The Circle Game around Mayon Volcano
(Second of two parts)
With the Mayon 80-km circumferential road, each of the 11 towns and cities are simply irresistible, with each one having a unique sight or experience to offer, which is just too good to pass up. This second of two installments will take you to the volcano’s equally exciting backroads aboard the Honda BR-V graciously lent out by JLo Auto Group, Bicolandia’s leading multi-brand dealer.
The BR-V features the advanced collision-free system called Sensing, with a state-of-the-art wide-angle camera, high-speed image processing chip, and wider field of vision which makes the drive safer along the ever-busy Manila South Road.
Pit Stop 4: Sto. Domingo
A 15-minute drive from Legazpi City, it is dubbed as Albay’s “resort town” with its numerous beach houses fronted by fine volcanic black sand known for its therapeutic properties.
A unique hangout place is Aguas Farm, a quaint restaurant with a vegetable garden and mini zoo overlooking the Albay Gulf, and transitions into a watering hole after sunset.But what more than meets the eyes is the innate musical talent of its young string musical ensembles handed down through generations by Potenciano Gregorio, a Constabulary bandmaster who composed the quintessential Bikol love song “Sarung Banggi.” His remains are entombed at a mausoleum at the town plaza which memorializes his musical exploits.
Pit Stop 5: Bacacay
A peninsular town off the main loop, this was once Albay’s best-kept secret and home to the best beaches, the idyllic islands of Namanday and Pinamuntugan, and lush marine biodiversity which has made it the province’s scuba diving playground. This gem off-the-beaten path became an international sensation when the posh Misibis Bay Resort in Cagraray Island opened in the mid-2000s, and the bumpy trails were transformed into high-grade meandering and undulating roads which can serve as a perfect frame for the charming Honda BR-V.
Named after the coastal barangay where it is located, Misibis Bay Resort is arguably the most luxurious property in the Bicol region and continues to be an aspirational destination because of its luxe rooms and villas, facilities, and delightful dishes.
A few minutes away is the Cagraray Eco-Park, a beautifully-landscaped multipurpose recreational area popularized by its iconic ampitheater looking out to sea, and a hilltop glass chapel which has witnessed countless high-profile weddings.
Back at the población or town proper, you can admire the Spanish-era Sta. Rosa de Lima church and swing by the public market to grab the good old banig made out of the endemic karagumoy leaves which has a cooling effect so you can sleep tight at night.
Pit Stop 6: Malilipot
Back to the main grid, this municipality is said to have coined its name from the Bicol word “malipot” which means cool because of its favorable weather. A top producer of abaca, you can go on a shopping spree on exquisite products such as house furnishings, decors, bags and an assortment of what-have-yous at rock-bottom prices. Tucked a few hundred meters away from the highway is Gamboa’s Orchard, a 12-hectare farm-themed resort hotel accredited by the Department of Tourism. As its name suggests, its main come-on is its orchard which offers its guests the freshest and most scrumptious freshly-picked fruits and delectable dishes with ingredients sourced locally.
An eye candy within the Orchard is Conrado’s Farm, which is adorned with giant tropical fruit sculptures which are educational materials for guests, aside from being Instagram-worthy backdrops just like what we did with the Honda BR-V.
With the slogan “Harvest Beautiful Memories,” the farm resort also has hotel-quality rooms for a consummate experience. And just like in the lyrics of the Joni Mitchell hit song, you can be like a child who came out to wonder and caught a dragonfly inside a jar.
Pit Stop 7: Tabaco
The urban hub of Albay on the other side of Mayon, this eclectic city shouldn’t be missed by visitors of the province because of the mix of new and old, most notably its St. John the Baptist Church which is a National Cultural Treasure. It derived its name from the word “tabak” or bolo, which is its main product along with scissors and cutlery due to its age-old blacksmith tradition. A must-drive is Mayon Skyline, a government recreational facility, planetarium and observatory nestled on the slopes of the volcano at 900 meters above sea level which the Honda BR-V can ascend effortlessly with its sleek 1.4L engine and 145 N-m torque. It affords a commanding view of eastern seaboard and San Miguel Island, just across the strait, which beckons you to cross over. From the Skyline, you can drive towards Ligao City passing through Mt. Masaraga to close the Mayon loop and complete circle game which goes round and round, and worth repeating again and again.
