Fun times one hundred

MANILA, Philippines - Thus, the Gali’La Hundred Islands Festival was born to underscore Alaminos’ transformation from a laid-back crossroads town into a vibrant economic hub in western Pangasinan. Literally meaning “come and join us,” Gali’La  showcased everything the city could be proud of.

Scattered around the historic and biodiversity-rich Lingayen Gulf, the Hundred Islands National Park is an amazing cluster of islands and rock formations, each with their own characteristics. A good number of the islands have short stretches of powdery white beaches, mangrove forests, caves, subterranean lagoons, bat caves, and a host of interesting sights.

Governor’s, one of the core islets, has a view deck which offers a sweeping view of the archipelago, the nearest of which are Braganza and Virgin. It has been given a showbiz spin and rechristened “Pinoy Big Brother” because it once became the venue of popular reality TV series. At low tide, a sand bar appears and guests can walk going to Virgin Island.

Children’s Island, as its name suggests, is tops for kids because of its shallow and clear waters. Nearby is Quezon Island, the boat transport hub where beach bums converge to swim or snorkel in the nearby giant clam farm.

The islands of Cagao, Macapagal, Romulo, Martha and New Scout have short but powdery white sand beaches and clear waters. Marcos has a twin rock island named after the former first lady which has an underground pool called Imelda Cave, into which intrepid souls can jump from about 20 feet above.

Other noteworthy spots in the Park are the island caves of Quirino and Centennial, and the cavernous Cathedral Island, so called because of its majestic formation and high ceiling. The Coral Gardens is perfect for snorkeling with its awe-inspiring reef formations and rich marine life.

Touring the Islands National Park has been made more fun, adventure-packed with the introduction of kayaking and adventure tours in recent years. With its calm waters, proximity to one another, and vibrant marine life, it appears to be cut out by Mother Nature to be the country’s kayaking capital.

Back at the mainland, Alaminos also takes pride in its eclectic charm where the old merrily blends with the new. There is the Spanish-era parish church of St. Joseph the Patriarch, ancestral homes, as well as century-old hardwood trees dotting the plaza which stand proudly beside a bustling commercial district associated with cityhood.

Some of the houses, constructed during the prewar era using the classical bahay na bato (stone houses) architecture, serve as de-facto museums to attest to the city’s genteel past.

Alaminos has also become synonymous with its most popular delicacy – the tasty longganisa which is sought after because of its natural ingredients and absence of preservatives, and has found its way into dining tables across Luzon.

According to Mayor Hernani Braganza, Gali’La fete put the spotlight on the city’s achievements in terms of environmental protection, good governance, and economic growth brought about by its booming tourism sector.

Alaminos has been awarded as the Most Outstanding LGU Coastal Resource Management Implementer, and runner-up honors as the Best Performing City in Region I and the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest City.

It has also been chosen to be a partner local government in the prestigious Shore It Up project of the Metro Pacific Investment Corp. Foundation in 2011 in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup Day. This year, it will again be the site of the Shore It Up project in August, which will involve mangrove planting and giant clam rearrangement.

Braganza added that the city has been successfully managing the Hundred Islands when it was turned over to them by the Philippine Tourism Authority. He said that the Islands National Park accounts for about 72 percent of the tourists who visit Pangasinan, registering more than 200,000 visitors.

The Park was also visited last March by some 400 European tourists aboard the luxury cruise ship Europa which called on other enchanting islands in the Philippines.

He noted that the no-nonsense implementation of environmental laws have helped preserve the Hundred Islands National Park’s fragile marine ecosystem. 

For this feat, he has been accorded the 10 Tourism Awardees Rotary of the Club of Manila in 2011 and the Fr. Neri Satur Environmental Hero Award in 2012 by the Earthsavers Movement.

Indeed, together with the Hundred Islands, Alaminos offers more than a hundred opportunities for fun.