Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information

by Philippine Islands. Commission of Independence

Volcanoes Peerless Mayon of the perfect cone is in Albay, the volcano of Isarog in Ambos Camarines, and Bulusan in Sorsogon.

For those who love mountain climbing, the ascent to the peak of Mayon Volcano should not be missed.

The actual ascent, though arduous, is perfectly practicable. It requires from a day and a half to two days from Albay. By leaving the latter place on horseback at noon it is possible to ride one-third of the way up before dark. Leaving the horses at the camping place, the summit can be reached and the return trip made to Albay on the following day. A vivid description of the trip, written by Dr. Paul C. Freer, Director of the Bureau of Science, follows:

“This great volcano rises from the seacoast, between Legaspi and Tabaco, in the form of an almost perfect cone—the white houses and church towers of the surrounding settlements and the deeper-colored verdure of the trees at its base, higher up the brilliant green of the bare glass streaked here and there by old lava flows, and still higher a grayish black cinder and ash cone tapering to the peak, with a small plume of steam escaping apparently from the extreme summit. The ascent is interesting, but may, if proper precautions are not taken, be dangerous. The rise of the land in the first part is scarcely perceptible, the road winding through forest interspersed with great plantations of manila hemp; above, as it becomes steeper, the latter give way almost entirely to tropical jungle; and finally the path emerges into cogonal, which extends as far as the angle of the slope will permit. Here and there the entire slope is cut by deep ravines, indicating old lava flows. The way up the cone at first invariably lies in one of these ravines, but now and again the mountain climber is compelled to cross rolling cinder beds only a few inches deep, and lying upon a harder base, almost invariably with an abrupt descent below. The angle is so great that every precaution must be taken, as a slip would prove fatal. A good steelshod alpenstock is practically indispensable. The last five hundred feet are along the perpendicular lava and tuff crags of the summit, the ambitious climber clinging to the latter with hands and toes, wherever support is possible and slowly working his way to the edge of the crater. Finally, standing upon the rotten foothold afforded by the latter he looks down into what appears to be a deep dark well from which small quantities of sulphur-laden gas escape. Around him on the margin jets of steam arise; the ground on which he stands is hot, the boys carrying the canteens are far below, the dry breeze helps the evaporation, and he realizes that he is very, very thirsty. However, the view from the top repays all effort. The entire southern portion of Luzon is visible, stretching away in a succession of fields, forests, and diminutive villages, to the straits of San Bernardino, across which Samar may be seen, and even Leyte, on a clear day. The lake of Bato, the interisland waters, and finally Burias are seen to the west; to the north there appears apparently one unbroken stretch of land with here and there a glimpse of the sea; and the Gulf of Albay with the towns of Legaspi, Tabaco, and Daraga, as well as the smaller islands to the east, seem to be almost within a stone’s throw. I have been high up on the slopes of Etna, at the entrance to the Val del Bobe, from which many travelers maintain the finest in the world is to be obtained, but I certainly think that from the summit of Mayon the vista surpasses the one from its sister volcano in Sicily.… Mayon Volcano is decidedly one of the show places of the Philippines, and the wonder is that many of our visitors do not take the opportunity to make the ascent.”

BULACAN PROVINCE is named from the Tagalog word “bulac” meaning “cotton” which was once the principal product of the region. Together with the Provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija, the province forms what is commonly known as the region of Central Luzon.

Description and History The soil, which is of alluvial and volcanic origin, is rich. Rice, corn, sugar, pineapples, bananas, betel nut, mangoes, and all sorts of vegetables are raised in the well irrigated and low-lying lands. The nipa swamps which supply most of the nipa thatches, vinegar, and alcohol are the principal stand-by of a great many people. The forests cover over 89,980 hectares and yield good commercial timber and many minor forest products.

Aside from agriculture and mining, the industries of the province are making hats (Baliuag) and silk textiles, weaving, tanning, fish breeding, distilling alcohol, and furniture-making. Baliuag, Meycauayan, Obando, Polo, Hagonoy, and San Miguel are the centers of these industries.

In the events which followed the arrival of the British in 1762, the province figured conspicuously, serving as a center of resistance during British occupation of Manila. The Spanish Governor, Anda, just before the capitulation of Manila escaped to this province where he organized a government of his own to carry on hostilities against the British and to hold the country in its loyalty to Spain. In the encounters, however, between Anda’s forces and the British, Anda’s resistance was overcome, and Bulacan like the other provinces fell into British hands.

Some of the most notable events in the Philippine revolution took place in Bulacan Province. It was at Biac-na-Bato, in the mountains of Bulacan, where in December of 1897 the famous Pact of Biac-na-Bato was concluded, and the town of Malolos was for some time the capital of the Philippine Republic. Here, in the historic church of Barasoain, the Congress which drafted the Constitution of the Republic held its sessions. Conspicuous figures of the revolution like M. H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce whose names are connected with the period of propaganda are sons of this province.

Attractions Among the other attractions are the Mineral Baths at Marilao, on the Manila north road, and Sibul Springs near San Miguel de Mayumo. This is a popular health resort only about three hours ride from Manila. The water of the springs have enjoyed a considerable reputation for a long time. They are very beneficial in diseases of the intestinal tract, especially those of a chronic and catarrhal nature. Owing to the gases which the water contains the baths are most refreshing.