A Repost About Bolinao...

“There might have been multiple crossroads you have walked by, multiple pavements you have passed by, multiple places you have gone by, but there is always a place you have most of the memories left behind which you always want to as your safe exile.” – Yu Kaito

I have been to lots of places but there is always one place I remember most of my childhood and its Bolinao, Pangasinan. As a Bolinaonon, I speak the dialect (Binobolinao) and still embody the culture, which made me write about my hometown, to give insights of what’s at stake when you visit Bolinao, Pangasinan. You know what is best from Philippines – food and beaches, which both you can have along shores of this little municipality at the tip of Pangasinan.

A beacon of light at the tip of Bolinao to guide fishermen and ships that voyage the vast South China Sea.

The hospitable municipality of Bolinao, Pangasinan or the “Hidden Jewel of the North” is known by its historical Saint James the Great Parish Church (now challenging to where the first mass happened in the Philippines instead of Limasawa) which was built around 1609 by the Agustinians, it’s delicacies like binungey or bamboo rice cake and padas or vermiculated spinefoot sauce or clear bagoong isda, fresh marine products ranging from cudincudin or sea urchins or uni in Japanese to sungayan or unicorn fish <I miss this grilled Sungayan… yum yum yum>, scenic rock formations, and beaches. The grandeur of the rock formations and clear waters suits a very tropical atmosphere. Aside from the variety of sand colours from salt and pepper, orange, yellow, and white; the amusing enchanted cave and the beacons or lighthouses are also on the must see list.

Travel: To Bolinao is a private or bus ride from Manila around 5-7 hours to north. It may be a long ride but a worthy one. The fare is around Php 400-500 from Cubao or Pasay to the Bolinao’s Poblacion and vice versa. Tricycle rides are available near the area to drive you wherever you might want to go around Bolinao.

Below are my lists of places to go as far as I could remember and will revisit soon:

Saint James the Great Parish Church – one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and Pangasinan. This Agustinian church stand along the main road of Concordia Poblacion. This shows a strong the Catholicism heritage in the province. Just in front of the church’s gate are the souvenirs and binungeys for you to try.

Bolinao Wet Market – a place I always remember where my mama or lola and I went to get some fresh produce and marine products. Here you can get a freshly caught sungayan which is very delicious after grilling.

Breakwater and El Pescador Resorts and Hotel – a short turn going to Germinal toward the sea lays a beautiful view of the vast South China Sea. You can hangout and stay at the El Pescador Resorts and Hotel and ask your sungayan to be grilled.

Guiguiwanen Channel, Subor, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Our Lady Fatima Hills, UP Marine Science Institute, Cueba ni Palos – this is one of the oldest beach resorts we have in Bolinao. You just need to pay for the nipa huts or cottages at a very affordable price. You might want to climb the Our Lady of Fatima Hill and pray in the chapel before you continue climbing to the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, one of the oldest beacons we have in Pangasinan, another is in Patar. You can also go down and ask from UP Marine Science Institute to join on their trips to Silaqui Islands where giant clams were bred. From the UP Marine Science Institute building along the sea shore walk towards west and you will see the Subor or spring in English where fishes swims across the sweet water towards brackish then salty. Cueba ni Palos or Palos’ Cave is an amazing adventure. There is a legend about the cave with three entrances, which was used by Palos as a panic to keep him safe during the war. One of the entrances goes to his room and the others go to the intruder’s death place.

Pantalan, Dewey White Beach, & Balin Buaya – see the port of Bolinao and the islands separate from the mainland with the vast view of white sand and ocean, pass through a rumoured sprouting volcano, the salt factory, colourful apay or straw mats made of a family of anahaw (a round-leaf fountain palm) leaf or what local calls silag and the local weavers, maguey ropes andsinamay weavers, and the local community or the fishing village.

Long Beach and Governor’s Road Beaches – additional beaches you can explore around Bolinao where sand were white and people were so nice.

Balingasay Beach – this is a haven for local bars and fishing village along the trench of a river approaching the ocean. I remember my mom telling stories about how brackish the waters of this area and how strong the current where they used to training the swimmers’ speed as an athlete. This is where you can find the salt and pepper colour of sand where you can as well enjoy the sunset view.

Patar White Beach, Enchanted Cave, Patar Lighthouse, Rock View Beach – more beach, amazing cold waters inside a cave, another beacon of light, and the amazing Rock View Beach showing off the various rock formations. 

Breathing taking dusk time view of Bolinao’s Rock Formations.

There’s a lot more Bolinao can offer from food to adventure to soaking yourself on its beautiful beaches. If you would like to get some details on Bolinao Travel Guide, I will be creating a different link for you to look at or you can email me directly to give you some recommendations.

You can now follow me in twitter @travelingwithyu.

Related articles

• Why YU TRAVEL? (travelingwithyu.wordpress.com)
• Our Bolinao Adventure (annekralovna.wordpress.com)

Starting Summer in the Philippines as Early as February

Never would you miss out a fun in an island where you will not seek for the sun, sand, beach, and a little of those fun and memorable activities. Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales is one of the place where you can bask yourself under the sun, enjoy the beach, and the rigorous activities you can do such as climbing, snorkeling, and enjoying its nature's beauty.

As early as 7 we are all up and started our breakfast. Some ran along the Anawangin beach and some enjoyed sunrise watching. It was a different experience as we turned down our tents and waved goodbye to Anawangin Cove as our sail sets for Capones Grande Island or also known as Faro de Punta Capones. While our pump boat pushes its way against the waves, we have short discussions about the trees that grow along the Anawangin beach which was thought off as pine trees. NO! it’s not a pine tree but another member of the Plantae kingdom, Pinophyta division, and Pinopsida class called the Conifers or Agoho, which adds mystery on the place.

View at the docking station where some adventurers were taking photos near the cliff.

   

The docking station and the tip of the lighthouse at Faro de Punta Capones

Rhei enjoying the boat ride to Capones Grande Island and a view of the Capones Lighthouse tip.

A shot from our boat seeing through clear waters of Capones Island the beautyof corals laying magnificently and greeting us as our boats near docking.

    

The docking area at Faro de Punta Capones.

We docked at Capones Grande Island, went down our pump boat and get wet before we can really step on the islands dry area to climb the island and atop the historic lighthouse which guides international vessels to Subic Bay coming from the north to northwest to Manila Bay. It’s height is 65.0 ft. with a range of 25 nautical mile (46 km) which was constructed by brick masonry and was first lit in August 1, 1890.

We went up at the lighthouse feeling the creeps and excitement, for some will be fear due to its height. Upon reaching the top, you will see a magnificent view of the whole island.

 

Uphill climb at Faro de Punta Capones.

A bottom view of the Faro de Punta Capones from first ten steps of the docking station.

La Entrada - the entrance of the Capones Lighthouse with intricate bolted floral design.

A view of the lighthouse from the entrance.

Before we enter the lighthouse, I took another photo of it where you can see people at the viewing deck.

A shattered window of the Capones Lighthouse.

Kuya Mike and Rhei resting along the intricate staircase of the tower, using the window sleeves as their chairs.

A view of the unattached staircase with intricate details in a whole from floor next to the Capones Lighthouse's lamp.

Wholes around the Capones Lighthouse like those of the submarines and marine vessels giving a magnificent telescopic view of the island.

Top view of the Capones Lighthouse Garrison which was wrecked by previous typhoons.

Marz enjoying a meadow photo shoot with her rasta sarong blown by Capones Island breeze.

After enjoying the view we were asked to go down and this ends our Zambales tour. Sad as we will be back on our regular working lives, we are still happy as we have experienced yet another view of the Philippines and shove this off to our memory banks and treasure chests.  In addition, earning new friends is added atop the list for this trip.

This is just the start of my summer and will share more in the next post!

Happy reading... for any suggestion or comment just write them up. Ask me question and will answer them as soon as I can.

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Thanks! 

-Yu

My First Climb...

“Every height is completed by pain, striving, and out winning. Every step may take a gulp of water, a gasp of air, and perseverance.” This I told myself after accomplishing my first climb.  

I was contacted by my high school friend Sisylson who invited me to join them on their next climb while we circle UP ovals on a Sunday or Saturday night basis with our barkada <group of friends>. I think it’s time for me to take it up to the next level: mountaineering! Cool idea but do I have the stamina to go for it. They shoot me the email and I have agreed to join them. It was a booking with TriPinas, a local mountaineering firm, that organize and put into a package a mountaineering activity. To cut this short, our destination: Pundakit (Pundaquit), Zambales for the price of Php 1,750.00 with additional Php 100.00 for the tent rent and Php 450.00 for the food. Date: February 08-09, 2014 which a day in-debt from my work, needing to file for a time-off on the 7^th for a person working at night where our trips leave at 2:30AM of the 8^th.

In preparation for this climb, note that it is my first, I ran almost every day in our office gym after work and in UP oval on Saturday or Sunday to build stamina and leg strength. Bought a climbing sandal from Tribu which I advise 100% after the trip NOT TO BUY because its plastic buckles can easily be chipped. Aside from that climbing Pundakit trail requires better footwear. I suggest you buy close mountaineering shoes. I got the following prepared for myself:

• Biker’s sleeves (rash guards will work)
• Mountaineering pants (best if you wear longer or at least with inner leggings to prevent from getting rashes or cuts from grasses)
• Comfortable clothing (cotton T-shrits)
• Sunscreen (it does not mean you're going to the beach that's why you need it, exposure to the sun is the real reasons...skin cancer is a no no)
• Head gear (ask me where you can get a cheap 21 ways head-gear.
• Hat/cap (I did not wear it but I have one on my rubberducky sling bag) <Thanks ate Eileen Penafiel for the cap you’ve given me> ;)
• 2-3 liters of drinking water
• Face towel
• Camera
• Energy bar (Thanks Japi for sharing your treats! Every time I see a Jolly bar I remember you!)
• GREAT COMPANY! <miss you all guys!>
• I also got some can goods for our overnight stay at Anawangin Cove. (more to read…)

We took off at McDonalds El Pueblo in Ortigas with Kuya Mike (our guide and father of Anne who owns triPinas) around 2:30 AM. Saving our energies with a feel of new friends to be harvested after this trip, we slept ourselves during the road trip. It was a bumpy ride due to some driver’s uncomfortable feeling but we still arrived at San Antonio, Zambalez safe and whole around 6:30. We are advised to have our breakfast at a local eatery where I have a bowl of porridge with a hard-boiled egg. It was still a-not-so-cold morning which a hot coffee is a good zip. We were then advised that there were boatmen who will take our belongings to Anawangin Cove. <If we only knew, we could have brought our fridge… hihihi… you know what I mean! :D>

We started our hike around 7AM accompanied by Kuya Leoncio, the chief of local Barangay tanod. <wow! I felt relieved we are in good hands.> Sandy pathway leads us to the opening of the mountain trail showing a picturesque view of the area. We saw some housing projects which stands unoccupied pasted in a breath taking Mountain View background. You’ll never expect that a postcard view lays lively in front of you.

After the sandy path you will start to get a different view of which leads to a deeper forested-rocky place. The hike started to shift from an easy sandy to loamy – rocky road which you are welcomed by a portal-like trees formed in triangular pillar-like structures. It was the cool air that made not an eerie but more of a relax feelings.

Kuya Leoncio then led us to the mountain forest where you will find a not so noticeable red arrow marking in a stone pile and the tree. There we found an almost dried small river which did not surpass the expectation of we walking on a river and we passed another river which they called “Malakas” simple because the current in that river is strong when it’s raining. Mind you, it was dry empty when we crossed it, I may call it a river of round stones. We rested for a few as our guides switched places and Sir Mike, Ate Anne’s (owner of TriPinas) dad, lead the first bunch of the hikers while Kuya Leoncio became the sweeper.

The trek became harder as we got to higher altitude in the midday in a denuded mountain due to “kaingin” or forest fire. We gulped more water and dug in some energy bars as we stepped on lose clay grounds or crumbled stones. It was passed half morning when we reached the summit and the view was remarkable. Seeing Nagsasa Cove in a different perspective gave you more of the vicinity’s beauty. We took lots of pictures and I did my signature jump the “Buddha Jump” which Sisylson took perfectly using a burst shot in his GoPro. Then we proceed to again a different view of the mountain and a different terrain. Another switch of place by our hiking guides and we went down Pundaquit mountain chasing the sea breeze in a steep-sharp-edged-rough stone trail. This time it was really difficult with all the high weeds which could cut your skin and the sticky-slimy feeling of wet clay in your feet which snaps my trekking sandals. We made a remarkably six stops to rest as we climb down the mountain to again another river of stones. Kuya Leoncio guided 9 members of the hikers and 3 of us went missing. It was really hard to find the way as there are no markings on the round stones, not even foot prints are left not unless you reach the sandy area. There were 5 of us who first came to the campsite enjoying the view; Japi, Alvin, Me, Sisylson, Ellai, and Badeth. We then asked Kuya Leoncio to get those 3 people who were left as we are not sure if they went missing or if Sir Mike was able to find them along their ways as it has been 10 – 15 minutes since we haven’t heard or seen them. It took another amount of time waiting so we decided resting while Japi pitch her tents then we carried our feet to do the same thing. Sighting Rhei, Lani, and Tophet after same amount of minutes made we more comfortable eating ice cream on sticks and quenching our thirst with lots of water. Then Sir Mike with Mitch and Marz arrived then rested for a while laughed at some joke and a get-to-know-each-other activity then we prepped for our lunch. After the tiring but fun trek and filled stomach, we bathe ourselves in the welcoming waters of Nagsasa Cove and bask ourselves with sun’s rays until it went to sleep.

At night, restless we are we cleaned up and food was prepared in a boodle fight table which we ate a shared meal which each of the hiking members brought with them for the said night. Then we had some drinks over a bonfire before some of us went to sleep while some went for a walk along the shores to gaze the stars, the Dinoflagellates,  and of course to further know those whom we just came along with today then we walked back to our camps and called it a day.

Next STOP

I will be hosting a group that will be visiting Bolinao, Pangasinan this coming March 28 - 30, 2014 and will be staying at Punta Riviera Resort. It will be again another great story to tell. I will give you feedback on the hotel, the best spots, what to eat, and of course the whole escapade in Bolinao.

It has been long time have I not visited my hometown and now its getting more excited as I am hosting a group to showcase what Bolinao's beauty can give to our local tourist.

I have been friends with this group right after my first real climb at Mt. Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales.

I'm still working on the Zambales write up and I'm hoping I could post them for you to read. What I can say is that this is different from my first and second Anawangin Cove escapade. Hear from me soon guys.

I will be joining Advent Yearly Give's back at Shepherd of Hills Foundation tomorrow (March 22, 2014) in Project 4, Quezon City with U! Happy Events as our host. I will let you know what happens as well.

Check out https://www.facebook.com/travelingwithyu for updates on this event.

By the way, sorry for not writing for a long time. I've been swamped lately and just taking time during breaks to write so it's pretty slow this time.

Till next time... :)

DID I LEAVE MY HEART in SAN FRANCISCO?

It has been a long time I have not written any article. So far, this is the second for this day. Hopefully I can write more often, work less I think to better achieve this goal. 

I have nothing to offer in this article but an experience I have earned from our recent visit to our main office in San Francisco. This is my first time travelling to United States and my first time in San Francisco. I was super nervous and super excited, both feelings made me brain sick for the long days of waiting as well as our departure date from our homeland. I am just one of the luckiest person being picked to fly to SFO, together my buddy, Lissa. We worked as consultants but we never been recognized being so. Remember Jesus of Bethlehem was not recognize as Jesus the Son of God in Bethlehem, as to San Isidro’s expense as well.

March 2012 – The Announcement:

It was not paid off when our manager called us for a meeting, a surprise meeting we did not even expected. We are informed during that meeting after a short update of our projects, that we are requested by our counterparts to visit the main office. Hearing that, my buddy and I gave out soundless-shocked responses which ended up a group hug with our team manager. Then the processes were next.

Agony of Waiting:

As the day goes by and as the details of our flight came looping in our mailboxes, fear and pressure were the next two feelings I’ve felt. I don’t know but those were what I’m feeling. Some say I’m just excited that I don’t even understand my own feelings but to myself I’m really freaking out. These questions: How will I act once I get there? What will happened during the training? How are we going to overcome their expectations? How will we make them proud of the Manila team? These questions…

April 1, 2012 – Lunch Time

I offered this day to my family for a lunch date. We ate at Kanin Club, UP Ayala Techno Hub with my mother, siblings, nephews, niece, and my brother’s in law. It was short but a meaningful event for me. I haven’t eaten my meals for almost 5 years with my whole family. I eat breakfast when they’re done because I always arrive late in the morning. I don’t eat lunch because I need sleep. I eat dinner before then eat dinner because I need to report to work. This whole crazy schedule keeps me from eating with my whole family.

April 1, 2012 – Afternoon

I need to check my documents and my luggage before leaving the house and opt to NAIA. To the last minute, I forgot to print my hotel confirmation so I need to run to the nearest computer shop to access my emails and print my itinerary. I was all sweaty from heath of summer but still there were no feelings of excitement that I’m going to San Francisco. All my thoughts that day was not to miss the flight for me to make it to our schedule on Monday and report to work. This is why I don’t feel the excitement. This is not an ordinary trip for me that I can definitely enjoy my stay because I will be busy working still.

April 1, 2012 – Night

Lissa and I were at the airport (with our loved ones company and they left as we have checked-in) waiting and our trip got delayed for an hour. Note this: ALL flights to US with PAL got delayed for that day. So we stayed there waiting and we have drifted off to sleep, woke up, sleepy again, and woke up while we were sitting on the waiting area’s floor. I don’t want to agree with those who commented that NAIA is the worst airport in the whole wide world but at this moment I am.

We got our call for boarding a quarter late before midnight so we hurried and lined up. Noise were all over the place which made it hard to understand the person and announcements for boarding. I no longer care because this has been a long day for me. We got on board, took out our blankets, checked on PAL movies and sounds, and drifted off to sleep. Then we were awaken by the food served in flights, then watched movies, and drifted off to sleep. This is my routine for the whole trip. The trip lasted for 14 hours and we landed in SFO around 8 PM of April 1, 2012. SFO is smaller than I expected but I’m worried more about being stock with the immigration. Luckily we passed through immigration easily. Yehey! We were able to get our luggage and was shocked when we heard one of the officials asking the guy next to us if he got some “magic sarap” or “noodles” or “pancit canton” in his baggage. We were not asked so we just went through the exit.

We are in San Francisco airport waiting area and we were waiting for our friend and co-employee Louie who promised to pick us up.

Did we left our hearts in San Francisco?

Lissa’s roaming was not working which really sucks, it never worked for our whole stay. This was our lucky day cause by the moment we have opened the exit doors, Louie just got in. As we went out of the airport, then we’ve felt the San Francisco air. It’s like we have entered a butchery fridge…

Louie’s mom was there waiting and we were picked up and brought to Red Robin for dinner.  It was really cold but we felt the warmest welcome from Tita Erika and Louie. This has made SF like home…

The next story after this were all about work, fun, and “gala” times…