Almasor: Thrill Times Three
By Nickky Faustine P. De Guzman
Published: August 25, 2013
Bicol region goes beyond the world-renowned Mayon Volcano and its iconic cuisine Bicol Express—because it still has a lot to offer.
The creation of the Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (Almasor) Tourism Alliance by the Bicol Regional Development Council spearheaded by Albay Governor Joey Salceda, aims to provide more tourist destination options to local and foreign tourists while harnessing the potentials of each province as sub-regions.
Almasor, dubbed as the Soul of the South, boasts of unspoiled islands, hidden caves and mountain trails, nature adventures, delicacies and homemade products, among others.
But what to highlight?
Our five-day retreat to Almasor gave us the wonderful dilemma of choosing which ecotourism activities and beautiful nature backdrops should be prioritized, what islands must be visited, and what needs to be experienced.
Good thing, the Soul of the South proves itself as a place for all options.
On ATV, Misibis, island-hopping, and more
An Albay getaway will never be complete without the Mayon Volcano unveiling itself behind the huge curtain of clouds. However, the possibility is greater if you ride an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or foot climb towards it. Legazpi City takes pride in the fact that Hollywood actor Zac Efron once experienced ATV and enjoyed the scenic views while climbing the foot of the magayon (beautiful) mountain. The unstable terrain of hardened lava rocks and the gushing torrent river water give excitement and anxiety to first-time and even experienced ATV riders. And there, after an hour or so, is the bare and beautiful Mayon Volcano.
But if daredevil rides aren’t for you, then delight yourself with island-hopping adventures instead. An hour away from the city proper by bus, the Cagraray Island houses the renowned Misibis Bay Resort and Casino. The Misibis Bay is a luxurious island playground built on a stretch of beach that accommodates 37 Asian-inspired villas and 53 Garden View rooms that promise a quiet get away from the city. Aside from languid walks on the shore area, the resort offers water sports activities like jet ski, parasail, kayak, and zipline. The isolated Cagraray Island also houses an amphitheater and church amid its vast blue waters and lush forests.
Both Albay and Sorsogon are bounded but not separated by bodies of water. Sorsogon is world-renowned for butanding-watching, which abounds in the waters of Donsol. However, fewer whale sharks are spotted in the area. Nonetheless, Sorsogon reinvents its offerings with island-hopping in Juag Lagoon for fish interaction activities, and Subic beach and Tikling Island in Matnog for family picnics and lethargic sojourn.
The waters of the islands also produce a bounty of humongous and fresh sea foods that can feed thousands. Imagine our delight when an almost-10 kilogram tilapia was served on a banana leaf in time for our lunch.
The Masbate province meanwhile may be laid back and quiet, yet the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines comes alive every year when cowboys (and even cowgirls) prove their powers in taming bulls and cattle. Masbate is also slowly becoming more accessible, thanks to the province’s ongoing projects like the Masbate City Road development.
Booming Bicolandia
The Bicol province recorded around 2.9 million domestic and estimated 770,000 foreign tourist arrivals or a total of 3.7 million tourists last year. In fact, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), Albay is the fastest-growing tourism destination in the country, almost doubling in domestic tourism and 23% in foreign tourism, which reflected in its 49% growth in tourist arrival. Sorsogon came in second with 31% growth. The province of Masbate meanwhile has increased three percent in tourism arrival but is slated to gain momentum owing to the creation of Almasor and some ongoing and future infrastructure projects.
“The completion of the Bicol International Airport in Albay in 2016 is expected to bring in travel revenues and will also pull international markets, which includes Japan, Korea, and European countries among others,” DoT Region V Director Maria Ravanilla says.
With the creation of the Almasor, Ravanilla adds that the region is eyeing around 650,000 foreign tourists annually within the next five years.
Philippine Travel Mart
To help promote Bicol tourism, experience what the region has in store for everyone at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) “Sale ng Bayan” on September 6-8 in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. The Bicol Peninsula, including Almasor and Catanduanes will host some of the tour packages that will also include over 350 exhibitors with their tour products and promos to major and upcoming tourist destinations, latest resorts, and activity tour programs at reduced prices.
The PTM “Sale ng BAYAN” is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).
The creation of the Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (Almasor) Tourism Alliance by the Bicol Regional Development Council spearheaded by Albay Governor Joey Salceda, aims to provide more tourist destination options to local and foreign tourists while harnessing the potentials of each province as sub-regions.
Almasor, dubbed as the Soul of the South, boasts of unspoiled islands, hidden caves and mountain trails, nature adventures, delicacies and homemade products, among others.
But what to highlight?
Our five-day retreat to Almasor gave us the wonderful dilemma of choosing which ecotourism activities and beautiful nature backdrops should be prioritized, what islands must be visited, and what needs to be experienced.
Good thing, the Soul of the South proves itself as a place for all options.
On ATV, Misibis, island-hopping, and more
An Albay getaway will never be complete without the Mayon Volcano unveiling itself behind the huge curtain of clouds. However, the possibility is greater if you ride an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or foot climb towards it. Legazpi City takes pride in the fact that Hollywood actor Zac Efron once experienced ATV and enjoyed the scenic views while climbing the foot of the magayon (beautiful) mountain. The unstable terrain of hardened lava rocks and the gushing torrent river water give excitement and anxiety to first-time and even experienced ATV riders. And there, after an hour or so, is the bare and beautiful Mayon Volcano.
But if daredevil rides aren’t for you, then delight yourself with island-hopping adventures instead. An hour away from the city proper by bus, the Cagraray Island houses the renowned Misibis Bay Resort and Casino. The Misibis Bay is a luxurious island playground built on a stretch of beach that accommodates 37 Asian-inspired villas and 53 Garden View rooms that promise a quiet get away from the city. Aside from languid walks on the shore area, the resort offers water sports activities like jet ski, parasail, kayak, and zipline. The isolated Cagraray Island also houses an amphitheater and church amid its vast blue waters and lush forests.
Both Albay and Sorsogon are bounded but not separated by bodies of water. Sorsogon is world-renowned for butanding-watching, which abounds in the waters of Donsol. However, fewer whale sharks are spotted in the area. Nonetheless, Sorsogon reinvents its offerings with island-hopping in Juag Lagoon for fish interaction activities, and Subic beach and Tikling Island in Matnog for family picnics and lethargic sojourn.
The waters of the islands also produce a bounty of humongous and fresh sea foods that can feed thousands. Imagine our delight when an almost-10 kilogram tilapia was served on a banana leaf in time for our lunch.
The Masbate province meanwhile may be laid back and quiet, yet the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines comes alive every year when cowboys (and even cowgirls) prove their powers in taming bulls and cattle. Masbate is also slowly becoming more accessible, thanks to the province’s ongoing projects like the Masbate City Road development.
Booming Bicolandia
The Bicol province recorded around 2.9 million domestic and estimated 770,000 foreign tourist arrivals or a total of 3.7 million tourists last year. In fact, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), Albay is the fastest-growing tourism destination in the country, almost doubling in domestic tourism and 23% in foreign tourism, which reflected in its 49% growth in tourist arrival. Sorsogon came in second with 31% growth. The province of Masbate meanwhile has increased three percent in tourism arrival but is slated to gain momentum owing to the creation of Almasor and some ongoing and future infrastructure projects.
“The completion of the Bicol International Airport in Albay in 2016 is expected to bring in travel revenues and will also pull international markets, which includes Japan, Korea, and European countries among others,” DoT Region V Director Maria Ravanilla says.
With the creation of the Almasor, Ravanilla adds that the region is eyeing around 650,000 foreign tourists annually within the next five years.
Philippine Travel Mart
To help promote Bicol tourism, experience what the region has in store for everyone at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) “Sale ng Bayan” on September 6-8 in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. The Bicol Peninsula, including Almasor and Catanduanes will host some of the tour packages that will also include over 350 exhibitors with their tour products and promos to major and upcoming tourist destinations, latest resorts, and activity tour programs at reduced prices.
The PTM “Sale ng BAYAN” is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).
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