The Province of Albay celebrates the legend of Mayon Volcano as it holds the Magayon Festival in observance of its founding day this May.
Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said the festival complements the tourism promotion and development initiatives of the Department of Tourism (DoT), through its DoT-Region V Office and the Albay provincial government.
"Magayon is a salute to and a celebration of life – its richness and abundance. It unifies the best elements of Albay’s strong Catholic roots with certain aspects of its people’s traditional way of life – giving the entire fiesta a unique provincial flavor," he said.
Now on its seventh year, the month-long harvest festival embraces a comprehensive line-up of events, including cultural activities, trade fairs, travel and tourism exhibitions, sports competitions, and other special activities.
Because the Bicol region is popular for its cuisine, a key event is a regional cooking competition on May 13 to 15. Dubbed "Siram 2005," the contest focuses on the preparation of creative dishes using Bicolandia’s wealth of native products, like coconut, pili, and the ever-present sili. There will be separate categories for hospitality management students, homemakers, and professional chefs of the various hotels and restaurants of the region.
The month-long festivity also includes the Second Mayon Marathon, a youth eco-camp at the Mayon Volcano National park and a climb by the Bicol Federation of Mountaineers aimed at developing environmental consciousness among youths.
According to myth, Mayon Volcano, Bicol’s main tourist attraction because of its near-perfect cone, rose from the grave of Daragang Magayon who was abducted and eventually killed by a spurned suitor during a botched rescue.
Despite its destructive eruptions, the volcano is a sight to behold even during its active stage. It is best viewed from the picturesque Cagsawa Ruins Park in Daraga town which was buried in lava during an eruption in 1814.
Albay is also noted for fine sand beaches, Spanish-era churches, ancestral houses, historic sites, enchanting islands, lush dive and snorkeling sites, springs and waterfalls, and cave networks.