Isla: A GMA News and Public Affairs Summer Special with Solenn Heussaff and Mikael Daez

Catch ISLA, a GMA News and Public Affairs Summer Special which will air this May 11, 10:45 pm on SNBO, GMA 7, after Imbestigador. It is an exciting special as Solenn Heussaff and Mikael Daez explore 6 marvelous islands out of the 7,107 islands in the Philippines. ISLA will feature Philippine's best island destinations from Pangulasian Island in El Nido, Palawan; Apo Island in Dumaguete; Danjugan Island in Negros Occidental; Salagdoong Beach in Siquijor; Lobo in Batangas; and Oslob in Cebu.

In Dumaguete, Mikael swims with friendly sea turtles in Apo Island, chills by the beach and discovers why the province is called the City of Gentle People. Solenn also visits a “wild” island known as Danjugan Island in Negros Occidental. Danjugan boasts of an enormous, unexplored bat cave with millions of fruit- and insect-eating bats. Under sea adventures also await as Solenn swims with various sea creatures. In Siquijor, Mikael is enchanted by the famous white sands of Salagdoong Beach and so-called “magical powers” of folk healers. Its mysterious reputation precedes it but Siquijor remains a must-see destination for its natural spring-water resorts and rich heritage.

Aside from being a model-host, Solenn is also a certified medic diver. Her passion for scuba diving was reignited by her visit to Lobo, Batangas. Lobo town sits astride the mountainous corridor in the southernmost coast of Batangas. It is one of the 18 biodiversity hot spots in the country identified by the DENR so the diving is exquisite and unspoilt. Solenn also takes a boat through a mangrove forest where she caught a special type of mud crab which she cooked in the traditional Batangueño way. Finally, Mikael gets up close and personal with one of the sea’s gentle giants, the whale shark, in Oslob, Cebu. The island of Cebu offers a variety of activities for adventure-seekers – from swimming, to kayaking to rock climbing. In Cebu, there’s never a dull moment and there’s always a sight to behold.

I had the privilege to take Ms. Solenn Heussaff around El Nido, Palawan, specifically in El Nido Resorts' newest eco-luxury island resort, Pangulasian. In El Nido, "Solenn goes on a luxury getaway in one of the best resorts in the world. El Nido is also known for natural wonders such as limestone cliffs, caves and hidden lagoons."



Solenn was able to see the villas of Pangulasian, specifically the Kalaw Villa and the Pool Villa, which has its own private lounge pool with an amazing view of the stretch of white sand beach. Also, she was able to enjoy a dip in the main swimming pool of the resort.



Beyond enjoying the luxuries of Pangulasian Island, Solenn was also able to visit the big and small lagoons, the most famous attractions of El Nido, and get to swim and snorkel with the fishes in the house reef.



Solenn Heussaff with the Miniloc Island resort staff.

Starbucks Philippines launches 2014 Festival Tumblers with Sinulog and Ati-Atihan

Starbucks Philippines launches its Festival Tumblers starting off with Cebu's Sinulog Festival 2014. The Starbucks Sinulog Festival 2014 Tumbler will only be sold in Starbucks Cebu branches until supplies last, starting tomorrow, January 16 with a retail price of Php 565.00. Meanwhile the Starbucks Ati-Atihan Festival 2014 Tumbler is now available in Starbucks Boracay branch, until supplies last.

The designs of the Starbucks Festival Tumblers incorporates coffee elements. As you will notice, the headdress of the women dancing have coffee cherries, while the costumes have coffee flowers. It also supports the Department of Tourism's "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign by adding their own meme, "Festivals. More Fun in the Philippines." Let us support this creative way of promoting both tourism in the Philippines, through popular Philippine festivals, and love for good coffee. Collect them all!

Bantayan Island, Cebu

It was my first time in Cebu; my second instance to ride an airplane. We landed in Mactan-Cebu International Airport last Friday, and headed straight to Bantayan Island. From the airport we rode a taxi to North Bus Terminal. From there, we rode a bus to Hagnaya port, then a RORO (Island Shipping) to Sta. Fe pier in Bantayan. It was an estimated 4-5 hours from Manila to Bantayan, with all of those transfers.




In Bantayan, we stayed in Sta. Fe beach club. From the pier, you can already see Sta. Fe, a 5 minute drive away.



While in Bantayan, you should try D'Jungle, the best restaurant in the island. They serve buffet, which boasts of a variety of tasty seafood to crispy pata to differnt kinds of grilled dishes, from Friday to Sunday for only 249 pesos. It comes with a refillable iced tea.

You might also want to go on a day trip to Virgin Island, a private island, where you can snorkel and rest for the day for an entrance fee of 300 pesos. Renting a boat from Sta Fe. for the whole day costs 1,800, inclusive of your lunch while on the island, and your snorkeling gear.