When in Bicol, one should never miss shopping for abaca products – the region’s signature product. And when it comes to abaca-based products, Gallerias de Legaspi is one of the best sources. Gallerias De Legaspi specializes in handmade Abaca Handicrafts, mostly stylish bags. It is a factory outlet of a well-known exporter to such names as Esprit and Nine West. Each bag takes up to 48 hours to make by hand.

The Bicol Region, particularly the Province of Albay, is rich in spectacular vistas and wondrous panoramas that are a delight for every photographer. From the postcard-perfect beauty of Mayon to the yet to be discovered destinations within the province, Albay offers an abundance of lovely photographic subjects. This April 17-20, 2009, amateur and professional photographers will get the chance to hone their photography skills while capturing some of Albay’s best views in the Bicol Destination Photography Workshop with Wig Tysmans – one of the country’s most sought-after corporate, fashion and advertising photographers.

Every Good Friday, the Catholic citizens of Legazpi gather to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ by witnessing and joining the annual procession. Beautiful ‘carrozas’ carrying various Saints as well as scenes from Christ’s passion and death are decorated with hundreds of flowers and lights and solemnly paraded through the streets of the city. The faithful, with candles and rosaries in hand, follow the ‘carrozas’ as it meanders through the city.

The month-long, province-wide Magayon Festival 2009 officially begins today! This is the perfect time to explore Albay’s well-known destinations and discover its hidden treasures. There is indeed so much more in Albay than its famed Mayon.

Makusog, the tribal chief of Rawis, had a daughter, Daragang Magayon, whose outward beauty was matched by her kind heart. Her suitors were legion, including Pagtuga, a handsome warrior but arrogant chief of the Iragas. But, Magayon’s heart belonged to the noble Ulap, son of the Chief Karilaya of the Tagalogs. Thus, he gathered his warriors to fight for his beloved.

The Magayon Fest Amazing Race is an adventure race highlighting many of our community’s unique features and heritage. Teams of two individuals will race around the Province of Albay in competition with other teams. Teams strive to complete challenges in three different categories to win major cash prizes. Challenge categories include: Arts & Culture and Hands-on, Fun and Festivals, and Adventure & Sports.

The province of Albay has a wealth of wonders that’s just waiting to be discovered and experienced by the intrepid adventurer. The group of outlying islands composed of Cagraray, Rapu-rapu, Batan and San Miguel (collectively known as CRABS) that straddles the Albay and Lagonoy Gulfs offer some of the province’s best beaches, coral reefs, secluded coves, centuries-old shipwrecks, mangrove swamps and even an underground river.

The site of the Cagsawa ruins is now a park managed by the municipal government of Daraga. It is actually the most visited tourist spot in the town. Visitors can enjoy the classic postcard view of Mayon Volcano with the Cagsawa belfry in front.

A new destination for locals and tourists is rising on top of one of Legazpi City’s most famous landmarks, the 156-meter Ligñon Hill (also spelled Lingñon, pronounced as /li-NYON/). For years, Ligñon Hill is known only for the PHIVOLCS observatory located in its flanks and an old lighthouse on its summit. Now, Ligñon Hill is poised to become one of the city’s top destinations with the construction of the Ligñon Hill Nature Park

The Kapuntukan Hill lies approximately a kilometer away from the busy Legazpi port. Because of its shape, it is also fondly and more popularly called by Legazpeños as the Sleeping Lion Hill, with the higher peak resembling a lion’s hunched shoulders and mane and the lower peak, its rump.

Ligñon Hill is another prominent landform in the city located behind the Legazpi Airport Tower and beside the Albay Wildlife Park. Aside from the Mayon Volcano standing serenely behind it, this hill is one of the first landmarks that greet visitors upon stepping down from an airplane. The hill stands 156 meter (511 feet) tall.