Rough Groove

Bicol trip

Bicol, home to delicious cuisine flavored with generous amounts of chili and gata (coconut extract), spanish era churches, majestic mountains, forests, lakes and seas, is home to a hardy, resilient and friendly people.

The welcome arch reads “Welcome to Bicolandia along the border of Quezon and Camarines Norte.

The stalls of Naga City that opens well into the night sells different kinds of peanut cooking from sugared, fried, steamed as well as other food knicknacks that are good paired with bottles of beer and liquor.

Early morning, and joggers circle the driveway around the spacious Penafrancia Basilica, the seat and home of INA, the mother of Christ, that is venerated deeply in these region, a testament to the Bicolano’s devoutness.

Man selling young coconuts along the road at the side of the Legazpi City rotunda, early morning. Grated, mature coconuts are extracted for its gata, a major component that flavors Bicol cuisine from the tasty pinangat, Bicol express, and a host of other dishes.

A lone tiger at the Albay Wildlife Park that houses a few but interesting animals from around the country (seldom seen) as well as the world.

An obligatory visit to the Cagsawa ruins near Legazpi City. Famed for her perfect cone, Mt. Mayon enlivens the Bicol landscape and her majestic sight makes one forget her fiery temper. The Cagsawa Ruins, is a grim reminder of the region’s most active volcano’s other side.

These children along the road to the Mayon Resthouse wave to passing visitors. However, don’t be fooled by their seeming hospitality, the’yre waiting for loose change. Bicol, while the land is beautiful, is also one of the country’s poorest.