Macampao Beach and Leisure Farm Resort

Prior this weekend trip, I will do a reporting in my MA classes. I am so unprepared in this trip so I just bring the things I usually have. I did not even have my aqua shoes and my snorkeling gear (para namn merong reef jan sa Cabagan! Haha).

I saw this resort to Chyng's Blog Hey, I did not know that there is Leisure Farm Resort in Zambales. Haha Grabe ka nmn I thought this province is just famous to its gray sand but I was wrong. Tourism is really improving in Zambales. The Inflatable Island in Subic, Magalawa San Bar in Palauig and even the Potipot Island in Candelaria. It is so evident as traffic congestion is now experience in Subic.

Prior to the this trip, I already inquire thru text if they can accommodate us for a day tour in Holy Week. However the owner inform us that they are not accepting guest for holy week anymore because they are fully booked. 

A week after, Thursday morning I asked them if they can already accommodate us for the weekend even tho I have classes for Saturday then they confirm and need half of our payments. I was not able to deposit my payment because of my schedule and ask them we can still go even without the payment. They just ask us to send our valid ID in their email. 

Please be remember that they are very strict on reservation because of the food they prepare. You better communicate to them before going there even tho sometimes the contact number is not answering.

For reservation please contact Ms. Anya Felix at this contact number +63 917 526 7520 or macampaoresort@gmail.com

way going to the resort

Since I can't make it for an overnight stay and its really expensive (approx P2,800.00 per head) we opted to do a day tour in their resort for P1,000 + P120.00(vat). Includes welcome snacks, set lunch, PM snacks, toiletries, cabanas, locker and use of amenities.

Anawangin Cove, Zambales: A well deserve trip from this hardworking students.

Anawanging Cove, Zambales
A well deserve trip from this hardworking students.

I became part of the HAU work force since 2012 as a working student/student assistant. I was first assigned at Research department. However due to some conflict in schedules I was transfer to Student Affairs department for 3 years until I graduated with the degree in Education.

Aside from my Mga KaBio friends, I also found my family in that office. Everyone just don't know how grateful I am for being part of this family, the working while studying is not a joke. It is very tiring and exhausting everyday as I go to school as early as 6:00am in the morning and go home as late as 11:00pm. I complete the 8 hours of sleep in every 5 days! Haha

Moving on,

My co-Sa invited me for a budget out of town trip and assigned me to organize the things such as Van, Boat and other essential things. So supposed to be we are 15, a 3 generation of student assistant in our office.

The most budget province I know considering the place and the beach since it's summer is Zambales and when you say Zambales their different coves are in top of their list. I actually consider Nagsasa than Anawangin however I consider the budget. I also add Capones but it's a waste money and time.

How to get there:
From Dau or San Fernando terminal ride a bus bound for Iba Zambales tell the driver to drop you at San Antonio, where Pundaquit is located. So from Pundaquit ride a tricycle going to the port. Best advice from travel blogger, before going to the port, buy everything you need at San Antonio public market especially if you will have overnight.

But from us, since we are traveling in a group of 15, we hired a van. I am not satisfied with what the driver did in the entire trip. I almost throw up (but I didn't) No worries anyway the driver was fired by the Van owner because of our feedback. The trip from Pampanga to San Antonio took almost  2 hours only. (Ganun siya kabilis mag-drive)

Expenses: (Day tour trip only)
Van (all in: Gas, toll fee and driver)- P5,000 / 14 : P357.00
Boat - P250.00 for Capones, Anawangin and Entrance Fee.
Environmental Fee- Supposed to be P20.00 per person but our contact on boat did not inform us regarding this so she paid for all of us.
Food- Shared
Driver's Meal - P100.00 (the 3 of us only paid for this)

Our contact in Boat - 09173809104
Driver - They are still looking for driver as of this moment.

Total Expenses (excluding the food) - P707.00

Capones Island
I actually don't know if there is entrance fee since we got a boat as a package tour. Everything was all set.

The boat ride going to Capones Island took only 20 mins. I was not satisfied with this Island. Nothing special. We are expecting for a Lighthouse however our boatmen inform us that the lighthouse is already closed and the government decided to prohibit guest to go there for safety reason.I cannot argue more if we are talking about safety.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND, CEBU PHILIPPINES

Before reading my entry to the island of Malapascua, You can read my Cebu City Tour and Accommodation

Cebu City Tour (Click here)

Villa Sandra Guesthouse (Click here)

April in this year when a promo fare pop-up on my screen. I ask mom and dad if they want to visit dad in Cebu(again). Since both of my siblings really wanted to go (for their first plane ride) then they agreed. I got the 4 round-trip tickets Manila-Cebu-Manila for P3,000.00. Good Deal!

After 4 months. . .
I told dad I will not join them if we will visit the same place where we made our tour back in 2013 in Cebu City. Instead, I ask dad that I will have a separate tour in the northernmost-tip of Cebu, Malapascau. At first, dad did not agree because he never been there but the fact that Mom and Sibs don't know how to go to NAIA is a good reason para payagan niya ako.

Travelling to NAIA is a complete hassle. I choose a midnight flight for the hopes that I will have a great view of sunrise. Bsta hassle ang flight sa NAIA. You know what I mean.

accompany them in their first plane ride

And we landed safely in Cebu City. Dad is there waiting for us. We had a breakfast sa tabi-tabi lang. Nothing special sa place because no other resto is open at 6:00am in the morning. After the not-so-good breakfast they immediately brought me to Cebu North Terminal,

I waited for 30 mins before the next trip going to Maya Port. The bus assistant(Konduktor) said that the trip going to Maya Port is 3-4 hours. 

Thanks Dad!

Fare is P160.00 I availed of student fare. Yes I am still a student in PNU. Hahaha.

Umasa ako na 3-4 hours lang ang biyahe! Ang sakit tlga umasa. I thought I will reach Malapascua at Lunch Time. Umasa ako! Nag-tiwala kay manong konduktor na 4 hours lang. But, I failed. Ang sakit tlga umasa. As I observed to the communities we passed by, Feast of Sr. San Roque for 14-15. I saw a parade, a mass etc. which maybe a reason bakit na delayed kami. Another is, it will passed by in Kawit and Bogo to pick up passengers kaya at the end, I reached Maya Port after FREAKING 6 HOURS. Yes after 6 hours then another 40 mins banka ride.

halata na ba na pagod na ako?
Nkakapagod kaya yung maghintay at umasa. Chos!

I paid for P150.00 with other guest on board nung bus. 2-pinoys, 2-Korean couples, 2-foreign couples and 4-foreigner. We paid for P150.00(Originally P80.00) for us to leave Maya port and will not wait for other passengers. Since I am so exhausted, I agreed. Kesa namn maghintay pa ako ng iba, There is a possibility that it is the last trip.

As you arrived at Malapascua, there is another stupid boat. Yeah. I just don't get the idea. Bawal daw na mag-dock nung big banka sa shore. Eh bakit meron naka-park dun? Well, its income for the people of Malapascua. P20.00 lang nmn bigay ko na.

akalain mo yun 15 daw ang kasya dito.

Finally I reached MALAPASCUA ISLAND. Woooooooahhh!

With a local accompany me in Villa Sandra Guesthouse, I observed these solar panel light post. Thumbs-up for this. Kala ko tuloy asa Misibis Bay ako.

Right after putting my things in the locker, read more on my separate post... I immediately check the Beach! Hahaha

Where to eat in Malapascua? 

As we all know that most of their guest are foreigner that's why food in beach-front resto are very expensive. But there is one resto that served affordable meals.

going there
mahirap hanapin yung resto

Calamansi Juice-P30.00
Shanghai Rice(daw)-P60.00

Masarap naman. Okay na.

In my first day, I slept a lotttt! I am so exhausted in the trip. In dinner time, I check the beach again if the nightlife is alive like Boracay and Alona Beach. Pero hindi, the place is peaceful at night.

BBQ- P10.00 each
Rice- P10.00
Beer- P45.00

Dinner and Beer solved. :)

Kinabukasan, 

The local who approach me yesterday offered a tour in the island for 1 hour. P100.00 and P150.00 if kuya local has a tip for recommendation. Ofcorss I agreed for the tour.

The true beauty of Malapascua can be seen in its rich marine biodiversity. The presence of Threser Sharks make the island more popular that's why it is dubbed as the heaven for divers. Well, diving is not for budget travelers. Soon maybe I will be given the opportunity but for now, Malapascua can only offer me its clear-blue water and fine white sand in some parts. You can do beach bumming all day, you can visit nearby islands such as Kalanggam for P800.00 whole day tour with food, or even snorkeling which is now normal all over the country. I advice those who want to have an introductory fun dive in Malapascua. But if you will ask me, you rather visit the south of Cebu or Bantayan Island for the perfect beach you are looking for. But Hey, for those cheap flights in Cebu, Malapascua can be one of your choice in a must-visit place in the province.

With love,

Andrew

The Unexpected Subic Experience

Suuuuubic

Zambales Philippines

P.S: This is super late post! :)

It was 1st week of September when Leslie and Koji treated us again in Savannah Hotel (1st Post, 2nd Post). Indeed, everytime we are invited to join them in Savannah Hotel, it is truly relaxing as if we are in a far away provinces. 

Relaxation at its best

This is after major exam (halata ba)

We stayed overnight in just 1 room. Yes!! In just 1 standard room. Ganyan tlga pag nakiki-hitch lang! Wala pang budget sa ganito2. The next day, Others will have their thesis again in Sapang Balen. As always my thesis group-mates Karen and her BF with Fergie are the only one stayed. Well well well, Yan yung study niyo eh. Wahahaha Jowk!

Suddenly, Leslie called. We all know that we will just stay until the check-out time until Leslie asked us if we want to roam around. Leslie asked me if were can we go. I said, Sa clark! Dinosaur Park, Nayong Pilipino, Fontana!. Leslie said, Out of Town nalang! Mag Beach tayo! Subic?, Pangasinan o Bataan? And she said Subic which is 45 minutes away from Clark! Wala na kasing time para mag-biyahe. We only have 8 hours. I texted my mom and said, Ma, Thesis mayang gabi pa uwi ko!!!( Wahahaha THESIS??)

The car came and in less than a hour, Nasa subic na kame. Mas mahaba pa ang travel time ko from Clark to Mexico than Clark to Subic! Aba Matindeee! And we came to Ocean Chena Bangi (I forgot the name of the resort and the entrance fee) Since Subic is known for Black Beach and (Alam niyo na yun) The Boatmen, Again I forgot the name. Offered us to do Island Hopping in an Island(Ofcors) with rock formations and white sand! Weehhh? Meron ba nun dito?

45 minutes Boat ride

Nakakatakot yung boat-ride. As I remember may Low Pressure Area that time. Malikot yung Boat and Umaapaw na yung boat dahil sa tubig! Since we are BIO majors, Konting Physics lang yan! Nasulusyunan yung pag pasok ng tubig sa bangka.

Nasa Harap lang kame nung una

Walang Equilibrium!
Hindi sya balance
-Leslie

Until the this couple go in the end part of the boat
Yan! Balance na!!

After 45 minutes, ....

Puede! May clear water pala sa subic!

With matching Rainbow

May rock formations din

Cge na White Sand na to
Kahit hindi fine!

Yung Island, still under renovation pa! May mga trabahador na andun sa Island. For Improvement nung Island! Since it is a rainy day, We are just the only one in the Island! D ko na nakalkal yung ibang pix. Nabura daw. But, for a hour of ride from Pampanga, Puede na to.

At bitin pa kame sa pagsiswimming sa Island kaya nag Beach Bum pa kami sa Black Sand ng Subic.

Dagat pa din to.

Thank you, Again Leslie and Koji for this unforgettable Suuubic Experience!