Camaya Coast ( /kəˈmɑːjə/ kə-mah-yə) is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding 300-hectare suburb in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines. Camaya Coast is located 7 kilometers west of the Bataan Export Processing Zone business district, in the local government area of Mariveles, Bataan, the Philippines. In early 2010s Property developer Earth & Shore Leisure Communities Corporation invested some 350 Million Pesos in developing the beach resort and residential community along the coastline of Wain. Hence, Camaya Coast also refers to the 354-hectare residential, commercial and community development project of Earth and Shore Leisure Communities Corporation.
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"Camaya" or "Kamaya" is a Sanskrit word meaning water breaking over rocks or noise of water breaking over rocks.[1] Kamaya was the ancient name of Mariveles. The Bataan Museum records that Camaya means "the place where a flight of the mythological tikbalangs (horse-men) took place".
In 1573, about 3,000 Chinese pirates led by Limahong first landed in Wain and the adjacent Lusong beaches to start an attempt to conquer the whole of Luzon. He lost in the battle of Manila and escaped to Lingayen, Pangasinan. In 1829, the Spanish priest Fr. Guillermo de la Paz received a grant of land in the area.[2] In 1858, Eduardo Perez y Magallanes and Francisco Bien purchased 200 acres (0.81 km2) of the Camaya area that included most of the beach frontage, which was named the "The Wain Estate." Perez was Bien's father-in-law. Between 1855 and 1877 Bien purchased his father-in-law's share of the land, renamed the land the "Hacienda Biaan," after the abundant fish, "bia" (Bathygobius fuscus) and made the beach and the surrounding land available his relatives for dried fish processing and as a picnic ground. As the beach became increasingly popular, Bien threatened to stop public beach access. However, later American-sponsored Municipal Council believed that the government needed to intervene to make the beach a public reserve. On 9 June 1908, the Camaya Coast became a public beach. Japanese soldiers secured the place during the Japanese Occupation (1942–44) right after the Battle of the Points. On February 1945, Filipino-American troops recovered the place from Japanese hands. On 6 February 1948, 2 people drowned and over a hundred people were rescued after a series of large waves struck the beach and pulled people back into the sea, a day that became known as "Domingo de Dolores".[3]
Camaya Coast was a working class suburb throughout most of the twentieth century. Following World War II, Camaya Coast became home for American and Japanese war veterans who chose to immigrate to the place, while a steady stream of European immigration continues into the 21st century mainly from Germany, Italy and France, who made business from orchards of cashew, duhat and mango trees in the area.
An ordinance[4] governing the decency of swimming costumes was in force between 1935 and 1961, and resulted in public controversy as the two-piece "bikini" became popular after World War II. Bataan Council's beach inspectors, including the legendary Marcelo Magno, were responsible for enforcing the law and were required to measure the dimensions of swimwear and order offenders against public decency off the beach. The rule became increasingly anachronistic during the 1950s and was replaced in 1961 with one requiring bathers be "clad in a proper and adequate bathing costume", allowing for more subjective judgement of decency. By the 1980s bathing had become common at Camaya Coast, especially at the southern end.[5]
Bataan's Water Sewage and Sewerage Administration maintained an untreated sewage outlet not far from the south end of the beach which was closed in the mid 1990s. A sewage treatment plant and silt trap were completed in early 2011.
Camaya Coast is about one kilometre long (≈0.6 miles) and receives many visitors throughout the year. Surf Life Saving Philippines has given different hazard ratings to Camaya Coast in 2004. While the northern end has been rated a gentle 4 (with 10 as the most hazardous), the southern side is rated as a 6 due to a rip current known as the "Backpackers' Express" because of its proximity to a bus stop, and the unwillingness of tourists to walk the length of the beach to safer swimming. The south end of the beach is generally reserved for skimboarding. Yellow and red flags define safe swimming areas, and visitors are advised to swim between them.[6]
There is an underwater shark net shared, during the summer months, with other beaches along the southern part of the coast. Pods of dolphins and turtles have been sighted in the bay during the months of migration. Japanese Sparrowhawks, while uncommon, are sometimes also seen flying close to shore or amongst surfers in southern line-up.
In 1985, the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit photo shoot was set at Camaya Coast, with 825 women wearing bikinis taking part.[7]
Camaya Coast was added to the Philippine National Heritage List in 2008.[8]
Camaya Coast is the end point of the City to Surf Fun Run which is held each year in August. The race attracts over a hundred entrants who complete the 14 km run from the central business district of Mariveles to Camaya Coast. Other annual activities at Camaya Coast include Pawikan Festival, Bataan's premier environmental festival in January, Aquathlon in May, World Environment Day [9] in June, and Sculpture By The Coast in November. In addition to many activities, the Camaya Beach Markets is open every Sunday. Many American and German tourists spend Easter at the beach.
A ferryboat plies the Manila-Camaya route: from CCP Complex in Manila to the beaches of Mariveles, Bataan and back.
Camaya Coast has a commercial area along Wain Point and adjacent side streets. Camaya Coast features many popular cafes, restaurants and hotels, with spectacular views of the beach. Beach Villa Hotel is a famous landmark opposite the beach featuring a number of popular bars and restaurants. The nearby Grand Hotel Camaya is also a landmark development.
Camaya Pavilion is a community cultural center, located right on Camaya Coast, which features a theater, gallery, rehearsal, meeting and function rooms, art workshop, studios. Camaya Pavilion is the centre for major festivals performances throughout the year.
Numerous festivals and events such as the annual Miss Camaya beauty pageant have made Camaya Coast a popular destination among travellers. The beach has long captured the attention of poets including Jose Garcia Villa and Semyon Aranovich. A skimboarding competition called Skim-O-Rama is held in February every year.
Camaya Coast has been used as a location for a few Philippine and International movies, various television series as well as music videos and a video game.
An article in the Manila Bulletin, 6 December 1999 noted the increasing gentrification of the area. Nonetheless it remains a diverse community. According to the 2006 census, there were 1,171 persons usually resident in Camaya Coast. Country of Birth of these residents was Philippines 41.0%, followed by Australia 6.2%, England 3.8%, Germany 1.9%, Malaysia 1.3% and Indonesia 1.1%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 58.4% of persons. The most common languages other than English spoken at home were: Tagalog 2.0%, Spanish 1.4%, French 1.4%, German 1.2% and Mariveleño 0.9%. The most common responses for religious affiliation for persons usually resident were Roman Catholic 20.7%, "No religion" 18.5%, Protestant 10.0%, Muslim 8.0%, and Buddhist 2.0%.