Sorsogon: more than just its whale sharks

One place worth going to—one that’s not far from Donsol—is the Panumbagan Sand Bar, a five-kilometer-long, tamarind-shaped islet in Pilar town that’s known for its fine, pearl-white sand.

Legazpi City—Sorsogon may not be as popular as other provinces in Region 5 (Bicol), but its charming beaches and marine life-rich waters should not be overlooked by tourists seeking places that are far away from the proverbial urban jungle.

Found on the southeastern tip of Luzon, Sorsogon is made up of one city—Sorsogon City, the provincial capital—and 14 towns, 13 of which are in coastal areas (landlocked Irosin is the exception).

The province boasts of high mountains that people can have fun climbing; lush forests filled with exotic wildlife; an active volcano, from where hot and cold springs originate; and plenty of historic sites, including centuries-old churches, watchtowers and monuments.

The regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Legazpi City, Albay province, wants travelers to know all these about Sorsogon, which is primarily known for its whale sharks, found in the town of Donsol.

One place worth going to—one that’s not far from Donsol—is the Panumbagan Sand Bar, a five-kilometer-long, tamarind-shaped islet in Pilar town that’s known for its fine, pearl-white sand.

The local government has provided the islet with floating cottages that are connected to each other by floating industrial-bamboo bridges and built in the style of three octagonal rings.

More tourism structures are in the works for Panumbagan, thanks to a P3.5-million fund allocation provided by the DOT via its Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP) under the 2015 General Appropriations Act, DOT Region 5 Director Maria Ong-Ravanilla said recently.

“At this point, [a vacation] in Donsol would no longer be complete without experiencing what the Panumbagan Sand Bar offers, like sea grapes, or lato, which [abound] at the surrounding Panlatuan Bay and could be harvested under the water and eaten fresh by [the] visitors themselves,” Ravanilla said.

Panlatuan Bay, which covers three barangays of Pilar, was the site of the Astillero de Panlatuan, the once-famous shipbuilding yard established after the Galleon Trade ended in 1650.

Sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera), an edible variety of seaweed that reportedly have antibacterial and antifungal properties, and are believed to cure hypertension and rheumatism, grow abundantly under the bay’s waters because of their high salinity.

This pretty green seaweed—which, studies show, contains high amount of minerals, a balanced amino-acid profile and iodine—is made up of tiny oblong, greenish crystalline balls.

Edible sea urchins, or suwaki—known as an aphrodisiac in Japan for thousands of years—can also be found around the area.

Panumbagan could be reached via a 50-minute motorboat ride from the Pilar port. During such a ride, one would pass Bantigue Point and Marine Sanctuary Reserve, which is a cool place for diving and snorkeling, and for viewing—and interacting with—various types of coral, fish and other underwater creatures.

Both places are perfect for nature lovers who want a peaceful ambiance; to hear the music created by the sea breeze; and to enjoy sunbathing, walking barefoot in the sand and swimming.

Ravanilla describes these places as among Sorsogon’s perfect getaways from a busy environment, as well as among the most visited places in the province because of its proximity to Donsol.

Tourists, mostly Malaysians and Russians who come for the whale sharks, have been making side trips to these areas to discover for themselves these wonderful add-on experiences, she said.

Ravanilla also said the DOT has also provided funds for the establishment of a visitor center and landing area for tourists who are fascinated by firefly-watching along the coastline of Donsol’s giant marine mammal sanctuary.

Firefly-watching has been enticing visitors to stay in Donsol for the night after their whale-shark encounters during the day, and the visitor center and landing area are designed to make their nighttime outing convenient and comfortable, she added.

Other facilities being developed in the province’s tourist sites include the canopy walk and floating wellness center in Bulusan Lake that is provided by the DOT through its 2014 GPBP fund of P2.8 million.

The lake sits at the bosom of the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, a 3,672-hectare protected area that serves as the home of various endangered animals. It is considered the most exciting ecotourism site in the province after Donsol.

The park also boasts of several springs and waterfalls that originate from the mountains.

One of these springs is Masacrot, a popular, man-made pool whose cool mineral waters come from underground springs.

Bulusan Lake itself, which is at the very foot of Mount Bulusan—one of the most active volcanoes in the so-called Pacific Rim of Fire—is a spectacular ecotourism destination known for its exquisite beauty.

Rising 340 meters above sea level, the lake—which measures more than 16 hectares—has been dubbed the “Switzerland of the Orient,” for its pristine perfection and the coolness of its mountain breeze.

Another tourist attraction in Bulusan town is Punta Diamante, which encloses the Saint James the Greater Parish Church complex. The belfry of this grand church is the largest of the four watchtowers dotting the complex.

A tourist-access road between Bulusan and Matnog town that passes through the town of Santa Magdalena is also in the works, after the P300-million project for its construction has been approved, Ravanilla said.

PNA