The Hundred Islands today

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob

IT was only two years ago when I first ‘explored’ one of the country’s wonders. Back then, my friend and I were already in awe of the beauty of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP). We quickly shrugged off our ‘should haves and ‘could haves’ and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the three of the 123 islands.

That island tour was followed by a couple more. The latest was last week.

Last Saturday, I was able to take another look at the islands. The same level of awe  filled me as we navigated the waters onboard a 15-seater boat noontime, and after 45 minutes, we reached our destination: the Quezon Island.

And as I looked around the white-sand beach, the lush green, the still-new President Manuel Quezon’s statue, the two mermaids’ sculptures, the hall, the gazebos, the sheds, the tents being put up, the people- both local and foreign- there were the happy faces. The improvements have made the HINP worth a second, third, or more look. Then, there’s another, newer attraction: the zipline.

The 180-meter long zipline that crosses the Quezon Island beach gave me a lovely view of the island.  I was initially scare to try the zipline but once attached to the line, the fright surrenders to the beauty around. As I reported earlier, there’s an ongoing construction of another zipline about 500 meters long that will connect Virgin Island and Governor’s Island.

For people looking for other adventures- well, other than helmet diving, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and zipline – the city government has also put up rappelling and wall climbing activities. Maybe I’ll try those next time.

According to Mayor Arthur Celeste, developments in the major islands- Quezon and Governor’s- have greatly contributed to the increase in the revenue of the Park in the past months. He said, the city earns an average of P50,000 during Saturdays, P30,000 on Sundays, and P10-15,000 on weekdays. The additional attractions will further boost the city’s revenues.

We spent most of our time at the Quezon Island and the Governor’s Island (which is undergoing a make-over, as well) but the urge to explore the other islands was there. The boat drivers are always so kind to take you to the other islands: the Children’s Island, the Cuenco Island which has a cave, the Marcos Island where the Imelda Cave is located, and other unnamed islands.

Though I was and am still in great awe of the islands, I know I’ll find myself coming back again and again and in greater admiration of our treasure. Indeed, It’s more fun at Hundred Islands! It’s more fun in Pangasinan!

P.S. Environmental fee (entrance fee) at the HINP is P40 for the day tour and P80 for overnight while motorboat rates range from P800-P2,000.

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