A Trip to the PaRK (Real, Quezon)

Road Scenes

Barring traffic jams, a road trip to Real, Quezon usually takes three and a half hours from the Ortigas Extension. There is a long stretch of two-lane but well-paved roads from Antipolo passing through Tanay and Laguna until you finally reach Quezon.  Upon meeting a road that forks along the way with a statue of a man on a horse, just keep left and head straight. 

Drive carefully! Aside from the roads being two-lane, dangerous curves with deep ravines await the traveler. Overtaking on this kind of roads should always be taken with extreme caution. Overtake only if necessary! Obey road signs. It is better to be safe than sorry.  There is really no need to rush. It is not the destination but the journey.

Be observant. There are signs along the way showing the direction to Real, Quezon. Take time to enjoy the trip. The view from the road is very relaxing with lush greens of coconut trees and rice fields.  As I look at the scenery, I began to think that life should always be like this - simple and serene. Nature has given it all.  Human intervention only makes it worse. But, as we travel from Antipolo to Quezon, I prayed not only for our safety but also for the passage of the “Anti-Epal Bill”.

During our trip, we chanced upon several groups of bikers challenging themselves to conquer the road.  The sun is still about to rise, yet these bikers burn the road with intensity.  Human endurance is taken to the extreme. With just muscle power and will, the bikers continually pedal their way to a destination they themselves only knew.  There was a time that I considered getting into this sport.  I love biking. Maybe it is still not too late to revive my passion for the sport.

There were few portions of the road undergoing repair. As this is only a two-lane road, vehicles have to stop and alternately make their way. This however merely caused a slight delay in our travel as there were only a few vehicles at that time.  I hope however that time has changed. When I see roads in the provinces being repaired, it means that the election period is near. 

Facets of rural Philippine life greeted us along the way.  A man transporting goods on horseback. If this happens to be in Tagaytay, horseback riding is a brisk business. Here, riding a horse is a labor-driven endeavor.  

It is also a familiar sight to see unmilled rice being dried on the road. I recall that the Philippines used to be a rice exporting country. But now, we import our staple food. I hope that someday, the country regains its stature as a rice exporting nation.  Perhaps, it is time to stop converting our rice fields into subdivisions. 

Pacific Recreation Kamp

The PaRK's signage confirmed that we have reached Real, Quezon. The Pacific Recreation Kamp, also known as "the PaRK", is a favorite destination of surfers. The Tignoan Church is just beside this resort or camp. 

We saw several vehicles parked inside the resort - an indication that there are lots of visitors. We took the time to check out the place. The PaRK provides very affordable rates.

There are several open cottages in this camp and tents are also available for rent. The PaRK is ideal for those who would like to experience the outdoors. An overnight stay in an open cottage or in a tent, without the comforts of air conditioning nor the usual privacy and protection of a hotel room, is really a  different experience for the urbanite.

We then headed for the beach in front of the resort. Besides the camping experience, Pacific Recreation Kamp offers surfing lessons. For a minimal fee, you can rent surfboards by the hour and take surfing lessons.

The most distinguishing feature of Real's beaches is the brown color of its sands. From a distance, the beach seems to look like scattered chocolate repeatedly kissed by the waves. Or perhaps, there are no sands at all. Soil may have covered the entire beach. 

As I look closer, the sands are indeed brown in color. Small sharp stones, however, dominate certain parts of the beach making it very difficult to walk on barefoot. 

Of course, "no one likes a dirty beach". Surfers and beachgoers should, as the PaRK's sign says, be "ocean minded" and refrain from throwing any form of garbage. Please "leave nothing but footprints!"  

Depending on the weather, surfing is an activity offered all year round in Real, Quezon. The waves are very inviting. It is not so huge to scare off first-time surfers yet big enough to have an enjoyable surfing experience. 

As I watched the surfers moving and paddling their way in an attempt to stand on their boards and ride the waves even for just a few fleeting moments, I was reminded on how life should be lived.  The waves would topple your surfboard most of the time, but just get up and go! Don't give up! Soon, you would ride and overcome that wave... we often call life.