Every 2nd of September, the province of Albay commemorates the birthday of Gen. Simeon Ola y Arboleda, the last Filipino general to surrender to American forces during the Philippine-American War.

Miss Philippines Venus Raj ranked 4th runner up at the recently concluded Miss Universe 2010.

Errol John Suarez of the Bicol University Integrated Laboratory School (BU-ILS) won one of the gold medals among the 136 medals and merit awards haul of the Philippine team in the recently concluded 2010 Singapore International Mathematics Competition (SIMC).

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas inaugurated its new office building in Legazpi City yesterday, August 11, 2010. The BSP Legazpi building located along Rizal St. in Cabangan is the third branch constructed in the new genre of BSP buildings. BSP Legazpi branch services rural, thrift and commercial banks in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco, Ligao and Sorsogon as well as the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes.

With the majestic Mayon Volcano at the frontline of attractions and with thousands of tourists flocking to Legazpi City, the local government has renewed its drive to boost local tourism by opening more industry-related investment opportunities for the private sector.

Did you know that Albay has its very own version of Bohol’s famous Chocolate Hills? These little-known hills straddle an area stretching from the third district to the second district of Albay. The hills are not as conical and symmetrical as the ones in Bohol, but they are remarkably similar in appearance and are probably of the same limestone composition. Indeed, these hills are a natural attraction and potential tourist destination in Albay just waiting to be discovered and explored.

Albay’s climate change envoy and Bicol University alumna Maria Venus Raj is all set to represent the Philippines at the upcoming Miss Universe 2010 pageant to be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on August 23, Monday. She will compete with more than 80 beautiful ladies from different countries all vying for the crown.

The city of Legazpi’s tourism industry is expected to receive another boost through the privatization and development of one of the city’s top tourist attractions: Ligñon Hill Nature Park. Tourist arrivals in the city of Legazpi continues to increase as the local government here remains relentless in its pursuit to further strengthen the local tourism industry with the Mayon Volcano, Embarcadero, and the Ligñon Hill Nature Park in the frontline. City Mayor Geraldine Rosal asserts that the surge in local tourism continues to gain more grounds, propelling the city’s burgeoning economy.

Albay is emerging as the economic hub in the region as it continuously leads and surpasses its internal revenue collection goal among the six Bicol provinces, the local Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office said. The BIR report revealed that of the P2.4-billion tax collected for the first semester of this year, P901 million or 37 percent came from Albay, followed by Camarines Sur with P787 million; Camarines Norte – P257 million; Masbate – P197 million; Sorsogon – P180 million and Catanduanes with P103 million.

The city of Legazpi, strengthening its position as a haven for business and investments, was recently cited for honesty and transparency. Legazpi took home the Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most Honest and Transparent in its Dealings at the 2009 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP) held last July 19, 2010 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The city was also cited as one of the most competitive emergent cities in the Philippines.

Yvethe Marie A. Santiago, a 17-year old BS Accountancy student from Bicol University, will represent the Philippines in the upcoming 22nd World Miss University 2010 to be held in Seoul, South Korea on August 8, 2010.