Bulusan
Bulusan is a municipality in Sorsogon province, Philippines, known for its volcanic landscape, historic fortifications, coastal communities, and natural attractions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Bulusan, officially the Municipality of Bulusan, is a local government unit in the province of Sorsogon on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is situated on the province’s southeastern coast and is bordered by Barcelona, Casiguran, Juban, Irosin, and Santa Magdalena. The municipality also administers the San Bernardino islets, located offshore in the San Bernardino Strait. Bulusan is approximately 55 kilometres from Sorsogon City and is associated geographically and culturally with Mount Bulusan and the surrounding volcanic landscape. The settlement has a long history predating Spanish colonization. Early communities were distributed among upland and inland locations including Inarado, Ilihan, Pinayagan, and Capangihan. Inland settlement was partly a response to raids by Moro pirates targeting coastal areas. Archaeological discoveries in the former Inarado area, including Chinese and locally produced ceramics and burial jars, indicate that the area participated in regional exchange networks before Spanish rule. A parish was established at Inarado in 1630, and Bulusan became a separate civil town in 1631. The parish was placed under the patronage of Saint James the Greater. In 1760, the settlement was moved from Inarado to the mouth of the Bulusan River to improve access to trade and neighboring communities. This relocation established the nucleus of the present poblacion. During the late eighteenth century, repeated coastal attacks encouraged the construction of stone watchtowers, armed boats, and defensive works. Punta Diamante, a fortified complex surrounding the parish church and rectory, remains the most prominent surviving historic structure. Its watchtowers include the substantial Bulusan belfry, which incorporates one of the complex’s defensive towers. During the Spanish period, Bulusan became comparatively prosperous because of its port, maritime activity, and role in coastal defense. The parish’s original jurisdiction covered areas that later developed into or became associated with the towns of Gubat, Matnog, Bulan, Barcelona, and Santa Magdalena. Spanish administration also imposed Catholic institutions, tribute collection, and forced labor, including labor used in the construction of public and religious works. Bulusan participated in the Philippine Revolution and the subsequent conflict with the United States. Colonel Emeterio Funes organized revolutionary resistance in Sorsogon and was appointed to lead provincial forces in 1900. Fighting in the area included the Battle of Sitio Boco on April 25, 1900. American forces later burned the town after failing to capture Funes. Funes eventually took an oath of allegiance on February 21, 1901, partly to end the conflict and spare residents further hardship. Under American administration, Bulusan expanded public education, municipal government, communications, agriculture, commerce, and public health. A municipal building and public market were constructed in 1927, a provincial road linking Bulusan with Barcelona and Irosin opened in 1930, and a municipal waterworks system was completed in 1939. During the Second World War, the municipality was occupied by Japanese forces, while local resistance groups continued to operate and maintained influence over the population. Today, Bulusan is an active municipality whose economy and identity combine agriculture, coastal activity, public services, heritage, and nature-based tourism. Mount Bulusan and Bulusan Volcano Natural Park are its best-known attractions. Bulusan Lake, springs, waterfalls, rivers, beaches, viewpoints, and historic sites such as Punta Diamante contribute to its tourism profile. The municipality is home to 24 barangays and has a population of 24,152 according to the 2024 census. Residents primarily speak Bisakol, with Bicol, Tagalog, and English also used in appropriate social, religious, educational, and administrative settings.
History
Bulusan’s recorded history extends from precolonial settlement through Spanish colonial administration, revolutionary conflict, American rule, wartime occupation, and contemporary municipal development. Before Spanish arrival, communities occupied inland and upland areas such as Inarado, Ilihan, Pinayagan, and Capangihan. Their location away from the coast appears to have provided protection from maritime raids. Archaeological material recovered in the former Inarado area, including imported Chinese ceramics, earthenware, and burial jars, suggests that residents participated in exchange networks before colonization. The area became a parish in 1630 and an independent civil town in 1631. The parish was dedicated to Saint James the Greater. In 1760, the settlement was transferred from Inarado to the mouth of the Bulusan River. The move was motivated in part by the advantages of river and coastal commerce and created the foundation of the modern town center. Under Spanish administration, Bulusan’s parish jurisdiction extended over a broad area from which other communities later emerged as separate parishes and towns. The eighteenth century also saw the construction of defensive infrastructure. Coastal attacks led local leaders to develop armed vessels and stone watchtowers. Bulusan became notable for the number of defensive structures erected in and around the town. The Punta Diamante fortification enclosed the parish church and rectory and incorporated five watchtowers. Other towers were built at Macabare, Tawog, and Layog, the last now associated with Barcelona. The largest tower at Punta Diamante later served as the church bell tower. These structures formed both a military refuge and a visible symbol of the town’s maritime importance. Bulusan was relatively prosperous among the towns of the region. Its port and armadilla activity supported trade and coastal security, attracting people from neighboring communities. Spanish rule also transformed social and religious life through Catholic institutions, tribute obligations, and forced labor. Construction of churches, rectories, municipal facilities, cemeteries, and fortifications relied in part on colonial labor systems. During the struggle against Spain and the Philippine-American War, Bulusan produced revolutionary leaders including Colonel Emeterio Funes. In 1900, Funes was appointed commander of revolutionary forces in Sorsogon. Filipino forces fought American troops at Sitio Boco on April 25 of that year. After the engagement, American troops burned the town while attempting to suppress resistance and capture Funes. Funes surrendered and swore allegiance to the United States on February 21, 1901, bringing an end to his active resistance. American rule brought free public education, expanded barrio schools, municipal institutions, communications services, agricultural improvements, and public-health measures. The municipal building and public market were constructed in 1927, a road to Barcelona and Irosin opened in 1930, and waterworks were established in 1939. Bulusan also produced public figures who held provincial and national positions, including Juan S. Reyes, Jose S. Reyes, and Augusto Ortiz. The Second World War interrupted this period of development. Japanese forces occupied Bulusan after the invasion of the Philippines in 1941. Although a local administration was established under occupation, organized guerrilla resistance continued and retained the loyalty of many residents. In the postwar and contemporary periods, Bulusan has remained a rural coastal municipality while developing its natural and historical attractions. Mount Bulusan, an active volcano, dominates the landscape and is protected within Bulusan Volcano Natural Park. Bulusan Lake, springs, waterfalls, beaches, rivers, and viewpoints support recreation and tourism. Punta Diamante and the Bulusan belfry preserve evidence of the municipality’s defensive and religious past. The municipality is divided into 24 barangays and continues to function as a local government, agricultural community, and tourism destination in Sorsogon.
- 2024
Population reported at 24,152
[1]The 2024 census reported a municipal population of 24,152.
- 1941
Japanese occupation begins
[1]Japanese forces occupied Bulusan during the Second World War, while local guerrilla resistance emerged.
- 1939
Municipal waterworks completed
[1]Bulusan established its first municipal waterworks system.
- 1930
Provincial road opened
[1]A road connecting Bulusan with Barcelona and Irosin opened to traffic.
- 1927
Municipal building and public market constructed
[1]Major civic and commercial facilities were built during the American period.
- 1901
Funes takes an oath of allegiance
[1]Funes swore allegiance to the United States, helping conclude organized resistance in the area.
- 1900
Emeterio Funes appointed revolutionary commander
[1]Colonel Emeterio Funes was appointed to lead revolutionary forces in Sorsogon during the conflict with the United States.
- 1799
Local leaders plan armed coastal vessels
[1]Bulusan leaders agreed to build two armed boats as part of regional defenses against maritime raids.
- 1760
Settlement moved to the Bulusan River mouth
[1]The town moved from Inarado to its present site to improve access to trade and neighboring settlements.
- 1631
Bulusan becomes a separate civil town
[1]Bulusan was organized as an independent pueblo civil under Spanish rule.
Products and positioning
A historic coastal municipality positioned around volcanic nature, heritage architecture, outdoor recreation, and community-based local tourism.
Protected natural area
Bulusan Volcano Natural Park
A protected volcanic landscape covering approximately 3,672 hectares around Mount Bulusan. The park is the municipality’s principal nature-tourism asset and contains forested terrain, waterways, springs, and access to Bulusan Lake. Its attractions support sightseeing, hiking, ecological recreation, and outdoor tourism.
Natural attraction
Bulusan Lake
A scenic crater lake at the foot of Mount Bulusan, surrounded by dense vegetation and a concrete walking path. The lake is one of the municipality’s most recognizable visitor destinations and functions as a gateway to the wider volcanic park landscape.
Historic site · 1760
Punta Diamante
A fortified church complex associated with the parish of Saint James the Greater. Its stone walls and watchtowers were built as protection against maritime attacks. The complex includes the Bulusan belfry, which incorporates the largest and most prominent surviving tower in the historic group.
Tourism and recreation
Local springs and waterfalls
Bulusan’s volcanic and mountainous terrain feeds numerous water attractions, including Masacrot Spring, Nasipit Spring, Mapaso Healing Hot Spring, Palogtoc Falls, Bayugin Falls, Dulipay River, and Buklad River. These sites support swimming, hiking, scenic visits, and small-scale local tourism.
Recent events
- 2024
Bulusan population recorded at 24,152 in the 2024 census[1]
Other
The municipality’s population was reported as 24,152 in the 2024 Philippine census.
Sources2 sources
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