I was born and raised in Bicol, Philippines and have spent most of my childhood there. Bicol is at the southern end of Luzon. It’s a beautiful place with lots of natural wonders. More than just Mayon Volcano, Bulusan Volcano and Mt. Isarog, and whale shark spotting, Bicol Region have lots of breathtaking islands and beaches.
Albay, my home province has vast amount of rich farm lands, and one of the main produce is abaca. So if you’re in search for handicrafts (handbags, mats, baskets), this is the place to visit. What is also unique about the province is the churches in each municipality mostly of Baroque Architecture.
What I really miss though are the religious traditions we celebrate. Most notably, the holy week procession where you can see the evident influence of Spanish and Roman Catholic culture to our place.
2007 Holy Week Procession – Bacacay Albay, Philippines
Agony in The Garden - 2007 Holy Week - Bicol, Philippines
Agony in The Garden - 2007 Holy Week - Bicol, Philippines
I won’t be able to go home this Holy Week season, so I’d content myself with sharing pictures of last year’s Holy Week Procession. Back home, each “santo” or “paso” is taken care of by a clan. Most of these santos are with clans for several generations already. Our family has one “paso”, the Agony in the Garden. Every year the whole clan helps out fixing the image, putting decorations, and going to the processions. Processions are done on Holy Wednesdays and Good Friday. It goes through the town’s narrow streets ending at the Church where the priests bless the people and the images. (it was raining a bit last year ..)
Majority of these images or ‘santos’ are centuries old and has been handed down through generations. See the photos below and you’d be amazed by the details and the craftmanship of each piece. The newer ones now are mostly made of fiberglass but the old ones are really impressive. It has life-like sizes as well as features.
Update: 2008 Holy Week Procession (photos courtesy of my niece Andrea)
Uragon! Sa Bicol din province namin. Sa catanduanes!! hey, exchange links tayo ah. Just tell me.
hi wow neighbor.. i grew up near Tabaco.. di ba that’s were you take boat ride to Catanduanes? will add u to my links. tc
hello there! So you’re also a bicolana eh? just read your new blog and you sure are a pro on this blogging thing. I like it and would definitely come by everyday to check all your blogs for new entries.
I hope your husband found any ebook worth reading from my site.
I will add this new link to my friend’s list.
Have a good week…
maganda tlga sa BICOL .. actually miss ko na nga sa bicol ee.. tagal na kasi ko d nakakauwi dun..