I was surprised when an elementary classmate tagged me on Facebook with this:
After that, more photo tags happened and I was happy that I was included in the August 2011 issue of Cebu Pacific’s inflight magazine, SMILE. Indeed it made me smile 🙂 🙂
I thought that publishing this shot write-up would helpful for those who will be visiting Palawan’s Capital, Puerto Princesa City.
I want to thank Liz, Tiara and Jalyn for the photo tag (and the many friends that informed me the same). Thanks also to Ed of EazyTraveler.blogspot.com for informing that I can submit my trip journal.
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Here’s what I submitted for Smile months ago:
TOUCHDOWN: Most hotels in Palawan can arrange to have you picked up at the airport. Tricycles to the city center cost about Php35. Vans are lalso available for hire and not too prohibitive in cost.
(To save some bucks, try going outside the airport for a few meters and take the tricycle (Php20) to your preferred guesthouse. If your lazy enough, white tricycles are available inside the airport (Php50).
BY DAY: Explore the Puerto Princesa Undeground River in Sabang. For more adventure, take the money-trail going to the river which is another two-hour trek into the woods and see the rich and diverse exotic birds and monkeys up close.
BY NIGHT: After dinner at Kalui or Kinabuchs, drop by the Baywalk to enjoy the sea breeze and lights. This is where locals go to relax. You can also rent a bike for a minimum fee and tour the area on two wheels.
SLEEP: If you’re willing to rough it, do what the backpackers do and stay at Banwa Pension House where rooms start for as low as Php300 per night. www.banwa.com
BEST DINNER: Order the mango chicken salad, Ranga-Ranga, and garlic crabs at Balinsasayaw Restaurant.
BEST BUYS: Lamayo, danggit soaked in vinegar with lots of garlic and pepper.
INSIDER TIP: Try to buy suran (fish) and lato (seaweed) from the market and ask the local restaurant to grill the suran for you.
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Btw, if you haven’t checked it out yet. I earlier wrote ZAMBOANGA On A Shoetring for Smile (June-July 2011 issue). This is a suggested 3D/2N itinerary plus foods to try and where to go shopping. You can download the Zamboanga PDF for free.
Plus, you can also check the articles I wrote for Mabuhay, the inflight magazine of Philippine Airlines: Tacloban on a Budget; Not Your Ordinary Palawan; and Iloilo & Guimaras Travel Guide.

naks. thanks. 🙂
I’ve seen it on my flight to CDO, I thought alam mo… heehhe!!! Congrats again! 🙂
ahaha, matagal na kasi ako ngpasa ng write-up. akala ko din na nila i-pupublish. aba, bumyahe ka nanaman. astig!
Your contribution in promoting local tourism is both invaluable and praise-worthy. Keep up the good work sir.
thanks happykoko! i hope fellow Pinoys would enjoy and explore the beauty of the country before they dream of going abroad
got here via dong ho’s blog. you have an incredible blog here.
thanks sir! i sometimes visit your blog, i always see you comment on ironwulf’s blog. hehe happy travels po, dami nyo ng napuntahan
Great articles dude!!
Nung nabasa ko yung article mo sa Cebu Pacific magazine, if im not mistake June issue, sabi ko astig!!
I am really amazed on your trips, actually, i want to try it myself. Im inspired of your journey.
Hope to meet you one day sir.
More power to you!! idol!! bwahahaha
thanks pleng! yes, that’s me nga in the june issue.continue blogging pre.
and thanks for that. i hope you can do it too, kaya yan! nice blog about twin lakes
wow, thanks for dropping by at my page. di ko pa matapos, pasingit singit lang sa work. kailangan kasi nasa momentum kapag nagsusulat eh..basta subaybay lang ako sayo idol..
oo nga, you’ll get the momentum. write from the heart, write about your passion. salamat ng marami pleng sa pagsubaybay
Ikaw na ang celeb, sir! 😀 Nagkataong umuwi ako ng Iloilo this month at nakanenok ulit ng Smile from 5J.
Naman, may June-July at August issues na ko ng Smile. Ano, patayo na ba ako ng shrine mo? Haha! 😀
ahahaha, kaw talaga mel! tudluan mo na ako ng cebuano/ilonggo.
I’m excited on this, uuwi ako this weekend. Hihingin ko yung magazine. Yo! 🙂
ahaha, cge cge. laking tulong sa akin nyan trip journals ng cebu pac when i was still starting to plan my travels.
ingatz!
Nabasa ko nga rin siya 😀 congrats James! more travels pa 😀
oo nga, more travels and more features! thanks mica!
Iba ka talaga Sir James.. 🙂
Congrats..:)
walang flight sked last month so i wasnt able to grab a copy of this one! but i guess u can bring me a copy on october. u’ll be around iloilo city right???? yehey!
i’ll see what i can do chique! parang wala din akong copy nun eh. haha
yep, hope to see yah in iloilo
hello poh… ive been reading most of your travel blogs pg my free time… i wanna try it din kasi..ask ko lang poh, kelangan ba magpabook in advance for puerto princesa underground river tour,? ive heard na kelangan pa kasi ng permits…
yes, at least a month before the tour