Sorsogon, Province in Bicol Region, Philippines.
Sorsogon is a province at the southeastern end of Luzon island in the Philippines, spreading across mountainous terrain and a long, winding coastline. The landscape shifts from volcanic slopes and rice paddies inland to sandy shores and small fishing villages scattered along bays.
The province was separated from Albay on October 17, 1894, and established as an independent administrative unit. The town of Sorsogon was chosen as the capital, where government buildings have stood since then.
The name comes from the word "sogsogon," a local term for the rattan palms that once grew densely along the riverbanks and coastal areas. Fishermen still work the same waters today, setting out at dawn in wooden boats painted in bright blues and yellows, much as their families have done for generations.
The best time to visit is between March and May, when roads stay dry and sunshine is more frequent. Buses from Manila run daily overnight, or fly into Legazpi and take a bus or van further south from there.
Between December and May, whale sharks swim through the waters off Donsol, and visitors can snorkel alongside these large animals under supervision. The gentle sharks pass through the coastal zone during this period to feed on plankton.
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