If you happen to visit Bicol, there is one thing that you shouldn't miss. It is what they called the Abaca Shopping wherein you can have some of the specialized handmade abaca handicrafts and products. Gallerias de Legaspi is one of the convenient shopping areas which are flocked by many visitors and tourists to buy souvenirs. It is a factory outlet of a well-known exporter to such names as Esprit and Nine West. Each bag takes up to 48 hours to make by hand.
Abaca Industry in Bicol
Abaca (Musa textiles nee), internationally known as Manila hemp, is one of the indigenous crops found in the Bicol region and has been part of its traditional planting system. About 50,212.34 hectares of abaca farms in the region is being cultivated by 21,124 abaca farmers.
Abaca fiber is considered as the strongest among natural fibers and the products derived from abaca are export champions. These include: fibercraft like mats, purses, slippers, bags, hats, placemats, tea bags, meat casings, filter papers, cordage (ropes, twines, marine cordage, binders, and cord); handwoven fabrics (sinamay, pinukpok, and tinalak), high-grade decorative paper as art media, photo frames, albums, stationery, flowers, all-purpose cards and decoratives. In addition, abaca is now used in the printing of the country's paper bills while the abaca pulp is used as material for electrolytic (condenser) paper, cable insulation paper, adhesive tape paper, lens tissue, mimeograph stencil base tissue, carbonizing tissue, cigarette paper, vacuum cleaner bag, abrasive base paper, and weatherproof bristol.
Bring Home Bicol
Do you want to have the most stylish bags made of abaca? Head up now to the province of Bicol and have the region’s signature product. You have a lot of options to choose from - beautiful bags, placemats, hats, fiber art and other houseware handicrafts.
Getaway to Bicol
By air, Legazpi City is 45 minutes away from Manila via the nation’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. By land, aircon tourist bus companies ply the Manila-Legazpi route daily with an average travel time of nine hours. The average travel time by train is sixteen hours via the Philippine National Railway, the country’s sole rail transportation service. By sea, several shipping lines have regular trips to and from Catanduanes through the Tabaco Port. Travel time from Visayas and Mindanao pass through the port of Matnog in Sorsogon.
Getting around the city
Buses and jeepneys are generally the modes of transportation in getting around Albay's destinations. Pedicabs and tricycles are also available for short distance travels. Taxis and rent-a-car services are also available.
If you are planning to spend overnight or days in Bicol, here are some near accommodations in the place where you can check into.
- RiverView Vacation Inn - No. 6 Fernandez Street Brgy. Ili, Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines
- CMC Villa Caramoan - Caputatan, Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines
- Breeze and Waves Cottages - Paniman, Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines
- Sights and Sand Tourist Inn - Ili, Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines
- West Peninsula Villas - San Andres, Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines 4429