Tag: Beach
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From the Classrooms to Cabangan: SPCS Faculty and Staff Retreat 2024
The last few weeks have been ripe for burnout — in every sense of the word. For one, these have been stressful ones (if you’re co-administering a school, honestly, when is it not stressful?); also, the steadily rising heat has also contributed to the physical toll. Not to mention our local government’s order for schools…
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Downtime at Puraran Beach and L’Astrolabe
After the tricycle tour, I decide to recharge my weak social battery and enjoy the serenity in Puraran Beach. The golden sands and rhythmic waves provide the perfect backdrop for introspection and let me appreciate the beauty of the island at my own pace, an ability I’ve lacked since becoming involved in school operations. Puraran…
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Extended Weekend in La Union: Beachside in San Juan
As the school year dragged on, my craving for the beach intensified, leading me to planning a trip to La Union province during a recent long vacation. I, together with my sister and two of her former colleagues, spend three days and two nights in this province in northern Luzon. It’s all about relaxation. We…
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2023 Halftime Break at Club Laiya
A day in a beach means relaxation punctuated with a chance to get some of the new members in my professional circle. Though my original plans for this year were thwarted due to unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, I have been trying to focus on silver linings the past couple of months, punctuated by me enjoying…
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Unforgettable Waves of Love: Celebrating 40 Years of Togetherness in Baler
With the sea breeze brushing against us and the sound of waves crashing all around, we’re hanging out at the shores of Baler, a chill spot famous for its awesome surf and laid-back atmosphere. This weekend is going to be something special; we’re celebrating love and commitment as we head out to honor our parents’…
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Bantayan Island: Soothing All the “Sawi” Vibes
It’s been almost a year in the making. Late last year, a plan was hatched between me and my former coworker Diane during a conversation over cups of coffee: we’re going to Bantayan Island. The last time we traveled together was when we hiked Mt. Maculot in early 2017. Many things have changed since then.…
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A Weekend at Vitalis Villas in Ilocos Sur: Santorini Vibes in the Philippines
For my sister’s birthday, our family headed to Vitalis Villas in Ilocos Sur, a Mediterranean-inspired resort perched on a coastal cliff in Santiago, about a 7-hour drive from Metro Manila and 1 hour south of Vigan. Known as the Santorini of the North, Vitalis Villas Ilocos Sur offers a relaxing escape with its whitewashed buildings,…
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Fun in the Sun in Glan
There has been a change of plans, and I am invited to the wedding after all. So after the weekend in Sarangani, I ride a bus to Davao City on Monday morning. The trip takes a bit more than three hours and reach Davao City just in time for a late lunch. I meet my…
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Danjugan Island: Negros Occidental’s Ecotour Paradise
Danjugan Island, a sliver of island off Negros Occidental, is an ecotourist’s paradise. Protected and maintained by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, the island was first opened opened as an ecotourism site in 2006. Since then, it has become one of the province’s best-kept secrets, drawing not only tourists from Negros island and…
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Panglao Island: Downtime by the Beach
I spend the rest of my time in Bohol just lounging around Panglao Island, dividing my time between Dumaluan Beach and Alona Beach. My resort, the Marilou Resort is in the former. It’s a budget resort with a great beachside location and clean, spacious rooms. It’s also beside Bohol Beach Club, a more expensive resort,…
The Tourist Gaze 