Pangasinan Wanderings: Alaminos' Hundred Charms

It would be impossible to wander the whole 7,107 islands of the Philippines at the same time. But seeing  100 islands of those 7,107 is an opportunity I will surely wouldn’t miss. So when I crave to explore a nearby province in Luzon with friends, I immediately thought of exploring one of the region’s famed destination in the north – The Hundred Islands of Pangasinan. 

Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf. The name Pangasinan means "land of salt" or "place of salt-making"; it is derived from the words "Pang", meaning for and "asin", meaning salt, or "For Salt" in the Pangasinan language and other related languages, owing to the rich and fine salt beds which were the prime source of livelihood for the province’s coastal towns. The province of Pangasinan is composed of 44 municipalities, 4 cities and 1,364 barangays.

100 of 7,107 islands of the Philippines

The jumping point is Alaminos City – home of the Hundred Islands. I embarked on a 6 hour bus trip on the road that started in the early hours of the morning to reach Alaminos.  Some travellers will find it a grueling road trip as the long hours of seating in the bus is tiring and boring.  But the scenic roads of Pangasinan will definitely not bore your eyes as I myself find it an indulgence to the sense of sight.

The Hundred Islands from Lucap Wharf

Alaminos is a coastal city in western Pangasinan. Covering an area of 1,844 hectares, the islands are believed to be 2 million years old. There are actually 123 islands, only 25 of them are named, only three have been developed for tourism, and many are still unexplored. All of the 25 islands can be visited, provided that the boatman agrees.  So its better to plan your plan your itinerary to the islands and see the island route of the boatman first before jumping on an island tour.

The Hundred Islands National Park is located in Alaminos City. The islands are actually ancient corals that extend well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an ancient sea. Lowering sea levels have exposed them to the surface and the peculiar "mushroom"-like shapes of some of the islands have been caused by the eroding action of the ocean waves.

Island-bound banca...

1 of the 123 islands of Hundred Islands National Park.

The beauty of nature in Hundred Islands.

Lucap Wharf is the jumpoint of the island hopping tour where all the arrangement, registration and price rates availment are made. It is accessible via tricycle and 15 minutes from Alaminos town proper. Around the wharf are numerous transient houses, inns and hotels for those who opts to stay in Alaminos. Me and my colleagues choose to do a day trip to the Hundred Islands.

From Lucap Wharp, we sailed for 15 minutes to reach Hundred Islands National Park. Seeing the islands much nearer is an explosion of beauty of nature in my eyesight! The lush greens, gray rock formations and white sand beach cove set against the bluest water is a marvelous beauty of nature that can only be found in Pangasinan.  The scattered islands seemed to be formed millions of years ago with a purpose of being a natural beauty that the province can be prouf of. Each frame of view of the islands in my sight are so scenic that all I can do is marvel and appreciate it. It is Alaminos’ hundred charms worth to explore.

Welcome to Governor's Island!

Meeting the real house of "Kuya"

Majestic views of Hundred Islands in front PBB House.

Beautiful beach of Governor's Island.

A few minutes of sail, we reach our first island stop – Governor’s Island. It is one of the three most developed islands in the national park.  This is where I met the real house of “Kuya.” The house was purposely built as the finale setting of the reality TV series Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition in 2006.  The front of the house has a majestic view of the Hundred Islands. The view is perfect backdrop for photoshoots. I wouldn’t mind staying in an island house if every morning I get this kind of majestic views. The house now serves as a popular landmark in Governor’s Island. It can be rented for an overnight stay in the island as well complete with all the amenities of a transient house.  We explored the island and in doing so we discovered more than about Kuya’s house.

There are coves in Governor’s Island that has fine white sand beaches which are ideal for swimming. The island’s beach seems enticing to swim but our guide led us to a hiking trail atop a hill-like rock formation to see a 360 degree view of the Hundred Islands National Park.  The view of the islands atop is more majestic than the front view of the Pinoy Big Brother house.  I can almost see the entire hundred islands in one whole sight or shall I say I entirely see the 100 of 7,107 islands of the Philippines! It was a beautiful view of the Hundred Islands that lingers long in my mind and worth the tiring hike.  

I love Hundred Islands!!!

A 360 degree view of the national park awaits at the hill-top view of Governor's Island.

Can I name this my island?

The famous view of Hundred Islands.

Our visit to Governor’s Island ended with a sightseeing of a cave at the back of the island. The cave is big enough for people to enter and has a narrow body but there is nothing to see inside, just appreciation of the cave itself.

The next stop is supposed to be Ramos Island but its cove is small that only 2 bancas can dock at the same time. There were already visitors in the island so we just passed by on it.  Ramos Island is famous for being the site location of TV series, Marina. 

The trail down the viewing deck at Governor's Island.

Governor's Island's cave.

A simple reminder of Going Green in Marcos Island.

The next island we explored first greeted us with its nice beach cove and named after the most popular politcal family in the country - Marcos Island. The beach cove of Marcos Island is ideal for swimming but the main feature of the island is the jump challenge at Marcos Cave. You need to do a little hike within the island to see the cave. Marcos Cave has a very wide cavern where visitors can jump from a platform and fall directly to an inland pool connected to the sea. I find it a real challenge because the jumping point is so high that I chicken out jumping into the cave pool! While my travelmates, dare to try it, I just opt to take their photos and later I explored the sightseeing point of the island while waitig for them to swam back to the beach cove. 

Pristine beach cove at Marcos Island.

The challenging Marcos Cave where I chicken out!

Girls are brave, I concluded. Enjoying a swim in pool lagoon of Marcos Cave.

Home sweet home - Bats in Bat Island.

Bat Island is our fourth stop.  The main feature of the island are the bats themselves who inhabiting the islands’ tree branches.  All of them were making a squeking sound as we approach the island adjoined by their distinct smell. I wonder how they resist staying under the sun as the heat rays are strong that morning. Bancas can’t dock at Bat Island are there are no docking area in the island.

Quezon Island from our boat.

Quezon Island's developed amenities for tourists and visitors.

We sail next to Quezon Island – the island where we stayed the longest among the islands of Hundred Islands. This is where you can do many activities that you shouldn’t miss as Quezon Island is a playground to water sports and adventure-seekers.   There is kayaking, sports fishing, snorkeling and swimming of course! Arriving in Quezon Island, we were greeted by a wonderful beach cove where beside it is an enclosed Clam Garden where live Giant Clams are being taken care of.  I would like to do a closer look of the giant clams but the garden prohibits diving in the garden, thus I just contented of looking at it for the first time.  My tavelmates explore further the island and we discover rock formation grottoes facing a beautiful view of the islands perfect for photoshoot, coral reef garden which are ideal for snorkeling and Quezon Island’s second beach cove which is good for play, swim and relaxation.  Quezon Island also has beautiful cabanas and nipa huts to rent for day trip visitors.  It is very ideal for family outings, lunch with friends and other gatherings. 

The Giant Clam Garden at Quezon Island.

A closer look at the Giant Clam and friends!

Another island near Quezon Island.

White sand beach of Quezon Island.

Magazine-cover worthy picture of Quezon Island.

We love Hundred Islands!!! - Swim like no other in Quezon Island.

This scene of Hundred Islands makes you forget all your stress and worries.

I spent most my time swimming with my travelmates in Quezon Islands’ second beach cove because of its secluded aura. There were almost no people except us who were at the beach.  I felf as if we own the beach by ourselves to enjoy. Half part of the cove it shaded by tall trees so no worry about having a sun-kissed skin! (sunburn).  It was here we swim, swim and swim like no other! Also here in Quezon Island, I find it unique that while swimming in its beach, I get a spectacular view of the islands from afar.  It was so scenic that it lingers in my mind and at times I just find myself half submerged in the shallow water of the beach, relaxing and admiring the beauty of the islands from afar.

Just relax all day long...

Cove of pure bliss at Quezon Island.

Children's Island.

Famed for its shallow waters, ideal for swimming with kids, we hop next to Children’s Island. It is the last of the most developed islands in the national park that we visited. There were also cabanas and nipa huts for rent while staying in Children’s Island. The island were crowded by groups of families when we visited so we just opt not to swim in its beach and proceed to our next island stop.

Alaminos' hundred charms - The Hundred Islands from Cuenco Cave viewing area.

Cuenco Cave is the last stop of our island hopping in Hundred Islands. I believe the cave belongs to Cuenco Island. The cave is hidden in between three islands. Cuenco Cave has a wide entrance and large in structure that make me think it is the lair of monster Kraken from Clash of the Titans movie.  Once we enter the cave we were greeted by the cool breeze of the sea which was so good when it damped on my skin.  As I walked inside, I admire t1he fascinating unique rock formations and limestones surrounding the caverns, and ceilings of Cuenco Cave. When we reached the other end of the cave, it was an exit to a stunning view of Hundred Islands. After having souvinir photos of Cuenco Cave, we returned to the entrance again.  This time a different but another stunning view of the Hundred Islands can be seen.  The view was made more stunning with the outline frame of Cuenco Cave entrance. 

Release the Kraken!!! - Cuenco Cave entrance.

Inside Cuenco Cave.

The other side opening of Cuenco Cave has an equally beautiful view.

Cuenco Cave memories...

The beauty of Hundred Islands.

It was the end of our island hopping tour of the Hundred Islands. We returned to Lucap Wharf by 2 in the afternoon. Then, we shop for sourvenirs at Pantalan just near the wharf before going to a local mall to have our late lunch.

It would be really impossible to see all of the 7,107 islands of the Philippines at the same time. But in Alaminos, seeing 100 of them is possible! You just have to widely stretch your eyes in Hundred Islands to see it. I’m proud to have seen these hundred gems of Pangasinan whom the province highly prided. I get to have an exceptional island hopping adventure and I never experience these kind of hundred natural beauties in one trip! Alaminos’ hundred charms is truly the Hundred Islands and when you say its hundred, it  also means hundred gateaways to hundred beaches, hundred coves, hundred snorkeling sights, hundred sport activities, hundred scenic seascapes, hundred caves, hundred sightseeings and hundred adventures!

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Alaminos' Hundred Charms is part of my Pangasinan Wanderings two series story happened last July 3-4. Please also do read the second part of the series - Treasures of Bolinao.

Who is the real Tarsier?

One of the tours included in the countryside tour of Bohol is a visit to a Tarsier Sanctuary. One of its messages is spreading the awareness and concern about preserving the population of one of the unique primate species endemic in Bohol, which is the endangered Philippine Tarsier.  After seeing the cute and cuddly Tarsiers around the visitor's area, there's an imitation wall of the Tarsier where you can slip you face and hand so that you can have a memorable souvenir picture of imitating the famed primate of Bohol. This is was very popular among the visitors of the sanctuary.  And so I try to mock the Tarsier. I slip my face on the wall's hole, enlarge my eyes as large as possible to imitate the big round eyes of the Tarsier and extend my hand limbs to the fullest so I can have an authentic look of the Tarsier. The result is... who is the real Tarsier?

More about my Tarsier encounter here.

Antipolo's Real Cove

Enjoying the leisure with nature is the treat that I had when I visited Antipolo's Real Cove Resort in Rizal for a company teambuilding last May. The trip was a good opportunity to rediscover Antipolo again and the province of Rizal as a good nearby metropolis destination for Summer.

Antipolo's Real Cove.

It took us a 2-3 hours drive from Manila to reach Antipolo, Rizal. Real Cove Resort is located along Provincial Road, Brgy. Dalig, near Antipolo - Teresa boundary of Antipolo City.  While traveling on the road, I can already see the resort's imposing landmark - a billboard size name of the resort on the top of a very visible mountain top. This just made me excited for teambuilding that we were going to have in the resort later.

The resort is located at the base of the mountain and basically hilly. But what I like about its surroundings is its trees and plant abounded surroundings that makes the place cooler even on high summer day. The tall trees that gives instant shades from the hot rays of the sun were refreshing in sight and very nature inspired place. This is a true testament to the resorts' slogan - enjoying the leisure with nature.  

Teambuilding mates.

Welcome to Real Cove!

Here's a little bit of background about Antipolo and Rizal. Antipolo is a city in located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population. The city is popular for being a pilgrimage site. It prides itself as the "Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines." The Marian image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or the Virgin of Antipolo, which was brought in from Mexico in 1626, and enshrined in the Antipolo Cathedral has a continuous following among Filipino Catholics since the Spanish era. Its higher elevation than that of Metro Manila affords it a scenic view of the metropolis, especially at night. The city was named after the tipolo (breadfruit) tree (Artocarpus incisa), which was in abundance in the area. (Source)

Meanwhile, Rizal is a province that made the CALABARZON Region , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal is bordered by Metro Manila to the west, the province of Bulacan to the north, Quezon to the east and Laguna province to the south. The province also lies on the northern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. Rizal is a mountainous province perched on the western slopes of the southern portion of the Sierra Madre mountain range. (Source)

One of the public pools of the resort.

Grill time!!!

Grilled fish, perfect for chow time.

Our teambuilding started with registration first. Then, we prepared our things in our room assignment. After we settled in, I helped in preparation of our food. Grilling is the best way of cooking in this kind of event - and grilling of all sorts of food - fish, squid, hot dogs and pork barbecue, of course!

We also had a private pool near our private room area where we are the only one who can use it but we are also allowed to use the other 2 public pools of the resort at our own leisure.

Extreme swimming time!

After we had our meal, we started our teambuilding games. But before we the games we had to do a team cheer first.  During the program, we had three games - Pinoy Henyo, Family Feud and Amazing Race, in which all of my team mates won.  Hurray! I highly enjoyed Amazing Race among the team games that we had. I had a chance to play like in my favorite reality TV Show - The Amazing Race - with all the runs and stride, puzzle solving clues and doing extreme challenges!

I ended my night together my colleagues on a relaxing night swimming while the others opt to sing in the video karaoke all-night long.

I'm proving myself not a couch potato - all smiles at the start of trek but later...

The following day, I woke up with a painful body.  This is what I get from last night's exhausting and over the edge swimming activity due to excitement! Despite of muscle aches all over my body, I need to wake up early to grab the opportunity of the morning's good atmosphere for a mountain hiking. Real Cove has a 400 step mountain hike that is a very good activity within the resort's facilities. The resort sits on the base of a mountain which the resort also owns. The steps are paved and guided so you won't be lost when you reach the summit.

If you think a couch potato can do it, think again. The 400 step is an extreme challenge! I started on 50 step first lap together with my colleagues who want to try hiking too. While the steps are pave, the heat of summer sun and no air breeze along the trail made it difficult and hot. Yet I'm glad that with all the sweats I had, I loose a lot of calories!!!

We're almost there - 2 more laps to go!

Some of my hiking colleagues enjoying the hike adventure.

After 400 steps!

The beautiful view of Rizal and Antipolo at the top.

I'm flying!!!

Beautiful mountain ranges can be seen at the top of the viewing area.

The summit at the top was rewarding. I got a 360 degree mountaintop view of Rizal province and Antipolo. There is a lush greenery view of the mountain ranges and hills of the surrounding areas at the top. A clear bluish sky also greeted us at the top. This is now where a cool mountain breeze blows. Even I had a weary body after the hike, I appreciate the imposing view at the top. This relaxing view is a great reward after 400 steps!

I'm not a couch potato - I reach the finish line!

The hiking trail down.

The trail down the mountain prove to be difficult this time, as the steps are quite steep and the view is nauseating. But with guided and moderate steps, I managed to finish the hike down.  After a total of 800 steps of hiking - up and down the mountain, I felt a need to rest. But my colleague invited me to do a garden walk at the back of the resort. The resort had a shady gardens perfect for afternoon chats and nature explorations.  This is also near the trail of ATV Rides that the resort is also offering.  The garden is nice and perfect for souvenirs photos.

Garden walk at Real Cove.

Antipolo Cathedral.

After a quite long rest, the company's service fetch us. Since there still enough time, we asked for a sidetrip to Antipolo Cathedral. While the cathedral is famous for the Catholic devotees, it is also famous for being the shrine of Marian icon, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Senora de la Paz Y Buenviaje). According to history, the icon, after repeated safe journeys between Mexico and the Philippines early in the 17th century, became known as the heavenly protector of Spain’s galleons.You can view the history and artifacts about it, offered a prayer and touch the icon on a separate backdoor trail of the cathedral. We did this after a short attendance to an ongoing mass. You can also buy candle and icon souvenirs and have it bless within the grounds of the church.  Outside the grounds, there are numerous tiangges selling popular pasalubongs from Antipolo like cashews and suman – a local delicacy made out of sticky rice.

We drove for 2 and a half hours back to Manila after. I have a leisure nature trip in Antipolo and though with a weary and tired body, I appreciate these discoveries in Rizal that made my last escapade of Summer 2011 a memorable one... 'til next summer.

Real Cove Resort 
Provincial Road, Brgy. Dalig,
(near Antipolo - Teresa Boundary), Antipolo City, Rizal
For booking and inquiries - 710-6054/994-3616/0922-8452844/0917-8809628/0920-9513970

The 50th State!

Hawaii is the 50th state of United States of America. It became an official state of US in August 1959.  It is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands and adopts the motto, "The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness."  Hawaii is an archipelago of over nineteen distinct volcanic islands located over a geological "hot spot" in the Central Pacific. There are eight major islands, six of which are open to tourism - Hawaii (Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai. Hawaii’s natural beauty, warm tropical climate, inviting waters and waves, and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists alike.

Now that's a bit of history and information perfect for curious travelers to Hawaii and USA and just suited in time for the celebration of the America's independence day tomorrow.  While the state flag of Hawaii looks like a Union Flag of UK or having a part of it because it was once a British protectorate, its stripe colors of red, white and blue is very American. While touring the grounds of Pearl Harbor during my Hawaii trip, I have found these flags of state of Hawaii and USA, side by side and reminding us that Hawaii is a state of USA.

More about Hawaii here.