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Travel:

Coron, amazingly beautifulby Ramon T. Ayco

December 2008

(First publish in the Travel Section of the December 2008 issue of Pinoy Reporter.)

Banol Beach, Coron, Palawan.

I have been in Coron, Palawan for many times because the

institution I am working with has an office there. By this, I am very 

confident in recommending this island to anybody who is looking

for a beautiful place to go.

Coron– the ancestral homeland of the Tagbanuas, is part of the

Calamian Group of Islands. It is situated at the Northern tip of 

Palawan, the Philippine’s last frontier.

The island is a tropical Shangri-la nestled upon a coral jewel set

amidst Palawan’s sparkling turquoise waters. Comely and idyllic,

this island resort is a perfect hideaway for those who seek both

relaxation and discovery.

For one, the sea of Coron was the main setting for “Dyesebel”, the

famous just concluded GMA-7 teleserye featuring Marian Rivera as

the mermaid Dysebel together Dingdong Dantes as her leading man.

On September 24, 1944 this island was a witness to the USNavy’s aerial bombardment of the Japanese cargo and

support vessels, seeking shelter in its waters. These have

now become a sanctuary for a variety of marine creatures

that call these wrecks their home.

The aquatic views from these sunken Japanese warships are

listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba sites

in the world.

Our institutions, which help Tagbanuas in their ancestraldomain claim, own a motorized banca which we use in visiting villages in the island. So I am proud to say 

that I have almost seen every inch of seashore around Coron. It is amazingly beautiful.

Aside from sight-seeing, the main activity which I would like to recommend to any visitor is of course

swimming and diving to feel the water and see the beauties of life under the sea. Snorkel in its marine rich

coral reefs with unbelievable underwater visibility.

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The quality of the sea water in this part of the Philippine archipelago is believed to be most ideal for

cultured south sea pearls. Pearl farms are in the vicinity but their locations are strictly classified.

After a long day of sea and sand frolic, you can treat yourself to a hot spa courtesy of mother-nature, the

Makinit Hot springs. Free-flowing hot mineral rich salt water trapped in a man-made pool will surely 

soothe your weary bones.

A dip in this pool will relax tense and soothe aching muscles. Rejuvenated, one is ready for another day of 

adventure in Coron.

The author (right) together with his guide (left)

at Kayangan Lake. 

You can also visit beautiful lakes with very cold waters: the

Kayangan, Barakuda and Twin lakes. The Twin Lake is the

most unforgettable to me because as the two lakes are

separated by a dark narrow cave, we made a more or less

twenty seconds deep dive in order to reach the other lake. I

began catching my last breath in the middle of the cave so Ihad to swim as fast as I can with no blink of an eye looking

to the bright light of the opposite cave opening. I was

gasping so hard when we reach the other lake. But my guide

said we should not stay longer because there is a big fish

that attacks people there. So again we made a deep dive

back to the other lake via that dark narrow cave.

Trekking the 720 steps up to Mt.Tapyas for a 360 degrees scenic view of the harbor, limestone cliffs and

the island of Busuangais a wonderful experience. Trekking to Uson Summit can bring you to natural bliss,

the 30 to 45-minutes trek brings you to the top of Uson Island, one can see from the summit the neasrby 

islands of Coron. A good time to trek Uson is during sunrise and sunset.

You can also experience a safari in the middle of a tropical

setting. Witness giraffes, zebras and gazelles running

freely in the Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary. Trapped in time?

These animals were brought to this island courtesy of the

Marcos family in the early ‘80’s.

Other possible activities are island hopping, horseback 

riding, challenging motorbike tours, kayaking, wind

surfing, sea safaris, and night life in interesting

restaurants, discos and karaoke bars where fresh and

delicious sea-foods are always available

You can have a quality holiday in a resort at budget prices and a budget holiday which leaves you lots to

spend on souvenir items and other pasalubong which are available at Coron market and local souvenir

shops as you bid goodbye to the island in going back home.