All Hands Beach: Turtle-nesting site in Subic

Nature has a language and a rhythm of its own. If we patiently wait to listen, we will inevitably appreciate its story.

A few days ago, a mother Olive Ridley turtle laid hundreds of her eggs in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo. Soon, these eggs will be hatched and released into the sea in very reverent ceremonies. Just imagine, in this highly industrialized, duty-free and commercial center, which used to be a former US naval base, these turtles are thriving magnificently.

In retrospect, on Feb. 8, 2012, on the birthday of President Noynoy Aquino, over a hundred adorable turtle hatchlings were born and immediately released into the sea at All Hands Beach at San Bernardino Road in the Subic Bay Freeport located very near the airport. These  hatchings born on this auspicious day were dubbed “P-Noy Turtles.”

All Hands Beach Resort invited us siblings to this haven for the weekend. My older sisters Jaqui, Michelle and I with my brother Mark and his son Matthew happened to be right there when the turtles were released and, like precocious children, we joined the many students from Faith Academy and their teachers for the eventful send off.

How did these turtles get to this beach resort and why did they lay their eggs here? It was explained that these turtles have an internal GPS (global positioning system). They were born here 50 years ago when the beach was part of the American naval base and over four decades later, no matter where they have been or traveled, these turtles return to their birthplace to lay their eggs. The mother turtle that laid her eggs here was as huge as a dining table!

I realized all the more how fascinating it is, the way nature works. After all, it has been said that God did not only write His word in the Bible but in nature, in His creations as well.

The “P-Noy turtles” are among the thousands of Olive Ridley turtles born and released in All Hands Beach. No wonder, the charming resort has been declared as a Sea Turtle Nesting Site by DENR. Truth is, these large groups of Olive Ridley turtles gather off shore of nesting beaches. Then, all at once, vast numbers of turtles return ashore and nest in what is known as an arribada, where hundreds to thousands of females come ashore to lay their eggs. We are truly blessed that, though in some parts of the world these turtles are on the brink of extinction, right here on our shores, at All Hands Beach and the vicinity, they are loved and cared for. In this nesting ground of turtles, the resort management has made it a policy to protect the eggs and ensure that the hatchlings are released into the sea. Another species that recently laid its eggs here was a Hawksbill sea turtle.

The Ecology Center of the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) is supporting the resort in helping these animals. The center has also given the turtles tags to identify the mothers that lay their eggs on the resort’s beach. They chart the number of eggs laid along with a guide on how to relocate the eggs to a safer place within the beach.

But the turtles are not the only attraction of the resort. Today, All Hands Beach is open to anybody who appreciates endless days of sunshine and rain while basking in the cool, clean and azure waters. Right across All Hands Beach, one can appreciate the dramatic Cinco Picos mountain range that guards the cove like a sentinel, making the waters calm and very conducive for water sports such as banana boats, jet skis, parasailing and kayaking. You can also rent a yacht for island hopping, scuba diving and even wreck diving.

One of our favorite activities is to stand in ankle-deep water and throw pieces of bread, and within minutes, the eclectic and ecstatic fish gravitate towards the bread. What a glorious sight to behold. Those who wish to spend the night may do so by renting one of the seven cottages and eight family rooms replete with  aircon and TV sets. It also has an al fresco and air-conditioned function rooms. Each cottage is large enough for a family. Each time I am here, I savor the sight of the surreal Subic Bay sunset as it gloriously sets in the horizon yonder from the comfort of the cottage’s own balcony by the beach.

All Hands Beach Resort used to be the favorite beach of the US Navy servicemen and their families back when Subic Bay was still a military base. The resort, which is accredited by the Department of Tourism, is very clean, with friendly and hospitable staff. The resort’s surroundings, with powdery fine-caramel sand, purvey a relaxed atmosphere that is very unpretentious but inconspicuously exclusive and remarkably affordable.

All Hands Beach is also child friendly; the beach is nestled and enclosed in a cove within sight of a watchful lifeguard while the swim area is shallow and gradually getting deeper. All Hands Beach Resort is an eco-friendly and well-maintained public beach. The resort offers use of bamboo huts, nipa sheds and beach volleyball court among others. One can bring food and beverages without having to pay corkage charges. Grilling and cooking shacks are available for use.

For foodies, the cuisine at the resort is simply delicious, hearty and very affordable. The specialties here come from home-styled Kapampangan recipes. Heavenly dishes here are the breakfast French toast with cinnamon sugar, home-cured longganisa, the charbroiled specialties such as pork steaks, chicken, and seafood. The fresh seafood served here like mussels, shrimps, bangus, tilapia and tanigue come from the many coastal towns of Bataan. Another bestseller is the resort’s version of crispy pata, the bestseller in the house. It’s crispy on the outside and very soft and flavorful inside. The meat of the dish is boiled nine times to take out most of its fat.

The resort also serves the lipsmacking chicken Singapore and shrimp in wine and olives. Its version of pancit Bataan, which is rich in squid, tinapa, mussels and shrimps, is also another indulgence one cannot resist. Try its delectable halo-halo, banana turon and langka and its ice-cold beer while watching the sunset.

We took a dramatic sunset cruise on the yacht moored along the coastal beach fronting the resort. This time, we were joined by my BFF Bum Tenorio, Mike Mina and Emma Gomez (who owns the lovely Ananyana Resort in Bohol). One by one, we crossed the plank that led us down the sand-filled berthing area and climbed through the  ladder connected to the boat. It was almost sunset when we gleefully boarded the sailing sea craft that looked so inviting and exciting to be ensconced by the wind blown sail.

The boat competently navigated by Greg Robles sailed away from the coast as we were entertained by Pamboy Pastor with his endearing beauty queen “anecdotes” during our sunset cruise as we appreciated the bay and the sight of the  alluring Grande Island. Dusk greeted us as we sailed back to the All Hands shoreline. We felt elated and energized by the whole experience.

The exhilarating sojourn was an unforgettable respite from the frenetic urban living. That memorable fun-filled night, All Hands Beach Resort provided us a cozy cottage where my friends and I had a sleepless exchange of pleasantries and recounting of life’s adventurous escapades.

On our way home to Manila, we enjoyed the ride along the SCTEX highway, which looked like a painter’s verdant canvas. This well-planned and impeccable thoroughfare is a showcase of man’s ingenuity that complements nature’s bounty. We vowed to return very soon to this paradise beach. Rain or shine, All Hands Beach presents a charm of its own that even the turtles will attest to. Our brother Mark lovingly gifted us with a wooden mold of an Olive Ridley turtle to remind us that no matter how mundane and chaotic life can be, we must take the time to listen to nature’s story.

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For more information about All Hands Beach, located in San Bernardino Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines. Call 047-250-2270, 0922-826-2934, 0947-564-4726. E-mail allhandsbeach@yahoo.com   or log on to www.allhandsbeach.com

E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.