REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES(SGS)/OFFICE OF ADVANCED EDUCATION
4700 SORSOGON CITY

ASSIGNMENT No. 2 BARCELONA, GOLDINE F.

Date Due: July 2,2021 MAT-THE-2

EDUCATION 502: Philosophical, Sociological and Psychological Foundations of

Education

Stephen Henry S. Totanes, Ph.D.

Associate Professor V

Rediscovering History, Heritage and Identity in the Municipality of Irosin

Discover the Beautiful Irosin in Sorsogon!

Irosin is a second-class, and the only land-

locked, municipality in the province of Sorsogon,
Philippines. Its local tourism is considered to have a
great potential, as ecological tourism is becoming
popular worldwide and the national government is
intending to develop the region as a major hub for
travelers. Given its strategic location and its variety of
natural tourist spots, the town can be an area where
local and foreign visitors converge.

Irosin has a lot of potential attractions, ranging from historic landmarks to natural
parks, as well as cold and hot springs, such as the St. Michael Archangel Roman Catholic
Hilltop Church, the Mateo Hot and Cold Spring Resort and other protected areas. There
are also the Bolos Crystal Spring and the Valley View Park, which has become a popular
stop for travelers and truckers plying the Maharlika Highway, and the Mapaso mineral
hot spring, which is famous for its purported healing qualities. The town also has one of
the remaining protected tropical forests in the Bicol Region.
 The most popular festivals that are held
yearly in Irosin include the Santacruzan, the feast
day of the town’s patron saint, Saint Michael
Archangel, and the village fiesta. When the feast
day is celebrated, there will be a series of activities
that start in August until September, including
sports leagues, amateur singing contests, agro-industrial trade fairs, parades, dancing,
procession of the patron saint and mass gatherings at the church. There is also the popular
Paray Festival, where people have a demonstration of thanksgiving for the graces and
good harvest they had.

As for the food, there are many Filipino delicacies that you can have in Irosin, but
the most popular among these would be the kinagang, which is an appetizer. This recipe
has many versions, including an easy one that combines coconut meat (buko), sliced
scallions, crabmeat and lemongrass, which is then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed.
There is also one that uses shrimp or scallops to achieve a fuller seafood flavor.

The town is an ideal jump-off site if you love mountaineering and ecological treks,
which has become popular among tourists. Off its coasts, you can also do some island
hopping, as there are beautiful islands that you can go to that boast of clear waters and
colorful marine ecosystems. However, one that has been attracting tourists is the walk on
the scenic trail to the Bulusan Volcano National Park and the springs at Mateo Hot and
Cold Springs Resort, which offers therapeutic effects and unique opportunities for
swimming in cold and hot natural springs all in one place. (https://triptheislands.com/off-
the-beaten-path/discover-the-beautiful-irosin-in-sorsogon/ )

History of Irosin

According to geologists who conducted studies and drilled in

this area, Irosin was part of a giant volcano more than 40,000
years ago. These geologists have offered three geologic periods
in the history of this place: the pre-caldera period, the caldera
period and the post-caldera period. The pre-caldera period is
described as a sustained activity with intermittent eruptions.
About 36,000 years ago, during what is now called the caldera period, a major eruption of
this volcano resulted in the construction of a rim which is now called Irosin Caldera.
Along the walls of this 11-kilometer-wide Irosin Caldera, several cones and lava domes
were formed. The southern wall of this caldera, which includes what is now called Valley
View, is currently its most prominent segment and overlooks a broad, flat caldera floor
below. Mount Jormajan, a large lava dome, was constructed on the western side of the
rim and Mount Maraot Banwa on the eastern side. Bulusan Volcano, Luzon’s
southernmost active volcano, was constructed on the south. Rising to 1565 meters above
the low-lying floor of Irosin Caldera, Bulusan Volcano is the youngest of several cones
and lava domes within the caldera. Today, the Irosin ignimbrite, a kind of molten rock
found abundantly in the rivers of Irosin, is considered as remnants of the caldera period.

During the post-caldera period, the heat subsided aided by a vent which is the
Bulusan Volcano. Consequently, lush vegetation grew and developed in the area.

In May 1878, Bishop Francisco Gainza, bishop of Nueva Caceres, conducted a

visita diocesana in Partido de Sorsogon and was discomfited when he discovered
anomalies in the creation of the three visitas into a new parroquia, now called Parroquia
de San Miguel. First, he found out that the outgoing Alcalde Mayor of Albay neglected to
take the normal and necessary steps which should have first made the three visitas into a
pueblo civil, after which they could become a parroquia. Second, he saw that the three
visitas have already elected their respective Gobernadorcillos. In modern parlance, that is
just like having a Municipal Mayor for each of the three visitas of Buenavista, San
Miguel and Calaay. Thus, the parish priest assigned to administer these three visitas
complained to the bishop that he had had to deal not only with one Gobernadorcillo but
three. Third, he was dismayed to learn that there was also a Teniente Actual of Visita de
San Miguel who had already assumed that the place was already a pueblo civil called
Pueblo de San Miguel and that he was already the Teniente Absoluto of Pueblo de San
Miguel! Thus, in a letter addressed to the Gobernador General, he outlined and
complained about these anomalies. To correct the anomaly, through the advice of Bishop
Gainza, the new Alcalde Mayor directed the principales of the three visitas to petition to
officially become a pueblo civil. Hence, on May 17, 1878, Don Lucio Gallego, who
assumed the title of Teniente Absoluto of both Visita de San Miguel and Pueblo de San
Miguel, together with the principales of the three visitas, complied as directed. With the
favorable endorsements of the Alcalde Mayor of Albay and Bishop Francisco Gainza,
bishop of Nueva Caceres, the Consejo de Administracion in Manila duly endorsed the
petition for the Gobernador General’s approval. On November 3, 1879, Gobernador
General Domingo Moriones y Murillo issued a decree making the visitas of San Miguel,
Buenavista and Calaay a new pueblo civil with the name of Pueblo de Yrocin.

With its official establishment, the new pueblo soon prospered. In 1888, during the
term of Padre Esteban Rivera as parish priest and Anacleto Galarosa as Capitan
Municipal, the Catholic church was constructed on its present site. The site, which is
considered as the highest place in the poblacion, is now accessible through 73 cemented
steps and an access road. At the foot of the church hilltop, a municipio with a casa
tribunal was also constructed. (http://irosin.gov.ph/government/profile/local-heritage/history)

Heritage Sites

Saint Michael the Archangel Church

The Church is situated on a commanding hill about 100 feet
above sea level and is accessible by car on a winding road or
by foot by mounting a flight of 73 cemented steps. The
original structure was built mostly through the polo system
and en comon in 1888 when Fr. Esteban Rivera was the
Parish Priest (18871890) and Anacleto Galarosa was the
Capitan Municipal (1888-1890). Men, women and even children from the town
contributed to the construction of the church. It used to feature at least twelve long and
huge wooden pillars at the center aisles, Spanish tiles and chandeliers from Taxco,
Mexico. The old church was completely torn down in 1995 when Fr. Josefino Chavenia
was Parish Priest, Dr. Eddie Dorotan was Municipal Mayor and Atty. Rodolfo Gonzales
was the Hermano Mayor. In its place, a new modern structure was constructed. The
church hilltop offers a commanding view of the poblacion and nearby barangays. Just
beside the church is another hill which locals call Little Baguio. Its ascending steps are
lined with Stations of the Cross and its peak, where a tomb that signifies the tomb of
Christ may be found, offers a majestic view of sunset in the valley of Irosin. Little Baguio
also currently hosts an ossuary. Patronal fiesta is celebrated every 29th of September.

Irosin Presidencia
The construction of Irosin Presidencia started in 1888 during the
term of Anacleto Galarosa as Capitan Municipal in compliance
with the requirement of the Consejo de Administracion de
Filipinas for an organized municipio and casa tribunal in a newly
established pueblo. Its neoclassical design features a 2.5
metersthick facade wall and a wide wooden staircase at its entrance. The flooring used
for the second floor were from the best and choicest species of lumber found in the
municipality. Most significantly, it displays the seal of the municipality during the
Commonwealth period right at its facade. Two arches that connect the perimeter fence
around the compound were built in 1939 and now accent the front and side entrances.
Subsequent renovations have somehow modified its interior design but its exterior
appearance as well as its structural integrity remain. The building was attacked by
members of New People’s Army on April 10, 1989 and it was left riddled with bullets but
the damages it suffered have been subsequently and effectively repaired. Efforts are now
being made for the restoration of the Presidencia.

Gabaldon and WW II Foxholes

The Gabaldon is a structure designed by
Architect William E. Parsons and was built
in the different parts of the Philippines
from 1907 to 1915. The structure had a
standard design and plan: it had 2 to 3
classrooms, an office for the principal or
supervisor at the corner and the structure itself was elevated so it could also serve as a
stage. It was named after Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon who was the author of Act
1801, also called Gabaldon Law, which allocated Php 1 million to fund the
modernization of public schools in the entire country. In 1916, there were 1,852
Gabaldon classrooms in the Philippines. Nevertheless, most of these classrooms were
destroyed during World War II, some did not survive natural calamities like typhoons and
earthquakes and others were just abandoned and made useless through sheer neglect. The
Gabaldon in Irosin Central School is considered as a local heritage site and teems with
historical and cultural significance. A lot of Irosinians were able to finish schooling,
became professionals and were able to support their families, thanks to this building.
During WW II, this structure was also used by the Japanese forces as a detachment site
and for this reason, foxholes were built around the area. These foxholes still exist today
although they urgently need restoration.

Puente Navarro and the School Arc

Puente Navarro is a bridge located right before the entrance
to the Irosin Central School in Barangay San Julian. It was
constructed in 1917-1918 through the initiative of the
Cabinete Municipal during those years. It was named after
Nicasio Navarro, who was the Municipal President of Irosin
from 1917 to 1918. Nicasio Navarro also spearheaded the
establishment of the public cemetery in the municipality for
the benefit of the non-Catholics.
 I am an Irosanon and proud to be! Reopening the rich history and culture of Irosin
is quite interesting for me because I am fun of knowing the unfolded knowledge that I
may share to others. As an educator I need to have full knowledge and understanding of
the history, heritage and identity of our own municipality. As the saying stated “YOU
CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE.” This assignment really helps me to
discover what lacking of knowledge I have.