A gentle nudge woke me up from my slumber in a high-ceilinged van en route to San Andres in Quezon Province. Peered through the window and saw the gentle rays of the sunrise piercing through the dark blue skies, daylight crept in. Hues of deep orange ensued in a few minutes magically framed by the roadside tree canopies we passed by. Checking our current location, we have entered the revered Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon Province. Having challenges falling asleep on the road, I was surprised to have dived deep into slumber seas without any sleeping aid during this trip. Thanks to the comfortable seats of the designated van.
Past an hour, our van door slid open and there we finally met our local guide, Sir Mark. He assisted us in checking in our accommodation and gave us some up-to-date reminders before we embarked on our journey to the wonders of his beloved town, San Andres.
According to Sir Mark, the tourism boom in their town began last 2012, frequented then by backpackers.
QUICK HISTORY ABOUT SAN ANDRES
On August 20, 1959, President Carlos Garcia issued Executive Order No. 353, creating the Municipality of San Andres, Quezon. Situated in the Bondoc Peninsula and included in the 3rd Congressional District of Quezon Province, San Andres is a fourth-class municipality made up of six rural barangays and one urban barangay, with a total land area of 17,655 hectares.
LEGEND OF SAN ANDRES AND ALIBIJABAN ISLAND
The nomenclature of the town hailed from a religious point of view. Oral translations mentioned that a lady dreamt of a certain image floating in the sea and had mentioned it to his fisherman husband before he sailed. This fisherman found a floating image which he surrendered to then the parish church in San Narciso. Many days passed, and they found again the same image floating on the same seas. They have identified the image and believed as Saint Andrew – the patron saint for fishermen. In honor, they celebrate the Pukot Festival, meaning fishing net every month of November. Crowd drawing activities such as a grand street dance competition dominate the festival period.
Alibijaban sounds unique and for me seems sounding like Middle Eastern. Asking our guide about the nomenclature, he quickly shared the legend. During the early days, a couple named “Ali”, the wife, and “Jaban”, the husband, were known to be residents of the island, and “Bi” was their call sign.
OUR TRANSIT FROM PASAY
Our recent adventure in San Andres, Quezon, was nothing short of magical, all thanks to Alibijaban Travel and Tours. From the moment we arrived, their DOT-Accredited Guide ensured our trip was seamless and unforgettable. We were picked up at a certain mall in Pasay City and more at Calamba and Sto. Tomas. Lucena was a strategic stop for a bladder break then traversed the scenic Pagbilao-Agdangan-Pitogo-General Luna-Catanauan-San Narciso-San Andres route. Apart from the comfortable plush seats, understanding that we have two captains aboard, I felt secure in safety and convenience without fear of our driver falling asleep.
OPPORTUNITY FOR EARLY CHECK-IN
Before we embarked on our dedicated outrigger boats, our guide secured opportunity for early check-in with our designated accommodation to leave unnecessary belongings during our tour. Since the hot humid season, we were delighted that we got an air-conditioned room.
CLEAR WATERS OF ALIBIJABAN ISLAND
Our Alibijaban experience ensued with a delightful swim in the clear turquoise waters while aboard a floating cottage after about less than an hour of sailing. The water was so inviting, calm, and clear that we could see the colorful marine life swimming below. It is hard to resist, and despite my fear of tanning, found myself jumping off the platform.
Caution: Don’t feed fish with human food
FEATURES OF THE FLOATING COTTAGE
The cottage could comfortably house around 10-15 pax. The main hall features a large table and parallel seating under a balcony with a slide and jumping platform direct to the sea. There is also a semi-covered swim area for the safety of the kids to avoid drifting due to the prevailing sea current. There is a mini private changing area and a mezzanine-style loft with another jumping platform.
Lunch on the floating cottage was an experience in itself, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Ragay Gulf. We had fried fish, fiddlehead fern salad, eggplant salad, chicken adobo, and grilled pork, plus bananas. This floating ala minuesque buffet style came with lovely and aromatic freshly cooked rice. We requested instant coffee to perk up our upcoming afternoon activities.
SAND BAR AND MANGROVE FOREST
Afterward, we moved to the stunning sand bar located on the western shores of Alibijaban Island. Upon arrival, the tide isn’t that low enough to unravel the undulating shoreline. The combination of the surrounding mangrove forest and the white sand beach created a picturesque scene that felt straight out of a travel magazine. Interesting driftwood added quirky lines and patterns that every generation would love to have photos with. Additionally, the sparkling clear waters were perfect for a refreshing swim amidst the sweltering afternoon.
To seal the moment, I hurried back to our boat and momentarily stared at this masterpiece and felt completely at peace in this natural paradise.
SIMPLE YET DELIGHTFUL INASAL DINNER
We returned midafternoon to the mainland to refresh at our assigned accommodation. The early barbecue dinner was a highlight as we chose a local Chicken Inasal restaurant and they grilled to perfection. The night was far from over, though, as we headed to Paraiso de San Narciso Camp Grounds and Beach Resort which is about half an hour away. The campsite is about 5-10 minute drive from the municipal road and tackling a tight curvy street was part of the fun. There, they enjoyed some booze and were captivated by a mesmerizing fire dance show that beautifully capped off our night. Since my low back issue limited me not to squat for long periods, I enjoyed myself in the parking lot and engaged with the resort staff.
The Paraiso de San Narciso Camping Grounds and Beach Resort is one of the few establishments that hold party scene experience in Bondoc Peninsula and you would notice youngsters from different towns onboard their motorcycles arriving in groups.
MAKAPAYA HILLS
The next morning, we woke up early for a sunrise experience at Maykapa Hills. We left a few moments before dawn broke.
We arrived at the jumpoff point that has parking space and a store. The short hike is about less than 10 minutes on a friendly trail until we reach the huts. Watching the sunrise over the endless rolling hills dotted with coconut trees and native houses was one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever witnessed. It was a glorious morning and, indeed, a sight to behold! Breaking our restful sleep was absolutely worth it.
Having witnessed it in full green, the astounding vista, I think, challenges the hills of Batanes and the famous mounds of Bohol. The serene beauty of the landscape left me in awe and provided the perfect backdrop for reflection and appreciation of nature’s wonders.
It is about a 10-15 minute scenic drive from the municipal road to reach one of the jump-off points to Maykapa Hills.
TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE ALIBIJABAN TRAVEL & TOURS
Throughout our trip, the expertise of our trained Guide from Alibijaban Travel and Tours made all the difference. Here are three main reasons why hiring a trained and accredited tour guide is beneficial for your tourism experience at San Andres and Alibijaban Island:
- Local Knowledge and Expertise: Our guide’s extensive knowledge of the area ensured we visited the best spots and learned about the rich history and culture of San Andres and Alibijaban Island. Your advantage as well is having a true local resident guide who knows and understands the latest in San Andres, additionally, unlike other travel operators and agents who only do third-party management and leave you at the mercy of their supplier without any of their presence. Alibijaban Travel and Tours secures you a present trained local guide throughout your tour to assist you in every need. Hence, save yourself from any headaches during your excursion.
- Safety and Convenience: Having a professional guide meant we navigated the island safely and efficiently, making the most of our time without any worries. As your safety and enjoyment are paramount, relieve yourself of any worries and negative thoughts during your transit and actual tour. The trained guides provided can coordinate and provide you up-to-date and real-time updates for your safety and convenience.
- Personalized Experience: The guide tailored our itinerary to match our interests, providing a unique and memorable experience that we wouldn’t have achieved on our own. The town of San Andres holds an immense number of destinations apart from the usual Alibijaban Island tour. The main island destinations are indeed promising albeit their emerging status.
As our trip came to an end, I found myself longing to return and explore Alibijaban Island on foot and visit its stunning waterfalls. The island and the town on the mainland have so much more to offer, and I can’t truly wait to discover its hidden gems on my next visit.
POST-GETAWAY SIDE TRIP
A long return trip to the concrete jungle capital was the next ordeal. Gladly, we had a brief coffee break at Kape Luna, a government project to house a cafe. We were surprised of the low prices despite its inviting modern and homey style interiors. It is located on the main highway in General Luna town. Its interiors feature an earth-tone palette that is warm, pleasing, and welcoming, take note, in the middle of the quiet side of the town. Cellular signal is absent, but the cafe provides wifi-connectivity services for its guests.
POSTSCRIPT
San Andres town, about 6-7 hours drive away from the nation’s capital and located in one of the far corners of Luzon Island, is more than Alibijaban Island, its scenic rolling hills and its Poblacion area. More barangays behold their secret tourism potential as they emerge eventually.
As a Class 4 municipality surrounded by much Mother Nature and limited urban ultracomforts, San Andres sets a vibe that hipster travelers would love, according to Mr. Cyril Emprese, a Manila-based photographer with roots in San Andres. Being there personally, I could say this is one of the destinations that pushes me to disconnect digitally and practice mindfulness by embracing the surrounding paradise. The slow-paced lifestyle offered a sheer breather and important pause for a soul like me exposed to the daily speed and stress of urban living – where the toxic noise and pollution are hundreds or miles away from you.
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