SORSOGON

General Information

Capital Sorsogon City

Land Area 2,141.44 sq. km.
Population 792,949
Density 2,119.01/sq. km.
Divisions 14 municipalities
1 component city
Political

Voters 425,025
Governor Robert Ante Lee
Rodrigueza
Vice Ester Hamor
Governor
Board
Members

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

Sorsogon is now considered as one of the major supplier of geothermal power energy to the entire
Luzon grid. It also hosts the vast geothermal reservation area where the Bac-Man Geothermal
Production Field and the Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plants are located. Both used to be owned by
the government but now are owned by the First Gen Company of the Lopez family. The power plants
have a rated capacity of 130 megawatts. It has a Buko Juice Factory, the Peter Paul Philippines
Corporation situated at the heart of Sorsogon City. It processed coconut water concentrate and
desiccated coconut products. In 2011, the province had a total of 73 manufacturing establishments.
These include 18 bakeries 12 coco products, 16 ricemills,18 furniture and house industries, 4 gravel
and sand, and 5 ironworks. There are other manufacturing activities which are not registered due
perhaps to their small scale operations. These processing activities derive their materials from the
mangrove forests such as nipa and anahaw shingles. There are 28 banks operating in the entire
province of Sorsogon. They are categorized into government banks, commercial banks,
thrift/savings banks, rural banks and cooperative banks.

SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD

By main source of income, about 40.0 percent of the families in Sorsogon derived their income from
entrepreneurial activities, 33.0 percent from wages and salaries and the remaining 27.0 percent got
their income from other sources such as assistance from abroad, rentals, interests on bank deposits,
pensions and retirements, etc. Among those receiving salaries and wages, about 12,250 families are
in the agricultural sector and 27,343 are in the non-agricultural sector. Among those that engage in
entrepreneurial activities, a total of 31,445 families derive their income from crop farming, livestock
and poultry raising, fishing industry and forestry and 16,554 families are doing wholesale and retail,
manufacturing, transportation, construction and other personal services.

LANGUAGES

The Bicolano language predominates in Sorsogon as a language used by its people. English and
Filipino are the official languages used in education and various forms of communications. But
Bicolano, as used in this province has some peculiarities. What is known as "Bikol Naga" is used in
written communications and generally understood as a spoken language. However, there are Bikol
languages peculiar to certain specific places. For example, people in Bacon, Prieto Diaz and
Magallanes speak the Albay Bikol variant. In Sorsogon City, Casiguran and Juban, Bicolano is
slightly different for some of the terms used are similar to Hiligaynon, which is mainly spoken in
Western Visayas, Negros Occidental and southwestern Masbate. Barcelona, Gubat, Bulusan,
Matnog, Irosin and Santa Magdalena speak a dialect which uses terms and tones similar to the
Waray-Waray of Eastern Visayas (especially that of Northern Samar). The people of Pilar and
Donsol speak a dialect similar but not exactly alike to the "Miraya Bicol" or the dialect spoken by the
nearby towns of Camalig and Daraga in Albay province. The Castilla dialect is the same as that of
Daraga.

RELIGION

Sorsogon is predominantly a Catholic province. Spanish conquistadores gave Sorsogon its first
encounter with Christianity. This was in the year 1569 when Fray Alonzo Jimenez, OSA, chaplain of
the expedition under Luis Enriquez de Guzman celebrated the first Mass upon landing on the coast
of sitio Gibal-ong (or Gibalon), barangay Siuton, in the town of Magallanes. Christianity, however,
was formally established in Sorsogon with the planting of the Cross on the shores of Casiguran town
in 1600 by the Franciscan Friars. This was a prelude to the erection of the first church building
dedicated to the Holy Rosary, still revered at present as the Patroness of Casiguran. From there, the
Franciscan missionaries devotedly spread the faith to the other towns in Bacon (1617), Bulusan
(1630) and Donsol (1668). The other twelve towns followed suit in the course of time. In the original
geographic division, the province of Sorsogon formed part of Albay province. It seceded as a
separate province on Oct. 17, 1984. Catholicism is followed by 93% of the population of Sorsogon.
The Diocese of Sorsogon was originally part of the Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres. When it was
made a separate diocese on June 29, 1951, it included the territory of Masbate. When the Diocese
of Nueva Caceres was elevated into an archdiocese in the same year,Legazpi and Sorsogon were
made suffragan dioceses of Nueva Caceres. On March 23, 1968, Masbate was made into a
separate diocese. At present the Diocese of Sorsogon covers simply the civil province of Sorsogon
and the City of Sorsogon.

FESTIVALS

Most of the inhabitants of the province belong to the ethnolinguistic Bicolano and Bisakol groups.
Sorsogueños are religious, being mostly Roman Catholics, and are active in festivities celebrated
throughout the year. Each town honors their Patron Saint with celebration on its Feast Day. In
Sorsogon City, the locals celebrate the Fiesta of the Patron Saints Peter and Paul every June 28–29
annually. Another featured attraction during town fiestas are the traveling carnivals set up near the
town center. In Gubat, the feast of Gubat is celebrated on June 13. ● Kasanggayahan Festival - a
province wide festival celebrated every October in observance of its founding day as a Province,
with the center of activities in Sorsogon City. Its highlight is the Pantomina sa Tinampo, a traditional
Bikol dance of love and courtship imitating the movement of the doves. The word “Kasanggayahan”,
captures the provincial picture of Sorsogon, a bountiful green land with golden grains,
environmentally vibraint with fun loving people and rich both in agricultural and marine products. This
is the festival of the 14 municipalities and 1 city depicting its historical past and developing its rich
cultural and economic aspirations. ● Pili Festival – held in Sorsogon City in time for the fiesta on
June 28-29, it showcases the indigenous pili tree, which is known as the local almond and
considered the “majestic tree” because of its commercial and nutritional value. Costumed young
people dance in the streets portraying the many uses of the pili tree. ● Padaraw Festival –
celebrated every town feast in Bulan (May 30), the fest expresses the community’s joy and
thanksgiving for God’s bountiful gifts, expressed in ethnic music and creative street dancing.
Padaraw, which refers to the unity of the town’s folk, is derived from a Bicol word meaning schools of
fish, which provide fishermen their catch for the day. An annual celebration in the municipality of
Bulan to recognize the fisherfolks. It means the alignment of small boats with lights that can be
viewed every night at the coastal waters of Bulan and celebrated at the 30th of May. ● Butanding
Arribada Festival – welcomes the return of the butandings which come in droves at the onset of
summer, signaling the start of an adventure filled Butanding Interaction season. The highlight of the
fest is a long fluvial procession at the mouth of Donsol River where large schools of butandings
usually converge and a parade in the streets of the town with replicas and mascots of the whale
sharks. traveltothephilippines.info This is a festival highlighting the whale shark of Donsol, known as
the biggest fish in the world and now declared as a global tourism destination for whale shark
interaction and watching and celebrated as the month of April. ● Ginubat Festival – held in Gubat
every second week of June alongside with the town fiesta, the festival celebrates the flocking of
schools of fish near the shores of the town, which meant a bountiful harvest from the sea. Its focal
point is a street dance through the streets of town by colorfully attired dancers. Taken from the the
word “gubat” which means raid. This festival is a religious, historical and cultural presentation of the
town’s past and future aspirations. Gubat is now considered as one of the emerging progressive
municipalities in the province and celebrated at the 11th of June. ● Agingay Festival – celebrated
yearly as part of the town fiesta in Bulusan. It depicts the love story of Bulusan and his fight with
“Mampak”, a big bird that has captured his lady love Agingay and celebrated at the 19th of July. ●
Gugurang Festival – “Gugurang means a fest of the elderly. The town’s name Casiguran was taken
literally from all folks are old people. It also speaks of wisdom, the town also known to be the oldest
town in the province and celebrated at 7th of October. ● Unod Festival – An annual celebration in the
town of Castilla, recognizing the root crops products and celebrated at the month of October. ●
Paray (Hin-ay) Festival – Previously, the festival is Hin-ay which is the old name of the municipality
of Irosin. To underscore the municipality as the rice producing town, the festival was change to Palay
to highlight abundance and town’s basic occupation which is farming, celebrated at month of May. ●
Bagacawa Festival – “Bagacawa” is the place where the church bell was thrown by non-Christians
calles “moros”, who by that time creates atrocities and would rob the people of the produced. The
golden bell was used to signal people whenever this “moros” is going to attack them, celebrated at
the 19th of June. ● Matunog Festival – From the word “tunog”, the town’s name was derived. This
festival means to create a sound. Matunog is now known as the Gateway to Luzon and the exit to
the Visayas and Mindanao, celebrates the 16th May. ● Parau Festival – This festival showcases the
culture and heritage of Pilar. Parau is a Visayan name for 10-16m long boat and the only Spanish-
Philippine sail craft with outriggers used by fishermen in town and its bountiful marine life, celebrates
12th of October. ● Kaligay Festival – Taken from the indigenous sea shell abundantly found in this
municipality known as the “Kaligay”, so this festival was created depicting the rich culture of this
municipality focused on its marine diversity, celebrates 9th of October. ● Busaingan Festival –
“Busaingan” means big waves. This Festival is an attribute to the town known to have huge waves
especially, even during summer those reflects the clear waters of the town and its bountiful marine
life.

ATTRACTIONS

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Endowed by lush mountains, rich seas, postcard-pretty lakes,

rejuvenating springs and enchanting cascades, the province of Sorsogon is arguably among the
country’s most complete, yet unexplored eco-tourism spots. Situated in Luzon’s southernmost tip, it
can be accessed by a 10-hour bus trip from Manila or 45 minutes trip via a flight to Legazpi City and
a connecting bus ride to the city of Sorsogon. If you are driving, make a whistle stop at the Pepita
Park Rest Area, which affords travelers a refreshing view of the tranquil Sorsogon Bay. It has a
landscaped mini-park, view deck and stalls selling fresh blue crabs, seashells and other seafood,
which are Sorsogon’s way of welcoming you to the province. For more than a decade, Sorsogon’s
main tourist attraction has been the butanding or whale shark, the biggest fish in the world, which
abounds off the shores of the laid back town of Donsol. Starting October of each year, with peaks
from February to May, a large school of whale sharks converges at the mouth of the Donsol River to
feed on plankton, krill and juvenile fish. This phenomenon has lured thousands of tourists from
around the world who seek the thrill of swimming and interacting with these gentle giants of the sea.
tropicalidc.com In the nearby village of Dancalan are ruins of a Spanish astillero or shipyard, which
was believed to be one of the biggest in Bicol during the Spanish era. Another is Mt. Bulusan
National Park, which covers a complex of tropical forests, lakes, rivers and natural springs in
Bulusan town. The park is a sanctuary of endemic flora and fauna with its moss covered trees, giant
ferns and rare, wild orchids. At its core is the 5,077-feet Mt. Bulusan, an active volcano, and the
Mountain Lake, which was once the poster image of the province and dubbed the “Switzerland of the
Philippines” because of its resemblance to an Alpine lake. The smaller Lake Agingay can be found in
the volcano’s upper portion. Straddling the Sorsogon-Albay boundary is the Bacon-Manito (BacMan)
Geothermal Plant Eco-Park, which embraces the Botong Twin Falls, a series of mountains, small
lakes, springs and sheer rock faces. A 25, 100-hectare forest reservation, the eco-park offers
authentic adventure to lovers of the great outdoors. www.panoramio.com Island hopping, swimming,
and sunbathing is a fun filled experience when in Matnog because of its picture perfect islands –
Ticling, Calintaan, Juag and Subic, which are ideal for beachcombing for rare shells, swimming and
sunbathing. Subic Beach is perhaps the only beach, which boasts of fine pink sand, earning it the
monicker “La Playa Rosa.” SUBIC BEACH shoestring.wordpress.com JUAG LAGOON
janwand3rs.wordpress.com Dancalan Beach Resort in Bulusan is tops for snorkeling because of its
shallow waters and marine life teeming with coral reefs. Remarkable dive sites also abound in the
towns of Bacon, Gubat, Bulan and Matnog. Other noteworthy beaches are Sabang in Bulan,
Paguriran Island and Bacon Beach in Sorsogon City, which also have dive sites beyond.
PAGURIRAN ISLAND mawexistence.blogspot.com BACON BEACH Sorsogon is dotted with hot and
cold spring resorts whose soothing waters emanate from Bulusan Volcano, and are believed to have
curative properties. The springs of Mateo, Mapaso and Masacrot in Irosin offer a rejuvenating dip to
visitors after snorkeling with the butandings or exploring the underwater world. HOTSPRING
RESORT armageddonviews.weebly.com Other natural wonders worth seeing are the Nagsurok
Cave and the sprawling mangrove forest in Prieto-Diaz. NAGSUROK CAVES – Manny Ferrer’s
Photos MANGROVE FOREST Byahero: ALMASOR

POPULAR FOOD

Locale delicacies are available whole year round, the best quality desserts are made from fresh
harvested rice produce. ● Pili Boiled Pili Fruit is a favorite of Bicolanos, It cost Php 1.00 per piece in
Sorsogon City. This was due to the tight supply. The pulp is eaten and best dipped in condiments
like fish sauce called (guinamos0, vinegar, soy sauce with chopped chillies and onions. Otherwise it
only cost 3 pieces for Php 1.00 or 50 centavos when it is pili season. There is a proper way to boil or
blanched the pili. One must only put the pili fruit after the water had started to boil and then
blanching or poaching the fruit for just less than 3 minutes and let them cool; the skins will rub off
very easily. The fruit is highly perishable, so one must cook it as soon as possible. While the pulp
does not stay fresh for long, one must eat the pulp within a few hours. Fruits placed in warm place
will turn soft and brown fast for the same reason that pectinase is activated and renders the fruit
inedible in a matter of few hours. The nut is a bit more practical to use. One must not try to over eat,
it can also be a purgative or laxative. Pili Nut/Sweets could be coated with sugar, or in a Himalayan
salt or plainly roasted. There is also one wrapped in Hamilig leaves that tastes superb. ● Timitim
looks similar to cassava cake made up from grated cassava, mixed with coconut milk, sugar, vanilla
and pili nuts and then steamed. You cant find this in any other town except in Gubat town and even
there, only a handful makes this delicious delicacy. ● Puto Lanson is soft, not dry, made of steamed
glutinous rice. There are different variants: plain, with cheese, with salted egg, with ham or a
combination of all. You can request a mix-matching of flavors if you want. It is found inside the Public
Market of Sorsogon City. ● Hinagom or Hinagum is made from freshly harvested rice that’s pounded,
roasted in a pan, then pounded again in a mortar mixed with coconut meat and sugar before
wrapping in leaves. It tastes quite similar to Espasol of Laguna. In the capital city of Sorsogon – 1
pack of hinagom cost between Php 5.00 to Php 20.00 per pack. There are several ways that a
Hinagom is presented, there is a round shaped hinagom, elongated shape, among others. This is
best accompanied with chocolate, coffee or salabat (ginger tea). ● Suman and Suman Kalabasa –
Sticky rice is grounded and grounded kalabasa (squash), boiled with coconut milk and wrapped in
banana leaves. This delicacy cost Php 5.00 in Sorsogon City. ● Binut-Ong – This is another sticky
rice dessert which is popular in Bicol region. Coconut milk (gata ) is added unto the mixture . This is
sold for Php 10 per piece in Bulan and Sorsogon City. Binut-Ong can easily fill your appetite and this
is best accompanied with tea, coffee or chocolate, especially ideal for breakfast or afternoon snack.
● Suntan or Santan is another must try when you are in Sorsogon province. Suntan is similar to
Coconut Jam of Quezon province. This is good alternative for sandwich spread. The slight twist is
that some who makes this jam had included pili nuts or crush pili nuts. This is a good pasalubong
treat especially for those with sweet tooth.

HISTORY

In 1570, members of the Legazpi-Urdaneta expeditiary group-force came to explore this part of the
islands. Captain Enrique de Guzman, together with the Augustinian Friars, Frs. Alonzo Jimenez, and
Juan Orta, headed the group who stumbled upon a small fishing village at the mouth of Ginangra
River in what is now the municipality of Magallanes. This was sitio Gibalong, where the very first
Christian chapel erected in the island of Luzon. The Spaniards soon christened the place Tierra de
Ibalong, embracing the whole of what is now the Bicol Region. The name Sorsogon came to be
when the Spaniard reached the unexplored Bicol Peninsula during the later part of the 16th century.
The Spaniards reached a river and upon seeing a native, they asked about the name of the place,
not knowing the language and thinking they are asking for directions, the native simply answered
“sosogon” – which means to follow a trail pointing to the direction up-river. The strangers corrupted
the word and wrote the name “SORSOGON”, referring to the area that was situated between what
are now the barangays of Capuy and Bulabog, originally called by the native as Domanaog (now
Binanuahan). This is how Sorsogon is supposed to have received its name. Moreover, the early
towns established before the separation of Sorsogon province form the province of Albay 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. It was on Ocotber 17, 1894 that the Province of Sorsogon was
separated from the province of Albay of which it was then parted and selected the name
SORSOGON as its capital of the province. The struggle for freedom from foreign invaders continued
and several revolutionary leaders took and survived various upheavals, and the fight for freedom
and independence, Fathers Gabriel Prieto and Severino Diaz in whose honor the town of Prieto Diaz
named where among those who did.

GETTING THERE

Getting There By Land Transport The province is accessible from Manila and Visayas via the Pan
Philippine Highway. Air conditioned buses plying the Manila to Samar and Leyte routes in the
Visayas Island across the San Bernardino Strait from Allen/San Isidro to Matnog. To get around
within the province, taxicabs, for-hire cars, air-conditioned buses, jeepneys, and tricycles are readily
available at all hours of the day. One can do an exotic city tour on the ubiquitous 2-passenger
tricycles. By Air Transport From Manila, one can take direct flights to Legazpi City in Albay province.
Flying takes only about 50 minutes. From Legazpi, it is only a 45-minute pleasant drive overland to
Sorsogon City. By Sea Transport Sorsogon is also accessible via the Manila-Cebu; Masbate-
Pilar/Bulan route. Luxury ships from Manila to the Port of Cebu. From Cebu another ship can take
you on a twelve-hour trip to the Port of Cebu, Masbate and from Masbate, a fast craft can take you
on another two-hour ride to the rustic town of Pilar. For-hire motorized bancas are also available.

MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

Transportation in the province of Sorsogon is dominated by motorized vehicles. A total of 14,591

private registered vehicles, 4,856 for hire and 342 government vehicles registered with the Land
Transportation Office, Sorsogon. External routes are served by vans, jeepneys, plying the Sorsogon
to Manila route are 13 bus companies, and by sea transportation through seaports in Matnog, Bulan
and Pilar.