Always on the Sunny Side

There are several advantages of living in these beautiful Islands, we have the opportunity to go to as many Islands, swim beaches til we drop, get our tan from anywhere in the country, and enjoy diversity within short travel distances.

Nacpan Beach, El Nido

I consider Palawan as my second home. I have been travelling yearly to the Island Paradise and I enjoy the warmth of the sun, the peace of the beaches, and the sense of family with its people. El Nido is very special to me. When I first went there I thought the beaches covered in the Island Hopping trips are the only beautiful beaches I will see. I was sooo wrong. 

The whole Island of Palawan contains lots of beaches to choose from. Including this one, Nacpan Beach. The crazy thing? There are lots for sale near the beaches! 

Beach for sale 1 hectare

The dream of having a place to retreat to, to bring your family and friends over to enjoy the night talking, makes me excited to go back to Palawan and see more beaches. 

Located near the El Nido airport, this property has great income potential for investors looking to invest in this Paradise.

Property area: 1 hectare (10,000 sqm)

Price: 

$2,615,000

Travels from 2013 to 2016

Time flies so fast and I never realized that I haven't posted any travel blog post here.
Much of my posts are now on facebook. But blogging is my first love and it has been a stress reliever when I was still in Law School and facebook was still a foreign concept.

For the last 3 years I've been in several places so I will just briefly mention them here with some tips and details.

Year 2013
Places Visited:
Subic, Olongapo City, Zambales
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

2014
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Boracay
Rizal
Laguna
Lasam and Aparri, Cagayan Valley
Cauayan City, Isabela Province
Infanta, Quezon Province
Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao

2015
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Batangas City, Batangas
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

2016
Singapore
Boracay
Laoag, Ilocos Norte

I realized I've been through a lot within the last 3 years. So here are my top 5 destinations

5. Vigan


Where I stayed: None. We were bound to Laoag for a conference so we decided to drop by Vigan and have some breakfast after 10 hours of land travel. After the conference, the group decided to drop by Vigan for last minute shopping. Most from the group went back to Manila from Vigan, some of us decided to stay and go back to Laoag for more tours.

Where I dined:

We dined at the Cordillera Inn for Filipino breakfast. Location: Along Calle Crisologo. It opens at 6 am.

What I bought: Some Ilocos Vinegar
What I liked: Old houses
What I didn't like: Too many people. There are lots of people visiting when we went there because of the conference.


4 Boracay

Where I stayed: Isla Gecko at Station 2
Where I dined: Isla Gecko at Station 2
What I bought: Food mostly
What I liked: Isla Gecko is near the beach, not beachfront though. It is a decent accommodation. We were able to eat at the common dining area. We bought food from eateries in the residential area to save on cost. I initially thought they allow cooking, turns out what I read in other reviews are wrong. No cooking in this accommodation. I love that I was able to bring my granny to Boracay.

What I didn't like: Boracay is costly. Lots of fees to pay at the terminal before we can reach Boracay. I have my 83 year old granny with me. No senior discounts, no student discounts. Our fees paid to the terminal at Caticlan is higher than our total fare and more than the daily accommodation rate.

Tips:
Book at least a year in advance. I was able to bring 8 people in Boracay when I got a promo fare to Kalibo for only P2,800. Fare to Caticlan from Kalibo is only 100 pesos. Don't believe those who offer 250 or 200.

On my first visit in 2012, I paid 200 per person for aircon van. During my second visit in 2014, I paid 250 pesos to a person who said it will cover the boat and other fees; of course he tricked me, I got to shell out 400 pesos for the entire trip.

Now, 2016, on my third visit, I brought the group to the terminal going to Caticlan, I paid only 100 pesos per person for non-aircon van. When we went back, the van offered 150 per person, i agreed. When we reached Kalibo airport, we saw other passengers paying only 100 pesos. So we were again tricked into agreeing for a higher amount.

So be firm. Pay only 100. Trip is only 2 hours away. It is near, shouldn't be worth more than 200.
Also, Caticlan airport is going to open soon. So those drivers should lower their costs. Best for us visitors to go to the now bigger Caticlan airport.

3 Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Laoag Airport

Where I stayed: Isabel Suites



Isabel Suites where walk ins stay


Isabel Suites across the other Isabel Suites where those who booked online stay.

Where I dined: La Preciosa. I visited more than thrice during my entire stay.


A dining table at La Preciosa. Delicious Ilocos food served at your table.


La Preciosa Menu


Explored the market and found this work of art. Made of mangosteen skin and corn husks. I asked the maker what this is for, she said they are selling this for funerals. Funeral wake is from 9 days to a month here so the funeral "flowers" should be able to last longer.


Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, now easily accessible from the main road than when I first visited in 2011.

What I liked: The food. The people. The Beach. The sites.
What I didn't like:  I was not able to stay on the Blue lagoon beach for lack of time.

Tips:
There are 2 sand dunes in Laoag - Paoay San Dunes and La Paz Sand Dunes. Bring sunblock and dark glasses. It hurts the eyes looking at the horizon. The sunlight is reflected by the sand.

If you have a van, tour Pagudpud, Laoag, and Vigan. Pagudpud can be explored in half a day, spend the afternoon til the evening on the beach in Blue Lagoon. Hannah's is expanding in Pagudpud but there are still afforable beach front accommodations in the area. Stay for a few days. This is much more quiet than Boracay.

If you want to go on a trike tour, contact Mang Amor at 09195712905. He is trustworthy.

Bugnay wine is the best tasting wine in the north. Ours in the Southern Tagalog (Lambanog) is bitter. Theirs in the north is sweet. Ask Mang Amor to buy you some when you visit. Cost is much less than buying it in Vigan.


2 Palawan, Puerto Princesa

1. Palawan, El Nido

Matinloc, El Nido



El Nido

Where I stayed:
In El Nido, I stayed at Smile Lodge. 09984952384 | 09063771599
In Puerto Princesa, I usually stay at EJ Pension House 09175532900 (I go here almost yearly)

Both accommodations allow cooking. To save on cost in El Nido, buy your food in Puerto Princesa and cook it in El Nido. Don't worry about your food in the tours, food is included and the islander chef are great at pleasing the palate.

For El Nido tour, I recommend Islanen Tours (https://www.facebook.com/IslanenOutdoors). Their group is ever mindful of safety and enjoyment of their customers.

Where I dined: Kinabuch  In Puerto Princesa, Chao Long restaurants at the back of the Capitol,

What I liked: Palawan has become familiar to me. I made friends and toured El Nido twice. I now look forward to going to Coron.

What I didn't like: As with all other places, there are times when you will meet people who are dishonest.

How to move on and stay young

Thoughts of a Happy Almost 30 year old Lady with no plans of Dying in Vain

Just got back to Manila from a weekend of praise and worship with CFC-Youth for Christ.  Nope, I am not a YFC alumni, neither am I a part of a dynamic team of couple coordinator duo; neither an overstaying YFC.

I am a Singles for Christ who happens to be with a partner who loves his CFC Community so much. He grew in the community from YFC and moved on to SFC.  Now he aspires to be a CFC Couple Coordinator for YFC when the time comes for us to move to CFC.

The YFC experience is awesome. I felt God's loving presence there. I saw how much joy the Couple Coordinators have in sharing, loving, and taking care of the teenage and no longer teenage YFCs. I thought, I would like to be sharing the same love to YFCs when and if we will be called to serve there. I observed, there are people who are having a hard time moving on to SFC because they fell deeply in love with their YFC family.  For my YFC brothers and sisters and to those who, at one point, had a hard time moving on with life, here are my 5 points on how to move on and stay young.

1.  Be happy where you are
It sounds simple. But it is not. It takes acceptance of one's fate, and the outcome of the decisions made in the past to make peace with everything that has happened and is happening in one's life.  Being happy where you are does not mean that you remain in one place where you felt loved and happy, it means that as you go along the path of life, you get to be happy as you move along.

2. Look back but do not stay back
The past may be filled with happy memories and it may look so much better back in the day when all your concerns focus on studies, crushes and your college to do list.  I had an organization in college that I go back to every once in a while.  It feels great to be back and to reminisce the memories, but I will never be that college girl again.  So I look back and help out the organization, but I do not stay back.  We must understand that staying back is somehow an act of selfishness.  We must be able to grow so that we can go and help back, that is selflessness.  We look back while we grow, serve back, but never stay back.

3.  Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself.
It is lovely to serve God and others, but if you do not take care of yourself what can you give to glorify God's Kingdom.  Perhaps getting sick may give a lesson to others and that would amount to service, but isn't it better to serve God and others with a healthy mind, body and soul?  To love oneself is to see yourself beyond what is comfortable.  To love oneself is to make sacrifices so you will grow into a better person. How do you give Glory to God? First you love yourself and become a better person, then share the love you have to other people.  Glorify God with what you have become and with the good works you do.

4.  Learn to accept Love so you can give it.

To love is to give and to let yourself accept Love. As God's children, God loves us everyday, every moment of our lives.  We accept God's love daily even if we are not aware of it.  We will be able to joyfully give love when we acknowledge that we are loved greatly, enough for a God to leave His God nature to become a man and die on the Cross.

5.  Move on to the next level, and never forget you are God's Beloved.
You move on with life, get old, and remain young.  Because you know you are loved by God, you should never be afraid to become old.  Getting older, being able to do more things, meeting new people, and being given the opportunity to love more show that God has been faithful to you. You are loved, and nothing can separate you from the Love of God.

So move on with life, say goodbye and thank you to your past and create new memories as you enjoy the present.  It could be a new job, a new lovelife, move on to the SFC of CFC Community, transferring to another school, whatever moving on means to you, do not forget that you are Loved. And because we know we are loved, all fears of moving on and getting old is driven away by that Love.

Move on na mga kapatid. Tapos na ang YFCICon. Kung 21 years old and up ka na, move on ka na sa SFC naman. Grow in God's love. Happy Lent!

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan: The City of the Living God

Note: This trip was made as Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) slammed on the Eastern Visayas and made its way to Coron, Palawan.

Going places during typhoons do not really terrify me, that is if the typhoon is heading south while I am heading north as was the case when a friend and I went to Ilocos in 2011. However, the thought that a super typhoon is headed towards Visayas made me uncomfortable.  Yes, Palawan is not part of the Visayas in terms of regional numbering, but it is in the path of any typhoon going through the region.

My brother and her girlfriend went to Puerto Princesa (hereinafter referred to as: PPC) some 2 weeks before our trip, when the skies are clear and the sun is generous with sunshine.  Believing that Palawan is a safe place in Typhoons as mentioned by those they met during their trip, he advised that whatever I plan to do, to go or not, is my call.

Days before the trip, I was closely monitoring Air Asia Zest's announcement whether the flight would be cancelled.  It was not. And with a frightened heart, I went with my beau onto that plane that would challenge the edge of Yoland's clouds.


We were the only passengers to fly from Terminal 4 that day

It started to rain as we start to take off from Terminal 4

It was a bumpy on the air, and the Air Asia pilot did a great job safely bringing us to Palawan. When we left, PPC is under signal number 1. When we arrived, it was already under signal no. 3.  We were the only passengers that day, ours is the lone plane. Coron (Extreme northern Palawan) was greatly battered by Haiyan the next day. After our flight, all flights for Palawan were cancelled for 2 days.

First order of the day is get a room. We went to EJ Pension house.  The beau kept in touch with its owner to check on the weather in PPC.  We got our supplies from Robinsons Mall to last us the rest of our stay in PPC.  For those going, you can buy your supplies from the market and cook it at EJ.  Cooking your food is free; if you request them to cook for you, you will provide the food and pay Php 75 for cooking. Room is at 1,600 for 2 nights. It is near the airport, around 2 minutes via tricycle.  Also a short drive to the Capitol, the market, the mall. If you are going to Robinsons from EJ, ride the trike going to the jeepney stop and ride going to Lourdes. It rained heavy on our 1st and 2nd day. But we were able to tour the city even on the rainy day.


Robinsons Puerto Princesa

Day 2: City walking tour

I love doing the city tour walking. It rained hard that day but we kept moving. EJ Pension provided us with umbrellas we can use.

From the EJ, we took a trike to the Capitol which was open on a Saturday. Personnel were busy packing goods to be sent to Coron.











The relief operations at the Capitol

Thereafter, we walked towards the Palawan Museum. Entrance fee: Php 50 per person

It is a 2 storey museum in an old structure. Electric fans abound the area. There are information on the native medicinal practices, animals found in Palawan, and dialects.










Jewelry made of shells


Walking further, we reached the Immaculat Concepcion Cathedral.



A beautiful structure dedicated to our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion. I feel at home with the Blessed Mother in this wonderful city.







I like the detail of the ceiling, carved roses for the Lady.


Nearby is the Port. From there, we walked towards the Baywalk.

It rained as Yolanda is still passing through Palawan.





I am enjoying sitting here as I see the clouds caress the mountains.


The mountains as seen from the Baywalk



It started to rain so the mountains are hidden from rain clouds. In the mean time, here is the Puerto Princesa symbol: The Peacock as the clouds hide the mountains behind it.





From the Baywalk, we visited the local market and bought some longganisa. Then we took the trike ride to EJ Pension.

It rained hard that night.

Day 3: Honda Bay


How to go to Honda Bay without paying lots to the Trike if you are travelling alone or with a companion?

From EJ Pension, ride the trike to multicab terminal: Php 8 pesos per person
Take multicab going to Lourdes (Honday Bay): Php 28 per person; 30 minutes travel time



The rates can be divided into the number of guests per boat.
We were able to to with a family of 4 to the islands thus less cost. We visited Starfish, Luli and Cowrie Islands. The price does not include the environment fee and terminal fee. You will have to pay the entrance fee on the islands.

The boat at Honda Bay







STARFISH ISLAND

• Lots of starfish
• Only 1 shed to hide from the sun.
• Picturesque
• Php 50 pesos entrance fee per person
• Starfish can be seen from above water. lots of sea gulls too.

The starfish in warm water

Next Stop: LULI ISLAND

• Entrance fee: 60 pesos

Swim area: Lifevest required

White sand

The boatmen said that during the storm they were able to go to the islands. This is taken a day after Yolanda passed by North Palawan.

Last stop: COWRIE ISLAND

You should be on the Island before 1pm for the buffet lunch. We arrived by 2pm, thus no lunch for us. Good thing we had bananas on board the boat. We content ourselves with bananas and water. The Island, the beach, and the water are so pleasant we forget about lunch.

You can order from the Cowrie restos. The Island closes at 5pm. Entrance fee is 100 php (?).  I forgot.

Shower areas

Dining area

The sea

I am so tired after, we tried going to the Baywalk to have some night biking but I really want to go back home. The family who went with us on this Honday Bay trip went to catch the firefly watching. Will do that when I get back in April. 

Day 4: 

The next day, we woke up to resume getting to know the City. There are still other areas we have not reached and we are eager to go. Also, I am visiting a friend. 

That morning, we cooked breakfast and ate with gusto at the EJ Pension house Kubo Dining area. 

Across this is the kitchen.

The kitchen has a stove for cooking, utensils, plates, cups, and a refrigerator.  That day, some personnel are busy trimming the mango tree (right side).  They are just above the roof, cutting some branches.

EJ Provides for hangers for your clothes. Ours we hanged just outside our door. Good Job EJ for taking care of guests like family. Arman and I give you 5stars! We will be back there on April 2014.

From EJ, we took the trike to the Multi cab terminal and boarded one going to Sta Monica.  It is near Sta Monica where Puerto Princesa City Hall and Palawan state University is located. I was keen on seeing the butterfly garden but PSU personnel said there is no such garden. My googlemap failed on this one. 

Near PSU is Mitra Sports Complex. 

Peaceful walk at PSU sides towards Mitra Sports

From RVM Sports, we walked uphill towards the City Hall

The City hall sits on top of a hill. Landscape garden will greet the weary traveller.

After staying for some time in the City Hall, we took a trike to bring us to Sta Monica Ranch a.k.a Mitra's Ranch.  The ranch closes at 6pm. 

From the ranch, we walked the evening to Baker's Hill where we got some hopia.  It is a great date place of landscaped gardens, lush greens, and a view of Puerto Princesa city.

Afterwards, dinner at Kinabuchs and nightlife at TIKI Bar near the Capitol.

 The next day, fly to Manila

Until next year Puerto Princesa City. ^_^