The Overrated Pine Trees of ANAWANGIN COVE

In 1990, Mount Pinatubo unleashed its fury and erupted - one of the most violent and deadliest volcanic eruption in the history of mankind.

Anawangin Cove was covered with ashes, became isolated for quite some time, probably left barren. 

A few years later, the beach front was formed divinely covered with fine white sand (the product of Pinatubo ashes, that is!), and lush foliage of pine trees started to grow and cover the entire cove. What a magnificent reward from Mother Nature!

These pine trees made Anawangin cove so popular, and its popularity spread across the nation and the world! Almost everyone wants to go there. The sleepy sitio of Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales is now the center of tourism in Zambales!

Our original plan was just to go to Capones Lighthouse. But our bancero insisted we should try Anawangin first. He said the fine trees look great!

Anyway, for curiosity's sake, Tess and I went there to find out for ourselves why this is the prime destination in this town. Truly, upon reaching the cove, we were awed by the beach with fine grey sand turning white under the sun and the welcoming sight of the surrounding green mountain slopes and visible tips of pine trees from afar.

It was amazing, a sight to behold, a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

But devastatingly disappointing! People started to litter the place and the whole surrounding smells. The pine trees are boring, some died and fallen. I guess the influx of people visiting the island prevented the trees from growing. There are barely a few sprout shooting from the ground.  

Nipa huts, concrete stalls, tents abound the cove. Indeed not a pleasant sight for this marvelous creation. Resolutions, prevention and preservation, and public awareness must be done here! This may not sound pleasant but I have to write about this. 

The pine trees of Anawangin Cove are overrated!

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 09: EL FARO DE PUNTA CAPONES, Capones Island, San Antonio, Zambales

Located on top of the hill of Capones Island is the El Faro De Punta Capones, or commonly known as the Capones Lighthouse. The Capones Island tour, along with the Anawangin and Nagsasa coves and Camara Island tour in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, is included in the island-hopping package.

 

The lighthouse is one of the 27 major lighthouses built during the Spanish colonial times and it was first lighted in August 1, 1890. This is the first of its kind that I came upon. I’ve seen round towers (Bolinao, Batanes, Pasig) and octagonal towers (Bojeador, Engano, Corregidor) but this one is a square brick tower, the design was built similar to Isla de Cabra in Mindoro, which is one of my immediate future destinations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you are in Capones Island, reaching the lighthouse can be short or long depending on how adventurous you are. One is the long cut, a hike up the hill which will take 40min to 1hr from the east side. The other is the shorter but more exciting trail from the west side which will take only 10-15 climb up the hill. The stones are slippery and the waves are somehow violent, and it was not a walk in the park – the steps are steep, at some point we have to rappel or hold the next available tree’s roots or branches. But it’s worth the sweat and struggle.

 

The view from the top of the hill is magnificently overlooking the vast South China Sea. We climb the shaky spiral rusty staircase to the top of the light tower and the view is even more breathtaking. According to our boatman, the lamps no longer work though the original lamps were replaced with modern solar-powered lights and the tower newly renovated. Nevertheless, this historic landmark is still worth visiting.

Special thanks to my (now) constant companion, Tess Nanez, who is religiously on the lookout of my daily activity and calendar entries. She swore I won't be able to go on with my traveltrail without her.