Albay Wedding Destinations

Albay - Land of the Most Perfect Cone

Located between Camarines Sur and Sorsogon, the province hosts the main attraction in the whole Bicolandia region, Mayon Volcano. Aside from this natural wonder, Albay offers its visitors several natural, historical, man-made and cultural spectacles. Add to that the unique and palatable delicacies which use either chili or coconut milk as main ingredient.

Demographics

1. Population - 1,190,823(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area - 2,552.6 sq. km
3. Capital - Legazpi City
4. Language/Dialect - Bikol, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (3)

  • Legazpi City
  • Tabaco City
  • Ligao City

Municipalities (15)

  • Bacacay
  • Camalig
  • Daraga
  • Guinobatan
  • Jovellar
  • Libon
  • Malilipot
  • Malinao
  • Manito
  • Oas
  • Pio Duran
  • Polangui
  • Rapu-Rapu
  • Santo Domingo
  • Tiwi
Famous For ...

Mayon Volcano
This near to perfect cone shape volcano has become the most popular landmark for Albay and the whole Bicolandia. It is considered by some as more beautiful than the Mt. Fuji in Japan.

Cagsawa Ruins
The place offers the most beautiful view of Mayon Volcano. The ruins are what were left of the Cagsawa Church when Mayon Volcano erupted back in 1814.

Pili Nuts
Whether served as pili nut brittle in caramelized sugar, or placed on top of macaroons or taffy, pili nuts is one the most popular pasalubongs brought by visiting tourists.

Delectable foods
Albay cooks offers an array of mouthwatering cuisine that may be challenging for unaccustomed taste buds
1. Bicol Express (pork and chilies in coconut cream)
2. Laing (taro leaves with coconut leaves)
3. Pinangat (sardines with coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves)
4. Latik (cooked sweet coconut milk used as toppings for ricecakes)
5. Cocido (fish soup, usually Lapu-lapu)

Places of Interest

Cultural

Magayon Art Gallery
Location: Albay Provincial Capitol, Legazpi City, Albay
This is the only contemporary art gallery in the province. The gallery houses various visual art made by local artists.

Legazpi Museum
Location: Legazpi City, Albay
Historical and archeological relics of the city’s gentry are artfully displayed here for public viewing. It also serves as an art gallery for Bicolano artists.

Philippine National Museum
Location: Daraga, Albay
Managed by the National Museum, it contains geological and archeological finds from the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, and Masbate.

Historical

Liberty Bell
Location: Peñaranda Park, Legazpi City, Albay
Constructed by the Americans in 1945, this dome-shaped structure with an ancient bell inside serves as a symbol of liberation of the people of Albay from Japanese oppression.

Headless Monument
Location: Lapu-Lapu St., Legazpi City, Albay
The monument was constructed in honor of the unsung heroes who offered their lives for freedom during the World War II.

Spanish Galleon Wreck Site
Location: Buhatan beach, Sto. Domingo, Albay
The wreck site serves as a proof of the constant galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico. This galleon was wrought by a strong typhoon during one of its voyages. Scuba diving, fishing, and boating are common activities in the site.

Legazpi Albay Gulf Landing
Location: Legazpi City, Albay
The monument was built in 1995 in line with the 50th Anniversary of the Landing of the Allied American Forces in the city, which paved the way to the liberation of the city from Japanese forces.

Natural

Mayon Volcano
Location: Daraga, Albay
Mayon rises 2,462 m (8, 189 ft) above sea level and has a base circumference of 62.8km (40mi). Its name was taken from the Bicolano word magayon, which mean beautiful. Mayon Volcano was one of the nominees for the New 7 Wonders of Nature but did not manage to reach the second level of nomination.

Pototan Cave
Location: Barangay Tinucawan, Batan Island, Rapu-rapu, Albay
Its cave entrance is shaped like a yawning mouth, about 30 ft high and 20 ft. wide. Once inside, an underground river that spans around 12 ft high calmly flows into the different chambers and passageways.

Calabidongan Cave
Location: Camalig, Albay
Literally, “cave of the bats”, explorers have to trek, cross over brooks and river before reaching the cave mouth and swim across a seven-foot lagoon called lizard’s gate. There is grotto-like formation inside which astounds visitors.

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave
Location: Camalig, Albay
This cave is said to be the primitive habitat of the natives of the province before the arrival of the Spaniards. The connected to Calabidongan Cave.

Minaroso Cave
Location: Brgy. Villahermosa, Batan Island, Rapu-rapu, Albay
Minaroso is an unexplored natural cavern. It is a haven of seabirds and swallows and believed to be an ancient burial site of the early Bicolanos.

Black Sand Beaches
Location: Coastal area of Bacacay, Sto. Domingo, and Tiwi, Albay
Black sand beaches are formed due to the natural erosion of volcanic rock which evolved from ground lava. The black sand is usually a little grainy but easy to walk on. Local folks believe that it has therapeutic benefits.

Vera Falls
Location: Mt. Malinao, Malinao, Albay
The path towards the falls is a snake-like trail along tree-filled rivers. Visitors are welcomed with a crystal blue lagoon covered under a forest canopy.

Busay Falls
Location: Malilipot, Albay
Hidden from the world, it is considered as one of the highest waterfalls in the country because of its seven-tiered cascading white foam which plunges approximately 91 meters from its highest point, and the last 40m cascade is visible from a clear shallow pool at the bottom.

Religious

Our Lady of the Gate Church
Location: Daraga, Albay
This church was built on top of a hill by Franciscan Missionaries in 1773. The church is very distinct from other churches in the country because of its rich baroque architectural designs carefully carved on volcanic rocks and its façade that has archeological relics of “santos” and rare religious seals ingeniously carved throughout the entire face of the church, even up to the belfry.

Saint John The Baptist Parishi.
Location: Camalig, Albay
The church is made from volcanic stones. Built in 1842, it took the residents of Camalig six years to complete the whole structure.

Nuestra Señora De Salvacion
Location: Brgy. Joroan, Tiwi, Albay
Every 3rd Saturday of August, thousands of pilgrims flock to this small church in Joroan to pay homage to the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion, Albay’s Patroness.

San Juan Bautista Church
Location: Tabaco City
Declared by the National Museum as one of the National Cultural Treasures, this church was built by the secular clergy in 19th century. The church has compartments that were used for unknown purposes until now.

Festivals

Magayon Festival
Place: All over Albay
Date: April 1 - 30
The feast recalls the legend of Mayon Volcano which came about from the tragic love story of the legend of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron whose fatal deaths gave birth to the volcano. The festival is filled with activities such as beauty contests, fireworks display, trade fair, street dancing competition, and concerts.

Ibalong Festival
Place: Legazpi City, Albay
Date: Second week of October
A week-long festivity recounting the brave exploits of the heroes of Ibalong or prehistoric Bicol. The festival is highlighted by a street parade recreating the classic battles between heroes and beasts of Ibalong.

Sarung Banggi Festival
Place: May 18 - 25
Date: Sto. Domingo, Albay
An annual fun-filled eight-day summer festivity immortalizing the timeless love song Sarung Banggi, and a tribute to its composer, Potenciano V. Gregorio. The fiesta showcases several cultural and religious activities such as street procession, food and sports fest, beauty search, folksong fest, agro-industrial fair and more.

Albay Wedding Articles

Have Yourself A Magayon Wedding

The legend behind the Mayon Volcano, one of the most famous volcanoes in the Philippines famed for its ‘perfect cone’ shape, is a tragic love story of Daragang Magayon and Panginorin or Panganoron who died in each other’s arms and unable to express their love for each other through marriage. Even until now, the Bicolanos believe that Panganoron, now in the form of the clouds, kisses the grave of his maiden, the Mayon Volcano. read more about Magayon wedding ...

Albay Wedding News

Bicolandia's Beauty Stood out at Kasalang Filipino 2009 Fifth Leg

Truly, magayon (beautiful) was a fitting description for the fifth leg of Kasalang Filipino 2009 12-city wedding fair road show as Bicol's finest wedding suppliers paraded their products and services at the Pepperland Hotel in Legazpi City, Albay last April 24 - 25, 20009. Read more ...

Magayon Wedding Festival - Kasalang Filipino 2009 - Legazpi Leg

From the legend of the pride of the province, Mount Mayon, to the characteristics of the Bicolanos, Albay simply spells love and romance. On April 24 - 25, 2009, Albay invites all soon-to-wed couples to experience a magayon (lovely) wedding during the Magayon Wedding Festival to be held at the Peperland Hotel in Legazpi City. Read more ...