LIGAO, ALBAY: Kawa-Kawa Sunset
I still vividly remember the first time my friends and I visited Kawa-Kawa Hill and Natural Park. It was a Holy Week and my town mates Elvie and Ruel fetched me from our store and asked me to join them for a joyride to Kawa-Kawa Hill and Natural Park. Since I've never been there before, I readily obliged and off we went to the enchanted hill which is less than thirty minutes away from our hometown.
Kawa-Kawa Hill and Natural Park is located in California Village, Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City. The name of the hill was derived from its shape resembling a ‘kawa’ or large pot (cauldron, read (kôl dr n)).
The Kawa-Kawa hill is famous locally as a religious destination because of the larger than life Stations of the Cross lining the 500-meter path to the crater and extending all the way around the crater’s 836-meter rim. During the Lenten Season, devotees flock to Kawa-Kawa to reflect and meditate on the Stations of the Cross as penance.
Recreation facilities and attractions in Kawa-Kawa Hill and Natural Park now include a Philippines Eagle Scout Advancement Camp and Facilities, a volleyball court and horseback riding.
From the Kawa-Kawa summit, one can see a large crater. That's why Kawa-Kawa Hill is also called ‘the hill without a hilltop’. It offers a stunning 360 degree view of Ligao City and its neighboring towns, as well as sprawling green fields and nearby Mount Masaraga and Mount Mayon. On the slopes of the hill, dinorado (high-quality mountain rice), pineapple and vegetables are cultivated to promote agriculture and environmental awareness.
The Kawa-Kawa hill is famous locally as a religious destination because of the larger than life Stations of the Cross lining the 500-meter path to the crater and extending all the way around the crater’s 836-meter rim. During the Lenten Season, devotees flock to Kawa-Kawa to reflect and meditate on the Stations of the Cross as penance.
From being a secret haven by the Bicolano's years ago, Kawa-Kawa Hill is now considered as one of Albay’s premier tourist destinations. It was developed by the city government of Ligao, Albay spearheaded by Albay 3rd District Rep. Fernando Gonzalez.
Photo from Albay Governor Joey Salceda's FB account.
