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Hidden little treasure

My first impression of Tambobong Beach in Dasoi, Pangasinan wasn’t very good, I was inside a minivan with my family and a few others that summer of 2000. Not only was it raining unusually hard for a summer afternoon, but the road our vehicle trudged was a mixture of mud and bumps- not a very good site for a road trip. Above it all. we were tired because of having traveled six hours to see what was supposed to be a magnificent panorama. Exhausted from the day’s journey, everyone almost immediately fell asleep as soon as we arrived at our host’s bungalow. No one even dreamt of the grandeur that would greet us the next day.

We woke up to a warm, friendly morning. Our mood was set even higher when we were served with a Filipino-style seafood breakfast under the swaying mango trees (which were, by the way. sagging with their mouth-watering fruits). This is the life. I had thought back then since I wasn’t quite used to being pampered. But I was wrong. “The Life” was yet to be seen...by the seashore. That beach actually is beyond words but 1 will try my very best to describe what I have witnessed. My first thought about it was like this: Imagine those perfect simulated, beaches in the particular shade of aquamarine that only appeared on computer desktops? I think I actually know where they came from- and the source wasn’t an artificial beach! Tambobong Beach might’ve just been that beach. Also, in case one is looking for a white sand beach that is as good as Boracay’s but a million times less crowded, this would be the perfect getaway. The sand, glistening with mica, was my mom’s favorite feature. My personal preference was going into the water itself. The water was almost clear, with minimal waves and salt; I almost thought it was a huge swimming pool! When we took a little stroll by the shore towards where the waters met South China Sea, we were delighted to see a variation of corals, pebbles, and shells! It was just wonderful! So wonderful, in fact, that nobody wanted to end the day with another trip through rocky road. At sunset, we boarded a banca that will take us to Alaminos. It was beautiful seeing our little boat directed towards the setting sun. My poor uncle didn’t see it- he had to take the car back to the beaten trail.

I would be glad to share this veiled wonder with others. Going there and seeing the place was a real blessing and I would like other people to experience it too. But in truth, I do not want the place to be discovered and destroyed by careless tourists. I don’t want it to be commercialized and profited upon by greedy businessmen. When we were on the boat, we passed by a small island where a lot of activity seemed to be going on. We came close enough to see what it was-rock quarrying. I can’t help but wonder how much time the beach we had just left still had before it meets the same fate as that island. I was suddenly glad that there was that muddy road in between civilization and the beach. Until that road remains unimproved, hopefully, Tambobong Beach will also stay untouched. # Ma. Elina Ramo for NORDIS

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