - 449
Iriga City - 487
Legazpi City - 538
Sorsogon, Sorsogon - 600


Tingnan ang Mas Malaking Mapa

Major Places of interest

Mount Mayon Skyline Adventure

- It nestles on the eastern slopes of Mt. Mayon at an altitude of 2,700 feet. It is known as "heaven on earth" because of the clouds and pleasant climate. From this height, visitors can see a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and the different towns, lakes, villages, fields and other mountains.

Mt. Mayon Assault Trek

- Get a panoramic view of Bicol from majestic Mt. Mayon, Bicol's fiery maiden. Also, see proof of the Mayon volcano's destructive fury at the Casagawa ruins. This is truly a humbling experience.

Pototan Cave

- A spelunking adventure site about 10 feet above the beach line. Inside, an underground river flows into the chambers and passageways. Marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes.

Whale shark interaction in Donsol

- One of the most popular tourist attractions in Bicol, dubbed by tourists as the "whale shark capital of the world." Swimming and interacting with the gentle giants of the sea called "butanding" is the thrill of a lifetime.

Firefly adventure in Donsol River

- Firefly watching in the evening is one activity you should not miss. See mangroves completely covered with fireflies illuminating the trees.

Explore the Citadel of Faith

- Visit some magnificent churches in Bicol, from Sagñay to Tigaon. Marvel at ancient infrastructure and learn about each church's unique history.

Manta Ray Dive at Ticao Pass

- Dive with the manta rays and experience the beauty of nature's undersea wonders.

Wakeboarding in Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex

- Learn wakeboarding, skating, water skiing, and using the kneeboard. International wakeboarders and tourists come to this first-class water sports facility to experience the thrill of their lives.

Explore Sorsogon

- Visit the Philippine Bee Farm, Sorsogon Dairy Farm, Rizal Beach, Lake Bulusan (tagged as "The Switzerland of the Orient"), Barcelona Church, and the Mateo Hot Spring.

Food Trip

- Don't forget to taste the rich and spicy dishes of Bicol cooked with coconut milk and "siling labuyo" (chili pepper). Known for its Bicol Express and other spicy delicacies, the place puts the "hot" in "hotspot."

Places of Interest/ tourist spots in Camarines Sur

Naga Cathedral
Camsur Watersports Complex
Camsur Deer Farm - located at Sta. Cruz, Ocampo.
Caramoan Peninsula - the province's tourism showcase: beaches, cliffs, coves, and rocks which are anything but spectacular yet unspoiled.
Lahuy Island - white sand beaches
Atulayan Island
Aguirangan Island
Mt. Isarog
Matukad Island
Lake Buhi - home of the world's smallest freshwater fish called sinarapan. It measures 3-4 millimeters long.
Pasacao Town - where several resort beaches are located.
Old churches in Milaor and Bonbon

Places of Interest / Tourist spots in Albay

Mayon Volcano - the world's most perfect cone
Cagsawa Ruins - a lavish church during the Spanish era that was buried when Mayon erupted in February 1, 1814.
Bacman Eco-park - located in Manito, Albay.
Batan Island - home to the mysterious Pototan Cave
Misibis Beach - in Cagraray Island
Daraga Church - an example of Baroque architecture
Camalig town has several caves
Busay Falls in Malilipot
Beaches in Sto. Domingo
Diving sites in Rapu-Rapu Island

Places of Interest/ Tourist Spots in Camarines Norte

Sta. Elena Nature Spring
Capalonga Church - Shrine of the Black Nazarene
Pag-asa Beach
Bagasbas Beach - good for surfing
Apuao Grande Island
Rizal Monument in Daet - first monument of the National Hero
91-year old Don Rufino Pabico Mansion
Museo Bulawan at the Provincial Capitol
Mananap Falls at San Vicente

Places of Interest / Tourist spots in Sorsogon

• Mt. Bulusan Natural Park & Mountain Lake Resort
• Century-old Barcelona Church and Ruins
• Donsol Whale Shark/ Butanding Interaction
• Dancalan Beach Resort
• Astillero of Donsol
• The Old Houses of Juban
• Rizal Beach Resort
• Sabang Beach Resort
• Tolong-Gapo Beach Resort
• Rompeolas/Sorsogon Pier
• Paguriran Island
• Libanon Beach Resort
• Bagatao Is. of Magallanes
• Sorsogon Provincial Capitol Park and Building
• The Picturesque Islands off Matnog
• Irosin’s Hilltop Church
• PNOC Eco-Park
• Prieto-Diaz Coastal Environment Program Model Site
• Nagsurok Cave and Other Legendary Caves of Prieto-Diaz
• Palogtok Falls
• Masacrot Springs
• Mapaso Spring
• Highway Rest Area
• Mateo Hot & Cold Springs Resort
• Sorsogon National High School Main Building
• Ruins of Panlatuan

Languages

Classification

Bikol languages are classified under the Central Philippine language family of which Tagalog and the Visayan languages are a part of.
The four groups are outlined below.

Northern Bikol

Main article: Coastal Bikol

North Coastal Standard Bikol (Ethnologue name: Coastal Bikol) or simply, Northern Bikol, is spoken by over 2.4 million people (figure dates back from the 1990 Census) with native speakers in various areas in all the provinces of the Bicol Region: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

Northern Bikol is further divided into four languages:

1. Central Bicolano or Bikol Central
Standard Bikol - It is spoken in urban centers of the region such as Naga City and Legazpi City.
Bikol-Naga - This spoken variety is based on the speech of Naga City; used in many other areas in Camarines Sur; and San Pascual, Masbate on Burias Island.
Bikol-Daet - It is spoken in Daet, Camarines Norte.
Bikol-Legazpi - It is spoken in Legazpi City, Tabaco City and the entire east coast of Albay; and northeastern Sorsogon. Within this variety there are minor differences in vocabulary, for example between the Bikol of Naga and Legazpi, comparable to that between British and American English. The differences in pronunciation are even smaller and are mainly on differences in intonation. Bikol Naga has a distinct see-saw intonation reminiscent of Hiligaynon or Waray while Bikol Legazpi has a flat intonation and is said to be spoken rapidly.
Bikol-Partido - Spoken in the Camarines Sur municipalities of Ocampo, Goa, Tigaon, Lagonoy, Sagñay, and San Jose.
Bikol-Virac - Spoken in Virac, San Andres and southern part of Caramoran in Catanduanes.
2. Isarog Agta
3. Mt. Iraya Agta
4. Southern Catanduanes Bicolano - Spoken in the southern end of Catanduanes.

The language of the city of Naga and adjacent towns or Bikol-Naga dialect is the basis of the standard language and is used in media and mass communication.

Southern Bikol

Main article: Inland Bikol

Southern Coastal and Inland Bikol (Ethnologue name: Inland Bikol), or simply, Southern Bikol, is spoken by over 1.1 million people living mainly in the southwestern area of Camarines Sur as well as parts of western Albay and western Sorsogon.

Southern Bikol is further divided into three languages:

1. Iriga Bicolano or Riŋkonāda or Rinconada Bikol - Spoken in Iriga City, Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula and Nabua, Camarines Sur. (All six towns and one city of the Rinconada District have similar dialects and understand each other, however, Iriga, Buhi and Bato have tones, pronunciations and some words that are distinctively different from the rest)
2. Albay Bicolano or Albay Bikol:
Buhinon - Spoken in Buhi, Camarines Sur.
Libon - Spoken in Libon, Albay.
West Miraya or Oasnon - Spoken in Ligao City, Polangui, Oas, and Pio Duran, Albay.
East Miraya or Daragueño - Spoken in Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Jovellar, Albay and in Donsol and Pilar, Sorsogon.
3. Mt. Iriga Agta

Northern Catanduanes

Main article: Pandan Bikol

1. Northern Catanduanes Bicolano (Ethnologue name: Pandan) is spoken by about 80,000 people in the Northern Catanduanes towns of Caramoran, Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, and Viga.

Bisakol

Main article: Bisakol

The portmanteau term Bisakol refers to Visayan languages spoken in the Bikol region. These languages are close to Waray-Waray and Hiligaynon but have a lot of influence from other Bikol languages. There are roughly 850,000 Bisakol speakers, including roughly 530,000 Masbatenyo ones.

The three languages are:

1. Central Sorsogon - Spoken in Sorsogon City, Castilla, Casiguran, and Juban, Sorsogon.
2. Southern Sorsogon - Spoken in Gubat, Barcelona, Bulusan, Santa Magdalena, Matnog, Irosin, and Bulan, Sorsogon.
3. Masbateño - Spoken in Masbate City, Mobo, Uson, Dimasalang, Palanas, Masbate, Aroroy on the island of Masbate, all of Ticao Island, and Claveria on the southern half of Burias Island.
Other languages

Bicol is also home to other languages. Tagalog, for example, is spoken in most of Camarines Norte and in the town of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. Hiligaynon is spoken in the southwestern Masbate towns of Balud and Mandaon while Cebuano is spoken in the southeastern Masbate towns of Placer, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, and Esperanza.

Bicol Photos