Mention Sorsogon and the butanding (whale shark), the world’s biggest fish immediately comes into mind. The sought-after “gentle giant” of the sea found in Donsol Bay has been one of the country’s must-do wildlife experiences for the past two decades.
But beyond this iconic sea creature, the province is a proverbial best-kept secret with its bevy of natural wonders from mountain top to beneath the sea. This peninsular province at Luzon’s southernmost tip has 14 towns, each with a unique characteristic and treasure trove of tourism gems.
Sorsogon City, the provincial capital, is the transport and tourism hub and the logical starting point in exploring the province. In the heart of the city is Rompeolas (Baywalk), a scenic promenade with a view of the mountains and Pinaculan Island, which is being developed by the provincial government as a tourist zone.
The seat of government is the postcard-pretty Provincial Capitol built in the classical Graeco-Roman architecture, and has a Museum and Heritage Center, which chronicles Sorsogon’s checkered history.
Beach lovers can bask at the resort colony in Bacon District, which is known for Tolong Gapo and Pagol beaches, and the crater-like Paguriran Rock Island, which has a shallow lagoon enclosed by a craggy rock wall.
For a cozy sight-seeing, guests can have lunch in style at the Buhatan River Cruise, a raft tour along the city’s lush mangrove forest and estuaries.
Another must-see is the 3,215-hectare Abang Mangrove Reserve in Prieto Diaz, an award-winning wetland, which is a habitat to around 30 bird species. Also within the town is Nagsurok Cave, which has an underground river that snakes through its half-mile length.
An emerging tourist hot spot is the Pacific coastal town of Gubat, which is frequented for the powdery beige sand and turquoise water of Rizal Beach, and Buenavista Beach, Bicol’s surfing mecca whose waves are ideal even for beginners. Lola Sayong Eco-Surf Camp offers surfing lessons at rock-bottom rates where one can get initiated to the sport and help send local youths to school.
An old-time poster image is the 3,673-hectare Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, a lush rainforest and wildlife sanctuary reserve. Its core is Bulusan Lake, a quiet retreat where you can go around its 16-hectare surface on board kayaks and pedal boats, get a massage on a raft or commune in the stillness of nature.
A few minutes away is Balay Buhay sa Uma, an agritourism resort noted for its bee farm, freshwater ponds, cold spring pool and indigenous greens, surrounded by cool springs emanating from Bulusan Volcano.
Neighboring Irosin town has a number of sulfuric hot springs, which are believed to be therapeutic for common ailments, and is a soothing way to rinse after venturing out into the sea scuba diving
Heritage buffs can Marvel at the circa-1875 Saint Joseph Church in Barcelona, which has a coral-rock baroque dome-like structure and bell tower, with the remnants of the old municipal hall, fortress and school building nearby.
Juban is regarded as the heritage town because of its well-preserved houses built in the traditional bahay na bato architecture. A noteworthy house is Casa Feliz, which has found new life as a pension house, and a “living museum” because of its heirloom showcase. Gibalon Shrine in Magallanes is an interesting historical tidbit, being the site of Luzon’s first Catholic Mass held in 1569.
This merry mix of culture and nature meets adventure as the province hosts the 19th Philippine Hobie Challenge, the country’s premier extreme regatta, which takes on a week of island hopping across rough waters. Organized by the Philippine Inter Island Sailing Federation, grizzled veteran sailors from all over the world take part in this fun race to put the spotlight on the lesser known coastal areas of the archipelago.
This year’s edition fires off on February 18 in Donsol, and sails to Subic Beach in Matnog, which is popular for its pinkish powdery sand and crystalline water. Participants will extend outreach programs by donating useful materials to the host communities as part of the group’s social responsibility.
From Matnog, the Hobie fleet sails to remote islands in Masbate, Leyte and Cebu, and winds up in Sicogon Island, Iloilo, with leisure yachts cruising with them on a joy ride across stunning islets.
It has hosted the prestigious sailing event in 2003 and 2008 in the so-called Luzviminda Regatta, which cut across the entire length of the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao coasts.
According to Gov. Robert Lee Rodrigueza, the choice of the province by the Hobie Challenge is a recognition of its rich marine resources and storied maritime heritage dating back to the Spanish period, being the route of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.
The local chief executive noted that the tourney will boost the initiatives to position the province as a hub for water-based recreation under its “So Sorsogon” tourism branding, which tags it as “so breathtaking, so precious, so gifted, so mesmerizing and so gastronomic,” etc.
He added that accessing vital traveler information has become easy with the SoSorsogon Smart App it recently unveiled online, in line with their thrust to attract more quality tourists and world-class events. Supported by its social-media platforms and music videos penned and directed by Rodrigueza himself, the province hopes to make it a consummate alternative destination.
With nature, culture and adventure coming into play, one can only describe it with the superlative “So Sorsogon.”