Whether you're going on a Matabungkay Beach Resort day tour or an extended stay, you should know these facts about your holiday destination:
Matabungkay is one of the nearest white-sand beaches to Manila.
It's only around 120 kilometers – a 2-hour trip – from the capital.
Compare that to the beaches in Anda, Pangasinan (300 kilometers, around
5-6 hours of travel), or Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (around 500 kilometers,
8-9 hours of driving). It's no wonder that Matabungkay Beach remains a
popular destination among holiday-goers from Manila.
It was allegedly "discovered" by German expatriates from Manila in the 1950s.
Matabungkay Beach was originally a sleepy fishing community before
the Germans arrived. They loved the beach so much that the German Club
once had a cottage built on the beachfront for their exclusive use. This
discovery spurred the growth of the tourism industry and the
establishment of several beach resorts in Batangas; now, fishing has
become the alternative source of livelihood.
In the 1960s, it was a favorite hang-out of Manila's rich and famous.
While Matabungkay Beach is now open to the public and a favorite of
families looking for a low-cost summer vacation, in the 1960s it was
vastly different. The shoreline was full of luxurious Matabungkay beach
houses for rent where Manila's elite enjoyed the sun. Even Matabungkay Beach Resort
offered a beach villa with rooms named after the only celebrities that
are allowed to stay there – such as the Nora Aunor Room. Today, that
beachside villa can now be booked by anyone, enabling people to sample
the same luxuries that these celebrities once enjoyed.
There's a coral reef formation 50m from the low tide mark.
It may not be as spectacular as other coral reefs in the country, but
it's still an interesting site. Located in the middle of the cove and
roughly 50 m from the low tide mark, this reef diverts the incoming
waves. Some diverted waves are even strong enough for body surfing.
Matabungkay residents love their balsa.
Another attraction at this beach is the numerous balsa, or bamboo
rafts. These can be rented out from the villagers in the area and come
in different shapes and sizes. They're pretty convenient,
too. If you're currently swimming in the ocean, you just have to swim
up to your raft to cook and eat lunch, eliminating the need to
completely go back to shore. So even if you're just on a Matabungkay Beach Resort day tour, a meal or a calm ride on a balsa is not to be missed.
