The Circle Game around Mayon Volcano
(First of two parts)
As I struggled for a witty title for my column based on the editor’s directive, I came across a recent cover song of James McCartney (Sir Paul’s son) of the 1966 classic “The Circle Game.” Performed by my music icon Joni Mitchell, the beautifully-penned song likened life’s seasons that go “round and round and round.”
The song evokes nostalgia when we get to drive around our favorite mountain, the legendary and perfect-coned Mayon which towers all over Albay at 2,463 meters, and can be seen from nearby provinces on a clear day. Its circumferential road embraces 11 municipalities and cities with a basic length of 80 kms, and can be much longer if you deliberately lose yourself into the intriguing nooks and crannies.
This so-called “Mayon Loop” is a favorite route for the “Mayon 360” ultramarathon and bike tournaments over the past decade. For road warriors, this loop is a thrilling “circle game” because of the volcano’s mesmerizing sight and everything in between.
The loop drive becomes a joy ride onboard a sleek vehicle such as the Honda BR-V, a compact crossover SUV which combines the toughness of an SUV and the fun to drive and fuel efficiency performance, which stands for Bold Runabout Vehicle, was designed to do just that.
With the gracious lendout from the Camarines Sur-based JLo Auto Group, one of Bicol region’s biggest multi-brand dealers, we were able to do a chill Mayon Loop which spilled the drive well into two days because of countless pit stops, eating, and random side trips.
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 1: Camalig. Dubbed as Albay’s “heritage village” because of its well-preserved century-old church and ancestral homes, this once obscure town was shoved into the limelight because of establishments which captured the fancy of motorists and tourists alike in recent years.
Much of the credit goes to Sumlang Lake, a sprawling dining, boating and crafts complex which started a decade ago as a humble bamboo rafting at a 9-hectare farm lagoon park. Over the years, it has grown into a must-dine place with its Socorro’s Restaurant which boasts of succulent Bicolano dishes, which include Camalig’s signature “pinangat” delicacy.
For a consummate experience, Sumlang built two spacious and well-appointed rooms which can rival that of a star-rated hotel.
Other must-drive spots are the Quituinan Ranch and the adjacent World War 2 museum which marked a series of small caves used by the Japanese troops.
There’s also the Quitinday Hills and Nature Park which once hosted a long media test drive of a leading car brand before the pandemic.
The BR-V’s 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine makes the climb to these upland destinations smooth and effortless.
Pit Stop 2: Daraga. Home to the poster-pretty Cagsawa Ruins Park, Albay’s top attraction and age-old stopover, guests have been tarrying longer here ever since the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tours hit the trails in the 2000s.
This adrenaline-pumping three-hour ride takes you to the Forest Trail and Green Valley at the volcano’s slopes at about 2,000 feet, passing through exciting and picturesque trails which demand a different kind of driving skill.
The Nuestra Señora dela Portera Church is a sought-after pictorial spot by Honda and other auto dealers because of its antique look and the Mayon wallpaper.
Because of its lower taxes and cheaper land, Daraga is becoming a hub for car showrooms for Bicol’s growing motoring population. It is also home to the Bicol International Airport which is acclaimed as the country’s most scenic air terminal.
Pit Stop 3: Legazpi. This bustling provincial capital touts itself as the “City of Fun and Adventure” for reasons that are quite self-explanatory.
A classy home base while doing the loop is The Oriental, a four-star resort hotel which recently got a makeover to reclaim its title as Bicolandia’s best with the features and amenities of a modern lodging and a Mayon panorama that is inimitable.
Situated on a hilltop with a steep access road, BR-V’s max torque of 14.8 and 4,300 rpm makes the tricky entry and exit to the hotel seem like child’s play. The Oriental also boasts of a well-placed driveway which captures its premises, Ligñon Hill, and the volcano in one wide frame. And not surprisingly, it has been getting the attention of car firms in recent months.
Legazpi also has lots of public spaces ideal for joy rides—the expansive bayside Legazpi Boulevard, Ligñon Hill which overlooks the old airport, and the bypass road with a rotunda with a giant statue of the provincial patroness, the Nuestra Señora de Salvación de Joroan.
(To be continued)
