Amorita Resort in Panglao Island Bohol

Nestled at the far end of the famed Alona Beach in Panglao Island, on top of a seaside cliff, is Amorita Resort, a private and tranquil resort getaway which values your privacy and offers you comfort and luxury relaxation. The resort offers a breathtaking 180 degree view of the Bohol Sea.



Amorita Resort affords guests with their Ocean Villas, which gives them the most impressive amenity in the resort - a great view of the Bohol sea, its own pocket garden, private plunge pool, and a sun deck ideal for intimate moments or total relaxation; their Garden Villas, with the same amenities less the view of the sea; or their Deluxe Rooms, which offers comfort with premium on space.

Bohol: Rich in History, Culture and Island Adventure

The morning after, I was fetched by Gery, a DOT accredited tour operator, who services groups and brings them to the tourist spots around Bohol. Of course, my Bohol trip will never be complete without seeing the famous Chocolate Hills. The viewing deck is situated at Carmen, where the Chocolate Hills National Monument is located. There are approximately 1,776 hills, which are actually grass covered limestones, scattered in as much as 50 sq. kilometers covering several towns in Bohol.

Bohol: Traveling to Alona Beach in Panglao Island

Bohol, being one of the top local destinations of the Philippines, is becoming more and more known to both local and foreign travelers. One cannot help but marvel at a destination that has, what people say, "the complete tourism package" because there is something for everyone. Bohol has a provincial allure rich in history, heritage and culture, resorts of all class, best dive sites, great adventure, good food, and a lot more!



Bohol is valued to be a tropical, eco-tourism paradise - a must-see destination in Central Philippines, with the ancient limestone formations of the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary, unparalleled underwater marine life, 16th century churches, and delicious native delicacies, being some of the reasons why people go to Bohol.

Marinduque, Journey to the Heart of the Philippines

I was in Marinduque during the holy week for the Moriones Festival and for work. Back in 2009, I went on a 9-day silent retreat at the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. It was a different yet refreshing and peaceful experience. I must admit I am not a fan of all the rituals and all those stuff Filipinos do during the Lenten season, but I am an open person. And so, I went, with an open mind, expecting the best.

Going to Marinduque
Marinduque, around 120 km south of Metro Manila, is reachable through land, sea and air. The cheapest would be for you to take a bus from Manila, or a car, drive all the way to Lucena, Quezon and ride a RORO or fast craft from Dalahican Port. The more expensive way is to ride a ZestAir plane, or a chartered one, from Manila to Marinduque.

We took the Roll On Roll Off (RORO) because all plane tickets were sold out. It took us more than 2 hours on the sea to reach Marinduque. The sea was calm, so we reached our destination smoothly. We saw sea beggars at Dalahican Port, before we left.



Marinduque's Food, Heritage and Culture
Beyond the famous Moriones Festival during Lenten season, Marinduque has more to offer. First of all, Marinduque, in my opinion, has really good food. Marinduque is known for its arrowroot and arrowroot cookies, made from high fiber starch extracted from uraro or arrowroot tubers. Try the arrowroot cookies with pinipig, for the extra texture and flavor.



I also like their dilis, or long-jawed anchovies, and their blue marlin, which melts in your mouth. Their fish were fresh and well cooked. This one was with garlic and served in a sizzling hot plate.




These next two "endemic" food from Marinduque were too good, I forgot how they're called. The first one is a native soup made from coconut, with coconut meat and lots of seafood in it. It's a bit sour and sweet. The next is an endemic Marinduque mangrove species. It's like a small crayfish x shrimp; it has a hard shell, but it's as small as a shrimp. Although the meat you can get from it is quite small or few, it's really yummy and quite sweet.




Marinduque is also a center of heritage and culture, with its beautifully constructed old churches and houses. You can go church hopping in the different towns, or just admire the old houses while you go around the province. Photos below were taken from Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Church), and from Boac (Boac Cathedral).



Marinduque Island beyond Moriones Festival
This is Elephant Island, or more popularly known as Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa. I haven't stepped on the island, but I hope to go there, try it, and write about it in the near future ;) *ahem*



Marinduque also has the Maniwaya White Sand Beach, which is up for tourism development, and the White Beach in Torrijos (photo below). Also in Torrijos, these photos below were taken from the Congressman's rest house.



Sulfuric Hot Spring - Marinduque also has a sulfuric hot spring. The first thing you would notice once you get there is its pungent smell, similar to the smell of a rotten egg. Even though this is the case, people still take a dip because they say the water has medicinal properties.



Marinduque Hot Spring Resort - They also have a natural hot spring pool (without sulfur) if you can't take the smell, and if you just want to relax in hot to warm water.



One of the good finds, and a really good pasalubong or gift, I came across in Marinduque was this shirt designed by a local. I find the design really really good. This is one of the factors which boosts tourism. The design and shirt is by Anto arts & prints, copyrighted. If you want to order, you can contact Ms. Beth Monteagudo at 09279455492, and say that you found out about them here. ;)


Rep. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, wearing Anto arts&prints. I couldn't find the photo right now, but DOT Secretary Lim wore Anto arts&prints on his last day/departure from Marinduque :)

Boracay Philippines - Alta Vista de Boracay

Lost Tsinelas spent Christmas in Boracay with his family, together with a few other famous people like him who wanted to get out of Metro Manila (and their own countries), and rest on the shores of one of the visited tourist spots in the Philippines. Mark Salling, also known as Puck in the hit series Glee, was one of the people who have visited and stayed there for quite some time. It was reported that he enjoyed his stay on the island. :)

Before 2010 ended, I followed, and went on a trip to Boracay Philippines, the island paradise, as a lot of people who have went and seen the beauty of the island would say. It was my first time to go to Boracay, and I was very much intrigued what the island has on both Filipino and foreign tourists, as it is one of the top destinations of the Philippines. The next few posts would feature food and sights one would see in Boracay Philippines, and would spell why it remains to be one of the best in the eyes of the tourists who visit the Philippines.



My Boracay Philippines adventure starts with where we were billeted during our short stay in the island. We were invited to cover an event, which I will write about later, and we were checked-in at Alta Vista de Boracay. We arrived a little past midnight, which was caused by several delays, (but that's just another story all together and I rather not talk about it) so I just had a decent meal delivered to my room, and slept, to get up early and explore the island paradise.



I woke up to this sight. These several photos below were taken by the hotel lobby. Alta Vista de Boracay has an infinity swimming pool one can swim in, relax and enjoy while he or she is in the hotel resort. Too bad though, Alta Vista's location is on the mountains, a few hundred meters or, actually, more than a kilometer away from the White Beach, where all the action and the people can be found.



These next photos are taken inside the room that I stayed in. Although you can sense the woody air and old-like smell of the place, maybe because of its location (near the forest) or poor maintenance, I don't know, the rooms are really spacious and can fit a group of 4 to 5 people.



The bathroom has a tub, a cold and hot water shower, toilet with vitae, sink, basic amenities, such as tissue, soap, shampoo and lotion, and a hairdryer. It's pretty decent and big, actually. The last photo shows the balcony of the room I had. Each room or unit has a separate balcony. Cool! :)



2010 has been a blessing for me. I have tried a variety of food, been to a lot of restaurants, traveled to places, gained friends and a lot of experiences, and I simply lived life. :) I feel that I am really blessed and lucky, and I would not trade what I have now for anything in this world. Now that it's 2011, it is another year to look forward to; I wish only for the best for everyone. :)

P.S. I would like to thank FOX International and Selecta for the Boracay Philippines trip :)

I miss you! Sunburn!

Even though I go home tired from work, I can't help but pause and spend time writing this post. I want the world to know that I miss you. I miss the beach! I want to be reunited with you forever. I want to live on a house by the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Only you and me can and will know. :)

I just want to be on the BEACH! Take me, bring me, kidnap me! :))))