Palawan Travel Diaries Day 3

March5, Day 3 of the Air Asia Philippines Media Tour and I can’t help but feel giddy and excited.

Woke up really early to have breakfast of toast coffee and omelette at Bill’s Tourist Inn. By 7AM we were picked up by our shuttle and dropped us at Ipil beach to do the island hopping tour. Island hopping is undoubtedly the most popular activity here in El Nido Palawan. To join any island hopping activity you need to pay the mandatory PHP200 environmental fee. The ticket entitles you up to 10day island hopping tour. Tour fees are to be paid separately.

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What’s good with the environmental fee ticket is that once you got hold of it you are no longer required to pay entrance fees in islands you are visiting (like in Coron). .

Since we were on a media tour the LGU took care of all the fees. Yey!

Just before we boarded the large motorized banca we had a quick briefing on where to go, which islands to drop by what to do and what to expect.

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Finally the banca slowly Made its way towards the middle of the sea. The water is a bit cold! Not a good time to swim, I think. But anyways. I would just enjoy the priceless sight of seeing the towering limestone karsts locally known as taraw popping out in the middle of the sea.

Our first stop was at the small lagoon. Still beautiful Just like in 2009 when i first went here. It was a Thursday morning yet the lagoon is already Crowded with banca waiting For tourists swimming inside the lagoon.

To fully enjoy the small lagoon, one must swim towards a small opening or take a kayak and paddle your way as you enter the lagoon.

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I opted to just swim towards the lagoon. Good thing I brought with me my GoTravel underwater camera casing. This means I can safely swim without worrying much about my camera getting soaked in water.

It’s non stop photo op when we got at the middle of the lagoon. The place is spectacular. Beautiful is an understatement.

And we have just started our tour!

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Our second stop was at the big lagoon, but since there were big waves at that time we opted not to go down. And just proceed to our next destination: the snake island.

This is my first time to visit the island and i love the place! . Beside the serpent shaped sandbar is a hill were one can hike to get a bird’s eye view of the Bacuit Bay and the nearby islands. Truly amazing. And the hike is all worth every sweat and effort! Haha

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Our next stop was at the Dibuluan island where we had our buffet lunch care of El Nido resorts Palawan. The food is good! The place is packed with tourists mostly foreigners. For lunch I had the usual green salad, Grilled sausages and the traditional Batangueño beef soup: bulalo.

I finished off my hearty lunch meal with slices of watermelon.

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After lunch we headed near the beach to take some snapshots. But it was scorching hot and only the foreigners Were obviously enjoying the sun while the rest of us are hiding under the tree. While at the island various activities can also be done like volleyball badminton. Kayak or sail to the nearby island via Hobie cat. I was itching to play badminton. But the wind is too strong so i decided to just skip it anyway. I went to a nearby cottage while waiting for our guide to signal us to leave, but I dozed off.

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Zzzzzzzz

After a while we left the island. . Our next destination is the Pinagbuyutan island. The waves are geting bigger. Upon arrival at the island we were greeted by an ice cream vendor.

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Oh crap. . Who wouldn’t want an Ice cream stick on a hot day? And hes got No competition ha! . Haha.

Pinagbuyutan island looks very interesting. The sand is very very fine. . Not much locals or tourists in this place (except for the ice cream vendor) the sand’s color is not pure white. But polvoron-ish in color. Even in texture!

Walking along the beach with bare foot seems a good idea.

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After a while we sailed back to Ipil Beach for our afternoon refreshments and to finally catch the sunset.

Ipil beach is blessed with the stunning view of the fiery El Nido sunset. For afternoon snacks i asked for fresh buko juice. The tuna sandwich is so yummy and heavy. . Later I got to play table tennis. It was fun. But I guess I ‘d stick to badminton. Haha.

10481986_10153203399501457_6445191064819366770_n

Our visit to the Ipil Beach is our last stop for our whole day island hopping tour with AirAsiaPhilippines.

This is my second time to be in El Nido. but I’ m still amazed at its beauty. The little surprises that we got to see while sailing from one island to another like seeing sea turtles swimming on the turquoise waters of Bacuit Bay is an experience in itself. . The water’s clean and devoid of any trash or signs of any human abuse.

10481986_10153203399501457_6445191064819366770_n

We ended our tour just after sunset, we barely had enough time to wash up Change clothes and get ready for dinner.

By around 7PM we were picked up by our shuttle to Ipil Suites for our dinner hosted by Miss Bong Romero of Ipil Suites. We got seafood feast again! We had crunchy squid rings baked oysters, and mussels. We also had steamed fish chicken and pork. . I really enjoyed the baked oysters and steamed fish. It’s good. So yummy!

While having dinner we were also entertained by an acoustic band singing some popular 80’s and 90’s hits.

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But the highlight of our dinner experience is the cooking demo of wakwak. Its a type of worm that grows on land, somewhat similar tamilok except thta the latter lives on dead trees and mangroves. Wakwak was also featured recently in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho aired last March1 episode.

But since I was already too tired from all the island hopping we did all day, i felt sleepy that time and opted not to try the wakwak. Some say, though, that wakwak tastes like oysters. Or talaba. . Hmmmmmm

I feel so lantang gulay that moment. So after dinner. We went back to our hotel and slept immediately.

Zzzzzzzzzz

Many thanks to Air Asia Philippines. For inviting me to join the Palawan Media Tour. Follow Air Asia Philippines in Twitter and Instagram @airasiaph

Palawan Travel Diaries Day 3

March5, Day 3 of the Air Asia Philippines Media Tour and I can’t help but feel giddy and excited.

Woke up really early to have breakfast of toast coffee and omelette at Bill’s Tourist Inn. By 7AM we were picked up by our shuttle and dropped us at Ipil beach to do the island hopping tour. Island hopping is undoubtedly the most popular activity here in El Nido Palawan. To join any island hopping activity you need to pay the mandatory PHP200 environmental fee. The ticket entitles you up to 10day island hopping tour. Tour fees are to be paid separately.

10404082_10153203349176457_462594977278219515_n

What’s good with the environmental fee ticket is that once you got hold of it you are no longer required to pay entrance fees in islands you are visiting (like in Coron). .

Since we were on a media tour the LGU took care of all the fees. Yey!

Just before we boarded the large motorized banca we had a quick briefing on where to go, which islands to drop by what to do and what to expect.

11034276_10153203354806457_9049523433831613336_n

Finally the banca slowly Made its way towards the middle of the sea. The water is a bit cold! Not a good time to swim, I think. But anyways. I would just enjoy the priceless sight of seeing the towering limestone karsts locally known as taraw popping out in the middle of the sea.

Our first stop was at the small lagoon. Still beautiful Just like in 2009 when i first went here. It was a Thursday morning yet the lagoon is already Crowded with banca waiting For tourists swimming inside the lagoon.

To fully enjoy the small lagoon, one must swim towards a small opening or take a kayak and paddle your way as you enter the lagoon.

11041214_10153203383766457_5563801335686620919_n

I opted to just swim towards the lagoon. Good thing I brought with me my GoTravel underwater camera casing. This means I can safely swim without worrying much about my camera getting soaked in water.

It’s non stop photo op when we got at the middle of the lagoon. The place is spectacular. Beautiful is an understatement.

And we have just started our tour!

11034919_10153203364936457_3560371454022464486_n

Our second stop was at the big lagoon, but since there were big waves at that time we opted not to go down. And just proceed to our next destination: the snake island.

This is my first time to visit the island and i love the place! . Beside the serpent shaped sandbar is a hill were one can hike to get a bird’s eye view of the Bacuit Bay and the nearby islands. Truly amazing. And the hike is all worth every sweat and effort! Haha

10422322_10153203369386457_637878166378517837_n

Our next stop was at the Dibuluan island where we had our buffet lunch care of El Nido resorts Palawan. The food is good! The place is packed with tourists mostly foreigners. For lunch I had the usual green salad, Grilled sausages and the traditional Batangueño beef soup: bulalo.

I finished off my hearty lunch meal with slices of watermelon.

11046489_10153203386001457_7550062807901962359_n

After lunch we headed near the beach to take some snapshots. But it was scorching hot and only the foreigners Were obviously enjoying the sun while the rest of us are hiding under the tree. While at the island various activities can also be done like volleyball badminton. Kayak or sail to the nearby island via Hobie cat. I was itching to play badminton. But the wind is too strong so i decided to just skip it anyway. I went to a nearby cottage while waiting for our guide to signal us to leave, but I dozed off.

11034919_10153203385266457_5893581836292738605_n

Zzzzzzzz

After a while we left the island. . Our next destination is the Pinagbuyutan island. The waves are geting bigger. Upon arrival at the island we were greeted by an ice cream vendor.

11054497_10153203386611457_7775734367973508117_n

Oh crap. . Who wouldn’t want an Ice cream stick on a hot day? And hes got No competition ha! . Haha.

Pinagbuyutan island looks very interesting. The sand is very very fine. . Not much locals or tourists in this place (except for the ice cream vendor) the sand’s color is not pure white. But polvoron-ish in color. Even in texture!

Walking along the beach with bare foot seems a good idea.

16517_10153203389091457_5550805041413369668_n

After a while we sailed back to Ipil Beach for our afternoon refreshments and to finally catch the sunset.

Ipil beach is blessed with the stunning view of the fiery El Nido sunset. For afternoon snacks i asked for fresh buko juice. The tuna sandwich is so yummy and heavy. . Later I got to play table tennis. It was fun. But I guess I ‘d stick to badminton. Haha.

10481986_10153203399501457_6445191064819366770_n

Our visit to the Ipil Beach is our last stop for our whole day island hopping tour with AirAsiaPhilippines.

This is my second time to be in El Nido. but I’ m still amazed at its beauty. The little surprises that we got to see while sailing from one island to another like seeing sea turtles swimming on the turquoise waters of Bacuit Bay is an experience in itself. . The water’s clean and devoid of any trash or signs of any human abuse.

10481986_10153203399501457_6445191064819366770_n

We ended our tour just after sunset, we barely had enough time to wash up Change clothes and get ready for dinner.

By around 7PM we were picked up by our shuttle to Ipil Suites for our dinner hosted by Miss Bong Romero of Ipil Suites. We got seafood feast again! We had crunchy squid rings baked oysters, and mussels. We also had steamed fish chicken and pork. . I really enjoyed the baked oysters and steamed fish. It’s good. So yummy!

While having dinner we were also entertained by an acoustic band singing some popular 80’s and 90’s hits.

11041663_10153203401251457_6602262571995951732_n

But the highlight of our dinner experience is the cooking demo of wakwak. Its a type of worm that grows on land, somewhat similar tamilok except thta the latter lives on dead trees and mangroves. Wakwak was also featured recently in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho aired last March1 episode.

But since I was already too tired from all the island hopping we did all day, i felt sleepy that time and opted not to try the wakwak. Some say, though, that wakwak tastes like oysters. Or talaba. . Hmmmmmm

I feel so lantang gulay that moment. So after dinner. We went back to our hotel and slept immediately.

Zzzzzzzzzz

Many thanks to Air Asia Philippines. For inviting me to join the Palawan Media Tour. Follow Air Asia Philippines in Twitter and Instagram @airasiaph

Air Asia Philippines Diaries Day 2

March 4. Day 2 of the Air Asia Philippines Media Tour.

I woke up very early after sensing that Blue Palawan resort hotel actually has one of the finest views Of the Palawan sunrise. The break of dawn is an amazing sight, complemented by the sound of the chirping birds.

A little bit later breakfast was served. Prior to checkin i opted to have chorizo recado with no rice for breakfast. But the chorizo really screams for carbs. So i gave in. I ordered. A cup of fried rice.

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The fried rice is the best complement to the chorizo. It is perfectly Marinated and well seasoned. Best when served with sunny side up or over easy on the side with a warm cup of coffee. (which I did!)

By around 730AM we already checked out of the Blue Palawan. And headed toward the Palawan Provincial Capitol for the signing of the Memorandum of agreement between the provincial government of Palawan, Palawan Tourism Council and Air Asia Philippines for its Best Island campaign.

The event was attended by local government officials. Officers of Air Asia Philippines. As well as local stakeholders.

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The Best Island campaign. Will run for the entire year. The goal of the tourism campaign is to make palawan a top of mind tourist destination. . They are also scheduled to hold a travel fair to be held in Eastwood Libis this coming May to promote Palawan as the World’s Best Island destination. Air Asia Philippines on the other hand, as its official airline partner. Will also be formulating bargain tour packages specifically for its Palawan guests.

After the formalities., we then left the capitol and headed north to Astoria in San Rafael for our lunch before heading to ElNido. Astoria is quite a beautiful place. Very serene. Not much noise. Perfect for those who wish to escape the city life.

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After our yummy lunch we took a 4-5hour loooooooooooong drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.

We were already in Taytay, the last town prior to ElNido when I started to feel dizzy. Gaaah. It must’ve been a byahilo. . Im so used to traveling that I no longer take meclizine tablets when I travel. I feel so nauseated already. And wanting to puke anytime. But i was just calming myself. I know we’re near (hopefully!) . So when our shuttle made a Stopover at the Taytay terminal I immediately got down and looked for medicine. But lo and behold before I even got hold of Bonamine., I was already buying a few packs of roasted cashews! Oh Lord.

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Anyway, i found a sari sari store. Selling medicines at turista prices. I was left with no other options but to buy a single tablet of Bonamine for PHP25.

Thank Goodness I feel better now. . So after a few more uphill drive. And hairpin curves. We finally made it to El Nido! Welcome to paradise!

The last time I was in this part of the Philippines was in 2009. Today, El Nido. Seems so different to me. Looks like there’s. A lot of new establishments and accommodations now in town that I can barely recall where I actually stayed some six years ago.

Our first stop in El Nido. Was courtesy call. And short question and answer with the honorable Mayor of the town of El Nido. After which we drove back to Sitio Maremegmeg in Corong corong and watch the most splendid show of the moment: the setting sun. . Glorious.

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The beach in corong corong is not as crowded as the one in town proper where foreigners are already a common sight. The promise of the white sandy beach. Super fine polvoron-ish texture. And the tree-lined beach. . What more can i ask for? El Nido is indeed the best place to spend your summer getaway. We lounged at the Beach Shack for cocktails And dinner.

Dinner was served under candle lit tables and moonlit sky. How romantic. Perfect setting for a dinner date.

For dinner we had an assortment of the freshest seafoods, only in El Nido. And the runaway winner of them all: hands down, it’s the crabs cooked in coconut milk and curry. Dear God it’s the best. I have to admit. I had to go back to the buffet table for seconds! Oh please… . Stop counting the calories and cholesterol. As i had so much fun eating dinner WITH MY BARE HANDS! Hahah

After dinner. We then checked in at our hotel. I was billeted at the Bill’s Pension House. It’s nearr The town proper but has no beachfront. Or seaside view. :(

Anyway the room is quite big. With 2king sized beds all at my disposal. There’s also hot shower and cable TV. Just before lights off at least I still have some time to check on the news.

Many thanks to Air Asia Philippines for inviting me to join the Palawan Media Tour. Follow Air Asia on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow @airasiaph

Revisiting Palawan, the World’s Best Island

Summer is just around the corner. One would slowly notice that the day is getting longer than the night, and the temperature is slowly rising.

And as a prelude to the much-awaited summer break, I flew to Palawan courtesy of Air Asia Philippines.

During the 4-day junket, we witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of agreement between the provincial government of Palawan, the Palawan Tourism Council and Air Asia Philippines. The agreement launches the Palawan World’s Best tourism campaign with Air Asia as its official airline partner.

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Together with other invited media, I got to revisit some of Palawan’s already – established tourist spots as well as its secret gems.

During our first day we got to visit Splash House. this aquaculture facility is located just a quick 5-minute boat ride from the port. Its is on the same port where tourists would normally flock for the more popular Honda Bay Island hopping tour.

At the splash house, they breed several lobsters, groupers, and milkfish. And the best part of going the the Splash House? You get to witness thousands of fruit bats fly from the nearby island back to mainland Palawan.

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“It’s a daily phenomenon one must experience while in Palawan!” exclaimed Monica Mitra, chief operating officer of Splash House.

After our brief encounter with the wildlife we traveled north to experience the best of Palawan. The crême dela crême of all beach destinations: El Nido.

I can recall my last visit to El Nido in 2009, majority of the tourists then were Russians trying to escape the harsh cold climate in their country. But after Survivor France or locally known as Koh Lanta was aired, Statistics have greatly changed. Today most of the foreigners you get to see in El Nido are either French-speaking, or hailed from France.

The continuous influx of European tourists is just a testament that Palawan is indeed one of the “World’s Best Island”.

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During our third day in the province we got to sample the best of El Nido. We did a customized tour. We got to visit the small lagoon and the big lagoon, our lunch was at Dibuluan Island care of El Nido resorts. The island is just so serene. With very fine white sand beach and turquoise waters perfect for the summer swim.

Our final stop for the whole day island hopping tour was at the Ipil Beach. Upon arrival we were welcomed with snacks and fresh buko juice by Miss Bong Romero, of Ipil Suites Puerto Princesa and El Nido.

And our final stop for the junket before flying back to Manila is at La Terrasse for dinner. This French-inspired restaurant serves nothing but the best of Palawan. We had ceviche, bread sticks with pesto on the side, duck confit steamed tilapia and to cap it off we had the Palaweño Brewery craft beer. I samPled the Ayahay Palaweño Honey Kolsch. It was so good with a slight hint of pineapple. Not a hint of bitterness unlike i n most commercially-produced beers.

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Palaweño Brewery boasts as the first and only producer of craft beer in Palawan. And they have a brewey tour too! It’s something that I should look forward to when I get back to the World’s Best Island next time.

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Protecting El Nido’s coral reefs

Cadlao mountain island, the highest in El Nido.

Cadlao mountain island, the highest in El Nido.

When God blessed the earth, he must have been standing near and facing Palawan because the province is so rich in natural resources and possesses spectacular sceneries – on the ground, underground, on the water, underwater.

In the northern part of Palawan is El Nido, a municipality of almost 40,000 in an area covering 92,326 hectares. The town is named after Swiflets (local name is Balinsasayaw) nests made from the bird’s saliva found in the crevices of the limestone’s cliffs in the area.

The mountain islands of El Nido are simply breathtaking. They are towers of stone so high they almost kiss the clouds.They come in all shapes and forms, depending on your imagination.

If your tour guide is Jayson R. Gonzales of El Bacuit Travel and Tours, he will show you a mountain island shaped like a helicopter, a feature shaped like a king with a crown with a horse nearby, or a stone jutting out of the cliff shaped like the chunky heel of a shoe.

Gonzales will also point out to you Cadlao (Visayan word for laughter), the highest of El Nido’s mountain islands at 640 feet (as high as a 64-floor building). He said Cadlao is the locals’ weather barometer. “When the tip of the mountain is covered by clouds it means it will rain.”

Underwater, El Nido is also as awesome. It’s a coral reef paradise. According to El Nido Foundation Inc.(ENFI) they have identified 447 reef-building coral species in El Nido. There are 44 unconfirmed species.

El Nido Foundation Chairman Alberto Lim

El Nido Foundation Chairman Alberto Lim

ENFI, headed by former Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim as chairman of the board and lawyer businessman Charlie Yu as president, is an organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in El Nido which includes sustainable utilization of the community’s natural resources.

ENFI is working closely with Green Fins,an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme, for the protection of coral reefs in El Nido. They have just concluded an orientation of journalists on the progress of their efforts in El Nido.

Green Fins, which is coordinated internationally by Reef-World sets the standard for managing the protection of coral reefs. It provides guidance and support for business owners and national authorities to promote best practices in sustainable tourism – especially scuba diving which has become urgent in El Nido with the increase of tourist arrivals.

The importance of coral reefs cannot be overstated: Corals (which are actually animals , not plants or places ) play an essential role in everything from water filtration and fish reproduction to shore line protection and erosion prevention. It also acts as a barrier to storms and surge.

Experts said that if only there were a healthy population of coral reefs in Tacloban during supertyphoon Yolanda, the damage would not have been as calamitous as it was.

UNEP's Jerker Tamelander leads the placement of a buoy near one of El Nido's mountain islands.

UNEP’s Jerker Tamelander leads the placement of a buoy near one of El Nido’s mountain islands.

Lim, who has been going to Palawan since the early 1980’s and co-founded Ten Knots Deelopment Corporation (now owned by Ayala Land) is concerned on the effect of increased tourist arrivals in El Nido. In 1994, recorded tourist arrivals numberd only 10,00. In 2013, more than 63,000 came to El Nido) or a jump of about 600 percent.

The usual package offered by tour operators island hopping (El Nido has a lot to offer with it placid lagoons and awesome caves. ) which includes scuba diving and snorkeling.
Saying that tourism is both an opportunity and a threat, Irma Rose Marcelo, executive director of ENFI, said some of the tourism-related activities are injurious to coral reefs are anchor damage,snorkeler and diver damage,Boat strike,pollution – solid wastes, eutrophication in ground water from towns, villages and establishments,Sediment run-offs from land clearing, overfishing, and illegal fishing. Climate change, the change of ocean’s temperature is also wreaking havoc on the coral reefs.

Even the fun practice of fish feeding by tourists. Jayson Gonzales said until he trained with ENFI and Green Fins, he didn’t know it. “I even provided bread pieces to tourists to feed the fish so they would come, he said.

Now, at the beginning of the islands tour,“Don’t feed the fish” is one of the “Do’s and Don’ts “ that he gives.

Tour guide Jayson Gonzales makes a tour of El Nido enjoyable and educational. shares info about El Nido.

Tour guide Jayson Gonzales makes a tour of El Nido enjoyable and educational.

Feeding fish disrupts the food cycle and causes serious damage on coral reefs. In the natural underwater food cycle, fish eats algae on the coral reefs. When humans feed the fishes, they no longer eat the algae, which overgrows and suffocates the coral reef to death.

Damaged coral reefs means decreased fish production which could lead to food crisis and malnutrition of the human population.

Marcelo said a 2009 assessment of coral reef condition in El Nido showed coral cover of living hard corals averaged 26 percent which is a fair condition while soft coral cover overall was lower, averaging 4 percent.

As it take hundreds of years for a coral reef to grow, so does rehabilitation of damaged coral reefs. EENFI, which is restoring dynamite-damaged Reefs in Tres Marias islands near the West Philippine Sea, says it’s a very slow process. It takes a year to heal and restore one centimeter of coral reef.

Green Fins believes that diving and snorkeling centers are uniquely positioned to act within their own communities and among customers to encourage positive and lasting change. It’s members are expected to adhere to a Code of Conduct such as No Touching of coral reefs and not anchoring on coral reefs.

Green Fins has also come up with icons on their guidelines so that it would be understood regardless of nationalities.

ENFI’s Charlie Yu recalls the early years when they had the whole island of Shimizu to themselves when they visited Palawan. He said the island now is a favorite picnic area of tourists.

He said being a father, he wants to bequeath to his children an El Nido that may not be as spectacular as he found it but still awesome. “We are doing this for the next generation,” he said.
Greenfins Dos and Don'ts