Legazpi City, Philippines, The

Legazpi City (often mispelled Legaspi) is a 1st class city in the province of Albay, Philippines. It is the capital city of Albay, and the regional center of Bicol Region. It is sometimes referred to as the "Queen City of Southern Luzon".

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 157,010 people in 30,612 households.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

City of Legazpi

Region: Bicol Region (Region V)

Province: Albay

Dates:
Founded—
Cityhood—

Population:
2000 census—157,010
Density—769 per km²

Area: 204.20 km²

Coordinates:

Barangays: 70

Congressional districts: 2nd district of Albay

Income Class: 1st class; partially urban

Culture

The Ibalong Festival is the grandmother of all festivals in Bicol. It was begun in early 90's and held every October to coincide with Legazpi Port District fiesta. Legazpi is also home to Albay's Magayon Festival held the whole month of May.

Tourism

It is a top tourist destination in Bicol as it lies 15 kilometers southeast of Mayon Volcano, the Philippines' most famous volcano.

Barangays

Legazpi City is politically subdivided into 70 barangays.

History

Legazpi was named after Miguel López de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who came to the Philippine islands in 1565.

Legazpi was founded by the ancient settlers of the old barangay of Sawangan in the domain of the powerful Gat Ibal. Spread in small groups of huts made of nipa and rattan, the small settlement occupied a small conscription of low and swampy land known as Banuang-gurang or Binanuahan, which means old town or place in which a town was built. The indigenous name Sawangan was a corruption of Sabang, signifying natural wharf formed by the waters of the sea.

Highlights

Positioned in the geographical center of the peninsula and the two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate, it has the strategic advantages of a commercial, institutional, and transportation hub. Legazpi is the southernmost terminus of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Main Line South. It also has a national port handling export (cement, abaca or Manila helm, and before the operation of Legaspi Oil Company in Barangay Arimbay in early 1960's and Cosay Oil Mill in early 1990's, copra and coconut products). Legazpi Airport, with a runway of 2,280 meters, is the region's gateway and trunk line airport.

Philippine Airlines flies daily to and from Manila. SEAir flies to and from Cebu City on Mondays and Fridays. Alternate sites for relocation of the airport and upgrading into international are Bariis (farther from ash fall) and Alobo (15 kilometers from Mayon's crater).

As a commercial hub, Legazpi is home to malls: the largest mall in Bicolandia is Pacific Mall/Gaisano Metro Legazpi Department Store and Supermarket, serving as the centerpiece of Landco Business Park. Prior to the opening of Landco Business Park, homegrown Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) Legazpi was the region's largest retailer. It has expanded to Naga City (LCC Central Mall). A. Bichara Silverscreen and Entertainment Center is a multi-story haven of shops, bistros, and cinemas. The seat of city and provincial offices and lately blooming into a new downtown, Albay District (also Old Albay or simply Albay as the district was the capital town of the Province before merging with Legazpi) has bistros that remain open till late at night; some shops and restos are open 24/7. Legazpi has three Jollibee stores: two in Port District (LCC and Pacific Mall), and one drive-thru in Albay, beside Mercury Drug/GTS and in front of Quick and Hearty. Legazpi used to have an ABC station until it was removed because it couldn't match ratings with the local TV stations like ABS-CBN.

The city hosts two universities: Catholic-run Aquinas University (AUL), and state-run Bicol University (BU), one of the country's biggest. Manila-based educational/training centers have put up shop: AMA Computer University is currently constructing its building along busy Rizal Street, and STI College is a stone-throw away. The first school of medicine in Bicolandia is AMEC-BCCM in Albay District. Singapore-based Informatics is soon opening a branch, the second in Bicol (the first is in Tabaco City). Innodata, a New York-based company, tapped this city's young and dynamic population, putting up a data conversion center operating in three shifts.

Legazpi City has two air-conditioned arenas: Albay Astrodome in Albay District and Ibalong Centrum for Recreation (ICR) near Landco Business Park, which for a number of times served as venues of PBA games. During the past few years, only Legazpi could host PBA games because other cities in the region do not have air conditioned arenas. The Miss Asia-Pacific pageant was held in the ICR in 2001. AUL has a brand-new gym (AQ Dome) with PBA/NBA sized courts and ring/boards. It only needs air conditioning and it could host regional and national games, amateur and professional; ditto Divine Word College gym. The city's hotels and convention halls regularly host regional and national conventions and seminars; In 2002, Albay Astrodome even hosted an international convention of the Free Masons; in November 27, 2003, about 4,000 members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) attended its 57th annual national convention.