The Province of Albay and Mayon Volcano: Story and Pictures

In the forty years of my life I have taken for granted the beauty of my home province.  I have flown from Legazpi City to Manila many times on official business and on personal trips, and never taken the time to capture this beauty on camera.  But this time I took the pains to take with me my hand camera and  took these pictures.  I am glad that the Lord has given me this chance to live in one of the most beautiful places in these Philippine Islands and not only in the Philippines but in the whole world.  Aboard Cebu Pacific Air on February 20, 2010 using my Olympus  FE-310 I took these pictures.

The tarmac of Legazpi Domestic Airport.  In the background are the Linon Hill and Mt. Mayon Volcano. (I used my Nokia E61i phone to capture this).

Below is the facade of Legazpi Domestic Airport.

As the plane soared high over Legazpi City, the capital of Albay Province one can see a glimpse of the City.  Legazpi is a small city but it is beautiful.  The people are generally urbanites the city is clean well ordered.  You will see here the Albay gulf.  

Another view of Legazpi City and Albay Gulf.

The buildings with redbrick colored roof is Aquinas University, my alma mater.  I obtained my B.A. in Philosophy from this Catholic University.  I obtained solid Thomistic training in Philosophy from this institution.  The Campus is bounded on the left by the Yawa river, which form time to time suffers from siltation coming from the foot of Mt. Mayon volcano. Two years ago a devastating flood submerge this portion of the city.  But in a few months time the University recovered and now you how beautiful the buildings are.  The symmetry and orderliness is admirable. Oppiste the University campus is the Bicol Regional Government Center.  I am proud of the education I received from this Domincan Institution.  The solid Catholic education I received is something that I will cherish.  'Gratitude in Love" as the university motto says. 

Mt. Mayon the majestic. Look at the valleys.  Mt. Mayon is one of the most active volcano in the Philippines. Its eruption from time to time provides nourishment for the valleys and provides fertility to the land.  But also deadly and devastating.

The Bicol peninsula is a string of volcanoes.  At the background is Mt. Malinao, an extinct volcano.  Home to wild animals and wild orchids.

From the eastern seaboard the plane circled around Mt. Mayon towards the north bound for Manila.  From a distance I could see my little home city of Tabaco.  San Miguel Island is also seen from a distance.  While the Island province of Catanduanes is seen from afar.

The peak of Mt. Malinao.  I wonder what it looks like inside those crater.  Ten years ago I went with some of my students at the foot of this mountain.  We enjoyed our little picnic near a falls. We did some little adventure  by looking for the source of the falls.  Along our way to the top we saw little caves and little streams of water.  Wild orchids and exotic plants.  Although we were careful not to encounter poisonous snakes.

Another view of the crater.

Beyond Mt. Malinao one could see the rice granary of Bicol, the district of Partido.  Wide valleys and rice paddies dot the surrounding valleys and hills.  Beyond is the Caramoan Peninsula, made famous by the TV serious Survivor.  Its enchanting islets and white beaches will enthrall the nature loving tourist.

From the Naia 3 terminal I hit the road for my destination.  From here one can see the Church of a military camp.  

The fastfood sign competes for attention with the Cross of the Church.  Once upon a time crosses dotted the skyline proclaiming the glory of God.  Today the gods of commercialism competes with the proclamation of our faith.  How important it is that in this materialistic age of ours we sand firm for our faith.  In our own little way let us do what God wills.