Ligao City is one of the gateway to the Mayon National Park where the majestic
Mayon Volcano is located. Local and foreign tourists who visit Mayon Volcano
spills over to the city which itself is endowed with natural scenery that nature
lovers find interesting. It has natural springs, caves, hills, lakes and a good
panoramic view of Mayon Volcano.
Areas identified as recreation and tourist destinations are Divinaflor Hidden
Spring Resort and Rendezvous Spring Resort, both located at Barangay Herrera,
Kawakawa Hills at Barangay Paulog, Mabigao Lake and underground caves at
Barangays Allang and Tula-Tula Pequeno, Bolinao Falls at Barangay Ranao-Ranao,
Malison Lake at Barangays Pandan and Bonga, Mount Masaraga and Busay Lake at
Barangay Busay, Cabrera Resort at Barangay Bay and Asistio Spring at Barangay
Basag.
Ligao City has a special charm distinct within the locality. It has blend of
relaxed atmosphere and a scenic view that soothes the tired mind, mesmerizes the
body and delights one’s soul. For adventurous people the mystique of Mt. Mayon
and Mount Masaraga, the twin peaks, offers an exhilarating experience for
mountain climbing and trekking and the thrill of scaling great heights and
descending in deep ravines.
The unspoiled beaches along the coastal barangays of Catburawan, Cabarian and
Maonon offers an alternative to the highly commercialized beaches of Boracay and
Palawan. These areas offers business opportunities for possible investors and
entrepreneurs for further development.
All these places are accessible to all types of vehicles from the City center
because all barangays can be reached through all – weather concrete roads.
There are many types of vehicles that can be hired to take to these places from
the vans to the tricycles and even single motorcycles.
One can sample the hospitality of the place when he takes lodging with any of
the houses of the inhabitants. There are also 3 lodging houses located in the
City with air-conditioned rooms and other amenities. One can also savor the
food cooked rich in spices and coconut milk and hot chili dishes inherent in
the locality.
Socio – Cultural Events
The socio-cultural activities
in the City of Ligao is centered on three occasions namely, during Lent,
during the Yuletide season and during the celebration of the founding
anniversary of the cityhood.
The inhabitants of the City are
majority Roman Catholic. During the Lenten season many of the relatives
and friends of the people of Ligao come home to observe the occasion.
There are many activities during this time. The traditional reading of
“Pasyon” is prevalent in most homes. The Penitents or the “Flagellants”
can be seen on the streets and which culminates in the patio of the
parish church. The “Cenakulos” or the passion play of the sacrifices of
Jesus Christ is staged in most barangays. The highlight of these events
are the traditional procession of the “Karos” or the various saints
fully garbed which date back during the Spanish times. These “Karos”
are antiques which has been handed down through generations as a
penitential rite. Lastly, the Easter Sunday is awaited for the
traditional “Salubong” and the Easter Angels. The Western celebration
of the Easter Egg hunt has been adapted as of late after the high mass
of the “Salubong” at the patio of the parish Church.
The Feast of the Patron Saint
of Ligao City, St. Stephen Protomartyr, falls every December 26, right
after Christmas and a week before New Year. The yuletide celebration
in the City is very long. Usually it starts on the second week of
October when the “Patiribayan” starts. This is the search for new
talents in singing, dancing and other skills. This is held every Friday
with weekly winners and prizes. This culminates on the Friday of the
third week of December where the grand finals is held with the major
prizes given. At the end of the first week of December the traditional
lighting of the giant Christmas Tree located at the City Plaza is held.
This coincides with the lighting of all Christmas lights around the City
Hall. But the festivities which is held every night at the City
Pavilion starts on December 16. These festivities or series of cultural
shows involve all the organizations in the City namely, the NGOs, the
LGU, the Education sector, the private sector and other civic
organizations. This date is also the start of the traditional “Misa de
Gallo” or the early morning mass. There is also a street dancing
festival participated in by various groups and barangays. These
cultural shows end on December 31 or New Year’s Eve for the traditional
ball and fireworks display. This is a happy moment for family reunions
and bonding since many spend a long vacation.
The founding anniversary of the Cityhood of Ligao City is another red letter occasion for the City.
Many activities are presented just like during the Yuletide. But this
is only a weeklong celebration culminating on March 24, the day of the
anniversary.
