HOLIDAY PEACE. If you are dreaming of a calm Christmas, Bulusan Lake in Sorsogon province is the place to be. With its emerald green waters and lush tropical rainforest, it's the ultimate getaway from the urban chaos, providing a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the festive season. (Photo courtesy of Michael Fugnit)
DARAGA, Albay – Sorsogon City in Bicol has been adjudged the top local holiday destination for Filipinos in 2023. It beats out more popular tourist spots such as Palawan and Boracay, according to Airbnb, a home-sharing platform.
To unravel the allure of Sorsogon, three urban dwellers explain why a trip to this laidback province is the ultimate getaway for this festive season.
Serene escape
For travel junkie Charmie Joy Pagulong, 38, a writer based in Metro Manila, the tranquil charm of Bulusan town in Sorsogon makes it a panoramic haven for holidaymakers.
The town, which is an hour away from Sorsogon City, is home to the picturesque Bulusan Lake.
With its emerald green waters and lush tropical rainforest teeming with diverse flora and fauna endemic to the area, it is the perfect antidote to the mad frenzy that has come to define Christmas in the metro.
"Whenever I feel drained with the hustle and bustle of the Yuletide season, my mind wanders to the time when I was paddling on the placid waters of Bulusan Lake. The experience was just beyond words. I have never felt more serene in my life than that time," she said.
Dubbed the "Switzerland of the Orient," this 16-hectare natural wonder, nestled at the heart of the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, offers weary souls a chance to disconnect from the fast-paced world and reconnect with nature.
In this busiest and merriest time of the year, nothing comes close to drowning out the cacophony of holiday noise more than the sound of rustling leaves, chirping birds and the swishing and splashing of the paddle as it wades through the still waters of Bulusan Lake.
Secluded paradise
Finding a tourist spot that combines the beauty of the great outdoors with the luxury of privacy is a rare feat during the holidays.
But Cristina Abrenica, 33, has found a less-trodden getaway for adventure-seekers who would not mind chartering an outrigger boat to load up on Vitamin Sea.
"Sorsogon is known for its stunning beaches, but Subic Beach in Matnog hands-down wins the competition," Abrenica said.
While it takes a 30-minute boat ride from Matnog port to reach Calintaan Island, the home of this unspoiled hidden gem, Abrenica said it is all worth the trip.
Once there, revelers are rewarded with crystal-clear waters and pinkish-white powdery sand, produced by crushed red corals, that seem to glisten under the sun.
Aside from the expansive vistas that the island offers, other nearby attractions include Tikling Island and the famous Juag Lagoon Fish Sanctuary, where visitors can enjoy fish-feeding and snorkeling activities.
For Abrenica, Subic Beach provides a quiet alternative away from the massive throng of tourist crowds during the holidays, offering a much-needed respite from the chaos of urban life.
Soothing retreat
Soaking in a hot spring amid the chilly December breeze is Emerita Parayno's idea of a relaxing holiday retreat.
The 68-year-old wanderlust, who's a native of Daraga town in Albay but now resides in Cainta, Rizal, said that no trip to the province would ever be complete without a visit to the hot springs of Irosin.
Approximately 31 kilometers away from the province's capital, the town is gifted with abundant natural springs as it sits at the base of Mount Bulusan.
For Parayno, Mateo Hot and Cold Spring Resort remains a top choice due to its lush greenery and tropical ambiance, making it a perfect picnic spot for family and friends.
Asked what's the best way to cap a holiday in the province, the sprightly grandmother said, "Nothing beats a relaxing dip in Irosin's mineral-rich and therapeutic hot springs as it soothes sore muscles and aching joints."
Spectacular Sorsogon
While the "butanding" (whale shark) interactions in Donsol may have put Sorsogon on the bucket list of travel enthusiasts, its other off-the-beaten-path destinations have been gradually gaining traction over the years.
With its captivating bodies of water, this coastal province, lying at the southernmost tip of Luzon Island, surely lives up to its tagline, "Beautiful Sorsogon!—Where Beauty is Everywhere."
The province can be reached via land and air from Manila and by boat from Northern Samar and Cebu. (PNA)
