DiscoverBaao
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Baao.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Baao
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Baao
- Imagine a small, landlocked municipality embedded in the fertile town of Rinconada in the Southern Camarines Sur and where the rhythm of everyday life is characterised by the rustling of rice fields and the distant whirr of farm equipment.
- Any plans to go on holidays to Baao, Camarines Sur will soon reveal to you the fact that this town is such a combination of agricultural prosperity and historical images that few other townships can ever compare to it.
- The area is overridden with sweeps of rice, corn, and sugarcane giving the landscape a green carpet that is swaying under the tropical breeze.
- The most important structure is a high-rise Spanish-era church which is a legacy of centuries of belief and construction expertise.
- There is a musical cadence in the local dialect, Rinconada Bikol, which represents immediately a definite Bicolano identity.
- The coolness of the interior stonework of the church and the serenity of the scenes of the surrounding fields tend to draw the visitors into the contemplative time.
- Capital (of the province): Pili
- International airport: None in Baao
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary international gateway
- Bicol International Airport (Daraga, Albay) – main domestic airport serving the Bicol Region (~2–3 hours by land from Baao)
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Rinconada Bikol, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish Church is the highest building in Baao with its stone front and detailed carvings telling the storeys of the $18$th century.
- The fertile plains that are adjacent to the town are a living laboratory to the sustainable farming practises, which have been perfected over the centuries.
- When you intend to take holidays to Baao, Camarines Sur, you have an opportunity to observe fresh-water ecosystems in their natural splendour because of the proximity to the fresh water Lake, Buhi.
- The extensive, well-kept irrigation system indicates the competence of the community in terms of water resource control and farming design.
- At the weekly markets, local farmers are proud to display their harvests with fresh rice, corn and aromatic herbs that the region is known to have a taste of.
- A trip to this peaceful municipality can be easily completed and at a low cost by booking with world pinoy flights to Naga City which is the closest major airport.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The dry season, between November and May, has clear skies and favourable weather conditions, which is the best time to visit the fields and the historic church without having to be disturbed by heavy rains.
- The rice paddies explode in the shade of green creating a green tapestry, which is worth a trip especially to photographers and nature lovers during the green season.
- Average temperatures in the tropical climate usually do not drop below $27$ C to $31$ C, therefore, to feel comfortable, light clothes that are breathable are required.
- The planting periods of the farmers start at the end of spring, and you can follow the changes in the plains to see how the inactive land is turned into a lush green once the seeds grow.
- In the late autumn, at harvest time, the town is feeling the mood of celebration of the fruits of effort by farmers and families as well.
- The late summer or early fall monsoon rains may turn the landscape into a foggy dream world, and offer another, yet no less impressive, sight.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
The Bartholomew the Apostle Parish Church
- It features a high bell tower of the church which is more than $30$ metres in height, making visitors access the top of the tower and have a panoramic view of the plains surrounding the church.
- The vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows painted by hand are interiors that tell the biblical storeys that have been inspiring to the locals over the centuries.
- The church complex has a small museum that shows the relics and photographs of the spiritual journey of Baao since the times of the Spaniards to the current one.
- The yearly feast day of the church on August 24th attracts thousands of pilgrims who attend feasts, processions, and Masses.
- The architectural elements with the buttresses and the carved stone altar elaborate on the detail of the colonial artisanship through the guided tours.
- The courtyard is serene with the very old trees and it is a place to contemplate, meditate or just enjoy the soft breezes.
Bicolano Fertile Plains
- A guided walking tour of the rice paddies will allow you to view the painstaking irrigation canals that have made the soil fertile over the years.
- The cooperatives of farmers invite visitors to see how they use their hands to plough the land without losing soil and increasing production.
- Sustainable farming practises are evidenced in a small research station on the plains, such as crop rotation and integrated pest management.
- You may attend a planting ceremony in which the agrarian tradition of Baao and the dedication of the people to the land are celebrated.
- Plains provide a very good background as it is used to perform yoga or tai-chi sessions, making use of the large open areas and mild winds.
- The fields are moved to a golden glow at sunset and forms an unforgettable sight to both photographers and romantics.
Lake Buhi Scenic View
- There is a serene boat ride on Lake Buhi that can be a nice getaway and the water is crystal clear showing the pine trees and the hills located at a distance.
- Tourists have an option of renting a paddleboard or kayak to explore the serene waters with a different view of the ecosystem of the lake.
- The lake possesses picnic areas and native plants and trees throughout its banks making it a great place of family and nature lovers.
- Birdwatching tours have been led to show the diversity of birds in the region mostly during the season when birds are migrating as dozens of them come to the region.
- Balete Tree is a centuries-old banyan situated nearby providing a natural canopy to visitors under the tropical sun.
- During the evenings, the local fishermen will tell you about the folklore of the lake, which will also introduce a folk dimension to the scenic experience.
Rinconada Cultural Heritage
- The museum of the town shows the artefacts of different periods, starting with the colonial tools, and the modern art, which demonstrates the development of Rinconada society.
- There are interactive exhibits where the visitor can brush up on the Rinconada Bikol language, such as common greetings and traditional proverbs.
- The local artisans in handcraft workshops include the weaving of woven baskets, making intricate paper-art, and wood carving.
- A cultural theatre is also where one can watch evenings of traditional dance and music, the dance of the now-restored SitaSita.
- Homemade sweets and preserves of fruit and spices of local origin are sold at seasonal market stalls.
- There is a community gathering place where the elders tell storeys about how Baao was founded and by whom it was founded.
Reason 05
Discover More
Economy
- Large-scale production of rice and corn is the backbone of the economy, and this is accompanied with cooperatives that provide fair prices to the farmers and quality to the consumers.
- Small-scale sugarcane farming is also an addition to crop diversity as another source of family income in the area.
- An expanding agribusiness industry must have milling and packaging facilities to process local products to be distributed to the region.
- Local businesspeople are considering the eco-tourism business, including farm stays and nature walks to diversify their revenues.
- The universities work with agricultural research centres to come up with disease resistant varieties of crops that can survive the Bicol climate.
- Community markets continue to be an important aspect of everyday existence, where price includes is negotiated by buyers and sellers of fresh produce, textiles and local merchandise.
Linguistic Uniqueness
- Rinconada Bikol or Iriga-Bikol is characterised by a different phonetic system, which distinguishes it to Central Bicolano.
- Loanwords of English and Spanish are used in the language and show the colonial past and the contemporary links of the town.
- The bilingual education is provided in the local schools and the children learn both Rinconada Bikol and Filipino in order to have wide scope of communication.
- Cultural festivals are used to promote the cultural heritage in terms of poetry readings and other events in the mother tongue.
- The linguistic researchers are studying Rinconada Bikol in a bid to maintain the grammar and vocabulary of the language to be used by the future generations.
- When tourists get to know few phrases in the local language, they tend to be received more warmly, and with more interest.
Historical Significance
- The history of Baao can be traced back to the early 1700s and it is one of the oldest Spanish mission centres in Southern Bicol.
- Original records of the history of the town church, schools, and the town civic institutions are archived in the town.
- The St. Bartholomew Parish Church was declared as a national historical site and its architectural consistency is maintained due to the restoration projects.
- Regular archaeological excavations reveal artefacts that provide insights to the life in the pre-colonial times, including stone-tools and shreds of pottery.
- The historical reenactments that occur during the town fiesta enable the visitors to experience ancient ways of doing things that used to characterise the community of Baao.
- The town has a heritage museum, where visitors can take guided tours that act as explanations of the socio-economic changes that have taken place since the colonial era and nowadays.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The town fiesta of August 24th features a lively parade, including the floats, dancers, and traditional music reflecting the devotion of the community.
- Local craftsmen make hand-woven fabrics in intricate designs that represent fertility, protection, and prosperity.
- There is a tendency to have community meals at which families sit together to eat the meals that are prepared using freshly harvested rice and corn.
- Festivals are also accompanied by traditional dances like the Baguio dance, where the holidays to Baao tourists can take part in the rhythmic dances.
- Farmers in the town have a ceremony known as Bayanihan by the beginning of every planting season and this ritual supports communal collaboration.
- The spiritual activities are a mixture of Catholic traditions and indigenous values, and they form a distinct religious environment that lays stress on the unity with nature.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- The bicolano cuisine in Baao is known to have bountiful amounts of coconut milk which imparts the dishes its creamy taste which goes well with the local rice.
- The Bicol Express in the town is a savoury and spicy dish prepared using pork, chilli, and coconut milk because people in the area adore tasty dishes.
- New corn is refined into sweet sticky rice balls known as Puto Bilo, which is a common snack sold in the local market.
- Growing tomatoes and bell peppers locally are used in the preparation of a dish known as Laing that is made of cooked taro leaves in coconut milk and spices.
- Mangoes and bananas are seasonal fruits in whose products, such as the turon and banana cue, are made into homemade sweets.
- At festivals, street vendors make skewers of pork or chicken that have been marinated in sweet soy sauce, and topped with a bit of calamansi.
Fun
- The town proper of Baao has a historical walking tour that provides insight into both the architecture and the general lifestyle of the locals in periods of colonial rule.
- The endless rows of rice paddies will surely satisfy photography lovers, and they will be pleased by these rows especially in the sunrise when the fields are amber-gold.
- The local market visit during a weekend is a hands-on encounter of fresh produce and hand-woven products of the town, as well as the smell of spices.
- Lovers of the beach will be able to spend the day in the nearby beach of Masbate to have fun swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing.
- The hinterlands can be explored using bicycles and one will find secret falls and rock formations on the way.
- A game of Sipa or Luksong Bato can be played in the town plaza either by children or adults, for instance, it is a fun game to play with locals.
Fashion
- The hot humid weather is best suited with light cotton shirts and breathable trousers to get one comfortable as they tour around the town.
- In the historic church, the respectful demeanour to the holy place is demonstrated by modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees).
- Cultural heritage Festivals may be celebrated using traditional Bicolano wear, including the Balenci dress.
- The shoes should also be comfortable to walk in and used particularly during walking through roads or rice paddies which are uneven.
- Outdoors, the powerful midday sun can be covered by a broad hat or a loosely-knitted scarf.
- To the evening event attendees, an easy but classy dress combined with simple jewellery just shows the local modesty and fashion.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The large fertile plains provide a good quiet habitat to watch the birds and some of the common birds seen include the Philippine pygmy kingfisher and the grand eagle.
- The Bicol River system has small tributaries that form fertile riparian zones that are home to diverse wildlife, such as otters and turtles.
- The silhouette of Mount Iriga is a far-off dramatic setting of the sunrise hikes that can reward a person who wakes at an early hour with sweeping views.
- The pine forests around it are also a natural cooling system with shaded paths to take a walk around.
- Led eco-tours tell the visitors about sustainable agriculture and soil conservation, and inform about the ecological significance of the plains.
- Holidays to Baao seasonal festivals tend to incorporate Safari rides, during which the locals display their horses, carabaos and this gives the festival a living museum touch.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The town celebration on August 24th is a complete parade of dancers, musicians, and booths selling street food in honour of the patron saint, St. Barthelomew the Apostle.
- However, each of the September, the residents of Baao attend a big religious pilgrimage called the Penafrancia Festival at Naga City.
- In late summer, there are harvest festivals to celebrate the agricultural abundance of the community, and tasting booths of freshly milled rice and corn are available.
- Holidays to Baao fiesta also involves performances of traditional songs live during the cultural nights, which will keep the festive mood going even at the end of the night.
- A community service event of Bayanihan makes people volunteer to clean the neighbourhood areas and strengthens communal pride and responsibility.
- The main thoroughfare is turned into a colourful marketplace, the Pista ng Kalye (Street Festival) yearly features local crafts and foods and music.