Beating the Summer Heat at Calatagan’s Manuel Uy Beach

Much of the Philippines is currently feeling the effects of an unusually hot dry season with heat indexes in some areas reaching an alarming 53°C. The latter figure is classified as extremely dangerous and could result in heat stroke for some people. (Four people had already died from heat stroke in Pili, Camarines Sur recently.) As a result, we had to think twice about going to a beach in Calatagan, Batangas to accompany a nephew here on a short vacation from his work overseas.

Sibuyan’s Busay Falls

Sibuyan Island is a budding ecotourism destination with its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, a landscape that includes towering peaks over lush forest canopies and plenty of pristine waterfalls. We were in Sibuyan primarily for the scenic island of Cresta de Gallo but had enough time to explore the town of San Fernando. We eventually ended up visiting the most popular waterfall in this town – Busay Falls.

Rambling Through Romblon 2: Return to Talipasak Beach

While Bonbon Beach is a stunner, there are other beaches in Romblon that are also well worth your time. Tiamban Beach, less than a kilometer away from Bonbon, is another scenic beach but we decided to head out instead for Talipasak Beach farther down south. We had visited Talipasak before and were curious how it would look like 7 years from the time when we first came here.

More Calatagan Seascapes: Edna’s Beach and Campsite

We’ve had the beaches of Calatagan, Batangas on our bucket list for some time but it was only late last year that we finally got to visit one. Despite its proximity to Metro Manila, it was only in recent years that it had begun to draw more visitors to its nearly white sand beaches.

Lobo’s Malabrigo Beach: Not Your Usual Philippine Beach Destination

The vast majority of the beaches we have visited in the Philippines are those of the white or creamy white sand variety. These happen to be our inclination. Preferably fine, white sand supplemented by crystal-clear turquoise waters. So, when the idea about visiting a pebble beach in Batangas province came up, we immediately shot it down.

An Accidental Discovery: Calaca’s Ancestral Homes

It was named after a type of native bamboo roof that locals used during the Spanish era. It also used to be a barrio of the large and then-influential town of Balayan. But Calaca became a separate municipality in 1835 and eventually the site of a large coal-fired power plant during the 1980s. That was just about everything we knew about this small city on the shores of Balayan Bay in Batangas.

Caleruega Church and the Scenic Views of Mt. Batulao

It was designed as a retreat center, a scenic location offering serene spots for contemplation that eventually became a popular spot for weddings. And so we headed off to the Caleruega Retreat Center for an appointment with nature in a pilgrimage setting. We were hardly expecting to encounter scenic views that looked more like a Tuscan countryside rather than a hilly locality in a tropical country.

A Quick Visit to Manuel Uy Beach

We have not been to a beach in nearly seven months, but with the end of the habagat or southwest monsoon season recently we were on the lookout for a break in the weather to resume our beach bumming. When that came a few days ago we headed out for a beach in Calatagan on the western coast of Batangas province.

Balite Falls: Revisiting Amadeo

It has been a while since we last went to a beach and were looking forward to visit Calatagan’s white sand coastline in Batangas province last Friday. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit iffy. Instead, we changed gears at the last possible moment to visit a cascade that has been our go-to place in Cavite besides Tagaytay.

The Camotes Islands: Cebu’s Unsung Destination

Its white sandy beaches, glassy turquoise waters, majestic rock formations, striking subterranean caves and lush mangrove forests would easily make Cebu’s Camotes Islands a bustling destination for visitors. However, it has remained remarkably quiet, offbeat, and not as frequented as the more popular destinations of Bantayan Island, Malapascua, Oslob and Moalboal of the same province.

Native Dancers and Choco Drinks: Enjoying Baguio’s Cultural Side

After our morning visit to the Mirador Heritage and Eco Park in Baguio City, we drove 15 minutes to our next destination – a cultural village that we last visited more than 20 years ago when it had recently opened. Just a few steps up into the interior of the village and we realized how different it was from that initial visit.

Papaya Beach: A Fitting El Nido Finale

After a short and docile time at the Cathedral Cave in Pinasil Island, El Nido, we were off for what would be the final destination of our 3 days of island-hopping in Bacuit Bay. As we sailed pass Lagen and Pinagbuyutan Islands and onto the coast of mainland El Nido, we would pass by the towering karst landscape that characterizes this part of Palawan. In less than an hour we would arrive at a gorgeous beach that would eventually become our favorite for this El Nido stint.

Payong-Payong, Talisay and Star Beach: El Nido’s Lunch Beaches

“Is the eye of a fish really edible?” asked a group of young Brits from another tour boat. Nina replied in the affirmative and then turned to Leo, “my hubby will show you.” As onlookers raised eyebrows and held their breath, Leo proceeded to extract, then munch on the gelatinous eye of the grilled tuna in front of us. “I’m not sure I would be able to do that,” remarked a stupefied blonde.

Surprise at Cadlao Lagoon, Reprise at Secret Beach

“Sorry, no Tour D available sir,” our El Nido resort manager told us when we were arranging for our 3-day island-hopping tours. And so, we were resigned to completely missing out on Cadlao Lagoon, one of two destinations we were excitedly anticipating on our second El Nido visit. This lagoon is a beautiful body of turquoise water surrounded by towering karst cliffs and was supposed to be one of the highlights of Tour D.

El Nido: Taking It Slow at Corong-Corong Beach

Since we last visited El Nido, Palawan seven years ago, the town proper has mushroomed into a jumble of hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, and art and souvenir shops. Activity at this town center explodes further at night, with hordes of tourists descending on the town after nearly 3 years of restricted tourist arrivals. So, when we motored into El Nido very recently, we decided to stay at a relatively quiet location not too far from the town proper.

The Mangroves of Camotes

Mangroves are an important part of the ecosystem of wetlands and coastal areas in the country. They protect populated areas by preventing erosion and absorbing the impact of storm surges. Mangroves also filter carbon emissions and pollutants in the water while providing a habitat for a wide array of wildlife including birds, fishes, crustaceans and mollusks.

Mangodlong and Buho: The Rocks of Camotes

Karst formations may be found all over the Philippines, comprising some 10% of its land mass. Most of these karst landscapes are found in coastal locations and would often be situated alongside white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. The Camotes Islands are no exception and during our recent visit we were treated to the rock formations at Mangodlong and Buho Rock Resorts.

Bakhaw & Himensulan: Camotes Islands’ Under the Radar Beaches

For a destination that is somewhat under the radar, the Camotes Islands has at least some tour spots that are familiar to local travelers. Santiago Bay Beach which we featured in our last post is one of them. However, we realized during our recent visit that there are many more beaches, caves and other noteworthy destinations that are scattered all over the 3 islands that make up Camotes.

Hideaway at Santiago Bay, Camotes Islands

Cebu province has a myriad of destinations from the gorgeous Sumilon Sandbar and the whale sharks of Oslob down south to the white sand beaches of Malapascua Island up north. Somehow, lost in that maze of tourist spots is a group of 3 islands lying to the northeast of Cebu City that has somehow evaded the radar of majority of visitors to the province.

Abagatanen Beach: Secluded Tranquility in a Fishing Village

Two decades ago, we would sometimes go to the beaches of northern Pangasinan when vacationing, especially the Hundred Islands of Alaminos and Bolinao, its beaches, and other natural destinations. Shortly after that we began venturing into lesser-known Dasol and Burgos and their beach destinations and hidden coves in the western part of the province. But we later discovered that north of both towns are equally fabulous coastal destinations in Agno and Bani.