Typhoon Emong has etched its name on the history of Bolinao. The typhoon made a terrible land fall in Bolinao, Pangasinan on Thursday May 7, 2009 at about 7pm.

In less than an hour, the whole place is already in chaos. Houses were destroyed, roads were blocked due to fallen trees and sadly the number of persons who died as a result of typhoon “Emong” is devastatingly high and some are still missing. Most of the fatalities are fishpen and fishcage caretakers who stayed on their makeshift huts beside the fish pen oblivious that Emong is the strongest typhoon Bolinao will ever experience.

Most of my friends can’t still believe what happened. According to them they have never experienced a typhoon as strong as Emong. Imagine… at least 80-90 percent of the houses are damaged by the typhoon, most of them are beyond repair.

But with the cooperation of the town people and good hearted citizen of the world, aid is rushing to Bolinao to help them recover.

And, hopefully soon – Bolinao will rise up again and prove that no storm can destroy Bolinao – a paradise place.

I have decided to post here in my blog some of the stories I have gathered about Typhoon Emong in Bolinao. We all know how devastating the typhoon has been to the town of Bolinao as well as in Anda, Alaminos and other part of Luzon.

But behind the horrifying stories, what was left for us to do now is to inspire one another and believe that God is still good.

Here is a touching story published in inquirer on May 13, 2009

Touching

Mayor Nestor Pulido of Anda said that if there was something touching at the height of the typhoon that night, it was the willingness of people to open their homes even to strangers who were in distress.

He said owners of big houses in the villages invited their neighbors, whose houses’ roofs were blown away, to take shelter for the night.

“I was touched to know that many people were opening their homes to the victims,” he said.

Mayor Alfonso Celeste of Bolinao shared Pulido’s experience. He said some big houses in Bolinao had been turned into evacuation centers. “This was because our schools were destroyed; our church lost its roof,” Celeste said. “The best in everyone really comes out in a disaster like this.”

Pulido said seeing people help one another and take care of each other had made the disaster easier to bear. He said his town’s preparation before the typhoon helped ease the people’s sufferings. “At least, di sila masyadong kawawa (They didn’t look too pitiful),” he added.

Celeste said people should have learned a very important lesson from this disaster: “Dapat sundin na nila ang mga warning namin (They should now heed our warning).”

He said many caretakers died because they refused to leave the fish pens and cages they were watching despite the warning.

“We went around the coastal areas with a public address system to warn them that a strong typhoon was coming,” Celeste said. “Despite this, may pumalaot pa rin (some people still went to sea).”

But more than this, the Bolinao people’s experience from Emong may have been a “wake-up call.”

“Maybe, we should go back to God,” Celeste said.

Here is the overwhelming aftermath of the typhoon according to the Mayors posted in Inquirer.

“The destruction was overwhelming. We were like in a war zone,” said Pulido, whose town’s aquaculture industry was almost wiped out. Two persons died and 95 percent of all the houses on the island lost their roofs.

Celeste said an old-time Bolinao resident had told him it was the strongest typhoon ever to hit the town. At least 20 people, mostly caretakers of fish pens and cages, died and four others were reported missing.

Like in Anda, 95 percent of Bolinao’s aquaculture industry was destroyed by the typhoon. Ninety percent of the houses in the town also lost their roofs.

“We were no match to the typhoon. It was simply too strong,” Celeste said.

But he said the municipal government’s preparedness still saved many lives. As early as 5:30 p.m. on May 7, when “Emong” began pummeling the town, rescue teams had been moving people to various evacuation centers.

“We were able to respond immediately and attend to their needs,” he said.

Pulido said had they not been prepared, thousands of people in his town could have gone hungry the following day.

While a team distributed food, other groups cleared the roads of fallen trees and other debris. The clearing operations, however, turned out easier said than done.

Even members of the provincial disaster coordinating council, led by Gov. Amado Espino Jr., under the pelting rain and strong winds that night, were stranded in Bani town.

Scores of concrete electrical posts along the highway were knocked down. Espino had to call for heavy equipment to clear the roads.

It took the Busby SEO Test team and some friends almost 1 hour and thirty minutes to reach Patar from Alaminos, mainly because of the rough-road detour at Bani since the bridge before the town proper is under renovation effective December 10, 2008.

The long stretch of shoreline is a feast to the eye. Along the way, we passed by some of the infamous resorts of Bolinao like Puerto Del Sol, Punta Riviera and Treasures of Bolinao; some caves and the famed Cape Bolinao Lighthouse but our destination is actually at the end of the road, where the white sand beach is just as beautiful and untouched by artificial enhancement, and yet still pocket friendly.

Patar Beach overlooks the vast expanse of the South China Sea. Aside from the “kotong” videoke, (the defective machine eats your P5.00 like cookie monster ), and the large waves, we definitely enjoyed our Christmas party at the beach. The trip was even made memorable by the new relationships formed namely Budong and Emily, Bendix and Rhoda, James01 and Arlene, and Palos and the “trio” – the lovers in Patar; our wacky SEO master. AIE OJTs and TJ the lost Balikbayan!

The trip down to the white sand of Patar, Bolinao was long and bumpy, but definitely, it was all worth it!

Facilities at the public area:

Cottage which can accommodate 20 pax cost Php 200-300

Videoke Rentals – Php 5.00 per song

Modest Comfort Rooms

]]> http://www.bolinaoph.com/seo-christmas-party-at-patar-bolinao/feed/ 1 http://www.bolinaoph.com/puerto-del-sol-bolinao-pangasinan/ http://www.bolinaoph.com/puerto-del-sol-bolinao-pangasinan/#comments Fri, 30 May 2008 03:49:27 +0000 admin http://www.bolinaoph.com/?p=15

Puerto del Sol houses every family vacation fantasies anyone can ever imagine. This sprawling 10,000 square meter resort also has function rooms perfect for small meetings or large conferences. It is located along the golden-white shoreline of the vast South China Sea in the tranquil barrio of Barangay Ilog Malino. First time visitors to Bolinao will find this town very interesting, simply because of its rich culture that is steeped in traditions, its centuries-old churches and historical churches and historical landmarks and a multitude of natural wonders that are all within a few minutes away from the resort. You will truly be transported to an ethereal place, a sanctuary for the tired soul.

Location:

Brgy. Ilog Malino, Bolinao, Pangasinan. Can be found in the road before the town proper and about 15 minutes away from the town proper.

Bolinao is the last town in the Western Pangasinan, so from Alaminos City home of the famous Hundred Islands, going to Bani and finally Bolinao.

Facilities:

Rooms are fully air-conditoned, mini-ref and veranda
Bahay Kubo and Casitas with living room and open dining area
21 Inches colored TV with Satellite Cable
Toilet and Bath with Hot and Cold Shower
Complete Bathroom Amenities
Swimming Pool and Kiddie Pool
Outdoor Jacuzzi
Sports Facilities (Volleyball, Badminton, Billiards, Darts and Board games)
Fully equipped function room, restaurant and bar

Room Rates:

Room rates as of June 2008.

Mansion Villa (USD 140.00 net)

Spacious two-storey buiding done in the Mediterranean style. Each unit has two double beds with individual verandas.

Bahay Kubo (USD 235.00 net)

A two-storey single detached unit inspired by and named after the homey Filipino native dwelling place. The ground level has spacious open-air living and dining area. Bedroom is on the second level with queen size bed and balcony facing the surf.

Casitas (USD 315.00 net)

A two bedroom detached units, which can accommodate up to four people with living and dining area. It has an all glass wall with sliding doors, giving you a view of the South China Sea.

Nipa Hut (USD 70.00 net)

Fourteen detached units which can accommodate up to maximum of four to five guests, an open air ambiance accented with curtains for guests to enjoy the luxury of relaxing serene surroundings of the resort.

Family Room

A dormitory style accommodation that has a seven single bunk bed in each room perfect for the family, students or company outings traveling together.

Extra Person (USD 25.00 net)

Contact Details

Manila Sales Office
G/F Renaissance Tower, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Telephone# +632 637 8963. +632 635-2547
Email: info@puertodelsol.com.ph
Website: www.puertodelsol.com.ph

While inside the church, I remembered that it was my first time, and whether it’s just a pamahiin or not, I remembered to utter my wish (in the Philippines, it’s a belief that you could make a wish at your first visit at a particular church). So i made mine and up to know I believe it was granted… (my hunny… )

Church Of St. James Fortress

Bolinao Church was built by the Augustinians in 1609. It houses wooden statues nowadays a rarity. The antique altar is flanked by two grinning tongue-protruding Aztec visages presumably of Mexican influence and brought over by the Galleon Trade. Bolinao is 81.8 kilometers away from Lingayen and 275 kilometers away from Manila.

Little known Facts:

Do you know why most Catholic Churches have these extra pathways in front before entering the church front door?

It’s not because purely for parking purposes only (hehehe). It’s because according to a priest, the purpose is to give church goers extra time to reflect and prepare their selves, emotionally, spiritually and physically before meeting our Creator

]]> http://www.bolinaoph.com/church-of-st-james-fortress-bolinao-pangasinan/feed/ 2 http://www.bolinaoph.com/rock-garden-resort/ http://www.bolinaoph.com/rock-garden-resort/#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:57:54 +0000 admin http://www.bolinaoph.com/?p=8 I’ve been to this paradise place twice, first was during our Team Building when I was still working in AIE Alaminos, second is when we were invited in the Victory Party of the E-Commerce students by the invitation of Sir Bryant.

at the Beach, Rock Garden Resort

My first visit at the place is a mishmash of reaction, Rock Garden is nestled in the lush greenery and white sand beaches of Barangay Arnedo, it’s more than just a sprawling seaside resort with a garden setting, but I wasn’t sure if it just because it is low tide, but the beach is quite rocky, true to its name Rock Garden, so instead we just enjoyed ourselves in the pool and roaming around its garden which also has a mini zoo, with several species of birds including talking maya, some owls, and those ostriches.

The second time around is more enjoyable, we were able to swim in the beach, ride a balsa (like a floating bed made of bamboo) while it is raining. Ma’am Flory and I really had a good fun that day. I was just a tiny bit guilty because my Hunny is not feeling well that day, but he still fulfilled that planned activity of ours.

Rock Garden Resort at Brgy. Arnedo is just about 15 minutes drive from the Town Proper of Bolinao. From Alaminos it’s about a 1 hour drive and along the way you would enjoy green sceneries, antique houses and zig-zag climb thru the mountains.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO VISIT THE PLACE

I AM PROVIDING THEIR CONTACT NUMBERS BELOW.

JUST CONTACT THEM FOR INQUIRIES. thanks

Facilities:

• Cable T.V.
• Hot & Cold Shower
• 24-hr Security Service
• Swimming pool
• Individual Room Air-conditioning
• Conference Hall and facilities
• KTV and DVD rooms
• Billiards
• Darts
• Table Tennis
• Basketball
• Mini bird sanctuary

Room Rates:
• Standard – Php 1,500
• Family – Php 1,750
• Cottage – Php 500
• Extra Bed – Php 150
* Rates are inclusive of 10% VAT and 10% service charge

Their contact numbers are:

Tel. No.: (+6375) 554-2876

Cellphone No.: (+63912) 313-9553 and ( +63920) 413-9272

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

The people generally speak Ilocano and Panggalatok but they also have their own unique language called Bolinao, brought in by Sambal settlers during colonial rule. Most people generally understand and speak English.

On November 18, 2007, Bolinao challenged the historical fact that the first Mass was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, at Limasawa in Southern Leyte. Memorial markers (donated by Italian priest Luigi Malamocco, 62, from Odorico’s hometown of Friuli, Italy) were set in the town’s church and on Santiago Island, claiming that in 1324, Franciscan missionaries led by an Italian priest named Odorico celebrated a thanksgiving Mass thereat and also baptized natives.

Sea urchins or “uni“, (among the most expensive dishes in Japanese restaurants) are regularly harvested in Isla Silaki, Bolinao, Pangasinan. A sack costs only P 80 ($ 1 = P 40).

History

Bolinao was founded by Capt. Pedro Lombi in 1575, an island known as “Binabalian” meaning “old town” with few hundred settlers. However, it was transferred later to Bolinao mainland due to piratical molestation.

In 1585, Father Esteban Marinas, the first Augustinian priest, started the evangelization of the town. In 1607, a Roman Catholic Church was built. This Hispanic church building still remains intact and is presently considered as one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It is also one of the landmark and tourist attractions of Bolinao.

Bolinao and other western Pangasinan towns were once part of Zambales. It was the year 1903 when Bolinao and other western towns were transferred to Pangasinan due to its proximity to the capital town of Lingayen.

From the Official Pangasinan website:

Originally, Bolinao was a settlement composed of a little over a hundred families under Captain Pedro Lombi, established in 1575 at a point called Binabalian, on the northern coast of Santiago Island. The rampant attacks and raids of Moro pirates urged Capitan Lombi to transfer the town-site to the mainland and accordingly, with the aid of Fr. Geronimo de Casro, he finally founded the town in 1596 near Libsong where a clear spring of about two meters in diameter kept lumping.

By this spring grew a “boli-bolinao” tree of the molave family with luxuriant foliage from which was derived the present name of the town. Under this tree the affairs of the town were administered while stone walls were piled nearby as corner-stone of the Roman Catholic Church which was finally completed in 1609, thirteen years after the transfer of the town site.

Location

Bolinao is situated at the northwestern tip of Pangasinan and the Lingayen Gulf. It is bounded on the north and west by China Sea, on the south by the rolling hills and plateaus of Bani, and on the east by Kakiputan Channel; this body of water separates Bolinao from the only island town of Pangasinan — Anda — which is formerly part of Bolinao.

It is approximately 274 kilometers north of Manila via Camiling town of Tarlac, 79 kilometers away from the capital town of Lingayen, 98.5 kms. away from Dagupan City, 115 kms. away from San Carlos City and 125 kms. away from Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

Regular trips to the municipality are available with Dagupan Bus Co., Five Star, Victory Liner, Philippine Rabbit, and scores of mini-buses going from Bolinao to Dagupan and vice-versa. Jeepneys also ply the Alaminos-Bolinao routes while motorized bancas make trips between the island barangays. A one hour boat ride is also available from San Fernando, La Union to Bolinao.

Sport Fishing

Bolinao is also known as the fish basket of Pangasinan because of the 14 mile barrier reef located within its area at the mouth of the Lingayen Gulf. As such a variety of fishes are caught in the waters off Bolinao. Due to the diversity of marine life, Bolinao was chosen by the University of the Philippines to be the location for the UP Marine Station Institute.

These include monster 50++ kilo giant trevally (talakitok), blue marlin, sailfish (susay), barracuda, king mackerel (tanguigue), needlefish (batalay), yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, dorado (mahi-mahi), grey snapper and bluefish.

Due to its natural haven of these popular game fishes, two sport fishing association, the Philippine Game Fishing Foundation and the Philippine Sport Fishing Club based in Manila regularly hold its yearly heavy tackle tournament at Bolinao.

List of the 30 Barangays in Bolinao