Alaminos Diaries: Why I Keep Getting Texts from 1608695660

i landed in alaminos, pangasinan after a grueling 12-hour bus ride from manila, and let me tell you, i was not prepared for the humidity that hit me like a wet blanket as i stepped off. my airbnb was unit 1727193, a tiny studio with a fan that sounds like a jet engine and a wifi password that’s literally the number 1608695660 - no joke, i felt like i’d stumbled into a prank. i just checked the weather and it’s… exactly the kind of sticky 27.8°c that makes you question why you ever left your air‑conditioned apartment back home. the “feels like” is a punchy 29.8°c and the humidity’s sitting at a solid 65%, so yeah, i’m basically sweating while typing this.

the map says i’m near the hundred islands, which i guess explains all the tourists swarming the ferry terminal. speaking of maps, here’s a quick embed so you can see where i’m holed up:

the view from my balcony is nothing short of “wow” - the water’s this insane shade of turquoise that you’d think was photoshopped, and the sky’s this endless, cloudless blue. i took a couple of snaps (the unsplash ones below are basically what it looks like, no filter needed):

that’s the pier at low tide, mirrors the sky perfectly. and look at that sky:

and if you squint toward the hills, there’s an old spanish-era building that looks like it’s from a different century:

so, why am i here? i’m a digital nomad, or at least i’m trying to be. i’ve got a couple of remote gigs that require a stable connection and a decent coffee. first off, the coffee: i discovered this hole‑in‑the‑wall called kape filipino that serves a brew strong enough to wake the dead. the barista, a girl named mia, told me they use locally sourced barako beans and the place is always packed with freelancers. i’m not kidding - the yelp reviews call it “the best co‑working spot you never knew you needed”. check it out: Kape Filipino on Yelp. i ended up spending three full days there, my laptop battery dying faster than my will to continue after 6pm.

internet reliability? hit or miss. my airbnb’s wifi is basically a gamble - sometimes it streams netflix, other times it can’t load a simple webpage. i’ve heard the best backup is to tether to mobile data; globe and smart have decent 4g coverage around town. a word of advice: grab a local sim at the airport - it’s cheaper than roaming and you’ll actually get a signal. i read on nomad list that alaminos scored a 7/10 for internet, which is generous in my book. the community on Nomad Forum - Philippines says the infrastructure’s improving but still patchy outside the city center. so, tethering is your friend.

i also had to scope out a proper coworking space. i found one called the island hub, near the pier. it’s got aircon (praise be), fast fiber, and a rooftop view of the bay. the day pass is around php300, which is steep but worth it when you have deadlines. they host weekly meetups for other nomads - i met a couple of coders from berlin and a travel blogger from canada. good vibes. you can book a desk via Island Hub’s Facebook page. if you prefer free, there’s always starbucks (well, a local copycat called starbucks coffee - don’t get confused) that has decent wifi but the tables are tiny and the music is loud.

now, the food. oh man, the food. you cannot leave without trying the bangus (milkfish) - it’s a specialty here. i went to a place called “bangus haven” based on a tripadvisor recommendation: Bangus Haven on TripAdvisor. the grilled bangus with vinegar and chili is life‑changing. i also heard from a local fisherman that the best taco stand is actually a dude named carlos who sets up near the ferry terminal after 9pm. he uses fresh fish from the morning catch and his salsa is legendary. i found it by following the smell, and i’m not mad at it.

one thing that surprised me: the party scene. alaminos ain’t a party town, but if you hang out at the waterfront bars after dark, you’ll find impromptu karaoke sessions and bonfires. i got talking to a group of students who told me that the city’s youth gather at “the shed” - an old warehouse turned bar - and it’s where all the underground bands play. i’m not much of a dancer, but the energy was infectious. just be careful: the drinks are strong and cheap, which can be a dangerous combo.

what about day trips? if you get bored of island hopping, san fernando is just a short drive away (like 45 minutes) and has a massive night market with street food that goes until 2am. i also heard that lingayen, south of here, has this hidden waterfall called “curtina” that you can only reach by foot during dry season. a local barista whispered that the secret is to go early morning before the tour buses arrive - totally worth the trek. also, baguio is a couple of hours up the mountains if you need a break from the heat; the cool air is a godsend after weeks of sweating.

now, the quirks: the electrical outlets are type a/b (same as usa), so no adapter needed if you’re from north america. but the water isn’t safe to drink straight from the tap - stick to bottled or filtered. i learned that the hard way when i got a minor stomach bug on day three. thank god for pharmacies; they’re everywhere and cheap.

one last thing: i’ve been seeing these numbers pop up everywhere - 1727193 and 1608695660. they’re on the back of my airbnb key, on a graffiti wall near the market, even on a receipt from the sari‑sari store. i asked my host about it, and he just laughed and said “they’re our lucky numbers, man.” superstitious folks, i guess. makes the place feel a bit more mysterious.

overall, alaminos is a solid spot for a digital nomad who doesn’t mind a bit of chaos. you get stunning nature, cheap eats, and a community that’s slowly warming up to the remote work crowd. just bring a good power bank, expect some internet hiccups, and don’t forget to tip the taco guy.

peace out, and may your wifi be strong and your tan lines be weird.

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