Surfing in Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

these boulders have become a sitio liwliwa landmark; every body has a shot

It was thursday and just 5days before christmas, i was too lazy to work. I've been back and forth the apartment, and cigarettes after cigarettes, thinking of whether i'd go to work or not. Around 11am, 2hrs after my supposed work schedule, i decided to activate my Out of Office holiday message.

Since it will take a while before i'd come back to manila, i had to attend to  my laundry and had a quick meet with friends in pampanga.

I was intending to go Liwliwa to surf on sat and sun, but since i had put myself on vacation way ahead, friday afternoon, I was already set for zambales.

It was already past 10pm when i reached liwliwa. Had a hard time getting d Olongapo via SCTEX bus due to the number of passengers waiting for the same. I stood for a dormant 1-2 hrs in Olongapo city within the dilemma of whether to sleep in the city or riak not catching a resort in San Felipe; Luckily, circle hostel was still open at the time.

The Circle hostel in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

Showered a bit, and went straight to the common area to recharge my phone.

There was a group of four who followed afterwards and invited me to play cards alongside some bottles of beer. It was almost 2am when we finished up.

I woke up half past 8 the following morning over a flock of surfers as the hostel is hosting a competition that day.

After a few cups of coffee, a banana, and a slice of brownie, i took my board and ran to the shore.

Surfing competition organizers meeting in the common area

meals in the store in front of the Circle Hostel

As i have heard earlier, unfortunately, there weren't any waves. Surfers were flocking on one side, but will have eventully asked to paddle out as the competition will have to move to that space.

It was almost frustrating; waves come as slow as one attempt every 10 minutes I guess. Surfers have spent more time staring at each other, and chatting while waiting for the ride-able ones.

beach in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

beach in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

surfers in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

surfing competition in Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

A little while later though, nearly 11am, the waves have gone better, and everyone suddenly's so busy. 

It was very late when I realized I've used the board for almost 5 hours and need to return it to Circle Hostel.



*Fare from Olongapo City to San Felipe was around P80.00. Takes around 1 hour including a short stop in Lubao, Pampanga. For those coming from Manila, you can take the buses bound to IBA.
*From San Felipe Public Market to Sitio Liwliwa, since it was late night, and I was alone, I paid P60. Otherwise, fare shall be only P30.
*From Circle Hostel back to San Felipe, I paid P30. Trike was chartered from Vangie (Circle Hostel Staff).
*Circle Hostel San Felipe may be contacted at 09178611929. Bed (Dorm type) overnight is P350. Hammock is P250. Daytrip is P150.
*For budget daytrip travellers, you may want to just wash up from the neighbouring houses. Contact Tatay Jerry, 09327172643. He also lease surfboards and conduct lessons.
*The board rental was P200/hr. P400/4hours
*Yes you can get your food around in around 50-80/meal.

By the way, waves in liwliwa are not whole year round. Better always give the local nos a call before visiting.
In case you have spare day in your visit, you can do a sidetrip to Lake Mapanuepe.



Update: March 17, 2018

There are 36 accomodations available in Liwliwa.  80% of these accomodation are actually homes to people who have quit corporate/city life and chose to be quiet in Liwliwa. Hence, please do arrive with respect to the locals, including these settlers who want it quiet. After all, you don't come to travel to just do what you can do anyway in manila. Wake up early in the morning, surf, and Spend the time in the beach rather than wasting hours drinking at night only to wake up really late for check out and travelling back to Manila.

I've finally settled in Liwliwa and run a guesthouse. Want to have a look?

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