'Biyahe Ni Drew:' Exploring the Five Fingers of Mariveles, Bataan
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Mariveles deserves the highest of high-fives with their newest attraction, the Five Fingers.
In the southern tip of the province of Bataan lies the first-class municipality of Mariveles.
The name Mariveles is said to come from “maraming dilis,” which pertains to the number of anchovies that can be fished on the sea surrounding its municipality.
Founded in 1578 as a village by a Franciscan Friar, the municipality at present is a far cry from it's pre-colonial and colonial days.
The town now caters to both locals and tourists thanks to its bustling economy and the amazing adventure that await in its recent attraction: The Mariveles Five Fingers.
The Mariveles Five Fingers is a series of coves that look like, you guessed it, five human fingers when viewed from above.
The names of the islands are as follows: Cochino's Point (thumb), Apatot (index), Pulong Kawayan (middle finger), Naiclec Point (ring), and Longos Kawayan (pinky).
“Tinawag po nating Cochino's Point kasi it came from the Spanish word which means 'baboy' kasi po if makikita niyo from an aerial shot, hugis baboy po siya,” tells Rustan Padua, Biyahe Ni Drew's local tour guide.
The best time to visit the Five Fingers in Bataan, according to Rustan, is during the last quarter of the year because the islands are covered with grass and fresh vegetation.
Source: dah_explorer (IG)
Upon arriving on each island there are so many activities you can do including cliff diving, snorkeling, trekking, and taking photographs.
The best part? You can also see a few wildlife on each island.
Rustan says, “Nagsisilbing tirahan ng mga mulawin [eagles] ang Mariveles, Bataan.
“Ibig sabihin po ay very healthy ang environment at hindi sila nagagalaw.
"Dyan rin po sa mga gubat may makikitang mga musang [civet], unggoy [monkeys], at iba pang wildlife.”
Source: jun.sacol (IG)
Despite the presence of wildlife, Rustan said that the improper disposal of garbage in Manila Bay has affected the five coves, the province of Bataan, and the island of Corregidor.
“Tuwing habagat o amihan season, ang nangyayari po is 'yung mga basura from Manila Bay nadadala dito. Kasi po ang Five Fingers ay sakop po ng Manila Bay,” he said.
“Ang Corregidor ay ang nagsisilbing bunganga ng Manila Bay kaya po lahat ng basura from Manila, Cavite, and iba pang part ng Bulacan ay napapadpad doon.
"Bali po ang buong paligid ng Corregidor ay puro basura.
“So, sana po 'yung ginagawang rehabilitation sa Manila Bay ay madamay po ang isla ng Corregidor at probinsya ng Bataan.”
If you're wondering what you can do on each island here's a breakdown of activities to choose from:
Cochino - Go hiking to reach the top of the island
Apatot - Snorkeling and cave diving
Pulong Kawayan - Cliff diving
Naiclec Point - Swimming and snorkeling
Longos Kawayan - Prenup shoots and hiking
Source: paolovillanueva4 (IG)
The Five Fingers Cove has easily become the newest attraction in Bataan proving that there's more this municipality can offer aside from its historical sites.
Not only does it give you an ample beach to choose from, but cove-to-cove hopping also allows you to experience some pretty adventurous activities that are not for the faint of heart.
