When in Subic

Subic is found in the Northern coast of the country. Known for its beaches and leisure parks such as the Ocean Adventure the kids love to go to, IF you have a budget. How about if you just want a spontaneous side-trip? Where to go?

It was not our first time to go to Subic. We only go here usually for my husband's trainings and sporting events. Last January 16, while everyone is busy with Pope Francis' arrival in the country, my family, together with friends training for a triathlon event, headed North-bound to go for an open water swim training.

All Hands Beach Resort

This is our first stop. This beach resort has improved in many ways since my 1st visit during the last quarter of 2012. Today, it is more presentable from the entrance to the cottages and including the beach front. It is more child friendly, in my opinion. It may not be Boracay-level, but it is clean, even the sand is clean. Even safe for little children to play on. They even have Banana Boat rides, Kayaking, and that Turbo Jet (not sure about the exact term) where you'll have a chance to become Astro Boy on water. I asked how much that sporting costs, according to the attendant, P5,000.00 for 20 minutes. *jaw dropped*

Baby Z, enjoying himself with his 1st time to play on the sand (not his 1st beach experience though)

With training friends, having lunch after their swim and bike.

The P5K per 20 minutes Turbo Jet Water sport

Entrance: P350.00 (ask for discount for big groups)

Tropical Paradise Retirement Village

There are a lot of Hotels and Villages in Subic if you want to stay overnight. If you're with a big group, it is suggested to check in the Villages along the Binictican Heights. They are the typical American-style homes for rent. Complete with garage and fully furnished houses. Equipped with appliances, television, refrigerator, microwave ovens and stove as well. You can just shop for ingredients at Puregold Duty Free or at the Harbor Point Mall and cook whatever you want at "home". The bedrooms are cozy enough for a great night rest.

The one we rented this time, the Tropical Paradise Village, has more modern architectural designs both the interior and exterior of the house compared to the ones we rented before. Minimalist in general.

Our neigborhood c",)

Monkeys hunting food for breakfast

The village staff are very warm and accomodating. We are definitely going back to this place to stay when in Subic.

Rent Fee: P7,000.00 (because its Holiday) 2-storey house, with 3 airconditioned bedrooms, dining, airconditioned living room, maids quarters, garage, common bathroom with tub and toilet. Ideal for big groups, barkada, team building activities, family getaway, for sharing.

Pamulaklakin Forest Trail

I didn't know there are still places like this in Subic. I thought Subic has totally turned into a commercialized area, developing each and every nook of the province. When I heard from our friend Ton, that we're going to have lunch the next day sa batis (by the stream), I thought he was joking. He was even telling stories that the indigenous Aetas cooked Tinola in Bamboo last time for their lunch. Ton wasn't joking. We were accomodated by Mang Miguel, an Aeta who served as our chef. He cooked for us rice in bamboo. He even taught our kids how to create fire without using a match or lighter. We ran out of plastic cups, he also made us a couple or three bamboo cups.

10 Steps to Make Fire

1. Scrape bamboo skin from dried bamboo, this will serve you as the flint or "mitsa"
2. Create a mark/dent on the part of your bamboo where you will scratch
3. Make a deeper dent or "gatla" on the other side creating a small canal but should not create hole
4. Using the other half of the bamboo, put the edge of the bamboo on the dent you made
5. Slowly getting your rhythm, scratch it like a saw-cutting movement, increasing the speed
6. Seeing a smoke is a sign you did it successfully
7. Gently blow through the hole. Slowly remove the bamboo capping the flint.
8. Gather the burnt flint and continue blowing it gently
9-10. Blow until fire appears enough to start a bigger fire for stove or bonfire.

Special Thanks to Mang Miguel, our Aeta tour guide slash Chef for the day for this tutorial.

Sinaing sa Buho (Rice Cooked in Bamboo)

Bamboo Cups

We had lunch after our rice were cooked and our potluck viands were reheated, also in bamboos. The kids also enjoyed their cool and quick dip in the stream. We also had photo ops with Mang Kasoy, also a local in the place who serves as an icon, because he wore the indigenous wardrobe of the Aeta people. He carries the weapon our forefathers use for hunting.

What I love about this trip to Pamulaklakin Forest trail is, it is very timely to my son Q's Araling Panlipunan lessons about Pamayanan (Communities). I am now sure he will understand atleast one of the communities they tackled in school because he had a direct encounter even for a short time with one of them. Because kids these days are very visual and practical, they always need tangible resources for their lesssons. And it is very important that they learn beyond what books tell them.

Entrance Fee: P50.00
Priceless trip with Nature and experience of Indigenous Life.