Sorsogon’s Butanding exhibit, which won the grand prix for best booth at the 2008 19th Philippine TravelMart is one of the major displays at the Magayon Festival of Albay. In a letter to Governor Sally A. Lee, Governor Joey Salceda of Albay invited the province of Sorsogon to take part in the festival “by way of showcasing the very impressive exhibit of Sorsogon which won during the Philippine TravelMart presented at the Gayon Bikol Fiesta.” It will be displayed at the Albay Provincial Lobby.

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.

Get ready for an action-packed weekend on April 18-19, 2009 with the Albay Seige II: Invitational Airsoft Competition. The 2nd Airsoft Speedball Competition is one of the most anticipated events, not only for airsoft enthusiasts, but also for everyone who loves to watch a good combat game. The battle erupts at the Bicol University Football Field. For the uninitiated, airsoft is a game in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting each other with spherical non-metallic pellets fired from a compressed-air gun (or airsoft gun) powered by gas, manual spring-load, or electrically powered gearbox.

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 Legazpi Tourist Inn is located right at the center of the Legazpi Central Business District. The inn offers 24 rooms (19 aircon rooms and 5 non-aircon rooms). It’s location is about 15 minutes drive from Legazpi City Airport and walking distance to the two major malls in Legazpi City. The inn has a secured parking area with security guards, outside line and intercom service in every room, TV with cable channels, hot and cold showers, a laundry and ironing services.

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 City of Legazpi will participate in Earth Hour 2009 this Saturday, March 28. Earth Hour is a a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses and governments will switch off their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change. In 2009 Earth Hour aims to reach one billion people in 1,000 cities. Legazpi is one of several Philippine cities joining this initiative.

Alicia Hotel is one of Legazpi’s premier hotels. It is located just a stone’s throw away from the Legazpi Domestic Airport and along F. Aquende Drive (Washington Drive), one of the city’s main thoroughfares. Alicia Hotel is a villa-type hotel that boasts of 32 well-appointed rooms, each with with amenities as hot and cold water, telephone, cable TV and air-conditioning units. The hotel also offers a panoramic view of the world-famous Mayon Volcano.