By Aris Mape
Originally posted at www.choosephilippines.com
Bicol's off-the-beaten-path gem should be on your next trip to visit Mayon Volcano and its surrounding towns.
The way to Oas is a road less traveled; however, one thing is sure--a visit to this place is always a homecoming. It’s where you go back to your story, trace your roots and relive the joys of friendship and family.
You go back to Oas to shake hands with old classmates, friends, and relatives.
You go back because you missed home and you want to hear words said in the native tongue where the sound of R roars fiercely, the vowels are short (sometimes with a heavy stop), and the words fly fast.
You go to Oas to see the green fields and smell fresh air, to spend lazy days in the farm where the roosters wake you up and the crickets lull you to sleep.
WHERE IS OAS?
Oas is in the Bicol peninsula, southeast of Luzon. From Manila, you can take a bus from the terminals in Cubao or Pasay and embark on a 10-hour journey to the south. Or, to make life easy, get on a plane to Legazpi City, hail a bus at Legazpi’s terminal and after an hour on the road, hop off at the public market of Oas.
Well-traveled men and hobbits, when asked of places to see in Albay, would perhaps not mention this town. Their list, most likely, will include the regulars: the world-famous Mayon Volcano, the hot springs of Tiwi, and the islands and the beaches of Bacacay. Or perhaps the sunflower farm of Ligao, the baroque church of Daraga, and the city of Legazpi.
Oas, the quiet and humble town it was years ago, in fact, is still the same quiet and humble town today. There are no malls, hotels, movie houses, or a good night life for those looking for the luxury of city life.
With Albay’s extensive focus on tourism lately, Oas is starting to see new light and is poised to become an attractive tourist destination in the province. Laid-back as it is, Oas has a rich culture, unique cuisine, and a thriving cottage industry that can be tapped to jumpstart tourism in the town.
1. TRADITIONS
A barangay or town fiesta is one event to look forward to.The whole year round, villages take turn celebrating feasts in honor of their saints.
The merry-making is marked with traditional games, singing contests and local pageants, basketball tournaments, parades, a disco night, and of course, a grand banquet. In fact, these fiesta is one of the main reasons people go home. Other celebrated events are the Holy Week, All Souls Day, and Christmas.
In December, the town is serenaded by carolers known as the Pastores or pastora. Clad in colorful costumes made of local materials, the performers reenact through songs and dances the visit of the shepherds to Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.
The dancers bring their elaborately designed arko (an arch of flowers) and sing Christmas carols from house to house. A group of local musikero accompanies them as they do the rounds in town.
This tradition started in the Spanish times, which explains the lyrics of the song: "Pastores a Belén, vamos con alegría / a ver a nuestro bien, al Hijo de Maria / Allí, allí, nos espera Jesús / Pastores entrad, entrad zagales también / Vamos a ver al recién nacido / vamos a ver al Niño Emmanuel" (Shepherds to Bethlehem / We are going with happiness / To see, to our good, the Son of Mary / There, Jesus waits for us / Shepherds enter; lads also / Let us go to see the newborn / Let us go to see the Boy, God with us.)
2. THE SENSE OF YUMMY
“Masiram” is the local’s word for delicious. And when it comes to food, this town doesn’t run out of must-eats, from pasta to pastries to veggies and meat.
Oas does not have high-end restaurants where you can experience its unique cuisine. Sure, you can go to the public market, check a line of karinderia and eat with the locals. But, remember, your visit is a homecoming. And, as always, there’s no place like home. So here’s what to do: surprise a friend or a relative and head straight to their kitchen.
Oasnuns love "natuk" or coconut milk. Everything–pork, poultry, seafood, vegetable–can be cooked in cocounut milk. Either they swim in rich white sauce or they shine deliciously in simmered coconut oil. Of course, every dish can also get that hot buddy the Bicolanos are known for, whole red chili. In Oasnun, lada.
So what food to try while in Oas? Here are some of the cool ones.
1. Laing–Don’t just watch and eat. Ask your friend to let you experience the whole process. From picking the leaves at their backyard, peeling the stems, tearing the leaves, preparing the spices and cocounut milk, and of course, cooking the gabi leaves.
2. Kurakding–This edible fungus which is harvested from trunks of trees (so far I have only seen it grow on trunks of mangoes, but can also be cultured) can be cooked in–as usual–coconut milk until it’s tender. Vegetables or pork can be added to enhance the taste. Of course, the dish will not be perfect without chili in the scene...Read full article
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