Bulusan, Sorsogon: Bulusan's Belfry (Punta Diamante)

St. James the Greater Church
Poctol, Bulusan, Sorsogon
by lakwatserong tatay

After our journey to Lake Bulusan, we headed to the town of Rizal and Gutbat, Sorsogon, but before going exact to that placed. We missed not miss this opportunity to see the one of the historical sites of Sorsogon. Also known as Bulusan's Belfry and the Parish Church of St. James the Greater of Bulusan, Sorsogon.

Bulusan Belfry

Here some informations about its belfry:

This tower is the biggest among the five baluartes de piedra (stone watch towers) which, together with the thick and high stone walls, comprise Punta Diamante, the stone fort that encloses the church & rectory of the Parish of St. James the Greater in Bulusan, Sorsogon.


Believed to have been built even before 1799, the tower now serves as the church belfry, with the old bells still intact.

The "campanario" as it is locally known, is also a good vantage point wherein one could enjoy a commanding view of the poblacion, of the Tawog Point, Bulusan Volcano, and the wide expanse of the Pacific. Gone were the Moro piracy days but one could still imagine their colorful sailboats coming up the sea, bringing terror to the inhabitants.

Under its bells, Buluseños and evacuees from other towns sought refuge inside the stone fort -- for Bulusan was then considered to be comparatively affluent and well-protected, as evidenced by its watch towers.

After two centuries, the belfry at Bulusan has been serving more than its purpose. Standing tall and proud amidst the ages, it has and will always be a symbol of pride & unity for the Buluseños, and the Sorsoganons at large.

St. James the Greater Parish Church

Here are some facts about this Church:

First and foremost, the church in Bulusan, Sorsogon is dedicated to St. James the Greater, not St. Joseph (although one of Bulusan’s current visitas is indeed dedicated to this saint).
The church had already seen a major renovation in the sixties up to the year 1970 - when the new facade totally eradicated its original baroque appearance. Prior to these renovations, the church at Bulusan had been one of the oldest in the present province of Sorsogon, and the former province of Albay. Sorsogon as a province was once a part of Albay, until 1894 when it gained independence.
The old Spanish church must have been erected sometime around 1760, when the townsite was moved to its current location in the plains - from its original upland founding site. It had been already established though that the town indeed was once a mere visita of Casiguran until it became a separate parish in 1630, and became the first pueblo civil among the present-day Sorsogon towns, when it was elevated yet again to this status a year later.
Other visitas that would later become separate parroquias/pueblos were: Gubat (1771/1764), Matnog (1785/1800), Bulan (Gate - 1690, rebuilt 1801), Barcelona (1867/1866), Irosin (1873/1880), and Santa Magdalena (1890/1894-from Bulusan then under Matnog).
Today, the walls are almost still intact. There were a total of four baluartes de piedra included in this development - the biggest of which now serves as the church belfry.

Church marker

We just stayed here for few minutes, of course to do what we do most.....hehehe...Photo sessions again. Below are some of the photos that are taken when we visited this historical place.

in photo session mode

church altar

This church has a wide green grass view on its both side, although on the other sides also serves as an cemetery that been used to be buried on this place.

left side of the church

Here is the cemetery area on this Church

Being on this place, is a privilage because to see the one of the five baluartes de piedra and the biggest among the 5 stone watch tower that been used in the time of spanish era. You could reminisce what really happen to our past. Seeing its diamond type tower and it original structure is a must. Even though we dont have the chance to go up to this tower. Maybe next time when i go back to this place. We could have the chance to go up to this wall towered stone.

Balaurte de Piedra

Church bell on this tower

Of course, we will not miss this opportunity to have a souvenir pic of this tower. And to add to the places that we've stayed and XPLORED.

it's been XPLORED

Bulusan Lake

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park
by lakwatserong tatay

After doing mini trekking to Palogtoc Falls, our group is now heading to one of our chosen destination. Maybe all of the visitors and foreigners who visit Sorsogon, won't miss this place. The Bulusan Volcano Natural Park and Bulusan Lake.

yahoo......

After few minutes of driving on this highway, we made our uphill experience. It was gruelling battle because you know naman our service....hehehehe...our Trike mobile....But we actually made it, and even passed it by few meters because there where no really signage except for the signage below.

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park Gate

Of we will not miss this opportunity to take some photo sessions. Actually it will another long way uphill to this road.....as you can see ahead. hhmmmmm...

what do you think?

Upon entering this hill, you will pass by this creepy type road where most of the tree branches meet at the center of the road. Maybe this trees where very old enough. Making this road really darker at night and at the same time this road is not as fined as above a cemented one. On this part is just an asphalt road. So what do you think we will do? Of course, once again....a photo session takes it place. We've even make a scenario photo...hehehehe!!!! Please see below....

pwede nb?

After that photo session happened, we hurriedly drive up to this hill. To see the real beuaty of Bulusan Lake. It has an entrance fee amounting P10. not bad if it will really go to the beautification project and reservation of this place.

Ibanak's & D Eagle at Paying counter

Here are some of the information billboards within the Lake Bulusan premises. Guidelines whenever you inside this place that we should always follow.

Information Billboards At Lake Bulusan

At last, we had this chance to see how beautiful really is Bulusan Lake. In fact, i've just seen this lake to pictures at some websites and even some tv programs wit regard to travel shows. It was really a gift coming from nature if you will have the chance to see it on your own eyes. Because you will really feel it freshness, the soothing air that breezes along the sides of this lake. This lake was turn to a tourist part destination by Sorsogon Gov't. were you could do some kayaking on its lake for an hour. I forgot how much is the cost of that kayaking experience. Of course, we made this far, we will not miss this opportunity to take photo opps again.

Bulusan Lake upclose

In fact this lake was dubbed as the "Switzerland of the Orient", lies at the heart of the Bulusan Volcano National Park which covers a land area of 3,672 hectares. It has an elevation of 635 meters and is located on the southeast flank of  Mount Bulusan, an active volcano. The lake is accessible either through the Maharlika Highway up to the town of Irosin passing through the towns of Casiguran and Juban. From Irosin it is another ten kilometers to the site. The other is passing through a very scenic route overlooking the Pacific Ocean (San Bernardino Strait) through the towns of Gubat, Barcelona and the center of Bulusan town. Where we took our way from Irosin and getting back downtown to Gubat and Barcelona, Sorsogon.

Bulusan Lake is formed by tectonic damming and perhaps another crater of a volcano. Its water is greenish and its waterbed is rocky and sandy and parts are muddy. It is home to some endemic species of freshwater fish. It also supports some birds, mammals and some beehives. It is completely surrounded by tropical rainforest.

its been Xplored

Here are some of the souvenir shots we've made when we were on this place.

xplorerboyz in photo opps mode

This shots we've made was one of the highlights of this trip in Lake Bulusan.I do hope you would appreciate it. thanks...

what do you think?

We had also the chance to walk further this trail as you seen below. This place also is the jumpoff part of the mountaineer who want to climb Mt. Bulusan.

uy...ano ginagawa nyo dyan.

of course i will not miss this solo pic...hehehehe!!!!

Once again, we would like to thank johari for bringing us to this place. It was indeed a great experience, and plese watchout for more entries on Sorsogon, sorry for such delays actually i had a busy schedule this past few weeks....hehehe !!!!!

Palogtoc Falls

San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon

by lakwatserong tatay

After staying overnight in the town of Irosin, our group started the sunny going up to Bulusan and Rizal, Sorsogon.

To see the famous Bulusan Lake of Sorsogon, but of course, going up there is not as easy as that, with a kind of transportation we had bring. It was a difficult ride...hehehehe...But upo pursuing to Bulusan Lake, along the way of the road up to Bulusan Volcano Natural Park where Bulusan Park is also the start of the jumpoff for some mountaineer and backapackers want to conquer Mt. Bulusan. Photo opps is always been our priority.

xplorerboyz @ Irosin Townplaza

Before we started to go uphill to Bulusan, there was a bridge that captured our sight. Maybe because the river does not have flowing water anymore but we have the nice view of Mt. Bulusan, and of course, photo opps is really nice set in place....so it started....This is the Rangas Bridge before going up to San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon. Below are some of our groups pix and one of them really get us laughed...hehehe...!!!! sorry po....joke...joke...

Xplorerboyz in Photo session mode

Thanks once again...for this perfect spot....

Remember what i have said earlier....just kidding around...just want to have a remembrance...

see.....

Upon going up hill, we reached the town of Bulusan, that is also part of Palogtoc Falls, This falls is right beside the road up to Bulusan Volcano Natural Park. This signage by the road can't be missed because it is few kilometers before reaching the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.

Palogtoc Falls signage

Aside from that you can see left side of this pathway to Palogtoc Falls. A store where you buy some products and display souvenirs made of Volcanic Ash Products. We were lucky that time to see some actual product while lolo is making one of his product.

Volcanic Ash Product Store

go...go...lolo...

Palogtoc Falls also known as Palogtok Falls. A small waterfalls fills this man-made earthen swimming pool where the gurgling water flows from just a few feet upon the hillside. It is actually just a mini-water fall but the coolness of its spring water is really sweet and refreshing. It can be reached after a 15-20 minutes leisure walk through rolling hills carpeted with green grass under a canopy of tall coconut trees and some pili trees also present along the trail. This is situated within the area of Masacrot Spring - an alternative choice also to suit your taste, just in case. This mini-waterfalls has also an entrance as i remember it was P20/head, but that time we did not pay entrance because we just go their to take some photos for our remembrance. Below are some of our photographs while our leisure going to the mini waterfalls.

One of the Palogtoc Falls signage.

What a huge pili tree?

Palogtoc Falls trail

Xplorerboyz in action...hehehehe...

yes...at last....

Palogtoc Falls entrance

Once again, photo opps continuous....hehehe....before the entrane, going down to the falls and of course in pool area. Just to add this mini-waterfalls also has smalls huts for the visitor wants to stay for few hours to swim within the cold spring waters of Palogtoc Falls.

Xplorerboyz is always on the go...when it comes to photo opps...see!!!!!

Below is the pictures taken within the pool area and of course the Palogtoc Falls...

Palogtoc Falls

Pool area on each other sides

Of course, we may not going to swim on this pool but we didn't forget to try to get wet and feel the cold spring water of this falls. It is really true that is really cold and refreshing water.

Xplorersboyz @ Palogtoc Falls

Even it just a few minutes of stay. It was indeed fun and also remarkable because it is the first time of one of our co-xplorer jayson "d eagle" to try to do mini hike...hehehe...so what do you think jayson...you will join us in our backpacking activities...

it is thumbs up...

So stay tuned for the next adventure......The Bulusan Natural Volcano Park and One of the Sorsogon's Pride, The Bulusan Lake.