Aired (December 8, 2024): Join BIyahero Drew as he explores the festive charm of Albay-- celebrating the magic and traditions of Chistmas in this beautiful province.
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00:00Dear Santa, more than the gifts you gave me, I would like to receive more this Christmas.
00:11The sound of nature giving me peace of mind.
00:18The preparation before I taste it.
00:23And the joy that I will experience this Christmas.
00:26Cheers!
00:30Merry Christmas!
00:36Merry Christmas!
00:44This is what we usually prepare during Christmas and New Year.
00:49Merry Christmas!
00:59Merry Christmas!
01:01Merry Christmas!
01:13In the upcoming Christmas, there is no greater gift than the chance to be with family and loved ones in life.
01:20In a place that shines brightly during Christmas, Al Al Bay.
01:26Merry Christmas!
01:29Drew, let's eat first.
01:33On the occasion of Christmas, we have prepared gifts.
01:39Drew, this is a gift for you on Christmas Eve.
01:44Drew, this is a gift for you from the people of Malinao.
01:49Merry Christmas!
01:52Before Santa arrives, my pockets are already full of these gifts that I'm going to give away.
01:58Alright.
02:00They have prepared a Christmas special, the Al Bay Province Style.
02:05Manna, follow me to celebrate Christmas in Samuia.
02:08Merry Christmas!
02:10So, let's go on a Christmas travel?
02:13Wait a minute.
02:15Are we still in Gardens by the Bay in Singapore?
02:17No, we are not.
02:19Look at the Al Bay.
02:21Specifically, the Orchard.
02:23It looks like a big orchard.
02:27It's called Lighting City.
02:29Are we still in Gardens by the Bay in Singapore?
02:33We have a white Christmas and Christmas Village that can be seen inside this 12 hectare farm resort.
02:38We have a white Christmas and Christmas Village that can be seen inside this 12 hectare farm resort.
02:43It's not only that I travel to Singapore.
02:46If you will notice the shape of it, it's like we have to receive the blessing of the Lord, right?
02:52That's what inspired me.
02:54This Christmas, we provided lights to show that the God's blessing is always pouring on this place.
03:01There's an entrance fee here of 500 pesos per person.
03:04But don't worry, the 400 pesos here is consumable in their restaurant.
03:13For the amount of Filipino food choices that can be purchased,
03:15it's like our children have already had a good night's sleep.
03:18Merry Christmas!
03:24This is delicious. It tastes like Embotido in Manila.
03:26In their place, it's called Galatina.
03:29It's delicious.
03:30This is the native dish of Bicolano, the Pinangat.
03:36This really goes well with Dinuguan.
03:39You can only taste Dinuguan with coconut milk in Bicol.
03:43But our Bibo researcher, Patrick, is a proud Bicolano.
03:46He has a tip for their favorite dish every Christmas Eve.
03:51This is really a must-have dish for Bicolanos.
03:54Patatip. This is the star of Christmas.
03:57We eat Patatip during Noche Buena,
03:59because this has become a part of our menu every Christmas.
04:04During Noche Buena, Embotido is a must.
04:08There's also Patatip and Crispy Pata.
04:13So, Pancit, are you ready for Christmas Eve?
04:16Here in Bicol, Pancit Sotanghon and I will try something new.
04:21This will not only prolong our lives for the next year,
04:24but it will also help us save money
04:27because of the twist of Crispy Noodles.
04:31Interesting.
04:38This is another dish that Bicol is known for.
04:40Abaca.
04:49Bicol is one of the top producers and suppliers of abaca in the world.
04:52But during the pandemic,
04:54many Bicolanos lost their homes due to tourism.
04:58Their sister, France, became their Santa Claus
05:01when she gave a gift of hope to the Ruyag community.
05:05Her goal is to help locals to make and sell different handmade products.
05:10We used to be a tourism business.
05:12So, from that, we had five weavers
05:15and now, it has grown into 300 weavers.
05:19It is natural for Bicolanos to make handicrafts.
05:22This is one of the traditions of our ancestors
05:26that has been passed down from one generation to another.
05:30Aside from abaca, they also use raffia, or budi leaves,
05:34and jute, or the branch of jute.
05:38And for the Christmas edition of their handicrafts,
05:40they are now choosing mini Christmas trees
05:42and various Christmas ornaments like these.
05:50So, this is a pandemic baby, but you've been doing this for a long time?
05:53Yes.
05:54But we've been doing this since I was little.
05:59The handicraft here in Malilipot started in the 1970s.
06:03One of the members of the Ruyag community
06:05and the leader of this group is the teacher and artisan,
06:08Ma'am Jenny.
06:09But when it comes to durability,
06:11abaca is still the best, right?
06:13Abaca, yes.
06:15This is another product, but this is abaca.
06:17This is another product, but this is abaca.
06:19As you can see, it's still abaca.
06:21It's amazing.
06:23Of course, it's a Christmas tree.
06:25But how did you make it?
06:26And how long did the process take?
06:28Underneath, as you can see, there are wires.
06:32The beauty of abaca, aside from the durability,
06:35is that you can play with it in different designs.
06:38And it's not brittle when you put dies on it.
06:44So, just like this, this is still abaca.
06:48It's raffia.
06:49It looks like I was tasked to try a little craftsmanship.
06:56You need to learn this.
06:59Or else, I'll give you a 70.
07:01If I give you a rate of 70,
07:03you won't be able to go home to Manila.
07:06Just give me Ia's number.
07:07I'll tell him that he didn't make it.
07:09Oh, no.
07:11Crochet to draw.
07:12Crochet.
07:13Okay, this is a hook.
07:14This is the raffia.
07:15We'll just insert it here.
07:17I'm already lost.
07:19Here, right?
07:20I started this, Drew.
07:21Finish it.
07:22Oh, no.
07:23Just now?
07:24Okay, please get Drew's clothes.
07:26Oh, no.
07:27Because I'll leave this.
07:28It won't fit.
07:29Okay, here.
07:30So, we'll insert it.
07:31Then, we'll also insert it.
07:32There, there.
07:33So, put it there.
07:35Okay, go.
07:36So, okay.
07:39Oh, it's done?
07:40I thought it's done.
07:41Magic?
07:42Magic, ma'am.
07:43I'll hit you.
07:44Oh, please don't.
07:45Okay, so it's like this.
07:46Yes, insert it.
07:47Then, pull.
07:49Pull.
07:50Okay, insert it.
07:51So, I'll insert it here?
07:52Yes.
07:53Yes, I'm really like that.
07:55I'm sorry.
07:56Because I already have expertise in other aspects of my life.
08:01But when I look at this,
08:03I understand.
08:04Yes.
08:05Although, I can spell the correct trip.
08:09That's not what we're talking about.
08:11We're really here.
08:12I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
08:13Or else, you won't be able to see.
08:14Get Drew's clothes.
08:15The suitcases are together.
08:17So, okay.
08:18What am I going to do?
08:19Okay.
08:20Put it here.
08:21I'll put it here?
08:22Yes.
08:23Oh, that will go in?
08:24Then, pull.
08:25Pull the string.
08:26I'll pull it?
08:27Then, it should also go inside.
08:29So, pull.
08:30There.
08:31There.
08:32Then, pull again.
08:33You insert it here.
08:34So, pull again?
08:35No, don't pull it.
08:36Oh, I didn't pull it.
08:37I'll give you a Nandi Ball when you insert this.
08:40There.
08:41Oh, no.
08:42It's broken.
08:43It's broken.
08:46Did this pass?
08:48Even though, we failed to make a Christmas sock ornament,
08:51I still have a gift from Mabigolano.
08:53Oh, that's so cute.
08:54Okay.
08:55So, you can...
08:56This is really a plate cleaner.
08:58You're always traveling, right?
09:00Yes.
09:01Sometimes, there are bugs.
09:03There are a lot.
09:04You can use this to...
09:08Oh, no.
09:09There's nothing.
09:10That's right.
09:11You're rude to us.
09:12You're rude to me, too.
09:14Oh, very good.
09:15Don't go home.
09:16Take your bag.
09:17Put my bag down, please.
09:20This is it.
09:21Bugtong-bugtong.
09:22It has the same color as ube.
09:23It's a favorite of the Bicolano.
09:26It has a filling of makapuno.
09:27This is perfect to eat during Christmas.
09:30This is not puto bombong.
09:31This is makapuno rice puto.
09:34Puto bombong and makapuno rice puto,
09:38in terms of ingredients,
09:40it's the same rice flour.
09:42We leveled it up to makapuno
09:45since the Bicol region is famous for makapuno.
09:54The rice is ground and used to make this dish.
09:56It's called sabao ng makapuno.
09:59It's filled with caramelized makapuno
10:01and it's cooked like bibingka.
10:04But it's cooked on the side like puto bombong.
10:08This is what's always in the food.
10:11Bilog, lechon, and this.
10:14Because this is the Bicolano.
10:18The sticky,
10:20the closeness is here.
10:23It's delicious, sweet, and flavorful.
10:31After eating and getting ready,
10:33let's go for a walk in Kabusugan,
10:3540 feet above ground.
10:37This is the hamster walk
10:38that you'll try here in Abay.
10:40The idea is simple.
10:42It's like you're walking on a hamster wheel.
10:44You'll get closer to your Christmas bonus.
10:46Or just walk, okay?
10:48You'll walk with the background of Mayon Volcano.
10:51It's a very good scene,
10:55I mean scenery.
10:56And then below it,
10:58is actually our ATV trail.
11:00So simultaneously,
11:01you can ride an ATV down there,
11:03and then up there,
11:04there's a hamster wheel.
11:05It's a very perfect shot.
11:09This attraction is about 150 meters long.
11:21We're not tired of activities,
11:23but of course,
11:24I'm tired of nature tripping.
11:25I think it's gonna take us 10 minutes
11:28before we reach the foot of Vera Falls.
11:35Because of the rain the last few days,
11:37the road is a bit wet.
11:39Oh, what color of water
11:41will I encounter in the falls?
11:46After a few minutes,
11:47the falls feels more
11:49because of the strong sound of water.
11:59Confirmed, guys!
12:02The water is very clear.
12:07Vera Falls is 35 feet high.
12:11But because it's only 6 feet deep,
12:13it's not advisable to jump in the water.
12:17So, are you ready?
12:18I'm ready.
12:19You know what's gonna happen today.
12:21Yes, I know.
12:23Well, it's okay if this is how beautiful it is.
12:32They have environmental fee here.
12:34So, they need to buy the environmental fee
12:36before they can enter the place.
12:38It's only 10 pesos.
12:42I'm going to the next attraction.
12:44This is the next attraction.
12:45I'm going to the next attraction.
12:47I'm going to the next attraction.
12:49I'm going to the next attraction.
12:51I'm going to the next attraction.
12:57The trees are beautiful when it comes to decoration.
13:00Come in!
13:02In Albay, this is what you can do when it comes to food.
13:05Especially when you're saving.
13:07Bileo style!
13:14Located on the side of the road,
13:16there's a nearby terminal for cars.
13:18And you can have a dine-in or take-out.
13:20Single order or for the whole barangay.
13:22Those are the reasons why this is a certified mass food in Daraga.
13:29They said that we became famous because of our spices
13:34and at the same time, it's cheap.
13:35And our sauce is really spicy.
13:38As a Christmas gift to their parishioners,
13:40of course, we're with them.
13:42Here's their new offering, Christmas Bileo.
13:45Let's do the roll call.
13:47Pancit!
13:49Barbeque!
13:50Liempo!
13:52Lumpiang Shanghai!
13:53Fried Chicken and Sisig!
13:55There are 6 dishes for only P1,599.
14:00For Christmas, it's our tradition to gather the whole family
14:03and of course, sharing food.
14:07And for the Christmas venue with a view,
14:09why don't we do this in a picnic area?
14:13As soon as you enter, you can already get a banig
14:19because people can also have a picnic here.
14:21They said that you can have a picnic here.
14:23I brought my own Christmas Bileo.
14:27We know that Bileo is very popular during Christmas season
14:30because when it's packaged,
14:34of course, it can cater to a lot of people
14:37and it's just more cost-effective.
14:39But of course, it's a lot more,
14:41it's more fun, right?
14:44It's spicy, but it's sweet.
14:46That's why the combo is delicious.
14:48Delicious food plus a beautiful view.
14:51So old!
14:53Santa, maybe you should bring some new Bicolano friends.
14:59Merry Christmas!
15:01I don't have money.
15:02I thought I heard you.
15:04Why are you alone?
15:06I don't know why I'm alone.
15:08Merry Christmas!
15:10Thank you!
15:15Celebrating Christmas as a Bicolano here in Bicol,
15:18do you guys do anything specifically?
15:21Bicolanos are very family-oriented,
15:24so most of the time, everyone goes home.
15:27All the family should be gathered.
15:29It's required for every family in the world.
15:33I go home.
15:34Wherever I work in the world,
15:37I go home to Bicol.
15:38Cheers, guys!
15:39Cheers!
15:44Of course, we can still see and do a lot of things here.
15:48Like answering,
15:49who has the highest position among the three?
15:53The caravan you're flying?
15:55The birds you're feeding?
15:57Or the mountain you're building?
16:01Let's go inside the little chapel of Farm Plate,
16:05Philippines' smallest chapel.
16:07Farm Plate is a place where we can gather with family or friends
16:12here in the Old West themed.
16:22When it gets dark,
16:23let's move to a place with a Christmas theme.
16:26The 85 Pesos NLC is included in the budget.
16:30The sun is about to set,
16:31but it's just the beginning of a bright Christmas.
16:35We also have a Christmas Village.
16:38It just opened last November 5.
16:41The family just decided to release their collections
16:46and also add other Christmas attractions here in Tres Hijos.
16:52We didn't expect that people would like it here.
16:57The highlight is our 60-feet giant Christmas tree
17:03with 70,000 lights.
17:08We just entered the Christmas Village
17:10in our resort.
17:13Normally, they open or they pretty much light the place up
17:17from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
17:20and then they close it to 11 p.m. or until there are still people.
17:23It's a weekday and you can see that there are a lot of people actually.
17:28But of course, as expected,
17:30when the week ends, there are more people.
17:33Of course, all ages are grouped together.
17:38We watched this on Facebook
17:41and then we were attracted to the beauty of the shooting of the video.
17:46It's not just locals here.
17:48Others are also tourists like us.
17:51We are from Iloilo
17:54and our family visits here.
17:58It's like a Christmas wonderland.
18:00It feels like home at the same time.
18:03You're celebrating Christmas
18:05so it's like celebrating with family and friends.
18:10It is pretty legit.
18:12It is pretty legit in terms of IG-worthy pictures and videos.
18:16We are just experiencing one tunnel of the village.
18:21I guess this is only the one very bright and colorful tunnel.
18:27The coconut trees are also covered with Christmas lights.
18:32In general, it is a legit Christmas place to go to
18:39at night here in Albay.
18:41Merry Christmas!
18:44What a legit Christmas village experience, Bierros!
18:51During Christmas, everything is ready to eat.
18:54And the reason for the village is Christmas.
19:08If Batangas has Lomi Overload,
19:11here in Legazpi, Albay,
19:12there is Beef Pares Mami Overload.
19:15O.A. for a bang!
19:18We started here last October.
19:21This is a perfect time for Christmas
19:23because the air is fresh and cool.
19:27Let's erase the diet.
19:29Let's give ourselves a gift.
19:33There is also a Beef Pares Meal here that is overkill.
19:36Beef,
19:37Leksong Kawali,
19:38Chicharon Bulaklak,
19:40and Balut.
19:41Everything is made for your attention.
19:44Choose your fighter, Bierros!
19:49It's really hot!
19:54My stomach hurts.
19:55Oh, no!
19:56My 13-month allowance is running out.
19:59Your budget won't hurt
20:01with the affordable price of 150 pesos per order.
20:07What do the Bicolano do during the holiday season?
20:11We give some gifts,
20:13exchange gift programs.
20:15That's what the Bicolano do.
20:17Family gathering.
20:18Sometimes, we visit our relatives.
20:21They go to our house for Noche Buena.
20:25Our three children,
20:26together with our grandchildren.
20:29And if you want to go out,
20:30you can go straight here to 14 hectares,
20:32Sumlang Lake,
20:33where you can mount your own sightseeing
20:35while riding on a raft.
20:37That's why the sky is raining.
20:39It's only natural when traveling.
20:41So, don't stress, Bierros.
20:43Sumlang Lake started as a village
20:47for the residents of Sumlang.
20:50They cleaned the lake by 2013.
20:54That's when the operation started.
20:57It's okay, Bierros.
20:58There is another activity here in Kamalig
21:00that we can do.
21:03Let's take a solo look
21:04at the 6.5 hectare Solong Eco Park.
21:08They say that the Spelunking in Crystal Cave
21:10is a popular activity here.
21:12The kids can easily walk to the cave
21:15in just a few minutes.
21:20Our cave is technically warm
21:23and it's a crystal cave
21:25because you can see a lot of crystal formations.
21:28You can see a lot of crystal formations
21:30when you're inside the cave.
21:32Inside the cave,
21:34you can see crystal formations,
21:36stalactites, stalagmites,
21:39calcite stone.
21:41Entrance fee is only Php 40, Bierros.
21:45If you're going to experience
21:47a different Christmas tradition here in Albay,
21:49this is it.
21:52The activities here
21:54require a lot of effort.
21:56You need to practice for a few days
21:59to entertain the neighbors.
22:02When we perform here in Bicol,
22:04we are pastors.
22:16The Bicolans' musical reenactment
22:18shows the nativity story
22:20through interpretative dance.
22:24It's called pastores,
22:26which means shepherds.
22:29The shepherds perform a dance
22:31in Bethlehem
22:33when the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus.
22:35The Spanish song,
22:37Pastores Abelin,
22:39or Shepherds to Bethlehem,
22:41was composed by Dr. Jose Rizal.
22:45In Bicol,
22:47this is a way for people
22:49to celebrate Christmas
22:51or to pray in their homes.
22:53In Albay,
22:55the year of the Shepherds' Competition
22:57is celebrated
22:59by groups from different parts of Bicol.
23:04This is held every 2nd week of December
23:06and people gather
23:08before the Misa de Gallo opens.
23:18When the beautiful sky
23:20burst open,
23:22it's as if Albay
23:24had set it all on fire.
23:26Look,
23:28they were flooded
23:30by torrents of rain.
23:32The most central part
23:34is their landmark.
23:36Let's call Majestic Mount Mayon.
23:38Hey, what are you doing here?
23:40I'm hiding in my tent.
23:42It's probably safe here.
23:44Our assistant cameraman,
23:46Mong,
23:48is hiding from the kids.
23:50The breathtaking Kitinday Hills
23:52are still here in Kamalig, Albay.
23:54First of all,
23:56it was submerged in the water
23:58for almost 1.8 million years.
24:00You can see here
24:02shells, dead corals,
24:04and many more.
24:06When the water ran out,
24:08the hills erupted
24:10through erosion forming the hills.
24:12More than 400 hills
24:14were eroded by the volcano.
24:16Other than that,
24:18we don't have a parachute.
24:20After opening many gates,
24:22Christmas becomes more meaningful.
24:24Celebrations
24:26become more special
24:28especially when the places
24:30and experiences are full
24:32of unexpected things.
24:34Merry Christmas!
24:36Cheers!