A brief history: In 1570, Fathers Alonzo Jimenez and Juan Orta of the Augustinan ORder led a group sent to explore the island of Luzon. Upon reaching its southern shores, they found a small fishing village at the mouth of Ginangra River in what is now Magallanes town. The village, called Gibalong by its residents, became the first Christian settlement in Luzon. Later, the friars called the whole Bicol region "Tierra de Ibalaong".
When the Spaniards had settled in Gibalong, they set out to further explore inland. Upon reaching a small river emptying into what is now Sorsogon Bay, they asked a native they met for the name of the place. The native, not understanding Spanish and thinking they were asking for directions, answered, "Solsogon" meaning "trace the river by going upstream". Through constant use, Solsogon became Sorsogon.
Sorsogon was established as a province on October 17, 1894.
