Get to Vista Playa restaurant and hire a banca. Off-peak rate for Borawan, Dampalitan, and Talabahan is at 700 pesos and during the summer it goes up to 800 pesos. I have only been to Borawan and Dampalitan and look forward to Talabaan in my next visit.
Borawan is a short strip of sand and interesting rock formations
Go pseudo rock climbing!
Take shelter under this rock formation...
or in between these two huge rocks =)
DAMPALITAN BEACH
How sweet it is to lie in a hammock by the beach
Just so sweet you can jump for joy
There's a bend in this beach that appears during low tide
take a breather by the bend
then walk the long stretch of sand on the other side =)
Padre Burgos is a town in the province of Quezon and is formerly known as Laguimanoc owing to its coastline shaped like a chicken's bill.
When in Padre Burgos head off to Borawan and Dampalitan for a swim or simply to sight-see. The jump off point to these beaches is at Vista Playa restaurant which is right smack at the highway when bound to Agdangan or Unisan.
Take bus headed to Unisan or Agdangan
From Manila, take the bus to Lucena and from the Lucena Grand Terminal take a bus, shuttle, or jeep bound to Agdangan or Unisan. Tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at Vista Playa in Barangay Marao, Padre Burgos.
Vista Playa is under new management since September 2010
Day use cottages near the beach are at Php 300.00
Dishes are sold at affordable prices
first time I've heard of Pancit Chami, costs Php 60/plate and is good for 2-3
Vista Playa has recently opened their doors as a cheaper alternative lodging to The Tamarind Tree and Villa Anita resorts. They can also arrange for boat rentals, provide meals for your entire stay, and also allow camping at their site.
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Sometimes we may have the best intentions but the actions we take may not be the most effective way of putting those thoughts into actuality.
Sometimes we may think we are helping the less fortunate but maybe providing entertainment to make people forget about their plight does not help them in the long run in the same way that a dole out only gives them momentary relief.
Once the laughter fades and the dole out spent, people can start sinking in that all too familiar despair and hopelessness.
Those who have the intention to help others cannot be blamed, at least those who truly have that honest sentiment. The desire to help is a good start. But perhaps we should always remain aware of how we translate our best intentions into actions. That perhaps, we should keep the bigger picture in mind and not just be content with the here and now. That perhaps there are better venues to consider for a specific cause.
At the end of the day our innocent act of helping can actually be disastrous when it conditions people to rely on escapism and handouts than the virtue of sensibility and hard work.
Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao, Quezon is a wonderful discovery. We used to rack our brains silly when we had the beach itch because of two considerations: budget and travel duration. An over the weekend beach getaway requires short travel time and must be easy on the pocket. Thanks to Dubs for suggesting that we check out this place and thanks to Claire of lakwasteradeprimera for blogging about Puting Buhangin.
Town of Pagbilao, roughly 35mins away from Lucena GT
If arriving early in the morning at Lucena Grand Terminal, take an ordinary bus headed to Unisan (AB Liner). From Lucena GT, trips to the nearby towns via jeep or van start at 7am. Tell conductor that you are getting off at Pagbilao bayan. Fare will cost you Php12. Your landmark is the town's welcome arch and a Catholic church just across the road. Ask the locals for the Polo terminal. It is just a short walk from the main road and is near the market place.
Fare matrix from Pagbilao to Ibabang Polo
First trip headed to Barangay Ibabang Polo leaves at 7am. Full capacity or not, the trip leaves as scheduled. This was a pleasant surprise after what we have experienced in Palawan going to Sabang.
Ibabang Polo, or simply Polo, is the last stop of this ride. Get off in front of the Power Plant gate and take a tricycle going in to the Lukang property. Going into the beach is roughly a 30-minute hike. A local volunteered to bring us and we gave him a hundred as thank you which he accepted only after we insisted.
first part of the hike is by the perimeter of Team Energy
then the rocky shores
and a bit rocky downhill nearing the entrance
take a shade under the trees instead of renting a cottage
coconut trees and cottages past the shore
coconut trees
one end of the shore
the stretch of beach
sand quality
the other end of the shore, Kwebang Lampas
Kwebang Lampas entrance
inside the cave
view of Puting Buhangin from inside the cave
view of Kwebang Lampas at the sea
took the banca on our way back to the jeepney terminal
had our late lunch here
highway crossing
Team Energy landmark
A banca ride on our way back to the jeepney terminal is roughly a 20-minute ride to the daungan at Sitio Gapalos then a short tricycle ride to the main street where the terminal is at. If you want to grab a bite try Cherry's Restaurant just across the terminal. Again, the jeep does not wait for a full load before leaving the terminal. It leaves as soon as another jeep arrives. The trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour and last trip leaves Brgy. Polo at 5pm.
This little piece of information is shared to everyone with a little hesitation. For as much as I want everyone to experience Puting Buhangin I'd rather have it remain a natural, uncommercialized beauty.
Plan your trip to Quezon and explore Puting Buhangin before everyone flocks there for the summer. Lastly, share with me your adventure. Enjoy and halong!
Day 1
Travel expense from Kamias, Quezon City to Pagbilao and from Pagbilao to Padre Burgos
Bus with ac Kamias Terminal to Lucena Grand Terminal Php 218
Bus ordinary from Lucena Grand Terminal to Pagbilao bayan Php 12
(get down across the church and walk to market place)
Jeep from Pagbilao market to Ibabang Polo, Pagbilao Php 35
Tricycle from gate of power plant to Lukang property Php 20
(walk from Lukang property to the beach front)
Gratuity tip to the local who served as guide during the walk (100/3pax) Php 33
Lukang beach entrance fee Php 50
Banca from Lukang beach to Sitio Gapalos daungan (100/3pax) Php 33
Tricycle from daungan to jeep terminal Php 10
Jeep from Ibabang Polo to Crossing Php 25
Bus ordinary from Crossing to Padre Burgos bayan Php 15
Tricycle from Padre Burgos bayan to Vista Playa restaurant Php 10
Accommodation Expense Php 250
Rented space from the locals
Day 2
Travel Expense
Banca from Vista Playa to Borawan & Dampalitan beach (700/3pax) Php 233
Entrance fee at Borawan Php 20
Entrance fee at Dampalitan Php 30
Bus ordinary from Vista Playa to Lucena Grand Terminal Php 35
Bus with ac from Lucena Grand Terminal to Kamias Php 218
(from Lucena Grand Terminal to Magallanes Php 204)
Total Php 1,247
