by Kathleen Tugano

The last week of May is the time of the year when the summer’s scorching heat is about to bid us farewell. Five hours away from the busy Metro is Pangasinan, the country’s fishing capital. Famously known for its pristine beaches, Kath and Kat, finalists of Season 1 of the Travel Intern, had an assignment in the said location and experienced for themselves the beauty of the place.

Just before light emanated the skies, she arrived in Pangasinan. And while summer mornings usually consisted of sun rays, that morning was an unusual one. Instead, clouds dominated the sky, making it a gloomy morning. Despite how unfortunate this may have been for some, Kath found it delightful. The surroundings lacked their typical vibrant, yet scenic sights were not her primary focus – it is the story the place has to offer her and what it would make her feel.

Cabongaoan Beach was their first destination on the itinerary. A death pool was also nearby which, according locals, was just a few meters away when in fact, it was more than a kilometer. Perhaps this was because locals walk there daily. It was 6 o’clock in the morning when they arrived in the death pool. Despite the drops of water coming from above, Kath and her company were the only people in the area, enabling them to explore the space undisturbed for the next half an hour.

As bare as it looks, the death pool is naturally formed by rocks submerged in the ocean. The pool has two holes, a small and a big one. While the big hole is for simultaneous use by several people, the smaller hole fits only one and can be used as a passage underneath, leading to the bigger hole. The passage is for the brave and daring. After spending a whole morning in the pools with the waves, the group headed to their next destination.

Little by little, the sun started to rise as time passed. The sudden paleness of the road switched into a warm scene saturating the earlier gloominess. The sky was slowly touched by a hue of yellow, and the fields were starting to become greener, making Kath notice how the paths were also beautifully nestled with blooming bamboo trees. It took them an hour on the road before they reached their second destination.

The sound of the crashing waves started again, singing to her just few minutes before arriving at Agno Umbrella Rock Formation and Beach. The scorching heat was finally starting to bake their skin. With eyes slightly peeking as the sun stands unobstructed by the clouds, they rushed as they saw the umbrella-shaped stalactite rock formations. For a few minutes, it literally became an umbrella for Kath, shading her from the extreme brightness. She spent the entire afternoon sitting in front of the ocean with her assignment buddy Kat while listening to indie music in awe. It was indeed one of the most peaceful afternoons in her whole life, with nothing but a company of people who share the same appreciation for nature as she in a peaceful place away from the Metro.

It had been a long day, and Kath and her group went back to their home-stay in Tambobong Beach. Nights in provinces where light pollution is minimal are not to be spent just sleeping. For Kath, this part of the day is a perfect time to capture the stars – even the milky way if time permits, but unluckily, it was a week early, and the moon was going to be visible until that time, which means the stars are only few. As darkness was already dominating the skies, an hour of power interruption made the night even darker. The darkest nights produce the brightest stars, as Osho quoted, and it was translated to reality. Not being able to see things can be terrifying, but in certain circumstances, looking at the literal bright side really changes one’s mindset.

With energy gathered after a good night’s sleep, another day started to kick-off, and the entire group was set to go island hopping in the nearby islets of Tambobong Beach. Waves started gushing again as clouds thickened. The two islands and a cove they went to were the Culebra Island, Crocodile Island, and Cabacungan Cove, which were all surrounded by rock formations and sands covered with thick, soft, and tannish sands. Part of Culebra Island is filled with quartzite pebbles, some of which were vertically balanced and combined to accrete art rocks. The group just passed by Crocodile Island, and its rock formation resembled the head of its namesake.

Cabacungan Cove is a currently privately leased for a year. According to locals, the rent was 50,000 good for the whole year. It has an access to the cliff overlooking a huge part of the Western Pangasinan shore. Being there on a peak day, colorful boats with their boatmen were scattered on the shore while they patiently waited for their guests to leave the island. After spending the whole morning in the islands, it was finally time to leave.

It was not an ideal trip because of a few unforeseen circumstances, but for Kath, it truly was a unique and unforgettable one. Friendships were built, new stories were heard, passions were ignited, and perspectives were changed. Perfection is mostly demanded despite the world’s limited capacities,and as cliche as this might sound, unusual moments are mind-broadening and eye-opening. May these words inspire people to look beyond the ordinary.