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A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary
Five things to do #WhenInSorsogon
Tucked away in sprawling Bicolandia is the province of Sorsogon, home to pristine beaches, eco-adventure tourism, and the gentle giants of the Philippine sea: the butanding or whale sharks.
Last week, Drew Arellano and Team Biyahe ni Drew (BND) braved the record-breaking summer heat to explore this underrated destination. Check out the activities that made their stay oh so Sorso-good!
(1) Swim with whale sharks, properly and respectfully
Donsol, Sorsogon
Whale shark interaction package: P3,500/pax, inclusive of boat, Butanding Interaction Officer fee, boat fee, and spotter fee
The gentle giants of the Philippine sea is said to grow up to 40-feet, or as long as a bus!
It was in 1998 when whale sharks were discovered swimming in the seas of Donsol. Since then, the town has recorded the highest number of butanding sightings on the planet, earning it the title of “The Whale Shark Capital of the World.” 
The presence of these magnificent creatures helps provide income to the locals of Donsol. “Hindi lang kaming mga Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO) ang nabibigyan ng kabuhayan ng butanding, kundi lahat ng buong Donsol,” said BIO Alan.
“‘Yung mga tindahan sa palengke, ika nga, dumami ang mga stock kasi dumami ang volume ng turista,” he added.
As the gentle giants have been been a blessing to the town, proper systems have been strictly implemented to protect them. 
If tourists disobey even just one of these rules, then back to the shore they go. It’s all about #TurismongMayRespeto in Donsol.
(2) Mingle with our fishy friends in Juag Lagoon Marine Sanctuary
Matnog, Sorsogon
No entrance fee, but donations are encouraged
Fish feed: P100/boat, P50 additional set
To reach the sanctuary, a short ride on a balsa is required
For a calmer underwater experience, you can go snorkeling at Juag Lagoon Marine Sanctuary and witness for yourself the rich marine life preserved by its caretakers, Mang Alex and his family.
Reaching the sanctuary would require a short trip on a balsa. Make-shift fish cages will greet you where fishes such as bangus, talakitok, and lapu-lapu are kept — not to be sold or eaten, but to allow them to live a longer life. The bangus in the pens are actually 13 years old and are as big as a baby tuna!
These fishes are kept not to be sold nor eaten, but to allow them to live a long life.
Note: To keep our fishy friends healthy, tourists are not allowed to apply sunblock. Splashing movements/sounds and jumping are also prohibited as these may disturb the creatures. Wear a lifevest too, for safety.
(3) Marvel at the sunset in Paguriran Island and Lagoon (go cliff-jumping as a bonus!)
Sawangga, Bacon, Sorsogon
Sunset in Paguriran Island and Lagoon.
Jagged rocks surround the lagoon of Paguriran where tourists can swim in its clear waters.
Unfortunately, the tide was low when Team BND visited the place. But the view was still worth it, with the long stretch of sand and puddles reflecting the colors sunset, while on the horizon is the smoky outline of Mt. Mayon’s perfect cone.
Paguriran Island and Lagoon are also famous for cliff-jumping spots. Here’s Drew about to take the leap!
(4) Beach bumming in Subic Beach, Sorsogon
Matnog, Sorsogon
Environmental and entrance fee: P70 for local tourists; P320 for foreign tourists
Boat rental: P1600 for day tour; P2000 for overnight (inclusive of boat ride to Juag Lagoon Marine Sanctuary)
Sorsogon also has its own Subic Beach.
It’s a different kind of Subic Beach down south in Sorsogon.
A hidden gem in Bicolandia, Matnog’s version of Subic Beach boasts of pinkish white sands that complement the vivid blue-green sea.
Swimming and snorkeling are among the common activities here but tourists can go camping or stay overnight in the cottages for P200/night and P500/night, respectively.
(5) Cruising and pigging out in Buhatan River Eco-Adventure
Buhatan, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Fees: P100/hour for 2 pax; P1500 for 10 pax for the floating cottage
Roasted pili, anyone?
At the end of the cruise is the Floating Cottage where lunch consisting of native Sorsogon dishes is served such as pinangat, laing, sinigang na mamsa (or talakitok), and ginataang suso.
For sweets, the espasol-like hinagom and Tiya Nimfa’s popular conserva, or caramelized pili are among the many desserts.
For more information about our Sorsogon trip, you can watch the full episode below:
— VVP, GMA News
