Magalawa Island

I really do not know why but every time I hear the words "the island or the beach", my heart rattles and I feel like wanting to go there right away. I'm very fascinated with the beaches and the islands ever since I was a kid. Yet even then, I was always scolded by my folks because I used to walk alone along the seashores during family vacations in the province. It really felt different! I so loved the whiffing of the fresh air, the environment and everything that I see on the beach.

Like a tradition, I would always find a free time specially during summer to do something extra ordinary and interesting. So again, around the fourth quarter of May 2012, with my brother (my hopping buddy) and some family members (Martina & Jane), we went to see for ourselves how these small fishing community and not a-so-well-known beach resorts were like in Magalawa Island - Palauig, Zambales.

OUR TRIP

We decided to have a connecting trip. So, From Cubao Terminal, we took the Olongapo bound Victory Liner Air-conditioned Bus. Fare was P235.00. Reaching there, we took another bus but was non-air-conditioned heading Sta. Cruz/Iba. Fare was lesser at P55.00. We told the conductor to drop us off at Radio-Veritas Road, in Pangolingan, Palauig. Reaching Pangolingan, we stayed at the shed and waited for the tricycle that would take us to the Jump Off Point which was the Oslet Compound in Brgy. Luan. Fare was P50.00/Head.

"Our trip from Cubao to Olongapo was fine compared to our trip from Olongapo to Pangolingan. Travel was quite hard for it took us 8 hours reaching there and it was raining hard. Good thing, it stopped when we reached Pangolingan."

Roads to the Jump Off Point were not good, honestly. It was too dusty, bumpy and rocky.

REACHING THE RESORTS

There were two resorts. The Armada and The Ruiz. My group decided to book a cottage at Ruiz for we were more attracted by the virgin look of Ruiz and aside from that it was more affordable and there were less people around. It was around 3PM when we checked-in and the first thing we did was to roam around the island. We even roamed Armada even if we didn't book an accommodation there. After that, we had a night swimming and grilled the squids we bought from a seller who passed by the resort. It was almost dawn when we washed ourselves up in a PUMP (Poso in Tagalog) and went to sleep.

As early as 4AM, we got up to see the sunrise and BINGO!!! We were able to see it. We were amazed by the look of the beach. It was very beautiful. The resort's caretaker cooked for us for our breakfast. They prepared & served Fried Tilapia, Fresh Tomatoes and Salted Shrimp (Bagoong Alamang). They supplied us our drinking water too. Fees will be made after checking-out!

After breakfast we rented the resort's floating cottage and some equipment we will be using for our snorkeling activity that day. We wandered around the island. We took pictures. We cooked our lunch and dinner ourselves.

ACTIVITIES

SWIMMING

SNORKELING

VOLLEYBALL

AMENITIES

COTTAGES

DRINKING WATER

TOILETS

WATER PUMP

MINI STORE

VIDEOKE

WHY STAY AT RUIZ RESORT?

PEACEFUL & QUIET

CHEAPER RATES

RESORT STAFF ARE RESPONSIVE AND ATTENTIVE

The beach has sea grasses but was okay. Sand was fine but not white. People can also camp out (with extra charges). People can bring their own food and cook them themselves without corkage fees. Guests can borrow cookwares and dishes from the staff (without extra charges).

We had a good stay at Ruiz! The staffs were nice and very attentive to our needs. They clean the resort in the morning in everyday. There's no direct electricity but they do have a generator they turn-on when they have guests .

SAFETY

"SIGNAGE FOR SAFETY CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE. THERE ARE WARNINGS AS TO WHERE YOU CAN ONLY STAY & SWIM."

Boat Transfer : ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is 10-15 minutes only. Equipped with lots of Life Vests. There are two boat men at end to end!

TRANSPORTATION

From Cubao Terminal to Olongapo - Olongapo bound Victory Liner Bus Fare (Air-conditioned) - P235.00.

Olongapo Terminal to Sta. Cruz/Iba - Sta. Cruz/Iba Bound Victory Liner Bus Fare (Non-Air-conditioned) - P55.00.

Radio-Veritas Road in Pangolingan, Palauig Tricycle that would take us to the Jump Off Point which was the Oslet Compound in Brgy. Luan. Fare - P50.00/Head.

Boat Fare to Resort - P50.00/Head

Boat from Resort to Luan Jump Off Point - P50.00/Head

Tricycle Fare to Radio Veritas Road, Pangolingan Palauig - P50.00/Head

Palauig to Olongapo - Olongapo Bound Victory Liner Bus Fare (Air-conditioned) - P235.00

Olongapo to Cubao - Cubao Bound Victory Liner Bus Fare (Air-conditioned) - P235.00

RESORT EXPENSES

ROOM - P1,200.00

FLOATING COTTAGE - P150.00/HOUR

SNORKELING SET P100.00/HOUR

COOKING CHARGES (BREAKFAST, DRINKING WATER AND PREPARATION) P200.00

COOKING WARES AND DISHES - FREE

TOILETS - FREE