Affiliates
Contact Us
Century International Hotels
TravelSmart.NET

PHILIPPINES
HONG KONG
CANADA
EUROPE
USA
INDONESIA
SINGAPORE
THAILAND


THE WEBSITE
Philippines

SORSOGON Beyond the whale sharks phenomenon -2
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Aileen Lainez
Date: 2000-01-17
 
Festivals



During the whale sharks season, visitors can also stop

by the town of Bulan on the last weekend of May and

join in the celebration of the colorful Bandalaan sa

Bulan Festival. Bandalaan comes from the word

bandala, the Bicolano term of the abaca fiber. Abaca

fiber is the basic ingredient in making the Manila hemp

or rope, a local product whose uses were sought

after all over the world for many centuries in the

past. A simple commodity it is but certainly placed

the Philippines in the world map.



The highlight of the festival is a dance parade

participated by high school students. The male dancers wear costumes composed of

sinamay shorts and an armor made out of pili fruits. Their bodies are covered with

bright techni-colored paint with moon designs. The female dancers, on the other

hand, wear bizarre and eye-catching outfits made out of sinamay cloth, appearing like

grown insect queens. Their dance depicts a farmer ritual of thanking nature for a

bountiful harvest. The last weekend of May 1999 was the first time they performed

before their townsmates, although they were frequently invited before to perform in

other parts of Bicol.



Bandalaan organizer, Nonong Guyala, hopes that this won't be the last. He says that

the festival aims to promote the little town of Bulan as a tourist destination. Since the

whale sharks are rare in their side of the province, they believe they can realize their

aim through showcasing Bicol's own pintados culture and homegrown industries like

the abaca and pili products. He believes that if the local abaca industry will come

back to life, it will definitely help Bulan, Bicol and the whole of the Philippines.



The festivals do not only happen during the month of May. In October, many towns of

Sorsogon are lively with festivities as the local residents celebrate the Pantomina sa

Tinampo, or Pantomine in the Streets. Teachers, students and government employes

put on their best Filipino outfits and dance their own depiction of a dove dance. This

is truly an extra-ordinary display of an old tradition enlivened by the generation of

today.



Historical towns



Quaint towns are another attraction that truly makes Sorsogon one-of-a-kind. They

provide visitors a glimpse of its rich illustrious history. Barcelona town, for example,

houses Bicol's oldest church, St. Joseph's Church built in 1874 by a Spanish friar from

the Franciscan order. It was built huge, the usual Baroque-style dome-like structure,

to accommodate the large number of parishioners. Aside from its age, its foundation

makes the church all the more interesting. It is made of coral stones fastened by

eggs. The Spanish influence is very evident in the church's interior. The windows were

built high and wide for the purpose of giving light and ventilation to the parishioners.

Just as fascinating are the hand paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross inspired

by the art paintings made by a Spanish painter hanging in a Naga seminary.



Fronting the church is the ruins of an old American military headquarters completed

during the war. Strong typhoons destroyed the building in 1947 leaving a small portion

of its foundation. Only big adobe boulders are left. From the ruins is a good view of

the San Bernardino Strait, where the Spaniards often passed by during the time of the

galleon trade. The town reminded them so much of the Barcelona back home, they

named the town after their city of affectionately.



Souvenirs, etc.



Barcelona is also known for the best souvenir hunts. Many women of this town are

very skillful weavers of hats, colorful baskets and native bags in different shapes and

sizes using only local materials like buri palm fiber. They organized themselves 10

years ago and formed a cooperative of weavers to ensure equal division of labor and

profit. Each member worked hard in providing quality products that the group

eventually tapped the export market.



Since then, they have successfully expanded, clinching contracts with permanent

buyers from all over the country and abroad. More job opportunities were given to

many families who find this their main source of livelihood. This job has helped them

put food on the table and brought children to school. The cooperative's shop in

Barcelona is open to all pasalubong buyers during the daytime.



The capital town is the namesake of the province. Sorsogon, the capital, is where

most of the economic activities happen and important building structures are found

such as the provincial government, hotels and pensions, and business establishments,

as well as the pier, public market and the gothic-inspired church.



Sorsogon is a major bus route from Manila all the way to Mindanao, so it is no surprise

that the biggest bus companies have terminals here. Its 85,000 inhabitants are mainly

engaged in fishing, farming, and cottage industries. Great cooks are what they are

also famous for. All-year round, visitors can find here a variety of sumptuous Bicolano

delicacies, like the famous tasty-spicy-hot Bicol express, laing, pili nuts and fresh

seafoods like crabs and prawns.



The people of Sorsogon are grateful to what the whale sharks have introduced them

to, a flourishing tourism industry. However, it is up to them how they can sustain the

industry, and one of their best bets is through caring for and preserving their natural

environment. Risking its health means jeopardizing their main source of wealth.
 

Indonesia Thailand USA Europe Canada Hong Kong Philippines