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Central Sorsogon
Tolong Gapo
Tolong-Gapo is the vernacular for “three stones”. Legend has it that the three large stones - actually rocks - that can be found just off the white sand beach here are that of a boy, a cat and a carabao who were turned into stones when they were struck by lightning. It is a local folk belief that you never play with a cat when there is a thunderstorm or risk being struck by lightning and be turned into stone. Lining the long stretch of the beach are cottages made of native materials for picnickers, operated by individual beach lot owners. There are also eateries and stores in the place where one can buy food and drinks. The resort is located in the Bacon District of Sorsogon City, just a 15-minute ride away from the center of the City. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Paguriran Island
Just off the excellent white beaches of Barangay Buenavista in Bacon District, the little island can be reached by motorized banca, either from the Bacon District center which will take about 40 minutes ride, or from Buenavista itself, which will take just 20 minutes. The island itself is very picturesque, with a kind of lagoon at its center with the earth and craggy rock wall enclosing it, jutting upwards, much like a volcano crater. In the past, the lagoon used to be a sanctuary for giant sea turtles or pawikan. Residents say there are plans to restore the pawikan sanctuary. At present, the waters surrounding the island is Bacon’s marine sanctuary. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Libanon Beach
Located in Barangay San Juan, Bacon, the beach features black fine sand, with one part of the seaside hill studded with huge, craggy black rocks where the waves slam noisily. The black rocks and sand are believed to have been spewed by Mayon Volcano whose peak can be viewed from the beach. __________________________________________________________________________________________ PNOC ECO Park
Covering a total of 25,100 hectares forest reservation, straddling the Sorsogon-Albay boundary areas, the eco-park offers a lot of eco-tour delights and adventures. In the first place, the eco-park, which is being maintained and secured by the Philippine National Oil Co.- Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC), is located in a mountainous area that is basically volcanic in nature. One can either hike-trek up or drive a vehicle up a winding 13-kilometer road to the geothermal facility, which is known as the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Plants I and II, or simply, BacMan. Bacon is in Sorsogon, while Manito is part of Albay province. Some of the features of the eco-park include the picturesque Botong Twin Falls just a few kilometers away from the PNOC Base Camp. There are also several lakes in the area, such as Lake Osiao in Mt. Osiao, Bacon; Pulog Lake in Mt. Pulog; Imelda Lake, in Mt. Calpe, Castilla; and the boiling lake at Mt. Inang Maharang. There is another boiling lake on the Albay side – the Nag-aso Lake of Manito – which was called such because it does indeed smoke because of the boiling water lake. There are also numerous springs everywhere, such as this twin springs of Mt. Puting Bato, one of which spews out hot spring water, while the other produces icy cold spring water. A mountain trekker will also delight at the wild flora and fauna as one progresses through the numerous winding trails and steep climbs, with a surprise encounter close up with a mountain ape, a deer, or even a wild boar and the many other rare animal finds along the way, amid wild orchids, giant ferns and lush greenery all around. A rock climber will surely be challenged by the numerous sheer rock faces found in many parts of the eco-park, which also features mystical caves that will surely delight any spelunking enthusiast. And so, to experience the delights of the PNOC Eco-Park, all one has to do is contact the SPTC at its offices in Sorsogon City so that arrangements can be made with the management of PNOC, particularly on the plotting of a safe trail and assigning of a trained and accredited mountain guide. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Rompeolas
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. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Sorsogon Provincial Capitol Park
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 façade. 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. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Pepita Park
A respite from a long journey, the Highway Rest Area in Barangay Bucal-Bucalan, affords the weary traveler a refreshing view of Sorsogon Bay, with Mt. Bulusan looming in the distance. The rest area itself offers a landscaped mini-park, with restrooms complete with a view deck. A few meters away from the Highway Rest Area are native stalls selling fresh blue crabs, seashells, and other seafood. Sorsogon Bay is known for its luscious blue crabs. Very soon, Bayside restaurants and open-air cafes will be set up in the area where the visitor can have his pick of blue crabs and other seafood and have them cooked straight from the Bay. __________________________________________________________________________________________ The Sorsogon National High School
It used to be known as the Sorsogon Provincial High School, where most of Sorsogon’s prominent personalities studied and graduated. The old main building, which is located at the corner of the intersection going to Bacon District and to Gubat town, retains its original architectural design when it was constructed sometime in 1908. During the Japanese occupation of the Province, the building was used to incarcerate captured Filipino guerillas by the Japanese. __________________________________________________________________________________________
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Where to stay Other Amenities Related Destinations
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The Old Houses of Juban
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. |
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