camalig tourism profile - Camalig, Albay | Bungkaras Camalig!

CAMALIG TOURISM PROFILE
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Camalig Historical Profile
Recent archeological findings within the municipality show that Camalig had been inhabited by
people with developed social attributes of cultural, religious, social, political and economic
relationship and organizations as early as the years 200 BC to 900 AD, the period referred to as the
early Iron Age in the Philippines.
According to Father Cayetano Sanchez, an OFM who made researches on Bicol History at the
Franciscan archives in Pastrana, Spain, in 1569, a Spanish Fleet led by Captain Luis Enriquez de
Guzman came to Bicol Region accidentally as they were scouting the neighboring island in search
for food supplies badly needed by Legazpi’s soldiers stationed in Panay. From Sorsogon, de
Guzman ventured northward inland and went as far as Camalig where they came upon a thriving
and prosperous agricultural settlement (rancheria) whose inhabitants kept their farm products in
little hut with grass roofs and without walls called KAMALIG, in local language, camarin in Spanish
plural for camarines. After a brief rest in Camalig, de Guzman and his men went back to Panay. So,
it is easy to deduce then, that Camalig got its name from these native huts used for storing harvests
or crops.
Getting Here…
It’s just a forty five (45) minute plane ride from Manila to Legazpi Airport and mere 25 minute drive
by Taxi, Van and Public Utility Jeepney to Camalig Poblacion.
Camalig Tourism Circuit Map
Tourist Attractions
Man-Made Attractions
COLONIAL Houses
St. John the Baptist Old Church
First constructed made of wood and light
materials early in 1579 by Franciscan
Missionaries in Binanua-an but destroyed
during
the
1814
Mayon
Eruption.
Reconstructed in 1842 made of solid blocks of
volcanic rocks from Mount Mayon and
completed in 1848. Made of purely volcanic
stones, this massive stone church is a
monument of the numerous people who
labored for its construction. Camalig can boast
of having one of the most massive, strongest
and most beautiful churches in the region. This
church served as look out for the American
troops during World War II in searching for
enemies. Having withstood over the different
periods of the country – the Spanish,
American and Japanese eras.
 House of the Franciscan Mission and the
First infirmary in the Bicol Region
Barangay 2, Camalig, Albay
World War II Tunnels
Subway passages constructed by the
Japanese Imperial Army which served as both
their secret passage to the different parts of
Quituinan Hills and nearby places and refuge
during American bombings.
Quituinan Hills (Tinago, Ilawod (Sogong),
Gotob, Mina, Sumlang, Gapo Areas)
Activity: Tunnel Hopping
Recreational Facilities
Casa Alyssa Resort
Casa Alyssa Resort is a private resort owned
by the Tanchuling family located just a stone’s
throw from Camalig Church. This is a place
where one can bring friends and family for
swimming and leisure.
Barangay 3, Camalig, Albay
Natural Attractions
Hoyop-hoyopan Cave
Hoyop-hoyopan comes from Bikol word
“hoyop” which means ‘to blow’ aptly describes
the cool, soft, murmuring winds that blow
thorough its labyrinthine passageways inside.
Hoyop-Hoyopan is situated 15 km from
Legazpi City and can be reached by land.
Pottery, human bones, beadwork and artifacts
believed to be 4,000 years old have been
unearthed from these caves.
Barangay Cotmon, Camalig, Albay
Activity: Spelunking
Calabidongan Cave
It literally means “cave of the bats.” Explorers
have to trek, cross over brooks and river
before reaching the cave mouth. Then one
must swim across a two-meter lagoon called
“lizard’s gate.” Then, come out into an
overwhelming cathedral with streak of light
pouring in from its ceiling. It requires heavy
spelunking. It is located in Barangay
Calabidongan,
situated 2 km from HoyopHoyopan Cave.
Barangay Calabidongan, Camalig, Albay
Activity: Spelunking
1978 Mayon Lava Wall
The lava deposit was formed during the 1978
Mayon Volcano eruption wherein most of the
lava trenches where towards Camalig part.
Tourists visits the site via ATV, hiking and
trekking.
Barangay Quirangay, Camalig, Albay
Activities: ATV Ride, Trekking, Sight Seeing
Moraleda’s Cave
A cave with a hot-spring in its interior flowing
to one of its cave outlets.
Barangay Pariaan, Camalig, Albay
Other Caves in Camalig:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Quitinday Cave
Solong Cave
Taloto Cave
Su-uman Cave - Cotmon
Activity: Spelunking
Quitinday Green Hills
Fondly called Green Hills, the conical
formations look like mini-versions of Mayon
Volcano, especially when viwed from a lofty
vantage point.
Barangay Quitinday, Camalig, Albay
Activities: Sight Seeing, Trekking
Quituinan Hills
About 60 years ago, a great battle took place
in the mountain of Quituinan of this
municipality. The mountain is a very strategic
location within its pentacle protruding over its
adjoining rolling hills giving one an opportunity
to get a vivid sight on all directions of the
expansive downhill plains. The Japanese had
chosen Quituinan to be their observation point
with an underground sanctuary by constructing
many tunnels thereat during the stint of their
rule in the country.
An escalation of verdant contours that is a
perfect hideout for those of a pastoral
inclination. For the more sporty ones, tunnel
hopping, ATVs and horseback riding are fun
activities that would be hard to miss.
Mt. Mayon View
Camalig is the best vantage point from which
to feast your eyes on the mighty Mayon.
Barangay Sua-Quirangay-Anoling Areas
Camalig, Albay
Burok-burokan Spring
Cool silent springs, perfect escapades for
nature lovers good for swimming.
Barangay Bariw, Camalig, Albay
Other water structure in Camalig:
1. Quisaray Spring in Barangay Bariw
2. Danao Lake in Barangay Sumlang
Tingib Falls
Three-layered mini-falls that can be found
within the complex of Japanese Tunnels in
Sitio Sogong, Barangay Ilawod.
Sumlang Lake
Mt. Mayon’s Looking Glass.
Fishing, rafting and kayaking by the serene
waters of Sumlang Lake are especially
engaging when the conical grandeur of Mt.
Mayon provides an irresistible background.
Barangay Sumlang, Camalig, Albay
Activities: Raft Boating, Fishing, Sight Seeing
Food Delicacies
Pinangat
Native dish made of ‘gabi’ (taro) leaves
skillfully boiled to taste in hand crushed
delectable ‘gata’ (coconut milk) flavored with
‘tanglad’ (lemon grass).
Marcasotes
Native steamed cake cooked in handmade
paper bags similar to that of the Italian
‘panettone’. The old technique of cooking
using a huge clay pot (which serves as oven)
lined with cut banana bark at the bottom to
provide the steam for cooking gives the native
delicacy its different taste and aroma which
makes one crave for more.
Inulokan
Native dish made of small fresh water crabs
(‘ulok’ in the local dialect) and coconut meat
flavored with kalamansi juice, black pepper
and ‘tanglad’ (lemon grass) to enhance the
taste, wrapped in ‘gabi’ (taro) leaves and
boiled in delectable hand crushed ‘gata’
(coconut milk).
Pilinut Candies
Camalig is also famous of home-made
manufacturers of different varieties and flavors
of pilinut candies.
Puto Lanson
Native steamed rice cakes in different colors
cooked in small cups.
Native Products
Handicrafts
Locally produced native products from raw
materials Abaca. Raw materials can be made
as slippers, mats, bags, rags, ropes, etc.
Tsinelas
Made of abaca fibers, Camalig Tsinelas is the
town’s secondary One Town One Product
(OTOP).
Tsinelas is one of the home-based livelihood
activity in Barangay Ilawod
Coco-coir Products
Products produced locally from coco coir
marketed locally, nationally and internationally.
By: Juboken Enterprises
Other Products:
1. Dairy Products from Albay Dairy Plant
2. Pure Suka or Coco-vinegar
3. Souvenir items from Sandblasters
4. Native Kakanin
Where to stay and dine:
1. Rayben’s Place Dormitory
2. KAPISTAHAN Lodge and Suites
3. Balay Samson
-01. Rayben’s Place Resto Bar and Grill
2. Let’s Pinangat
3. Genevei’s Convenience Store
4. Dad’s Pinangat
The Pinangat Festival
Celebrated every month of June, the Pinangat
festival coincides with the Camalig Town
Fiesta in honor to the town’s patron saint, St.
John the Baptist. The festivity is a colorful
potpourri of memorable and thrilling activities
for everyone especially to Camaligueños.
Contact Us:
Contact Person:
Municipal Tourism, Culture and the Arts Office
Camalig Tourism and Pasalubong Center
Brgy. 2, Camalig, Albay, Philippines
Email/FB page:
JED L. VILLANUEVA
Municipal Tourism & Cultural Officer
camalig_tourism@yahoo.com