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Bolinao, Pangasinan |
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My Bolinao adventure started with an invitation from Puri Espeleta, a sister from the Makati Branch of my community Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon. She informed me that together with other sisters of the same branch, they will go to Bolinao after ALNP's Unity Games in Dagupan. The Unity Games is set on April 27, 2002. They planned to stay in Bolinao from the evening of April 27 up to April 29. I knew I've seen an article about Bolinao but I couldn't remember where I've read it. I scanned all my magazines and found it in a fashion magazine where they usually feature summer get-aways. I took notes of the important informations about the place and I immediately confirmed with Puri my acceptance of the invitation. We left for Dagupan on the evening of April 26, 2002, right after our prayer meeting. We arrived a few hours before the Unity games started. I spent the night in San Fabian with my Branch ALNP Alabang. At around 1200 p.m., I saw Vanee Manso and Dina Pecaņa loading their things in Hombrey Escalante's Car. When I inquired, they informed me that they will leave ahead of everyone as soon as the food arrives. I hurriedly packed my things and rode with them. Hombrey granted my request to be brought to Dagupan City where I could get a ride to Bolinao. The terminal wasn't hard to find and off I went to Bolinao. I always try not to expect great things from my destination, to keep myself from disappointment. According to the article I've read in the magazine and in an internet web site, Bolinao is the North Western Sport Fishing Mecca and some people call it the Boracay of the North. I tried not to be excited, but as always, I couldn't. I never expected the travel to be that long, but the scenery was great and the road travels through Lingayen where the Hundred Islands is located. I sent text messages to Puri while I was on the way to Bolinao. She informed me that their original plan of going to Bolinao the day before was moved today, and they were just leaving Bugallon, a town halfway between Dagupan and Bolinao. She said I might arrive ahead of them. I got down near the town's municipal hall and noticed the old church of Bolinao. I went there for my usual photo shoot. I tried calling Puri to inform her that I arrived at the church already and I thought of asking them to just pick me up. Her mobile phone just kept on ringing. I remembered how my mobile phone's signal fluctuated during my trip so I went inside the church to witness an ongoing wedding instead. As soon as I left the church's interior, my phone rang and Puri immediately asked my location. When I told her where I was, she was really surprised that we were just few meters away from each other. I went out and located their hired jeepney near the market. When Puri introduced me to the group, I noticed some familiar faces like Nelson, Doc Jun, Chris & Erica. The others, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. I was fortunate that their jeepney needed a minor repair before they head for Patar Beach. I loaded my backpack and started chatting with the group already. Puri, Chris and I went back to the church for more photo shoot. We met the other sisters there. Then the jeep was ready for the travel to the beach. The whole group's itinerary was arranged by Tess and she was responsible for finding the best resort. The highly recommended (magazines and websites) Dutch Beach Resort proved to be disappointing. The beach at low tide doesn't really look good for swimming but the resort itself looks clean. We transferred to another place called Bing's Resort. We picked this place instead of the Dutch because here, we can at least pitch tents for sleeping. We were 17 and the two room cottage we rented can't possibly accommodate us all. We spent the afternoon looking and photographing the sunset. We took our turns in bathing and when everyone was finished, dinner was served. We ate beef steak, vegetables, green mangoes with shrimp paste. And of course, not to forget, ice cold coca-cola! As soon as we finished dinner, everyone was eager to try the Videoke located at the dining area. Ali didn't need encouragement to start the singing. Puri sang a solo then I joined her for a duet. We had to stop because some of the resort guest were already sleeping. We went to the beach to continue the fellowship. We played games and finished off the night with sharing of personal experiences. I slept under two tables while the others slept in the rooms and tent. I woke up at 6 am as planned. We packed our things and boarded the already waiting tricycles to another beach. We went there to visit the nearby lighthouse and found that the beach there was a lot better that where we stayed. We decided to stay and swim in that beach. Everyone enjoyed clear blue waters and white sands of that beach. We can see the lighthouse but we were informed that we had to ride the tricycle to that part and we needed to pay the entrance fee to that resort. We opted to stay where we were. We had light breakfast at the beach, then we went back to our resort to prepare for the trip home. We alternately ate brunch while the others took a bath and some of us packed our things. I rode at the back of one of the three tricycles we rented with Melody, and we chatted all the way to the town of Bolinao. We went to different bus stations and found no air-conditioned bus headed for Manila. They decided to travel to Alaminos, Pangasinan, there they can ride a bus to Manila. After I gave everyone my calling card, I waved them goodbye. I will surely miss the fun I had with them. I walked away from their jeepney and headed for the terminal to Dagupan, where I will get a ride to Baguio City. Yup, my adventure isn't over yet! The Bolinao Group: Mau Climaco, Chato Moreno, George Parlan, Pepot Alquisada, Melody Francisco, Jam Esmael, Chris Tero, Nick Cruz, Aya Fajardo, Erica Guzman, Karen Gimeno, Tess Pelejo, Nelson, Doc Jun & Ali. |
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