Hugom Beach (San Juan)

Hugom is one of the coastline barangay of San Juan, Batangas which faces the West Philippine Sea. Unlike the nearby San Juan and Laiya Beach which has a fair share of fine grain composed of either cream, white or grayish sand. Hugom Beach doesn’t have the usual fine grain sand that most beach bums are looking for. In fact, sand is nowhere to be found but instead, it is composed of small to medium-sized cobbles which are spread across the beachfront. 

We were originally planning to visit Laiya Beach but according to the locals, it was still almost haft an hour travel. Some of our colleagues were already tired and itching to swim in any nearby beach, so we've all settled for Hugom Beach which is just a few steps from Mt. Daguldol's registration area. 

It was my first time to see a pebbled beach and some say it resembles that Malabrigo which also has the same features composed of pebbles and cobblestone. It may not have a fine grain sand, yet it offers a truly unique experience. The water is crystal clear with gentle waves making it ideal for swimming and pure beach bumming.

I can say that Team Una's first event: Summit to Experience was a huge success where we hiked Mt Daguldol, bathe in Naambon Falls and of course enjoyed the pebbled stones of Hugom Beach making it the total package.

Photo credit to Jojo Esguerra

***Naambon Falls is actually part of  Team Una's Summit to Sea event which also includes Mt. Daguldol hike and swimming in Hugom Beach.

How to Get There:

I.). In Cubao/LRT Taft there are buses (ALPS) that has direct route to San Juan (Batangas).

     Once in San Juan town proper, ride a jeepney bound for Laiya.

II.) Another option is to ride a bus bound to Lucena, then alight in Candelaria town proper.

     Ride a jeepney bound to San Juan, and once in San Juan ride another jeep bound to Laiya.

Rizal Beach (Gubat)

Sorsogon is gradually gaining popularity as a province with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines and even the world which includes: Rizal, Subic, Tikling, Dancalan, Libanon, Tolong-Gapo and Cawit White Beach to name a few. The extensive coastline stretches hundreds of kilometers that are definitely some of many reasons why the province has become one of the most favorite destinations for tourists and backpackers alike.  

One beach that has surged in popularity is Rizal Beach which is located in Gubat Bay, Sorsogon City that is characterized by a long and wide beach coastline comprised of fine grain sand that varies from light beige to white and is surrounded lush green vegetation of Gubat. It faces the blue seas of the Pacific Ocean with its crystal clear water and huge waves.

What makes Rizal Beach a preferred tourist destination are the waves which are ideal for surfing. Just like Baler, learning to surf here is very inexpensive compared to other surf spots around the world. The town’s surfers have organized themselves into a club (Gubat Bay Surfers) and have given surfing lessons to everyone who are interested to learn surfing.

How to Get There:

1. There are buses with direct trip to Sorsogon from Metro Manila

2. From Sorsogon City, take a jeepney bound for Gubat (fare is 25 pesos)

Surfing lesson and board rental is 300 pesos per hour

***The following pictures were shared to me by my sister who went to Sorsogon, thus it was based on her pictures that this write-up was made.

Subic Beach (Pink Beach)

Subic Beach is situated in Matnog, Sorsogon which is located in the Southernmost tip of Luzon. It is divided into two different parts which the locals call as Subic Laki (Subic Big Beach) and Subic Liit (Subic Small Beach).

It is also known as Pink Beach because the sand gives a pinkish color when viewed from afar that is composed of fine grain, creamy white sand with the addition of crushed red coral particles which is the unique trait of the islands in Matnog. The beach is surrounded by crystal-clear aquamarine waters, it was so clear that one can easily observe the seabed sloping down from the shore, thus precaution must be observed if one wishes to take a swim.

There are several cottages that can be rented including a tent if one wishes to pitch a tent.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Sorsogon City (Penafrancia, DLTB and Isarog Lines)

2. Once you get to Sorsogon, ride a jeep bound to Matnog port.

3. From Matnog it is more than an hour boat ride to Tikling Island and Subic Beach etc..

Paguriran Beach and Lagoon

Situated in Bacon District, Sorsogon, according to the locals "Bacon" originated from the word "Bacong" which is a  kind of plant that grows abundantly in the town’s shores. Through the years, Bacong evolved into Bacon. 

Paguriran is the town's hidden gem consisting of a beach and a lagoon situated in an island. The beach itself is a worthwhile destination composed of fine grain white sand, but the real deal is the island where a lagoon is surrounded by various rock and limestone formations with mangroves serving as it's vegetation which is truly a sight to behold. The water is clear and calm, making it inviting for swimming.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Sorsogon City (Penafrancia, DLTB and Isarog Lines)

2. Once you get to Sorsogon, look for the jeepney terminal going to Barangay Sawanga, Bacon which is the drop off point where Paguriran Island is located.

***The following pictures were shared to me by sister, thus it was based on her account that this write-up was made.

SBMA Beach

Subic Bay is located in Olongapo City that is situated in the province of Zambales. It was developed by the United States Naval base which was once the largest U.S. military naval base in Asia. It became the base of the United States 7th Fleet until 1991 when the Philippine Senate rejected terms for renewal of the lease of the base. During Mt. Pinatubo's eruption of the same year, volcanic ashes covered the Naval Base, destroying a significant number of structures. 

It is a public beach that is located in Subic Bay, in front of Waterfront Rd., thus it is known to some passerby as "Waterfront Beach", however the real "Waterfront Beach" is located in Morong, Bataan. Since it is a public beach it is free of any entrance fee, however swimming is widely prohibited. But then again, one can still relax and enjoy the calming waves of the sea. Let alone, walk on the grayish fine grain sand and stroll around the beachfront while watching the sun as it envelopes the bay with the mountain ranges of Zambales giving a paradise like setting.

How to Get There:

1. From Cubao, you ride buses bound to Olongapo.

2. Once in Olongapo you can walk to Waterfront Rd., to which the SBMA Beach is locaed.

Boracay Island

Boracay is one of the most famous tourist spot and island beaches in the Philippines and known to some as the Philippine’s party island due to it's wild nightlife. It has one of the finest white sand in the country which also has clear and pristine aquamarine waters. It is a favorite place for water-sports which includes: parasailing, banana boats and jetskiing. There are also other activities like snorkeling and diving sites around its vicinity. 

According to the locals, Boracay was originally home to the Ati people. It was already inhabited before the Spaniards came to the Philippines and predates back to 12th century. The name originated from the local word "borac" which means white cotton with characteristics close to the color and texture of Boracay's white sugary and powdery sand. Another credits the name to local words "bora," meaning bubbles, and "bocay," meaning white. 

It was voted by several travel publications as one of the best beaches in the Philippines, and even in the world on 2012 and 2014. 

*My siblings shares their pictures and experience with regards to their Boracay trip. Thus, it was based on their pictures that this write-up was made.

All Hands Beach

Situated between the Subic International Airport and Subic Container Terminal, the beach resort was formerly managed by the U.S Naval Air Station until 1991, but now it is currently maintained by Brighterday Subic Inc.

All Hands Beach was one of the favorite beach resorts by the U.S. Military men, together with the nearby Dungaree Beach and Officer's Beach. The name comes from the Naval term ''all hands on deck" which means everyone on deck, all ranks on deck or everybody on deck which requires involvement of all members of the team. 

The water is clear and pristine with calm waves that are not much higher than 6 inches in most time of the day, making it great for swimming even for kids. It is also far away from residential community and inland river making it pollution free.

There are several activities which includes: banana boat rides, water bicycling, kayaking, snorkeling and even Jet Ski driving.



How to Get There:

1. From Cubao, you ride buses bound to Olongapo.

2. Once in Olongapo you can ride a taxi, tell the driver that you are going to All Hands Beach

Atlaza Beach

Atlaza Beach is one of the popular Beach Resort located in San Pascual, Burias Island, Masbate. While some travelers prefer to pitch a tent in the nearby islands of Sombrero, Tinalisayan, and Animasola Island, Atlaza Beach Resort has the full amenities that includes: a bar, bustling kitchen and cottages, thus many chose to stay here for an overnight while exploring the other parts of Burias Islands.

The beach resort is surrounded by a long stretched of powdery cream/beige sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, unspoiled natural resources which offers both picturesque sunrise and sunset.



How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound for Naga City

2. From Naga, ride a jeepney or van to Pasacao Port which will take about thirty minutes to one hour.
3. Once in Pasacao, a two-hour boat ride will take you to Burias Island.

***My sister joined an organized tour and it was based on her account that this write-up was made.