Bask in Bolinao’s String of Allures
Text and photos by Lino Cali Soriano
Edited by Agadel Guerrero
Note: This article was published in the Philippine Post broadsheet on October 3, 1999 and will be merged with an updated article in mid 2015. In 1990, the author (who is from this town) wrote, videotaped and produced a 40-minute broadcast-quality audio-video presentation “The Many Faces of Bolinao,” the very first on this town. After restoration of the video next year, it was proposed that this will be shown in Bolinao to enable the young generation to see how it looked like 25 years ago. Photos will be added later.
BOLINAO is the last town in Western Pangasinan, but it’s numero uno when it comes to panoramic landscapes, seascapes and local delicacies.
Founded by Capt. Pedro Lombi in circa 1575, Bolinao is also rich in history and cultural heritage.
Even travel-weary visitors or first-timers can hardly wait to get to the shore. Guiguiwanin Beach is the nearest to poblacion, being 15 minutes by public transportation.
On a nearby hill, sits the 50-foot Portuguese Port Lighthouse. While at the peak, visitors can take a sweeping gaze at Santiago, Dewey, and the nearby islands, the deep, blue Caciput Channel (which serves as sanctuary for large ships during typhoons), and later in the afternoon, the picturesque and romantic sunset.
During summer, local and foreign wind surfers, jet skiers and sport fishers dominate the deeper part of the sea.
There are also seemingly endless white-sand beaches in other barangays like the Long Beach, Balingasay Beach, Patar Beach – famous for their crystal-clear waters – and a number of beaches around Santiago and Dewey Islands.
During our brief stay in Bolinao, we opted to take a dip beside the enchanting small islets near Silaqui Island, which is accessible by motor boat.
The name of the town also conjures up images of giant cultural pieces. Majestic Bolinao Church is well-known not just for its durable façade, but also of its centuries-old bells (each about one inch thick) and its over four-century old doors which attract visual artists and archeology students.
Another must-see is the Trincera Cave, which was used as a sanctuary by the Filipino guerillas during the Japanese occupation. Other interesting caves are found in Barangay Patar and Tara.
Tara is connected to an underground river, according to local folk. After getting off from the bus, you’ll have to hike for about 20 minutes to reach its entrance.
Edited by Agadel Guerrero
Note: This article was published in the Philippine Post broadsheet on October 3, 1999 and will be merged with an updated article in mid 2015. In 1990, the author (who is from this town) wrote, videotaped and produced a 40-minute broadcast-quality audio-video presentation “The Many Faces of Bolinao,” the very first on this town. After restoration of the video next year, it was proposed that this will be shown in Bolinao to enable the young generation to see how it looked like 25 years ago. Photos will be added later.
BOLINAO is the last town in Western Pangasinan, but it’s numero uno when it comes to panoramic landscapes, seascapes and local delicacies.
Founded by Capt. Pedro Lombi in circa 1575, Bolinao is also rich in history and cultural heritage.
Even travel-weary visitors or first-timers can hardly wait to get to the shore. Guiguiwanin Beach is the nearest to poblacion, being 15 minutes by public transportation.
On a nearby hill, sits the 50-foot Portuguese Port Lighthouse. While at the peak, visitors can take a sweeping gaze at Santiago, Dewey, and the nearby islands, the deep, blue Caciput Channel (which serves as sanctuary for large ships during typhoons), and later in the afternoon, the picturesque and romantic sunset.
During summer, local and foreign wind surfers, jet skiers and sport fishers dominate the deeper part of the sea.
There are also seemingly endless white-sand beaches in other barangays like the Long Beach, Balingasay Beach, Patar Beach – famous for their crystal-clear waters – and a number of beaches around Santiago and Dewey Islands.
During our brief stay in Bolinao, we opted to take a dip beside the enchanting small islets near Silaqui Island, which is accessible by motor boat.
The name of the town also conjures up images of giant cultural pieces. Majestic Bolinao Church is well-known not just for its durable façade, but also of its centuries-old bells (each about one inch thick) and its over four-century old doors which attract visual artists and archeology students.
Another must-see is the Trincera Cave, which was used as a sanctuary by the Filipino guerillas during the Japanese occupation. Other interesting caves are found in Barangay Patar and Tara.
Tara is connected to an underground river, according to local folk. After getting off from the bus, you’ll have to hike for about 20 minutes to reach its entrance.
German and British tourists, whom this writer got the chance to talk to, said they just love Bolinao for its rustic appeal.
For those who love water sports, they have a choice among windsurfing, boating, jet-skiing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving specially during summer. After which they can enjoy a feast of sumptuous seafood like crabs, shrimps, fish, mussel, or its well-known delicacy – the barangen dried fish. You will salivate at the sight of green mangoes, peeled, sliced and dipped in alamang or a very special bagoong called padas. For merienda, visitors can enjoy the taste of binungoy - a malagkit rice cake cooked in cut bamboo; this usually goes in tandem with sweet, ripe mangoes.
Just a 30-minute drive from the national road is the Bolinao Falls in Barangay Samang Norte. This is the perfect hideaway for those who prefer serene surroundings. It is difficult to resist the cool waters of the lagoon. Even photo hobbyists and painters who love to capture this enthralling vista through the lens and brush agree with any nature tripper.
Ever interested in visiting a museum with bric-a-brac treasures? Chinaware, dating as far back as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the 10th century Balingasay relics and skeletons, and rare artifacts such as the black marlin bones (Makaira indica species, certified by the Los Angeles Museum to be more than 50,000 years old), are on display at the Bolinao Museum.
The town takes pride in the fact that the very first undersea communications cable line which linked the country Europe was built here in 1880, a few years earlier than the one in Manila.
The trip to Bolinao will not be complete without visiting the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, nestled atop a 230-foot hill, while tourists can marvel at the vast China Sea, the sparkling waters of Abrac and Patar and the picturesque sunset.
There are still many exciting places in town waiting to be explored. Or just simply enjoy the tranquil setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Within the poblacion are mid-mart accommodations and spartan-type inns. Celeste Resort, where we stayed can make your stay memorable.
Bolinao is only 274 kilometers from Manila or about five to six hours drive by car. Air-conditioned buses are available 24/7.
10 January 2015
Reference: Bolinao Museum
For those who love water sports, they have a choice among windsurfing, boating, jet-skiing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving specially during summer. After which they can enjoy a feast of sumptuous seafood like crabs, shrimps, fish, mussel, or its well-known delicacy – the barangen dried fish. You will salivate at the sight of green mangoes, peeled, sliced and dipped in alamang or a very special bagoong called padas. For merienda, visitors can enjoy the taste of binungoy - a malagkit rice cake cooked in cut bamboo; this usually goes in tandem with sweet, ripe mangoes.
Just a 30-minute drive from the national road is the Bolinao Falls in Barangay Samang Norte. This is the perfect hideaway for those who prefer serene surroundings. It is difficult to resist the cool waters of the lagoon. Even photo hobbyists and painters who love to capture this enthralling vista through the lens and brush agree with any nature tripper.
Ever interested in visiting a museum with bric-a-brac treasures? Chinaware, dating as far back as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the 10th century Balingasay relics and skeletons, and rare artifacts such as the black marlin bones (Makaira indica species, certified by the Los Angeles Museum to be more than 50,000 years old), are on display at the Bolinao Museum.
The town takes pride in the fact that the very first undersea communications cable line which linked the country Europe was built here in 1880, a few years earlier than the one in Manila.
The trip to Bolinao will not be complete without visiting the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, nestled atop a 230-foot hill, while tourists can marvel at the vast China Sea, the sparkling waters of Abrac and Patar and the picturesque sunset.
There are still many exciting places in town waiting to be explored. Or just simply enjoy the tranquil setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Within the poblacion are mid-mart accommodations and spartan-type inns. Celeste Resort, where we stayed can make your stay memorable.
Bolinao is only 274 kilometers from Manila or about five to six hours drive by car. Air-conditioned buses are available 24/7.
10 January 2015
Reference: Bolinao Museum