OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

MUNICIPAL TOURISM, CULTURE AND THE ARTS OFFICE

Research & Development, Culture & Arts Sections

..................................................................................................................................................................................................
CULTURAL MAPPING
CULTURAL ASSETS PROFILE OF MUNICIPALITY OF CAMALIG, ALBAY

I. CULTURAL HERITAGE (TANGIBLE CULTURE)

FORM OF YEAR/ERA OF
NAME CREATOR DESCRIPTION STATE
EXPRESSION CREATION

First constructed in 1579 by Franciscan

Missionaries but destroyed during 1814 Mayon
Eruption. Reconstructed in 1842 and completed
in 1848. Made of purely volcanic stones, this
massive stone church is a monument of the
numerous people who worked for its
St. John the Baptist
Augustinian- construction. Camalig can boast of having one
Church (Barangay 2, Church 1579 EXISTING
Franciscan Friars of the most massive, strongest and most
Camalig, Albay)
beautiful churches in the region. This church
served as look out for the American troops
during World War II in searching for enemies.
Having withstood over the different periods of
the country the Spanish, American and
Japanese eras.

Corinthian architectural house once owned by

Spanish prominent
prominent families which to the present stand in
families
nostalgic majesty, monuments to Camalig’s
Spanish-American
Nuyda’s House 1800 history. EXISTING
Old Houses Present
Owner/Caretaker:
House of Cong. Justino Nuyda, Albay’s
Ciedell N. Yu-Hico
renowned politician, a poet and writer.
 This old house was former residence of
Spanish prominent
Governor in Albay earlier in 1846. Parts of the
families
house were ruins of the quarters of the Guardia
Civil. Bought by Anzon’s Family during
Spanish-American American era, transferred to Valenciano’s
Anzon’s House Earlier in 1846 EXISTING
Old Houses Family in 1920 and the ownership was returned
again to Anzon’s Family in 1980. In 2002, parts
Present
of the houses were renovated due to
Owner/Caretaker:
dilapidated structures caused by several
Anzon’s family
calamities and its old age.

This old house was the previous place of the

Municipal Hall or Munisipyo during Mayor Diego
Spanish prominent
Nolasco’s administration. Burned during the
families
Spanish time and devastated by past
Spanish-American
Nolasco’s House Earlier in 1900 calamities, this old house stood still with the EXISTING
Old Houses Present
ruins (concrete lower portion of the house) as
Owner/Caretaker:
the only remains. Re-constructed in 1928
Julia Nolasco
(American Time) by then Mayor Diego Nolasco
the architect and owner of the house.

Fully Constructed in 1932, this old house was

Spanish prominent first owned by Barbara Nieves Moyo and
families transferred to his son Teodoro Moyo. After
Spanish-American Teodoro’s death, her wife Melva Grageda Moyo
Moyo’s House 1 Earlier in 1900 EXISTING
Old Houses Present took care of the house. This old house was
Owner/Caretaker: used as shelter of the Spanish Time and high-
Melva G. Moyo rank Japanese officials during the Japanese
invasion in Camalig.

Spanish prominent This house was owned by Mr. Heron Moyo built
Spanish-American
Moyo’s House 2 families Earlier in 1900 in the early years of 1900 and the present EXISTING
Old Houses
owner/caretaker is Jamie Moyo one of his sons.
 Present Built with strong and beautiful architectural
Owner/Caretaker: design, the house still stood with the ruins
Jamie Moyo during the Japanese period.

According to the present owner, this house was

used by high-ranking Japanese officials like
General Yamashita before the Americans
came.

Gonzalez Family

Spanish-American Present
Gonzalez’s House Earlier 1900 EXISTING
Old House owner/caretaker:
Neneveth G. Garcia

Ancestral house built in 1908 by the couple

Petronilo Samson and Dolores Marquez at the
heart of the town of Camalig, Albay. Said house
was passed their only son Paulino and got
married to Belen Marquez with five children.

The said ancestral house became the center of

activities such as reunions, anniversaries,
fiestas and mostly of family affairs. The house
Spanish-American also served as school classroom and voting
Balay Samson Samson Family 1908 EXISTING
Old House precincts.

It was slightly damaged during World War II in

the early 1940’s and was repaired in 1984 and
restored in 2011. The restoration and antique
furniture repair used old and salvaged materials
of the old house.
 Ancestral built in 1897. The said house was the
center of bombing during the Japanese time. It
Navera’s was damaged during the war and was just
Navera’s House Spanish Old House 1897 EXISTING
Family/Nilo Navera repaired and restored by the owner. It was built
with strong walls and foundations made of
rocks.

Domingo Peñaflor-
Villa Nobleza Spanish Old House Built earlier 1900 EXISTING
Present owner
Alfonso’s
Spanish-American
Alfonso’s House Family/Alden Built in 1940’s EXISTING
Old House
Alfonso
Spanish-American
Grageda’s House Ottofel Grageda Built in 1940’s EXISTING
Old House

Excavated several artifacts ranging from

simple jar or pots and vases of different shapes
and sizes, fragments of Chinese beads, shells
and bones and clay moulded like that of pagan
gods which serve as the native chronicles of
our ancestors.
Excavated by Fr.
Pottery of Kalanay
Articrafts Cantius Kobak, 1972 It is believed that the Camalig ancient pottery EXISTING
Complex at SJBP
OFM. dates back somewhere in 3000 to 4000 B.C.
Museum
Together with the pottery of varying sizes and
shapes were some figurines, human bones and
teeth, shell bracelets, shell beads, a shell
implement which may have been used for the
incised of the appliqué types of pottery, and
some iron tools or knives.

Camalig North This structure was named after Assembly man

Built during American
Central School School Building Americans Isauro Gabaldon from Nueva Ecija, author of EXISTING
period
(Gabaldon Building) Act. No. 1801 also known as Gabaldon Act.
 This building was rebuilt in the year 1946. It is a
U-shaped building with 12 classroom, wide
capiz windows allowing the cool breeze enter
the rooms.

Gabaldon building is one of the few remaining

buildings built as part of school training
conducted by the “Thomasites” during the
American Colonial Regime.

Camalig South
Built during American
Central School School Building Americans Same EXISTING
period
(Gabaldon Building)
Built during Spanish Footbridge
Bariw Old Bridge Bridge Spaniards EXISTING
period

St. John’s Academy is the only catholic EXISTING

secondary school in the town. A small school
proving to the world that even with smallest
frame may be lodged the greatest heart and
mighty brains.

For 34 years SJA was runned by Franciscan

Friars then followed by the Religious
Missionaries of St. Dominic.
Rev. Fr. Victorino
St. John’s Academy Catholic School Caballero/Rev. Fr. 1948
In 2004, marked the opening of Kinder 1 and 2
Jose Ma. Barulo
including Grades 1 and 2 until completing the
grade school. Because of this, the Dominican
sisters appealed for support from the Mother
Provincial, thus the change of St. John’s
Academy to Dominican School of Camalig.

Dominican School of Camalig also known as

St. John’s Academy is now 61 years in the
running.
 Municipal Hall Building Erected 1923 It was erected during the American Regime EXISTING
Building through the efforts of Municipal Council headed
by Ramon Nasol, the President; Pablo Moya,
Secretary; C.S. Bongon, Treasurer; J.V.
Bagtas, Dist. Engineer and M. Dy-Liacco,
Contractor.

Municipal Library Library Former Mayor 1957 Municipal Library had a modest beginning. EXISTING
Engracio Vibar/Mr. Municipal employees agreed to pool various
Celerino Marquez reference books and reading materials in their
Sr. respective offices and decided to open a small
library in the office of the mayor. It was in the
year 1958 that the library of Camalig was
constructed through Congressman Justino
Nuyda Sr.

Books, magazines and other reading materials

were supplied by the National Library and
donated by donors coming from United States,
Japan, Korea, Asia Foundation and Thomas
Jefferson.

Cemeteries Catholic Cemetery Spanish Friars Early 1800 The cemetery is placed under the management
of the Parish of St. John the Baptist. The main EXISTING
entrance is made of stones and more or less it
has a number of 5000 tombs rented and some
are owned by private families.

One mausoleum is owned by the Santos Family

where the remains of the late Bienvinido
Santos, National Artist, lies.

This park became a reality after the retirement

of Justino Nuyda as congressman. He donated EXISTING
Nuyda Park Park Justino Nuyda 1965 a considerable amount to the municipal
government of Camalig, Albay.
The park was complete with fountains,
playground apparatuses and lights that
surrounded it. Because of numerous calamities,
all these were gone. Only the gates, big half
moon stage and the multi-purpose pavement
could still be seen at present.
II. CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave is situated 15 km from

Legazpi City and can be reached by land.

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave means ‘blow-blow’ in the

local dialect from the sound of the wind
Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave (Archeological
Brgy. Cotmon whistling through the main entrance. EXISTING
Cave Site)
Pottery, human bones, beadwork and artifacts
believed to be 4,000 years old have been
unearthed from these caves.

Situated 2 km from Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave, this

Calabidongan Cave Cave Brgy. Calabidongan cave features an underground stream and a EXISTING
population of bats (calabidongan in bikol).

Cave(Archeological A cave with hot-springs inside flowing to one of

Pariaan Cave Moraleda’s Family EXISTING
Site) its cave outlets.

About 60 years ago, a great battle took place in

the mountain of Mt. Kitwinan of this
municipality. The mountain is a very strategic
location within its pentacle protruding over its
Brgys. Tinago,
adjoining rolling hills giving one an opportunity
Japanese Garrison Gapo, Sumlang,
Mt. Kitwinan to get a vivid sight on all directions of the EXISTING
Complex Ilawod, Mina &
expansive downhill plains. The Japanese had
Ligban
chosen Mt. Kitwinan to be their observation
point with an underground sanctuary by
constructing many tunnels during the stint of
their rule in the country.
III. TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Dr. Mauro S. Nieva

Christmas Song
Pastora A Belen (Former Mayor) A song depicting the birth of Christ. EXISTING
Composition

A holograph which revealed the numerous and

Anti-Kristo Mr. Justino Nuyda
Literary heinous abuses of the Spaniards to the Filipino EXISTING
(Zarzuela) (Former Cong.)
people.

Mga Burac sa Hardin

Literary Mr. Everado Napay EXISTING
nin Pagkamoot

Book of Rawit-Dawit

Duru’ngan-2003 A book of charms and many meanings. It has

Published Historical Mr. Rafael
Literary the charm of the cry of a new born breaking the EXISTING
Books Banzuela
Albay Viejo-2010 silence of the night as if calling for dawn to
break. It is a discovery of meaning; a meaning
for the present, a meaning for the future.

Published
Mr. Celedonio Time and Sunken Sun-
Educational Books Literary EXISTING
Aguilar Jr. 1971
Mr. Francisco Mitra Mga Kantang Bikol ni
Bicol Songs Album Song Compositions EXISTING
and Tropang Isko Kiko-2011
IV. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

FORM OF YEAR/ERA OF
NAME CREATOR/ARTIST/ARTISAN DESCRIPTION STATE
EXPRESSION CREATION
CULINARY

Native dish made of ‘Gabi’ (taro) leaves

Culinary/Local skilfully boiled to taste in hand crushed
Pinangat EXISTING
Cuisine delectable ‘gata’ (coconut milk) flavoured
with ‘tanglead’ (lemon grass).

Native dish made of small fresh water

crabs (‘ulok’ in the local dialect) and
coconut meat flavoured with kalamansi
Culinary/Local
Inulukan juice, black pepper and ‘tanglad’ (lemon EXISTING
Cuisine
grass) to enhance the taste, wrapped in
‘gabi’ (taro) leaves and boiled in delectable
hand crushed ‘gata’ (coconut milk).

Native steam cake cooked in handmade

paper bags similar to that of the Italian
‘panettone’. The old technique of cooking
Marcasotes Culinary Ederlinda Miranda using a huge clay pot lined with cut EXISTING
banana bark at the bottom to produce the
steam for cooking that gives the native
delicacy extraordinary taste and aroma.

Native steamed rice cakes in different

Puto Lanson Culinary EXISTING
colours cooked in small cups

Bicol Express is made up of four main

Bicol Express Culinary ingredients namely coconut milk, alamang, EXISTING
pork, red and green sili.
FESTIVAL AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Celebrated every month of June, the

Pinangat Festival coincides with the
Camalig Town Fiesta in honour of the
Festival/Event Local Government Unit of
Pinangat Festival 2002 town’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. EXISTING
Tourism Activity Camalig, Albay
The festivity is a colourful potpourri of
memorable and exciting activities for
everyone especially to Camaligeños.

It is a religious activity observed in seven

days, with vigil, procession and Holy Mass.
Semana Santa
St. John the Baptist Parish The procession of characters included in
Celebration Religious Activity Holy Week EXISTING
Church the passion of Christ is done on Holy
Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter
Sunday.

This event commemorates the search for

the Holy Cross by Reyna Elena and her
MayFlower Organization and son Emperor Constantine. It is an
Santacruzan Grand Santacruzan EXISTING
Barangay Council of Brgy. 6 interesting parade where maidens are
escorted by young men under floral
arches.

Celebrated from December 15-24 at the

Nuyda Park. This nightly activity is a
presentation of variety shows, games and
Local Government Unit of contest with Christmas concepts
Camalig, Albay in tandem with 1990’s (Time of Fr. participated by representatives coming
Christmas Cheers Christmas Events EXISTING
the Parish of St. John the Lorenzo De Leon) from different barangays, agencies,
Baptist associations and the Local Government
Unit of Camalig.
 It is a religious activity observed in nine
dawns. This includes the recitation of
opening prayers, procession, post prayers
and giving of “rasyon” to the participants.

Aurora Religious Activity Barangay Bariw There are four groups of “cantoras” singing EXISTING
different songs of Aurora.

As the name implies, it’s an activity done

at dawn but at present it’s being done at
night for other reasons.

V. HUMAN CULTURE

NAME FORM OF EXPRESSION ADDRESS PROFILE POPULAR WORKS STATE

Born: May 14, 1893
Achievements: Anti-Cristo
Passed the third, second Part of his service records revealed that
and first grade Civil Service Congressman Nuyda worked for the
Examinations, the Justice improvement of culture of the people.
of the Peace Test, the He has staged several zarzuelas and
Internal Revenue Agent authored a ten-page holograph entitled
Examinations and “Anti-Cristo” which revealed the
Provincial Treasurer test. numerous and heinous abuses of the
Spaniards to the Filipino people.
Justino Nuyda Writer/Politician Camalig, Albay Working Experience:
1903-1918 Serve as a
messenger boy in a
government treasurer’s
office, promoted to clerk
and later deputy provincial
treasurer not only in Albay
but also in Camarines Norte
and Lucena City 1918-
promoted to full-pledged
Provincial Treasurer of
 Albay

1934-entered politics; won

with a landslide vote and
retired from public service
in 1965. He passed away
on May 21, 1970.

Birthdate: May 3, 1925

Camalig, Albay Married to: Ma. Lilia Nuyda
with 6 children

Educational Background:
Elementary: Camalig North
Composer/Musicians Central School
Dr. Mauro S. Nieva
Secondary: Albay High
School
Tertiary: A, B Spanish,
Letran
A,A Pre-Med, Letran
MD. UST
BSE Music,UP
Birthdate: May 11, 1933
Marries to: Paz G. Muñoz Municipal Mayor of Camalig who
with two children served the local government unit of
Camalig for almost 26 years of
Educational Background: dedicated, excellent service and
Elementary: Camalig elevated Camalig from 5th class to 3rd
Community School class Municipality which he had gone
Dr. Florencio Secondary: Albay High through tough challenges and
Physician/Politician Camalig, Albay
Muñoz School struggles.
Tertiary: Manila Central
University, Doctor of Served as physician of Camaligueños
Medicine/Surgery especially the indigents.
UP Post Graduate Course
on local Government
Administration
Rafael Grageda Politician/Writer/Carpenter Camalig, Albay

Born: April 29, 1958

Married to: Corazon

Grageda Mitra

Educational Background:
Musical Compilations and Albums
1965-1972 Camalig North
Central School
Bikolano Ka,
1973-1979 St. John’s
Bikolano Ako
Academy, Camalig, Albay
1995 Phillipine Copyright by Ibalong
1977-1979 Daimler-Benz
Records As recorded by Grupong Ilaw
Training Center (M.M.)
at Ibalong Records AD & AD Studio,
1980-1983 Divine Word
Dumplao Complex, Mandaluyong Metro
College of Legazpi, City
Manila
Working Experience:
Tropang Isko-Nonoy, Nene
Francisco Mitra Composer/Writer/Singer 2 years casual employee- EXISTING
Ini sakuyang kantang oragon
LGU Camalig
Independent Release
1 Year Temporary
Employee-LGU Camalig
Mga Tula at Awit ni Kiko-Happy
15Years Regular
Birthday Pare
employee-LGU Camalig,
Copyright 2009-Reg. No. 2000-711
Albay Administrative Aide V
Samo’t Saring Awitin ni Kiko-Kita
Affiliation:
Magkairiba
Member, Vice President of
Copyright 2010-Reg. No. 2010-395
Plaka(Pinagsararong Liriko,
Independent Release
Artista Kompositor Kan
Albay)
Member, Municipal Culture
the Arts Tourism LGU-
Camalig
 Achievment:
-Columnist, broadcaster Books:
-Regional Information Albay Viejo- copyright 2010, book of
Office III Regional Office charms and many meanings.
No. V. Bicol Folio and Amateur Radio World
-Professor in Journalism at “Duru’ngan”-copyright 2003, book of
Bicol University Institute of rawit-dawit
Communication and Monographs entitled-“Masbate in the
Cultural Studies Galleon times, Campus Journalism”
-Assistant Professor at (Pattern of learning)
Aquianas University Head Tigsik(Here’s to the Nations)
of Mass Communication
Broadcasting and Working on the books:
Journalism “Selebra”-an antology of Rawit-Dawit
-Administrator, Aquinas “Bicolanoes on galleon Trade” and “The
University Story of Pedro Estevan”
Cabangan, Camalig,
Raffy Banzuela Writer Teaching -Headed the Strategic EXISTING
Albay
Development and Research Great Speaker of the Department of
Bureau Education, Albay Division by Regional
-Secretary General and Office No. V
Head of the Public
Relations & Alumni Affairs
Office
-Author and editor of three
weekly newspapers
-Editor of the magazines
Bicol Folio and “Amateur
Radio World”
-Awardee of the
KBP(Kapisanan ng mga
Broadkaster ng Pilipinas)
on their 8th Golden Dove
Award

Everardo Napay Writer

 Born: March 6, 1923 EXISTING

Educational Background:
Finished his Primary grade
at Jovellar and Gr. 7 at
Guinobatan

Achievements:
Editorial Assistant of the
National University
1950-“Shadow of Self”
Celedenio Aguilar Writer 1966-“Shaken Shadow”
Work Experience:
1968-“The Season and the Night”
1951-English teacher at St.
John’s Academy Camalig,
Albay
1955-became Regional
Manager of the National
Life Insurance Company in
Bicol Region
1966-teacher at Bicol
College, Daraga, Albay

Winner of the first-ever Sili Eating

Contest during Magayon Festival at
Birthday: April 28, 1972 Legazpi City in the year 1999
Married to: Sally Gonzales Guinness Book of Record holder as
Painter/Guiness Book of Quirangay, Camalig,
Eriberto Gonzales with 5 children First Sili King of the World EXISTING
Record Holder(“Sili King”) Albay
Known as “Sili King” Comic Illustrator at the Graphics Arts
Services Incorporated (GAS) in Quezon
City

Age: 56 years old

2011- Sun Flower
Pat Noveno Sculptor/Painter Brgy. 1 Camalig, Albay Educational Background: 2013-The Art Caroller(Albay Art EXISTING
Elementary-Camalig North Competition)
Central School
 Married to:
Corazon Moral Noveno with
four children

Birthday: June 1, 1942

Educational Background:
Elementary-Camalig North
Central School
Art Works:
Secondary-Marcial o.
1980-Battle of Rotonda in Legazpi City
Manoling Samson Sculptor/Painter Camalig, Albay Rañola Memorial School
1991-Ola Nuestra Señora de
Tertiary-Far Eastern
Guadalope
Technological
University(Santa Rosa,
Manila)-1968
Married to: Merna Murillo
Samson with 4 children
Esmiraldo Nantes Camalig, Albay Birthday: March 31, 1956
Married with two children EXISTING

Educational Background:
Art Works:
Elementary: Multi-Grade
Photography
Photographer/Painter Seventh Day Adventist,
Air Brush and charcoal drawings
Legazpi City
Acrylics on canvass
College: Naga View
College, Naga City

Birthday: May 27, 1947 Art Works:

2008-Cagsawa (after typhoon Reming) EXISTING
Educational Background: 2008-Global Warming
Elementary-Camalig North
Rudy Nasol Painter Camalig, Albay Central School -Higantes(Trinity of Demons)
Secondary-Marcial o. -Bantog, Linog, Pagtuga and
Rañola Memorial School Panganoron for the Magayon Festival
Tertiary-Mariners-
Seaman(1999) -the major supplier of souvenirs items in
 Camalig for 6 years
Married to: Jomelia Musa
Nasol with 2 children
Birthday: November 18,
1973 Art Works: EXISTING
2009-Mother and Child
Educational Background: 2011-Mama Mary
Elementary-Camalig North 2013-Self Portrait
Ruel Nicerio Painter/Designer Brgy.1, Camalig, Albay
Central School Higantes, Environment, Sili
Secondary-St. John’s
Academy Designer of jeep, billboard, streamer
Married to: Merly Nicerio and portrait
with 3 children
Birthday: February 25, 1975

Educational Background:
Elementary-Quirangay
Elementary School
Secondary-Aquinas Art Works:
Painter/Writer/
Quirangay, Camalig, University High School 2007-Rose
Marty Gonzales Freelance/Editor of
Albay Tertiary-Bicol University- 2008-Rakista(made of melted crayon)
Thesis
Political University(1998) 2011-Manok(cock fighting)

Married to: Amelia

Gonzales(teacher at
MORMS) with four children

EXISTING
Noel Muñoz Painter/Sculptor
Born: Paete, Laguna EXISTING
Famous Works:
Birthday: January 11, 1958
1983-Pieta owned by Quesada Family
1988-Denmark(Zoo Project)
Ramon Pacurib Sculptor Educational Background:
2000-Ascencion of Guinobatan
Elemenatary-Ibaba
2007-Coronation of Virgin Mary owned
Elementary School
by Susan Roco
Secondary-Eastern Laguna
College
VI. HISTORICAL HERITAGE

Historical Event Year/Era Description

Camalig was founded in 1579 by the Franciscan Missionaries, Father Pablo de Jesus and
Father Bartolome Ruiz. They continued the work started by the Augustinian Chaplains of the
Foundation of the Town 1579 early Spanish expeditions to the religion. Camalig was the earliest town to be founded in the
province of Albay.

Archaeological discovery linking the present Camalig with its past. Ancient pottery unearthed
in Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave showed that the early settlers of the town had their own culture
Archaeological Discovery of Artifacts Pre-Chinese Period
even before the advent of the Chinese traders and Spanish conquistadores.

Surnames of the natives of Camalig were assigned beginning with letter “M and N”. The
Spanish rule in Camalig became arrogant, tyrannical and oppressive to the natives. This
18th Century-Spanish
Spanish rule in Camalig event accumulated to unbearable proportions through the years and culminated in the
Era
Philippine Revolution of 1896 which marked the exit of Spanish colonial power.

The coming of the Americans spelled significant political and social changes in Camalig.
American teachers, the THOMASITES, taught English language to the natives. The concept
of government power emanating from the people was translated in the form of elections of
American Regime 1900
municipal officials through secret balloting. The head of the town was called Municipal
President.

This was the most tragic event in the town’s history. Confiscation of properties, oppressive
and repressive policies of the Japanese forces, abandonment of the farms/homes and
Japanese Occupation 1942-1945
resident fleeing to the mountains to escape and fight the Japanese tyranny in disrupting the
economic life of the Camaligueños.
The process of rehabilitation began and the debris of war was cleared together with
animosities and bitterness. The social and economic life of the constituents started through
Post-War History 1946
the aid of the Americans. Government functions started and election for national and local
officials were held in 1946.
Noted:
Prepared by:

ANNIE E. NATUEL JED L. VILLANUEVA

Head, Culture and Arts Promotion Section Municipal Tourism Culture and Arts Officer