Sun-burnt Girl

When: October 14, 2005
Where: At Home

This picture was taken after my trip to El Nido, Palawan. I was really sun-burnt because we stayed outdoors a lot back there, but it was worth it.

I love the sun. I love being out in the sun.

Big Lagoon

Small Lagoon

When: October 13, 2005

Where: Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan
It was the first time that I did kayaking. The place was amazing. It felt like that I was in the Jurassic Era, as if anytime I Pterodactyl will just fly above the cliffs. There were small caves as well that one can explore.

It’s so wonderful that there are still secluded places such as this where Nature’s beauty reigns supreme and man’s modernity hasn’t tarnished it.

Taking Photos

When: October 13, 2005
Where: Snake Island, El Nido, Palawan

“Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

This Is A Starfish

When: October 13, 2005
Where: Vigan Island, El Nido, Palawan

Starfishes are pretty beings. We like holding them and even wish to bring them home. But thing is they can’t stay out of the water too long. During low tides, a lot of starfishes die because they dry up.

When we were in Vigan/Snake Island, it was low tide. We saw a lot of starfishes. Most were already dead and were stinky, smelled like rotten fish. But there were still some that we’re struggling to keep themselves alive. And like rescue workers, we tried to save as many as we can, brought them to deeper water.

Snorkeling

When: October 13, 2007

Where: Pangalusian Island, El Nido, Palawan

I don’t know how to swim. I’m scared to allow myself to float. I don’t like putting my head down underwater.
This was the first time I snorkeled, and if I hadn’t placed my head underwater I wouldn’t be seeing some lovely things under the water, I wouldn’t have found Nemo… (there were lots of clownfishes in El Nido)

The same thing is true in life, you have to do something you’re scared of in order to find things, lovely and wonderful things…

Hike

When: October 13, 2005 

Where: Pangalusian Island

El Nido was the 11th pit stop of the Season Five of Amazing Race. Climbing to the view deck of Pangalusian Island felt like being part of Amazing Race, not because the race around the world for a million dollars was held here, but because it really required a lot of endurance.

The hike to the view deck took 30 minutes. I never was a sporty person, so it really felt great when I came in second at the “pit stop”.

Climbing to the top was really tiring, yet it was really worth it. The view from the deck is astonishing. It gave one a fascinating view of the other islands of El Nido in Bacuit Bay. Despite the heat of the sun and the sweat beads on my face, I didn’t want to go down. It’s just one of those moments wherein I just praise God for the wonderful and beautiful world that He created.

Pangalusian Island

When: October 13, 2008

Where: Pangalusian Island, El Nido

This is one of the 45 islands and islets of El Nido. It has one of the widest stretch of powdery white beaches in El Nido, which is very ideal for sun bathing, sunset viewing, and other beach activities.

It’s one of the most beautiful beach I had ever seen. Well, the most beautiful beaches that I had seen are all in El Nido.

It’s places like this that makes me thank God that I live in the Philippines.

Snake Island

When: October 12, 2005

Where: Vigan Island (Snake Island), El Nido, Palawan

Vigan Island is also known as Snake Island because of the white sandstrip that looks like a lake. the snake-like strip is more visible during low-tide. You’ll appreciate the view better if you go up the hill to the island’s view deck. There are a lot of starfishes on the sides of the strip.

It’s just a small island and yet it has something to boast about.

This Is A Flytrap

When: October 12, 2005
Where: Snake Island, El Nido, Palawan

I was so amused to see this plant. It was my first time to see a flytrap.

I wonder how a fly feels when it gets attracted by one of this green things and then once it’s inside it’ll realize that it can’t go out and it’ll just be digested by the enzymes from the plant. Now, that’s not amusing anymore. I guess it feels the same way when I’m trapped in a sticky situation.

Cudugnon Cave

When: October 12, 2005
Where: El Nido, Palawan

This is the first time that I went inside a cave. It wasn’t easy to get inside because the entrance was so narrow. There was a special and detailed process of going inside this cave. You have to do it slowly or you’ll end up like me who had some bruises and cuts.

Sometimes, life is that way, you have to take it slowly if you don’t want to get hurt.

Lodging In Lagen

When: October 12-14, 2005
Where: Lagen Island Resort, El Nido, Palawan

I never thought that for once in my life I’d be thankful that there were no network signals, no Internet connection and no television and radio. I am a city girl and I will always love the city and the technology it offers, but El Nido made me feel so blessed that God gave me a country having such a beautiful place. El Nido spelled rest and escape for me. Lagen Island Resort was situated in a lush forest, in front of the beach. How much lovelier can a place get?

We were in a beach front cottage. We didn’t have windows because what we had were glass doors separating the room from the veranda. Our cottage was facing the sea. Every morning we were greeted by the glorious view of the ocean meeting the sky and every afternoon the sun bids farewell as it kisses the sea.

I love lodging in Lagen.

Going Back

When: July 20, 2005
Where: Station One, Boracay

It was the last day of the media trip in Boracay. We were a few hours away from coming back to Manila. Back to work, back to reality.

Sometimes I tend to escape and hide from some of the realities of life. But I really need to get back to reality and face problems because they won’t disappear if I just try to escape…

Pictures You Don’t Like And How Short Life Is

When: July 19, 2005
Where: Butterfly Farm, Fairways & Bluewater, Boracay

I don’t like this picture because I’m hardly smiling. It was too freaking hot that day, and I came from walking alone along the three stations of Boracay. Yes, alone. Jane went to Mandala Spa that day so I went around on my own. It’s fine with me anyway.

But I like the place. I like the butterflies. It’s a pity that some of them have a really short life span. I was told about this one beautiful type of butterfly that has to wait for weeks inside a pupa, but when it finally becomes this butterfly with a lovely color it only has four days to live, four days to show it’s beauty, four days to enjoy it’s adulthood. How sad… Life is short. We should make the most out of it.

Dining In Bora

When: July 17, 2005
Where: Regency Boracay

I’m not really adventurous in eating. I rarelty try new dishes and types of food, but being a reporter in What’s On and Expat exposed me to different types of cuisine.

I’m not a fan of seafood, but when I went to Bora I really enjoyed it. I learned how to eat shellfishes and to enjoy other kinds of fish other than milkfish.

I also tried drinks that are new to me.

I guess I really have to be thrown to other places so that I would try out new things.

Fairways And Bluewater

When: July 17, 2005
Where: Fairways & Bluewater, Boracay

Fairways & Bluewater is located in Newcoast, Balabag, Boracay Island. It’s far from the stations of Bora. What it boasts of is that it has a golf course.

Jane and I stayed here during the media invitational by Johnny Litton’s PR company.

It’s so peaceful in Fairways. It has its own beach. No vendors will approach you and offer pearls or whatnots. And t’s far from the party crowd of Bora.

Museum

When: July 17, 2005
Where: Seawind Museum

A museum contains stories of people. Each artifact has a story to tell.

I have my own stories to tell. Some people listen, only a few remembers, fewer care.

Beach

When: July 18, 2005
Where: Station One, Boracay

I like going to the beach just for the scenery and the change in environment.

I don’t know how to swim and I don’t think I’ll ever learn.

Ilocana

When: April 23, 2005
Where: Malvu Beach, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

Both my parents hail from Ilocos Sur. My dad is from Santa Maria, while my mom is from Narvacan. I don’t go much to the province because it’s a very long ride, eight hours by bus.

I understand the dialect, but hey, just don’t ask me to speak it.

Boracay

When: July 17, 2005
Where: Boracay

This was shot during the Johnny Litton media invitation to Boracay. I was a writer/reporter for What’s On And Expat Newspaper for five months and this was one of my assignments.

This was my second time to go to Boracay.