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Sorsogon is known as the ‘Land of Kasanggayahan’ or ‘A Life of Prosperity’.

You can find the perfect tourist destination in Sorsogon, it may be a white sand beach, an old church, its coastal road, and of course the food..

But it is not just about the place, but also the people around Sorsogon. The people of Sorsogon are also one of its tourism assets. Sorsoganons are polite, resilient, always happy and accommodating who go out of their way to make their visitors’ stay in the province comfortable, relaxed, worry-free, and unforgettable.

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Sorsogon covers a total area of 2,119.01 square kilometers (818.15 sq mi) occupying the southeastern tip of the Bicol Peninsula in Luzon. The province is bordered on the north by Albay, east by the Philippine Sea, south by the San Bernardino Strait, and west and northwest by the Ticao and Burias Passes. The Sorsogon Bay lies within the central portion of the province.

Sorsogon comprises fourteen (14) municipalities and one (1) city:

BARCELONA

BULAN

BULUSAN

CASIGURAN

CASTILLA

DONSOL

GUBAT

IROSIN

JUBAN

MAGALLANES

MATNOG

PILAR

PRIETO DIAZ

SANTA MAGDALENA

SORSOGON CITY

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Built-in 1874, coral reefs were used to form the church walls of Barcelona Church. The carvings on the coral reef façade make the church a priceless relic.

1874, this 138-year-old ruin of “La Presidencia”, as the building was then called, was the seat of the Spanish Government during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines. This office of the “Governadorcillo” was originally a two (2) storey structure built on the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean to serve as watchtower and fortress against Moro Pirates attack. There was originally an underground tunnel leading to the parish church across the street in the event of a retreat from the attacks.

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The municipality of Bulan is endowed by natural sceneries that provides an avenue for local and foreign tourist. Among those scenic areas are the Sabang Community Park and Beach Resort, and the Togbongan Beach, which has the facilities including a children’s playground at the former.

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The Department of Tourism (DoT) declares Bulusan as an Eco-Tourism Zone. Bulusan Volcano Natural Park being the highlight, is a protected area covering a land area of 3,672 hectares comprising of five (5) municipalities. Bulusan Volcano stands 1,565 meters above sea level with a base area of approximately 400 kilometers. There are three (3) lakes within Bulusan Volcano, namely – Bulusan Lake which lies at the foot of the volcano, Lake Aguingay which is halfway to the volcano and the Blackbirds’ Lake, which is near the summit of Bulusan Volcano.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Gubat is one of the fastest-growing tourist economies in the Province.  Long famous for its 5-kilometer long powdery-greyish sand beaches along Buenavista and Rizal offers our guests with many water activities like beach volleyball, surfing clinic with trained surf instructors for both local and foreign surfing enthusiasts.

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Irosin is strategically set in the heart of the Province. It lies at the footstool of the Bulusan Volcano. According to some volcanologists, Irosin town sits upon a huge caldera called Irosin Caldera, a cauldron–like depression created after a major eruption of a volcano. According to this theory, Bulusan Volcano is actually not a volcano itself but a mere fissure of a much bigger volcano.

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For more than a decade, Sorsogon’s main tourist attraction and chief economic driver has been the whale shark interaction. Tourists from around the world who seek the thrill of swimming and interacting with these gentle giants of the sea, locally known as “Butanding” the biggest fish in the world, which can grow to 18 meters long, they can weigh up to 40 tons and can live up to 100 years abounds off the shores of the laid-back town of Donsol to feed on plankton, krill and juvenile fish. Times Magazine dubbed it as the “Best Animal Interaction in Asia”.

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Casiguran, which lies on the Southern Coast of Sorsogon, was officially organized as “Pueblo Civil” in the year 1600 with Agustin Camposano as the first “Governadorcillo” of the town. History reveals that before the arrival of the Spaniards, the people of Casiguran were mostly in their old age, the reason of naming it “Quasi-Gurang” by the Spaniards.

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The historical landmark in sitio Gibalon of barangay Siuton, Magallanes which has documents to claim as the Site where the First Mass in Luzon was held in 1856, has been home to the annual pilgrimage during the Kasanggayahan festival. To several natural springs and falls in barangay Aguada Sur (Bucalbucalan), Tulatula and Bacalon, to beautiful buddy beaches in barangays Binisitahan Norte (Dancalan) and Salvacion, and finally to a paradise island resort which covers barangays Behia and Biga.

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Endowed with rich natural resources, the municipality of Castilla has richness that remains untapped up to the present. It has vast forest areas, springs and beaches that could provide to the needs of local and foreign tourists. Beach resort waiting to be tapped as tourist destination is the Malawmawan Island. It has an area of 30.37 hectares and is about three (3) kilometers from the shores of barangay Macalaya.

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Juban is lies at the foot of Bulusan Volcano. It is bounded on the north by Sorsogon Bay, on the east by the town of Casiguran, on the south by the town of Irosin, and on the west by the town of Magallanes.

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Matnog is the southernmost tip of Bicol and the gateway to Visayas. This is a place where one could venture into island hopping. The powdery white sand of Tikling Island and the pinkish powdery white sand of Subic Beach which is called by the townsfolk “La Playa Rosa” will make you fall in love with nature.

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Pilar is the gateway to the Island of Masbate. It has a municipal-operated port with daily trips of fast craft and roro to Masbate. It offers more than the usual Nature Trip and Aqua-Adventure. Guests can experience a dive that features unique Marine Bio-Diversity Sanctuary along Bantigue Point and an exploration of Malbog River that leads to the Egret Sanctuary. An afternoon of Bird-Watching Adventure that best complements the Whale Shark Interaction in the morning from Donsol.

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Prieto Diaz has 112 hectares of natural mangrove forest, 267 hectares mangrove plantation, the widest stretch of sea grass with 836 hectares and tidal/mud flats of 1,200 hectares, 800 hectares of protected coral reef with 19 species of mangrove.

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Sta. Magdalena is a hidden gem nestled between Bulusan and Matnog. Most of the beaches and coves are still undiscovered and with minimal development. The picturesque powdery sand beaches of Balading and Olango are the favorite spots of backpackers and balikbayans. With the current road construction of the Matnog-Sta. Magdalena Bulusan Tourism East Coast, it will be the next favorite destination of both local and foreign tourists who are nature lovers.

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Sorsogon City is the capital of the Province of Sorsogon, formerly the towns of Sorsogon and Bacon and borders the province of Albay to the north.

Sorsogon Bay Walk is a favorite spot for relaxation from all walks of life, with its walkaway that serves as promenade. It offers the best view of sunrise and sunset with Bulusan Volcano and the mountain ranges of Juban and Magallanes on the backdrop.

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IN PHOTO: Heart and Chiz during the Pantomina sa Tinampo.

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IN PHOTO: Heart and Chiz during the Pantomina sa Tinampo.

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IN PHOTO: Awarding of the Guinness World Record

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IN PHOTO: Awarding of the Guinness World Record

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SORSOGON'S WORLD RECORD. Swapnil Dangarikar of India, official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, hands the award to Governor Francis Escudero.

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Sorsogon sets Guinness World Record for largest Philippine Folk Dance

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Sorsogon sets Guinness World Record for largest Philippine Folk Dance

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Last October 31, 2019, during the Kasanggayahan Festival, over 7,000 Sorsoganons, together with their very own Governor, Chiz Escudero, and his wife, Heart Evangelista, perform the Pantomina sa Tinampo at Sorsogon's Kasanggayahan Festival for the historic feat.

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HIGH TUITION FEE RATE

At the moment, the government has implemented a “NO TUITION” scheme for college students, but only at state colleges. Many employers' requirements for white collar workers are diplomas or a graduate degree. Since government state universities cannot absorb all eligible college students who want to receive free tuition, the only option is to enroll in private universities or become working students in order to obtain a diploma. Literacy rates are jeopardized in this kind of case.

As a result, the government should change its training services to a more technological solution in order to serve the less privileged students who want to complete their schooling and find a better career. Short-term technological courses may be available. After completing short-term technical courses, the government should provide these trained employees with more job opportunities.

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SCARCITY AND UNAVAILABILITY OF FOOD SUPPLY

Since our area is located within the typhoon zone, natural disasters strike the Bicol region more than twice a year. The reason for the region's food supply shortage is that much of the vegetation that most people consume is dependent on good weather conditions. When a natural disaster strikes the town, people must wait for the vegetation to recover before harvesting.

Typhoons are becoming stronger and more common due to climate change. As a result, even extensive farming could be impacted by the above scientific occurrence.

Modernize and embrace intensive farming to optimize commodity harvest to be able to meet community demand even in times of impending disaster.