Travelling to Bolinao, Pangasinan
Sitting in a well – lit, orange – blue hued seat of a Five Star bus at the wee hours of 9:00 PM in the evening of January 24, 2026, the air around is pretty cold. While looking everywhere on the windshield of the bus that will soon send me to the target destination, I couldn’t help but wonder what might be the little surprises this journey would take me while sitting for the eventual almost six – hour trip to a destination I’ve never seen before. But sometimes, not thinking about expectations is a better way to experience something raw and let the trip take you to something. We do know were going to the desired destination but the journey itself is as interesting at its endpoint; those things passing you by and you passing on things.
While waiting for the bus to depart, I looked around and alighted to observe different things; going to the comfort room and finding some random graffities that surprisingly, praises God; looking outside the Five Star bus terminal and admiring the bustling traffic of a deep – night Pasay City, the white buses lining up side – by – side, random and attractive men and women that I would probably never see again; “Mister Donut” donuts oozing with different – colored fillings jutting out from their centers and sides; walking around the bus premises without fear of being suspected of something because I’m actually a real passenger with real destination; and often taking different pictures in different places within the terminal just for memories.
It was already 9:19 PM of January 24, 2026 when I took a picture of one of the Five Star buses that will take me to the planned destination somewhere in Northern Luzon. Reading with the sign board “Anda Alaminos” suggests a hint where really am I going. A bus with imposing looks; her whiteness that will be beneficial in the middle of the night if you want to hail a bus at 2:00 AM; her, hopefully, reliability under the hands of a skilled bus driver and a patient conductor; and lastly, the guide from our God Almighty that would be key for a safe trip. After few minutes of loitering around the Five Star bus terminal, I go inside the bus once more, sensing that the journey to the place I wanted to go was imminent, the trip toward a far – off place called Bolinao, Pangasinan.
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Off we go! The cold breeze of air conditioner from the Five Star bus with few passengers onboard composed of some youths, some couples, a man with too much free time and others while the bus is heading toward its desired destination was pretty admirable. Sitting just at the back of the esteemed bus driver at his peak performance while wading through Pasay City traffic via Skyway, the bus conductor started collecting the fares. Handing out bus tickets to few passengers in the middle of the night somewhere in 10:00 PM of January 24, 2026, while I was holding it, I was just observing all the holes to get a hint how much would I pay. Now, I did forgot how much I paid, but I feel it was closer to P 571.00. Then the bus conductor proceeded to ask me where I will drop off. I said I will get off at Bolinao, Pangasinan Town Proper. Then the bus conductor told me that the bus I’m riding doesn’t go through Bolinao, Pangasinan but the nearest place where to hail the next bus would be at another Five Star Bus Terminal in the outskirts of Alaminos, Pangasinan. Good thing that the next place where I would stop – over would be at Alaminos, Pangasinan, the same place where I went to Hundred Islands National Park last October 13, 2024. I am familiar at that place that’s why I have no fear of getting lost.
No wonder that the fare I paid was somewhere at P 571.00 because the bus I’m riding at that time doesn’t go through Bolinao, Pangasinan and it could only go up to Alaminos, Pangasinan before changing directions that would not go through the said place. That’s’ pretty close to the fare I paid when I went to Alaminos, Pangasinan in October 13, 2024 which is P 557.00 riding on a Cisco bus that ends at Sta. Cruz, Zambales even though Bolinao, Pangasinan is estimated to be 30 kilometers farther than Alaminos, Pangasinan. This is where I realized I got on the wrong bus and I chose the wrong route. The route the bus I was riding on has the sign board “Anda Alaminos” which doesn’t go through Bolinao, Pangasinan. But I was relieved because I’m already familiar of Alaminos, Pangasinan and when I will step foot on that place, I could wait some time waiting for Bolinao – bound buses to reach the destination. So I went back to sit, enjoyed the sights and lights outside and paid the fare.
Overall, the experience riding the Five Star bus toward the stop – over Alaminos, Pangasinan was pleasurable; witnessing the deep nights of Pasay City, the long roads of NLEX with few traffic, smooth rides, incessant taking of videos for remembering the journey, seeing an accident involving a bus and a truck on SCTEX near Luisita, Tarlac when a red bus apparently crashed to the back of a truck and her passengers were forced to step down and await rescue, buying chicharon and bagnet from vendors when the bus reached somewhere in Tarlac City and Camiling, Tarlac, going through the Pangasinan towns of Mangatarem, Aguilar, Labrador, Sual and other towns I’m not familiar while thinking about their local delicacy “tupig” (I wonder where I could buy the best tupig, one of my friends suggested going to Mangatarem, Pangasinan which I might actually go there if there is a chance); and finally reaching the stop – over destination, Alaminos, Pangasinan where I alighted to the same place almost two years ago. But the journey hasn’t ended there because I haven’t reached my real target destination which is Bolinao, Pangasinan. Now I was waiting for any bus that would go to the said place.
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Touching down at the front of the Five Star bus terminal in Alaminos, Pangasinan after a surprisingly shirt short 5 – hour trip starting from 9:30 PM of January 24, 2026 in Oasay City and ending at almost 2:40 AM of January 25, 2026 in Alaminos, Pangasinan, the night was really deep and cold. There were a handful of people and tricycle drivers awaiting for passengers that will go to their next destinations and even offering me a ride for another destination, which I refused. And the I asked if there are any buses that goes to Bolinao, Pangasinan, which then they confirmed there is. While waiting for the bus by sitting at a small store beside the road, the night seemed peaceful and silent. The middle of the road was dotted with LED cat’s eyes into the vanishing point which reminded me of the time when my father wakes up in the wee hours of the morning at 2:00 AM and wait for the bus at the first trip, riding at 3:00 AM to the bus going to Cebu City.
It was a refreshing experience because we are so used to lights of 8:00 AM and darkness as dark as 6:00 PM that if somebody is waking up at random hours between 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM, those people must be on a special mission. The silentness of the night coupled with the lack of sleep (I couldn’t sleep in the bus at all), all it is harder to keep up with my dwindling energy. And the real journey hasn’t even started! Saving some ounce of energy by sitting and interacting with the pople of Alaminos, Pangasinan, I just went ahead and waited; sometimes going to the store beside the Five Star bus terminal to look for interesting stuff. Fortunately, I’ve found something that will be relevant later in the journey after Bolinao, Pangasinan. To keep myself awake and fight sleeplessness, walking around did the trick. But I did wonder, what might be other surpises waiting when I will actually offboard to Bolinao, Pangasinan? Moreover, the nicer question is, isn’t it beautiful that you can now appreciate how fragile life is because all we’ve seen so far is so complex and beautiful if you really took some time to think about it?
We people are so easy for us to hurt each other than to care each other that when we are pissed to someone, it’s very easy for us to hurl hurtful and insensitive words to someone than to take care of them and their feelings. It’s much easier and effortful for someone to stab their feelings than to praise someone that I often hear people when they are at the middle of their arguments that they’ll be ready anytime to punch someone into their faces and push somebody under the bus even if their parents themselves won’t be able to do such a thing. I often look at the faces of strangers, youths and oldies alike, and wonder if they are capable of effortful negative emotions. Moreover, it’s so much easier to spiral into sadness with the kind of how we are raised than to be happy. My proof? Try sitting on a park alone. If you are a fan of walking in the park, you must have noticed that you will go down into seriousness when you just sit back and all alone in the park you frequent with without thinking despite all of the people around and that makes sense because the default condition of being alive is to be serious, depressing and sad. Being happy is much more difficult to cultivate than to be sad. Being a happy person is pretty much a deliberate choice and you need a lot of resources like friends and economy to be able to pull it off. Worse, you musn’t solely focus on becoming yourself happy and just let the process take you there because being happy isn’t an end in itself but it’s just a side effect of doing something important; like suddenly buying cakes to some people at random times and claim it’s your birthday. I really think people aren’t really straightforward beings; being capable of love, intelligence, beauty and other attributes only other humans could detect, we are really indeed fascinating. This gives us the motivation to take care of each other with utmost precision and awe and it’s really hard thing to do.
Back to the Five Star Bus Terminal in Alaminos, Pangasinan waiting, another Five Star bus appeared. Looking closely to the stopped bus and reading at its signboard, jumping for joy because this is the bus I was supposed to jump into, a bus bound for Bolinao, Pangasinan. Realizing this, I immediately onboarded this Five Star bus bound to Bolinao, Pangasinan and take, I believe, a 30 – kilometer journey there. Paying P 103.00 to the final destination, now we are now ready for the ride. The road was winding, long and enjoyable and the LED cat’s eyes illuminating toward the darkness tens of meters from the bus’ headlights was lighting up roads and hopes of reaching there every minute. For every meters the bus runing in the middle of the night, the anticipation of what is coming there intensifies. Staring into the darkness and seeing what would be interesting, some thoughts were gathered. But sometimes, we don’t have to think about that much and just let the experience of going to new places be the guide of what you will and will not become. Silently sitting in the seat just behind the set near the door at the front, white fluorescent lights were wheezing by and simple, illuminated houses were standing silently beside, thinking about the people now sleeping and having good dreams, preparing for the challenges the next day. I sometimes wonder if we could meet someone from Bolinao, Pangasinan after all this journey and befriend them but that is just the side effect of taking the risk going there. It would be a good experience if I was able to befriend somebody from Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Actually, I almost did…after the journey….:-)
While staring toward the straight, dark road, I didn’t realize that I came to the right destination, the famous Bolinao, Pangasinan. I was exhausted but ecstatic.
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I was now at the final destination, the targeted place, the place I have been thinking for many months, the esteemed Bolinao, Pangasinan. Still groggy after more than five hours of bus trip from Pasay City and a short stop – over to Alaminos, Pangasinan, our first aim was here. Staring at everything that looks like Bolinao, Pangasinan, from cold, dark roads, to the store tarpaulins that has printed address on it, the hotel nearby, the Five Star bus terminal with the bus where I rode parked there with the sign board “Bolinao”, the carinderia at the front of the bus terminal that is surprisingly open at deep nights when I alighted at 2:45 AM of January 25, 2026, the people still awake and tricycle drivers getting excited at the sight of new passengers; it took me many minutes before my thoughts sinked in that I have reached the target place. I couldn’t believe I’m here at this place called Bolinao, Pangasinan after all the research I’ve done before coming in here. But the real beauty of this place will be witnessed few hours from now, when the sun shines and the night is gone.
I looked at my phone to check the time. It was now 3:00 AM of January 25, 2026. After loitering around the road where the Five Star Bus terminal is situated, I now proceeded to take a rest at a store called “Areola Store” just at the front of the said terminal. There was a hotel nearby but I wasn’t able to research it; fortunately there would only be a few hours before the sun shines so we could afford to stay at the store for the night. Greeting the store staff which happens to cook for early morning breakfast for her customers, we chatted up a little bit. She told me not to worry about things getting stolen because there is no people who would steal. We chatted more a little again and proceeded to buy the first breakfast of the day, two sunny – side up eggs, two rice and a juice for renewed energy and asked her permission to charge my cellphone in her premises, which she graciously accepts. While waiting, I took a nap for a couple of minutes on the table where I sit because not only the journey was long, the tour of duty before I have gone to Bolinao, Pangasinan was from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM so I barely have enough rest to recover. Body slumbered immediately while the mind was conscious but I have to hold my phone or else I might forget it. This was going on for few hours before I realized that hours have passed and it was almost 5:00 AM.
It was already at the wee hours of 4:00 AM of January 25, 2026 when I decided to stroll for a walk in the Bolinao, Pangasinan Town Proper to marvel at her beauty at the middle of nightly morning. Seeing the brown – bricked Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, it was as alert as day. While strolling toward the further confines of the town, some stores are already open. The 7 – 11 store seems to be open for 24 hours, waiting for customers who might be interested in their store and the youthful staffs there was eager to greet. There was also a bakery near the MDRRMO office which sells cakes and variable pastries which was tempting to buy. There were also few people loitering on the road just at the front and side of Bolinao Church which is surprising. Ah yes, Bolinao Church. Just one great look at that church and you looking at the same church the people have seen hundreds of years ago. The church itself is the history manifested. Walking towards the church from her side, it was surprising that her small gate was open. I didn’t dare go inside yet so I proceeded to tour the Bolinao Church outside and marvel at her magnificence few steps from her across the road. Proceeding then to her another side where the Bolinao Wet Market was situated, the stores were in deep slumber and tarpaulin, so I went back again to the road. Some more minutes later, I gained the courage to get inside the Bolinao Church because the lights inside the church are open. Oh…what a beautiful church indeed!
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Saint James the Great Parish Church, or more famously known as Bolinao Church, is indeed a marvelous olden architecture existing for hundreds of years. The church itself is chalky in texture, which exemplified how historic it is, because the church is built from coral reefs blocks and hand – built by our forefathers under the direction of a foreign congregation hundreds of years ago built for the Catholic Faith. The resulting church has served thousands of people across many generations and witnessed the best and the worst experiences over the years that if this church could speak, she could tell us endless stories of cries, and joys, wins and hopes witnessed while standing proudly in the town of Bolinao, Pangasinan. I happily couldn’t wrap this experience into my little mind how amazing this church is because I never thought I could come here and touch it. After few minutes spending outside the Bolinao Church’s premises, the main, ornate gate was opened by a young man at exactly 5:00 AM. He seemed to not mind my presence, perhaps he was used to the tourists marveling at the beauty of the church. Walking a few steps to see the inside of the church, I immediately took many pictures on any angle I could imagine because there were no other parishioners there and it was a perfect time to take some shots before the influx of church – goers few minutes later. But those thoughts weren’t in my mind at first because the inside of the church is mesmerizing; the painted ceiling that evokes the “Christian” – ness of the church exalting our Lord, the church aisle which didn’t have any church – goers entering yet, yielding it empty, but evokes deep respect for our Lord Almighty and the altar gleaming in gold – colored ornaments, yellow lights and images of our Lord. Oh wait, if that’s the case, except for the people serving in Bolinao Church, I could actually the first parishioner to get inside the Bolinao Church before the anticipated First Mass at 6:00 AM.
While picking up my jaw and walking inside the Bolinao Church, I couldn’t help but appreciate the little things inside. Looking at the back of the church while the blackness of the early morning emanates from her doors, this reminds us how beautiful life really is in the grand scheme of things. The deep brown seats of the church were sturdy and shiny. The walls inside the church shows her real white coral reef blocks, suggesting how old it is. The images of our Lord, Jesus Christ were in the conspicuous places inside the church so that every parishioner interested could see. The paintings on the ceilings that tells the story of the Good News the church has been unceasingly telling for hundreds of years. And lastly, I was able to get close to the altar where the mass celebrant praises our Lord. It was simply magnificent. I didn’t hesitate to take many pictures as I can inside and I now noticed that some church – goers are now getting inside to wait for the 6:00 AM mass and celebrate with our Lord. Then I continued taking pictures left and right, up and down. I realized that the First Mass is starting soon so I went to sit close to the altar. And waiting for the mass to start.
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The First Mass has started at almost exactly 6:00 AM. The night was still high and dark, the parishioners became many and now ready to celebrate with the priest to praise the Lord and asking for His forgiveness. The ceremonies now on full swing and we are now participating, singing songs of praise and accepting our fallibilities. But no matter how flawed we are, as long as you still keep yourself in high regard, we can still live our lives in a meaningful way and be the light for others, which is a pretty hard thing to do. The mass lasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes and the mass celebrant was a blast. While looking at the people who participated in the mass, it slowly dawned on me that all the people I’m looking at right now are the people of Bolinao, Pangasinan, with their own hopes, dreams and wishes that they might have been waiting, old and young alike. Chatting to some of the parishioners for small talk how’s their mass and whatnot, it was nice little interaction. Looking at the sky after the mass, it was a nice, sunny weather, perfect for the next destination I’m aiming for. I took again some few pictures of the exterior of the church and asked some people to take a picture of me outside the church before going out the church premises.
The big gate of Bolinao Church was filled with incoming church – goers and cars under the sunny weather of Bolinao, Pangasinan. Walking beside the church premises to find some snacks, I came across some food stalls that sells some “kakanin” inside bamboo and Pangasinan’s native delicacy called “tupig”. The sellers excitedly woo customers to buy their local delicacies and I was there getting tempted to buy some “kakanin”. Then I picked one stall where the seller sells “tupig” while cooking other “tupig” on the sweltering modified charcoal – fired grill. Even while being cooked, the aroma from properly burning “tupig” was sweetly emitted and couple that with sellers who have been cooking it for years, you get fresh delicacy straight from the grill with the smell of fresh coconut and nicely – burnt banana leaves wrapped to it. I immediately bought ninety pieces of “tupig” from that stall and eaten some of them. Oh it was delicious. I wish I could buy again when the time comes. The woman where I bought the “tupig” from her jumped with joy and shared that she actually came from Rosales, Pangasinan and came to Bolinao, Pangasinan to sell the delicious “tupig”.
After buying some “tupig”, I now proceeded to walk around the town. The town is lively, with many people walking around the town, many motorcycles crisscrossing the wide roads, their barangay hall that is ready to serve her people, and the medium – sized stores now open for business. After observing all of these, truly, Bolinao, Pangasinan is indeed a certified province with rich history and tourists would love to travel there. But there is other thing Bolinao, Pangasinan is famous for, but we have to go further to experience her beauty. It is estimated to be 15 kilometers away and can be only accessed by the via tricycle. And hailing a tricycle toward that place would cost around P400.00 pesos per trip. Fortunately, the tricycle drivers are not asking for P400.00 pesos per head, they are asking for P400.00 per trip, which is pretty expensive but fair, considering how far is that place and the tricycle drivers are gracious to let you tour to other places like the Enchanted Caves and Cape Bolinao Lighthouse at no additional cost. The place I’m describing now is called Patar Beach, the “Boracay” of the north, facing the actual West Philippine Sea, situated at the western part of Bolinao, Pangasinan. This is the place I’m going next while bringing “tupig” and packed back. Looking for some tricycle to bring me to that place and some negotiations, I was able to find one tricycle driver who will lead me to that beach. He is a kind man. I rode into his tricycle and drove straight toward to Patar Beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
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The tricycle was whisking toward the intended destination. The roads were asphalted and pretty wide for a tricycle, so the driver can speed up without worrying other motorists running to the other direction. Since the tricycle is a low – slung vehicle that it could kiss the asphalt at the wrong move, the sense of speed was amplified. But it is the same speed that was enjoyable because as the distance toward Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan becomes lesser, the more unique the place nearer to the place becomes. The roads, which can be considered provincial roads due to its less – maintained state and slightly – bumpy ride, were pretty straight and we could actually see some cows in green pastures beside the road with trees reminiscent of ones that were found in our province like coconuts and nem trees, evoking nostalgia of living in the province many years ago. While traversing some quiet barangays, we could see the sea at their low tides ands people harvesting something, perhaps sea urchins which can easily be picked by anyone. The private resorts were dotting along the provincial roads, signifying that tourism in the western part of Bolinao, Pangasinan is booming. The barangays along the roads evokes simplicity, with their people walking beside, children playing and their small sari – sari stores opened for thirsty passengers, The weather becomes much nicer as the trip continued and it was already 8:30 AM of January 25, 2026, which felt that we are now closer to our next destination. The roads were surprisingly straight and with few corners and sometimes we could see the blue sea beside the road. When we reached a few kilometers away from Patar Beach, the road becomes nicer and now almost resembled a national road with their standard dashed line markings on the middle of the road. I could hear the sound of the tricycle becoming more aggressive and noisy that I could barely hear the driver where while we were talking. Few minutes later I then noticed that the tricycle now is slowing down to a place that looked like it will welcome tourists. So the tricycle driver drove in that place and asks me to pay for the parking fee of P40.00, which I did. Then the tricycle parked its way inside the premises and realizing that have now reached Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan at almost 9:00 AM, almost an hour of journey from the town proper. I now kept looking around inside and observed this new place.
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I was now finally walking in Patar Beach. Heading immediately to her sands beside the sea, it felt cold and when we take a step, the sand loved to bury our feet, which was nice. Strolling a few strides more, the desire to go to the sea become more intense and walking on sands becomes slightly difficult because of how much sand there is. The sand itself is thick and rich and some children would love to make sand castles out of it and adults like to bury themselves in cold sand. Now sitting on her whitey sand after a long journey, we can’t help but to admire how beautiful this world there is. We have been dealing with small pictures where everything matters that it took a big chunk of our lives and our youth that when we were now in a uniquely nice environment, we could say…oooh…what a life worth living. Seeing the transparentness of the sea near the sands I decided to slowly stroll for more while hearing the splashing of waves and admire her brilliance which is, I believe, a God -given gift. There were many yellow boats parked along the shoreline of the beach with many cottages filled with tourists of all ages. The weather becomes much nicer that it sometimes feel that summer is now here even though it has not because the dry weather in the Philippines would start sometime in March 2026 or April 2026 and it is still at the end of January 2026. There are also some empty cottages that is ready to be used, inviting us to pay P 1 000.00 for the rent and could be used for a day.
While strolling along the cottages filled with tourists, we could actually see how lively Patar Beach is. Bustling with stores that sells beach clothes, viands, snacks, ice creams, ice drops, sun blocks, Bolinao, Pangasinan – themed T- shirts and everything we need to enjoy the seas of Bolinao, Pangasinan, it was a sight to behold. As a tourist, I spent something there and bought a souvenir, a t – shirt with Bolinao, Pangasinan design. The place is clean and well – maintained and sometimes a sweeper comes to clean the place. As the day becomes longer, the blueness of the sky intensified and noticed how wide Patar Beach really is. Bringing along my umbrella to protect us from the summer January heat, I decided to walk to the opposite side of the beach. The sea becomes bluer the farther my eyes goes farther, and the children were happily bathing beside the sea, not minding the strong sun baking their skin. Its tempting to eat ice cream at this summer heat but fortunately, we have bought along delicious “tupig” to feast on it. Until today, I could still imagine myself imagining the beauty of Patar Beach, her blue skies her transparent seas, her joyful inhabitants, her innocent children, the sweet “tupig” I’ve brought along and the experience of going there that I’d love to come back again when the right time comes and it would be an improvement from the first time I visited Bolinao, Pangasinan. I can’t wait to get back again soon. And then I decided to go straight to the sea and feel her waters.
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Slowly dipping our feet into the clear waters of Bolinao, Pangasinan, her watery coldness have touched our skin waddling through the shiny waves as I walked beside it. My shorts have reached the waters and it was cold and fun. It was also a windy so the smell of the sea pierced us with caress and now excited to dip the whole body with seawater any minute now. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to jump to the sea and bathe there and it is always a pleasant experience to feel the full force of the sunny nature and her winds, her smell and her temperature. Then I proceeded to go further from the shore. The sea become deeper but her allure just increased. Even at the chest – deep waters, you can still see the sea floor dotted with small sea grasses standing proudly with the waves, the very fine sands that flies to the water current it is facing, and the smooth stones and boulders that you could stand on for fun. Fortunately, there are no spiky sea urchins nearby so we can enjoy bathing in the sea for hours if you are not afraid of painful sunburns. After a few minutes of standing in the sea, we now happily diving to the bottom, witnessing the classic feeling of accidentally tasting the salty sea waters and your chest rubbing to sea floor. It is always a treat to swim and enjoy flapping our arms around, feeling the water wrapping around our bodies. As I swimmed toward the other directions, some people are also enjoying the freshness of the sea and would go farther out, but they are being stopped by the whistles of the lifeguards. Practicing our ill – honed strokes on the deep parts of the beach, I was able to move slightly toward other people enjoying themselves and sometimes having a small talk with them. It was only sometime in 9:30 AM of January 25, 2026 yet but it feels like hours. Repeatedly flailing our arms for fun and sometimes putting slippers on our hands to extra boost in water speed, swimming in the actual West Philippine Sea was a blast.
After many minutes of swimming in Patar Beach, I retreated toward the shore for a rest. I couldn’t swim for longer because I might get hit with a sunburn and sunburnt skins are not comfortable to touch. I slowly walked to some stores where they sell some snacks and I found a “careinderia” that sold a wide variety of dishes. Eating squash – based viand and some rice, the tummy was filled for more energy while soaked in water. After that, I immediately run to a store and started looking for sunblocks. I bought one for P 50.00 and immediately applied to the face, which I now looked like a ghost in white T – shirt. That’s fine, because sun is really getting strong at that time and I kept applying it on the face even if I hadn’t go back to the sea again. Few minutes later, we’ve jumped to the sea again now with adequate protection, diving toward the bottom of the sea with the sunblock on and wearing it off, the applying it again to the face and arms when emerging from the rather shallow dive. That enhanced our confidence in swimming in waters for slightly longer.
After many minutes of bathing in the beach, I decided to stop and now change clothes. We are now happily satisfied with the experience of swimming in the esteemed “Boracay” of the North that’s its now time to enjoy her remaining beauty and just stroll along the shores of Patar Beach. Sitting in the empty cottages to gain some shade staring into the blue – lined horizon of the sea. Having gained this new experience of going to a unique place, we could now appreciate the beauty and learning to take things slow. This might not fundamentally change us as a person, but the experience of it might help us approach life in another way, being more thoughtful to another person, and having the courage to take another things slowly and with tact. We won’t be able discern what might the effects would be, but I’m sure that it will come out as positive. We won’t be able to know what we will be doing at this moment, but we know what paths to take, and it will sometimes come out as positive. The future might be vague, the present might be sunny or sometimes we might just be coasting along, but I’m sure we will emerge as contented ones.
The tricycle driver who bought me to Patar Beach was with me all the time waiting for me. I told him that we can now exit Patar Beach and can go to another destination, which he agreed. Slowly packing my things up and bringing my bulky blue umbrella which is often getting blown away by the beach winds, we slowly go the parking area to looked for the tricycle. Feeling the water for one last time before walking away and observing how brilliant it is, maybe on the next chance, we might find this place again. While walking toward the parking space, I stared at almost everything, the stores that housed Bolinao, Pangasinan T- shirts and other souvenirs, the big, hand – drawn official symbol of Bolinao, Pangasinan that nicely fits to her attractions and secrets, the attractive people of the town, the children selling ice creams and ice drops, the hunky fishermen who doubles as guides in water adventures, their yellow boats, the wide, blue sea and her wide blue skies, the sunblock I’ve bought, zero signal of DITO sim card and the idea that we’ve really swim in the West Philippines Sea. I’m gonna miss them all, I’m gonna miss them all. But it won’t be the last time, I’m sure.
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Getting back to the tricycle we’ve ridden to the Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan in search for a new destination called Cape Bolinao Lighthouse which the driver told me is not far off, we whisked away at almost 12:40 PM. But before exiting the Patar Beach, I already noticed a tall structure of what appears to be a lighthouse standing on elevated plain that looked like a small mountain, giving me an idea on how far it is. As we excitedly rode to the parked tricycle and slowly exiting the famed Patar Beach to reach the next destination, the anticipation of what would it looked like becomes strong. Researching beforehand of the place by looking at its picture and what would be the environment a few days before going to the real place, the placed I imagined would be good. The road toward the place was similar to the kind of roads the tricycle was taken toward Patar Beach, with her solid, slightly – smooth roads with yellow lines in the middle, the cows mooing as our tricycle wheezes past by them, the coconut trees dotting the provincial landscape of Bolinao, Pangasinan, the tall grasses and weeds that only a real province could possess, different kinds of trees scattered along the roads, the awfully sunny weather that could give you a sunburn in under 15 minutes, and very few motor vehicles passing in the opposite direction. But what is more surprising is that, the road started to become an uphill one, and becoming more uphill as we went by. Looking at the back of the tricycle of what is happening, I was stunned by the magnificence of Bolinao, Pangasinan. I could see the deep blue horizon of the sea from afar, the green lands become a mere haze, the blue – white sky meeting the deep blue water in the horizon, the engine of the tricycle becomes more aggressive and labored due to an uphill road, and the best of all, we’re still travelling.
Looking intently at everywhere while the tricycle driver is focusing his eyes on one direction, I couldn’t help but to think about how brilliant Bolinao, Pangasinan at elevated distance. As we travelled uphill as if there was no tomorrow, the bougainvillea plants scattered along the landscapes just makes it more attractive and a sign that the place were going after is near. As the time deepens into 1:00 PM and the sun is burning brightly, the greenness of the place becomes more pronounced. Staring into one direction and letting the mind free to wander, wondering what would happen if we got to that tall lighthouse on the edge of an elevated plain, I wondered what could we see there. It has been demonstrated that we could see Bolinao, Pangasinan at its top vantage point, but what could be the surprises if we actually got there and take a look? That would be pleasantly surprising. Looking at whole Bolinao Pangasinan at nice elevations would be a treat!
Still riding on a tricycle, the slightly uphill road becomes more uphill. Few minutes later, we noticed that there were some people along the roads walking towards a place. Looking at the skies, I could now see a tall, white structure that looked like a lighthouse. The tall structure becomes closer to us every minute, inviting us to come and look. The structure was indeed big…and fat! The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is now withing our reach and the tricycle driver is excitedly wanted to go there. The tricycle’s speed now becomes slower due to the destination’s uphill roads, but more importantly, we are now near at the lighthouse. Few minutes later, we noticed a bunch of stores littered around a place, selling nicely – decorated T – shirts, stores selling different kinds of foods, cars parked near the roads, a stream of tourists going up the famed Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. This is it! After an almost half an hour drive from Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan, we have arrived at our desired destination, the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, situated on the uphills of Bolinao, Pangasinan, overlooking almost the town from above. A historic landmark built hundreds of years ago to guide ships at night made by Filipinos, British and American engineers and became the symbol of the town for years to come. As a coastal town boasting numerous attractions like the Enchanted Caves, which actually offered by the tricycle driver after we have toured Cape Bolinao Lighthouse but I declined because I no longer have the energy to go on, Bolinao Church which is the center of faith that helped the town in the hours of need, the Patar Beach which is a beautiful public beach maintained and cared by her people, and many places that will be discovered for years to come.
I get off from the tricycle and the tricycle driver offered to stay outside to wait for me. Slowly walking upwards to the destination a few meters away from the entrance, a big gate with a small door is greeting us, with staffs of the lighthouse waiting on the front. We were lining up and groups of people, young and old, couples in love, group of tourists excited to smell the fresh air, and some people travelling alone with too much time on their hands. The people at the front were writing their names on a log book on the shed and one of the staffs was collecting P40.00 environmental fee for the maintenance of the famed Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. When it’s my turn, I wrote my name on the log book to register. Then the staff asked me if I was travelling with a companion or I’m alone. I told her I’m just alone. When I handed the P40.00 environmental fee to her, she graciously didn’t accept it, telling me that the P40.00 environmental fee was waived and I can go inside the lighthouse premises without payment. I gleefully thanked the staffs there and now looked at the towering structure just…probably fifty meters away from me and required strong legs and guts because the road leading to the lighthouse itself is uphill. Now we’re cleared to tour the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse.
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Slowly walking toward the inclined cemented, grayish – white, short road ascending to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse tower while resisting the power of gravity pulling on all of us, it was a windy day. Together with many tourists and couples happily taking pictures of themselves and their loved ones while wind is blowing all over the place, we slowly observed the scenery surrounding the place. Green bougainvillas, trees with their branches flowing the course of winds, a historical marker telling the history of the place hundres of years ago, and just a general atmosphere of calm and awe. The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is simply an amazing place to visit. I wonder how it would look like if we’ve travelled it at night. That would be exciting. Strolling through the ascending road leading to the entrance of the lighthouse, I sensed a bit of history while looking at the lighthouse itself, remembering that the structure that I’m seeing now probably is the same structure being looked at by our forefathers hundreds of years ago. The brightly shining sun of 2026 hitting the tower is the same sun that shone the lighthouse in the year 1901. If the date today to be suddenly changed to 1901, the environment would probably look the same. The sea around it would look the same. The color of the skins of our forebearers would look the same. Proudly brown. The places below the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse would probably look like a jungle and but would sport few Spanish – looking houses and couple of bahay – kubos. But in our imagination, the place would almost look the same as before as it is now…probably. I wonder what it would look like 100 years from now.
Admiring the beauty the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse like a child with wide eyes struck in awe, I keep caressing the tower with my fingers while slowly walking around it. Her white, new paint that witnessed by countless sailors over the years that always heed her guidance in an hour of need, always glistens in the day even for many kilometers from the shore. Her tall stature that was designed for maximum attention is always a head – turner…vertically and loves to reach for the skies even if it was always dwarfed by the sheer distance of the clouds to her white light. But sometimes, I do wonder if the place there experienced fog in her entire existence. Probably yes. I wish it was so that she can be happy in a different way. There could be some versions of happiness when something comes to that place…or to us. There is a special place in our hearts when a fog slowly comes in our vicinity. Another special place in our hearts when someone actually tried to expend their precious energy for us. Another special place in our hearts for the life that has been given to us and nurtured by everyone close to our hearts. Our hearts might be only one, but is symbol of its capacity for empathy, adversity, tolerance to people we aren’t close with, and seeing the maximum potential of our hearts and minds when facing the glorious and lows of everyday lives gives us the hope to love one another, even if it is painful and difficult. Sometimes, something that couldn’t be explained easily feels hurtful. In this case of the lighthouse that has been standing proudly on the uphills of Bolinao, Pangasinan for over a hundred years, the lighthouse served as the symbol for resiliency amidst the uncertainty just as your loved ones sometimes suddenly become flaky, moody and silent for unknown reasons. Just as our Good Lord tells us in Matthew chapter 5 verse 14 to 16;
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Be steadfast and perservere until the end. And you can always start small.
After many minutes of admiring the cylindrical walls of the lighthouse, I then go to the cliff facing the town of Bolinao, Pangasinan while the West Philippine Sea was far off. A cemented platform designed for the tourists who like to take pictures with the sea as a backdrop, the place was swarmed by tourists excited to take turns taking pictures, including me. After several minutes of waiting for the tourists ahead of us, I didn’t hesitate to ask some tourists to take a picture of me in the vastness of the blue skies when it was my turn. The pictures went pretty good and I offered some tourists to take a picture of them after they took some pictures of me, which they graciously declined. Wandering throughout the place, I found myself positioned on the edge of the cliff, looking at afar and mesmerized by the silentness of the blue sea with their ocean waves dancing from afar. I couldn’t help but ask ourselves why are we hurting each other and easily fell to our emotions. If we could just adore somebody the way how we adore the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse and her history, her winds blowing to her, the view overlooking all over the Bolinao town and her secrets, the pale blue sky, her deep, blue sea that invites us to look at her and adore her discreetness, old buildings that was presumably built decades ago and now out of the commission but still a part of her, modern facilities that powers her blinding lights, our worlds would probably be lift up.
After walking around the edge of the cliff, I now walked towards the abandoned building near the lighthouse. I don’t have an idea what it might be or its purpose, but the walled remains of once a bustling building filled with memories reminds us of ourselves in the far future, so we shall try to take care of each other, be effortful, try something, and trust the learning process. After slowly walking around the abandoned building, I just sit at the back of the lighthouse, doing nothing much while staring at the soil, and thinking about nothing. I just wait there silently for a few minutes while thinking about the things we have seen so far, they were all beautiful. Even the idleness of the place seems wonderful but we are still always ready for new adventures, but sometimes smelling the roses along the journey is all we need from all the chaos in our own little worlds where everything matters.
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After a few hours walking around Cape Bolinao Lighthouse staring at a distance, it was time to go. It was already 1:30 PM of January 25, 2026. Slowly looking back at the lighthouse as I walked away, I reminisced all the times I was here in Bolinao, Pangasinan travelling and witnessing something good. The classic smell of trees blowing around while the hairs of tourists dancing on their heads reminds you that they can be tickled and have fun with. Walking down on a short, downhill road reaching the gates of the lighthouse, I bade thank you to the staffs there and look for the tricycle driver. The driver was waiting outside under the shade of the tree. Upon seeing each other after many minutes of enjoying the breeze of the lighthouse, I told the tricycle that we can now go back to Bolinao, Pangasinan town proper to finally go back to Pasay City, which the driver nods in agreement. Riding again in his tricycle for the last time before leaving the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, memories now came rushing in because we are now saying goodbye….no…I’m not really comfortable saying goodbyes in writings. Memories that will be etched in our minds for years to come and tell anecdotes while travelling to this marvelous place. The tricycle is now speeding away from Cape Bolinao Lighthouse to come back to the town proper, the driver asked me if I wanted to go to the Enchanted Caves which would be some kilometers away, but this time, I now refused to go there because I no longer have the energy left to tour the place. Respecting my wishes, the driver is now focused on getting me home, travelling along some provincial roads dotted with cows, goats, trees, coconuts and few vehicles going into the other direction. Eventually, the road seemed familiar again because this is the same road the lead us to Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan, but in the opposite direction now we are travelling. But in this moment, even if this is the same road, the sensation of going to Bolinao, Pangasinan becomes exciting because we can now observe the place better due to its now….familiarity. The sun at 1:45 PM looked more yellowy spicy for noon, almost it was a golden sun and wood look good on videos.
As we went nearer to the town proper, the more people is now present. Children playing slippers on the road sides, mothers tending their sari – sari stores ready to wait for her customers, and fathers bringing along with them their fishing equipments for today’s daily bread. But as we whizzed back to the town proper, the glimpse of the sea before vanishing from our sight is now inviting us to come see it, but it won’t be the last time to visit Bolinao, Pangasinan in the near future. We could always go back there and enjoy her sights because there are may places deep within the town that would loved to be seen. What about the tricycle driver’s mentioned place called “Enchanted Caves” which he offered me to tour for free but I refused. Or what about the Bolinao Falls that came up in my research before going to the town? There are many places in Bolinao, Pangasinan that could be visited that it would be an exciting thought to visit this place again and aim for her other wonders. As our journey is almost wrapping up and the last journey before completing it is returning to Pasay City, the memories of enjoying the beautiful sights of Bolinao, Pangasinan is a very good sight to behold because few weeks after our trip, the cold, sunny waters of Patar Beach is still clinging on the skin. The sands of the same beach is still stuck our the pockets of the shorts we wore on the trip dunking ourselves in the water. The breeze of the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is now always imagined after few minutes of thinking of nothing. The noise of the tricycle driver that lead us our success under the hands of the tricycle driver that accompanied me to our journey, the greenery of the classic “probinsyano” life.