Parola ng Napindan - A Living Legacy of Taguig Culture and Heritage

Parola ng Napindan is one of the historical landmark of Taguig City.

It lies at the mouth of Napindan channel crossing between Laguna de Bay (Laguna Lake) and Pasig River.

As a child and was born in this little barrio of Napindan,  I remember having heard so may stories from our elders of the importance of the lighthouse in Philippine history particularly in the 1896 Philippine Revolution.

Not only does it serves as guide and safe refuge by fishermen at night but also plays an important role as meeting place of Katipunan led by Supremo Andres Bonifacio to discuss their impending revolt against the Spaniards/Guardia Civil.

Our curiosity always goes to the question of why Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan choose the Parola ng Napindan as meeting place?  Or how they knew the lighthouse?

We were told that Gat Andres Bonifacio's lineage can be trace back from his relatives and father who once live in Ibayo-Tipas.  A revelation that puts as all in awed as we all know that in school we were taught that Bonifacio originally hails from Tondo.  

The strategic location of the lighthouse as it connects to nearby provinces of Laguna, Rizal and Manila may also attibutes to this .  It will be an easy access for Katipunan members to traverse in the meeting place using the water passageway as their means of transportation.

My Chilhood Memory of the Lighthouse

I had a very vivid recollections and memories of my childhood with the lighthouse in the early 70s.  When during those times that malls, themeparks and resorts were not yet too available for us, it was always the lighthouse and the "Bahay na Bato" nearby which serves as our leasure place.

My grandfather who is a fisherman and farmer will always bring us in the Parola.  Using his "banca"  we will ply the serene water of Napindan river in the early morning while watching the birds above the water catching fish.  The scenic view of the rising sun above the deep blue Laguna de Bay and; Rizal and Laguna mountains in the background is a childhood memory forever painted not only in my mind but also in my heart.  We usually had our picnic-style lunch  in the area.  Cooked the freshly catched "ayungin" and "inihaw na bangus".  Plus melon and watermelon fruits harvested from my grandfather's farm. Afterwards we will play "taguan" around the "Bahay na Bato".  Added attraction to this historic place is  Snowhite and the Seven-Dwarfs and Si Makisig and Si Maganda statues.  Also, if the water is not to high, we were allowed to swim in the lake.   

It is also interesting to note that several Philippine cinema artist and prominent families like the Ayalas frequented the area to take a break from their busy schedules and enjoy the peacefulness of the secluded place.  Which only sufficed that the place is already a tourist attraction at that time.

However, at present time the lighthouse started to show deterioration.  Waters from the lake started to eat part of the land covered by the lighthouse.  Vandalism in the place is also notable.  I hope the City Goverment of Taguig and the local officials of Napindan will pay great attention to this historic place before the lighthouse totally loss its structural glory.  

Afterall, the Parola ng Napindan not only serves as light tower for our fisherfolks but also a living legacy of a part of our Philippine History.

Something, which all Taguigenos must be proud of.

Do you also have interesting experience at the lighthouse?  I am excited to hear it from you.  Please comment down below.

You might be also interested to read:

Mercado del Lago - Floating Food Hub By the Lake

 Happy reading and travelling!

Arlene 

Marinduque Island: Buhay Probinsya (Life in the Province)

"You will never succeed in life unless you look back to where you came from".

A common saying that was always taught and reminded to us by our parents as we grow older.

I think this is the main reason why most Filipinos always find time to spent at least a part of the summer or any other holiday occassions to their home province. 

My husband is one of them.

He felt that it is his duty to go back once in a while in his native land or province.

So for 2018, our family spent the summer in Marinduque Island.

We were kind of too excited since the last time that we visited the place was 2015.  And a lot has changed from the province particularly in the main capitol of Sta. Cruz where different commercial establishments, atm machines, banks can be seen.  And these is a welcome relief for us travellers that even if we are in an island access to common commodities can be easily reacheable. 

But the most exciting part is knowing that you will be away from the busy life of Metro Manila.  That for once, stress will not be part of your daily routine.

So say hello, for a very simple and yet exciting "Buhay Probinsya".

So what is new?

...

That when you wake up in the morning, this is what your eyes can see.

... and that the cocking of the roosters will be your alarm clock that will wake you up in the early morn.

And that instead of dogs you are feeding it is the native pigs that keeps on roaming freely around the wide farm.

and that instead of instant coffee for morning,  it is the coconut water that you drink from a freshly picked coconut tree.

... and that for you to take a bath you have to walk through paddies and steep mountains. 

to go through this which is worth the tiresome walk with its refreshing water.

and... food for the dinner table is not a problem.  you won't spend a single cent to get the food for as long as your  patience enough to harvest rootcrops.

or you might try doing some "balunas" a provincial way of extracting coconut milk instead of buying ready-made coconut milk.

... or yet experience what my daughter tried to do. The traditional food preparation called "yubak" 

to come out with a delicious snack called "niyubak" or in Tagalog region known as "nilupak"

but for my daughter and I this is our all-time favorite merienda while in the province. 

Of course, life in the province won't be complete if you won't mingle with the locals.  This is where you will really have first-hand experience and get acquainted with their culture and tradition.

Marinduquenos have lots of traditions that they still maintain up to this time.  One of them is their Santacruzan.  Which was very much different from the Tagalog's Santacruzan were several native beauties parade in the streets wearing beautiful gowns and depicting differents saints.  In Marinduque, Santacruzan is a nine-days prayer accompanied with song and dance as thanksgiving for the Good Lord for a bountiful harvest.  The nine days prayer will end-up with a feast hosted by one of the members.  Everyone in the barrio are expected to attend.

Really, if you are in a place like this you will say, "I hope the clock will stop so that I will remain here forever. You will realize how simple life is worth living. 

And I am glad that my husband has a home province in which we can always go back.

We will definitely go back to this place called Marinduque. 

Happy reading and traveling!

Arlene 

Poctoy White Beach, Torrijos Marinduque

Poctoy White Beach is located at Torrijos, Marinduque.  If you are in a tight budget but would like to enjoy the summer in a real nice cool beach then, this beach can give you a summer to remember.

It is Marinduque's equivalent to Boracay in Aklan.

The beach boost of it's natural white fine sand.  Clean beach water and very fresh air.  It also adds another treat with the captivating view of a large potentially active volcano known to locals as Mt. Malindig in the background.

What is exciting on this place is that before you can reach the resort, your eyes will be fed with a  good view of the scenery.  Deep-blue and calm beach water.  Along the country road are century-old trees that provides you a refreshing smell of country-side. Roads leading to the beach resort is very accessible.  Which can give you a nice and exciting road trip.

This majestic view of Mt. Malindig in the background gives you an inviting desire for a mountain trekking.  It is the highest peak in the island with 1157 metres above sea level.  With it's unique location at the heart of Southern Tagalog.

I've been in this beach before I think twice. But I had never noticed the beauty of this beach only until my last visit.  Maybe because it so happened that my previous visits here were always been in bad timing.  Bad weather.  Or the place was not yet developed for tourism and only caters for the locals.

Now I can say, that the beach aqua blue water and fine white sand is very inviting and mesmerizing.

Today, the resort offers several amenities such as island hopping, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Airconditioned villas are also available where your family can stay for a night.

The resort is not yet considered as top Philippine tourist destination unlike other Philippine tourism spots.  So guests have the luxury to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the beach resort with few tourists coming in.

The area remains well-maintained, so cleanliness is not an issue.  There are also few restaurants but what is good is that food eateries here provide reasonable prices.  

If there was only one thing that frustrate me from this whole Poctoy White Beach experience is the wash room area. Lack of water for shower is such a killjoy. I hope the resort management will look after this. Otherwise, the good beach experience of their visitors will overcome the bad washroom experience.

Nevertheless,  as a whole Poctoy White Beach is a well recommended beach resort for me. 

Proof of which was how my family had such a good time enjoying the beach.

It is so much fun in the Philippines! 

Visit Marinduque Island and you will experience serene countryside life.  

HOW TO GET THERE

By Land and Sea  (Manila – Marinduque via Lucena City)

1st Route: Manila to Lucena City, Quezon

Take Terminal 1 at Buendia, Pasay City corner Taft Avenue or Cubao Terminal Station to Lucena Grand Terminal.

Available Land Transportation – Jam – Tritran Transit, Jac Liner, Lucena and Dela Rose Lines.

2nd Route: Lucena City, Quezon to Marinduque

Take Talao – Talao Port in Lucena City to Balanacan Port in Mogpog; or Cawit Port in Boac; or Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz.

Available Sea Transportation – Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. and Starhorse Shipping Lines. 

Fare:

1. Regular - Php260.00  
2. Student - Php 221.00
3. Senior Citizen - Php 186.00

Note:  You may be lucky to get big discounts for midnight routes and for lean seasons which we also experienced during our trip)

3rd Route: Balanacan Port/Cawit Port to Torrijos

1. Take air-conditioned vans or jeepneys bound to Torrijos.
2. Take a jeep from Balanacan Port to Sta. Cruz (P80) and another jeep from Sta. Cruz to Torrijos (P50).

Or you may prefer Direct Route (By RORO):

Jac Liner Inc operates direct routes from their terminals in Kamias, Quezon City and Buendia, Pasay to Marinduque. 

Have you been to this island?  Share with us your experiences.

Related Post:

     

Marinduque Province:  Heart of the Philippine Island

 

Marinduque Island:  Buhay Probinsya

Happy reading and traveling!

Arlene