Today, I would like to discuss with you something that originated in my husband's dad's place of birth, in the Bicol regions. My husband recently just went to visit his father's hometown, last July after 16 long years. Despite not being able to go with him due to work schedules, he saw to it to tell me everything they went through there.

What captivated me the most, and I believe, was the highlight of his trip as well, was seeing the Mayon volcano. While I was seeing it through the eyes of the lens, gazing upon it's magnificence was truly captivating. I am sure it was so much more, when my husband was personally there and took the photos himself.

But while all of that is great and all, the reason why I wanted to write a "Good to Know" article about the Mayon volcano, is because of it's very recent eruption, one that can send shivers down your spine, just by the looks of the photos of others who managed to be in the place.

What is sometimes known as Mount Mayon, the Mayon Volcano is famous for its shape being a "Stratovolcano". Considered as the "perfect cone" volcano because of its symmetrical conical shape, it is often the basis of kids when asked to draw a volcano.

But as beautiful as it is, it does have its fair share of tantrums. In this case, the Mayon's temper is not really something we can call fair share as it is not called active for nothing.

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Active Lifestyle

Talk about being the most active volcano in the country, Mayon is stated to have erupted at least 50 times over the course of 500 years. In the year 2000s alone, Mayon had already erupted 6 times considering both minor and major explosions. More than that, the eruption of Mount Mayon has claimed plenty of lives, both during and after an eruption.

Photo Taken by the LGV20 on September 1, 2017

One of the more famous sites to visit in Bicol, which my husband went to when he had the chance, was a visit to the Cagsawa Church Ruins. Located in the municipality of Daraga, the Cagsawa fell ruin from Mount Mayon's eruption on the year 1814, leaving only the bell tower as the last remaining structure. Though as you walk through the grounds of the Cagsawa Ruins, you would notice the strange pathways you will be following. That, I believe, is already the roof of, what was then, the Cagsawa church.

The latest one happened on 13th of January 2018, 13 days before this post was made. Even up to now, it is not finished yet, as ashes and lava fountains continue to happen as well as the firebombs and rockfalls could be heard.

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Lahar

While we are on the subject of eruption and how it threatens the civilians in the nearby areas of Legazpi, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobata, Tabaco and Sto. Domingo, one other threat looms which usually happens right after an eruption.

A lahar is a form of a mudslide, triggered most often by a volcanic eruption, which flows down the mountain. They are also called “debris avalanches.” As the lahar travels down the mountain, other debris such as rocks, logs, and trees become part of the fast moving mudslide. Source

Being part of the so-called "Typhoon Belt" of the Philippines, the Bicol Regions often has a regular visit from the typhoons that originates in the Pacific Ocean. These typhoons bring about rain which can help initiate the Lahar to flow down bringing havoc to the Bicolanos.

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Finish Line

Viewing the Mayon Volcano through a photograph truly does not do it any justice. And if I were to have a chance and join my husband in having an adventure to the Bicol Regions, this is definitely a sight I would like to see, in all its glory. But one thing's for sure is that the photos I am seeing from Mount Mayon now, as it exploded, truly reflects how devastating beauty can be. Literally, devastating when you can see the chaotic fountains of lava, or the ashen smoke resulting from the eruption of the volcano. Truly something to be afraid of but definitely something very mesmerizing to gaze at. A sight I dream to see one day (in a safe place of course).