AUGUST, arguably, may not be an ideal time to go on travel because of the monsoon season and the proverbial “ghost month” superstition held by many.
But for the people of Albay, this is, perhaps, among the jolliest of months with its string of festivities and interesting sights in almost every other town.
A most awaited event is Legazpi City’s Ibalong Festival, a 27-year-old modern recreation of an epic legend written by Spanish friar Bernardino Melendreras. Its locus is a street presentation recreating the classic battles between the heroes of Ibalong—Baltog, Handyong and Bantong, against the monsters in the ancient land. With the legendary Mayon Volcano towering in the background, the city streets are transformed into a spectacular theater portraying the scenes in the Ibalong mythology in the mold of the Greek “Clash of the Titans.”
Running from August 16 to 25, it boasts of a wide array of sporting, entertainment, cultural and special interest events which hypes Legazpi’s tag as the “City of Fun and Adventure,” and hub of tourism of the Bicol region.
In between the revelry, guests can go on a culinary feast of traditional regional cuisine and contemporary food, or sip local spirits at a cozy restaurant or bar which spice up the city’s nocturnal scene.
A few minutes north, the laid-back town of Guinobatan recently concluded a weeklong festival which puts to the fore its homemade delicacy—the longganisa, a bite-sized pork sausage which has tickled the taste buds of Albayanos.
Held in conjunction with the feast day of Our Lady of Assumption, the seventh staging of the celebration was highlighted by a street dancing tilt and a Culinaria longganisa cooking and making contest to jazz up the well-loved dish.
Down south, the resort town of Bacacay is slowly gaining attention for its natural and cultural allure hidden from plain sight for the longest time. With a vast land area and a long shoreline, it is Albay’s “beach capital” of sort for its powdery sands of varying shades—black, beige and white—scattered at the different coves of the archipelagic town.
Among the sought-after islands are Pinamuntugan and Cabungahan which boast of white beaches and an authentic tropical hideaway sans the modern resort amenities. Sula Channel, which separates the mainland from Cagraray island, is a narrow waterway which is a picture of tranquility with its verdant water and lushly vegetated mountains.
In the heart of town is the 99-year-old Casa Simeon, the ancestral home of Don Simeon and wife Beatrice Alparce which has been given a new lease on life as an accommodation and dining establishment. Built in the typical Spanish bahay na bato architecture, it was restored a few years back as faithful as possible to its original look.
The five-room two-floor pension house exudes the early 1900s ambiance which will transport you back in time. It has also put in room features, such as air-conditioning, cable TV, hot shower and Wi-fi connection to make your stay convenient as it is nostalgic.
It has a spacious and inviting foyer where one can lounge, and a study room adorned by antiques ideal for family bonding over board games and books.
The house’s second floor has a staircase leading to the veranda and the upper living area called Cucina Beatrice, which is now a dining hall where heirloom recipes, traditional Albay dishes and all-time favorites are served to guests.
By and large an agricultural economy, Bacacay is also celebrating its Karagumoy Festival, which derives its inspiration from an indigenous pandan leaf which grows to more than 6 feet tall. The strips from the long leaves of the plant is dried, flattened and dyed before being woven into mats, hats, fans and bags, and sold at the markets and souvenir shops.
Conceived as a tribute to the age-old cottage industry, the event was timed for the feast of Saint Rose of Lima, the town’s patron saint enshrined at the Spanish-era Baroque church. Lest we forget, Bacacay is also host to the posh Misibis Bay Resort which undeniably placed the once-obscure municipality in the world’s tourist map in the early 2000s. A small luxury hotel, it is a consummate destination for staycation and recreation away from the madding crowd.
Another interesting event is the pilgrimage to the Nuestra Señora de Salvacion held at the upland barangay of Joroan in Tiwi town. Held every August 25, it is highlighted by a maritime procession after a mass at Joroan Church on the shores of Sogod. The image of Our Lady of Salvation is carried by the men down to the beach where a well-adorned trawl boat. An entourage of decorated pump boats follow, ferrying the pilgrims to the village of Sogod where a concelebrated mass is held again.
Also regarded as the patron of Albay, it draws Marian devotees from all over the province and the Bicol region the whole-year round, thus making a strong case for faith tourism.
After fulfilling their religious obligation, guests can swing by at the ceramic stores to shop for exquisite pottery or get refreshed by sipping on the signature cheese-laden DJC halo-halo.
With the food, festival, faith and fun it offers, Albay is undoubtedly the alluring place to be this August, rain or shine.
Image credits: Vivian Templado, Bernard Supetran