ENDLESS HORIZON IN CAGBALETE ISLAND, QUEZON

I am not sure if there's a Filipino who can visit all of the country's 7,107 islands in his/her entire lifetime.  Oh well, is it even possible?  

But i consider myself lucky enough to be able to visit some of my country's fascinating islands that promises an unforgettable experience for its visitors.  And unforgettable it is, indeed, when I got the chance to visit one of Mauban, Quezon's pride - the Cagbalete Island.  

You need to walk far just to reach the waters!

SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN: The Next Tourism Hotspot

The island province of Palawan never runs out of destinations blessed with unmatched and pristine beauty. Just 5 to 6 hours drive from the capital city, Puerto Princesa, another paradise awaits intrepid and curious traveler who is always in search of that unspoilt paradise...

San Vicente is a quiet municipality in Northwestern, Palawan boasting of equally captivating islands and beaches. It is currently undergoing a series a development as the town is envisioned to be the next tourism hotspot in the country. Our local guide tells us that a number of hotel chains and prominent individuals have already bought properties in the area. In a few years' time, resorts and hotels will be built to accommodate the expected influx of local and foreign tourists.

I guess I'm fortunate to see and experience the place while it's still unspoilt. The sheer beauty of the islands, sans the manicured, man-made landscape, is beyond words. If you don't call this Paradise, there must be something wrong with you!

A vacation house in front of the Long Beach. The design/architecture

of the house blends well with the environment.

The view from the house. The beach is just a few meters away.

A walk down the beach revealed this massive jellyfish, gone ashore.

Seeing this made me think twice to swim at the beach.

The Long Beach. The photo was taken around 6am, when the sun

has not shone on its shores yet. At midday, the beach becomes

blindingly white,just like Boracay. The sand's texture is fine.

The beach is actually 14 kms.long that's why it's been dubbed as

the Longest White Beach in the country.

(Below) The Daplac Cove, Boayan Island. Another paradise

that is a subject of so much controversy. For more info about

the Island and learn what you can do, please visit

www.boayan.org

As for me, I believe the island should be protected

from big hotel companies who will only disrupt the island's

ecosystem. Let it remain as it is... and let people go here

as they please, without paying too much fees.

Well, the island is about an hour's boat ride from the main

town of San Vicente. The seas can be rough during noon to

mid-afternoon, so expect a very bumpy ride. As soon as you

reach the Cove, the waters are already calm and the

view is just magnificent!

(Below) Some of the islands found in San Vicente.

(Below) The new International Airport. As part of the

Arroyo government's plan to boost the town's tourism potential,

a new international airport is being built right in San Vicente.

The airport, according to our guide, will have direct flights

from Thailand, Japan, Bali, etc.

And to experience San Vicente's Long Beach, one no longer

needs cross the seas, as the airport is conveniently

located near the coast.

San Vicente is also just 3 hours away from El Nido.

Once the airport becomes operational, it can cut the travel

time from Puerto Princesa to El Nido significantly.

EL NIDO... PARADISO!

El Nido is one of my dream destinations in the country. I have always been intrigued with its karsts / stone formations, and its clear waters. And when I got there, my initial impression was... WOWWWW!

It's really a land of wonders! The stones mountains that surround the town plaza were so magnificent, one gets a feeling of amazement and intimidation upon seeing them all over you. As an urbanite, I am used to seeing tall skyscrapers surrounding me. But these karsts are really magical! I wouldn't mind staring at the them whole day!

The islands are also beautiful, and so are the waters surrounding them. Now I know why foreign tourists love this part of Palawan. You can actually see them in the islets/islands enjoying the waters or just the view! Our nation is indeed blessed!

I just observed that most Pinoy tourists who were at the lagoon were quite funny! They were so afraid to jump in the crystal clear and calm waters despite having their life vests on. And once they're on the water, they cuddle together like playing "the boat is sinking, group yourselves into..."! And just a few meters away, you can see the foreign tourists snorkeling without their vests on, moving (or swimming) or swimming around like children thrown in a pool! How ironic that as a nation surrounded with waters, most Pinoys don't know how to swim... or are afraid of the sea/waters.

El Nido is such a paradise... and the only way to truly enjoy is to dive into its sparkling beauty, literally and figuratively!

Wet and Gay at PUERTO GALERA!

Puerto Galera has been reputed as the "IT" destination during the Holy Week among gay men. Just take a bus (from Manila) going to Batangas port at this time of the year, you will immediately notice a good number of gay men (from the straight-acting ones to the effeminates) all going to ONE destination -- Puerto Gaylera!

I don't have any historical reference yet how this trend started. I only caught up with the trend in 2007, when a friend invited me to experience PG during Holy Week. For a change, why not?

And it was total chaos indeed! There were just too many people... mixed crowd, but predominantly gays. It was fun though...

The shores of the White Beach can be busy with boats arriving,

thus making swimming quite risky. The waters are also "cantilado"

which means, it can get instantly deep just a few feet from the shore.

There are more "peaceful" beaches though, at the other side

of the shore. Less people come here and practically no boats at all!

The mountains at the back are always covered with thick

clouds... I always notice that.

There are some surprises PG is offering for the inquisitive travelers...

At the farthest end of the shore (you must take a tricycle to get there...

that's how far it is) can be found the BEST ITALIAN restaurant in the area.

The place gets really crowded especially in the afternoon...

Most who come here are foreigners and families.

LUCA'S offers the best and the most authentic Italian dishes prepared

by no other than ... LUCA! He's an Italian guy who settled in the

island and established this restaurant...

Food servings are really big... and the prices are very affordable!

When we ate here, though, we just finished island hopping

and swimming, and my tired body needed all the carbs it lost

during the strenuous activities... ergo, I was able to finish

this plate of pasta! hahaha...

White Beach can be boring during the day.. So, it's better to

rent a boat like this one and explore the other islands...

Go snorkeling at the Coral Garden... It's a must!

After all the partying, this is White Beach at the break of dawn...

with the inebriated crowd...

Going to Puerto Galera every year could become a trite

experience. But what makes us come back year after year

are the opportunity to meet new friends or simply seeing

and catching up with long lost buddies...

Alright, here are my SUNSET SHOTS... No beach holiday is ever complete without one, noh? hehehe

SUNSET COVE... in BATAAN.

I recently went to Morong, Bataan to take part in the season finale shoot of Midnight DJ. It was my first time to visit Morong and I was impressed with the new expressway (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) that lessened the travel time of getting there. It was a very smooth ride and we were travelling at 160 kph... That's fast!

The beach was fine enough. When we got there in the morning (the sun was barely up from the east), the sand and the sea were not yet inviting... It was almost black-ish...

But the midday sun revealed its beauty... and I appreciated the verdant land (or hills) that safely protects the beach from the waves...

But the most spectacular view of all was none other than the sunset...(after all, this cove is named after this). It was fast and sweet... very lovely, indeed!