Fee time came up and i was able to create a compilation of videos we shot from recent Puerto Pricesa and El Nido trip. Good thing i know some techniques on how same day edits (SDEs) on weddings are made, videographers will surely know abut this. Looking forward to compose more video trip like this in the future. Enjoy the mini movie!

I've been to different places and visiting a church would always be a good part of the itenerary. Saying a little prayer for the chance of being able to visit a place and seeking guidance while on the road is all worth it. With the great influence of Spanish during their more than 300-year colonization of the Philippines, no wonder they did spread the catholicism in the country very well. The great number of catholic believers and church erected in many corners are the marks of their success.

Every province have their own church to boast both old and new ones. I prefer to discover the very old ones specially those hundreds of years old. The oldest churches are mostly found on different provices and good thing their locals are able to preserve these historical landmarks.

During my El Nido travel, Matinloc shrine was very notable for me. At first i thought it was just an island with limestones and a small shore but when the, i was wrong when our guide gave us an overview on what we can see in the island - a small church or i can say a chapel.

Though the chapel was already abandoned was no longer managed and maintained, it still stood there good for everone to have a good reflection while visiting the island. I was not able to ask for the reason but might be because of the location. I was amazed the first time i saw it and make sure i'll be able to capture parts of it. I want to spend longer time there but we need to go as it is already raining.

This is the first time i saw a church built on a remote beautiful island. I thought this is a perfect location for weddings or at least a good choice for wedding proposals. According to our guide, a wedding just recently held there. There are only less than 50 guests invited. Might be because of the expense or the couple wants a very intimate wedding with their loved ones. I hope someday i'll be able to witness a wedding held there.

There are also a port built on th island with a great view of another island nearby. According to our guide the wedding was held on that part which i agreed it was a good setup. Our guide led us to a viewing deck on the left side of the island facing the chapel. It the view was fantastic. Be careful when going here, one mistake and it will be a painful death with sharp limestones just below the viewing deck. Anyway its all worth the risk since it will be a breath taking aerial view of one side of the island.

As per our guide, having a wedding here is free of charge. Just secure a permit from the local government of El Nido and viola! the island is yours for few hours, i am just not sure of other conditions. The catch here is one is able to have a memorable wedding of their lives. I just hope those who will use this island is to preserve it so that other visitors will be able to experience the beauty of this island.



I am a big fan of both sunrise and sunset this is why i always look forward to it whenever i set foot on different places. I make sure to witness any or both two if there are chances. A wake up early in the morning or few minutes in the late afternoon is all worth the wait.

These two phenomenon are feast for the eyes for everyone specially for nature lovers, photographers and visualists for its great display of colors during a short span of time from the moment the first ray of sun slips in the morning and last ray of light before the night conquer the sky. The sky acts like a huge canvas and the sun paints its colors and change it every minute. From the yellow and oranges hues in the beginning it can change and combine colors from red, purple, pink and blue.

It would be great if there will be subjects underneath the sky or the horizon to add to the scenery. From usual boat and ship sailing in Manila bay to the yatchs parked on the yard of Manila Yatch Club. Silhouttes of mountains, islands and trees are another good add ons. On top of these and my favorite are human silhouttes in action.

My first encouter was in a sunset in Caramoan where a father and daugher/son carrying a sack and bundle of palm leaves on shoulders walking back home. From then on, human silhouttes on either sunrise or sunset bacame my favorite subject.

And now El Nido gave me something to remember aside from experiencing the beauty it offers - a good set of sunset photos.

This features a family consists of a mother with her little girl with the father carrying their young one and a group of children gathering Lato (seaweeds) from the seagrass and rocks since its already low tide. This might be for selling the following day or dinner for the evening. I tried what they are doing and i got excited the first time i saw it and the mother confirmed it is the right thing im pointing at. Hope you enjoy this set ;)

In the early days before i set foot on the road, i have this connotation that travelling is expensive and i think i can't afford it especially those great destinations that i thought only those who are fortunate in life would be able experience. One of those destinations is El Nido.

I thought El Nido is just for wealthy celebrities when i heard it on TV or read it on magazines. It's dollar rate that when converted to Philippine Peso would be a ridiculous amount to spend a night on a certain place. It always amuse me whenever i heard someone i know who just came from El Nido for a vacation.

Enough of those thoughts! thank God information nowadays are just few clicks away. I was able to read different online articles and blogs and well i just confirmed that there is really this El Nido resort existing with its expensive rates named after this place also called El Nido. The same water, same view, islands and sunset to experience. And we just drove five hours northbound from Puerto Princesa City to this small paradise.

After we straighthen up from the underground river stint and changed clothes for a comfy fresh ride, we continued the adventure on the road around 6:30PM. I decided we travel in the evening to maximize our mid-day arrival and complete our itenerary for the day. We stopped at Fort Wally, a carideria for our late dinner. Nothing special on the food but its already good for a rumbling stomach. There is nothing notable on the road since its already dark except for the rough roads that would just suddenly shakes us inside the van. We each got our own corner and its just up to us how we will be able to grab a nap.

We arrived in El Nido around 11PM earlier than the estimated five-hour drive. There is already a standby cargo tryk for our bags and two passenger to bring us to our cottage. It is a 10-15 minute walk from the town to Hadefe Cottages. Its a bit dark because the way was not well lighted. TIP: Bring flashlight. Our assigned cottage at Hadefe has aircon issue so we were directed to another resort nearby which according to our guide is related to Hadefe. We have no choice but to accept the little adjustment. We got air conditioned room for five with wi-fi connection as a bonus. We are already tired from the trip so we just called it a night.

Morning came and we woke up around 5AM to witness the sunrise just to be informed that sunrise is on the other side of the mountain. Okay, we should have asked last night before snorning into the night. TIP: No sunrise so no need to wake up early.

I myself can no longer revive my sleepiness so when some light shed the area, i just enjoyed myself witnessing the calm first morning of El Nido. Some part of shores are bare with its rocky ground with sea grass evidence that it's low tide. Nearby islands are covered with thin fog but still very visible while other far islands are silhouettes above the calm sea to complete the drama of mother nature. Such a relaxing ambiance while enjoying a cup of coffee. I dont have my coffee but my camera instead. Haha!

Breakfast has been served after an hour. Toasts with butter and strawberry jam comes with two pieces of fried egg and coffee or tea. We enjoyed the hearty meal with a good morning chat of good old days when we were all together in our first company.

After few minutes we found ourselves packing our bags because we will be tranferring to our assigned cottage at Hadefe and have ourselves ready for the island hopping. There will be seven islands in store for us, we availed the Tour A+C which according to my research is the best combination for first timers like us.

We went to Hadefe just few walks away from where we stayed our first night. It is an average place with few cottages facing the beach. It is more like of a small compound for a group or related families. I find it good not only for its good view of the beachfront and islands but the provice-like ambiance. Its cottages are made of native materials resembling with our bahay kubo (nipa hut) not like the concrete accommodations nowadays.

Then we are all set to conquer the islands. As per my advise our group each brought sunblock to avoid sunburns and being roasted under the heat. We left Hadefe to ride our boat past 9AM which i think is already late. TIP: The earlier you start on island hopping the better. This would give buffer and more time to enjoy every island stop.

Another thing im looking forward on this trip is the island lunch. We did the same thing when we went in Coron so this is not new to me but this lunch surpassed the latter not only with the food and taste but with the presentation. Haha! 

I read somewhere that this is already a routine on island hopping in El Nido complete with tables with table cloth on top, chairs and full presentation of luch with garnishes.  Though Hadefe did it a bit simple compared with the one i read online, its the effort to make it a feast in the eyes and most of all- the taste!

This is added attaction with the island tour. Guests were treated very well and gave them one of a kind experience to dine by the beach. Not all resorts and tours can offer this added tender loving care. Including the effort of on the spot cooking in the island or on the boat is a just to server the meal fresh from the hot pot.

Rain poured hard in the middle of the tour. Something to cool down the weather. I was able to experience the cool rain water while the boat is moving. Its been very long time since a bathe under the rain and it made me think of my younger years. One of the simple pleasures in life.

During my research for this trip, i encounter questions about comparison between Coron (Calamian Group of Islands) and El Nido, both part of Palawan. I have been to Coron last two years, so here is my verdict---

Both have crystal clear waters and same activites when it comes to snorkeling and fish feeding but Coron boasts itself for its notable Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden and Shipwreks. On the other hand El Nido pride itself with its Secret Beach, Matinlok Shrine and Big Lagoon. They have different beauties to present to their visitors so comparison would be difficult. Each one have their own attractions so i therefore conclude its worth vising both spots.

 

We ended the day past 5PM as indicated on the itenerary. We are able to complete only six out of seven islands under the Tour A+C due to lack of time. So now you know why its better to start early to avoid this kind of this alibi. According to our guide, the last island is a bit far and just a small beach which is not a good reason for us to buy. On the positive note, good thing we ended early just in time for the sunset by the beach. A seprate entry for sunset feast of colors.