Quipot Bridge

_{Quipot Bridge}

	The place derived its name from the Tagalog term "kipot" which means narrow. It is indeed the narrowest part of the sea between Pagbilao Grande Island and the Luzon mainland. Aside from this narrow strait between the the two land mass, the name also refers to Sitio Quipot in Brgy. Ilayang Polo. While others may think, this is just a place where a wonderful bridge was built. That is because they have not stopped there to admire the view. View from the causeway toward the island. The town of Padre Burgos can be seen at a distance. The farthest left of the small islands in the bay is known to local residents as belonging to actress/TV host/olympic swimmer Christine Jacob. She was said to swim from here to her island. How to get there?   Getting there is similar to what was described in the Kwebang Lampas feature, because you have to pass thru Quipot to get across the island. From Pagbilao, just follow the National Highway going to Atimonan. The first Y-junction, a few hundred meters after KM 146 and just infront of Binahaan Elementary School, is the access road to Mirant Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant (an Independent Power Producer). It is marked by an impressive modern directional sign which looks out of place in a rural setting. So follow that sign which tells you to take the junction to the right. Just a few meters therein will be a railroad crossing without a safety barrier, so stop, look and listen. You will notice that the road has its own kilometer stones not related to the ones in the main highway. Be watchful of road humps strategically placed at school zones, barangay centers, pedestrian crossings and dirt road junctions. The concrete road passes thru Brgy. Binahaan. Then, going across the Spillway over Locohin River will take you thru a winding and rolling road within Brgy. Kanlurang Malicboy. In the vicinity of KM8, you may leave the Island of Luzon without having to fly or to swim, because Quipot Bridge was there to join Brgy. Kanlurang Malicboy in the Luzon mainland and Brgy. Ilayang Polo in Pagbilao Grande Island. There is a residential area just after the bridge. That is a resettlement area which is National Power Corporation's social engineering project in connection with the power plant construction.
		View over the bridge towards the mainland clearly shows the width of the strait between the Luzon and the island. In the old days when the bridge is not yet here, farm animals like horses and carabaos were made to swim this short distance rather than let them suffer the difficulty of boarding a boat.
		View of the bridge from the island
		Right after crossing the bridge, there will be a climb over a hill then the road suddenly goes downhill. WARNING: The resettlement site is located on both sides of the road right at the bottom of the hill, where you might gain uncontrollable speed. Expect people crossing particularly children. Resist the urge to speed up aided by gravitational pull. Even bikers tumble down here after avoiding children.
		But don't despair, If you really want a downhill ride, just a few kilometers away (no longer within Quipot), here is a part of the road colloquially called "aluyan" (hammock) because it is shaped like one. Ride down as fast as you safely can and feel the momentum bring you up to other side of the hill. Photos and Narratives by  Engr. Gerry B. Lontok ©2002