LIBON, ALBAY
Quick Facts on Libon
- LAND AREA: 22,713 has
- POPULATION: 71,527 (As of 2010)
- NO. OF BARANGAYS: 47
- MAJOR INDUSTRY: Agriculture
History
The town of Libon in the province of Albay traces its recorded history to the Second Expedition of Captain Juan de Salcedo to the Bicol Region in 1573. Salcedo first reached the Bicol Region via the northern entrance in 1571, shortly after the capture of Manila by his uncle, Miguel Lopez y Legazpi. The latter had commissioned Salcedo to pacify the ... See Moresurrounding regions, including the native settlements around the Laguna de Bay area, when Salcedo learned from the natives that somewhere beyond the mountains of southern Luzon was a placed called Paracale with its fabulous gold mines. Wasting no time and with a force of forty men and some natives as guide, Salcedo proceeded toward the direction of the said gold mines, traveling along the Pacific Coast until they reached the Northern part of the Bicol Region and entered Paracale. Meanwhile, Legazpi wondering about the whereabouts of his nephew, dispatched a group headed by Sergeant Huratado to locate the missing expedition. Hurtado found Salcedo in Paracaleon December 28, 1571. Acting on order of Legazpi, Salcedo cut short his Bicol explorations and returned to Manila, out he bowed to return to Bicol as soon as possible. In early 1573, Salcedo undertook his second trip to the Bicol Region retracing his first route and with the wealth of information that he gathered during his first arrival in the region, he led his men beyond Paracale. Sailing the Bicol River upstream, Salcedo and his men finally reached its source, Bato Lake. Then on the banks of this lake, "on suitable terrain", according to a Bicolano historian, Salcedo set up the foundations of a "Settlement for Spaniards and christened it Santiago de Libong." A report on Salcedo's second expedition to Bicol was sent to the King of Spain by Guido de Lavesarez, then Governor General of the Islands: Existing record on Salcedo's second trip to the Bicol Region point out that he left behind in the villa he founded , Santiago de Libong, as chief law officer, Captain Pedro de Chavez, and some eighty soldiers. It seems a little strange that no mention of the founding of Santiago de Libong was made by Governor Lavesarez in his report to the King of Spain. Fr. Sanchez, in an attempt to explain his puzzling omission wrote; Captain Chavez was, however, sent back to the Bicol Region in 1579 and in honor of Don Francisco de Sande, second proprietary governor of Manila, founded a city in Camarines and named it Nueva Caceres, in memory of Don Francisco de Sande's home city in Spain, Nueva Caceres in Camarines is now Naga City.
The town of Libon, as it is presently known was originally called LIBONG. It is not known when and how the letter "g" got dropped. Some writers believe that the Spaniards must have found it difficult to pronounce the word "Libong" with the letter g, so that in due time Libong became Libon. There are conflicting and various versions regarding the ... See More origin of the name LIBONG. Some say that the word must have been derived from the Bicol term "libong" or "ribong", meaning puzzled, dizziness, losing one's sense of direction, or becoming oriented. Others believe that the word Libon must have originated from a Spanish term "libon", which means "assault". Another version is that the word is a corruption of the Bicol word "libtong", meaning difficulty, obatacle or pool of stagnant water, which when applied to a place could mean a difficult or stagnant place. The more popular and perhaps more plausible version is the claim that Libon originated from the Bicol term "libong" or "ribong", and there is a story which seems to support this view. The story goes that Captain Juan de Salcedo and his men arrived in this place, by sailing across Lake Bato and entering the river called, Quimba. Sailing upstream, they finally landed in a place called Linao; (Linao is one of the barrios of Libon today and is situated on the banks of Quimba River). Here Salcedo and his men proceeded to find a town. However, after exploring the surrounding area and noting that Linao was at the foot of a mountain range, making it vulnerable to enemy attacks from the surrounding mountains, Salcedo and his men, with some natives as their guide, decided to move on to a more suitable place. Traveling across marshy land, they arrived at a slightly elevated area. Upon looking around and trying to determine where they were, one native guide remarked "libong aco". (I am confused). The Spaniards on hearing the word "libong" understood it to mean the name of the place. Hence, Salcedo christened it"Santiago de Libon."
source:http://libonalbay.blogspot.com/
Tourist Destinations
CENTRO POBLACION HISTORICAL TOUR
As the capital of the town, the Centro Poblacion showcases the current economic growth of Libon. It is evident with the structures found within the mu-nicipality. However, its cultural heritage remains. Visit our church and historical houses, VIP (Visitor‟s Pasalubong & Infor-mation) Center, LGU Bldg., Macapagal Center, Libon Community College, and Libon Town Center all of these in stylized Calesa or Cariton Ride.
ST. JAMES THE GREATER PARISH
From historical accounts, it revealed that the first church was built in Barangay Linao, the village strategically located along Quimba River, navigated by the Spanish soldiers. With the development of the town, still during this era, the church was transferred to the Poblacion. Señor Santiago (originally called Santiago de Matamoros or Moro Slayer), the patron saint of Spanish soldiers was also the town‟s patron saint. The church building‟s original design was preserved until 19th century which became the object of admiration for its architectural artistry.
PHOTO CREDIT:Byahero.blogspot.com
AMAZING LIBON FLAMING WATER
Libon is famous for its Flaming Water since 1962. A very unique source of renewable energy that can only be found in the municipality. In certain spot, water produces bluish flames when ignited, unbelievable, but true! And what makes it more amazing, in several households at Centro Poblacion, you can see several sources of this flaming water. Currently, there are five sites. But the main attraction is the Libon Flaming Water at the Libon Central School site, Brgy. Zone 2.
Come and see how water light-up and turn into bluish flame. Be amazed of this God given natural wonder. Unique in Albay! Only in Libon!
As this is still a mystery, discover with us, what this phenomenon is all about!
LAKESHORE DELIGHTS
Activities include fishing, fish pen tour, boat ride, and floating Cottage hopping at Libon Lake (1/4 of Bato Lake) with sceneries of mountains cir-cling the lake. On a clear blue sky, the conical tip of Mt. Mayon can be seen. You can also scan the lakescape while standing in awe at the Buga View Deck for Mt. Isarog, Mt. Asog (Iriga), Mt. Malinao and Mt. Masaraga. And ocassionally meet the world‟s smallest fish, the TABIOS, upclose!
After these tiring but enjoyable lakeshore activities, relax by watching the colorful presentation that only Libongueños can do with its “Tatak Libon” cultural show at the view deck. And feast on our different delicacies like BONELESS TILAPIA, DINAING NA TABIOS, etc. and take home with you a piece of this experience thru‟ our PROUDLY LAKESIDE PRODUCTS from water lily plants abundant in the lake (Brgy. Buga and Nogpo).
San Pascual Towering Peaks
San Pascual is about 486 feet above sea level. On its peak, marvel the panoramic view of Lake Bato (Northern side), „Inaragting‟ and „Binaliw‟ Moun-tain Range (west side) and conical tip of Mayon Volcano (eastern side).
While trekking up, will enjoy gazing at the beautiful sceneries and encounter the refreshing nature of the place. Unspoiled, Rural, very countryside. A break from the modern world, it refreshes & it grounds one to reflect on what is simple, basic, yet energizing experience ever.
RAWIS: A Slice of Paradise
(BARANGAY TOURISM SHOWCASE)
Escape to this God's Little Paradise, in this part of our town. Expe-rience Libon Kosta in its raw grandeur. Boat ride, skin diving, snorkeling, and letting the warm wind caress your face on its floating cottages.
It boasts of a 232 hectare sandbar, locally called "baura", which on a low tide, one can practically skin dive, or even walk on white sand, at the middle of the sea! It hosts 32 hectares of fish sanctuary and 10 hectares of Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Rawis and Talin-Talin, all no fish zones, thus perfect for snorkeling.
After an exhausting adventure at sea, be relaxed by a welcoming enter-tainment by local talents at the Rawis Activity Center, feasting of its local delica-cies and finishing off with a relaxing massage. All of these, by a community,
LINAO CAVE AND WATERFALLS
About 7 km from the Poblacion, stretch your legs while taking in the sights of nature, until you reach a cozy cascading falls whose mute beauty complements the rustic place. There are three levels of waterfalls, which leads one to the cave entrances. Trekking up to its entrances is for the adventurous and the curious. It does not only give one the adrenalin rush, it also is a chance to see. scientific concepts of rock formations, up close!
THE SAN RAMON CAVE ADVENTURE
Passing by rice paddies, 300 meters off-road, lies a newly discovered cave of wonder. The size of a ballroom area or the second floor of the municipal building, it is a natural habitat for Nido birds local-ly called 'balinsayawan ' and bats. A small entrance requires one to creatively wiggle inside, but when inside, be awed by the chambers and dome like structures of the cave, and natural stalactites. Cool humid air inside can transport you to another time, except that when you finish your trip and get back to the sun, you feel like you just came from another world. After this, cool off in a community made natural pool, cute in size, but a big treat for the splashing kids and mothers of San Ramon! Truly provincial! Interact with our people and push your adventure further by connecting your scien-tific theories, to what your senses can marvel!
Festivals
LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL
LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL, had become our vehicle for show-casing our illustrious past, richness and color of our culture. PROUDLY LIBON or USTIK LIBON!... Our battle cry for cultural identity and pride as “Rice Granary of Albay” and the cornerstone of Bicol Christianity. The town who has produced– national and local luminaries. Best of all TATAK LIBON, our effort to brand our town, is the common Libongueno's voice to call attention for its culture of excellence it has embraced, since 1996, when Libon started its cultural renaissance under the leadership of Mayor John V. Dycoco & thereafter enriched by the leadership of Mayor Agnes „Bem‟ P. Dycoco ably supported by its Municipal Officials and employees & 47 villages.
LOCAL INDUSTRY AND DELICACIES
DELICACIES
With our taste and with our hands ...Taste our native delicacies like rice cakes (‟limbok‟), “tinuktok” (taro leaves and ground grabs meat with coconut milk), freshwater fishes delicacies, sea foods and the famous Bicol express. For the sweet lovers, try our homemade tabrilla (cocoa), coco and pili nut confections.
Products
| Product | How Much (Range of Prices) | Outlet (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|---|
| Water Lily Products | ||
| Agas Handicrafts |
HOTLINES: Police (+63) (052) 486-6376 / 0917-8475757
Fire (+63) 0918-2140621 / 09394910711 / 09384128897
Visitor's Information and Pasalubong Center (+63) 09059590078
Tourism Office (+63) (052)486-6329 / Fax 486-6101