Sorsogon is the southernmost province in the island of Luzon. It is divided into fourteen municipalities with Sorsogon City as its capital, making it the center of industry, commerce and education in the province. Like every place in the Philippines, Sorsogon also boasts a lot of beautiful scenic spots. Little has seen the beauty of this province which has captivated every tourist who has seen it to come back.
Sorsogon's written history started in 1570 when two Augustinian friars, Alonzo Jimenez and Juan Orta, accompanied by a Captain Enrique de Guzman reached Hibalong, a small fishing village near the mouth of Ginangra River, and planted the cross and erected the first chapel in Luzon. It was from this village that Ibalong, referring to the whole region, came to be. Moving inland with a northwesterly direction they passed by the territory known as Pilar, before they reached Camalig, Albay. The establishment of Abucay - Catamlangan Mission later was ample proof of this. The early towns established here were: Gibalon in 1570 (now sitio of Magallanes); Casiguran-1600; Bulusan-1631; Pilar-1635; Donsol-1668; Bacon-1764;Juban and Matnog-1800; Bulan-1801; Castilla-1827; Magallanes-1860; Sorsogon-1866 and Irosin-1880. The province was eventually separated from Albay on October 17, 1894 and adopted the name Sorsogon. The town of Sorsogon was also selected as its capital.
Join me in touring my hometown and be captivated of its beauty.
Due to the feeling of nostalgia felt by the Spaniards when they occupied the province, Barcelona is named after the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain due to its similar panoramic view with the Spanish city.
Barcelona is well - known for its old church called St.Joseph Parish church or Barcelona church built by the Franciscan order soon after the Spanish conquest. Materials used in construction were corral stones, beaten egg whites and a local wine called "tuba". This church is considered as one of the oldest churches in the Bicol Region.
Just across the Barcelona Church lies the ruins of the Presidencia Building and an elementary school intended for Spaniards and the ilustrados. During the Japanese occupation, a strong typhoon hit, devastating the municipality and destroying the said buildings.
Sorsogon's written history started in 1570 when two Augustinian friars, Alonzo Jimenez and Juan Orta, accompanied by a Captain Enrique de Guzman reached Hibalong, a small fishing village near the mouth of Ginangra River, and planted the cross and erected the first chapel in Luzon. It was from this village that Ibalong, referring to the whole region, came to be. Moving inland with a northwesterly direction they passed by the territory known as Pilar, before they reached Camalig, Albay. The establishment of Abucay - Catamlangan Mission later was ample proof of this. The early towns established here were: Gibalon in 1570 (now sitio of Magallanes); Casiguran-1600; Bulusan-1631; Pilar-1635; Donsol-1668; Bacon-1764;Juban and Matnog-1800; Bulan-1801; Castilla-1827; Magallanes-1860; Sorsogon-1866 and Irosin-1880. The province was eventually separated from Albay on October 17, 1894 and adopted the name Sorsogon. The town of Sorsogon was also selected as its capital.
Join me in touring my hometown and be captivated of its beauty.
BARCELONA
Due to the feeling of nostalgia felt by the Spaniards when they occupied the province, Barcelona is named after the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain due to its similar panoramic view with the Spanish city.
Barcelona is well - known for its old church called St.Joseph Parish church or Barcelona church built by the Franciscan order soon after the Spanish conquest. Materials used in construction were corral stones, beaten egg whites and a local wine called "tuba". This church is considered as one of the oldest churches in the Bicol Region.
Just across the Barcelona Church lies the ruins of the Presidencia Building and an elementary school intended for Spaniards and the ilustrados. During the Japanese occupation, a strong typhoon hit, devastating the municipality and destroying the said buildings.
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BULAN
The term "Bulan" in the local Bulanon dialect, has several meanings. It may mean the month of the year, or the moon, or a luminary. According to the local historian, the great Valerio Zuniga, the last meaning, taken in its truest intrinsic sense, is the more accepted term, due to the historical fact narrated by the "mga gurangan", the old inhabitants of the town. They said that one night a Spanish scouting expedition coming from the old seaport of Ticao, sailing northward and at the level of the seacost of Otabi, saw a big and beautiful luminary, the moon, from the right side of their ship. Some of the natives who accompanied the Spanish explorers as guides and crew members, showed happiness and excitement when they saw the moon which radiated its silvery beams in the night. Asked by the Spaniards as to the cause of their excitement, they shouted, "Builan…. Builan" pointing at the same time to the moon which had caused their happiness. In memory of this happening, the Spaniards named the place, "Builan" when they landed.
Bulan boasts it World War II Japanese Tunnel in the fields of Sta.Remedios, there lies a hidden tunnel believed to have been used as a hie out of the Japanese soldiers in World Was II.
The municipality of Bulan also has Ubo falls located in Sitio Liman in Brgy.San Francisco. Plunge into its cool waters and feel relaxed.
BULUSAN
Bulusan is one of the most famous among the municipalities in the province when it comes to scenic spots. Its name is derived from the local dialect, "bulus" which means "to flow".
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| Mount Bulusan |
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| Dancalan Beach |
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| Masacrot Cold Springs |
The climate in Bulusan is much more cooler compared to the other municipalities, probably because of the protected forests in it. Going to Bulusan is a very enjoyable adventure. At the end of the day, you'll not regret that you visited the place.
This municipality is famous for the Dancalan Beach Resort, the Mt.Bulusan, Bulusan Lake, Masacrot Cold Springs and many others.
CASIGURAN
Established in the year 1600, Casiguran was the first
missionary parish of Sorsogon. When the Spaniards first set
foot in this part of Luzon in the 1570s, Casiguran was considered as their
center of Kabikulan.
In 1583, the Franciscan missionaries
took over the evangelization work started by the Augustinians.
The name Casiguran is believed to come from the Bicol
phrase kasi gurang, meaning, mostly old, pointing to the fact that it was
the first parish and therefore to be considered to be populated by senior
inhabitants.
It is also believed that the town was named Casiguran
because, during the Spanish times, all the young men and ladies were kept
hidden and only old people can be seen in the town. The reason of the
townspeople for this is that the young people are being abused by the
Spaniards, thus, kept them in hiding. One day, Spaniards set foot in the soil
of the town and asked for its name. The people did not understand their
language. Thinking that the Spaniards were asking why there are no young
people, the people answered, "kasi gurang" (because only
old people live there). The Spaniards thought that"Kasi gurang" was
the name of the town. They left repeating the words "kasi
gurang" as not to forget them, until it came to be called as
"Casiguran."
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| Nagsipit Falls |
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| Oroc Cold Spring Resort |
CASTILLA
Castilla is a town located in the province of Sorsogon,
Bicol Region. The town is the neighboring town of Sorsogon City, the capital of
Sorsogon province. Castilla is a small town facing the Sorsogon Bay and one of
the livelihoods in the town is related to the fishing industry. A famous
tourist destination in Castilla is the Malawmawan Island, a private island
located just a few minutes boat ride from Barangay Macalaya.
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| Malawmawan Island |
DONSOL
Donsol was just a barrio in Quipia (now Jovellar, Albay)
until 1668 when it became an independent parish. Donsol got its name from
“donsolanon”, an old Bicol word, meaning anvil. In the old days, according to
old folks, a skilled black-smith had his “donsolanon” in Dancalan which was
well-known for its quality products, so much so that people who needed
metalware were invariably referred to this place. Donsol became an independent
municipality under Albay in 1800. Its first gobernadorcillo was Don Mariano
Adrian. The present site of Donsol used to be known as “Barra”. The town was
transferred to this site on July 11, 1831. The old town site is now known as
Banuang Gurang.
Donsol is well - known as the Whale Shark capital of the world. Local residents already known for about a hundred years the presence of these gentle giants but only in 1997 when they learned that whale sharks are harmless creatures. This resulted in the boost in its economy due to its tourism industry.
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| Whale Shark Watching |
GUBAT
Gubat was originally a big barrio of Bulusan, inhabited
by a few Tagalogs, Visayans and Albayanons who travelled on foot to hunt wild
animals. These people built their homes close to the shore and called their
location Buri, which today is the barrio of Buenavista. In 1764, Gubat finally
became a town with Don Pedro Manook, the first Teniente del Barrio, also
becoming the first gobernadorcillo.
The word "gúbat" means forest in Tagalog. However,
the name applied to the town is derived from the verb "guinobat", a
term used by the natives which means "raided". In the early days when
Christians and Muslims were constantly at odds, Muslim pirates would come in
from the southern seas to raid the town. Because of the frequent raids, the
town was referred to as "guinobat" which eventually became
"Gubat". Legend has it that during one of those raids, the pastor
along with the townspeople held up a statue of St. Anthony to ward off the
attack, praying for a miracle. In one account, it was said that the child Jesus
in St. Anthony's arms drove back the pirates. St. Anthony of Padua became the
town's patron saint and his feast day is lavishly celebrated as an official
parish and town holiday every 13 of June.
The town settlers had to move a number of times before
finally deciding to settle at a place they considered safe and peaceful.
Eventually, they began to expand, laying out permanent streets, the first of
which are what we now know as Luna and Calderon Streets.
The main parish church itself has an interesting history.
In 1768, the people decided to build a church. The locals, being poor, urged
the town captain, Don Juan Bonifacio, to require all men to contribute one
cubic meter of "talaksan" (coral stone) apiece. It took ten years of
preparation and it was not until 1778 that construction finally started.
Although it has since undergone several renovations, the
church foundation is still the original one built in 1778. The rectory is the
oldest and one of the only two remaining rectories dating back that far in the
entire Bicol region.
Rizal Beach in Gubat is the only beach in Sorsogon that is at
the center of a cove. It’s one of the best pristine beaches in the Philippines,
where miles of golden sand surround an extensive shoreline.
It is a long, broad beach located 5 km south of Gubat,
Sorsogon. It is close to the turbulent San Bernardino Strait thus the big
surfing waves that could thrill swimmers and most especially the surfers. The
grey-sand beach itself is long and is at the center of a cove surrounding an
extensive shoreline. Some say it is the best beach in Sorsogon and it is an
ideal place for boating, swimming and beach combing.
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| Rizal Beach |
IROSIN
The word was derived
from the local term iros which means to cut-off a part. The word was traced to
have come from an old tailor's term synonymous with tabas as in "irosi an
hiniro" or cut a part of the cloth. Iros was the image most probably drawn
to connote the gush or flow of floodwaters eroding riverbanks and cutting
through lands to eventually form another river or river route.
This municipality is known for its hot springs.
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| One of the hot springs in Irosin |
JUBAN
Juban was organized as a barrio of Casiguran in
1759. It became an independent pueblo civil in 1800 until 1817. The
town’s name was said to have been derived from the Bicolano word gujuban meaning
“to groove or etch with a sharp instrument” Others, however, contend that the
name comes from name of the juice from a certain tree growing in the area,
which was used by the natives as kindling material.
Lining the highway, as one enters the town center of
Juban, are several old houses, known as bahay na bato, still relatively
well-preserved and intact although their groundfloors have, long ago, been
turned into commercial establishments, such as stores, barber shops and beauty
salons, etc. These old houses still have their original tall, sliding windows
made of capiz, including carved wooden balustrades just below the window sills.
Inside, one can still find original, well-preserved antique furnitures, including
other antiquities. Private historical or heritage collections can also be found
inside these houses.
MAGALLANES
Known to the Spaniards as Encoienda de Yguey, with two visitas -
Parina and Caditaan. The present townsite of Magallanes is the, then, visita of
Parina. With the approval of the Spanish colonial government, the town was
founded on April 30, 1859, upon the initiative of Spanish abaca trader, Don
Manuel de Castro. The name of the town was chosen in honor of the first
circumnavigator of the world, Ferdinand Magellan.
De Castro, who was operating a astillero, became the
first gobernadorcillo.
Magallanes became an independent parish on December 11,
1863.
It is in Magallanes where Gibalong (now sitio San Isidro)
is located, at the mouth of Ginangra River, reputed to be the place where the
first Christian mass in Luzon was celebrated. The name ibalon or Tiera
de Gibalong, which is also used to identify the Bicol region at the time, came
from the name of the place - Gibalong.
It is also in Magallanes where Bagatao Island can be
found. It is considered as one of the most important and biggest shipyards at
the time, where some of the biggest and most magnificent Spanish galleons were
built. It was then known as the Real Astillero de Bagatao.
Tourist attraction in this municipality is the Bagatao Island. Bagatao is a fusion of two Bikol words "bagang
tawo" or looks like a man because the island does indeed look like a man
floating in the water. Bagatao Island is located just at the mouth of Sorsogon
Bay in Magallanes. It is reputed to be the biggest Spanish shipyard in the
whole Bicol Region where some of the biggest and most magnificent galleons were
constructed. Unfortunately, for the past several years, cultural scavengers had
been systematically stripping the island of its precious artifacts that there are
no more traces of its glorious past as shipyard. The island is now merely a
picnic island and a naval reservation with a lighthouse.
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| Bagatao Island |
MATNOG
Local elders say that the name Matnog comes from the word
"matonog" (very audible) - that describes to the loud sound of the
waves. It is considered as the gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao from the island of Luzon.
Island-hopping is a must-do when in Matnog because of its
picture-pretty islands, such as Tikling, Calintaan, Juag and Subic. All one has
to do is hire a motorized banca, which are usually berthed at the Matnog Ferry
Terminal, and off one goes merrily hopping from island to island. Tikling
Island, which is the nearest, offers fine white sand all around where one can
also beachcomb for rare shell finds. Calintaan Island, on the other hand, looks
like the head of a giant barely bobbing above the water, featuring huge
underwater caves populated by giant bats. Juag Island is good for swimming and
sunbathing, while Subic is perhaps the only beach anywhere that features a fine
pink sand beach, which is why it is now sometimes called, "La Playa
Rosa". These islands can also be jump-off base for SCUBA diving in the
excellent dive sites surrounding the islands. It can also serve as base for
deep-sea sport fishing.
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| Subic beach, Matnog |
PILAR
Panlatuan, in Pilar town, is another Spanish Astillero or
shipyard, and presumably, another metalworks factory, similar to that of
Dancalan in Donsol, although smaller in scale. At the site are the ruins of
what looks like a fort, thick stone walls all around. In the middle of this
surrounding walls is a domed stone structure that appears like a kiln that can
fire either clay or stoneware, or metals. This kiln-like structure is still
intact. Documented historical accounts show that it was here where the revolt
of the Sorsogon people against Spain started. It was sometime in August 1898
when the workers at the shipyard cried “Revolution!”, took up arms, and killed
the shipyard’s Spanish
administrator, together with his four assistants. From Panlatuan, revolutionary
activities rapidly spread throughout the province, forcing the Spaniards to
hastily abandon the province and the rest of the Bicol Region.
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| Panlatuan |
PRIETO-DIAZ
Prieto Diaz was formerly a barrio of Bacon (now Bacon
District of Sorsogon City) called Visitang Daan (now San Isidro). The
settlement was later transferred to Barrio Buntugan. In 1879, it was renamed
Muntupar (from the root word tupar meaning “to meet”). Prieto Diaz
became a separate parish in 1881. It became independent municipality on October
12, 1903 by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 940. Prieto Diaz was the
only town organized after Sorsogon became a province on October 17, 1894. The
town was given its present name in honor of the two Bicolano martyrs; Fr.
Gabriel Prieto and Fr. Severino Diaz.
Nagsurok Cave is a tourist destination in the municipality. Named because one
literally has to crawl, "surok", on all fours to get into the
interior of the cave. The entrance into the cave allows only one person at a
time, who must crawl in feet and butt first because the entrance slides down,
ramp-like. But it is cavernous inside, with an underground river that snakes
through the whole long length of the cave. According to local legend, it was
here where the giant Mampak bird squeezed in to hide from the irate people of
the area. Legend has it that the Mampak, long before the coming of the
Spaniards, had been preying on the people of what are now the towns of
Prieto-Diaz, Gubat, Barcelona, Bulusan and Irosin.
With every visit of the Mampak, the people would tremble and cower in fear because it would mean another human sacrifice to appease the insatiable appetite of the Mampak for human flesh. There is another cave nearby, called "Pinanaan", meaning shot with an arrow. It was here, according to legend, where the people cornered the fearsome giant bird and rained arrows upon him, resulting in his getting wounded, but the evil bird still managed to escape. The are other caves in the other adjacent towns, most of them somehow connected.with the legendary story of the fearsome giant Mampak. These caves are just waiting to be explored.
With every visit of the Mampak, the people would tremble and cower in fear because it would mean another human sacrifice to appease the insatiable appetite of the Mampak for human flesh. There is another cave nearby, called "Pinanaan", meaning shot with an arrow. It was here, according to legend, where the people cornered the fearsome giant bird and rained arrows upon him, resulting in his getting wounded, but the evil bird still managed to escape. The are other caves in the other adjacent towns, most of them somehow connected.with the legendary story of the fearsome giant Mampak. These caves are just waiting to be explored.
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| Nagsurok Cave |
STA.MAGDALENA
Sta. Magdalena is located in the southernmost tip of
Luzon. It is one of the many coastal towns of Sorsogon. Magdalena is known
among Sorsoganons for its coves and beaches. To the rest of the Philippines and
the world, it may not be known. Why? It is not even in the route markers. If
its your first time to drive down south the Maharlika Highway, surely you will
miss the crossing to Magdalena. Despite its anonymity, this town has a lot of
sights to see and people to meet.
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| Olango Beach |
Olango Beach is a cove. From the main road, there is a
cemented walkway going to beachfront passing by rice fields and a private
resort. This beach is preferred by families who like to enjoy the sand, sea and
marine life. There is an area which is shallow ideal for children and deep
waters for those who want to test their swimming skills. On both ends of the
cove are reefs, where on low tides you can pick your own seaweed, or on high
tide you can go snorkeling. Along the cove are privately owned properties.
Regulars here are just the caretakers of beach houses, they are all very
accommodating to allow you to lay down your beach towel in the shoreline (not
inside their lawn) and swim or sunbathe and of course fishermen.
SORSOGON CITY
A third class city in Sorsogon,
Philippines. It is the capital city of the province of Sorsogon,
located on the Bicol Peninsula at southern tip of Luzon. This city
was formed by merging the Bacon and Sorsogon towns. The city serves a
trans-shipment point from the Visayas and Mindanao provinces.
The city is also dubbed as "Gateway to Southern Philippines".
Sorsogon City is one of the region’s leading cities in urbanization, Bicol's
largest city in terms of land area and one of its most populous cities.
Sorsogon City was created by virtue of Republic Act 8806
which was enacted on August 16, 2000, and ratified in December 2000.
Prominent politicians of the locality behind its creation
were former Sorsogon 1st District Representative and now Senator Francis
Escudero and former Bacon Municipal Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda. Former Bacon
Vice-Mayor Aurelio Destacamento, joined by former Sorsogon councilors Antonio
C. Detera, Azel Diesta and Telo Mella fought before the two local legislative
chambers, for the approval of appropriation ordinances providing budget for the
holding of its plebiscite.
Prior to its ratification, a petition to declare RA 8806
null and void was filed by lawyer Atty. Gil Gojol. Because Bacon municipality
was enjoined as one of the respondents in said petition, a young practicing
lawyer from Buenavista, Bacon District, in the name of Atty. Glenn Olbes,
defended its constitutionality. The legal battle for its constitutionality was
upheld later on by a majority decision of the Sorsoguenos who desire for the
development of the newly created local government unit.
Opponents for its ratification were incumbent Governor
Raul R. Lee and his wife, Sally A. Lee who became its first contested City
Mayor.
The merged municipalities of Bacon and Sorsogon which
created the city have their own long histories from Pre-Hispanic Era to
present.
Sorsogon City has also some beautiful spots.
Rompeolas is Spanish for “where the waves cavort”,
the old and still popular name up to this time for the old Sorsogon pier which
juts into Sorsogon Bay. Indeed, the waves literally cavort around this
arrow-like structure where small inter-island cargo vessels still dock every
once in a while. It is a pleasant promenade, with fresh sea air, especially
early in the morning. It affords one a magnificent panoramic view of Mt.
Bulusan just across the Bay, and inland, a fairyland-like view of the Sts.
Peter & Paul Cathedral with its colorful pointed spires. It is also here
where sunset watchers flock in the late afternoons as the reddish-orange sun
slowly hides behind the Pinaculan Island.
The Sorsogon Provincial
Capitol Park, with the imposing Capitol Building as its centerpiece, located
along Rizal Street, just as one enters the center of Sorsogon City, serves as
Sorsogon Province’s government center, where most of the government
agencies, both provincial and national, hold office and transact business. The
2-storey Capitol Building, made of reinforced concrete and built during the
early American period, features Roman Doric columns at its facade. The Park is perhaps the largest, most beautiful
and most green Park anywhere in the Bicol Region. Its gnarled, ancient trees
are a sight to behold. Towards the eastern side of the Park is a domed concrete
kiosk, which locals, to this day, call “the
kiosko”. It is now considered a historical landmark, which
used to host bands and orchestras during formal balls and concerts at the Park.
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| Sorsogon Capitol |
Just half an hour north of
Sorsogon City, the town of Bacon offers a quick beach escape and some
interesting spots to explore. The most unique of these is Paguriran Island
located in Barangay Buenavista, a seawater lagoon surrounded by jagged rocks
much like the rim of a volcano. Libanon Beach in Barangay San Juan has fine
black sand and crashing waves hammering the craggy seaside hill. Pagol Beach is
a small pocket of sandy beach covered with swept corals while Tolong Gapo Beach
offers a long stretch of beach with beachside cottages.
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