New Year at The Manila Bay Dolomite Sand!

 Happy New Year 2021 my friends! How are y'all holding up so far?

To start the year right, I thought of visiting the "Manila Bay Sands" which is also known as Dolomite Beach, with my family.

Then a week after going there, I also had a hair cut and the length now is much shorter (so in the pics here, it was still my old hairstyle). Pampagpag ng malas from the past year, as the belief goes. 

The place was not too overcrowded and there was also a vlogger/ livestreamer at that time who kept talking to his cellphone.

The shore itself is off-limits so you can just view it from the overpass. The stretch is not so far and wide. It was a rather small piece that they have covered with the dolomite they got from Cebu (hence it was called artificial white beach).

If you want to witness the famous Manila Bay sunset, feel free to do so here or at the opposite end of the Baywalk. Even in there is cleaner now, the big rocks are nice to look at.

If you bring a car, there is a provision for parking below the overpass. Slow down so you would not miss the slot.

This is the overpass where we stood to watch the scene.

Otherwise, park beside the Embassy of the USA which is just beside it (if they would allow), or at the Manila Ocean Park.

If commuting, you can ride a taxi, or I noticed buses also pass here (not sure, PITX yata ang signboard). Or if thru jeep is okay, just be ready to make the few minutes walk from A. Mabini, I think.

The controversy this project brought was that it was overpriced at Php 389M when there are many other sustainable ways that can clean the area. Environmentalists also claimed that it can bring ecological havoc. Also, critics said aanurin ang buhangin during storms or that the dolomite will just be washed away to the sea and the grayness will return. 

To my right are the sacks and gray area that the media often shows.

The pro-dolomite team meanwhile said that such beautification project or artificial sand makeover had also been done in other countries.

Now, I cannot in all honesty say that the air is fresher now (as compared with the stench when there was more garbage in the area) as this is just at Roxas Boulevard where a multitude of vehicles with smoke pollution pass daily. Nothing beats a stroll in the natural sands, or swimming in the ocean, in a far off province where you can notice the distinct clean saltiness and the negative ions recharge your weary body and soul. I really miss going to the beach!

So, have you visited the Manila Bay White Sand Beach, and did it good your mental health? What's your take on this issue? Comment down below! :)