SORSOGON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Sorsogon City

CULTURAL HERITAGE: TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE RESOURCES

OF SORSOGON CITY

Name of Tangible\Intangible Cultural Heritage:

Tangible Cultural Heritage:
Church, Pili Trademark, Naluho Cave
Intangible Cultural Heritage:
Bubuyog Festival
______________________________________________________________________________

Photo of the Tangible \Intangible Cultural Heritage:

I. Profile of the Barangay

Barangay Name: Abuyog
Municipality: Sorsogon City
Province: Sorsogon
Region: Region V (Bicol Region)
Patron: St. Vincent Ferrer
Feast Day: April 5 and June 5
Total Land Area: 1,500.00 sq.m.
Coordinates: 12.9448, 124.0475
Population (by CENSUS 2015): 4,359
Topography: Plains, Rivers, Roads, Seas
Climate: Tropical Wet and Dry
Language: Filipino, English
Type of Soil: Silt, Loam, Clay, Sand
Vision:
Mapayapang Komunidad, maunlad na agrikultura at malinis na kapaligiran, edukadong
mamamayan at may maayos na pamumuhay. Maka Dios at Makakalikasan.
Mission:
 Makamit and kapayapaan, progresibo, produtkibong pamayanan para sa maunlad at
masaganang pamumuhay at magkaroon ng trabaho para hindi maranasan ang anumang sakit
at kagutuman. Kooperasyon ng bawat mamamayan para makamit ang Adhikain.
History:
History of the Barangay (Ang Ginikanan kan Ngaran na “Abuyog”)
During the Spanish time, the leader of the barrio (Kabesa de Barangay) implemented the
rules and ordinances of the community they names as Saint Vincent de Ferrer. They
celebrated their barrio fiesta every 4th and 5th day of April. When the “Ermana Mayor” decided
to change the date of the fiesta to June 4 and 5, because that time there was an abundant
way of living especially when it comes to fishing.
When Americans defeated the Spaniards in a war, American soldiers arrived in this place,
they asked a man working in a rice field, “What place is this?” since the man doesn’t
understand the question, he answered, “Bubuyog” because he thought the American soldier
asked what kind of insect is making a noise in a tree. The American solider said: “Ahh…
Bubuyog (Abuyog).
Some says, this place had so many “Bubuyog, they arrived to ideas that are all connected
to the insect “Bubuyog”.
The name “Abuyog” is said to be also derived from the native words “Burunog”, “Bonyog”,
or “Andoyong” (the traits describing the insects “Bubuyog”) which means wandering from
one place to another, unity, oneness, helping one another or Bayanihan such as the
construction of house to another location, preparing land for planting and harvesting.
II. Background Information of the Tangible\Intangible Cultural Heritage
Church. The Bell is an important equipment of a church. Its primary purpose is to inform
the people in a particular place that a mass will be performed in that church. It also serves
as an alarm system to people in case of calamities or emergencies.
Naluho Cave. During the Second World War, when the Americans returned to the
Philippines, a remnant of the Japanese Army statured in barangay Abuyog found the
Naluho Cave as their hiding place.
Pili Trademark. The giant concrete pili structure found in barangay Abuyog served as a
boundary marker between the Municipality of Casiguran and the City of Sorsogon.
Bubuyog Festival. Barangay Abuyog celebrated its Bubuyog Festival to enhance its
identity and to promote its tourism potential. A number of tourists have visited the
barangay during their festival.
III. Description/Uses
Church. In Christian doctrine, the christian religious community as a whole, or a body or
organization of christian believers. The church is a body of christ, of which he is the head. In
addition, church is not a building or a denomination. Its primary purpose is to serve as a way
of worshipping God and strengthen our faith on him. The church serves as the people's place
of worship and devotion, as well as performing certain activities related to the church.
Naluho cave. During the second World War when the americans returned to the Philippines.
The remaining Japenese army statuned in barangay Abuyog and find the naluho cave as their
hiding place. Its main purpose is to serve as a hiding place for tourists and residents.
 Pili Trademark. A giant concrete pili structure found in Barangay Abuyog. This serves as a
boundary in between the municipality of Casiguran and the City of Sorsogon. Serves as a mark
for the people to know which place are they headed to or just simply where they are.
Bubuyog festival. Festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and centering on
some characteristic aspect of the community and it's religion or cultures. Barangay Abuyog
has its own kind festival which called the "Bubuyog Festival" As their tradition they celebrate
it yearly for they want to enhance its identity and to promote its tourism potential and it has
been said that they also want to celebrate this kind of festival because they want to showcase
to the people how their barangay worked as one. By means of it it will serve as a legacy and
can be pass it onto next generation.
IV. Stories Associated
During the time, church has a very big antique bell, according to the oldest people of the
barrio, when the bell rang at 4:00 in the morning, the sounds travelled in a distance. Many
people together with their products travelled to this barrio to worship God and to trade their
products.
During the Spanish-Japanese time, the cave was used in wars to hide from the enemies,
because of the cave's structure – being small on the outside and can be barely seen, it was a
spot for the people to go in escaping the enemies. Also, it serves as a pathway for people to
walk in to.
No stories were associated with the Pili Trademark.
Some says the place had so many "Bubuyog", they arrived to ideas that are all conncected to
the insect "Bubuyog". The Bubuyog Festival is derived from the native words "Burunog",
"Bonyog", or "Andoyong" (the traits describing the insects "Bubuyog") which mean wandering
from one place to another, unity, oneness, helping one anothernor Bayanihan such as
construction of houses to another location, preparing land for planting and harvesting.
V. Impacts along:
a. Economic
As in any place, it boosts economic activities in the area especially during the celebration
of the yearly Bubuyog Festival, being held from May 20 up to June 5. Many Abuyognons living
or working in other places came home to watch the party activities during this festival.

It increases the economic status of the barangay, in a way that many tourists visit the
barangay. It improves the economic status of Barangay Abuyog since the more attractive and
beautiful a heritage is, the more tourists will come and visit it. By means of it, it enhances the
economy of the said barangay.

In a way that it improves the livelihood of the people. It also helps to boost the economic
state of mentioned barangay, it also decreases the illiteracy rate and it helps educate people
for productive life. It can also be a source of income and livelihood from then and now.

b. Aesthetic or Artistic
It definitely adds beauty by being natural as people usually love to connect with the
nature. It tells how the forebears in this community like their lives.
 There is a significant change to beauty but in terms of only in infrastructure and facilities,
but if we look at the other side such as the environment, the natural form of land and water,
the beauty is not maintained but rather destroyed.

In terms of beauty of the barangay, it makes the place known to other people living
outside the barangay. With this, it brings people to come and visit the barangay. It attracts
tourists.

The above mentioned heritage affect the beauty of the community through enhancing
and improving the community. It serves as a way to develop more of the barangay Abuyog –
either aesthetically or economically.

By the cultural heritage, it develops socialization and interaction between its citizens.
These citizens helps in the process of cleaning and beautification of the said barangay.

c. Scientific\Research
It will give an added advantage to these future researchers as it tells the facts and truth
the community of barangay Abuyog. In a way that it gives additional and reliable information
to the researchers. It can also be part of the basis of some researchers. These kind of
information can support future researchers in terms of information it holds.

It can awaken the researchers that there are also cultural heritage that barangay Abuyog
had which they can share or tell to others. It helps the researchers to understand the diversity
on the communities and give ideas or knowledge about culture, traditions, and values of
people.

d. Socio-political
The importance is as basic as the socio-political importance in any civilization. It gives
honor and pride as a basic unit of government. It can help to develop and improve projects
and activities that are being held and are to be held in the barangay.

It can come up with a better community because if there is a communication or unity

between society and politics, the suggestions or opinions of an individual can also be heard
and the problem will always be solved. There is a great extent when it comes to socio-political
because it influences the living of the community as well as their livelihood, social groups and
economic status.

e. Spiritual
Since many traditions have direct correlation with religious beliefs among the people of
the community or barangay, their devotion to their belief is vital in developing cultural
heritage.

Since barangay Abuyog build different sects such as Born Again Christians, Roman
Catholic, Mormons and Dating Daan – spiritually it shows a big change in developing the
cultural heritage since originally we are evaded by Spaniards who brought Roman Catholic.
 It makes the people or residents of barangay Abuyog more religious and in path with God.
People or simply individuals can have faith in God and they will be afraid to ruin or destroy
the cultural heritage that supposedly we should treasure and take care of it.

The community people developed strong ties and strengthen the spiritual aspects and to
be united in faith with God. They become more disciplined people and act righteous and
practice good values in everyday living and good camaraderie with the community.

f. Environment
Preserved cultural heritage will carve a healthy, better, organized environment. It gives
importance to the clean surroundings and green projects/projects. It gives value how to take
care of the environment, it also preserves natural resources of the community through proper
use of resources.

The more we improve and enhance the cultural heritage, the more chances that we can
also enhance our environment since it can additionally contribute to the beautification of the
environment. It can be a legacy to be brought down to future generations and can be the
trademark of the barangay.

The relevance can be seen on how the people recognize the importance of preserving the
environment, thus Bubuyog Festival recognizes the history of barangay Abuyog and the
remarkable attitude of oneness among its people.

VI. Challenges\Issues
Lack of awareness among the people, lack of interest among the youth and lack of funds
are the issues usually faced in the preservation of cultural heritage. Certain Migration and
Immigration of residents. Also, no programs made by the barangay or youth to promote
cultural development.
General problems, like climate change, weather, and disaster. Also, garbage that are
scattered anywhere and natural issues like typhoon, earthquake, etc. Additionally, the people
itself are facing problems in their difference in beliefs, values, and habits.
Other issues are that of building of new or modern establishments, and modern job
opportunities for the residents of barangay Abuyog.
VII. Actions Taken by the:
a. Residents
The residents can contribute by doing their share of responsibilities in preserving the
actual cultural heritage. Parents should educate or teach their children the value of giving
importance to the cultural heritage.

The residents can cooperate on the activities of the barangay especially on clean-up
activities which aims to achieve a conducive and a safer environment. Also, by simple
maintaining it and keeping it in practice.
 Residents can actively participate in activities or programs offered by the barangay (if
there are any). The residents can give donation doesn’t matter how big or small the amount
is and continue the legacy of the tradition or culture.

b. LGU, Sorsogon City

It can help by including the cultural heritage in the priority programs and providing funds
for its preservation, since barangay funds are not enough to meet the budgetary
requirements of such preservation. By inviting the people from the LGU or City to witness and
see the beauty of the cultural heritage the barangay has offered or provided. It can also help
by giving financial assistance to any circumstance needed.

Propose activities for the young and youth anchoring the development of cultural
heritage of the barangay. Lessen barangay Liga’s, instead, they should promote theatre arts,
arts and crafts, and more.

They can provide and support the projects of the barangay related on cultural heritage
and they can also implement some programs with regards to sustain the cultural heritage.
Also, to preserve the resources for sustainable development. Active
cooperation/participation in programs implemented in sustaining cultural heritage should
also be in hand when preserving a certain heritage.

c. Non-Government Agency
They can help by extending technological and financial support to the barangay so that
the cultural heritage will be known not only locally but globally. Also to participate through
sponsoring the program or initiate in creating new activities that will involve the youth.

They can provide more income generating projects and promote good partnerships with
NGO’s for financial assistance. Sharing about it through Social Medias and promoting it to
different people is also a good move to promote these cultural heritage. Supporting these
cultural heritage in different aspects can also help in maintain its culture and structure of a
certain heritage.

Respondent\s: Vicente Laguna (Kagawad), Elementary Teacher (no written name), Joy Paguia
(Elementary Teacher), Allan Laguna (Kagawad), Kelvin Laguna (Kagawad), Maria Ana Rubenecia
(Elementary Teacher), Lanie Lagata and Francis Jestre (Residents), and Jether Baldonado (Resident)

Key Informant\s: Jeffrey Louie L. Estidola (Punong Barangay), KGD. Kelvin E. Laguna (Committee Chair),
KGD. Allan L. Laguna (Committee Chair), KGD. Vicente E. Jestre (Committee Chair), KDG. Vicente D. Laguna
(Committee Chair).

Cultural Mappers/Researchers: Jolina Mando, Charity Hernan, Romela Divina, and Andrei Mancion

Date: March 5 to March 8, 2019