November 2024

🇵🇭 SANTA • Magsaysay District Beach: Local Guide + Review

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Friday, November 29, 2024 0

Stories of town explorations.

This is a travel blog feature, travel guide, and curation dedicated to the Magsaysay Beach as a subject matter (in Santa, Ilocos Sur).

• This blog is an ongoing personal journal project. This page will be updated intermittently. My goal for this curation is to create stories, reviews, and documentation about the Magsaysay beachline in Santa.

• To view more photo details and contexts (like location, date taken, and camera used), you may put your mouse cursor over the image if you are using a PC. If you are on a mobile browser, touch and hold the image until a window pops out.

• All photos included in this article are actual photos of the beach taken by me. Photo thumbnails could be enlarged by tapping or clicking it.

🇵🇭 SANTA, ILOCOS SUR

This article is divided into sections, organized in separate tabs for context-based navigation. All of the sections are works-in-progress. Once I get to gather more data and materials for specific topics related to Magsaysay beachline, I will add additional tabs. I have also collected various materials for this beach stored in my drive. Hence, aside from writing updates about this beach, I will also write about my previous visits in this beach.

▼ ACTUAL VISITS ▼ HISTORY & CURERNT EVENTS ▼ OVERVIEW

This section is where I will post any new original materials I obtained related to Magsaysay beach. It could be a blog or a visual/photo update.

► 2022-December-19

This is my latest actual intentional visit to Magsaysay beachline. It was a part of a spontaneous ride, though; but reaching the area, I decided to intentionally document the area. It happened during the pandemic period with less stringent mobility rules. The specific segment I visited was the part of the beach below the Santa Seawall, alongside the Manila North Road.

MACARTHUR HIGHWAY

I noticed that an erosion control intervention was applied to this part of the beach. Based on my research, DPWH placed tetrapods on the beach to control erosion.

This was also the first time that I personally stepped onto the beach area. I did not go to the waters, though. This place is very familiar to me because I always pass by here everytime I travel down south of our province going to the towns after Santa and major cities like Baguio and Manila. I found out that there is a stair going down to the beach area.

At that time, I noticed that the beach area had no soft consistency. Instead of sand, it seemed like they were replaced with gravel and mountain rocks. This part of the beach is actually very prone to landslide. I suspect that the rocky beachline could be a result of erosion from the mountain slope in front of it. The seawall in front of it actually speaks of the erosion incidence in the area.

On the other hand, I noticed the presence of a creeping vine called "kadena de amor" in the beach area. The vegetation starts from the mountain slope below the highway then creeps down to the beach area. See image gallery above for the photos I took on this day.

For the full story of this visit, check this link:

HISTORY OF MAGSAYSAY BEACH
(TIMELINE OF EVENTS)

2024-August-18 • The SK of Magsaysay did a beach clean-up together with the BFP Santa, PNP Santa, and Samahang Ilocano-Santa Chapter. [2]

2006-May-16 • The town of Santa was reportedly the hardest hit town when the waves brought down a concrete seawall constructed along the shoreline of Magsaysay and other barangays. Typhoon Caloy reached Signal #4 when it moved northward and reached peak intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) on May 15. [1]

______________________________________

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
• [1] Molina, T. (2006, May 17). Big waves leave Ilocos coastal folk homeless. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2006/05/17/337017/big-waves-leave-ilocos-coastal-folk-homeless
• [2] 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐀𝐍 Brgy. Magsaysay

For a clearer context, the name "Magsaysay Beach" here refers to the beachline under the jurisdiction of Magsaysay District, a barangay in the town of Santa, Ilocos Sur. There is no official or designated beach name yet to this area, so I'd call it the Magsaysay beachline.

► Santa Seawall and the Beach

MAGSAYSAY DISTRICT BEACH, SANTA, ILOCOS SUR

🇵🇭 SANTA • JACKSTONE BREAKWATER PROTECTS THE COASTLINE FROM FURTHER EROSION IN FRONT OF THE SEAWALL.

A certain part of the Magsaysay beachline is located in a delicate area that is prone to coastal erosion. A segment of this beachline is located in front of the Santa Seawall. Some parts of the beach line are also good for swimming and other beach activities.

The DPWH placed tetrapods (jackstone breakwater) on the beach below the seawall to mitigate further erosion. Powerful big waves are common in this area during typhoon season. The Santa Seawall fronting this beach has been destroyed multiple times.

► Manila North Road and the Beach

🇵🇭 SANTA • THIS SEGMENT OF THE MANILA NORTH ROAD WAS ERECTED ALONGSIDE THE BEACH.

A segment of the (MacArthur Highway) is visible from the beach area. In fact, this segment of the highway runs on top of the Santa Seawall.

The beach area has become narrower, though, due to constant erosion.

► Luna Hill and the Beach

🇵🇭 SANTA • A PARTIAL VIEW OF THE VERDANT LUNA HILL (OBSTRUCTED BY THE SEAWALL) CAN BE SEEN FROM THE BEACH AREA. IN FACT, THE SEAWALL ITSELF IS PART OF THE MOUNTAIN SLOPE THAT DIRECTLY MEETS THE SEA.

I haven't seen a beach area fronting a gigantic mountain here in Ilocos aside from the Magsaysay Beach. This natural design is unique here in Ilocos Sur. In fact, the mountain slope of the Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park ends at this beach area. This explains why the beach fronting the seawall is very prone to landslides and coastal erosion.

A drone photo may somehow justify the beauty of this scenery. I'm also curious of the original view when the road and the seawall weren't there yet.

▲ ▲ ▲
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▬ END OF STORY ▬

LATEST STORIES COVERING SANTA • SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW

MORE BLOGS YOU MIGHT LIKE. SEE TABS BELOW.

▼ ILOCOS SUR ▼ LOCAL GUIDES & REVIEWS ▼ UPDATED GUIDES AND REVIEWS

► More 'Ilocos Sur' Blogs

MORE STORIES COVERING 'ILOCOS SUR' | SEE OLDER STORIES

► More 'Local Guides and Reviews' Blogs

MORE STORIES COVERING 'LOCAL GUIDES AND REVIEWS' | SEE OLDER STORIES

► More 'Updated Guides & Reviews' Blogs

MORE STORIES COVERING 'UPDATED GUIDES AND REVIEWS' | SEE OLDER STORIES

C T M V P B SC IS L P

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
2024-December-01:
• Related articles html & scripts added and configured.

2024-November-29:
• This post was published.

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

[Santa] All BEACHES Ilocos Ilocos Sur Latest Luzon Luzon Island NATURAL WONDERS Philippines South East Asia

🇵🇭 SANTA • This beach in Ilocos has stories to tell

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Thursday, November 28, 2024 0

Stories of town explorations.

This beach area is located at the foothills of the Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park—a protected landscape in Ilocos Sur due to its biodiversity and historical significance.

• If this beach could speak, I’m pretty sure it has intriguing stories to tell.

• My admiration for this beach became more profound when I learned the history of its surrounding area.

• ...such a phenomenon is a product of supernatural art created by a supernatural artist.

🇵🇭 SANTA, ILOCOS SUR

It was pandemic period when this story happened. The boredom of being caged due to outside threat and the depression of staying home in the context of quarantine have heightened my yearning to revisit my old self—someone who finds joy in the outdoors, traveling to learn and create new life stories, and journaling based on my adventures. These things define my source of a healthy dose of dopamine activation that add more vivid colors to my life.

► Backstory: breaking free from the quarantine

When the quarantine regulations eased, this beach became one of our spontaneous destinations when we had a quick ride to Santa. You know, this is my favorite spot along the Ilocos Sur segment of the because of the intertwining of the steep mountain slope and the sea, dissected by the MacArthur Highway (Manila North Road).

In my personal standpoint, such a phenomenon is a product of supernatural art created by a supernatural artist. This beach area in Magsaysay District has always left me in awe everytime I see it on my way down south of my home province. Not everyone may necessarily appreciate this place, but I really find this place special.

🇵🇭 SANTA • THE MOUNTAIN INTERTWINES WITH THE SEA. ON THE LEFT SIDE IS THE SEAWALL THAT PROTECTS THE MACARTHUR HIGHWAY.

SANTA • MAGSAYSAY DISTRICT BEACH
Date: 2021-12-19
Taken by: Edmar Guquib
Location: Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Vantage Point: at Magsaysay District Beach
Camera: Samsung A52

🇵🇭 SANTA • JACKSTONE BREAKWATER PROTECTS THE COASTLINE FROM FURTHER EROSION.

🇵🇭 SANTA • THIS IS MY FAVORITE SECTION OF THE MACARTHUR HIGHWAY IN ILOCOS SUR. IT PROVIDES A GOOD VIEWPOINT OF THE MAGSAYSAY DISTRICT BEACHLINE AND THE MOUNTAIN RANGES ON THE OTHER SIDE. IT'S THE BEST VIEWPOINT FOR BOTH WORLDS: MOUNTAIN AND OCEAN.

This beach area is located at the foothills of the Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park—a protected landscape in due to its biodiversity and historical significance. It’s great to note that this beach is an extension of a national park.

This beach has no official name though. Since it's located in the Magsaysay District of Santa, I'd like to call it the Magsaysay beach. My admiration for this beach became more profound when I learned the history of its surrounding area. Near the beach is the Pideg Pass that was created by the Franciscans in 1600. It was later renamed to Diego-Gabriela Silang Pass. History told us that Gabriela Silang, the Ilocano freedom fighter, was captured in Pideg Pass by the Spanish forces.

🇵🇭 SANTA • A VIEW OF THE DOWNHILL FOOT TRAIL GOING TO THE BEACH AREA CAN BE SEEN FROM THE SECTION OF THE MACARTHUR HIGHWAY LOCATED AT THE HIGHER POINT ON THE SLOPE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

SANTA • MAGSAYSAY DISTRICT BEACH
Date: 2021-12-19
Taken by: Edmar Guquib
Location: Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Vantage Point: at MacArthur Highway
Camera: Samsung A52

🇵🇭 SANTA • A NARROW SECTION OF THE MOUNTAIN SLOPE SEPARATES THE ROAD FROM THE SEA.

Learning this history, my brain couldn't help but to think if Gabriela Silang swam in the waters of this beach when she was stationed at Pideg Pass. What did Gabriela Silang think about this beach? I have many scenarios in my head, and these scenarios make this beach more intriguing.

If this beach could speak, I’m pretty sure it has intriguing stories to tell. Did the Spanish forces at that time guarded this beach? Did Gabriela Silang attempt to escape from this beach?

► During This Visit

The beach was adorned by natural decorations like the creeping vine we call "Kadena de Amor," bearing bright pink flowers that provide contrasting colors against the ocean and the sky.

From the elevated section of the MacArthur Highway, I went down to take photos of the beach. There was a concrete stair to access the beach more safely because the terrain here is very steep.

No one frolicked on the beach when I visited. It seemed like none or just a few of my fellow Ilocanos would intentionally visit the beach area for leisure purposes. In my case, I visited the beach area because I want to document it in both written narratives and visual storytelling.

🇵🇭 SANTA • WOULD YOU DARE SWIM IN THE BEACH WATERS?

🇵🇭 SANTA • THIS SECTION OF THE MACARTHUR HIGHWAY DISSECTS THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SEA.

During this visit, I’ve seen some vacation houses/resorts erected at the safer sections of the coastline of Magsaysay. I can see the potential, though. The section of this beach at the Imelda Park is secluded and beautiful, too. But for this particular visit, I only checked the open beach section directly below the MacArthur Highway.

► Ending Thoughts

I'm writing these ending thoughts at 09:55 PM of 2024-Nov-28. It's been 2 years since this experience happened. However, stories are everlasting; so I don't mind publishing this narrative 2 years after.

I’m glad that I found the motivation to write again. It’s a long weekend for me. It’s Thanksgiving Day in the US, and I’m joining their holiday schedule because my work schedule follows theirs.

I’d like to maximize this long weekend by writing stories and updating my blog. Of note, today is a happy pay day because I also received my 13th month pay.

🇵🇭 VIGAN • REAL TIME PHOTO AS I BLOG THIS STORY.

VIGAN • AT EDMARATION HUB
Date: 2024-11-28
Taken by: Edmar Guquib
Location: Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Vantage Point: at Home
Camera: iPhone 16 Pro Max

▬ END OF STORY ▬

LATEST STORIES COVERING SANTA • SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW

MORE BLOGS YOU MIGHT LIKE. SEE TABS BELOW.

▼ ILOCOS SUR ▼ BEACHES ▼ NATURAL WONDERS

► More 'Ilocos Sur' Blogs

MORE STORIES COVERING 'ILOCOS SUR' | SEE OLDER STORIES

► More 'Beaches' Blogs

MORE STORIES COVERING BEACHES | SEE OLDER STORIES

► More 'Natural Wonders' Blogs

MORE STORIES COVERING "NATURAL WONDERS" | SEE OLDER STORIES

MORE TOWNS OR LOCATIONS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:

LI C T M V P B SC IS L

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2024-November-28: This post was published.

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

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THE TOWN EXPLORER

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Travel blogging since 2010. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran.

I created this travel blog as a platform for my long-form storytelling.

My goal is to explore all the towns in the Philippines. I don't think I could explore them all in my lifetime, but it is still a goal regardless of the result. I will write my town exploration stories in this blog.

For blogging collab, PR partnership, or invitation to visit your town, you may send your proposal to admin@edmaration.com.

To check the towns I've explored, follow this link: Where Have I Been?