Sorsogon City

By far the largest city in the Bicol Region, Sorsogon City has a lot to offer for those who want to take the road less traveled.

The city itself doesn’t have any beaches, but head over to the district of Bacon, just a few hours away by jeepney, and you’ll find yourself face to face with some of the most beautiful beaches that the province has to offer.

A must-see is the Paguriran Island, which not only has a white sand beach but a lagoon as well. This place is great if you just want to bum around and take in the natural beauty of the province.

There’s also the Bato Limestone Cave nearby. It used to be a cemetery and you can still see the various skeletal remains that were buried there.

If you’d rather take in the city’s sights, there’s Sorsogon Capitol Park, shaded by trees and other lush greenery. There’s also the Sorsogon City Baywalk, locally known as Rimpulas, where you can buy some freshly caught seafood.

There’s also the Sorsogon Provincial Museum and Heritage Center, where you can trace the city and province’s history through artifacts, articles, and books. Make sure to visit the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral as well. Named after the city’s two patron saints, the cathedral is a beautiful white church with a golden domed ceiling.

If you’re feeling a little hungry, head over to Jane’s Restaurant on Rizal Street for some classic Filipino dishes like pancit (noodles), chicharon (pork rinds), and laing (vegetables cooked in coconut milk). The restaurant has been around long before the fast food chains invaded the city and it’s still going strong.

It’s not a Filipino city if it doesn’t have its own fiesta, and luckily for you, Sorsogon City has three major ones.

There’s the Pili Festival, held every last week of June, which honors the patron saints of the city as well as the indigenous pili tree and nut. The festival is known for its dancers in colorful costumes who showcase the various uses of the pili nut through movement.

There’s also the Kasanggayahan Festival, which commemorates the founding of the whole province of Sorsogon every last week of October, and the Sosogon Festival, which celebrates the foundation of the city every December.

The city may not have an active nightlife like the Metro, but Sorsogueños certainly know how to throw a party.