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.

Polo: Padre Burgos, Quezon

I have been coming in and out to Quezon Province for almost my entire childhood, but I have never experienced going to Padre Burgos before. The only places I have been were Pagbilao, Mauban, and Atimonan.  Padre Burgos has always been known by the locals, and by word-of-mouth it has been said that its beaches are comparable to those of Boracay.

Three years ago, last week of January, my cousins and I were able to conquer the place via a private car.  Our destination, Polo, a quaint barrio nestled along the coast of Lamon Bay in Padre Burgos.  So far it is one of the beaches I have been in Southern Luzon.

Beautiful rock formation

This is the view at the window from the hut that we stayed in.
And yes, our hut is situated almost by the beach.

A spiky sea urchin found along the beach

Colorful bancas docked by the beach

From Manila (our-jump-off point, hehe) it took as approximately four hours before reaching Polo.  We used the route Antipolo-Laguna-Quezon for it has no pollution nor traffic.

Our team composed of five persons, which includes my cousins, Romelyn (Em), Arjay, Manny (cousin-in-law, is there such definition), and Liezl (Tiki).

Yup, this is us (L-R: Manny, Tiki, yours truly, and Em).
Credits to Arjay, he took the photo. You'll be seeing more of him though after the jump.

Upon reaching Quezon in the mid afternoon, we were all tired so decided to go to Polo in the morning the next day.  Later at night we had booze and barbecue party in Lucena at Tita Ely's flat.  

I don't know what to say here

The next morning I woke up early at around 5:30AM, but since everybody was too lazy and with hangover pangs from last night we left at around 8:00AM.  From Lucena proper, it took us around 45 minutes to 1 hour before reaching Barangay Polo.  I really love the Barangay, most of the houses are of nipa and sawali material, it just gives an aura of a real "probinsya".

We parked our car by the barangay center near the beach in Polo (main) then we rode a banca going towards the Polo cove. We are going to stay at Nanay Elsa's house for the rest our 2-day retreat. The team is lucky because Nanay Elsa's son even operated the banca. We had a more-of-like a "private cruise" going to Polo.

After a few minutes of waiting our very own private banca arrived

Some obligatory pictures with the banca :-)

L-R: Manny, Tiki, and yours truly

Em, having the time of her life

Clockwise from top: Arjay, Me, Tiki, Manny, and Nanay Elsa's son

It was rather a cloudy afternoon, and we were blessed with mild waves en route to our destination.  Upon arriving, Nanay Elsa greeted us in her kubo.  It was like a turn back in time experience for the place has no electricity, low-to-no signal, and stone-stoves.  I just love every minute of it. No bells nor whistles, just back to basics.

Shown here is Nanay Elsa waiting for our arrival

A detail of the roof of the hut where we spent the night.

Our home-sweet-home for the weekend

Our escapade wouldn't be complete without a case or two of Red Horse beer

Fresh catch: Alumahan sells at Php60 a kilo.
We actually saved almost 50% in buying from the fisherman as compared to the market price

What's better than grilled fish? Of course, "Fresh-from-the-Ocean" grilled fish!

Arjay and Manny

Cock ready to fight

Traditional stone stoves. This is where we cooked our meal during the rest our stay

Thinking of our next itinerary

Cynophobic Em. We are exposing her to dogs so as to desensitize her fear.

A few minutes later, Em and the dog are now good friends.

Our stay in Polo are composed of goofing around, much like this.

An "actual" banca making

Coconut juice, from the buko (of course).

Our generous host, Nanay Elsa with Tiki

Arjay cracking some corny jokes

Cute mother and daughter(?) dog

Stop yelling!!!

Fine sands and crystal clear waters.
And yep, that's Moby chocolate curls, a local "chichirya"

Yellow coconuts

Three bancas by the sunset

I've never seen such numerous Chocolate Chip starfishes in a single beach before

During low tide, especially in the early morning, coral formations and other marine plants are exposed  near the surface of the water..

While some are totally exposed, like this Soft-finger coral

More exposed corals during low tide

Checking out the marine produce.
If you are wondering where the produce are, it's underneath this text. Damn camera!

Posing with Totoy, Nanay Elsa's grandson

Freash catch!

Can somebody identify this type of fish

Chocolate-chip Starfish

The big men

Obligatory jump-shots

View on the farther side of the beach.  The farther we go, the more rocks we see by the beach.
I'll tell you, it is painful to walk this side of the beach without slippers.

Sea plants on the rock surface exposed during low tide

Reporting live for Lonely Planet

Polo is a very beautiful place, not to mention the hospitality of the locales.  We are lucky because we get to experience the real "fishing village" life.  I am definitely going back to this place again.