Poctoy White Beach, Torrijos: Perfectly perfect pa rin

Poctoy White Beach and Mt. Maindig. Photo: Eli J Obligacion

It's more than a kilometer stretch of powdery white sand and has become the most popular in mainland Marinduque - the Poctoy White Beach. More resorts and small buildings are on the rise now closer to the beach. This is one place where thousands have come and gone to also enjoy the view of Mt. Malindig rising from the waters. 

Malindig is one volcano with seemingly ever-present bright-white clouds that collect over its peak. You wonder if something's being exhaled by the volcano all the time. All the time.

But soon you forget about it for you've come to enjoy the beach and amenities around, play with the waves or just frolic in the sand. Or just think of ways to make your stay more perfect.

Photos of Poctoy White Beach below are more current. But images of what is was like some 12 years ago could be conveyed by the following story I wrote then.

Photo: Toper Matienzo

Poctoy White Beach, Torrijos: Perfectly perfect baya!

An article about Marinduque appeared in a glossy airline magazine where the popular white sand beach of Poctoy in Torrijos, east of the island, was mentioned for its 'imperfections'. Grasses and shrubs were just left to grow supposedly and did not seem inviting. I had the opportunity to visit the beach with two other friends to check those 'imperfections'.

Photo: Toper Matienzo

In just one day last Holy Week, the beach reportedly netted close to P 100,000. 
Photo: Armop (Warren) Valenzuela Roldan

5:00 pm till 11:30 pm: Coming from the Torrijos Municipio for a word with some officials we arrived in Poctoy beach via the mayor's service vehicle. We entered a gate and realized that it was actually a small resort that had been in operation for sometime, judging by the numerous small structures that greeted us. 'Rendezvous' it is called, concealed somewhat as the beachfront is blocked by what looked like an unfinished multi-purpose hall built by the municipio.

"Welcome" says Mr. Fetalvero the resort owner, "feel at home while we prepare dinner." 'Home' is a two-bedroom guesthouse with two huge beds each. Two morion masks and costumes were displayed in a cozy receiving room accented by other native bric-a-bracs. So his son who built this small resort is an architect based in Manila. This explained why many found materials were fashioned into frames, sculptures or simple installations in the guestroom, in the other buildings and cottages. Design ideas any visitor might be tempted to replicate in his/her own home.

Photo: Toper Matienzo

For dinner we had sinigang, chicken and pork adobo and rice. Mr. Fetalvero couldn't wait to take us to the videoke bar where we saw live the off-key voices we'd hear while eating. They smiled, we smiled back and they were happy to share with the world their gift of music.

I rose after the concert to try one of four billiard tables, left after a round of misses for the beach. It was a moonlit night, but not a single soul could be seen there. Just as well. But it felt kind of strange and sad to be alone in the middle of some twenty desolate cottages. When thick rain clouds soon covered the moon darkening the entire powdery sand beach, I went back to the noise.

Grace was singing 'Pamulinawen' "Ngayon lamang kinanta 'yan dito", one of the boys remarked. She was encouraged and sang more Ilocano songs. "I was in grade three the last time I sang these!", she said. Didn't know if anyone cared.

Mr. Fetalvero talked about native Poctoy songs such as one called "Boracay". "Boracay? What is Boracay?" They're actually huge white birds seen in Poctoy from time to time, he says. Sea gulls? He first heard the song as a child and therefore it had nothing to do with Boracay, the famous beach.

Maybe Boracay, the birds, fly from Boracay, the beach, to Poctoy, the beach and return and fly again because it is just a fly away and they like white beaches? I was thinking quietly. Makes sense? No.

6:00 am till 9:00 am: Poctoy faces east. I woke up early to be able to watch the sun rise. Our host was also up and walked with me to the beach to check the morning's catch. It was cloudy. Then it drizzled. No sun visible. We ran to seek cover in one of the cottages beside a wild giant pandan. "This was where we found the mother pawikan laying eggs", he said. 

"Pawikan?" Beach folks recently found a giant sea turtle with eggs, informed the municipio, aware that sea turtles were an endangered species. The municipio assigned technical people to keep watch until the eggs were hatched. The whole barangay rejoiced when more than seventy baby sea turtles came into being and were eventually set free with their mother to the sea. So you see.

Photo: Toper Matienzo

Mr. Fetalvero says the area of Poctoy is actually part of a community marine reserve so people are being made constantly aware that fish and sea turtles are not forever. There are talks that cyanide fishing is still rampant in the nearby Talisay and Cagpo areas but authorities are hopeful this deadly method would no longer be resorted to through their continuing information drive. But no morning catch. Tough luck for us!
In summer, the beach is teemed with peole from all over Torrijos, says the host. "The cottages were actually built the last couple of years by sitio people and youth groups. Proceeds from rentals go to their community projects," he says. "Note the many small stalls around. They'll make good money when summer vacation starts this Holy Week. The big event is beach volleyball. Come back!"

We returned to Rendezvous for breakfast of fried eggs, corned beef, bread and coffee. No, I disagree with that magazine write-up, I muse. What grass? Poctoy Beach is perfectly perfect as it is. Like the seascape that changes colors by the by, it offers many surprises. But one has got to find them. Then all becomes perfect!

Sandcastles in Poctoy beach

You can’t think of building sandcastles unless the sand is wet and so you need a lot of water to build something like this in Poctoy white sand beach.







For once, the rainshower that pours now and then this December season might give you a good excuse to stay out drenched and play with sand and water. Then you might find yourself shaping and carving the damp sand in no time at all - pounding it, pounding it till you get a glimpse of what you have in mind.

When evening comes and you are still at it, you’d want to put candles all over your sandcastle to bring romance and delight to your spur of the moment creation - before the stray dogs or cats destroy it. Like humans do if you are not looking.

Malindig's Moods

On a clear day when you can see forever Mt. Malindig flaunts its bluish hue and would seem content just watching the affairs of her busy subjects below.







This potentially active volcano, the mother of all mountains on the island, creates a panorama reaching southern Luzon up to the Bicol Peninsula, Mindoro and Verde Island, the Romblon islands and Burias. Its peak is a mossy forest with a diversity of life forms.

One could just watch it from the beach in Poctoy being slowly surrounded by the darkness of the night - until mysterious lights appear just below it or bluish lights appear to soar up from behind it as some witnesses claim.

Photos 1-3 courtesy of Toper Matienzo of Torrijos. Last photo by Lovebus en.wikipedia.

At times it would seem to blind you with a golden hue, bringing to mind the numerous tales of enormous, hidden treasures being guarded there by spirits of the underworld the locals are only too familiar with.

Poctoy beach stop

Bikers view Mt. Malindig from the Poctoy white sand beach in Torrijos.

All of Marinduque's towns are linked by a 119-km circumferential road. Some who visit the island with mountain bikes in tow actually enjoy the experience of biking around and interact with the friendly people during stops.

Of Poctoy Beach, Pinoy Boy Journal blogger writes thus: "If you ask me about my thoughts, i couldn't point out why this place is unique. Its somewhere in between knowing that Torrijos is a poor man's beach but blessed with the whitest, clearest waters and knowing the people here are the nicest i've met anywhere in the Philippines.

"Besides the occasional brown outs and unlit pathways, this place has a charm that's hard to explain. Up until now, this particular stop seems so unforgettable to me. I have no idea why.."

"HULING HIRIT SA TAG-INIT", MAY 29 AT POCTOY BEACH

Marinduque Tourism Council chair, Atty. Allan Velasco has met with officials of the municipality of Torrijos, Provincial Tourism Office and Sangguniang Kabataan for the holding of a summer youth adventure program dubbed as "Huling Hirit sa Tag-init".

This activity promotes sports and tourism development with Poctoy beach as the principal playground. It also provides an opportunity for the Marinduque youth to say goodbye to summer with a big bang before they go back to school or work within or outside the island-province - huling hirit, thus.

Competitions include "Beach Volleyball", "Battle of the Bands", and "Bikini Open", with the following prizes:
For Beach Volleyball (1st: P 2,000; 2nd 1,500.00; 3rd P 1,000)
For Battleof the Bands (1st: P 10,000; 2nd 7,000; P 5,000 with seven consolation prizes of P 1,000 each)
For Bikini Open: (1st: 5,000; 2nd 3,000; 3rd 2,000 with 10 consolation prizes of P 500 each)

Meanwhile, in cooperation with GMA7 and Q-TV a full program presentation on Marinduque was featured last Sunday in "Kay Susan Tayo" at 10:30 am. The program featured Balanacan harbor with Luzon Datum of 1911 landmark, Palo Maria beach (Marinduque's response to Boracay), Poctoy white sand beach, Malbog Sulfuric Spring, Marinduque Hotspring, Katala Beach Resort, "Putong" ritual and the favorite local dish, Adobong Manok sa Gata courtesy of "Kusina sa Plaza" with TV-hosts, Susan and Ariana.

Q-TV featured the Battle of Moriones in "Events Incorporated" at 8:30 pm last Saturday with hosr Tim Yap. The "Battle" was held on Holy Thursday in Boac and also featured an interview with Gov. Bong Carrion on the origin of the moriones tradition.

Forthcoming television features include a special coverage of Marinduque's lenten traditions in the Living Asia Channel and Kim Atienza's Saturday program "Matang Lawin.

Poctoy White Sand Beach, Torrijos: Perfectly perfect baya!

(Poctoy Photo: Bhaby)

An article about Marinduque appeared in a glossy airline magazine where the popular white sand beach of Poctoy, east of the island was mentioned for its 'imperfections'. Grasses and shrubs were just left to grow supposedly and did not seem inviting. I had the opportunity to visit the beach with two other friends to check those imperfections.

5:00 pm till 11:30 pm: Coming from the Torrijos Municipio for a word with some officials we arrived in Poctoy beach via the mayor's service vehicle. We entered a gate and realized that it was actually a small resort that had been in operation for sometime judging by the numerous small structures that greeted us. 'Rendezvous' it is called, concealed somewhat as the beachfront is blocked by what looked like an unfinished multi-purpose hall built by the municipio.

"Welcome" says Mr. Fetalvero the resort owner, "feel at home while we prepare dinner." 'Home' is a two-bedroom guesthouse with two huge beds each. Two morion masks and costumes were displayed in a cozy receiving room accented by other native bric-a-bracs. So his son who built this small resort is an architect based in Manila. This explained why many found materials were fashioned into frames, sculptures or simple installations in the guestroom, in the other buildings and cottages. Design ideas any visitor might be tempted to replicate in his/her own home.

For dinner we had sinigang, chicken and pork adobo and rice. Mr. Fetalvero couldn't wait to take us to the videoke bar where we saw live the off-key voices we'd hear while eating. They smiled, we smiled back and they were happy to share with the world their gift of music.

I rose after the concert to try one of four billiard tables, left after a round of misses for the beach. It was a moonlit night, but not a single soul could be seen there. Just as well. But it felt kind of strange and sad to be alone in the middle of some twenty desolate cottages. When thick rain clouds soon covered the moon darkening the entire powdery sand beach, I went back to the noise.

Grace was singing 'Pamulinawen' "Ngayon lamang kinanta 'yan dito", one of the boys remarked. She was encouraged and sang more Ilocano songs. "I was in grade three the last time I sang these!", she said. Didn't know if anyone cared.

Mr. Fetalvero talked about native Poctoy songs such as one called "Boracay". "Boracay? What is Boracay?" They're actually huge white birds seen in Poctoy from time to time, he says. Sea gulls? He first heard the song as a child and therefore it had nothing to do with Boracay, the famous beach.

Maybe Boracay, the birds, fly from Boracay, the beach, to Poctoy, the beach and return and fly again because it is just a fly away and they like white beaches? I was thinking quietly. Makes sense? No.

6:00 am till 9:00 am: Poctoy faces east. I woke up early to be able to watch the sun rise. Our host was also up and walked with me to the beach to check the morning's catch. It was cloudy. Then it drizzled. No sun visible. We ran to seek cover in one of the cottages beside a wild giant pandan. "This was where we found the mother pawikan laying eggs", he said. "Pawikan?" Beach folks recently found a giant sea turtle with eggs, informed the municipio, aware that sea turtles were an endangered species. The municipio assigned technical people to keep watch until the eggs were hatched. The whole barangay rejoiced when more than seventy baby sea turtles came into being and were eventually set free with their mother to the sea. So you see.

Mr. Fetalvero says the area of Poctoy is actually part of a community marine reserve so people are being made constantly aware that fish and sea turtles are not forever. There are talks that cyanide fishing is still rampant in the nearby Talisay and Cagpo areas but authorities are hopeful this deadly method would no longer be resorted to through their continuing information drive. But no morning catch. Tough luck for us!

In summer, the beach is teemed with peole from all over Torrijos, says the host. "The cottages were actually built the last couple of years by sitio people and youth groups. Proceeds from rentals go to their community projects," he says. "Note the many small stalls around. They'll make good money when summer vacation starts this Holy Week. The big event is beach volleyball. Come back!"

We returned to Rendezvous for breakfast of fried eggs, corned beef, bread and coffee. No, I disagree with that magazine write-up, I muse. What grass? Poctoy Beach is perfectly perfect as it is. Like the seascape that changes colors by the by, it offers many surprises. But one has got to find them. Then all becomes perfect!