ABW Sept 2018-1

FAR EAST 28s MANILA BAY SERIES 

CRUISING ADVENTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES 

BRINGING SAILING TO THE FILIPINOS 

CRUISING IN A MOTORIZED BANCA 

PIED PIPER OF FISH 

ZAMBALES LIFESAVING 

2018 SEA-EX NOW IN OCTOBER 

THE 5TH PHILMARINE 2018 

PRINCESS 30M 

page 28 

Destination 

MARINDUQUE 

SEPT 2018 Vol. VII Issue 3 

ACTIVE BOATING & WATERSPORTS 

1 

PhP150

SUNBRELLA 

Editorial & 

Photography 

Courtesy of 

SUNBRELLA 

Being on the water is about enjoying your boat 

above and below deck. Sunbrella® marine 

fabrics have been the trusted choice of boaters around 

the world for over 50 years, providing legendary fade 

proof, bleach cleanable and ease of cleaning properties. 

From upholstery solutions with 

a soft, inviting hand to bold 

canvas coverings, Sunbrella offers 

excellent protection from the 

elements and a distinct design 

aesthetic. 

Sunbrella marine fabrics offer the 

ultimate defense in harsh marine 

environments while maintaining 

their durability, integrity 

and beauty. The legendary 

performance of Sunbrella fabric 

is engineered into the core of 

every fiber, creating powerful 

protection against fading, mold, 

mildew, and constant exposure 

to sun, salt and chlorine. If stains 

occur, Sunbrella fabrics can be 

cleaned with bleach without 

losing color or performance. 

With the best 

warranties on the 

market, Sunbrella 

marine fabrics are 

designed to last 

season after season. 

jacquards, Sunbrella has thousands of quality upholstery 

fabrics to choose from to create a look all your own. On 

deck, water-resistant yet breathable canvas keeps heat 

from getting trapped while providing sun protection, and 

is ideal for dodgers, biminis, sail covers and boat covers. 

Discover craftsmanship, authenticity 

and heritage in Sunbrella’s newest 

collection, Makers. Centered 

around the principles shared 

between traditional handweaving 

and modern manufacturing, the 

new Sunbrella Makers Collection 

embraces color, texture and artistic 

heritage. Careful study of artisanal 

techniques from around the world, 

applied to Sunbrella’s patented 

performance fabric technology, has 

created an inspirational collection 

of durable upholstery fabrics with a 

beautifully unique, handmade feel. 

44 new jacquards, stripes, textures 

and solids bring an authentic 

story to life with designs inspired 

by Japanese Shibori dyeing and 

Mayan backstrap weaving. 

Sunbrella marine fabrics create a comfortable, relaxing 

boating experience for all on board. Sunbrella’s luxuriously 

soft upholstery fabrics make any space feel inviting 

when applied as cushions, sunpads, decorative pillows 

and berth covers. From basic canvas textiles to designer 

With the best warranties on the market, Sunbrella 

marine fabrics are designed to last season after season. 

Sunbrella shade fabrics carry a 10-year limited warranty, 

and specialty shade and upholstery fabrics carry a 5-year 

limited warranty.

NOW AVAILABLE AT 

DESIGN + PERFORMANCE TM 

P H I L I P P I N E S 

YACHT PARTS, SALES and SERVICE 

SUBIC BAY 0939 922 3238 

MANILA 0918 963 8148 

CEBU 0939 902 0494 

BORACAY 0918 963 8155 

DAVAO 0918 963 8151 

PUERTO PRINCESA 0912 309 6305 

Sunbrella® is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc. 

3

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 

It is with the greatest of pleasure that we celebrate our eighth 

anniversary with the September edition. We have come a long way 

since the first edition hit the streets in September 2010. The growth 

rate over these past eight years has been both phenomenal and very 

rewarding, with lots of milestones achieved, like being supported by 

the Department of Tourism since 2011, being awarded the Golden 

Globes in September 2017 to what it is today. And it is all thanks to 

you our loyal Supporters, Advertisers and Readers, without you it 

would have never been possible. 

Over the last eight years we have seen so much growth and many 

changes, and proudly, we were a major contributor for much of this 

growth in the industry. A rewarding feeling when your efforts help so 

many people. 

In this issue we have revisited Marinduque, this magical Island has 

so much to offer, and I was lucky enough to spend the week with 

Tourism Officer Dindo Asuncion and his staff, in helping produce the 

destination feature. 

In our next edition we will be visiting Panganiban in Camarines Norte, 

I have been reading up on this little gem of a destination and look 

forward to bring you the complete story in our December Edition. 

Once again thank you for all your support and a great eight years, 

now we look ahead to even bigger and better editions. 

WHAT’S INSIDE? 

Far East 28s Manila Bay Series 6 

Cruising Adventure in the Philippines 12 

International Collaboration Brings 20 

Sailing to the Filipinos 

Palawan Sailing 24 

INTO THE BLUE Cruising the Philippines 30 

In A Motorized Banca 

Pied Piper of Fish 36 

Zambales Lifesaving - Meeting the 42 

Challenges of Aquatic Safety 

Destination - MARINDUQUE 50 

2018 SEA-EX Now In October 74 

Sailing Tips - Using A Tender 78 

The 5th Philmarine 2018 80 

Barry Dawson Editor 

Destination MARINDUQUE 

PRINCESS 30M 

Cover photo courtesy of Rayomarine 

4 

Published quarterly by: ABW PUBLISHING 

House 16, Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 

Editor & Production: BARRY DAWSON 

Contributing Writers: BRUCE CURRAN & JAMES WEBSTER 

Contributing Photographers: TERRY DUCKHAM & JOHNNY MARTINEZ 

Advertising: 551-4587/ 0928-714-4461 

Email: info@activeboatingwatersports.com 

Website: www.activeboatingwatersports.com 

Printed by: House Printers, Taytay, Rizal, Philippines 

Active Boating and Watersports is a copyright© production 

No part can be copied or reproduced without the express 

permission of the publishers. 

The views expressed and advertisements published in Active Boating & Watersports 

are those of the authors and advertisers, and not ABW Publishing. 

ABW Publishing does not accept any liability whatsoever for errors or omissions.

5

Far East 28’s 

Manila Bay 

Series 

6

The latest innovations in speedy, easy to 

handle, sailing boats, The Far East 28’s were 

introduced to the Philippines within the last year 

by Jerry Rollin and Phil Sail Manila. 

Since being part of the Philippine Sailing scene 

they are really making a name for themselves. 

Competing in regattas all over the country, at Subic 

Bay, Puerto Galera, Punta 

Fuego and Manila Bay. The 

latest is the series racing in 

Manila Bay with eight monthly 

events from June through 

to December 2018. With 

teams from Subic Sailing, Taal 

Lake Yacht Club, PHINSAF, 

PSA Men & Women Teams, 

Centennial II, all competing for 

top honours. 

The series got off to an 

excellent start in the 1st leg 

with excellent conditions 

A couple of the events 

because of typhoon 

conditions we have been 

experiencing over the 

last two months some 

legs had to be postponed 

and rescheduled. 

for sailing across the Manila Bay. Unfortunately 

a couple of the events because of typhoon 

conditions we have been experiencing over the last 

two months some legs had to be postponed and 

rescheduled, this is not a problem for the teams 

when sailing is in your blood like most competing 

sailors in the Philippines. 

The event schedule is now up 

to date with the latest event 

being held this last weekend 

August 25th 2018. The next 

leg in the series will be held 

in Manila Bay on Saturday the 

8th of September, so if you 

have a free Saturday come 

down and watch these speedy 

craft in action. 

During the Philippine Boat 

Show (Sea-Ex) held at the 

SMX Convention Centre Mall 

of Asia on October 5th to 7th 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

7

2018, there will be two events held at the floating 

docks at the SM By The Bay Terminal. This will be 

an exciting event so make sure you make it part 

of your 2018 Sea-Ex 

experience. 

There will be two 

events held at the 

floating docks at 

the SM By The Bay 

Terminal. 

Some of the teams 

competing in the series 

are For the PSA Women’s 

Crew there was Jerene 

Medel, Paula Bombeo, 

Rosario Amadeo, Asejo 

Alaiza, Belmonte Evita, 

Elise Zamora and Maria 

Vinzon, with Jerene Medel skippering the team. For 

Subic sailing there was Balting Asejo, Chris Cheng, 

Joshua Santos, Sean Michael Mitchell, Reimond 

Silvestre and Maria Vioeira, with Sean Mitchell and 

Subic Sailing: Balting Asejo Chris Cheng Joshua 

Santos Sean Michael Mitchell Reimond Silvestre 

and Maria Vidoeira. With Maria Vidoeira and 

Sean Mitchell sharing the skippers duties. Team 

Centennial II was crewed by Eli Paraiso, Norman 

Jaravata, Rex Sanico, Ricky Domingo, Joseph 

Frisco and Jimmy Yamson and skippered by Alan 

Chua. For TLYC some of the regular crew members 

participating in the series are Joe Hagedorn, Glenn 

and Jana Everett, Joiada Pablo, Mikee Vinzon and 

8

DEDICATED ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS 

9

Patrick Bassett, while Peter Capotosto and Alex 

Chen shared the skippering duties. 

The Series has been 

very competitive so 

far with lots more 

excitement to come in 

the next few months. 

The Series has been very 

competitive so far with lots 

more excitement to come 

in the next few months so 

watch out for the event 

schedule and be part of 

this exciting regatta held 

on Manila Bay. 

The results so far and the 

leader board stands at Subic Sailing holding the 

lead with Centennial II in second place PSA Women 

in third spot with Phinsaf holding fourth place. 

Watch out for other event times in the events 

calendar of Active Boating and Watersports. 

10

L E O P A R D 5 0 

L E O P A R D 

L E O P A R 

Welcome the newest addition to the 

award-winning fleet Welcome the newes 

award-winning fleet 

V E R S A T I L E 


11

Cruising A 

in the Philippines 

12

dventure 

After finishing the last boat maintenance 

jobs in Subic Bay we eagerly departed 

for our holiday destination, 

Puerto Galera Yacht Club. We 

make this 95-mile jaunt in 

two legs, stopping at Pattaya 

Cove midway. We dropped the 

hook in the protected bay right 

next to the boatyard, making 

for a nice short 45 miles day. 

We arose at first light and 

made the second passage in 

relatively calm waters. This leg 

takes some weather planning 

as Verde Pass can be quite a 

bumpy ride. We use windy.com 

for weather planning although 

there are several other options. 

Back in what we call “one 

of our homes” we picked 

up the reserved mooring by 

early afternoon. Puerto Galera Yacht Club has a 

great mooring program with the big bonus of the 

“service boat” which takes us to shore or the yacht 

club. I am teaching our 5-year-old proper VHF 

radio protocol, so he loves to call the boat. Priam’s 

tiny voice calling “service boat please, picks up on 

Furthur” gives the drivers a chuckle. 

I don the 900 Christmas lights and we plan a party 

aboard, a Furthur tradition. The cruisers in the 

anchorage come by dinghy and others from the 

shore. The Holiday season has begun! Christmas 

and New Years are spent with our good friends at 

the Yacht Club. This is my eighth Christmas in the 

tropics, memories of cold rainy days, long cold 

nights and the insane hustle bustle of my hometown 

holidays are but a faint memory. Christmas should 

be spent in flip flops, shorts and a festive Hawaiian 

shirt! 

We now pick up our crew for the season, Maggie, a 

spunky gal from Oklahoma who has been studying 

in Australia. This gives her a unique accent, Oky/ 

Ozish. Weather looking good for the downwind leg 

down Verde Pass and around Civitte Point. This can 

As we get ready we talk 

to other divers who just 

saw a Hammer Head 

Shark, one of the view 

things missing from my 

“I have seen” list, so I 

get really excited. 

be a hairy bit of water as it rounds the north tip of 

Mindoro Island. We drop the hook at a protected 

anchorage inside Cumalog 

Point. This cuts the trip to Apo 

Reef, our destination, in half. 

Crack of light departure and 

we head to diving Mecca, 

Apo Reef. We drop the hook 

just inside the massive reef 

at a place where we find 13 

meters of water. Most of the 

inside is deep, 25 to 30 meters 

so finding this mound makes 

anchoring easier. We drop the 

dinghy and Maggie and I do a 

quick dive, with Donna driving 

the tender. As we get ready we 

talk to other divers who just 

saw a Hammer Head Shark, 

one of the view things missing 

from my “I have seen” list, so I 

get really excited. Sadly, the sought-after shark has 

gone but we see a few of its smaller cousins plus 

the usual spectacular array of fish, great dive! 

The next day we make the short hop to El Rio 

Resort. This is our first time visiting this distinctive 

location. We have heard great things but others 

have reported that this is not a very “Cruiser 

Friendly” place, so we want to find out. As we 

approach and call on the radio a boat comes out to 

greet us and guide us to a mooring. We go ashore 

by landing the dinghy on a very well-built dock and 

are escorted to the office. 

El Rio is a 5-star resort, dream-like white sandy 

beaches, pools and a top-level restaurant. They 

charge us 500p for the mooring, and 500p a person 

to come ashore, 1000p if you want to use their 

pools or showers. The per person fee can apply to 

your restaurant bill. The dinner we had was superb 

along with live music. The prices are resort like, not 

local, so the 500p per person is eaten up pronto. 

This got us thinking about all the wonderful resorts 

in Palawan and how they relate to cruisers. I find 

there are three categories: first being “welcome!”, 

Words by 

BRIAN 

CALVERT 

Photographs 

as credited 

13

esorts that value our business and find boats 

moored in view of their guests to be a positive 

experience for them. These places offer moorings 

with the caveat that we drop by for a meal or 

drinks. The second, like the above-mentioned 

resort, welcome us but for a 

mooring and landing fee, a 

reasonable request I guess. 

The third, and there are 

some like this, who not only 

do not welcome us but claim 

ownership of the waterfront 

near their establishments— 

GET OUT! Not wanting to 

argue the legalities of such 

a claim and certainly not 

wanting to go where we are not welcome, we avoid 

such places, leaving a clean wake. 

If you are lucky you 

will find Mike, the 

pioneer of the bay and 

full of history and 

news. 

Now we round the north tip of Busuanga Island 

and head to another of our “homes”, Busuanga 

Bay aka Pearl Bay or Puerto Del Sol (no name on 

the charts). This is the gathering place for all Coron 

area cruisers, as per our designations, a type 1 

resort area, WELCOME. There are solid moorings 

that can be used, do drop by Puerto Del Sol for a 

scrumptious meal or drinks. If you are lucky you will 

find Mike, the pioneer of the bay and full of history 

and news. 

The bay is also home to two other popular resorts; 

Busuanga Bay Lodge is the big newer one, exquisite 

in design and accommodations. Cruisers can join 

the BBL Yacht Club which will provide you a shortterm 

space at the dock, (3 hours) for fueling and 

water. Gasoline for dinghies is also available there. 

Members get a discount at the 5-star restaurant 

and use of the amazing infinity pool. The fee is 

5000pp a month or 20,000pp for the year for those 

14

15

who make this a more permanent home. The fuel 

prices are comparable to those in town. 

Many a cruiser makes the hike up to the tower of 

Al Faro Resort, who boasts, rightly so, the best 

sunset pool view on earth. Happy Hour brings the 

boaters in and the frequent special events are an 

attraction. Jimmy, the pink toenail painted, golden 

long-haired owner, puts on “Fashion Shows” that 

delight the crowds, he is a gold plated character for 

sure. Meals are affordable and excellent. 

Our stay is in the bay is ended when our need 

for provisions crops up so off to Coron Town we 

go. To create some confusion, Coron Town is on 

Busuanga Island, not Coron Island which is mostly 

undeveloped. We drop the hook and dinghy into 

town. There are several good dinghy landings, we 

like Sea Dive as it is handy, and we get to check 

in on the owner, who may fool you as he wonders 

about not looking “owner-esque” he is one of the 

pioneers of the wreck diving in the area. 

A stop at Coron Town is not complete without a 

visit to the famed Hot Springs, so we hop a tricycle 

and make the bumpy ride out of town. The springs 

are salt water and crystal clear. With three pools at 

varying temperatures, everyone gets a comfortable 

soak, I go for the hot one! 

Loaded up we set back to seek the purpose of 

our quest, the wreck diving! History dropped a 

golden egg on this area when in 1944, seven large 

Japanese ships were attacked by 125 US fighterbombers 

and sank in diveable depths. I have been 

diving these treasures for five years and never tire 

of the experience. 

I have been diving 

these treasures 

for five years and 

never tire of the 

experience. 

We add to our usual destinations with a visit to the 

Leper Colony at Cullian Island. We drop the hook 

16

Spend more time on the water with 

EZ DOCK FLOATING DOCKS 

Enjoy the best 

waterfront investment 

you’ll ever make 

EZ Dock was founded by water 

enthusiasts for water enthusiasts. 

We designed our entire brand 

around one philosophy: we want 

EZ Dock to be part of the best 

investment in your waterfront 

property. You can find EZ Docks 

at restaurants, marinas, homes, 

recreational areas and more. 

All our docks are made to 

withstand harsh weather and 

are designed not to paint, chip, 

warp or peel. It means less 

maintenance for you, with more 

time on the water. 

PHILIPPINES 

Features 

Maintenance-Free 

and Barefoot 

Friendly 

Adaptable Design 

Innovative 

Coupling 

Flexible Flotation 

Technology 

EZ Dock has been around 

since 1991, helping industrial, 

commercial, government and 

residential clients get better 

access to the water. We design 

all of our products to be fully 

customizable. Whether you need 

a commercial-grade dock to run 

boat tours, a kayak launch, or a 

swimming dock for your lakefront 

home, we can help you design 

the exact dock for your needs. 

Contact us today to learn more! 

Distributed by Rayomarine Inc. 

The Leading Luxury Motorboat and 

Sailboat Distributor in the Philippines 

27/F World Center Bldg, 330 Sen. G. Puyat 

Avenue, Makati City, Philippines 

info@rayomarine. com 

sales@rayomarine.com 

Phone: +632 867 8603 

www.rayomarine.com 

D E D I C A T E D 

ENGINEERING 

SPECIALISTS 

17

just off the town and go ashore while grabbing 

lunch we run into Pastor Hermi. He becomes 

our exuberant guide. A lifelong local, both his 

grandparents were Lepers. Unlike the horror stories 

of the Hawaiian colony, this one was dedicated to 

the treatment and helped develop the cure. 

As our time in Coron winds down we start making 

plans to go south to El Nido. Our first stop is a new 

one for us, Coral Bay Resort. Again this is a type 1 

resort, welcome cruisers. We grab a mooring and 

go ashore, it is a slow week for them with only a 

few guests who we befriend. Donna and I have a 

tradition of dining in a new place on the eighteenth 

of each month, (married on the 18th) so Coral Bay 

is the pick of the month. 

This ends the first half of our cruising adventure in 

the Philippines. We are blessed with near perfect 

weather, incredible sites, and diving extraordinaire, 

old friends and new. Simply some of the best 

cruising in the world. We now depart for Palawan, El 

Nido and beyond, hope you follow our adventures 

or better yet join us www.furthuradventures.com/ 

charter. 

Donna and I have a 

tradition of dining in a new 

place on the eighteenth of 

each month, (married on 

the 18th) so Coral Bay is 

the pick of the month. 

18

19

International C 

Brings Sailing 

Words by ROY 

ESPIRITU/ 

PHBYC 

Photographs 

as credited 

An International collaboration of organizations 

involved in sailing and boatbuilding has 

brought about the popularity of the Oz Goose sailboat, 

an easy to build sailboat designed 

by Batangas-based Australian 

designer Michael Storer. This 

initiative has helped dispel the 

myth that sailing is only for the 

rich, it has also made sailing 

affordable and user-friendly and 

drawn more Filipinos to take up a 

hobby and sport that is virtually 

a perfect fit for the country’s 

archipelagic geography. 

Companies involved in this 

collaboration include; Hyde Sails 

International a British company 

that manufactures sails for 

various watercraft whose main 

This initiative has 

helped dispel the myth 

that sailing is only for 

the rich, it has also 

made sailing affordable 

and user-friendly. 

factory is in Cebu, Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply 

of the U.S, Broadwater Marine of Australia., local 

boatbuilding materials suppliers such as Zamboply 

Marine plywood, Pioneer Epoxy 

and Polymer Products, Inc. 

This initiative was brought 

about through the efforts of the 

Philippine Home Boatbuilders 

Yacht Club or PHBYC, an internet 

group of boating enthusiasts 

that promote affordable boating 

and sailing through do-ityourself 

wooden boats. 

So far, over 50 Oz Goose 

sailboats have been built in 

the three island groups of the 

Philippines; built from scratch 

using downloadable boat plans, 

20

Collaboration 

g to to Filipinos 

built to order from authorized builders, and most of 

them produced during Family Boatbuilding Weekends 

(FBW) the signature event of PHBYC, wherein families 

or groups assemble a boat from a prefabricated kit. 

In 3 years, the PHBYC has successfully organized three 

Oz Goose FBWs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, 

making the Oz Goose the fastest growing sailing fleet 

in the country, boats in Batangas regularly participate 

in monthly regattas organized by the Taal Lake Yacht 

Club. These events culminated in the first Oz Goose 

National Championships in 2017 in Talisay, Batangas. 

The event was a resounding success, 18 teams 

participated from all three island groups in the 

Philippines. The official video that came out from 

the regatta spurred renewed interest in dinghy 

sailing. PHBYC has since organized two more FBWs in 

Batangas, allowing for more boats to participate in the 

upcoming National Championships in November 2018. 

Long-time sailing enthusiast, Peter Capotosto, 

Commodore of the Taal Lake Yacht Club said, “I have 

come to believe that this boat could be what Philippine 

sailing has been waiting for, for half a century. All the 

pieces fit, to create a boat with multi-sector demand 

that will be produced and sailed, by a broad number 

of individuals, corporations, and schools, with varied 

interests. The Optimist was a huge hit in Europe. This 

could be the Philippines’ Optimist. It’s bigger, faster, 

and way more versatile. The Optimist is not going to 

jump start sailing in the Philippines, but this boat just 

might.” Mr Capotosto said. 

“The unique coming together of international and 

local boating experts and suppliers leading to the rising 

popularity of the Oz Goose class in the Philippines is 

unprecedented, and could be the hope for the future 

of Dinghy sailing here”, According to Mr Capotosto; 

“We organize monthly races at TLYC and the increased 

participation of old and new sailors in the Oz Goose 

21

Bottoms nailed 

Deck installed 

class has increased exponentially after we had a FBW 

there in February” Mr Capotosto added. 

Sailing clubs around the world are trying to emulate 

what PHBYC has done to revive interest in small boat 

sailing. According to boat designer Michael Storer: 

“We still have a long way to go to get mainstream 

interest in small boat sailing in the Philippines, but 

PHBYC is making progress, schools have expressed 

their interest having sailing as a varsity sport and our 

maritime academies that produce sailors that know 

little about sailing are beginning to appreciate how 

small boat sailing and boatbuilding can significantly 

add to the seamanship knowhow of their cadets.” 

The Oz Goose is easy to build and it sails well with 3 

persons, but is best sailed with one or two people onboard, 

making it a great platform to learn how to sail. 

22

Its shape gives it a lot of stability and is empty of water 

when righted from a capsize. Sailing lessons with the 

Oz Goose sailboat are organized by PHBYC at TLYC in 

Talisay, Batangas. 

The Oz Goose is four meters long and made from 5 or 

6mm marine grade plywood, and lumber, assembled 

with epoxy. While the sails that move the boat can be 

made by the builder from materials like polytarp or 

tyvek, professionally made Dacron sails can also be 

purchased locally from dealers such as Las Pinas based 

Monsoon Marine. 

Safety on the Water 

Anyone can learn how to sail, PHBYC has always 

been an advocate of safety on the water by wearing a 

personal flotation device (PFD) being responsible and 

respectful to the 

environment 

and advising 

people when to 

expect you back 

when going 

on extended 

boating trips. 

The Oz Goose is four 

meters long and made from 

5 or 6mm marine grade 

plywood, and lumber, 

assembled with epoxy. 

About PHBYC 

The Philippine 

Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club (PHBYC) is a local 

community sailors, boaters and amateur and 

professional boatbuilders that help people get into 

boating and sailing economically through boatbuilding. 

Plans for building all kinds of boats are available 

online and the materials to build them are readily 

available locally. Established in 2006 PHBYC helps its 

members by giving advice on sourcing materials and 

boatbuilding techniques, all they ask in return is for 

people to pay forward what they’ve learned to help 

grow the fleet of homebuilt boats. Feel free to follow 

PHBYC’s Facebook group page and the Open Goose 

Sailing Boat Group). 

23

Palawan 

Aquilone on a 

quiet day with 

sails up 

24

Sailing 

If you think the best way to fall in love with the 

world’s favorite island destination, Palawan, is 

island hopping on a crowded banca, think again. An 

El Nido- based sailing adventure, 

Palawan Sailing, is changing 

the scene. What’s on offer 

with Palawan Sailing is both 

certified sailing courses and fully 

chartered sailing expeditions in 

Northern Palawan and beyond. 

Talking about falling in love. In 

search of a site for both sailing 

and diving, Dustie and Thierry 

arrived on their sailing boat 

Aquilone in El Nido in 2014 after 

cruising many Southeastern 

countries. Stunned by the beauty 

of the Bacuit Bay, they decided 

to start a sailing school, the first 

Students come from 

all over the world to 

El Nido to take course 

in the most beautiful 

“classroom” with 

Thierry and Thomas. 

truly internationally recognized school, endorsed by 

IYT, in the Philippines. 

Shortly after, Thomas, a veteran 

scuba and free diving instructor 

from France, joined the team as 

a sailing instructor. Both Thomas 

and Thierry are professional 

IYT/MCA sailing instructors and 

qualified to teach sailing from 

beginner level up to the highest 

recreational level YachtMaster 

Ocean on the 45- foot sailing 

sloop, Aquilone. 

Students come from all over 

the world to El Nido to take 

course in the most beautiful 

“classroom” with Thierry and 

Thomas. Courses usually run for 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

25

4-6 days depending on the level of certification. At the 

end of each course, students receive an internationally 

recognized IYT/MCA certificate which is accepted by 

all charter/rental boat companies and coast guard 

authorities around the world. 

Is it just the beauty of the Bay to enjoy? Certainly not! 

Northern Palawan is very unique compared to other 

Southeastern Asia for reliable winds in the Habagat 

season from November till June. The winds go from 

10 to 20 knots throughout the day from the north/ 

east, which makes perfect condition for sailors as well 

as students. In addition, the Bacuit Bay is sheltered 

from ocean swells hence is ideal for beginners to 

experience their first sail trimming and steering. More 

advanced students can experience coastal sailing 

with trips between El Nido, Linapacan, Coron, Port 

Barton, and Puerto Princesa. For even more advanced 

skipper candidates, farther trips can be organized to 

experience blue water sailing up to Puerto Galera, 

Mindoro. Engine off, chart plotter off …students can 

learn the art of navigating by the stars with the help of 

a sextant and guidance from their instructor. 

Thomas on winches 

Thomas at the helm 

Students on 0 to hero 

Other than courses, Palawan sailing organizes custom 

sailing expeditions around the Northern Palawan. 

Usual trips range from 3 to 8 days. Aquilone can easily 

accommodate 4 guests very comfortably in 2 separate 

cabins, ideal for families and/or two couples. Most days 

are spent cruising from one secret island to another, 

with plenty time to relax on the deck or snorkeling 

on pristine reef. To fully appreciate the stunning view 

and tranquility of Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, visit 

such spots in Bacuit Bay before the hordes of bancas 

arrive. Only a private sailing expedition can bring this 

unspoiled beauty to you. 

Learn to sail. Hold the tiller. Feel the breeze. Love the 

freedom. 

Engine off, chart 

plotter off… 

students can learn the 

art of navigating by 

the stars. 

26

27

PRINCESS 30M 

THE PRINCESS 62 

EXPERIENCE THE EXCEPTIONAL® 

Words & 

Photographs by 

RAYOMARINE 

The latest addition to the M Class range, the 

Princess 30M embodies the combination of 

cutting-edge pilothouse design with effortless long 

range passage making. Her variable geometry hull 

design benefits from the same advances as the awardwinning 

40M, stretching the 

boundaries in hydro-dynamic 

design, space and comfort. 

Experience one of the most 

luxurious raised pilothouse 

yachts in the world. Her 

purposeful, distinctive design is 

yours to define through a world 

of craftsmanship. The flybridge 

is invitingly vast accommodating 

sun loungers, sofas, dining area, 

a wet bar and even a spa bath 

should you wish. 

The Princess Design Studio is on 

hand to capture the very essence 

of your interior design ambition. 

And with class-leading interior 

volume, you’ll have all the space possible to realise it. 

The handcrafted finish throughout is prestigious. And 

Two years of 

development at 

Princess have paid off: 

The 30M is a very 

handsome yacht. 

your guests are cosseted with three or four beautifully 

appointed en suite cabins to choose from. 

Her rich, dark blue topsides extend to the top of 

her bulwarks, disguising the proliferation of tinted 

hull windows. The topsides 

architecture includes an arch that 

rises gracefully from her stem to 

the after tip of her flybridge. 

A second sweep bisects that 

arch, running from the top of the 

pilothouse down to the stern, 

where it segues into the transom. 

Two years of development at 

Princess have paid off: The 30M is 

a very handsome yacht. 

The Princess 30M comes with 

a standard layout that is largely 

fixed, although owners can 

change the four equal-size guest 

staterooms on the lower deck 

into two staterooms plus one VIP 

suite. Further customization is available on the flybridge, 

where the upper helm is fixed and everything else is up 

for grabs. 

28

T H E P R I N C E S S 3 0 M 

E X P E R I E N C E T H E E X C E P T I O N A L® 

SPECIFICATIONS 

Length overall (incl. pulpit) 

Beam 

Draft 

Displacement approx. 

Fuel capacity 

Water capacity (excl. calorifier) 

Engine Options Diesel 

Twin MTU 12V 2000 M96L 

Twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L 

100ft 3in (30.56m) 

22ft 8in (6.92m) 

6ft 8in (2.05m) 

110 tonnes 

3,230 US gal/12,228 Ltr 

426 US gal/1,614 Ltr 

Speed range: 20-22 knots 

Speed range: 23-25 knots 

For Sales, Service or more information contact: 

PRINCESS YACHTS PHILIPPINES 

Rayomarine Inc 

+63 918 999-9282 

martingarcia@rayomarine.com 

FIND OUT MORE AT PRINCESSYACHTS.COM 

29

Words by 

BRUCE 

CURRAN 

Photographs 

as credited 

Below: Fisherfolk 

Middle: The Lenz 

Meret 

Center: Boarding 

the Lenz Meret 

I 

n the last decade, I have been fortunate enough 

to sail some 8000 mile through different regions 

in the Philippines,. Curiously though, it left me 

increasingly frustrated. With my boat’s draft of 2 

meters, I was so concerned about coral shallows and 

running aground that I tended to stay away from 

the coasts, and consequently felt as though I was 

missing much of the beauty of these islands. The 

scenery is spectacular, but passing by closer in, 

occasionally stepping ashore for lunch or just for 

a wander seemed so much more interesting, and I 

found myself increasingly unable to resist. 

Finally the day arrived when my curiosity saw me run 

aground on a reef. Stuck fast, I watched while the 

local bancas (native outriggers, often motorized) 

sped around me. Grounded from 7pm till 3.30 am, 

I had a lot of time to think of future travel plans, 

and how the shallow draft of bancas is a supreme 

advantage in these waters. 

Seagoing bancas are over 15 meters long, built of 

ply laid over a supporting frame of local hardwood 

and mostly rigged with bamboo outriggers on both 

sides of the main hull. These days most of them 

are motorized, generally using Japanese truck 

engines adapted for marine use. Drawing less than 

the water of my sailboat, they could go where my 

expensive plaything could not, gliding over reefs 

and running right up onto the sandy beaches that 

skirt most of the islands. The slow pace of a sailboat 

may be magical if you have the luxury of time on 

your hands, but with a diesel engine, you can cover 

a lot more ground. The seed of an idea for a more 

intimate way to explore local coastal communities 

was germinating. 

With over 7,500 islands, any serious exploration of 

the Philippines means taking to the water at some 

point. In many urbanized parts of the country the 

roads are nightmarishly choked with traffic; in more 

rural areas, they are sometimes scarcely drivable. 

By contrast, the waterways are free and open and 

un-crowded. The water is frequently an inviting 

turquoise, warm and chock-full of marine life. 

Around 70% of the country’s settlements are shore 

based, and offer a ready way to experience the 

famously warm Filipino welcome given to visitors. 

There are also plenty of beach resorts in the most 

beautiful parts of the country to call home for the 

night, where the banca can be beached nearby, 

ready for the next day’s excursion. 

I realized I was on to something. In a sailboat I 

had always stuck out like a sore thumb, giving 

an impression of extortionate wealth in a country 

where subsistence is the norm for many. With a 

banca, I would be demonstrating an appreciation 

of local craftsmanship and know-how, and by 

employing local guides I would be bringing an extra, 

unlooked-for source of income to a remote area. 

After much hunting and many enquiries a suitable 

17 meter banca was located, and I plotted a 500 

mile route through the region named Mimaropa 

(this name comes from the first two letters of 

the region’s main islands: Mindoro, Marinduque, 

Romblon and Palawan). Four crewmen, namely 

30

A group of adventurers test the waters aboard a native 

outrigger, on the lookout for hidden havens and magical 

memories 

Paul, Ruel, Rey and Reychel came with the banca, 

as part of the package for our seven-day adventure, 

with the vessel averaging about 12 knots, a good 

pace for long nautical journeys. 

but adventurous, we wedged ourselves into two 

vans loaded with supplies, belongings and camera 

gear for the drive down to Lucena City, three hours 

to the south. 

Nine like-minded would-be 

explorers were joining me, six 

foreigners and three Filipinos, 

all aware that our clear-cut 

route and expected timetable 

were subject to the vagaries of 

the weather. There was a simple 

VHF radio set on board in case 

of the need for shore contact - 

although as it turned out it was 

mostly tuned in to a local music 

station. A GPS and appropriate 

navigation charts were another 

necessity, especially since 

the crew were being asked to 

venture into waters unknown to 

them. Finally, lacking a pair of 

binoculars, we would make do 

with the pairs of sharp Filipino 

eyes to help us through the winding reef areas to 

come. We were now ready to begin our voyage of 

exploration. 

Getting Acquainted 

Our first day dawned early: with more than 75 

nautical miles of ocean to cover by nightfall, we 

gathered quietly in the foyer of a Manila hotel at 3 

am. Nine bleary-eyed adventurers feeling anything 

The 175hp diesel engine 

coughed into life and in 

short order we had turned 

a semicircle through the 

harbour and headed out 

for the open sea. 

By the time we arrived, the 

busy port was humming with 

passenger and cargo traffic, 

and a mishmash of boats of all 

sizes were vying for positions 

at the dockside. Street 

vendors were doing a brisk 

trade in the crowd and our 

motley crew wove their way 

amongst the hordes in search 

of our own chartered banca. 

There she was, the Lenz 

Meret, glimmering white with 

a dark-blue marlin painted 

on both sides, bobbing and 

bucking eagerly at anchor 

close to a concrete pier. Her 

flags crackling overhead were 

a good omen, indicating that 

there was a fair breeze from the northeast. This was 

the expected prevailing wind, known locally as the 

amihan, which blows pretty consistently from mid- 

October to mid-May during the dry season. 

We clambered aboard what was to be our floating 

base for the next seven days. The 175hp diesel 

engine coughed into life and in short order we had 

turned a semicircle through the harbour and headed 

out for the open sea. The clamour and chaos of 

Below: Paul relaxing 

on the Lenz Meret 

Middle: Apo island 

driftwood fire 

Center: Charting 

31

Clockwise Below: 

Coral reef Apo island 

Next: Dongon Reef 

Next: Kayaking in El 

Nido 

Bottom: Marinduque 

the port was soon a thing of the past as a majestic 

shoreline view opened up behind us, dominated 

by the massive conical bulk of Mount Banahaw, a 

dormant volcano and Christian pilgrimage site inland 

in Quezon province. A wonderful sense of release 

fell over all of us as we outran the greedy clutches 

of city life, the timeless rhythms of tide and wind 

replacing the blaring horns and non-stop hustle. We 

breathed in great lungful’s of fresh sea air and dozed 

on deck as we nosed out into the Sibuyan Sea. 

It was time to appraise our shipmates. The crew 

eyed us city-types and we in turn cast furtive 

glances back at them, each of us mindful that these 

strangers were all about to become very familiar 

over the course of the next week. Slowly we shed 

our wariness and relaxed. As the hours slipped by, 

we sank into a sort of meditative state, lulled by the 

action of the waves, the slap of water against the 

hull, the creak as the boat’s timbers flexed against 

the sea. Often we dozed, suddenly awaking as a 

quiver in the frame of the boat betrayed a change 

of direction. 

After such a blissful 

day afloat, our night’s 

stay back in the urban 

jungle was a shock to 

the system. 

We made only one stop along the Luzon coast that 

day, stopping at the tiny, rarely visited community 

of Pitogo laid out below a grand old stone church 

that dated back to the days of the Spanish 400 

years ago. Our quick tour attracted a gaggle of 

curious youngsters and then we were back aboard. 

Well before dusk we crossed the open water between 

Luzon and the island of Marinduque in the midst of 

the Sibuyan Sea. The banca gingerly wound its way 

through the bamboo fish traps that sat on the edge 

of the surrounding reefs, and headed in towards a 

coast thick with mangroves. A successful first day, 

and soon we were relaxing around a swimming pool 

at our resort near the town of Santa Cruz. 

Marinduque and Romblon 

Our early morning wake-up call came courtesy of 

the local fighting cocks loudly proclaiming their 

prowess. These prized fowl are an integral part of 

rural Filipino life, and they are kept well fed and 

ready to do battle at all times. 

We quickly readied ourselves and back on the water 

we turned the banca north along the coast, making 

our way to Balanacan, where a massive yet graceful 

religious statue dominates the entrance to the 

inner harbour, standing guard over all those who 

shelter in the port. With its quiet shallows, it makes 

an excellent place to sit out the typhoons that 

batter these parts in the summer. Kevin Hamdorf, 

a professional photographer, took the chance to 

scurry off inland to Mogpog market on a mission 

for colorful images. 

32

By afternoon we had reached Boac, the capital of 

Marinduque and home, at Easter, to the well-known 

religious festival of Moriones. This culminates in a 

re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus complete 

with Roman legionnaires, and the local handicraft 

stores do a natty line in Roman dress and masks. 

The narrow, pristine streets of the capital were lined 

with immaculately kept colonial-era buildings, and 

on the hill at the heart of the city was a grand old 

brick cathedral with a pair of vast, ornately carved 

wooden doors. A host of small black bats had taken 

sanctuary inside, clinging to the whitewashed, 

curved ceiling above the main altar. 

Then it was time for something more hedonistic. We 

took a two-hour dip in the hot springs to the south 

of the city, then paid a visit to a beach club where 

a band was playing. As it happened, one of our 

fellow adventurers was herself a professional singer 

and late in the evening, Mel lit up the stage with an 

electric performance that had the band, the local 

clientele and us, roaring for more. 

Next morning the sea was in a similarly boisterous 

mood, making our day-three longer than we had 

envisioned. We also spent time checking out a rumor 

we had heard, of a Boracay-like beach, hidden in 

an island group off Romblon. Boracay then had its 

tip-top worldwide reputation amongst tourists, but 

scattered throughout the Philippines are 7,500+ 

islands and many, perhaps hundreds, of comparable 

places exist. You need a boat to find them though, 

for they are isolated paradises beyond the reach of 

the average holidaying masses. We were in search 

of one such paradise but were unable to find it, and 

with the day well advanced we turned towards the 

main island of Romblon and made our landfall at 

the town of the same name. 

We berthed in the same protected harbour where 

Spanish galleons, laden with silver, used to drop 

anchor for the first time after their three-month 

voyage from Acapulco in Mexico. Today, two 

dilapidated Spanish hill fortifications still guard the 

city below, and yet another magnificent Spanish 

cathedral dominates the center of town. This is 

marble country and trinkets of many sizes are on 

sale, though prospective buyers should make sure 

to bargain hard. 

Mindoro 

Day four was our longest sea journey by far - a 100 

mile run from Romblon to San Jose, in southwest 

Mindoro. It had been for some concern at the outset, 

but in the event we found ourselves running with 

the amihan, and the strong seasonal northeasterly 

winds sped us along smoothly and quickly. It was 

a delight to make such good time, and we snuck 

into a stretch of protected crystal water to find a 

perfect sand beach which made an idyllic spot for 

a late lunch at rest under the shade of an ancient, 

gnarled tree. 

By sundown we were lying off San Jose, with 

hundreds of fishing bancas anchored higgledypiggledy 

around us. San Jose was our first encounter 

with urban sprawl since we had left Lucena, and it 

was not a pleasant one, with smoke-belching and 

honking vehicles jamming the highways of the large 

town. After such a blissful day afloat, our night’s 

stay back in the urban jungle was a shock to the 

system. 

Awakening to the whine of motorcycles in the street 

outside, we checked out in a hurry, wanting to be 

underway as soon as possible. The agony of the 

land was soon transformed into the ecstasy of the 

sea. Some three kilometers offshore lay Dongon 

Reef, an immaculate coral sand spit protruding from 

a mirror-flat sea. We edged the banca as close as 

we dared and anchored on the surrounding sand to 

avoid damaging the glimmering field of coral spread 

like a persian carpet beneath the clear waters. The 

perfection was overwhelming; it was a magical place 

seemingly at the other end of the universe from the 

town which was now on the far horizon, so close 

yet so far. Rainbow-coloured shoals of fish graced 

the coral garden, and parrotfish and other more 

solitary inhabitants darted here and there amongst 

the coral. 

Eventually we dragged ourselves away, but just 

as we got started, we were surprised by a pod of 

some 20 common dolphins that crossed our path. 

We were spellbound by their antics and though 

they quickly left us, another group (much larger 

bottlenose dolphins this time) came by to surf and 

prance off our bow. 

Finally we were tied alongside the dock at Sablayan 

town, which lies more or less halfway up the west 

Apo island 

33

coast of Mindoro. Here we had to shop for supplies 

for a one-night beach camp we had planned on 

remote Apo Island. Most importantly, our permit to 

enter the magnificent Apo Reef protected area had 

to be organized at the office of the a Department 

of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

We split up and headed out on separate supplygathering 

missions, then with supplies stowed, 

started out once more. By early afternoon we had 

checked into our first beach resort, at North Pandan 

Island. Nico and Ethel took 

However, as the sun 

dropped below the 

horizon we were invaded 

by what seemed like 

millions of sandflies 

known locally as nik-niks. 

to a kayak for an early 

evening paddle along the 

shoreline, while my son 

Bali and I, together with 

Kevin, explored the trails 

that crisscross the island 

to remote rocky coves and 

isolated limestone cliffs. 

Apo Reef 

Next morning came exploration of a different kind 

as Anthony, the dive master from Pandan Resort, 

took us two hours west to Apo Reef, one of the best 

dive sites in the Philippines. For the keen divers on 

board, this was a highlight, the day they had been 

waiting for, and Ethel, Nico, Kevin and Bruno were 

abuzz with anticipation. 

The first dive was as good as it gets; Bali and I 

snorkeled along the edge of the reef on the first 

dive, following the bubble line above the team of 

experienced divers. The bubbles acted as a herding 

call to the reef fishes below, and many swam much 

closer to the surface as a result, giving Bali and I a 

better view. A turtle idled lazily along the reef some 

5 meters below us, while much farther down the 

divers were immersed in natural wonders, swimming 

among grey reef sharks, turtles, innumerable fish 

species and a vast array of spectacular corals. There 

are said to be more coral species in this single reef 

complex than the whole of the Caribbean Sea. 

After the second dive, Kevin announced it was the 

best diving he had ever done. There were beaming 

smiles all round as we headed for our overnight 

camp at the southeastern tip of Apo island, a little 

to the west of the Apo Reef complex. 

Since 1998, A Japanese lighthouse has been 

guiding ships around the reef, which sits in the 

middle of a busy shipping lane. Climbing up to the 

platform, high above the tree line, we were able to 

enjoy spectacular views in all directions, with subtle 

changes in the color of the water revealing the 

extent of the Apo Reef sanctuary. Much closer to 

hand, the rusted and decrepit remains of a wreck 

lay forlorn atop the reef, a reminder of why the 

lighthouse is necessary. 

As the day drew on we set a driftwood fire and 

gathered for a peaceful night, with a full moon clear 

and bright overhead. However, as the sun dropped 

below the horizon we were invaded by what seemed 

like millions of sandflies known locally as nik-niks. 

The torment of these biting hordes was unbearable 

for some, and by morning four of our number had 

retreated to the top of the lighthouse to get above 

the pests. Meanwhile, the local resident warden 

slept soundly in his loosely laced tent, while all 

around him we were scratching, slapping and 

cursing the night away. By dawn Gary looked like a 

pincushion, his legs a mass of itching bites. 

Palawan 

The next day was an easy 3 hour banca ride to 

Dimakaya Island, in the Calamian island group north 

of Palawan Island, where a first-class resort, Club 

Paradise, awaited us. The main part of the trip was 

now at an end, with a final trek across Dimakaya 

Island to the Eagle’s Nest viewing point as a kind of 

grand finale to our seven days of adventure. After 

the 500 nautical mile voyage, every one of the nine 

participants agreed they would do another, and a 

second trip has already been drawn up to run down 

the west coast of Palawan Island. The scenery and 

diving there are superb, and there are many beach 

resorts to soothe the travel-weary. 

Five of our number flew back up to Manila from 

Busuanga while three of us stayed on, one more 

adventure on our minds. Kevin hadn’t been able 

to resist the chance to kayak and photograph the 

cathedral-like limestone karst coves of Coron Island. 

Travelling overland to its namesake, Busuanga’s 

main town of Coron, we then took to the water 

one final time to visit the island with its turquoise 

lakes that nestle between towering crags. If you’re 

prepared to drag all your own gear up and over a 

long set of rough limestone steps, there is some 

excellent thermocline (neighboring layers of water 

at very different temperatures) diving to be done 

in Cayangan Lake. In this case though, we were 

content to swim, snorkel, sightsee and savour the 

last hours of our week-long voyage of discovery. 

Dusk was closing in as we returned to our kayaks, 

cleared the breakers on the beach and set out for 

Coron town. A fantastic sunset was brewing on the 

horizon, a pleasantly cooling breeze was blowing, 

and right then everything seemed just as it always 

should be. 

34

YACHT PA RTS SALES AND SERVICE 

Your One-Stop 

Boating Service Specialists 

GET YOUR BOAT BACK TO HOW YOU WANT IT TO BE! 

➤ Inboard & Outboard Repairs & Service 

➤ Electronic Installation & Repairs 

➤ Fiberglass & Gelcoat Repairs 

➤ Marine Carpentry & Teak Deck Repairs 

➤ Carpet & Upholstery 

➤ Aluminium Boat Repair & Refinishing 

➤ Colour Restoration 

➤ Transom Repairs & Replacement 

➤ Metal Work & Welding 

➤ Anti-Fouling 

➤ Striping and Decals 

➤ Trailer Repairs or Replacement 

➤ Sail Repairs 

ALL WORK GUARANTEED 

Phone: 047-252-5468/0939-922-3238 

www.broadwatermarine.com 

➤ SUBIC BAY 

Tele/fax: (047) 252-5468 Mob: 0939-922-3238 (Smart) 0917-829-3507 (Globe) 

➤ MANILA 


➤ CEBU 

(032) 341-0474 Mob: 0939-902-0494 (Smart) 0917-327-7931 (Globe) 

➤ BORACAY 

Ph: (036) 288-2709 Mob: 0918-963-8155 (Smart) 0917-327-7933 (Globe) 

➤ DAVAO 

Mob: 0918-963-8151 (Smart) 0917-659-7537 (Globe) 

➤ PUERTO PRINCESA (048) 433-2467 Mob: 0912-309-6305 (Smart) 0917-832-3449 (Globe) 35

Pied Pipe 

Words by 

JAMES 

WEBSTER 

Photographs 

as credited 

A 

ll living creatures are driven by a never 

ending search for sustenance. Whether 

its lions, monkeys or fish, they will flock to an 

easy source of prey, each with their own source of 

communication. 

For fishermen, the use of berley 

has become a well established 

method of drawing fish to 

their favorite fishing location. 

Typically, fish scraps or bait 

are chopped up and randomly 

tossed overboard or placed in 

a container and dispersed at 

regular intervals. 

This works well to a point. The 

problem is that is problematic 

that the fish will chomp on 

your baited hook amongst all 

the other morsels available. 

Without a constant stream, 

they lose the bait trail and 

The problem is that 

is problematic that 

the fish will chomp 

on your baited hook 

amongst all the other 

morsels available. 

36

of Fish 

37

The pieces will be 

slowly released as the 

bomb dissolves with 

the source will remain 

under your boat. 

swim off. The generous chunks of berley will feed 

the fish rather than stimulate their interest and 

persuade them to swim up a berley trail. The berley 

will quickly drift away, taking the 

fish with it. 

A much more fruitful method of 

working berley is with a berley 

bomb. There are many ways to 

fashion a berley bomb, however 

the simplest and just as effective 

way is to place a suitable sinker 

attached to a length of fishing 

line into a cardboard milk carton 

or a similar container and fill it with your berley 

pieces and water, place it in your freezer and there 

you have it. You can then drop it to the desired 

depth after removing the cardboard and tie it off 

somewhere on your boat. The pieces will be slowly 

released as the bomb dissolves with the source will 

remain under your boat. This is much more effective 

than randomly throwing berley overboard but still 

has its drawbacks. Your baited hook is still vying for 

the attention of fish with your berley chunks. 

Stim Burley Ground 

berley bomb 

Clean and 

consistent 

method to 

burley 

38

C: 95 M: 65 Y: 35 K: 20 

R: 20 G: 76 B: 110 

HEX: #144c6e 

C: 40 M: 30 Y: 30 K: 10 

R: 157 G: 158 B: 159 

HEX: #9d9e9f 

C: 40 M: 30 Y: 30 K: 10 

R: 157 G: 158 B: 159 

HEX: #9d9e9f 

C: 20 M: 15 Y: 15 K: 5 

R: 205 G: 204 B: 205 

HEX: #cdcccd 

C: 95 M: 65 Y: 35 K: 20 

R: 20 G: 76 B: 110 

HEX: #144c6e 

C: 70 M: 40 Y: 25 K: 10 

R: 83 G: 125 B: 154 

HEX: #537d9a 

YACHT PARTS SALES AND SERVICE 

New Brands. Lower Prices. Greater Value. 

Exclusive distributors for 

Phone: 047-252-5468/0939-922-3238 


➤ SUBIC BAY 


➤ MANILA 


➤ CEBU 

(032) 341-0474 Mob: 0939-902-0494 (Smart) 0917-327-7931 (Globe) 

➤ BORACAY 

Ph: (036) 288-2709 Mob: 0918-963-8155 (Smart) 0917-327-7933 (Globe) 

➤ DAVA0 DAVAO 

Mob: 0918-963-8151 (Smart) 0917-659-7537 (Globe) 

➤ PUERTO PRINCESA (048) 433-2467 Mob: 0921-309-6305 (Smart) 0917-832-3449 (Globe) 39

Above: Berley 

Far right: Adding 

sardines 

By putting your fish scraps in a blender and filling 

a plastic container and freezing this concoction 

into a burley bomb you will have a really effective 

method of drawing fish to your baited hook with no 

competition from other sources for the attention of 

the fish. By punching a number of holes into the 

container before dropping overboard a slow release 

of burley pieces too small to feed the fish but a 

scent that will entice the fish towards your bait. 

By the time they get to your location they will be 

excited and ravenous, assuring a good feed of fish 

at tonight’s dinner. 

Lions, monkeys and fish will quickly discover when 

and where an ample supply of food is available at 

You will have created a 

fish buffet and by the 

time you arrive at your 

location on your fishing 

day, they will be there 

waiting. 

Above: Berley bomb 

Right: Fish attracted 

with Burley 

40

a given time at a given location and they will flock 

to that smorgasbord around the same time each 

day. If you are able to visit your preferred fishing 

location for 10 minutes, 3 or 4 days in row before 

your planned fishing trip, you can fashion such a 

smorgasbord for the fish. I have seen this method 

performed with sensational success, particularly 

during fishing competitions. 

Formulate your bombs with chunks of berley as 

described in the first instance with enough weight 

to hold them in place on the river, lake or sea bed. 

Fashion enough for two for each visit you make 

before your planned fishing day. Then simply drop 

them overboard or toss them to your casting location 

if fishing from the banks rivers or lakes, at the same 

place each day and leave. 

You will have created a fish buffet and by the time 

you arrive at your location on your fishing day, they 

will be there waiting. For that day your bombs will 

be formulated with blended fish scraps and the 

scent emulating from them will send the fish into a 

feeding frenzy and provide you with bragging rights 

over a highly successful days fishing. 

41

Zambales Lifes 

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

A 

quatic safety is something that needs 

far more attention, especially during the 

Summer months when, locals, tourists and foreigners 

flock to the beaches to cool off by enjoying the 

pristine waters that abound in the Philippines. 

Water safety has to be at the top of list of priorities 

and is fully supported by Active Boating and 

Watersports, and as discussed in the last edition, 

drowning statistics show that 

there is a long overdue need 

to resolve the problem and 

lower the drowning rates as 

significantly as possible. 

Zambales Lifesaving Inc., a 

non-stock, non-profit NGO, is 

working hard on this issue for 

its home area, Zambales, but 

also are finding themselves 

called upon by other areas such 

as San Juan La Union, Bataan, 

and Aurora, to assist with their 

endeavors in delivering better 

water safety for locals and 

visitors. 

Zambales Lifesavings success 

comes from having an organized 

approach and the correct priorities; the first and 

most important being “Drowning Prevention and 

Awareness” targeted at all ages but with a special 

emphasis on children below 14 years of age, but 

also with their parents, this is followed by training 

of various people in aquatic safety and rescue at 

That advice is very clear… 

“reach or throw, but do 

not go”… it teaches you to 

look for objects that you 

can throw to the person. 

affordable cost, lastly is lifesaving sports, below is 

a background on the three priorities, why they are 

being treated in this order and how they work. 

Drowning prevention and awareness: 

This is the most important priority, as statistically 

more than 30% of all drowning incidents involve 

children below 12 years of age, or in real terms more 

than 12,000 children lose their lives due to drowning 

every year in the Philippines, 

drowning is the 6th highest 

cause of mortality in children 1 

– 4, 3rd in children 5 – 9 and the 

2nd leading cause of mortality 

in children 10 – 14. The saddest 

thing of all is that drowning is 

preventable through education 

and awareness. 

Especially, the education of the 

parents and older persons who 

supervise these kids when at 

the beach, pool or areas where 

water is used for recreation by 

children. According to statistics, 

a staggering 88% of children 

in fatal drowning incidents 

were under supervision of 

their parents or an adult at the 

time, thus it is very important to educate those who 

supervise children when around water. 

The “Swim-safe” program that Zambales Lifesaving 

initiated in 2016 has been a great success and they 

thank participating resorts, Palmera Garden Resort 

Pray this is never 

your child 

42

saving Meeting Meeting the the Challenges 

of Aquatic of Aquatic Safety Safety 

in Iba, with support of the Iba Rotary Club, also the 

Lighthouse Marina Resort and Le Charms Suites’ in 

SBMA for supporting the program. 

However the program badly needs a sponsor to 

continue to grow. The program itself is only a half 

day, commencing with a lecture, which discusses 

various dangers often found in aquatic recreations, 

such as at the beach, rip currents and inshore holes, 

in rivers and creeks, snags and unseen rocks and also 

in pools, especially wave pools. It also covers around 

the home, such as pails and washing dishes left with 

water in them, as this is unfortunately one of the 

largest causes of drowning in the home. Parents or 

guardians must also attend the lecture. 

There is also special emphasis on assisting a victim, 

especially if you are not trained in rescue, even if 

you think you are a good swimmer, that advice is 

very clear… “reach or throw, but do not go”… it 

teaches you to look for objects that you can throw to 

the person, or things to use to reach them, especially 

if close to the edge of the water. 

This is followed by practical in water instruction, the 

main goal of which is to teach the participants to 

“float”, everyone can float and knowing how to do so 

is the difference between life and death, as the victim 

will not panic, thus can wait for assistance without fear 

of drowning, there are also scenarios and games of 

how to find things to use for “reach or throw”. 

The number that can attend is dependent on the 

number of trained instructors available, as all need 

one on one initial instruction on how to float. Sadly 

though there is very little support from the tourism 

or other allied industries, that should be involved, 

the program is not expensive to run, however for 

it to grow and expand we do require a sponsors to 

come on board and assist us. 

The second priority is: Training of Lifeguards and 

Lifesavers: Zambales Lifesaving Inc. is a Philippine 

Coast Guard “Accredited Training organization” for 

the training and certifying of Lifeguards as per RA- 

9993 and PCG MC 03-14, which attests to their ability 

and resources to get the job done professionally. 

Thus all Certificates issued by Zambales Lifesaving 

Inc. and accepted throughout the country and also 

accepted in many overseas countries. Through the 

efforts of founder and program director, Mr. Roger 

Bound, who has a background in Lifesaving, going 

back to his roots in Australia, plus almost 30 years 

experience in the Resort industry in Zambales, 

giving him accurate knowledge faced by the resort 

industry as well as those of lifeguards, it was through 

his initiatives that the Swim-safe program was 

commenced aiming at drowning prevention through 

awareness and education. 

Mr. Bound has also cemented ties between Surf 

Life Saving Australia Far North Coast Branch who 

regularly visit Zambales with the latest updates on 

training and equipment, they also assist in donating 

equipment, such as rescue boards, that are used 

for training and can be issued to member resorts to 

supplement what equipment they may themselves 

have, thus making it safer for their beach users. 

Additionally they have with the support of the 

Australian Life Saving Academy been able to modify 

the training modules to suit local conditions and to 

translate much of the materials into Filipino, this, 

along with them issuing self assessment manuals 

to their students has substantially decreased the 

student failure rate in the classroom and theory 

areas, as Mr. Bound says, Lifeguarding is one of the 

very few professions that can be achieved without a 

university or college degree and there are now quite 

a number of lifeguards initially trained by Zambales 

Lifesaving working overseas and on cruise ships. 

Zambales Lifesaving has a number of contacts for 

overseas placement, but also has a policy that they 

will not endorse their trainees to overseas until 

they have had at least 3 years experience in the 

Philippines, when asked why was this is, he replied, 

Lifesaving training 

43

This year saw it become 

an International event 

with teams from 

Singapore and Sabah 

Malaysia. 

Right: Drowning 

child being 

administered cpr 

our priority is aquatic safety in Zambales and the 

Philippines for locals and visitors here. 

Another of the innovations that Zambales Lifesaving 

has is extending its program from Open Water 

(Beach) lifeguard, a 40 hour course and swimming 

pool lifeguard, a 36 hour course to meet the growing 

demand and increase in interest in surfing, by devising 

a special course to train surfing instructors in first 

aid, basic life support (CPR) and basic rescue, should 

any untoward incident occur during surfing lessons, 

this program has been approved and Zambales 

Lifesaving Inc. has been accredited by all of the major 

controlling bodies of surfing, 

such as International Surfing 

Association (ISA) Academy 

of Surfing Instructors (ASI) 

and United Philippine Surfing 

Association (UPSA) and the 

Department of Tourism (DOT) 

who oversees the ASI program 

in the Philippines. The 

Zambales Lifesaving Inc. Surf 

Instructors Safety Certificate is 

now a requirement for all Surfing Instructors working 

with these organizations. 

Their final priority is: Lifesaving Sports: 

Lifesaving sports certainly have an importance, they 

are Internationally recognized, in fact, there is a World 

Championship held every 2 years, there are also 

competitions Nationally and in other nearby South 

East Asian Countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam and 

we believe soon to be in Sabah, Malaysia. 

Zambales Lifesaving Inc. have run a competition 

every year in Zambales for the last 7 years, attracting 

in the past teams from other areas, such as Boracay, 

Cebu, Dumaguete and Manila, this year saw it 

become an International event with teams from 

Singapore and Sabah Malaysia, also Zambales 

Lifesaving Inc. with the assistance of the Zambales 

Provincial Government through the efforts of Hon. 

Governor Atty. Amor Deloso plus the assistance of 

the Standard Insurance Co. Inc and RP Energy has 

competed in the Phuket Surf Lifesaving Competition 

in Thailand for the past 2 years, finishing second 

outright in the Teams Championship and outright 

Ironman Champion on both occasions against as 

many as 12 countries. 

Zambales Lifesaving also competes nationally, 

since 2012 Zambales Lifesaving has sent a team to 

the Great Titan Lifesaving sports event in Negros, 

finishing 1st and 4th, it again competed at this event 

at Bantayan Island in 2014, finishing 1st and 2nd. 

Also, the Festival of the Winds Lifesaving competition 

in Boracay, 2012 finishing 2nd in the International 

division against teams national and Australian teams. 

Zambales Lifesaving has also attended the Cebu 

Lifeguard Rescue Challenge every year since 2013, 

finishing Champions on every occasion during those 

5 years, they will again attend the Cebu event on 

September 9 and hope again to be successful. 

We asked Mr. Bound why they have done so well 

in the Lifesaving Sports, his reply, hard work and 

dedication, plus it showcases that we are among 

the top training facilities in the Philippines, also it 

gives us the opportunity to work in the development 

of our youths in sports associated with water, we 

have successfully managed to bond together our 

lifeguards, our swimming community and our surfing 

community to all work hand in hand in drowning 

prevention and awareness, this even more so with 

our special lifesaving sports event for children from 

5 to 15 years of age that we held the following 

day after our 7th Standard Insurance Lifeguard 

Challenge Competition, this event is sponsored by 

44

Lifesavers from all 

over the Philippines 

Singapore and 

Malaysia 

Junior Trainees 

with Coach Nhel 

Aranzanso Coach 

William Asturias 

and Roger Bound 

45

the Provincial Sports Office, this is the first year 

that they have been involved, but we hope this will 

become a permanent annual fixture. 

It showcases that we 

are among the top 

training facilities in the 

Philippines, also it gives 

us the opportunity to 

work in the development 

of our youths. 

Clockwise below: 

Instructors at a swim 

safe session Palmera 

Gardens, Iba 

Next: Swim Safe 

Instructions been given 

Next: From Left to 

Right PO2 Michael B 

Macayan Philippine 

Coast Guard (PCG) 

Chief Master-at-Arms 

Subic, CPO Manuel O 

Laroco PCG Deputy 

Subic, Roger Bound 

Zambales Life Saving, 

SNI Gervy I Mayo PCG 

Admin POIC Subic and 

Jim Rapp Zambales 

Life Saving 

Bottom: Proud winners 

of one of the many 

frequent competitions 

held 

We are also looking to 

commence monthly 

training sessions for kids 

on a monthly basis and 

are currently in discussions 

with resorts to provide their 

facilities free for the kids. 

Our 2019 event will, we 

hope, again see a whole 

day of events just for the 

kids. Lifesaving sports are also a great way to keep 

your lifeguards fit, learn new techniques and new 

innovations and it showcases lifesaving to the public, 

you meet new friends and learn from each other and 

most importantly you make new contacts and have 

the opportunity to reward those who support you, 

not only your competitors, but also the sponsors, if 

you look at our relationship with Active Boating and 

Watersports Magazine, it commenced from a chance 

meeting at a Lifesaving Sports demonstration we 

did at the Hobie Challenge in SBMA, way back in I 

think in early 2015, this showcased to you what we 

do and what our commitment and objectives are, 

without this we may never had met and gained your 

valuable support. 

I thank you also for the continued coverage that 

you have give not only to us but to drowning 

awareness and prevention, ours has become a strong 

partnership, as you see the need for what we do. 

Thanks also to our Hon. Governor who has now 

installed our organization onto the Provincial Disaster 

Risk Reduction Management Council so we can share 

our thoughts and expertise in the reduction of risk, 

especially in the aquatic recreation areas of Zambales. 

In closing if anyone or organization is interested 

to become a partner in these projects, Contact 

information: Zambales Lifesaving Inc. a duly 

registered SEC non-stock, nonprofit organization Mr. 

Roger Bound - President and program director. 

Email: slszambales@gmail.com or call or text him on 

0918 922 2863. www.zambaleslifesaving.org 

All transactions are covered by BIR registered Official 

Receipt. Training is conducted at affordable prices, 

the below prices are based on min of 10 trainees, 

Open Water Lifeguard; P4,300.00. Pool Lifeguard; 

P3,500.00 and Surf Instructors Safety Certificate 

P2,150.00 all of these courses are inclusive of First 

aid, basic life support / CPR and Philippine Coast 

Guard approved Lifeguard Certificate. (Prices include 

self assessment training manual, but does not include 

foods or accommodations). 

For persons interested in training there is a tentative 

planned date of the last week of September for an 

Open Water course. Contact Ms. Marichu on 0918 

938 0266 for further information. 

46

47

Fusion Sound 

Words & 

Photographs by 

FUSION 

48 

Whether it’s the modern sounds of Rap 

or Hip Hop to the beats of P Diddy or 

M&M, or the Blues of Bo Didley, the Jazz of Miles 

Davies, the tunes of Celine Dion or the Rock of Guns 

n Roses. The power of music is something we can all 

relate to. The feeling we get when our favorite song 

comes on, the emotion and the memory associated 

with that song is something unique to all of us. The 

power of music is unquestionable. Hearing the strum 

of a chord can raise hairs on the back of our neck 

evoking a surge of sensations. Feeling the beat of 

a bassline can transport us back in time as a wave 

of nostalgia washes over us. 

Experiencing music through 

the Signature Series is like 

listening to a live performance. 

If you want great sounds and a 

sound system to match FUSION 

MARINE ENTERTAINMENT has 

the components to make the 

perfect combination. 

The FUSION multi award 

winning collection of 

Entertainment Components has 

quality and innovation that just 

cannot be surpassed, leading 

the way in marine and lifestyle 

audio entertainment. Fusion is 

dedicated to offering innovative 

audio solutions that enhance 

your personal leisure time, 

anywhere on the water. Now 

with Fusions launch of an incredible all-in-one, plug 

and play audio solution – the Panel-Stereo purposebuilt 

performance in marine environments is even 

better The Panel-Stereo combines all the elements 

required for excellent audio reproduction in a single 

product, providing the ultimate all-in-one audio 

solution. Class-D amplification, Fusion’s Digital Signal 

Processing (DSP), dual 3-inch speakers, and a passive 

bass radiator are combined in a single, perfectly tuned 

enclosure, to provide excellent audio wherever the 

Panel-Stereo is installed. The versatile Panel-Stereo 

can be mounted in three different ways. With the 

optional 43mm surface mounting spacer, you can 

install the Panel-Stereo directly onto any flat surface 

with no mounting cut-out required. The Panel- 

Stereo’s shallow depth makes it ideal for installation 

in shallow wall cavities where standard speakers will 

not fit, either with flush or flat mounting for a simply 

premium finish. 

Experiencing music 

through the Signature 

Series is like listening 

to a live performance. 

See and hear the full range of FUSION Marine 

Entertainment products 2ch, 4ch and signature series 

amplifiers, stereo DVD/CD Players decks or portable 

marine sound systems at all Broadwater Marine outlets. 

Along with a full range of speaker systems, including, 

cabin speakers, ceiling or panel speakers. FUSION’s 

Signature Series marine speakers are designed to 

provide unparalleled performance even when exposed 

to the harshest marine conditions. Combining ‘CURV’ 

Cone composite technology with a Silk Dome tweeter 

and fully sealed crossover components, offering a 

stylish solution for premium on-water listening and 

for that something extra the 

Signature Sports Speakers they 

feature Dual-Color diffused LED 

Lighting options that illuminate 

Striking Blue or Sparkling White 

to set the mood or start the party. 

Of course, no great sound 

system is complete with-out 

the thumping bass sounds of 

the sub-woofer, producing 

low frequency bass can be the 

difference between a good audio 

system and a truly memorable 

entertainment experience. 

The Signature Series marine 

subwoofers deliver a carefully 

balanced blend of engineering 

brilliance and performance to 

bring your favorite music to 

life. The 10” Signature Series 

Subwoofers deliver a massive 450 Watt max output, 

adding comprehensive low frequencies to your 

entertainment experience. Then of course to power 

all this sound you will need an amplifier and FUSION 

makes the best on the market, perfect for the marine 

environment offering the most efficient, stunning 

and powerful marine amplifier series. Engineered with 

a stainless-steel front panel to resist corrosion and 

features Class-D amplifier technology; the key benefit 

of a Class-D amplifier is high output. 

At Broadwater Marine we understand what it’s like to 

spend time on the water, because that’s what we do. 

We’re boaties, sailors, paddle-boarders and fishermen - 

we know what works in your car will not work on the 

water and that’s why the team are available to give the 

best possible advice, so drop into one of our several 

stores and let our friendly staff help turn your boat 

into a floating entertainment home away from home.

49

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

T 

he true heart of the Philippines, in the heart 

of the Philippine archipelago, and shaped 

like a heart is Marinduque (Tagalog pronunciation: 

[marin’duke]) an island province in the Philippines 

located in South-Western Tagalog Region or 

MIMAROPA, formerly designated as Region IV-B. 

Its capital is the municipality of Boac. Marinduque 

lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan 

Sea to the south. It is west of the Bondoc Peninsula 

of Quezon province; east of 

Mindoro Island; and north 

of the island province of 

Romblon. Some parts of the 

Verde Island Passage, the 

centre of the centre of world’s 

marine biodiversity and a 

protected marine area, are also 

within Marinduque’s provincial 

waters. 

During the Philippine- 

American War, 

Marinduque was the 

first island to have 

American concentration 

camps. 

The province of Marinduque was ranked number 

1 by the Philippine National Police and Philippine 

Security Forces as the 2013 Most Peaceful Province 

of the country due to its low crime rate statistics 

alternately ranking with the province of Batanes 

yearly. Furthermore, for almost 200 years, the 

province is home to one of the oldest religious 

festivals of the country, the Moriones celebrated 

annually every Holy Week. 

According to a legend, the 

island of Marinduque was 

formed as a consequence of a 

tragic love affair between two 

people: Mariin and Gatduke. 

Mariin’s father, a local chieftain, 

did not approve of this affair 

and ordered the beheading 

of Gatduke. Before this could 

50MARIND

e done, the couple sailed out to sea and drowned 

themselves, forming the island now called Marinduque. 

However, the most accepted theory of the etymology of 

the province’s name is a Hispanized corruption of either 

malindig or malindug, which means “stand tall” or 

“elegant”, in reference to a potentially active volcano in 

the southern section of the island, the Mount Malindig. 

During the Spanish and early American occupations, 

Marinduque was part of Balayan Province (now 

Batangas) in the 16th century, Mindoro in the 17th 

century, and had a brief period as an independent 

province in 1901, when the Americans arrived. 

During the Philippine-American War, Marinduque 

was the first island to have American concentration 

camps. Marinduque is the site of the Battle of 

Pulang Lupa, where 250 Filipino soldiers under 

Colonel Maximo Abad, defeated a smaller force of 

54 American Infantrymen. It is one of the few battles 

during the pacification of the Philippines where the 

tenacity and bravery of the Filipinos prevailed over 

the well-armed Americans. Col. Abad after capturing 

the Americans later surrendered on April 15, 1901 

upon orders from Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and due to 

the capture of Gov. Martin Lardizabal and two other 

officials of the revolutionary who were held hostage 

by the Americans in Fort Santiago. 

In 1902, the US-Philippine Commission annexed the 

islands of Mindoro (now two separate provinces) 

and Lubang (now part of Occidental Mindoro) to the 

province. Four months later, the province became 

part of the province of Tayabas (now Quezon). On 

February 21, 1920, Act 2280 was passed by the 

Philippine Congress, re-establishing Marinduque as 

a separate province. 

DESTINATION 

DUQUE Revisited UQUE51 

Joven Lilles www.pinterest.ph/jovtrekker

The century old 

Boac Cathedral 

marinduquenews.blogspot.com 

Boac business district 

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in 

Marinduque. In 1945, combined American and 

Filipino troops liberated the province from the 

Japanese forces. Two government agencies were 

stationed in the province during the American 

period, the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the 

Philippine Constabulary. The general headquarters 

of the PCA was active from 1935 to 1942 and again 

Archaeology 

in the Philippines 

began in 

Marinduque. 

from 1945 to 1946 while the PC was active from 

1945 to 1946. 

Archaeology in the Philippines began in Marinduque. 

Prior to 1900, only one important archaeological 

investigation had been carried out in the country: the 

Antoine-Alfred Marche’s exploration of Marinduque 

from April to July 1881. According to anthropologist 

Henry Otley Beyer, while many other accidental 

discoveries and finds have been recorded from time 

to time and a few burial caves 

and sites had been casually 

explored by European and local 

scientists, no systematic work 

had been done anywhere else 

prior to these explorations. After 

Marche, the next important 

archaeological work was 

undertaken by Dr. Carl Gunthe 

in the Visayas Island Group in 

1922. 

Marinduque provincial capitol 

boyplakwatsa.files.wordpress 

52


53

National Museum Boac 

Mount Malindig 

in Buenavista, 

Marinduque 

54 

MARINDUQUE 

weekendbiyahera.blogspot.com 

An abundant yield of Chinese urns, vases, gold 

ornaments, skulls and other ornaments of precolonial 

origin was what Marche finds represented. 

He brought back to France the Marinduque 

artefacts he uncovered in 40 crates. Part of it now 

is said to be housed at the Musée de l’Homme in 

France. The finds also included a wooden image 

of the Marinduque anito called “Pastores” by 

the natives. One of these artefacts also found its 

way into the National Museum of Natural History 

of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, 

D.C. (Catalogue No. A127996-0, Department of 

Anthropology, NMNH, Smithsonian Institution). 

These fragile jarlets traveled from China to the precolonial 

Philippines. Buried in a cave in Marinduque 

for centuries, excavated in the late 19th century, 

brought to Paris and eventually one ended up at the 

Smithsonian Institution museum. 

Part of Marinduque’s history lies at the Marinduque 

Museum in Poblacion at Boac and in museums 

abroad. It will take some time to analyze these 

artefacts to piece together its pre-colonial past. 

Marinduque is considered as the geographical centre 

of the Philippine archipelago by the Luzon Datum of 

1911, the mother of all Philippine geodetic survey. 

The province is a “heart-shaped” island with a total 

land area of 952.58 square kilometers, situated 

between Tayabas Bay in the north and Sibuyan 

Sea to the south. It is separated from the Bondoc 

Peninsula in Quezon by the Mompong Pass. West 

of Marinduque is Tablas Strait, which separates it 

from Mindoro Island. Some of the smaller islands to 

the northeast are Polo Island, Maniwaya Island, and 

Mompong Island. Southwest portion includes the 

Tres Reyes Islands and Elephant Island. 

The highest peak in Marinduque is Mount Malindig 

(formerly called Mt. Marlanga), a potentially active 

strato volcano with an elevation of 1,157 metres 

(3,796 ft.) above sea level, located at the southern 

marinduquenews.blogspot.com Joven Lilles

Jaro Cathedral 

tip of the island. Various cave systems occupy the 

province, which include the grand Bathala Cave; the 

newly discovered San Isidro Cave with its complex 

subterranean river; and Talao Caves with its 12 series 

of caves overlooking the western part of the island. 

Balanacan 

Balanacan Port (Filipino: 

Pantalan ng Balanakan) is 

the major port in the island 

province of Marinduque, 

Philippines. It is located at 

the north-western tip of 

the province in Barangay 

Balanacan at the town of 

Mogpog. Overlooking the port is the statue of Our 

Lady of Immediate Succor (Biglang-awa stands as a 

silent sentinel at the entry to the port watching over 

all those who enter and leave). 

Biglang-awa stands 

as a silent sentinel at 

the entry to the port 

watching over all those 

who enter and leave. 

access as it is set a high hill, located 10 meters 

northwest of the highest point on Marinduque 

Island, is the Station Mark used for mapping, 

surveying and navigation. The station mark is a 1.5 

cm hole, approximately 6 cm deep, drilled in the 

corner of a triangle carved into 

hard rock at the center of a 

cross cut on top of this stone. 

The reference mark is azimuth 

326° and is distant 18.85 

meters. The Initialization of 

Station Balanacan as the 

geodetic datum origin is 

traced back to surveying and 

mapping activities in the 

Balanacan Port 

from afar 

439 steps to 

Luzon Datum 

A majestic view of the Balanacan Cove and 

surrounding areas can be seen from the newly 

refurbished view deck, where a 360 ° breath-taking 

view sprawls out before you, and is a must visit to 

get some photos that will remain a lifetime memory. 

Luzon Datum 

On our last visit to Marinduque in 2013 we could 

only report on the Luzon Datum because of limited 

55

Luzon Datum 

Thus a geodetic station is 

said to be in the Luzon 

Datum if it is connected by 

continuous triangulation 

from Station Balanacan. 

56 

Philippines of the then 

United Sates Coast And 

Geodetic Survey (USCGS). 

With the new territorial 

claim of the US following 

the Spanish-American 

War, the responsibilities of 

the USCGS grew to include 

various scientific and 

cartographic initiatives 

in the Philippine islands beginning in 1901. The 

charting of insular waters and harbours and the 

development of a geodetic network had to be done 

from scratch, both military and commercial factors 

were considered in the initial surveys. The military 

telegraph and cable aided in the establishment of 

astronomical stations in Legaspi, Vigan, Ormoc, 

Tacloban, Iloilo, Bancalan Island, Cagayan, Sulu 

Island, Davao, Iligan, Misamis Oriental and 

Zamboanga, each having its own datum. The 

Station Balanacan (Latitude 13° 33’ 41”.000 North, 

Longitude 121° 52’ 03”.000 East) in the province 

of Marinduque defined the datum origin of the 

Luzon Datum of 1911, with Clarke Spheroid of 

1866 as reference ellipsoid. The historical document 

on the triangulation of the Philippine islands gives 

the establishment of Station Balanacan as 1906. 

All surveys in the Philippines from 1901 to 1927 

were based on the position of this station. Thus a 

geodetic station is said to be in the Luzon Datum 

if it is connected by continuous triangulation from 

Station Balanacan. Now for the fit and healthy there 

is a 439 step climb to top. The climb is demanding 

but if you just take your time, stopping frequently 

on the way up to enjoy the view, the effort is well 

worth it when you reach the top, with a commanding 

view of some of the most spectacular views you will 

encounter, there is also a two level viewing deck to 

make it even more spectacular than it already is. 

Boac 

The main city of Marinduque is Boac, where the 

local people are amazingly friendly. A Franciscan 

missionary Fray Estevan Ortiz established the town 

in 1580 and named it Montserrat de Marinduque. 

From this point foundations were laid for two other 

towns, San Juan de Marinduque and San Bernardo 

de Marinduque. 

Boac is home to most of the province’s commercial 

businesses. Barangays San Miguel, Murallon, and 

Mercado are the town’s business district where the 

public market, medium-rise buildings, sports arena 

and Boac Town Arena, now Moriones Arena are. 

Meanwhile, Barangay Isok is home to the town’s 

education district. Marinduque National High 

School, St. Mary’s College of Marinduque, Don 

Luis Hidalgo Memorial School, Barangay Day Care 

Centers, Boac North District Office and the Division 

of Marinduque DepED Office are in Barangay Isok. 

The Municipal Building Hall is at Brgy. Tampus, 

adjacent is the Marinduque Museum at Brgy. 

Malusak. 

The Marinduque Provincial Capital is in Barangay 

Santol near the Dr. Damian Reyes Memorial Hospital 

(formerly Marinduque Provincial Hospital) and 

Camp Maximo Abad. The name Boac is derived from 

the Visayan word bu-ak, which means “divided”. 

The town had been divided in two by a river running 

from the eastern hinterland to the western plains 

down to the sea. The two were the Northern and 

the Southern areas.

Other records say that Boac came from the word 

“bulwak”, which characterizes the tide caused by 

the rapids of the Boac River to its mouth in Brgy. 

Lupac and to the banks around the riverside barrios. 

The first “visita” was established in 1580 and it was 

called “Monserrat de Marinduque” (now Boac) with 

Fray Alonzo Banol as its minister. 

weekendbiyahera.blogspot.com 

In 1621, the Spanish Jesuit missionaries brought 

the three-foot Marian image to Boac. So began the 

people’s devotion to the image of the Virgin Mary. 

In the mid-17th century, a group of Muslims in the 

Philippines called the Moro people felt threatened by 

the actions of the ruling Spanish government. They 

challenged the government by launching attacks on 

coastal Christian towns. This resulted in a raid along 

the shores of Barangay Laylay, near the Boac River. 

During the siege, the neighborhood people fled in 

panic and took refuge in the fortress church of Boac, 

which is now called Immaculate Conception Cathedral. 

In the meantime, all able-bodied men defended the 

outer walls of the church fortress against the attacks. 

Many Christians were killed and, by the third day of 

violence, those alive began to run short on food. The 

capture of the fortress seemed imminent. 

The survivors prayed fervently at the throne of 

Mary, asking her to deliver them from their enemies. 

Legend says that suddenly there came a very strong 

storm, with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. At 

the very height of the storm, it is reported that the 

image of a beautiful lady with outstretched arms 

appeared standing on the top of the wall. Terror 

seized the Moros and they fled in confusion to their 

vinta boats. Thus, the Christians were saved from 

death by Mary. 

Boac Municipal Hall/ 

Casa Real 

57

Boac River 

C 

Ever since this incident, the image of Mary has been 

honoured and given the title “Biglang Awa.” To 

commemorate the miracle, a stone niche was built 

on the wall at the spot 

The image of a 

beautiful lady with 

outstretched arms 

appeared standing on 

the top of the wall. 

Our Lady of 

Biglang Awa 

Marinduque 

where Mary appeared. The 

old image brought by the 

Jesuits in Boac was placed 

there. There is a shrine at 

this location today. 

In 1942, Boac was 

occupied by Japanese 

troops. In 1945, the Battle 

of Marinduque began and the American-Philippine 

Commonwealth troops landed in Boac after the 

war was built of the general headquarters of the 

Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine 

Constabulary from 1945 to 1946 station in this 

municipality. 

The Provincial Government of Marinduque under 

Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes built a larger-than-lifesize 

image of the Our Lady of Biglang Awa in cement 

and placed in the seashore in Balanacan Port to 

welcome travellers to the island. A tradition in Boac 

is the staged passion play called the Senakulo, 

an annual event, that has gained popularity for 

supporters and sponsors. It has a permanent site, 

complete with stage and elevated grounds at the 

reclaimed Boac River bed. 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

www.trekearth.com 

Balanacan Port 

wmapio.net Joven Lilles 

58

59

Moriones centurions 

parade in the streets 

The Senakulo is a series of theatrical presentations 

with sound and special lighting, and is held on the 

evenings of Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, 

on Good Friday Morning and after the midnight 

mass on Easter Sunday. The presentations are reenactments 

of relevant passages from the Old and 

New Testaments, with the Genesis, Prophecies, the 

birth, life and teachings, 

the passion and death of 

Christ to his resurrection. 

The Easter Sunday 

presentation also includes 

the full conversion of 

the centurion Longino to 

Christianity following the 

restoration of his eyesight, 

his defiance of Pilate by 

spreading the news, his capture and beheading. 

The presentations 

are re-enactments 

of relevant passages 

from the Old and 

New Testaments. 

Preparations on the props and costumes start 

months before and rehearsals sometimes last till 

dawn, proving, (if proof was ever needed), that 

Filipinos take their religion and their festivals very 

seriously. Even participants working in other parts 

of the country come home to fulfil their spiritual 

promise to take part in the passion play for as long 

as they can. 

On May 10, 2008, the Diocese of Boac celebrated 

the 13th anniversary and the golden anniversary 

of the canonical coronation of Mahal na Birhen 

ng Biglang-Awa (1958–2008). Cebu Archbishop 

Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Mogpog, Marinduque, 

officiated at the consecrated mass. 

The Diego family fight 

for the MARINDUQUE 

Boac is the third largest of the six municipalities 

of the province of Marinduque, after Santa Cruz 

and Torrijos. It borders all the municipalities of the 

province: Mogpog to the north, Santa Cruz to the 

Northeast, Torrijos to the East, Buena Vista to the 

South and Gasan to the South Southwest. 

The municipality is generally hilly, rugged and 

mountainous in the south and eastern part with thin 

strips of flat and farm lands and long shoreline in 

the west. The longest and largest river, Boac River, 

which gets its source in the mountainous forest in 

The Senakulo 

features the passion 

and death of Jesus 

60

the extreme southwest and spills off to the northern 

shore of Boac, divides the municipality into two 

geographical areas: north and south. 

The closest town-to-town reference to Boac is the 

municipality of Mogpog which is approximately 5 

kilometers. Boac is connected to Mogpog and Gasan 

by the Marinduque Circumferential Highway or the 

Pan-Marinduque Highway. Two bridges connect 

the north and south area of the municipality: the 

narrow Tabi Bridge which connects Brgy. Tabi and 

Brgy. San Miguel and the said-to-be the longest 

bridge in the province, Biglang Awa Bridge (186 

m), which connects Brgy. Tampus and Brgy. Bantad. 

A narrow minor road connects Boac and Mogpog 

via Buliasnin-Nangka Road, and Boac and Gasan via 

Duyay-Tapuyan Trail. Boac has a total road network 

of 117.61 kilometers. Geopolitically, Boac is divided 

into six zones: Poblacion, Riverside, Ilaya I, Ilaya II, 

Seaside A and Seaside B. Boac’s geographical centre 

is roughly located between the border of Brgy. 

Binunga and Brgy. Can-at. 

Mogpog and the Paadjao Falls 

The township of Mogpog (the name is derived from 

the Tagalog word ma-apog which means abundance 

of lime, lies a few kilometers from Balanacan port 

and has a lot for the visitor to see. Spectacular 

views over Balanacan cove and the islands between 

Marinduque and Lucena can be seen from the 

View Deck which is located by the statue of ‘Ina 

61

View of Gasan town 

from the St. Joseph 

church’s view deck 

Paadjao Falls 

62 

MARINDUQUE 

ng Biglang Awa’, a gentle stroll from the town 

centre. For visitors staying in the area overnight, the 

popular Hilltop Hotel and the Palms by the Beach 

resort offer comfortable rooms to complement the 

island’s well known reputation for hospitality and 

friendly service. 

For an energetic day out, trek to the Paadjao 

Falls which are best reached on foot. A series of 

mesmerizing, gently cascading falls of approximately 

100 feet tumble into a 15 foot deep pool of clear 

fresh water. By the pool are naturally formed 

hollows where tired travellers can relax, bask in the 

refreshing water and enjoy the spa like effects of 

these open-air baths. 

More adventurous travellers can explore the Tarug 

Caves, a three chambered cave within a limestone 

formation rising steeply to about 1000 feet above 

sea level. The pinnacle is about 10 square feet but 

the climb is well worth it. Camera enthusiasts will 

love the panoramic views over Bondoc Peninsula to 

the east and Tablas Strait in the west. Caves can be 

confusing and confounding places for the unwary, 

so inexperienced spelunkers should seek the services 

of an experienced guide before setting out. 

Mogpog also offers a pristine diving and snorkelling 

site at the Natangco Reefs. A natural shelf of up to 

40 feet deep is on the west side of Natangco Islet 

and is an excellent area for snorkelling buffs. For 

SCUBA divers the reef terminates into a near vertical 

drop of underwater cliffs reaching down to the 

sandy bottom approximately 130 feet below and is 

recommended for drift diving. The industries of this 

gentle town are fishing, agriculture, butterfly culture 

and of course the making of the famous morion, 

which means mask or visor. 

Gasan 

The peaceful little township of Gasan, situated 

south of Boac, like all other towns on Marinduque 

has so much to see, plus of course the overwhelming 

friendliness of the local inhabitants. Gasan is

famous for its butterflies, handicrafts and many 

archaeological sites, appealing to both nature lovers 

and culture vultures. There’s more to see from an 

eco-tourism perspective than for lovers of water 

sports but its rustic, unspoiled beauty will reward 

anyone who makes the effort to come here. For 

the romantically minded there is nothing more 

satisfying than a stroll through Reyes Park. This 

dreamy promenade with its stone tables, benches 

and lights is built on top of an ancient sea wall 

with an unobstructed view of the western coast 

of Marinduque – Tablas Strait, Tres Reyes Islets are 

southwest and glimpses of Mindoro to the west. 

Gasan’s butterflies are the most beautiful seen in 

the Philippines, with over 200 species, many of 

which are not found anywhere else. In fact, 75% 

of butterflies exported from the Philippines come 

from Marinduque. Accommodation in Gasan is 

comfortable and friendly. Two of the better resorts 

seen, while touring the island, were the Katala 

Beach Resort and Restaurant and the Blue Castle 

Beach Resort. Both offer excellent facilities at very 

reasonable rates. St Joseph’s is a beautiful church 

on the hilltop overlooking the township of Gasan. 

With its magnificent architecture is a place well 

worth visiting. 

Tres Reyes Island 

Approximately 20 minutes by Banka from the 

mainland at Gasan is Tres Reyes Island, the idyllic 

settings of this Island makes for a day to remember 

as it has so much to offer for a relaxing day of 

touring the islands, the local residents are extremely 

friendly, the waters are clean and pristine and the 

atmosphere is serene and peaceful. Dindo Asuncion 

and his team from the provisional tourism office 

have plans in the pipeline for more improvements 

to the island like a new pier for the incoming boats, 

for easier access. The main industry of the island is 

the cultivation of the seaweed for the markets, a 

delicious delicacy that is a must try. 

Torrijos 

Tres Reyes Island 

The buntal is 

painstakingly 

processed by soaking 

and boiling in a secret 

herbal mixture . 

Established in 1879 was 

named after General Jose 

Maria Torrijos, a prominent 

military officer admired 

in Spain during the War 

of Independence. Torrijos 

boasts beautiful beaches, 

white sands and pristine 

waters and is a diver’s paradise. There are beautiful 

© Herald Presado 2013 

63

Handcrafted 

pottery 

making 

www.booking.com 

Cagpo Beach Resort 

rustic resorts like Cagpo Beach Resort where you 

can stay at very reasonable rates. There are local 

industries in the area where you can pick up a sample 

of hand crafted products. In the Barangay of Bonlin 

a local group formed a cooperative 

for loom weaving 

which has steadily gained 

prominence in the years. 

since its establishment. 

This thriving handicraft 

centre makes intricately 

woven products for the 

home, such as place 

mats, table runners, 

window shades and wall 

decorations, on manually operated looms. That is 

now exported all over the Philippines. The material 

used for these home furnishings is called buntal, 

a fibre extracted from the buri tree that thrives in 

Eco-friendly and located 

on an 8 hectare property 

it has everything you 

could ask for. 

the area. The buntal is painstakingly processed by 

soaking and boiling in a secret herbal mixture to 

produce a fibre that has been deemed to be of the 

finest quality available in the Philippines. 

There is also hand crafted pottery a successful 

industry of the area. Gabisan Pottery is the makers’ 

fine pottery and terracotta products. The barangay 

boundary markers in the municipality came from the 

Gabisan kilns. 

Buenavista 

The main attraction to this sleepy town would have 

to be the Marinduque Hot Springs Resort. Set in a 

serene and rustic environment the Marinduque Hot 

Springs Resort is a welcome relaxation after traveling 

this magnificent island. Eco-friendly and located on 

an 8 hectare property it has everything you could 

Bellarocca Island 

Resort & Spa 

galapamore.weebly.com 

64

ask for: the facilities include five hot spring pools. 

Surrounding the swimming pools are beautiful 

picnic houses where you can relax and enjoy lunch 

after an invigorating dip in one of the pools, all the 

while taking the time to enjoy the atmosphere. 

You can just have a day trip, or stay overnight as 

the resort boasts cottages with private pools, airconditioned 

rooms, tree house kiosks, picnic and 

camping grounds. A nourishing breakfast is included 

for overnight residents. For a really therapeutic 

treatment, not far from the hot springs is Sulphur 

Springs, a few hours spent here will be an invigorating 

stopover. A few kilometres from the hot springs is 

the Curba Farm Resort. The resort also runs one of 

the finest restaurants on the island. The Curba Bar 

and Grill is located next door to the resort, on the 

second level overlooking the town. The theme is of 

the wild west and the superb cuisine is nothing short 

of mouth-watering and at very reasonable prices. 

The other attraction of Buenavista is the Bellarroca 

Resort. This exclusive five star resort is on a small 

island just off the coast of Buenavista, and for a 

price you can stay overnight in one of the luxurious 

rooms or villas. The amenities are of the highest 

quality and the resort boasts everything from a spa 

bath to a villa with movie. Bear in mind this is a very 

exclusive resort and is not designed for the budget 

conscious. 

FOR ONLY 

*P750 PER YEAR 

65

66 MARINDUQUE 

Zip line at the 

Freedom Echo 

Adventure Park. 

Freedom Echo Adventure Park 

When we last visited Marinduque back in 2013 the 

Freedom Echo Adventure Park was on the drawing 

board and just started under development, now 

fully functional the Adventure park has so much 

to offer with accommodation, 

trekking, zip line, swimming 

pool, off roaders and fabulous 

food. Is now a must to be 

at the top of your to do list 

when in Marinduque enjoying 

everything this magical Island 

has to offer. 

This side of the 

island-province is 

where you’ll find the 

white sandy beaches. 

www.wallpaperup.com 

Scuba Diving in Marinduque 

For many years the significant absence of a reputable 

and dependable diving facility in the province 

concealed the underwater beauty of the island from 

the eyes of the diving community for years. While it 

is true that scuba activities in 

the province have been going 

on for years, these were made 

and organized on personal 

trips and alliances. Two formal 

dive facilities were established 

in the early ‘90s – one in Boac 

(Marinduque Marine Sports 

Corporation), the other in the 

old Fantasy Elephant Club 

(precursor to the now Bellarocca Island Resort & 

Spa). 

Operations of these facilities made diving in the 

province somewhat recognized in the industry – the 

former with expatriates from Hong Kong; the latter 

with the predominantly Japanese clientele of the 

resort. Sadly, the operations of the above did not 

last long –both naturally ceased with the closure 

of their respective resort operations. Since then, 

no other formal dive-shop has been established 

and functioning in the province. The inimitable and 

unique underwater life in the province lured and

attracted Dive Instructor Freedom Dellosa (PADI 

#67549) - a native of Lucena City in neighboring 

Quezon Province, to set up a dive operation in 

Marinduque aptly naming it Coral Divers Den 

in 2012. The shop was initially part of an “ecoadventure” 

destination his family built on a hilltop 

in Boac, but later decided to transfer the same closer 

to where the diving actions are –at Poctoy White 

Beach in Torrijos. True to its name, the newfound 

home of the dive shop is just a stone’s throw from 

the waiting reef system beneath the sprawling blue 

waters adjoining the facility. There, his organized 

diving groups, walk-in guests and students visit 

and appreciate the underwater beauty of the 

place coupled with the professional dive service 

the “Den” has to offer. The facility has an array of 

scuba equipment ready to serve the diving activity 

of fifteen (15) divers. It also boasts of fifty (50) 

scuba tanks filled with quality breathing air from a 

well- maintained air compressor system. Underwater 

flashlights are likewise available for night diving 

activities, as well as other accessory equipment 

necessary to make diving safe and enjoyable. Divereducation 

is likewise being provided in the place. 

Standard PADI diver-courses from Open Water 

up to Dive master ratings are offered and being 

taught at reasonable rates. Non-divers shall have 

the opportunity of having their time underwater by 

taking the PADI Discover Scuba Program that the 

establishment similarly offers. 

With the establishment of Dive Marinduque over 

5 years ago things changed considerably for divers 

wanting to explore the hidden treasures of this 

island. This side of the island-province is where 

you’ll find the white sandy beaches. With the mighty 

Mt. Malindig – the highest peak in the island as 

background, a lazy walk on the ivory sands of Poctoy 

coupled with a soothing dip in its turquoise waters is 

www.wallpaperup.com 

Marinduque Poctoy- 

White Beach 

www.traveltothephilippines.info 

67

Left: Gasang- 

Gasang Festival 

Right: Moriones 

festival 

a welcome respite. The coral reef system in the area 

is of the fringing type. 

The shallow reef flat which gently slopes toward the 

open ocean is so wide and long, such that shoreentries 

are impractical and the use of boats in all 

dives is must. With mooring buoys strategically 

placed to discourage the use of boat anchors that 

contribute to the destruction and damage to the 

reef. The reef slope may be found at around 50 

- 70 meters from the shore. It is often very steep 

and begins to descend 

to much deeper depths. 

Relatively, coral growth is 

more pronounced and rich 

in this part of the reef. All 

entry points in the dive 

sites marked by buoys 

are located on these 

slopes. The absence of 

strong currents in the area 

explains the prevalence 

of hard corals which are less colorful than the soft 

ones. Dive sites are characterized by sloping reefs at 

Sea fans and gorgonians 

are not uncommon in 

the steep walls plastered 

with assortments of 

coralline covers. 

depths ranging from 5-10 meters, followed by walls 

covered with hard corals dropping down to around 

35 meters into the sandy bottoms. Of interest 

to the visiting divers would be the independent 

and clustered patches of reefs on the sandy bed 

encrusted with hard corals, while an incredible 

diversity of sea shells litter the vastness of the sandy 

floor. Sea fans and gorgonians are not uncommon 

in the steep walls plastered with assortments of 

coralline covers. Stag-horns, acroporas and their 

lot, are cluttered and distributed unevenly on the 

reef. Attention-grabbing reef formations, crevices, 

overhangs and swim-troughs proliferate in the area. 

These are homes and territories to various reefdwelling 

fishes like groupers, wrasses, moray eels 

and many more. Pelagic fishes are occasional visitors 

to the reef, so divers are advised not to forget to 

momentarily gawk into the blue every now and then, 

so as not to miss the opportunity of rare pelagicencounters. 

Sightings and photographed stop-overs 

of eagle rays have been documented and observed, 

as well as the much-talked-about beaching of sperm 

whales during the ‘70s and 80s. The long stretch of 

fringing reef in the area is likewise believed to be 

home to minute sea-dwellers that are delights and 

joy to underwater macro photographers. 

Festivals in Marinduque 

There are many festivals of fun and frivolity in 

Marinduque that visitors can enjoy like the Gasang- 

Gasang festival or the Tuba Festival and the 

Kalesayahan Festival and the biggest of them all the 

Moriones held every year on holy week. 

68

Find your stand up paddle board (SUP) today at 

SUBIC BAY BORACAY 

MANILA DAVAO 

CEBU PUERTO PRINCESA 


69

70 

MARINDUQUE 

Kalutang playing 

Kalesayahan 

Tuba festival 

Gasang Gasang Festival 

A yearly colorful Easter Sunday festival held in the 

town of Gasan. It is a celebration of the origin of the 

name “Gasan” which came from the term “Gasang- 

Gasang” a type of coral that used to be seen 

around the town’s shoreline. Accompanied by live 

marching bands, contingents of colorful costumes 

and indigenous materials. Dancing in Jubilation the 

contingents from surrounding Barangays are in full 

spirit to the beat of the drums as the parade dances 

its way along the major streets of Gasan shouting 

“Viva El Kristo”. 

Tuba Festival 

“Tuba” is the native drink 

obtained from the coconut 

tree by the “mangangant” or 

“tuba” gatherers. A festival in 

honour of the “mangangant 

and “tuba” drinking, a 

pastime, that has been developed in the town of 

Torrijos, and coincides with the town fiesta. Street 

dancing, utilizing props of bamboo and coconut 

materials are accompanied by drum and lyre bands. 

Kalesayahan Festival 

Kalesayahan is a contraction of two tagalog 

words “Kalesa” a local horse-drawn vehicle and 

The storyline of the 

Moriones Festival 

centers on Longino, 

a Roman Centurion, 

blind in one eye. 

“kasayahan” A festival celebrating kalesas in Gasan 

town during the past decade to generate interest in 

this form of local transportation and to preserve the 

few existing ones, has been successfully undertaken 

in the Month of August of every year. This is 

timed with the town’s celebration of its founding 

anniversary. Kalesas and horses are gaily decorated 

with indigenous materials, carrying a young couple 

dressed in “Filipiniana attire that shows e creativity 

in various expressions and decorating. A community 

project involving men women and children with 

winners often receiving cash 

prizes. 

The Moriones 

Would have to be the biggest 

festival in Marinduque and is 

held on Holy Week each year. 

Throughout the Philippines, 

Holy Week is celebrated with 

fervor and reverence which follow age-old Catholic 

customs plus a few ancient practices that border on 

the mystical. And Marinduque is no exception as 

it is time for the Moriones Festival, a folk-religious 

tradition dating back to the 1870s, that runs from 

Holy Monday to Easter Sunday. Men and women 

from the island’s six towns dress up as colorful 

characters that parody the clothing and behavior 

of Roman soldiers during the time of Christ. The

hand-made costumes are fashioned from cloth, 

shells, woven into vines plus almost anything useful 

that’s lying around – the only limit seems to be the 

designer’s creativity and imagination. The mask, or 

morion, is usually made of hand carved wood or 

Paper Mache’. A helmet adorned with multi-hued 

paper flowers completes this distinctive garb. The 

swords, shields and spears are of painted wood 

and with the mask, costume and helmet comprise 

the basic Roman tunic. The mask and costume are 

prepared painstakingly and discreetly months, even 

years, before they’re worn. 

For the whole week these pesky Moriones figures 

populate the town’s streets, engaging in mock 

sword fights, marching, dancing, playing pranks 

on the masses of excited children, performing 

antics or springing a surprise on an unsuspecting 

victim, while staying safely hidden behind their 

mask. Amidst all this gaiety and frivolity the man 

behind the seemingly vexing morion is actually 

fulfilling a vow of penance, thanksgiving or 

performing an act of self-cleansing. Traditionally 

the Moriones’ identity is kept secret, even from his 

immediate family. The spiritual sacrifice of these 

men and women is a heavy burden they happily 

and enthusiastically carry out. Enduring the 

weighty helmet, with vision limited by the mask, 

and sweltering inside their costume during the hot 

humid days, the penitents then participate in the 

Map of Marinduque 

evening’s religious processions and do so with a 

sense of pride and achievement. 

The storyline of the Moriones Festival centers on 

Longino, a Roman Centurion, blind in one eye, who 

was ordered by the Roman High Council to command 

the soldiers at the crucifixion. He speared the side 

of the crucified Christ, and a few drops of the blood 

that gushed from the wound splashed into his blind 

eye, miraculously restoring his sight. He converted 

to Christianity after the miracle, which earned him 

the wrath of the other centurions. Longino then set 

out to tell as many people as possible of the miracle 

and proclaiming Christ as the Son of God. This is 

where the fun starts, perfectly timed in Marinduque 

for its brand of Easter Sunday celebrations. Pontius 

Pilate orders the Moriones to look for Longino, 

capture and behead him to prevent his spreading 

the news. Learning of the plot he eludes his fellow 

Moriones playing captors, not to escape but to 

gain more time in spreading the truth of his newly 

found faith. The habulan, or mad chase, for Longino 

begins and so does the fun. Running in chaotic 

circles around the town, in the market place, hiding 

in houses and even using the audience as a shield 

to avoid his perplexed Moriones pursuers, this 

spectacle delights the onlookers no end. 

Oftentimes a spectator becomes an unwitting 

participant of this tragi-comedy as he tries to hide 

LUZON 

MARINDUQUE 

71

MARINDUQUE 

72 

Ka Amon caves 

the hapless Longino, who has, by now, become the 

darling of the crowd. Longino is captured twice but 

manages to escape to the crowd’s resounding roar 

of approval. On the third time, realizing that he has 

proclaimed to the world the miracle of Christ, he 

accepts his fate in the final act called pugutan or 

mock beheading, usually timed at high noon. After 

asking his newly found Saviour’s forgiveness, he 

lowers his head to the block 

and is decapitated by another 

morione, called the berdugo, 

or executioner. His “lifeless” 

body is paraded around town 

for his “funeral” that leads to 

the church where all Moriones 

rededicate the year’s Lenten 

vow to god. If traveling to 

Marinduque, for this week 

of religious fun and frivolity, 

book all travel and accommodation early, or run 

the risk of missing out on one the Philippine’s most 

colorful festivals. 

Kalutang 

Proudly native and exclusive to Marinduque is 

the Kalutang. A band of local musicians who have 

perfected the art of producing crisp clear melodies 

that blends with the catchy rhythm of a booming 

bass. Their Instruments are distinctly unconventional 

and very unique. Cut from the end of specially chosen 

branches of the kwatingan tree found on the island, 

each musician carefully cuts this desired length and 

specifications. Striking together the identical pair of 

wooden instruments at selected points along the 

length produces notes of a definite pitch and tone 

quality that remotely resembles a cross between an 

un-sustained marimba and castanets. As such, the 

Kalutang belong in a class of musical instruments that 

is generally classified as percussion. The instruments 

range in size from approximately ten inches in length 

by an inch in diameter for the soprano section to four 

feet in length with a diameter of six inches for the 

It takes thousands, 

even millions, of years 

for those geological 

miracles to be formed 

through continuous 

precipitation. 

bass section. Due to the method used to produce the 

sound, the Kalutang bands of Marinduque never use 

any additional percussion instruments. The percussion 

and rhythm have been naturally integrated in a style 

that these peculiar instruments are played. 

The Ka Amon Caves 

The caves of Ka Amon are 

located at the eastern part 

of the island of Marinduque. 

Young the island may be, 

but the origin of these caves 

was already part of nature’s 

magnificent sculpture during 

the Cretaceous Epoch before 

Marinduque finally rose from 

the sea about 20 million years 

ago. With sunlight touching 

the once-underwater limestone beauty, more subtle 

changes began to take place —slowly transforming 

the barren karst, (landscape formed from the 

dissolving or separation of soluble rocks), into a 

heart-shaped paradise thriving right at the center 

of the Philippine archipelago. Indeed, the wings of 

www.wewander.ph 

Palad Sandbar

www.wewander.ph 

time, like magic, did its wonders on Marinduque 

and among its amazing creations are the more than 

one hundred and fifty caves found on the island. 

Ka Amon Cave 1 has been classified by PCAT under 

Class I, thereby closing it to the public. Caves 

under this category possess delicate and fragile 

geological formations, threatened fauna and flora 

species, archaeological and paleontological value, 

and extremely hazardous conditions. In the case 

of Ka Amon 1, there are fauna species and fragile 

eco-systems in the cave that need to be protected 

and the government deems it best for the said cave 

to be left undisturbed. Meanwhile, Ka Amon Cave 

2 has been classified under Class II, which means 

it is open only to experienced cavers or guided 

educational tours and/or visits. 

According to DENR, caves under this category have 

areas, or portions, marked with hazardous conditions 

and contain sensitive geological, archaeological, 

cultural, historical, and biological values. This adds 

to the excitement of seeing and cherishing these 

caverns which tell many great stories about the 

earth and humankind. the cave, Ka Amon, was 

roamulofied.files.wordpress.com 

Holy Cross Parish Church Sta Cruz 

derived from the name of the owner of the property, 

Ramon Monterey, a very generous son of Torrijos. 

Every visitor must register and donate a nominal fee 

for cave maintenance and other legitimate purposes. 

After just several minutes of a light, exhilarating 

climb up the mountainside, you will see the narrow 

passage to Ka Amon Cave! It takes thousands, 

even millions, of years for those geological miracles 

to be formed through continuous precipitation. 

As you observed and admire these speleothems, 

(a secondary mineral deposit formed in a cave), 

one cannot help comparing nature’s to man’s 

methodology and fruitage of sculpting. There always 

seems to be an essence of divinity in the former, 

whether it’s a gigantic or microscopic creation; their 

breath-taking designs show the immense power 

and intellect of their Maker. 

Places to stay 

There are numerous places around every province 

of Marinduque offering first class accommodation 

to suit every type of budget and taste. One of 

the choicest places to stay in Boac is the Freedom 

Echo Adventure Park. But whatever your taste and 

budget you will find something to suit your needs. 

A warning if planning to go to Marinduque during 

Holy Week, book early, to avoid disappointment. 

How to get there 

From Manila there are buses daily to Lucena pier 

this takes approximately six hours where you can 

get a Ferry to Marinduque Balanacan Port. There 

are two ferry services Montenegro and Start Horse. 

For price and comfort it is recommended to use 

Start Horse. Now that the airport is open again you 

can get a flight from Manila bay with Air Juan this 

is comfortable, fast and convenient and reasonably 

priced to book a flight with air one call (02) 7188111 

or go to www.airjuan.comer. 

Maniwaya island 

73

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

Normally held in late February / early 

March the 10th Philippine Boat Show & 

Nautical Lifestyle Expo has been moved to early 

October 2018. As part of the on-going partnerships 

with the National Coast Watch Council Secretariat 

and MARINA, the organizers decided to move the 

dates of the show in order to coincide with the 

recently proclaimed “Maritime 

and Archipelagic Nation 

Awareness Month” (MANA 

MO), creating a cohesive and 

equally beneficial atmosphere 

all around. 

This year the Sea-Ex will be 

held on October 5th to 7th at 

This year the 

Sea-Ex will see 

the return of the 

Floating Docks that 

have been absent 

for 3 years. 

the SMX convention Centre, Mall of Asia Pasay, and 

will also see the return of the Floating Docks that 

have been absent for 3 years since moving from No.1 

Esplanade to make way for the new development 

there. 

Sponsored by EZ Dock and supplied by Martin 

R.Garcia of Rayomarine the 

EZ Dock floating docks will be 

situated at the SM on the bay 

Seaside Terminal, and will be 

used for some outstanding on 

water displays, a very welcome 

return to the Sea-Ex. EZ Dock 

is the most versatile floating 

docks available today in the 

2018 SEA-EX N 

74

Philippines with multiple applications for Residential, 

Commercial use, Marinas, Resorts, Industrial, 

Mining, Trail walk-bridges , Government and Military 

installations and Seaplane airports. Anyone looking 

for floating docks, take the opportunity to speak 

to the staff at the Rayomarine EZ Dock stand and 

get a great Sea-ex deal. This year there are 43 major 

exhibitors, with all the familiar faces and some new 

welcome additions people can expect to see a lot 

more this year. See the latest navigation technology 

at Broadwater Marine, who also showcase the latest 

in marine entertainment with the fusion range and 

all other high quality boat accessories designed to 

make your boating life easier. Norwegian Marine and 

Marnav Marine Electronics will also be promoting the 

latest innovations. There will be a vast range of boats 

for sale from the best suppliers in the Philippines. 

Rayomarine will be there with top shelf displays 

of the latest Princes Yachts, Hobie Cats along with 

Chaparral and Robalo. Europa Yachts, AMAC, Asia 

Marine Ocean Gecko, Trevally Boats, Boatshop and 

new comer Infinity Boatworks will all have their 

latest designs on display. 

There will be plenty of eye-catching long legged 

candy on display as they model and promote the 

latest Jet Skis from Scan Marine and the impressive 

designs from Noli Manus’s Team Nonino. 

Bankapro will have the latest in inflatable watertoys, 

while other exhibitors like Hexagon, Solanda 

Industries Dreibund Corporation, Power systems 

ow in in October 

75

Return of the Floating Dock 

• The inclusion of a floating dock for on water 

display at the SM By The Bay Seaside Terminal 

is a welcome addition to the show after a 

three-year hiatus. 

• We are excited to bring back sunset cruises, 

music and cocktails by the bay. 

• The outdoor area offers our exhibitors and 

partners more options to expand their 

branding and marketing campaigns. 

Example of Floating Dock 

76

Inc., Spurway’s, Sunbrella, Suzuki, Rope Systems 

Incorporated, Top Sea Shells, Simpsons Marine, 

Upshaw Industrial Corporation, UCM ATV Motors, 

PYCS, Unilox, CLP Intertrade Co Ltd. Polymer 

Products, Advanced Composite Systems. Seafirst Co 

Korea, Integrated Marine Solutions, Neossia, Jiangsu 

Marine and Subic Asia Pacific Marine resources will all 

be displaying the latest in marine technology in their 

particular fields. A long-time supporter of the Seaex, 

Mr Rodney Hegerty will be back there with RDH 

Marine, while for pleasure activities, there is Busuanga 

Bay Lodge, Sun Paradise Island Corregidor Foundation 

and Alveo land for that new condo to help you retire 

in the Philippines. No Matter what your interest is 

you will find it at the 10th Philippine Boat Show & 

Nautical Lifestyle Expo 2018 

from 5th to 7th October at the 

SMX Convention Centre Mall 

of Asia Pasay, Metro Manila, 

Philippines. Don’t miss this 

exciting marine expo, and 

while you are checking out 

all the goodies on display call 

into the Active Boating and 

Watersports Display and obtain 

your free copy of the latest 

edition. 

No matter what your 

interest is you will find 

it at the 10th Philippine 

Boat Show & Nautical 

Lifestyle Expo 2018. 

77

You should be very 

careful when using 

the tender – more 

drownings results from 

their misuse than from 

people going overboard 

from a cruiser. 

Sailing Tips 

You’ve always been interested to sail, but you know little about boat parts, the confusing technobabble, 

and what little you know is making your head spin in four different directions! Worry no 

more. This continuing series of articles is for you: it covers tips regarding hardware present on most boats, 

as well as common sailing techniques, terms and definitions, the names of the different pieces of hardware, 

and much more. This will keep you informed about most things you will need before you begin your own 

sailing excursion. Be sure to consult with an experienced sailor and someone knowledgeable about boats. 

Article 

excerpts 

reprinted 

from 

the book 

CRUISER 

HANDLING 

by BOB BOND 

& STEVE 

SLEIGHT 

Tender stowed on 

the davits 

78 

Tenders 

All cruising boats need to have a tender to ferry the crew and 

stores between the boat and the shore. Ideally, it should be 

large enough to carry all the crew, the provisions and any sailing 

gear, while remaining easy to handle under both oars and an 

outboard motor. It should also have permanent buoyancy and 

be tough enough to withstand rough treatment. In practice the 

problems of stowing a tender on board a small or medium sized 

cruiser limits the choice of type. While the purpose-designed 

rigid tender handles better in the water, you can normally on 

the davits. The alternative is to tow it, which reduces your boat 

speed and causes problems when coming in and out of the 

harbour. 

Most people in fact opt for an inflatable tender which can 

partially be deflated and easily stowed on deck or in a large 

locker. They are not easy to row in a strong wind, and you may 

find that you need an outboard motor for long trips, inflatables, 

being soft, have the advantage that they don’t damage the 

boat when coming alongside. You should be very careful when 

using the tender – more drownings results from their misuse 

than from people going overboard from a cruiser. Make sure 

that crew members wear a lifejacket in the tender, even on short 

trips, and even if they can swim. Never overload the tender, 

make two trips, if necessary. 

Towing a Tender 

If you have a rigid tender you will probably have to tow it behind 

your boat, at least for short trips. Even if you have an inflatable 

you may prefer to tow it occasionally rather than deflate it and 

stow it, if you know you are going to use it again shortly. Before 

setting off, remove all the loose gear from the tender and stow 

it aboard the boat. Use a strong warp as a towing line, making 

sure it is long enough to allow the tender to lie well astern of the 

boat. The line should be fixed to a through-bolted eye on the 

outside of the stem of the dinghy. A slack reserve line should 

be fastened from the tender to the boat just in case the towing 

line breaks. In strong winds you may find that an inflatable 

tender becomes airborne or even blows aboard the boat. Under 

these conditions, shorten the towing line. You may also need 

a shorter line when towing a tender in harbour. A rigid tender 

is, in fact, more difficult to tow than an inflatable. It sometimes 

tends to surf down a wave when the boat is sailing offwind, 

and crash into the boat. In this case, you should lengthen the 

line even though the tender may sheer about as a result. If you 

are manoeuvring in congested waters, a crew member should 

look after the tender to ensure that the towing line doesn’t 

foul the propeller or rudder, and that the tender doesn’t hit any 

other boats. Never try to board the tender when under way, for 

whatever reason.

Using a Tender 

Using a Tender 

Tenders, whether inflatable or rigid, are inherently unstable, and 

you should take great care when using them. Be particularly 

careful getting in and out of the tender to avoid upsetting it. 

After launching it in the water, secure the painter to a stanchion 

base or deck cleat near the shrouds. 

The oarsman should get in first, stepping into the middle of it, 

and sitting down immediately on the central thwart, facing the 

stern. The oars are passed to him, followed by any stores being 

transported. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly. Any 

other passengers should then get in, taking care to balance the 

tender, and holding it steady against the sides of the cruiser. 

When the oarsman has fitted the outboard oar into its rowlock, 

and has said he is ready, the crew member nearest the painter 

casts off and pushes the tender clear so the oarsman can fit the 

other rowlock and oar. To disembark, simply reverse the order of 

getting in, taking care to keep the weight balanced. 

If you are coming ashore in tidal water, make sure your dinghy 

is pulled up above the high water mark if there is an incoming 

tide. If coming ashore in an unfamiliar estuary or river, watch 

out for deep mud. Use the slipway if there is one. 

Rowing a Tender 

Rowing a loaded tender is hard work, and the oarsman must 

therefore be competent. If the waters are tidal, work out your 

plan of approach to your boat or to the shore, depending on 

the direction and strength of the current. Remember that it is 

always strongest at the point mid-way between high and low 

tide. It is also worth remembering that the current is usually 

weaker in shallow water. If a strong current is flowing, always 

allow for it, to avoid being swept past your objective. Your own 

efforts, plus the force of the current, should push you sideways 

to the boat. 

Always ensure balanced seating for 

ease of handling 

A seaworthy dinghy 

is important - 

make sure it also 

rows well and don’t 

overload it. 

boat-tender 

Motor Yacht Tender 

Hatch 

Tender attached 

Tender Guide 

79

Words by 

BARRY 

DAWSON 

Photographs 

as credited 

The 2018 Philmarine Expo held at the SMX 

convention Centre on June 27th to 29th and 

hosted by the Maritime Industry Authority was 

again a huge success for the organizers, exhibitors 

and the marine and boating 

industry of the Philippines. 

With 4830 attending the 

expo over the 3 days, 

checking what was new 

on offer in all facets of the 

marine industry. There was 

plenty to see for everyone, 

with technical advice being 

supplied by the Philippines 

Ports Authority, the Maritime 

Some of the many 

international exhibitors 

included Rivertrace, 

a UK company 

completely involved 

with the environment 

and the removal of oil 

from our oceans. 

Industry, Naval Defence and exhibitors from all 

over the world displaying what was new and what 

was hot! Local Philippine exhibitors included the 

top boating and marine dealers in the country, 

like Broadwater Marine the 

largest boat chandlery in 

the Philippines with outlets 

in Subic Bay, Manila, Cebu, 

Boracay, Davao and Puerto 

Princesa, promotion the latest 

in Marine Entertainment in 

the latest Fusion Range of 

the world’s best marine audio 

systems available, along with 

the complete range of Dan 

80

Fenders and BLA accessories and Parts. Megapaint 

and Nippon Paint Philippines, Inc. Showcasing 

the best marine paints money can buy to protect 

your valuable investment, while Eastwest Building 

Tech. Inc. had the top in marine flooring and 

floating docks, and Riverbank industries. 

Scan Marine The largest Sea Doo Jet ski Dealer 

in the country with outlets in Manila, Iloilo, 

Palawan, Cebu and Davao was there to showcase 

the latest and best jet skis on the market today. 

For the best in Charts and the full Simrad range 

of Radars and equipment, top dealer from Cebu, 

Norwegian Marine was there to help and advise 

customers the best and latest in technology. 

While Al’s Marine and Tronquered were there with 

the latest in small pleasure craft. Isuzu and Suzuki 

had the latest in marine engines on display, while 

boat builders Pacificfortia Marine Technologies 

Inc. were displaying their latest designs. There was 

also Hy King Marine Trading showcasing fire safety 

equipment, While Alatas and Marine Travelift 

were displaying the ultimate in Marine cranes and 

boat lifting equipment. For the latest in GPS, Fish 

Finders and other electronics, the best of Garmin 

was showcased by both Broadwater Marine and 

Jason Electronics Phils. Company Inc. 

Some of the many international exhibitors 

included Rivertrace, a UK company completely 

The 5th 

PHILMARINE 

2018 

81

involved with the environment and the removal of 

oil from our oceans. Lizard Craft from Shanghai with 

their new N-wave and Fly-wheel craft have made a 

disruptive breakthrough in 

boat building technology, 

while the Popular Parsh 

Marine from Singapore, 

now well established in 

the Philippines was making 

new in-roads in the marine 

industry. Korea Marine 

Equipment caters from 

the pleasure boat to major 

shipping and industrial 

development. From Greece there was Laliza’s safety 

equipment with state of the art life jackets and other 

safety equipment that is sure to please. 

ZF Asia Pacific from 

Singapore and Xiamen 

Friendly lighting Technology 

were all there to make the 

event the success that it was. 

From Singapore Shan was there with Global Marine 

Safety, showing there advanced technology in safety 

equipment. 

82

Other exhibitors at this year’s Philmarine were 

Compolite Pte Ltd from Singapore providing marine 

lighting solutions, Polymer Products Philippines 

with advanced adhesives, GuangDong MinHua 

Shipbuilding from Jiangmen Citu Guandong, Deco 

Marine From Busan Korea, also from Korea was Gorio 

Punp & Marine Systems, Navicharts from Cebu, 

Apex Plastic Piping from Laguna, GTI Consultancy 

Services from Cavite, China Shipbuilding From 

Shanghai, Maps & Globe Specialists from Singapore, 

ZF Asia Pacific from Singapore and Xiamen Friendly 

lighting Technology were all there to make the event 

the success that it was. 

If this year’s show is any indication of the growth of 

the Marine industry in the Philippines, then don’t 

miss out on the 2019 6th Philmarine expo. 

83

HILIPPINE YACHT CLUB DIRECTORY 

84

85 

HILIPPINE YACHT CLUB DIRECTORY

86

87

88

89

P H I L I P P I N E S 

YACHT PARTS, SALES and SERVICE 

90

ABW Sept 2018-1

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?