Bicol Region

The Bicol Region (Filipino: Kabikulan; Spanish: Bicolandia) is one of the 18 Regions of the Philippines, designated as Region V. Bicol (also spelled Bikol) comprises four provinces in the Bicol Peninsula: the southeastern end of Luzon island, and two island-provinces adjacent to the peninsula, namely: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. The regional capital, political/administrative center, and largest city is Legazpi which is the capital of Bicol Region. Legazpi City is also considered as the center of tourism, education, health services, commerce and transportation in the Bicol Region.

Geography

The Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The total land area of the region is derived from the summation of provincial areas from the table below which or 5.9% of the total land area of the country. Around 69.3% of the total land area is alienable and disposable while the remaining 30.7% is public forest areas."Overview of Bicol Region". Department of Agriculture Web Site; retrieved 22 May 2012.

The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west. The northernmost provinces, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, are bordered to the west by the province of Quezon, connecting the region to the rest of Luzon.

History

Political map of Bicol Region

Pre-history

The Bicol region was known as Ibalon, variously interpreted to derive form ibalio, "to bring to the other side"; ibalon, "people from the other side" or "people who are hospitable and give visitors gifts to bring home"; or as a corruption of Gibal-ong, a sitio of Magallanes, Sorsogon where the Spaniards first landed in 1567. The Bicol River was first mentioned in Spanish Documents in 1572. The region was also called "Los Camarines" after the huts found by the Spaniards in Camalig, Albay. No prehistoric animal fossils have been discovered in Bicol and the peopling of the region remains obscure. The Aeta from Camarines Sur to Sorsogon strongly suggest that aborigines lived there long ago, but earliest evidence is of middle to late Neolithic life.

A barangay (village) system was in existence by 1569. Records show no sign of Islamic rule nor any authority surpassing the datu (chieftain). Precolonial leadership was based on strength, courage, and intelligence. The native seemed apolitical. Thus the datu's influence mattered most during crises like wars. Otherwise, early Bicol society remained family centered, and the leader was the head of the family.

Colonial era

Spanish occupation

The Spanish influence in Bicol resulted mainly from the efforts of Augustinian and Franciscan Spanish missionaries. The first churches in Bicol, the San Francisco Church, and the Naga Cathedral, both in Naga, along with the Holy Cross Parish in Nabua, Camarines Sur, are instituted by the Holy Order of the Franciscans. One of the oldest dioceses in the Philippines, the Archdiocese of Caceres, was also instituted in the Bicol Region. During this time, Bicol was dotted by many astilleros (shipyards) which were focused on constructing Manila Galleons from the local hardwood forests.

Political division

The region is composed of six provinces: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and the island-provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate. It has one independent component city, Naga, and six component cities — Iriga, Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate City, Sorsogon City, and Tabaco. Masbate and Sorsogon are cities in their eponymous provinces. As of 2010, Camarines Sur is the largest province in area and population, occupying 5,481.6 km² (2,116.5 sq mi) or around 30.4% of the total land area with a population of 1,822,371. Catanduanes is the smallest in area as well as population with only 1,511.5 km² (583.6 sq mi) or 8.4% of the total regional area and a population of 246,300.

The administrative center of the region is Legazpi.

Provinces

Provinces		Capital	No. of Cities	Area (km²)	Population (2010)	ZIP Code	Income Class	Governor
File:Ph seal albay.png	Albay	Legazpi	3	2,552.60	1,233,432	4500-4517	1st	Joey Salceda
File:Ph seal camarines norte.png	Camarines Norte	Daet	0	2,320.07	542,915	4600-4612	2nd	Edgardo Tallado
	Camarines Sur	Pili	2	5,481.60	1,822,371	4400-4436	1st	Luis Miguel Villafuerte III
File:Ph seal catanduanes.png	Catanduanes	Virac	0	1,511.50	246,300	4800-4810	3rd	Celly Wong
	Masbate	Masbate City	1	4,047.07	834,650	5400-5421	1st	Rizalina L. Seachon-Lañete
File:Sorsogon provincial seal.png	Sorsogon	Sorsogon City	1	2,141.45	740,743	4700-4715	2nd	Raul Lee

→

Cities

City		Provinces	City Class	Income Class	Population (2010)	Area (km²)	Mayor
	Iriga	Camarines Sur	Component	3rd Class	105,919	137.35	Ronald Felix Y. Alfelor
	Legazpi	Albay	Component	2nd Class	182,201	153.70	Noel E Rosal
	Ligao	Albay	Component	4th Class	104,914	246.75	Patricia Gonzales-Alsua
File:Masbate City.png	Masbate City	Masbate	Component	4th Class	85,227	188.00	Rowena Rejuso-Tuason
File:Naga, Camarines Sur official seal 2011.jpg	Naga	Camarines Sur	Independent component	1st Class	174,391	84.48	John G. Bongat
File:Sorsogon City Seal.png	Sorsogon City	Sorsogon	Component	2nd Class	155,144	276.11	Sally Ante-Lee
	Tabaco	Albay	Component	4th Class	125,083	117.14	Marie V Demetriou

Demographics

Population census of Bicol

Year	Pop.	±%
1990	3,910,001	—
2000	4,686,669	+19.9%
2010	5,420,411	+15.7%
Source: National Statistics Office

See also: Demographics of the Philippines

Bicol Region has a population of 5,420,411 as of May 1, 2010, growing at an average annual rate of 1.46 percent between 2000 and 2010. The region's population density increased to 298.8 persons per square kilometer in 2010. The population sizes and growth rates of the region for census years 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 by province and municipalities are presented in Annex 3.16. In 1970, Camarines Sur was the only province with close to a million population. Albay, which was next in rank, reached the 1970 population level of Camarines Sur only 20 years later. Masbate and Sorsogon were in the same level every census year from 1970 to 1980. It is noteworthy that distribution and growth of the 1970 population were towards areas that were sparsely populated but agriculturally rich and/or endowed with fishery resources. The island province of Catanduanes and its municipalities have exhibited very low population growth from 1970 to 1980.

In 1980, the pattern was towards urbanization. This was due to the pull of newly-installed infrastructures, particularly roads, and the sporadic growth of trade in strategically situated municipalities that have better economic opportunities. The 1990 growth originated from the strong attraction of employment opportunities in established urban centers, which have become a source of growth of adjacent municipalities. This situation was highly evident in Naga and Legazpi areas, whose surrounding municipalities exhibited high growth rates. Unmistakably, the spill-over effects of development permeated those initial high growth areas.

Looking at the growth rates, all of the five provinces registered positive increases except for the province of Camarines Norte. Most evident were those for the provinces of Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon, all of whom registered more than 50% increments in the 1980-1990 and 1990-2000 periods. The positive increase in the growth rate of Catanduanes was attributed to the improved sea transport facilities for ferrying people and cargo to and from the port of Tabaco. The opening of the port of San Andres and the rehabilitation of Virac Port likewise provided better access to goods and services in the province.

The Bicolanos are descended from the Austronesian-speaking immigrants who came from Southern China during the Iron Age. Many of Bicolanos also have Chinese, Arab, and Spanish admixtures. Most of the townsfolk have Spanish Mixtures and their language is referred to as Bicol or Bicolano. The Bicolano language is very fragmented, and its dialects are mutually incomprehensible to speakers of other Bicolano dialects. The majority of the Bicolano people are devout Roman Catholics due to the Spanish conquering the country and converting them to their religion. Catholic Mass is celebrated daily in many churches in the Bicol Region.

Language

Further information: Bikol language

The people of the Bicol region, called Bicolanos, speak any of the several languages of the Bikol sociolinguistic language, called Bikol macrolanguages, an Austronesian language closely related to other Central Philippine languages such as Cebuano and Tagalog. The four major groups of language in Bikol are Coastal Bikol (with four sub-languages), Inland Bikol (with six sub-languages), Pandan Bikol (lone language) and Bisakol (with three sub-languages). The majority of Bicolanos understand and speak Central Bikol language (a member of Coastal Bikol group of languages) since it is the language used in literature and mass media, but with varying degrees. A known misconception of many Bicolanos is that Central Bikol, used in Legazpi and Naga, is the standard Bikol. Central Bikol, though spoken by the majority and with speakers represented in all provinces in the region, is not a standard Bikol since other form of Bikol used in the region are separate languages and usually unintelligible. However, the standard form of Central Bikol language is the Canaman dialect.

Other Bikol languages are Rinconada Bikol spoken in southern part of Camarines Sur province; Pandan Bikol spoken in northern part of Catanduanes island; and the Albay Bikol group of languages that include Buhinon, Libon, West Miraya and East Miraya. Albay Bikol speakers can be found in Buhi, Camarines Sur, central and eastern part of Albay, and Donsol, Sorsogon. The standard form of Rinconada Bikol both in pronunciation and writing is the Sinabukid (Highland) dialect of Iriga variant. On the other hand, Buhinon of Buhi, Camarines Sur and Libon of Libon, Albay are the languages that are only used in their respective municipalities. Rinconada Bikol and Albay Bikol group of languages are members of Inland Bikol, while Pandan Bikol is the only language with no sub-languages or division.

The majority of the population in Masbate and Sorsogon speaks Masbateño and Sorsoganon respectively. The two are Visayan languages but heavily influenced by Bikol languages, thus tagged and collectively referred to as Bisakol (a portmanteau of Bisaya and Bikol).

Hiligaynon or Ilonggo and Cebuano are represented in the western tip and southern tip of Masbate province respectively. Tagalog is the dominant and native language of Bicolanos living in the municipalities in the northern half of Camarines Norte.

Bicolanos also speak and understand Tagalog/Filipino, the national language of the Philippines. English is widely understood in businesses and schools.

Religion

The region retains Roman Catholicism as the overwhelming religion of the great majority. The Catholic religion has the highest number of followers than any other area in the Philippines. The Catholic church grew in the Bicol Region through the efforts of the Bishops from Nueva Caceres(Naga) from the late 14th century until the Philippine Revolution in 1898. Naga, Camarines Sur is the religious center of the Bicol Region. The region houses one of the oldest dioceses in the Philippines, the ecclesiastical Archdiocese of Caceres, which is centered in Naga, Camarines Sur. Other dioceses include are the Dioceses of Legazpi, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Libmanan and Virac. Fiestas (Feast day of saints) are annual celebrations of parishes, from a simple barrio fiesta honoring a patron associated for good harvest, to a town fiesta honoring a miraculous saint, a diocesan fiesta like the feast of Our Lady of Salvation, or a regional one such as the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Fiesta, the largest Marian devotion in Asia, a week-long celebration to honor the Virgin Mary, dubbed as the "Patroness of Bicolandia". In Luzon, the Bicol Region holds the most number of men entering the seminary for Catholic priesthood, or women entering the religious life to become Catholic nuns. This can be accredited to the Holy Rosary Seminary, Daughters of Mary, and Daughters of Charity Convents in Naga.

The largest minority religion in the region is Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) known for its magnificent worship buildings, commonly called chapels or kapilya, with towering spires that dot the Bicol landscape. Each province represents one ecclesiastical district (E.D.) with the exception of Camarines Sur which is divided into two - Camarines Southwest E.D. in Naga, and Camarines Southeast E.D. in Iriga City. In total, INC has seven ecclesiastical districts in the Bicol region. The chapel of local congregation of Legazpi, Albay is the biggest.

Other religions are also well represented in Bicol such as Protestants denominations of Seventh-Day Adventist church, Baptist Church, Pentecostal, born-again Christian, Jehovah's Witnesses and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints.

Culture & Traits

The Bicolano cuisine is primarily noted for the prominent use of chili peppers and gata (coconut milk) in its food. A classic example is the gulay na lada, known outside the region as Bicol Express, a well-loved dish using siling labuyo (native small chillies) and the aforementioned gata.

Like their other neighboring regions, Bicolanas are also expected to lend a hand in household work. They are even anticipated to offer assistance after being married. On the other hand, Bicolano men are expected to assume the role of becoming the primary source of income and financial support of his family.

Bicolanos are also known for being very religious, the place is known for Senora De Penafrancia. Bicolanos are often sweet, regionalistic, friendly, adventurous, puts high importance on education and social status. Contrary to what is believed, not all Bicolanos are fond of chili. Men often know how to cook.

Economy

Bicol Region has a large amount of rich flatland, and agriculture is the largest component of the economy, followed by commercial fishing. Coconuts, abaca, banana, coffee and jackfruit are the top five permanent crops in the region. Rice and corn are among the chief seasonal crops. Mining is also one of the contributors to the region's economy. Commercial fishing is also important with thirteen major fishing grounds supplying fish markets in places as far as Metro Manila.

Tourism

Whale shark spotting in Donsol, Sorsogon

The region's tourism industry has been revived by the popularity of Mayon Volcano, the new CamSur Water Sports Complex, whale shark spotting, among others, which consequently increased the number of upscale resorts. Naga City has its colonial churches, and pilgrimages to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

The municipality of Daet and Catanduanes province have long been destinations for surfers. The opening of the Southern Luzon International Airport in Legazpi City, which is under construction, is hoped to further boost tourism in the region.

Festivals

• Coron Festival - A showcase of events highlighted by a street presentation participated in by the town’s different public and private schools and sectors gives a week of fun and merriment to visitors and locals. Held every third week of August in Tiwi, the religious package of devotion and prayer in honor of Albay’s patroness, Nuestra Señora de Salvacion (Our Lady of Salvation), is the peak event of the festival, colorfully drawing thousands of devotees and religious groups through a long maritime procession of different local sea vessels on the sea spray of the serene Pacific Ocean going to the quiet barangay of Joroan, the home of the miraculous image.
• Ibalong Festival - A non-religious festival in Legazpi City, Albay held during August.
• Kadagatan Festival - Formerly called the Bancathon race, the festival is a water sport activity participated in by fishermen from the different municipalities of Albay aimed to give recognition and at the same time provide a venue to the fishermen to show their strength, skills, and contributions to the socio-economic development of the region. Held in Bacacay every black Saturday.
• Kamundagan Festival - Naga City celebrates the Kamundagan Festival every Christmas time. It begins with the lighting of the Christmas Village in the Plaza Quezon Grandstand. After the lighting of the Christmas Village, six locally handmaid stars, known locally as parols are lighted with different meanings. Love, progress, peace, happiness, prosperity, and joy symbolize the stars. The giant Christmas tree is lighted twoweeks before Christmas. Every night, different fantasy-themed Christmas shows are held in the Plaza Quezon. A Grand Christmas Bazaar is also held near the Cathedral, exhibiting different talents in Magic, Trickery, Beauty, and Brains. The Bazaar also has some stores that sell locally-made Christmas themed products for visitor.
• Katalingkasan Festival - The festivity retraces the valiant story of the virgins of the town who worked hard in making Libon as one of the earliest settlements in Albay. Featured activities are trade fairs, shows, and street dancing. Held every second week of July.
• Kinalas Festival - Naga City celebrates Kinalas Festival during its yearly anniversary of Chartership or Cityhood. It honors the most famous local delicacies, the Kinalas, and Siling Labuyo, with it having a food contest. Also known as Charter Day Festival, different organizations and schools, compete in Sports and Academics, as sponsored by the local government.
• Magayon Festival - In admiration of the Majestic Mayon’s beauty and splendor, this festival is dubbed as Magayon, a Bikol term which means beautiful.
• Our Lady of Peñafrancia Festival - The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol Philippines. All roads and routes will lead to Naga City in Camarines Sur where six million Bicolanos from here and abroad will flock to that progressive city to pay honor to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, miraculous patroness of the Bicol Region. Bicolanos from all walks of life will be in Naga City to meet their relatives and partidarios, share food, drinks, and prayers with them, and most of all, to pay homage and make thanksgiving to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, whom the Bicolanos fondly call Ina. Through the Franciscans, the annual feast of the Virgin of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicolandia, was instituted. Fr. Miguel Robles asked a local artist to carve a replica of the statue of the Virgin in Salamanca; now, the statue is celebrated through an annual fluvial procession and regional feast in Naga City. The Regional Civic Parade, Regional Military Parade are also held on the feast.
• Pagsuwak Festival - The act of thanksgiving for Guinobatan’s growth, development, and progress, fitted in with the people’s gesture of offering for the bountiful harvest. Held every 9th-15 August.
• Rodeo Masbateño Festival - Is an annual event which takes place in Masbate City which showcases skills in livestock handling, such as lassoing, wrestling, and riding cattle. Also included in the event are a fair and exhibitions and trade of cattle and horses. The event has taken place every summer since 1993 in the province of Masbate, which is traditionally considered the "Cattle Country of the Philippines."
• Salingoy Festival - Salingoy is a Bikol term that literally means looking back. A century of devotion (1901-2001) to one of Bacacay’s patron saints, Nuestra Señora de los Samparados, Salingoy Festival came into being, a centennial commemoration of unbroken reverence to God’s blessings and bounty. Salingoy looks back with humility by reminiscing into the richness of fidelity to Our Lady (Holy Mother Mary) and to relive Bacacay’s historical, socio-cultural, and religious heritage. Held every August 9 up to 15.
• Sarung Banggi - An annual fun-filled eight-day summer festivity immortalizing the timeless love song Sarung Banggi, and a tribute to its composer, Potenciano V. Gregorio. Held every 18th - 25 May in Sto. Domingo, the Sarung Banggi festival showcases a variety of cultural and religious activities. The entire colorful performance is shown at nighttime when the street parade routes are brightly lighted with large torches. The whole town becomes a true picture of rural life with the multitude of people occupying the streets to watch and join the nighttime merriment.
• Tinagbuan Festival - This festivity is in honor of the city’s patron saint, St. Stephen Protomartyr held every Christmas Day. Tinagbuan, from the term tagbuan, which means converging point, is exactly the essence of this festival as it enables Ligaoeños to come back to Ligao for a blessed reunion with their families and friends. The festival’s highlight is the street dance presentation.

Geology

Bicol region is volcanic in origin and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known as the Bicol Volcanic Arc or Chain, the volcanoes are the results of the Philippine Sea Plate subducting under the Philippine Mobile Belt, along the Philippine Trench. Volcanism is evident by the number of hot springs, crater lakes, and volcanoes that dot the region starting from Mount Labo in Camarines Norte to the Gate Mountains in Matnog, Sorsogon.

Mayon Volcano is the most prominent of the volcanoes in the region, famous for its almost perfect conical shape and for being the most active in the Philippines. Its eruptions have repeatedly inflicted disasters on the region, but during lulls in activity, it is a particularly beautiful mountain. The southernmost tip of the peninsula is dominated by Bulusan Volcano, the other active volcano in the region. Tiwi in Albay and the Bacon-Manito area between Sorsogon and Albay are the sites of two major geothermal fields that contribute substantially to the Luzon Power Grid.

Volcanoes

From North to South

Photo	Name
	Mount Isarog is a 1,966-metre (6,450 ft) fumarolic volcano with a 2.5-kilometre (1.6 mi) wide crater breached to the east. The mountain and vicinity covering 10,112 hectares (24,990 acres) is a protected area in the Bicol Region under the name Mount Isarog Natural Park.
	Mount Iriga is a 1,196-metre (3,924 ft) volcano with a large horseshoe-shaped collapsed crater located adjacent to Lake Buhi (foreground).
	Mount Malinao is a 1,548-metre (5,079 ft) volcano with a large crater about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) at its widest, which is breached to the east, The geothermal fields of Tiwi are located on its lower eastern slope.
	Mount Masaraga is a sharp-topped 1,328-metre (4,357 ft) Holocene volcano NW of Mayon.
	Mayon Volcano, the highest at 2,463 metres (8,081 ft), is also the most popular in the region for its beautifully symmetrical cone. It is also the most active in the country. The volcano is one of the protected areas of Region V under the name Mayon Volcano Natural Park encompassing 5,776 hectares (14,270 acres).
	Pocdol Mountains with its highest elevation at 1,102 metres (3,615 ft), is a fumarolic group of volcanoes situated between Albay and Sorsogon provinces. It is the location of the Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant and the PNOC Eco-Park, a 25,100-hectare (62,000-acre) ecotourism park maintained and protected by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).
	Bulusan Volcano, the other active volcano of the region, has an altitude of 1,565 metres (5,135 ft). It is located on the remains of the 11-kilometre (6.8 mi) Irosin Caldera. The volcano is a protected area and the centerpiece of the 3,672-hectare (9,070-acre) Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.

Education

High schools

Legazpi City:

• Ago Medical and Education Center, Science High School
• Aquinas University - Science High School
• Arimbay National High School
• Banquerohan National High School
• Computer Arts and Technological College (High School)
• Christian Heritage Baptist Academy
• Divine World College - High School
• Dynamic Computer Science High School
• Cabangan National High School
• Forbes Academy
• Global Two Wings Foundation School of Legazpi
• Gogon High School
• Holy Child's Amazing Grace Learning Center
• Homapon High School
• Legazpi Adventist Elementary School
• Legazpi Chong Hua Institute of Technology
• Legazpi City High School
• Legazpi Hope Christian School
• MABA Computer Oriented High School
• Maslog High School
• Mission Montessori Child Center
• Nazarene Elementary and Kindergarten School
• PRO5 Learning Center
• Reyes Computer Oriented High School
• Reyes Laboratory School and Tutorial Center
• Saint Roche Learning Center
• Oro Site National High School
• Pag-asa National High School
• Pawa High School
• The PEP Center Foundation
• St. Agnes Academy
• St. Peter's and Paul Early Childhood Center
• St.Raphael Academy
• St. Therese of the Child Jesus Learning of Legazpi City
• SPED Center Regional SPED Center
• Tanchuling Computer Oriented High School
• Sta. Magdalena National High School
• Taysan Resettlement Integrated School

Naga City:

• Camarines Sur National High School
• Naga City Science High School
• Concepcion Pequeña National High School
• Tinago National High School
• Cararayan Comprehencive High School
• Naga City School of Arts and Trades
• Sabang High School
• Leon Q. Mercado High School
• Naga View Adventist College
• Naga College Foundation
• Ateneo de Naga University
• Universidad de Santa Isabel
• University of Nueva Caceres
• Saint Joseph School
• Naga Parochial School
• Naga Hope Christian School
• Arborvitae Plains Montessori
• Brentwood College of Asia-International School
• Blessed Lights International Academy

Iriga City:

• University of Saint Anthony (USANT)
• University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP)
• La Consolacion College (LCC)
• Zeferino Arroyo High School (ZAHS)
• Rinconada National Technical Vocational School (RNTVS)
• Perpetual Help High School
• Sagrada High School
• Sto. Niño High School
• San Antonio High School
• Modern Learning Center (MLC)

List of universities and colleges

Albay:

• Bicol University (BU)

Legazpi City:

• Ago Medical and Educational Center-Bicol Christian College of Medicine
• AMA Computer University
• Aquinas University
• Bicol University - Main and College of Agriculture and Forestry
• Computer Arts Technological College
• Computer Communication Development Institute
• Computer Systems Institute
• De Vera Institute of Technology
• Divine Word College
• Don Bosco Agro-Mechanical Technology Center
• Forbes College
• Genecom Institute of Science and Technology
• Informatics Computer Institute Legazpi
• MABA Computer Oriented High School & College Laboratory and Tutorial Center Foundation
• Mariner's Polytechnic Colleges Foundation
• Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation
• STI College
• Tanchuling College

Camarines Norte:

• Camarines Norte State College (CNSC)
• La Consolacion College, Daet (LCC-Daet)
• Mabini College, Daet (Mabini College)
• Our lady of Lourdes College Foundation, Daet (OLOFCF-Daet)
• AMA Computer Learning College, Daet (ACLC-DAET)
• Camarines Norte College, Labo (CNC)

Camarines Sur :

• Polytechnique University of the Philippines Ragay
• Partido State University (ParSU)
• Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
• Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
• Calabanga Community College
• Caramoan Community College
• St. Peter Baptist College Foundation Inc.
• Ceguera Technological Colleges
• Universidad de Sta. Isabel Pili Campus

Naga City:

• Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU)
• University of Nueva Caceres (UNC)
• Universidad de Santa Isabel (USI)
• Naga College Foundation (NCF)
• Bicol College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST)
• Global Site for IT Studies (GlobalIT)
• Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation
• AMA Computer University (Bicol Campus)
• STI College (Naga Campus)
• Philippine Computer Foundation College Inc. (Naga Campus)
• Camarines Sur Community College
• Worldtech Resources Institute Inc. (Naga Campus)
• Naga View Adventist College
• Brentwood College of Asia International School
• Computer Communication Development Institute (Naga Campus)
• The Raya School-Naga Campus

Iriga City:

• University of Saint Anthony (USANT)
• University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP)
• La Consolacion College (LCC-Iriga)
• Worldtech Resources Institute (WRI)
• AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC)
• Systems Technologies Institute (STI)
• Global I.T.
• Ceguera Technological College (CTC)
• Computer Communications Development Institute (CCDI)
• Oliveros College
• Regina Monde College (RMC)

Catanduanes:

• Catanduanes State University (CSU)
• Catanduanes State University - Panganiban Campus
• Catanduanes Colleges (CC)
• Catanduanes Computer Learning Center (CCLC)
• Catanduanes Institute of Technology Foundation (CITFI)
• Catanduanes School of Advance Technology (CSAT)
• Christian Polytechnic Institute of Catanduanes (CPIC)
• Immaculate Conception Seminary Academy of the Diocese of Virac

Masbate:

• Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT)

Sorsogon:

• Sorsogon State College (SSC)

Media

Large media networks such as ABS-CBN Corporation, GMA Network, Inc., TV5 Philippines, People's Television Network, Pacific Broadcasting Systems and RPN9 maintain their respective local stations and branches for viewership, commercial and news coverage purposes. Most of these stations broadcast local news and public affairs as well as entertainment and dramas to cater the local viewers.

Cable television operators are putting up cable TV stations in an effort to spread the TV signals all over the region. They also offer free worldwide array of television stations for various channels for news, sports, drama, cartoons, and advertisements.

Television networks

• ABS-CBN: Channel 4 (Legazpi), Channel 11 (Naga), Channel 7 (Sorsogon) and (Virac), Channel 23 (Daet)
• ABS-CBN Sports+Action: Channel 23 (Legazpi), Channel 24 (Naga)
• CNN Philippines: Channel 2
• ETC: Channel 22
• TV5: Channel 6 (Legazpi), Channel 5 (Naga), Channel 11 (Sorsogon)
• AksyonTV: Channel 38
• GMA Network: Channel 7 (Naga), Channel 12 (Legazpi), Channel 7 (Masbate), Channel 13 (Virac), Channel 8 (Daet), Channel 2 (Sorsogon)
• TBN Network: Channel 13 (Legazpi), Channel 3(Masbate), Channel 9(Naga), Channel 22 (Virac)
• GMA News TV: Channel 27 (Legazpi), Channel 27 (Masbate), Channel 28 (Naga),
• TBN News Channel: Channel 29 (Legazpi), Channel 24 (Masbate), Channel 30 (Naga),
• 2nd Avenue Channel 42 (Naga), Channel 45 (Legazpi)

News Programs

• TV Patrol Bicol - Channel 23 Daet, Channel 4 Legazpi, ABS-CBN Channel 11 Naga and Channel 7 Sorsogon and Virac
• 24 Oras Bikol - GMA Network Channel 12 (Legazpi), Channel 7 (Masbate), Channel 7 (Naga), Channel 13 (Virac), Channel 8 (Daet), Channel 2 (Sorsogon)
• Big News Bicol - TBN TV-13 Legazpi, TV-3 Masbate, TV-9 Naga, TV-22, Virac

Newspaper

File:Bicol Standard.jpg

Local newspaper Bicol Standard

• Bicol Standard
• Catanduanes Tribune

Notable Bicolanos

• Raul Roco - born in Naga City, a Filipino statesman, prominent lawyer, Congressman, Senator, Cabinet secretary (Education) during the Presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Presidential Candidate in 2010.
• Joker Arroyo- a human rights lawyer, congressman and senator.
• Francis "Chiz" Escudero- senator, vice-presidential aspirant and former Sorsogon representative.
• Antonio Trillanes IV- senator, vice-presidential aspirant and former military officer, Leader Magdalo group.
• Gregorio Honasan- senator, vice-presidential aspirant and former military officer.
• Irene Cortes - born in Legazpi City where she completed her intermediate studies, she was a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines/First Female Dean of the UP College of Law
• John Arcilla - is a multi-awarded Filipino movie actor and environmentalist.
• Merlinda Carullo Bobis - born in Legazpi City, she is a contemporary Filipino writer and academic in Australia
• Janelle Quintana Manahan - teen actress/Best New Female Artist (19th Aliw Awards) nominee
• Enchong Dee, born Ernest Lorenzo Velasquez Dee, is an actor, director and model, and an international competitive swimmer. He is a contract artist of ABS-CBN and has won numerous awards for his work in movies and television. He is the younger brother of AJ Dee, also an actor and swimmer. He came to prominence after starring in Katorse (2009).
• AJ Dee, born Angel James Dee III, is an actor and an international competitive swimmer, like his younger brother Enchong Dee. As a theater actor, Dee played the role of Tony Javier in the play A Portrait of an Artist.
• Jesse Robredo - Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and former Naga City mayor
• Leni Robredo- representative 3rd District of Camarines Sur and vice-presidential aspirant.
• Lara Quigaman - Film/TV actress,model,host and Miss International 2005 winner.
• Robin Padilla - Film/TV Actor and model popularly known as The Bad Boy of Philippine Movies.
• Nora Aunor - a multi-awarded Filipino actress, singer and producer. She has also top billed several stage plays, television shows, and concerts. She is regarded as the "Superstar in Philippine Entertainment Industry".
• Venus Raj - a beauty queen, TV personality, model, and actress. She was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2010 (Miss Universe-Philippines) on March 6, 2010, during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum. She represented the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, and placed fourth runner-up to Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.
• Eddie Garcia - popularly known as Manoy is a Filipino film actor and film director. His family is among the descendants of Spanish Pinaminomons settlers. He is a former member of the Philippine Scouts in Okinawa during World War II. The Philippine Military Academy Marangal (Honorable) Class of 1974 also adopted him as one of their honorary classmates, alongside First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
• Wally Bayola - is a Filipino comedian and actor. Bayola also participated in singing. He is best known appearing alongside his co-tandem Jose Manalo on the noon-time television variety show Eat Bulaga!.
• Gary V. - is a Filipino musician. Also known as "Mr. Pure Energy", Valenciano has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" eleven times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first National Ambassador.
• Imelda Papin - is a Filipino singer and one of the bigger names in the Philippine music industry. Dubbed the "Sentimental Songstress", Imelda Papin is responsible for songs such as "Bakit (Kung liligaya ka sa piling ng iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig".
• Carmen Camacho - 1960s Philippine Kundiman Diva
• Bernabe Concepcion - Filipino featherweight boxer
• Miriam Quiambao - is a Filipina television personality, occasional actress and 1st runner up at the Miss Universe 1999 pageant.
• Jose Tomas Sanchez - Roman Catholic Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy and Cardinal Priest from the Philippines
• Shalani Soledad-Romulo - Valenzuela representative and TV host
• Jericho Rosales - is a Filipino cinema and television actor, model,singer, and songwriter.
• Francisco Tatad - former Senator of the Philippines (1992-2001)
• Mike Velarde - Tele-evangelist, founder and Servant-Leader of El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI
• Leandro Verceles Sr. - Philippine Ambassador, Governor, Philippine Immigration Commissioner, initiator of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road, initiator of the ARDCI, a micro-lending strategy that eventually led to the nationally acclaimed Vision Bank
• Bembol Roco - is a Filipino film and television actor. He is famous for his role as Julio Madiaga in Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag.
• Leandro Verceles Jr. - Congressman (1992-2001), Governor (2001–2006), Principal author of the Philippine E-Commerce Act that paved the way for the burgeoning $20b BPO industry in the Philippines.
• Bea Rose Santiago - Fords model and Miss International 2013 winner.
• Arnulfo "Noli" Fuentebella - House of Representatives of the Philippines 11th Congress Speaker of the House (2000 -2001)
• Melanie Calumpad Alvarez - Better known as Kyla is a Filipino R&B singer-songwriter, producer, occasional actress and presenter dubbed as the Philippines' "Queen of R&B".
• Gina Vera-Perez de Venecia - She is daughter of the famed star-builder of Sampaguita Pictures, the late Doc Jose Perez and Azucena Vera-Perez. She is the wife of Jose de Venecia, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998 and 2001 to 2008.
• Aga Muhlach - Actor,model, host and former matinee idol of Philippine movies.
• Beatriz Saw- actress, TV host and Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 big winner
• Bugoy Drilon- singer, actor and Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 2nd Star Dreamer

External links

• Bicol Region Official Website, Department of Interior and Local Government
• Department of Tourism at Wow Bicol
• Bicolano Radio Stations Online
• List of Bicol Region Festivals & Fiestas
• List of Places to stay and visit in Bicol