When Volcanoes Become Tourists & Profit Machines
Albay province has long bragged about its iconic cone‑shaped Mayon volcano. But who knew that a bit of lava could turn a sleepy farming area into a 24/7 tourist hotspot? Since Mayon started spewing molten rock two weeks ago, hotels, restaurants, and even the local Airbnb‑style pensiones have basked in a touristic boom that’s as welcome as it is eerie.
From Hardship to Hot‑Sale Ice Cream
- Mayon‑Spiced Lava Ice Cream – Picture a scoop shaped like the volcano, drenched in chili and a spicy syrup that’s hotter than a recent power outage in your Wi‑Fi.
- Hotels now stream the eruption live on big TVs, so you can watch the lava pour while sipping coffee.
- Some establishments feature volcano photos and logos on everything from napkins to coasters.
The Numbers (and the Heartbreak)
Albay’s tourism office dialed up a 10% jump in visitors compared to last year. That’s pretty impressive for a region that usually sees a lull after Christmas. Yet, almost 90,000 residents have fled to crowded relief camps, and the sheer volume of travelers threatens a sanitation crisis that could leave everyone hungry for more than just pizza.
The “Beautiful Lady” Story
The church tower in Cagsawa town is the epic photo‑op. Tourists lean into the ruins, striking “smoking” poses as if Mayon grew a face and the cloud was her shy admirer. Village guide Hohanna Loterina explains: “The cloud is the suitor of Mount Mayon, the beautiful lady. When it covers her, he keeps her secret.”
Not All Is Sweet
- Clod farmers and roadside eaters are losing out. Volcanic ash has turned green into grey, messing up the local crop yield and driving up vegetable prices.
- Runiczoe’s owner, Janet Octavo, says her diner missed the boom because of the ash.
- 60‑year‑old chili farmer Marcal Morato volunteers barefoot on the blackened soil, lamenting he’ll need new seeds.
- Venice Mar, who lost a neat 30,000 pesos’ worth of bitter gourd, claims “business is a gamble. There are winners, there are losers.”
Should We Celebrate the Sizzle?
So, is Mayon the hero or the villain of Albay? Maybe it’s both. While hotels cha‑cha over the constant audience, the rest of the folks are wrestling with ash‑laden realities. Tonight, a hotel guest toasts to the volcano— “Cheers to lava!”—while a farmer toasts his own survival with a cup of coffee that’s as humble as his situation.
At the end of the day, Mayon’s eruptive mischief reminds us of the tricky dance between nature, business, and the everyday haggling of life. Stick around; there’s always a new scoop.
