Summer in the Philippines means two months of beach bumming and bonding with the friends and family. For April, me and my highschool friend, Recy planned to go to Nagsasa Cove to celebrate our birthdays.
Everyone was super excited going there. There were only six of us and we brought everything that we needed, including the food that we bought at San Antonio’s public market. While the others were buying goods from the wet market, Chloe and I had to watch over our group’s baggage. One vendor approached me, smiled, and lent me her chair while we wait.
After eating a simple and hearty breakfast, meeting the boatman’s wife, and negotiating on our fees, our group was then taken to Nagsasa Cove but before that, the boatmen took us to Camara Island… for free!
It was almost 10am when we arrived at the Island and the sun’s heat was starting to become unbearable. We took a few photos and sprinted back to the boat! Needless to say – the view was spectacular.
The 45 minute- 1 hr boat ride to Nagsasa cove is no easy peasy. It was a bit dragging, but the mountains and sights that we saw were amazing. We caught a glimpse of Mt. Balingkilat – the mountain I’ve been dreaming to climb, and we saw alarming forest fires after passing by Anawangin cove. When finally,
Nagsasa Cove.
It definitely was a day of relaxing & eating (thanks for being our cook and mom, Thea!). If we’re not swimming, we’re preparing our food for the next meal. I wish we can have more of this in the next months, and with more people!
When you’re done with the day,
You lie on your back, against the uneven, rough sand, watching the sun set.
A mediocre sunset—
But still noticed.
And you think about how much courage you mustered up
The past days, weeks, months —
about how much you endured,
and about how much time you spent wishing, daydreaming, living—
And you realize
that you’re here, away from it
You rest for a day
And suddenly you want to go back
Because you’re willing to go over
the mundane again
For the promise of weekends like this.
Chloe and I were supposed to go back to Pundaquit Beach at 5AM but there was no boatman in sight even until after two hours. We had to catch the bus going to Cubao by 10AM or else, Chloe would be late for their Sunday service. It would take us one hr for the boat ride, and another hour for a bus ride to Olongapo where the bus terminals to Manila are. We were overwhelmed with fear and anxiety already because our boat man wasn’t there to fetch us, and the other boats departing from Nagsasa are still touring other islands before heading to Pundaquit. We asked almost every boatmen with boats docked on the whole stretch of Nagsasa’s shore. It was so frustrating and I was so miserable, because I know that Chloe’s Sunday service is a big deal for him and his family and I don’t want to disappoint. There was no phone signal to contact our boatman, so this definitely was beyond our control. Crying and on the verge of a break down, a stranger approached me and asked,
“Anong nangyayari bakit ka umiiyak?”.
“Kasi po wala pa yung bangkero na kinontrata namin dalawang oras na kaming naghihintay kailangan na po namin bumalik ng Manila ngayon na.”
” Maraming bangka dito na pwedeng umalis ngayon na pa-Pundaquit pero kapag malalaman ng bangkero nyo na hinatid kayo, baka magalit sa amin.”
“Pero kuya 2 hrs na wala pa sila, kakausapin nalang namin pagdating ng Pundaquit.”
“Sige maghanap tayo ng bangkerong pwedeng maghatid sa inyo.”
He approached a few boatmen and explained our dilemma. After a few minutes, we agreed to pay anyone of them 1500 basta makauwi lang. He found one with a small boat 4-5 seating capacity and so Chloe and I scurried to the boat.
I thanked the man for his kindness but wasn’t able to ask for his name. Because of him, Chloe was able to arrive home and attend the service at 1:30. A little late, but he made it.
So to you, thank you.
Looking back, I made a list of the things that went well and those that went not so well. Generally, the locals’ kindness is what made our weekend bearable, considering that staying at Nagsasa overnight is definitely not a walk in the park. Having no phone signal can sometimes be a good thing because you are forced to make actual social interactions. But! Don’t forget to remind your parents that there is no phone signal on all communication networks in the area. Spare them the anxiety and paranoia.
Sample itinerary
3:00 AM ETD from Victory Liner Cubao to Olongapo
6:00 AM ETA Olongapo
6:30 AM ETD Victory Liner Olongapo to San Antonio Zambales
7:30 AM ETA San Antonio Zambales
Buy food at the market
Eat breakfast
8:30 AM Tricycle to Pundaquit Beach
8:45 AM ETA Pundaquit Beach
9:00 AM ETD from Pundaquit Beach to Nagsasa Cove via boat
10:00 AM ETA Nagsasa Cove
Contact Mang Pedring at 0916-525-4052 for boatride arrangements
Expenses
235 Bus from Cubao to Olongapo
44 Bus from Olongapo to San Antonio
30 Tricycle from San Antonio to Pundaquit Beach
416 Round trip overnight boat ride from Pundaquit to Nagsasa
(2500/ 6 pax)
50 Breakfast at san Antonio market
200 Food
50 Open cottage (300/ 6 pax)
50 Ice
50 Pasalubong
30 Tricycle from Pundaquit Beach to San Antonio
40 Bus from San Antonio to Olongapo
250 Bus from Olongapo to Cubao (via SCTEX)
Total: 1445
Thank you, Nagsasa. I packed too much but you asked for too little. I like how the life there is so laid back – you get what you give. I’m amused with the simplicity and the generosity of the locals- they assisted us with whatever help we needed. And I love how time slows down there even when we were having fun. See you next time!
yla corotan 
Beautiful photos ♥
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Thank you! ❤
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Ahh the healing power of the ocean..nice shots
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Rigggght! Thanks 🙂
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