• Marc7 Travels
  • Marc7 Travels Blog Entries
  • Viajerong Pinoy
  • Explore Manila!
  • Contact
  marc7 travels



SanVic Sa Pagbabago (Unang Bugso)

9/8/2019

1 Comment

 
​This municipality on the western coast of Palawan was once an off-beat destination. Despite having the country's longest white sand shoreline, only the brave and the bold, mostly foreigners, dare explore its natural beauty. Things are taking a turn for this sleepy town with the opening of its own airport and the development of a more reliable road network. Yes... San Vicente in Palawan is excited and ready for the change that is coming.
Picture
San Vicente in Palawan is now ready to show the world its beauty and vibe.
Created in 1969, the municipality of San Vicente covers a total of 10 barangays on the northwestern side of Palawan. Its main industries are farming and fishing. However, with a local full service airport and the concreting of roads of the municipality, it has strengthened its connection to the world revealing its natural attractions that are definitely worth exploring. In due time, tourism will be another alternative livelihood for its locals.
The laidback beach vibe complemented by its beautiful shoreline make San Vicente a must-visit place for beach lovers.
A vast length of San Vicente's shoreline remain unspoiled but fenced.
A typical day in San Vicente.
​On this first part of my San Vicente travel blog, we will be exploring local attractions that made a buzz among travelers. We hopped on the ever dependable habal-habal to explore the sights and sounds that make San Vicente a unique and upcoming Philippine destination.

Long Beach

Long Beach is San Vicente's prime tourist draw. With a 14.7-kilometer white sand shoreline, it is touted as the longest white sand shoreline in the country.
Picture
Long Beach is the prime tourist attraction of San Vicente.
The stretch starts at Barangay Alimanguan, the northernmost part of the strip, and stretches down south to New Agutaya. A hill extending towards the shoreline blocks the view of Long Beach's full stretch. A small rocky strip in the same area is the only place where one can get a full panoramic view of the whole 14.7 kilometer beach stretch from end to end.
Picture
A panoramic view of Long Beach from the rock formations of Alimangoan.
Picture
Alimangoan is the northernmost point of Long Beach.
Picture
I enjoyed watching sunsets in San Vicente.
Sunset sessions were opportunities to watch locals have fun.
The rock formation of Alimangoan.
A dramatic landscape of Alimangoan.
We also made a brief stop at the center of Long Beach, said to be a location of a local of franchise of "Survivor", and concluded our Long Beach tour at New Agutaya, the southern end of the beach. From this end, one can see the full length of the beach from the hill. One will be amazed at the beauty and length of Long Beach!
Picture
Enjoying the sun and sand at the mid-section of Long Beach.
A view of the southern side of the country's longest white sand shoreline.
A leisurely walk through the coconut tree canopy of New Agutaya.
Enjoying the view of Long Beach from its southern end.
​At this time, Long Beach remains vastly untouched by commercialism with only a few business establishments in the area. However, access to the beach is already limited because most of the beach front lots are fenced by its private owners. A strong indication of future developments in the area.

Bato ni Ning-Ning

This iconic rock formation atop the hill became famous after it was featured in a local tv series "Ningning". Bato ni Ningning is a rock formation atop a hill in Barangay Erawan that offers a sweeping view of the hills and the coasts of San Vicente.
Picture
Drowning myself into the amazing view of San Vicente's landscape and seascape.
The picturesque overlooking view of Erawan Beach (not Long Beach) and its blue waters is a perfect backdrop for that IG-worthy photo. The dramatic view of the land meeting the sea is so serene that you can't help but take the time to enjoy the view and the gentle breeze blowing in. The knoll also gives an amazing view of the nearby Umuruan Island.
Picture
The dramatic view atop Bato ni Ningning.
Standing atop the famous rock of San Vicente.
A view of Umuruan Island from Bato ni Ningning.
The view got me into an artsy vibe.
​The road to knoll is now being improved to make the view deck more accessible to guests of San Vicente.

Erawan Beach

Erawan Beach is often mistaken as part of Long Beach but it is not. This white sand beach strip is separated from Long Beach by a hill that extends out to the sea.
Picture
Erawan Beach is another laidback beach spot in San Vicente.
Despite being separated from San Vicente's famous beach stretch, the unspoiled beach of Erawan is an attraction in itself. It remains untouched by commercialism and you get to enjoy the beach for its raw beauty. The serene atmosphere complemented by the gentle crashing of the waves drown out your thoughts towards a relaxing beach chill. It was simply blissful!
Erawan Beach is an unspoiled beach spot.
A view of Bato ni Ningning from Erawan Beach.
​We were pleasantly surprised to find small square pens by the beach. It turns out that the enclosure protects a nesting site of sea turtles. Apparently, Erawan Beach and Long Beach are popular nesting grounds for these sea creatures. It is something that needs to be considered with the forthcoming tourism development of San Vicente.

San Vicente Town Proper

At the heart of all the tourism buzz and flare is the town of San Vicente. This sleepy town center is the center for commerce, governance, and religion. It also serves as the main entry point of the municipality with its airport and seaport.
Picture
The town proper remains laidback at this time.
Picture
The open park by the bay of San Vicente.
Both airport and seaport are functioning and it still being developed as of this writing. The airport connects San Vicente to the Philippines while its seaport connects it to the nearby towns like Port Barton. Concrete roads connect the town to the whole road network of Palawan. A road is now being constructed that will connect the town proper with Port Barton. Once done, it will reduce travel time between the two barangays significantly.
The seaport is still being improved.
Small boats docked close by the seaport.
The seaport connects the town proper to nearby barangays.
The tourism office of San Vicente is just a few meters away from seaport. You can get vital information from the office from boat and land tours to accomodations. There is also a small shop that displays OTOP products in the region.
Picture
San Vicente has its own tourism office.
Picture
An artwork highlighting San Vicente as a sea turtle sanctuary.
​The San Vicente de Ferrer Parish is the center of faith of the municipality. Located atop a hill, it provides a panoramic view of parts of the town. The parish exudes an atmosphere of simplicity from its exterior up to its interior. The high ceiling of the church with its simple altar design was a welcome breather from the adrenaline of exploring the town.
Picture
The simple façade of the San Vicente de Ferrer Parish.
Picture
The simple and serene sanctuary of the church.
Located atop an adjacent hill, the San Vicente Municipal Hall serves as the center of governance of the municipality. The compound houses the government offices that provide basic services to the residents of San Vicente.
The municipal hall of San Vicente.
The government compound sits atop the hill.
The compound houses offices that provide basic services to locals.
​I reckon that, in a year's time, the landscape of the town proper will change dramatically. It will be more progressive and vibrant. But I am glad that I got to see, feel, and enjoy the very laid back town of San Vicente.
 
POST TRAVEL NOTES

​The sleepy town of San Vicente is now geared towards creating a better approach in its tourism front. The laidback town vibe of the municipality and its rustic beauty is slowly getting a facelift in anticipation to its development. I am glad that I was able to enjoy San Vicente while still in its pristine state, with some spots still unspoiled by commercialism. It is great to see another Philippine spot rise from seclusion, not as an alternative, but as a recognizable destination because of its natural beauty.
Picture
Get ready to head out to the waters of San Vicente!
​Accessibility fosters development. The opening of the San Vicente airport and the development of a better road network gave San Vicente an equal chance to show the world what it has to offer. But with a new opportunity knocking, the worry is the possible mismanagement that can harm the natural resources and ecological balance of San Vicente. I hope that the LGU can push for a development plan with a strong framework focused on sustainability.
​Getting There: Philippine Airlines flies direct to San Vicente via Clark and Skyjet flies direct from Manila. One can also take a flight to Puerto Princesa and take a three-hour land trip to San Vicente.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment
assignment writers australia link
9/17/2019 12:16:59 pm

Our world is filled with magnificent creations and God is the true artist here. We need to see the beauty of the world and to travel is a privilege for all of us to do. We must explore the seas, the mountains and the forest that are hidden somewhere in the world. The places that are not yet discovered are the challenge that we need to pass so that the next generation will see the unseen.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Home
    @viajerongpinoy
    #EXPLORemanila

    Marc del Rosario

    I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment.

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    July 2010
    January 2010
    August 2009

    RSS Feed