Bicol Region: Bicol Region

Bicol Region, also known as Bicolandia in Spanish and Kabikulan in Filipino, is one of the 17 regions in the Philippines, designated as Region V. Bicol has 6 provinces namely; Albay, Camarines Norte & Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. The largest city in Bicol region is Legazpi. This city is also considered as the center of tourism, education, health services, commerce and transportation.

HISTORY

The Bicol Region was known as Ibalon, variously interpreted to derive form Ibalio, which means "to bring to the other side"; Ibalon, "people from the other side" or "people who are hospitable and give visitors gifts to bring home."

GEOGRAPHY

Bicol Region has a total land area of 18, 054.3km² (6,970.8 sq mi) and has 6 provinces namely; Albay, Camarines Sur and Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. It also consists 7 cities; Iriga, Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate, Naga, Sorsogon, and Tabaco.

LANGUAGES

Bikol, Albayano, Masbateño, Rinconada, Pandan Bikol, Sorsoganon, and Tagalog.

ECONOMY

Agriculture is the largest component followed by commercial fishing.

FOOD

Kinunot- spicy appetizer, made of shark meat or stingray meat, coconut cream, and malunggay or moringa leaves.

Laing- gabi or taro leaves, coconut cream and served with siling labuyo.

Bicol Express- pork cooked in coconut milk.

Ginataang Labong- labong or bamboo and coconut milk with shrimp shoot or sardines.

Tilmok- Bicolano term for coconut milk and crab meat.

Pili Nut

Dinuguang Bicol- pig's blood served with chili pepper.

Ginataang Santol- meat of santol with gata.

Pancit Bato- cooked with shrimps and petchay.

- "Bato" type of noodles originated from Bato (barangay in Camarines Sur)

Sinapot- maruya

FESTIVALS

Our Lady of Peñafrancia Festival

-Miraculous patroness of Bicol Region.

- every 3rd Sunday of September

- held in Naga City

Ibalong Festival

- non- religious festival in Legazpi City, Albay

- held during August

ARTS & CRAFTS

Bicol Region is known for their native and abaka products.

AGTA

•Referred as “Negritos”

•Endangered list

• short, dark-skinned, kinky-haired, thick-lipped, and small-nosed

There are 3 other terms for them in Camarines Norte:

v Kabihug- what they call to themselves

v Manide- term for their language

v Abian- means “friend” is how they referred to by non-Agtas

• tapis (skirt) for women.

• bahag (breechcloth) for men.

• breastfeeding mothers wear uban.

they have a very close family ties.

father and the eldest sons usually hunts while mothers and daughters left behind for the household chores.

Hunting is the main means followed by fishing, and farming.

Katapusan is a day for rest where youngsters can interact with youngsters.
* as early as 14, girls can marry their partner that was chosen by their parents.
- When a boy happens to fall in love with a girl, he can declare his intentions by hiding and waiting for the girl to bathe in the river. He should throw a fruit with drawn design symbolizing his love for her. If the girl picks it up, the feeling is mutual. Then that's the time that the boy will propose to the girl and her parents.
- If parents do not object, the boy will do the manunungko and ask for the girl's hand for marriage. the father will give him a final task.

OLDEST MEMBER- he will officiates the ceremony. After the final blessing, the couple make off for the hills or forest for their honeymoon. The next day, they'll wear a red piece of cloth around their foreheads to proclaim that they are newly weds.

* they don't have formal leaders. Old males serve as consultants for arbitration purposes.