ALBAY...cuisine and products

Experiences the Delicious cuisine in ALBAYJ

Visit and discover the best cuisine and best products in ALBAY.

By….CASELYN R. PETILJ

Best cuisine…

Hoyop-hoyopan Cave

Hoyop-hoyopan Cave

By: Lorelie B. Brabante

In Albay, there are two caves that are well-known, one is the Hoyop-hoyopan cave and the Calabidongan cave. If you want a harder course for your spelunking adventure, I suggest you go to Calabidongan as Hoyop-hoyopan is just a walking inside a cave- it doesn't have the swimming, climbing, and sliding which is expected for a spelunking adventure. 

The main entrance of the Cave

The cave that we went to is called as Hoyop-hoyopan Cave. The cave has 3 main entrance and 3 floors, and what is fascinating is that it has its own ventilation. The wind passes through the openings of this cave which makes it cool inside and also, that is where its name came from. Hoyop, which means (ihip) blow. 

Sign near the entrance of Hoyop-hoyopan Cave

The cave also doesn’t stink unlike other caves.

Can you see a giraffe?

Hoyop-hoyopan cave is located in Camalig, Albay, about 30 minutes away from Legazpi City. As far as i know, there is no direct transportation which will take you in this cave. What you can do is hire a tricycle or a van in Daraga (instead of Legazpi, so that the price will be cheaper) to transport you in this destination.

The Exit

When you arrive in the site, there are people who can assist you and tour you around the cave, but the service is not for free it is for a minimum fee of P300.00 or $7 USD. The price is per group, so it doesn't matter how many people you are. And also, it include the entrance fee but excludes the parking fee.The parking fee is P25.00 or $0.55 USD.

DEAD MAN ROCK FORMATION (You can see a lot of interesting rock formation inside this cave)

The cave is not "au naturale" there are man-made structures inside the cave for visitor's safety. There are stairs and bridges; and also there are lights hanging in some of the areas of this place. That is why you don't need to bring some flashlights. The stairs are made because there's a lot of visitors slipping when they go up to the higher level.

Bridge in Hoyop-hoyopan Cave

There is also a man-made dance floor where people of Camalig go and party during the Martial Law era. This is funny but this is real. They go there during the night and enjoy themselves although there was a curfew set by the Marcos' government.

Even though there's man made structures inside the cave, it doesn't really affect how natural and beautiful the cave is. The man made structures are just to protect the tourists from any untoward accident.

You can also buy some crystals as souvenirs here. They cost at an average of P10.00 to P1000.00 ($0.23 - $23.25 USD).

"Taste the Cuisines of Bicol"

Discover the uniqueness of Bicol and enjoy the adventure of knowing the best cuisines of Bicolano's and Bicolano's..

by:  Mary jane Dela cruz

Aha!

BIKOL EXPRESS

Most favorite of all Bicolano's

and Bicolana's.. APPROVED!!

Wow!

CUYOG FISH

It's easy to find everywhere in Bicol..CORRECT!

Meaty!

PORK AND CHILLIES IN COCONUT

It's Philippines and Bicol proud because of saucy and meaty food..NICE!

It's over!

DINUGUAN OR PORK BLOOD STEW

Great combination of pork blood and meat usually mixed in coconut milk..ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!

EXCELLENT!

SINIGANG NA BABOY(Pork)

Boiled pork and sour soup with vegetables and tomatoes.DELICIOUS!

Great!

SINANGLAY NA TILAPIA

Is a Bicol dish wrapped in pechay with coconut milk and chili toppings..TRY IT!!

We LOVE IT!

HOT AND SPICY PUSIT

Creamy coconut milk and one of the favorite dishes in Bicol..

KINUNUT

PINANGAT

LAING (gabi leaves)

GULAY NA LADA

more and more...

It only shows that we are not only rich in natural resources and places but also we are rich in different cuisines and to be proud of at all times..

 by:

Mary Jane Dela Cruz

Bikol Fiesta Calendar by Tin Olaño

In this blog, I would like to give you a year-round glimpse of the colorful celebrations held in Bicolandia. May it be a town-based or regionally celebrated, it will not fail to amuse or inspire you. Be amazed! Be inspired! Come and be one in the Bikolnon Fiesta!

JANUARY

9                                                                                                        
 Our Lady of Prompt Succor Feast Day (Buhi,Camarines Sur)        

It is a feast day held by Buhinons to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Her image is widely famous in the surrounding areas because of the many miracles she has made.                                                                                         

FEBRUARY

11                                                                                                         
Tinagba Festival (Iriga,Camarines Sur)                                               
A fiesta by Irigueños where they bring offerings in thanksgiving.       The fiesta coincides with the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes who is also honored as well on that day by the city people.                       

APRIL

6-8                                                                                                
Rodeo Masbateño                                                                        
A festival showcasing the agility, strength of cattle-raisers of      Masbate. It is nationally renowned for the "matador" style of     catching raging bulls.                                                                    

MAY

1-31                                                                                                 
Magayon Festival (Daraga, Albay)                                                 
A cultural and religious affair done to celebrate the feast of the     town's patron saint, Nstra. Sra. de la Porteria and the beauty of     Mayon Volcano.                                                                               

JUNE

19-21                                                                                                  
Pili Festival (Sorsogon City)                                                              
In this fiesta, the city of Sorsogon highlights the "majestic tree" of   Bikol. Being an indigenous plant of the region, Pili is commonly      associated with Bikol.                                                                        

JULY

21-25                                                                                             
Katalingkasan Festival  (Libon, Albay)                                         
A fiesta held to honor the town patron, St. James the Great.         Literally, it means freedom. The festival aims to promote local     culture and arts.                                                                             


AUGUST

1-8                                                                                                     
Mercedes Fishtival (Mercedes, Camarines Norte)                            
A celebration in thanksgiving for the bounty that Mother Nature     has provided the town. It also aims to promote the local beauty of   nature.                                                                                                


SEPTEMBER

Peñafrancia Festival
Undoubtedly, this is the Fiestas of all Fiestas of the Bikol Region.     Devotees flock to Naga City to pay homage to the Virgion of            Peñafrancia. Last 2010, Bikolanos have celebrated the Tricentenary of the Devotion to her.                                                                        

OCTOBER

22-24                                                                                                
Catandungan Festival (Virac,Catanduanes)                                     

A festival celebrated to mark the memory of the freedom of the     province from Albay.                                                                        

DECEMBER

18                                                                                                        
Pastores Bicol  (Legazpi City)                                                            
A festival rooted from Spanish traditions. It is a dance made to         commemorate the visitation of shepherds to Bethlehem on the birth of Christ. This is widely performed in Bikol,but Legaspi has            developed this to become a festival.                                                 

Bikolano Traits: A Tourist Magnet by Mia Latagan

Tourism is a service-oriented industry. It is mandatory that the customers feel the service, that it is also be delivered with efficiency and quality.

In Bikol, we have these distinguishing qualities that make tourists endearing to us. What are they? Read on the list. :)

Honesty

Bikolano's are honest people, who make good in their deals. They will return little things you have left behind, give you the right amount of change, etc.

Peace Loving

As said about the recently added cultural attraction in Naga, the PLAZA DE NUEVA CACERES, the Bikolanos are people who loves peace. They accepted the new Faith introduced to them, and at the time of the Philippine Revolution, Bikol was unaffected.

Friendly

Also, relating to the said monument, it reveals also the friendliness of the Bikolanos.

Religious

We see the intensity of this trait in the endearment that the whole region has for Ina, Our lady of Penafrancia. During September, people will flock to Naga, mostly Bikolanos from far away places (balikbayans) to pay homage to the Virgin.