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!

A Hundred and One Reasons To Enjoy HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The most exciting plan for a vacation is not to plan your vacation at all. What was supposed to be a planned trip to La Union one weekend ended up in an impromptu trip to Alaminos, Pangasinan, hence visiting the Hundred Islands, where else?

Tess and I again embarked on one of those random weekends when all we wanted was to hit the road, get on a bus up north and find out where our tickling feet may lead us in our quest for finding a lighthouse to add up to our collection.

It all started with the 3am trip to Zambales that Saturday morning with an intention to visit El Faro De Punta Capones, which we successfully accomplished. This is actually our second attempt to visit the lighthouse. (It was storming during the first attempt when boats were not allowed to sail, so sad!)

The lighthouse chase that weekend would have ended in Luz Del Puerto San Fernando in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union. Only that we hardly had any idea how to get there from Zambales.

So we took the best possible route. To head north, we had to take the San Antonio to Sta Cruz (both in Zambales) Victory Liner bus, then to Alaminos, Pangasinan. The entire trip took long hours and it was almost midnight when we reached Alaminos. Hoping this is not the end of the road for us that evening, we attempted to find ways to get out of town and continue the journey to La Union but to no avail. We spent the night in a standard hotel near the city center.

We abandoned the La Union plan due to limited time the following morning, and we thought why not go to Hundred Islands instead? Besides, it's just a stone's throw away from where we are!

We hit the road, walked a few steps to the plaza, had a few negotiation from a tricycle driver, who eventually became our guide (and a very good guide, really!) and provided us with all we need! It was a marvelous experience, unplanned yet we managed to see and feel and awe in more than a hundred ways in Hundred Islands,

With Alaminos City Mayor Arthur F. Celeste

Visiting the Hundred Islands? Contact Ronnie.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 14: EL FARO DE SIBULAC - BABAC DE GIGANTES, Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo

Faro de Sibulac-Babac de Gigantes, or commonly known as Isla De Gigantes Lighthouse, is located in Carles, Iloilo. It is primarily built to assist ships entering the Visayan Sea going to Port of Iloilo. It was made operational in August 1895.

The design and specifications of Faro de Sibulac-Babac de Gigantes was similar to those of Faro De Punta Luzaran, Faro De Islas Calabazas, Luz Del Puerto De San Fernando,Luz De Isla Bagatao and FaroDe Islote Siete Pecados, which towers were made of metals and manufactured in France. These towers, however, are called tourelle.

The original tourelle tower of this lighthouse is nowhere in sight but the foundation where it used to stand is still intact. Currently, a new aluminum tower manufactured in Japan was installed next to the original location of the old tower.

Islas De Gigantes, a group of islands located in Carles, Iloilo, is now becoming a major tourist destination in northern Panay but would not beat the popularity of Boracay, of course. The islands are accessible from Port Of Estancia, which is a two hour bus ride from Roxas City in Capiz. As of this writing, only one boat is scheduled daily to transport everyone and everything (personal supplies, construction materials, fresh catch, almost everything) to Islas De Gigantes. Boat leaves Estancia at exactly 2:00pm for Gigantes Norte and arrives at 4:00pm.

Once you reach the island, several tour guides are waiting to take you to the resorts – well, most of them are hired guides of Gigantes Hideaway Resort. I opted to stay here since this is the cheapest and most accessible from the pier, since I only intended to visit the lighthouse and stay for one night. But if one had the luxury of time, I would choose other beach resorts available in the island even if it means it would cost me more.

It was almost 5:00 pm when the boat finally reached Gigantes. Immediately hired Junjun to be my official guide, checked in and went to the lighthouse in no time all before it gets dark. He offered me to go caving and island hopping the next day – but as I have said, I don’t have that luxury of time to spend.

My wish to be alone with the lighthouse never transpired, as everyone in that boat also went to the lighthouse and climbed the top of the tower to witness what they consider a romantic sunset. Romantic indeed, but I wished they didn’t acted as lighthouse photo bombers. I waited for them to step down but to no avail - therefore I was not able to get a perfect shot of the lighthouse.

It was most probable that these tourists went to Gigantes Lighthouse mainly because it is part of the tour package the guides are offering, in addition to caving and island hopping. Other than gazing at the sunset on top of the lighthouse, learning about the significance this magnificent historical structure is most likely not part of their itinerary, 

Overall, I was happy I was able to explore this remote part of the Panay Island, but with a little bit of frustration on how less seriously the people in this island work to preserve the historical value of the lighthouse.

Updates: Islas De Gigantes August 2017

I went to Islas De Gigantes for the second time, this time taking the what I think is the shorter route to the islands. With some assistance from people I met during my last visit in Manigonigo Island, Ms. Vema and her son JR, I was able to return to Islas De Gigantes on my own pace and time.  

The lighthouse has been partially renovated. The roof and ceilings were added, the floors, even some of the old windows were fixed and restored. The metal tower, which was popular to tourist for catching the sunset in the island, is now closed for visitors. For me it is a good thing, as these people would go up just to watch the sunset and block the photographer's view of the entire structure, not mindful of the lighthouse's significance and relevance. Nevertheless, it was a delight to see the lighthouse again in its better condition now. 

The accommodation, transportation and the entire tour was arranged by Joed Secorata (09304663302/09163804279), my official island tour guide for this trip. Aside from the lighthouse, I was able to visit and enjoy the waters in some of the islets composing Islas De Gigantes - they are the Pulupandan, Cabugay Gamay, and the Bantigue Sandbar.