For the longest time, Mayon Volcano has been among the country’s most iconic attractions of Albay province and the Bicol region which has graced countless tourism posters and brochures. It is best viewed at the postcard-pretty Cagsawa Ruins Church in Daraga town which was partly buried by a destructive eruption in 1812.
Decades later, the perfect-coned peak continues to be a must-see, but the sprouting of tourism around its road base has made visits more exciting with the bevy of activities which will make you linger a little bit longer and explore the environs.
The current toast of the town is Sumlang Lake in Camalig town, which is arguably the best spot to gaze at the majestic mountain. An idle swamp ignored by the locals a few back, it has metamorphosed into a venue abuzz with special events and visitors wolfing down on spicy Bicol dishes at the Socorro’s Lakeside Restaurant.
A brainchild of village chief Jun Napa, who is also an exporter of abaca-based natural carpets, its centerpiece is a lake where guests navigate on board kayaks or pedal boats, or cruise on a balsa ride while dining, with the towering Mayon in the background.
It also has a souvenir shop of local produce, an abaca weaving hut, and sprawling premises ideal for pet lovers to walk their dogs. The property recently added a swimming pool and rooms for overnight stays, and has set up camping spots for those who wish to sleep under the stars.
Outside Sumlang, Camalig’s newly opened bypass road is slowly becoming a food street of sorts with native eateries and pop-up dining areas which emerge in the late afternoon.
Legazpi City, Albay’s bustling provincial capital and gateway, continues to reinvent itself with new attractions every now and then. According to Mayor Noel Rosal, the city government recently redeveloped open spaces as part of its urban renewal to provide alternative recreational areas so people can avoid crowding in enclosed buildings.
Among these is Sawangan Park along the scenic Legazpi Boulevard along the Albay Gulf, which has facilities where senior citizens can laze, limber, exercise and breathe fresh air from the sea. Named after the city’s ancient name, the new public plaza is part of the boulevard, a hub of physical activities and is touted to be the longest bayside road outside Metro Manila.
Rosal added that the city has also rehabilitated Kalayaan (formerly Imelda) Park and installed a pump track for bikers and skateboarders. Its centerpiece is the metal sculpture of the late renowned sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, which has become a head-turner because of the well-manicured landscape.
Sports lovers can engage in sailing and diving at Albay Gulf, hit the greens at the scenic 18-hole Doña Pepita Eco Park and Golf Club, or bike at the newly opened four-lane Tamaoyan Road in the city’s interiors.
Not to be missed is the homegrown adventure of all-terrain vehicles where you can have the rugged slopes of the volcano as your playground. There are several providers of ATV rentals from various jump-off points, each having a distinct and adrenaline-pumping trail.
If you wish to hang out a little longer, you can hit the sack at Proxy Hotel, a trendy rebranding of The Oriental Albay which recently underwent an image makeover. Barely a year old when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, it is a remake of a posh hotel in the 1990s and is a smaller version of its more popular hilltop sister property, The Oriental Legazpi.
The new hip iteration of an old icon hopes to capture the millennial and the Gen X generations with its retro lobby, upbeat ambiance and artsy common areas, compared to the stiff and white-washed look in its previous life.
Patrons can still enjoy the good old regional cuisine, as well as all-time Filipino and international favorites at its restaurant and poolside grill.
For a refreshing interlude and communion with nature, Mirisbiris Garden and Nature Center in Sto. Domingo town is the place to be. Situated 10 minutes away from the población, it is a unique mix of facilities for children’s literacy, livelihood, and environmental education, among other things, rolled into one.
A social enterprise of its owners, Chris and Glenda Newhall, the property has a 1-hectare hillside main center with 4 family-style rooms, a quaint restaurant, an organic garden, and a romantic gazebo which has been a mute witness to countless wedding proposals.
Across it is a 9-hectare Singapore-style forest which has an engineered footpath, viewdeck and hanging bridge extending to the shores of Albay Gulf, concluding with a snorkeling activity if weather permits. The one-hour trek transports guests to a lush greenery which has about 1,000 plant species, a good number of them endemic.
Indeed, a visit to the legendary Mayon nowadays has become beyond ogling, and beyond words.
Image credits: Jed Gatchitorena, Bernard L. Supetran, Roy Espiritu, The Oriental