I ♥ Puting Buhangin Pagbilao - Quezon (2012) - 09/29/2012

I always pray for good weather when planning an out-of-town trip, as a typhoon can easily disrupt carefully planned travels. Fortunately, when we visited Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao, Quezon, the weather remained clear. I had been longing to visit this place since last year, but unforeseen circumstances always led to cancellations. Growing up in Quezon province, I felt a deep connection to this destination and wanted to appreciate the beauty of my hometown.

 

Initially, I had planned a solo backpacking trip and shared my travel plans online out of excitement. That's when I received a message from Mac, who expressed curiosity about my travels. I proposed the idea of going together to Puting Buhangin to cut down on expenses. Without hesitation, Mac agreed to join me on this adventure.

 

On the day of the tour, heavy rain poured down, making me fear that the trip would once again be cancelled. I reached out to Mac via SMS to confirm if he still wanted to go. If he had changed his mind, I was prepared to go alone. However, Mac didn't hesitate and we embarked on our journey to Puting Buhangin together.

We rendezvoused at Alabang Terminal around 5am, pressed for time and unable to enjoy a proper breakfast. As a quick solution, we grabbed sandwiches to-go from a nearby 7/11 and savored them inside the bus heading towards Lucena. Our journey from Alabang to Grand Central Terminal took approximately two and a half hours, with our arrival time at 8:30am.

For lunch, we decided to order chow fan rice from Chowking at Grand Terminal Central Pagbilao. While waiting for other passengers inside the jeepney bound for Pagbilao Market Terminal, we enjoyed our meal. After a brief 20-minute wait, we departed from Grand Terminal Central at around 10am. The journey to Pagbilao Market Terminal took nearly an hour.

 

Without wasting any time, we hopped on a jeepney headed to Brgy. Polo. The jeepney ride was reminiscent of the typical crowded experience in the Philippines, where you have to squeeze yourself to secure a seat. Although I had initially planned to buy food at Pagbilao Market Terminal for our overnight stay at the beach, I realized that the jeepney wouldn't wait for us as it was already packed with passengers. I informed Mac that we should buy our food in Brgy. Polo and catch the early trip, as waiting for the second trip would only consume more time. As it turned out, my decision was indeed the right one.

During our leisurely ride to Brgy. Polo, we had the pleasure of meeting a local and a couple who were also heading to Puting Buhangin. It was a relief to discover that we weren't the only ones making our way to the same destination, as it meant we could easily ask for directions without much difficulty. Initially, I had planned to simply follow the couple, assuming they knew the way. However, it turned out that they were also first-timers and had no idea how to get there.

 

Fortunately, the local resident tried to lend us a hand by providing directions. However, it soon became apparent that she was attempting to take advantage of the situation to make some money. She insisted that we needed to take a tricycle and arranged for two tricycles to transport the four of us, charging 100 pesos per person. As someone who detests fixers and swindlers, I immediately recognized her intentions. I chose to ignore her offer and decided to negotiate directly with the tricycle driver.

 

I proposed that the driver take the four of us for a total of 200 pesos. The driver came up with various excuses, claiming that the road was muddy, the destination was far, and his tricycle couldn't accommodate all of us. Undeterred, I firmly stated, "Take it or leave it," and to my satisfaction, he eventually agreed. With the transaction settled, I kindly asked the driver and the couple if they could wait for us while we bought our lunch. Thankfully, they agreed to wait for us without any hesitation.

To our great relief, we discovered a few sari-sari stores in the vicinity just in time, as our hunger had reached its peak. It was already lunchtime, and we hadn't had anything to eat yet. We quickly made our way to one of the sari-sari stores and purchased some cooked rice, a can of sardines, and lechong paksiw. With our food in hand, we eagerly boarded the tricycle that would take us to Puting Buhangin, ready to satisfy our hunger and continue our adventure.

After enduring a bumpy 15-minute ride, we were greeted by the sight of a stunning lake, which served as the entrance to Puting Buhangin. I couldn't help but feel annoyed when I realized that we could have simply walked for 20 minutes to reach the lake. The path was a straight road from the starting point in Brgy. Polo, so there was no chance of getting lost.

 

As we arrived at the lake, we noticed the presence of boatmen who offered to ferry visitors to the other side. Curious about the fare, I inquired about the payment, only to be pleasantly surprised when they informed us that the fare would be included in the entrance fee for Puting Buhangin. It was a relief to know that we wouldn't have to pay separately for the boat ride.

After a brief 5-minute boat transfer from the Lake Entrance to Puting Buhangin Island, we were greeted by a breathtakingly picturesque landscape. The place looked like something out of a National Geographic magazine - truly out of this world. However, we had to keep moving as we still had to trek our way to Puting Buhangin. It took us around 10 minutes to reach the gate of Puting Buhangin, but we were far from bored as the views along the way were absolutely spectacular. We followed the trail, keeping an eye out for arrow signs, until we finally spotted the dilapidated gate of Puting Buhangin.

 

As we arrived, we headed towards the only cemented house in the area, assuming they were the caretakers, and we were correct. We paid the entrance fee, which amounted to 100 pesos for an overnight stay, and an additional 20 pesos for the boat transfer. Originally, we had planned to stay overnight, but during our exploration, we discovered that the resort did not have a freshwater supply. Everything needed to be brought from the mainland. Realizing that we couldn't rent their cottages (which cost 350 pesos), we didn't have a tent, and we lacked sufficient food, we decided it would be best not to stay. It was clear that we were unprepared for an overnight stay.

 

Since we couldn't stay overnight, I politely asked for a refund. The caretaker, Ate Gemma, was incredibly kind and accommodating. She explained that they typically did not issue refunds, but with a bit of charm and persuasion, I managed to convince her to refund our money. Not only that, but she also kindly provided us with spoons and even opened our canned sardines, knowing that we were ill-prepared. I was truly grateful for her generosity and thoughtfulness.

After having our lunch, we took some time to rest and finally indulged in the beauty of the beach. I was truly amazed when I laid eyes on the powdery white sand and the breathtaking scenery around me. The beach was bustling with guests, indicating that the place is gaining popularity. One of the highlights of Puting Buhangin is the cave called Kwebang Lampas, located on the right side of the beach. It is a truly spectacular sight to behold. Despite the rough waves, I still enjoyed my time at the beach. Puting Buhangin may not be perfect, but it has its own unique charm that makes me want to visit again. It's a hidden gem in a humble setting, and I'm glad I discovered its beauty.


To commute to Puting Buhangin, here are the steps:

 

1. Make your way to Grand Central Terminal in Lucena City, Quezon. You can take buses from Buendia Taft Ave or Alabang to get there. The fare for the bus is 200 pesos.

2. Upon reaching Grand Central Terminal, look for a jeepney that is bound for Pagbilao Terminal Market. Hop on the jeepney and pay the fare of 11 pesos.

3. After arriving at Pagbilao Terminal Market, you will need to take another jeepney that is headed to Brgy. Polo. The fare for this jeepney ride is 35 pesos. Make sure to inform the driver that you are going to Puting Buhangin. As you travel, keep an eye out for the Pagbilao Team-Energy Power Plant on the left side, which resembles a lighthouse. This landmark indicates that you are getting closer to the area of Puting Buhangin.
4. Once you reach Brgy. Polo, you will find a variety of tricycles available to take you to the entrance point of Puting Buhangin. The distance from the jump-off point is approximately 22 km. I recommend negotiating the cost of the ride with the tricycle driver, as some may try to take advantage of tourists, especially if they perceive you to be from the city. However, if you are on a budget, you can also consider asking for directions and walking the straight path to the entrance. Don't hesitate to interact with the friendly locals, as they are kind-hearted people. Since it was our first time in the area, we decided that riding a tricycle was a convenient option. We paid the driver 200 pesos for the four of us.
5. When you spot the lake and a house on the right side, you have reached the entrance of Puting Buhangin. At this point, there is no need to pay for the boat ride to the other side. Instead, you will pay the boat operators once you are inside the Puting Buhangin area.
6. After crossing the lake, simply continue along the trail, and you will eventually reach the welcome sign of the resort. The walk will only take about 10 minutes, and you will be treated to a spectacular view along the way.

-->