To all beach fanatics out there, this post is especially for you! Of course, with the Philippines lying on the tropical regions of Asia and the Pacific, our country has been showered with immaculate beaches. If Bicol has Caramoan, Ilocos has Pagudpud, Visayas has Bohol and Sipalay (Negros), and Mindanao has Camigin and Siargao, Quezon has its own beaches that rival the others as our country’s number one beach spot: Padre Burgos and Sariaya.
Quezon, named after the former Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, stretches along the east coastline of South Luzon. The geography of the province is heavenly, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range shields the valley part of the province from harsh rain (well, more like typhoons and storms) that regularly visits the region. Buses from all over Manila ply every hour to the provincial capital, Lucena, in southeast Quezon. Terminals are located at Cubao, Buendia and Makati. Vans, which fill faster but arrive a little bit later than buses, are also available to rent for commuting groups on the said terminals. The other mountainous parts of Quezon, however, remain to be inaccessible through the land route.
The long coastline of Quezon attracts townspeople to settle near the ocean, which in return gives them coastal provisions for living. Fishing waters here thrive with wildlife, both edible and for show. That is just how rich the environment here is. And these same waters, allides with the shores of some of the premium beaches in the country, both mainland and far off islands.
From the drop off point in the Lucena terminal, a short walk will lead you to another bus terminal to Padre Burgos, our first beach destination, which is three hours away from the metro. Padre Burgos, which faces the South China Sea, was formerly known as Laguimanok because of the coastline’s shape, which resembles the tuka (beak) of a manok (chicken, in the vernacular). Another legend according to townspeople is that the town, then just a mere barrio of the Atimonan town, had a copious supply of chickens that lawin,a variation of a hawk, always swooped down the town to seize unsuspecting chicks from their mother hens. It was said that when hawks were flying overhead, locals shouted “manok” to alert the other neighbors and guard their chicks. The town then changed its name from Laguimanoc to Padre Burgos, in honor of the priest that became a martyr during the Spanish regime.
The town of Padre Burgos hosts a number of natural islands that wait to be discovered and has the best view of Tayabas Bay. The island beaches of Alejandro Melchor (named after the famous government official during the Marcos presidency), Escalero and Borawan all warrant a visit from beach fans, with guaranteed enjoyment and satisfaction. The richness of unexplored and undeveloped natural areas in these island beaches provides countless outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. Several facilities for kayaking are available, as well as those for windsailing and jet-skiing. All of these island beaches have certified clear blue beaches, white sand and majestic and diverse aquatic life.
Other than these three island beaches, there are other nearby islands, with caves, rock formations, and waterfalls waiting for the adventure seekers to explore and unravel. For nature lovers, Padre Burgos really is a haven, without all the typical commercialized beach resorts.
Our next stop is Sariaya, which is on the eastern side of the Quezon province. To get to the town from Manila, it is actually a shorter trip than to Padre Burgos. Just take the Lucena bound buses from Buendia, Cubao or Makati terminals and get off the Sariaya stop. Sariaya, which is famous for the town’s pastries and candied fruits, also boasts of its spick and span string of beaches that are connected via coastal roads. The scenery here is picturesque, with Mount Banahaw on the north border and Tayabas Bay on the south.
Sariaya, according to local legends, got its name from the story of one woman named “Sarya,” who bumped into Spanish conquistadores and asked her of the name of the place. Sarya, not understanding what the Spanish speaking foreigners were asking, answered and gave her name instead. The name, since then, evolved into what is known as Sariaya today.
Presently, Sariaya marks its place on the country’s tourist spots because of its marvelous beaches and scrumptious sweets that are all exclusively made in the town like marzapan and pinagong. A plethora of antique houses and aged churches can be seen upon entering the town, as well as a series of Spanish style streets that connect the narrow roads of the entire town.
The natural splendor of Sariaya’s beach resorts and as well as Mount Banahaw, both classified under Eco-Tourism, have attracted tourist to visit the town. Other tourist attractions that are worth visiting are the Agawan Festival, Sariaya Museum, and Saint Francis de Assissi Church. These attractions have been regularly visited by foreign and local tourists alike.
Sariaya has a long stretch of unsoiled and breathtaking beaches, with Villa del Prado and Dalampasigan Resort as some of the frontrunners.
Villa del Prado, one of the biggest and oldest resorts in the area, is situated at Brgy Bignay II, Sariaya. Aside from its multi-starred resort, Villa del Prado prides itself in their recreational facilities, both indoor (billiards, darts, karaoke) and outside (children’s playgrounds, slides, ecological park). On the other hand, Dalampasigan Resort is more exclusive than the former. With air-conditioned suites and function rooms, the resort has a very relaxing ambience that is perfect for vacationers.
Quezon, with Padre Burgos and Sariaya, perfectly suites the itinerary of those who wish to go somewhere that is off the beaten tracks. These two resorts, especially because of their charm and natural grandeur, make your trip to the province definitely worthwhile and memorable.
** For inquiries and assistance, you can call or approach the Municipal Hall of both towns. Guides are available if you wish to have a local with you for your trip.
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