Originally known as Libog, the town of Sto. Domingo was founded in 1749 by Domingo Castellanos. According to folklore, its name comes from its town center being located away from the Camino Real, or main (National Road) highway leading to Legazpi City.
The Bicol word for “round-about” is libot, hence, since the settlement was referred to as “duman as ma-libot” or “the place where you have to take a round-about route”, the shorter reference was “Libot”, which subsequently evolved into Libog.
There are also another accounts on where the town’s name came from, another version is it came from “labog” which means unclear water because the town has no potable water before. Another account says that “labog” came from a jellyfish species because that particular jellyfish is abundant in town because of its geographical location. Later, through R.A. 2350, it became a municipality on August 4, 1959, and was named Sto. Domingo in honor of the town’s patron Saint, St. Dominic de Guzman.
The Bicol word for “round-about” is libot, hence, since the settlement was referred to as “duman as ma-libot” or “the place where you have to take a round-about route”, the shorter reference was “Libot”, which subsequently evolved into Libog.
There are also another accounts on where the town’s name came from, another version is it came from “labog” which means unclear water because the town has no potable water before. Another account says that “labog” came from a jellyfish species because that particular jellyfish is abundant in town because of its geographical location. Later, through R.A. 2350, it became a municipality on August 4, 1959, and was named Sto. Domingo in honor of the town’s patron Saint, St. Dominic de Guzman.
Sto Domingo is just a small town, but I will tag it as the most promising town in Albay as it has more than what other Albay’s town could offer. The first time that I go here was to shoot for our documentary that would showcase Bicol’s tourism industry, at first I have a doubt if Sto Domingo could fit to our theme and topic but later on as we are exploring and interviewing local folks, Sto Domingo had proven its rich culture, people and heritage, a truly Tatak Dominguenyo, Proud Bikolano!
Sarung Banggi
Sto Domingo is the hometown of the most famous Bicolano song “Sarung Banggi” a classical love song composed by Potenciano V. Gregorio or “Lolo Potin.” He had three major compositions in collaboration with his elder brother Bernardo. The original compositions were destroyed when their ancestral house was burned down durint the worst fire to hit the town in 1961.
Did you know that Sarung Banggi was not first played in the compositor’s hometown but in a town fiesta in Guinobatan, Albay? One night when the chirping of bird and rustling of the leaves woke Lolo Potin, he then first wrote down the first bar and lyrics of the song.
Sarung Banggi
Sto Domingo is the hometown of the most famous Bicolano song “Sarung Banggi” a classical love song composed by Potenciano V. Gregorio or “Lolo Potin.” He had three major compositions in collaboration with his elder brother Bernardo. The original compositions were destroyed when their ancestral house was burned down durint the worst fire to hit the town in 1961.
Did you know that Sarung Banggi was not first played in the compositor’s hometown but in a town fiesta in Guinobatan, Albay? One night when the chirping of bird and rustling of the leaves woke Lolo Potin, he then first wrote down the first bar and lyrics of the song.
Meanwhile, his close friend suggested that he should join the Philippine Constabulary Band, which was then world famous under the baton of Col. Walter H. Loving. In a subsequent engagement in Manila, Potenciano was asked to demonstrate what he could do. He played the Sarung Banggi on the Banduriya (string instrument), then on the piano. The song, in 1910, was not yet popular outside Bikol (Bicol). When it was known that he wrote it himself, from the fact that he could play almost any instrument in the band, he was readily taken in. He then prepared the score of the band, which played it several times the following year, and by popular request several times before World War II at the Sunday Afternoon public concerts at the Luneta. Later, the song became the favorite of local serenaders, and it spread rapidly throughout the region.
In 1938 he was among those chosen to compete with other musicians at the Golden Gate International Exposition in the United States, but while aboard the SSS President Pierce on the way to Honolulu,, he got sick of pneumonia. Rushed to Fort Shafter Hospital in Honolulu, he died shortly upon arrival( February 12, 1939). To mourn his death, the ship delayed its voyage three hours. His remains were brought back to the Philippines and interred at the La Loma Cemetery.
Today, the masterpiece of Lolo Potin was celebrated not just by preserving his art but also the song was the main highlight in the town’s Sarung Banggi Festival.
Albay’s Black-Sand Beaches
Seriously speaking, at first I was not fascinated by the beaches that has black sand, I find it more like of freshwater bodies of water like rivers and lakes. But the beaches of Sto Domingo, Bacacay, Tiwi and Legazpi City are among the most beautiful black-sand beaches in the world because of its volcanic origin.
Yes, you’ve heard it right because the black-sand beaches in Albay was actually a product of Mayon’s previous eruption. There are two-types of black sand beaches, the first is the heavy, glossy, prtly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand is the one that is found on beaches near a volcano which is consists of tiny fragments of basalt.
In 1938 he was among those chosen to compete with other musicians at the Golden Gate International Exposition in the United States, but while aboard the SSS President Pierce on the way to Honolulu,, he got sick of pneumonia. Rushed to Fort Shafter Hospital in Honolulu, he died shortly upon arrival( February 12, 1939). To mourn his death, the ship delayed its voyage three hours. His remains were brought back to the Philippines and interred at the La Loma Cemetery.
Today, the masterpiece of Lolo Potin was celebrated not just by preserving his art but also the song was the main highlight in the town’s Sarung Banggi Festival.
Albay’s Black-Sand Beaches
Seriously speaking, at first I was not fascinated by the beaches that has black sand, I find it more like of freshwater bodies of water like rivers and lakes. But the beaches of Sto Domingo, Bacacay, Tiwi and Legazpi City are among the most beautiful black-sand beaches in the world because of its volcanic origin.
Yes, you’ve heard it right because the black-sand beaches in Albay was actually a product of Mayon’s previous eruption. There are two-types of black sand beaches, the first is the heavy, glossy, prtly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand is the one that is found on beaches near a volcano which is consists of tiny fragments of basalt.
When lava contacts water, it cools rapidly and shatters into sand and fragmented debris is small enough to be considered sand. A large lava flow entering the ocean may produce enough basalt fragments to build a new black sand beach almost overnight.
The famous black sand beaches of Hawaii, such as PunaLu’u and Kehena Beach, were created virtually instantaneously by the violent interaction between hot lava and sea water.
Since a black sand beach is made by flowing lava in a one-time event, they tend to be rather short lived since sands do not get replenished if currents or storms wash sands into deeper water. For this reason it was not advisable to remove black sands from its beaches.
There are many resorts surrounding the beach, some of the resorts also offers swimming pool so you can choose whether you want to swim in the sea or in the pool, the resort that I could recommend is the Coastal View Resort, because the resort was so serene and looks very private from all its neighbouring resorts. The place has a big function hall and it has also two-swimming pools and the rooms will give you so much comfort.
Additional tip also, unlike white sand beaches walking barefoot on black sand can result in burns, as the black sand absorbs great deal of the sun’s energy. So be careful especially during noontime but in the morning and in the afternoon you can enjoy the picturesque view of the sea and the silhouette of the ever enchanting Mayon Volcano.
Pasalubong Items:
LINANGGANG
The famous black sand beaches of Hawaii, such as PunaLu’u and Kehena Beach, were created virtually instantaneously by the violent interaction between hot lava and sea water.
Since a black sand beach is made by flowing lava in a one-time event, they tend to be rather short lived since sands do not get replenished if currents or storms wash sands into deeper water. For this reason it was not advisable to remove black sands from its beaches.
There are many resorts surrounding the beach, some of the resorts also offers swimming pool so you can choose whether you want to swim in the sea or in the pool, the resort that I could recommend is the Coastal View Resort, because the resort was so serene and looks very private from all its neighbouring resorts. The place has a big function hall and it has also two-swimming pools and the rooms will give you so much comfort.
Additional tip also, unlike white sand beaches walking barefoot on black sand can result in burns, as the black sand absorbs great deal of the sun’s energy. So be careful especially during noontime but in the morning and in the afternoon you can enjoy the picturesque view of the sea and the silhouette of the ever enchanting Mayon Volcano.
Pasalubong Items:
LINANGGANG
When we were in Barangay Pidel Soltera we meet Mrs. Norma Belbis also known as Nanay Norms. She is locally known as an expert “paralanggang”, an expert in cooking “linanggang” or kakanin.
According to her, linggang is the generic term for all the kakanin like, cassava cake, puto, suman and all other kakanin, the local name for it was linanggang.
CDLC HANDICRAFT
According to her, linggang is the generic term for all the kakanin like, cassava cake, puto, suman and all other kakanin, the local name for it was linanggang.
CDLC HANDICRAFT
Before you reach the town proper, there is this one store that will always amaze you by the bags that are being displayed. Native bags that has customize design perfect for pasalubong ang gift.
These abaca made bags ranges from 150 up depending on the size and design, they also offer coin purse for as low as ten pesos, perfect souvenir for first time travellers in town.
DOMS
These abaca made bags ranges from 150 up depending on the size and design, they also offer coin purse for as low as ten pesos, perfect souvenir for first time travellers in town.
DOMS
Another souvenir item store in town is DOMS, they offer native item such as abaca handmade paper, posters, wall frames, scrapbooks, journals and other novelty items that has a Bicolano culture touch. Each art pieces are carefully crafted with love and pride to produce a truly tatak bicolano work of art.
Sources
http://www.tribephilippines.com/3No/Fn3%20Serenading.html
http://wowlegazpi.com/visita-iglesia-sto-domingo-church/
Sources
http://www.tribephilippines.com/3No/Fn3%20Serenading.html
http://wowlegazpi.com/visita-iglesia-sto-domingo-church/