Living in the Philippines consisting of 7, 107 islands, I am proud and at the same time shameful because I have explored (only) a handful of them and/BUT I am looking forward to explore ALL if possible. I remember having a convo with a friend before about "exploring the world" and I thought: Nah. I'd love to, but realistically, I would prioritize travelling around PH first. My god, my country is beautiful.
I've promised myself that every year, I will try my best to go to somewhere I haven't been to yet before. I do not travel often, as in quarterly, but if money and time permits (and kasipagan), I would. I haven't been to Boracay, or Palawan or Bohol; I could, we all could, with all these airfare deals we all go gaga about, but everytime I plan out travelling, I research about places in PH which is not a usual go-to of the crowd and is accessible via land. (Sobrang arte ko akala mo naman talaga) Especially if it's the annual-had-been-a-tradition birthday/anniv trip with the boyfriend. I want it to be different.
This year, we were able to take two days off work and had it before and after our usual weekends off. I thought 1 weekend is not enough hence, the vacay leaves. (Yey to that!) Original plan was Caramoan however Gota Village is fully booked until June upon our inquiry, so we switched to La Union and then I said no, let's go to this private beach in Laiya but then I said OMG how about Baler! and then wait, I saw Masbate and then finally, this. And I've no inch of regret.
Alibijaban Island (A-li-bi-ha-ban though some people in Quezon pronounce it as Ja-li-bi-ja-ban) is part of the FARTHEST town in Quezon Province, San Andres. (Can we just emphasize on the word FARTHEST?) I am so into looooong drives, I really don't mind so long as I know it's worth it. With my super mega powers in researching, I gambled travelling 12 hours.
Getting There 🚏
OMG this deserves a sole post because I need to let you guys know about our own experience!:D First, let's get into the perfect world :pBus-Van-Padyak-Bangka
San Andres Quezon
There are two ways getting to San Andres:
1. Take a direct trip from Cubao through Superlines or from Alabang through Barney Bus Line. Take note though that they both offer majority of ordinary buses only except Superlines which just recently catered aircondition buses WHICH is very limited. Kailangan tyempuhan. And with the estimated 11-hour travel time, you wouldn't wanna risk just getting to the terminal and assuming you'll catch the ac'd one so I suggest you call first prior to the trip. But if you're okay with ordinary buses, they cater two-three trips a day. A direct trip costs 450php.
2. Take a bus bounded to Lucena (DLTB, Jac Liner in Buendia and Cubao etc.) which costs 210 php each, drop off SM City Lucena and ride a van byaheng San Andres that costs around 200+ php each as per my research. From Lucena it will take around 5-6 more hours to get to San Andres.
From San Andres bus terminal, hire a padyak (we paid 20 pesos each) to get to the port where you could meet your boatman. (I'll talk about our contact from the island later on.) Boat trip from San Andres port to Alibijaban takes around 12-15 minutes only.
Getting There - Our Way 🚀
Bus-Van-Bus-Padyak-BangkaSo ayun na nga... after thorough research what is the most convenient for us, we decided to leave Manila Friday afternoon and stay in Lucena overnight for sleeeep before we travel to San Andres Saturday morning. We left Manila before 6:00 PM and reached Lucena around 11. It was a little traffic reaching SLEX and in Los Banos, prolly why it took us a while. We stayed in a small hotel near SM Lucena. We asked the guard in SM what time's the first van trip and he said around 11 in the morn. However as per kuya from the hotel, they have vans waiting there as early as 9:00 so I said OHHHKAAAAY NICCCEEE.
We were there before 9 and to our dismay, the first and only trip that day will leave at 1:00 PM. :( the drivers there are very helpful though, they gave us options just so we would need not to wait: 1. we could go to Lucena Grand and ride a bus bounded to San Andres or 2. take a van ready to leave any moment bound to Aurora, drop off Mulanay and take a bus from there. We opted the second one. I was a bit hesitant at first but Tine said, "Halika na, adventure :)" I can't resist. Besides, the drivers in SM gave instructions to the Aurora bound van driver where to drop us off and even assured us it's all been taken care of.
And here comes the butt numbing but beautiful byahe. From Lucena, we passed by Pagbilao, Agdangan, Unisan, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, (Hingang malalim.) Catanuan, Mulanay. Yes, ganon kadaming bayan. We did enjoy the travel so much because of the scenery. We had one stop over and grabbed lunch. After around 3-4 hours I think, the driver dropped us off in Mulanay Crossing as discussed but made sure we catch a bus first before he leaves us (Very nice of him.) To my surprise, it's an ordinary bus. NAG-ASSUME AKO NA MAY BUS FROM LUCENA NA AC GOING TO SAN ANDRES BUT I WAS WOOOONG. Hahahahaha. But let me tell you, I did enjoy this part more.
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| Wind slash heat index effect sa bus. |
We headed to the port which is just walking distance from the market. Our boatman, Kuya Dante, whom we then found out is a kagawad of Brgy. Alibijaban, is waiting for us. He's the husband of our contact, Ate Angel.
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| San Andres Port |
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| Boat ride to the island. Ang kalma ng dagat, not scary at all. This just took 12-15 mins only :) |
We are just getting started 🏽 ✌️
An Outlying Adventure
Finally! Alibijaban! :) We were warmly welcomed by Ate Angel. Since her huts for rent were all taken, (She said she thought we weren't pushing through anymore since I wasn't replying. Sabi ko, tulog lang talaga ako. :p) we settled renting a tent for 200 pesos only. (Original price is 300. Nahihiya daw siya sa amin because we do not have kubo as originally discussed.) She directed us to her sister, Ate Emily who assisted us all through out.
We bummed and just photo whore'd around for the rest of the afternoon. |
| Tents are ready and are already pitched for guests:) |
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| Ate Emily's house. She said we could go in anytime we want and we need not to ask permission from her anymore especially if we need to use the toilet. We took a bath after resting a bit because LAGKIT huhuh. |
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| Ang layo namen sa kabihasnan. So happy! |
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| Wag ako, Rustine iba na lang. |
Island Life🍃
Now let me tell you this. You might think Alibijaban is congested upon arrival, but please keep in mind that this is a community. It's not just an island for your perusal, it's home to a lot of people. Beautiful people. We are deeply awed with how we were welcomed and accommodated by Ate Angel and Ate Emily + their family. Even other locals are constantly checking on us to ask how we are doing, if we are comfortable to its extent, or if we need anything. Everyone's greeting all visitors with a smile. |
| Low tide |
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| Huy saan ka pupuntaaaaa? Wala ka pa salawaaal :) |
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| Ball is liiiiiife. |
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| Afternoon walk. Sumilip kami sa court sabi kasi ni Ate there's a basketball game on going kasali asawa nya support support! lol:) |
When night fell, we prepped dinner and Ate Emily is kind enough to lend us her utensils. We didn't even ask for it, she just brought it outside to our site. Their electricity source is just solar power and Kuya Duloy, Ate Emily's husband, prepared a small light near our tent and a charged battery as its source of power - enough for us to move efficiently while cooking.
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| Yan camping. Maranasan mo naman. He did enjoy though. |
There are small sari-sari stores there where we bought our rice and condiments (and other stuff we missed). The prices are reasonable enough. We were also able to buy ice (HUZZAHHHH!!!) but it's 10 pesos each at 'wag ka na magreklamo, isipin mo effort 'non sa pagtigas, wala ngang kuryente dito diba.
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| After eating, tired from byahe, we settled in for a good night slee....zzzzzzzzzzzzz |
Magandang Umaga!🌴
After breakfast, we started wandering. Kuya Dante (the kagawad) offered taking us with a bangka to get to the sandbar but since I read in one of the reviews that it could be reached by walking, we opted walking. Besides, sayang ang natatago kong emote sa dalampasigan. lels. Ate Emily offered to accompany us but we politely declined saying we could manage. But we were wrong. Hahahaha.
We reached the part of the island with all the bakawan (mangroves). We were in the middle of it when I decided we come back a little because I don't know saan kame susuot. Though we could hear the people in the sandbar from there, I don't wanna risk. We decided to call Ate Angel and asked if it's possible to have one of her children "rescue us" Hahahahahahaahahah. Tawang tawa kame ni Tine. Wooo adventure pa more. :D She happily said yes. While waiting, photo whore mode: ON.
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| Hiiiiiiii!!!!! |
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| Morning faces <3 |
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| Mangga daw yan. Sabe niya. -_- |
When our "rescue" lels :P arrived, they lead the way and we happily followed. We were somehow correct with the path we were taking earlier until they made a turn. Wooo muntik na. Hahaha. Though they said there's also a way getting to the sandbar through the mangroves but we'll take that later because they wanna show us something first where we could take a lot of pictures.
It was a loooong walk. But we didn't mind.
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| The path is being plowed by this cutie <3 |
We finally reached the bridges perf for photo ops.
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| There he goes again. Hello, carabaooo hahaha. |
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| I could feel the sun kissing me already! <3 |
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| More walking afterwards. Me when they said malapit na. ;P |
Aaaaand finally. <3 We were surprised to see campers there so if you are planning to go, you might want to ask your boatman what's the arrangement if you are to stay in this part of the island. I only saw a couple of houses there, and maybe they could cater to you.
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| Ganda.<3 |
Swimming time! I didn't wear any sunblock because 1. We didn't bring any. Lol 2. I wanna get tanned SO BAD. Everything is just so perf here. There are two sandbars and it's still low tide when we arrived but we were all out swimmin' until the waters kiss the bars. Okay, WARNING!!! Photo flood in 3...2....1.....
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| The agony when you're a four eyed creature in the beach.... |
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| Our rescuers!!!! <3 |
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| Ako nga kasi si Little Mermaid -_- |
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| Yes? |
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| Tine is so supportive with my photo endeavors. Lels. |
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| Jessy Mendiola and JM De Guzman. KEME LANG! |
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| Priceless <3 |
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| Happy gerlllllllll. |
You could never be satisfied enough here, if I could stay here and take a lot of naps in the waters I would. Lol. But we headed back because HUNGRY.
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| Idk why some people thinks mangroves are scary... |
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| ... they're eye candies for me. |
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| Hiii fishes!!!!! Bye fishessss! Sabe ni Tine papasok na daw yang mga yan sa "school" LELS. OK. |
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| This is the path we were suppose to take earlier. Masisisi niyo ba kami ba't kami bumalik?! 'San ka susuot 'dyan! Hahaha. |
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| Here comes the sun little darlennnn. |
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| Super thanks to these two girls. They were all bungisngis and fun to be with. :) We gave them a hundred each after, pang meryends ;) |
Upon returning, we rested a bit and bought ihaw-ihaw before we decided to take a dip again this time just within the area. It was around 11:00 am then and the sun is almost at its angriest, but I didn't care. GUSTO KO UMITIM, PLEASE.
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| Si Ate kahapon nasa tabi ng court yan, andito na ngayon lol. She is also selling inihaw na manok which we decided to take for lunch. Oh, and halo-halo too!!! :) |
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| Heaven. |
After we had lunch, we washed and packed our stuff wanting to catch the next bus trip going to Lucena. We settled everything we need to pay for with Ate Angel (bangka and tent) as well as Ate Emily. To my surprise, Ate Emily only asked for the payment of the water we used. (Total of 110 pesos only) She didn't even mention the utensils she lend us, the lights, us using their restroom, me charging my phone at their house. For a moment, I was speechless. I handed her 500 pesos as a thank you and she was really surprised. We told her that isn't even enough for how she took care of us and our needs during our stay. She was all smiles. She even had us take home Budjong, Garang and Bulalo (sea shells) her husband personally got from the ocean.
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| Kuya Duloy and Ate Emily. I cannot thank them enough. If you happen to be going here and you see them, tell them I said hello and that we are coming back. :) Show them this pic, please. |
We arrived in San Andres Port at 2 in the afternoon because we thought there will be a bus ready to leave at 3 bounded to Lucena. Luckily, the lady taking care of the bus lines there informed us that yes there is however there is also an air-conditioned bus leaving at 4:30 bounded directly to Manila. (Hurrah! Natyempuhan.) We decided to go for that one instead of having two rides. Saka matutulog lang naman kami sa byahe. :D After 4 stop overs, around 11 hours, were back in Manila.
We were lucky to be engaged in their community. Life is very simple. Naiisip ko, makapag-complain ako sa init dito sa Manila, samantalang doon wala silang kuryente, 'tas chill lang sila. Water is easier these days for them due to the recent water project of their local government which is good. The children are still excited to jump in the waters though come to think of it, they do so every single day of their lives. Para akong nasa pelikula. Can't mention it enough but the locals are very accommodating and friendly. Please return that favor and not be a bitch here, will y'all please? Ate Emily even apologized to us a couple of times everytime she thinks we aren't comfortable enough but we always assure her we're okay. It was definitely one for the books.
Alibijaban is beautiful. Unspoiled. We went here just for the beach but we had more. My heart is so full.
We were lucky to be engaged in their community. Life is very simple. Naiisip ko, makapag-complain ako sa init dito sa Manila, samantalang doon wala silang kuryente, 'tas chill lang sila. Water is easier these days for them due to the recent water project of their local government which is good. The children are still excited to jump in the waters though come to think of it, they do so every single day of their lives. Para akong nasa pelikula. Can't mention it enough but the locals are very accommodating and friendly. Please return that favor and not be a bitch here, will y'all please? Ate Emily even apologized to us a couple of times everytime she thinks we aren't comfortable enough but we always assure her we're okay. It was definitely one for the books.
Okay, ang haba na nito and I think I've said enough but to summarize everything, (dami ko sinabe sasummarize ko din pala.) here we go:
- The trip is looooong and tiring and butt numbing but is WORTH IT. Bumyahe ka naman malayo 'ba. Ano 'dyan ka na lang?!
- Bring your own tent because again, there are no fancy resorts here. If you are opting for a kubo (there are some) you may check other reviews online for a contact number or you could contact Ate Angel and Ate Emily (Will post their numbers below). It's 500 pesos/night for the kubo, tent is for 300 pesos/night.
- Phone signal here is strong especially SMART :)
- Summary of transpo expenses:
- Bus to Lucena (From Pasay) - 210 each
- Van from SM Lucena to Mulanay Crossing - 200 each
- Bus from Mulanay to San Andres (Ordinary) - 60 pesos each
- Van from SM Lucena to San Andres (as per my research) - 200+ each
- Bus (Direct trip from Manila to San Andres and vice versa) - 450 each
- Bangka - This varies. For groups, I heard there are bigger bangka for 1,500. We initially had a contact there who gave it to us for 1,200 when he learned we are just two, thank goodness I was able to find Ate Angel's contact number and when she knew we are just two pax, she gave it to us for 500 pesos only. Our bangka is enough for 2-3 passengers.
- Food - Ako pa ba magbabudget?!! Kayo na bahala. There are stores in the island but minimal. I suggest you buy everything you need in San Andres Market. (Like drinking water) You may cook in Ate Angel's kitchen for guests or in our case, we had Ate Emily to lend us everything we need utensils wise.
- They may or may not ask you for payment of their assistance but please, be kind enough to give them some as a return.
- Water is 10 pesos/balde
- Last but defo not the least: Bawal maarte sa banyo at tulugan dito.
That's it for the Alibijaban trip! :) We are already planning where to go to next and I KENAT WAIT TO SHARE IT, TOO! :) Thanks for wasting your time reading! :p Hope it helps if you're planning to go here. Should you have questions, feel free to comment or message me on Facebook.
More pictures on my - Facebook.
Contact Numbers in Alibijaban:
Ate Angel - 0907-2317719
Ate Emily - 0912-4405596
x M
Gondooooooo! ♥♥♥
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