A Mother’s Stuff

Hundred Islands National Park

The Hundred Islands National Park (Pangasinan: Kapulo-puloan or Taytay-Bakes) is in the province of Pangasinan in northern Philippines. It is located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. The islands (124 at low tide and 123 at high tide) are scattered along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of 18.44 square kilometres (4,557 acres). They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.

Sparkling like diamonds, the waters glisten as the sun’s golden rays touch the pristine sea. Delightful in one’s eyes is the powdery blue sky casting a bright gleam beneath. The spread of white sand shimmers against the stream that changes hue—from emerald green to turquoise and azure—as the briny deep goes unfathomable. A stroll along the beach ends up with a dip into the soothing warm waters. Colorful tropical fish glide in somewhat orchestrated manner among a many coral gardens. Out of the water, is a discovery that envelopes not only one isle but a throng of numerous islands ambling along each other.

Public bus lines, namely Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philippine Rabbit have scheduled rides from Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Subic, Tarlac, and Zambales bound straight to Alaminos City and vice versa.

Alaminos City

The City of Alaminos is a 5th class city in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 73,448 people in 15,527 households. Alaminos is home to the Hundred Islands National Park, a tourism destination composed of 123 small islands located in Barangay Lucap, Alaminos City.

Alaminos is undeniably a growing trade, commercial and educational center of Western Pangasinan. Owing to its strategic location and with the presence of the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park, and with its abundant natural resources, the municipality is one of the growth centers in Region I. With such inherent strengths, traders and businessmen continue to come to Alaminos. Investments propelled the economic development of the town.

Related links for Alaminos:

• History of Alaminos
• City Government
• City Information

The Province of Pangasinan

Pangasinan is one of the four provinces that comprise the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. Its provincial capital is Lingayen and is located on the west central area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf. It has a total land area of 5,368.82 square kilometers and a total population of 2,434,086 as of 2000, and projected to be 3,039,500 in 2010. (National Statistics Office, 2000 Census). The Pangasinan Language is the primary language in Pangasinan. The name Pangasinan means “land of salt” or “place of salt-making”. It is derived from the word “asin” which is the word for “salt” in Pangasinan Language. The province is a major salt producer in the Philippines.

Pangasinan province is famous for the Hundred Islands National Park. This is a marine park located off the coast of Alaminos City in the Lingayen Gulf and is composed of some 123 islands, most of which are quite small and uninhabited.

Pangasinan is noted as the birthplace of President Fidel V. Ramos, and former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. The mother of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was from Binalonan, Pangasinan. The father of the late actor and former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. was from San Carlos City, Pangasinan. The maternal great-grandfather of Jose Rizal, a Philippine national hero, was a Pangasinan named Manuel Facundo de Quintos who was a lawyer and the gobernadorcillo of Lingayen in the 1850s.

Pangasinan occupies a strategic geo-political position in the central plain of Luzon, known as the rice granary of the Philippines. Pangasinan has been described as a gateway to northern Luzon and as the heartland of the Philippines. The province is 170 kilometers north of Manila, 50 kilometers south of Baguio City, 115 kilometers north of Subic International Airport and Seaport, and 80 kilometers north of Clark International Airport.

Poro Point Special Economic & Freeport Zone

Approximately 5 hours away from Manila by car and more than an hour from Baguio City, Poro Point a former US military base and home to both an airport and seaport that is located at the northwestern tip of North Luzon, west of the City of San Fernando in the province of La Union.

Strategic in its location at the upper side of the Lingayen Gulf, Poro Point is along the Southeast Asian sea lane, less than an hour by plane from Taiwan, China and Hongkong, and within three hours from Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

Kasay Marine Sanctuary in Barangay Canaoay

The 30 hectares of Kasay MPA- area is designated in Barangays San Vicente and Canaoay for the rehabilitation and replenishment of fishery and other coastal resources. About 100 out of 400 coral species in the Philippines are found in the Kasay MPA. There are 70-100 years old coral growth. The estimated 50 years old giant clam (Tridacna gigas) was found in the MPA.

La Union Beaches

The stretch of white and gray sand beaches along the towns of La Union is the main attraction to tourists.  In the province tourist belts are located along the shores of San Juan, San Fernando City, Bauang and Agoo.  Its calm crystal water is ideal for water skiing, snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, wind surfing and boating.  Its gifted multitude scenic landscape is a tourism haven as well, and eco-tourism development.  The stable peace and order situation and the tourism areas in La Union are the main attractions to local foreign tourists.

 Bauang Beach

 Line along the fine grayish sand of Bauang Beach are establishments providing accommodation and other amenities from Baccuit to Pagdalagan. The beach is 6 kilometers south of San Fernando City.

 San Francisco-Canaoay-Pagudpud Beach

Tourism-related establishments dot the beach area in San Fernando City.

 San Juan Beach

 Approximately 8 kilometers north of San Fernando City, the beach stretching from urbiztondo to Ili Norte is dotted with tourism-related establishments.  The surf in the area is ideal for surfing during the months of November to February.

Agoo Beach

 It was the stretch of beach fronting the Agoo Playa Hotel and which is a part of Agoo – Damortis National Park was where the Japanese traded with the native during the pre – Spanish time earning for Agoo the name “Puerto de Japon”.

 Caba Beach

 San Carlos and Santiago Norte beaches are becoming to be the favorite sites fro private beach houses and resorts. The snd is nearly black beach house resort.  The sand is nearly black beach because of the metallic deposit of iron. When not using a private vehicle, stop at the town proper of Caba then take a tricycle to the beach.

City Beach

Splendid beaches adorn the City’s coastline, supplementing these are resorts and a wide raw picnic sheds. One can skin or cuba dive, snorkel, surf and swim or just soak in the water offshore.

La Union Botanical Garden

The La Union Botanical Garden is situated on a hilly twenty-hectare land, eight kilometers east form the city proper of San Fernando, La Union, with fully maintained concrete roads. The first of its kind in the Philippines, a scientific garden and the center for laboratory research in Northern Luzon was inaugurated on March 2, 1996.

The Garden as main tourist destination is meant to give an accurate impression of the various plant worlds, which grow in tropical, sub-tropical and desert climates. All plants are labeled in their local and scientific names with their origin. It is a country-style garden where plant life and wildlife, ornaments and oddments go hand in hand. The resulting harmony, together with the solitude and peace naturally give the Garden a great therapeutic effect.

• Shade Garden     : displays the shade-loving  plants
• Sunken Garden   : which has natural terrain of the area
• Fragrance Garden : especially for the blind
• Children’s Garden : which has natural playground
• Medicinal Garden : where dozens of herbs and medicinal plants are cultivated and neatly arrange serves also as a butterfly sanctuary that can surely catch a visitor’s eye.
• Chinese Garden  : with a complete scenery of ornamental plants which leads the way up to the White Garden and a View Deck.
• Banana Area and the Garden of Native species which all could be reached through the Mabolo Avenue, lined with opposite rows of Mabolo or Kamagong, (Diospyros philippinesis), a tree specie native to the Philippines.
• Japanese Garden : which gives fitting honor to the Japanese Peace Corp Volunteers, whom planted about 1,500 mango trees in the area about twenty eight years ago.
• Arid Paradise : where several species of cacti and succulents are found.
• Friendship Garden : located just above the Picnic Ground.
• Evergreen Garden
• Palmery
• Arid Collection
• Heliconia Collection
• Small Mulbery and Pineapple Plantations
• Mango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18 bamboo specieMango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18 bamboo specie.
• Aviary : where exotic birds like talking mynah, monkeys, eagles, iguana and other friendly animals were displayed.
• Doña Corazon Ortega Orchidarium : a place of different orchid specie.

Seven Hills of San Fernando, La Union

 

 Heroes Hill & Freedom Park Stairway

Situated at the eastern portion of the Capitol Hill. To be found are Nine (9) statues of our National Heroes, signifying the people’s reverence to their works and sacrifices in attaining the freedom of our nation. There are a total of 153 steps located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

 

 Capitol Hill

Located in Barangay II (Poblacion) and serves as site of the Provincial Capitol.

 

 Pagoda Hill

It is where the Chinese-Filipino Pagoda stands, commanding a panoramic view of the city and the San Fernando City Bay located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

 Bethany Hill

Location of Bethany Hospital that was built by Protestant Missionaries in the early 1920’s and located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

Mirador Hill

 The highest point of the city where the capitol water reservoir stands located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

 Miracle Hill

The home of the New Miracle Mission chapel, atop a cliff facing the sea located in Barangay Pagdaraoan.

Mariner’s Hill

 Located in Barangay Catbangen, San Fernando City that served as a navigational reference point to guide ships and seafarers sailing the San Fernando City Harbor

Baluarte Falls of Salcedo, Ilocos Sur

Baluarte Falls is accessible by light transportation vehicles and her beauty is best seen during the last quarter of the year. Passing through rainforest, visitors are greeted with cool mist and showers. Adventurist may also scale the top of the falls through a steep pathway constructed for this purpose. Being manned 24 hours by Baluarte Barangay Tanods, these tourist guards says: Conquer your fears, let your spirits soar, have your souls reinvigorated and feel nature at its best.

Apatot Beach in San Esteban

Apatot Beach in San Esteban is frequently visited by picnickers. During the last stage of World War II, US submarines surfaced in the area to unload arms and supplies for the USAFIP, NL. There is very little information about Apatot Beach. Most visitors are just locals from nearby towns and cities and there are three existing beach resorts.

Sulvec Beach of Narvacan

The rocky shore of Sulvec, Narvacan is a favorite stop-over of commuters and the locals as well. By the shoreline is the Paraiso ni Juan leading up to the grotto atop a rock.

Pug-os Beach in Cabugao

Rest houses and picnic sheds are found in this nearby white sand beach in Cabugao. A developed beach known for its pure white sand and shallow shoreline. Barangay Pug-os, located along the national highway and two kilometers north of the poblacion, boasts of its fine beach – its white sand stretching to more than half a kilometer. This attribute and the gradually slopping seabed make it a top favorite among town mates and tourists for swimming, picnics or fun hiking.

Santiago Cove

Santiago Cove in Ilocos Sur is a stretch of golden sand beach in Santiago with amenities for picnics and water sports. It is approximately 51 km away from San Fernando La Union.

Paoay Lake National Park

Near the famous Paoay Church is the beautiful, placid Paoay Lake.

It is a land-locked freshwater lake, shaped like a horse, with an area of 470 hectares.

Legend has it that the whole area used to be an affluent town punished for its obsessive attachment to wealth and power. Torrential rains flooded and drowned the entire town. Some local folks say fishermen caught fish with gold rings, a testament to the extravant lifestyle of the submerged village.

In 1969, the lake was declared as a National Park by the late President Marcos.

The Malacanang of the North, a sprawling golf course and a sports complex (the biggest sports-resort complex in the north Luzon) were built around the National Park.

Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte

The coastal town of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte is known for salt-making and tasty biscocho products.

It also offers a unique experience for travelers who are searching for a different kind of adventure.

If you wish to go spelunking, hike up to the mountains and explore Imelda Garden Caves.

The caves, located 1,708 above sea level, have underground water streams and offer some of the more spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Travel time to the caves is 45 minutes from the town proper through a dirt road, and you will need to get a special permit from the major’s office to explore the cave. The trip is definitely worth it!

You might even be fortunate to meet members of the Itneg tribe, the original inhabitants of the town. There are a few of them still living in the thick forests, untouched by modern civilization.

This coastal town is 25-kilometers long. It is bounded on the north by Burgos, on the east by the mountain ranges of Vintar, on the south by Bacarra, and on the west by the South China Sea. It is only seven kilometers north of Laoag City.