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Two days ago my husband told me that Nickelodeon is planning to build an underwater resort and theme park in Palawan. Yesterday, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about it and I am one of those people who does not agree with the underwater resort or theme park in Palawan.
Coron, Palawan is a gem and please do not destroy it. We’ve visited this place 12 years ago and we’re planning to revisit so my son could also see the beauty of Coron. But not anytime soon, since most of the activity here is island hopping. #CoronIsNotBikiniBottom
And because of this, napareminisce ako bigla ng trip namin. Coron, Palawan is one of my memorable vacations and I consider Coron as one of the best places I have been to. Honestly, I was not familiar with this place when my ex-boyfriend now husband suggested this place.
I’m happy that I’ve visited this place 12 years ago because today the rate is expensive. Imagine almost all places that we have visited before has no entrance fee but now the entrance fee is P200 or less.
The disadvantage before was the airfare, there is no promo fare and there were only two airlines that offer Busuanga flight which is Sea Air and Asian Spirit. In the year 2005, these two airlines only offer Busuanga route. It was a small plane with only 19 seats, so you really feel the movement of it. (wala na yang airlines ngayon, hehehe!)
We visited Coron with no preparations at all, we just booked our flight and off we went with no room accommodation and no itineraries. There were a lot of first time experiences and memories in this travel and it was really an adventure for all of us. Sharing with you, our adventure. #AdventureinCoronPalawan
Day 1 Off to Coron, Palawan
It was our first trip via airplane with my friend and ex-bf now husband. (level-up na kasi may work na) We’re a little bit nervous because it was also our first time to ride a 19-seater airplane. Thank God, we landed safely at Francisco Reyes Airport. I was surprised to see the airport, ang liit lang niya. From Francisco Reyes Airport, we rode a jeep to reach the city proper, it is P100 per head.
We did not book any accommodation thinking that it is not a peak season but unfortunately Sea Dive Resort was already fully booked, they said, we could try Darayonan Lodge. We rode a tricycle to get to Darayonan, the lodge is also fully booked but if we could wait till evening, there will be an available room. It was only lunch time but we have no other choice. The room with private bathroom is P300 per head and additional P50 for the TV. Lesson learned, always book your accommodation in advance.
We also asked them where we could rent a boat for our trip and they referred us to Calamian Geo Eco-culture Expedition Travel and Tours. We did not want to waste our time so we left our baggage there and visit the travel agency. There are several packages but we booked Coron Tour P1200 and Culion Tour P1800.
Maquinit Hot Springs
We hired a tricycle to get to Maquinit Hot Spring for P100. Roundtrip ride plus the driver will wait for us. This was our only itinerary that day. We enjoyed the hot springs and it relieved our stress for not having an accommodation. Hehehe!
We went back to the lodge and we’re so glad that we can already rest.
Day 2 Coron Island Tour
We woke up early because the tour will start at 8AM. We went to Calamian Travel and Tours to rent kayak, snorkel, and fins and of course to meet the boatmen. The sea port is just beside the market so before hopping on the boat, we bought cooked rice, bread, and ingredients for grilled liempo which is good for five persons (3 + 2 boatmen)
Itinerary for the day: Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Island, Barracuda Lake and Maquinit Hot spring. We already went to Maquinit Hot Spring during our first day so we skipped this part.
First stop is Banol Beach, it is a small and peaceful beach where you can relax and unwind. It is a good place to kayak and snorkel. This was our first time to experience kayaking.
While enjoying the beach, our boatmen cooked our food and we ate our lunch here.
Next stop is Twin Lagoon, the place is really beautiful and there are so many fish so we tried fishing. We are so happy because we caught several fishes. We gave the fishes to the boatmen, edible naman pala silang lahat.
Then we went to Skeleton Wreck, where you can see the Japanese shipwreck. I felt so scared because I feel that there are some spirits that will pull my legs so I did not stay too long. lol But if you are a diver, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy this place.
Next stop is CYC Island; the place was so packed so we headed to Barracuda Lake. You need to trek to reach the lake. On our way to the lake, there were so many sea urchins so be careful.
The Lake is so clean but we’re the only people so we did not stay too long. If ever may mangyari, sa min feeling namin kahit sumigaw kami hindi maririnig ng boatmen. Hehehe!
Last stop is Siete Pecados, (Marine Park) since we’re so tired na kakalangoy with our life vest, my ex-bf is the only one who swam in this place, he lost our ring nga here, buti na lang hindi pa kami kasal so hindi wedding ring ang nawala.
Day 3: Culion Tour
Last day of island hopping since we have an early flight the following day. Again, we bought cooked rice and fishes in the market for our lunch.
Itinerary for the day: Culion Tour, Sangat Island Resort, Gunboat, Coral Garden, Culion Church and Culion Museum
Culion Island is a little bit far so ang tagal sa biyahe but since Palawan is picturesque, you will not get bored. First stop is Gun Boat, our boatmen grilled our fish while we enjoyed the beach. We ate lunch here before going to the resort.
We went to Sangat Island Dive Resort, it is a private resort. We just took some pictures.
Next stop is Coral Garden.
Last stop is Culion Island, I’m pretty sure that you already heard or read about this place. Culion is known as “The Land of the Living Dead” because those people who have leper were relocated here. It was only in the year 2006 when the World Health Organization declared that Culion is leprosy-free. So when we went there last 2005, hindi pa siya leprosy-free. Waah!
We don’t have a guide, we just do our own walking tour. We went to La Immaculada Church, Fort Culion, and Culion Museum. There is a museum guide at the Culion museum so we had an idea of Culion history. We did not stay long because we need to travel more or less two hours back to Coron Island.
Day 4 Back to Manila
3 days were over, back to reality. When I went back to the office, my officemates were surprised, negra na ko pagbalik sa kakaisland hopping.
I still dream to visit Coron again and I hope when we get back we can visit Mt. Tapyas View Deck, Banana and Malcapuya Island and Calauit Safari. I will definitely take more pictures, if you notice panget pa photos namin. Ito yung time na film pa gamit namin sa camera and tipid na tipid sa paggamit. Hehehe!
Read: 3 Days in Puerto Princesa Palawan with Kids
Lingayen is one of the municipalities in Pangasinan and it is also considered as a first class municipality and there is no question about that because I used to go here since I was a child so I witnessed all the changes and improvements of this place.
We are all familiar with Lingayen because it is part of our History subject, it is our former president Fidel V. Ramos aka FVR birthplace and one of the World War II strategic points. Would you believe that it is also considered as the most romantic place in the country?
If you are planning to visit Bolinao or Hundred Islands, you can include a Day Trip in Lingayen, Pangasinan in your itinerary. As I mentioned before, I’ve been to Lingayen, Pangasinan several times, when I was a kid, my uncle always invites us if there are events in their province like wedding or fiesta. Then I got married to my husband who was born and raised in Pangasinan too.
Now, I’m sharing with you the things that you can do or visit if you visit Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Lingayen Beach
Lingayen’s long beach is open to the public; there are cottages where you can stay if you just want to relax or if you want to swim. I have so many memories from this beach and I could no longer remember how many times I have been here.
But during our past visits last 2011 and 2016, we did not swim.
March 2011 - after dropping my mother-in-law in the market, we went to Lingayen just to show the different tanks and planes to my son. It was just a quick trip because we need to fetch my mother-in-law in the market again.
December 2016 - we were supposed to swim but unfortunately, my son had fever day before our trip so relax na lang at may Sagada pa kami. hehehe! He just enjoyed playing sand with his cousin.
Provincial Capitol
This is one of the beautiful capitols I’ve seen around the Philippines.
Aguedo Agbayani Park
Just in front of the Provincial Capitol, you can see the Aguedo Agbayani Park. This is a nice place to relax at night, mainit sa umaga syempre. Hehehe!
Cultural Memorial Park
It is where you can see pictures and read stories about World War II so if you like history you will enjoy this place.
World War II Memorabilia
Around the area, you will also see World War II Memorabilia Ground Site. There are tanks and small airplanes that were used in World War II.
Urduja House
During our last visit, we were able to visit Urduja House but we were not able to go inside the house. It is not open sa public pala but we were allowed to go inside the gate and take pictures outside the house.
Ramos House
Then we started looking for Ramos House, it is located at the back of President’s Hotel. It is also closed, I’m not sure if it is open to public or guests of President’s Hotel.
Some attractions that you can visit in Lingayen, Pangasinan are Town Park, Capitol Grounds, Sison Auditorium, Limahong Channel and Narciso Ramos Sports Complex and Civic Center.
Read: Things to do in Bolinao Pangasinan
I know that Three Kings is already over but here I am, still posting my highlights of 2016. Well, as I always say, it is nice to reminisce and reflect on what happened in your life. Sometimes, you feel that it is not a good year but then you will realize, it is not a bad year after all.
If the year 2015 is a challenging year for our family, bumawi naman kami sa 2016. Though there were still challenges overall, it is still a good year so I’m thankful for the year 2016.
2016 is a year of acceptance, last year I was adjusting to
my husband’s work. He has so many business trips that I’m not used to. For someone who is “TIME” is the language of love, the presence of my husband is very important to me.
But accepting the fact that he really needs to travel for work makes my life easier. Nakakapagod na rin naman magtampo kung wala siya pag weekend or holidays so accept and move on na lang.
2016 is a year, when I’m trying to be independent, I used to be independent when I was still single, I can go anywhere and anytime I want. Things change when I got married and had my son, I became so dependent on my husband na dapat lagi ko siya kasama kahit saan.
But year 2016, I’m trying my best to be independent. It started with our Cebu trip, I’m proud to say na nakapagtaxi kami na kaming dalawa lang mag-ina. It is a big achievement for me. Hehehe! My son and I were able to tour Japan and Singapore without hubby because he was busy with work so kami lang mag-ina ang namasyal. Hopefully, I can do that here in the Philippines, sana safe na in the near future.
2016 is also our travel year, last year I realized that life is so short, sa sobrang severe ng psoriasis ko feeling ko mag-goodbye earth na ko so when my condition improved last year, I really took advantage of the time na ok ako. Throughout the year, I was still going to the hospital for check-up and lab tests but no phototherapy so I could travel. Yes, do the things that make me happy while I’m still alive.
So let me share what happened in 2016?
January
We started our year with check-ups, my son and I started wearing eyeglasses. I have had eyeglasses since college but after I resigned from work, I stopped going to ophtha
na
. Wag gayahin
, we need to have eye check-ups every year. I need to change my eyeglasses kasi
tumaas
na
pala grado
ko. And because I need to be a role model to my son, lagi
ko na
rin suot
. Hehehe!
My son went to Pediatric Dentist too for tooth extraction, it is one painful experience that he can’t forget. Of course, I had my routine check-up with my derma.
February
My husband underwent Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy at St Lukes BGC so we had a hospital staycation. I was thankful for the successful operation, I have never been so scared in my life, di ako mapakali nung nasa operating room hubby ko.
February is also our wedding anniversary and we just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. Oh yes, one decade of TWOgetherness. We had a staycation at Vivere Azure, ate at La Finca Tagaytay and tried painting at Sip & Gogh Alabang.
March
Our family joined, “Run for Hungry Minds”. My son and I joined 2.5km while my husband finished the 5km run. We went to National Shrine Pio, Nurture Wellness, and Caleruega again last Holy Thursday. We had Easter Staycation at Vivere Hotel, my son experienced his first Easter Egg Hunting event. Watch the video here.
My son got Red Eagle Award so we went back to school for Recognition Day.
April
We revisited Cebu, this was a memorable trip because we stayed in Cebu for 6 days, unlike nung last visit namin na overnight lang. Hehehe! My son and I experienced business class flight. We tried three hotels during our trip, we stayed in Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Cebu Parklane International Hotel and Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan.
Read: Things to do in Cebu
We went to Kidzania Manila for the very first time. Watch the video here.
May
Mother's Day celebration at Twin Lakes. We had flu vaccines and went to Japan. Yey, it is on my bucket list and I finally ticked it off.
Read: 7 Days in Tokyo Japan
June
My husband celebrated his birthday in Sambokojin. Back to school but we were able to watch Finding Dory movie and attend a friend’s wedding.
July
I attended a baking class “The Day I Learned How to Bake my Own Bread”
August
I celebrated my birthday in Singapore. We stayed in Singapore for 5 days, visiting different zoos.
Read: 5 Days in Singapore
September
We got the report card for first grading and we treated our son in Kidzania Manila for getting gold eagle seal and part of the top 10 in their class. Watch the video here
October
It was my son’s birthday month and we had a staycation at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel. My son joined his first field trip without chaperone and we watched “Miss Peregrined’s Home for Peculiar Children” movie
November
My son got a gold eagle seal again and we treated him a bowling game. Watch the video here.
December
December is a busy month as always. We went to St James Bazaar, I attended Youth Builders Reunion, busy with advent calendar and holiday activities and of course, we ended our 2016 with a BANG. We went to Pangasinan, Baguio, and Sagada. I haven’t a blog about our trip but you can watch the video on my YouTube.
Read: Day Trip at Lingayen Pangasinan
So that’s it, my highlights of 2016
Highlights of 2011
Highlights of 2012
Highlights of 2013
Highlights of 2014
Highlights of 2015
We are frequent visitors of Tagaytay because we live in Southern Luzon so it is the nearest getaway for us. On our way to Tagaytay, we always passed by Discovery Country Suites and this hotel is still on my bucket list. We’re supposed to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary here last year but unfortunately, they are fully booked for the week of our anniversary so we ended up in Vivere Azure. It is not surprising that they are always fully booked because they only have 7 rooms. Hopefully, in the near future, I can finally tick it off on my list.
Read: Staycation at Discovery Suites Hotel
For the last few years, it became our tradition to go to Tagaytay church every Christmas and eat hearty breakfast before going home. So last Christmas, off we went to Tagaytay as early as 5 AM, we wanted to attend the first service. On our way to church, we’ve been contemplating where are we going to eat breakfast, ano pa ba ang nasa bucket list namin? Hehehe!
We’re supposed to eat a buffet breakfast but I suddenly changed our plans, di ko feel magbuffet muna. Hehehe! So off we went to Discovery Country Suites, we don’t have any reservations, we just go there and asked if they accept walk-ins. Yey, they accept walk-ins!
Upon entering the Discovery Country Suites, you will immediately see the Restaurant Verbena. We chose the table with a view, of course, and the staff handed us the menu. Since it was our first time, it took us time to choose our meal.
All breakfast meals are priced at P495+, it include a buffet of butter croissants, biscuits, Danish pastries, pandesal, banana bread, fresh fruits, and seasonal juices. The drink is a choice of refillable coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
While waiting for our order, we ate bread while my son ate cereal. The hot chocolate is not instant chocolate but tsokolate de batirol. Yum!
I ordered Verbena Breakfast Steak, seared US beef short plate, onions, and pepper served with egg and roasted potatoes.
My husband ordered Regions Breakfast, it includes the best of Southern Luzon on a plate which is crispy tawilis and Lucban longganisa served with egg and garlic rice.
My son ordered Cottage Breakfast, which includes fluffy pancakes with scrambled eggs, country sausage, and bacon. He was not able to finish this meal kasi nabusog na siya sa bread and cereals so take-out na lang.
We enjoyed our breakfast meal because it feels like home. The place was not crowded and the service is fast and efficient. Good thing I changed my mind and chose Verbena for our Christmas breakfast. It is no doubt that this is a multi-awarded restaurant.
The price is not budget-friendly but for me, it is worth it because you have buffet bread, cereals, fruits, juices, and drinks + the meal of your choice. It is like having an intimate breakfast because of the place and service. Christmas naman, time to treat ourselves with good food.
Read: Christmas Breakfast at Restaurant Verbena 2017
Restaurant Verbena
Breakfast: 7AM to 9:30AM
Lunch and Dinner : 11AM to 9:30PM
Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay
300 Calamba Road,
San Jose, Tagaytay,
4120 Cavite, Philippines
Telephone: +632 529 8172
+63 46 413 4567
I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about Miniso in social media last year but the location is just so far. Last month, while eating at SM Southmall Food Court, I saw the store of Miniso and I told my husband that we will check the store before we go home.
Miniso is a Japanese fast fashion designer brand that pursues simple, natural and quality life philosophy. It was established in the year 2013 and it offers products at an affordable price but high quality.
If you love Daiso, you will also love Miniso. You can buy home necessities, health and beauty products, accessories, sports products, food and drinks, electronic, bags, toys and many more. The cheapest price I’ve seen is P99.
At that time, the store was really packed so I was not able to check the different aisles but I was able to buy few items. Sayang nga, ang dami pwede pang gift at affordable price so I promised myself that I will go back again. If I remember it right, you can also use your SM Advantage here and credit card payment is accepted.
Sharing with you, my shopping finds.
Pancake Pan
Minimalist Wallet
Building Blocks Toy
Scented Sachet
Travel Kit
Miniso Philippines Branches
Robinsons Place Manila
SM City Manila
SM City East Ortigas
SM City Fairview
SM City San Lazaro
SM City Sucat
SM Southmall
