Happy 100 Islands thoughts

By Marifi Jara

IT was a good day to visit the Hundred Islands.

The staff manning Quezon Island, the biggest and most popular stop among the developed islands, said Wednesdays are usually the slowest during the week. They, of course, are not too happy about that because it means business is sluggish. But from my tourist’s point of view, I could not have planned a trip at a better time as I am not a big fan of big holiday crowds.

I went there, with my younger brother Francis, to bring our older brother’s teen children, Bryan and Thea, who are spending a week’s holiday here at their lolo and lola’s house.

The  kids are based in Pampanga, the hometown of their mom, and are well immersed in that side of their roots. I wanted them to get a bit more exposure on their Pangasinan heritage, just as I have collected wonderful summer memories of San Fabian while growing up.

Bryan had so much fun snorkeling and did not get out of the water up until the last minute we were scheduled to leave. Thea had a bit of a scare on the ride back to the mainland with slight waves rocking our hired banca, but making it back safely helped her conquer her fears. They both loved the scenery on the road, including a drive through Lingayen’s capitol area on the way to Alaminos, the dreamy setting of driving towards the hills with the countryside along the way, and the lovely red sunset on the ride home. They also enjoyed the seascape as we hopped around a couple of islands. Francis is happy with the two shirts he bought at the souvenir plaza. And they all got lovely photos to upload on their friendster sites. Me, got myself a pretty P10 tiny wooden flip-flop keychain.

It was truly a worthwhile trip that I am sure we would all always remember fondly and would be mentioning in future family gatherings (and we would always note that oddly, two big family groups near our tables were Kapampangans!)

But fondness aside, the scrutinizing adult in me could not help noting some minor annoyances that rather tinge the efforts of the local government and the community to organize their national park to attract tourists.

There are  still  unscrupulous people lurking around who try to circumvent the system by offering services without having to line up along with the other boat operators. And there are gofers who try to make an easy buck by, for example, lying about goggles and fins being available at the islands. Greed at any level is always an ugly face.

The system is pretty good with the reception desk and hall manned by a hospitable staff, rates clearly defined, tickets issued for all payments including the P5 for the use of clean toilets and P10 for showering after all that dipping in the sea. It is not a cheap holiday but on a per head price, it would be more cost-efficient to go in a bigger group because then the costs like boat and table or hut rental are more spread out.

Filipino holidayers traditionally enjoy bringing their own food (definitely nothing better than homecooked meals!), but packed lunches can be bought at the food plaza behind the souvenir shops. Am just wondering why they still use styro boxes when banana leaves or something more organic could be used in keeping with the environment-friendly thrust of the Hundred Islands development program.

And why aren’t the yummy Alaminos longganisa (uncooked) not available there? Aside from the cooked ones we ordered to bring for our lunch at the islands, we were not able to get any for  pasalubong because we were too lazy to make yet another stop at the market on the way home. It would have been convenient to buy them at the souvenir or food stalls. 

I was dead tired that evening when we got home, but happy Hundred Islands thoughts lulled me to a pleasant, restful sleep.

(Readers may reach columnist at marifijara@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/roots/
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