I ♥ Tlisayen Cove Zambales 03/27/2011

Talisayen Cove Zambales 

It's been two years already since I last saw my college friends and I guess the last one was during our graduation. So this trip to Talisayen Cove was a great time for us to mingle and catch up with everyone. We’ve decided to meet in Cubao Terminal around four in the morning. I texted all of our friends for the said get together. However, not everyone showed up. We decided that even if we were not complete the trip will still push thru rain or shine. We rode the Victory Liner air-conditioned bus bound to Iba Zambales and just asked the conductor to drop us in San Antonio Zambales - the jump off point going to Talisayen cove.

I never thought that Zambales have a lot of beautiful beaches to offer. The infamous tragedy that happened here in 1991 when Mount Pinatubo erupted drastically changed the geological face of Zambales. Who would have thought that something remarkably beautiful will emerge after the tragedy? Today, tourist and adventurers are travelling to Zambales to experience the not- so- hidden coves of San Antonio.

I've been hearing a lot of good feedback to the more popular Anawangin Cove but I never have any idea that there are several coves in San Anotnio , one of which is Talisayen Cove. It's my first time to visit Talisayen so I guess it’s a bit cruel to compare it to Anawangin. I think every cove has its own unique characteristic.

 

When we finally reach Pundaquit - the jump start point of Talisayen, we were awestruck by the view and started to take tons of pictures. However, we still need to ride a boat so we packed up and off we went to Talisayen. It's already high tide and the small boat is being pounded by rough waves but we still manage to joke about it. It took us almost an hour to cruise the dark open sea but we didn't mind it because the scenery while sailing the China Sea is really spectacular. We finally reached Talisayen Cove around past noon.

Talisayen is less commercialized compared to the other beaches I visited. The backdrop of Talisayen is too good to be true – the almost powdery white sand with Pine trees in the middle of the Talisayen Mountain and South China Sea.
Talisayen may also delight you of their free amenities; although we were miles away from the mainland, the resort have access to clean freshwater, bathroom and kitchen - all of it can be use for free. Also, if you don’t own a tent or you don’t know how to build a tent, you can just rent their cottages. There isn’t any electricity but the owner let us use their generator but just for 2-3hours, enough for us to cook and eat our food. There’s no phone signal but it’s not much of an issue, for we came there to relax and enjoy the serenity. 

I don’t have any issues with our security because the owner is very hospitable and trustworthy. Coincidentally he was the father of our friend’s classmate and he took a very good care of us. He’d go the lengths of providing good customer service by ensuring that we all have a great time enjoying their resort. Their caretakers were really helpful too; they even offered to cook our food. This is really the vacation that I signed up for. There were times when I felt we were being spoiled.

Beautiful is not enough to describe Talisayen because it is just an out of this world paradise but above all Talisayen is much better at night. The caretakers set up a bonfire for us to have a source of light after they switch off the generator. Of course we drink and party real hard, even though there was other guest on the resort we didn’t care at all as if we own the island. Everyone is shouting, laughing and joking around I guess it was one of the best night I had. When there’s no more fuel in the bonfire we finally notice how serene the night is. The sky was so clear we could literally distinguish a blue star from a yellow one, we even counted shooting stars. The cove is being lit by the full moon. I’ve never seen the brightest full moon until then. The moonlight shines brightly starting from the beautiful view of the rolling mountains to the sparkling open sea. It was a really romantic moment. 

 We all fell asleep on the sand because we were exhausted, but were not exhausted from any physical activities; we were exhausted tossing all our worries in this serene cove. We finally let go of all the hurt we experience in the past and embrace acceptance. I don’t know if I have the strength to come back in this beautiful place but Talisayen is like a refuge where you can start all over again. Probably there will never be another moment like this but I know this place will always be special in our heart.

How to Get to Talisayen Cove, Zambales:

Talisayen cove can be access via Pundaquit San Antonio, Zambales so the same route going to Pundaquit Zambales can be use.


A. Via Public Transportation

1. Ride a Victory Liner Bus bound for Sta. Cruz or Iba.

Victory Liner has stations at Pasay, Cubao, Kamias and Caloocan. I suggest you go to the Caloocan Terminal since a bus leaves for Iba every 30 minutes. First trip is at 4:00 am and last trip is at 11:30 pm.

Fare is about P 270.
2. Go off the San Antonio Municipal Hall.

Ask the conductor to drop you off at San Antonio Municipal Hall. From Olongapo, you will pass by Castillejos Town and San Marcelino.

3. Take a tricycle ride from the Municipal Hall to Pundaquit Beach.

In front of the Municipal Hall is the tricycle terminal. The terminal is open 24 hours so even if you travel in the wee hours; there are tricycles available to bring you to Pundaquit Beach. The drivers are familiar with the resorts in the area so you just tell them to what resort you're planning to stay or just tell them that you're heading to Pundaquit Beach. Fare is about P 30 per person. Also, the road from the Municipal Hall to Pundaquit Beach seems to be deserted but do not be scared. Just a few kilometers ahead is the beach!

 B. Via Private Transportation

1. Drive through NLEX

Hitting the NLEX depends on where you will be coming from. You can take Balintawak Exit, Meycauyan, etc depending on your starting point. Point is, you have to drive along NLEX!

Travel Time: About 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on what exit you take.
2. Exit at San Fernando

From NLEX, exit at San Fernando, Pampanga. You will see Robinsons Pampanga upon your exit. Drive opposite of Robinsons Pampanga. Follow the road signs to Olongapo. You will pass by Lubao and Guagua.
Travel Time: 40 - 60 minutes

  3. Enter Bataan through Layak Junction then Drive through Olongapo

you will enter the area of Bataan when you pass by Layak Junction. The Layak Junction has a monument. From the Pampanga road, take the road on the right. There is a tricycle terminal on the corner of this road.

Then just drive straight and follow the signs leading to Olongapo. Once in Olongapo, you can still see signs going to Pundaquit or San Antonio. Just drive through the towns in Olongapo including Subic Town Proper.
Travel Time: 40-60 minutes.

  4. Pass by the towns of Castillejos and San Marcelino

After Olongapo, you will pass by the towns of Castillejos and San Marcelino. Each town is about 7 kilometers and will take you about 30 minutes to drive along these towns. Be mindful of the signs especially when you reach San Marcelino. Upon seeing Dr. Yangco Educational Foundation at San Marcelino, turn left to head to San Antonio. There is also a road sign to signal you where to turn left. If you drive straight ahead, you will be heading to San Narciso.
Travel Time: 30 minutes

 5. Turn left at the Cemetery then Head to Pundaquit Beach

once you turn left, a public cemetery can be seen at the right side. Then there will views of fields and mountains until you reach the town proper. Drive straight until you reach the Municipal Hall on the right side of the street.

From the Municipal Hall, turn left on the road with signs pointing you to the resorts. The road seem to be deserted but its concrete. You will also pass by a one-way steel bridge. You can also ask a tricyle to lead you to Pundaquit Beach then pay him for about P60.

Travel Time: 30 minutes 
 
Contact Info

Phone 0939 902 5399

Email talisayencove@yahoo.com

Description

For reservations and boat service/rental to Capones Island, Camara Island, Annawangin Cove, "TALISAYEN COVE," Silangen Cove or Nagsasa Cove call/text:

► - 0927-488-4676 - (Globe)

► - 0939-902-5399 - (Smart)

► - 0932-240-9313 - (Sun Cellular) 

 

 

 

 

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