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Atin muna: A 'Biyahe ni Drew' itinerary to Atimonan, Quezon
"Biyahe ni Drew" airs every Friday, 8:00 PM, on GMA News TV. For more information, follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For updates on your favorite documentaries, follow also the official Facebook page of GMA Public Affairs.
How can biyaheros be heroes? For the people of Atimonan, it's about making their town their first priority. To find out how they do this, Biyahero Drew Arellano travelled to the place where everything is calm and relaxed but the efforts to promote sustainable tourism is serious and intense. It's time to visit Atimonan, Quezon!
How to get there
Atimonan is four hours away from Manila. To get there, go to the Cubao bus terminal and look for trips that will take you directly to the town. Biyahero tip: The earlier you travel, the better. There are many road constructions on the way to Atimonan so it is advisable to go there when the traffic is light. Once you're in town, you simply need to hail tricycles to get to your destination.
What to do
Rock climbing at Tinandog Wall
Climbing fee: P1,000 inclusive of equipment and meal
One of the main attractions in Atimonan is the Tinandog Wall, a popular spot that has been challenging rock climbing enthusiasts from all parts of the Philippines since 1996.
The wall was accidentally discovered by rock climbing instructor Noel "Pastor" Suministrado just before it was supposed to be quarried for its limestones. Even then, Pastor had recognized how the wall could be used as a tourist attraction. Thus, he sought the help of DENR and fought for the wall's preservation.
"Sabi ko sayang 'yung lugar not only for rock climbing," Pastor says. "Ang ilalim ng batong ito ay tubig, so yung mga nearby baranggay dito yung source ng tubig. Kapag may bagyo natural siya ang bumabasag ng hangin.”
Pastor's efforts were not put in vain as Tinandog wall is now considered one of the major rock climbing spots in the country. The Tinandog wall has routes for all kinds of climbers, even for beginners like Drew.
"I guess okay din ang pag-akyat dito kaya sinasabing perfect for beginners. Pero there’s also a level of difficulty," Drew says after he successfully climbed the wall using the so called "Take me home" route. It only took him 15 minutes. "Worth it ang pagod at hirap kung ganitong view naman ang masisilayan mo!"
Pastor works with the local community to maintain the wall. In fact, the meals that come with the climbing fee are specially prepared by the locals. Pastor also encourages Biyaheros to do their share by keeping the place clean.
"I think it should go beyond personal passion. Hindi lang kasi puwedeng palagi na lang tayong turista na kapag punta natin iiwanan nalang natin."
Spelunking at Malusak Cave
Entrance fee: P10
A fifteen-minute ride from Atimonan's town proper and another ten-minute walk up a mountain will take you to Malusak Cave. Spelunking in the whole cave only takes an hour. However, even if Malusak cave is small, it is still a great place to reconnect with nature, explore rock formations, and see all kinds of bats.
Scuba diving at artificial reefs
Entrance fee: P1,000
This is not the first time Drew has gone to Atimonan. In one of the episodes of GMA News TV's "Balikbayan," he was able to witness how the local community used artificial reefs to help fishermen catch more fish.
"'Yung mga mangingisda naisip nila kailangan nilang pangalaagaan ‘yung dagat," Drew explains. "So gumagawa sila. Nagbabagsak sila ng artificial reef and I’m so honored to be part of that."
What started as a way to improve livelihood has now become a tourist attraction. These same reefs bring scuba divers and snorkelers to town. You just have to rent a raft so that the fishermen can take you to the area.
Sightseeing
There are many stories behind the origin of the name of Atimonan but the most popular one involves its founder Simeona Mangaba or "Ate Monang." The place may have been founded 470 years ago but up to this day, images and monuments of Ate Monang can still be found around town.
The best thing about discovering small towns is that you will not get lost. If you have time to spare, drop by Our Lady of Angels Church, which has been in Atimonan since 1938. Go up the bell tower and you'll have the perfect overlooking view of the whole town.
You can also visit the Quezon National Park and take selfies at the lagoon and with the giant statues in the protected area. For private picnics, you can either go to Atimonan's old fish port or head to Magsaysay Falls.
Where to eat
Harry's Bar and Restaurant
Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon
Want to taste the best sisig in Atimonan? Harry's Bar and Restaurant is the place to go. They also serve prawns, binagoongan, tulingan and all kinds of seafood. For Drew, the dish that stood out the most was the pinais, which is made of shrimp soaked in coconut milk.
"Ang sarap talaga ng gata!" Drew says. "As they always say, 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomach,' kaya hindi dapat mawala ang gata."
Glory's Refreshments
Desembrana St., Atimonan, Quezon
Glory's Refreshments is the default dessert place of the locals in Atimonan. At first, this restaurant only served snow cones. Today, it is known for halo-halo. Glory's is also the default dating place in town.
"Kapag high school ka mayroon ka daw nililigawan, imposibleng hindi ka kakain dito," explains Drew. "Nakakainggit naman ang lovers dito. Now I miss my misis."
Where to stay
Kingfisher Hotel and Restaurant
Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon
Room rate: P4,000 per night (good for 2 persons)
Atimonan has budget hotels good for backpackers, soloistas and barkadas. Drew and the "Biyahe ni Drew" crew stayed at Kingfisher. The hotel's facilities are simple but everything is enough. The hotel has air conditioned rooms, a videoke bar and a restaurant. You can even view Atimonan's bay when you go to the hotel's rooftop.
Atimonan may be small and simple but the efforts of the local community to ensure that Biyaheros will love their town is remarkable. Being a hero involves not only traveling to places in the Philippines but also making sure that local attractions in your area will flourish. Like what the people in Atimonan say, "Atin muna." Love your own, Biyaheros!—Lara Gonzales/BMS
How can biyaheros be heroes? For the people of Atimonan, it's about making their town their first priority. To find out how they do this, Biyahero Drew Arellano travelled to the place where everything is calm and relaxed but the efforts to promote sustainable tourism is serious and intense. It's time to visit Atimonan, Quezon!
How to get there
Atimonan is four hours away from Manila. To get there, go to the Cubao bus terminal and look for trips that will take you directly to the town. Biyahero tip: The earlier you travel, the better. There are many road constructions on the way to Atimonan so it is advisable to go there when the traffic is light. Once you're in town, you simply need to hail tricycles to get to your destination.
What to do
Rock climbing at Tinandog Wall
Climbing fee: P1,000 inclusive of equipment and meal
One of the main attractions in Atimonan is the Tinandog Wall, a popular spot that has been challenging rock climbing enthusiasts from all parts of the Philippines since 1996.
The wall was accidentally discovered by rock climbing instructor Noel "Pastor" Suministrado just before it was supposed to be quarried for its limestones. Even then, Pastor had recognized how the wall could be used as a tourist attraction. Thus, he sought the help of DENR and fought for the wall's preservation.
"Sabi ko sayang 'yung lugar not only for rock climbing," Pastor says. "Ang ilalim ng batong ito ay tubig, so yung mga nearby baranggay dito yung source ng tubig. Kapag may bagyo natural siya ang bumabasag ng hangin.”
Pastor's efforts were not put in vain as Tinandog wall is now considered one of the major rock climbing spots in the country. The Tinandog wall has routes for all kinds of climbers, even for beginners like Drew.
"I guess okay din ang pag-akyat dito kaya sinasabing perfect for beginners. Pero there’s also a level of difficulty," Drew says after he successfully climbed the wall using the so called "Take me home" route. It only took him 15 minutes. "Worth it ang pagod at hirap kung ganitong view naman ang masisilayan mo!"
Pastor works with the local community to maintain the wall. In fact, the meals that come with the climbing fee are specially prepared by the locals. Pastor also encourages Biyaheros to do their share by keeping the place clean.
"I think it should go beyond personal passion. Hindi lang kasi puwedeng palagi na lang tayong turista na kapag punta natin iiwanan nalang natin."
Spelunking at Malusak Cave
Entrance fee: P10
A fifteen-minute ride from Atimonan's town proper and another ten-minute walk up a mountain will take you to Malusak Cave. Spelunking in the whole cave only takes an hour. However, even if Malusak cave is small, it is still a great place to reconnect with nature, explore rock formations, and see all kinds of bats.
Scuba diving at artificial reefs
Entrance fee: P1,000
This is not the first time Drew has gone to Atimonan. In one of the episodes of GMA News TV's "Balikbayan," he was able to witness how the local community used artificial reefs to help fishermen catch more fish.
"'Yung mga mangingisda naisip nila kailangan nilang pangalaagaan ‘yung dagat," Drew explains. "So gumagawa sila. Nagbabagsak sila ng artificial reef and I’m so honored to be part of that."
What started as a way to improve livelihood has now become a tourist attraction. These same reefs bring scuba divers and snorkelers to town. You just have to rent a raft so that the fishermen can take you to the area.
Sightseeing
There are many stories behind the origin of the name of Atimonan but the most popular one involves its founder Simeona Mangaba or "Ate Monang." The place may have been founded 470 years ago but up to this day, images and monuments of Ate Monang can still be found around town.
The best thing about discovering small towns is that you will not get lost. If you have time to spare, drop by Our Lady of Angels Church, which has been in Atimonan since 1938. Go up the bell tower and you'll have the perfect overlooking view of the whole town.
You can also visit the Quezon National Park and take selfies at the lagoon and with the giant statues in the protected area. For private picnics, you can either go to Atimonan's old fish port or head to Magsaysay Falls.
Where to eat
Harry's Bar and Restaurant
Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon
Want to taste the best sisig in Atimonan? Harry's Bar and Restaurant is the place to go. They also serve prawns, binagoongan, tulingan and all kinds of seafood. For Drew, the dish that stood out the most was the pinais, which is made of shrimp soaked in coconut milk.
"Ang sarap talaga ng gata!" Drew says. "As they always say, 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomach,' kaya hindi dapat mawala ang gata."
Glory's Refreshments
Desembrana St., Atimonan, Quezon
Glory's Refreshments is the default dessert place of the locals in Atimonan. At first, this restaurant only served snow cones. Today, it is known for halo-halo. Glory's is also the default dating place in town.
"Kapag high school ka mayroon ka daw nililigawan, imposibleng hindi ka kakain dito," explains Drew. "Nakakainggit naman ang lovers dito. Now I miss my misis."
Where to stay
Kingfisher Hotel and Restaurant
Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon
Room rate: P4,000 per night (good for 2 persons)
Atimonan has budget hotels good for backpackers, soloistas and barkadas. Drew and the "Biyahe ni Drew" crew stayed at Kingfisher. The hotel's facilities are simple but everything is enough. The hotel has air conditioned rooms, a videoke bar and a restaurant. You can even view Atimonan's bay when you go to the hotel's rooftop.
Atimonan may be small and simple but the efforts of the local community to ensure that Biyaheros will love their town is remarkable. Being a hero involves not only traveling to places in the Philippines but also making sure that local attractions in your area will flourish. Like what the people in Atimonan say, "Atin muna." Love your own, Biyaheros!—Lara Gonzales/BMS
