Crater of Mayon Volcano as viewed from the plane, taken in 2005.
A gloomy Mayon Volcano as viewed with Cagsawa Church, taken in 2004.
I had a short-term work assignment in Naga City in 2003. During the weekend, a visit to Mayon Volcano in Cagsawa, Daraga (2.5 hours drive from Naga) consumed my Saturday. However, the volcano was in its gloomy state. Though I’ve read it in history books many times, it was still interesting to see the surviving bell tower of Cagsawa Church. I even bought a souvenir shirt showing Cagsawa Ruins. Out of the 47 eruptions of Mayon Volcano, the one in 1814 was considered as the most destructive.
Lava flowed but not as much compared to the 1766 eruption. Instead, the volcano was belching dark ash and eventually bombarding the town with tephra that buried the town of Cagsawa—only the bell tower of the town’s church remained above the new surface. Trees were burned; rivers were certainly damaged. Proximate areas were also devastated by the eruption with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. 2,200 Albay natives perished in what is considered as the most lethal eruption in Mayon’s history.
While I enjoyed shopping in Daraga and was able to savour the authentic laing, pinangat, bicol express, and sweets, I was disappointed that I didn’t see Mayon Volcano in a mesmerizing view as shown in the postcards. My Bicolano hosts/guides claimed that “Nahihiyang magpakita sayo. Ibig sabihin kailangang tingnan mo uli siya. Pinapabalik ka niya uli sa Bicol” (The volcano is shy to show up. That means you need to see her again. She wants you to come back to Bicol). That’s an old belief that later on proved to be seemingly correct.
Mayon Resthouse at the foot of the volcano, taken in 2005.
Then, I was assigned for a couple of weeks in Legazpi (capital of Albay) in 2004. From the city proper, the volcano was very visible. Hence, I easily took note if it was a perfect time to go to Cagsawa, which is only 15-minute drive from the city. However, the moment we would reach there it was no longer clear. The volcano is playing hard to get.
In 2005, I was back to Naga for a back-to-back assignment in Tabaco. Aside from the other sidetrips during the weekend, we paid a visit to Cagsawa again. Finally, the view was almost clear. Just almost. We didn’t settle for it and took 180 degrees turn to see the other side of Mayon Volcano. We had to drive up to Mayon Resthouse. It was so foggy then and after almost an hour of driving and walking up, we were literally at the foot of the volcano. The resthouse itself was eerie because it was already non-operational for a number of years. No washrooms, restaurants, etc. I hope they would be able to revive this.
View from Legazpi Airport, taken in 2005.
On the day of our flight from Legazpi to Manila, Mount Mayon unexpectedly showed up again.
She was very clear. Finally I had my own acceptable Mayon Volcano shot. Ibig sabihin hindi na niya ako pinapabalik (That meant she no longer asks me to be back). Just now I realized, there was a strange bird in the photo. 🙂
After 47 times of eruption and being ruined, Mayon Volcano is still beautiful. Making it 11th in the 2008 Seven Wonders of the World.
This is my entry for this week’s Photo Hunt.
witsandnuts 
0 thoughts on “Photo Hunt: Ruin(ed)”
Jientje
Ohhh thank you, that’s so interesting!
That church tower being claimed again by nature looks so beautiful!
Jientjes last blog post..Photo Hunt " Ruin"
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RJ Flamingo
Interesting post and lovely photos – especially the ruined church! Thank you for visiting!
RJ Flamingos last blog post..PhotoHunt: Ruin
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sheng
Nice pic Jo! Ang ganda pa rin ano? I wish I could have a chance to visit this place too.
shengs last blog post..A post-Halloween Story
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kg
My mother is from Albay and we go there every now and then. Our house in Bicol has Mayon for its view. I hope more people discover its beauty. Mayon is really majestic, talagang perfect cone (save for one side na may uka).
By the way, have you tried shopping sa Cagsawa ruins? Purely Pinoy stuff (beatiful crafts) at reasonable prices. 🙂
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witsandnuts
I’m really mesmerized by Mayon. I agree that items in Cagsawa ruins are reasonably priced. Better priced than those in Legazpi Market. In my first and second visits there I think I bought several native bags and other stuff. In my last visit, I was able to hold on to my promise not to buy abaca bags again. Instead I got native swing (duyan)and a long folding chair made of abaca. I had it delivered through the bus traveling to Pasay/Cubao. Would be not so handy in the plane. Until now all the items I got are still in perfect condition. 🙂
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maidapaypay
i love the first and second pictures. and yes, that is a very strange bird, indeed. baka elemental?
maidapaypays last blog post..Chili Powder or Flakes 100% All Natural
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witsandnuts
I almost mentioned that in the narrative. When I did click the cam, that ‘bird’ was actually not there. 😉
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deuts
hmmmm… baka multo. hehehe
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Carin
Nice photo’s.
Carins last blog post..Photo hunter – ruin(ed)
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Traffic Generation Tips
Excellent content…keep up the good work!
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SleeplessInKL
I once tried taking the 48-hour Philtranco bus trip from Pasay to Davao. That’s when I got the chance to get a glimpse of Daragang Magayon for the very first time. TOo bad I didn’t have a camera then!
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iluvgreen
nice shots. though it’s just 4 hour drive from quezon, i never been there, looser lol.
iluvgreens last blog post..the best thing in life is free
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upto6only
it’s nice you actually saw Mayon. When I went to Naga to attend Glenda and Mac’s wedding, I was not able to see it.
upto6onlys last blog post..PhotoHunt: Ruin(ed)
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jam
Great aerial view on the volcano!
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Rach (Heart of Rachel)
Mt. Mayon is breathtaking. I’ve never been to Bicol. I hope I can visit it in the near future.
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liz
The rest room does look eerie. And the volcano is very impressive.
lizs last blog post..What a night!
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kayni
I thought it was great that you captured the bird in flight with Mayon on the background. I’d love to see Mayon one day. There are so many in the Philippines that I’d love to see.
kaynis last blog post..Mr. Kia
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blue rose
nice shots! ganda pa rin talaga ng mayon. and wow swerte mo naman. taga bikol ako pero hindi pa ako nakapunta ng malapitan sa mayon volcano hanggang cagsawa ruins lang.
blue roses last blog post..happy weekend
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kg
Hey wits…sino yung kilala mo sa group pic namin sa Disneyland? I’m really curious. 🙂
kgs last blog post..Ugly duckling on the loose
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witsandnuts
Hi, it’s Anj. 🙂 I should have figured out earlier that you are sisters. If not for your Disney pix I wouldn’t realize clearly. We were teammates in one of our major clients in her first job. I revisited my friend’s recent Europe pictures, and yes, it was you in there! I’ll try to see Anj this December. The last time I saw her was during my despedida in Dads. 🙂
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caryn
coolness! i have never been to the mayon area before ;-( sana makapunta soon. nice shots jo!
caryns last blog post..nanowrimo fever
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BlogusVox
“Daragang magayon” (beautiful maiden) that’s where “she” got its name. And its apt too, considering how beautiful Mayon Volcano really is. I hope someday, masilayan ko rin ang kanyang kagandahan, up close and personal. : )
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Dragonstar
The volcano is truly beautiful!
Dragonstars last blog post..ABC Wednesday – R
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witsandnuts
An active volcano. Really majestic. 🙂
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