STAYcation at Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City

Our nephew's vacation with us will soon be over and she'll be back in Nueva Ecija for her summer tutorial lessons.  To maximize her summer vacation with us, the family decided to look for a nearby place where we can relax, bond and, of course, SWIM.  The initial plan was to go somewhere in Batangas, but due to time constraint, it did not push forward.  We also considered Ace Water Spa and Sofitel, but just the same, we failed to push forward for a variety of reasons. 

To make the long story short, we ended staying at LEGEND VILLAS in Mandaluyong City. The place is very accessible because it is near the MRT-Boni Station and located specifically at the back of Robinson's Mall (Pioneer).  The architectural design of the entire villa is very Filipino with a modern twist. The staff are friendly and helpful. The prices of the rooms are also "budget-friendly." Overall, we are completely satisfied with the services we received. 

We would recommend the place for married couples who would like to pause for a moment and escape the busy world of their respective professions. The privacy and the atmosphere of the place will surely refresh them and, to some extent, deepen their matrimonial bond.       

VIDEO: Snorkeling at Talisay Island, El Nido, Palawan

Talisay Island is located near the famous Matinloc Shrine. It is one among the many breathtaking snorkeling site in El Nido. The Coral Reefs are just a meter away from the sea surface giving tourists an almost close-up encounter with the different marine species - the sessile and the mobile. 

Just be careful in your movements because one careless move can destroy the reefs and can cause you some injuries.

The Enchanting Lagoons of El Nido, Palawan

Lagoons, according to National Geographic Website, "are shallow bodies of water that may have an opening to a larger body of water, but is also protected from it by a sandbar or coral reef;"  and, in some cases, rock formations.  According to our local guide, lagoons (under standard tour package A) are one of the most visited attractions in the place.  We were able to visit three (3) of the lagoons, namely: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. These three were uniquely beautiful in their own rights.  But, among the three, it was the serenity of the small lagoon that enchanted us the most.

The water inside the El Nido lagoons are almost always calm and tranquil due to the fact that rock formations serve as barrier from the wavy open sea. This lead us to reflect, somehow, the personification of the LORD JESUS CHRIST as the rock. Just like how the rock formations ensure the serenity of the lagoons, so as CHRIST in ensuring the peace within us amidst the uncertainties and dangers of life.

The Beautiful Coral Reefs of El Nido, Palawan

Few weeks ago, GOD gave us a wonderful opportunity of visiting EL NIDO in the Island of Palawan. One of the highlight of our tour, and for us the most interesting, was to go under water and see the diversity of marine species inhabiting the place. We tried SCUBA Diving (our second time by the way) and lots of snorkeling in different locations. We were amazed by the richness of its marine life. No wonder, Palawan is, indeed, the "last frontier" in terms of Philippine ecology. 

The surge of tourists, both local and foreign, is a testament to the popularity of the place as one of the prime eco-tourism destination of the world.  Impressively, the people of El Nido knows their economics and responsibilities to nature pretty well. According to some locals that we spoke to, they are prohibited to do commercial fishing as many of the fishing sites are considered protected areas. They are aware that the destruction of marine life would mean lesser tourists which, in turn, will result to lesser jobs. Eco-tourism is the primary source of livelihood in El Nido.