Do the Zamba!

MANILA, Philippines - Stop complaining about the intense heat and the scorching sun. This is the Philippines, and it’s summer, and the thing to do is to have fun in the sun!

Footloose travelers need not go far to find a consummate hideaway that is ideal for the family or the barkada, and friendly on the pocket. Just a few winks north of the metropolis, Zambales offers a zestful mixture of culture, adventure and nature, and inviting beaches which span over a hundred kilometers.

Constantly named among the country’s leading destinations, Zambales will delight and thrill... just give it a chance. Here is a list of must-try and must-do things as you do the Zamba this sizzling summer.

Be a culture vulture. As one of the first provinces established by the Spaniards, Zambales is dotted with heritage churches and ancestral homes, attesting to its rich culture and tradition.

You can hop around the postcard-pretty Spanish-era churches such as Botolan, Iba, Sta. Cruz and Masinloc. The latter, made of coral stones, has been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum, and it recently underwent a facelift that restored it to its colonial glory.

Swing by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay’s house in Castillejos which preserves the memorabilia of the late great president. For a glimpse of the genteel lifestyle of the local gentry, make the rounds and take snapshots of the old houses built in the classic bahay na bato design in Iba, Sta. Cruz and Masinloc.

For a dose of classical music, head over to Casa San Miguel, the art community of renowned violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, right in the heart of San Antonio’s mango plantations. Treat yourself to free concerts and exhibits at the annual Pundaquit Festival which runs for the whole of summer, or take a glimpse of Zambales’ past at its Museum of Community Heritage which chronicles local ethnography and ancient archaeological finds.

For a dash of indigenous culture, immerse yourself with the Aeta communities and sway to their tantalizing tribal music and their own brand of spirituality.

Be an adrenaline junkie. Ride the waves at the famed San Narciso and San Antonio surfing spots or skimboard in Iba’s seven-kilometer beachfront, dubbed as Luzon’s beach capital. These waters are friendly to newbies in surfing and skimboarding, and soon enough you’ll find yourself hooked to the sport.

Indulge in kayaking, a new watersport recently introduced in Candelaria. Guests can enjoy a quiet and gentle paddle at Uacon Cove and cross Potipot Island, or visit Uacon Lake and admire the contour of the Zambales Ranges. The more agile paddlers can kayak on both bodies of water through a tranquil river channel.

Zambales also has a lush underwater world ideal for snorkeling, such as the Taklobo Farm and Marine Conservation Park in San Salvador Island in Masinloc, where one can get enraptured by its comely coral gardens and giant clamshells.

Outdoor lovers can scale the 2,037-meter high Mount Tapulao in Palauig which takes climbers through various ecosystems on the way to the top.

So it is small wonder that Zambales has been declared a sports tourism haven because of its natural features ideal for outdoor adventures.

Go island-hopping. With its coastline stretching along the West Philippine Sea, nearly all of Zambales offers a front seat to dazzling islands and beaches minus the madding crowd. Needless to say, island hopping is a must-do.

In San Antonio, there are the islands of Capones and Camara, and the campers’ haven in Anawangin Cove. Capones is known for its century-old lighthouse which has guided Spanish galleons and merchant ships passing through Asia’s vital sealanes.

Magalawa Island in Palauig, and adjacent San Salvador and the Bakala sandbar in Masinloc, offer powdery beaches to laze on and mangrove forests to explore.

Further up in the northernmost town of Sta. Cruz, the sister islands of Hermana Mayor and Hermana Menor beckon with their powdery sand and crystalline waters. Its wind condition is also ideal for sailing and windsurfing.

Savor the sweet life. There is nothing better than enjoying the sweet life in Zambales and sinking your teeth into its luscious mangoes, reputedly among the sweetest in the world. Among its most sought-after varieties are the kinalabaw and the apple mango, but it’s difficult to go wrong with any Zambales mango.

And there is no better time for this feast of multiple senses than this summer, when the best mangoes have been harvested. The recently-concluded Mango Festival signaled that its prized product, the country’s national fruit, is ready for the tasting.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to do the Zamba and bask in the wonders of Zambales.