Christmas fun in Sorsogon: A ‘Biyahe Ni Drew’ itinerary

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Still stumped on what to give a loved one this Christmas? Consider giving the “gift” of travel and new experiences! Sorsogon offers great ideas for the traveler who wants to get away from the gridlocked cities without busting your wallets. Here’s what “Biyahe Ni Drew” found out just for you.
 
 

 

Fast Facts about Sorsogon

 

Sorsogon is on the southern tip of Luzon. Its ferry terminals in Matnog, Pilar, and Bulan serve as a gateway to Visayas and Mindanao via the Nautical Highway. It is bordered by mostly water in the east (Philippine Sea), west (Burias and Ticao Pass) and south (San Bernardino Strait). At its center rises the majestic Mount Bulusan, an active volcano whose geothermal heat warms many springs in the vicinity.

 

How to get there

 

Sorsogon is accessible by land and air. Most commercial airlines fly in via Legazpi City after which you need to take a 1 to 1 1/2 hour ride public utility van or FX ride to Sorsogon City.

 

You may also opt for a 12-hour scenic bus ride from Manila from various terminals in Pasay City or Cubao.

 

Bus Fares: starts at Php 900

Plane fare: starts at Php 5,500

 

Festivals to experience

 

Pastores Festival

Sorsogueños do not simply sing Christmas carols. They make a big production number out of it! The Pastores is an interpretative folk-festival that reenacts the rejoicing of shepherds during the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Participants don colorful costumes and parade the city complete with the traditional festive “arco” as they sing and dance to the tune of traditional carols sung in Bicolano or Spanish. They go house to house to entertain families and are usually given food or cash.

 

The province also conducts Pastores competitions yearly, and pits the winners against other competing provinces in the Bicol region.

 

When to go: as early as December 1

 

Where to go

 

Spend a day at Lake Bulusan National Park

This national park occupies a sprawling 3,500 hectares that features the volcano itself and other mountains known as Sharp Peak and Hormahan. It is also home to two lakes: Bulusan and Aguingay.

 

There’s so much to do in this park. You may simply stroll, following cemented trails. The lush forest cover makes it an ideal bird-watching venue. The lakes also stage areas for various water sports like kayaking and water biking. Of course, don’t forget to swim! Cottages bordering the lake are perfect for family picnics.

 

Operating hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Entrance Fee Php 30

Water sports rental (kayak, water bike) starts at Php 250

 

Swim in the bubbly waters of Masacrot Spring

Irosin-San Roque-Bulusan Lake Rd

San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon

In the vernacular, “bulusan” means where the water flows. Indeed, there is no shortage of flowing waters in this town. After hiking around the park, do consider diving into the cool mineral-rich waters of Masacrot Soda Spring.

 

Masacrot Soda Spring fees:

Swimming Php 45 (Adults); Php 30 (children)

Cottage rental Php 250

Table rentals Php 100

 

Soak in Mapaso Hot Spring

Monbon, Irosin, Sorsogon

In Irosin, a town located at the foot of Bulusan volcano, heat from the earth warms this spring. This is a public resort so count on it being crowded during the summer.

 

Entrance Fees: Php 35 (Adult); Php 20 (for children below 4 feet)

 

Explore marine life at the Panumbagan sandbar

Pilar Bay, Sorsogon

In the cobalt waters of Pilar Bay in Sorsogon, a 5.5 km sandbar serves as a jump off point to some awesome marine adventures. Accessible by a 30-minute bangka ride from Pilar pier, floating cottages welcome you into a marine sanctuary that allows you to watch various sea birds, fishes, and turtles as they go along their daily lives in their natural habitat. Food is not part of the tour package so come with packed meals.

 

Boat Ride: Php 3,000 at Php 300 per head

Cottage rental: Php 800 per head

 

Ride the wave in Gubat

Buenavista, Gubat, Sorsogon

Be ahead of the surfer pack and explore the country’s newest surfing spot in Gubat. Head on over to the Lacsa-Hilton Resort and inquire about the Gubat Bay Surfers there. Best time to ride the waves would be from October to March. Newbies need not be afraid as there are surfers who gladly offer lessons.

 

Lessons plus board rental: starts at Php 300

To pre-arrange your visit: get in touch with Hilton-Lacsa Resort at (0939) 260-1102

 

Chase the waterfalls and springs of Casiguran

Casiguran Water Shed, Sorsogon

If trekking is more of your thing, the hills of Casiguran offer a breathtaking experience. A 45-minute drive from Sorsogon City plus a 30-minute hike through slippery trails is worth the wait when you reach lush greenery that surrounds the majestic Nagsipit Falls. Add another 30 minutes to your trek and see the nearby Orok cold spring. Bring food for grilling as grill stations are available for visitors’ use.

 

Entrance fees: Php 10 (adults); Php 5 (kids)

Day cottage rentals: Php 50

 

Punta Diamante

St. James the Greater Church

Poctol, Bulusan, Sorsogon

Sorsogon’s proximity to the open sea made it a favorite pillaging site for pirates in the olden days. This is the reason the Spaniards built fortifications in the area. The tower was built in the 1600s and served as refuge for residents during Moro raids. Today, it serves as a bell tower for the church.

 

Where to stay

 

Siama Hotel

San Lorenzo, Sorsogon, Philippines

Mobile numbers 09178816497 and 09989828101

Think of it as a laid-back and luxurious nipa hut. Siama Hotel is a full-service hotel designed by furniture designer Milo Naval. The interiors and furnishings show his minimalist sensibility while his wide and roomy pieces make it a perfect choice for family and travelers in big groups. Don’t forget to take a dip in their pool while marveling at the natural surroundings.

 

Home stays/Home-tels: Villa Luisa Celeste

Dancalan, Bulusan

0939-646384

For the budget conscious, there are homes that offer their rooms for tourists at a very affordable rate. But before you book, make sure you have a checklist of what you would want in your accommodations (air-conditioning, cable tv, free breakfast, etc.) and find the one that suits your needs.

 

Rates: Php 1200 for a room good for 4 and Php 1700 for dormitory room good for 7

 

What to Eat

 

Enjoy the fruits of the sea: sea urchins and lato

Pilar, Sorsogon

While at the Panumbagan sandbar, you can feast on edible sea urchins and lato which you can gather yourself. There is no restaurant at the sandbar but with close coordination with the tourism office, you may arrange that meals be provided for your party. Request to add local delicacies like baluko (pen shell, Php 35-60 a kilo depending on season) which can be sourced from nearby wet markets.

 

Kinunot na Pagi

Balkon Bar & Restaurant

3775 Rizal Street, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon

Meaty stingray meat is shredded and stewed in spicy coconut milk. Don’t forget the hot steaming mound of rice! This is one of the Bicol region’s specialty dishes but because of the dwindling stingray population, some restaurants have started substituting marlin or tuna for it. But if you insist on sampling this, check out Balkon Bar and Restaurant.

 

Prices: entrees start at Php 75

 

Merienda of Timitim and Binutong

Bigajo Kitchenette

Gubat Public Market

When it’s almost time for merienda, ladies bearing baskets of timitim and binutong start selling their heavenly fare.

 

The timitim is a cake made with mashed cassava and coconut milk, and then steamed. Halfway through the cooking, pili and coconut milk are added to give it flavor and texture.

 

Binutong is a glutinous rice cake lightly sweetened with coconut milk and seasoned with a little salt. It is cooked in a banana leaf pouch and snipped open when ready to eat. Traditionally, it is eaten at breakfast with a cup of hot chocolate and coconut jam on the side.

 

 

Water sports adventures, eco-tourism explorations, good eats mixed in with some old world Christmas tradition---a holiday in Sorsogon may be the best gift you could ever give anyone, even yourself.---Minnette Aquino/BMS/ARP