The First Blog Post for the New Decade

I'll keep on blogging this 2021. Despite of the technological advances and new online trends such as vlogging, I will keep on writing blogs in the new decade. I hope that blogs will never fade out of spotlight. I will post more blogs this 2021 and beyond, and definitely, thanks Blogger / Blogspot for this opportunity among bloggers, and keep it up for this year onwards.

I will post some of the blogs that I made before the pandemic, and definitely, some nature photos that I've taken during the lockdown season in our house and in the workplace. I will keep on posting about some insights about learnings during the new normal and pandemic, as well with life's reflections that made me a better person.

Happy 2021 and God Bless!

P.S. I am looking forward for safe inoculation of COVID-19 vaccines and no spread of the new variant of COVID-19. Lastly, looking forward that this year - schools, companies, and bonds between people will come back to normal.

Eruption, Lockdowns, New Normal: A Glimpse of 2020

This year will be the most challenging, full of struggles, and an emotional rollercoaster.

Our school was covered with ashfall from Taal.

January 2020. Taal Volcano was erupted that spewed ashes across CALABARZON, Metro Manila, and some parts of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region. We witnessed the ashfall in Cavite, where our family decided to evacuate on the evening of January 12, 2020, as we had our two to three days stay in Manila. In fact, ashes were covered the towns in our province, particularly Tagaytay, as well with the lakeshore towns in Batangas which are adjacent to the Taal Crater. After the eruption, households and institutions decided to clean the ashfall in their properties, as well with donation drives are operated for the casualties of the Taal eruption. In addition, schools accepted students who will sit in for a while in order to continue their education.

March - June 2020. Lockdown was declared across the country due to quarantine measures against COVID-19 pandemic. For the past three months, Luzon was declared under Enhanced Community Quarantine. In other words, classes and work operations are suspended. Children and senior citizens are not allowed to go outside. Only medical frontliners, security personnel, police officers, army, select government officials, fast food staff, and vendors are allowed to go to work, and only quarantine pass holders are allowed to go outside their houses. Wearing of face masks and face shields are mandatory. Don't forget to observe proper sanitation such as washing your hands with alcohol. Do not forget to observe social distancing. Travel ban is also implemented in different parts of the country. However, companies were closed and many people became unemployed, relying on the support given by their local government. It is the most challenging period for some people because they are worried on how to gain income, as well with problems arise in their families.

June 2020 - December 2020. Lockdown was gradually lifted during June 2020. Welcome to the New Normal. However, cases are increasing, equivalent to huge number of recoveries. Companies are returned to operation, and travel ban is lifted. Education comes to new normal - whether it is online or modular. Work from home is the new set-up. Virtual communication through online is the new trend. Online marketing, selling, and payment is the new mode of business. News can be easily accessed online, as well with numerous opinions are flashed in various social media platforms. Do not forget to observe social distancing, wear face masks and face shields. Numerous typhoons passed our country that leave casualties. However, resiliency, optimism, and enthusiasm remain the same, despite of these challenges.

Everyone of us wants to go back to the old normal. We want face-to-face classes. We want to go outside without wearing face masks and face shields. We are looking forward with the most efficient vaccine against COVID 19. We don't want to have another variant of corona virus. We want to live freely without fears and worries. 

Despite of the struggles of the year, be grateful because of the lessons that we gained, we discover more about ourselves, develop new skills, and giving importance to the people around us. I also learned the importance of resiliency in times of challenges, being thankful with all the things that we have, especially the life that have given to us, and the awareness of what is happening around us and having a stand that we need to speak out and show conviction to the world.

Happy New Year! Have a safe and healthy 2021 :)

Return to Palawan | Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour

Before we proceed to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, we had a chance to take the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour. 

It is a fifteen to thirty-minute cruise along the 1.2 kilometer Sabang River where you can see the tallest mangrove forests which can grow from 25 to 30 meters tall. 

There are numerous species of birds, snakes and fish in the area. It is a very short cruise, but it is a good itinerary while waiting for our turn in Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Date: March 11, 2019

Return to Palawan | The Visit to the Underground River

In our second visit to Palawan, it is the first time to visit the most iconic landmark in Palawan, the Puerto Princesa City Underground River. Also known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature voted in 2012. It is one of the longest underground rivers in the world which flows directly under the Saint Paul Mountain Range, a park which has a limestone or karst mountain landscape. The Saint Paul's Underground River Cave contains 8.2 kilometer long Cabayugan River which flows directly into the West Philippine Sea. It is navigable by boat up to 4.3 kilometers from the sea. The subterranean river features numerous stalactites, stalagmites and large chambers.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River with the tourists riding on a boat as they go outside from the cave.

To make it on the place, we had an approximately one-and-a-half hour travel to Sabang, a small town where the Underground River is located. As we travel, the lush and abundant rainforests are common in Puerto Princesa City. First, we visited Buenavista View Deck, a stopover which offers a panoramic view of Ulugan Bay. There are food stalls and souvenir shops in the area and the view deck offers a beautiful view of sunset before you go home.

The Buenavista View Deck marker/

The scenery of Ulugan Bay with verdant rainforests, blue waters of the bay and a long mountain range.

The top portion of the view deck.

After the stopover, we also have the chance to see the formation of Saint Paul Mountain Range along the highway as we go to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. These limestone and karst mountains are formed million of years ago from marine sediments and it was submerged under the sea 20 to 30 million years ago. There are interesting places including the Elephant Cave and the Saint Paul Mountain.

You can check the YouTube post on the Limestone Mountains of Puerto Princesa City

As we proceed to our destination, we tried the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour where we have a thirty minute boat trail in the mangrove forest near the Underground River. There are also private hotels and resorts near the area which offers a relaxing tropical ambiance because of the line of coconut trees and mangrove seedlings,  pristine white sand beaches, and the aquamarine waters of the ocean.

Bancas gathered in the shallow waters.

The turquoise waters of Palawan.

Trees are teemed in the limestone.

Palawan is noted for its limestone and karst mountains.

After that, we take a thirty minute boat ride from Sabang Port to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. There is a limestone cove and a wooden trail in the miniature forest filled with local trees such as apitong, narra, molave and dao. Afterwards, the team wore our life jackets and ear phones and we ride on the boat going inside the Underground River.

Welcome marker of Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Unfortunately, there are no photos because it is challenging to take pictures as we go inside the cave. inside the cave which features mystical rock formations such as the Cathedral, the Market, the Last Supper, Dinosaur's Head, the Pegasus and even the face of Jesus Christ. The Underground River is also rich in flora because of numerous local tree species found there and fauna because of the diverse wildlife such as thousands of bats, several species of small fish, monkeys living on trees and monitor lizards roaming around the area.

Tourists are preparing for a thirty minute boat ride inside the subterranean river.

Crystal-clear shallow waters with groups of small fish swimming

The entry to the Underground River.

Passage from the cave to the outside.

We enjoyed the 1.5 kilometer boat ride as we experience excitement, thrill and amazement as we sail towards the Underground River. Tours can allow the 1.5 kilometer boat ride in the Underground River. However, it is allowed to go on a 4 kilometer ride, just ask for special permit

The tour on the Puerto Princesa Underground River is such an amazing yet humbling experience because it is all about the appreciation of nature's beauty, as well with the fact that the Philippines is a country rich in flora and fauna and taking care of our natural tourist spots.

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time, keep nothing but memories."
A simple reminder for the tourists in Sabang Port.

Date of Travel: March 11, 2019

Return to Palawan | Honda Bay Island Hopping and Beach Bumming

For the second day of our Palawan tour, we had a chance to visit Honda Bay to go island hopping in three islands namely Lu-li, Starfish and Cowrie. It's been nine years since the last time that we went to this tourist destination. Everything seems to be different unlike before.

Trees in Cowrie Island.

Numerous boats in the coast of Cowrie Island.

Honda Bay faces major change due to its popularity among tourists and the increase of commercial establishments as well with the presence of additional cottages and signage in each island. There are plenty of foreign and local tourists who flock the island during our tour, unlike the last time that we visit there in 2010. 

Starfish Island signage.

Lu-li Island signage. 

Cowrie Island signage

The place remain its pristine beauty because of the abundant mangrove forests, white sand beaches, and the crystal-clear blue waters. However, there are only few marine creatures found, particularly in Starfish Island. Nine years ago, starfish, small species of fish, sand dollars and even stone fish can be found in the shore. Nowadays, there are only few marine creatures in the shallow waters near the beach. According to the tourist guide, there are changes in the topography of the island and the numerous tourists has able to touch the creatures and even disturbing their habitats due to swimming. It also added the increase of man-made structures such as cottages and wooden signages in each island, even tourists are not responsible in maintaining the cleanliness of the island. 

There are only two starfish in the shallow waters of Starfish Island. 

The shallow waters of Starfish Island with rocks and small fish.

The mangrove forest in Starfish Island.

Small fish in the turquoise waters of Honda Bay.

Sand dollars in Starfish Island.

In the end, we spend in the three islands through swimming and having our lunch through boodle fight. Looking forward to preserve the natural beauty of the bay, take care of the islands and the tourists should be responsible in the cleanliness and preservation of the creatures in the area.

The timeless, natural beauty of Palawan as the Philippines' Last Frontier.

You may also check my 2010 escapades in Honda Bay: 

• In the Island of Stars
• Honda Bay Island Hopping

Date of Travel: March 10, 2019

Return to Palawan | Summer Tour at the City in the Forest (Part 2)

For the second part of the City Tour, we went to the remaining attractions in the city. First, we have the Rancho Santa Monica or Rancho Mitra which owned by the late politician Ramon Mitra. The place is noted for its panoramic view of the city from the ranch in the top of the hill. Before, it is just an ordinary view deck; now, you may enjoy other activities such as horseback riding and zipline.

The viewing deck of Rancho Mitra. 

The panoramic view of lush forests of Puerto Princesa City from Rancho Mitra.

The rolling hills of Rancho Mitra.

After that, we went to Baker's Hill, the most popular bakeshop in the city. I also noticed that there are so many "hugot" lines (love quotes) in the place. Therefore, the sumptuous bread and pastries are still delicious and new amenities are added such as the playground and the zipline.

The chef welcomes you to Bakers Hill. 

Hugot Line 1: "Are you still hoping even it is impossible?" 

The last part of our tour is the visit to Palawan Eco-Village and Butterfly Farm. We saw colorful butterflies in the park. Therefore, the most significant part of this tour is to have an encounter with the Palaw'an Tribe to understand their customs and traditions and to appreciate our indigenous culture.

The welcome signage to Palawan Butterfly Farm and Tribal Village. 

Colorful butterflies in a lush green place. 

The Palawan Tribal Village. 

A photo opportunity with the Palaw'an Tribe. 

The first day of our tour is such a memorable experience because of the closer understanding of the culture of Puerto Princesa City and how this city maintain the cleanliness and the citizens' discipline.

Date: March 9, 2019

Return to Palawan | Summer Tour at the City in the Forest (Part 1)

Nine years ago, my family and I decided to go on a vacation good for three days and two nights in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. I appreciated that place because of its impeccable cleanliness, lush forests, verdant mountains and clear blue waters of the sea. This year, we decided to come back for a vacation in the city. This time, we made our firsts here and seeing the changes in the place nine years ago. 

The place that I've really missed - Puerto Princesa City. 

We made it at Puerto Princesa International Airport at 6:00 AM in which we decided to take a City Tour for the first day of our stay in the province. 

Good morning Puerto Princesa City! The sun rises at Puerto Princesa City International Airport.

The icon of our fishes in the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk seems changed its structure.

I <3 Puerto Princesa

The relaxing scenery of the sea with boats from the viewing deck.

The locals maintain the cleanliness of this area as well with the waters. 

We started the city tour with the visit at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk. We enjoyed the view of the sea and the place remains clean as always. I really appreciate the people and their local government for maintaining the cleanliness of the city because of the implementing laws regarding waste management and throwing of trash in the city. It is proven that citizens are giving importance on discipline and cleanliness, as well with saving the nature.

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, simply known as the Puerto Princesa City Cathedral.

After two minutes, we visited two historical sites in the city which can be found in Rizal Avenue . First, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which is the episcopal see of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa. It is the place where the first mass in the province happened in 1872 and it is known for its Gothic architecture with its pointed spires.

The facade of Plaza Cuartel.

Adjacent to the church is the Plaza Cuartel. It was a military base during the Second World War where 150 American prisoners were burned to death by the Japanese soldiers on December 14, 1944. In addition, the place reminds of its remarkable history of the province during the Japanese occupation. It is an interesting site to see but we don't have time to check what's inside of it (possibly in my return to Puerto Princesa City soon, I will check this place again).

The entrance to Crocodile Farm with a better landscaping.

Kalayaan, a 50 year old Philippine crocodile.

Kagitingan, another old crocodile.

The Palawan bearcat or binturong

We also visited the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, also known as the Crocodile Farm. There are many young crocodiles in their hatchling house and it is quite frightening to take photos of baby crocs because my camera phone was almost dropped when one of them was disturbed and made a shocking response. Then, we visited the big crocodiles which are only few of them left and they are so old and enormous. Nine years ago, there are many huge crocodiles in that portion of the park, but only 5 to 7 of them are left and each of them owned a portion. I've also learned that there are two species of crocodiles in our country - the saltwater crocodile and the Philippine crocodile. They can also live for 50 to 70 years old. After seeing the crocodiles, we made a nature trek in the park where we saw other animals such as snakes, native birds like eagles, horn bills, mynahs and parrots, and the Palawan bear cat or binturong. These animals  were saved after being caught by illegal poachers.

Watch out for the second part of my post about the afternoon city tour in Puerto Princesa. 

You can also check my other posts

Travel Guide | Weekend Getaway in The Last Frontier: Palawan 

Date: March 9 - 11, 2019