El Nido Resorts' Apulit Island at the Philippine Travel Mart 2013

El Nido Resorts, the leading eco-island-resorts in the Philippines, will be at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart this September 6-8, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Exciting deals and discounts await those who will go to this 3-day massive travel sale. See you there! :)

Post by El Nido Resorts.

2013 Travel Tour Expo Philippines, Save the Date!

The largest gathering of travel-holics is back, with the 20th Travel Tour Expo 2013 this February 15-17, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Travel and tourism industry players, from destinations, resorts, hotels, airlines, tours, and a lot more, will be offering the best deals and travel options for both domestic and international travel!

 

While you're at it, do check out the El Nido Resorts booth, and get the lowest possible rates. It's your chance to book a vacation in our little piece of paradise. So save the date, and I will see you around! :)

Related Article: El Nido, Palawan's Newest Eco-Luxury Resort, Pangulasian Island, now opens

El Nido Palawan's Newest Eco-Luxury Resort, Pangulasian Island, now opens

Last October 15, the Philippines’ newest premier eco-luxury resort, Pangulasian Island in El Nido, Palawan officially welcomed its first guests to its shores, a Taiwanese couple, who were given a grand El Nido Resorts reception by the resort staff, headed by Pangulasian Island’s resident manager Lei Policarpio.



Pangulasian features 42 deluxe villas, which shares a pristine beach almost a kilometer long. It has a swimming pool, gym, spa, resort center with restaurant, library, boutique and a conference room, among other facilities and activities.

Take a dip at Pangulasian's Swimming Pool

The resort mixes contemporary Filipino and cutting edge “green” design with luxurious amenities and impeccable and personalized service, which makes it the ultimate eco-luxury destination in the Philippines.

The Taiwanese couple who were on their honeymoon stayed in Pangulasian for two nights, while the rest of their 8 days stay was split on Lagen Island and Miniloc Island in El Nido, two of the four island resort properties of El Nido Resorts; the last being Apulit Island in Taytay.

Lei Policarpio leading the couple to the resorts center

The Taiwanese couple meets their personal butler :)

El Nido Resorts now maintains and operates four island resorts in El Nido and Taytay, Palawan, with sustainability and eco-tourism as its thrust, putting a premium on integrating the protection and preservation of the environment, and the beauty of Palawan, with modern facilities, technology, and luxury.

Pangulasian Island resort staff with a grand El Nido Resorts welcome.

For inquiries about Pangulasian Island and El Nido Resorts, give them a call at +63 (2) 813 0000 or email them at holiday@elnidoresorts.com. You may also visit their website at http://www.elnidoresorts.com/ or their Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/elnidoresorts

El Nido Resorts at the Philippine Travel Mart in SMX Mall of Asia

The 23rd Philippine Travel Mart organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association or PHILTOA pushed through last August 10-12 (Friday to Sunday) at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. There were a lot of local travel trade participants who set up and sold packages exclusively for the three days travel mart. Here are some photos taken from El Nido Resorts' booth and activities.

With Cesar Cruz of PHILTOA

ENR with Philippine Department of Tourism Officials: ASec. Bong Bengzon, USec. Danny Corpuz, Sec. Mon Jimenez and ASec. Chicoy Enerio

With DoT Region IV: Southern Tagalog Region

With DOT Region IV Regional Director Louella Jurilla

El Nido Resorts' staff with Mr. Laurent Lamasuta, ENR President

El Nido Resorts with DOT officials again :)

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.

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! :)

El Nido Palawan's Islands, Beaches, Lagoons, and Fun Activities

El Nido in Palawan boasts of more than 45 islands, that's why it brings a lot of excitement, adventure and fun to travelers and visitors to the place. It has a lot of picturesque limestone cliffs and formations, beaches, lagoons, and islands to discover. We went and explored some of the islands, lagoons, beaches and caves, when we were there a few weeks ago.



After breakfast at Miniloc Island Resort, our group proceeded to our itinerary. First up was the Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon, where we kayaked and enjoyed the scenery and its majestic allure. The photo below is courtesy of El Nido Resorts.

Miniloc Island Resort of El Nido Resorts Philippines

We stayed at Lagen Island for two nights. During the first night, we went on a sunset cruise, but the sun did not really show itself, so we were a bit disappointed with that. Although, having a cruise boat all to ourselves was quite of really awesome, which made up for the lack of a beautiful sunset :) We sailed back, had dinner, and slept soundly in our comfy beds.



The next day we were jam-packed with exciting and fun adventures, starting off with a breakfast at another El Nido Resorts property, Miniloc Island Resort, just 30 to 40 minutes boat ride away from Lagen Island. They say it is the introductory resort of El Nido because it costs cheaper but still gives the picturesque and jaw-dropping view and facilities for vacationers.

Lagen Island Resort of El Nido Resorts Palawan

From Apulit Island of El Nido Resorts in Taytay, Palawan, we rode an outrigger boat across Taytay Bay to the town proper, rode 2 hours in a van to El Nido Town, then we finally transferred to a boat which brought us to another haven of tranquility, Lagen Island of El Nido Resorts (as well). It is located in El Nido, in the northwestern part of Palawan, a breath-taking location known for its high biodiversity, lush forested limestone cliffs, and lagoons.



Like Apulit Island, Lagen Island is accessible by a daily 75-minute direct flight on a 19-seater Dornier aircraft from the Island Transvoyager Inc. (ITI) to the El Nido Airport in El Nido, Palawan, then a 40-minute boat ride to the island paradise itself. But for us, we came from Taytay, thus the route stated above.