HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonAlbayLegazpi CityDaraga Church, Albay DIY Sidetrip – Mayon Madness Take 2 By Marcos Detourist on May 5, 2011The day was drawing to a close and I was still in pursuit of satisfying my longing to capture a nice photo of the iconic Mayon Volcano. I’ve already spent the day transiting between a few vantage points in Legazpi City, Albay but the elusive Daragang Mayon had covered itself in a veil of clouds, restricting a clear view of its full grandeur. I reserved the sunset hours for my visit to the Cagsawa Church ruins in nearby Daraga town. On my way, I decided to do a quick stop over at the Daraga Church. Many Daraga-bound jeeps can be found plying along the stretch of Rizal Avenue in Legazpi City. I alighted near the municipal hall of Daraga and followed the uphill path to the the church. I was already getting a bit exhausted from the climb but my spirit was instantly invigorated when I caught sight of the church’s beautiful facade and, more so, Daragang Mayon finally clearing up. Daraga Church (Our Lady of the Gate Parish) Daraga Municipal Hall Stairs going to Daraga ChurchDaraga Church (Our Lady of the Gate Parish)The Daraga Church was believed to be built as a replacement of the ill-fated church in Cagsawa, which now lay in ruins after the devastating eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814. My eyes were instantly drawn to the artistry of Daraga Church’s sculptural carvings embossed in its facade, a contrast from the simplicity of the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral in Legazpi City. Its towering bell tower also worked beautifully to complement its exaggerated style.Leading up the steps to get a closer inspection, I was surprised to see a breathtaking view of the Mayon Volcano. Daraga Church with Mayon Volcano Daraga Church Facade Full view of Daraga Church Exteriors Daraga Church Belfry Mayon Volcano viewed from Daraga ChurchThe vista was awesome but it could’ve been even better if not for the rooftop of buildings surrounding the foothills. I then rushed down to the highway to catch a ride going to Cagsawa Ruins. I was hoping to get there before sunset to take advantage of the clear view of Mayon.[gmap]Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Cagsawa Church Ruins at Dusk: Mayon Madness Take 3Ligñon Hill View Deck: Mayon Madness Take 5One Week in Bicol - Solo Backpacking & DIY TipsSorsogon to Legazpi City: Return Flight to ManilaEmbarcadero Lighthouse Viewdeck: Mayon Madness Take 1Legazpi City Seawall at Sunrise: Mayon Madness Take 4Comments lakwatsera de primera saysMay 5, 2011 at 5:19 amCongratulations, Mayon is in her full glory here, not her usual shy self :) chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:18 amButi na lang. Dapat pala early morning or late afternoon mag abang ng clear view of Mayon. Pinoy Adventurista saysMay 5, 2011 at 11:12 amgreat shots! i was also lucky to see the Mayon Volcano in her full glory last year… chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:15 amThanks Pinoy Adventurista! pinaytraveljunkie saysMay 5, 2011 at 12:10 pmI’ve been to Bicol twice and I’m so lucky to see the majestic Mt. Mayon on both occasions. Hay, galing talaga shots as always :) chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:15 amKewl … sulit na talaga ang trip to Albay basta makita lang ang Mayon :D Batang Lakwatsero saysMay 5, 2011 at 5:53 pmsayang.. hindi pa uso digicam nung pumunta ako dito… puro bad photos tuloy ang nauwi ko sa manila.. chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:13 amAhh… there’s always next time ^_^ OSeñorita saysMay 6, 2011 at 4:30 amNice pics! Mayon Volcano is simply breathtaking!!! chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:12 amThanks Señorita :D janet saysMay 6, 2011 at 10:56 amfirst photo was W.O.W. :) unbelievable :) astig photos as always! and there’s the google map thing again, i’m still learning about your blog “viewing google map offline”. still can’t do it, hayy. congratulations on this crush! ;) chymera00 saysMay 7, 2011 at 6:31 amThanks :) I’m also having difficulties loading the maps in the current iOS v3.1.x. There is a workaround but its is too much effort, its very technical …. even for me. [Con Tour Blog] saysMay 6, 2011 at 6:34 pmAs usual marc. You have great photos here. :-). Hope to see this place soon.:-). chymera00 saysMay 7, 2011 at 6:32 amThanks ah :D Hancel saysOctober 19, 2011 at 8:34 amBeen travelling for the past year since I now have my own money to spend. And thank you, and for the past seven trips this year, you have been my guide. Thanks :)Great blog :) Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 6:01 pmWOW really? That’s cool. Glad my posts helped :D Turista Trails saysJanuary 15, 2013 at 8:07 pmWow. Sexy na s’ya finally. Nakita mo na. gaging saysFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:03 amNice pics marcos! I hope I can see it personally, will be in legaspi this feb24. Hope the weather is fine so i can clearly see the view. TY marcos……………. Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
lakwatsera de primera saysMay 5, 2011 at 5:19 amCongratulations, Mayon is in her full glory here, not her usual shy self :)
chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:18 amButi na lang. Dapat pala early morning or late afternoon mag abang ng clear view of Mayon.
Pinoy Adventurista saysMay 5, 2011 at 11:12 amgreat shots! i was also lucky to see the Mayon Volcano in her full glory last year…
pinaytraveljunkie saysMay 5, 2011 at 12:10 pmI’ve been to Bicol twice and I’m so lucky to see the majestic Mt. Mayon on both occasions. Hay, galing talaga shots as always :)
chymera00 saysMay 6, 2011 at 5:15 amKewl … sulit na talaga ang trip to Albay basta makita lang ang Mayon :D
Batang Lakwatsero saysMay 5, 2011 at 5:53 pmsayang.. hindi pa uso digicam nung pumunta ako dito… puro bad photos tuloy ang nauwi ko sa manila..
janet saysMay 6, 2011 at 10:56 amfirst photo was W.O.W. :) unbelievable :) astig photos as always! and there’s the google map thing again, i’m still learning about your blog “viewing google map offline”. still can’t do it, hayy. congratulations on this crush! ;)
chymera00 saysMay 7, 2011 at 6:31 amThanks :) I’m also having difficulties loading the maps in the current iOS v3.1.x. There is a workaround but its is too much effort, its very technical …. even for me.
[Con Tour Blog] saysMay 6, 2011 at 6:34 pmAs usual marc. You have great photos here. :-). Hope to see this place soon.:-).
Hancel saysOctober 19, 2011 at 8:34 amBeen travelling for the past year since I now have my own money to spend. And thank you, and for the past seven trips this year, you have been my guide. Thanks :)Great blog :)
gaging saysFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:03 amNice pics marcos! I hope I can see it personally, will be in legaspi this feb24. Hope the weather is fine so i can clearly see the view. TY marcos…………….