Travel date in Magalawa May 26-27, 2012 (Saturday-Sunday)
I would like to thanks our sis here in gt Magalawa thread for all the inputs, special mention to sis Rocky, and also to those blog I read.
Magalawa Island c/o Mang Mulo
We got the package of Mang Mulo 1,500.00 per person including kubo, entrance, boat ride (Magalawa Island to Mainland vis a vis), and 4 meals (morning, lunch, dinner and lunch). I decided to get the package since I only have my boyfriend to travel with me to the Island. We took the victory liner bus in Caloocan Sta. Cruz trip around 11:55 pm. I read a tip that in buying a ticket you must tell the teller that you will get off at Brgy. Pangolingan, Palauig we are charged for only 369.00 each. We arrived at Brgy. Pangolingan cor Radio Veritas Road past 4am. As per sis Rocky there are already tricycles waiting for tourist at this hour. The driver will asked you if it’s Armada or Ruiz, I told them Ruiz and we were brought to Veritas Beach, we were charged 150.00 I thought it was only 100.00 but I just shrugged it off. The boat of Mang Mulo is already at shore when we arrived at the beach, approximately before 5am we were there at the Island. I cannot remember who welcomed us since I was really sleepy, I just tell them my name and they informed me of my kubo, then went to sleep again. The kubo is very simple so don’t expect too much they will provide you pillows, bed sheet and electric fan. I think the good thing if you will get a kubo is you can charge your electronic gadgets at night when they turn on the electricity.
I woke up around 8:00 am, change clothes then swim. The place was really nice if you are a person who do not frequently go to a beach you will call this a paradise. The water is clean but there are a lot of sea plants/ sea grass? I really don’t know what is it called but the water is really clear it is not that cold or hot. The sun is not too much but of course you must invest in a good sun block. I really enjoyed going back to the water but I don’t keep close to those sea plants/grass.
Honestly I did not asked if breakfast is included in the package so I just brought a loaf of bread to the Island, when we are already hungry; we went to what I think as their kitchen to buy hot water. In a blog I read before they say it will cost you 150.00 per thermos so I just asked directly if I can buy a thermos of hot water, but the girl gave it to us for free! Yehey! she just made a comment like this “kay Mulo naman ata kayo e” We bought our coffee and bring our two cups of free hot water in our kubo. Then another girl named ate Bing came to our kubo she said she was waiting for us because they will serve our breakfast. Haha I was really happy but happier because we were served a very big daing na bangus, 3 pcs of hotdog, a lot of luncheon meat and a big bowl of rice. I already felt I cannot eat all of it. The food taste is ok, just like how those from the province cook their food. Personally I will rate the food as ok but give additional points for the very nice treatment they gave to their guest I was really glad I choose Mang Mulo over Armada. If we are very full in our breakfast, around 12 noon lunch was served composed of big bowl of rice, sweet and sour fish, 3 crabs, chopsuey, coke and a very delicious dessert I forgot the name but it has corn with macapuno and sweet in taste. Food will be served directly to your kubo this is not only for us but for all those who availed of their food. There is a big group where their food was brought directly to them. For our dinner it was inihaw na tilapia, inihaw na liempo, salted egg, big bowl of rice, coke and leche flan yum yum yum. We really cannot finish our food; we are bloated from the previous food we ate. We did not eat our chips that’s how full we are, Mang Mulo provided us 6liters mineral water it may be included in the package. Next morning (Sunday) we had two sunny side up, 3 pcs hotdog, tocino, coffee, and big bowl of rice. This was our last meal from the package I am happy from the service I get from Mang Mulo. I read a lot of not so good experiences with those who get the package from Armada. The locals are very helpful and they will give anything you need like letting you borrow their utensils for free and ask if you need anything.
In the evening, the water was so low most groups made their bonfire. You will not be restricted on your bonfire they would even help you get some wood or branches of tree. Me and my boyfriend watch the stars, he is actually so lucky he saw 2 shooting stars! The night is cold and quiet perfect for a romantic night.
It is so sad we are unable to do snorkeling, but we were able to go to white house. We just go there for a quick swim and a quick photo shoot. I heard from one of the tourist that if you go there in the morning you will see a sandbar, but we were there late in the afternoon. Boat ride is 100.00 as per Mang Mulo contradicting the bangkero who said 200.00 but I pay to Mang Mulo so it is only 100.00. Mostly they will tell you to just pay to the management who happens to be Mang Mulo.
Going home we decided to go to Masinloc, since it is near the market to buy mangoes, but we were charged 300.00 for the gas. Yes, I was convinced Masinloc is really far from Magalawa Island. If you want to go home just inform Mang Mulo and you just need to wait for the boat to give you a ride. If you will asked me if I will come back to the Island? Yes I will and I will bring my family too.
Negative note: Local dogs are everywhere some tourist give left over food to the dogs but at night, there is someone in charge of shooing the dogs away from the tourist. The man will actually hit the dog, it is so sad this is animal cruelty. I asked the barangay official whom I called peacekeeping officer why they do that to the dogs, he said dogs steal food from the tourist and if the tourist will give food to them, the dogs will leave trash in the Island.
