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Halfway from the Lucap Wharf in Alaminos City, beautiful green islands come to life amid the calm waters of the South China Sea. I never imagined that the islands are more magnificent and scenic up close. Spread over the boundary of Alaminos, the magnificent creations of nature are covered with decade old trees entwined in island rock formations that are believed to be about two million years old.

Naturally beautiful

Quezon Island

The boardwalk at quezon island

at Quezon Island

The islands seem to be floating on the deep blue green sea one has to imagine how each of the 124 islands was perfectly preserved and protected from human intervention. There are several caves and tunnels in some of the islands, particularly at the Island Cuenco (Pandi). The Imelda Cave in Island Romulo is a miniature of the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. The cave has an opening at the peak but the only difference is the sea.

Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) is the first-ever national park declared as one by the late President Manuel L. Quezon in 1941. For years, the park was allegedly neglected under the care of the national government but with the determination of the people of Alaminos under the leadership of Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, the park was restored and protected in the past years. According to city tourism officer Miguel Sison, Braganza’s priority is tourism and part of the long-term program is to improve some facilities for the HINP but with more emphasis on the protection of the marine sanctuary, the mangroves and the natural landscape of the islands. Through the LGU’s effort, the Hundred Islands continues to regain patronage from local and foreign tourists and generate millions of pesos in income.

Nature at its best at the Governor's island

Having fun at the boat on the way to the Governor's Island

Kayak lessons

Last August 2 we set off to the Governor’s Island, one of the three most developed islands at the HINP. The other two are the Quezon Island and the Children’s Island. Not all the islands though have names. Only 30 of them have. And the national park has 123 islands during high tide, 124 during low tide. This is actually contrary to the myth that there are only 100 islands or less at the national park.

At about 100 meters away from the Governor’s Island, one could already see the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house where we stayed for night. The house was used by the PBB Teen Edition for a week according to our Kayak instructor Erwin Sarmiento, head of the Hundred Islands Eco-Tours Association, Inc. (HIETA).

The Pinoy Big Brother House

Setting up the tents

Breakfast at the beach

Briefing with Dir. Martin S. Valera of DOT Region 1

I went to the islands with my colleagues at the Pampanga Press Club. Thanks to our good friend Director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the DOT Region 3 for setting up the trip to Alaminos. His staff, Leni and Peter took good care of us while his counterpart in Region I, Dir. Martin S. Valera and the people of Mayor Braganza gave us a warm welcome by preparing sumptuous food and a useful briefing about the Hundred Islands National Park.

Commune with nature

And the best part of our trip is the Kayaking experience. A few of us were capsized at the sea but no regrets. We surely had fun island hopping, mountain climbing, snorkeling, kayaking and just connecting with nature’s glorious creations. Visit Hundred Islands and enjoy the experience in one of the country’s most beautiful places. (Story by Mini Arceo/Photos by Ric Gonzales)