Once in Legazpi, it is but natural to want to try local restaurants that serve local dishes and delicacies. The good news is, Legazpi is thriving with restaurants that offer sumptuous meals at an affordable price. On the other hand, for those who miss the taste of home, there are also several Legazpi restaurants that serve international dishes, something that is very comforting for many.
Although this Legazpi restaurant is owned by a Bicolano-Chinese family, it’s not only Chinese food that one will find here. Filipino dishes are also served at Cres Restaurant and for those who want to try local delicacies such as Bicol Express, this Legazpi restaurant also serves it. Bicol Express at Cres Restaurant is cooked the traditional way with pork cutlets stir fried in chili and coconut oil. The ambience of Cres Restaurant is laid back so there’s no need to get all dressed up just to dine here. The service personnel are also very warm and accommodating. The diners here are asked how they want their meals prepared and they take time to explain what ingredients are used for those who get a little confused with the names of the dishes. Cres Restaurant offers affordable dishes and one can expect to pay around five to fifteen dollars at most. The Cres Restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors so one should definitely try this Legazpi restaurant when in the Bicol province.
The word “tago” in Tago Tago Garden’s name means “to hide” and this Legazpi restaurant is so named because it’s not located along the main roads of Legazpi. Having said that however, this is not to say that one should not try Tago Tago Garden and rest assured once one sees the place, one will immediately fall in love with its rustic charm. This Legazpi restaurant has a garden ambience and one will dine here in nipa huts so one gets a feel of the local weather. Tago Tago Garden is located in the district of San Roque and it specializes in Filipino dishes and Bicolano delicacies. The average cost of meals at this Legazpi restaurant is about ten dollars which is very reasonable considering how much management has spent in the ambience of Tago Tago Garden. Tago Tago Garden is a good place to bring one’s significant other because of the romantic charm of this place and it’s a good venue to have quiet, meaningful conversations.
If there would be a list of top natural terrain, aquatic or aerial wonders in the Philippines, the Mayon Volcano would always fall within the top three (3). The Mayon Volcano has been recognized as the world's most 'perfect cone' due to its almost proportionally conical shape. Its beauty would leave everybody in a state of awe and admiration. The volcano's name had already signified its beauty. Mayon from the local dialect word 'Magayon', meaning 'beautiful'. Legends had it that Mayon Volcano's name was derived form a mythical heroine Daragang Magayon (connoting 'Lady Beautiful' or in colloquial Bicolano dialect 'a beautiful lady'). To say or assert 'Mayon Volcano is beautiful' is literally a redundant connotation (which translates to 'Beautiful Volcano is beautiful'), nonetheless, the name is but really fitting for this breathtaking sight!
The Mayon Volcano or Mount Mayon is the chief landmark of the province of Albay and its location or area spreads through the municipalities of Santo Domingo, Malilipot, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga and of course Legazpi City. The volcano is said to be considered as one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Like any other beautiful, charming and admirable lady, this volcano has its own 'tantrums' and outbursts. There were forty-nine (49) recorded eruptions since the early 1600's. The town of Cagsawa had been the recipient of its fury, way back the 1800's. This Mayon Volcano's eruption was considered to be the most destructive. The church's bell tower of Cagsawa had been the lone and silent survivor and witness to Mayon's rage. Today, Cagsawa Ruins has been one of the noted tourist attraction in Legazpi. It showcases the paradox of the Mayon Volcano's 'beauty and madness'. Nowadays, the local government is always on the watch for possible eruptions with the help of local and international scientists from other countries.
In order to make valuable information to possible visitors or tourists, private and public (local government) individuals or group rely on the power of the World Wide Web or the internet. These individuals or companies made creative websites to enhance information dissemination. The governments official website (http://www.legazpicity.ph/) is presented very attractive and enticing. Picture presentation of the various natural assets, colorful feasts and happy faces can be seen in the main page of the site. It is a user-friendly site with a lot of helpful bottoms that give information or two. Definitely, it is a must for tourists and visitors to check some sites related to Legazpi City, especially the official website.
One of the second-class and most populous cities in Albay, Legazpi offers different shopping options to local people as well as to tourists who want to see the relaxing and beautiful sites in the area. To have a wonderful experience at the place, visitors are encouraged to spend some time at the major Legazpi shopping malls, souvenir shops and entertainment centers. The malls in the city plays home to numerous retail stores that sell cheap items like shoes, dress accessories and clothes. For the relaxation and recreation of tourists, the city has several movie houses that feature interesting local and foreign films.
Situated at Landco Business Park, Pacific Mall is a very inviting and popular shopping center in Legazpi City. This establishment has a supermarket where customers can buy food and other things that they need in their homes. To purchase clothes, footwear and accessories that have reasonable prices, shoppers can always check out the items available at the mall’s department store. To have quality time with their friends or loved ones, people can view informative movies at the cinemas. For the comfort of shoppers, Pacific Mall features different restaurants and fast food chains that offer delicious and affordable meals.
Another popular Legazpi shopping center to visit that features several retail stores is the LCC Mall. Many local people shop at this place since the items that are available inside the mall were made from high quality materials. In addition to this, the mall is easy to access because it is located along Quezon Avenue, which is one of the busy areas of the city. This is the best place to visit if shoppers are in search for attractive and cheaper formal outfit. In addition, there are small food shops that sell tasty and affordable snacks inside the mall.
One of the fine shopping places to visit in Legazpi City is the Albay District. This area features different inviting shops that sell native products and local treats. Many tourists also go to this place at night because it plays home to several bars and bistros. Visitors who also want to relax and shop at the middle of the night can check out the 24-hour stores at this area. Most of the items available at the shops have affordable prices. Moreover, tourists will not have problems locating the place because most of the public transportation vehicles in Legazpi City have routes that pass along Albay District.
Legazpi hospitals and health care is very much accessible with the presence of first class medical facilities like the Legazpi Eye Center and Aquinas University Hospital.
Legazpi Eye Center started in 1994 as the private clinic of Dr. Rollo Millante, an ophthalmologist who finished his residency at the UST Hospital in 1991. Establishing an eye center was far from the mind of Dr. Milante because he was keen on pursuing a fellowship in Oculoplasty. When he ventured into general opthalmology, his ambition to be an Oculoplasty fellow burst like a bubble. He felt the need of offering opthalmic care to the people of his home province of Albay.
Construction of the new facility started in 1994 at the Imperial Court Subdivision II. Dr. Millante's practice saw a steady progress as the number of his patients increased. Eventually, Dr. Millante expanded medical service not only to those who had the money to pay but also to the indigent people of Bicol as well as surrounding regions. He then moved to a bigger and more convenient venue to accommodate his increasing number of patients. Eventually, Dr. Millante began to recruit other ophthalmologists with clinical background.
The establishment of Aquinas University Hospital was a product of a long collaboration starting in the 1970s. Only a few people believed that having a non-profit hospital in Legazpi would gain the attention of the public. The founders of the hospital thought of establishing a pioneer departmentalized hospital in the region, which during that period was one of the most populated and poorest regions in the country.
In February of 1973, the doctors behind Legaspi Medical Center pooled their efforts together in order to institutionalize the small but recognizable medical facility in Albay. On July 5, 1975, Aquinas University took over management of the facility. It became the mother hospital of the school's College of Nursing. As most of the doctors who originally established the hospital could not regularly come, Dr. Enrique Salinas became the Officer-in-Charge of Aquinas University Hospital.
The establishment of the Ago General Hospital in 1965 was designed to promote the national family planning program in a span of 5 years. It had 180 beds and incorporated family planning into the services of the general hospital. The main procedure used in the hospital is sterilization. From its 3600 patients yearly, 15% have adopted family planning.
When it comes to family planning, Ago General Hospital uses three main techniques: in-patient, out-patient, and supportive care. It works hand in hand with other medical facilities and agencies concerning their family planning program.
These are just some of the facilities that can address your need when looking for Legazpi hospitals and health care.