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HON. THOMAS ALMONTE

HON. THOMAS ALMONTE: 

Born on December 29, 1899 in San Antonio, Albay province. Received his early education from his mother herself, and at the age of 10 years study, the first years of Latin in the Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres, until the year 1885, what has happened to further their studies at the University o...f Sto. Tomas, pursue a career in law, having finished his career in 1893. 

Practiced law in the province of Albay, and not agreeing, for political reasons, to continue this profession during the Spanish Government, was devoted to agriculture until the revolution came and was appointed Minister of Justice in the province of Albay.

In the elections of July 1907, was proclaimed by his friends to MP for the first district that province of Albay, and so was elected unanimously as high as currently play in the first Philippine Assembly of Philippine Islands.

Kids wandering at Ruins of Daraga Church and Distant Mayon, Southern Luzon, Philippine Islands.

Kids wandering at Ruins of Daraga Church and Distant Mayon, 

Southern Luzon, Philippine Islands.

Old map, Province of Albay dated back 1886.

Old map, Province of Albay dated back 1886.

THE OLD WAY OF GOING AROUND IN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

One way of going around in the Philippines; Mayon in the background. Island of Luzon, Philippine Island; 1940

Publish Post

A WEALTHY SPANISH MERCHANT OF ALBAY - 1886

A wealthy Spanish merchant of Albay- 1886

A STREET IN LIBOG, ALBAY

A Street in Libog, Albay; Drawing after a sketch from the author.

MAYON VOLCANO LOOMING OVER LEGAZPI VILLAGES 1926

Mayon Volcano looming over Legazpi villages; 1926

PHILIPPINE OLD COINS: FEATURING THE MAJESTIC MAYON VOLCANO OF ALBAY , P. I.

PHILIPPINE OLD COINS: FEATURING THE MAJESTIC MAYON VOLCANO OF ALBAY , P. I.

MOROS-MOROS - DRAMA AND BALLET ALBAY THEATRE

Moros -Moros, Drama and Ballet in Albay Theatre; 1886

A STREET SCENE IN ALABAY

Albay is the principal sugar district of Luzon. Notice how native houses are set upon bamboo poles, high from the ground; the entrance is effected by means of ladders reaching to the floors. At night the ladder is pulled up and the native feels safe from intrusion. The bamboo around the palm leaf and bark are about all the material the Filipino needs to build his house.

THE STRANGE WAGON OF ALBAY

The strange wagon of Albay.

The eighty-odd different tribes who inhabit the Pihilippines have varying dialects, manners and customs. The peculiar house-roofed wagon, shown in the above illustration, are found in only one locality.

VOLCANO MAYON IN THE HEMP-PRODUCING DISTRICT OF LUZON

Mayon Volcano

1899 : This is said to be the most beautiful volcano in the world. It is 8,233 feet high, its shape is a perfect cone and its crest is always fiery. It has indulged in several destructive eruptions. In 1814 many houses were destroyed and 2,500 people were killed... and wounded. At its base are famous hot springs of great medicinal virtue.

HISTORY OF DARAGA

During the 12th century, the second wave of Malay migration to the Philippines stretched to the Bicol Region at the height of the power of the Sri Visayan Empire. The surge of migrants that included mostly traders and settlers ventured to almost all places in Bicol. One group decided to settle on the southern slopes of Mount Mayon. A village was then created and people began living peacefully and harmoniously.

HISTORY 101: ALBAY

Long before the Spaniards arrived, Albay had a thriving civilization. This was evident in the archeological finds dating to the middle Pleistocene age between 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. During those times, Albay was called Ibat ruled by Gat Ibal, a very old chief.

In July 1569, Luis Enriquez de G uzman, a member of the expedition led by Maestro de Cam-po Mateo de Saz and Captain Martin de Goiti, led a group who crossed from Burias and Ticao islands and landed on a coastal settlement called Ibalon in what is presently the province of Sorsogon. From this point another expedition was sent to explore the interior and founded the town of Camalig.

In 1573, Juan de Salcedo penetrated the Bikol peninsula from the north as far south as Libon and established the settlement of Santiago de Libon. Jose Maria Penafrancia, a military engineer, was made "coregidor" of the province on May 14, 1834. He constructed public buildings and built roads and bridges.

The entire Bikol peninsula was organized as one province with two divisions, Camarines in the northwest, and Ibalon in the southeast. In 1636, the two partidos were separated, and Ibalon became a separate province with Sorsogon as capital. In the 17th century the Moro slave raiders ravaged the coastal areas of the province of Albay on the northeastern coast.

Mayon Volcano, in one of the most violent eruptions, destroyed five towns surrounding its base in 1814. This eruption forced the town of Cagsawa to relocate its present site to Legazpi.

A decree was issued by Governor and Captain General Narciso de Claveria in 1846 separating Masbate, Ticao and Burias from Albay to form the comandancia of Masbate. Albay was then divided into four districts: Iraya, Cordillera or Tabaco, Sorsogon and Catanduanes.

Glicerio Delgado, a condemned "insurecto" started the revolutionary activities in the province. With headquarters in the mountain of Guinobatan, he joined the revolutionary government of Albay as lieutenant of the infantry.

A unit of the Philippine Militia was then organized by the Spanish military authorities. Mariano Riosa was appointed major of the Tabaco Zone which comprised all the towns along the seacoast from Albay to Tiwi, while Anacieto Solano was also appointed as major for the Iraya Zone which was made up of the towns from Daraga to Libon. Each town was organized into sections of fifty men under the command of a lieutenant.

On September 22, 1898, the provisional revolutionary government of Albay was formed with Anacieto Solano as provisional president. Major General Vito Belarmino, appointed military commander, reorganized the Filipinos Army in the province.

During the Filipno-American War, Brigadier General William Kobbe headed the expedition that landed on the ports of Sorsogon, Bulan and Donsol. From there, the American marched to Legazpi and captured the place.

Although, a civil government was established in Albay on April 26, 1901, Colonel Harry H. Bandhortz, Commanding Officer of the Constabulary in the Bikol Region, attested that Simeon Ola, with a thousand of men, continued to defy American authority after the capture of Belarmino in 1901. Ola was later captured with about six hundred men.

During the Second World War, the Kimura Detachment of the Japanese Imeprial Forces occupied Legazpi on December 12, 1941. The region was defended only by the Philippine Constabulary unit under Major Francisco Sandico.

LOCATION

Albay is situated on the southern part of the island of Luzon. It lies 1240 east latitude and about 14.400 north altitude. On the eastern plank, Albay is rimmed by chains of little islands and is exposed to the Pacific Ocean. The long indented coast on its western part dominates the narrow but no less turbulent Burias Pass. To the north lies the province of Camarines Sur and Lagonoy Gulf, while to the south is the province of Sorsogon.

The mountains of the province are Mayon, Masaraga, and Malinao in the northeast and Catburaun in the west. Its forests are a source of timber, rattan, pili nuts, and gum elemi. There are also vast grasslands for pasturing horses, cattle, carabaos, goats, and sheep.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

Albay is composed of three cities (Legazpi, Tabaco, Ligao) and 15 municipalities grouped into three congressional districts. Legazpi has been officially designated as administrative center and site of the regional offices

CLIMATE

The climate in Albay is generally mild with no specific extreme seasons. The frequency of the tropical storms in the entire region is between 16 to 19 percent, while in the eastern part it is 19 percent.

LANGUAGE/DIALECT

Generally, the Bikol dialect spoken in Legazpi City and Albay District is the common tongue used. The alteration in tones and in words arise as one travels away from the city proper. Tagalog is fluently spoken language and English is not a difficult medium to communicate with liberal stature.

GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS

Relish Bikolandia"™s mouth-watering indigenous cuisine namely: Bikol Express (spicy pork and shrimp concoction), Cocido (fish soup), Balaw (small shrimps), Natong, Candingga and Pinangat. These are made more flavorful by the Bikolanos penchant for spice (sili). The strong taste, however, is neutralized by the sweetness of pili, a nut that is made into various confections. Other tasty delicacies are lunga (sesame seeds) and puto ( rice cake) and panocha ( sugar cake).

MAJOR INDUSTRY

The province has continued to direct its efforts toward the development of its industries. Of the total 6,369 manufacturing establishments in the Bikol Region, half are located in Albay. 48.6% of the large scale lot are operating in Albay.

Agriculture, however, still accounts for the largest share in the total production and employment. Coconut, rice, abaca, and corn are the major crops.

Handicrafts are the main source of rural income. Albay is a major supplier of geothermal energy to the Luzon Grid with its Tiwi Geothermal Plant in Tiwi.

The province is also famous for its variety of beautiful and exquisite orchids that can be bought practically everywhere but more specifically in Cagsawa Park and in downtown Legazpi.

TRANSPORTATION

Air Transport

By air, Legazpi City is 45 minutes away from Manila via the nation"™s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines.

Land Transport

By land, aircon tourist bus companies ply the Manila-Legazpi route daily with an average travel time of nine hours. The average travel time by train is sixteen hours via the Philippine National Railway, the country"™s sole rail transport service.

Sea Transport

Several shipping lines have regular trips to and from Catanduanes through the Tabaco Port. Travel time from Visayas and Mindanao pass through the port of Matnog in Sorsogon.

GETTING AROUND

Buses and jeepneys are generally the modes of transportation in getting around Albay"™s destinations. Pedicabs and tricycles are also available for short distance travels. Taxis and rent-a-car services are also available.

COMMUNICATION

Albay has modern and efficient services such as domestic and international dialing, telephone/cellphone facilities, facsimile, worldwide express delivery services, postal services, telegram system, media communication, internet service providers and network system for e-mail and internet services.

ACCESSIBILITY

BY LAND:

PHILTRANCO
Tel. No. (052) 820-2794
Regular Aircon: 8:00 AM Legazpi-Pasay/Cubao/6:00 PM
Legazpi-Pasay/Cubao
Fare: Php 778.00

Gold Service: 8:30 AM Legazpi-Pasay/Cubao/7:00 PM
Legazpi-Pasay/Cubao
Fare: Php 1,040.00

PEÑAFRANCIA TOURS
Tel. No. (052) 820-0578
Aircon: 7:00 AM Legazpi-Cubao/6:00 PM
Legazpi-Cubao
Fare: Php 580.00

CAGSAWA TOURS
Tel. No. (052) 820-6598
Business Class: 6:00 PM Legazpi-Cubao/6:00 PM Daraga-Cubao/6:30 PM Legazpi-Cubao
Fare: Php 550.00

BY AIR:

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
Legazpi-Manila
Daily
Departure: 9:00 AM/Arrival: 9:50 AM
Manila-Legazpi
Daily
Departure: 7:30 AM/Arrival: 8:25 AM
FARE: Php 2,753.00