Philippine Travel Notes

After a fun (sleepless night) with 'long-lost-friends' at Binogawan Beach Resort , I had to split from the pack to continue with my joyride. This time I proceeded to the northern-most towns of Eastern Samar (plus more)! First of course was San Policarpo - mother town of Binogawan.., just a mere 5 kms away! San Policarpo is a small town with just 17 barangays, not even half that of Oras which has 42. Even in total land area and population, San Policarpo is less than half of Oras. But, since it's a town of Eastern Samar, I had to go and see it. Ah, now I think I know the answer to a previous observation I had. There is more of them, that is why more Orasnons are seen visiting Binogawan Beach than Sampolihanons! What is "Sampolihanon"? People of/from San Policarpo. Don't panic just yet, I can explain this! Locals usually call their town with a shortened name of "Sampoli" instead of "San Policarpo". Take note of the "m", not an ...

This is a little island off the town center of San Policarpo, Eastern Samar. On a map you will see that Apiton Island is possibly just a kilometer away from the shore of the town's poblacion area. But the usual approach is via a 30 minute boat ride from Binogawan Beach area. That would be some 5kms of leisurely sea ride (on a clear day). It's now a good island hopping destination. The waters in and around Apiton Island (this is a pacific coast) is still a fertile marine area.., It is still common to see subsistence fishermen using the hook-line-sinker method to catch fish during the day and all through the night. Their little boats with sails (layag) are a wonderful "sight of the sea"! This was the view as we arrived at the island.., "nothing much".., and we loved it! This is a privately owned island, still "au naturelle" with only a family as caretaker residents. I would've hoped for it to remain as is forever (and ever).., but we were tol...

After about two years, I was back at Binogawan Beach ! Yeah yeah, the same Binogawan Beach Resort that I visited long ago. This time though, I stayed overnight, so I got to experience how it is in the dark! As before, the views are still breathtakingly panoramic. Look left.., Look front.., Look right.., This time, I walked, ran and had crazy fun on the beach. The shore is all of very fine sand, so it is never difficult to walk/run on as it's not very soft for your feet to sink to the ground like at many beaches. It's even ideal for team games or group activities. Plus, the sand does not get very hot under the sun too! The water is clean and wonderfully clear blue. This is the pacific ocean in the first place. But take note of that little boat on the second photo above. I didn't know that it was there waiting for us! (next story) The wow factor at this beach that I wanted to tell you (now) my dear readers was this.., the "nightlife"! Yes that was the...

It was "goodbye Oras" for me, I was going back to Borongan for more meetings. But a friend told me, even if out of the way, I could still go to Binogawan Beach just for me to look and see how it is today. So I breezed through northwards - it is just about 9 kilometers from Oras (I think)! I was awed at the length of their "pader" (concrete fence). This is probably just half of its entirety! And I purposely took the shot from this angle so I would remember those numbers - in case I need to reserve a room or ask about anything in the (very near) future. Yep, an interesting hideaway, I suspect! This is what you see as you enter the resort's gate. Hmm.., interesting.., I suspect hahaha! C'mon, this town is already in the middle of nowhere, or should I say almost at the end of everywhere? Herearounds, everything is the simple rural life. Thus I got surprisingly excited seeing a resort like this! Standing at the resort.., looking left.., this was the view!...