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Writer's pictureJoanna Marie Nacar

The (ONCE) Popular Beach in Batangas

Updated: Nov 16, 2020

We were supposed to go to Lobo, Batangas but we heard that they are still requiring travel documents for non-locals to enter their municipality. We woke up early, armed ourselves with foods, geared to the teeth with photography gadgets, and so ready to dive into warm seawater. We just have to find a beach for us to relax and have a change of scenery.


My squad

I cannot let me and my squad be disappointed so I opened Google Maps and look for beaches that are just beside the road. Our last resort is Matabungkay but we are really putting it as our last option because we still don't know if they are allowing local residents to enter the place without proper documents. We scoured every possible open beach beside the roads but they are either dirty or right beside a factory.


Lipa City to Matabungkay
Lipa City to Matabungkay

We reached Matabungkay and, still, there was no checkpoint. We are crossing our fingers that we won't encounter any but just as we passed the arch of Brgy. Matabungkay, the dreaded checkpoint came into view.


Brgy. Matabungkay's welcome arch
Brgy. Matabungkay's welcome arch

We were stopped by a barangay 'tanod' and the first question he asked us is if we have a medical certificate. We said none. Then he said, "Kahit isa lang (Even if it's just one)". Then one of us said that he has one but it's on his phone which he took a pic of (thankfully) yesterday. The barangay 'tanod' said, "Patingin nga (Let me have a look)". He took a look while all of us is holding our breath and then said, "Ok, enjoy!" We rolled up our window and screamed, shouted, and woot-woot our way until we reached the crossroads of Matabungkay.


Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach

At the crossroad, while debating whether we should turn right or left or go straight ahead, people swarm our car. I actually thought that Matabungkay will be slow-paced right now because of the pandemic but locals are actually trying hard to have customers come to their resorts.  We entertained one man and he led us to a resort (which I still don't know the name of until now, haha). It was not those posh resorts or for-the-rich resort but it's just a low-class resort. We told him we would just look at the place first. He led us to the beach and we saw the rafts.


Matabungkay Rafts
Matabungkay Rafts

They were so peaceful bobbing on the water. We discussed to ourselves if we will get the offer which is 2,500 (52$) per raft for the whole day. We asked the man if they can bring it to a more deep level of water and he said yes (take note). So, we finally agreed on the price, walked to our raft to get settled, paid the man that met us on the crossroad, and then he left.


Matabungkay raft
Our rented raft

When the man left and the owner of the raft started to move the raft, he told us that we cannot go to a deeper level of water. We all said "WHAT??? The man who just left said that you will take us to a deeper level of water?!" Long story short, the man literally lied to us. BUT, we are locked up in our homes for 6 months and any change of scenery, we will gladly take it. LOL


Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach

We got settled down and then tried to walk to a more deep area of the beach but got tired before we even reached it. haha. We walked back to our raft and started the preparations for our lunch. By the way, our raft also has a place to grill our meats on.

Our grilled liempo!
Our grilled liempo!

We also rented from a local two 'salbabida' worth P100 ($2) each. 'Salbabida' literally means a lifesaver but it's technically a recycled truck tire interior. LOL


Salbabida (Lifesaver)
Salbabida (Lifesaver)

We also have this bamboo sunbathing chair which we move wherever we want to because it's just perfect for photo-ops.


Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach

After eating our lunch and playing in the water, we decided to avail of their snorkeling package which is P150 ($3) per person for 1 and a half hours. We had a blast going to the snorkeling area because we rode really huge waves. We did see some fishes but it was not a lot.


Snorkeling at Matabungkay Beach
Snorkeling at Matabungkay Beach
Snorkeling at Matabungkay Beach

The place where our raft was anchored was relatively a calm area. It was protected by rocks and reefs which stops the huge waves from coming in. It's a perfect place for little children.


Matabungkay's floating raft
Matabungkay's floating raft

Outside this area, there are huge waves that can literally suck you from your feet and drown you which, I think, is the main reason why our raft is moored on the calm side of the beach.


Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach

After doing the snorkeling, we played for a little while in the huge waves then went back to our raft to prepare our dinner.


Dinner at Matabungkay's floating raft
Dinner at Matabungkay's floating raft

We basically spend a total of P3,550 ($70) which is around P500 ($10) per person. I didn't count the 'salbabida' because two of my friend rented it with their own money. Our food, which is liempo, rice, and a few chips were bought beforehand.


Question: If you are in a situation where you can help locals bring back their livelihood, say tourism, would you grab it?

Matabungkay Beach
Matabungkay Beach

I cannot literally say that we did not have fun because WE DID HAVE ALOT OF FUN!


Watch everything about it here:


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