MARIE JOYCE DOLOJOL 11- HONESTY
BICOL REGION (REGION V)
Region V, known as Bicol Region, is one of the regions in the Philippines. The
region is located in the southermost tip of Luzon Island. It is composed of six provinces:
Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate.Six
component cities and one independent component city which is Naga City. Bicol Region
is best known for being the home of the world's largest fish - the butanding (whale
shark) and the infamous Mayon Volcano.
Fiestas- in Bicol are based on epic tales that celebrate the Bicolanos’ bravery; to
give thanks for bountiful harvests and to pay homage to patron saints that illustrate the
people’s devotion and religiosity; and to highlight specific industries and agricultural
products show that Bicolanos are hardworking, resourceful, and resilient. Every
barangay participates in games, contests, and performing arts related activities such as
the drum and melodica competition and street dancing competition in order to bring
town residents closer together and to show appreciation for the rich harvest and
productive economy. Bicolanos have this annual celebration in honor of the Virgin of
Penafrancia every third Sunday of September. Citizens coming from different provinces
in Bicol Region will be in Naga City to meet their relatives and friends, share food,
drinks, and prayers with them, and most of all, to pay homage and give thanks to the
Virgin of Peñafrancia, whom the Bicolanos fondly call Ina. On the first day, a copied
image of the Virgin is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where a novena is
held. On the last day, the image is returned to her shrine following a route. The evening
procession is lit by thousands of candles from followers in boats escorting the image.
Having a statue of a Saint goes beyond than being just placed in their house. They
would go beyond treating these icons as member of the family, performing tasks like
cleaning and dressing them up during their feast day. It shows how deep Bicolanos
devote themselves to their saints. The region is also known for the Ati-Atihan Festival.
The Ati-Atihan festival is celebrated every January and is known as the oldest festival in
the country and predecessor to both Sinulog festival and Dinagyang festival. Attendees
will come across street dancers in beautiful colorful costumes with blackened faces as
tribute given to the indigenous people in the island alongside with groups of friends or
complete families in their craziest and unique costume they can come up with. The
highlight of the Ati-atihan Festival is the annual holding of the Higante Contest.
Moreover, thousands of devotees narrate their miracles taking place while attending the
Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival.
The Bicol Region is home of the best quality, innovative handcrafted products.
It’s the most prevalent provider of income to many Bicolanos. The production of native
products are made up of abaka as they can produce more high quality products like
lampshades, chairs, accessories, furniture, baskets, slipper and some others with the
use of the abaka fibers. Generally, these products are manually made or handmade by
the most skillful people in Bicol. In addition, the region is known for the 1,500-year-old
artifact found in CamSur. It is said that the shards of burial jars found are more or less
1,500 years old, hundreds of years before the coming of the Spaniards. The artifact
found is pre-Hispanic deposit which revealed a lot about the culture that Filipinos had
before the arrival of the Spanish. Moreover, the region is known for the Cagsawa Ruins
which are the remains of a 17th century church built by the Franciscans and what
remained after the most violent and deadly eruption of Mt. Mayon. Daraga Church or
Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church is also a historical landmark and a
testament to the unwavering faith and resilience of the Bicolano. Severals writings of
devotes from Casagwa Church after evacuating from the eruption of Mt. Mayon were
seen. The church was made into a Japanese station and was severly damaged in the
World War II. However, was rebuilt by the citizens.
Bicolanos, in common with Filipino populations, has a collection of ingenious
beliefs alongside its colorful and brilliant history. Like any other region in the Philippines,
Bicol Region is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. Some families believe that saints are
the owner/s of their land/property, when someone in the family member is ill, they
pronounce “promesas” or vows, and sometimes offer sacrifices to the saints and Christ
for their hopes to be granted. Devotees are motivated by the belief that if the devotion is
intently and consistently practiced, personal petitions is expected to be granted. In the
practice of healing, Sympathy or “pity” is articulated for spirits who do not allow fixed
payment to be made or given. The common expression, "Tabi po, maki-agi tabi
(Excuse me please, I would like to pass by)”, is still used up until today as it to
acknowledge the invisible world. Other than that, they believe that children will get
kabag(gas pains) when they eat camote. Therefore, parents should avoid giving their
children camote especially for supper. Ice cream or any cold food fed to an infant is
believed to weaken their lungs. Breastfeeding the child will create a very close bond
between the mother and her child. Children, age 7 or 8 years old, should be taught to do
their household chores like cooking rice, washing dishes and sweeping the floor. At
thirteen, children are now capable to take care of his/her siblings and can be entrusted
with their money. These are only a few of out of many beliefs that Bicolanos keep in
their minds. Some of which are based on their religious belief as well as their
superstitious beliefs.
In terms of the ways how the people in the region interact and socialize, they use
their language predominant in Bicol Region which is Bikol. The language, Bikol , was
highly influenced by Spanish Language and falls under the Austronesian family of
languages. Bicolanos are known to be sweet and friendly. Their sociability is manifested
during celebrations such as fiestas, birthdays and other occasions. A typical way of
socialization is through drinking as discussion and camaraderie are established with
lesser inhibitions and lesser formality. They are also known to talk a lot; however, this
can be considered a disadvantage. Some say,” Kapag tsismosa ka dae kang
asensuhan.” Gossiping, of course, happens to all of us and we are either a victim of it or
are the ones who do it. Moreover, they are known to be conservatives. They prefer to
stick to the old rather than the new. Modernization must have been a struggle for some
Bicolanos. However, this is slowly dealt with acceptance.
Bicol Region is more than to be known for their infamous Bicol Express and
Mayon Volcano. The region is rich when it comes to their culture and history. It is said to
be predominantly catholic and are religious. It fascinating that even with the rise of
technology, Bicolano remained who they were before though still open-minded with the
change.
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