beach

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte: Seascape Escape

Posted on June 21, 2011

Postcard-pretty Saud Beach Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte along the northernmost coast of Luzon has been on my bucket list for years. I finally got to explore this coastal resort town over the weekend, and I must say it exceeded my expectations. Despite an incoming tropical storm, the main stretch of Saud Beach managed to whip up a postcard-pretty union of sun, sand and surf, accented by equally bright blue outrigger boats. Across the sweeping bay, the mammoth Bangui windmills lookedRead More→

Bolinao: A Perfect Beach Weekend

Posted on March 22, 2011

Golden sands of Patar Beach Maybe it was last Saturday’s supermoon – a full moon that coincides with the closest approach to Earth. The cosmos seemed to conspire to make our excursion to Patar Beach, Bolinao in northern Pangasinan the best weekend getaway by far. All the elements seemed to perfectly fall in place: cloudless skies, long stretches of golden sand, cool waters, golden sunsets, good food, cheery locals and crazy, crazy company. Unlike Puerto Galera, Bolinao makes for aRead More→

Hundred Islands National Park (Alaminos, Pangasinan)

Posted on January 19, 2011

The classic view of the park from Governor’s Island Beautiful white sand beach of Quezon Island Golden sunrise over Lucap Wharf A spattering of islets extending towards the South China Sea from the Lingayen Gulf makes up the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. The best islands to visit are Governor’s, Quezon and Marcos Islands. The mini-archipelago – reminiscent of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills submerged in ocean – is a playground for island hopping (of course!), camping, swimming, snorkelingRead More→

Puerto Galera: A Quick Manila Getaway

Posted on November 3, 2010

Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro has been a quick getaway for Manileño divers, party animals, and beach bums for years. Despite its (in)famous reputation, the place still redeems itself if one looks beyond the Sabang streetwalkers and rowdy White Beach touts. Fortunately, there are still areas where one can experience relative peace and quiet, especially during off-peak season: soaking up the sun at uncrowded Aninuan and Talipanan beaches; learning how the native Mangyan tribespeople weave nito basketry at the IrayaRead More→

Anawangin Cove (San Antonio, Zambales)

Posted on May 9, 2008

A 35-minute boat ride from the grey sands of Brgy. Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales through a craggy coastline of dramatic cliffs and rolling grass mountains will take you to the much-raved Anawangin Cove. This secluded stretch of salt-and-pepper sand sandwiched by the South China Sea and a freshwater lake-river, bordered by a thick pine forest, makes one unique landscape. But I was not very impressed by the place. Perhaps the digitally-enhanced photos I browsed through Flickr.com heightened my expectations. OrRead More→