Anawangin Zambales… Takes Me Away

Anawangin, Capones, Camara Islands of Zambales 

Day 1

6 AM. Assembly Time. McDo, Quezon Avenue.

Item List: (Thanks to Leia for preparing the bulk of the list)

1. Flashlight
2. 3 liters of water (for camping)
3. Bonamin
4. Clothes
5. Sleeping bed
6. IPod and Speakers
7. Frisbee
8. Convertible bag-o-beach mat
9. Etc.

Check. Check. Check.

ETD Manila was 7 AM. Since I only had an hour sleep since the day before, I tried to get some winks in the van. There were 3 vans in all, about 10-11 people in one van.

Pundakit. We arrive at the market around 11am and had our lunch there. Zambales is known for its mangoes. A couple of us bought mangoes and Maan was the expert on the fruit, so we depended on her “chosen ones.” She even assisted in weighing and packing it for us.

After 10 minutes, we arrived at the dock site. It was the smallest and slimmest boat I’ve ever been on. Locals call it banca. I was anxious that the banca might topple over. Surprisingly, it wasn’t much of a bumpy ride and I actually enjoyed the 20-30 minute tide to our first Island destination.

Anawangin Cove. Time check: 1:30 PM.

Even from afar, Anawangin looked like Paradise Island. When I had my first step on the island, my foot felt nothing short of soft, powdery sand. The beach is a long stretch of pristine white sand, laced with never-ending rows of Fernwood/Pine type of trees that had needle-like leaves.

There is zero visibility of resorts, houses or restaurants. There were about 10 other big groups there already comfortable in their tagged area. Otherwise, Anawangin is as virgin as virgin can be –so pure, so delicately soft, and so untouched.

Even if we already know half of the group (since the time of Pagudpud trip almost 2 months ago, avilon, pampanga, ym chats, emails and multiply), Leia, the Travel Factor organizer, suggested that we introduce ourselves. In one big circle, one by one, people started declaring their names and one distinct description of each.

The Bum. Traveler. Tambay. Photographer. The girlfriend. The assistant. The Chinese. The boyfriend of the Chinese. Photographer con Model. And so on.

Leia, the super girl, was a one-man team. Mike and Jonel were missing in action. But even if she was flying alone, she was assisted by the 5-man team of Outdoor Club. They started to build our camp area.

I’ve been apprehensive about Day 1 because this is the “camping” day, which means being one with nature. Although I love the high seas and nature, I’ve never gone camping in my entire life. In college, I missed a lot of camping activities. I’ve never slept outdoors –without toilet and bath, bed, amenities and accessibility of running/drinking water. And another worry is the coldness of the night breeze.

We did a quick ocular of the island and came across a stream/swamp. Ced, Marc, Francis, Bek and Jolan took pictures of the stream lining toward the mountain.

The outdoor guys set about 8-10 camping tents. Chris and I took a nap in the common area. The common area is the space where a big blue mat is laid, which is allotted for gathering. Twas our watering hole.

After napping, I slipped into my bikini and hit the water along with the group. Unfortunately, even Leia’s Nikon camera took a dip.

Sunset.

You get mesmerized at the tamed star as it swiftly fade from oblivion. And as it settled in the horizon, I lost myself too looking through the clear eyes of my love. (Kudos to Maan for the wonderful photos!!!)

Then darkness settled on the island. There were only a few available light from gas lamps and flashlights. Everyone gathered in the common area as we began dinner. Dinner was cooked by firewood and served by the outdoorsy men. Tinola and grilled fish. One common learning during dinner is never to eat fish again in the dark. Jaja even equipped, “parang pag-ibig lang yan. Minsan matitinik ka…” that triggered a collective response.

(Madz and Chris)

On full stomachs, we proceeded to the tent to rest but we fell asleep. Contrary to the cold breeze, there was no strong wind billowing the tents. I woke up and walked towards the blue mat where some were drinking and playing games. Chris trotted after me and followed where the merrymaking was.

We bonded and exchanged stories mostly with Deneb who was seated near us. At this time, most were already pit drunk. We also took a few shots of the lime gin which is my first time to try and listened to the group sharing before we retreated back to our bunk.

We woke up at 7 AM, brushed our teeth and washed our face by the poso. We ate tocino and egg for breakfast and packed our things.

Break camp.

We left Anawangin Cove around 10 AM, but not without the traditional jump shot. I haven’t left Zambales but I wanted to be back in Anawangin again. If I loved Pagudpud for its solace, I love Anawangin for its simplicity and purity. As we took our seats in the boat, I sadly bid the beautiful island goodbye.

Roar of the banca’s motor. Off to Capones island we go!

20 minutes passed and we docked at a much smaller island.

Day 2

Capones island.

ETA was 11 AM. I sunbathe as soon as we stepped on the island (which was really bad for me because I’m allergic to the sun.) The pack went on a mini-hike to the light house, which was the one of the oldest lighthouse since it’s been there since the Spanish era. Jaja, 2 of the Outdoor guys, Chris and I were left behind. Jaja fell asleep. Chris and I spent some quality time talking. We shared a moment by the beach. It was one of our best talks.

Lunch of liempo and eggplant and tomato salad was yummy!!! After lunch, since Joan wasn’t feeling well, they decided to go ahead of the group and we decided to ride with them to Canoe Beach resort.

Finally, civilization. Shower. Seats. Shades. Bed. Rooms. Time check: 5 PM.

I suggested that we play Ultimate Frisbee since Chris brought one. We got so into it that the photoholic photographers actually disrespected the sunset by snubbing it and continued to play instead. It was so much fun. Although we led 3-1, the other team beat us with 5-3 score. I felt a surge of adrenaline playing, which made me miss playing basketball in High School. It was such a fun and good workout.

Dinner Time. Feast. So much good food. Bubba and I had liempo, sisig, ginataang kalabasa and Spanish sardines that I brought. We ate until we were so heavy. After dinner, we laid on the beach mat, watched the stars and reminisced about our beach escapades. We played some of our favorite songs from the IPod. We remembered significantly the Deftac beach outing at Mark Nep’s rest house in Batangas.

DRINKING SESSION. Ced, the master drink concoctor, taught us what Leia would dub as the Anawangin experiment –Gilbey’s Gin and Lime mix. It wasn’t bad at all but since I haven’t been drinking in almost a year and I’m not really much of a drinker except for a few choco or lychee martinis/bailey’s/margaritas, I wasn’t used to the taste of liquor. Ley was the designated one to call the shots –translation: taga-tagay. A few shots got me tipsy already.

Everyone was singing to Eraserheads, Rihanna, Neyo, Chris Brown, etc. I don’t know how it started (except that Chris kept volunteering me!) but I began unleashing my Knock Knock jokes (terrible terrible!) Much to my awe, people were laughing and asking for more. I was totally embarrassed but I enjoyed hearing people’s laughter. All were happy happy!!! (Uhm, I think there was also a part where Madz and I started dancing and grinding when people started singing, Please don’t stop the music. Funny how the lights flickered on and off like we were in Emba/Piedra)

Day 3

Camara Island. The last island stop for the Zambales weekend.

Similar to Capones, it was a small island. We ate breakfast there and climbed rocks. After 2 hours, we headed back to Canoe Beach Resort.

Overall, the Zambales trip by Travel Factor was one of the awesome getaways to start off the year right!!! What a launch pad to take off my 1^st quarter adventure!!!

There is so much more to each location in the Philippines than meets the eye.  Be a foreigner in your own country and learn what the country is all about.   Cherish each destination like it is your first time to step in Philippine soil. Wherever I go around the Philippines, be it Pagudpud, Bicol, Boracay, Davao, Polomolok, Batangas… Metro Manila, it is the richness of culture that gives so much depth to the different islands.  Each town has a personality of its own laced beautifully with vibrant people, sumptuous food, magnificent views, fiestas, craftsmanship… but at the end of the journey, it is the amazing stories and Filipino pride you bring home with you kept in the heart that lasts far more than a lifetime.

The Beauty of Anawangin. The friendship that has been forged by the group. Ultimate Frisbee competition. Food food food. Island hopping. Bathing in the sun. Music. Fun. Bonding. Love.

I was swept away.

Albums

In The Beginning Link

Anawangin Cove Album

Francis Set

 Night Canoe Beach Album

 Night Canoe Beach Album

 Capones Island Album

 Camara Island Album

Zamba: Brian Set 

Zamba Ced Set 

Camara Island Album

 Anawangin Link

In the Beginning Link

Jitters at Anawangin Link