Who's Afraid to N1H1

The spread of the swine flu virus has not deterred foreign tourists from visiting the Philippines according to the Tourism Department, although an international airline group claims that the pandemic has already cut global travel by 1 percent.

Philippine tourism attache in the United States and Canada had reported that there's no cancellations of travel to the Philippines, although some had inquired on the thermal scanning and quarantine procedures to ensure the safety of the public.

Recently, an International Travel Fair was held in Cebu. It is one of the biggest travel events in the country, or other tourism events slated for the rest of the year. This just show that tourism in the country is still strong and continue to grow in the country despite world recession. Kudos to the leadership of Sec. Ace Durano for doing its best in pursuing opportunities to attract more visitors in the country.

So what are you waiting for, Tara na, Pasyal na! and discover Paradise Philippines.

After Survivor French now its Bulgaria's invasion of Caramoan

Last holy week, I have visited Caramoan peninsula and experienced and witnessed its unique beauty. The site has been famous when foreign TV series Survivor starts to shoot its international series and from then on, succeeding Survivor versions was being filmed.

At present, Ms. Myra Roces, Adventure Coordinator had announced that after Koh-Lanta (French Survivor series) and recently Survivor Israel, Bulgaria is now filming on the island.

So this means to say that the public has again to wait till September to be able to visit Gota Village, the official residence and location of Survivor TV series. Israel had finished their location shoot last April 29 and that the time when the first batch of Survivor Bulgaria crew and staff arrive on the site.

The shoot is estimated to last till September 2009 and Caramoan for sure would be on the international scene again.

"Survivor" originated in the U.S. but other countries have created their own versions of the popular show. Contestants compete in a variety of tough physical challenges until there is a sole winner.

Spending summer at Palawan's new Tourism Wonder

Caption: The most photograph view of Coron from the hill going to Kayangan Lake

Summer could not be completed if we miss to feel the intensity of the summer sun, the warm sweat in our face and the view of the alluring beaches. But this year, we had experienced an erratic weather. Intermittent rain shower was experienced so early this summer in the Philippines. Though we expect for the southwest monsoon to intensify in the second half of May it was experience early this April.

So to all backpackers out there, surviving weather like this is really a challenge specially if you are already booked in a Tour package this summer.

Rains heavily pours the day we prepare our flight for Busuanga Airport last April 29, 2009 and it almost got canceled. Some of my colleague's PAL schedule were also delayed due to zero visibility in the airport.

It's really a bad day for most of us co'z some were late at the airport because of the city traffic. I arrive 30 min before the departure and almost failed to secure my terminal fee. God, I'm run out of cash. ATM at the airport didn't work with my card. Luckily, I have seen my officemates and manage to pay the P200 terminal fee.

To make the story short, we arrive at Busuanga (Francisco B. Reyes) Airport for our tour in the country's new tourism wonder—Coron, Palawan. We arrive around 3:45 pm and unlike with my regular trips in key cities in the Philippines, Palawan welcomes you with mother nature when you started to descent. You will be treated with bird's eye view of the islands and the fine coastlines.

After we landed, we were picked up by the Calamian Tour van and traveled 45 minutes (22.5 km) to the town proper of Coron. Along our way is a lush green vegetation and a huge portion of Yulo King Ranch which has 40,000 hectares. According to our very accommodating guide-Desiree it exist in 1970 and until today, it becomes the largest cattle ranch of South East Asia, with more than 10,000 cattle. Some portion of the road going to the town are still under construction so expect it to progress in the next two years.

First Stop

Caption: Coron Bay view from the top of Mt. Tapias

After we drop our luggage's at Darayongan Lodge (where we are billeted), our convoy vehicles brought us to Mt. Tapias or Tapyas (873 ft above sea level). Rain drops starts again to fall like snow but still, we manage to take the 725 steps challenge to see the majestic Coron Bay. Mount Tapias is a short distance away from Darayonan Lodge along the National Highway. The trail is cemented and is dotted with multiple sheds for resting so it is not such an arduous climb. I would recommend that you begin your ascent at 4pm or later so the sun would not beat down on you too much. This way, you'll also get to catch the sunset on the view deck which is an awesome sight.

Coron bay is a must see if you are in Coron and Mt. Tapias gives you that 180 degrees view. Unluckily, It's raining when we visited the place so I decided to go back before we left Coron and manage to take some good shots that you can see in this post. Mt. Tapyas also serve as light house for fisherman as its gigantic 20ft crucifix are lit up at dusk.

For your info, Coron is a small fishing village located southeast of the island of Busuanga, Palawan. If you are on top, you can see the opposite island of Coron – it is the ancestral homeland of the Tagbanuas. It is part of the Calamian Group of Islands and located southwest of Mindoro Island, Philippines.

Second Stop

After that tiring steps, we relax our aching joints and feet at the famous hot spring called Maquinit. It has a kiddie pool and two wadding pool for adults. The hot spring is believe to be discovered by foreign adventurers who visit Coron in the early 70's. It has also healing power which according to some folks who frequented the place, a dip to the pool has cured some of their body ailments. Some says that Japanese soldiers used the place during WWII to heal their wounds

The heat temperature of the spring can really boiled egg :) but it's really a relaxing experience more than your time spent at any sauna place in Manila. We had our dinner there and our tour package had arrange it for us. After some fun moments at the pool with my office mates, we went back to our lodge by 9pm where drinking spree awaits those who are thirsty for alcoholic drinks :)

The Island Tour

Caption: Serene place like Banul Beach

This is the most exciting part of our tour. God gave us a wonderful weather that day and we really enjoyed every place that we have been through. After our healthy breakfast at 7:00 am were are in our van going to Coron port. The port is only 5 minutes ride and an option to just walk around can be a good exercise. Anyway, were already there and what we wanted is to see the hidden secrets of Coron, Palawan.

While we are traversing the Coron bay, I got plenty of information from our guide. Some of it are legendary stories that could create another post in this blog. But for the basic info, Coron is a local word which means "bowl" or tapayan in tagalog. It protects the main island from tropical depression and according to them, even if PAGASA raised the storm signal no.3 in the island, they never experience the real storm havoc unlike our own experienced in Metro Manila. It became their natural fortress that protects them from any natural calamities .

Caption: The entrance to infamous Twin Lagoon

We reach first the Twin Lagoon. It is an enclosed lagoon surrounded by the jagged limestone cliffs that abound the Coron Island. Foreign marine adventurers again discovered this hidden place. There is a small opening to get inside the lagoon where swimmers passes by to get inside the lagoon. It is sometimes submerged though and you need to dive to get in. Inside the lake is a deep body of water from side to side of the cliff. If you are snorkeling, go to the wall of the lagoon to see coral formations on the wall. Its sometimes eerie to snorkel as you go inside the deepest portion of the lagoon.

After few snorkeling dive, we proceeded to Skeleton Wreck. It is one of the shallowest (8-15ft) ship wreck site in Coron. You can visibly see the wreck from the surface of the water. The place is also rich in coral gardens with lots of fishes so its one of the best snorkeling locations in Coron. It has a small white sand Maluwayway beach with crude resting facilities where you can rest or take your break. Boats cannot go near the beach as corals abound few meters from the beach front.

Caption: Banul Beach

After an hour, we went to Banul Beach where our native-made lunch was prepared for us. Banul has almost 100 meters of white sands that is very relaxing and a picturesque place to get a souvenir shot. The rock formation that gently glides in the coastline plus it's hovering calachuchi plants can be a perfect foreground effect for a good photographic composition.

At 3pm, we decided to take another island visit....this time in Kayangan Lake (P200 entrance). It is an ancestral holy ground of the Tagbanuas that live in this rocky, unforgiving island. A few boats were already docked at the entrance and a steady stream of visitors were trekking up and down the rocky steps to the other side. This is a 233 steps trek to reach the hidden lake at the other side of the hill.

There is a small cave at the top of the hill, it is just on the way to Kayangan Lake. You might miss this if you just take the path directly to the lake. This cave is used by the Tagbanuas as shelter during storms. It is not advisable to enter the cave specially if you have no guide. Turn around and you will see the breath taking postcard view of the mountain slopes going to the entrance harbor of the lake. Probably the most photographed spot in Coron

Caption: A must activity in Kayangan Lake

Its a Wow! feeling when you reach the lake. It is truly marvelous, stupendous, magical!. The water is so clear and so perfect for snorkeling. It was a little past noon but the sun was nearly setting, soon to be covered by towering limestone cliffs. One should see the unique limestone and coral formation in the lake, its truly amazing and its like, you've been in "The Ring" adventure movie. I won't disagree why Kayangan lake was in the Hall of Fame from 1997-1999 as the Cleanest lake in the Philippines.

And for our last dive, we went to Siete Pecados or Seven Peaks, it is the area near the entrance of the Coron bay where ships docking to Coron passes by. Its called Siete Pecados because of small rocks or islets scattered near the place, 7 all in all. It is also one of the protected area in Coron which is promoted for diving and snorkeling as it has wonderful coral formations and school of fishes.

Caption: Enjoy the white sand beach of Banul

Well, well, that ends our day. Rains started again to shower at 5pm and we decided to pack up and proceed to our hotel. Coron, has so plenty to offer to any local and foreign tourist who wants to visit the place. We have conquered a few but there's a lot to discover. Best thing to do in Coron if you are in a week vacation, is look for that isolated island, have a boat bring you there and just relax the whole day. Just park your bikini-clad body somewhere :)







The pictures might not enough to speak everything...but the beauty of nature that I'm in search for in the southern part of the archipelago... finally found in Coron. Unspoiled, serene and not crowded at all. I am already dreaming of going back :)

Special thanks to Darayongan Lodge and Calamian Travel and Tours (Ms. Donna and Ms. Desiree)

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