ANAWANGIN as of 2011

Anawangin in 2007: photo courtesy of my good friend Tanya G. solis

 Imagine an uninhabited cove lined with pine trees instead of coconut trees. Imagine more…got the picture? Now put fine sand and clear water on the shore, and on both ends of the cove, hills that change color according to the time of day! Then try imagining the uninterrupted humming of the waves as they touch the shore. Relaxing isn’t it?! How about adding a cool bunch of mountaineers?! Voila! You’ve got the Anawangin of 2007!

Anawangin today

You want the present day picture of Anawangin? OK, add a hundred or more huts on the shore fronted by five local stores that resemble the shanties of Payatas. Then divide the whole length of the cove into four properties each with their own incongruous design of picket fences (and banners might I add). Then add a bunch of Derek Ramsey wannabes playing Frisbee and all those urbaneers with their moms and dads and children…all from planet look-at-me-look-at-me! No, that’s not Puerto Galera! That’s still Anawangin!

I know this may sound unbelievably selfish on my part but it’s really good when you see a place before it gets invaded by urbaneers. You see nature at its best! You get the perfect time to relax and de-stress! Once urbaneers flock the place, it becomes a grotesque mix of the city and Mother Nature!

Yes Anawangin is no longer the beauty that we once adored. But it should not be considered as something totally bad. The division of the cove into four properties spurred competition among caretakers and with competition, the customers are served better. If you really wanna know the truth, I kind of enjoyed it more than I did Nagsasa Cove in 2010. The prices of goods and services there are now fixed. Four years ago, it was difficult for visitors to estimate what Mang Manuel (the caretaker) meant by donation. Some would give P1000 which makes Mang Manuel frown at P500. There are more things you can buy there now… and more bathrooms. In other words, Anawangin has become more convenient. So if you’re going for an adventure-flavored convenient getaway this summer, head for Anawangin.

The following information may be of help to you!

TRANSPORTATION

Personal Vehicle:   

(The following is a personal account of Tanya G. Solis’ trip to Anawangin in 2007.)

To get there, you have to traverse the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and exit at San Fernando, Pampanga (60kms. from the Metro Manila (Balintawak) exit of the NLEX). San Fernando is one of Pampanga's bigger business hubs so expect some traffic. From San Fernando, cross a "flyover" bridge to connect you to the highway going towards Lubao, Pampanga (Gloria Arroyo's hometown). Drive this road straight for around 30 kms. more and you will reach the Layak junction in Bataan where you will take a right towards Dinalupihan. Follow the route towards Olongapo (left) when you reach the fork indicating "To Olongapo" and "To Dinalupihan proper". This is where the mountains of Bataan begin and it is not unusual to find some people hawking animals (i.e., pythons, monitor lizards, crabs, hawks, civets, etc.) from the forest, either as a companion or your next meal! Illegal, yes, run-of-the-mill, no. A short drive further, you will take a left to get to the Tipo junction that will serve as the "shortcut" entrance of Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA).
From the guards, get directions on how to get to the Kalaklan gate of SBMA (approximately 13kms). En route to Kalaklan, you may want to stop and have a bite to eat at one of the many dining establishments inside SBMA. From Kalaklan, drive north for another 25 kms. through Olongapo (be sure to stop at the "Coffee Shop" on your way back and have a gooood "Jumbo Taco"), Subic Town, and Castillejos to get to San Marcelino, Zambales. A quick drive inside San Marcelino, you will arrive at the T-junction going left towards San Antonio. The scenic drive to San Antonio will give you a foreboding of things to come at the beach of Anawangin. Upon arriving at San Antonio proper, make a left at one of the sidestreets (for good measure, ask for directions at San Antonio town) that will take you to Barangay Pundaquit. 5kms more and you arrive at the jump-off point of Pundaquit, Zambales. At Pundaquit, you will able to spot the islands of Capones and Camera (another story altogether). Negotiate with any of the resorts there to accommodate your parking (the one we got was "Canoe Resort" and they charged PHP60 per person per day, parking included). From there, charter a boat to take you to Anawangin (boat costs around PHP500 to PHP600 round trip good for 3-4 persons). Another 30mins on the water of breathtaking views of islands, mountains, cliffs and clear water, and you will arrive at the lovely shores of Anawangin...
P.S. Those who get to read this and want to go to Anawangin, a word of
warning... YOU MESS UP THE PLACE, I KILL YOU, Y'HEAR!!!

Bus

Victory Liner has daily trips to Iba, Zambales. The first trip is at 0530hrs and the last is at 2330hrs.

FOOD AND SUPPLIES

(@ Pundaquit: per Mang Henry’s price list)

5gal h2o                                 P35

1.5L Sprite/Coke                   P40

Ice                                         P4

(@ Anawangin)

                Nova/Chippy/Marty’s (big)               P35-P40

                1.5L Sprite/Coke                             P75-P80

                Marlboro Lights                               P50/pack P3/stick

                Egg                                                  P10

                San Mig Light                                   P40

                Tanduay Ice                                     P40

                Coffee  (ready-to-drink)                  P15

                Soft Drinks (8 oz)                            P15

                C2                                                   P35

                1L h2o                                            P40

                4L h2o                                            P100-P120

                Cobra                                             P30

                Ma-Ling (big)                                  P80

                Sn Marino (big)                               P50                                    

  

FARES AND FEES

Pasay – Sn Antonio (Victory Liner)	P271
Sn Antonio municipal hall – Pundaquit (Tricycle)	P30/pax (3pax/tryk)
Pundaquit – Anawangin (boat ride + side trip: Capones and/or Camara islands)	P250/pax (7pax up)
Pundaquit—Nagsasa Cove (boat ride + side trips)	P400/pax (7pax up)
Entrance Fee (Anawangin)	P100/pax/night (P50 day trip)
Sn Antonio to Olongapo (non-A/C bus)	P35
Olongapo to Manila (Victory Liner: no reservation)	P210

OUR ITINERARY

Day 0

2330hrs

Departure; Pasay to San Antonio

The property that encloses the river

Day 1

0330hrs	Arrival @ San Antonio…wait for the other groups
0500hrs	Departure for Pundaquit. Tricycles are available round-the-clock; P30/pax 3pax/tryk. Contact persons of boat operators will also race to
0530hrs	Arrival @ Pundaquit. Buy water, gin and ice. Borrow ice box, grill and other stuff from Kuya Henry the boatman. 09266726070
0600hrs	Depart for Anawangin
0645hrs	Arrival @ Anawangin…facing Anawangin, the rightmost property encloses the river. If you camp on the other three properties, you'll be charged P50 if you wanna go inside this rightmost property to take pictures of the river. Moreover, the sand in front of this property is finer compared to the pebbly shore of the leftmost property. Plus, the water is clearer. Pitch tents, breakfast, pictures, swim
1200hrs	lunch
1400hrs	Start socials
1600hrs	Swimming, wait for the sunset
1700hrs	Prepare dinner
1800hrs	dinner
2000hrs	Socials (part 2)…minimize noise if neighbors are trying to sleep
2300hrs	Lights out

The rock formations of Capones Island

Day 2

0500hrs	Call of nature…the lines get longer as more people wake up. Wash your hands before  preparing breakfast
0600hrs	Prepare breakfast
0700hrs	Breakfast
0730hrs	Break camp
0830hrs	Departure for Capones Island
0930hrs	Arrival @ Capones Island…when the waves aren’t very strong, the boat may ‘dock’ at the rocky shore with the steps that lead to the lighthouse. Otherwise, the boat will have to berth in one of the other beaches in the island. Swimming
1100hrs	Head back to Pundaquit
1120hrs	Wash up
1200hrs	Take the tricycle to Sn Antonio town proper
1230hrs	Take the bus to Olongapo . Lunch at Mcdo/KFC/Jollibee/Chow King etc
1400hrs	Take the bus (Victory Liner) bound for Manila.
1730hrs	Home Again