BEACHES AND CHURCHES: REAL AND POLILLO ISLAND, QUEZON

Heard many times about Polillo island as it is usually made as the reference point when typhoons would enter the Philippine area of responsibility. One day with some workers at the office we ventured to this eastern island of the province of Quezon which belongs to the Prelature of Infanta. We left Intramuros at 4:30 in the morning arriving in Real, Quezon by 7:30am. We passed by first the parish church of Real, the San Raphael Parish which was situated on a hill overlooking the town. We then went to Ungos Port which was two kilometers away from the town proper where the boats for Polillo would depart. Fare was 240 pesos and ten pesos terminal fee. We were able to take the 9am boat. Boats from Ungos port depart for Polillo at 5:15, 6:15, 9 and 10:30 am. From Polillo back to Ungos Port the boats depart at 5, 6, 12 and 1pm on Sundays. On other days is at 5, 6, 10 and 11am.

Upon arrival at the town of Polillo we right away visited the parish church. Then we went for beach hopping. The first stop was at the Isla Polillo Beach Resort. However, since it was low tide, the beach was not good for swimming as it was a bit muddy. But they had a swimming pool.

We then went to Bucao, the main barangay where the floating cottages were. But it was closed as the caretaker said the waves were strong this time. The floating cottage could be rented for 2,500 a day and an additional thousand if one stays overnight.

So we proceeded to Bato beach, which was at Sitio Agta in barangay Kalubakis which was a further 8 kilometers away. This is perhaps the best beach in Polillo as the sand was golden brown. It had a distinctive feature as there were concrete structures for a foundation of a port which was abandoned. The story was that there was a mining company in the 60’s that wanted to mine carbon in the area. They constructed a concrete pier in the part called Bato in order to ship out the carbon. However, after some examination it was found out that the carbon was not yet ripe for mining. Hence the project was stopped and only the foundations for the pier remained. Because of the beauty of the place, the barangay decided to preserve and develop the beach as a tourist attraction for the town of Polillo.

They only had cottages for picnic and tents for rent for those who would stay overnight by the beach. But the one at the desk said that at the barangay proper which was a few minutes walk away there was a new mini hotel owned by the former barangay captain. 1500 was charged for the aircon room with a double bed and an extra bed. So, we checked in at their new mini hotel in the barangay and enjoyed our swimming at the Bato beach.