The Adventures and Misadventures of MAY 1
I have a cousin who loves travelling around the country. It was a normal occurrence to find the cousins all gathered around him every time we have family affairs and asking him of the provinces he had recently visited. He would often engage us with stories of beaches that are powdery soft, of colourful aquatic life, of places thrown back in time where life is slow and better appreciated, of the exotic food that sounds scary. We would often also forget that he was talking about places that are actually IN the Philippines. And before anyone could say “SAMA AKO!” (I want to come with you!), during my brother’s wedding rehearsal, a little index card was passed around with the names of the cousins with a place and date in mind. Before we knew it, the May1 Group was born.
the first outing of MAY1 Group
AT the 100 year old stone house that was on the cover of National Geographic, Basco, Batanes
Travelling domestically is new for me. For some reason, most of my summer travel excursions involved getting out of the country. And so it was quite an experience going around the Philippines with my eyes and mouth wide open, and thinking, “why didn’t I think of this before?”
Here are some of the places around the country we have been to that are off the beaten path, that is worth checking out if you want to get lost for a while or would just want to recharge, or for relearning or rediscovering.
BATANES - Luzon’s Best Kept Secret
May1 Group, at Rolling Hills
Dig in!! Coconut Crab, Lobster, Yellow Rice (Turmeric), Pineapple, Pakbet - YUM!
Never mind that the airstrip was a little short or the fact that the plane was full of politicians who were attending the wedding of the daughter of the ex-Congressman. The moment we arrived in Basco, we knew this place was special. There is something with being away from the city and smelling air that felt clean.
Batanes is a nature-lover’s, photographer’s, paradise. I say this with no exaggeration. Every angle in this little island is picturesque. Most of the island is untouched by development and commercial activity. Don’t get me wrong, the roads are cemented and there are hotels. But you see the restraint of the locals in trying to keep the structures from distracting from the natural beauty of the island. It is obvious that the diva in this island is Nature.
Everyone jumps at this spot at Marlboro Country, Batanes
The Rolling Hills and Marlboro Country are exactly like in those Marlboro commercials in the 80’s. It had sprawling hills and meadows, where cattle and horses roam free to graze with the sunset in the background. The stone houses in Sabtang (another island in the Batanes Group of Islands that require a very rocky boat ride due to the fact that you would have to cross an area where the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea meet) that is classified by UNESCO as a Heritage Site, was like being thrown back.. WAY back in time before the Spaniards came. The more amazing thing is, people still live in these houses. Another, are the numerous Lighthouses scattered around the island that make for very good pictures. I felt like I wasn’t in the Philippines at all!
at the UNESCO heritage site- Chavayan, Batanes
The locals are warmer in this area than the usual. Case in point: the world famous Honesty Cafe. The Cafe cut cost by not employing any clerk or cashier but rely on the honesty of the patrons who grab the stuff they wanted from the store and then dropping the payment in the slot can. A price list is plastered on the wall. The locals are so assured of the honesty in people that it is not unusual that a keeper leave his stall for a while and expect that things are in order. This is a testament of the kind of people you encounter in Batanes – content, gentle, honest and downright good.
Stone house in Chavayan, Sabtang
Honesty is the best policy in Honesty Cafe
This is not the place for the partygoer - who will be disappointed to know that the only thing that resembles a club is a makeshift “disco” (yes, that’s what they call it) at a resort lobby every Friday with free entrance for the ladies but P20 for the gents! We spent the nights on the balcony of our hotel overlooking the sea drinking ice cold beer making our stomach rest from engorging ourselves with Coconut Crab, Lobsters and Flying Fish which were all locally available and known for, exchanging stories of the places we went to that day or making tsismis with the hotel manager who reminded me of a favorite bubbly aunt.
with the most famous Ivatan woman from Batanes-- the one who lives in the 100 year old stone house
Also worth checking out is Fundacion Pacita where Pacita Abad, a well-known artist spent her last days. At the time we visited, finishing touches were being made to convert the house into a beautiful bed and breakfast with rooms having AMAZING views. It is now a running Inn with very homey amenities that remind you of a well-equipped cottage with modern amenities. Like cottages in Baguio, minus the pine smell though and outdoor aircon. Pacita’s art studio is also open in the capital Basco, where local artists showcase their works.
At Fundacion Pacita. With the old house converted to a B&B at the far back.
BUSUANGA/CORON – the OTHER Part of Palawan You Have Not Heard of...Just Yet.
MAY1 group at the baggage check-in bound for Coron
Everybody must have heard of Puerto Princesa. But there is one more Palawan island that is almost not a secret anymore. It is the little island of Busuanga, which is known for its diving sites for WWII Japanese wrecks and diving reefs with untouched beaches. Busuanga was a place for someone who loved the water and aquatic life.
Coron, the other part of Palawan you haven't heard of.. just yet.
the view from mt kawayanan
One of the unique experiences I ever had is swimming in Kayangan Lake. It was also quite interesting how to GET to Kayangan Lake – which requires a 20 minute trek up a steep mountain. Due to the fact that it rained before our trek, we had the additional hazard of mud. Thank God bamboo handles were there to keep us from sliding. It was also at the top of the trek that we got acquainted with the biggest mosquitoes I have ever seen in my ENTIRE life! Thank god I had a friend who told me to bring anti-repellent lotion when we go up the trek. Just when I thought I couldn’t catch my breath from the climb, the sight of Kayangan Lake from the top and the entire island, made the trip oh so WORTH it. I suddenly had the urge to hasten my pace and take off my clothes and jump off the make shift walkway! The water was so clear that I could see the tips of my toes and the water bed as we swam around. So that was why they called this lake the cleanest Lake in the Philippines. However, the lake does not have any shallow parts only deep ones. Not to fret, life vests are readily available. The swimming experience there is something I would never forget.
Siete Pecados is a marine wildlife reserve in the middle of the sea. Imagine our surprise when we decided to snorkel and find ourselves in the company of abundant marine animals, nip ticking our toes and shamelessly displaying their colors. I have never seen such variety of fishes of all shapes, colors and sizes in numbers. We couldn’t help but shriek and point and get the attention of the nearest person next to us when we see a fish we’ve never seen before. We were like kids in a candy store, veering off on our own little world until the sun came down to stop us from snooping.
Maquinit Hot Springs will be hotter
Ripple effect at Maquinit Hot Springs
Perhaps, you would like to have lunch on an isolated island? Banol Beach is the place to park your boat. Banol Beach is a white super fine sandy beach run by the local Tagbanua tribe..An additional facet on this beach is the presence of limestone rocks that look like mountains. Don’t be surprised by the resident pet of the locals on the island – a little piggy. After a refreshing swim or lunch at Banol Beach, the next logical trip is to relax the tired muscles at the Maquinit Hot Springs. There are two pools of hot hot hot slightly salty water that will relieve the soreness of the day. The natural hot spring water is therapeutic. The best time to enjoy Maquinit is late afternoon when the sun is setting and not any time during the hot summer day..unless you want to pass out.
tempted to jump off in Banol Beach
I remember dissecting a shark when I was in pre-med. And I don’t remember anything soft about it or fragrant. That was why it was hard for me to imagine having it for lunch. Ginataang Shark and Sting Ray was a local delicacy in the area and as we started eating it, it was not as I remembered. It is a must try for the fearless and for those who have strong stomachs.
When night comes, there are a variety of restaurants that surprisingly serve great food – Bistro Coron for its rectangular homemade pizza with sunny side up eggs, La Sirenetta for its fine dining food (but it comes with a very long waiting period. Fortunately, the bar at La Sirenetta will keep you sane.) In the morning, Kokosnuss serves the best breakfast in Coron with their Mango Pancakes, Apple Pancakes, Banana Pancakes. You can even request your own fruit pancake. Don't forget to try Palawan’s finest- the local honey.
the yummiest breakfast in Coron- Kokosnuss Garden Resort Resto.
That's Kuya Arnel -my cousin who loves to travel :)
La Sirenetta - the long wait is so worth it!
SOHOTON, SOCCORO and BUTUAN CITY – Boracay Eat Your Heart Out
the Family at Cloud 9, Siargao
Welcome to Soccorro! That's Tito Bon in his rugged get-up
Imagine this: a nice sunny day, just lying on a white sandy beach, listening to the waves crashing in, sipping a very cold beer. Drifting off just yet? It’s exactly what we did on this little well known island off Surigao Del Norte in Mindanao and just a boat ride away from Siargao, the surfing capital of the Philippines.
goofing around in Butuan with the Villaflor Kids!
Sohoton, which is part of the Municipality of Soccoro in Surigao Del Norte is slowly getting to be known as one of the many islands of Bucas Grande. It is an isolated island where you can claim as your own during your stay. It is completely remote from the main town and which can be accessed only through boats. However, the inconspicuousness serves its purpose: ISOLATION. Don’t be fooled. Even though this island is remote, the necessaries and the amenities on the island are stocked. It is the perfect place to go when you want to forget about anything and enjoy nature completely. The only resort on the island, The Balanghai Resort, used to have huts on stilts right on the water which made it a little bit rustic and natural. Nowadays, The Balanghai Resort, is now renamed Club Tara, with cemented cottages on the water and modernized with Jacuzzis and air-conditioning to suit the growing number of foreigners who have found out this little secret.
Jumping off from our hut!
Back in 2006, I found myself, breath-taken by the bluest blue waters and having the huts right on the water, nestled along a cove. We would find ourselves jumping off the ledge of the huts right onto the water in the earliest morning or waking up the people in the nearest hut by just kayaking. Making noise as we please—since we were the only residents on the island during our stay. The high limestone barriers around the cove was a perfect foil from the harsh sun rays and the area ideal for kayaking, swimming and snorkelling since the waters were calm and cool.
At the beautiful Balanghai Resort.. in Soccorro, MINDANAO!
We spent most of our days, kayaking going to and fro different scattered islands of Bucas Grande in the open sea, setting foot on polvoron soft super fine powder sand beaches, manoeuvring our way through the labyrinth of the Sohoton Coves and being engulfed with the tranquillity and the wild forests on the interconnecting islets, collecting exoskeletons of abundant marine and coral life like sand dollars, starfishes (the size of the outdated laser discs), trekking up the cliffs to see the beautiful lakes, and snorkelling out on the reefs. The most fascinating part of this trip is finding out that most of the islands are still untouched and undeveloped.
the powdery soft white sands of Soccorro is giving Boracay a RUN for their money
One of the islands featured an underground cave called Hagukan Cave which is better visited during low tide. Just in case you missed the low tide opportunity, you can access the cave by swimming underwater. However, you would have to have very strong lungs for the short swim. My brothers and I decided to swim to the cave, and while I was underwater, I got scared for a short time, wondering when I was finally going to come up for air—and finding out after gasping for air, the amazing effect of light from outside the cave and underwater and the complete darkness inside the cave. It was like a moment in a Goonies movie. It is mysterious and exciting. I do not advise this for those who do not know how to swim or those who smoke.
Island to island Open Sea Kayaking--- Siargao.
the best way to go around the Sohoton Caves- Kayak!
Not to be discounted, the City of Butuan in Agusan Del Norte (which is the jump off point before going to Soccoro – since it has its own airport) is rich in history and culture. The Balanghai National Museum houses the Balanghay boats which were excavated along the river. Significance? It is believed that our ancestors came to the Philippines in these boats and started trading with the people already on the island (Sounding a little like Lost here). Also, and interesting part of the trip was visiting the Diocesan Museum which contends that the first Easter Mass was celebrated in Butuan. The Diocesan Museum also houses alot of very old religious artifacts dating back the time of the Spaniards. So, before going off to Sohoton, try to spend at least a day here.
LAGOT kayo kay FATHER! At the Diocesan Museum, Butuan City
Durian - the fruit you can find anywhere in Butuan
DON’T BE A STRANGER
Travelling locally didn’t just enrich my knowledge of geography or history, but more importantly, it was a constant reminder that we are just sitting on a gold mine. The Philippines is such a beautiful country and often, we forget that. So, don’t be a stranger in your own country. Travel locally.
