Albay

A Spanish expedition penetrated the Bicol peninsular from the north in 1573. The area was established as the Bicol province which was split into two provinces in 1636. One of these provinces was the Ibalon province, renamed Albay in 1663. The province has been struck by both natural and man-made disasters. Mayon Volcano erupted in 1814, burying the town of Cagsawa and killing 1,200 people. In 1649, native recruits rebelled in protest of their transfer to Cavite to build galleons. Moro slave raiders ravaged costal settlements until the early 19th century. The provincial revolutionary government of Albay was formed on September 22, 1898. Albay had very little defence against the advancing Japanese army in World War II.

Camalig

Camalig was discovered by the Spanish in 1569 when a galleon led by Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman was searching for food supplies needed by Legazpi's men in Panay. De Guzmen wandered into the Bicol region and came across a thriving settlement. The inhabitants of this agricultural settlement kept their farm products under grass huts called kamalig in the local language. This is how Camalig got its name. It was founded as a town in 1579.

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave

Looking into Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave in Camalig. The name means blow-blow in local dialect, from the sound of the wind whistling through the main entrance. (June 2003)

The cave is a natural tunnel-like structure. Legend says the cave was the primitive habitats of the natives in the area. (June 2003)

Daraga

The first settlers of Daraga came from a settlement called Budiao. The town was moved and re-established in Cagsawa in 1587 amidst fears of destruction from an eruption from Mayon Volcano. On June 12, 1772, the town was moved again, further away from Mayon Volcano. On February 1, 1814, an eruption from Mayon devastated Cagsawa and Budaio. Daraga town was incorporated into Legazpi in 1892 until 1922. Again, it became a district of Legazpi on July 18, 1948 until June 8, 1954. Daraga was officially called Locsin from 1959 until June 17, 1967.

Cagsawa Ruins

The Cagsawa ruins in Daraga. The town was buried in the 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano which looms in the background. (June 2003)

The church tower is the only part of Cagsawa Church that remains. (June 2003)

After the town of Cagsawa was buried in the eruption, local authorities incorporated it as part of Daraga a few months after. (June 2003)

Apart from the church tower, the only other remains of the town are some walls of the priest's house and the municipal building. (June 2003)

Behind the clouds looms the premier landmark in Albay - Mayon Volcano, a nearly perfect conical-shaped volcano. (June 2003)

This volcanic rock outside the National Museum (Region V) is a fragment from one of Mayon's previous eruptions. (June 2003)

Legazpi City

Legazpi was a settlement called Sawangan when the Franciscan friars arrived in 1587 to convert the inhabitants to Christianity. It was established as a separate town called Albay in 1616. The eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814 devastated half of the town, forcing people to relocate. Albay town was separated from Cagsawa in 1818, renamed Legazpi on September 22, 1856 and became a city in 1892. Legazpi City was dissolved by the Americans in 1900 and merged with Daraga and the Albay district into a single municipality called Albay. Daraga separated in 1922. On July 18, 1948 Legazpi became a city again with the inclusion of Daraga. Legazpi City was again dissolved on June 8, 1954 with the separation of Legazpi and Daraga. Legazpi became a city for the third time on June 12, 1959. On February 23, 1973, Daraga was again declared as part of Legazpi City. However, this was not implemented due to local government restructuring. Legazpi City is named after Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador.

Legazpi City Airport

Mayon Volcano dominates the skyline at the airport in Legazpi City. (June 2003)

City of Tabaco

When the Spanish first arrived in Tabaco, they approached a native and asked the name of the place. The native, who was a jealous father and didn't understand Spanish, thought they were trying to take his daughter. His response was Tabac Co! Tabac Co! meaning My Bolo! My Bolo! His daughter brought his bolo, but by that time, the Spanish had already assumed he was referring to the name of the place. The recorded history of the city begins with the arrival of the missionary Franciscans 1587. The first inhabitants settled along the coast and engaged in fishing and farming. Continuous attacks by Moro raiders forced many to migrate to surrounding area, eventually resulting in a town settlement by 1703. Tabaco City has been stuck by a number of disasters over the centuries. A typhoon in 1811, an eruption from Mayon Volcano in 1814, typhoon Trix in 1952 that completely submerged Natunawan Island, a fire that raised the commercial centre in 1964 and typhoon Sining in 1970.

Mayon Skyline

At the Mayon Skyline in Tabaco. The Skyline is at an elevation of 762 metres. (June 2003)

Mayon Volcano stands at a height of 2,496 metres and is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. (June 2003)