Buhi

Municipality of Camarines Sur

Buhi, Camarines Sur is a lakeside municipality known for Lake Buhi, the sinarapan, and its rich agricultural and fishing heritage. Surrounded by mountains and freshwater resources, the community's culture and livelihood are closely connected to its natural environment.

Baao Balatan Bato Buhi Bula Iriga Nabua

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Buhi: Home of the Pristine Lake, Majestic Mountains, and the World's Smallest Fish

Buhi is a first-class municipality in Camarines Sur and one of the seven local government units comprising the province's Rinconada Lake & Volcanic Basin district. It was established on April 14, 1578 and is situated between Mount Asog (Iriga Volcano) and Mount Malinao. The municipality is particularly known for Lake Buhi, a major freshwater lake and habitat of the sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis), recognized as the world's smallest commercially harvested fish. Agriculture, fishing, and weaving are important parts of Buhi's local economy and cultural identity.

Source: camarinessur.gov.ph

Buhi also has a strong traditional handloom-weaving culture, historically known as hinabol and more recently branded as Inabëģ. The weaving tradition produces textiles and products such as blankets, towels, table runners, scarves, and other woven goods.

Source: ejournals.ph

1578

Buhi was formally established on April 14, 1578, associated with Captain Pedro de Chavez and Franciscan Father Tomas Francisco.

Source: camarinessur.gov.ph

1605

Franciscan Fr. Antonio Mendez began the Christianization of Buhi and baptized settlers in Marayag and surrounding areas.

Source: buhiforum.wordpress.com

1620

Historical chronicles recorded approximately 1,200 Catholic converts in Buhi.

Source: rsisinternational.org

1641

The eruption of Mount Asog caused a major volcanic event that affected early settlements around the mountain. Survivors moved to other settlements in the area.

1680

Fr. Simon de Salamanca, OFM, built Buhi's first church using light and semi-permanent materials.

1730

The first church was destroyed by fire. A larger and stronger church was subsequently constructed.

1853

Fr. Antonio Guadalajara worked on a road connecting Buhi and Iriga and taught local residents how to cultivate abaca.

1996

Lake Buhi was recognized as the Cleanest Lake in the Philippines under the National Clean and Green Program.

2003

The traditional hinabol weaving industry was rebranded as Inabëģ, with a collective mark associated with the Buhi weaving industry.

2025

DOST, CSPC, and LGU Buhi conducted training on natural dye extraction and textile application to support local Inabëģ weavers.

2026

A research study documented the current status and development roadmap of Buhi's Inabëģ weaving industry under the OTOP program.

Captain Pedro de Chavez

Associated with the establishment of Buhi on April 14, 1578 during the Spanish period.

Fr. Tomas Francisco, OFM

Franciscan friar associated with the early establishment of Buhi in 1578.

Fr. Antonio Mendez, OFM

Began the Christianization of Buhi in 1605 and served as an early Franciscan religious leader in the area.

Fr. Simon de Salamanca, OFM

Built Buhi's first church in 1680 and dedicated it to the town's patron saints.

Clarita Noble

Local master weaver and president of the Buhi OTOP Key Players Association; she has helped preserve and promote Buhi's handloom-weaving tradition.

Jonathan & Lanie Paniterce

Founders of Hataw Handwoven Products, helping develop and promote Buhi's handwoven textile industry.

Lake Buhi – Cleanest Lake in the Philippines, 1996 Lake Buhi was recognized as the Cleanest Lake in the Philippines in 1996 under the National Clean and Green Program. This recognition is particularly significant because the lake supports both biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities around it.

Sinarapan conservation Buhi is internationally recognized for sinarapan, a tiny endemic freshwater fish found in Lake Buhi. The municipality has also established sinarapan sanctuaries in Lakes Manapao and Katugday as part of efforts to support its repopulation and conservation.

Handloom weaving as OTOP Handloom weaving became Buhi's One Town, One Product (OTOP), helping preserve an established local livelihood while creating opportunities for local weavers and entrepreneurs.

Inabëģ collective mark The local weaving tradition, formerly called hinabol, was rebranded as Inabëģ in 2023 and associated with a collective mark intended to strengthen the identity and authenticity of Buhi's weaving products.

Sustainable textile development In February 2025, DOST-Bicol, DOST-PTRI, CSPC, and LGU Buhi conducted a three-day natural dye and textile application training involving local weavers. The program aimed to improve sustainable textile production and preserve Buhi's weaving heritage.

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Buhi Old Cemetery

Buhi’s Old Cemetery Arch featured in Sementeryo: Heritage Cemeteries of the Philippines

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Magindara, Lake buhi

Isang natatanging tourist destination sa bayan ng Buhi, Camarines Sur kung saan matatanaw ang napakagandang tanawin ng Lake Buhi—tila ba nasa Tagaytay ka sa lamig ng hangin at ganda ng paligid.

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Legend of Sarikaw

Out of the mist of time when feats of manhood were laid at tribal feasts, an intrepid hunter emerges bigger than life: Sarikaw. And then there was a magician wizard who claims ownership of all animals thriving in the forests of Mount Asog where he lives. One day the hunter and his dog followed a fleeing deer, bleeding until it fell dead at the feet of an angry wizard ignoring the wizard. Ignoring the wizard's threat of a curse, Sarikaw claimed his rightful prize. Sarikaw and his dog, returning for another bounty froze under a moon day sun. A big black owl swooped down and spurted a black liquid all over the duo. Moments later: the man and dog turned into black stone statues. Eroded by years of rain and wind, the stone statue could still be seen today atop the foothills of Mount Asog facing Lake Buhi. Fact or Legend. The People of Buhi are proud of their town's landmark Sarikaw, it is a vivid symbol of the hunter nature of the Nakabuhi tribe who founded Buhi. Today the intrepid Buhinons hunt for their economic bounty here and abroad to bring home bacon and venison. Mayor Diones Belza and Buhi artists Cesar Gumba and Ray Yago built a bigger-than-life replica of the hunter at the boundary of the Buhi-Iriga road in barangay Sta. Justina to tell a story and welcome the 'balikbayans' and visitors with utmost humility and generosity. - I.M. Villadares (22 March 2002)

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St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church, commonly known as Buhi Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Buhi, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Caceres. An early Church built close to Lake Buhi was destroyed by fire in 1730. Another Church was finished in 1735 and was damaged at various times by earthquakes. The present church was built by Rev. Angel Malumbre, O.F.M. between 1870 and 1884. The roof was destroyed by fire and fully repaired in 1890. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared it a national historical landmark in 1938.

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Lake Buhi

Nakabuhi

Sinarapan/Tabios

This freshwater fish which is scientifically known as "Mistichthys Luzonensis" is the world's smallest commercially harvested fish and is primarily found in Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur. Several delicious dishes can be cooked using this fish.

Lake Buhi

Lake Buhi ifs found in Buhi, Camarines Sur. It has an area of 18 square kilometers and has an average depth of 8 meters. The lakes lies in the valley formed by two ancient volcanoes, Mount Iriga and Mount Malinao.