Dubbed as the Las Frontier, Palawan is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, not just by foreign visitors, but by resident Filipinos as well. Be it Puerto Princessa, El Nido, Busuanga, Taytay, or Cuyo, travelers flock to the islands for its stunning natural beauty, unspoilt nature and crystal clear waters.

Though most of the tourists head to the beaches, it’s the beauty that lay on the seabed that lures the avid divers and snorkelers. Apart from the live corals and colorful fishes under the sea, there lie other majestic sights that draw the curious: wrecks of Japanese warships.

During World War 2, when the Philippines was under the Japanese, US forces were bombing the Japanese naval ships near Manila. To protect the other warships, a decision was made to deploy the ships to other safe places around the islands. One of the places the Japanese navy went to was the Calamian Group, in Northern Palawan. The vessels were safely camouflaged among the islands, until a US reconnaissance team noticed that some of the islands in the area were moving. On September 24, 1944, the United States attacked the Japanese’s Imperial Navy in the area, sinking 24 warships around Busuanga and Coron.

Once a symbol of defense and destruction, the wrecks of the Taiei Maru, Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru, Irako, Olympia Maru, Kyokuzan Maru and the Akitsushima, are now one of Coron’s biggest attractions.

Coron Town & Coron Island
Though it was once the site of war, chaos and destruction, Coron is now a very quiet and peaceful place. A small sleepy town in the island of Busuanga, Coron town is the jump off point for those who want to explore the sites around Coron Island. This is Coron’s center for everything – the municipal hall is here, the market, and most of the accommodation options. It’s a small town where everything is a comfortable walking distance away. Though sidewalks aren’t a major fixture in the streets, there’s no need to worry as Coron Town isn’t a high traffic area. Best of all, the air is clean.

Tricycles are the main form of transportation within Coron Town. Jeepneys and busses only ply routs that go out of the town. Boats are also prominent in the docks. While some are fishing boats, most cater to tourists who want to island hop.

The major and most popular destination for every visitor is Coron Island. The island is the ancestral domain the indigenous Tagbanwa tribe, and the sites in and around the island charge admission fees, ranging from Php 75 to Php 200 each. The fees are not for profit. Rather, they are used for the upkeep of each site.

Coron Island offers its visitors the stunning beauty that they came to Palawan for. From the blinding white beach and turquoise waters of Banol Beach, to the crystal clear waters of Kayangan Lake, a day of island hopping in Coron Island leaves tourists satisfied, but at the same time, leaves them wanting to go back for more.

Things to do in Coron Town
While Coron Town doesn’t have any beaches, there are still things to do when you’re stuck in the mainland. You can try testing your strength and endurance with a climb up the 700 or so steps up Mount Tapyas (190 meters above sea level). There are several shaded rest stops along the way if you get tired, even a picnic ground after the first rest stop. The view from the summit is simply breath taking: you can see the town from above, the surrounding mountains and the nearby islands. It’s quite interesting to see how small the town is, compared to the wide expanse of untouched nature around it. The climb is best done in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun isn’t too hot.

If the climb up Mount Tapyas or the diving, snorkeling and frolicking in the water drained you, a dip in the Maquinit Hot Spring is sure to ease aching muscle. The water temperature hits close to 40 degrees Celsius, but it’s not the heat that will surprise you in this natural hot spring – it’s the salt. The hot springs pool is filled with hot seawater. With such high temperatures, it’s recommended that you take a dip in the evening, as it can be unbearably hot during the day. (by Nina Fuentes)

Ever thought of going to Batanes but felt you didn’t have the time? Then SEAIR’s Tuesday and Saturday flights to Basco fit your schedule perfectly! You can enjoy a four-day, three-night weekend getaway in Batanes if you fly there on a Saturday and fly back to Manila in time for work on Tuesday. That means you only need a one-day leave on Monday.

For a longer stay, you can opt to fly to Batanes on a Tuesday. That allows you to leave last minute instruction in the office on Monday, fly to Basco on Tuesday, have enough time to visit Itbayat while in Batanes, and fly back to Manila on Saturday in time for family day on Sunday. So what are you waiting for, book now!

For inquiries on the packages please call SEAIR at 8490100 or SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at 8437308.

Valid until October 10, 2008 only

* Valid for all flights, limited seats per flight

* Valid for all flights, limited seats per flight

* Valid for all seats, all flights / 14 days advance purchase

Inclusions:

SEAIR and Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA) are offering Batanes packages for as low as P13,900 per person up to October 15, 2008. This includes round-trip airfare from Manila to Batanes to Manila, 4 days 3 nights accommodation, tours, 3 picnic lunches, land transportation, tour guide and more.

For inquiries on the packages please call SEAIR at 8490100 or SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at 8437308.

For three days and 2 nights, I explored the breathtaking Coron in the province of Palawan. The quiet town of Coron is part the Calamian Group of Islands or the Calamianes.

The Calamian Group of Islands is comprised of the Busuanga Island, where the town of Coron is located, the Coron Island, the former leper colony Culion Island, and several smaller islands.

Coron is known for so many things. Many people would even compare Coron as a mix of Honda Bay and El Nido in one. White sandy beaches with aquamarine waters are just everywhere. Lofty Limestone cliffs are aplenty. And for the brave souls, wreck diving is must.

Several Japanese warships have sunk around the area and is now one of the major diving attractions in the area.

Climbing the Mt. Tapyas is an experience worth all the sweat. There are 726 steps leading to its summit. Once you reached its peak, you get to see the breathtaking view of the island from a different perspective. Viewing the sunset from Mt. Tapyas is definitely a must. You get to see magic here as the skies change its hues until the sun has set.

But it is the beaches that really caught the fancy of the many adventurers. Coron’s white sand beaches are simply the best. Very fine white sand hugs the crystal clear waters. What a perfect place to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand! Several species of colourful fishes greet you when you take a dip on its cool waters. The corals abound everywhere too.

But at the end of the day, when one is already tired of all the adventure at the sea, beach, mountain and the limestone cliffs, one can take a dip at the Maquinit Hot spring for a quick rejuvenation. The Hot Spring is so good that it actually relaxes your body and removes all the tired feeling you get from all the day’s activities.

Weird as it may seem, but the Maquinit Hot Spring on Coron Palawan is actually saltwater. Thus, it give you a double effect when taking a dip. It opens up your pores and removes all the toxins from your body. For a very minimal fee, the Maquinit Hot Spring can give modern day Spa a run for their money.

And being an island, it is just natural for the locals to live by fishing. Hence, the abundance of fresh seafood at the public market. Lobsters and lapu lapu, both are prized items in Manila, are sold here dirt cheap. Squids, shrimps, and all sorts of fishes are always sold guaranteed fresh.

And being a small town, Coron has no international brand restaurants but their eateries only serve the most delicious seafood, guaranteed fresh catch of the day. There are no four of five star hotels but the cottages are more than enough to give you a good night’s sleep. There is no taxi service, but there are tricycles and jeepneys that can bring you to your destinations safely and comfortably.

This is Coron. This is where a thousand and one adventures belongs. (by Eric Dormido)

For Day 3, a whole day trip to San Jose Beach in Talisay, the Wenceslao Vinzons Shrine, a pineapple weaving shop in Labo and Pulang Daga Beach (Red Beach). An optional visit to the Gold Mining Site is possible but prior arrangements must be made for a permit. You can opt to extend for another day for a Whole day island-hopping tour to Apuao Grande Island, Calaguas Island and Paracale.

You can avail of the 4D 3N package for as low as P8,762.00 per person. It includes round-trip airfare via SEAIR (Manila-Daet-Manila), 4D 3N accommodation, daily breakfasts, travel insurance, 3 hour surfing lesson, daily tours with tour guide, round-trip airport transfers and 12% EVAT. Contact the SEAIR LEP office at (02) 8437308 for inquiries and bookings.

Also check out SEAIR’s Baler surfing packages.

For reservations, please call SEAIR-LEP at (632) 843-7308. Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Mechanics:

1. The promo is open to all high school, college, and gradate school students enrolled in any school in the Philippines.
2. Dean’s listers can avail a 50% discount in SEAIR flights for a period of one year after the end of the semester.
3. Student must present latest school ID, grade report and certificate of dean’s lister status and must submit photocopies upon ticket purchase.
4. Limited seats in all flights and in all destinations.

SEAIR, the country’s premiere leisure airline, has signed an agreement with one of the leading companies in chartered transport services Manila Genesis Charters and Tours for twice a week flights to Baler beginning April 14, 2008. With flights every Mondays and Fridays, the province of Aurora can expect an increase in the volume of visitor arrivals with traveling made easier and more convenient for tourists, businessmen and commuters alike. Present during the contract signing are (standing L-R): Mr. Avelino Zapanta, SEAIR President; Sen. Edgardo Angara; Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo; Mr. Nikos Gitsis, SEAIR Director; and Capt. Eliseo Tabora, SEAIR VP for Operations; (sitting L-R): Ms. Patricia Moises, Manila Genesis Charters and Tours General Manager and Mr. Patrick Tan, SEAIR VP for Commercial Affairs.

With upgraded facilities and longer runway, the Francisco Reyes Airport in Northern Palawan may now safely accommodate more and larger aircraft.

“The Dornier 328 aircraft significantly reduces travel time for tourists, thereby allowing them to maximize their travel schedule and reach Palawan with less hassle. Our passengers will be able to make more fulfilling overnight trips or even day trips to resort destinations in Busuanga and Coron,” said Patrick Tan, VP for Commercial Affairs of SEAIR.

The Dornier 328 is a state-of-the-art 32-seater twin engine turboprop aircraft which demonstrates a combination of technology, power and performance.  It has a maximum cruise speed of 620 kilometers per hour and a maximum altitude of 31,000 feet.  It also has exceptional take-off and landing performance, allowing SEAIR pilots to operate securely on relatively short runways

SEAIR has been providing service to Palawan since 1995 and continues to reaffirm its commitment to the province by offering as much as 40 flights daily – the most number of flights offered by any domestic airline in the country. SEAIR’s destinations to Palawan include Busuanga, El Nido, Rodriguez, Puerto Princesa and Cuyo Island.

The airline now flies 26 routes to 18 local tourist destinations: Manila, Caticlan (Boracay) and Cebu in Visayas; Clark in Northern Luzon; Baler and Tablas in Southern Luzon;  Daet in Bicol; Busuanga, Cuyo, El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Rodriguez in Palawan Province, Camiguin, Cotabato, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.

For inquiries, please call SEAIR Reservations at + 632 849-0100 or visit www.flyseair.com.

White Island or Medano Island is a sandbar about two kilometers from the beaches of Agohay and Yumbing. There is no doubt that it is the best beach in Camiguin. SEAIR flies from Cebu to Camiguin every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 8490100 for reservations. (Photo by Bikoy Villanueva)

The summer sun is out and everyone is trooping to the beach! But instead of the same old routine, it’s time to try out something new! Why not troop to Baler and go surfing? Access to Baler used to be difficult due to a lot of natural obstacles such as the Sierra Madre mountains. And if the rough roads discouraged you from visiting Baler, don’t fret! SEAIR now flies to Baler twice a week.

You can easily find a trainer in Sabang Beach. Just ask the local tourism office or your hotel for their surfing packages. But there’s so much more to do in Baler. Secluded beaches are just a boat-ride away. Check out Dikasalarin Beach. From the Baler Fishing Port, which is about nine kilometers from the poblacion, it’s a 45-minute pump boat ride to Dikasalarin Cove. On the way, you’ll be afforded stunning views of wave-battered rock formations and islets, lush forests and majestic cliffs that form the spectacular Baler coastline. From the boat, try looking for Digisit Falls and the PAGASA Relay Station high up on a hill.

Also check out the historical sites in the center of town. The Baler Church is a historically significant place that has become a rallying point for Philippine friendship with Spain. It had been the site of the last stand of Spanish forces in the country. As the Siege of the Church of Baler marker mentions, a Spanish garrison of four officers and fifty men was besieged in the church by Filipino forces from June 27, 1898 to June 2, 1899. They had refused demands for surrender for nearly a year and only did so when an emissary of General Rios dropped a newspaper from Manila inside the court of the church to let them know that for many months the Spanish flag was no longer waving in Luzon except that of Baler Church.

In front of the church stands the Aragon House, the birthplace of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon, wife of President Manuel L. Quezon. It’s not the bahay na bato type but the small wooden ones that you would expect from a remote fishing town. If travel is difficult today, imagine how it was then. Did you know that Doña Aurora and President Quezon were first cousins since their Molina mothers were sisters! Also don’t forget that Aurora province was named in her honor. In the park a few meters away is the birthplace of Quezon. Aside from the historical marker and a statue, they erected a replica of the nipa hut of the Quezon family. Also in the park is a museum.

In the next town, San Luis, is Kaunayan (Cunayan) Falls in Brgy. L. Pimentel. Kaunayan is not that high. But the clear water is so enticing for a swim. The water is cool, close to cold in fact, and perfect for the hot summer day. And the water isn’t deep so you could stand directly below the falls with ease. So what are you waiting for? Time to book a flight to Baler! SEAIR flies to Baler twice a week. For inquiries and reservations please call SEAIR at 8490100. (by Ivan Anthony Henares)