REGION V - BICOL REGION

REGION V — BICOL REGION

ALBAY

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Mayon Volcano & Cagsawa Ruins — Perfect cone-shaped active volcano.

  • Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave — Limestone cave with natural wind breezes.

  • Naglaus Underground River — 300-meter long mysterious river.

Festivals:

  • Ibalong Festival (October 25-31) — Street dance & epic story reenactment.

  • Magayon Festival (2nd week of October) — Parade & cultural shows.

  • Sarung Banggi Festival (May) — Tribute to composer Potenciano V. Gregorio.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Pili Nuts — Candies, Mazapan, Roasted, Butternut variants.

  • Laing — Taro leaves in coconut milk.

  • Bicol Express — Spicy pork in coconut milk.

  • Abaca Products — Bags, hats, handicrafts.

  • Known for spicy dishes & use of coconut milk.

CAMARINES NORTE

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Bagasbas Beach — Surfing, Skimboarding, Kiteboarding.

  • Rizal First Monument — Oldest monument for Dr. Jose Rizal.

  • Vinzons Church — Historic church named after a WWII hero.

Festivals:

  • Pabirik Festival (February 2) — Street dancing depicting gold mining industry.

  • Bantayog Festival (April 2-24) — In honor of Dr. Jose Rizal, includes sports, trade fairs, and cultural shows.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Sweet Pineapple (Queen Formosa Variety) — The province is known for this type of pineapple.

  • Coco-based Delicacies — Sweets made from coconut products.

  • Seafoods — Crabs, shrimps, and fish from nearby coastal areas.

CAMARINES SUR

(Region V - Bicol Region)

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Caramoan Islands — Famous for pristine beaches, lagoons, and limestone cliffs. Known as the “Survivor Island” because of international Survivor series filmed here.

  • Mt. Isarog National Park — Home to rare species of plants and animals, waterfalls, and natural springs.

  • Lake Buhi — Known for the smallest edible fish in the world called Sinarapan.

  • Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica (Naga City) — Pilgrimage site of devotees.

Festivals:

  • Peñafrancia Festival (3rd week of September) — Biggest religious event in Bicol in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of Bicol. Highlight is the Fluvial Procession along Naga River.

  • Kaogma Festival (May 27 - June 1) — Celebrates the foundation of Camarines Sur, with street dancing, beauty pageants, concerts, and sports.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Kinalas — Naga City’s famous noodle soup with pork or beef.

  • Laing — Spicy taro leaves with coconut milk.

  • Bicol Express — Pork with chili and coconut milk.

  • Pili Nuts — Just like Albay, pili nuts are also popular here.

  • Toast bread from Naga — Sweet crunchy bread pasalubong.

CAMARINES NORTE

(Region V - Bicol Region)

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Bagasbas Beach — Surfing & kiteboarding spot with strong waves.

  • Rizal First Monument (Daet) — First monument built in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal (1898).

  • Vinzons Church — One of the oldest churches in Bicol.

Festivals:

  • Pabirik Festival (1st week of January or February 2) — Highlights gold mining industry through street dancing in Paracale.

  • Bantayog Festival (April 2-24) — Celebration of Camarines Norte’s foundation day; features parades, exhibits, and street dancing.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Pili Nuts — Sweet or salted delicacy.

  • Latik — Toasted coconut curd used as topping for rice cakes.

  • Kinunot — Stingray or shark meat cooked in coconut milk with malunggay leaves.

CATANDUANES

(Region V - Bicol Region)

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Puraran Beach — Surfing spot with “Majestic Waves.”

  • Binurong Point — Instagram-worthy cliffs overlooking the sea.

  • Bato Church — Oldest church in Catanduanes built with coral stones.

Festivals:

  • Abaca Festival (May) — Showcases Catanduanes as the “Abaca Capital of the Philippines” through parades and exhibits.

  • Catandungan Festival (October 24-26) — Celebrates the founding anniversary of Catanduanes.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Latik — Sweet coconut delicacy.

  • Kusido — Fish or seafood stew.

  • Abaca Products — Not food, but famous for handicrafts made from abaca fiber.

MASBATE

(Region V - Bicol Region)

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Ticao Island — Beautiful beaches and diving spots.

  • Burias Island — Secluded island with crystal-clear waters.

  • Rodeo Arena (Masbate City) — For cattle shows and rodeo events.

Festivals:

  • Rodeo Festival (April) — The only rodeo festival in the Philippines; features cattle events, lasso competitions, and cowboy-themed parades.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Pastel de Pili — Soft bread with pili filling.

  • Caramelized Pili Nuts — Sweet delicacy.

  • Kinunot — Same with other Bicol provinces, made with stingray and coconut milk.

SORSOGON

(Region V - Bicol Region)

Famous Tourist Spots:

  • Donsol — Known for Butanding (Whale Shark) Interaction.

  • Bulusan Lake — Scenic lake perfect for kayaking and relaxation.

  • Rizal Beach — Long stretch of white sand beach.

Festivals:

  • Kasanggayahan Festival (October 17) — Celebrates Sorsogon’s prosperity and blessings.

  • Butanding Festival (April-May) — In honor of the whale sharks of Donsol.

Famous Foods / Delicacies:

  • Kinagang — Grated young coconut with shrimp or crab meat wrapped in banana leaves.

  • Baluko — Giant shellfish delicacy.

  • Pili Nuts — Sweet and crunchy pasalubong.