Three beaches in three days!

Summer time is here again, and doing nothing about it should not be an excuse! Whether you're on a budget, there are still simple ways of enjoying the summer heat. After paying some of our bills, I have set aside money for some vacation fun, I had my family go on a brief vacation to Unisan, the hometown of my husband Pepe's parents (he refuses to call the province Quezon for historical reasons). Unisan is located in Bondoc Peninsula were there are still a lot of unspoiled beaches. Not only were we able to save a lot, we were also able to enjoy those beaches.

Day 1: Monte Carlo Beach Resort, Agdañgán (April 29)

The road to the beach has a great view of the countryside. Before going to Unisan, we decided to take a short dip in one of Agdañgán's beach resorts. We always pass by Agdañgán whenever we go to Unisan, but we've never tried its beaches. We got there a few minutes past four in the afternoon. The locals there recommended Monte Carlo Beach Resort, a few minutes from the población, so off we went. Anyway, the sun was still up and the day was still bright, that is why we were able to enjoy the beach until 5:15 P.M. Actually, we contracted a tricycle driver to pick us up at that time. When he fetched us, it suddenly rained hard even before the sun had fully set. The amazing thing during the drive to the town proper was that it was raining hard complete with loud thunderstorms and lightning. Daddy Pepe and Mómay were at the back ride and they were soaking wet because of the rain and the puddles of rainwater along the road. But it was a refreshing rain, and the waters on the puddles were clean because we were at the countryside. At least, our kids got to experience heavy rain on a summer day. The tricycle driver told us that it had not rained for weeks, and that sudden downpour was weird.

Day 2: Soliyao Beach, Pitogo (April 30)

We didn't know that the travel time from Unisan's town proper to Pitogo is quite far but adventurous. The paved road towards the municipality is smooth and the environs surrounding it are refreshing, but the route towards the beach is a dirt road, and it took us a lot longer to traverse it because we were only riding a tricycle that is owned and driven by my hubby Pepe's second cousin, Cuya Cocò. The dirt road going to Soliyao Beach would have be an easy drive for 4x4 vehicles, but not for tricycles. Good thing the build of Cuya Coco's tricycle was strong, and he seemed so relaxed while driving it. Thanks again, Cuya Coco! =) 

Soliyao is a hidden beach for me, still undiscovered by many. When you enter the beach premises, you will immediately notice the huge Talisay tree to the right. That tree is the biggest and tallest Talisay tree we have ever seen so far. We do hope that it will remain as it is for a long, long time, and may the people there will not cut it down. Its fruits are a sight to see, and its weird-looking pink-white flowers look like straws from broomstick!

One thing I love about Soliyao beach is its turquoise-colored waters. But beware because there are small sea creatures that will bite your skin, not to mention jellyfishes. My hubby Pepe actually got stung on his right wrist. Good thing he was able to immediately remove the slimy toxin from the jellyfish, and I brought calamansì with us. But he was still hurt (up to now, his left wrist still bears the scar of that jellyfish sting). Tayabas Bay of which Soliyao Beach is a part of has many jellyfishes which the locals call salabay. But if you are the adventurous type and you really love the sea like me, then take the risk. Just take extra care. Wear goggles most of the time, and don't forget to bring vinegar or calamansì, in case you got stung.

Day 3: Malatandang Beach, Unisan (May 1)

Since my husband's parents are from Unisan, Malatandang Beach has become very familiar to us. We've been here many times already (it's Daddy Pepe and Krystal's first beach while they were still babies). Its golden-like sands are what I love the most in this beach plus the clarity of its waters. It is always exciting to go back here and I do hope they will continue to maintain its beauty and cleanliness, I noticed a few black patches on some parts of the beach, and I hope it is not what I thought it was, that these are oil spills from boat owners who change fuel while on the shore. If this continues, this will put ruin the beauty of the Malatandang. I hope this will not be the case. I keep on telling my husband that Malatandang is on my top three list of the best beaches I've ever visited. =)

Cost

How were we able to afford three beaches in three days? Because the beaches here in Bondoc Peninsula are not expensive despite of their beauty. Actually, the most expensive that we have visited during those three days was Monte Carlo Beach Resort. They charged us for ₱100 each. Since we were seven, it would have cost us ₱700. But I bargained since we only stayed there for about two hours, and we didn't rent any cottage. We just laid our baggages on the sand. In the end, they gave us a discount and I paid them only ₱300.

In Soliyao Beach, a cottage is worth ₱350 pesos, but we opted to stay on the sands of the beach. Anyway, we love picnicking on the sands using just a malong to place our stuff. Renting nipa cottages for me is just a waste of money especially if we would stay on a beach for only a few hours. We placed our stuff underneath the huge Talisay tree. We were charged for only ₱5.00 per person! Perhaps the most expensive part of going to Soliyao is the commute. If you have your own vehicle, then you're lucky (but still, you will have to pay for the high cost of fuel).

In Unisan, we still did the same. We did not rent any cottage. It is still more fun and practical to picnic on the sands. And we were not charged anything at all because we did not use cottages.

For a large group, or those who are not accustomed to staying on the sands, then you may of course go ahead and rent cottages. But for my family of seven who love staying most of the time on the sands and in the water, my malong is enough. =) =)

And lastly, we brought our own food. While there are small stores in all three beaches we visited, it is still best if you bring your own báon so that you'd just spend on transportation. That is what we did.

Tanned skin and jellyfish sting, we didn't mind them all because we really enjoyed our summer! Till next time!!!

Our 3 Beaches In 3 Days, summer photos are already available in our Facebook fan page!!! Please click the link below: =)

Don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! ¡Gracias! =)

Have a happy Summer 2017, everyone!!!

-Yeyette-

Malatandang Beach: Unisan's hidden paradise

Chances are, you have never heard of Malatandang, that lovely beach of my childhood years.

¡Bienvenido a la playa de Malatandang!

Visitors will be rewarded with a relaxing view of the countryside while traveling the paved narrow road that leads to the beach.

Malatandang Beach is admittedly a least-known beach located in the outskirts of Unisan in Tayabas (or Quezon) Province. Unisan itself is not that well-known in the province compared to Lucena, Lucbán, and Sariaya. But Malatandang's obscurity, not to mention its distance from Metro Manila, may work well to its advantage. For one, it doesn't get crowded here compared to popular beaches in Batangas and Cavite. Secondly, its calm view of Tayabas Bay adds up to its allure. I couldn't even remember a time when Malatandang was attacked by huge waves. And then there's the clarity of its waters gently lapping the coconut-lined beach sand which turns peach white when struck by sunlight. Simply put, it's a modest tropical paradise this side of the province.

North side of the beach. On the other side of that land mass is Agdañgán.

On the south side of the beach can be seen faintly the island of Marinduque.

Junífera Clarita's first beach escapade, and she hasn't even turned nine months yet!

The shoreline of Malatandang extends for more than a kilometer of golden brown to peach white sand, separating the sea from coconut groves that are now lined with nipa hut cottages and a few private vacation homes/resorts. Most people who swim here are locals who bring along their friends and relatives from the metro and elsewhere.

Having seen old photos of Borácay, the internationally famous island seemed, at least to me, to look like Malatandang many years ago... sans the exceptional quality of the former's sand of course (despite Borácay's worsening algae bloom, it's sands are still incomparable). And like Borácay, one can wade far out into the sea from the shoreline since most parts of Malatandang are shallow.

The only danger I see here are jellyfishes, locally known as "salabay". But don't let these sea creatures deter you from visiting Malatandang. You see, I've lost count on how many times I have swam in Malatandang Beach, but not once have I been stung (I even remember a time when I was surrounded by several, but I was left unharmed). However, Krystal wasn't that lucky when we visited the beach two Saturdays ago (it was her third time there). While wading in the waters of the northern side of the beach away from the throng of vacationers at the south side, I suddenly saw her running ashore, crying out in pain while rubbing her skin profusely as if it was burning — she got stung by a salabay! I immediately rubbed beach sand on the parts where she was stung but the pain didn't subside that fast. A friendly Caucasian saw what happened and he suggested that I apply fresh calamansî on the affected areas. The pain subsided in a matter of minutes, but not the scars which she now have on her right wrist and ankles (thankfully, they're miniscule).

But hey, don't let the jellyfishes scare you. Perhaps the secret here is to practice constant care whenever you dip into Malatandang's crystal clear waters. And don't forget to bring a bag full of calamansî coz you'll never know. Other than that, don't follow what Krystal and I did; you have to  swim in areas where there are lots of people because it somehow frightens jellyfishes away. Furthermore, the presence of jellyfishes shouldn't be considered a menace because it only shows how healthy Tayabas Bay's marine life is. Aside from jellyfishes, you will also encounter schools of small fishes (smaller than one's finger) and a variety of hermit crabs, starfishes, and snails.

Just keep both eyes open because Malatandang is abundant with jellyfishes. But so far, I haven't been stung, not even once. Well, during this visit, Krystal was stung near her right wrist and legs. In case this happens to you, simply apply calamansi on the affected area. It's what I did to Krystal, and the pain disappeared in a matter of minutes.

Check out the fine beach sand!

Malatandang Beach is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Lucena City, the capital of Tayabas Province. There are vans going to Unisan from SM Lucena and Grand Central Terminal for ₱120.00. It's only ₱60.00 by bus from Grand Central Terminal, but these buses are small, old, rickety, and not airconditioned. They might take you there even longer since they run slower and have to make a couple of stops for incoming and outgoing passengers. The best thing about these buses, however, is that you will be able to breathe in fresh mountain and sea air on the way to Unisan.

Just tell the driver that you need to drop off on the road going to Malatandang (it will be to your right). But from the drop off point, the beach is about another kilometer and a half away, and public utility vehicles there are rare. So the best way to go to Malatandang is from Unisan's población or town proper. Tricycles there are everywhere and they charge around ₱60.00 going to Malatandang. Thatched-roof cottages at the beach cost only ₱100.00. But we didn't avail of any of it. We just looked for a shaded spot on the beach and laid out a huge sarong, picnic style. There are a couple of sari-sari stores there, too. And if you wish to spend the night in Malatandang, just ask for the Évora residence which is owned by an auntie of mine. I'm really not sure how much they charge. Just ask the caretaker there. I'm pretty sure it's cheap since Malatandang is not really a top-rate beach. At least, not just yet.

I have so many childhood stories that I can share about Malatandang Beach. But my dad's cousin, Uncle Paul Évora, can share his Malatandang story much better, in a brief but succinct way:

As a kid, I used to spend part of my summer months in Unisan, Quezon, my father’s hometown. It is a coastal municipality about 180 kilometers from Manila, located in the Bondoc Peninsula. We used to go there by train, hopping in at the Pacò terminal in the wee hours of the morning. After numerous stops, we would finally reach the station in Barrio Panáon where we took a bus to Unisan's town proper, arriving by late afternoon or early evening. Today it can be reached in only four hours by car on well-paved roads. 

One of our summer treats was riding the waves with a motorized banca to nearby Malatandang. There we would spend early mornings or late afternoons when the sun was friendliest, enjoying its unspoiled and pristine waters, notwithstanding constant warnings about encountering “salabay” or jellyfish. Maybe we were so distracted that I don’t recall seeing a single house or hut at the beach. It was all ours to enjoy!

My father always loved the sea. So when he retired from banking in 1989, he left Manila in favor of the peace and quiet of Malatandang, acquiring a small property right by the beach. Somehow he got possession of two bancas, I think, and spent a good time fishing. He stayed in Malatandang for many years. But circumstances made him return to the ancestral home in Unisan and, not very soon after, he decided to put his Malatandang property on the block. By then, the house was almost abandoned and left to the elements. I am very happy that an older cousin living in the States, Ate Thelma Isaac, now owns the place. A new resort house, available for rent to visitors (but free for kamag-anaks), was built on the property. 

Last May 15, 2011, we celebrated my dad’s 83rd birthday at Malatandang Beach. It was nice to be back. I saw myself in the younger ones as they ran around and frolicked under the sun. They never grow tired, these kids. In fact, even before we had finished packing up for home, they were already looking forward to our next visit. Such is the allure —and mystery— of Malatandang.

Click here for more photos of our Malatandang day tour! And don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! ¡Hasta la vista!