Republic of the Philippines

SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Office of the Advance Education
Magsaysay Avenue,4700 Sorsogon City

ASSIGNMENT NO.1 FERRERAS, MA. KARINA D.

Due Date: March 19,2022 MAM-AS 2

EDUC502: PHILOSOPHICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL ANS PSYCHOLOGICAL

FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION
Stephen Henry S. Totanes
Associate Professor V

“Museo Sorsogon: Rediscovering History, Heritage and Identity in the

Province of Sorsogon”
Bicolandia is blessed with great heritage of Sorsogon and there are yet to
discover about the province that most of Sorsoganons don’t seem to realize that
contributes to richness and significance of the Philippine History.
Museums play a crucial role in preserving local culture. With careful
documentation and artifact preservation, a culture can be recorded and remembered
regardless of its future. It can also be shared and understood by those from
different cultural backgrounds.

MUSEO SORSOGON
https://www.facebook.com/MuseoSorsogon/photos/pcb.237871528140265/237871464806938

Likewise, Museo Sorsogon also possess these qualities, the medium that
kept unified by a deep sense of pride in its identity, cultural heritage, and nature
patrimony. Imbibing the spirit nationalism and strong commitment in the
protection of Province legacy.
  INAUGURATION OF MUSEO SORSOGON
Sorsogon Provincial Information Office Facebook Page

Through the initiative of Governor Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, the century-old

provincial jail, and the courthouse is converted into a public museum which is now
called Museo Sorsogon. “Museo Sorsogon will be a prominent structure in the
province as the hub of the history and culture of Sorsogon. Curated by the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), with help from the
Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office, Museo Sorsogon will
tell the story of Sorsogon and its people,” Francis Chiz Escudero said during
the inauguration.
Named ‘Museo Sorsogon’, Escudero, said came up with the idea after
seeing the potential of the 1900s architectural design of the building. As soon
as the construction of the new penitentiary was completed and the inmates were
transferred in 2019, Escudero said he decided to install a new museum within
the premises of the capitol compound in Sorsogon City.

Inside the two-floor museum, ten galleries display the significant

historical and cultural aspects of the province, showing how communities
started in Sorsogon, its participation in the Philippine revolution, and the
ensuing American Occupation of the province.
 Artifacts from war, like bullets and military flask are just few parts of the
display.
Unique to
Museo Sorsogon’s
exhibits are the
original artworks
done by inmates of
the provincial jail
such as a painting of
the Lady of Justice
on the second floor.
Tough,
Americans ignited the

Bicolanos to revolt against their settlement in

the Philippines, they built the education
systems as well as buildings like Gabaldon and
municipal halls which became an architectural
heritage in the province. Father Felipe Orense
and Don Indalencio Hernandez from Donsol,
kindled their spirits against the American
colonizers. During the Japanese occupation,
gerillas led by Governor Salvador Escudero
and Licerio Lapus created the movement
against them. Today, the battle left some of
their war tunnels in the province located in
Bulan, Sorsogon. Seen in these pictures were
the weapons used by our Sorsoganon heroes. It
is stored in the former bartolina of the
provincial jail.

In present times,
there are still
Sorsoganons
who continue to pave the way for the historical
flow of the province. Even our dearest
professor, Dr. Stephen Henry Totanes,
historian, a resident of Pinuntingan, Gubat,
Sorsogon, continues to contribute to the
history and it humbles me, that he is currently
teaching us, educators in Sorsogon State
University.
 The museum holds several items of historical interest, and one of the
exhibits that caught my attention was the memorabilia of the set Guinness World
of Record for the biggest and longest Filipino folkdance Pantomina sa Tinampo
which performed in the Province of Sorsogon.

Products of the province are also proudly

displays in Museo Sorsogon. Handicrafts from Abaca and Pili that are made by the
creative sons and daughters of Sorsogon exhibiting local products.
The museum will also have a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase
locally made products. It also houses a coffee shop and cafeteria.
Aside from the art galleries, an 875-square meter open-air amphitheater
was also built at the back of the museum for events and stage performances.
Visiting in museums always fascinates me because I would get to see all
kinds of artifacts that were in that period, get to know the culture, and learn more
about the places and the people that contributed to history.
Truly, the progression and preservation of society depends on our museums.
At the end of a tour, one does not just leave in awe of the beautiful displays and
artifacts they observe; nor do they forget the lessons they learned. You’re leaving
with a lifetime of memories, knowledge and a better understanding for the society
and people that paved the way for life as we know it today.

References:
San Juan, A.D. (2021). Sorsogon converts provincial jail, courthouse into a big
museum. Manila Bulletin website. Retrieved from
https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/13/sorsogon-converts-provincial-jail-courthouse-into-
a-big-museum/

Images:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorsogon
Sorsogon Provincial Information Office Facebook
Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/MuseoSorsogon/photos/
pcb.237871528140265/237871464806938