The Secluded Island of Potipot: A True Gem of Zambales

I got invited to the team building for Joyce Sagun Cluster, where the Asst. Call Center Manager and his supervisors (and their plus-one’s) spent a weekend in Zambales and went to the island of Potipot.

They hired a van, the owner and driver of which is a friend (they also went to the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan), and so they are already comfortable with each other. The price, since I’m a guest, I wasn’t exactly sure how much the deal was.

We left our rendezvous at around noon time since some of them came from shifts. The travel time didn’t take us longer than 5 hours I’m sure, including the weekend traffic of EDSA.

Sir Joyce booked Dawal Beach Resort in Candelaria, Zambales and we stayed there Sunday night, where a roomful of beds lay there waiting for the tired, sleepy and excited. For the rates, please check their website: http://dawal.com.ph/2011

The morning after we ventured to Potipot Island, arranged by Sir Joyce and the staff of Dawal, for the boat to bring us there and for our breakfast to be taken to the island as well. We got there really early. I guess it was 7. This is how the island looked like at that time of the day.

The staff packed our breakfast and lunch, including drinks, so we could stay in the island the longest. Potipot is smaller compared to Annawangin. Where there were make-shift bathrooms and toilets in Annawangin, there was none in Potipot. So to going there prepared is the best way to go. Plan even the food, those that which won’t spoil if you intend to stay there overnight. (Camping is advised when staying for the night. So pitch your tents and bring your rechargeable light, too)

One could walk around the island in a few minutes. There’s no electricity, no vendors. So one had to bring everything that’s essential. If one was shipwrecked and got to this island, other than the creatures of the sea, there’s nothing to eat in this island. Not even fruits.

Note: I was too excited to dip into the waters of Potipot, despite Joy’s pleading to have breakfast first, I swam right away and what did I get? I got stung by Jellies (dikya) and they were so prickly. I thought at first I had scratches all over to have to feel that way against the saltiness of the water. I tried not to be obvious that I was not enjoying. Until I couldn’t bear it anymore and finally got off the water and said “ang hapdi!!”. Of course, I got scolded.

Then, breakfast it was. The food they chose (Sir Joyce and team) is so filling. Just right for this setting.

Since we got there early, we were the 1st to experience the island that day. It was serene, relaxing, and inviting. There were sudden deep parts of the sea that one would notice when wearing goggles, so be careful.

Starfish abound along the shore of Potipot and you can touch it, play with it, but be sure to put them back where you got them. I didn’t know that they were hard on the outside and had a lot of “feet” when you turn them upside down. I was surprised at the color, too. Patrick made me think that PINK is their color. Hmppp..

We had photo ops around the island, some “mimay moments”, and we even played charade in the late morning to pass the time.

Bring your mats, hammocks and fan when you go there, especially if you wanted to stay there for the rest of the day. Bring playing cards if you like, games for pinoy henyo, scrabble, etc. It’s also ideal for kids because the ride from the mainland to Potipot is just 3 minutes. They won’t get seasick.

We enjoyed everything there was about Potipot. Wish we didn’t have shifts that day. We could have stayed a little bit longer. But as all spoilers are, some good things never last that long.

A little after lunch, we headed back to Dawal, showered and dressed. And with a heavy heart,  headed back to Manila. Aww…