Philippine Tourism News

In this time of the year that Philippines is very very hot during summer season, people are looking for a place to cool down. But for adventurers and nature lovers, they are looking for exciting places to explore things. If you are planning for a vacation getaway or an excursion with a beautiful scenic and enchanting view and lots of activities and rich in cultural and historical heritage. There is one place that awaits for you to be explored. That place is Alaminos City, the home of the Hundred Islands National Park in the province of Pangasinan.

The local government of Alaminos City is planning to make this place a green City and become one of the tourist destination in the Philippines. Alaminos City has so much to offer to local visitors and tourist that could make their vacation in this place more exciting. Alaminos has the hundred islands that host various activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving or kayaking in the turquoise waters; and spelunking in the many mysterious coves of the Hundred Islands National Park.

Through a mixed-use development strategy, the city will be integrating its vast agriculture and fishery resources with tourism, with expansions up to the city proper. In the works are a central park, a well-planned government center, modern road networks leading to a central bus station, communications facilities, water systems, a nature park, mountain communities, retirement villages and meticulously planned waterways, agri-tourism and other facilities that would project an image of the city as a well-designed tourism destination.

The hundred Island is the main tourist destination and the center of tourism here in Alaminos City, province of Pangasinan, has a land area of 1,844 hectares and are believed to be some two million years old. According to stories of the forefather in this place, the islands were teardrops from a primeval giant who grieved the loss of his ladylove. There are also stories that these island were once inhibited by mermaids. Not all of the islands of The Hundred Island are explored, some of these island are unexploited. The latest count of the island count is 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide.

Smart Hundred Islands Adventure Race

According to the City government of Alaminos City, this place is the choice for vacation destination for adventure seekers who are looking for adventure with sports venue such as running, biking, swimming, trekking, climbing, banca race, kayaking, spelunking, rapelling, paddling, land navigation, and other special tasks. This summer, on May 5, the city is staging the “Smart Hundred Islands Adventure Race” which will be a test of skill, strength, speed, and wits of adventure racers from all over the country and is hosted by Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza and organizer PETCO.

This race will bring the adventure races to the islands and islets of the Hundred Islands National Park and also to the unexplored areas ofthe city to unravel and experience the wonders of of Alaminos. Here are the area of interest that the racers will discover:

Undersea Caves: There are many caves in the Hundred Islands Park but 10 caves are already identified. These caves are named after myths, legends and stone formation. These caves brings tourism into the city with it’s eco-tourism, marine sanctuary and rich historical destination.

Bolo Beach: This long, horseshoe-shaped beach and shallow waters becomes a popular vacation destination. This beach is located 10 kilometers from Alaminos City.

Alaminos Coral Reefs: These corals reefs are one of the popular tourist attraction in the crystal clear waters of the Hundred Islands and is the home of variety of exotic tropical marine life. These coral reefs are the divers paradise for the underwater adventurers.

Giant Clams Farms (Taklobos): These Giant clams are the ally of the coral reef that gives home to the marine life in the Hundred Islands Park. The giant clams gives beautiful and enchanting attraction to tourists or visitors who dive or snorkel in the area.

How to get to Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City

The coastal city of Alaminos is about five hours bus ride from Metro Manila and three hours from Baguio City. Land travel from Manila to Alaminos City is 250 kms, 4 hours by private vehicle from Manila via Camiling, Tarlac 5 ½ hours by public vehicle.

Public bus lines regularly plying the Pangasinan route (Baguio to Alaminos straight), passing by La Union province, are the Byron North Express and the Victory Liner. From Dagupan, it would take about another one and a half hours to reach Alaminos City, a breezy tricycle ride brings you to barangay Lucap and The Don Gonzalo Montemayor wharf. At the wharf, one can already have a sight of the inviting islands and the best way to get there is by chartered boat. The port can serve as a parking lot for a fee. Outrigger motorized boats can be rented here to ferry you to a cluster of islands and islets collectively known as the Hundred Islands.

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