The West Coast of the Philippines, a gem of a summer destination. And the crown jewel? The coast of San Felipe, nestled in the province of Zambales. A tranquil town in the North, beckoning with its beauty.
The waves, the blue-green waters, and the greyish-powdery sand make it a great getaway for rejuvenating and having some pure thinking moments.
In May 2018, I discovered a newly built camping site on the coast of Liwliwa, a town in San Felipe.
It's a haven of tranquility, with several cottages and tents for an overnight stay. The moment I set eyes on it, I knew it was a place I could truly unwind and connect with nature.
Standing barefoot at the seaside gate of Camp Rofelio, you can enjoy a perfect view of the horizon. The water is clear, and the waves are relaxing. You can also sit on the sand, meditate, and capture the best view of the surroundings.
A great weekend retreat. Camping at the beach. A soulful moment to watch the sunset. Fresh-grilled seafood for dinner and a bonfire night to remember.
It was indeed a memorable and fun moment at Camp Rofelio. It's a decent weekend destination—a solemn place where you can be at peace and one with nature. When you hear the waves inside the tent at night, you'll have the most relaxing and deep sleep ever.
But, hey! I'm supposed to be bay-watching!
A Baywatch, to appreciate the area, the surrounding waters, and the place facing the West Philippine Sea, had created controversy from unwanted intruders. The pirates of the sea had been inside our Philippine waters, causing tensions and threats to the fishing livelihood of the locals.
The Philippine government is supposed to protect those waters, defend our territorial seas, and secure what's best for our people.
There were spotted dredging foreign vessels in the territorial waters of Zambales that threaten our territorial rights and the fishing rights of several Fishermen on our territory.
We are standing as a Baywatch. Someone who sees intruders from afar. But our local fishermen are powerless, and even the regional and national governments must be more powerful to defend the territory.
I love Zambales and would love to return for the next summer season. But the best Baywatch is to see happy people and not stories of intrusion—like thieves of the sea. Camp Rofelio is a good place for Baywatch, but be mindful and have a telescopic eye for the pirates of the sea.
© 2020 Del Cusay
We dream of creating and preserving safe and thriving tourist destinations. But to do so, we must be vigilant and informed about issues that threaten the rights of our people. Our silence could cost us our paradise.
San Felipe is a place of kind and peaceful people. Protect it and make it a heaven-on-earth experience—a paradise. Together, we can protect it and become a good Baywatch—a good Filipino.
