1. Magpanghinhas ( Gathering shell foods)
People in Poblacion would gather "sihi" or "bulalo" during the low tide. "Sihi" is an ingredient for a tinola with saluyot, okra and malunggay, served during lunch. You need to use a safety pin to pry out the meaty part out of the shell. The best time to do this is during 5-7 am to avoid sunburn. The best place is at the back of the Simbahan ng Anini-y up to Brgy. Sagua.
2. Maglantaw sa mga naga pasikad manok (Roosters "sparring")
Many of the men in Poblacion are into cockfighting and most are keeping their own winner. To ensure the best performance, men would do "pasikad" of their roosters in the morning at around 7-9 o'clock. In this, they would pit their rooster with other roosters. This is like "sparring" practice for the chickens.
3. Go swimming
If you get phobic when water reaches up to your chest then Poblacion has the beach for you. The swimming area does not go into a sudden plunge so there is plenty of space to swim. It is safe for children too.
4. Explore Nogas Island
After breakfast head to Nogas Island and picnic for lunch. If you own a snorkel, you could bring one. Don't forget sunscreen and if you are planning an overnight stay don't forget insect repellant. Also bring lots of water. There is no fresh water source in the island.
5. Visit the Anini-y Church
Visit at around 9 am or 3 pm if you want to tour inside. Don't forget to arrange first your visit with the local priest. Ask for permission. Don't forget to catch a glimpse of its old bronze bell. Nonetheless, you could go there anytime and stand outside and be awed.
6. Manabo kang isda (Source fresh fish)
Every afternoon at around 3 - 4 pm fishermen would come in with their catch. To get the freshest choice go to the beach and met up with them.
7. Drink tuba
Coconut sap when fermented it turns into coconut toddy (aka tuba) and eventually vinegar. Drinking sessions usually starts at around 4 in the afternoon. Many prefer to drink by the beach so head to the barangay hall because along the way there are tubaan. Tubaan are small huts, it could just be a table, where tuba are sold. This is also where people gather to socialize over tuba. Tuba costs around P5.00 per 1 glass (nescafe glass which is about 500 ml).
8. Mag pamalaran (Go Fishing)
Starting 5 in the afternoon fishermen would head out to sea. If you are brave and willing to endure the hardship, boredom and bitter cold then go ahead and ask some local fisher folks if you could join them.
9. Mag pamanlo (Using light torches to comb the reef for fishes and crustaceans)
This involves combing the reefs during lowtide for trapped fishes and other crustaceans exposed. This usually happens at night or very early in the morning before sunrise. You bring petromax or flashlight.
10. Mag panalum (Go diving)
If you want adventure, you are a great swimmer, can hold you breath for a long period of time under water, has good eye and hand coordination and not afraid of depth then ask for a local to bring you along. You need goggles (samong) and spears (pana) for this.
11. Get a view
Hike to Tuno (also known as Bugtong as there is one tree up there) to see Nogas Island, the church and the span of Poblacion. On your way there, pass by the Simburyon (ruins of a muscovado mill) at Sabudan.
12. Magpadalayday or magpahilot (Get a massage)
After a long, bumpy journey to Anini-y get a massage. There are good masseurs in Poblacion. Most of them are not ordinary masseurs. They are also maarams or manugbulong (healers). They could do more than relieving your physical pains. Some of them could perform rituals like batak dungan and pang luy-a.
The ritual of batak dungan is usally performed for children/ babies to protect their dungan (an ancient concept of soul) from evil spirits that could bring illness and harm the children. This also protects the dungan from wandering away from the physical body which could cause exhibition of madness-like behavior (nawawala sa sarili, pagkatulala, depress-like) or even death.
Pa(ng)luy-a on the other hand is a healing process using ginger. This is used to cure illness such as fever, pains in the stomach, rashes or any other illness thought to be caused by evil spirits or elemental creatures one might have displeased or harmed.
Hilot is different from dalayday. Dalayday is the spa-ish massage for muscle aches while hilot refers to a therapeutic massage to realign bones when you have fractures (bari), dislocation (hawod), or sprain (kibit).
13. Magpanggutok (Gather bangus fry)This is very challenging especially when the water gets choppy. An implement called "boldoz", made of bamboo with fine mesh, is used to gather the bangus fry.
14. Mangulabo
Drink lots of buko juice and eat lots of coco-meat.
15. Lay back and relax
When you are in Poblacion time slows down and you have the day to yourself. No need to hurry. No need to rush.
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