I wasn’t expecting to personally witness the famous Patar landscapes I’ve been seeing on many local photography forums during our Bolinao Tour. I knew we’d be visiting caves, waterfalls and beaches but not landscapes. It just wasn’t on most local tourists’ lists of things to see.

We were simply told we would be checking out the Bolinao Rock Formations. One of the hills in the area is owned by Puerto del Sol and we’d have exclusive access to it. To be honest, it doesn’t look like much when viewed from the ground.

But everything changed once we climbed the sharp rocky hill. From here, a stunning vista of Patar’s jagged coastline impressed itself to everyone’s oooh’s and aaah’s. Bolinao’s cool blue green waters beautifully contrasting with its golden shoreline. This is the landscapes I’ve been dying to shoot since seeing them from other photographer’s point of views.

As my travel mates busied themselves with self portraits and group shots, I quickly set my gear and prepared to do some long exposures. I found a sea drop some feet away from the rock formation and synched my exposures to the crashing symphonies of the waves.

But it was not enough; I knew I could get better colors during sunset, and probably a better vantage too. I begged our guide to leave me at the place so I can wait for my golden hour. But, unfortunately, to no avail.

Our Bolinao adventure was supposed to be an overnight affair, but I knew right then that I would have to extend one more night. I just couldn’t go home without nailing a few golden hour photographs from Bolinao’s famous Rock Formations. I just have to go back, alone if I have to.

Bolinao’s Patar Rock Formation
Address: Brgy. Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Entrance Fee: None

GPS Coordinates: 16.316927,119.782444
View Location on Google Maps: Click Here