Museo Sorsogon: A heritage of Pride of Sorsogon

By Felix ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.

SORSOGON PROVINCE – A 1900s grandeur of architecture that withstood the test of times is now the newest landmark in Sorsogon. Housing the courts before and converted as a provincial jail, the once decrepit building is now the proud Museo of Sorsogon.

Renovated in 2019 as one of the centerpieces of the province tourism, Governor Francis Escudero foresight evolves and inter-wove the hidden richness of Sorsogon history ready for the public by March 15 this year.

The inauguration will be grace by the chair of the National Historical Commission, Dr. Rene Escalante together with its Director Jeremy Barns and Congresswoman Evelina Escudero. They will be welcome by Governor Escudero. It was curated by the National Historical Commission taking the cue from the Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Arts office.

The transformation of the century-old building from jail cells to galleries to display the significant cultural and historical faces of the province beams with pride an achievement of Sorsoganon that will take the public into a nostalgic appreciation of early communities, how the locals were then, its role during the revolution and of the occupation period. Artifacts on loan from the National Museum will enhance and blend with the local artifacts that will be on display.

What was left of the former jail was the painting at the second floor of the Lady of Justice done by the inmates themselves giving us their craving for equality and that of the famous Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara by the Sputnik gang who lorded the inmates during their time, perhaps a silent reminder of their resistance to authorities.

The former courtyard was transformed into an open-air amphitheater with six tiers of seating capacity. Soon it will have a souvenir shop all of Sorsogon products in partnership with the trade department call to uplift the micro, small and medium enterprise for a bigger break. All products will be labeled “Made in Sorsogon.”

When inaugurated Museo Sorsogon will be the historian of the province heritage. Let us be proud as our history beckons. (BicolExpress.News)