Watch : Puerto Princesa Escapade at Mangroves Forest

It was really fun , when my friend decided to trek the Mangrooves Forest which is near Pristine Beach . But the Funny Scene happened.

Watch the Video Below 
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Doing extraordinary things...Defying the Gravity and pushing the limit

Green Minded  Team : Athan, Irene, Bonj as execute their trademark pose in every travels (Mitra's Ranch )

I always stressed, “I will not allow my life to pass without doing an extraordinary thing”. Living in my comfort zone is a big no no for me. Trying something new to spice up my life is my goal. Can you afford spending all day long in a four-corner room doing nothing ?. A person who is afraid to  take  risks will not enjoy life. The world is huge outside.

My eagerness to travel became my passion. I make sure that wherever I go I had pictures or souvenirs as proof that I was able to do it. I learned to plan  ahead of time and also how to prepare myself for these travels both physically and mentally. Then I started to share my trips through my travel blog. And was motivated to be a practical nomad. I was inspired by a letter from Lois Yasay, - a woman who quit her job just to travel Southeast Asia for six months with PHP 100,000 (non-stop). James Betia (I joined some of his travels and learned surfing),-who backpacked the Philippines for 100 days for PHP50, 000 (non-stop). Lastly, Rinell Banda a Filipino Dreamer who travelled the whole World.

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After knowing these true-blooded nomads personally, I learned to celebrate the Panorama of life, to travel and not to be afraid. We must take risks  in order to know where we truly belong.  And as with travelling you’ll never know what to expect.

I was able to rove, survive and enjoy the so called “City in the Forest” for only PHP4500. Together with my friends, we booked a round trip air ticket to Puerto Princesa City and this trip took six days from April 4 -10,2013.

April 4, 2013 at 6PM we arrived at the airport with no plans, no accommodations  and no fixed itinerary at hand. But that didn’t stop us from laughing and taking pictures. Literally, all we cared about was having fun and being in the moment.  We then  proceeded to this  restaurant the offers Birds nest soup. You haven’t been to Palawan if you haven’t tasted it.

Moreover, with the PHP4500 fund which we spread out for six days. It covered the round trip tickets, accommodations, foods ( Chaolong , Nido Soup, Sea foods), Swimming at pristine beach, experience Underground River, City tour, Bar Hopping, Hair Tattoo and of course “pasalubong (souvenirs)” .

Since I was trying to push my limit in terms of travelling I got to thinking how far would PHP500 take me? This idea pushed me to dare my friends to go on a 3 day trip to Rizal from August 9-11, 2013. To go as far as we can with that thought in mind.  It was crazy yet exciting.

First day we met in Cainta Rizal (Goodies Capital), and then we went to Taytay, Rizal known for its  Garments and Woodcraft products to visit the “Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Guerillas Memorial Shrine)” and in Jardin Miramar situated in  Antipolo City. The second day, we hired a tricycle for PHP300 for the entire trip. From Morong Rizal, we went to Baras, Rizal to visit the longstanding church, then lunch at Daranak Falls in Tanay, Rizal and experienced the Art of Rock Balancing , then off to the Floating Restaurant in Pililia, Rizal and ended up in Jala Jala, Rizal. On  our last day, we visited Angono Rizal (Art Capital and Home of Original Hegantes) before we went straight to Thunderbird Casino and Resort where I was invited to conduct a motivational speech for a journalism seminar. It was indeed relaxing and an unforgettable experience. The best part of it? It was totally FREE !

Doing Crazy Thing : Zambales

Aside from the tourist spots, the historical sites, the innumerable resorts, culture and practices;truly Rizal Province is definitely more fun because of its local inhabitants.

Who would expect that I got the chance to interview (impromptu) a businesswoman and the owner of the World’s Popular “Casa Santa in Antipolo City”. How about the creative man who revives “Stone Age” through his craftsmanship in Binangonan, Rizal and a fisherman who lived at the heart of Laguna Lake in a Nipa Hut that narrates his tales of resiliency and triumph against typhoons.

Not surprisingly, after these challenges  mentioned above , I learned some things that I never acquired during schooling. Those things wherein you can only encounter outdoor; how to deal with people , how to manage any fortuitous events might happen , how to live life in a simple way. And in the same manner, I was able to discover who am I and my capacity level.

“Travelling doesn’t need to be expensive” that’s what I learned. You just have to know how to be resourceful, wise and make TIME for it.  And as a full time employee, getting approval for a vacation leave is not easy, so being tactful is also required .

As Jack Canfield said “ If we  are not a little bit uncomfortable every day, were not growing. All the good stuff is outside our comfort zone.” 

This Article is an “I Love Tansyong” Official entry in a Writing/Blogging Contest organized by Wego in partnership with Cebu Pacific Air, the Tourism Promotions Board, and ABS-CBN Choose Philippines with a theme “Your Life-Changing Travel Story”

Thank you Eliza J. Diaz (Market Development Manager for Wego Philippines) for the invitation.

Also thank you to the four judges, Anita Duffin, Doming Ramon C. Enerio III, Phillip Kimpo Jr.

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Where to spend your 225 pesos in Puerto Princesa City?

A kiss to remember : One of the dogs in Pristine Beach

Read this Post because ill share you my cheapest Beach Experience.

Another Kiss to remember

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As a true blooded traveler, you are trying to do is to enjoy your travels the cheapest way possible (as per journeying James). Remember, Travel is different from Vacation. Travel is more exciting and challenging rather than a luxurious Vacation.

As per Wiki; Vacation is a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism. But Travelling is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. So when we say Vacation it has a specific trip or journey, but in travelling, you keep on moving from point a to b, (ill discuss it on my upcoming post)

Since we are talking about travelling the cheapest way possible (adaptation from James), I will provide you information on where to spend your 225 pesos in one day during your travel and almost you are on a vacation trip.

Speaking of Beach, I suggest you to visit pristine beach. It is located in Abeug Road, Bancao Bancao , just ride a tricycle  from city proper which is PHP15 only. Pristine is the only beach in town. If you want to meet some of the locals and have a few drinks, go to Pristine Beach, it’s a great place.  The entrance fee is 25 pesos per person and 200 pesos for the rent of the cottage. They also offered a free grill tools so that you can grill your fresh fish and pork for your lunch.

During Low tide

The Beach Resort is not yet well developed, actually not as clean as it used to be and no longer white or pristine. Yet you can still enjoy the beach especially during low tide. At first you will think that won’t enjoy because during high tide, you will not see a wide shore line. But wait, Just enjoy you food first and when the low tide will come, that would be the time you will appreciate the hidden beauty of it.

Lot of activities will arise when low tide exists. My Friends, bought a volleyball and we play, we met also some locals who teach us skim boarding and poi dancing ( I will narrate my experience about it on my upcoming post).  If you are a dog lover, believe me, you will enjoy the most because various aspin dog are inhabitants of the resort. And the best thing about them, they are very sweet, very very much sweet! I love them.

The Super Twins 

Some Crazy tips yet effective:

·         If you are trying to avoid paying the entrance fee, you can use another entry point. Beside the resort is the mangroves plantation, you can use that as an entry point, just advise the tricycle driver to bring you at the mangroves plantation beside pristine beach. The consequence is you need to walk across the mangroves plantation, but don’t worry coz locals are doing that.   This is not advisable if you’re group is more than five, coz it’s noticeable, and the resort attendant might ask you.  Alternative way is one of your group member will use the main entrance and pay for the entrance fee and rent of the cottage. Once everything are ok. Remaining members can now proceed to you cottage discreetly.

·         Bring your own food and drinks. Bring your own charcoal for grilling, Bring you own Volleyball.


Now I already told you about it, Just try it, being tactful is good sometimes especially if your out of budget during travel. HAHAHA.

Puerto Princesa City: The 6-day Challenge

The Challenge

The 6-day Challenge was happened from June 4-9, 2013. The challenge was part of annual out of town travel of The Pillar Publication staffer’s vacation. It was planned by the whole team headed by Dr. Shellanie Dacumos an adviser of the said publication. Each participant was required to pay PHP4500.00 for the said escapade. The destination was Puerto Princesa City.

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The Participant 

The Participants were Pillar Publication Staffer. The Pillar Publication is a university Publication of Rizal System. The said publication raised their own fund by accepting lay outing and news coverage, magazines or any form of media communication form from third party to subsidized the travel ( The publication don’t used their budget came from the University, ). 

This picture was taken at our Accommodation 

The Cost

PHP 4,500 All in (Do –it- yourself courtesy of our head/adviser)

Air fare Manila to Puerto Princesa PHP 900

Air fare Puerto Princesa to Manilla PHP1500

Underground River Payment –PHP 500

City Tour –PHP 400

Food and accommodation for six days-PHP 1200

Itinerary 

Day 1

June 4, 2013 4PM Departure. (Domestic Airport)

                    5PM Arrival  

         6 PM - Dinner at Balinsasayaw Restaurant and temporary Accommodation hunting 

Day 2

June 5, 2013. 7AM Breakfast, Chaolong Noodles

                      8AM- 12NN Mangroves Forest Escapades

                      12NN- 1PM Lunch at sidewalk eatery 

  1PM-2PM Transfer to Permanent Accommodation 

                     2PM-3PM, (free time) we roved the City, market and other places

                     6PM Dinner at the house (we cooked our dinner)

Day 3

June 6, 2013. Morning is free time.

                    Afternoon is City Tour

1. Church Visit

2. Plaza Cuartel

3. Mitra’s Ranch 

4. Baker’s Hill

5. Binuatan Creation

6. Crocodile Farm

7. Pasalubong

8. Bike at Baywalk

                     8PM Dinner at Baywalk

Day 4 

June 7, 2013 7AM-11AM To Sabang Port

                    11Am-1PM lunch at Sabang and swimming

                    1PM 3PM at Underground River Park

                    3PM- 7PM to City Proper

Day 5 

June 8,2013 DAY Beach Bump at Pristine Resort

                   Night  Out at Tiki Bar 

Day 6

June 9, 2013 . Pasalubong (Free day) and Street Foods Escapade

                      Dinner at Palayok at Bilao

The Challengers and the Pilots of Philippine Airlines as we arrived in NAIA 3 from Puerto Princesa City (June 10,2013 Back to Manilla)

Puerto Princesa Underground River; the Hidden Exquisiteness in the Darkness.

Corn formation inside the cave

When we say Puerto Princesa , it has something to do with Underground River. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (a.k.a. St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park) is a guarded place of the Philippines by the management of tourism department and city government unit of the said city since year 1992. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river via small boat. This is declared as one of the UN's World Heritage sites and not without basis. The river itself is a wonder because it is located under a mountain (which is why it is called subterranean anyway).
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Inhabitant of the Park

Moreover, it includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The limestone formation inside the cave has been formed through thousands of years by droplets coming from the land above. While navigating via small boat, innumerable rock formations will welcome you from the opening of the cave up until the end of your tour inside. Stone structures and images like Titanic Boat, cathedral, corn, and more figures will trigger your imagination to create more figures while taking glance in every corner of the cave.

Cocoa Fruit Formation

It is situated about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The Park itself is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bouded by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The entrance to the subterranean river is a short boat ride (20mins) from the town Sabang.

The Green preserved park

The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The water is jade green and is not so salty because it is brackish water. It is a condition commonly occurs when fresh water meets sea water. The site contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia and represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation both aquatic and terrestrial. The underground river is reputed to be the world’s longest.

Amazing Rocks

The boatmen who are also a tourist guides break the darkness and silence inside the river when they started to turn on the light of the boat and make your visit pleasurable simultaneously educational. Boatmen are very well trained tour guides.

Along the river

How to Go?
You need to go Sabang Port because an entry point going to Underground River. (For you to get in Sabang Click here).

In Sabang Port, you need to pay a ticket/environmental fee. Ride a boat for only 20-30 mins leading to the park. Make sure to remember your boat number because that’s the boat that will bring you back to Sabang Port.

Once you arrive at the Vicinity you are not allowed to bring any plastic bags, or any plastic that will create audible sound. Plastics sound will trigger the monkey’s attentiveness and disturbances.

Tip:  


For hassle-free, most travelers join the tour group to the Underground River. For 1500PHP per person (standard price is 1500PHP, but our team got it for 500PHP w/o lunch)tour companies will secure permit to the natural park, provide lunch, provide transportation to and from Puerto Princesa City and Sabang, the motorboat ride from the Sabang port to the park/cave entrance and finally, the boat trip inside the cave. Independent travel to the park is still an option; but considering the difficulty to get to the place itself, joining the tour group isn’t a bad choice.



The cave tour is a rewarding experience perhaps even for those who have joined cave explorations in the past. The stunning view behind the darkness is unexplainable and indescribable therefore you really have to visit to witness it personally.

Boodle Fight at Bilao at Palayok Restaurant in Puerto Princesa City

In addition from roving inside the Underground River, Sand Bathing in white beaches, breathtaking zip line adventures, breathtaking rock formations, and friendly locals. Puerto Princesa City travel and vacation would not be complete without dining at one of the popular restaurant the city named Bilao at Palayok Seafoods ; Native Restaurant.

Bilao at Palayok Seafoods & Native Restaurant is located along Rizal Avenue which is 5 minutes away from Puerto Prinsesa Airport. It is a finest restaurant anyway wherein you can easily locate by asking any locals or just ride a tricycle for only PHP8.00.

It is not that complicated and so easy to find because A huge Palayok or simply Earthen Pot outside the restaurant will welcome you at the entry point of the vicinity. At the heart of the restaurant are wooden crafts. Tables, chairs and even flooring are made up of wood mostly bamboos. And there is a Short bridge heading to the main dining area of Bilao at Palayok wherein live and colorful Coi Fish are swimming that will surely captured your attention. As you go ahead you will notice the restaurant's interior design is very Filipino, ambiance is very relaxing and feel looks expensive but for the delightful and delicious food, Bilao at Palayok dining experience is actually affordable and perfect for those travelers with tight budget.

Personally, I was impressed and amazed by the overall design and feel of the restaurant since native designs are very rare in the urban zone where I am living .Bilao at Palayok looks like a mini Filipino art gallery at the same time. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant during daytime to appreciate the ethnicity and beauty of the area.

Puerto Princesa's Bilao at Palayok is a must try to those who will visit the city because of its food because of the food. We were all shocked by the generous serving of this group meal for five persons or more in a boodle arrangement. The JAVA rice in the middle is very appetizing and it is surrounded by the various dishes like Grilled Liempo, Chicken Barbeque, Fried Boneless Milkfish with tomato, Fresh sea weeds, sizzling shrimp, Inihaw na Pusit, Inihaw na baboy, fried danggit, Adobo, Hipon, Laing etc for an amount of 20 USD. Desserts are also available starting at 70 Pesos .Food presentation is perfect! Price is reasonable and the servings are enough to 2 to 3 per viand (oh diba? Fiesta sa Dami). They cook your food on the spot so you really need to wait for it.

The Water Pitcher is very creative with recycled long neck bottle covered with Rattan.

Moreover, as unbiased blogger, I have also things I noticed in this restaurant, why not to consider. Honestly, I love the place yet let me also give you some things that the restaurant needs to focus or should I say “needs improvement/pay attention”. Or travelers must consider as well.

1. When they have lot of guests, tendency was they served foods too late and delayed; the service level was not that good.

2. Since it is an open restaurant, mosquitoes are really your great enemies. The restaurant set up around a mosquito coil killer yet since I have asthma, the smoke from the coil is a triggering factor.

3. If you are  a photo enthusiast , let me inform you that the restaurant had  a dimmed light which is not advisable for photo shooting (you should bring a strong shutter)

Hope that this post will help towards your travel.

Manila's Baywalk Version in Puerto Princesa City.

In Puerto Princesa City, a Version of SM Mall’s Baywalk is located at seafront strip just meters away from the City proper public market and it is beside the seaport. It was the former Seaplane but unfortunately the houses located here were razed by fire. According to rumors, it was intentionally made for rehabilitation of the inhabitants and the place itself.  Today, it is now one of the tourist spot of the City; it provides a scenic place to view the panoramic horizon of the sunset and a perfect place for jogging during sunrise. In most of the “City tour Package” the drop off location is Baywalk because at the end of the tiring day of the tour, this is the best place to relax while the breeze of the cold wind will embrace you.

If your gastronomical craving will trigger, no need to worry about it, because the within the vicinity, innumerable food stalls are selling foods , like fish ball, isaw, squid balls, fruit shakes and some other stuff. If you really want to end your day with a dinner, Eateries are also available that offers local cuisines and barbeque. If you are also looking for a hangout with friends, you can order drinks here up until 4AM however unlike the SM Mall of Asia’s Baywalk , you can’t even hear a band music considering Puerto Princesa Bay walk is not a noisy place. No worries about safety because the location was strictly monitored by the tourist police 24 hours.

The huge beautiful colorful peacock lamp is the first thing that will capture your attention at the entry point of Puerto Princesa’s Baywalk. Correspondingly the peacock is the official seal of Puerto Princesa City and the numbers of the feathers of the peacock tails symbolizes the numbers of Barangays. Having this beautiful symbol in Baywalk signifies that you are indeed in Puerto Princesa City

Furthermore, the location also provides a long way for jogging. Not only that, a 25PHP per hour rental of bicycle is also available.  It’s going to be an exciting, enjoyable and affordable activity with your friends/family because you can get 20PHP rental if you are a group who are going to rent.

Here is the Interview with Dhen Soriano . 

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1. What Can You Say About The Baywalk?
Answer : The place is great, this is perfect of picture taking, however I smell something fishy. But it is ok; the port is too close here.

2 .What is your unforgettable scenario encountered?

Answer: I was shocked while watching the two guys in front of me at  the gutter. Im from behind, at first I thought that they were just having a friendly conversation, when the two guys started to kiss each other, I was like standing erected  and shocked , I planned to capture the moment yet I can’t move at all. Truly, the place was romantic to the point that I saw something fishy, hahha!!

3.  What was your activity for you entire stay at the Baywalk?

Answer.  First I bought a sorbete for 10 PHP, Im sitting there and watching those who were biking. After I finished my Ice Cream, I took a lot of Pictures, and roved around for food tripping.

4. Can you describe the place in one word?

Answer: Perfect! Because the ambiance here during morning if perfect for jogging for your Golden Retriever and in afternoon watching sunset and biking is best.

Bird's Nest Soup in Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant Puerto Princesa City.

Nido Soup or the so called Bird's nest Soup

One of the display inside the restaurant

We arrived most likely 5PM and we got our luggage around 6PM. So that was almost dark and murky when we totally exit outside the airport. Outside there was Tourist Police Post so we went ahead for assistance. “Sir! Is there any public beach here wherein we can stay overnight for free camping” one of my teammates asked. The reason why we asked it because we don’t wanna pay for one night accommodation, we already did camping when we were in Bohol at Panglao Beach, so why not try it again. But unfortunately Puerto Princesa’s Beach are not good for camping because during high tide it is very risky and wide shoreline only exist during low tide. “Let us eat first our dinner”, Bonjo said. Everyone agreed and Bonjo recommended “Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant”, according to him, it is one the best restaurant in the City since that was his second time to visit Puerto Princesa.

I ordered two cups of rice.

We ride a tricycle and we went ahead to the Restaurant located at Rizal Avenue, Just five minutes’ drive from the Airport to the Restaurant( the fare is just 10PHP each beware coz some of the drivers take advantage, they charged us 20PHP each which is illegal).
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Meanwhile, when we reached at the entrance of the restaurant, it was really good ambiance, the vividness of light were enough for dinning only. The environment was very quiet and relaxing. The design was very native; you will see lots of wooden figurines. The whole restaurant was made of wood and old materials that can be found only in Palawan. The place is nice that you can feel the fresh air since dining areas were designed as cottages aside from the main dining area of the restaurant.

Grilled Pork

The Crew was very silent and tame, and they easily respond to the customers need.

The foods were really great in proportion to the price. Price is higher than the Eateries but the amount that you going to spend is value-laden. The foods were savory that will make you realize that your life is worth living. “Ang Sarap Mabuhay”. I ordered “Ginataang Hipon”(Shrimp in cocomilk), Bonjo ordered “ Inihaw na Manok”(Grilled Chicken), Jerbie Ordered “Inihaw na Liempo” (Pork Barbeque).

Balinsasayaw Restaurant was named after a native bird in Palawan called as the Balinsasayaw bird. The bird uses its saliva to construct its nest which is the main ingredient of the Balinsasayaw soup. The place is popular in serving the Balinsasayaw soup also known as bird’s nest soup. So the dinner is not complete without it. So we ordered one for 350PHP (it’s actually expensive) which good for 5 persons. Their bird’s nest soup is worth your money and they can serve it half their regular serving if you are dining solo.

Grilled Chicken

We leaved the location feeling very satisfied with food, very full, very tired from our flight, therefore we decided to rent a room just nearby Bona’s Chaolong. Unconsciously we slept.

Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant
Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
Tel. no.: (048)-434-5804

Ginataang Hipon

From the left : Athan,Norie,Bonjo,Jervie and Angel