HO CHI MINH CITY ON A BUDGET MAGAZINE FOR CEBU PACIFIC • 2ND QUARTER 2020 p28 AUSSIE AUTUMN Enjoy the change of seasons Down Under p73 TRAVELERS' HEALTH HANDBOOK Everything you need to remember about keeping safe and healthy Take that dream vacation in PALAWAN#BestIslands PROMOTIONAL FEATURE Kick back and relax at SETIR GETTING THERE Fly on Cebu Pacific to Francisco B. Reyes Airport from Manila, Cebu, Clark, El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Boracay. The vacation begins the moment guests land — a member of the Sunlight team will welcome them at the airport and drive them to a private port at Sunlight Guest Hotel in Coron. From there, a speedboat will Slow whisk guests away to the island. EXTEND YOUR living in ADVENTURE To explore more of the luxury Palawan region, visitors can private beaches, high-octane jet check out the Sunlight Guest ski rides, hydrobob experiences Hotels in Coron and Puerto TAKE YOUR TIME TO and relaxing yacht cruises. EXPLORE PALAWAN Princesa. Here, guests will find Take a morning dip in the contemporary furnishings and FROM SUNLIGHT infinity pool, work up a sweat at top-notch customer service. ECOTOURISM the gym, or wind down with a Reconnect massage at the Sanctuary Spa. ISLAND RESORT with yourself Kick back and at SETIR relax by the Whatever you choose, you’ll beach at SETIR encounter sincere Filipino hospitality from the resort’s staff SETIR spans 18 hectares in Culion — even from the moment you land at the airport. If you’re looking to venture further afield,SETIR offers AN ARCHIPELAGO tours to nearby islands, where BOASTING UNSPOILT you can immerse yourself in NATURAL ATTRACTIONS local culture. It’s also a short and a laid-back vibe, Palawan boat ride away from some of is a slice of paradise that is Palawan’s most popular sights, Sunlight Guest topping travel lists around the including Kayangan Lake, Hotel Coron world. Nestled in Culion — part Barracuda Lake and Twin of the Calamian group of islands Lagoon in Coron. The latter is an in northern Palawan — the especially picturesque spot, with luxurious Sunlight Ecotourism two turquoise lagoons separated Island Resort ( ) is just SETIR by dramatic limestone outcrops. the place to soak up the region’s At SETIR, you’ll discover numerous charms. that the true luxuries in life are Accessible by a 30-minute simple: the freedom to slow speedboat ride from the town of down, be immersed in nature, Coron, the sprawling 18ha resort and reconnect with loved ones is home to 54 water villas, which Water villas at SETIR Sunlight Guest Hotel Puerto Princesa and yourself. feature tropical-chic interiors and panoramic views of the Go diving ocean. There’s plenty to see and sunlighthotelsandresorts.com; +63 2 8657 1918 to 19, +63 945 113 3511, +63 917 521 4260; at SETIR do at SETIR: Think pristine [email protected] and [email protected] Smile Apr 2020 Smile Apr 2020 Adv Sunlight Guest Hotel_Smile Apr20.indd 24 13/3/20 4:48 PM Adv Sunlight Guest Hotel_Smile Apr20.indd 25 13/3/20 4:48 PM SEET SEET THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PALAWANTo many travelers dreaming of an island paradise, Palawan sounds like the final frontier. The first thing to know about this intriguing province is that it isn’t just one place — within it are many different islands and unique destinations BY AUDREY CARPIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCISCO GUERRERO alawan has long been Consistently found on “Best Palawan first-timers often ask the stuff tropical Island” and “Best Beach” lists, which among the province’s three fantasies are made Palawan isn’t a single island — most popular destinations — El Nido, of — in the ’90s, it much less a single beach — but the Puerto Princesa and Coron — they was the inspiration country’s largest province in size, should visit. The answer to that is for the setting of the a mini-archipelago that stretches always: You’re asking the wrong backpacker classic The Beach; more between the West Philippine Sea on question. Depending on how much Pthan a decade later, it was the actual its left side and the Sulu Sea on its time you have, visitors can fly into setting of The Bourne Legacy’s final right. All along its two coastlines, Puerto Princesa, drive up to El Nido, scene as Rachel Weisz and Jeremy from the southern end to the then take a ferry to Coron and fly Renner sail out to Bacuit Bay on a northern tip, are beaches, coves, out of Busuanga for an epic trip that junk ship. The province’s tagline as caves and forests that range from will spoil all further travels for them. “the Philippines’ last frontier” has the completely unexplored to Otherwise, consider each place on its sealed its reputation as a place of constantly Instagrammed. To the own merits; all three areas have their unspoiled beauty and wild nature, northeast of the main island are the own charm and particular magic that where adventure awaits behind every Calamian group of islands, where deserves undivided attention. Here’s karst cliff. Coron is found. a primer to vacationing in paradise. 60 Smile 2nd Quarter 2020 2nd Quarter 2020 Smile 61 n the ’80s, El Nido was largely Puerto Princesa international a playground for wealthy airport it’s a five-hour car ride I foreigners who could afford on newly improved roads. While to stay at any of the three exclusive there are direct flights from major El Nido Resorts found off the main Philippine hubs to Lio, the private island. The sleepy fishing town of airport in the Ayala-owned Lio El Nido on the mainland developed Tourism estate, the airstrip can only a backpacker culture when locals accommodate turboprop planes. El Nido started renting out their rooms In town, accommodations range and eventually converting their from small pensions to modern residences into inns and lodges. establishments like Lagun Hotel, Lagoons of the bluest blue set against Attracting the adventurous traveler, while beachfront cottages, glamping PALAWAN the municipality offers unparalleled tents and eco-luxury resorts like inspiring limestone formations have discoveries both above and below Maremegmeg Beach Club dot the water, with a seascape that has even coast. The absence of large hotel made El Nido the iconic paradise entranced the late renowned chains have kept mass tourism oceanographer Jacques at bay for now, preserving getaway when you want to escape Cousteau. Lagoons of the bluest the convivial vibe where blue set against inspiring fellow travelers became part 1 from it all limestone formations have of a community. made El Nido the iconic The Palawan construction paradise getaway when and tourism boom started sometime you want to escape from in 2012, after Puerto Princesa’s it all. underground river was named one Today, it’s far more of the new seven wonders of the developed and world. While the influx of tourists WHERE TO STAY more accessible created revenue for both locals and than ever. foreigners, it also undoubtedly came Maremegmeg Beach Club From the at no small environmental cost. With With 12 luxury villas, an infinity pool overlooking the bay and a concerns that El Nido was becoming beach bar where you can drink overcrowded voiced through official in the sunset, Maremegmeg channels, the local government is a clear choice for the luxe unit scrambled to enforce its traveler. Here, the hotel’s details will make your stay feel even more special — contemporary Filipino art in every room, design Opposite page A view of elements from the tribes of Bacuit Bay 1 Maremegmeg Palawan, and a wilderness of Beach Club 2 Sunset at plants. Sitio Maremegmeg, Brgy Panorama Beach Club Corong Corong; +63 918 257 2981; maremegmeg.com Lagun Hotel The first boutique hotel in El Nido town, Lagun has 37 artfully styled rooms and a roof deck pool with the most incredible backdrop of a limestone cliff. The hotel is also a stone’s throw away from El Nido beach, where all the tour boats take off. Balinsasayaw Rd, Brgy Maligaya; lagunhotel.com Spin Designer Hostel A wallet-friendly option in El Nido town for the solo tripper who doesn’t want to compromise on ambiance and good vibes. Designed by travelers for travelers, this place puts a spin on the whole hostel experience with its community-centered activities for guests. Balinsasayaw Rd cor Calle Real, Brgy Maligaya; 2 spinhostel.com 62 Smile 2nd Quarter 2020 2nd Quarter 2020 Smile 63 Panja Resort_Smile Apr20.pdf 1 13/3/20 11:22 AM 3 Maremegmeg beach 4 Soul Kitchen WHERE TO EAT Panorama Beach Club The most happening place in El Nido, Panorama Beach Club provides a sociable perch from which you can view the stunning PALAWAN Palawan sunset as you enjoy Spanish tapas, cocktails and DJ beats. For ₱1,500 (consumables), stake out a place at the lounges. Along the Taytay-El Nido National Highway, Corong-Corong; +63 998 240 5291; fb.com/panoramaelnido Tambok’s Once a local landmark along the National Highway, Tambok’s recently reopened at the Lio Tourism Estate to make way for the highway expansion. Serving regional Filipino cuisine but skewed C toward Ilonggo fare, Tambok’s is known for its chicken inasal made M from an old, authentic recipe. Lio Tourism Estate, next to Kalye Y Artesano; tamboks.ph CM Soul Kitchen MY A small, simple vegan non-profit CY 3 restaurant that has a buy-one-give- one philosophy. For ₱150, you get a CMY rice bowl with two veggie toppings and a coupon for a free meal to K environmental laws. Establishments back to El Nido.