Anawangin: San Antonio, Zambales

Anawangin is a cove situated in San Antonio, Zambales.  A lot of people mistake this place as an island, because the most frequent way to travel here is via boat.  Well, in fact this is still part of San Antonio (main).  Another way to get to this place is through trekking via Barangay Pundaquit, a 3-4 hour trekking will lead you to the majestic cove.

My friends (April, Audrey, Iris, Mina, Nante, and Nigel) and I where looking for a place to spend a few days for the summer season.  And yes, we decided to choose Anawangin. We are really curious to find out what the fuzz is all about.

There were stories that long time ago the place is inaccessible, because there is no beach in the area, and it is tree-scarce. Until 1991 Mt. Pinatubo erupted.  Now the place has a beach, due to massive ash spewed by the volcano, and eventually Pine (Agojo) trees mysteriously grew on the sands as the years go by. It has a unique appearance resembling Baguio and Coron fused to form one magnificent beach.

Pine trees and orange-colored rock mountain of Anawangin cove.

Numerous Pine (Agojo) trees greets us upon docking our boats

Rock formations

Anawangin cove can be seen between these two rock formations

Pine trees. Lots of pine trees.  These trees make a unique swishing sound
especially when the wind is blowing hard.

My work was from 11PM-7AM shift the day before we embarked on a journey to Anawangin. Right after the morning endorsement, I hurried up home then packed my things and tent. On the other hand Nigel, Mina, April and Iris were all ready set to go, since they got to chance to prepare their things a day before.

We met with Audrey and Nante at Vicas, Caloocan City at around 9:00AM.  It was a convenient waiting place because there is a shortcut to NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) via Congressional Road.

Obligatory photo inside the van ;-)
(L-R: Mina, Iris, and April)

First stop: Subic
Our journey wouldn't be complete without "stop-overs"
(L-R: Nigel, Iris, Mina, Audrey, yours truly, and Nante)

At around 12:00 in the afternoon, we arrived at Barangay Pundaquit in San Antonio.  From there we were greeted by Ate Olivia, our contact and she also happens to be the owner of one of the boats we are going to ride en route to Anawangin cove.  She is very accomodating.  We had lunch by her house and even had our SUV parked inside her garage.

Ate Olivia. A face that could launch a thousand ships. I mean, boats!
She owns three boats all under the name "Olivia". 

From Ate Olivia's house, we drove to the Pundaquit beach, we dropped off our things and belongings there. Kuya Nante, on the other hand, drove back to Ate Olivia's and parked our SUV there.  While waiting for Kuya Nante, the clouds started to darken, and it drizzled for a short time.

All our bags are packed and ready to... ride the boat

Ready to show off my tent building skills in a few

The boats available during that time has only 3 - 4 person capacity, that's why rented two boats. Either way, everyone was happy and high-spirited. All are excited to check out what Anawangin has to offer.  It took us around 45 minutes before reaching the cove. It was a breath of fresh air. No trash, and only a few campers are present.

I don't understand why are we going in three different directions. Really.

It started to rain upon our arrival, so we hurried building our tents, and made a make-shift tent for our stone-stoves so it won't get wet.

Happy campers

Yup! That is what I'm talking about!

And voila! The tents are now all prim and proper

By 6:00PM we already prepared our food and drinks just in time for dinner, while some of us are having a quick dip by the beach. Since it's getting late and it is starting to get dark, we set our bonfire did some socials with other campers and trekkers nearby . It was happy night of drinking and barbecuing.

Fire in the hole!

Hungry campers
(Clockwise from left: Nante, Mina, Audrey,  Iris, and yours truly)

The following day, as early as 6:00AM, not minding the hang-over pangs, we explored the entire cove, and the river. While our breakfast is being prepared by "the ladies," Iris and I scoured the length of the beach while mingling with the "locals."

A hut with a nipa roof

The western side of the cove is covered with grass.
We were expecting for a greener grass though

Towering pine trees

Can somebody please identify this type of seaweed?

Bliss.

View from the Anawangin River

I have been warned

Anawangin beach

Our tents are all set and lined-up.

There are many rock formations we passed by en route to Anawangin cove.

Grass covered rock formations en route to Anawangin are majestic

Where the river meets the sea

Obligatory group shot :-)
(L-R: April, yours truly, Audrey, Nante, Nigel, and Iris)

Mga Pare!!!

Can somebody please identify who the locals are in this group picture.

Anawangin river. Where the river meets the sea.
(L-R: Mina, Nigel, and Iris)

We had lots of fun during the rest of our stay in Anawangin. The following morning, before heading back to Barangay Pundaquit, we visited Capones and Camara Islands.(I will be discussing these two islands on a separate post in this blog).

I have learned that nature has its ways to awe us in ways we never expect.  As of today, Anawangin is getting more and more popular with the tourists and people in throngs visit this place almost everyday. I just hope the cleanliness of this place will be maintained, and I am hoping that it would still remain majestic on my next visit.

My home away from home... in Anawangin.

Manaoag Church: Pangasinan

Our visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag is part of our trip to the Hundred Islands National Park. After a day of island hopping and spending the night at islands, we decided to maximize our trip, at 8:00AM, the next morning, we drove to Manaoag, Pangasinan before heading to my Dad's birthplace in Basista.

Manaoag is famous for its miracles. It is frequented by devotees of the Nuestra Senora del Rosario de Manaoag which is enshrined on their famous church.

Facade of the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag

Ceiling details

On the altar, the Nuestra Senora del Rosario de Manaoag is enshrined.
Devotees get to wipe their handkerchiefs to the ivory image
through a window behind where the image is encased.

A Sto. Nino, encased in glass.

It took us approximately 2 - 3 hours before reaching the church. At exactly 10:00AM we arrived in Manaoag, just in time to hear the mass.  A lot of devotees are there, some in the candle lighting area, while some are lined-up to have their handkerchiefs touch the ivory image.

Since it's just two hours before lunch I still have enough time to survey the area and check the church's architecture. Prewar architecture never fails to impress me. 

Instead of the usual Capiz shells, this window is decorated
with square glasses with an assortment of colors

A corner of the church

Window details

On the eastern side of the church, a religious center can be found.  An assortment of memorabilia and souvenirs can be found inside this area. Statues, replicas, rosaries, prayer-books  librettos, even holy water can be purchased here for a reasonable price.

We are all tired, but still able to strike a pose.

Magnets, pendants, and librettos can be purchased at a reasonable price

Shelf filled with religious statues, candles, and wine

A lot of items can be bought inside Religious Center. On the other hand, at the easternmost part outside the church, a frenzy of stalls that also sells a gamut of religious items can be found. They even sell bracelets with free name engraving as well.

BRESLET  FOR  SALE!!!

What's better than a "Breslet"?! A "Breslet" with a free name, of course!
(It's a good marketing strategy. Sometimes you have to think outside the box!)

Hundred Islands: Alaminos, Pangasinan

I have been long-time-ago planning to go to Bolinao, Pangasinan after my elder brother's birthday.  I have always read among the blogs that it has great beaches, and natural rock formations.  So, research, itineraries, and head counts for "attendees" were even drafted,. Everyone was excited.

However we ended up going to Alaminos, because recently, Bolinao was ravaged by the passing of the typhoon "Reming".  Good thing, the resort owner and our contact advised not to proceed with our planned escapade to Bolinao, and advised us to go to Hundred Islands. And yes, that was our Plan B.

Turns out our Plan B led us to the right decision. Hundred Islands in Alaminos is perfect. The sun, the sea, the food and the accommodation are all just right within our budget limit.  Although frequented by tourists and local visitors alike, it still remained unspoilt, because of its clean beaches and disciplined island dwellers.

Hundred Islands National Park is situated in the Lingayen Gulf. These islands are composed of ancient corals from the seabed of an ancient sea.  The unique mushroom shape of the islands and the islets are caused by constant hitting of the wave.

View from the peak of the Governor's Island.
Approximately 30 minutes trekking up upon reaching the viewpoint

A castanas tree.  This photo was taken from Governor's Island en route to the Hundred Islands viewdeck

Crystal clear waters of Quezon Island

Two boats docked on the beach of Marcos Island

Powdery soft sands of Marcos Island.

A yellow boat docked beside the wharf of Children's Island

We left at Novaliches at around 1:00AM. There were 16 of us who embarked on this journey towards the Hundred Islands in Alaminos Pangasinan via SLEX (South Luzon Expressway). We occupied a whole jeepney owned by Uncle Meling.  It was a smooth 7 hour ride going to our destination, the first 2 hours was filled with chats and jokes, then of course the spent remaining 5 hours sleeping, if not waking occasionally to check our whereabouts.

This is SLEX in the wee hours of the morning

Camera-ready. Em endorsing a customized tumbler from Starbucks

Camera-shy A.

Camera-shy B.

At about 8:00AM we arrived at the Alaminos town proper, from there we were greeted by the Manong Boy, a local tourism officer, and also our contact.  From there he accompanied us to the hostel owned by Aling Cecille.  The hostel is rather spacious, it is one big room divided by a concrete wall which has 5 beds in each division. And oh, it has it's a fridge, aircon, kitchen, and own parking space.

Backpacks everywhere.

From our hostel, we walked to the wharf for 15-20 minutes. Our boat, Trisha was waiting for us as we arrived.  And yes, picture-taking before boarding the boat.  The sea was calm as we expected, with few big waves.  It was a smooth-sailing ride going to our destination.  By the way, our itinerary was composed of the following islands: Quezon Island, Marcos Island, Children Island, & Governor's Island.

The local tourists ;-)

By the wharf, a sombrero vendor with her kid.

Yes, that's what I'm taking about. That's her! Trisha, our boat!

Bright orange paint inside the boat, matches the color of our life-vests

One of the many islands that we passed by.
The caving in of these limestone islets was caused by the constant hitting of the waves

T-shirts and other souvenirs are sold in these huts in Children's Island.
Children's Island was so called because it has wide beaches that is
relatively safe for children to bask on.

View mid-way to the peak of Governor's Island.

Coin-divers by the Alaminos wharf.

Islets. Islets everywhere.

A prominent tree in Quezon Island. Can somebody identify this type of tree.

A cave shed underneath Quezon Island.
Be cautious in staying in this spot, huge waves are expected to bump you. 

The Beachineering Society!
L-R: Manuel, Michelle, Manny, Gerryvic, Freddie, Vic, Tiki, Kaye, Em, Edna, Gary, Kevin, Flor & Sion

Crystal clear waters!

Underneath, you could almost see the shadow of the boat.  That's how clear the water is.

View from the other side of Marcos Island. This is perfect for diving!

Poser shot.  Forgive me, I really need to have a shot like this! ;-)

These kids at Quezon Island are amateur coin-divers.

Children's Island wharf.

Hundred Islands National Park is a jewel of Alaminos Pangasinan, it has one of the cleanest beach I have been.  There is only one minor setback though, of those four islands that we've been, there is no source of freshwater used for bathing after dipping at the sea.  Good thing our hostel is located nearby the wharf.  I was captured by the beauty of this park, and definitely will come back again in the near future.