#puerto galera tourist spot

[makethemwonder]

5 Things to Do in Puerto Galera Beach + Itinerary and Resorts

[emmanuelbagac]

Cuenca, Batangas

Major Jumpoff: Mountaineer’s Store, Brgy. 7 “Siete”, Cuenca Exit point (traverse): Brgy 5 (to Grotto), Cuenca LLA: 13°55 N; 121°2 E; 706 MASL (Rockies) / 930 MASL (summit) Days required / Hours to Rockies / summit : 1 day / 1-2 hr / 2-4 hr

Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 (Rockies); 4/9 (Traverse) Trail class 1-3. Features: Scenic views of Taal Lake, rock formations, forests

One of the top hiking spots in the Philippines is Mount Maculot. It provides sweeping views of Batangas's neighboring towns and the renowned Taal Lake. The top of Mount Maculot is 930 meters (3051 ft) above sea level. Mt. Maculot Rockies, on the other hand, is 706 meters or 2316 feet higher than sea level. Despite being less than 1000 meters above sea level, Mt. Maculot may be viewed from Puerto Galera and several locations in the province of Northern Mindoro.

Mt. Maculot is located at the heart of Batangas which is in the municipality of Cuenca, Batangas. This mountain attracts a lot of hikers and mountaineers on weekends and during the summer because of its proximity to Metro Manila. Today, Mt. Maculot is a significant tourist site, a dormant stratovolcano that is ideal for a day hiking excursion for hikers of all skill levels.

Mt. Maculot has a rock formation on top that overlooks the entire Taal Lake, including the Taal volcano, as well as the plains of Batangas, is situated next to Taal Lake. From a distance, Mt. Makiling and the Tagaytay Highlands can be seen on opposite sides. You can view Mt. Halcon in Mindoro if you continue south along Batangas Bay and pass Maricaban Island. It can take less than an hour for expert climbers to reach the Rockies, but it can also take up to two or three hours at a more leisurely pace. Due to the trail's popularity, some enterprising residents would offer drinks at the rest spots along the relatively steep trail, including buko juice.

[gigiduhhh]

EMBRACING THE BEAUTY OF PUERTO GALERA

Nestled in the heart of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, lies the exquisite haven of Puerto Galera, a place where every moment spent with your loved ones becomes a cherished memory. This coastal paradise, bestowed with the prestigious UNESCO recognition as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1973, beckons with its lush landscapes and azure waters, creating an idyllic backdrop for unforgettable experiences. Its inclusion in the list of top diving sites in the Philippines is a testament to the mesmerizing underwater world teeming with vibrant marine life. Puerto Galera, with its captivating town and awe-inspiring natural beauty, is a real masterpiece waiting to be explored.

As a first-time traveler, I was captivated by the myriad attractions and activities that Puerto Galera had to offer. While it's commonly recommended to spend at least three days exploring this beautiful destination, my personal experience proved that two days and one night were ample to revel in the stunning beauty of Puerto Galera.

For our weekend getaway, we decided to travel from Cavite to PITX on Friday night by taking an Aircon bus. From PITX, we booked a Grab to take us to Buendia, where we rode another Aircon bus that took us directly to Batangas Port. At Batangas Port, we boarded a Fast Craft for a one hour and thirty minutes ride to Puerto Galera Port.

When visiting Puerto Galera, it's important to adhere to the local protocol, which includes paying a nominal environmental fee of just 120 pesos. This fee plays a crucial role in ensuring the preservation of the area's natural beauty, cleanliness, and safety, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of tourism in the region.

After paying the environmental fee, we took a tricycle and arrived at our Airbnb, which is called Ship Maria. The accommodation exceeded our expectations, providing all the necessary amenities. It's a cozy studio-type room suitable for two to four people, with a double deck and a TV. The room is air-conditioned, and the clean bathroom was a major plus for us. The owner of the Airbnb was incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that all our needs were met. They even went the extra mile by assisting us in arranging activities such as island hopping and parasailing. Overall, our experience at Ship Maria was exceptional due to the top-notch facilities and the exceptional service provided by the owner.

Puerto Galera is a stunning destination filled with numerous tourist attractions that cater to all kinds of travelers. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant underwater life, it's truly an Instagram-worthy paradise. The local tour guides are exceptionally friendly and always eager to assist, making your experience even more enjoyable. They go above and beyond to help you capture those perfect moments, often joining in for photos or offering valuable tips on the best spots.

For our recent trip, we curated an exciting itinerary focusing on the top tourist spots that showcase the natural beauty and cultural richness of the area. From breathtaking beaches to lush hillside views, we were set to explore the very best that Puerto Galera has to offer.

White Beach

Puerto Galera is known for its stunning white beach. It is considered one of the most popular white beaches among Filipino tourists. This beach is alive with activity, offering huge recreational options. Tourists can try different activities, including jet skis, banana boat rides, and beach volleyball. At dawn, the beach offers a stunning view as people can relax and watch the beautiful sunset.

Muelle Cultural Heritage

The Muelle Bay of Puerto Galera has been listed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world by the Paris-based Les Plus Belles Baies du Monde. Puerto Galera is known for its beautiful beaches, which makes it a popular attraction to everyone. The pier area, or the Muelle Bay Cultural Heritage Park, serves as the perfect launching point for exciting adventures like island hopping and snorkeling, where vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters await exploration. It’s here that we relish the opportunities for adventure and relaxation, as the bay presents an idyllic setting for both.

A quick history: Puerto Galera was a trading port and strategic harbor along important trade routes. The Muelle Bay area where we are located was used by the Spaniards as a safe natural harbor for all types of sailing vessels. But then, in 1970, it became a tourist attraction due to its beaches and views.

Underwater Cave

The Underwater Cave is an attraction located on San Antonio Island, Puerto Galera. It is known for its adventurous, narrow path and peculiar set-up. This captivates tourists because it also has a natural indoor pool, so everyone can still swim without worrying about the damage that the heat of the sun will cause.

Behind this mystifying cave is a calm surrounding. There is a sea that is blended with azure and turquoise and beautifully paints its crystal clear waters. Further enhancing the aesthetics are the colorful boats that are neatly parked on its luminescent rocky shore.

Tamaraw Falls

One of the most popular attractions in Puerto Galera is the Tamaraw Falls. This is 128.3 m high, which is comparable with tall infrastructure. It has a Y shape due to its twin falls merging. It was named after Mindoro’s popular animal, which is called "tamaraw." It is an animal that can only be seen in the Philippines, and unfortunately, it is listed as one of the endangered species. Tamaraw Falls is a great way to spread awareness and promote the preservation of the endangered animal.

We not only engage in water activities but also take pleasure in the diverse culinary offerings available. Along the pristine white beach, there's an abundance of restaurants and bars waiting to be explored. During our visit, we savored delectable seafood, juicy burgers, and fluffy hotcakes, alongside invigorating coffee and delightful cocktails. Additionally, we seized the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vibrant beach nightlife, which turned out to be an unforgettable experience. As we strolled along the beachfront, we were captivated by the diverse array of performers entertaining the crowds at different dining establishments. The lively atmosphere and the shared joy of fellow tourists made it a truly remarkable evening, a perfect culmination to our getaway before returning to our daily routines.

If you ask whether I plan to return to Puerto Galera, my answer would be yes. It holds a special place in my heart as it was the first beach destination I ever visited, and I had an incredibly enjoyable time exploring the area. The entire location is undeniably stunning and offers a serene atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to unwind and make the most of your leisure time. Beyond the natural beauty of the place, the locals, in particular, exude a remarkable level of hospitality, making you feel like a part of the community.

[ellevet]

Pagtapak sa Mindoro, Sasalubong sa iyo ang Paraiso

           Habangbuhay nang nakamarka sa aking isipan ang bighaning taglay ng Oriental Mindoro. Tila hagikgik sa aking puso ang maglakbay sa mga lugar na nakapagbibigay ginhawa at pahinga papalayo sa reyalidad, ang maghahatid sa akin patungo sa walang kapantay na ngiti at kapayapaan kasangga ng kalikasan—pansamantala ngunit tumatatak na karanasan, kasama ang aking mga mahal sa buhay. Abril 27 2018, ginising ako ng aking ate bandang alas tres ng umaga. Ako'y labis na nasabik sa paraisong naghihintay sa akin.

ASUL NA DAGAT at SARIWANG HANGIN, KAAKIBAT NG MANGHA SA PUTING BUHANGIN

            Bakit nga ba dapat mong tuklasin ang sulit na alok ng isla? (Kasaysayan)

            Tinaguriang “One of the Most Beautiful Bays,” bitbit na ng Oriental Mindoro ang pagkakakilanlan sa kanilang probinsya sa pagkakaroon ng lugar ng magkabilaang mga tourist spots, at matatagpuan dito ang isla at munisipalidad ng Puerto Galera. Madalas binibisita ng mga lokal at dayuhang turista ang Puerto Galera, at sapagkat isa itong sikat na destinasyon sa tuwing sasapit ang tag-init (summer/dry season) ay dumayo na rin kami dahil sa kasaganaan ng mga aktibidad sa tubig.

            Ang Puerto Galera ay nagsilbing daungan ng kalakalan at ligtas na kanlungan laban sa madalas na mga bagyo sa Pilipinas bago ang kolonyal na panahon. Nang dumating ang mga Kastila at nanirahan sa baybayin, pinangalanan nila itong “Port of Galleons” sa Espanyol. Kinilala ng UNESCO ang Puerto Galera bilang “Man at Biosphere Reserve” sa taong 1973, kaya mula noon ay napanatili ang katayuan nito sa pagiging patok o pagtangkilik ng marami sa paglalakbay. Ang bayan ay mayroong humigit-kumulang 42 kilometro na baybayin na maipagmamalaking taglay ang diverse ecosystem, kaya walang duda rin na ito ay itatanghal ko bilang isa sa mga pinakasikat at pinakamahusay na mga destinasyon napuntahan ko sa mundo.

            Paano nga ba ang patungo sa Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro? (Heograpiya)

            Ang silangang hati ng Mindoro ay matatagpuan sa lalawigan ng Pilipinas sa rehiyong MIMAROPA sa Luzon. Inabot ang aking paglalakbay kasama ang aking pamilya ng humigit-kumulang tatlo hanggang apat na oras na byahe sa lupa at dagat mula sa Maynila. Sinundan namin ang karaniwang jump-off point sa Port of Batangas na nag-uugnay sa mga pampasaherong daungan ng bayan (Muelle at Balatero) sa mainland Luzon. Nakakuha kami ng tiket at terminal fee para sa kabuuang 500php isa. Ang pagsakay sa bangka ay kaaya-aya sa unang kalahati ng byahe habang naglalayag kami, ngunit buti na lang ay hindi ako kumain kaagad bago sumakay sa bangka sapagkat nakaranas kami ng matagtag at nakahihilong pagdako sa mayayabong na baybayin ng Muelle dahil kung nagkataon ay matutulad ako sa aking nakatatandang kapatid na hindi maganda ang naging pakiramdam. Iba pa rin talaga kung sanay ka na sa dagat at sa kulot na mga alon nito.

            Saan maaring manatili habang nagbabakasyon (Akomodasyon)

            Ang bayan mismo ay hindi na estranghero sa mga turista kaya agad kami nakahanap ng maraming abot-kayang lodging sa paligid ng bayan. Malayo sa siyudad at ingay, kami ay nagtungo sa Aninuan Beach (Ara Beach Resort) upang doon mapalagi kung saan matatagpuan sa tabi lamang ng White Beach. Pumabor ako na maparito dahil mas maamo at tahimik, talagang maaliw ka nang walang istorbo at damang-dama ko ang kaalwanan habang nilalanghap ang simoy ng hangin kung saan saglit kong nakalimutan ang aking mga problema.

            Dito ko naranasan ang tunay na saya. (pagkain, mga gawain, pasalubong at kultura)

            Ang magkakaibang likas na atraksyon ng Puerto Galera ay ang nagbibigay rason na maging isa ito sa nangungunang destinasyon ng turista sa Pilipinas. Ang munisipalidad ay biniyayaan ng malinis na mga cove, tila pulbos na puting buhangin ng dalampasigan, talon, mga bundok, at mayamang marine biodiversity. Nagsimula kami sa Island Hopping, kung saan natuklasan o napuntahan ko ang Haligi Beach, Bayanan Beach, Sandbar at Coral Garden. Naranasan ko rin ang mga kilalang aktibidad tulad ng pagsakay sa jetski, kayaking, at marami pa! Nagbigay talaga siya sa akin ng oras upang tunay na makapagpahinga at masiyahan sa aking oras kasama ang aking pamilya.

           Maliban sa Beach Bumming at Cove and Island Hopping, pati ang pagbisita sa mga waterfalls, ayon sa mga naninirahan dito, ang isla raw ay mayroong angking mahika pagdating sa mga isda, kaya naman naging interesado at na-enganyo kaming mag-snorkeling. Sa aking edad na hindi pa masyadong gamay ang dagat at kahit na hindi ako magaling lumangoy ay sinubukan ko pa rin tumuloy sa pagsisid. Totoo nga na “out of this world” ang nasaksihan ng aking mga mata. Nagpakain din kami ng mga lamang dagat sa paraang pinutol-putol namin ang mga tinapay kaya talaga namang talagang nasilayan ko ang iba’t ibang uri ng isda.

           Masarap nga ba ang pagkain sa Puero Galera, Mindoro?

           Napakayaman sa lamang dagat ng Puerto Galera, kaya naman hindi ko na maitatago ang sarap at gulat sa mga panibagong lasang aking natuklasan sa kanilang mga pagkain. Dumayo pa kami sa mga bayan at sumakay sa traysikel. Maraming matatagpuan na kainan sa paligid ng isla, medyo mayroong kamahalan nga lamang ang mga restaurant dahil nag-aalok sila ng tila-five star o sosyal na hapagkainan para sa mga manlalakbay, ngunit tiyak naman na nabusog ang aming kalamnan. Pagkatapos namin maglibot ay nagpunta kami sa mga maliliit na karinderya kung saan patok ang mga inihaw na isdang maliliit. Ang ngiting aking nakamtan sa pagkain ng lugar na ito ay hindi na mapapantayan pa.

            Sa iyong pagbisita, ano-ano pa ang mga maari mong gawin sa pagtuklas ng kanilang kultura?

            Ang taglay na dalampasigang pambansa ay ang pupukaw sa iyong atensyon kung saan hanggang dulo ng hangganan ay hindi mo ito makakalimutan. Kung ikaw ay tulad kong ganado sa tuwing makatutuklas ng ibang kultra, dapat kang pumunta sa nayon ng Irawan Mangyan sa Talipanan–sa paanan ng Mt. Malasimbo. Bago kami talaga nakarating sa Talipanan Falls, dumaan kami sa Mangyan Village. Sa kabila ng pagod at init, ang isang maliit na sibilisadong komunidad ng mga Mangyan sa bayan ang bumungad at nagpaligalig sa aking pakiramdam. Ika nga, "It's More Fun In The Philippines!" Sinalubong ako ng mga Mangyan at kanilang sariling mga materyales na ginagamit nila para sa mga produktong habi sa bundok. Sa saglit na pagkakataong iyon ay umapoy ang aking pagiging Pinoy, dahil taas noo akong nabighani sa sariling atin.

            Sa pag-uwi, bitbit ko ang mga ala-ala.

            Sa malaya at magaan kong karanasan, dala-dala ko ang ilang mga gamit na ibibigay ko sa aking mga kaibigan. Simbolo at tanda ito ng aking paglalakbay.

            Sa muling pagkakaroon ng aking sarili ng rason upang magpatuloy sa kabila ng kalungkutan o problema, ang munting mga paglalakbay ang nagpapaalala sa akin na napakaraming biyaya ng kalikasan—na sana huwag kong malimutan ang liwanag na taglay ng pagiging buhay.

Hanggang sa muli.

(Sanggunian:)

[ljglxphotography]

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

[unabashedgardenmiracle]

BANILAD BEACH

The place is a good spot for picnicking and swimming, especially during the summer. It is located in Pili, Pinamalayan, and can be reached by taking a jeepney to the port of Barangay Wawa, then an hour’s ride by motorized banca to the beach.

 

BONGOL BEACH

It is a secluded beach, with a two-kilometer white sand beach. It is located in Bongol, Pinamalayan, and can be reached in two hours by boarding a Bongol-bound jeepney from the town proper of Pinamalayan and then a tricycle to the beach area.

TAMARAW FALLS

The 423 feet (129 m) waterfalls, situated alongside the road, is actually a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to the grand one, dropping to a frothy waterbed below. The cascading waterfalls is a great attraction to passers-by. Tamaraw Falls is located in Barangay Villaflor, Puerto Galera. It can be reached in two hours by taking a jeepney bound for Barangay Villaflor from Puerto Galera, or Calapan.

 

Photo By: Tara sa Mindoro

LA LAGUNA BEACH

This an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There are a number of resorts that offer accommodation and other travel and aqua sports facilities to both domestic and international tourists. It is located in La Laguna, Puerto Galera, and can be reached in 30 minutes from the town proper of Puerto Galera by taking a jeepney bound for La Laguna.

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Photo By: La Laguna Beach Club & Dive Centre

SABANG BEACH

This area is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A cluster of nightspots abound in this area, which make it popular for evening socials. Cottages with entertainment facilities stand close to each other. Low-budget accommodations are available. It is located east of Puerto Galera, and can be reached in 15 minutes from the Puerto Galera pier by taking a jeepney or an outrigger banca.

 

Photo By: jotan23.blogspot.com

TALIPANAN BEACH

This area is not as busy as the other beaches in Puerto Galera. Thus, it is an ideal site for private swimming. It is located in Puerto Galera, and can be reached in 40 minutes by taking a jeepney or an outrigger boat from the town pier.

 

Photo By: Talipanan Beach Puerto Galera

WHITE SAND BEACH

The white sandy strips of this beach offer excellent opportunities for swimming. Resorts in this area provide entertainment facilities for tourists’ greater amusement and leisure. It is located in Barangay San Isidro, Puerto Galera, and is accessible in 30 minutes from the town proper by a jeepney or a boat.

Photo By: Chino del Carmen

[purplesurveys]

676

Themed surveys are the shit y’all. There should definitely be more of these.

General

Where is your country? My country is in Asia – specifically in Southeast Asia, which I recently learned a lot of people outside Asia aren’t aware of. We’re situated just right below China and we neighbor Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia. How big is your country? It’s moderately large, but when you consider how many we are, we are an extremely small country. What is the population of your country? 109 million. I’m not sure if this is still updated, but we’re around the 12th most populated country in the world. Compare that with how we’re only the 77th in terms of size. How would you describe the landscape? We are an archipelago, which means our country is essentially a collection of thousands of little islands – 7,107 in total. Side note: this means it’s always been extremely hard to make an attempt to be ‘united’ as a nation, due to the fact that we are literally separated from one another. But besides that, yeah we’re made up of a lot of islands which means going from one province to another typically requires you to travel via plane, boat, or ferry. Aside from the tiny islands that we have, our country has three main islands, of which the small ones are a part of – Luzon (which is where Manila is and where I live), Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines is also part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means we have a number of active volcanoes and that we are prone to hurricanes – and we do get them, badly, every year. We also have a number of mountain ranges consisting mostly of tropical rainforests; these ranges, while beautiful, make traveling from province to province quite a challenge.  Which part of your country do most people live in? Oh Manila, without a doubt. Most people, especially from the provinces, want to move to Manila because it’s the economic hub and everyone has an ideal image of it bearing opportunity for them. Unfortunately it is never what it seems and Manila is instead filled with the urban poor, some homeless and some living in shanties or illegal settlements. A lot also live in the cities surrounding Manila in a region we call Metro Manila (or, officially, the National Capital Region) to have closer access to Manila, and also because these cities have proven to give them a better life as well.

Tell me about the main industries there. The main economy is agriculture, but since then we’ve been making a shift to manufacturing and the service industries. While the shift looks good on paper, it has since meant that our farmers have been neglected and they remain extremely poor despite the effort they put into their work. Our biggest exports are sugar, coconuts, rice, bananas I think?, pineapples, and mangoes.  Tourism is also an important industry and unfortunately we’ve been hit hard by the coronavirus. Nevertheless, significant tourist spots include Boracay, Puerto Galera, Palawan, Siargao, Baler, Vigan, La Union, and Baguio. Lastly – while it’s not an ‘industry’ per se, millions upon millions of Filipinos also try their luck abroad as OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) for better opportunity and higher pay. As a result, their remittances to the country is one of the biggest things that contribute to our economy every year, because these OFWs are usually the breadwinners and thus send money to their families, which obviously end up pouring into the national economy. What agricultural products are produced by your country? I’ve already mentioned them, but we’re essentially powerhouses in producing rice, sugar, coconuts, corn, rubber, several fruits such as pineapples and bananas, and a type of material called abaca.

Food and drink

What traditional dishes are served in your country? Which is your favorite? What’s the recipe? We have many, considering PH has a very rich native culture. A lot of our dishes have been inspired by Spanish and Chinese culture, such as lechon (whole roasted pig) and afritada (meat and veggies in tomato sauce) for Spanish cuisine; and siopao (a bread-like dumpling), siomai (our version of Chinese dumplings), and pancit (noodles) for Chinese cuisine. But besides those, we also have come up with our own such as dinuguan (pork blood stew), sisig (chopped pig’s cheek skin, ears, and liver), and sinigang (meat or seafood in sour broth). My personal favorite is kare-kare , which is oxtail and vegetables in peanut sauce. I dunno how to cook it but both my grandmothers have the best recipes.

What drinks is your country famous for? We’re not particularly known for our drinks as much as for our food, but we do have sago’t gulaman and taho. Fruit shakes are also widely popular, and so is coconut juice. We also produce several variants of coffee, such as barako and arabica.

What alcoholic drinks are produced in your country?Again, not really internationally renowned for drinks but Filipinos LOVE their beer. Popular favorites include San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Mig Light, and Red Horse. Tuba and lambanog are notable local alcoholic drinks but tbh they’re so native and mostly consumed in the province that as a city girl, I don’t even know what they’re made of, and I mostly read of them in books lmao.

Are there any stories behind traditional foods? Not really. But essentially, Filipinos have historically lived in the wild, with some provinces more remote than others; and a lot of people are generally poor. That means it’s in our blood to have to make do with what we have, which is why a lot of our dishes are composed of things that may be conceived as weird by others, such as duck embryo, chicken intestines, or pig’s cheeks. We’re not ‘uncultured’ or ‘disgusting,’ we’re only from a different culture with very different origins than that of the West.

Political

What is the political system in your country? I just know we live in a democracy, but the official system name for our government is apparently a unitary presidential constitutional republic; thanks, Wikipedia.

Who is in power at the moment? Unfortunately we currently have a garbage of a President, and an internationally notorious one at that – Rodrigo Duterte.

How is your country dealing with the current financial crisis? I honestly don’t know how to answer this. The Philippines has never been one of the top dogs when it comes to global economy, and as far as I know we’ve always played it safe when it comes to this, so we don’t really get seriously hit when financial crises happen.

What can you say about the leaders of your country? Miserable. Most of our senators did not deserve a seat, but there they are. As it stands, we have a TV host, a boxer (Manny Pacquiao, no less), a former police chief, and an actor in the Senate. A number of personalities in the entertainment industry have also found careers in politics. This means a lot of the things that are urgent and need lots of rational decision-making are always handled poorly and haphazardly. A lot of politicians are known to be corrupt, stealing millions of money and spending more than they earn – but they always get away with it, the ones who are supposed to be the watchdogs of corruption are also their allies. The genuinely good politicians are always overpowered, silenced, arrested, killed, ostracized – and lose elections.

The elections system is just as sad. Most, if not all, candidates, appeal to emotion and literally exploit the poor by using them as talent in their commercials to show the other poor people watching TV that they are on their side – and because the poor don’t have access to education and don’t know any better, they end up voting for them, even though these candidates don’t actually give a single fuck about the poor. Many spend hundreds upon millions for TV and radio ads for 30-second spots. Election violence, vote buying, and ghost voting are widespread.

Cities

How would you describe the capital city and any other main cities? Manila is a sad shell of what it used to be. Look up photos of Manila in the 50s and 60s, and you’d see it looks no different than the streets of Los Angeles or New York. Today it’s neglected, overpopulated, congested, and resided by people who were once filled with hopes and dreams about Manila. There’s a side of Manila that is beautiful and pretty wealthy – the part along Manila Bay – but this side is only riddled with Chinese businessmen, most of whom treat Filipinos like shit. Quezon City, Makati, and Ortigas are the economic and financial hubs surrounding Manila and for the most part these cities are known as the hip places and it’s where the youth and adults hang out. It’s where the malls, bars, restaurants are, and these cities are the ones shrouded in Western influence; but because people do flock to these places, the cost of living is extremely high from parking fees to condominiums. The major city in Visayas is Cebu and in Mindanao, Davao; but given that I’ve only been to Cebu once, and Davao never, I can’t say much about them. What special attractions can be found in each city? Manila has Rizal Park and tons of museums but the city itself isn’t a favorite among foreign tourists; these people usually go to our beaches like Boracay and Palawan, or the cities that offer a more local scenery, like Baler, Bohol, and Ilocos.

Sports and games

What is the most popular sport in your country? How do you play it? Basketball, FOR SURE. Every barangay or municipality has their own basketball court – literally. Filipinos are just basically obsessed with it whether it’s the NBA, the PBA, or basketball even at the collegiate level. Are there any sports or games unique to your country? Very few. We’ve mostly gotten eaten up by Western culture and patronize sports such as basketball, boxing, and volleyball. The only traditional sport I know of is arnis, which even I know very little about except for the fact that it’s a martial art that involves sticks. When is the best time to watch them? I’ve never watched a game of arnis. And I generally don’t watch sports, so I’m not the best person to answer this lmao. How well does your country do in international competitions? I don’t follow a lot but we’ve made our mark here and there. Obviously Manny Pacquiao is a boxing legend, but we also have Hidilyn Diaz for weightlifting, Efren Reyes for billiards, Paeng Nepomuceno for bowling, Carlos Yulo for gymnastics, and Lydia de Vega for track. Are there any sports that foreign visitors practice in your country? I don’t think so. Is football (soccer) popular in your country? If so, which are the best teams? Not really.

Weather

Is the weather very different in different parts of the country? No. It’s mainly tropical, with extremely humid summers and it’s moderately cold by the end of the year. Only cities with high elevation, like Baguio and Sagada, get EXTREMELY cold during the Ber months, which makes them popular vacation spots during Christmas haha. Sometimes the temperature will dip down to 10 or 9 degrees Celsius, which is a huge deal here.

Can you describe the seasons? We don’t have the conventional ‘seasons’ y’all have. We have two main ones – warm and wet. Wet is just the season with typhoons, warm is either summer, or a period with no typhoons. Pretty straightforward.

What is the best time to visit? It depends on where you’re going. Going to Baguio, for example, is the best during the colder months (October to December) to really maximize the colder weather. Going to the beaches is ideal in April to June.

Language

What languages are spoken in your country? Nearly 200, but official languages are Filipino and English. What language do you usually hear on the streets? Filipino. But it depends where I am, too. In wealthier cities, I’ll hear English more. How many people speak English in your country? A good number; I’d say 60-70% can understand or speak basic English. Those who can speak it conversationally comprise a smaller amount. Some still live in pretty remote areas and thus have no concept of English.

Customs

Is there a particular national costume? Can you describe it? Yeah, for the woman we have baro’t saya, and for the men we have the barong Tagalog. Just Google them lmao.

Are there any special local dances? What are they like? Several ones, like tinikling (a dance where you have your feet play with bamboo poles routinely beat together or tapped by two other people) and cariñosa, a romantic dance. But due to the Western influence here, people are more prone to get into hip-hop or contemporary dance more. Are the people generally friendly? Without a doubt, yes. Filipinos are extremely known for their hospitality. If a tourist were to knock on our door right now we would definitely let him in, make him dinner, and my mom would probably ask me to give my bedroom to him for the night. What are some special customs or traditions in your country?

We have the mano po, which is when younger individuals would greet their seniors/superiors by taking the older person’s right hand with their right hand, and placing the back of the older person’s right hand it onto their forehead. It’s a significant sign of respect and to avoid doing it is extremely impolite.

We also have the concept of community spirit, or bayanihan. Basically, if one is in need, everyone in the same community steps up and helps. The quinetessential example for this is when one has to move their hut to a new location (Filipinos before were nomadic), all the neighbors swoop in to help lift the hut and carry it all the way to the new place. 

Courtship was an important step in traditional society, and the man would do a harana, or serenade the woman while playing the guitar, in front of her house while she looks out her window.

Noche Buena is the traditional midnight meal (kinda like our version of Thanksgiving) that we have by the end of Christmas Eve to usher in Christmas Day

Po and opo are filler words used to denote respect, and is always affixed to the end of sentences when speaking with elders. It’s not required, but of course you’ll look like a disrespectful asshole if you don’t use it with older people.

History

What can you tell me about the history of your country?

Pre-colonial Philippines was rich and vibrant, and one that would be considered pretty fucking progressive even today – transgender people were welcome, women were of a higher social status than men, among others. 

This all changed when the Spaniards came and tl;dr ruined everything for us. They wiped out our folk religions, literature, songs, legends, epics, and everything good that we had going. Friars abused us physically, sexually, and economically; everyone was forced to convert to Catholicism; early newspapers were shut down; forced labor was imposed; anyone who disagreed with their rule was killed.

After 333 years we were sold to the US for $20 million. Americans gave us the modern education system, a modern government system, a richer literature, religious freedom, and of course, the English language. But they also brought us colonial mentality and materialism, which persists to this day. Americans were also racist towards us and the only reason we have international schools today is because these were actually started up by American soldiers so that their’ kids would have schools that didn’t have native Filipinos in them. 

By WWII, Japan destroyed the Philippines, leaving us to start from scratch. They bombed Manila, raped our women and young girls and made them sex slaves, brutally murdered everybody else who weren’t women and young girls, stole everything from us, and established a puppet government in Manila to bully us further. The only reason they gave us independence was because US had dropped atomic bombs onto Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and they had no choice but to surrender.

Three colonizers has left us pretty traumatized, something we’ve never truly recovered from to this day. Our political system is shaky, our sense of identity is lost, we’ve never been truly ‘united’ as a nation, and the Catholic penetration has made us a widely conservative, pro-life, anti-LGBT country.

Did your country gain independence from another country? If so, when and how did this happen? See above.

[jasfhercallejo]

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

– Mark Twain

I have always loved the adventure of travel — the unknown, something different, something new. I have been extremely lucky to continuously feed my passion and love of travel. Looking back, I tried to recall how I developed this travel bug. Well, it started as being fond of attending class field trips for school, then finding my travel buddies from UP Travel Society, and everything was pretty much history. We made it a point to take the roads less traveled, and go out of the country at least once a year. Since I’ll be taking the bar next year (fingers crossed), I try to squeeze my travels this year (operative word: try) so that I can focus on studying in 2020. So far, four months into 2019, I’ve been to 7 provinces and still counting. 

Last time I was in Mindoro, I attended the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival. Now, me and my friends decided to stay at one of our friend’s hotel and visit their hacienda. He was a big name here in Mindoro, so we used his name as a “free pass” for everything. Literally everything. Lucky to have a crazy rich asian friend (loling at my poor self. Haha)

Puerto Galera gives you a choice: either you plunge into bliss or go out with a bang. 

Situated in Oriental, Mindoro Philippines, this municipality was once dubbed as “One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World”, and it came as no surprise. Just a few hours’ travel from Manila, this gorgeous collection of bays and islands is one of the country’s top dive destinations. Here, mountains drop hundreds of feet into the sea, surrounded by crashing waves, while coconut trees rise up from powdery white to cream sand beaches, lapped by a beautiful mix of azure and seafoam sea. But its most beautiful asset is found underwater, where rainbow-hued fishes congregate and play around sprawling coral gardens.

Puerto Galera is primarily a scuba diving destination but there are also many activities for non-divers (aka me and my friends). While we were not able to explore the underwater, the water activities here definitely something to try. You can ride banana boats and dragon boats, rent a jet ski, or do parasailing. We tried some, and when the sun was about to set, we stayed by the shore and drank our dose of vitamin beer sea.

White Beach is a long beach with fine white sand, making it a fantastic spot to relax, unwind and enjoy a day trip. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations, there are plenty of hotels, bars, and restaurant to see here. Because of that, the area can be quite crowded and noisy. Good thing we found Coco Aroma, a quaint bar located near the end of the beach perfect for late afternoon naps, card games, and drinking with a view and sounds of of the waves. 

Mindoro was fun the second time around!

[mwcowan]

Philippines May 2019

Days 8 and 9 – Puerto Galera

After a nice breakfast on the deck we met Rose in the dive shop to get started with our lessons! First off she corrected a test we took last night as part of our studies (we both aced it!) and then she threw a pop quiz at us (both of us got 9 of 10, dumb mistakes…). Thus confident that we were somewhat sentient she taught us how to assemble and put on our equipment and then we headed to the pool for our first skills training. Pretty easy stuff, like filling your mask up and clearing it, use of the buoyancy compensator, and such, about 1 ½ hours in the pool. Rose is a good teacher and the PADI course is very user-friendly too, especially compared to the US Navy-based training (NAUI) I took for my first certification 40 years ago, where most of the drills seemed to be thinly disguised attempts to drown you.

As we broke for lunch, we were both surprised when Rose said “OK, I think you’re ready so this afternoon we go on our first open water dive”. And that’s what we did, met at the dive shop again, got our gear ready, got onto the resort’s dive boat, and headed out to the beginner’s dive spot.

It wasn’t too far out, still in the inlet the resort’s located on, and not very deep (about 30’ max), but it turned out to have a surprising variety of things to look at. This was just a fun dive, certainly designed just to get us hooked on the sport. We saw corals of all sizes and colors, including some barrel corals which, as you’d guess, look like empty barrels standing wider and taller than we are. Giant clams 3’ across, fish of all sizes and varieties, colorful and belligerent clown fish all named ‘Nemo’. Can’t wait to get out to some of the ‘good’ spots!

Back from our dive we rested a bit then took a drive to well-known White Beach. One of the nicer beaches around but it looked very much like it lives up to its reputation as a party beach full of young tourists. It made us glad we chose our place with its quiet and relaxing atmosphere, not to mention a pretty good wine list. On the way to the beach we spotted this colorful gathering of Bangkas.

And of course, being in the Philippines I’m obliged to include at least one sunset photo, so here are the amazing colors from the deck last evening which distracted us from watching the instructional DVD that’s part of the diving course.

Our next dive (morning Day 9) is a longer one off Sabang Beach. Still a beginner’s spot, we go to an area with a sandy bottom which is good for practice and skill drills without any worries of destroying sensitive coral. Or sensitive knees. We descend and then go through the skills we learned in the pool yesterday, such as clearing a flooded mask, recovering a dislodged regulator, out-of-air procedures, etc., just deeper and in salt water this time.

After we passed our drills we swam around for another 30 minutes or so, great practice for buoyancy control which is pretty random with us at this point. The point is to stay steady at a desired depth but annoying things like breathing affect your buoyancy so it’s probably pretty comical to see us bouncing up and down as we swim along. A bit of a current provided another learning opportunity as we had to figure out which direction to swim in order to end up at the desired spot. Still it was fun, and we saw an amazing amount of sea life. From big including an endangered Hawksbill sea turtle and a very large barracuda, to teeny colorful fish in and around every rock and coral. A clownfish snuggled into its anemone while its mate constantly fanned water over their clutch of eggs (photos courtesy of our instructor Rose).

[jmichael08]

Hidden Beauty of Tambaron Island, Bulalacao Oriental Mindoro.

Good day everyone, today i will show you the hidden beauty of tambaron. Mindoro's hidden Gem.

When you hear the word Mindoro, possibly the first thing that you will think of is Puerto Galera. It is agreeable and in fact the well-known tourist spot in the island which is a favorite place by beachgoers and nightlife chasers. But, there are other many beautiful places you can visit.

Prepare for a 4 to 5 – hour travel down south of Oriental Mindoro to see the hidden paradise of Bulalacao – Tambaron Island. This island is worth the time and effort. It has white sand beaches, rich marine life and lavish forests.

Fortunately, Tambaron Green Beach Resort was able to preserve the beauty of the island. The resort is located in one of the coves. They provide accommodations, food service and island activities.

Tambaron Island boasts its calm and beautiful beach and coves. There are many things you can do from beach bumming and snorkeling, you can try kayaking and trekking to get to the other coves in the island and experience bird watching.

witnessed the stunning sunset of tambaron!

[mattiermurphy21]

Expat Retirement to the Philippines - Most Popular Retirement Locations

Now that you have made the choice to retire in the Philippines, the  large  concern  ends up being - Where? For those of you who are being  brought about the Philippines  largely  as a result of a personal relationship with a Filipina, your  preliminary  home  will certainly be where she is located. However, once you get your feet on the ground, or if you are not tied down to a Filipina, you will want to  offer  cautious consideration  regarding the  retired life  area within the  nation.

The 7 most  typical elements of such a  choice are:

1.  Price of living by  place 2. International airport  access 3.  Medical care  ease of access 4. Nightlife and  enjoyment -  betting 5. Sports  tasks 6.  Protection 7. Urban, rural, or  hotel location

Retirees have  often tended to  clear up in one in the following popular  metropolitan,  country,  coastline resort or mountain  hideaway  places:

Major Urban Cities

The following  places all  price  favorably  high up on the common elements 2 to 6  over:

1. Manila -  highest possible  price of living of all the  areas;  populace over 10 million 2. Cebu City -  incredibly popular retirement  place, lots of beaches, population over 1 million,  funding of the Visayan islands in the middle of the country 3. Davao City -  reduced  expense of living of the  3, population over 1.2 million; THE city of Mindanao.

Significant  Country Cities

These rural locations find themselves lacking compared to the Urban Cities in  components 2  via 5,  yet rank high in

1. Butuan City - in  north Mindanao;  populace around 270,000; near a  well-known  leading surf spot 2. Tacloban -  funding of Leyte  location; population around 180,000 3. Cagayan de Oro -  college town in  north Mindanao, population around 425,000 4. Puerto Princessa -  funding of Palawan, more remote,  however the cleanest  area in the Philippines;  quickly growing  tourist area 5. Dumaguete -  funding of Negros Oriental; university town, lots of young, hip  people,  great nightlife.

Beach Resort Areas:

1. Boracay Island -  lots of  Deportee  had  services, overdeveloped like Waikiki and Miami Beach, but  among the most  gorgeous islands  on the planet 2. Mactan Island -  simply a bridge  far from Cebu City;  many 5  celebrity  hotels 3. Panglao Island -  throughout a  brief bridge from the island of Bohol (near Cebu City) famous for its scuba diving 4. Subic Bay - big  diving  location; population around 220,000 5. Puerto Galera -  tiny population of 25,000  however something of a haven for  international  retired people who  such as to  consume alcohol;  great deals of  hotels on the north  shore.

Hill Retreats:

1. Baugio -  favored " avoid the  warm"  resort,  awesome  climate with lots of  evergreen; population over 200,000; 14,000 foot elevation,  bunches of  university student 2. Tagaytay -  prominent, hip  hideaway for  locals of Manila; at 6,000  feet  altitude is a  trendy  reprieve from heat of Manila; population around 50,000

To learn more about property investments or real estate, visit https://www.dictionary.com/browse/real-estate or get help from this helpful website at https://lighthaus-ph-marketplace.business.site/.

[thisismelei]

Sunset at Puerto Galera

It’s the time when Bikinis are in, Tan is cool, and Sea is life.

My team decided to spent our summer outing at Puerto Galera, my teammate recommended a resort where they used to stay. It’s gorgeous and expensive as we checked online rates, however the owner gave us great discounts, so that we can afford.

Our way going there is not as easy as expected. There’s been challenges in traffic and road incident. Then we are surprised because of the crowded ticket booths, lastly the jampacked boat ride. Hahaha

But when we arrived, all I can say is WOW. Just look at the view below! ❤️❤️❤️

The resort is cozy, peaceful and more gorgeous when you stepped in. These made me excited to flaunt my new bikinis!!! These are 100% handmade which I got from my friend’s mom! I’m an avid supporter of local products that made this bikini to my top favourites. 👍

Upon arrival, the lounge area is very nice and comfortable with a view of sea already. Below is the image of their lounge area. (Pardon for the low quality of video, I converted it to a GIF so it could be uploaded through Tumblr’s mobile app.) There you can already see there’s a couch and the shelves has some souvenirs available if you would like to get some.

Heading our way to our room!!! I wish Tumblr mobile app can insert a video instead of GIF. The quality is crazy, I just don’t know how it can be presentable to you guys. So you can have an idea. Anyways, let’s make this work.

We have this suite good for 6 and we also got a deluxe room for 3 person. Room is spacious, clean, well maintained and complete accessories. I’m glad that as well as the kitchen has complete set, but we never got a chance to utilize it that much because we didn’t bring any food to cook. We are informed beforehand that there are cooked meals so to save effort and time, we just visited some food stalls and tried the resort restaurant.

Budget for staycation here I think 10,000 for 2-4 person will be enough. The room suite costs 12,000 good for 6 people already, you can just stretch your budget for food.

Better check their online rates go to their website here.

I remember that I only brought one good size bag to fit my things for this trip. All of my teammates was amused. Asking if did I just bring my bikinis alone hahaha! It’s actually my first time to travel with just handful items in my bag. Even make up, I only have eyebrow liner, lipstick, powder and concealer that’s it. And yeah since I’m a bikini person, I used my bodysuit as my top. Then I have 2 extra shirt and 2 swimsuit if ever I need to choose. I’m proud that I can actually travel like that.

So when we got time to rest and enjoyed our room it is time to fill our stomach!!! We tried their all day breakfast!

Just a reminder, their menu are excluded VAT so be mindful in ordering, prices are already expensive, which was my mistake hahahaha. My overall bill for food is 2,000+, all for myself. The food is good but I recommend to just bring your own food and cook if your room type is a suite and if not just go to the white beach, meals are cheaper there.

But I just kept ordering and with this view no perfect drink would be other than Mango shakeee!!!

Here’s some actual pictures of the resort check out if this could be added to your list.

This is their bar and restaurant, right in front of the beach.

Then, here is the pool area, temperature is warm. It is perfect if you are a jacuzzi type of person.

My favourite spot is their cabanas right in front of the beach, it’s a good spot during late afternon to early nighttime.

I’m not really impressed on the White beach, the famoust spot for tourist. It’s crowded it looks unnatural, and the shops and resorts are so tight to each other. I didn’t even get to enjoy the beach there. However, the resort is the highlight of this trip. Even if the sand of the beach isn’t that great or what was I expected it is clean, quiet, and has a lot of activities to offer and we really did enjoy our stay.

When finding your place to stay on your trips the top two tips I can give to you to consider, is to make sure it is safe and you are comfortable. Budget hostels or mid-range resorts it will always be those two that matters.

Hope you enjoy my blog post!

Keep posted for more!

[jasfhercallejo]

As the year’s hottest season is coming, we planned our first summer escapade to a place we haven't quite explored yet. Calaguas, being a remote island 10-12 hours from Manila, is fast becoming one of the most sought-after beach destinations this year. Much has been blogged about the island -- pristine waters, powdery white sands, and jaw-dropping scenery, but ofcourse, a vacation on this astonishing island is best experienced first hand.

If possible, book your trip on a weekday. Calaguas’ unspoiled beaches are much better crowd-less and free of docked sailboats obstructing your view. To fully enjoy this breath-taking beach, it’s best to book on a weekday to steer clear of the throngs of weekend tourists that will easily fill up the island and make it look like a crowded Boracay or Puerto Galera. Another option would be to plan your trip from Friday to Sunday, that way you still get to enjoy the feel of having the island all to yourself on Friday afternoon. Also, the route to Calaguas includes long boat rides and crossing a portion of the Pacific ocean, which results in choppy and untamed waves that’ll leave you soaked and praying for your life! Our tour guides weren’t kidding when they cautioned us to prepare to get wet. Despite Calaguas being relatively small, there’s much to do in the island. We easily filed out our overnight trip with treks to Balagbag islang, where we were greeted with sweeping views of cliffs and blue waters, with an expanse of grasses on red soil in between. 

There is absolutely zero cellular signal in Calaguas, save for some spots at the top of hills you may encounter during your trek, so be prepared to leave mobile communication and the internet (goodbye, Instagram!) behind entirely when you set foot on the island. I personally think this is what makes a trip to Calaguas so refreshing; you are forced to disconnect with the world and instead draw your attention to the company you have, and all the beauty around you. This is  the first time that me and my friends were (unfortunately) not dead drunk from our alcohol, but I wouldn't trade our sharing of quarter life crises, heart breaks, frustrations, and dreams for anything. Caution: “adulting” sinking in. Haha.

The beach extends into a dazzling gradient from bright aquamarine to the deepest blue as the shore stretches into the horizon, beckoning you to take a dip. It is devoid of any commercial establishments, modern comforts, and electricity– not a single restaurant, store, shower, or flush-function toilet (ikr? can imagine my face haha) in sight. With that being said, don’t expect a luxury get-away in Calaguas. We had to fetch each bucket of water for every shower and trip to the toilet, sleep in a tent on the sand, and wait til nighttime when the generators were on to charge our phones (which we didn’t mind, as we didn’t have much for  our phones other than taking photos). The best part about roughing? Falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.  

It is an endearingly charming place that will challenge you to abandon creature comforts and take it in its entire rustic, isolated splendor.

[silentheart08]

September 26, 2017, motorcycle accident.

Day after our civil wedding. First term with my pregnancy. We were in Puerto Galera for our celebration of our union and our 2nd anniversary as a couple. It was just a plain 3days 2nights vacation and we wanted to explore the place by ourselves so we opt to rent a motorcycle. Marunong naman magdrive si hubby. Ayun, nagtanong kami sa mga locals dun kung saan yun mga tourist spot and usual puntahan na pwedeng imotor, tinuro nila kami sa Ponderosa since yun yung malapit sa place na pinagstayan namin. We went there, kahit pataas siya. It's way past 3:00PM that day. Makipot ang daan, pakurba, matarik pero kinaya at maingat mag drive si hubby. Malayo-layo sa pinanggalingan namin about 15 to 20minutes drive. Along the way, umaambon na at gloomy na ang langit but still we push through since we were almost at the place. Pagdating namin sa Ponderosa, overlooking view ng white beach ang makikita. May zipline at wall climbing pero not operational sya that day. Tuluyan ng umulan, nagstay pa kami ng konti hoping na tumila ang ulan kahit na mahina na lang and it did. Kahit na umaambon at basa na ang dadaanan namin pinilit na namin bumaba because if we stayed a little longer aabutin na kami ng dilim which is mas delikado since pababa na makipot nga yun dadaanan namin. Hindi pa kami nakakalayo sa Ponderosa, I felt na parang ang bilis nun pagdrive namin, kinabahan na ko sabi ko kay hubby wag nya bilisan and he just told me na naka off pa yun makina. And the next thing I knew, tumagilid kami at sumadsad sa sementadong daan. Nakita ko na lang yun motorcycle inches away behind us at malapit sa may bangin. Tumayo ako agad checking myself, may mga galos ako sa braso at tuhod. Nakita ko na lang din si Hubby na nakatayo na, immediately went to check on me. Worried kami because I was pregnant that time. I felt I am okay except sa mga galos na nagdudugo makirot at mahapdi. Wala naman akong pain na nararamdaman sa abdominal part. Sabi ni hubby, nanghihina yun left arm nya hindi nya makaya mabuhat yung motor pabalik sa sementadong daan. We stopped for a while, figuring out kung anu gagawin namin, kung sasabihin ba namin sa may ari nun motor na naasikdente kami baka pagbayarin kami ng malaki. May dumaan na nagmomotor din nagpatulong si hubby na mabuhat un motor. Ang ginawa namin naglakad na ako pababa, si hubby na lang nakasakay sa motor, patay pa din yun makina, para makaiwas na din na madisgrasya pa. That time hindi na mapaliwanag ni hubby un nararamdaman nya sa left arm nya. But we continue to drive back sa place namin, mga 5 minutes from the foot of Ponderosa.

Sa room, we were both quiet. Ako, I was shocked. Paulit ulit ko naiisip yun nangyari. I can tell it's a minor accident since we are both alive pero yun moment na yun could possibly take our lives. I can't feel and think of anything except sa mga sugat kong hindi ko mahugasan sa sobrang hapdi. But then, thankful ako that we are still alive. And up until that moment wala naman ako nararamdamang kakaiba sa tiyan ko kaya I know that the baby is okay. While I am busy with my own thoughts, hubby is not telling me his physical pain. Nagsorry lang sya that it ruined our little escape. But as we observed his arm, namamaga na and sabi nya masakit pag ginagalaw. Kaya I suggested him na ipatingin na namin to at least mabigyan sya ng first aid. Then, what we did we explained to the care taker of the resort what happened. Also so they can help us to look for a clinic or hospital nearby because we know that hubby needs to be checked urgently. Nagpahatid kami sa tricycle driver back and forth na kasi gabi na that time baka mahirapan naman kami makahanap ng masasakyan pabalik ng resort.

At the hospital in Puerto Galera, xray agad after malinis yun mga sugat. And yun result makukuha din after. The doctor explained that hubby had broken joint and it needed an operation. What the doctor did is sinemento yun left arm nya para hindi na mag cause ng mas malalang damage kapag nagagalaw galaw yun left arm nya. The next day, we get back to Manila for check up sa orthopedic physician and mine for OB check up so as to sure if the baby is safe. And the rest is history.

PS: Above meme not mine.

[jmtemploanddumagpi-blog]

Wonder Beaches of the Philippines

1. El Nido, Palawan

Has some of the most beautiful scenery we have ever encountered. This cluster of islands is off the tip of the Palawan Island is full of dramatic rock formations and surrounded by bright blue waters.

2. Boracay, Aklan

Boracay is a small island in the central Philippines. It's known for its resorts and beaches. Along the west coast, White Beach is backed by palm trees, bars and restaurants.

3. Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Puerto Galera's White Beach is the second most commercialized beach in the Philippines, next to Boracay's White Beach. A closer proximity to Metro Manila, Puerto Galera's White Beach is a cheaper alternative to Boracay. 

4. Samal Island, Davao City

Samal is an island paradise located in Davao Gulf, just a stone throw away from Davao City. The island is blessed with beautiful coast with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, magnificent rock formations, and flourishing flora and fauna. It is home to the famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort, which was once literally a pearl farm.

5. Panglao Island, Bohol

Panglao Resorts are a-plenty! Most of them converge at Alona Beach which is one and a half kilometer long and of fine white coral sand. The waters are crystal clear; you can see the small colored fishes as they dart in and out of the sea grasses.

6. Coron Island, Palawan

What this cluster of islands has become most well known for is the handful of WWII shipwrecks that are permanently entombed off the shores of Coron. Above the surface, Coron is just as majestic and is home to one of the most photographed spots in all of the Philippines. The deeper you look the more breathtaking sights you will find here in Coron, Philippines.

7. Palaui Island, Cagayan Valley

The island, being 10 kilometers long and approximately 5 kilometers wide, offers breathtaking scenery of tides coming from the Pacific, rolling hills and undisturbed rich forests. If you truly want to escape far away from the city and experience raw beauty of nature, Palaui Island is definitely a must-visit.

8. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Known as the Boracay of the North, mesmerize on the wonders of the white sand and blue water that The White Sand Beach at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte offers. This place is known for it’s cleanliness and atmosphere giving the guests a sense of tranquility. It’s a nice place for you to reflect on some things.

9. Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte

Secret Beach Siargao, also known as Guiwan Beach, is one of my favourite beaches on Siargao island. A short fifteen-minute drive south of the more popular Siargao tourist spot, General Luna, you can discover one of the most beautiful beaches in Siargao!

10. Mactan Island, Cebu

Well known as a good venue for snorkeling and diving, the lovely Mactan Island is an excellent tourist attraction in the Philippines. However, its popularity doesn’t mean this scenic location should be overlooked on one’s list of places to visit. Like many tropical locations, the island has both a wet and dry season, but the weather is typically pleasant. In fact, temperatures here average between 75-90 degrees throughout the course of the years.

A photo by wanderwisdom

[ledgrowlight-aquarium]

36 Reasons To Go Diving In The Philippines

With over 7,000 islands in the country, the Philippine archipelago offers unlimited opportunities for underwater exploration. The asked a number of dive centers and underwater photographers to share their photos and thoughts about diving in the country.

Are you interested in diving in the Philippines? Buy dive gear.

This is their first-hand knowledge and plus an awe-inspiring photo gallery and a list of reasons that will convince you to pack your suitcase and explore the top-class dive sites of the Philippines.

The Philippines is located at the apex of the coral triangle

The Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity, houses 75% of all known coral species and 40% of the world’s reef fish species. Apart from the Philippines, the region includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

So you can indulge in 26,000 square kilometers of coral reef anytime

Scuba divers can take the plunge all year round in the warm waters of this tropical country. It’s best to go diving in the Philippines during dry season, from December to May, because it offers the best visibility. However, just like other countries, take note that the Philippines has been experiencing erratic weather conditions these past few years.

You can find a dive shop with less communication issues

Filipinos speak different dialects, depending on the region you visit. However, with English as one of the official languages in the country, it’s easy for divers to communicate with dive shop staff and locals. Newspaper, forms, menus, road signs, forms, and books are usually written in English, so going around the country is pretty convenient.

Experience riding a bangka

Some dive spots can be reached by taking a bangka, a local boat typically made of marine plywood. In most cases, it has two outriggers made of bamboo. Bangka is commonly used for fishing, public transportation, and recreational purposes such as island hopping, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Nemo is easy to find

Native to the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, anemone or clownfish can be easily spotted at the bottom of sheltered reefs in the Philippines. You’ll see them hiding or swimming around a sea anemone.

But you may have to play hide and seek with some beautiful seahorses

Pygmy seahorses can be found in the Coral Triangle region. They are tiny, less than 2 centimeters in height. They live on sea grass, soft corals, and sea fans, but spotting them can be a challenge since they are well-camouflaged.

Subic Bay offers a dozen of USA and Japanese WWII wrecks

Famous when it comes to the history of the Philippines and the US Military, Subic offers a diversity of dive sites in the area. It is a couple of hours away from Manila Bay, the location of the Spanish-American War in 1898. “We have over a dozen USA and Japanese WWII wrecks in Subic Bay and a few aircraft wrecks as well. We have a few nice coral dive sites and some of the best wreck diving anywhere in the world,” says Gary K. Andrews Jr., PADI MSDT Instructor of Arizona Dive Shop.

Anilao, Batangas has more than 800 different species of Nudibranchs

Three hours south of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, you can dive in Anilao, Batangas and enjoy the huge diversity of sea animals. Martin Nussbaumer of Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort said the area has more than 800 different species of nudibranchs. Get lost in the colors, patterns, and forms of these bottom-dwellers. Create a critter list if you wish.

And is truly a paradise for underwater macro photographers

Apart from nudibranchs, you can also find scorpionfish, octopus, pipefish, seahorses, shrimps, and Bobbit worms in Anilao. With these marine animals all over the diving spots, an enormous number of macro photography opportunities await divers.

Puerto Galera has been designated as a marine reserve by UNESCO

From Batangas City, you can take the ferry to another biodiversity hotspot in the country, Puerto Galera.The town’s pocket beaches, marine life,and lively atmosphere have attracted tourists of different nationalities. UNESCO designated Puerto Galera as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1973, a guarantee that marine life in the area has been protected.

And the nearby Verde Island Passage has been named ‘the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity’

Jessica Atienza of La Laguna Beach Club and Dive Center thinks the sea framing of Puerto Galera is ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. “The channel between Puerto Galera and Verde Island, known internationally as the Verde Island Passage, is “the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity” according to American scientists–making Puerto Galera’s underwater world a favorite amongst dive enthusiasts,” she adds.

Here you don’t have to go far to see thriving corals and healthy marine life

“Within a kilometer from the coast, schools of Moorish idols, trumpet fish, frog fish, lion fish and leaf fish weave in and out of thriving corals and sea anemones while species of starfish – from the speckled red-and-white to the neon-bluePacific – rest on the sandy floor,” Atienza adds.

Here are the Top 5 Must See Coral Reefs In The World

In Palawan, El Nido’s karst islands and dive spots will take your breath away

On the northern part of Palawan is El Nido, a town loved for its karsts islands as well as its terrific dive spots. Diana Calzadilla, owner of Deep Blue Seafari, thinks the diverse marine species, variety of dive sites, and water visibility make the town a terrific choice for diving. She added many dive sites in El Nido are friendly for beginners and students.

Sea animals tell you the season and month you are in.

Monica Gonzalez of Aquanaut Dive Center said that in January, when the waters get colder, lots of macro life such as Ornate Ghost Pipefish, Robust Pipefish, and various kinds of nudibranchs can be found. Around March and April, you can see frogfish and seahorses. In October, whale sharks can be spotted.Commonly seen sea animals are these typical colorful reef fishes: Titan triggerfish, Scrawled filefish, butterflyfish, mimic filefish, yellow spotted boxfish, common boxfish, leopard wrasse, bird wrasse, and the huge variety of groupers and anemonefish.

Coron’s wrecks will teach you about Japanese history in the Philippines

Coron offers a wide range of dive sites, but the major attraction is the World War II Japanese wrecks sunk in 1944. It has about 10 wrecks in the area, with Irako, a Japanese refrigeration ship, considered as the best wreck dive site the country. Groupers, scorpion fish, tuna, barracudas and other fish live at the wrecks.

Here’s Top 5 Of The World’s Best Wrecks

You can escape from touristy dive areas

If you want to escape from the touristy areas of Palawan, pay a visit to the serene Modessa Island, formerly Coco Loco Island, about 45 minutes away from Roxas municipality by boat. Richard Rumbelow, PADI Instructor of Tarvis Diving Center said the island has two shallow protected coral house reefs, accessed right from the beach for easy fun diving and learning how to dive.

And spend intimate time with swimming creatures in a quiet reef

Among the marine animals divers can find in Modessa Island’s reef are large schools of Jackfish and Chevron Barracuda, sea horse, Hawksbill turtle, reef cuttlefish and beautiful critters.

Tubbataha is a big lover’s paradise

If spending days at sea thrills you, dive the Tubbataha Reefs in Sulu Sea. The general tourists will rarely visit the area due to its remote location and status as a marine reserve. Leticia Sanchis, Worldwide Dive and Sail marketing staff, summarizes what makes Tubbataha a first-rate diving destination. “Tubbataha is a big lover’s paradise. White tip, gray reef, silver tip, leopard, whale and hammerhead shark species are amongst the most commonly sighted, with the occasional guitar, tiger or bull shark putting in an appearance. Expect to see huge schools of trevally, barracuda and snapper as well as many turtles and rays. Healthy coral life supports a vast array of colorful reef fish, crabs, shrimps, mollusks and echinoderms.”

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As well as Donsol, Sorsogon, the playground of whale sharks

Donsol Bay is a protected marine area where you get to see the whale sharks up close and personal. These huge but gentle giants often come to the surface to the snorkelers’ delight. Diving is not allowed in the bay but divers can still see the whale sharks underwater in nearby diving sites.

Tablas, Romblon gives you amazing opportunities to go wall diving

Romblon is an archipelago province in central Philippines. Its largest island, Tablas, is a brand new diving destination. Chloe Wessling, store manager & PADI Instructor of First Buddy Tablas, loves how crystal clear the waters are, and how amazingly abundant and healthy the coral life is. “There are many beautiful wall dives with walls dropping vertically down to +50m with many caverns along the walls to explore. If you are looking to escape the crowds and explore untouched waters then this is the place to dive,” she adds.

Dauinis a muck diver’s heaven

Dauin, a coastal town just about 20 minutes away from Dumaguete City by car, has become famous for muck diving. “Many photographers travel here to shoot much sought after tiny critters such as ornate ghost pipefish, velvet ghost pipefish, blue ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorse, pygmy pipefish, frogfish, and harlequin shrimp,” says Hilary Heal, general manager of Salaya Beach Houses.

And Apo Island is a turtle’s haven

Scuba divers who explore Dauin don’t miss Apo Island Marine Sanctuary located off the southeastern coast of Negros mainland. It has pristine coral reefs with an astounding variety of coral species as well as reef fish. It has something to offer for divers of all levels. Even snorkelers can easily spot green turtles at shallow areas.

You’ll see 1,000-year old corals in San Jose

Another dive area you can explore in Negros Oriental is San Jose. Centrally located between the Eastern shore of Negros and the Western shore of Cebu, this area houses a wide range of marine species. Richard Outumuro of Tropico Scuba Diving Resort told DIVEIN.com that scuba divers can see 1000-year old corals at a depth of five meters. You can find frogfish, nudibranch, pipefish and other species perfect for macro photography.

Sipalay, Negros Occidental is a place for beginner and experienced divers

Angela Eder, manager and Open Water Scuba Instructor at Artistic Diving, said the small city of Sipalay on the western part of Negros Island has more than 40 varied dive spots, all reachable within 5 to 30 minutes. This includes the two wrecks in the Campomanes Bay.

It’s where you see a different Disneyland on a magical night dive

Beginners as well as experienced divers will find Sipalay a fascinating diving destination. Sipalay’s dive site called “Disneyland” is quite popular for night diving. Its nocturnal sea animals swim around healthy corals on white sand.

Or say hello to fabulously cute creatures

Most dive sites in Sipalay are marine protected areas with beautiful and healthy coral garden. Reefs are healthy and fish is abundant. In a dive spot called Bulata Pier or Madmax, you can find sea slugs, tiger cowries, starfish, and nudibranchs.

You can’t miss Malapascua, the home of the thresher sharks

Monad Shoal in Malapascua is where you can spot pelagic thresher sharks nearly every day. But the thrill doesn’t stop there. Malapascua also offers reefs, wrecks, walls,macro and night dives.

And whitetip sharks, rays, critters, and even wrecks

In Malapascua, you can also see huge animals such turtles and rays as well as the small ones like nudibranch, pygmy seahorse and ornate ghost pipefish.

Get smitten by huge and tiny sea animals in Moalboal

Moalboal is another dive destination you should place in your bucketlist. Dr. Klaus M. Stiefel, underwater photographer of Savedra Dive Center, explains “You like walls? You like macro? How about turtles the size of a dinner table? An uninhabited rocky island with pristine hard corals just minutes off shore? Then Moalboal is the diving spot for you.

Or chase a hundred thousand sardines

“An attraction you will find in Moalboal but not in many other places is a giant school of sardines (my estimate is several 100,000 animals) right at the Savedra house reef. Watching the animals move in concert is mesmerizing and can keep divers hooked for the better part of a tank. Add to that a vibrant night life in a small & friendly Filipino & expat community, and you have a great destination for your diving holiday,”Stiefel adds.

Wait, did I say thousands?

Do you know What is it like to swim with sardines in Moalboal?

Dive in the visible waters around Badian Island

About 20 kilometers south of Moalboal, you can take a bus to Badian Island. Marlou Guillen, recreation manager of Badian Island Wellness Resort, said visibility is one of the chief reasons why divers love the dive spots around the island. Further, since Badian locals do not practice dynamite fishing, the coral reefs have been well-preserved for the past 33 years. Divers who stay at their resort also have the option to take the 20-minute boat ride to Pescador Island for more underwater exploration.

The pelagic fishes, reef sharks, and wall dives of Bohol will find a way to your heart

While many tourists like to visit Bohol for its old churches, white-sand beaches, tarsiers, and hectares of chocolate hills, divers stay here for pelagic fishes, reef sharks, and wall dives. The popular dive areas are Cabilao, Balicasag, Pamilacan, and Panglao. You can see turtles, barracudas, tunas, and jacks. If luck is on your side, hammerhead sharks may have a special appearance.

Once you go under, you’ll know that Boracay is not just pretty beaches

Famous for its long stretch of dreamy white beach, Boracay draws beach lovers from all over the world. However, if you find the beach too crowded, you always have the option to dive and enjoy the serene underwater life. New Design Diving Equipment

You’ll also be impressed with its fish and wrecks

Andrew Barrett, PADI Master Instructor and Operations Manager at Calypso Diving Center, said the island has a nice variety of dive sites with a mixture of wrecks, deep walls, sloping reefs and coral gardens. “The wrecks were purposely sunk for diving. The Camia 2 Wreck, which is an old Japanese fishing vessel, has been down 15 years and the Tri-Bird Wreck, which is a small Russian passenger plane has been there for 3 years. It is possible to see whitecap reef sharks, grey reef sharks, eagle ray, marble rays at the deep walls (30-35m) such as Yapak 2 and Punta Bunga,” he adds.

And you’ll gaze at its small critters in awe

Barrett also said the walls and sloping reefs at Balinghai, Diniwid and Santos Place offer abundant reef life and small critters.

Tell us which dive site you enjoyed the most. We would love to hear some practical tips, too.