The Pinay Solo Backpacker

Some few years back, I first read about Anawangin Cove and it’s mystical beauty.  So when  I went back to Pundaquit last year with my sisters, I wanted to see it.  Unfortunately, the boatmen refused to take us there because the waves are so huge, we settled for the equally enchanting Capones Island instead. So when I got the chance to have a weekend day-off  and my dorm mate in college Maricel, the online editor of  Businessworld, expressed her intent to join me in my road trips, I planned a not-so-organized trip to Anawangin Cove.  I invited some friends too, I know I won’t be alone that time since it’s a weekend get-away. Unfortunately, it’s raining hard in Manila, so some friends who were supposed to go with us were scared and didn’t make it.

It used to be a hideaway for mountaineers but now, Anawangin is one of the famous beaches in Luzon, but beyond it’s charm, is a great danger. Sadly, some parts of the beach that suddenly drops has claim lives yearly and trekking in the mountain rages to Pundaquit  during rainy or stormy season has caused unfortunate accidents leaving a tragic memory to it’s victims and their friends & family.  Despite the perils and warnings I’ve read online about it’s deep spots that constantly changes not to mention the garbage and crowd, I am still drawn by it’s mystery and beauty.

Anawangin cove  is our last stop during an  island hopping in Pundaquit.  The boatman slowly maneuvered the outrigger boat away from Capones and Camara Island, the waters leading to the cove is rough.  As we move towards the beach,  we were surrounded by yellowish and greenish rolling hills and pine trees  (agoho trees actually) that’s lined-up on it’s  grayish-white sand clear bluegreen waters!  The sands of  Anawangin are mostly volcanic ash from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo which is also responsible for the pine trees  that surrounds it (the ash falls brought the agoho seeds).  The eruption basically gave the cove a make-over, reason why some parts of the beach also drops suddenly because the ashes beneath the waters are being moved by the strong current.

We gathered our things and looked for an open hut where we can stay at.  Several huts has been built now on the shoreline and on the left forested side of the cove.  The owners is now collecting  Php 5o entrance fee for for people who wants to stay and make use of their manual freshwater pump (poso or artesian well)  that’s aside from  fee for the small huts (depends wether your staying overnight or just for the day).  I can’t help but wonder how it looks like when it was still a secret hideaway, probably much better.

One of the attractions in Anawangin is the clear  swamp surrounded by pine trees and against it is a backdrop of  rolling yellowish green hills. 

We started taking photos while we left Maricel swimming alone in the beach. There are lifeguards standing by the shore and there’s a huge signage now on the dangerous part of the beach so I guess it’s safer now.  But I see most tourists are heading towards the far right side of the beach, where it’s safer to swim.

After exploring the swampy side of Anawangin, we decided to eat.  Apart from small sari-sari stores , there’s no restaurant or even carinderia that serves rice meals there. Because my friends are busy corporate slaves, none of us had the time to cook  so we just enjoyed the snacks, the canned goods and ready-to-eat meal we bought from a  convenience store in  Olongapo earlier that day.

take this warning seriously!

My sister joined Maricel on the beach, while me, Joren and Merl trekked the must-see hill on the right side before we  swam its clear waters. I know I can’t leave Anawangin without seeing her from that hill.

And there I thanked my God and Anawangin for the fine weather and a good memory of  her.

the other side of the cove

Some say,  Anawangin is indeed captivating, yet it is taking lives because her visitors have abused her, just look at the garbage on the campsites left by irresponsible  campers.  We go there to camp and enjoy her mystic beauty, let’s  have the decency to take our trashes with us, leave nothing but memories!

Hey, I know you paid Php50 for the entrance fee, but that doesn't give you the right to abuse her!

Let’s Save our Shores!

Thepinaysolobackpacker supports responsible and sustainable tourism.

Big thanks to Maricel, Joren, Merl and Bluv for joining me in this get-away!

Merl, Maricel, Joren & my sis Bluv

For Anawangin Travel Guide—> click  HERE

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