Lagen Island Resort's Warm Filipino Welcome

After the 45-minute boat ride across El Nido's Bacuit Bay, we finally arrived at Lagen Island, with a welcoming committee, led by Lagen's resident manager Carmel, waving us in the resort. We were ushered to the clubhouse, where the staff were waiting with a warm Filipino welcome - cold towel, drinks, and smiles - while they were singing a Palawan/ Cuyonin song to welcome and cheer everybody up.



After the orientation, which involves a brief information about Lagen, and El Nido Resorts' environmental sustainability programs, we were sent to relax at our rooms. I was checked in the Forest Room, located where Lagen's forest starts. My baggage followed me to my room after a few minutes.



The next day, I got to see Lagen's Forest Suites, the most luxurious rooms at El Nido Resorts. "Apart from the standard Lagen room amenities, the suites are equipped with TVs and DVD Players for movie viewing, in room safe, a lounge, and a bathtub." All the Forest Suites have a total area of 70 sqm, and each has a Queen bed.



Who would not fall in love with Lagen? It has the perfect scenery, people, and activities to relax, have fun, and escape the toxicity of the city.

Going back to Lagen Island in El Nido Palawan - The Flight

The first time I have been to El Nido in Palawan, was with my thesis mates during college. And after two more times coming back, it was another trip to one of my favorite places in the world - this time for work. I was not complaining, for I know where I will go is paradise on earth.



I trooped to the Island Transvoyager Inc. (ITI) Hangar in the airport complex in Pasay to catch the midday flight (3pm) to LIO airport in El Nido, Palawan. We rode the chartered 19-seater Dornier plane, which will soon be upgraded (to 40+ seater plane in the next few months) to cater to more guests and to make flying to El Nido more convenient and fun.


El Nido Resorts and ITI believe in sustainable tourism and protecting the environment because their business is built in the preservation and beauty of the surrounding of Palawan, particularly in El Nido and Taytay. One of their projects is to protect the environment, and this is taken cared of by "Carbon Offsetting." The amount of carbon emission produced by a round-trip flight by ITI to El Nido, which is 2,268 kg of CO2, is replaced by planting trees, 6 trees per passenger in a round-trip flight, to balance the emission and protect the cycle in which nature can protect itself and regenerate. Isn't that cool? :)



We arrived at LIO airport past 4pm, with the "sex bomb ladies" welcoming us with native Palawan and Cuyonin songs. It was a sight and a treat for first timers to El Nido. LIO airport will close soon, in the next few months, to give way to runway extension and repairs, which will greatly help in attracting more arrivals to El Nido.



We were ushered to a Jeepney, which brought us to the shore for our boat transfer to Lagen Island Resort. The smell of the fresh sea breeze, rushing water to the shore and against our speedboat, and the magical sight of El Nido's limestone clifs, are enough welcome to bring me to a state of peace.

Oh My Gulay, Vegetarian in Baguio

When in Baguio, one must not miss out on "Oh My Gulay." It was my first time to go here. Good thing that I agreed to try it out because this vegetarian restaurant which is nestled on a top floor of a building along Session Road in Baguio, is really a MUST TRY place if you want to eat good and healthy food.



Upon entering the place, you'll be transported to a magical place, with full of art and greens. You would not expect to find something like it in Session Road, what more on the rooftop of a building. And since it was my first time, we tried to order as much as we can.



For starters, we ordered the Bulaklak Tempura (Php 65) - Tempura Kalabasa blossoms with tempura sauce; and the Onyon Rings Yon (Php 65) - Crispy deep friend onion rings.



For the main course, we got the Anak ng Putanesca (Php 125), which is their version of the popular pasta dish, enhanced with a hint of cayenne pepper.



And the Oh My Gulay Rice (Php 135), which is made of native brown rice with ten vegetables in season mixed with their Mongolian sauce, topped with steamed tofu and omelette.