Category Archives: COUNTRIES

Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park (Bulusan, Sorsogon)

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Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After lunch at Balay Buhay sa Uma Farm, we proceeded to the nearby Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park driving across a long rough road before getting to the resort.  This eco-tourism site, a 10-min. drive from Lake Bulusan, offers outdoor activities for adventure-seekers and laid-back facilities for visiting families and children.

Check out “Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm”

Here, we were to trek two (Kambal Busay and Hidden Falls) of their three waterfalls (the other is Hulugan Falls). A tour guide was assigned to us as we can get lost in the vast space inside Zoe’s Resort and the waterfalls are quite far from each other.

Getting to the jump-off point via tractor

At the main entrance, we were given the option to get to the jump-off point for the trek to Kambal Busay via tractor.  Most of the ladies chose this option while the rest (including me) just walked for about 5 mins..

SCAD Kapehan

Fresh buko being prepared for us at SCAD Kapehan

We soon reached Scad Kapehan, the resort’s al fresco cafeteria, where we were treated to fresh buko (coconut) juice. From the cafeteria, we could already hear the sound of and see, from up the stairs, Kambal Busay Falls.

View of Kambal Busay Falls from SCAD Kapehan

After this refreshing treat, I proceeded down the 119-step stairway (this would be Calvary on my return) that lead to Kambal Busay Falls.

My guide Ms. Rachel Romano at the 119-step stairway leading down to the falls

At the base of the stairway, I espied the beautiful, 30-ft. high Kambal Busay Falls in all its glory.  Its basin was quite safe to swim and some of us did so.  There was a rope that you can hold onto so you can stand directly under the falls.

Kambal Busay Falls.  The boulder in the middle cuts the falls into two, hence the name

The author at Kambal Busay Falls

To get to Hidden Falls, I had to hike much further (about 10-15 mins.), traversing cascades of water and slippery rocks and boulders.

Downstream from Kambal Busay Falls

Cascades of water along the trail to Hidden Falls

Literally hidden inside a cave-like entrance, the fall’s current is strong and pools into what looks like a deep basin.

Improvised walkways and handrails such as these made trekking to Hidden Falls much easier

A short set of wooden stairs and walkways with bamboo handrails led up to a huge boulder where I can take a peek of the waterfall.

The author resting along the way (photo: Ms. Joan April Chang)

The 23-ft. high Hulugan Falls, the last one and the farthest, is 1 km. (a 30-45-min. hike) away from the main entrance. In Irosin (where the falls is located), it called Naglahaw Falls (from the word naglalahao meaning “to fall down”) and its entry point is coming from Danao Irosin lake, a 10-15 min. hike. It is fed by several rivers and tributaries from nearby localities and even water from the crevices of Bulusan Volcano.

The author at Hidden Falls

For those who want to stay longer in the resort, Zoe’s Resort has different varieties of cottages: umbrella (Php250), casa (Php500) and hall. The halls are two casas combined cost between Php1, 500 – Php2, 000.  The resort also has two swimming pools (the Cold Spring and the Bloody Pool).  The one for the adults has a depth of 7 ft. and one for the kids has a depth of 3 ft.

Idyllic scenes such as these make you want to linger longer

Aside from the tractor ride (Php50 per pax), you can also try ATV (Php150 per 15 mins.) to the 3 waterfalls and bamboo rafting in their manmade lake (Php20 per pax).

One of the resort’s two swimming pools

Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park: Brgy. San Roque, Bulusan 4704, Sorsogon.  E-mail: zoesresort@gmail.com.  Mobile number: (0948) 620-7196 and (0919) 578- 4079. Open daily, 6 AM – 6 PM. Entrance fee: Php150/pax.  Tour guide fee: Php150 (for 2 pax) and Php350 (up to 10 pax).

How to Get There: Bulusan is located 557.3 kms. (a 13-hr. drive  via Pan Philippine Highway/AH26) from Manila and 44.5 kms. (a 55-min. drive) via the Junction Abuyog-Gubat-Ariman Rd., from Sorsogon City.

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Bulusan Municipal Tourism Office: www.facebook.com/ExploreBulusan.

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel.

Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm (Bulusan, Sorsogon)

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Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After our visit to Bulusan Lake Eco-Tourism Center, we proceeded, on a short 2.8-km. (7-min.) drive, via Bulusan Lake Rd., to the secluded Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm for lunch. The 3-hectare Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm (literally meaning “house of farm life”), a combination of a resort, bee farm and restaurant, is located on the slopes of the 1,565 m. high Mt. Bulusan in a verdant area in Sorsogon.

Check out “Bulusan Lake Eco-Tourism Center”

The ornately designed gate, a backdrop for group picture taking, welcomed us. Upon arrival, we walk through the trellis lined pathway planted with summer blooms of hyacinth and bougainvillea.

Dining Pavilion

After a good 10 minute walk, we arrived at a small pavilion (open till 5 PM) built with bamboo, wood and other native materials, where a well laid lunch buffet table featuring local Bicolano food was served.

The author (left) at the Dining Pavilion (photo: Mr. Marlon Atun)

 

Fare included healthy options consisting of Bicol dishes such as adobadong suso (boiled edible freshwater snails in coconut milk), tinolang manok, deep-fried tilapia, pork belly salad (lechon kawali with salted egg), enseladang pako and pipino plus fruits in season, all washed down by melon juice.

Pork belly salad

Adobadong Suso

Deep-fried tilapia

A good, very attractive, relaxing, refreshing and colorful place to stay, there’s no internet, no TV, just peace and quiet.  Its garden has so many plants, trees and flowers, as well as fish ponds.

For those who want to swim or escape the summer heat, there’s Batis sa Uma, a very refreshing and nice, mountain fed cold water swimming area located at the farther end of the bee farm.

The author at Batis sa Uma (photo: Mr. Marlon Atun)

Batis sa Uma

Picnic huts beside Batis sa Uma

Along the way, we passed through the scenic view of the bee hives located on both sides of the trail.

Bee colonies

As its name implies, the place has an amazing 2,400 colonies of stingless ligwan (Apis cerana) and pukyutan (Apis dorsata) bees.  The bee farm started in 2003 with 38 colonies of European honey bees (Alis mellifera) which did not do well in this climate. In 2004, they shifted to 5 colonies of indigenous stingless bees brought by slash and burn farmers.

During the December 2015 Typhoon Nona, many colonies were lost.  From these colonies, they harvest pollen (about 230 kgs. each year), propolis (about 180 kgs. each year) and honey (about 750 kgs. each year packed in 25 kg. containers).

To harvest pollen, they remove a coconut shell and take out the contents.  From the bee pots made of cerumen, they then take out the yellow-brown lumps of pollen.  In partial shade, they scatter the contents.

Red button ginger (Costus woodsonii)

The bees come, collect the cerumen (but not the pollen) and take it back to their hive. The pollen is dried for three days and then packaged in bags and sold to wholesale buyers.  The propolis, on the other hand, is just washed with water and dried.

Aside from swimming, other activities you can do here are fish feeding, gardening and honey tasting.

Orange Bauhinia (Kock’s Bauhinia)

Philippine Catmon (Palali)

Easter Lily Vine (Herald’s Trumpet)

The DOT-accredited agri-tourism farmsite also sells a lot of organic products such as wild honey, honey-based products (soap, lotion, shampoo, etc.), turmeric tea and even pili oil, all produced by the farm.

Native-style cottages

For those who want to stay overnight, there are small, quite nice, native-style cottage with balcony. The air is cool so you don’t even need to use the fan.

The farm resort also has a reception area where you can hold wedding banquets or seminars.

Salon de Floren

Salon de Ligwan – serves hot and cold coffee, pasta and fries

The author (left) at Salon de Ligwan

Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm: Purok Bacolod, Brgy, San Roque Bulusan, 4704 Sorsogon.  Tel: (02) 8986 4355.  E-mail: balaybuhaybeefarm@gmail.com. Website: www.balaybuhaysauma.com. Mobile number: (0910) 918-8599.  Open daily, 8 AM – 5 PM.  Entrance fee: Php50 (if buying food) and Php100 (if touring). GPS coordinates: 12.73943,124.09711.

How to Get There: Bulusan is located 557.3 kms. (a 13-hr. drive  via Pan Philippine Highway/AH26) from Manila and 44.5 kms. (a 55-min. drive) via the Junction Abuyog-Gubat-Ariman Rd., from Sorsogon City.

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Bulusan Municipal Tourism Office: www.facebook.com/ExploreBulusan. 

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel.

Bulusan Lake Eco-Tourism Center (Sorsogon)

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Bulusan Lake Eco-Tourism Center

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After our short stopover at Casiguran Settlement, we again boarded our coaster for the hour-long, 3.4 km. drive to Bulusan Lake in Bulusan town.  This would be my second visit to the lake, the first over ten years ago (June 26, 2012). Upon arrival, I was surprised by how much the park has improved since my first visit.

Check out “Casiguran Settlement” and “Eco-Friendly Kayaking at Lake Bulusan”

The new facilities include a 1,002.5-square meter, Php60 million Bulusan Lake Eco-Tourism Center to cater to tourists, with a road network and parking area.  Inaugurated, after a massive two-year restoration and rehabilitation, last March 5, 2022 by then Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayko (with DOT Regional Director Herbie Aguas , DENR Bicol Director Francisco Milla, Jr. and other officials in attendance),  it is accredited by the Department of Tourism as a Tourism Recreation Center.

The author (left) on an E-jeep

The center has a registration booth, an alfresco coffee shop and a restaurant called Sagurong Restaurant, a spa massage spa, and a souvenir shop where one can buy pasalubong including local arts and crafts.

Lake Bulusan

 

Our coaster as well as other private vehicles are not allowed to enter the park so, from the Ecotourism Center, we all boarded e-jeeps (there are three available) that took us to the entrance to Bulusan Volcano National Park (dubbed as the “Switzerland of the Orient”), a 3,672-hectare protected landscape located at an elevation of 635 m. on the southeast flank of Mount Bulusan, an active stratovolcano, where Bulusan Lake, a small. Round crater lake, is nestled within.

For those who prefer to walk, the lake is a 20-30-min. hike. The natural park is also home to the Bulusan Eco-Adventours, which was launched coinciding with the blessing and inauguration of the tourism center.

Single and tandem kayaks for rent

The lake remained as peaceful and beautiful as I remembered it to be.  Aside from Lake Bulusan, the park also covers Lakes(Aguingay (where water accumulates during the rainy season) and Blackbird (found at the mountain’s crater) and its rainforests are home to endemic flora and fauna.

The upper view deck

Flora include the Forestia philippensis, Pinanga insignis and the newly discovered Schefflina bulusanicum (an aquatic plant) and Pronephrium bulusanicum (a type of fern); jade vine (Stronglylodon macrobothrys); ground orchids (Phojus tankervillea); tall, centuries-old tindalo (Afzeliarrhomboidea) trees and mountain agoho (Casuarina rumphiana).

Food bar and dining hall

Fauna found here include the Luzon Hornbill, Philippine Fairy Bluebird, Philippine Warty Pig, South Luzon Cloud Rat Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Philippine Frogmouth, etc.).

Imelda and I all suited up and ready to go kayaking….. (photo: Mr. Marlon Atun)

Multipurpose facilities were built near Bulusan Lake. They include a food bar or dining area with comfort rooms and ramps, waiting shed, souvenir shop, ticket booth and queue sheds.  However, its main feature was an upper view deck overlooking the lake which offers an overview of the lake and its surrounding mountains.

On our way…. ((photo: Mr. Marlon Atun)

Bulusan Lake was still a sight to behold. This emerald-green, still lake spans 16 hectares and is 33 m. deep.  As in the past, the best way to appreciate the beauty of the lake is to take a boat ride on the emerald green water.

Meeting up with a local fisherman

While the others enjoyed the surrounding from the park’s viewing deck, I geared up and rented kayak.  Five others rented a boat paddled by a guide.  Joining me at my two-seater kayak was fellow senior citizen Ms. Maria Imelda Favi. It was a tiring yet peaceful activity as we paddled our way around the lake, admiring the scenic and lush view of the surrounding rainforest.  In the middle of the lake, we met up with a local fishing for tilapia on his banca.  Check out our kayaking video here.

Paddle boating at the lake (photo: Ms. Joan April Chang)

Aside from boat riding, you can also try fishing and stand up paddleboarding.   You can also take a leisurely walk along the perimeter of the lake where the guides can help in pointing out interesting flora and fauna.

Bulusan Lake Ecotourism Center: Brgy. San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon.  Mobile number: (090) 505-0988. Facebook: www.facebook.com/bulusanlake  and www.facebook.com/ExploreBulusan.

Admission: Php50 (adults), Php25 (student or Bulusan resident with valid ID) and free (senior citizen and PWD with valid ID).  Environmental fee: Php10.  Shuttle service: Php35. Eco-guides fee: Php150/hr.  Massage: Php250. Paddling guide for kayak and stand up paddleboading: Php100. Trekking: Php10/pax.  Boating: Php00 for five pax, inclusive of two paddlers.

Parking fees: Php20 (motorcycles), Php30 (tricycle), Php50 (cars/SUV), Php60 (jeepney/coaster), Php70 (truck) and Php150 (bus)

How to Get There: Bulusan is located 557.3 kms. (a 13-hr. drive  via Pan Philippine Highway/AH26) from Manila and 44.5 kms. (a 55-min. drive) via the Junction Abuyog-Gubat-Ariman Rd., from Sorsogon City. From Sorsogon City, ride a jeep bound for Bulusan (1 hour). Then charter a tricycle to Bulusan Lake (about 15-20 minutes).

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Bulusan Municipal Tourism Office: www.facebook.com/ExploreBulusan.

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel.

Barcelona Ruins Park (Sorsogon)

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Barcelona Ruins Park

Part of the Sorsogon Countryside Tour

Across the road from the Church of St. Joseph the Worker, built along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, is the Barcelona Ruins Park.  Located here are the ruins of a school building (for children of wealthy “illustrados”), at te southeastern tip of the park, and the prominent, two storey “La Presidencia,” at the northwestern tip of the park.

Check out “Church of St. Joseph the Worker”

Ruins of the Presidencia

Also within the park is a modern, solar-powered lighthouse (erected in 1994 through a grant from the British government) and a “Barcelona SORSOGON” sign, a trend among towns, cities and landmarks this decade. A great place to relax and view the bay for the locals, at some of its areas, there’s free WiFi connection.

Built in 1874, the nearly century and a half La Presidencia was the seat of the Spanish Colonial-era gobernadorcillo (“little governor”). Massive in size, this structure also doubled as a watchtower and fortress against Moro pirate attack.

In the event of a retreat from the attacks, there was originally an underground tunnel leading to the aforementioned church but was closed to prevent thieves from accessing religious relics in the church.

The solar-powered lighthouse

During the Japanese Occupation in World War II, it was used by the Japanese as a garrison.  After the war, it was again used as the seat of the municipal government.

The park sea wall

However, a series of typhoons, ripped the building’s roof and the building was abandoned.  Today, it is a historical landmark of the town.

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS

The feeling of mystery makes vegetation in ruins more appealing and enjoyable to visitors but it is a known fact that vegetation causes physical damage and deterioration to standing structures in archaeological sites and monuments thereby increasing the risk of collapse and danger to those underneath.  I suggest removal of such greenery.

A new Spanish-inspired, two-storey municipal hall building was built in 2020.

The new Barcelona Municipal Hall

Barcelona Ruins Park: Poblacion Central, Barcelona, Sorsogon.

How to Get There: Barcelona is located 548.5 kms. (an 11.25-hour drive) from Manila and 27 kms. southeast of Sorsogon City.  From Sorsogon City, take a jeepney to Gubat then transfer to another jeepney at Barcelona.

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Barcelona Municipal Tourism Office: mobile numbers (0908) 927-6481 and (0917) 348-7084.

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel.

Church of St. Joseph the Worker (Barcelona, Sorsogon)

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Church of St. Joseph the Worker

Part of the Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After breakfast at Residencia del Hamor in Casiguran, we all boarded our coaster for the short 13.5-km. (20-min.) drive to the adjoining town of Barcelona.  Along the highway, we made a stopover at the fortress-like Church of St. Joseph the Worker.

The Baroque-style facade

Also known as Barcelona Church, the church was built in 1874 (during the term of Gobernadorcillo Juan Evasco) by Franciscan friars on a coral foundation.

The author at Barcelona Church

One of the oldest, most beautiful and well-preserved churches in the Bicol Region, it also has 1.5-meter thick walls made of hand-hewned anapog patched together by beaten egg whites mixed with lime and tuba (coconut wine).

Bas-relief indicating the year “1874”

From the church, an underground tunnel once lead to the town’s Spanish-era presidencia , across the street at the Barcelona Ruins Park, but it was closed to prevent thieves from accessing religious relics in the church.  Beside the church is Curia, a coffee shop.

Check out “Barcelona Ruins Park” 

The church’s historical plaque

AUTHOR’S NOTES

The Baroque two-level façade has a semicircular arched main entrance flanked by fluted pilasters and semicircular arched niches.

The second level has a statued niche, above which is a triangular pediment (above which is a square central bell tower flanked by a balustrade) with a centrally located oculus, flanked by circular windows.  Attention is focused on the central segment because of its advancing mass.

The church’s modern interior

The church has undergone several restoration works, the most recent being last May 2019. The church’s modern interior has beautiful stained glass windows and ceiling paintings,

The main altar area

Church of St. Joseph the Worker: Poblacion Central, Barcelona, Sorsogon. Feast of St. Joseph the Worker: May 19.

How to Get There: Barcelona is located 548.5 kms. (an 11.25-hour drive) from Manila and 27 kms. southeast of Sorsogon City.

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Barcelona Municipal Tourism Office: mobile numbers (0908) 927-6481 and (0917) 348-7084.

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel.

Casiguran Settlement (Sorsogon)

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Casiguran Settlement

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After breakfast and checking out at Villa Isabel Hotel in Sorsogon City, we again boarded our coaster for the short 22.5 km. (30 min.) drive to Casiguran town.  Accompanying us was Mr. Angel Ayala, the former Information and Tourism Officer of Casiguran.  Our destination was to be the Casiguran Settlement, a housing project of Gov. Jose Edwin “Boboy” B. Hamor when he was still mayor (2016-2022) of Casiguran.  The sight of a monumental, multi-arched portal along the road signaled our arrival at our destination.

A row of brightly painted, pastel colored housing units

Sitting on 14 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea, this settlement houses 500 plus units for informal settlers whose income mainly relies on fishing and farming.  Built in 2017, the LGU awarded one 35 sq. m. (5 by 7 m.), one-storey unit per family, giving them a more decent and spacious home within this well-regulated community. All the families need to do is pay 10 pesos per day for five years after which their units will be fully awarded to them.  They are not allowed to sell or rent out their units.

The monumental, multi-arched portal and Plaza Escudero

At the center of Casiguran Settlement is Plaza Escudero, a vast,, grassy open space for recreational activities such as biking, jogging and other exercise activities.  Here, we had a stunning view of the Sorsogon Range.  Opposite the monumental portal is the equally monumental Statue of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, modeled after the image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, it serves as the community’s main attraction..  The statue sits atop a terraced mound and can be reached by a flight of steps.

Statue of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

Flanking these monumental structures are the housing units painted in bright, eye-catching pastel colors.  The Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is a few streets away from the Casiguran Settlement,

AUTHOR’S COMMENT:

With its monumental structures, vast open spaces and majestic and pleasant views of the mountains and the sea, the Casiguran Settlement has the potential to be a major tourist attraction and pilgrimage site of the town as well as the province.

Casiguran Settlement: Brgy. Central, Casiguran, Sorsogon.

How to Get There: Casiguran is located 537.9 kms. (a 12.5–hr. drive) from Manila and 23.2 kms. (a 30 min. drive) from Sorsogon City,  all via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Casiguran Tourism Office: www.facebook.com/LGU Casiguran Sorsogon. 

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel

Rompeolas Bay Walk (Sorsogon City, Sorsogon)

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Rompeolas Bay Walk.  In the foreground is the standee while in the background is the partially cloud-shrouded Mt. Bulusan

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After our tour of the Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts, we were driven 4 kms. to Rompeolas Bay Walk.  Also known as the Sorsogon City Bay Walk, it is located along Sorsogon Bay.

Check out “Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts”

Splendido de Rompeolas

Our creamy halo-halo

Here, we had a merienda of creamy halo-halo at Splendido de Rompeolas Restobar & Grill, one of a number of restaurants at the Rompeolas Food Court that serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and merenda meals. It is being developed by the provincial government as a tourist zone.

Rompeolas Food Court

Sports Bar 83, Boardroom Snacks & Games Cafe

Its name was derived from the Spanish word romper meaning “where the waves cavort.” At Rompeolas, Pinaculan Island, the “Rompeolas Sorsogon City” standee as well as picturesque views of Sorsogon Bay and, on a clear day, Mount Bulusan can be seen from afar.

Sorsogon Pier

It also has a fairyland view of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, with its colorful, dome and pointed steeples.

View of the dome and spires of the Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral

The site of the old Sorsogon Pier (which juts into Sorsogon Bay), this pleasant, arrowhead-shaped promenade, with fresh sea air (especially in the morning), gets really crowded with students out on date, kids out on a day of fun (there is a playground), and those who just can’t get enough of the glorious and spectacular, reddish-orange  Sorsogon sunset over Pinaculan Island. It is also crowded during sunrise, with people exercising or jogging to start their day.

View of the sunset over Pinaculan Island from the causeway

The adjacent quiet, 3-hectare, tadpole-shaped Pinaculan Island, site of a lighthouse, was once only connected to the mainland, at Brgy. Bitan-o-Dalipay, during low tide.

Pinaculan Island

Today, it is now connected to the mainland via a causeway (built around 2012) and an aesthetically pleasing hanging bridge crossing over to Brgy. Bitan-o-Dalipay. 

The hanging bridge

On October 31, 2019, during Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan Festival, a total of 7,127 Sorsogon residents, including Gov. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and his wife actress Heart Evangelista, performed the Pantomina sa Tinampo (the Bicolano courtship dance mimicking the movement of doves in  courtship) from Fatima Church to Bulwagan and Rompeolas Baywalk. In doing so, Sorsogon now holds a Guinness World Record for the largest Philippine folk dance. Swapnil Dangarikar of India, official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, witnessed the historic performance.

Pinaculan Lighthouse

The 4-lane, 5.52-km. long Sorsogon City Coastal Rd., opened last August 30, 2020, connects Rompeolas Bay Walk with Brgy. Balogo.  It bypasses Sorsogon City’s main thoroughfare along Maharlika Highway. Providing a pleasant view of Sorsogon’s coastline, it also doubles as a protection against storm surges.

 

Rompeolas Bay Walk: Brgy. Talisay, Sorsogon City 4700, Sorsogon. Coordinates 12.96481,124.0041.

Splendido de Rompeolas Restobar & Grill: Pier Site, Rompeolas, Brgy. Talisay, Sorsogon City 4700, Sorsogon. Mobile number: (0912) 105-9950.

How to Get There: Sorsogon City is located 517.5 kms. (a 12–hr. drive) from Manila via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel

Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts (Sorsogon City, Sorsogon)

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Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

The 2-storey, 2,638 sq. m., P77.6 million Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts (SCCA), also known as just the Sorsogon Cultural Center, is a state-of-the-art facility for audio and visual presentations.  It  is regarded as the second national cultural center of the Philippines, the first being the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Manila.

Inauguration plaque

A grand place to cover film and broadcast arts, as well as literary and visual arts, its presence will encourage local artists to pursue their passion through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibits, symposia, competitions, and awards. It aims to establish good network among local and regional artists as well as cultural workers in the country. The center will also be a venue for local communities for organizing their leisure, providing opportunities for self-expression, initiatives and cultural education.

Mohri & P.A. Associates, Inc. was the consultant (site evaluation & analysis, architectural conceptual planning and design, detailed architectural and engineering design, and budgetary project cost estimates) for the theater. Construction of the venue began on October 16, 2017 and it was inaugurated on December 3, 2022.

Outdoor lounge lobby

The facility has a total seating capacity of 515 (338 seats on ground floor and 177 seats on the mid-floor level) and houses exhibit rooms, offices, an outdoor lobby, lounge lobby, vestibule, spectators’ area, orchestra pit and stage for performances and shows.

Lounge lobby ceiling

Run and managed by the Sorsogon Foundation for Culture and the Arts, it is itself distinct as it is shaped like a pili nut which makes it uniquely Sorsoganon.

Performance stage and lower seating area

Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts: Sorsogon City Government Complex Diversion Road, Brgy. Cabid-An, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

How to Get There: Sorsogon City is located 517.5 kms. (a 12–hr. drive) from Manila via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel

Sorsogon Sports Complex (Sorsogon City)

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Sorsogon Sports Complex

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

The 56,218 sq. m., four-storey world-class Sorsogon Sports Complex, formerly known as the Balogo Sports Complex, is a Roman Colosseum-inspired stadium built at a cost of ₱887 million (from the 2018 General Appropriations Act).  Mohri & P.A. Associates are the architects of this project.

The author at the entrance

This sports complex, when finished, will become the largest outdoor sports complex in the Southern Luzon and Bicol Region. It is scheduled to host the Palarong Bicol, PRISAA National Games 2023 and 2023 Palarong Pambansa.

The track oval, laid out with a Mondotrack (a prefabricated synthetic rubber track surface) all-weather surface, has 80 m. x 8 m. lanes, warm up side track and a 13,881.25 sq. m. stadium with a total seating capacity of 15,000 people (and a full house capacity of 20,000).  The ball courts were layered with tarmacadam asphalt or polymeric rubber crumbs.

It also houses facilities for meet officials, medical and press rooms, and male and female athletes dorm.  Also within it are the new Department of Education Building and Gymnasium.

Department of Education Building

The façade features Greek Corinthian columns and a gate adorned with two lion heads.  Started last January 11, 2019, it is still under construction by CT Leoncio Construction and Trading..

Sorsogon Sports Complex: Brgy. Balogo, East District, 4700 Sorsogon City, Sorsogon. 

How to Get There: Sorsogon City is located 517.5 kms. (a 12–hr. drive) from Manila via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel

Museo Sorsogon (Sorsogon City, Sorsogon)

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Museo Sorsogon

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After our Whale Shark Interaction in Donsol, we again boarded our coaster for the 66.7-km. (1.5-hr.) drive to Sorsogon City, making a stopover at the relatively new, two-storey, Neo-Classical-style Museo Sorsogon within the Provincial Capitol Complex.

Check out “Whale Shark Interaction“

The now glass-paneled cell doors

A brainchild of Gov. Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero, this two-storey museum is housed at the Old Sorsogon Provincial Jail. Built in 1916, the jail also hosted the Court of First Instance.

Historical Marker

When a new penitentiary was built and the inmates were transferred in 2019, Escudero saw the potential of the vacated building and decided to showcase the province’s history, culture and heritage. The property was restored by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Restoration Marker

The museum displays significant historical and cultural artifacts and memorabilia of the province, highlighting its early settlers and settlement, participation in the 1896 Philippine Revolution, status during the American Occupation and locally-made products. Relevant artifacts are still continuously collected.

Garita (guardhouse)

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) managed the curatorial development of this new museum and also facilitated the loans of important artifacts from the National Museum of the Philippines.

Museum foyer

The NHCP formally turned over the museum to the Sorsogon Provincial Government on March 12, 2021, during its inauguration and blessing. NHCP Chairman Rene R. Escalante presented the Certificate of Turn-over to Gov. Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero, and the latter spearheaded the unveiling ceremonies.The museum was blessed by Sorsogon Bishop Jose Alan V. Dialogo.

Iron anchor from Donsol astillero

The inauguration was also attended by Deputy Speaker Evelina G. Escudero, National Museum of the Philippines Director-General Jeremy R. Barns, Sorsogon Vice Governor Manuel L. Fortes, Jr., Sorsogon City Mayor Ma. Ester E. Hamor, and other local government officials. Museo Sorsogon opened to the public on March 15, 2021

Decreto Real

Map of Sorsogon

The museum houses ten galleries housed in what was once a prison cell, with the cell doors now glass paneled.  The total area per floor is about 830 sq. m. Galleries 1 to 5 are located on the first floor of the building while Galleries 6 to 10 are located on the second floor.

Replica of the San Diego cannon (National Museum of the Philippines)

At the museum foyer, we were welcomed by a sizable, wall-hung political map showing Sorsogon’s towns and two legislative districts.

Hallway with sequential portraits of past provincial governors

Also on display in this area are the glass-framed copy of the Discreto Real (the document that established the province in 1894), a replica of a cannon recovered from the San Diego wreck site and a huge iron ship anchor recovered from the Donsol astillero.

The author at Gallery 9

Lining the ground floor hallway leading to the galleries are sequential portraits of former provincial governors of Sorsogon.

Gallery 1: Ang Pinagmulan ng Pangalan ng Sorsogon

Gallery 1, called “Ang Lalawigan ng Sorsogon: Ang mga Bayan at Lungsod Nito” (The Province of Sorsogon: Its Municipalities and City), contains 5 displays.:

  • Ang Pinagmula ng Pangalan ng Sorsogon (The Origin of the Name of Sorsogon)
  • Heograpiya ng Sorsogon (The Geography of Sorsogon)
  • Ang Klima at mga Importanteng Producto ng Sorsogon (Climate and Important Sorsogon Products)
  • Populasyon ng Sorsogon (The Population of Sorsogon)
  • Mga Wika ng Sorsogon (Sorsogon Languages) – the dialects the people speak

Gallery 1: Heograpiya ng Sorsogon

Gallery 2: Ang mga Kuweba ng Bato (The Caves of Bato)

Gallery 2, called “Panahong Prehistoriko at Pagsisimula ng mga Pamayanan” (The Prehistoric Period and the Beginning of Communities), contains 4 displays:

  • Ang mga Kuweba ng Bato (The Caves of Bato)
  • Ang Libingan sa Pilar (The Cemetery of Pilar)
  • Ang Pagsisimula ng mga Sinaunang Pamayanan (The Beginning of Early Settlements)
  • Mga Alamat ng Lawa ng Bulusan (Legends of Lake Bulusan)

Gallery 3: Ang Misa sa Gibal-ong (Gibalon) Magallanes

Gallery 3: Pag-aalsa sa Sorsogon (Uprising in Sorsogon)

Gallery 3, called “Sorsogon noong Panahon ng mga Espanyol” (Sorsogon during the Spanish Period), contains 10 displays that narrates how the Spanish regime shaped Sorsgon:

  • Ang Misa sa Gibal-ong (Gibalon) Magallanes (The Mass of Gibalon, Magallanes)
  • Ang Misyon ng mga Pransiskano sa Sorsogon (The Franciscan Mission in Sorsogon)
  • Erecciones de Pueblos y Parroquias: Pagtatatag ng mga Bayan noong ika-17 Daantaon (The Establishment of Towns and Parishes During the 17th Century)
  • Pag-aalsa sa Sorsogon (Uprising in Sorsogon)
  • Astilleros: Ang Halaga ng Sorsogon sa Kalakhang Galyon (The Importance of Sorsogon in the Galleon Trade)
  • Ang mga Pagsalakay ng mga Pirata sa Sorsogon (The Pirate Attacks in Sorsogon)
  • Baluartes, Estacadas y Castillos: Ang mga Tanggulan at Moog sa Sorsogon (Bastions, Stockades and Castles: The Forts and Towers in Sorsogon)
  • Ang mga Bahay-na-Bato ng Sorsogon (The Stone Houses of Sorsogon)
  • Mga Tradisyong Relihiyoso sa ibat-ibang Bayan ng Sorsogon (Religious Traditions in the Different Towns of Sorsogon)
  • Ang Espesyal na Debosyon kay Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia sa Sorsogon (The Special Devotion to our Mother, Our Lady of Peñafrancia of Sorsogon).

Ang Espesyal na Debosyon kay Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia10 sa Sorsogon

Astilleros Ang Halaga ng Sorsogon sa Kalakhang Galyon

Gallery 4, called “Rebolusyon sa Sorsogon” (Sorsogon Revolution), contains 3 displays that narrates the Philippine Revolution that unfolded at the province at the tail end of their 333 year rule:

  • Kronolohiya ng mga Kaganapan (Chronology of Events)
  • Si Obispo Jorge Barlin sa Sorsogon (Bishop Jorge Barlin of Sorsogon)
  • Ang mga “Pulahanes” sa Sorsogon (The “Pulahanes” of Sorsogon).

Gallery 4: Si Obispo Jorge Barlin sa Sorsogon

Gallery 4: Ang mga “Pulahanes” sa Sorsogon

Gallery 5, called “Sorsogon sa Pananakop ng mga Amerikano” (Sorsogon During the American Occupation), contains 8 displays that narrates the early armed resistance against the Americans and the progress brought about by these eventual colonizers up to the time of the Philippine Commonwealth Government:

  • Pagdating ng mga Amerikano (The Arrival of the Americans)
  • Ang mga “Amerikanistas” at mga Anti-Amerikano; Ang Pagkilos ni Lt. Col. Emeterio Funes (The “Amerikanistas” and the Anti-Americans: The Action of Lt. Col. Emeterio Funes)
  • Pagtatanggol ng Donsol Laban sa mga Amerikano (Donsol’s Defense Against the Americans)
  • Mga Gurong Amerikano (Thomasites) at ang Pampublikong Edukasyon sa Sorsogon (The American Teachers (Thomasites) and Public Education in Sorsogon)
  • Larawan ng Bagong Kaayusan (A Portrait of the New Order)
  • Pampublikong Istraktura (Public Structures)
  • Pagsupil sa Kolera (Cholera Control)
  • Sa Ilalim ng Pamahalaang Komonwelt (Under the Commonwealth Government)

Gallery 5: Pagsupil sa Kolera

Gallery 5: Pagdating ng mga Amerikano

Gallery 6, called “Sorsogon sa Pananakop ng mga Hapon” (Sorsogon During the Japanese Occupation), contains 7 displays:  Here, we learn about Bicolano heroes such as Wenceslao Vinzons (of Camarines Norte) and Salvador Escudero who both commanded guerilla units.

  • Ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig at ang Pananakop ng Sorsogon (The Second World War and the Conquest of Sorsogon)
  • Mga Gerilla ng Sorsogon: Ang Gerilla Yunit ni Lapus (Sorsogon Guerillas: The Guerilla Unit of Lapus)
  • Mga Gerilla ng Sorsogon: Ang Gerilla Yunit ni Escudero (Sorsogon Guerillas: The Guerilla Unit of Escudero)
  • Ang mga War Tunnel ng Bulan (The War Tunnels of Bulan)
  • Ang Masaker ng mga Tsino ng Bulan (The Massacre of the Chinese of Bulan)
  • Ang Pagtatapos ng Digmaan (The End of the War)
  • Mga Bayaning Gerilya ng Sorsogon (Guerilla Heroes of Sorsogon)

Ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig at ang Pananakop ng Sorsogon

Gallery 6: Ang Masaker ng mga Tsino ng Bulan

Here, a bartolina (solitary confinement cell) displays some restored weapons used during the guerilla period

Gallery 6: Restored weapons at the bartolina (solitary confinement cell)

Gallery 6: Battle Dressing

Gallery 7, called “Pagbangon at Pag-unlad” (Rise and Development), contains 3 displays that narrates Sorsogon’s road to recovery from damages during the war, the disasters that Sorsogon had to endure (catstrophic storms, eruptions of Mount Bulusan) and famous Sorsoganons who displayed their heroic mettle during the Martial Law years including Lilosa Hilao, the 23-year old student journalist who was arrested, raped and viciously tortured then killed (the first detainee to be killed during that time):

  • Mga Anak ng Sorsogon sa Panahon ng Batas Militar hanggang sa People Power (Sorsogueños During Martial Law Until People Power)
  • Mga Mapaminsalang Bagyo (Destructive Typhoons)
  • Mga Aktibidad bg Bulkang Bulusan (The Activities of Mount Bulusan)

Gallery 7: Mga Anak ng Sorsogon sa Panahon ng Batas Militar hanggang sa People Power

Gallery 7: Mga Aktibidad bg Bulkang Bulusan

Gallery 8, called “Mga Industriya ng Sorsogon” (Sorsogon Industries), showcases Sorsogon’s main industries.  On display are decorative and utilitarian items made  from niyog (mature coconut),  pili (pili nut) and abaka (abaca) plus some tools produced by the blacksmiths (panday),of Sorsogon.

Gallery 8: Pagpapanday (Blacksmithing)

Gallery 8: Abaka (Abaca)

The gallery also displays the mural of Lady Justice (Justitia),  painted by a certain V. L. Jesalva, and restored by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

Gallery 8: Lady Justice (Justitia) by V.L. Jesalva

Gallery 8: Pili (Pili Nut)

Gallery 9, called “Pantomina sa Tinampo (Sorsogon’s traditional love and courtship dance), exhibits 2 events:

  • Kasanggayahan Festival
  • Pantomina sa Tinampo (Traditional Courtship Folk Dance, Guinness World Record Title Holder 2019)

Gallery 9: Kasanggayahan Festival

Gallery 9: Pantomina sa Tinampo

During the province’s 125th anniversary celebration on October 31, 2019, Sorsogon bagged the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Filipino Folk Dance” when 7,127 participants from all over the province performed the Pantomina along the Rompeoplas Baywalk.

Gallery 9: Guinness World Record Certificate

Gallery 10, called “Mga Pook Pasyalan sa Sorsogon,” contains 4 displays that feature replicas and stories behind Sorsogon’s natural and historical tourist gems:

  • Isla, Dagat, Dalampasigan (Island, Sea, and Beach)
  • Anyaya ng Inang Kalikasan (Invitation of Mother Nature)
  • Paglalakbay na Makasaysayan (Historical Journey)
  • Mayamang Kultura at Pananampalataya (Rich Culture and Faith)

Gallery 10: Gubat

Gallery 10

The yard, at the back of the museum, was converted into an 875-sq.m. open-air amphitheater.  Now a venue for events and stage performances, it has a six-tier seating area.

Open-air Amphitheater.  At both ends are Kape-Terya and Kape-Tolyo

At the back of the museum, within the corners of the amphitheater, are the Kape-Terya (Cafeteria) and the Kape-Tolyo (coffee shop). The former offers local snacks while the latter offers both hot and cold coffee to museum visitors.

The Souvenir Shop, located at the entrance of the museum, displays “made in Sorsogon” products of micro, small and medium enterprises such as snacks, beauty products made from pili, handicrafts and accessories, all sold with no price mark-up.

A staircase wall also features the original artworks of the provincial jail inmates including a Sigue-Sigue Sputnik gang’s rendition of the portrait of Cuban revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

Museo Sorsogon: Brgy. 1, Burabod, Provincial Capitol Compound, Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0912)-236-6422.  E-mail: museo@sorsogon.gov.ph. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MuseoSorsogon. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 8:30 AM -12 noon and 1:00-5:30 PM.

How to Get There: Sorsogon City is located 517.5 kms. (a 12–hr. drive) from Manila via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel