I recently contributed another Insider’s Guide article for Inflight Traveller issue 30, this time for a Bohol listicle, Top 10 Things To Do in Bohol. Again, I can’t seem to get a hold of a physical copy, so I guess a PDF will do. Inflight Traveller is the official inflight magazine for AirSWIFT Airlines Philippines, so if ever you get the chance to fly via AirSWIFT, grab me a copy, please?

Here’s my article in its original form:

I got to write a feature for Inflight Traveller magazine issue 27 last February about Coron. The reason I’m only getting to write about it now is that I can’t seem to get a hold of the magazine from bookstores and I only got to finally have a copy when I chanced upon a digital one on Issuu’s website.

The article is the usual 10 Things To Do listicle and features major tourist destinations in Coron and Busuanga. Of course, I get to have my photos printed too.

Here’s my original version of the story:

➤ CHECK AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN CORON HERE!

10 Things To Do In Coron TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ WHAT’S INSIDE? Hop Around The Islands Snorkel Along The Corals Wreck Dive Learn About The Heritage Of Culion Island Hike Up Mount Tapyas Engage In A Safari Food Trip Along Coron Town Engage In Watersports Activities Experience A Mangrove Night Tour Dip At Maquinit Hot Springs      ► CORON TRAVEL GUIDE

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KAYANGAN VIEW POINT, THE MOST FAMOUS SPOT IN CORON

 

 

TEN THINGS TO DO IN CORON

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TEN THINGS TO DO IN CORON ARTICLE IN INFLIGHT TRAVELLER 27

Fine white sand. Clear azure waters. Cobalt blue sky. With summer finally here, everyone’s craving for some beach action. And Palawan, the Philippines’ so called last frontier, tops the bill when it comes to beach destinations in the country. And we’re not just saying that, it has been hailed numerous times by both international magazines and institutions as one of the best, not only in the Philippines, but in the world.

➤ CHECK THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO CORON HERE!

TEN THINGS TO DO IN CORON ARTICLE IN INFLIGHT TRAVELLER 27

There’s actually three major places to visit in the peninsula—Puerto Princesa at the center, El Nido on the north, and Coron on the far, far north. Let’s focus on that last one. Coron, is actually one of the two towns that make up Busuanga Island. Busuanga on the north west, Coron on the south east. And Coron is where it’s happening.

TEN THINGS TO DO IN CORON ARTICLE IN INFLIGHT TRAVELLER 27

The base of operation for most tourists is Coron Town. It’s where most of the resorts, restaurants, and tourist spots are—including, of course, much of the beach destinations on the area. Note, however, that there is no actual beach at the town itself, you’d have to ride a boat to swim and frolic on white sandy beaches. But if you have cash to burn, there are luxury resorts like Huma Island Resort and Two Seasons Coron located off remote islands that have their own exclusive beaches.

So, what do you actually do when in Coron? Here are ten of them.

 

 

HOP AROUND THE ISLANDS

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MORNING SUN AT CORON’S TWIN LAGOON

Since there is no beach in Coron Town, to get to them you’d have to join island hopping tours. And these can easily be availed through the resort you’re staying in or the Calamian Tourist Boat Association.

A Coron island hopping tour usually consists of visiting the lagoons, inland lakes, and beaches of the karts-laden Coron Island or Isla Higantes. Some of the most popular destinations are Banul Beach, Barracuda Lake, Kayangan Lake—considered as one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines, Twin Lagoon, and CYC Beach.

Once you’ve explored these, then you can have a go at the farther islands of Malcapuya, Banana Island, Bulog Dos, Waling-Waling, and Ditaytayan Islands the next day. And if you still have more time to spare, there are farther islands to explore like Dibatok, Calumbayan, Pass, Tara, and the North and South Cay Islands.

Tours are usually done using traditional outrigger boats, but if you want a swankier ride, speedboats and yachts are also available.

➤ BOOK CORON ULTIMATE ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
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SNORKEL ALONG THE CORALS

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THE MALWAWEY CORAL GARDEN

Coron has one of the most healthy and pristine underwater marine life in the country. And included with the island hopping tours are snorkeling adventures.

The most easily accessible of these are the nearby Siete Pecados with the site bordered by seven islets, the Malwawey Coral Garden which is replete with massive table corals, and the reef near the Skeleton Wreck which has a very shallow depth. Farther away is the reef fronting Banana Island, which is deeper than those mentioned previously. It is also interesting to snorkel at Kayangan Lake, even though there’s really no coral beneath it, but more for its underwater rock formations—so be sure, to bring your gear with you when you go there.

Life vests and snorkeling gear are also provided for, so all you have to do is jump in the water and enjoy the underwater scenery.

 

 

WRECK DIVE

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CORON’S SKELETON WRECK

If you want a more advanced underwater activity, Coron is just the place for you. With a total of twelve well-preserved World War II shipwrecks lying on its seabed, it’s the perfect place for a unique diving experience. These are mostly Imperial Japanese wartime ships sunk by the US Task Force 38 aircrafts in 1944.

For the uninitiated the Skeleton Wreck–a 25-meter Japanese supply ship—can be seen even by casual snorkelers and is usually included in island hopping tours. But for the real deal, the most popular of the wrecks are the largely intact Irako, the 118-meter long Akitsushima seaplane carrier, the 140-meter Kogyo freighter, and the largest and most popular wreck in Coron, the massive 170-meter long Okikawa Maru Japanese tanker.

The best way to enjoy wreck diving in Coron is thru liveaboard diving safaris where you actually lodge on a small sea vessel, visiting dive sites all through your chosen stay.

➤ BOOK CORON WRECK DIVING HERE!
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LEARN ABOUT THE HERITAGE OF CULION ISLAND

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THE LA IMMACULADA CONCEPCION CHURCH IN CULION ISLAND

For history buffs, an interesting island to visit when in Coron is the former leper colony island of Culion. Delegated as a segregation colony in 1901 by the Americans for people suffering leprosy, it has since embraced its past with the establishment of the Culion Museum and Archives, documenting its dark history. There are also fortifications and a massive stone church, the La Immaculada Concepcion Church, built during the Spanish era along the town proper.

The island is actually a separate town from Coron, but is near enough to be included with the usual tours.

 

 

HIKE UP MOUNT TAPYAS

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AFTERNOON AT CORON’S MT. TAPYAS

Coron Town sits right beside Mount Tapyas, a 210-meter hill topped with a huge Hollywood-esque CORON sign and a massive white cross. The mountain is a popular climbing destination, not only for tourists but for locals as well.

Getting up is actually not that hard, since there are wide concrete steps that ascends from the base of the hilll up to its peak. Just be sure to pace yourselves, it is a tough 718 steps right up to the top. Time your climb during the afternoons and enjoy the view of the nearby islands along with a fiery sunset and a cold drink from local vendors along the stairs.

Besides the main viewing deck, there are also a few pavilions off the side of the hills where you can relax and rest while taking in the view.

➤ BOOK CORON TOWN TOUR HERE!
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ENGAGE IN A SAFARI

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FREE-ROAMING ZEBRAS AT BUSUANGA’S CALAUIT SAFARI PARK

Ever thought of doing a safari but don't have the moolah to fly all the way to Africa? Well, the town of Busuanga—which sits right next to Coron—has a mini safari of sorts to bridge that dream. Located on the secluded Calauit Island, the 3,700-hectare Calauit Safari Park is an animal reserve home to Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, and indigenous species like Calamian deer, Palawan bearded pig, Philippine crocodile, Philippine porcupine, binturong, and the Philippine mouse-deer roaming freely across a natural and picturesque landscape.

The exotic non-indigenous animals, including waterbucks, elands, impalas, topis, bushbucks, and gazelles—which has since died off—were shipped all the way from Kenya by the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos during the late seventies.

➤ BOOK CALAUIT SAFARI & BEACH TOUR HERE!
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FOOD TRIP ALONG CORON TOWN

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BABY BACK RIBS AT SANTINO’S GRILL IN CORON TOWN

Coron, a once sleepy town with a few basic eateries catering to tourists is now a food hub complete with posh local cafes and interesting restaurants. A few of the must-tries are baby-back ribs from Santino’s Grill, brick oven-style pizza from Trattoria Altrov’e Coron, grilled meals from KT’s Sinugba sa Balay, budget pinoy meals at Tita Esh, and of course, a bag of cashew nuts from numerous stores around town.

After dinner, there are bars you can drop by for a couple of glasses of drink. Popular ones include Sigpin Bar, Coco Bar, Pirates Tavern Bar, Isla Pool Bar, Tribu Kuridas Bar, and Sunburn Rooftop Lounge.

For your island hopping adventure, don’t forget to drop by the Coron wet market early in the morning for fresh seafood that your boatman will cook for you come lunchtime.

 

 

ENGAGE IN WATERSPORTS ACTIVITIES

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Like all popular beach destinations, Coron has its share of exciting water sport activities for hyperactive solo adventurers and big groups. These are usually held at the popular Royal Island Resort. Jet-skis, parasails, banana boats, flyfish, bandwagon, hurricane, and crystal kayaks—you name it, they probably have it. Get those nerves of steel ready and prepare to get thrown out into the water.

➤ BOOK CORON WATERSPORTS HERE!
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EXPERIENCE A MANGROVE NIGHT TOUR

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Forget about resting after a day of beaching around. Avail of a Coron night tour and be bedazzled by a flurry of magical lights from above and below while enjoying a sumptuous buffet aboard a floating restaurant.

Cruise along the mangroves and witness a symphony of lights from fireflies living along the mangrove forests—a tell-tale sign that the area is still virgin and far from pollution—and watch as bioluminescent planktons glow across the darkened waters of the bay.

 

 

DIP AT MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS

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THE RICKETY BRIDGE AT MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS

The perfect way to cap a day of island hopping, a hike up Mount Tapyas, or even a day of food tripping is via a night dip at the hot spring waters of Maquinit. Located at the far end of town, it can either be accessed via tricycles or by boat—if you're coming from an island hopping trip. The natural gravel-bottom pools of Maquinit Hot Springs has an average temperature of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius and are said to have healing properties. The water is actually scalding hot on first dip, but you’ll eventually get used to the heat.

But healing properties aside, its warmth is more than enough to refresh and rejuvenate your body after all the island and inland activities you did in Coron.

➤ BOOK MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS HERE!
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Three of my photographs appeared on NGCP’s 2019 calendar. NGCP or National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is a privately owned corporation that manages the government’s nationwide power grid and transmits power from where it is produced to areas that need it.

Their calendar focuses on off-the-beaten places in the Philippines, particularly those from Sorsogon, Mountain Province, Iligan City (Tinago Falls), Romblon, La Union, Quezon, Aklan (Bakhawan Eco Park), Antique, Aurora, Surigao Del Sur, Nueva Ecija (Minalungao National Park), and Zambales.

Two of my photos recently appeared on Crescent Hopes, a small book published by the Ayala Foundation. The book delves in detail about the Bangsamoro Young Leaders Program- Leadership Communities which aim to uplift the lives of the people of ARMM by recruiting young people to enact sustainable programs.

SULU SUNSET TAKEN FROM THE MARINES CAMP IN PATIKUL

It tracks the progress of the first batch of fellows chosen by the foundation who spearheaded projects in the five provinces of ARMM and the changes they have imparted in their communities. From the Yakan weaving and dried fish processing in Basilan, crab farming and Inaul weaving in Maguindanao, a boat project that ferries students and transports fishes in Tawi-Tawi, coffee farming in Sulu, and marketing the palapa condiments in Lanao Del sur.

My story and photographs about Cagayan recently appeared on the second issue of My Charter. The magazine is the official inflight publication for Royal Air Charter Service Inc., a Philippine air carrier since 2002 that provides non-scheduled airline and cargo services from Clark-Macau, Cebu-Macau, Laoag-Yichang, and Kalibo-Macau.

The article, titled True North, Six of the Best Things to Do and See in Cagayan features places from the Cagayan Valley Region. The cover spread features an expansive view of Sibang Cove in Calayan, while the following pages discuss about Palaui Island, Calayan Island, the Callao Cave in Penablanca, Iguig pottery, the colonial churches of Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao’s pancit batil patong, and Anguib Beach.

I was able to grab the last copy of Inflight Traveller’s most recent issue at National Bookstore the other day. The main feature is about beaches in the Philippines, from El Nido to Pagol. On their Insiders Guide, I contributed a listicle for Guimaras. Both words and photographs were by yours truly except for a couple of island hopping pictures which were by Blissfulguro—duly credited, of course.

It’s basically a rundown of things one can do in the island province, from hitting the beach and hiking up the Guisi Lighthouse, to mingling with monks at the Trappist Monastery and trying out the famous Guimaras mango. I’ve been to Guimaras quite a number of times and it is one of the more accessible beach locations you can find but, surprisingly, without much of the tourist crowd.

Inflight Traveller, published by Dornier Media, is available for sale on major bookstores and can also be read on cafes, restaurants, and of course, aboard AirSwift Airline.

Skyjet has recently launched its own quarterly inflight magazine, Dash. I was able to contribute on its first two issues but hasn’t been able to grab copies just yet. Their third issue, luckily, came in the mail the other day.

Its main feature is Calamnianes—focusing on Busuanga and Coron—and has a bit on the sides about waterfalls in the Philiipines. Along with one of travel blogging pillars Ferdz Decena, I contributed a few liners and photos for three on the list, namely Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor, the Seven Falls of Mambukal in Negros Oriental, and Pulangbato Falls, still in Negros Oriental.

Dash is available on National Bookstore branches for PHP150.00 and is distributed on selected cafes, restaurants, and of course, Skyjet flights.

SeaOil recently launched their 2018 desk and wall calendar. Dubbed with the hashtag #SEAthephilippines, it features twelve destinations around the country situated with SeaOil gas stations.

Photos from Cebu’s Osmena Peak, Bukidnon’s Golden Shower, Laguna and Quezon’s Villa Escudero, North Cotabato’s Asik-Asik Falls, Leyte’s Kalanggaman Island, Rizal’s Wawa Dam, Samar’s Lobo Cave, Cotabato’s Grand Mosque, Dapitan’s Floating Cottage, Pangasinan’s Enchanted Cave, Antique’s Giant Kawa, and Mountain Province’s Kiltepan Peak grace each month’s page with a snippet about the featured spot.

A few photos I took on the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Leyte, and Cagayan Valley, made its way to the pages of Inflight Traveler’s most recent issue.

KALANGGAMAN ISLAND AT PALOMPON, LEYTE

Still on major bookstores and select café’s, the March to May issue features the seven best campsites in the country—three of which I contributed, namely Amazona Beach in Abra de Ilog, Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, and Sibang Cove in Calayan Island—which I have yet to blog. These are all from non-sponsored trips I took during my heydays as a backpacker, lol.

I recently contributed my own favorite Philippine beach on Inflight Traveler Magazine’s summer issue. The list was quite diverse, with contributors checking in at famous beach places like Baler, Bantayan, Calaguas, Apo Island and Coron, but there were a few who chose more off-beat beaches in El Nido, Dingalan and Masbate. I picked someplace in between, a beach close enough to Manila but still a challenge to visit for the casual tourists—the Tambobong Beach in Dasol, Pangasinan.

”Located near the western tip of the municipality of Dasol in the province of Pangasinan, Tambobong Beach boasts of a two-kilometer long fine white sand beach. The area is a bit off-the grid, one needs to endure a dusty and bumpy hour-long dirt road track from the Burgos’ main highway. The drive is definitely worth it though. The beach is protected by a cove, so the water is calm and extremely clear; perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The seabed slopes gently and transitions from sand to grass to corals as you go further from shore.

There are hardly any tourists during off-peak season except for a few locals and fishing boats docked on the shore. And these boats you can actually rent to visit the nearby islets of Colibra, Crocodile and Balas Nagtaros where more beaches, both fine and rough, awaits. There’s also the Balinmanok Wreck, a sunken ship relatively near the beach where you can snorkel around before coming back to shore. Tambobong Beach’s another unique feature is that it curves northwards, so it is possible to view both sunrise and sunset along its shoreline.”

~ INFLIGHT TRAVELLER MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE ON MAJOR NEWSSTANDS NATIONWIDE.

MY BEACH OF CHOICE

ALSO CONTRIBUTED A PHOTO OF PASS ISLAND IN BUSUANGA

I recently contributed a few photographs to North Bound magazine’s 18th issue. Published by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau, the magazine promotes Northern Luzon destinations from Bulacan all the way to Aparri. Some of the photographs that got included came from my previous excursions at the Cagayan Valley Region; Tuguegarao’s Buntun Bridge, which I took during NPVB’s Lakbay Norte 3 tour, the city’s delectable pancit batil patong from Jomar’s, and Lighthouse Cooperative’s perfect Tuguegarao pasalubong, their carabeef tapa and longanisa.

North Bound magazine is distributed for free on most café’s, restaurants, hotels and establishments—where else—but north of the Philippines.

My article and photos appeared recently on the September to October 2016 issue of Health and Home, a subscription only magazine. This is my third contribution to the publication and this time, Antique Province took the spotlight.

ANTIQUE ATTRACTIONS ON HEALTH AND HOME MAGAZINE

It’s a summary of a trip I did a couple of years back, visiting Sira-an hot spring, Anini-y church, Antique’s muscovado sugar mill, Nica Rambutan Farm and the Tibiao Fish Spa. I also added the activities we did, like the buri and Patadyong weaving, Antique clay pottery, Tibiao white water kayaking and lambaklad fishing.

Last summer, photographs I took for an assignment with Inflight Traveller magazine hit the newstands with a shot of Burubancaso Rock Formation in Masbate taking the front page. The six-day photo assignment took place in Bicol, spending two days each in the provinces of Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon (ALMASOR).

ALBAY, MASBATE AND SORSOGON ON INFLIGHT TRAVELLER MAGAZINE

While it wasn’t my first time to visit Albay and Sorsogon, Masbate was a first for me; a province I have long since wanted to cross off my list of places to visit in the Philippines. I knew Albay and Sorsogon held wonders; but after my trip, I can definitely say that Masbate isn’t lagging behind its more popular neighbors.

Inflight Traveller Magazine recently published my words and photos from the province of Pangasinan for their food feature on their August issue.

DAGUPAN RESTAURANTS ON THE PAGES OF INFLIGHT TRAVELLER

STEAK AT PANADERIA ANTONIO

The culinary journey started at the Dagupeña Restaurant where we tried the city’s famous bangus, al-ajillo style, and their signature binagoongang crispy pata. It then moves to the Panaderia Antonio Bakery & Restaurant with their delectable kare-kare, then desserts at the Yellow Tree Café.

My story and images about a things you can do at the JEST Camp and Subic in Zambales recently made its way across the pages of Health & Home magazine’s May – June 2016 issue. The magazine, currently for subscription only, has been around since 1959.

HEALTH AND HOME MAY-JUNE 2016 ISSUE

ZAMBALES FEATURE AT HEALTH & HOME MAGAZINE

The article, my second for the magazine, incorporates my past experiences in Zambales, from the jungle survival training at the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail, to the aviary and forest walk at JEST Camp Subic Bay, and their latest gimmick, the JEST Camp Hunger Games—which was really fun, by the way.

And oh yeah, please don’t blame me for the cheeky article title, lol.

InFlight Traveller Magazine recently published a list of 18 top backpacking places in the Philippines. And to gather those, they picked three well-travelled individuals from the industry; travel blogging pioneer Ferdz Decena, Gameplan’s Julian Rodriguez, and unbelievably, yours truly.

MY PHOTOGRAPHS FROM VIGAN CITY

MY IMAGE FROM SIQUIJOR’S SALAGDOONG BEACH

Ferdz picked Ifugao, Sagada, Bontoc, Negros Oriental, Palawan and Bohol while Julian advised travelers to head to Negros Occidental, Kalinga, Batangas, Corregidor, Vigan City, Puerto Galera, La Union, and Boracay. Of which, I’m quite thankful for since I also got to contribute a lot of photographs from those places, lol.

I still vividly recall those five seemingly unending days in the town of Patikul as I wrote the article detailing our adventure and misgivings as volunteers for Juan Portrait. Armed with only our cameras, we unwittingly went off to the island of Sulu, one of the most dangerous places in the country, to photograph portraits for a community school and hand over their printed images right after.

It was one of the most harrowing, memorable, and rewarding trips I’ve ever had and I’m grateful that Explore Philippines, a bi-monthly travel magazine feature local destinations, gave me the chance to immortalize the experience and photographs on print.

InFlight Traveller, one of the leading and oldest travel magazines in the country, recently published my piece about a lesser known destination in the Philippines—Calayan Island. Located between Aparri and Batanes, traveling to there was definitely no piece of cake.

SENTINEL ROCK AT SIBANG COVE ON THE CONTENTS PAGE

CHILD PLAYING ALONG THE CREAMY SAND OF SIBANG BEACH

The island is the largest of the Babuyan Island Group and it took us six hours of rough boat ride to traverse the island from the town of Claveria which sits at the tip of northern Luzon. It was all worth it though, the place is a paradise unspoiled by tourism. We visited waterfalls, beaches, underwater gardens, and caves. And the food! Lobster galore!

It was my first time to contribute an article to Health & Home, a magazine that has been around since 1959. I actually have no idea about the magazine’s existence until they contacted me to write for them since they’re on subscription basis only and are not being sold on bookstores.

A SPREAD ABOUT DUMALAG’S TWO CAVES

The article was about the Caves in Dumalag, a town in Capiz. We explored two caves in the area a few years back, Lahab and Suhot Caves, during our tour with Capiz’s tourism team. It was quite an unforgettable experience as I hiked barefoot after sinking ankle-deep in mud en route to the second cave.

Last November, I was able to contribute a few photos to Mabuhay Magazine for their Puerto Princesa issue. Alrighty, not last November, but last last November. As in November 2014, haha. I know this is quite late, but it’s only now that I was able to get ahold of the actual magazine (thanks Z Hostel lobby!), Mabuhay being unavailable on bookstores.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY S.A. PONTILLAS, PHOTOS BY YOURS TRULY

The article, written by S.A. Pontillas, was about the Underground River in Palawan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was actually quite easy to photograph the cave from the outside, but inside, it’s a different story.