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:
| 10 Things To Do In Coron TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ WHAT’S INSIDE?
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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!
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| 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.
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| 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!
USE DISCOUNT CODE LAKADPHKLOOK
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!
USE DISCOUNT CODE LAKADPHKLOOK
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
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!
USE DISCOUNT CODE LAKADPHKLOOK
EXPERIENCE A MANGROVE NIGHT TOUR
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.
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| 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.
PUBLISHED | True North, Six of the Best Things to Do and See in Cagayan
[PUBLISHED] Tuesday, January 01, 2019
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.
