SAN FELIPE, ZAMBALES | A Chronicled Stoked Memento From Liwliwa

BARANGAY STO. NIÑO, SITIO LIWLIWA | San Felipe, Zambales

Sitio Liwliwa or Liwa as named by most visitors, was a small fishing village before it became known as one of the surfing spots in the north. The western coastline that faces the South China Sea produces exciting waves during the wet season - starting from September which can last up until the month of February, hence attracts surf enthusiasts from different parts of the country.

HOW TO GET TO LIWLIWA  |

Via Manila-Iba

1. Ride any bus bound for Iba; Victory Liner, Inc in Cubao, Monumento, Sampaloc and Pasay offer daily trips at an hour and a half intervals. The earliest departure is at 4 AM.; fare is Php 282; travel time takes about 4 hours.
2. Get off at San Felipe Terminal and hire a tricycle bound for Liwliwa or known as the “surfing area or surfing spot”. Fare is Php 50; travel time is just approximately 20 minutes.

Via Manila-Olongapo

1. Ride any bus bound for Olongapo; Victory Liner, Inc in Cubao, Monumento, Sampaloc and Pasay offer daily trips at hourly intervals. The earliest departure is at midnight; fare is Php 218; travel time takes about 3 hours.
2. From Olongapo terminal, ride a bus bound for Iba and get off at San Felipe. Fare is Php 80; travel time takes about an hour.
3. From San Felipe Terminal, hire a tricycle bound for Liwliwa or known as the “surfing area or surfing spot”. Fare is Php 50; travel time is just approximately 20 minutes.

AND, AS ALWAYS, GET LOST!

STAY | Find a Spot at Surfing Secret Spot

Planning a visit to Liwliwa and choosing a place where to spend your two or three nights wouldn't be hassling. Most accommodations are lined up one after another and usually offer similar features and activities. Choices quite seem unending and overwhelming, so I suggest that you check the site yourself instead of booking online. The wisest is to scout hostels/resorts and explore your options. As for me, hospitality and the homey feel I get, either from people or from the place, are almost always my top deciding factors.

SURFING VILLAGE/ THE SURFING SECRET SPOT | Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

The Surfing Secret Spot, now called The Surfing Village, is a small beachfront resort that is managed by awesome locals in the island. Native huts are the accommodation of choice but pitching of tents are also allowed. Each two-storey accommodation, built using native materials found in the locality, promises nothing but real beachy experience. The first level is an open area that serves as an avenue for socials while the upper level is where you could snooze after a day on the shore. No chi-chi features just: well maintained shared toilets, lush backyard, sound of waves from a distance, fireflies sightings at nighttime and breezy salty air that lingers into your hair! I do not know if I'd ever be able to put it into words, but that's how I would spell awesome.

Skim boards and surf boards of different types are available for rent; newbies can be supervised by in-house surf instructors. You might want to ask for Nogs.

The resort gives guests ample options for food selection: a small sari-sari store owned by Aireen offers quick junks, beers and cigarrettes, Ate Felly's Store and Phoebe's Eatery are just a few blocks away, but if you want to have the most epic gastronomic experience - eat and feast with the locals (Auntie and Uncle's gourmet recipes would be your best bet!)

** Palakad PH, a revolutionary organization, aims to support local tourism, organizes group tours at a considerable rate**

http://www.palakad.ph/

OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

T H E  C I R C L E  H O S T E L |

www.zambales.thecirclehostel.com

First timers, for some reasons, would almost always be routed to this place. Thanks to Google search engine as it unfailingly generates The Circle as the top result for Liwliwa. It has strategically situated branches to some surfing spots: Baler and San Juan, La Union, making sure to keep up with other competitors. Three types of accommodations are available: hammocks (Php 350/night), tent (Php 350/night) and bunk beds either an all-female dorm or co-ed type (Php 450/night). Each accommodation comes with a surfer's breakfast consists of banana and sliced bread/ toast with peanut butter. Common areas are located on the first level, which also serves as a smoking and kitchen area. The wide open space on the second level holds most socialization and recreation activities: card games, yoga and a platform for musicality.

B O A R D  C U L T U R E  L I W L I W A |

www.bcliwliwa.com / 09065161263

Board Culture Liwliwa offers identical package as to The Circle but more advantageous when it comes to beach proximity. Nipa Huts and tents are available for rent (please see contact details for rate as it depends on the number of pax).

S U N N Y  S I D E  U P  S U R F  R E S O R T |

https://www.facebook.com/sunnysideupliwa

One small alley, farthest to the right when facing the beach, leads to an inviting place that is worthy too of a visit - Sunny Side Up Resort. They have bungalow-type and two-storey nipa huts with a good overlooking beach scenery. For those who might want to go on camping, renting and pitching of tents are allowed at a rate that ranges from Php 250-350 (entrance fee applies on top of  tent rental/pitching).

EAT | Sari-sari atbp.

ATE FELLY'S STORE |

The cheapest rate and fastest service in the island! It’s a one-stop store located just in front of The Circle Hostel that sells almost everything that you need during your stay. They have the best “breakfast silog” that ranges from Php 55 (tuyosilog), Php 75 (spamsilog) to Php 85 (bagnetsilog). Upgrade to a garlic rice or salted egg to make the experience a notch higher than ordinary! All meals come with either a soda or coffee, now beat that! Ala carte meals are also offered from roasted chicken to green salad ranging from Php 100-150.  They have cigarettes for sale sold at Php 55 for a pack of Marlboro. Beers and seasonal fruit shakes are also available.

PHOEBE’S EATERY |
The usual “carenderia” with lutong bahay feels awaits visitors at Phoebe's Eatery. Products are almost the same but a little pricier than Ate Felly's Store. A variety of souvenir items from shirts, purses to anklets are being sold.

#5 | No one. Nothing

YOU ARE NOTHING. YOU ARE NO ONE |

Human’s quest in finding wisdom is everlasting. The fact that we are constantly changing, evolving and growing, just prove to say that no one is perfect from the very beginning. The only way for you to learn new things is to act like a sponge. Forget the ideal structure that society has thought you; you are shapeless and a beauty in your own true form. Encourage exchange of ideas as small talks lead to big learnings too! Master the art of filtration by only absorbing what is necessary but pushes anything that ills you. Learn the art of educating others but open to getting schooled at the same time.

#4 | Play 

THE WORLD IS A PLAYGROUND OF EMOTIONS.

PLAY, MAKE MISTAKES AND REPEAT |

Have you ever wondered why surf enthusiasts are one of the happiest people in the planet? Did it ever cross your mind what it takes to be a good surfer? I won’t be discussing the elements and technical aspects of surfing as I am no pro, but I’d like to look at it figuratively.

So, they see big waves recoiling from afar and instantaneously they paddle fast anticipating the best ride of their lives! Do they get afraid, I asked. Hell yes! But, the feeling of getting stoked is always bigger than anxiety. They get wipeout and there are days when things are blown out, but they also believe that a better take off can happen in a later time. So it’s true that come sun down, when waters meet the shore, their bruises would remind them that the ride was undeniably real.

Paangkas naman.

Kung hindi uubra sa puso mo,

kahit sa surfboard mo na lang.

Para kang alon, minsan mahirap basahin.

salty, dirty and nice.

Wherever you are going,

I hope that you'd meet yourself.

#3 | Brotherhood

BAYANIHAN IS STILL ALIVE |

PUKOT | An old fishing tradition using a fishnet thrown in the ocean and drifts with the current. Fishes are captured by pulling the net continously using a rope tied around each fisherman's waist. The process takes hours to be completed without any assurance of success. It seems as though whether they will be able to fill in two boats when they get lucky or go home with almost nothing for their families.

#2 | Respect

ACCEPTANCE CULTIVATES RESPECT |

The basis of respect is casted but not limited to multicultural latitude. Different folks may have different strokes to resolve differences. But, the ones that truly foster good relationship are those people who are able to listen without being judgmental, accept you: your wit and your shits, and just make you feel good about yourself. By listening more than talking, giving more than asking and appreciating more than complaining would make a better world for all life forms: humans, animals and nature.

show me your tits, buddy :p

#1 | Vibe

SOULS INTERACT USING VIBES |

Isn’t it incredible how souls, whose lives are lived and interpreted entirely different, share the same sky, breathe the same air and stand on the same ground? The rarity of being trapped in unfamiliar place with familiar souls might sound too metaphorical, but it happens. Those who are able to see you and connive with your rawness is a gift.

The miracle of life is just awesome!

Let's slomo and ride.

Silong.
Minsan bubong,
Minsan ikaw.