Trip to Hundred Islands

Aerial shot of the Pilgrimage Island by Argel Mantes.

February 12, we attended the wedding of our dear friends in Batangas. After which, we headed to Pangasinan for a quick venture. We hit the road very early morning of February 13. We took a quick coffee break along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). I cannot remember the exact time we arrived at our destination but I remember the sun was surely up quite high already.

When we arrived in our accommodation, we took breakfast then we started our island tour. The environmental fee was 40php if my memory serves me right, and the boat we got was worth 2000php (large size). We filled up the manifesto as part of COVID-19 protocols, paid the fees, then hopped on to the boat.

A quick and short history: The Hundred Islands National Park, located in Alaminos, Pangasinan, is said to have 123 islands. It is one of the tourist spots in the province. The 123 islands are scattered northward along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of about 1,860 hectares. They are believed to be about two million years old. (Source: Alaminos City Government Ecological Profile) On January 8, 1840, President Manuel L. Quezon officially declared The Hundred Islands a National Park under Presidential Proclamation No. 667.

Our first destination in the tour was the Governor's Island. It has 123-step staircase and a deck where you can have a panoramic view of the hundred islands. After the descend, we ate Halo-Halo and Banana con Hielo for some refreshment.

Panoramic view from the view deck of Governor's Island.

Next, we headed to the Pilgrimage Island. It has 263-step staircase leading to the famous 55-foot tall Christ the Savior statue. Prior reaching the statue, it has a chapel where you can take a moment to pray and/or meditate. Compared to the Governor's island, going up and down to the Pilgrimage Island will allow you to see more of the other islets nearby it.

View of the nearby islets from Pilgrimage Island

This was the exit from the Jesus Christ statue.

After the Pilgrimage Island, we went to Quezon Island to have lunch. Then, the boatmen brought us in the snorkeling area. We weren't able to go to Marcos island as we already consumed our time doing freediving. We have just passed by the said island which was known for cliff diving.

Groupie in Quezon Island before we go to the snorkeling spot for their much awaited freediving activity.

We have concluded our island hopping at around 1700H to 1800H. Subsequently, we just enjoyed the socials at night.

The next day, after breakfast, we prepared to go back home. We had our lunch in Silverios Restaurant, Dagupan City. We then went to Bella's Puto Calasiao & Pasalubong Center to buy puto calasiao (a white bite sized sticky rice cake that originated from the province of Calasiao, Pangasinan) and other tasty treats before we headed back home in Manila.