It was October 05, 2016 when
I went at Alaminos Pangasinan together with my family. We went at Alaminos to
celebrate my sister and her boyfriend's 3rd anniversary. It takes four and a
half hour before we get there as we used the car of my sister's boyfriend to
easily get there. When we arrived at Balinao, we had visited one of the oldest
church in Pangasinan which is St. James the great parish church .the church
built in 1609 and it already 400 years old. It is a Spanish colonial church
located at Brgy .germinal in Balinao Pangasinan. The church was made out of
black coral stones. The church has underwent series of natural and manmade
calamities such as the 1788 earthquake,1819 fire maiden and typhoon among in
1709 . Even the church went unto different calamities and it already looked
old, the beauty of it remained in silence. The church is like a pot of gold
that should be treasured because of the beauty it holds. I was like a new born
baby when we enter inside the church because I can’t prevent myself to be
amazed of its perfect natural view. As we enter the church we asked for
forgiveness and guidance in during our trip.
After that, we went at cape Balinao
light house which is known as the second tallest light house in the
Philippines. Cape Bolinao is located at Bolinao Pangasinan Philippines. Built
on top of the rocky hill Punta Piedra Point, the lighthouse overlooks the South
China Sea and is about 351 feet above sea level. The lighthouse was constructed
in 1905 by American, British, and Filipino engineers to guide ships and boats
plying Cape Bolinao in order to prevent sea disasters. It also have been
declared historical landmarks not only because of their importance in
navigation, but also because of their cultural and historic significance to the
country. The lighthouse provides a panoramic view of a portion of the 1,269
hectare Cape Bolinao Dendrothermal Ipil-Ipil Plantation on a land area where
archaeological excavations have revealed relics from the 14th to the 15th
centuries. Actually, i was forbidden to go inside because the gate was closed
when we visited there. But then I was astonished with the beauty of balinao
light house because it is different from the other light house since it is less
creepier than the other light house out there. Since we were not given the
chance to enter inside, we decided to took some picture outside and shared
different thought and experience through it. We also have a family picnic after.
After we had visited the
Balinao church and Balinao light house, we proceed at governor's island hundred
island. Hundred island is composed of 123 island and islets and is considered
as one of the top tourist spot and attraction in Pangasinan .It takes a half
hour for us to get there. We reached hundred island a little past 12 in the
afternoon and i felt hungry as a wolf so we went at sungayan grill to take our
lunch. The food tasted good especially their grilled milk fish. The milkfish
was melting in your mouth due to its softness and it had the perfect taste of
delicate milkfish meat. We also bought special halo halo and leche flan for our
desserts. The lecheflan melted in my mouth and swirls of bittersweet and
slightly sweet but salty caramel of the leche flan blended together on my
tongue.
When we were finished, we went to see first the Governor’s Island where the longest zip line is situated and where there is a floating bridge going to a nearby island. The most panoramic 360 view of the whole Hundred Islands can also be seen there through the viewing deck situated atop its highest point. We didn’t try the zip line because it is very expensive but we enjoyed watching the ocean waves. Slapped the shore and whispered in a fizz as they withdrew again. We also enjoyed riding the boat with my dad. My dad rented regular boat costing 1,250 and the capacity of one boat was 11 to 15 person. As we explore the island, I can't prevent myself to be amazed because of its natural view. I was pleasured to go in the island since we had given a chance to witness the hidden treasure of our country. The time really flies fast. As a time goes by, the sky suddenly become dark so they suggested to come back in Governors Island since the main activities like swimming, picnics camping and snorkeling can be held on the Governors Island.
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| Binungey |
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| Grilled Milkfish |
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| Alaminos longganisa |
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| Puto Calasiao |
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| Pigar- Pigar |
As we walk around we found out the cultures and livelihood that panganese have. The panganese spoke in pangalatok, Ilocano and even Tagalog. Pangasinenses are known for their being thrifty, industrious, perseverance and farsightedness. Other characteristics of Pangasinense and common to most of the Filipinos are importance of family and loving they are also hospitable and kind. They are easily recognize because of their physical appearance they have a tantalizing eyes Flat nose and dark skin. However pangasinan also known in their authentic foods like longganisa, puto calsiao, milkfish, binungey and pigar pigar. The Alaminos longganisa may probably be the least adored longganisa variety in the Philippines because a lot of Filipinos doesn’t even know that an Alaminos version exists. Alaminos longganisa is similar to the Vigan and Lucban variety which is garlicky in the palate. But what stands out for the Alaminos variety have unique and refined saltiness. Also, they have a different form of this sausage. They use short and thin palm leaves’ midrib sticks to separate each sausage link from one another. To keep the meat bursting out of its sausage casing, they actually fried along with the meat and is served still on the plate sticking out from the ends of the sausage. The Puto Calasiao is a type of puto or rice cake that are shaped in small bite-sized portions and is made out of semi-glutinous rice that is fermented in earthen jars. It was the best puto calasiao I have tasted the perfurmey sweet flavor of the homemade puto calasiao filled in my mouth. Pangasinan also known as a top bangus producer they produce the tastiest bangus in the different countries. Actually the pangasinan also celebrated bangus festival they celebrate it every month of April just before the onset of the pistay dayal in dagupan city it has done justice its most popular product which is globally renewed in a festival mood of glorifying the best tasting milkfish in the country and world. We alaso bought binungey it is a rice cake delicacy in Pangasinan which is malagkit soaked in coconut extract and steamed in bamboo over fire. It comes from the Pangalatok word nungey, meaning, cooked in bamboo. When it was cut in half, there was cooked glutinous rice, lightly salted and smelled with the hint of gata I felt a little bit courious when it was serve in our table I am not familiar in that food but when I taste it oh my god forgive me it is very delicious and i think you can forget your name you taste it.i ve also tasted pigar pigar it is popular dish in pangasinan .This dish is a very simple dish that is made out really thin slices of beef and liver quickly deep-fried and served with fresh slices of onions. Even though this dish is very simple it taste great it is perfect combination when the beef and onion mix together. After eating delicous foods in pangasinan we walk around find perfect souvenir as we walk around we found perfect place wherein you can buy perfect pasalubong. We bought personalize t shirts, wallet, bags and keychain. While we buying those pasalubong i found out that the primary source of income of panganesse is making handicraft work like souvenir, fishing and farming.
However, the trip to Alaminos Pangasinan was perhaps the most interesting trip I have ever been on. Even though the time we spend there was limited, we still enjoyed. I hope I could visit Alaminos Pangasinan again unfortunately I did not have the time to see and experience everything that Alaminos has to offer. On the other hand I was pleasured to be there at Alaminos Pangasinan since it allows me to open my mind and heart and explore the hidden corners of Alaminos. I guess I should have spent a few months there! Next time, I'll come back for sure! And if you’re planning a summer vacation for this incoming summer, you should include to your list to visited and explore in Alaminos Pangasinan you would never regret when you visit this beautiful place. Not only delicious foods and beautiful places it can offer but also it allow you to get unique experiences.
