"Dingalan" Dingalan by monina_c

Dingalan Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 43 photos

Cool! foto by my cousin Medel Sablaya - Dingalan

My Cool Dingalan

Green of nature, blue of the sky and exuberance of youth!

This is the Picture that remains in my mind when I think of Dingalan. I try hard not to think of the devastation of 2004 and the hardship being experienced by the people who stayed after the floods.

Off the Beaten Path

This chapter's title says it all. Visiting Dingalan is way off the beaten path.

Dingalan, is a town in the Province of Aurora. It is nestled between the mountains and Dingalan Bay. Getting there requires 5 hrs. of travel by road. Passing through the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

The residents of Dingalan come from the different regions of the Philippines who came to this bayside town with a single purpose, to find a better life.

As told by my mother, Dingalan was once just a community built by a logging company. The company brought its men and their families to open up a sawmill there and to transport the logs to the markets in Cabanatuan and Manila. When the logging company prospered, more people came to seek their fortunes and opened up new ventures like fishing, trading, etc. Later the company built a school and a small church for its people.

After a couple of decades more logging companies came, not all of them recognized the need for environment preservation. They rushed in to get what they can from the town and left destruction behind. This is the beginning of the end for this town. 2004 ended in horror and pain for the families in Dingalan when a series of storms caused floods, mud and rockslides that destroyed the houses and killed scores of residents.

But despite of the losses and pain they suffered, the people of Dingalan continue to live their lives. Albeit keepoing one eye on the weather.

Girl weaving palm fronds to make roof

Some of the things that made Dingalan special are gone forever, like the waterfalls and the trees that shaded the main street of Paltic. But White Beach is still there, Matawe is still there. The sea caves of Lamao still await explorers.

Last visit to Dingalan: Dec 2008
Intro Updated Mar 9, 2011
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Reviews (6)

Waiting for the sunset at White Beach - Dingalan

Swim and Snorkel at White Beach Things to Do (1)

It's a narrow stretch of white sand beach with rudimentary amenities. You can spend the day exploring the rocky end of... more travel advice

Keep an Eye out for the Weather Warnings and Dangers (1)

Never plan to go to Dingalan when it is almost typhoon season because the Laur-Gabaldon stretch of the road easily gets... more travel advice

Available Accommodations Hotels (2)

I haven't tried this Inn but people say that it is adequate for budget travel. This Inn is located in the town proper... more travel advice

Available Accommodations Hotels (2)

I haven't tried staying in this hostel but people say that it is adequate enough for budget travellers. Don't expect... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Public transport to Dingalan

Nightlife (1)
What Nightlife????

Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 25, 2006

6 photos

Paradise Lost

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Comments (7)

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Faiza-Ifrah Jun 11, 2009 at 4:50 PM

a travel destination that seems to have a tragic past. i hope it flourishes once again :-)
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Purpleshade Apr 9, 2008 at 2:05 AM

Very amusing, important information too!
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SLLiew Oct 31, 2007 at 10:54 PM

Nice page of Dingalan.
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i-s-a Jun 21, 2007 at 1:47 AM

alam mo ba, kanina pa ko isisp ng isip kung sino may id ng sunflower. nanood kasi ako sa net ng which star are you from?
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Trekki Nov 8, 2006 at 10:40 PM

Ah this still looks like paradise for the soul ! I like the Lamao caves, ahh, with mini waterfalls inside :-))
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cherrilyn Oct 13, 2006 at 2:23 AM

i looove the waterfalls. is there a way i could stay near there?
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bike_packer Oct 11, 2006 at 7:13 PM

saan ang sunod na bakasyon, monina? have brought my family once here at dingalan way back in 2004. hindi pa nabagyo. very serene place. mabato lang ang beach. maalon pa.