One hundred Island

The plan is to drive to Aliminos, find a place to stay for 2 nights, next day go on a tour visiting 100 Islands and return home the next day.

The Hundred Islands National Park collectively comprises these 123 limestone islands most of which are clad in lush vegetation, secret coves, strips of white sandy beaches and sand bars as well as giant clams snorkeling areas amidst largely tranquil waters with gorgeous views of the South China Sea – another 123 reasons to discover the Philippines.

The Hundred Islands National Park is believed to be at least about 2 million years old – the islands were part of an ancient coral area that extends well inland, a large area that used to be part an ancient sea. When the sea levels lowered, the islands were exposed, whilst hundreds of thousands of years slowly eroded the base of these islands invariably forming mushroom/umbrella shapes in the middle of stunning emerald waters.

Out of the many islands, only a few were developed for tourism – the most well developed is Quezon Island (which is actually composed of three islets) which includes 2 dining pavilions, a grilling area, restrooms, nipa huts, a small white sandbar, and a giant clam garden. Quezon Island was named after the former Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, whose statue we saw on one of the islets.) Quezon Island is probably one of the most visited in the National Park.

Another well-developed island would be the Governor’s Island – which also doubled as the site for the Philippine version of the reality show- Big Brother. The island, one of the three most visited in the National Park has a short stretch of white sand beach, a small cave that is home to bats and swiftlets and a view deck which offers beautiful views of the islands of the National Park.

Aside from having a picnic or just sunbathing on most of the islands, one can also snorkel or dive and see the Giant Clams which are under the auspices of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute based in Bolinao. The Hundred Islands National Park which used to be under the national government’s Philippine Tourism Authority has fallen into disrepair and neglect. Destructive fishing methods were rampant, typhoons as well as climate change have threatened the National Park’s existence and greatly reduced its marine life and corals. In 2005, the local government of Alaminos finally took over and swift changes were made. The area is now being patrolled regularly and strategic partnerships with the University of the Philippines and other stakeholders in the area were formed to rehabilitate the islands and its once rich marine grounds.

Now, whilst trash had been greatly reduced, also some vandalism on some of the rock formations is still present, care of the islands now seems to seep into the consciousness of the locals whose main livelihood also happens to depend on tourism. Signs of life have begun to return to the Hundred Islands – a flock of wild ducks swimming around the islands, bats, healthy clams with some measuring as big as 1 meter wide, and schools of fish around. If you are traveling anywhere in the Philippines, make sure you take your own personal trash bag.

We leave home early morning to avoid the Manila traffic. Once on the Northen Luzon Expres (NLEX), it is a smooth ride up to Tarlac with a quick pit-stop to fill up the tank and grab a breadfast snack.

Once off the expressway it becomes super slow. Navigating through a congested Tarlac city, trying to find our way out to Pangasinan. The roads are congested with busses, jeepneys, tricycles and people. Squeezing our way through the municipalities of Santa Ignacia, Camiling, Mangaterem, Aguilar, Bugallon, Labrador, and Sual.

After more than 5 hours we reach Alaminos, our destination.

The City of Alaminos is a bustling place. Now we have to find a hotel or somewhere to lodge. Direction indicators point us the way to 100 Islands and we follow a long strait road towards the water. Surely it is the right direction but will there be any place to stay... Just before reaching the pier there is a side road with hotel directions.
Inspecting some places we settle for Villa Antolin. Nothing fancy but it looks clean and there is a carpark in front of the hotel. Jas arranged a boat rental for next day's trip to 100 islands

Passing Mount Arayat on the NLEX

A random stop just to strech your legs

At the Villa Antolin. In the front is a pond with a small garden terras

Grill fish bought from the vendors passing by. How much easier can it get?

Kids want to meet the big nose white guy. Since Christmas comes early, sing a few carrols.

Fish is ready. Having a peacefull dinner