Lingayen – The thriving town of Burgos in western Pangasinan famed for its ‘Cabongaoan beach’ is taking the route of rediscovering its natural wonders and other man-made attractions to spur its tourism promotion agenda.
Other potential tourism assets of the town, aside from its awe-inspiring beaches that were unraveled during the validation and mapping of tourist attractions (TAs) and points of interest (POIs) in Pangasinan conducted by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), are prospects for tourism development.
Along with Burgos, validation and mapping activities will be conducted by the PTCAO in 9 other towns in Pangasinan which forms part of tourism development thrust of the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.
“Soon it will be easier to get acquainted with exploring Pangasinan Tourism once the database profiling of tourist attractions and points of interest in the province is completed,” said PTCAO staff GR Canas during the validation and mapping held in Burgos on June 8-9.
The validation and mapping activities in collaboration with local government units also seeks to calibrate the developments and management of natural and man-made tourism destinations in terms of accommodation, services offered and accessibility to public transport.
“The output of the validation and mapping will also aid on the planning and implementation of government projects,” Canas said.
Situated closely by the West Philippine Sea, the Cabongaoan beach of Burgos located in barangay Ilio-Ilio is a virtual paradise noted for its fine white sands, amazing rock formations and cozy ambiance with the majestic sunset fading at the horizon of the sea.
Lone coastal village of Burgos, Ilio-Ilio, also takes pride of unspoiled beaches in sitios of Paratek and Pao which are perfect places for exclusive family gathering and small group recreational activities.
Other natural attractions in Burgos include the rolling hills in southbound barangays of Sapa Pequena, Sapa Grande, Concordia, Pogoruac and Ilio-Ilio where herds of cattle in ranches roam freely; the panoramic Sangbay Falls which could be visited best during the ber-months; and Danao Lake in Barangay Cacayasen.
For pilgrims and devouts, there are two pilgrimage places in Burgos – the Opifices Christi (OC) and the Carmelite Monastery (Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) in sitio Mapila-pila, barangay Tambacan where they could have their retreat and recollection activities, particularly during Lenten season.
A miraculous adoration chapel erected in October 2011 at the OC, the Lumen Christi “to bring life to people” is believed to have bridged several divine intercessions for Christian devouts. The Lumen Christi, which transcends religious boundary among sects, has a place for non-christians (from other sects like Muslim and Buddhists) on its third floor where they could worship.
Several livelihood ventures initiated by the OC brothers led by Rev. Fr. Aaron Bamba, OC founder, bring employment to residents in Burgos, and as a way to fuel their community outreach programs.
The OC also manages its own radio station, DWTJ 99.3 Spirit FM Hundred Islands, with a radius reaching Lingayen and as far as Benguet province to the north, Sta. Cruz, Zambales to the south and Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya to the east.
Few footsteps away from the OC, the Carmelite Monastery run by 34 nuns of the Carmelite Order welcomes everyone for spiritual encounters.
Mass is celebrated at 6:30pm onwards everyday at the monastery while anticipated mass is offered at the OC at 5:30pm every Saturday.
Visitors in Burgos may also drop by the 19-hectare Narem Dragon Fruit Farm owned and managed by Jacinto Gabriel, who also runs a 5-hectare dragon fruit farm in Hermosa, Dasol.
Attributing to the medicinal value and health benefits derived from the dragon fruit, more and more tourists from various places visit said farm to learn information regarding the propagation and maintenance in growing the wonder fruit, as well as to satisfy the crave for mouthwatering dragon fruit delicacies and other food products.
Other tourist attractions to be validated and mapped by the PTCAO include: Allied Botanical Corporation (Tayug); Sky Plaza, Maranum Falls and Century Trees (Natividad); Villa Verde Trail, Red Row Arrow Monument (San Nicolas); Dipalao Falls, Caraballo Spring and Dipalao River (San Quintin); Mt. Amorong, Carasasong Spring and Diket Falls (Umingan); Mt. Balungao, Masa Floreda Dam, Integrated Goat Management Farm (Balungao); Acop Dam (Rosales); Nalsoc Cave, Bangrin Marine Protected Area, Baliwangga Falls and Angel Cave (Bani); Villacorta Cave, Balaki Island, Sabangan and Payong Payong Island, Babuyan Waterfalls and Pita Waterfalls (Infanta).