Legends of the Hundred Islands

Have you ever been curious as to how the Hundred Islands was formed? Then you’re in luck! There are several versions about the legend of Hundred Islands which I happen to have been told about by the natives of Alaminos which I’m really willing to share.

The Lost Ladylove

A primeval giant was said to have tears when he lost his ladylove. The tears of the giant supposedly formed the Hundred Islands.

The Lost Lemuria

It was said that the Hundred Islands are actually remnant tips of the lost continent of Lemuria, fabled as the Pacific continent at war with Atlantis before both advanced civilizations disappeared under the sea.

Volcanic Eruption

It could have been the product of a volcanic eruption during the early civilization which caused major upheavals and changes in the sea and dry land. The people then were astonished to find the numerous droplets of lava and volcanic debris floating in the sea like scattered jewels, which eventually turned into the Hundred Islands.

Frozen Flotilla

Looking at the islands from afar, they could look like a flotilla of ancient ships leaving the harbour, and through some sorcery of magic, these were frozen in time and in place until itinerant seeds were sown by the wind on their solid surface, Those trees, looking ancient, are natural bonsais, many growing only to a few feet tall.

Anita and Akong

There used to be only one island in the place where the Hundred Islands can be seen today. Akong is a fisherman and his wife Anita sells the fish he catches every day. But discontentment soon crept in Akong’s heart and thought of ways to earn money in a faster and easier way. While he set out to sea one night, Anita had a dream about an old man who visited their hut and told them that if they work hard, they will eventually get rich after three years. She shared this with her husband when he returned but he dismissed her impatiently.

One night, he set out to sea again; his first throw of the net didn’t yield any fish but the second one caught black stones the size of a fist. In disgust, he threw them back to the sea, accompanied by some complaints. And just then, he heard a rumbling sound and saw the waves becoming bigger, making him paddle faster towards the shore. Unknown to him, the black stones he threw to the sea became islands. He died that night in his sleep. And once more, the old man appeared in Anita’s dream, telling her about the islands and the fate her husband brought about himself. Anita just cried as she looked at her dead husband.

Islands, helping hands and white sands at firsthand

No man is an island

As I look upon the bright emerald green waters, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the very good friends that came along with me in my trip. It’s not where you go that makes the trip fun but it’s who you’re with that makes it fun. The Hundred Islands is very good place for bonding with your friends and loved ones. Whether you’re gathered around a bonfire telling stories or swimming along the white sandy beach, it is in those moments that we forgot about our troubles and thank God for surrounding you with other islands, indeed no man is an island.



A Helping Hand

The local residents of Alaminos highly rely on tourism as a form of earning a living, from the tricycle drivers to the souvenir vendors and the island guides/boat operators. The locals are very friendly, they speak Tagalog, Ilocano, Pangasinense and English. When in need of assistance don’t hesitate to ask for help. Our very helpful and patient guide Mang Roger together with his little son was very nice to us and told us all sorts of stories. He definitely knew the history of the islands, he knew the best spots for food and he was able to convince the Kayak renters to give us a discount. Traveling around the islands all day may seem hard to Mang Roger but I could see in his eyes that his profession was also his passion.


Sands of time

Unlike some beaches who use artificial sand or sand taken from another beach, the sands in the Hundred Islands are 100% natural. Not all the sands are the same though, some are very refined and when you walk on them you quickly sink while some are very compressed making it perfect for frolicking. The sands, not to mention the whole islands, are very clean thanks to the locals who take care of it. When I placed my foot upon the white grainy sands decorated with colorful seashells, I quickly felt the tingles in my toes that made me crinkle my nose. I found myself relaxing in the warmth of the sand, standing in the water clear with the tender breeze upon my face and the sun shining on my shoulder as each passing moment seems to last forever.

Marine Sanctuary


Ever seen clams that looks as big as humans? Then what are you waiting for!? Located approximately 15 feet underwater between several islands is a marine sanctuary containing hundreds of them! These giant clams are locally known as Taklobos and regarded as the world’s largest bivalve molluscs. These clams can weigh over 225 kilograms! However, it’s not only the massive sizes of these clams which make it spectacular, but their mesmerizing hues which shimmer underwater proves to be a magnificent attraction for the tourists diving or snorkelling around the area.





But, that’s not all! The experience of snorkelling far from the boats while browsing through all these underwater wonders such as coral reefs, species of fish you may not have seen before, and getting to swim along with these is what makes the marine sanctuary truly unforgettable!






I personally spent almost an hour just snorkelling around and viewing the wonderful sights underwater. I felt the need to see everything that I could possibly see down there. And I actually could have spent my whole time there just looking underwater without noticing how long I was there already, if it weren’t only for my friends who forced me back to the boat.



Budget


Welcome to hundred Islands

If you are on a tight budget, the Hundred Islands is the place to be. As a group consisting of 5 people, we ended up only using 2,500 Philippine pesos (PHP 2,500) during our stay from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon in average.

Tickets to Alaminos Available Here

The following are the expenditures I incurred with a group of 5 people:
PHP 381 - Bus Ticket (one way) - If you are a student, the price becomes PHP 270
PHP 400 - Room Accomodations (overnight)
PHP 550 - Boat Trip including mask, snorkel, and the life vest
PHP 255 - Food ( Saturday Lunch and Dinner & Sunday Breakfast)
PHP 400 - Souvenirs
PHP 355 - Miscellaneous Expenses

Souvenirs

From this short list, I realized that I wasn't actually able to use all the money I saved up for this trip. We also realized, that the next time we wanted to visit, we could invite more friends to come with us and we could actually use less money per person. We could also retain our expenditure even with the greater number of people and use the extra money for more activities that we were not able to do during our trip.
Satisfied Travelers
Even with a tight budget, there were a lot of things we were able to do at the Hundred Islands.