From Malaysia to the Philippines - One Shout Away

It feels a bit weird for a Filipino to be standing on a Malaysian island and looking at another small island that is part of the Philippines. Yes, in the Turtle Islands, the Philippines is just a shout away from Malaysia.

There are nine landforms that belong to the Turtle Islands in this frontier area. Six belong to the Philippines and the other 3 are in the territory of Malaysia. The Philippine side is actually a municipality whose people depend mainly on fishing. It belongs to the province of Tawi-tawi (which is another major tourism treasure just waiting for its right time).

Both countries have agreed on a pact to cooperatively protect the area which has been classified into an international heritage site because it has become one of the very few remaining major turtle nesting grounds in the world.

The islands are only 45 minutes away by speedboat from Sandakan but a good 12 hours by slow boat from any take off point in the Philippines.

Malaysia has been successfully operating turtle watching as an ecotourism program in one of their islands for 30 years now. With high demand on turtle watching (many tour operators book the tours one year in advance), the Philippines can become an ideal expansion area.

It is an exciting possibility! The two countries working together for economic development and environmental protection, the frontier community of Turtle Islands finally getting a shot for their own socio-economic upliftment, providing them added and enhanced livelihood, and the turtles can become better protected.

I would really like to see that scenario in my lifetime.

The Patango.... Bow.....

I know, this may not seem like anything related to tourism. But give me the (2 minutes) benefit of the doubt.

Patango is a tagalog word for this some kind of a beetle. The rough English translation is "something you can make its head bow" or "to bow one's head."

You see, going to the province and seeing those great attractions like breathtaking  views, white sand beaches and good food can be a rather typical activity.

And how do you make an entirely new and unforgettable visit to the rural area? Join the kids in the fields!

Fly a kite, climb up a mango tree, chase grass hoppers, grab some wild guava. And yes, get hold of this quite funny insect that violently bows its head when you hold it. Ask it some questions answerable by Yes or No. Ask it if your crush has the same feeling towards you, if you're going to be rich, or if you will have the chance to come back to this piece of rural paradise you found. Then you set it free.

When you travel, you can have the choice to experience something extra ordinary by going very ordinary, by going very  local.

Mangrove Planting

Went back to my photos for the mangrove planting ecotourism activity in Calatagan, Batangas. It was actually a project under Conservation International - Philippines and was designed to achieve several things - promote Calatagan as an ecotourism destination, involve a local people's organization, and showcase that an activity like this can become a major tourism offering.

You may wonder why the participants are scattered like there is no order in planting the mangroves. The activity was more of a replacement for the mangrove seedlings that died due to debris and seaweed smothering. What usually happens is that seaweeds and debris (plastic!) would cling on the fragile seedling which eventually break and kill it. Its not really that easy to help the environment!

Also did some photoshop experiments.

Majestic Eagle in the City

Meet Girlie. A Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) that is being kept in the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City. Inspite of almost 30 years of efforts to study and save this endemic and majestic raptor. Not much is known about their true condition in the wild. Scientists estimate that probably less than 300 remain in the wild. With the continuing destruction of the few remaining forests that serve as the eagle's refuge, its future remains depressing.

There's Girlie in the park. Try to give her a visit, and maybe say sorry to her for what we have been doing to her kind and to her home. And if you're up to it, try to see that obvious link -- that her home also serves as our home. That we're on the same boat!

Here's also a video I made about 3 years ago.

Tagaytay on a Cloudy Day

With an increasing number of routes to Tagaytay City (there's now Cavitex which should bring you through the towns owned by the locals and less explored by travellers), it is becoming easier to decide going to the place.

On my way to deliver a talk on ecotourism to Cavite State University's Silang campus, I had to take that precious lunch first. Got to check out Max's Restaurant by the ridge and was afforded this great sight.

Here's a tip if you want to really enjoy your road trip to Tagaytay City. Do it any day, except Sunday. If you do it on a Sunday, you will see what Tagaytay traffic is. Or if that's only your available day, better make sure that you're driving out of the place before 3:00 PM.

Ohhh..... there are also very scenic roads that few travellers have discovered. More on those in my future Tagaytay/Cavite posts.