sun, sea, sand, wii
a weekend escapade to the hundred islands in pangasinan was just what i needed to shake off my blog lethargy. 
entitled “sun, sea, sand, wii”, our office outing was KKB (kanya-kanyang bayad, or dutch treat) for budgetary reasons, but it did not lack for fun and excitement. we certainly did not lack for food - i don’t think i’ve ever eaten as much rice, fresh bangus, liempo or junk food in one weekend. thanks to our office team and our gracious hosts in mangatarem, it was a rejuvenating two and a half days.
the hundred islands was a pleasant surprise. i did not expect the pristine waters or the fine white sand. i have seen too many places battered by tourists, sea-scapes ruined by sprawling concrete hotels. it’s incredible that the hundred islands have been kept clean and unspoilt.
never mind the “tender, juicy hotdog” ad for purefoods below each island’s name on signs planted along the boat route. heck, if corporate sponsorship keeps the islands clean, that’s fine - so long as the ads are not too distracting.
we first set foot on governor’s island. i was at first reluctant to climb up a trail to the top of the island. it was a thankfully short hike on very safe, paved steps, that ended with an iced buko treat at the peak.
for an extra 200 pesos we found old scout’s island, a relatively secluded spot with powdery white sand and a lovely swimming beach partly shaded by limestone cliffs. i don’t drink beer, but it was the perfect time to chug a bottle of San Mig light: lying on subtly shifting sand and cool, shallow waters, looking out to a calm blue sea dotted with mounds of forest green, laughing between sips.
we spent the rest of the weekend in the family pool, improving our Wii boxing and tennis skills, and trading stories over vodka-orange cocktails and shamelessly oily, delicious food. heading back to manila, our ripe mangoes in tow, we dozed off in happy exhaustion.