The lure of Hundred Islands in the Philippines

HUNDRED ISLANDS, a natural configuration of about 100 small islands straddled in over 1,800 hectares of Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, spells magic to many looking for beautiful places to visit and also seeking adventure.
But to the people of Pangasinan, especially to the residents of Alaminos City, from where the islands can be reached through wooden-hulled boats, Hundred Islands is a source of unparalleled pride.
Indeed, the lure of this natural park is the mystery and the magic that comes from the untrammeled beauty of the islands fashioned by nature out of rock formations, complete with caves and coves, cliffs and mangroves, including a lush of wild vegetation, recreate a paradise on earth.
There are actually more than a hundred islands that comprise the Hundred Islands – ranging from tiny to gigantic, every single island has its own distinct character and peculiar beauty, perhaps a miniaturized representation of the diversity of the Philippines, with its more than 7,100 islands.
Today, Hundred Islands is the center of a broad marine ecosystem restoration program started by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza. The program aims to build a sustainable economy for the cityfolk.
Tracing back the Hundred Islands’ tourism record, Braganza recalls that it was once the premier land and sea tourism destination in the province. “Probably, in the entire Luzon mainland,” he says.
“We have suffered setbacks in the past decade, due to the emergence of many alternative destinations in the south, with some boasting of unparalleled beach quality,” he noted, admitting also that a huge captive market was lost with the departure of American military personnel from Clark in Pampanga and Subic in Zambales.
Communities, once benefiting from tourism, exerted pressure on the marine resources of Hundred Islands for livelihood, he explained. “Also, illegal fishing proliferated and the fragile marine habitats were adversely affected,” he added.
But Braganza said he and the people of Alaminos are determined to bring back the magic of Hundred Islands and its underwater life through a Coastal Resources Management Program which combines rehabilitation, conservation, protection, stewardship, responsible use and economic alternatives to restore the health of the marine ecosystem.
Guided by a development paradigm to make Alaminos City a competitive center of industry, commerce and services, Braganza said they are also repositioning the Hundred Islands as a marine theme park, complete with fish sanctuaries, inter-island floating bridges, and a living Marine Institute, which he says, will make the islands not just a sand and sea destination.
“Eventually, Hundred Islands will evolve into an ecological theme park, complete with adventure sports and ecotourism with an educational value,” Braganza said. “It will be unique and unparalleled once more,” he added.
As a matter of fact, the mayor said that various water-based adventure sports, like kayaking and snorkeling, have made regular runs in the Hundred Islands.
“Once we’ve put everything in place, we will not have only regained the magic of the Hundred Islands, but added more luster to it,” Braganza said.
Also, Braganza disclosed that travel to the Hundred Islands will soon be dramatically abbreviated. “Instead of the four-hour or so trip from Manila, Hundred Islands, the largest marine sanctuary in the Philippines, will soon be accessible by air,” he beamed, as he announced that the groundwork for a commercial airport in Alaminos City is now in the works.
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