Bato ni Ningning

                  📸 Chuck Maquiso

Trivia: 

In 2015, while I was on my recovery period after my surgery, I only stayed at home for months. During those days, I got nothing else to do but read books, watched movies and TV shows. 

Because of the daytime series, "Ning2x," on ABS-CBN that time, I started to wonder where they filmed the pilot episodes of the show especially the site where there's a huge rock on the top of the knoll. I found the view truly lovely! 

Unexpectedly,  after a year and 7 months when I could travel again, I visited my friend/colleague in San Vicente whom I hadn't seen for a long time. She told me that we were going somewhere where it was one of the shooting locations of a television show. That's all! No other clues! hahaha  

Can you imagine how I felt when I saw the place I dreamed of seeing but not knowing its location? hehehe It felt so surreal! I was overjoyed. 😊 

So, you already have the idea how it got its name, Bato ni Ningning.😃 

How to get to Bato ni Ning2x?

From Poblacion (town proper)

Option 1:

You may hire an e-trike for PHP1,500.00 (good for 5pax). That's the maximum capacity of an e-trike. 

Option 2:

You may rent a motorbike for more or less PHP750.00 (good for 24hrs). It is also advisable so it's easier to get around town.

Option 3:

Let your accommodation arrange it for you. Some accommodations offer a service using their pick-up vehicles.

Notes: 

- Bgy. Poblacion to Bgy. Sto. Niño (where Bato ni Ningning is situated) is approximately 24kms.

- No more bumpy rides! The roads are already concrete from the town proper.

Entrance Fee: PHP25.00/pax

For more queries regarding the tourist site, you may contact the Municipal Tourism Office.   SV Tourism

Summer Fun- South!

New destinations alert! 

Island hoppings around Port Barton, San Vicente have newly- added sites where island hoppers can enjoy their lunch very comfortably with a lovely view. 

First one is Peña Plata, a camping site.

Entrance fee is only PHP100, but 1-11 years old is free of charge.  For joiners, that is already included in the island hopping tour rate which is PHP1,500 inclusive of lunch, snorkeling gears, tour guide and other fees for other destinations.

For camping, you may bring your own tent or rent one of theirs. 

*Bringing-your-own-tent rates are;

 Tent (good for 2)- PHP700/night

 Tent (good for 3) - PHP1,000/night

*Rent a tent, includes airbed, beddings and towels;

Tent (good for 1)- PHP1,000/night

Tent (good for 2)- PHP1,300/ night

*Fees apply to the use of all facilities, like the restroom with showers and guest kitchen.

And yes, you may bring your own food although they have a restobar, too, where you can order some food, snacks and beverages like fresh buko juice. 

**No more entrance fee for overnight stay, and  bonfire can be arranged as requested.

Second is Gilligan's beach area.

Tourists prefer to just chill at this place or play beach volleyball. 

Lastly, the Toby and Thelma's Camping! 

Another lovely camping site where tourists can chill, sunbath, play volleyball, kayak or swim.

Overnight stay in a tent, settled in an open-space wooden structure with a roof, or in a loft is also nice.   Toby and Thelma's Camping

Kayaking from the site going to Tandan Point (an islet close to the camp site; as seen on the photo) is often done by tourists.

Happy Summer!

Summer fun - North!

For the past few years, San Vicente, Palawan has offered island hoppings around Port Barton islands then followed by Poblacion islands. Little did everyone know that the northern part of the town has its gorgeous beaches too! 

So, there's this island hopping tour in the north that has been offered to the guests, particularly the guests of Peak View Resort and Restaurant, located at Bgy. Sto. Niño. By far, it's the only DOT-accredited accommodation around the area. 

Peak View

Guests may enjoy swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling! And yes of course, it won't be complete without binge-eating on the boat! 

No doubt, the northern beaches of San Vic and its snorkeling areas are worth the experience!

After island hopping, you may opt to enjoy the sunset at Bato ni Ning2x or San Vic View Point.  Morning visit is also nice. It's cool and fresh!

How perfect to end your day tour!

Note: Rate per pax is 1,500 minimum of 5 persons. If less than 5 persons, the 7,500 shall still be paid.

Inandeng River

The name Inandeng is from the name of two sitios in Barangay New Agutaya, San Vicente, Palawan, where Inandeng River traverses; Inarayan and Landing. It is 2.5km long, navigatable by smalls boats and kayaks, but only 1.9km is most often navigated by the locals, particularly the fishermen in the bgy. 

The end of the river meets the Long Beach, the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines. 

What attract me the most about the river are the mangrove area which is believed to be one of the big help in the barangay especially during the super typhoon Odette and the coconut trees that added beauty along the wider area of the river. 

Sadly, a lot of the mangrove trees in the area were devastated during the super typhoon, probably the really old ones. However, it is fortunate enough that there's enough left for the people to adore while navigating the river.

The LGU-San Vicente has already a plan to develop a River Cruise in the site, where every tourist can enjoy the river and at the same time plant a propagule in order to help the community in the recovery of the mangrove forest. 

With that, I hope you, reading this,  will be able to join the cause and enjoy the river cruise when they officially open the project. 

Despite its devastation during super typhoon Odette in 2021, this river is still my favorite. There may be some ruins, but its beauty and vibes are still hard to miss. 

Paragua San Vic Surf

Photo credit: OMT

The largest surfing competition in the Palawan province has just successfully concluded its second surfing event, the Paragua San Vic Surf Competition last January 22, 2023 with its guest master of ceremony, Ms. Ina Feleo.  Seventy-seven (77) surfers from different parts of the country joined the competition, wherein majority of the winners were from Puerto Princesa and Siargao. 

                       Photo credit: OMT

                In the past few days before the event, the weather wasn't really good. It rained a lot, as in a lot. But fortunately, it became better and even really sunny on its opening day. While there were rain showers on the following days, the spectators did not mind it at all while watching the competition.

Apart from the competition, people also had fun with the foods and other displays since there were vendors at the venue. There were tattoo shops and accessory shops, too. 

Festival wouldn't be complete without night parties and music. With the band, Ang Bagong Luto ni Enriquez, everybody enjoyed the night at the beach. Yeah, a lot got drunk. No question for that. lol

SINULOG sa CEBU

Cebu's Sinulog is 50 years old!!!

I was not able to celebrate Sinulog for its 50th year last 3rd week of January 2023, but I was able to celebrate again the festival in 2019 before the pandemic with my friends from Palawan. 

*Our flight date back to Palawan was also the arrival date of the first two Chinese who were COVID positive. So, my friends and I were pretty anxious if we accidentally met them that day at the airport. hahaha Na praning na eh!

For those who have not experienced Sinulog, let me share with you some tips and ideas during the festival:

1. Wear comfortable footwear. 

    Many streets are close during Sinulog, so expect a very long walk. 

2. Bring a water tumbler, extra hanky and extra clothes. 

    Since you have to walk a lot, you really need more water to drink and you'll get sweaty.

3. Bring some sun protection.

    Especially if you are not staying in one place with roofing,  then a cap, a visor or an umbrella shall be     useful as well as a sun cream.

4. If you feel like peeing or something even if it's not yet urgent, find a comfort room right away. 

    The queue is always very long. 

5. You may choose to stay at the area where the grand showdown is held or along the street to             witness the street dancing.

    I prefer along the street. It is more fun for me. :)

6. Buying and eating something along the streets is fun, too.

AND 

7. Watching and listening to music bands at night while waiting for firework displays is pretty cool. fireworks

Pit Senior!  

For your reference:

Sinulog dance music

One Beat One Dance

Ayutthaya

 

Ayutthaya is my most  favorite place I have been to because I love ruins very much. Its history is just amazing. The temple ruins gave me a lot of joy and happiness. The vibe of the city is perfect for me that I do not mind visiting there many times. hehe

There are 41 temples in Ayutthaya, and I haven't seen all of them although I have visited there twice. I don't even remember the names of the other temples I visited. hahaha

So, these temples shown below are the ones I remember: 😅

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Love at first sight.  hehe This is the first temple I saw in Ayutthaya and I fell in love with it. Its features can strike you at first sight since it is constituted by 8 stupas surrounding the high prang (a common shrine element of Hindu and Buddhist architecture during Khmer Empire). 

 

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon - by far, this is the temple with most people during our visit. 

This wat/temple is still active where monks reside. Its very large bell-shaped chedi strikes you the most, and if you look around the temple, you can see more elements such as the reclining Budhha and dozens of stone Buddha images.

Wat Lokayasutharam - where  a huge reclining Buddha, measuring 37m in length and 8m in height is found. It is the only thing left together with a stupa after the temple complex was destroyed by the Burmese. 

Wat Ratchaburana 

What makes this temple striking is its main gate. That's why we had our groufie there.hehe This is just north of Wat Mahathat, approximately 3-5-min walk.

Wat Phu Khao Thong - the most unforgettable temple I visited. I climbed up on the stairs so fast, and stepped down so slow. 😂  The stairs are pretty steep and high, but you'll get to see the view of the city on top.

very wide :) no mountains in sight

Just tried if I fit

Wat Phra Si Sanphet - during the Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya,  this wat was the holiest, grandest and the most beautiful temple on the site of the Old Royal Palace until it was totally ruined by the Burmese. This is also a very popular temple since it was one of the shooting locations of the movie, Mortal Kombat in 1995.   

The Sandstone Buddha Image at Wat Mahathat 

Wat Mahathat used to be the royal temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya.

What to wear?

Most temples in Thailand require your knees and shoulders to be covered, but you can still wear shorts in Ayutthaya. You may only need to bring a long scarf to wrap around your waist when needed.

Entrance Fees

Ranges from 20- 50 Baht 

*Other temples do not have entrance fees

How to get there from Bangkok:

By train: From Hualamphong Station (approximately 4 hours depending on the train) - Cost, from 15 Baht (3rd class, ordinary train) to 345 Baht (2nd class Fast train)

By bus: From Mo Chit Bus Terminal- Takes more or less 2 hrs.- Cost, more or less 60 Baht

By van: From Mo Chit Bus Terminal- Takes more or less 2 hrs.- Cost,  150 Baht or more