From Tabaco City, I travelled to Legazpi since I had no choice. If I were to arrive in Naga the soonest, I have to take the Legazpi trip since the one via Tigaon is not frequent. When I reached Santo Domingo, I was just devastated. While the damage in Tabaco and Catanduanes were limited to property and infrastructure, I was never prepared with what happened in this area as well as in Daraga.
Left, walking through the streets of Tabaco City, I saw this lineman busily repairing an electric post. During the time I was there, the city was still without electricity. Fortunately, the hotel I was staying had a standby generator.
The destruction of Reming in Tabaco City. This was a warehouse destroyed.
Two weeks after supertyphoon Reming struck Bicol on 30 Nov, and I was on my way to Catanduanes for the Bicol leg of my photo assignment. At first, I was worried that the devastation would be too great as to bring much discomfort or, gasp, would not allow me to do the shoot of around five churches. Anyway, I just have to go, cross my fingers and hopped on an evening bus trip.
Two weeks after supertyphoon Reming battered Bicol last 30 November and I found myself in this devasted region. From my recent trip to Bicol, these photos document the utter destruction that befell these beautiful region now at Binary Silver.
Obviously, I was not prepared for what I saw in Sto. Domingo and Daraga in Albay.
I thought that our trip to this southern region will be all for naught as typhoon Henry was hovering above the country bringing with it cloudy weather and rains. However, having spent for the fare and coming here in Legazpi, we decided to spend the weekend here instead and hope that Mayon will show its fiery display at night or early dawn.
Saturday night and cloud cover was still apparent, hiding the lava flows of Mt. Mayon. Disappointed, we retired for the night and set our alarm clocks for 0415H, hoping that by that time, a peek would be given. However, when our mobile phone’s alarm went off, I was just disappointed as it was already raining.
Sunday, and we spent it at Pacific Mall, the city’s main destination as malling is concerned, visited the magnificent church of Daraga as well as the obligatory Cagsawa ruins. After that, we went to Santo Domingo to scout for a place along the way for a good vantage point of the mountain, still in hopes that we will be able to get a glimpse of the lava flows. After taking a photo of the beautiful church of Sto. Domingo, we went back to Legazpi and at the jeepney, I asked for directions on where to get a good view of the mountain’s lava flow and I was given directions 
At Bigaa, Legazpi City, our patience was well rewarded as the heavy cloud cover of Mt. Mayon finally parted and the magnificent view of the mountain’s lava flow came into view! Wow! I was just amazed and in awe at this glorious, beautiful view. The incandescent glow of the crater at the top while trickling red hot lava flowed at its slopes. Not for long, it started to drizzle and cloud again covered the mountain but I was just happy and fulfilled as I already got my photos!
Late Saturday afternoon, while en route to Legazpi City, in Ligao City, the view of Mt. Mayon just awes with smoke billowing from its crater.
Sunday after lunch, the view of Mt. Mayon with its cloud cover at Daraga, Albay, church grounds. The red circle above is detailed in the photo below.
Detail of the lava flow down the slopes of Mt. Mayon and nearing the boundary of the 6 KM danger zone in Mabinit, Legazpi City.
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