Sinagtala, A Travel Guide to Camarines Norte's Infinite Natural Swimming Pool

 

Camarines Norte was once among the richest provinces in the region, if not the country, due to its abundant mining industry. It is also the nearest province of the region to the capital city of the Philippines, which gives it a lot of opportunity in economy and tourism. Once the Quirino Highway was completed though, all buses and transportations plying from and to manila have changed their routes to Camarines Sur. Everything shifted to Camarines Sur then and the province was left to sustain itself.   

 

Very many establishments in Camarines Norte closed due to lack of potential market. The province didn't die though because tourism was boosted. From natural to man-made adventures and attractions, Camarines Norte always has something to offer. A good example to this is Sinagtala, a river that was developed into a natural swimming attraction.

Sinagtala is a refreshing place to celebrate good times with good friends. There are a lot of cottages on either sides of the cool-water river, which all have convenient cooking and skewing areas.

Above is the river turned swimming pool and left is where we cooked our meals and ate them. Below is the cool river with its width and lounging areas visible.

 

At the time of our visit, the place is too crowded so there was no cottage available for us. We just paid 10 pesos for entrance and that's it. What a wonderful place to spend a laid back Sunday in Camarines Norte.

Daet Clubhouse, A Travel Guide in Camarines Norte's Finest in 2005

In 2005, I worked for one of the country's major manufacturing and distributing company, the Procter & Gamble Philippines. I was employed under the distributor in Bicol and was assigned as branch supervisor with the work that coincides that of the general manager - overseeing the entire operation of the branch. There, I had to work with mostly men of age higher than mine. They were all great people. Some days, we would go on an adventure to just reinforce our team and some days, we just go on a ride to places we wanted to see and venture.

 One of the places we ventured and see first - before others had the chance to discover it - was Daet Clubhouse, at least that was what it was dubbed in those days. It was in its finishing phase when we came to the place. We just frolic in the place and had talked about ourselves and not our work. 

There was a lounge, a big mezzanine or function hall and a nice pool. We didn't swim on the pool, and I still can't understand why.

Overall, it was a great cost-effective adventure for us. We grew closer and we loved our team a little bit more than we already did.

Black Nazarene or Santo Intiero of Capalonga, Camarines Norte

The Philippines is one of the most religious countries in the world. It has embraced Christianity since the invasion of the Spaniards, whom taught the locals to follow the teachings of the Holy Bible. This explains the similarities of the belief of Spaniards and Filipinos. One of the most criticized practices of Catholic believers is their loyalty to wooden idols. To us, these are symbols of our belief and we are paying respect not to the idols but to what they symbolize. This practice is even observed in provinces, like ours.

 In my younger years, I had the fortune to work for Procter &  Gamble's Bicol distributor, Accelerated Distribution Inc. (ADI). This job allowed me to travel the entire administrative area of Bicol region. One of the destinations I loved so much to visit was Camarines Norte. It is the last province of Region V bordering Region IV's Quezon province. The province was known for its gold and silver mines, beautiful white and black beaches, and alluring islands. Aside those natural resources, the province is also known to have a miraculous replica of the Santo Intiero or the Black Nazarene.  

 Curiosity got the best of me so I braved the verdant and still uber underdeveloped town of Capalonga, one of Camarines Norte's farthest towns. many believed that this town is infested with rebels but young that I was, the intrigue got the better of me. I do not know if it was loyalty to my job or curiosity or just for the fun of another adventure that I jumped in one of our company's branch vans to work with the team that visits the town once a month.

Above is a picture of our team lighting candles, asking for miracles and praying for safety. At the right is a picture of the cross with Jesus Christ already pinned on it. Below is a picture of me and the nearby beach that is more used as a port to fishermen than swimming or frolicking the beach.