Boat Rates, Pundaquit

My summer vacation started only last week, and I wasn't able to enjoy and join the summer fun of most people who could afford (with both time and money) to travel.  Yet even if I am quite late in my summer endeavors, I still want to feel the summer fun and wish to publish the updated boat rates in Pundakit (which was posted as a comment somewhere in my other blog a couple of months ago).

Here's a copy of that post, detailing the boat rates as provided by a baranggay ordinance. Violators may be fined or even have their permits cancelled.

SMALL BOAT (max of 4 pax) balikan/overnight
Pundakit to CAMARA island = P700
Pundakit to CAPONES = P1,000
Pundakit to Annawangin = P1,000
Pundakit to Talesayen = P1,500
Pundakit to Nagsasa = P1,800
Pundakit to Silanguin = P2,500
Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P1,500

BIG BOAT (minimum of 10pax)
Pundakit to CAMARA island = P150/head
Pundakit to CAPONES = P200/head
Pundakit to Annawangin = P200/head
Pundakit to Talesayen = P300/head
Pundakit to Nagsasa = P400/head
Pundakit to Silanguin = P600/head
Island HOPPING (CAMARA, CAPONES to ANNAWANGIN) = P300/head

TENT
3 persons = P250
4 persons = P300
6 persons = P500

For inquiries and questions, you may contact DINDO or LIEZEL (responsible for posting the rates) at 09172022692.

Or you may also contact Manong Florate Lavesoria (who was my contact for previous trips) at 09108053388.

Ponds and Pines View Resort

Ponds and Pines took my breath away. That is an exaggeration, but I really did love the place the moment I saw it.

Located in Nagbunga, Castillejos or San Marcelino (I don't even know, but it is located at the border), Zambales, somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Aside from the pool, what I actually loved about the place is the spacious landscaped lawn. It is a great place for events, plus parking won't be a nightmare. ;)

Ponds and Pines View Resort

For inquiries, call: 09157840974; 09198954652; 09215559282

Cris Aura Swimming Pool

Hidden somewhere in Magsaysay, Castillejos, Zambales. I think they charge P50 per person. They close at 6:00 PM, but it was indicated in their rules and regulations that they'll charge you extra for staying beyond that time. I guess it has to be arranged in advance.

Cris Aura offers separate pools for kids and adults. However, the slide is located at the adult pool, and using it plunges you to some 6 feet of water, so better get the life jacket ready if you can't swim but wish to enjoy the ride.

:)

Banca - Bangka - Boat - Katig

Need a boat ride to Anawangin Cove? Island hopping in Pundaquit to go to Capones and Camara Islands? Do you want to endure an hour-long boat ride to Nagsasa Cove? Or even a guide for your hiking trip?

Contact Manong Florante Lavesoria at 09108053388. You can find him at Apo Baket Resort (across the chapel, right after Megan's).

Manong, please give us a discount on our next trip... =)

Boat services: 09108053388

Pundaquit

Jump off point for going to Anawangin Cove, Capones and Camara Islands (seen in this photo), Nagsasa Cove, and all other coves in San Antonio (and probably Subic, too).

Pundaquit's beach contrasts that of Anawanin such that the former sometimes give you a rough swim by the shore, while Anawangin is seemingly peaceful (but beware for some underwater currents as you'll never know what the water can bring you).

In Anawangin, you will be charged P50 for day trip, which includes use of the papag and bathroom, while in Pundaquit, you will be charged (if at all, that is for short day trips) depending on who you are, who you know, and where you go (e.g., definitely not the "touristy" resorts).

Oh, beach! I love Zambales!

Canoe Beach Resort

Canoe Beach Resort --- the first "real" resort I've been to in Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales. That was last April 30 to May 1. It also marked the first time that I swam in a swimming pool in Pundaquit.

Except for the grumpy lady who you have to deal with for reservation, checking in and payment, the resort offers good amenities at very reasonable prices. Just don't get the non-aircon rooms (particularly the beachfront ones, for I have not tried the poolside rooms) as they are overpriced for their real value.

Compare a P2,200 aircon room with a P1,500 non-aircon - P700 premium for a sweet slumber in a cool room with a bathroom versus a fan only room in a hot summer night where you share a bathroom with the rest of the resort customers (who are not checked in the aircon rooms). That's P700, which four of you can share.

Overnight room rates include the use of the pool, barbeque grills, and other stuff I have no care for. However, according to their brochure, the use of electricity for additional appliances (i.e. those you brought with you, which are not the property of the resort) should be reported and paid accordingly. Indeed, in our room, there exists only one outlet used for the electric fan placed high up in the wall. Though I bet you can easily do something about it.

The verdict: highly recommended (again, try to keep your cool when dealing with that grumpy lady...). Oh, because of that grumpy lady, I downgrade my verdict to slightly highly recommendable resort. ;)

For day trips, entrance fee is P60 per person, another P60 for overnight rates (staying beyond 6:00 PM), additional P85 for the use of the pool, while cottages' rental rates range from P500 to P1,500. Additional P800 to P2,000 for overnight stay.

Canoe Beach Resort
Website: www.canoebeachresort.vze.com

A Holiday Greeting from Subic

Taken before the Grotto (north-bound) in Subic, while stuck in traffic due
to some unfortunate maneuvering of a heavy equipment used in construction on
Dec. 19, 2009.

I'll take pictures of Castillejos park and plaza before the new year, after
I'm done with my paper.

Happy holidays (again)! Oh, I still have the holiday (vacation) mood despite
the paper (and probably the reason why I can't write the paper). :)

P.S. (off topic) I'm loving Gmail Labs (offline mode). I can now save
attachments even when offline!

Cenaculo 2009

The reenactment of the Passion of Christ

I was amazed to find out that there were three cenaculo's in Castillejos this Holy Week. I didn't follow them or see what they were doing, though, except for viewing the live kubol's around the town. I just waited as they passed by our place.

The cenaculo enacted by the Union of Concerned Youth of Castillejos, Incorporated (UCYC, Inc.) was the best, I believe. I could feel the holiness of Holy Week and the suffering of Jesus Christ in their faces and actions. A must-see for me next year. (Photos of UCYC below.)

As mentioned earlier, there were live kubol's around the town. I didn't get to see all of them. Another must-see for me next year. And hopefully, I'll be able to capture them in photos by then and share them with the world.

Holy Week 2009

Castillejos, Zambales

Semana Santa

Isang sulyap sa selebrasyon dito sa aming bayan noong nakaraang taon.

Capones Slippers

Capones Slipper (parte ng tsinelas at bato sa isla)

Side kwento:

Kahit noong una akong pumunta dito, nakita ko nang maraming kalat. May vandalism pa sa mga bato. Hindi ako lumayo sa pinagdaungan ng bangka, kaya hindi ko alam ano ang lagay sa may malapit sa lighthouse. Pero doon sa pinuntahan namin, maraming kalat.

Ito nga, may parte ng tsinelas. May rubber shoes pa! (Nakakadiri na nga lang lapitan. Haha.)

Nakipagkwentuhan ako sa taga-doon. Ang local government dapat ang nag-aasikaso sa lugar na ito. Kaso, tamad daw ang mga opisyal. Tinanong ko kung sino. Mga kagawad ng baranggay. Kaya wala raw naglilinis o nagbabantay o nag-aalaga dito. Hindi tulad sa Anawangin (one point for capitalism.)

Dati raw, ang Coast Guard ang nag-aalaga dito. Kaso, ang mga kababayan niya, pinaalis ang Coast Guard. Bakit? Dahil nanghuhuli sila ng mga gumagamit ng dinamita. Hindi ko na natanong kung kailan, hindi ko na tinanong kung patuloy pa rin iyong nangyayari ngayon. Ang siniguro ko lang, lambat ang ginagamit niya sa pangingisda.

Sa ngayon, mga turista, mountaineers, hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, environmentalists, o kung anumang gusto mong itawag sa mga bumibisita doon ang minsan naglilinis sa lugar.

Sana maaagapan ito. Sayang naman kung mapabayaan, maganda pa naman ang Capones.

Pundaquit

Twilight in Pundaquit

Jump off point to get to Anawangin.

Shot on February 24, 2008 with Canon Ixus Digital Zoom i.

Send me a message (or comment) for contacts for boat and guides. ;)

Yet Another Anawangin Adventure

Yet another breathtaking sunset in Anawangin (February 28, 2009)

For the third time, I went to this well-loved place.

Trip No. 1 - October 2007
Trip No. 2 - February 2008
Trip No. 3 - February 2009

Anawangin now compared to previous trips:

1. More people going to Anawangin
2. More tables and benches (like they mushroomed out of nowhere)
3. Three divisions of the cove
4. Fee (it was voluntary back in 2007)
5. Flaglets (only a portion has flags in 2008, now they stretch throughout the beach)
6. Rope fence
7. Garbage disposal "facility" and tons of bottles
8. Stones used for cooking (they're already black)
9. Unreadable danger sign
10. More toilets and "shower" rooms
    

Yet again, it is still beautiful. The water's so clear, so enticing to jump into. The place is still relaxing, the wind and the birds bringing music to my ears.

For comparison, here's the sunset last year.


Another beautiful sunset (February 24, 2008)

Then, to show how (more) isolated it felt last year, here are some shots.


Camp Site (February 2008)


Frisbee (October 2007)

Oh, I forgot. Anawangin now has a garbage disposal "facility." Please, as much as you can, don't leave garbage in Anawangin.


Garbage Disposal (February 2009)

How to Get to Zambales (Anawangin) via SCTEX

As Anawangin is now so famous, and a friend of a friend has just asked me how to get there, and now that SCTEX is already open to the public, I am now going to update my guide on going to Zambales (via private transportation.) Here's my revision based on my entry last year. Starting point: EDSA (Balintawak) Diretso lang hanggang sa daang papunta ng North Luzon Expressway. Ito ay medyo paliko ng kanan, bago ang "tulay" papuntang Monumento, at may "digital" na "signboard" na kulay orange ang ilaw ng mga tuldok. Mag-ingat sa daan. Ang sabi ng NLEX, 100 kph ang maximum speed. Madaling araw kayo pupunta, kaya di ko alam baka walang nanghuhuli. Ang unang toll gate na makikita niyo ay ang Balintawak Toll Plaza (kunwari na lang tama ngang yun ang official name niya). Dito ay nagbabayad ng fixed open system fee na P36.00. May linya para sa exact toll, may linya na eksklusibong para sa mga may EC (hindi ito exact change, sandali, meron nito si Princess e... hindi ko talaga maalala ang ibig sabihin ng EC, siguro electronic card). Ang mga gasoline station na madadaanan niyo sa NLEX ay ang (1) Petron, (2) Shell, (3) Total, at (4) Petron Lakeshore. May free wi-fi sa Petron Lakeshore - tried and tested na gumagana. Sa Total meron din daw, kaso walang kwenta, hindi ako nakapag-Internet doon. Lalampasan ninyo ang San Fernando exit. Dati dito ang exit pa-Zambales, pero doon na tayo ngayon lampas ng Dau. Mag-exit sa katamtamang laki na Dau Toll Plaza. Dito ang bayad kung galing sa Balintawak ay P138.00. Lampasan ang Dau exit, pero malapit na dito ang SCTEX Clark Logistics (Interchange.) Bagalan na ang takbo. Pagkapasok sa Clark Logistics interchange, dumiretso (pero paliko ang daan) sa toll gate. Dito bibigyan kayo ng card. Ibig sabihin, officially nasa SCTEX na kayo. Pagkapasok sa SCTEX, diretso lang ang daan. Malapit sa toll gate ay may dalawang daan: yung diretso ay pa-Subic, yung pakanan ay pa-Tarlac, Baguio at iba pa sa bandang hilaga doon. I-enjoy ang daan sa pa-Subic (ang dire-diretso lang) dahil pa-bilog ang daan dito. May sign naman, magbasa na lang kayo. Diretso. Diretso. Muli 100kph ang speed limit. Bahala ka na kung gusto mong bumilis. Madaming insekto sa daan lalo na kung gabi o madaling araw. Huwag kang malungkot kung madumihan ang windshield mo. Isipin mo, pag tumagal pa, uunti na lang yan dahil sa dami ng sasakyang pumapatay sa kanila. Kawawa rin naman sila. Sa dulo ng SCTEX ay ang Subic exit. Animnapung (60) kilometro ang tinakbo mo kaya P112.00 ang bayad dahil P2/km ang halaga ng pagdaan sa SCTEX. Pagkalabas mo ng SCTEX, papasok ka agad sa Tipo road, SBMA na. May toll gate din dito. P18.00 ang bayad sa Class 1 vehicles. Ang susunod na gate ay sa mga pulis. Slow down lang. Sumunod sa batas trapiko sa loob ng SBMA. Sa bawat intersection na may blinking red stoplight, huminto -- first stop, first to go. Sa yellow blinking stoplight, slow down. Huminto rin sa bawat intersection na may "STOP" sign. Pero huwag naman overkill, dahil may mga maliliit na intersection naman na "you have the right of way" at hindi kailangang huminto. Sa loob ng SBMA after ng pulis gate, zigzag pa rin ang daan. May tunnel kayong madaanan, at kung gusto niyong sumunod sa nakaugalian, bumusina sa lugar na ito. Zigzag, tulay, zigzag hanggang sa may medyo pakaliwang daan na may maikling tulay. Medyo lumalapit na yung liwanag sa lugar na ito (kung madilim pa, mapapansin niyo ang mga ilaw na papalapit). Malapit sa maikling tulay, may daang diretso at may daang pakanan. Sa pagitan nito, may signboard na bilog na kulay asul na may dalawang arrows na tumuturo sa magkabilang daan. Lumiko sa kanan. Pagkakanan, diretso lang. Sa kaliwa ay may Petron at may stoplight dito. Pwede kayong mag-stopover muli sa Petron. May Nike store at Factory Outlet dito ng mga branded sports wear. Pero kung alanganing oras kayo napadaan, baka sarado na iyon. Kunwaring hindi kayo dumaan sa Petron, diretsuhin lang ang daan. Intersection ang lugar na ito, sumunod sa batas trapiko. Pagkalampas sa unang intersection at stoplight, diretso lang at may maikling tulay na naman. Diretso pa rin hanggang sa ikalawang intersection na may stoplight at walang pakanan. Makikita niyo naman ang stoplight, kaya medyo kumaliwa na kayo dahil liliko kayo sa kaliwa sa intersection na ito. Pagkaliko sa kanan, makikita niyo ang Remy Field sa inyong kanan. Sa kanto mismo ng Remy Field, sa unang maliit na kanto, ang Canal Road, liliko na naman kayo sa kanan. Maraming mini-intersections dito. Hindi niyo na kailangang huminto sa bawat intersection -- wala kayong makikitang STOP sign, maliban sa isa. Hindi maliwanag ang "Stop" sign sa isang intersection na iyon, pero makikita niyo ang isang makabagong building sa kaliwa (walang recall ang pangalan) at sa pagtawid ay may isa na namang makabagong building sa kanan. Muli, first to stop, first to go. Kahit walang kasalubong na sasakyan, kailangan pa ring huminto. Makikita niyo sa dulo ng daan ang gate. Huminto at hintayin ang senyas ng guard para lumapit kayo sa gate. Maaari kayong magtanong sa mga pulis sa loob ng SBMA kung kayo ay maligaw. At kung kayo ay mahuli, may nagbigay ng "pangaral" sa akin na dapat ay maging magalang, "Sir, magandang umaga/hapon/araw po!". Paglabas ng SBMA (sa tinuro kong daan, lalabas kayo sa Kalaklan Gate), kumaliwa. Zigzag ang lugar na ito. Maganda ang zigzag sa Olongapo, hindi nakakahilo. Diretsong liko-liko lang. Sa inyong kaliwa ay dagat, sa kanan ay bundok, may sementeryo rin. National road naman ang dadaanan ninyo kaya walang nakalilitong daan. Kasama sa inyong madadaanan ay ang Calapandayan (screen name - dulo). Ito ang lugar na maraming bar at kumukutitap na ilaw. Ang Calapandayan ay nasa bayan na ng Subic. (Isang dagdag kaalaman sa mga hindi masyadong pamilyar sa Zambales: ang Subic ay isang bayan sa Zambales. Ito ang "southernmost town" of the province. Pero further south ang Olongapo City, kung saan narito ang SBMA o Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Ang "Subic" na popular tourist destination ay nasa loob ng Olongapo City, pero ang "Subic" na bayan ay katabi lamang ng Olongapo City. Magaganda ang beach sa parehong Subic, pati na rin sa Olongapo -- promote local tourism, sabi ko nga.) Ang palatandaan na kayo'y papasok na ng Castillejos at palabas ng Subic ay ang arko ng aming bayan (ako po'y taga-Castillejos.) Ang boundary ng dalawang bayan ay ang Pamatawan River, kaya malamang, may tulay dito. Matapos ang Castillejos ay ang bayan ng San Marcelino. Sa bayan ng San Marcelino, may palikong daan. Pakaliwa ay ang pa-San Antonio (kung nasaan ang Anawangin), at diretso naman ang short cut pa-San Narciso. Ang pakaliwang daan ay ang national road. May signs uli, magbasa na lang. Sa bayan ng San Antonio (dito nahihirapan na akong magpaliwanag), may "sharp curve" pakanan pagkalampas ng munisipyo. Kumaliwa dito. Basta ganito yun: ang national road ay kumakanan; may maliit na street pa-kaliwa; may school kayong mababangga kung dumiretso kayo, T.R. Yangco yata yun, basta parang ganun. Sa pagkakaalala ko, pangalawang street yung lilikuan niyo pa-kanan. Tapos makakakita na kayo ng sign pakaliwa papuntang Pundaquit. Ang iba pang pwede niyong basahing sign ay ang "going to Megan's Resort; going to Canoe Beach Resort; at going to iba pang resort." Somewhere along the road, may one way na tulay. Bigayan lang po dito. Tapos sundan lang ang daan. Makakarating ka rin sa Pundaquit, ang fishing village sa San Antonio. Dumiretso na sa contact niyong banca*. Ang boat ride pa-Capones ay approximately 30 minutes. Ang boat ride to Anawangin from Capones ay around 30 minutes din. Anawangin-Pundaquit ay around 30-45 minutes (hindi ko na na-orasan ito e.) Enjoy! Nakakapanlito lang ang ibang detalye sa direksyong ito, pero masayang isulat. I-enjoy niyo na lang. :) Link: The Oficial Website of Zambales: Tourism - How to Get Here * Banca - Ang contact namin kadalasan ay si Mang Florante Lavesoria. - May kaibigan akong magpapa-rent na rin ng bangka. Dahil diyan, mag-comment o basta kontakin na lang ako kung gusto niyo ng contact sa bangka (siyempre suporta rin sa kaibigan). - Pwede rin mag-hike pa-Anawangin. Limang oras daw para sa mga baguhan kasama na ang pag-picture. Kaya rin ng tatlong oras. Normal ay apat na oras. Pwede rin kontakin si Mang Florante sa guide. Ayon sa nag-banca sa amin, si Manong Mario Baltazar, pwede rin siyang mag-guide (through Mang Florante o direkta na.) P.S. Pangalagaan ang kalikasan. Huwag mag-iwan ng basura sa Anawangin. Huwag basta magkalat. Mag-ingat sa dagat. Ingat.

Full Moon at Boardwalk

After going out with my friend to spend an afternoon (and night) in Olongapo, and as I drove out of the parking area, I saw the huge full moon, captivating me. So instead of going straight home, off we went to Boardwalk, where everyone gets to enjoy the breeze of the sea for free (plus some free music from nearby bars like Pier 1).


The full moon and Irene


My friend was trying to take a picture of me with that moon in the background when these kids came running toward us. I told them to join me in the picture, but my friend couldn't get a successful shot. Instead, I became the photographer and got them to pose for me.


Atan joined us a moment later. From left: Toto, Joshua, and Atan. The kids from Barretto. Joshua, seven years old, was the most talkative one. Sabi niya ang seksi ko raw (hahaha! he's the only kid, or probably the only person, to have said that recently.)

Sa Park

Lara in a bench donated by "SNA Batch '71 of California USA" in the little park in our not-so-sleepy town of Castillejos

Sunday, January 25, 2009
Around 11:30 in the morning

St. Nicholas: The Parish and the Academy

That's what the side of the church and the other gate of St. Nicholas Academy now looks like from the playground near the Parish Hall.



Background: A (pricey?) comfort room for SNA students, which I haven't tried or even seen yet, but which I hope is extremely clean and beautiful. Foreground: Lara poses for me in the swing in the playground.

Taken on Sunday, January 25, 2009, around 11:30 in the morning

June 14 in Ocean View

A day-advanced birthday celebration... My 24th birthday. Whoa, twenty-four!

First two photos are taken by Mon, post processing by me. Next two photos were literally taken by both of us, no post processing. Last photo's all original by yours truly. :)

Post publishing note: I have just realized how wonderful the sky was on that day. It was not the best day for shooting sunsets and the sky was not clear, but its colors ranged from pinkish to bluish to grayish and mystifying!

I loved that day!

Peaceful

Peaceful, originally uploaded by thortz.

I love the beach!

The photo was taken during a celebration at the beach a day before my birthday, an afternoon (and night) full of relaxing fun moments and love (yeah).

I was with only three close friends, with my family dropping by for a moment.

Simple. Despite the many people enjoying the waves and sand, plus the noise of the performing bands, it felt peaceful.

Oh how I want a simple life! But my life isn't really that simple. I've got to love it, no matter what!

Pinoy Ingenuity

July 26, 2008: Snapshots


Clinging for dear life, under the rain. Subic, Zambales.


People walking in an expressway. SCTEX.