Company Outing - Albay and Sorsosgon Tour

@rsa101 (38166)
Philippines
March 25, 2019 8:41pm CST
It was a delightful 3 day company outing we have had for this year. Our company decided to do it early this summer to avoid the crowds and its much cheaper. Our chosen destination Sorsogon Province. We explored a lot of places both from Albay and Sorsogon province. It was nice to be with my province mates again and roaming around the place is such a refreshing feeling and seeing that the province tourism industry is thriving is making me feel proud of my place. Day 1 we toured Legaspi City and nearby Daraga and visited the Cagasawa Ruins. Then after going around Legaspi City we proceeded to Sorsogon and made a quick stop on our hotel. later in the afternoon we made an effort of visiting a public school and donated a TV and educational videos to them part of our itinerary to do some outreach to a public school in the place. Then after that we went to a river cruise to watch the sunset and ate at a dampa nearby. In turn we also help the community support their eco tourism effort. Then by night upon returning back we witness thousands of fireflies along the way back. It was a spectacular sight to see. Day 2 We went to the farthest point of the province. We went to Matnog Port and had an awesome island hopping experience. It was a nice experience jumping from island to island ans swam in their cool waters but under the scorching sun. We enjoyed it there the whole morning and enjoyed each others company. After the whole day activity we were really exhausted but because of the adrenaline we have had in the place most were still ecstatic around and made a small party in the hotel until the wee hours. Day 3 we visited another community based eco tourism surfing site. I felt a little tired already that I decided not to join the surfing lessons there. I just chilled around and enjoyed the place relaxing and bumming around. After lunch we decided to return back to Legaspi to catch our plane back to Manila. it was a Friday so traffic was heavy when arriving in Manila again. I spend the whole weekend resting for this week's back to work again. The whole experience was unique that we were able to enjoy the place and at the same time help the community based eco tourism sites we visited. They were thankful that we chose them as our destination to visit the place. I certainly know that we somehow helped them in their livelihoods.
27 people like this
26 responses
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
It was a great experience to have such team-building activity with a cause.
4 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Yes this has always been our tradition that we leave something in the place were we have our R&R.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83577)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
29 Mar 19
@acelawrites, so true, I hope to reach those places soon.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
I would love to visit those places too... I heard of Matnog port, oh, actually, watched a video on YouTube that they went there to catch a ferry to bring them to another island... It is really nice to read about these kinds of adventures.
4 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Yes it was fun indeed to be there and see it with my own eyes. I have never been to this place although I am a Bicolano myself. I am glad they are developing this island into something that could promote their place.
3 people like this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Summer feels!
2 people like this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
I suddenly remember Sineskwela. Back in the day, we watched it at the principal's office every time it's on air and it was almost always the highlight of our day. TV donation was a good choice. P.S. Thank you for suggesting this post, @hereandthere.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Indeed and ours was R&R with a cause because before we really enjoyed the place we chose one public school and trained and donated a TV set and a hard drive with educational shows to watch for their students. We also trained the teachers there on how they can best utilize it for their teaching.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
@rsa101 it's good that you also trained the teachers so the tv will be put to good use that benefits the students
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
plane travel saves a lot of time. it was nice of you to add outreach into your trips.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Well I worked in a foundation and we always see to it that we do not just enjoy the place where we pick our outing, we see top it that we do something and leave something for the public schools which is our stakeholders as well. It took us months to plan the activities that it would not interfere with our R&R. That is always out tradition to make R&R with a cause.
3 people like this
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
@sunrisefan oops! rsa is male!
3 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
It would have been nice if she and @rebel_woman06 met each other in Legaspi :)
3 people like this
@jobelbojel (36023)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
What a way to start the summer. You had a great adventure and team building. I hope I can book one or two tours this year.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
Yeah its was a a good break from the work and stress we endure daily. Going back to the provinces makes a lot difference away from all the noise and the traffic and the workload we have to meet everyday.
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (36023)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
@rsa101 good. I need one.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
@jobelbojel Everyone needs a break at some point in time in their busy lives. I think you should set one in the coming days.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
It's nice to read about these places that I've never been to.
4 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
It is always is an interesting thing to hear from others places that someone has been to. I just had my adventure to tell.
2 people like this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
2 Apr 19
One of my friend also told me their office made a trip for them, the expenses met by office. I rarely heard such outings arranged by office and I am sure it a great chance for employees to entertain and rejuvenate. Glad to know about yours too. Hope you are fully refreshed for the work now.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
2 Apr 19
Well yes it was a big break for us as a company. We were able to bond more as a team and relax with a very pristine place we have had.
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
2 Apr 19
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
Were you able to see Mayon Volcano in its majestic form. Didn't you have pictures with Mayon on the background. So generous of your company to give you a summer outing far5 from Manila. And you traveled by plane. Wow! How many were you? I haven't been to that fireflies' place in Sorsogon. What resort is that in the picture by the way?
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
When we arrive there Mayon had a cloud cover. My office mates still admired them because its quite unique to see a mountain with that almost perfect cone. I am used to seeing the site and I am always am amazed myself even though I have seen them many times being a Bicolano myself. We visited Daraga Church, Cagsawa Ruins and Lignon Hills and the Japanese Tunnel and the Legaspi Boulevard which I know passes through your workplace. In Sorsogon, We visited the Buhatan River Cruise. It was a nice and relaxing travel. You go there late at 5pm and you will pass through the river till about passed 6 when you reach the end of the river going to the sea where you will see the sunset and the view of Sorsogon City. Then from there there is a small dampa where you can eat till its dark. While returning back you will see from the nearby trees hundreds of fireflies hovering together. Its a nice site to see while going back to where you started. Its a 45 minute travel on a bamboo raft pulled by a motorized boat. We were 24 employees all in all and stayed there last Mar 20-22. We stayed at Siama Hotel in Sorsogon City, The resort were we swam was Subic Dako an island in Matnog about 45mins boat ride.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
@SIMPLYD It's in Bgy Buhatan in Sorsogon City. It good to travel there in groups. The raft could hold about 10-12 people at a time. The guides there told me that its best to be there when the moon is not full since there are times that the river glows as well because of some light emitting algae but when the moon is bright they are not visible. We were not able to witness that since we went there fullmoon so the algae did not emit their light on the river.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
@rsa101 Where in Sorsogon is the Buhatan River Cruise? I also want to experience that. My daughter and her boyfriend have already experienced that, one summer vacation when they were still medical students. So the fireflies' watching is party of the Buhatan River cruise?
1 person likes this
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
It is quite a long travel but just enjoy when you get there. Enjoy the province vibe while taking a break from toxic city.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
We went there by plane from Manila. It was just an hour travel then by land from Albay to Sorsogon. Yes it was really a big break from the daily life in the city.
1 person likes this
@rakski (125934)
• Philippines
7 Apr 19
wow, that is nice. 3 days company outing is so generous. Usually company outings are overnight. lucky you.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
15 Apr 19
It was because last year we weren't able to have one.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
17 Apr 19
@rakski we’re here in Quezon City. If you travel by road that would take 12 hours to travel. If by plane it’s an hour by plane and another 2 hours travel to Sorsogon.
1 person likes this
@rakski (125934)
• Philippines
17 Apr 19
@rsa101 oh okay. And how far is your office from your chosen destination?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
3 Apr 19
Now that’s what I call a company outing! So glad you had a wonderful time and also helped others, too.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
3 Apr 19
Yeah many of my co workers are really missing the place that they took a lot of pictures of themselves and with the groupd to have memories preserved about that wonderful experience they have in the place. I truly enjoyed the part of my home region where I am not ale to explore. What good in this outing is that we always see to it that the place we enjoyed we leave behind something for the community to benefit from.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
3 Apr 19
@DianneN We do this almost every year or two. There are years that we do not have a company outing because we need to focus on our beneficiaries more. But when we are given the chance we do this bonding always with a cause.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
3 Apr 19
@rsa101 I think that’s very, very commendable! It must have been very exciting for you and your coworkers.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58720)
• Portugal
28 Mar 19
Seems you had great holidays, the places you visit seem beautiful.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
@nela13 Yeah we met at the hotel some businessmen who are scouting for beach property around the province. They were a bit disappointed that prices of land has started to jack up because many see Sorsogon as the next tourist spot in bicol region.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
Yeah we have lots of great places in my place. Some are not yet fully developed and still to be discovered.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58720)
• Portugal
29 Mar 19
@rsa101 Those that aren't discovered are surely the most beautiful ones.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35726)
30 Mar 19
Wow, you had a wonderful adventure viewing some historical sights at Legaspi City, getting some sun and surf at Matnog Port.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
30 Mar 19
Yeah and the result of it is my skin got burnt amidst the enjoyment . But I am getting Ok now as my skins started to peel off and going back to my original skin color.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
3 Apr 19
@dgobucks226 Indeed I think I missed the beach so much I forgot the time already.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35726)
2 Apr 19
@rsa101 Aha! A bit to much 'fun in the sun."
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5191)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Wow what a lovely place and view.Hope you all enjoy that.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
We all enjoyed the place and the food as well. The people were also very welcoming that we never felt we were ignored there.
1 person likes this
@cttolledo (5454)
• Legaspi, Philippines
18 May 19
Awesome travel, enjoying while helping. Next time your group can explore more good places in Bicol.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
18 May 19
We always look forward to do that. It may be a different place next time but we always look forward to helping some community where we go.
@Beatburn (4286)
• Philippines
15 Apr 19
Good for you to have seen those destinations. Local tourism is good for the economy.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
15 Apr 19
Yes its very educational and refreshing to have visited those places.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 19
Sounds like a fun time, glad you enjoyed it.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
Yes it was fun time. We enjoyed the bonding moments away from the usual work schedule we have.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
4 Apr 19
When I was working, I would have loved a company outing like that. I'm glad you had a good time.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
4 Apr 19
It doesn’t happen often happen always of course. But when that happens we plan ahead for it.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83577)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
29 Mar 19
I hope someday I can reach those places famous in Ph.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
Yeah I am just lucky my company decided to choose that place to visit. I am certain that you will enjoy this place if you get the chance to visit them.
1 person likes this
2 Apr 19
I am a Filipino. My best friend's hometown is Sorsogon. She asked me to tag along with her whenever she would go on vacation but I could not because I had always been busy with work. I heard that there are many magnificent beaches there.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
2 Apr 19
Yeah and the good thing about the place is its not so commercialized yet so you can see nature at its best there. I have heard that there are a lot of investors looking for properties around especially beachfront ones.