Beach destinations

Episode on March 25, 2008 Thursday late night after Saksi Sipalay: The next Boracay? During the 2006 Hiyas ng Turismo Festival, the little-known town of Sipalay took the top spot for “Best Unexplored Destinations in the Philippines." But where in the Philippines is Sipalay? Touted as the “Boracay of Western Visayas," Sipalay lies at the heart of Negros Occidental. The town boasts of Punta Ballo Beach, commonly known as “Little Boracay" because of its powdery, white sand, and magnificent diving spots. Join Miriam Quiambao as she flies to Sipalay to explore the beauty and magnificence of its underwater world. Aside from its white sand, Sipalay also boasts of its Sugar Beach, famous for its dark-coloured sand that looks like brown sugar. However, the island is not just for swimming. Tourists with a flair for action and adventure will certainly enjoy exploring its numerous caves and waterfalls. Natives of the town are happy with their town’s achievement, but more than the recognition, they are prouder that they are able to preserve the natural beauty of Sipalay despite of its ongoing development. Boracays of Luzon If you are from Luzon, there is no need to ride a plane if you want to spend your vacation in Boracay. There are two unexplored provinces here in Luzon that could compete with Boracay’s beauty – Zambales and Pangasinan. With its clear, blue waters, and a three-kilometer shoreline, Patar beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan could definitely be the country’s next summer capital! But unlike Boracay, Patar Beach is not yet commercialized, thus giving it a more relaxing atmosphere. Because of its natural beauty, Bolinao has also become a favorite location for commercial and film shoots. Did you know that you could have an island-hopping experience in Zambales, just three hours away from Manila? Joaquin Valdez starts his boat trip on Añawangin, an island beach that emerged from lahar mudflows on the aftermath of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991. Joaquin also goes to Capones Island, famous for its lighthouse which was used as a vasectomy center for Filipinos during the Spanish period. From Capones, he then hops to Camara Island, a surfing destination with magnificent rock formations. Surfing in Baler Aside from La Union and Siargao, the town of Baler in Aurora is known as a prime surfing spot. But unknown to surfing enthusiasts, Baler is the birthplace of the first-ever surfing competition in the Philippines – the Aurora Surfing Cup. Surfing enthusiasts, both local and foreign, flock to the province every February to join the competition and to experience its rough waters that could rise up to nine feet during the surfing season. Joaquin faces the waves and learns the basic techniques of surfing in this action-packed summer adventure. Joaquin also swims in the beautiful beaches of Aurora, checks out the Millennium Tree of the Philippines, and visits Sabutan – the home of Aurora’s weaving industry.

---

Sipalay: Ang susunod na Boracay? Maaaring bago sa ating pandinig, pero ang Sipalay ang nakakuha ng top spot sa 2006 Hiyas ng Turismo sa kategoryang “Best Unexplored Destinations in the Philippines." Bakit? Dito kasi matatagpuan ang Punta Ballo Beach, tinaguriang “Boracay of Negros Occidental" dahil sa napakaputing buhangin at mga dive spots dito. Samahan si Miriam Quiambao sa kanyang pagsisid sa ipinagmamalaking underwater world ng Sipalay at mamangha sa kagandahan ngm undo sa ilalim ng karagatan. Nakakita ka na ba ng buhanging parang asukal na pula? Bukod sa malapulbos na white beach, ipinagmamalaki rin ng Sipalay ang Sugar Beach dahil sa kakaibang itsura ng dalampasigan nito. Mayaman ang lugar sa mga kuweba at talon, kaya naman dinarayo raw ito ngayon ng mga turistang mahilig sa aksyon at adventure. Pero sa kabila ng planong pagpapaunlad ng lugar, higit na ipinagmamalaki ng mga Sipalaynon na ang pag-iingat nila sa kalikasan at pagbibigay ng trabaho sa kanilang mamamayan. Boracay sa Luzon Kung ikaw ay nakatira sa Maynila, hindi na raw kailangang sumakay ng eroplano para makapagbakasyon sa Boracay. Sa Luzon mismo ay may lugar na kayang pumantay sa angking ganda ng Bora — ang Zambales at Pangasinan. Ipinagmamalaki ng Bolinao, Pangasinan ang Patar Beach na may habang 2-3 kilometro! Pero ang kaibahan daw nito sa Bora, walang ingay at purong kalikasan ang makikita mo rito. Naging paboritong lokasyon na rin ng mga commercial shoots ang Bolinao dahil sa nakamamanghang tanawin dito. Tatlong oras lang mula Maynila, dadayuhin ni Joaquin Valdes ang Zambales kung saan naroon ang Añawangin, isang beach na nabuo mula sa lahar noong sumabog ang Mt. Pinatubo noong 1991. Samahan din si Joaquin na mag-island hopping papuntang Capones Island, na sikat dahil sa kanyang lighthouse na may kuwartong ginagawang kapunan o vasectomy room para sa mga Pilipino noong panahon ng kastila. Bibisitahin din ni Joaquin ang Camara Island na sikat dahil sa kanyang white sand at mga kakaibang rock formations. Surfing sa Baler Maliban sa La Union at Siargao, ang Baler, Aurora ay dinarayo rin dahil sa surfing. Dito isinagawa ang kauna-unahang surfing competition sa Pilipinas – ang Aurora Surfing Cup, na ginaganap tuwing Pebrero at ngayo’y dinarayo hindi lang ng mga Pinoy surfers kundi maging ng mga dayuhan. Samahan si Joaquin na makipaglaro sa alon ng Baler, na umaabot daw sa siyam na talampakan tuwing panahon ng surfing. Dinayo rin ni Joaquin ang ilan pang ipinagmamalaking beaches sa Aurora tulad ng Ampere at Diguisit, pinuntahan ang Millennium Tree ng Pilipinas at inusisa ang Sabutan – ang sikat na weaving industry ng Baler.