Field Notes by a Casual Tourist

As they say, every story is like a coin — it has two sides to tell — just like the tragic case of the Cagsaua Ruins in Legazpi, Albay, Bicol Region.

As we all know, or shall I say, we have been brainwashed for almost two hundred years of belief that the sole and terrifying reason about the tragic incident happened on February 1, 1814 that took place in the town of Daraga, Legazpi, Albay was when Mt. Mayon violently erupted and claimed the lives of some 1,200 townspeople who took refuge in the church of Cagsaua and were perished by the volcano’s raging, hot-flowing lava engulfing the town including the church they were in. Faithfully believing that this place of sanctuary will save them — not only for their souls but also for their flesh from mother nature’s fury. 

Not until recently when I visited the Cagsaua Ruins turned park, I have discovered the other side of the same coin. I was been enlightened by a mysterious boy in white shirt and jeans, earning a living as a local tour guide for tourist, who just suddenly popped out behind my back from nowhere and told me that it wasn’t the flowing lava from the volcano that took the lives of all 1,200 townspeople as we all knew. Actually, it was a typhoon of February 2, 1814 that turned the lava into a ravaging river of mudflows or lahar that engulfed the whole town of Daraga including the baroque church of Cagsaua. And this new-found information reminds me of another unfortunate event back in 1991 — I was in our room in deep sleep then — when Mt. Pinatubo erupted. It was history repeated itself once again.

Hearing that tragic story, the mysterious boy in white shirt and jeans was by far still gives me the creep.

Now that you’ve heard both sides of the story, it’s up to you which side of the same coin you will take or believe in. Or, you might have two sides of a different coin to tell.

I have seen Mayon Volcano or Mount Mayon since I was a kid in numerous times only in postcards sold to every bookstores and souvenir shops; and even in tv commercials and travel shows.

With its extravagantly wide base and almost perfect cone-shape apex, seeing Mayon Volcano in actual, from Ligñon Hill, made me compared it to the alien mothership as seen in the movie Independence Day starred by Will Smith and Bill Pullman in 1996.

But on my last day of dispatch in Legazpi City, Albay Province, Bicol Region; Mayon Volcano was elusive as Tom Jone’s dream. I have tried to take a snap of its majestic and grand entirety in hope I can have my own postcard shot but with no avail.

One reason may explain Mayon Volcano’s elusiveness to the eyes of the prying public is attributed to a local folklore. Legend has it that whenever Mount Mayon is shrouded by a massive cloud is because of her lover — the cloud. Our guide told us that during this occurrence, Mayon Volcano and the cloud are kissing.

Interesting. But I find Mount Mayon’s lover a jealous one.

Branded as the “Boracay of Bicol”, Misibis Beach is one of the secluded beach paradise located in Cagraray Island, Albay, Bicol. Aside from its pristine beaches and turquoise sea, Cagraray Island has five caves to offer — Cagbulacao, Malubago, Misibis, Buhi and Mataas.

Cagraray Island is home to some of the luxurious beach and residential resorts in Bicol region, Misibis Bay is one of them.