This time our excuse was Marj's birthday bash, which we took on the the road to Pangasinan. Our weekend started on a Friday at the ungodly hour of 5:00 am, at the Cinnabon outlet in the Petron station on NLEX. 3 hours later, were in the famous Manaoag Shrine. You can't miss it , there are 3 "welcome arches" along the highway that lead you to the site.
The church of Our Lady of Manaoag seems to have been renovated already as the exterior gleams with a fresh coat of paint. But the interior is at least more authentic and antique, and the back walls reminded me very of much of Spanish Intramuros. I expected hordes of people to be there as befitting the "miraculous statue" stories, but the crowd was quite manageable, and prayerful. After lighting a candle in the back and checking out the wood carved replicas of the Blessed Virgin mounted onto trees, we went up to a room positioned at the back of the church altar where you can kneel, touch the cloak of Our Lady, and ask your petition. There's also a museum where they showcase past perfumes crowns, cloaks, jewelry and rosaries that the Lady has worn, many donated by devotees. Typical of a pinoy Patron, the Lady was quite well equipped with fragrances by Ferregamo, Estee Lauder, Dior and Chanel and when we asked the museum receptionist what kind of miracles the Lady had performed, she said something like, "She brought a boy back to life." and "She saved people from a fire," which were singularly amazing feats but quite vague in execution. I guess its really personal faith that counts.
Another 4 hours later, the van finally drove up to our main destination at the Hundred Islands National Park in Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan. They say there are 123 islands scattered around this area, with 3 islands that are developed for overnight accomodations. You can choose either the "roughing it" accomodations or celebrity quarters. We opted for the latter, and booked a night at the villa on Governor's Island, where the locals claim that Regine Velasquez stayed a week before to shoot a Wow, Philippines ad (hence my Regine pose!).
The house overlooks the sea via a balcony reminiscent of a Greek villa (I can only imagine one from pictures), and you can actually climb down pretty steep rock formations to jump into the water. They only ration water though, so even "celebrities" have to bathe with a pail of water, and lights go off at 10pm unless you pay for an extension. We spent the day bonding, cooking (ok I only washed dishes), and hobnobbing with the local caretaker, the house cat and kitten, and the resident ghost (waaah). The lack of electricity led me to flip my cellphone backlight on every hour during the dark, electricity-less night so I could sleep!
During low tide, you can actually walk from Governor's Island to the neighboring one, which Mai and James did at 6:00 am while the rest of us were still asleep. Though I think the neighboring estate was called Virgin Island, and maybe that's why I wasn't meant for a visit. Governor's Island offers footpaths around and up a hill where you have a better view of the islands scattered around (check out me asking Manong, este, James for directions). There are also visually stunning balete trees with their roots extending down the paths, and interesting caves complete with bats! Here's a tip: Havaianas are not for trekking.
For P200 more on top of the P1,200 you pay for the boat that ferried us to Governor's Island, you can take the boat island hopping. We did hop around and check out the interesting island formations, spent some time at a raft anchored in the midst of several islands, tried to snorkel ('til we found too many itchy critters in the water), and eventually stopped at a charming little beach called Papaya Island for the requisite sun bathing in the grey-white sand, picture taking among the stunning rock formations, and swimming in relatively clear waters.
Then we took to the road again. Next stop--- Bolinao.
Note: To get to the Hundred Islands National Park, take the North Expressway and exit at Mabalacat, Pampanga. You pass through Tarlac and then turn towards the Pangasinan towns of Mangataren, Buhgallon, Sual then Alaminos. Pick up an EZ-Map of Pangasinan at any National Booksore for best results, and you can also arrange for accomodations at the Tourist Office when you arrive. You may also call the Alaminos Tourist Office at +75-5512505/2249.
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