Places to be in Sorsogon

Visit the “Switzerland of the Orient” located at the southernmost tip of Luzon and explore its abundant natural tourist attractions. The province of Sorsogon in Bicol Region is a prime eco-tourist destination offering pristine beaches, unexplored caves, numerous waterfalls, national parks, marine reserve and more. Here is a list of some of the things you can do and see to help you plan your next visit in the province.

Sunset at Donsol

1. Swim with the Whale Sharks

Experience a one of a kind adventure by swimming with the biggest fish in the world in the tranquil fishing village of Donsol. Interacting with the Butanding, also known as the gentle giant, is an exhilarating adventure that you can only experience in few places around the globe . The waters of Donsol are your best bet to spot these gigantic blue-grey spotted creatures. Check out Donsol Whale Shark Watching Travel Guide for information about accommodation, expenses and independent travel tips.

Credit: Whale Shark Donsol

2. Sunset Cruise and Firefly Watching

After spending your day chasing the whale sharks, head to Donsol River before dusk and marvel at the beautiful sunset while cruising along the vast winding river fringed by mangroves, palm trees and other greenery. As the sky darkens, prepare to be awed by thousands of sparkling fireflies illuminating the trees and the surrounding sky. The boat trip costs around P1250 for a maximum of 6 and leaves the river bridge at 6pm.

3. Island Hopping in Matnog

Hire a motorized banca from Matnog Ferry Terminal and explore the rare pink sandy beaches of Tikling and Calintaan Island. Tikling Island is a good spot for snorkeling while Subic Beach on Calintaan Island offers a charming nook for beach camping. Explore the huge underwater caves at Calintaan Island and spot exotic ocean dwellers while you dive into the crystal clear water.

Drop by at Juag Lagoon Fish Sanctuary as well and while away your time feeding the teeming marine species or better yet rent a snorkel and mask and swim along with these creatures.

4.  Visit Barcelona Church and Juban’s Old Houses

Seven kilometers south of Gubat, check out St. Joseph Church in the town of Barcelona, a 19^th century structure with walls made from huge slabs of stone taken from the sea and cemented together using a unique mixture of beaten egg white, native coconut wine (tuba), and lime. It is considered the most well preserved church in the province with its original walls and bell tower still relatively intact. You can also climb its belfry for a great view over the ocean.

On your way to the Matnog or Bulan, pay a quick visit to the old Spanish houses (Bahay na Bato) lining the main street in the town of Juban. While the ground floor of some old houses have already been converted into commercial establishments, visitors can still find original antique furniture inside as well as privatel historic collections. They still have the original capiz sliding windows and the carved wooden balustrade below the windowsill.

5. Dip in the Hot and Cold Springs of Irosin

The idyllic town of Irosin abounds with natural spring water and prides itself as the wellness capital of the province. Head to Mateo Hot and Cold Springs at San Benon or at Mapaso Spring and soothe your weary body with the curative and relaxing effect of the volcanic spring water. Alternatively cool down at Masacrot Spring, a man-made pool with natural spring water at the nearby town of Bulusan.

Mateo Hot and Cold Spring

6. Dive the famous Manta Bowl

Dubbed as the Manta Ray Capital of the Philippines, the Manta Bowl found in the middle of the ocean between Donsol and Ticao Island is a haven for divers, marine biologists and underwater photographers. Aside from Manta Rays, the largest and most harmless rays in the world, many rare species of marine life are found at the dive site of San Miguel and Tical Island. March to May are the peak months for diving and although it is geographically part of the province of Masbate, it is logistically easier to dive from Donsol.

7. Explore the Beaches of Bacon District

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.

Paguriran Lagoon

8. Trek Mt. Bulusan

Climb up the densely forested Mt. Bulusan, one of the three active volcanoes in the Bicol Region and take pleasure in the natural beauty of the scenery and the sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippines Sea at the summit. Experience mountaineers can complete the hike in a day while others who prefer a leisurely pace can camp at the crater summit. Fernando’s Hotel organizes climbing tours but independent travellers can look for guides and up-to-date information from the Sorsogon Tourism Council or ask the barangay captain in San Roque for assistance. A quick dip in the cool water ofPalogtoc Falls is a good way to end the day after a successful conquest.

Credit: Splendor of the Church

9. Indulge in Seafood and Local Delicacies

The province of Sorsogon is blessed with abundant reserves of aquatic resources and is the major supplier of seafood all over the mainland. A visit here is not complete without trying some of the local favorites like the Ginataang Alimasag (crabs with cocomilk), Sinabawang Tahong (mussel soup), orEnsaladang Lato ( seaweed salad).

Now, however tempting it may be, avoid trying the local favorite Kinunot. Kinunot dishes are made from shark or sting/manta ray meat simmered in coconut milk. The only dish that I craved when I was a kid is now listed as an endangered species. Other Sorsogon Delicacies, however, like Kuyog,Hinagam, Binut-ong and Kinagang are worth adding on your exotic food safari experience.

Credit: Chichajo, Flixya, Lenareh

10. Support Eco-Tourism Adventures

Explore Bulusan Volcano National Park, a protected rainforest and wildlife sanctuary. The nature park offers a number of waterfalls, hot springs, caves and decent walking path around Bulusan Lake. It’s a beautiful and relaxing spot for picnic, kayaking and fishing.

Drive or trek up to the vast forest reserve of PNOC- Eco-Park situated between the borders of Albay and Sorsogon. It offers a variety of exciting activities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The scenic Botong Twin Falls, the boiling lake at Mt. Inang Maharang and an encounter with a mountain ape, a deer or wild boar are some of the highlights of your visit here. Caves, hot springs and fresh water lakes as well as numerous winding trails can also be explored. Contact Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council (SPTC) to arrange a visit to the park.

Prieto-Diaz Mangrove Forest

For a further dose of rustic countryside scenery and off the beaten path adventures, head to Pilar for diving at the Punumbagan Marine Sanctuary along Burias Pass, do a fishpond and bird watching adventure at Pilar Estuary and Malbog River or avail of Putiao River Ride with San Jose Cave Exploration and Egret Sanctuary Experience. Arrange your visit with Pilar Visitor’s Center and Putiao Visitor Center.

For excellent marine eco-tourism in Sorsogon, check out Prieto Diaz’s Mangrove Forest and Marilag Marine Seagrass Bed Reserves as well as its beaches, falls and caves.

Acknowledgment: Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council
Sorsogon Tourism : Images of Barcelona Church, Prieto Diaz Mangrove Forest

Delicacies

Our foods from different parts of Sorsogon.

SIKAD-SIKAD AND DALU-DALO

Occasionally, we have many foods that we always love to eat when relatives or friends come to visit us with their "pasalubongs" or presents. Pasalubongs are usually exotic or indigenous foods that come from our place in our town in Gubat, Sorsogon. These presents could be rare and not available in the city markets and "talipapa". When my father-in-law, Alexander E. Fajardo was still living, he would prepare a great deal of time and effort to bring our favorite foods that he knew. I guessed that he planned it splendidly to bring to us whatever he could prepare for his visit. This would be a favorite of every Gubatnon, a treat that would please Edith, the children and myself. He would bring, Sikad-Sikad, Dalu-Dalo, Binot-ong, Crabs("Kinis"), Lantahon na Pili, Inun-on na Angul, Moledo, Hinagom and Gabi.

One of these presents are Sikad-Sikad and Dalu-Dalo, these are conches or sea shells which are pointed on both ends with edible meat inside cooked with creamy coconut milk with fresh malunggay leaves. These conches are abundant on the shores of our town near the mangroves, especially in Cogon, Tiris, Bagacay or Ariman. Sikad-Sikad are beautiful conches pictured above with brownish glossy color and can be a good use for decoration as well. You will need a pointed stick to reach and to take out the delicious edible meat inside the shell. On the other hand, Dalu-Dalo are conches, smaller than Sikad-Sikad with black color that could be eaten by placing the opening of the conch on your mouth and sucking it out to pull the meat. Before it is cooked, they are washed thoroughly and cut by a bolo by the rear end to let the meat easier to be sucked out . It is cooked mixed with coconut milk and malunggay leaves. Malunggay leaves are very delicious with the taste that could blend well with the creamy coconut sauce and the conch. It is very interesting to suck all the Dalu-Dalo shells at dinners, it could be a competition for who could be the fastest sucker with all these conches.

BINUT-ONG

Binot-ong is a very delicious glutinous (malagkit) rice, cooked and wrapped in banana leaves flavored with salt and mixed with coconut milk then tied by a strip of coconut leaf tightly to seal its coconut milk inside. My father-in-law, Alexander E. Fajardo usually brought this delicious treat for our breakfast just as he had arrived from Bicol from the JB Line Bus very early in the morning. Its flavor and aroma is similar to the popular wrapped "suman", but Binot-ong is more appealing and appetizing because it is creamier and velvety because of the "latik", this is the coconut milk turned into a creamy sauce. It is very delectable and popular to every Gubatnon. I couldn't find any similarity in preparation with the "latik" sauce such as this from any place in the Philippines. I believe this is an original Bicolano food. It is best eaten at breakfast or snack by putting some brown sugar or honey or it can be eaten naturally as it is. Apparently, this is one of our favorite "pasalubong" because they can be practically stored for a number of days in a fridge and if you want it right away when hunger strikes, you only have to steam it before serving to retain its freshness.

KINUNOT

Kinunot is a fish dish very popular in our town.Best for sumsuman (drink appetizer) It is a dish cooked with main ingredients of shark or manta ray sauteed in onions, garlic and malunggay leaves and coconut cream. Its aroma and unique taste is delicious with the mixture of coconut milk "gata", lemon (kalamansi), onions, red chili peppers and malunggay leaves. The meat of shark or manta ray is boiled in water to discard the foul smell, then it is flaked with your hand by disposing the bone cartillage of the fish. My recipe below is spicy and hot. Gubatnons do not eat hot foods with lots of chili peppers. So, please disregard the chili peppers if you do not eat spicy dish.

KINUNOT RECIPE

1 kilo of Shark or Manta Ray
3 Coconuts (grated from the market)10 Lemons (kalamansi)
3 Cups Malunggay Leaves
10 pcs chili peppers (Labuyo)
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tbsp. coconut oil
1 cup chopped onions

DIRECTIONS: Prepare a large pot by placing the shark or manta ray with just enough of water to cover the fish. Bring to a boil and take out the fish and dispose the foul hot water. Let the fish to cool off, meanwhile, cut and press all the kalamaPnsi in a bowl. Flake the fish from its bones and set aside. Prepare the grated coconut by mixing a cup of lukewarm water and pressing it with both hands, pouring the cream to the prepared bowl, then set aside. In a hot pan, put 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, then saute the garlic and onions until golden brown. Place the flaked fish and the lemon juice (kalamansi), then let it cook for another 10 minutes. Add the pressed grated coconut cream, the malunggay leaves and the chilies and let it simmer for another 10 minutes until the dish is almost dry. Serve it hot on a dish with steamed rice.

LINANTA NA PILI

ANGUL, KUYOG AND LINANTA NA PILI

Linanta na Pili is one the favorite dish of the people of Sorsogon where Pili trees abound. 85% of the production of Pili in the Philippines come from Sorsogon. Linanta na Pili is served with steamed rice and is paired in the meal with a dip, like the paga of kuyog (salted small Siganid or Danggit fish sauce), patis, soy sauce or any salty sauce. The taste is nutty and mushy and very delicious. It is also best eaten with some other viands on a dinner table like the Inun-on na Angul, Paksiw na Galunggong, Inihaw na Tamban and many more. To the poor, it can be the main viand for their meal in the barrios where fish or meat are not available. The outer covering of the shell of the Pili nut which is fibrous is dipped on a lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. Take out the Pili from the water and you will find that the hard fibrous meat will turn into a soft pulpy mush. My wife Edith would dip it in sugar and the taste is nutty in flavor and very delicious. It is also a nice dessert. Pili is also popular because the Pili nut is made into candies!

Another food that is gaining popular to the Gubatnons is the Bicol Express. Gubatnons are not really eaters of spicy foods the same way as the bicolanos from the north. Our forebears would really avoid the fiery hot chilies to include or mixed on any dish. My lola, Nila Acuna really hated hot foods when I was young. I never recalled any hot chili dish prepared on our table. When I transferred in Manila I started sampling Laing and Bicol Express from my neighbors' who were bicolanos who lived near the foothills of Mayon and eventually I learned to love it. I guess it is gaining acceptance in Gubat as many are testing for the purpose of assesing these spicy foods. Since we are bicolanos, famous for spicy eaters do we really want to chicken out these fiery lovable and delectable chilies? Try it.

BICOL EXPRESS

Its Location

Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region. It is the southernmost province in Luzon and is at the tip of Bicol Peninsula. The province is subdivided into 14 municipalities and 1 city with Sorsogon City as the provincial capital. Sorsogon is bounded in the north by the province of Albay, in the south by the San Bernardino Strait, and in the west and northwest by the Ticao and Burias Passes.

Sorsogon is characterized by an irregular topography and, except for the landlocked municipality of Irosin, all towns lie along the coast. They are all connected by concrete and asphalt roads. Mountains sprawl over the northeast, southeast and west portions. Mt. Bulusan, the tallest peak, rises 1,560 meters above sea level. The province is the gateway of Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao through its Roll-on/Roll-off ferry terminal facilities located in the municipalities of Matnog, Pilar and Bulan.

Most of the inhabitants of the province belong to the ethnolinguistic Bicolano and Bisakol groups. The people of Sorsogon call themselves as Sorsogueños and are very religious and fun-loving people. The local languages spoken by Sorsogueños vary in some districts and municipalities. Among these languages include Bisakol, also called as Waray Sorsogon; Bikol and a form of Bikol called Minaraya. English is also understood by most educated people and is used in all government documents, schools and business.

Being mostly Roman Catholics, Sorsogueños are active in every festivity celebrated throughout the year. Like any other Filipino ethnolinguistic groups, each town honors their Patron Saint with celebration on its Feast Day. The Kasanggayahan Festival is celebrated in the whole province in the last week of October. It commemorates the founding of Sorsogon as a province. Pili Festival in Sorsogon City honors the Pili nut and tree which is indigenous to the province.

The entire province is one big ecotourism tour package. Ecotourism destinations within the province include the exciting and high adventure Whale Shark or Butanding Interaction activity off the waters of Donsol; the exotic flora and fauna at Mt. Bulusan Natural Park with its mystical Bulusan Mountain Lake Resort; mysterious caves with interesting folk legends to explore; colorful dive sites and marine sanctuaries; hot springs and healing mineral water spas to soak in, relax and unwind; and picturesque little islands offering fine white sand beaches.

In Sorsogon, you will never run out of things to do, sights to see, places to go to, folk celebrations to join and enjoy. It is a land of peace, serenity, lush scenery all around, and happy and hospitable people.

History

As the result of an archeological excavation performed by Robert Fox at the Hacienda of Juan Escuetura in Bato, Sorsogon was assumed inhabited by prehistoric settlers. The project revealed relics of stone tools, burial jars and crowns. Some items indicated civilization from 91 B.C. to 79 A.D. Much of these evidences were also found in Bulan and Juban.

Sorsogon was discovered in 1569 by a group of Spanish missionaries named Father Alonzo Jimenez, Juan Orta and Captain Luis Entiquez de Guzman. They conducted their first mass in a small district of Bulan named Otavi and built the first chapel along the Ginangra River of Magallanes in 1571. The village, called Gibalong by its residents, became the first Christian settlement in Luzon. Later, the friars called the whole Bicol region "Tierra de Ibalong".

When the Spaniards had settled in Gibalong, they set out to further explore the inner lands. Upon reaching a small river emptying into what is now Sorsogon Bay, they asked a native they met for the name of the place. The native, not understanding Spanish and thinking they were asking for directions, answered, "Solsogon" meaning "trace the river by going upstream". Through constant use, Solsogon became Sorsogon.In the succeeding years they discovered more places and established their religious mission.

Due to its accessible location, Sorsogon was developed as a district for ship making and in 1669, the province became the center of cordage industry. For many years, Sorsogon underwent many Muslim raids. To keep them away, Captain Pedro constructed The Fort of Sirangan and built more towers in the coastal districts of Bacon, Bulusan, Sta Magdalena and Gubat.

Sorsogon became an independent region on October 17, 1894 with Juan de la Guardia as the first governor. During the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, Father Jorge Barlin and Vicar Forane assumed administration of the province. He subsequently turned it over to the revolutionary forces.

During the American occupation in 1900, General William Kobbe ruled Sorsogon under a military government; causing more resistance to arise. After the capture of Emeterio Funes, head of the rebel forces, a civil government was established in Sorsogon under the leadership of Bernardino Monreal.

Japanese forces succeeded at invading Sorsogon in 1942. Salvador Escudero and Major Licerio organized its guerilla units with the assistance of Americans. Sorsogon was liberated on April 29, 1945




SOURCES;History of Sorsogon - Camperspoint Philippines

www.camperspoint.com

Sorsogon in Bicol Region - Luzon Philippines

www.philippine-islands.ph

The Sights And Flavors Of Sorsogon - Camperspoint Philippines

www.camperspoint.com

Ten Things to Do in Sorsogon | Lakwatsera de Primera

www.lakwatseradeprimera.com