CAMARINES SUR TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Camarines Sur | Brief History | Camarines Sur Descriptions
Historical, Cultural, Religous & Man-Made Attractions | Natural Attractions
Festivals and Special Interest Tours
BRIEF HISTORY
 In 1569, Luis Enriquez de Guzman, with Augustinian friar Alonzo Jimenez, reached the present town of Camalig, then a thriving village or rancheria. They found the natives living in thatched sheds called “kamalig”, which translates to ""rice granary."" Andrez de Ibarra, while in search of provisions, followed the route taken by de Guzman and reached Kalilingo and Bua (the present towns of Bato and Nabua) in 1570.
In 1573, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi dispatched Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, to explore the region as far as Paracale in search of gold and other precious stones. A year later, Salcedo cruised the Bicol River and reached Bato Lake. Hence, the first recorded account of the discovery of the place.
In 1574, at the height of the Spanish colonization of the islands, Guido de Lavizares mentioned in his letter to the King of Spain the land of ""Los Camarines"" – apparently referring to the area of what is now Camalig, Albay, where rice storehouses and granaries or “camarin” abound. Thus, the name “Camarines” was coined and somehow stuck. Spanish colonizers later denominated the area into two distinct aggrupations.
Later, a Spanish garrison under Captain Pedro de Chavez was set up in Naga, a prosperous native rancheria. In 1575, de Guzman founded the Naga City, calling it Nueva Caceres after the birthplace of Governor General Francisco de Sande in Caceres, Spain.
On May 27, 1579, Governor General de Sande issued a decree which led to the establishment of a settlement in Camarines where Spanish colonists were urged to reside.
In 1636, Ibalon was split into two: Partido de Ibalon (comprising what is now Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, and the islands of Ticao and Burias) and Partido de Camarines (all towns north of present-day Camalig, Albay).
Partido de Camarines was further divided into Camarines Sur and Norte in 1829. From 1864 until 1893, Camarines Norte and Sur (collectively called Ambos Camarines) underwent a series of confusing geo-political division, fusion, re-division, and re-fusion, until in 1919 when Norte and Sur were finally separated into two provinces by the first Philippine Legislature. Its capital town then was Naga, the city once called ""Nueva Caceres"" – namesake of a province in Spain and among the original five royal cities of the colony.
The Philippine Revolution started in Ambos Camarines on September 17, 1898 when Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo, Filipino corporals in the Spanish Army, sided with revolutionists and fought the local Spanish forces. With the arrival of General Vicente Lukban, the revolutionary government in the Bicol region was established.
The American forces occupied the Bicol peninsula in January 1900. In March of the same year, General John M. Bell was made the military governor of Southern Luzon. Civil government was finally established in Ambos Camarines in April 1901.
In March 1919, the Philippine Legislature issued an Act authorizing the Governor General to divide the province into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
During the outbreak of World War II, Wenceslao Q. Vinzons waged underground operations and organized guerilla units against the Japanese troops stationed in Camarines Sur. After the capture of Vinzons on July 8, 1942, Lieutenant Francisco Boayes carried on with the guerilla movement. In April 1945, Camarines Sur was finally liberated from the Japanese invaders.
Naga City was the capital of Camarines Sur until June 6, 1955 when Pili, the adjoining town, was declared the Provincial Capital by virtue of R. A. 1336. The province celebrated its foundation anniversary, the 419th, for the very first time in May 27, 1998.
CAMARINES SUR DESCRIPTIONS
Camarines Sur is home to the smallest fish in the world and famous for its Mt. Isarog, lots of beaches, old churches, and many splendid attractions.
Geography
The province is geographically located in the central part of the Bicol peninsula, which forms the southeastern part of the island of Luzon. It is about 450 kilometers from Manila and is located between 14º10' and 13º15' North Latitute and between 124º10' and 122º40' East Longtitude. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Quezon and Camarines Norte, San Miguel Bay, and the Pacific Ocean; on the south by the province of Albay; Lagonoy Gulf on the east; and Ragay Gulf on the west.
Population
Total population was 1,551,549 as of May 2000. Naga City was the most populated, with 137,810 persons, and Gainza was the least populated, with 8,412.
Language/Dialect
Bikol is the local and most common dialect, with Naga Bikol as the standard version. English and Tagalog are likewise used. A growing number of Chinese and Muslim communities speak their own languages.
Political Subdivisions
Camarines Sur is composed of 35 municipalities and two cities, Naga City classified as an independent component city and Iriga City as a component city. Pili is the capital town. There are 1,065 barangays and four congressional districts.
Major Industries
Camarines Sur is the agro-industrial center of Bikol, followed by trade, manufacturing, and construction. Labor force is abundant, strong, and efficient. Among the priority investment sectors are marine and agriculture followed by non-metallic mineral processing, metal works, processed foods, beverages, furnitures, garments, and gifts and housewares.
With the proposed establishment of ecozones in at least five identified locations in the province and the intensifying campaign on the promotion of Bicol tourism, more investors are expected to arrive.
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HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGOUS & MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Historical Attractions
PNR Marker Park
Located in Del Gallego, the site was where the late Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon had driven a golden nail during the inauguration of the North and South Railroad tracks which connected Manila to Legazpi.
Cultural Attractions
Naga City Museum
Located inside the University of Nueva Caceres campus, the UNC museum is one of the oldest museums outside Manila and recognized by the International Association of Museum. It houses historical artifacts of the ancient Bicol, its people and its culture.
Religious Attractions
Ladrillo Church of Quipayo
Constructed in1616, this unique brick-made church is located in Calabanga. Rare artifacts were excavated in this church and they are now well-displayed in a museum behind the church altar.
Man-Made Attractions
Consocep Resthouse
Located in Tigaon, it is at the midway of Mt. Isarog at an elevation of 1,800 feet above sea level. The breeze at this point is hauntingly cool amid luxurious surroundings that abound in the place.
Leaning Tower Of Bombon
It is Camarines Sur’s counterpart, or perhaps an exact replica, of the very famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Rome. A 15 minute drive from the City of Naga to Bombon.
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NATURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Itbog Falls
Located in Sta. Cruz Buhi, Camarines Sur. It has a twin waterfalls cascading amidst verdant vegetation. It could be reached by means of a banca from the town proper of Buhi and then a 30-minute trek.
Mt. Iriga
Distinct volcano with an elevation of about 4,823 feet. It is a very noticeable landmark. Its eruption in 1611 had caused the existence of Lake Buhi in the province.
La Roca Encantada
An enchanting island within the scenic lake of Buhi. It could be reached by means of a banca from the town proper of Buhi.
Calapnitan Cave
Found in Libmanan, it contains innumerable stalactites and pillars ranging from massive to extremely delicate. Thousands of bats are housed in this cave, presenting a very extraordinary spectacle. Their presence provides a very good source of guano supply and phosphate.
Sabang Beach
Located in San Jose, it has a sandy white beach and shallow clear placid bathing water which is strongly fit to the climate in the area.
Atulayan Island
In this cinema-like paradise of an island, you can easily complete your collection of rare shells and stones. It was once the site of the French-Italian movie, “Mutiny in the South Seas.” Its ivory-colored beaches provided the best setting for the movie.
Nato Beach
Its beach is long with clear water and a gradual sea depth. It is accessible by car.
Omang Cave
Situated in Barrio Paniman, Caramoan, its entrance is about 30 feet above sea level and the interior is architecturally designed. The air is very cool inside. It is dark and, if lighted, shows grandiose beauty.
Caramoan Beach
The one beach in the country that can match Miami Beach in Florida.
Lake Bato
An inland lake which is a selected habitation of wild ducks and a choice site for duck hunters.
Malacsay Falls
Located in Mt. Isarog in Panicuason, it is 40 feet in height and the cascading water falls on a wide pond. A strong potential as a tourist attraction in the province, it could compete with other leading waterfalls in the Philippines like the Pagasanjan Falls.
Lake Buhi
At the eastern side of Mt. Iriga, picturesque Lake Buhi is about 105m above sea level, surrounded on all sides by hills more than 300m high. Sinarapan, the smallest commercial fish in the world, is found in the lake. It measures about three to four millimeters long and one spoonful would hold a thousand of them.
Gota Beach
Located in Caramoan, this lovely white beach lies between two small hills. Fronting the beach are three unspoiled islets.
Adiangao Cave
Located in Presentacion, the entrance of this cave is on the side of a small hill overlooking the sea. The cave is in the midst of a coffee plantation.
Rose Islet
A small islet near the town of Presentacion. Its white sandy beach is good for swimming and snorkeling.
Pasacao Beach
Located in the town of Pasacao, the beach is very popular to the landlocked residents of Naga City.
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FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS
Festivals
Tinagba Festival (February 11)
Annual celebration in Iriga City that coincides with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Featuring the parade of bull-carts fully laden with harvested crops, which wind up the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes where an offering of these crops is made as a token of thanks for the year’s bountiful harvest.
Boa- Boahan Festival (May 1-2)
A colorful cultural festival of pagan origin showcasing indigenous fertility and thanksgiving rites.
Kaogma Festival (May 21- 27)
A revival of the festival started on May 1989 to pay homage to the province’s farmers and fisherfolk. Features a parade, street dancing, a beauty pageant. The province’s Foundation Day falls on the last day of the festival.
Peñafrancia Fiesta (3rd Week of September)
Renowned celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, patroness of the Bicol region. This week-long celebration includes civic and military parades, a sports fest, exhibits, a regatta, cultural shows, a beauty pageant, and other colorful competitions. Highlights are the “translacion” and fluvial procession of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia along the Bicol river on the 3rd Saturday of September.
Special Interest
Mountain Biking
Naga City has been known as a great mountain biking territory for years and is the home of one of the oldest mountain biking groups in the Philippines: the Naga All-Terrain Bikers Association (NATBA). A good place to start any mountain biking trip in Bicol is local two-wheel enthusiast Frederick Eleazar's Racer & Mechanic Bike Shop, where NATBA members congregate. The shop rents bikes and carries basic spares and parts. Eleazar also stocks some good gear and if you're looking for a guide or biking companion, updates on trail conditions, or ideas and details of new routes, this is the place to go.
Trekking
Mt. Isarog, situated just outside the town of Naga, rises to 1976m and overlooks San Miguel Bay, Lagonoy Gulf, the rugged Caramoan Peninsula and the fertile lowlands around Naga. This is a dormant volcano-its last major eruption was in 1641. Mt. Isarog is the second-highest mountain in Bicol and has one of the area's largest concentrations of virgin rainforest with a wide variety of rare plant and animal species. It is not a particularly difficult climb, unless you rush, and it makes a good introduction to the volcanoes of the Bicol region.
Also known site is Mt. Iriga or locally known as Mt. Asog, this 1200m volcano rises just outside Iriga City beside the picturesque Lake Buhi. The Trekking route up the mountain is not particularly challenging and can be completed in a single day. The view from the top is very impressive, taking in the lake below, Mt. Isarog to the north, the perfect cone of Mt. Mayon to the south, nearby Mt. Malinao and even Catanduanes Island stretching out on the far side of the Lagonoy Gulf.
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Where to Stay in Camarines Sur | Brief History | Camarines Sur Descriptions
Historical, Cultural, Religous & Man-Made Attractions | Natural Attractions
Festivals and Special Interest Tours
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