The Enchantment of Bolinao

I only have bits and pieces of facts about Bolinao. First, it is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to unwritten history, the town of Bolinao used to be a small community of fishermen in what is now Barrio Binabalian located in Santiago Island. There was only a handful of residents with a population of just over a hundred families back then.

Second, There are a lot of versions on how it has adopted its name. They say it comes from the ''Pamulinawen'' tree which was then abundant along the beaches, but now deemed extinct. And some say it came from a fish called ''Monamon'' which is commonly known in Bicol and the Visayas region as ''Bolinao''.

Third, locals generally speak Tagalog, Pangasinan (Pangasinense), Ilocano and they also have their own native dialect. Due to vast western influences (like Sesame Street), and mainly because it is part of the curriculum starting from grade school, most of them speak and understand English.

The map shows that it is located in Northern Luzon facing the West Philippine Sea and since the place is surrounded by water, the first thing to consider when planning a visit is the weather. You may check here for updates: Bolinao Weather Forecast.

We got there by taking a bus from Five Star Bus Terminal in Cubao, which took us directly to our destination. You may check their updated fare matrix on this site, Five Star Bus Fare Matrix. We left around 11 in the evening and travel time is around 6 hours. We arrived extremely early in the morning so the sun isn't out yet. We found a tricycle driver/guide that will take us on a day tour. Still in a ''bus lag'' state, we decided to chill for a moment and have ourselves some breakfast. 

Soon after, we headed to our first destination. I was the one sitting at the back of the driver on the tricycle. The early morning cold breeze grazing at my face filled me with delight as we drive through the streets. We made a right turn, went through a rough road and then we parked. After a few-minute hike, there it is, hidden, surrounded by the greenery. The Bolinao Falls. 

We were so astounded by the view so splendid, we all exclaimed ''Wow!''. We took a dip into the water and as always, my friends preferred to jump from the top of the falls. We frolicked, took photos and enjoy basking in the morning sun as it slowly ascends over the trees. After an hour or so, we packed up and headed back to the parking area.

The next part of the tour is The Enchanted Cave. Here, you'll see a different array of rock and coral fossils in the surrounding area proving that it was once part of the ocean. It was estimated over a million years old, but no carbon dating was done yet.

A few meters under the ground, we went inside of the cave to have a swim. The water is around 7 feet deep. It comes from a spring making it refreshing and exceptionally cold.  Good thing we went there early, as it tend to get crowded especially on weekends.

We then went to Patar Rock Beach to check out the rock formation. There are huts available making this place suitable for picnics or a family hangout, however, I would not recommend having a swim as the seabed is full of corals with jagged edges. 

At the cliff, you'll have a breathtaking view of the ocean while the waves gently hitting the rocks. It was an incredible sight. Standing at the edge is quite a thrilling experience. I urge you to try it yourself when you visit.

A few meters away from the beach, on top of Punta Piedra Point is The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, which is the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines. About 351 feet above sea level, overlooking the South China Sea at a height of 101 feet, It has been standing for over a hundred years and still in service.

Finally, our last stop, The Patar White Sand Beach. What a perfect place to end our journey! You can't help but stare and admire the divinity of the landscape. It is definitely a gorgeous haven. After we swim, we just sit on the sand and stare at the sun setting on the horizon. I then realize that this trip had given me the privilege to witness the sea with its different shades of color. No wonder Bolinao is called the hidden jewel of the north.

We calculated the expenses that we incurred in this trip. They are as follows:

Bus Fare from Cubao to Bolinao - 459 pesos

Bus Fare from Bolinao to Cubao - 459 pesos

Day Tour Tricycle Fee - 800 pesos

Entrance Fee to Enchanted Cave - 150 pesos

Entrance Fee to Patar Rock Formation - 70 pesos

Benjie's Resort Overnight Stay - 1200 pesos/Room (There's 3 of us so that'll be 400 pesos each)

The Experience - Priceless!

TIPS AND TRICKS

1. Come to think of it, there's actually nothing much to prepare for this trip. You can basically go there on impulse! The itinerary is not even needed when you're on a day tour unless you plan to stay for more than a day, better have one otherwise. 

2. A few personal essentials are absolutely enough (2 days worth of clothes, toiletries, sunblock, etc.). Anything you might have missed or forgotten will be available at the markets along the way. You can find lots of restaurants around the church and there's even an eatery beside Benjie's Resort where they have a variety of dishes with large servings. 

3. I highly recommend staying at Benjie's Resort (call this number for reservation - 09108366257). His place is almost at the far end of the beach line that's why I found it somewhat ''solemn''. They have rooms, cottages and I saw some tents, but I'm not sure whether they are for rent or maybe you can just bring your own. Ask him over the phone when you give him a call.

4. If you're not into crowds, I suggest having a tour on a weekday. Why? So you'll completely enjoy the serenity of the place. Bolinao's atmosphere is totally different from Boracay where bars are just alongside the shore. It's a place for relaxation, not for a party. Unless you're having a team building or a family gathering, then that's a different story.

IT PAYS TO BE NICE AND FRIENDLY

While on this trip, I lost my silver bracelet. It's not that expensive, but it was given to me by my dad so it has a lot of sentimental value to me. I figured it must have dropped from my shorts while I was changing before the swim. Our tour guide/tricycle driver saw me looking miserable and asked what's wrong, so I told him about it. He then took something out of his jacket's pocket and handed me my bracelet back. I was so grateful. He said when he found it, he didn't even know its mine.

He could have kept it for himself, but instead return it to me. I don' know whether it's out of pity or what not. Or maybe because simple rapport such as ''Kumusta naman ang buhay dito sa probinsiya?'' or ''Kumusta naman ang pamilya mo?'' or my approbation ''Hey bro! That's a nice jacket you're wearing'' broke the ice and he sees me as a friend, not just a tourist. 

His name is Jason and he's a nice guy. Sadly, I seem to have lost his number when I changed phones. 

Anyway, my most important advice whenever you go on a trip, be nice and friendly.

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