LEGAZPI ATTRACTION. One of the bridges connecting portions of Legazpi Boulevard in Legazpi City, with the majestic Mayon Volcano as backdrop. The boulevard's three main bridges have been named after the three main characters in the Ibalong epic. (Photo by Loretta Allarey-Paje)
LEGAZPI CITY – The three bridges connecting the four-kilometer Legazpi City Boulevard between Albay Gulf and the majestic Mayon Volcano have been named after the three famous heroes in the Bicolano epic “Ibalong" starting Wednesday.
This, after the Albay Provincial Board unanimously approved Legazpi City Ordinance No. 15-0009-2021 on April 21 naming the Legazpi Boulevard’s 75-meter bridge in Barangay Dap-Dap as “Baltog Bridge”, the 20-meter stretch in Barangay Puro as “Handyong Bridge”, and the 10-meter bridge in Barangay Lamba as “Bantong Bridge.”
In an interview on Thursday, Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal said the renaming of the bridges after the epic heroes is aimed at creating awareness among the youth of the feats of the main characters in the Ibalong story that symbolizes the bravery and endurance of Bicolanos in facing all kinds of challenges
Residents of the region often experience various natural calamities such as strong typhoons and volcanic eruption.
“These bridges would also serve as reminders to the people, particularly to the visitors, that such great epic named Ibalong is part of the evolution of the Bicolano culture,” Rosal said.
Darlito Perez, the curator of Museo de Legazpi, said sculptures of the three epic heroes will be put up as markers at the boulevard bridges.
Perez said he proposed to Rosal the putting up of sculptures at each bridge in order to make them more attractive to the people, adding that “it would also serve as educational tools among students and teachers particularly those pupils from other neighboring provinces holding their educational tours in this city.”
He said the Ibalong logo and manuscript of the heroes' traits and role in the epic will be added to the sculptures so that tour guides can easily explain the meaning of the "Epikong Bicolnon" to tourists.
Since its construction over a decade ago, the Legazpi Boulevard has continuously attracted both domestic and foreign visitors, joggers and bikers who want to view the perfect symmetry of the cone-shaped Mayon Volcano and enjoy the cool breeze at the Albay Gulf. (PNA)
