There are a good number of boatmen in Pundqauit, San Antonio, Zambales. Most of them will approach you and ask if you want to go on island hopping to Camara or Capones Island, Anawangin Cove or Nagsasa Cove.

A Honest to goodness boatman

On one of my visits to Pundaquit, Randy approached me while I was casting from the shore and offered to bring me trolling around capones Island. His rate was pretty much enticing, P900 for a whole day troll so I went to chat with him and asked about what can be caught in the waters of Zambales. According to him, nice specimen of tuna, king mack, or even sailfish and marlin can be caught depending on the season and time of the month. That was pretty much the most honest answer I got from among several boatman I talked to in Zambales.

There were a few occasions that I wanted to get Randy as my boatman but most of the time, it was my friend, JL who was arranging the trip and he has his own “suking” boatman. There came a time when Amy, JL’s girl, wanted to go to Nagsasa Cove and JL’s contacted boatman did not arrive and I told him to try randy out, and he did. He was pretty much impressed on how Randy handled the boat and sure enough, he got Randy again on a Fishing trip. And on that trip, he caught a 12kg Yellow Fin Tuna.

A boat named “PELAGIC”

JL and Amy’s love affair with Pundaquit led them to get their own bangka. Randy helped them out choosing which hull to get. It took almost a month to find the perfect bangka for them, and after a little less than P40k later, PELAGIC was born.

This is now Randy’s everyday ride, PELAGIC. The boat is bigger than the common boats in Pundaquit and will hold more passengers with alot more legroom. I was it’s “Buena Mano”, the first paying customer and for a man of my size, there was still a lot more space to move around. There were a number of times that I had sit on the side of the boat and still it stability was excellent.

The next time you go to Pundaquit, look for Randy. The boat is usually parked in front of Canoe Island Resort. Better yet, you can call or text Randy a few days before your trip. Here are his rates:
- Day trip, Capones & Camara Islands Island hopping - P900
- Day trip, Capones, Camara Islands and Anawanging Cove - P1,300
- Day trip, Nagsasa Cove - P1,500
- Overnight, Capones or Camara or Anawangin - P1,100
The rates may change though, depending on the season. Peak season rates are a little bit higher. And if gasoline prices surge up, he may ask you to add extra.

Randy Aniceto- 09093120345

By the way, JL is creating a site about that small jem of a baranggay, pundaquit, do check out http://www.pundaquit.com