Holy Week Journey Suggestions

Next to the Christmas holidays perhaps Holy Week is the next longest series of break that every Filipinos can enjoy each year.

Conservative people may question why some choose to have fun during Holy Week, when people are expected to make some sacrifices in commemoration of Jesus’ sufferings. In my case, I stop thinking like manangs and manongs long long long time ago. Holy Week now for me is the time when I can re-charge myself after period of being serious at work. And besides, Holy Week is not really a season to grief, but a season to rejoice because with Christ’s death and resurrection, the promise of eternal life is made close at hand to all. So have a guilt-free vacation this Holy Week.

Now if you are still wondering where to go this Holy Week and tired of going to either Boracay Island or Puerto Galera, let me give you some of my suggested places:

1) Anawangin If you like the challenge of going back to basic, Anawangin is the place for you. It is a cove in the town of San Antonio, Zambales. I have to warn you though that there is no electricity, no cellphone signal and no resort in Anawangin. You have to put-up your own tent and cook your own food. There is no room for Primadonnas in the island.

If you are into photography, you will surely enjoy Anawangin. You can also schedule a side trip to Capones Island and Camara Island when you are in Anawangin.

2) Cagbalete Island Cagbalete Island is a paradise just waiting to be discovered in the province of Quezon. Nature lovers and adventurers will enjoy the rich flora & fauna that Cagbalete has to offer. The sand bar of Cagbalete is spectacular so be sure to take its picture when the tide is low.

Jump-off point for people wanting to visit Cagbalete is Mauban, Quezon. If you need a place to stay , be sure to check-in at Pansacola Beach Resort.

3) Guimaras Island Guimaras is an island province located in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros. The island also boast of itself as the producer of the sweetest mangoes in the world.

Guimaras is just 15 minutes boat ride from Ilo-ilo City so if you want to experience nightlife, you can also decide to spend a night in Ilo-ilo City.

4) Siquijor Island Siquijor is an island province in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It is considered by many Filipinos as a mystical island due to the strong beliefs of its local to supernatural. Aside from swimming, spelunking, trekking and church hopping are some of the things that you can do in Siquijor.

To date, I consider it as the best island I have been in the Philippines.

5) Coron , Palawan Coron is one of the most beautiful town of Palawan. For the longest time, I rated Coron , Palawan as one of the top three places in the Philippines. It has the country’s cleanest lake i.e. Kayangan Lake which has a breathtaking view. Barracuda Lake is equally enhanting. It has a lot of dive spot surrounding Coron.

Words are not enough to describe Coron. You have to go there and experience it.

So there you go, pack your things and have fun in the sun.

Don’t forget to pray, it is still Holy Week anyway.

Cheers to the good life!

The Truth About Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island

I first came to learn about Cagbalete Island from an article written by Gibbs Cadiz in Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle Section. Mr. Gibbs vividly narrated his experience to the still “unexploited” Cagbalete Island. His article created a spark of fire in me …longing to experience Cagablete Island as well. Unfortunately, due to a very tight schedule last year, I wasn’t able to make it to Cagbalete Island on 2009, but I promised myself that I will see her on 2010.

And so after some months of delay, I finally make it to Cagbalete Island last weekend (Jan. 30-31, 2010). Honestly, I underestimated the task of getting there since I have been to farther and more remote places in the Philippines than Cagbalete Island.  But I was WRONG! To my great surprise it was a whole lot challenging. For one, there are only two schedules of sea transfer to Cagbalete Island : one is at 10:00am, the other at 4:00pm. If I miss it, I will have to rent a boat which eventually cost me more. So as early as 5:00am, I am already traveling to Lucena City where the terminal for the buses bound to Mauban, Quezon is located. Mind you, the buses are non-airconditioned and are moving at a very slow phase. There are airconditioned vans at SM Lucena, but it takes century to get filled-up. It will wait until 10:00am before it leaves Lucena City, you can pay the van Php 900.00 and it will bring you to Mauban in less than an hour but why pay more when regular bus only charge Php 50.00 to Mauban. 

At Sabang Port, there are two big bangkas : Neneng & Anthony … I wonder if they are boyfriend-girlfriend. I rode Anthony because it was bigger. Unfortunately, they are putting a big colored plastic material infront of the Bangka so we don’t get wet but because of the big plastic I wasn’t able to see the view of the sea during my travel. At Neneng, the plastic is translucent so you have opportunity to see the view. 

There are two resorts at Cagbalete Island: Pansacola Beach Resort and Villa Cleofas. Three weeks ago, I contacted Villa Cleofas through their email account in the net and immediately I received an email from Mr. Ed Jacob, unfortunately after stating that I might be just alone, I never hear from him again. I guess, I am not worth it … I am just one customer. Too bad! Fortunately, I found in the internet that there is Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island, I called up the number and I was entertained by Ms. Fe who referred me to her husband Mr. Rommel who in spite of being alone, I was treated well. They are ANGELS! 

Honestly, I was a bit scared on how Pansacola may looks like, because not much information is there in the net about them. So when I got to Mauban, I asked people around which is a better place to stay at Cagbalete: Villa Cleofas or Pansacola Beach Resort? Three out of the three people I asked answered that Pansacola is a better resort. Whatta relief! And true enough, it was a good place! I got a house with two rooms plus a loft which normally cost Php 3,000. The resort owner, Mr. Rommel politely asked me though if I could just use one of the room so the other two guests can get the other room. How can I say NO to a very polite request and the opportunity to meet new friends. He then just charged us Php 1,000 for each room. The best part of the story was that my housemates availed of Pansacola’s meal package which I encourage everyone to avail. Pansacola’s serving was big enough to serve a family of four. Can you imagine serving a whole crispy pata , paco salad, inihaw na isda and leche flan for two guests? My housemates whom I now consider friends shared their food with me. Ang sarap!!! 

I spent the rest of the day chatting with Signet and Cheng (my housemates), taking pictures and occasionally looking at their very serene-looking beach. Shortly, before the sun set I got myself a sweddish massage at the loft of the house. The view of the sun setting from the window of the loft while getting a massage is magical. The massage costs Php 250 and when I asked the masseur how much part of the Php250 goes to them, the masseur answered back Php250. Unbelievable! Little by little I am gaining so much respect for the resort owner. At night time, bonfire was set for the guests to enjoy. Like a kid: Signet, Cheng & I  alternately posed at the bonfire. Sometime in the evening, Mr. Rommel Pansacola set a videoke machine for his guests to enjoy at no cost at all.  He also joined his guests on a videoke session that night and surely he can carry a tune. He toned down the volume after 10pm which the guests understood. From time to time, we talked about the humble beginnings of Pansacola. He honestly answered all my question even the most controversials one. 

In all objectivity, I will say that while Cagbalete Island is not the best island that I have been in the Philippines, but my experience at Pansacola Beach Resort is one that I will truly remember for years to come. As a matter of fact, this is the very first time that my beach resort experience upstaged my island sojourn. 

I will definitely comeback in Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island.