It was my first time to go to Bolinao and just like what I do on my other first-time-trips, I look for facts, routes and photos of the place to make me a bit familiarized with the place. The photos I saw of Bolinao made me more excited. Even though I'll be going there for an official business trip and not a vacation, I was still excited because I will be able to try out my new camera.
Quoting from bolonaoph.com:
"Bolinao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 61,068 people in 12,182 households. The people generally speak Ilocano and Panggalatok but they also have their own unique language called Bolinao, brought in by Sambal settlers during colonial rule. Most people generally understand and speak English.
On November 18, 2007, Bolinao challenged the historical fact that the first Mass was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, at Limasawa in Southern Leyte. Memorial markers (donated by Italian priest Luigi Malamocco, 62, from Odorico's hometown of Friuli, Italy) were set in the town's church and on Santiago Island, claiming that in 1324, Franciscan missionaries led by an Italian priest named Odorico celebrated a thanksgiving Mass thereat and also baptized natives."
I had a chance to visit the Church of St. James at the town's center, I am not sure if it's the same church where they claim that the first mass was held but it's the only church there so I guess this is it.
Facts: Do you know why most catholic churches have extra pathways in front before entering the church front door? It's because according to priests, the purpose is to give church goers extra time to reflect and prepare themselves, emotionally, spiritually and physically before facing our Creator. --source: bolinaoph.com
One of the landmarks Bolinao is known for is Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. Of course, I wouldn't pass out with the chance to take a photo of a 101 year old historical beauty. :)
Quoting from heritageconservation.wordpress.com:
"For 101 years now, the Cape Bolinao lighthouse stands proud atop Punta Piedra Point in Barangay Patar in Bolinao, Pangasinan, guiding ships and vessels cruising the international passage along the South China Sea.
Nestled amid trees, the lighthouse was built in 1905 by Filipino, British and American engineers. It is one of the five major lighthouses in the country and the second tallest, next to the Cape Bojeador lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte."
Bolinao is about 5 1/2 to 6 hour bus ride from Manila. Arriving at Bolinao, you'll still have to take a tricycle to the resort of your choice. Fares are Php20 per person but you can arrange a special trip for about Php100 to Php150 depending on how good you haggle. Arriving at the resort, the first thing you'll notice is the sound of the waves that seems to never end. Unlike other beaches I've been to where waves have a 2 or 1 1/2 second interval, Bolinao's waves are continuous. Excited, after checking in, we went straight to the beach to be surprised as to how far the waves are. The water is only about knee-deep from the beach to the waves several meters away. We can still see people walking from afar close to the waves that from where we are seems to be 3 to 4 feet taller than them. Resort staffs say that beyond the breakwater would be a sudden 100 feet drop. I was got scared so much, didn't set foot on the water on my 7 days stay there.. yep, not even a dip.
Located several meters from the main road, hidden by the coconut trees, is Bolinao's Enchanted Cave. Another popular destinations for tourists. To enter the cave, you need to pay Php30 or Php50 if you want to take a dip. This is my first time to enter a cave so my excitement was overflowing. The time we were there, a group of tourist from Ilocos were also visiting that made the place very crowded. Only 10 people were allowed to enter the cave at a time, all taking pictures and talking at the same time... very irritating. My Enchanted cave experience is very disappointing.. it's warm, dark, moist, and full of yapping people. I wonder how someone can take a dip on the 30 meter wide pool inside the cave with all these tourists walking in every 10 minutes or so.
For me, the whole Bolinao experience is pretty enjoying. I had a chance to take a number of good photos and was able to visit a few historical places as well. I can't wait to experience Bolinao on summer, when waves are hopefully calmer and can't eat me whole. :)
Puerto Del Sol Resort
Puerto Del Sol Resort
Puerto Del Sol Resort
Treasures of Bolinao Resort
Treasures of Bolinao Resort
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