Hundred Islands of Alaminos, Pangasinan

Date of Travel: March 2011

Hundred Islands- BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!

After arriving in Clark together with my travel buddy Joey from our 2-day trip in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia, we still have like a day and a half to spare before my flight back to Davao. Since we were unable to check the beaches in Borneo due to the fact that we always end up staying longer in bed after waking up, we have to make up to it and at least we would be able to plunge in one of our beaches in the country. And Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan was our destination to be.

The Hundred Islands National Park is a national park in the Philippines. The protected area is located in the city of Alaminos, in the province of Pangasinan. he islands, totaling 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide, are scattered in Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 16.76 square kilometres. Only three of them have been developed for tourism: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children's Island.

From Clark, we took a bus going back to Manila to meet our friend Rachel and at the same time leave some of our things in her place para less hassle na carrying our bags ( baggage counter lang ang peg ). We had dinner in SM Megamall and just killed the time while waiting for our bus to Alaminos via Victory Liner.

Catching the last bus to Alaminos in Victory Liner Cubao terminal

We went to Victory Liner’s Cubao bus terminal by 10pm to catch the last trip to Alaminos, Pangasinan. Fare will not cost more than P400.00 for a 5 hour bus ride. We took the last air-conditioned bus trip to Alaminos at 11:30 pm which is scheduled to arrive in Alaminos by 5am. At least we have some ample time to sleep and take a short rest. Pero ang ending, no rest pa rin. Bus has wifi connection so avail sa free internet. Haha. It was a smooth trip, and we arrived earlier than we expected. I woke up and manong conductor told us “ Alaminos na po! “ Hay naku, ambilis lang. kulang pa sa tulog. Haggardness pa. The bus terminal in Alaminos is a small and old one, more like a tricycle terminal. It was just near the market. Since its still 4am and still dark, we had no choice but to stay and sleep in the terminal’s benches. Wag nang arte arte. “ Let’s just wait till 6 am or until sumikat na ang araw”. While we were there trying to have our quick rest, some drivers are already asking us if we were going to Hundred Islands and some of them were offering transport to Lucap Wharf and boat tours too. “No kuya, NO! May inaantay kami! Di kami pupunta dun”  I don’t mean to be rude but at that time, I just want to take a nap.

Welcome sign in Lucap wharf, Alaminos, Pangasinan.

As sunlight came, we just strolled around downtown Alaminos, looking for a place to eat and looking for some drinking water and food for us to bring in our island hopping. And of course there’s Jollibee. We ate breakfast and bought some food as our baon. We thought “ Baka mahal ang food dun, wala na tayong pera. Jollibee na, delicious na, afforda-licious pa”.Haha. Then we saw manong  trike driver outside Jollibee waiting for some passengers. I asked if he can take us to Lucap wharf which is the starting point of the tour. He seems nice and friendly naman and he offered a reasonable price of P60/ ride so we took his trike.  He know some boat operators too and he can give discount since its just the two of us and its still not the peak season. For a price of  P1200 for the whole day island tour is not bad. And the fact that I am so keen to hit the beach already, then it’s a go. So we started the  tour and wasted no time.

Lucap wharf- island hopping's starting point

Here are some of the islands that we visited for the whole day island hopping:

Governor's Island- home of the PBB house in Pangasinan, the amazing view deck and pristine, secluded white sand beach. 

The PBB house in Alaminos found in Governors Island.

Force evictees sa bahay ni kuya. Haha

Amazing veiw at the Governors Island view deck. 

Spelunking, Alaminos style.

Children's Island- known for its very shallow, knee deep waters

Acting like a kid in Childrens Island. Chost.

Quezon Island- most developed island among all. This is where we took our lunch and spent most of our time. There are accommodations available in the island if you opt to stay overnight. Sari- sari stores and some small eateries are also available. Perfect for snorkeling and a quick swim. 

Mandatory selfie shot. Haha

Snorkeling around Quezon Island

Pathway going to several huts in the island.

Marcos Island- this is my favorite among all the island. Still a white sand secluded beach but what made it special is that there is a cave that is also a dive/ jump spot for thrill seekers. Jumping that 10 feet high cliff was such an achievement. James Franco aka 127 hours ang peg! Haha

Marcos Island's secluded part of the beach. Beauty, isn't it?

Above the Marcos Island, on our way to the cave.

Tempting yet nerve cracking. Look at how high the cliff we have to jump.

Still alive after the jump. Haha

WHOOAAAHHHH!!!!! Best experience ever!

Thanks M/V Sherwin for the amazing island hopping experience.

By 3:30 in the afternoon, were already heading back to Lucap wharf to cap off our Hundred Islands experience. Overall, I had fun. It is indeed one of the most visited tourist attractions in North Luzon and in the Philippines as well. I only heard about it before during my elementary days on how it was made, all those alamat thingy in my Filipino subject and stuff. It is a wonder on its own. Now I was able to experience it personally. It is one place that should not be missed especially if you’re a beach junkie. One thing I can assure you for sure, there are more than a hundred reasons to enjoy the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan.

My own piece of paradise.

Till the next time Pangasinan.

Sir Jay's Top 5 Beaches in the Philippines

I am a certified beach bum. Ever since I was a child, the feeling of going to the beach was unexplainable. Pinaglihi siguro ako sa dagat o baka taong dagat or sea creature ako in my past life. Syokoy lang ang peg? Haha. I've been to many beaches here in the Philippines and I can say that we are so lucky to have many amazing white sand beaches with crystal clear waters. Take note: Crystal clear ha. But there are some beaches here on the country that are really special to me and I find very breath-taking. Every year, I search for the best beaches all over the Philippines and have a piece of it that I can call my own paradise. So here's my list of my top 5 best beaches in the Philippines.

5. Isla Reta, Talikud Island, Davao del Norte

Of all the beaches near my hometown and in Samal area, Isla Reta is my favorite. Situated in Talikud Island, Isla Reta has pristine white sand beach. It is very accessible since there are direct 1-hour boat ride from Davao City. I'm loving the fact that there are a lot of acacia trees that give shade to the beach goers. Entrance and accommodation is very affordable too. And the resort staff is so accommodating and welcoming. Kaya nga suki na ako dito.


4. Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga Del Sur

Believe it or not, I was awed with the serenity of the beach. Only few people go there since you still need a permit from the tourism office. You will also have your set of guards from the army who will accompany you and will serve as your security personnel while you're there. Bongga! Basilan na kasi sa likod ng island. So alam na. Haha. What also made the beach special is that it is known for its pink sand beach. The pink effect is due to the dead red corals that is mixed with the sand. Take me back there please?!?!

3. Boracay, Aklan

Who doesn't love Boracay? Voted as one of the Philippines best beaches, Boracay has been everyone's favorite both local and foreign beach bummers. Been there for two times and the beach always mesmerized me. Great for food tripping, extreme sports and wild party nights, you'll never run out of things to do there. Though I find Boracay very mainstream and over-rated, still it got its charm that kept me and others on coming back. They aint call it the best for nothing. 


2. Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Known as the Boracay of the north, Pagudpud is home to amazing white sand beaches too. The 12-hour road trip from Manila to the province of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte will bring you to Saud Beach and the popular Blue Lagoon. You will realize that the long trip is all worth it. From the name itself, the beach has clear turquoise water that is so tempting.  Many beach bums go here to surf too since it has strong to moderate waves. Though i've been there just for a couple of hours, I felt like the beach was my home in the north.

1. Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu

Bantayan Island has always and will always be memorable to me. Been here for several times and still looking forward to coming back. Did I mention that I had my first ever vehicular accident while driving a motorcycle here? And I don't even have a freaking license. Sorry LTO. Haha. My first ever solo backpacking trip was in Bantayan Island and it was a blast. It was a brave thing to do. Sta. Fe is so laid-back. Though it is starting to be commercialized, it has maintained its simplicity. The locals are very friendly. The beach is clean and calm. I even spent the whole day under the coconut tree while reading the whole book and doing nothing.  It was so relaxing. And the beach again, took my breath away. Paulit- ulit? Haha. This paradise is just a 4-hour ride from Cebu City. Traveling to Bantayan is very accessible too. 


So what are you favorite beaches here in the country? Do we have the same? There is still a lot to explore and im halfway through it. Beach bumming is indeed more fun in the Philippines.

Wow, Panglao!

Date of travel: January 2009

Panglao Island, Bohol

After a very fun day exploring the wonders of Bohol, me, my sister Rosamel and my friend Lucky wanted to spend the night and the rest of our time in Panglao Island. The island is just a 30- minute drive from the city proper of Tagbilaran. The island is famous for its world class beaches, island hopping, caving and dolphin watching. After buying some food and snacks in the downtown area, manong driver took us to Panglao. Since we have no reservations for that night, he also helped us in finding our accommodations. Kuya is all around na maaasahan.







He took us in a resort near the high end Dimaluan resort and Bohol Beach Club. A fan room with private bathroom and with double beds costs P800.00 is fair enough. And the beach is just a minute walk from the room. Not bad. So we booked the room and took a short nap first to freshen up before hitting the beach.

            The beach front of the high- end Bohol Beach Club of 

     Panglao Island.

HOY! Bawal magpa- picture at pumasok dito. Di kayo naka check-in - Manong guard. Haha

Before sunset, hinanda na namin ang ang mga beach outfit para rampa na sa Panglao. Haha. Sunset was perfect. Being there was so relaxing. We spent the rest of the afternoon dipping in the beach and frolicking in the white sand. We even went to Bohol Beach Club's area. That time, a lot of foreign tourists were on the resort. Koreans at mostly mga westerners na mga retirable looking o parang retired na talaga. Anong meron? May party? I was not informed. Haha.

The beach infront our resort. Enjoying the sea, sunset and sand.

  
Though bawal daw, we still went to the resort's premises. Hindi naman pansin at alam ng security doon if you are booked with them or not. Gatecrash kung gatecrash. Haha. There you'll notice that the amenities in the resort are high end. So picture lang nang picture. Avail nang avail hanggang di pa sinisita ni manong guard. Hopefully soon, if I have the enough money to spend for a luxurious vacation, ill book a room with them. 

Two thumbs up for Panglao baby!!!!

The beach is beautiful. Panglao has this powdery white sand beach. The water is clear too. Though ang babaw. You'll have to walk with faith pa just to reach an area para umabot lang sa beywang mo ang tubig. Kakaloka naman. For sure you'll never get drowned. Then on the further part ay lumot na. So chaka na. So babad- babad lang kami on the shallow part. Still we had fun.

Knee-deep beach. Hay naku, ang babaw!

By night time we had dinner in a nearby barbeque stall. Food was delicious and not that expensive. They set up some dining table by the shore. Okay naman. Many were there to eat and dine too. We spent like almost P400 for the entire mea that is enough for the three of us. Busog at satisfied of course. Then we went back to Bohol Beach Club's area. Parang may party. Sosyal ng mga foreigner. May buffet. May beach party. May budget. There were also some bands and acoustic singers that serenaded them. So joiners din kami. Haha. After a couple of hours we went back to our room and called it a day. Napuyat ng sobra because of the activities we did the whole day.

Dinner by the beach. Cheap but oh- so yummy.

Gate-crashing at a party. Haha. Its not a party without us!!!

Then morning came, I had the chance to stroll in the beach again. Had instant noodles and bread for breakfast ( nagtitipid eh ). Went for a quick swim and just enjoyed the moment. After the dip, we prepared our things and we are ready to leave for Cebu. While waiting for kuya to fetch us, photo shoot na naman. After which, kuya already arrived and we bid Panglao goodbye. We then went to Tagbilaran Island Mall to have lunch. Gutom na eh, as usual. Before he left, we thanked Kuya for being accommodating and he thanked us too. After we ate, we bought our pasalubongs like the famous peanut kisses and kalamay and took a trike going to back to the port for us to catch our ride back to Cebu. 
                                                                                       

Dimaluan Resort

Goodbye Panglao beach. Till we meet again

Back in the port. Bye Bohol. Off to Cebu again.

 Bohol and Panglao, see you again soon!

Its All in Bohol

Date of travel: January 2009

Bohol is one of the.most visited places in the country. Famous for its Chocolate Hills and cute Tarsiers, many tourists and travelers visit Bohol to experience the laid back province and be close to nature. Hanggang libro at picture ko lang ito nakikita. Gosh I need to see it personally para malaman ko kung chocolate ba talaga ito or not. Haha. Arte noh? That's why when we visited Cebu last 2009, we made sure that the province of Bohol will be included in our itinerary.

Getting to and from Bohol is a piece of cake. There are direct flights to Tagbilaran, the province capital, from most of our domestic airlines. From Mindanao, there are ferries from Camiguin going to Jagna. But the most common route to Bohol is via Cebu. Fast crafts and ferries have daily trips from Cebu to the port of Tagbilaran. On our part, we took the Ocean Jet fast craft from Cebu's pier one. We bought tickets and made reservation the day before our travel kase daw most of the fast crafts are fully booked especially the morning trips. Return ticket costs P900.00 which is acceptable for an air-conditioned and comfortable 1 and a half hour trip. So ayun, 4 am palang we left our pension house and took the taxi to pier one to catch the 6am trip. The boat left mga 630 am and borlogs muna for over an hour para may energy pagdating ng Bohol.

Waiting at Pier One on a 5am

About to depart. Time to grab some zzzzz

Welcome to Bohol

Past 8am and were already in Tagbiliran. In the port pa lang, you'll notice the large number pf tourist arrivals. We got off the ferry and went to the terminal area. NOW WHAT? We were clueless. Ano na? San na tayo sunod? How can we explore Bohol now? Good thing that outside the port in the departure area ay marami ang nag oofer ng guided tours including the transportation na. So no need to worry if you have no contacts since many drivers and guides will offer you tours at a reasonable price. Try to haggle and you could even get cheper offers. Ilabas na ang mga convincing powers! That is when we met kuya ( I forgot his name ) and he offered P1500 for the 3 of us,  for the guided tour for the whole day via his Toyota Avanza. Carry na actually. At least hassle free na and I wanna start the tour and waste no time. We sealed the deal and were good to go. We had our breakfast first in a nearby carinderia since guttomy hilfigher na talaga before we started our trip.

Kuya's Toyota Avanza. Ayos!

So for the entire day, here were the sights that we visited. Of course manong kuya driver was our guide. And our photographer too. Camera man in short.


WHAT TO SEE IN BOHOL?

 Blood compact site- with matching tagay shot/ pose.

 Baclayon Church- parang feel kong mag simba dito every Sunday

 Loboc Museum- a collection of some Bohol made artifacts

 Loboc River cruise- a cruise along Loboc river with buffet lunch at 300 php.YES UNLI RICE!

Tarsier sanctuary- How I wish I can sneak one in my bag. Ssshhh.. 

 Man-made forest- walang kamatayang mga puno at nature pa ren

 Chocolate Hills- which is not so chocolatey at all.

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Butterfly Garden- expect many butterflies of course

We finished the tour by almost 4 in the afternoon. Since we want to spend the night ans the rest of our time in the beach, we told Kuya to take us to Panglao. He asked for an additional P500 including pickup the next day. Okay, fine. We bought first some snacks and necessities before heading to Panglao beach.

Bohol is truly a nature lover's paradise. You'll get to appreciate God's gift of nature to its province. So if you haven't been to Bohol and you've been wishing to visit the province, go ahead and explore. For its all in Bohol.