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Anawangin - Beauty above danger below
April 25, 2008
Anawangin (
Trying to catch up with my friends who opted to walk along the shore, I waded in the shoreline to catch up with them. They might have already reached the place where they wanted to go and I also wanted to see it for myself. I was approximately 30~50 meters away from the shoreline but the water was still waist deep. When I reached the place where they said that they would be going, I looked around but did not see them. The position of the sun at
The sound of the waves drowns her voice, at the same time she was also swallowing water as she screamed.
I was about 20~30 meters away from her, so I started swimming towards her and started to shout “TULONG” along the way. I choose that word because you can shout it longer and louder. I felt I was swimming harder. Biglang lalim… As I was approaching her, I noticed that she was dragging somebody. So I grabbed that person who was submerged a foot face down underwater. I turned him around and lifted his face. I could feel his neck breathing out frothy water… I manage to keep his head up for a few seconds to keep water out from his mouth and nose. However, I felt I will not be able to complete that trip back to the shore. It was such a struggle to try to swim in that deep part of the cove. I saw a guy swimming towards us from the shore… so I decided to just push the person towards him even if it submerges his head again in the water. I told Kaye, "di ko kaya". I swam towards the shore backstroke… that was the easiest stroke I now. A crowd was already there before I reached the shore .Upon reaching the shore, that’s the time that I knew who I was trying to save, it was our friend Arnel. Kaye, Elaine and Julie were already crying. At that time somebody was already giving him CPR… I asked about the background of the person who was giving him CPR. She said something about being a diver.
I decided to look for a boat. Going towards the left of the shore while they’re still resuscitating him, I tried to reach a boatman and asked him if he could go to the place where our friend was. Malalim daw. Says he. I convinced him… he nodded…I went back to Arnel… at that time another guy was massaging his stomach… I asked him again about his background. He said he was a doctor… His presence brightens our hope. .I asked him what kind of recovery we can expect; he said that he cannot give a true diagnosis except that he needs to be taken to a hospital. Moments later, a boat arrived from the right side. .The doctor suggested a 6 man lift. He reminded us to take care of the victim’s head. As Arnel was still unconcious, I convinced the doctor to come with Kaye in the boat, he agreed. The boatman suggested that the passengers should be only the four of them so that it would be able to travel faster. I looked for another boat so I can follow them and be able to assist them… Manny went with me. The waves were strong. I was thinking if this is how rough the waves are, how was the boat with Arnel doing?
I took us about 15 minutes maybe longer to reach Pundaquit… We went to the end of the road to look for a tricycle. We encountered the doctor there. He said that they (Kaye & Arnel) took a tricycle to the barangay. He was not able to come because of the tricycle’s limited capacity. We shook his hand and thanked him… We forgot to ask the doctor’s name we looked for another tricycle to take us to the barangay…
At the Barangay
It was located near
AT THE HOSPITAL
We’ve reached the place around
FAST FORWARD
The rest of the group started arriving at the hospital around
(Later on upon regaining full consciousness he said he did not remember this incident).
TOTAL RECALL (
At He’s OK now… back to his renewed self. He did not remember the ordeal… what he remembers is the wave ( ——————————————————— Note: In these kinds of situation, it helps knowing these things… After taking him/her to shore. Remember the ABC (Airway, Breathing and Circulation). http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-cpr/FA00061. Our friend was wearing dentures. It caused his mouth to bleed; initially it was thought that the blood came from his lungs. So knowing a person profile help. Or if you don’t know if he’s wearing one check, to avoid drawing a wrong conclusion. It helps if you could find a medical professional. If you are many in your group assign somebody to look for one or assign yourself. Tip: it’s easier to shout MEDIC!!!
Mode of transport to nearest clinic or hospital. In our case it was almost an hour away. Do not make this your top priority! A few minutes of first aid is better that any hospital. Make sure he is breathing even if unconscious (in this situation that my least expected result).
Bring money. It might cause a delay in hiring your transport. Sad to say but not all people are willing to help if you don’t pay them. In our case I had a 100 php in my pocket at that time. Enough for a tricycle ride up to the hospital.
Previous Comments
Hi! Thanks for writing this. There are already reports on the dangers of under currents in Anwangin and there’s already 1 confirmed casualty here. It’s unfortunate that these things happen and I’m glad your friend is ok.
Anawangin is a privately owned land and I guess it’s up to the visitors to keep themselves safe since there are no facilities here like a resort nor a lifeguard in the area. I guess it’s good that you inform people that they are responsible for their own safety here.
Posted by Ferdz at April 25, 2008, 2:50 pmjoms, add mo na ako ha?
anyway, tama, let’s make anawangin a safer place
hindi aakalain ninuman na ang isang paraisong gaya nito ay may naitatagong panganib.
ingat sa lahat na paparoon…
hi, i agree with ferdz that people should be responsible for their own safety. anawangin has been popular as a camping site, and though privately owned, not as a private resort. even pundaquit is a public beach.
pundaquit waters is indeed “dangerous.” the current is strong. we sometimes go there at magtatampisaw lang kasi malakas nga ang alon. at times the water seem calm, but not as calm as that of the beaches in subic and olongapo.
when i went to anawangin, my impression was that the water there was a lot calmer than pundaquit. but i wouldn’t really know how the water there behaves.
so what do you plan to do to make anawangin a safer place?
ingat po sa lahat.
Posted by kate at April 28, 2008, 11:11 amhello po. thank you for dropping this site…
initially heto nga po blogsite at least to gather experiences and a venue for the campaign.
secondly, to post in every commentable blogsites/websites everywhere for people who are searching information about anawangin
third, if aling ligaya will allow us.. maglagay sana ng signage to keep safe and that there’s no lifeguard around. also in pundaquit…..
it’s been 2 weeks since this happened.. as of now we’re trying to plan out the campaign… maybe include the media with it..
Posted by anawangin at April 28, 2008, 1:46 pmFYI. nung umaga or tanghali ata(april 19- nung time na nangyari sya) sa pundakit mismo may nabiktima din.. kasi sa hospital tinanong kami nung mga nurse kung kasamahan namin yung namatay. May dalawang bus load kasi kaming nakita na kasabay naming dumating nung madaling araw sa pundakit.Ewan ko lang kung isa sa mga yun ang nalunod..There are dangers everywhere pero it will surely help to be aware kung may signage dun sa area.
Posted by anawangin at April 28, 2008, 8:04 pmhi guys. i think it pays to have at least basic survival/safety training course, help save lives. dunno, i guess the phillipine red cross have these kind of trainings..
the ocean is really unpredictable, swimming in pairs is simply not enough, swim in groups!
anyway, i’m thankful he is ok now. kudos to guys and gals who unselfishly helped save our friend..
te janis kaw ba yan? honga.. miracle tlga. about redcross.. cge we’ll make time.. ika nga ng MLTierra… towards responsible mountain hiking.. and mag-pray lage in every activity ng grupo.
Posted by anawangin at April 29, 2008, 9:08 amGreetings Sir Rene And A Safe Day To Everyone,
* i chanced upon your blog just this afternoon of 01May2008 - probably been researched in advance and posted by a comrade in our website - in our common interest of research, projected future visits and spreading informations about how to gauge the precious moments (and live with those sad facts and the “not so good things” i heard in recent years) each of us has spend at Anawangin Cove in general.
* i am deeply saddened by the fact that there were these drowning incidents and casualty lately at this PRISTINE COVE - and what do i mean by that?
* hats off to you Sir Rene as to whatever are your gallant intentions in inculcating awareness and how you deeply appreciate, perhaps you have fallen in love with Anawangin Cove (I do visit and celebrate my romance with Anawangin annualy every summer since 2004), and concern yourself about how to take good care of Anawangin the way you have known “her” today - they do exact my sentiments as well.
* but as you can see, Sir Rene i do hope you have been informed already by the locals of how the place “started” … Anawangin right now as you know it and everyone else out there specially after the numerous media hypes thus the throng of visitors afterwards - - - it is not the same Anawangin before Mt. Pinatubo’s destrcutive eruption. i hope Sir that i am already getting your attention?
*** before Mt. Pinatubo has been given the Greenlight of God’s Assignment for the Task of Nature Redecoration, Anawangin Cove is a habitat for mangroves. so you may imagine the depth of the water in that area.
*** today at Anawangin what you are stepping on is pyroclastic material, volcanic debris - lahar when mixed with water. the debris which served as if they are icing on cakes a few hours, day or two or weeks after that doomsday eruption and the fallout of debris landed on the adjacent mountains … debris that has found their way directly to the sea maybe … maybe …. in that particular area it has shared the brunt of destruction … who knows we are not both present in that place at that moment right?
*** so that explains the unforeseen undercurrents, uneven depths at 30 - 40 meters offshore at that southside area of the cove … perhaps on the whole shore of the cove so keep it cool you daredevils out there okay? safety first is the number one order we all have to remember. and always inform your companions of your destination in the area and send trailers to check on whoever is in the water.
**** i heard of a drowning incident approximately in the same area you are describing around the last quarter of March this year during my 05 April visit. there were four (?) …
* through the years the debris from the mountains has finally found their fitting place of rest and thus creating a PRISTINE COVE with a beachfront lined - up with pine trees as if they are the welcoming committee once you hit the sand from your banca ride or bidding you a splendid farewell until you and Anawangin will see each other again.
* yes the pine trees i did noticed them during my first trip and i cannot contain my curiosity -how did they end up there? in unison and uniformity of height as if they are an army guarding the place. Mt. Pinatubo again has another freebies to offer during the REDECORATION. and so as the other variety of young trees. let’s thank them as well for providing us ample shade and very very clean air.
* for each and everyone of us (in our present time) let us not just experience, enjoy, savor Anawangin’s modest and generous offering. spend a quiet moment in quiet corner, listen to the wind, rejuvinate, pray.
* and to the future visitors, whatever are your intentions in going there, make it sure in your own private moments, to simply say a word of thanks and touch the sand when you come on-shore at Anawangin before you go on with whatever are your activities during your stay with “her” and bid “her” a simple whisper of goobye when you’re about to board your banca ride on your return trip to Pundaquit - Pundakit.
* a portion of Anawangin Cove - in the northern part of the shoreline, the one with the perimeter enclosure made of nylon strings and with color flags dancing with the wind and attached to those kawayan poles - the son and daughter in law
(both my kumpare and kumare) of the family that owns the property has educated me about the place and during - yes - my first trip last 2004. believe it or not when we reach the shore - the place is deserted at that time - no campers or daytrip visitors in sight … my wife has frequented Anawangin since early 2000 …
HEAVEN!
* Sir thank you for your time and may these contribution for information purposes about Anawangin will serve your purpose and mission.
* Godspeed and Goodluck
Posted by dogy at May 1, 2008, 4:13 pmwat a sad story, pero its really a paradise worth visiting for.. thanks for this campaign site.. ang alam ko lang super ganda tlg ng anawangin at super bongang bonga kong gusto makarating dun.. pero… now i know what to do…
Posted by crismitch at May 1, 2008, 4:47 pmsa mga magbabasa, paki highlight na lang po.. ayaw magbago ng color..pa edit ko nlang
naayos ko na.. ayus baH. lagyan ko kaya ng pics? -jom
Posted by rene at May 1, 2008, 5:57 pmHi.
I wanna go to Anawangin and sa iba pang klase ng nature trippings….
Pede pOh ba aq sumama sa grOup nyO?
Thanks.
09235350030
that’s my contact infO…
sir parang mali yun mga araw ng incidents April 21, 2008 is Monday and 22 is Tues. as stated with ur blog was Saturday-Sunday. kindly clarify. typo error ata sir. thanks.
Posted by sepalmax at May 26, 2008, 1:55 pmsalamat for the information regarding anawangin.
Posted by sepalmax at May 26, 2008, 1:57 pmpunta kami dun sa June 14 and 15 . sana matuloy .
Posted by riogurl at May 28, 2008, 12:54 pmthanks for the info..
punta kami don by july 4-6 with my officemates..
your site is great, dami akong nabasa and natutunan. hopefully maging okay ang trip namin..
thanks for the advice na din..
extra careful na lang kami and do not forget your warnings..
God Bless Us all..
xoxo.. ^_^
Posted by dei at June 29, 2008, 7:14 amthanks for the warning…. i chanced upon this site because i wanted to visit anawangin. i saw pics from different sites and was enchanted. its good to be reminded to take all precautions… Salamat po.
Posted by artangel at July 1, 2008, 11:29 pmweee… i’ve been there, kakauwi ko lang khpon.. well this place is so amazing, i was enchanted, ang ganda tlaga! okay naman siya safe naman, basta extra care lang. don sa left side ang mganda.. 2x kami nghike.. ung pauwi na naghike kami kasi hindi pde magbangka kasi signal no2 don so no choice kundi mghike. ktakot siya kasi maling hakbang mo patay ka, thanks sa mga guide ni mang florante at kuya marlon (care taker don) da best sila.. lahat ng tgnan mo maaamaze ka.. babalik kami ulit don by next year.. super saya ng experience namin don! thanks din sanyu joan for the advice.. =)
Posted by dei at July 7, 2008, 12:30 pmCurious as i am really interested, is it a good idea to bring kids to Anawangin Beach? Thanks.
Posted by Bone MD at August 26, 2008, 9:58 pmim planning to go to Anawangin with my friends.. It will be our first time. I just heard about Anawangin from my new friend.. after reading your accounts, i am now afraid to go there and bring my friends.. =[
Posted by krishna at September 5, 2008, 3:08 pmHi,
I’ve read your post and blog about the beauty and danger of Anawangin. Almost stopped us going there but made us extra careful and watchful of our young kid during the trip there.
http://tacurongmountaineers.blogspot.com/2008/10/our-breathtaking-outdoor-camping-at.html
I’m a surgeon and I felt the accident your friend encountered was unfortunate. Like any other outdoor fun we take, risks are to be taken and watched out always. Never even leave small things to fate. It’s where accidents do occur.
Thanks for sharing us this post and the warning. Made us all extra careful.
Posted by Bone MD at October 3, 2008, 10:12 pmHi! we intend to go there too this Holiday. ako lang ang boy. Now i am having second thoughts. hmmmmm….
Posted by Emil at October 28, 2008, 3:28 pmPlease clarify the “DANGER on the left side facing the beach”…It means facing the beach while your back towards the trees or your back to the sea? Or facing the beach while standing between the water and sand beach or standing between the beach sand and the trees?
Posted by emil at November 1, 2008, 12:04 pmKababalik ko lang galing Anawangin, last weekend Nov 22 and 23. Ang ganda ng place.
Before going there, I was already aware of the incident kaya medyo careful na rin kme when we went out for snorkeling, although we didn’t wear any life vest kc we didnt have one, kaya dun lang kme sa mababaw, waist deep. hehe pasaway. Pero napansin nmen na unti unti nga kme hinahatak papunta sa malalim.
Anyway, di ko alam kung san banda talaga ung danger spot, cguro it would help na may mga parang floaters nearby just to indicate to visitors not to go beyond. Or like ung sa ibang mga beaches na parang net…
Hmmm concern ko rin ung sa CR, malapit lang sa poso kung san nagiigib ng water, di kaya magka-leak ung tanke ng CR then diretso ito sa poso or worst ma-contaminate ung river or ung dagat?
Anu ung kwento about sa mga locals dun na nagcclaim ng Land na un na sa kanila raw?
Very controversial talaga tong lugar na to.
Posted by Carl Ponte at November 25, 2008, 7:26 pmEveryone should put an ICE or IN CASE OF EMERGENCY entry in their cellphone phonebooks.
Posted by Nurse-EMT at December 14, 2008, 3:23 pmnaka 3 beses na ako nakabalik dito. Medyo nga ganitong nangyayari because they want to explore the area. Be caureful guys, lalo na dun sa malapit sa ilog kasi dun ang malambot ang buhangin although mababaw.this is on the left side of the campsite. usually kahit nasa malayo ka na nga pero nasa baywang mo pa rin ung tubig especially low tides. Here are some tips for your safety not only in this place:
1. When you swim, be sure you have a company
2. Wag lalangoy kapag lasing. pwede ng mgtabo na lang sa gilid…lolz
3. Wag magbiro ng saklolo when youre swimming.
Hi Guys! I agree.. It was the strong current under… galing kami diyan nung 2007 and muntik na makuha ung isa sa amin. Maakit ka kc na lumayo from the shore kc super babaw niya. Almost 1 hour ata kmi sa water when we decided to go back pero not knowing na ung mga tinapakan mo papunta eh hndi mo na uli mttpkan pagbalik. I notice lng nung sumisid ako sa lilalim nakita ko na ung sand is forming like a wave hndi ko alam kung normal un pero it means lng na gnung kdali dalhin ng wave ung sand sa ilalim. The point is makuntento sa malapit wag na tangkaing lumayo. Ingat guys! GOD Bless!
Posted by kensi at February 10, 2009, 1:11 pmIm from San Antonio, Zambales. Good to know that your friend is ok….. Narinig ko rin ung story na meron nga nalunod last year sa anawangin & namatay ung guy. I think ung guy was an engr or architect from Manila. Be safe always kc very remote ung area & malakas nga tlaga ung current dyan samin. Meron katabing beach un, sa Barangay San Miguel & there’s infamous story & meron daw sirena na nangunguha tlga, usually pag malapit na ung pista ng barangay…..& madami na nga nalunod sa beach na un, almost every year meron.. katakot. sa pundaquit naman ok rin, mdyo malakas rin alon & kung mag o overnight i suggest na magdala ng off-lotion for mosquito kc dati madaming my mallaria sa barangay na un nung hindi pa tlga nadedevelop, im not sure kung ganun din sa anawangin but be prepared na rin lng. Ingat & God Bless!
Posted by mijo_romeo at March 26, 2009, 1:54 amThis site is very informative, me and friends are planning to go there this april 4-6, 4 days na ako naghahanap ng info about anawangin and this site made me think, we should be very careful pala when we get there. Salamat po sa information.
Posted by rico at March 26, 2009, 2:38 ambeen here Last year. will be there tomorrow. Looking forward to a peacefuL and safe triP, just
Like before.
Hi sir rico.. well be going to anawangin as well.. april 4 bale asa pundakit na kami pero were planning to go to anawangin on the 5th.. Sana ok ang weather that day kasi half day tour lang kasi since balik na kami mla by april 5 noon… BTW saan po kayo mag stay?medyo mixed emo nga ako ngayon after reading the blog.. since 4 lang kami. 3 adults at 1 kid all girls pa… Im praying na wala naman sana masamang mangyayari.. Godbless satin lahat.
BTW thanks sa gumawa ng blog.. it is very informative..
Ranz
09178521020
Hi I’m e.r..if incase you’ll go to anawangin or elsewhere for adventure,hope i could come and meet you guys..here’s my no. 09178199364
Posted by er at April 13, 2009, 11:12 pmHi guys! It’s me again nino, just want to ask if how much oractically yun expenses papunta sa anawangin kasi may nakita ako package na 2,500 per person just for 2 days and i night. you can contact me through this number 09228512855, thanks a lot!
Posted by nino marco lee at April 14, 2009, 2:03 pmomg!.. kinilabutan ako. my bf and i are planning pa naman to go there on may 1st kaya nagre research ako when i read this blog. i’m actually having second thoughts right now if tutuloy pa but i guess if magiging maingat talaga tayo (w/ all the tips and warnings posted here) mae enjoy natin ang anawangin. =) thank you.. it’s very informative!
Posted by daidai at April 15, 2009, 12:48 amkht saan place nmn may panganib its up to us nlng kung pno mag iingat…so dpat aware tayo plagi sa lhat ng pngyayari…i guess una plang kita nyo na na malakas ang alon so dpat maging aware lng tlga at tsaka u must know ur limit nlng dba…kc malamang pinulikat un frnd mo den malakas ang alon tlga…kya sa mga gus2 magpunta pra ma explore yun cove..take care nlng at enjoy being there..god bless
Posted by ROD REYEs at April 26, 2009, 6:34 pmI’ve been there twice. The first one was memorable kasi kami lang dalawa ng kasama ko (Abi) ang bisita sa cove. Syempre andun yung mag asawang caretaker sa far left side (when approaching the cove) at si kuya Dan (katutubo) na naka pwesto sa may likuran bundok ng cove. That was around early september 2008. Medyo di maganda ang panahon kasi biglang naging maulan pag dating namin ng zambales. None the less inenjoy namin ang 3 days 2 nights camp doon. Kakatakot nga lang pag mag tatakip silim na since kami lang ang camper. Maingay ang alon ng dagat pag gabi parang katabi mo lang pag natutulog ka. ehehe.. Not to mention yung kaluskos na maririnig mo sa tent na nangagaling sa labas. Tapos biglang tatahol si gretchen (aso nung mag asawang care taker) na para bang may alam syang meron ibang bisita maliban samin mga tao doon.. hay.. di ako nakatulog promise. Sa tuwing hapon ako bumabawi sa pag tulog. During the day maingat kami sa pag swim. Kasi nga nabasa ko dito noon yung mga sudden drop spots doon and underwater currents na sinasabi nila. True enough, meron nga. So ingats lang mga friendships pag andun kayo ha.. Mganda mag punta dun pag malapit na holy week or yung pag mismo, parang fiesta! Masaya!!!=)
Posted by Dennis at July 28, 2009, 12:16 am



salamat rene. sana mdami mkbasa nito…
Posted by anawangin at April 25, 2008, 2:18 pm