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.

Scrumptious Food at San Vicente Palawan's Capari

Had a quick getaway and break from all of Manila's busyness, and all the grim and unwanted, like traffic, pollution and stress. We hopped on a Zest Air flight (which was already booked long ago) to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Our destination: San Vicente Palawan, in time for the the municipality's festivities, called the Malagnang Festival or Mud Festival. My friend, Aliah, her husband Jordan, and I, did not have a planned itinerary so we decided to wing it when we got there. Besides, commuting is not as bad, if you are friendly and you know how to ask for directions.



It wasn't my first time in Palawan, but it certainly was our first time in San Vicente, so we did not have any clue on how to get there. We just knew that we had to take a bus or a shuttle which will bring us there. Luckily, Carmela Pie Alvarez, the mayor of San Vicente, just flew in the city a few minutes after we did, and so she brought us with her aboard a chopper (which took around 30-45 minutes) to San Vicente (compared to the 3 to 4 hour rough road ride which we took going back).



She hosted us in their resort, Capari, which had its own cove. It is where the Survivor Philippines, or part of it, was shot. In fact, the tribal council scene was filmed there, and the structures still exist up to date. The place is simple, which has its own charm. But what I rave most, besides the waters, is the food. Almost anything you order from the menu, I guarantee that you'll be having a great meal. Props to the chef, which hails from Palawan. Here are some of the food we ate:



We had a great time in San Vicente. Definitely, we would come back to one of the Philippines' paradise. :) Photo below (Jordan, Aliah, Sharon - Resort Manager, and I) and photo of myself in Long Beach, a 14 km stretch of white sand beach.



Special thanks to San Vicente Mayor Carmela Alvarez, Capari Resort, and the wonderful people of San Vicente Palawan. :) We'll be back! :)