Albay facts for kids

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This page is about the Philippine province. For other uses, see Albay (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids

Albay

Province

From top, left to right: Mayon Volcano, Daraga Church in Daraga, Tabaco Church in Tabaco, SM City Legazpi in Legazpi, Bicol International Airport

Flag

Seal

Anthem: "Albay Forever"

Location in the Philippines

OpenStreetMap

April 3, 1574

Capital
and largest city

Legazpi

Area

• Total

2,575.77 km² (994.51 sq mi)

Area rank

52nd out of 82

Highest elevation

(Mount Mayon)

2,463 m (8,081 ft)

Population

(2020 census)

• Total

1,374,768

• Rank

21st out of 81

• Density

533.7309/km² (1,382.357/sq mi)

• Density rank

12th out of 81

Demonym(s)

Albayano

Divisions

• Independent cities

• Component cities

Legazpi
Ligao
Tabaco

• Municipalities

Bacacay
Camalig
Daraga
Guinobatan
Jovellar
Libon
Malilipot
Malinao
Manito
Oas
Pio Duran
Polangui
Rapu-Rapu
Santo Domingo
Tiwi

• Barangays

720

• Districts

Legislative districts of Albay

Time zone

UTC+8 (PST)

ZIP Code

4500–4517

IDD : area code

+63 (0)52

ISO 3166 code

PH-ALB

Spoken languages

Central Bikol
Tagalog
English

Website

albay.gov.ph

Albay is a province in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It's mostly found on the southeastern part of Luzon island. The capital city is Legazpi, which is also the biggest city. Legazpi is located near the famous Mayon Volcano.

In March 2016, Albay became part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This means it's a special place recognized for its unique nature and how people live with it.

History of Albay: A Journey Through Time

Let's explore the interesting past of Albay, from ancient times to more recent events.

Early Days: Before the Spaniards Arrived

Long ago, even before the Spanish came, Albay was a busy place with its own culture. It was first called Ibat, then Libog. A powerful chief named Gat Ibal ruled it. He also started the old village of Sawangan, which is now part of Legazpi City.

Historians say that in an old story called siday, a leader from Albay named Dumaraog traveled with 100 ships to ask for the hand of Bingi from Lawan. Another leader, Datu Hadi Iberein, was known for his gold jewelry.

Spanish Rule: Changes and Challenges

In 1569, a Spanish group landed in a coastal area called Ibalon, which is now Sorsogon. From there, they explored more and founded the town of Camalig.

By 1573, Juan de Salcedo had reached the Bicol Peninsula and set up the settlement of Santiago de Libon. Later, Jose Maria Peñaranda became the leader of the province in 1834. He built public buildings, roads, and bridges.

The whole Bicol area was once one big province. It was later split into two parts, and Ibalon became a separate province. In the 1600s, Moro raiders from the southern Philippines attacked the coastal areas of Albay.

On February 1, 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted very strongly. It destroyed five towns around its base. This forced the town of Cagsawa to move to its current location, which is now Legazpi.

In 1846, a rule was made to separate Masbate, Ticao, and Burias from Albay. Albay was then divided into four areas: Iraya, Cordillera (or Tabaco), Sorsogon, and Catanduanes.

Philippine Revolution: Fighting for Freedom

Glicerio Delgado began the fight for freedom in Albay. He set up his base in the mountains of Guinobatan and joined the revolutionary government.

The Spanish military created a local army. Mariano Riosa led the Tabaco area, and Anacieto Solano led the Iraya area. Each town had groups of fifty men.

On September 22, 1898, a temporary revolutionary government was formed in Albay. Anacieto Solano became its temporary president. Major General Vito Belarmino then organized the Filipino Army in the province.

American Era: New Rulers and Continued Resistance

After the Spanish–American War, the United States took control of the Philippines. During the Philippine–American War, American soldiers landed in Sorsogon and marched to Legazpi, capturing it.

Even though a local government was set up in Albay in 1901, General Simeon Ola and his men continued to fight against American rule. Ola was later captured with about six hundred of his men.

Japanese Occupation: World War II in Albay

On December 12, 1941, during Second World War, the Japanese army invaded Legazpi and occupied Albay Province. The local Philippine army tried to defend the area.

During the Japanese occupation, the Philippine army and local Bicolano fighters continued to resist. These guerrilla groups fought against the Japanese soldiers between 1942 and 1944. Many Bicolano guerrillas had to retreat before the Allied forces finally freed the province in 1945.

Marcos Dictatorship: Standing Up for Rights

During the time of the Dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, some places in Albay faced difficulties. For example, Oas was affected by killings of people who spoke out against the government.

One important person was Clemente Ragragio. He was a health inspector known for his good work. However, he was suspected of being a rebel because he was close to the local people and disagreed with the government. He was shot in front of his house in 1985, and his murder was not investigated. He is now honored as a hero who fought for democracy.

Geography of Albay: Mountains, Plains, and a Volcano

The Mayon Volcano dominates the geography of Albay.

Albay covers about 2,575.77 square kilometers. It is bordered by Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. To the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf, and to the southwest is Burias Pass.

In 2016, a large area of Albay was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This reserve is home to many plant species, with 46 types found only in the Philippines. Its waters also have five of the world's seven marine turtle species, along with mangrove and seagrass areas.

Land Features: Volcanoes and Mountains

Albay is mostly mountainous, but it also has fertile plains and valleys. In the eastern part, you'll find a line of volcanoes. These include Malinao, Mount Masaraga, and the famous Mayon Volcano. The Pocdol Mountains are located in the town of Manito.

Mayon Volcano is the highest point in Albay, standing at about 2,462 meters (8,077 feet). It's the most famous natural landmark in the entire Bicol Region. This active volcano is shared by eight towns and cities in Albay.

The western coast of Albay is also mountainous, but the mountains are not as tall as those in the east. Some of these include Mount Catburawan in Ligao and Mount Pantao in Oas.

Local Government: Cities and Towns

Albay has 15 towns (municipalities) and three cities: Legazpi, Ligao, and Tabaco.

Political map of Albay

	City or municipality		Population			±% p.a.	Area		Density (2020)		Barangay
			(2020)		(2015)		km²	sq mi	/km²	/sq mi
13°17′33″N 123°47′28″E / 13.2926°N 123.7912°E / 13.2926; 123.7912 (Bacacay)	Bacacay		5.3%	72,485	68,906	+0.97%	122.13	47.15	590	1,500	56
13°10′53″N 123°39′19″E / 13.1815°N 123.6552°E / 13.1815; 123.6552 (Camalig)	Camalig		5.2%	72,042	66,904	+1.42%	130.90	50.54	550	1,400	50
13°08′52″N 123°42′47″E / 13.1478°N 123.7131°E / 13.1478; 123.7131 (Daraga)	Daraga		9.7%	133,893	126,595	+1.07%	118.64	45.81	1,100	2,800	54
13°11′29″N 123°35′59″E / 13.1914°N 123.5997°E / 13.1914; 123.5997 (Guinobatan)	Guinobatan		6.2%	85,786	82,361	+0.78%	244.43	94.37	350	910	44
13°04′08″N 123°36′01″E / 13.0688°N 123.6002°E / 13.0688; 123.6002 (Jovellar)	Jovellar		1.3%	17,795	17,308	+0.53%	105.40	40.70	170	440	23
13°08′20″N 123°44′03″E / 13.1388°N 123.7343°E / 13.1388; 123.7343 (Legazpi)	Legazpi City	†	15.2%	209,533	196,639	+1.22%	153.70	59.34	1,400	3,600	70
13°17′59″N 123°26′18″E / 13.2998°N 123.4384°E / 13.2998; 123.4384 (Libon)	Libon		5.5%	75,073	75,172	−0.03%	222.76	86.01	340	880	47
13°14′28″N 123°32′14″E / 13.2411°N 123.5373°E / 13.2411; 123.5373 (Ligao)	Ligao	∗	8.6%	118,096	111,399	+1.12%	246.75	95.27	480	1,200	55
13°19′08″N 123°44′21″E / 13.3190°N 123.7393°E / 13.3190; 123.7393 (Malilipot)	Malilipot		3.0%	40,857	37,785	+1.50%	44.13	17.04	930	2,400	18
13°23′51″N 123°42′18″E / 13.3974°N 123.7049°E / 13.3974; 123.7049 (Malinao)	Malinao		3.4%	47,395	45,301	+0.86%	107.50	41.51	440	1,100	29
13°07′28″N 123°52′11″E / 13.1244°N 123.8697°E / 13.1244; 123.8697 (Manito)	Manito		1.9%	26,162	24,707	+1.10%	107.40	41.47	240	620	15
13°15′27″N 123°30′01″E / 13.2575°N 123.5002°E / 13.2575; 123.5002 (Oas)	Oas		4.8%	66,084	67,960	−0.53%	263.61	101.78	250	650	53
13°02′34″N 123°27′13″E / 13.0429°N 123.4536°E / 13.0429; 123.4536 (Pio Duran)	Pio Duran		3.6%	49,070	46,693	+0.95%	133.70	51.62	370	960	33
13°17′37″N 123°29′03″E / 13.2937°N 123.4843°E / 13.2937; 123.4843 (Polangui)	Polangui		6.5%	89,176	88,221	+0.21%	145.30	56.10	610	1,600	44
13°11′10″N 124°07′33″E / 13.1862°N 124.1258°E / 13.1862; 124.1258 (Rapu-Rapu)	Rapu-Rapu		2.6%	36,151	36,920	−0.40%	155.30	59.96	230	600	34
13°14′14″N 123°46′39″E / 13.2371°N 123.7774°E / 13.2371; 123.7774 (Santo Domingo)	Santo Domingo		2.7%	37,765	34,967	+1.48%	51.22	19.78	740	1,900	23
13°21′33″N 123°43′47″E / 13.3592°N 123.7298°E / 13.3592; 123.7298 (Tabaco)	Tabaco City	∗	10.3%	140,961	133,868	+0.99%	117.14	45.23	1,200	3,100	47
13°27′25″N 123°40′47″E / 13.4569°N 123.6796°E / 13.4569; 123.6796 (Tiwi)	Tiwi		4.1%	56,444	53,120	+1.16%	105.76	40.83	530	1,400	25
	TOTAL			1,374,768	1,314,826	+0.85%	2,574.91	994.18	530	1,400	720
† Provincial capital and component city Municipality ∗ Component city

People of Albay: Population and Culture

In 2020, Albay had 1,374,768 people living there. This makes it one of the most populated provinces in the Philippines.

Religion: Beliefs and Traditions

Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Church in Daraga, built in 1773

Before the Spanish arrived, people in Albay had many gods and goddesses.

Gugurang was the main god, living inside Mount Mayon. He protected a sacred fire. If people misbehaved, Mayon would erupt as a warning.
Asuang was the evil god, Gugurang's enemy. He tried to steal the sacred fire and caused trouble.
Haliya was a masked goddess of moonlight. She protected Bulan from Bakunawa.
Bulan was the god of the pale moon, a handsome boy who could calm wild animals.
Magindang was the god of the sea. He loved Bulan and chased him, which is why waves rise towards the moon.
Okot was the god of the forest and hunting.
Bakunawa was a giant sea serpent god. People believed it caused eclipses by trying to swallow the sun and moon.

Catholicism: The Main Religion

Most people in Albay are Catholic. About 96% of men and 95% of women follow this religion. Each town celebrates a special fiesta for their patron saint.

Other Religions

Other religions in Albay include the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Protestant churches like Baptist and Methodist, and also Islam.

Languages: Speaking in Albay

Albay is home to many different languages from the Bicol Region. Most of these languages come from Albay itself. The main languages spoken here are from the Albay Bikol group, like West Miraya, East Miraya, and Libon.

Rinconada Bikol is also spoken by some people in towns like Libon and Polangui. Another important language is Central Bikol. This is the native language for people on the eastern coast of the Bicol Peninsula. The Tabaco-Legazpi-Sorsogon dialect of Central Bikol is spoken in Legazpi, Tabaco, and nearby towns.

Most people in Albay also understand English and Filipino.

Economy of Albay: How People Make a Living


Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Pili nuts (unshelled)

The main way people earn money in Albay is through farming. They grow crops like coconut, rice, sugar, and abacá. Making handicrafts is also a big source of income for families in rural areas. These small businesses make up a large part of the province's economy.

Other jobs include working in forestry, making cement, and producing paper. Making products from abacá, like Manila hemp, hats, bags, mats, and slippers, is very important. Fishing is also a main job for people living along the coasts.

Tourism is growing, especially because of Mayon Volcano. Many visitors come to see its beauty, which helps the local economy. In 2013, Albay had over 339,000 foreign tourists.

Recently, experts introduced new ways to grow and use pili trees in Albay. They want to make pili a major industry for the region.

Transportation in Albay: Getting Around

Albay has many roads, most of which are paved. The Maharlika Highway is the main road connecting Albay to other provinces. Most cities and towns are linked by national roads, except for Rapu-Rapu.

There are plans for a new expressway called Toll Road 5. This 420-kilometer road will connect Lucena City in Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon. It will cut travel time significantly.

Water Travel: Ports and Harbors

Legazpi harbour and port

Albay is a key place for moving goods by sea. It has several important ports:

Tabaco International Port
Legazpi National Port
Pio Duran Provincial Port
Pantao Regional Port

Air Travel: Flying In and Out

The Bicol International Airport in Daraga is the main airport for the province. It connects Albay to Manila and Cebu City. Before this, the province used the now-closed Legazpi Airport.

Train Travel: Philippine National Railways

Albay is served by the Philippine National Railways (PNR). There used to be a train service to Manila, but it has been suspended since 2012. Four train stations serve the towns of Polangui, Ligao, Guinobatan, and Legazpi.

Aerial view of the Legazpi Grand Central Terminal
Front area of the Bicol International Airport Terminal Buildling
A PNR train in Ligao railway station

Notable People from Albay

Albay is home to many famous people who have made a mark in different fields:

Crispin Beltran – A leader in the labor world.
Barbie Imperial – An actress and model.
Gwen Apuli – A singer, dancer, and member of the group Bini.
Francis Tolentino – A former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Elizabeth Oropesa – A well-known actress.
Simeon Ola – A brave general during the Philippine Revolution.
Ramon Paje – The 19th Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.
Ramon Obusan – A National Artist of the Philippines for Dance.
Susan Enriquez – A respected journalist and host.
Salvacion Lim Higgins – A National Artist of the Philippines for Fashion Design.
Bogs Adornado – A famous basketball player, three-time PBA Most Valuable Player.
Merlinda Bobis – A contemporary Philippine-Australian writer.
Irene Cortes – A former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Janelle Quintana – An actress.
Valerie Weigmann – A TV host, actress, and Miss World Philippines 2014.
Athena Imperial – A news reporter and Miss Philippines Earth 2011.
Miguel White – An Olympic bronze medalist in hurdles.
Jun Lozada – An engineer and former CEO of the Philippine Forest Corporation.
David Nepomuceno – The first Filipino to compete in the Olympics (1924).
Catriona Gray – The winner of Miss Universe 2018.
Jonalyn Viray – A talented singer-songwriter.
Pedro Sabido – A former Senator and Ambassador.
Joey Salceda – A current Representative for Albay and former Governor.
Reno Lim – A former Representative for Albay.
Dianne Necio – A beauty pageant titleholder.
Rodolfo Salalima – The first Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Henry Omaga-Diaz – A journalist.
Thomas Franco Rodriguez – A member of the boy band Alamat.