Region V Bicol

Region VBicol Origin of the name Bicol the name of the river which drains into San Miguel Bay. bikul or bikal, a bamboo tree bikud mening twistedBackground

Located in the south eastern end of Luzon. surrounded by the Visayan sea in the south , Pacific ocean in the east, Lamon Bay in the north. composed of six provinces: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon And Masbate. bicol region is known as Ibalon derived from Ibalio meaning to bring to other side. So it means people who are on the other side who are hospitable.Baltog, a mighty warrior of Batavera, came by chance upon the lush and virginal beauty of Ibalon due to its extensive area, rich soil and free from typhoons. Ibalon attracted Baltogs men and they built a kingdom where prosperity and peace resides.

Ibalon: the Story of Three Bicol Heroesone day, the peace of the land was threatened by huge man-eating wild boar and it killed the people and destroyed the crops. Baltog stood dumb-founded as he surveyed the wrath on his kingdom.One night he went to the muddy field and waited for the boar and when the boar came within his reach, he sprang at it like a panther and they tumbled to the ground in mortal combat and finally Baltog triumphed. Ibalon, however, saw few years of peace. One day, huge carabaos, followed by winged sharks and giant crocodiles rushed to Ibalon. Every mortal was scared and death and destructionand took a heavy toll and Baltog was defenseless but Handiong, a mighty warrior from the neighboring kingdom happened to pass by Ibalon and Handiong came to their rescue. Handiong fought with the hideous creatures and before sunset, they won except for one monster, Oriol who can turn itself to a beautiful woman. To save itself from extinction, Oriol allied with Handiong and through Oriol the salimaws or evil spirits were routed out. Under Hadiongs ruling, Ibalon became rich and peaceful but Rabut, a monster who could turn men into stones was eyeing his kingdom.Luckily, Handiong had a mighty friend, Bantong and with cat-like agility he came near Rabut and he deliver mortal blows at the monsters neck and the wounded monster writhed in agony and in his struggle for breath, the earth shuddered and cracked and the waters of the sea heaved and rolled landward.With it, the dust clouds parted and Ibalon underwent great physical change. New islets began to dot the waters near the peninsula; the Inarinan river changed its course and a dark lake had reeplaced the mountain at Bato and a perfect cone reared its head to lord over the leveled runins and this is Mayon volcano.

Thus, ends Ibalon.There once lived a chieftain in Albay who has a beautiful and kind daughter, Magayon who is also kind to poor and rich alike. Magayon have lots of suitors but she favored Matapang but her father dont approved their love because Matapang was not of noble birth. Instead, her father favored Maraut who is boastful and rich and powerful. But Magayon didnt want his fathers decision.The Legend of Mount MayonSo Magayan and Matapang planned to elope and meet near the river but Maraut sensed their plan so he informed Magayons father about their scheme so when the two lovers met, they were chased by the men of Magayons father. Matapang was hit by an arrow and he died instantly. Magayon seeing this ran fast but she stumbled upon poisonous snakes and bitten her but medicines didnt worked on her so she died.Magayons father buried her on the same spot where she died and the next morning, a mound on top had risen to become a mountain with a perfect cone and was called until now, Mount Mayon in honor of Magayon, the unfortunate lover of Matapang.