Mi-quit Tama na Bolinao! (Part 1)

It has been years I have not seen my hometown and now with a group of few friends, I was able to visit the place that once took me as a child.

I grew up in this small town of Bolinao, Pangasinan then moved to Manila at the age of 13. I was still looking forward in seeing my hometown as I remember it. So I rallied the TamaRaw! Hikers group in FB to set a date and scheduled our Bolinao tour. I was planning this as my test travel package I create. The package I took for the group (supposedly of 10 -13 pax) is Php 4,000 – Php 4,500 which includes a ride back and forth Manila in safely driven Hi-Ace.

Planning along, I scheduled a tour for the group and advised them to prepare the following before we took off:

•  Summer outfits (preferably comfortable, loose, cottony, for beach… etc.)

o   Sando or razor backs or shirts

o   Swimsuit

o   Rash guard

o    Board shorts

• Slippers or sand shoes
• Sunscreens
• Shades or sunglasses
• Head gears, Hat, sun visors, cap, and the likes
• Umbrella
• Camera
• Your own towel just in case vanity strikes
• CASH – there’s an ATM at Aliminos but it’s a far travel once you get to Bolinao so better have cash handy.

·

Lani and I came first and I had a few sips of my personalized caramel macchiato in Starbucks around 11:00 PM – 12:30 PM and soon we moved to our meeting place. Not long waiting Son, Ellai, and Alvin arrived, then Marz, after which Kuya Aaron, and Rhei. Time check: 1:30 AM and we (Lani, Rhei, Alvin, Marz, Ellai, Son, and me) are left waiting for Rhose to arrive from work at our meeting place in North Avenue and will depart at exactly 2:00 AM. At last she arrived and we are able to move our things to our Van with the help of Kuya Aaron who drove as fast and safely to Alaminos around 5:00 AM. We took some photo at Alaminos town center and had our pee break after the long 3 hour trip (but this really is sooooooooooo FAST) then we drove to Bolinao took some photos at the Bolinao marker (arc) while enjoying the view of the sunrise.

We arrived at the Bolinao town proper and drove directly to St. James Parish Church and the Municipal Hall. We prayed and took some photos then I showed them the Binunguey Sellers at the church’s gate. 

I called up my Aunt, Jasmine Camba, then we drove to her restaurant (which turned out we ate in her dining table) for breakfast. We famished ourselves along the way with little of Puto Calasiao and Kuntsinta so we can eat more of Bolinao’s very own Binunguey, a good grade of Danggit (oh so fresh!), and eggs. It was really a great day seeing my aunt again and as well as enjoy those little breakfast feast served wholeheartedly by my aunt and uncle. (Abaw a salamat Ante tan Uncle! – Thank you very much Aunt and Uncle!).

(To be continued...)

Summer Plans

It's summer again... This tells me to list down what my summer vacation plan looks like. Here are some of my plans for Summer of 2014:

February 08-09, 2014 - Zambales Getaway

• Mt. Pundaquit Trekking
• Anawangin Cove Camping
• Capones Island Trekking and Scenic Viewing

March 12-13, 2014 - Ocean Park, Manila and an overnight stay at H2O Hotel. (Cancelled)

March 22, 2014 - Shepherd of Hills Foundation, Inc. Charity Event with U! Happy Events

April 5-7, 2014 - Advent APAC Offsite 2014 at Crimson Hotel Resort and Spa at Mactan, Cebu

April 11-13, 2014 - La Luz Batangas Trip Part 2 (Cancelled)

April 17-20, 2014 - Lenten Family Getaway at Bolinao, Pangasinan

April 26-27, 2014 - Coco Stilts Resort at Batangas (Cancelled)

May 3, 2014 - Barkada Dinner and Kamustahan

May 9-12, 2014 - Unexpected Boracay Trip! (Inserted)

May 17-20, 2014 - APAC Professional Services Offsite 2014 - Hong Kong (NEW!)

May 24-25, 2014 - Coco Stilts Getaway (to be pushed!)

May 30, 2014 - Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte Trip  (NEW!)

June 01-02, 2014 - Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte Trip  (NEW!)

November 2014 - CDO, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Iligan

Anti-BULLY Duo on British Got Talent

Watch this video, this is not related to traveling places but this discuss a part of a kid's travel in life.

This audition made my tears fall. Thanks for this kid who shared his life being bullied and give inspiration to people who have suffered the same thing. I have been bullied my entire life and hearing this song makes me celebrate life more. This Anti-bullying song will make dollars for these kids.

Enjoy watching guys! And Simon Cowell thanks for hitting the Golden Buzzer! 

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