Although
Camarines Norte is part of Bicol, a slight majority of the people are Tagalogs.
The Bicolanos comprise the rest of the population and are concentrated in the
east. They speak a form of Bicol that is different in tone and vocabulary from
standard Bicol. Proximity to the Tagalog province of Quezon has allowed the
mixing of the two languages in Camarines Norte.
Agriculture and
fishing are the main preoccupation of the people of Camarines Norte. The main
products of farms in the provinces are coconuts, banana, corn, rice abaca and
root crops. Fishing is a major industry along the coast. The town of Mercedes is
a major fishing center that exports fish and shrimp to Manila. It is also noted
for an assortment of dried fish.
Paracale is �gold
country� in Camarines Norte. Since the pre-Spanish period, local residents
have worked the mines and goldsmiths have turned the metal into finely crafted
pieces. The town is a center of the jewelry-making industry and although the art
has declined in importance, the town is still regarded as a good place to get
fine gold jewelry. Antique styles, like the agrimon (also known as the alakdan)
or the flat necklace chain of the 19th century, continue to be made
in Paracale. Camarines Norte residents are also involved in small-scale
industries such as handicrafts, furniture-making, metal craft, ceramics
manufacture and food processing.
The province
attracts pilgrims and tourists to the shrine of the Black Nazarene in Capalonga.
A festival celebrating the feast day of the Black Nazarene on My 11 and 12 draws
people of Chinese descent to this small town to seek favors for a propitious
business climate. A series of processions are held around the main streets of
the town during the day.
